BATAVIA – Twenty-nine regional firefighters participated in the four-hour Leadership, Accountabiity, Courage & Knowledge (L.A.C.K.) program held on the Genesee County Fire Training Center on Jan. 8.
The L.A.C.K. program provides an opportunity for fire officers, training officers and chief offers to improve their personal and organizational skill set. On-going education and training of first responders is essential for awareness, prevention and safe and effective response.
L.A.C.K. participants included:
ALABAMA FIRE DEPARTMENT: Richard T. Brunea, Michelle L. Patnode, William C. Schutt and Alison L. Thompson.
BATAVIA, TOWN FIRE DEPARTMENT: James W. Bouton, Daniel J. Coffey, Paul R. Dibble, Benjamin R. Fisher, Joseph J. Hinz, Gary D. Diegelman, Thomas M. Garlock, Clayton A. Gorski, Daniel A. Jacques, Ian A. Sanfratello, Tyler J. Stewart, David Tran and Robert H. Tripp.
CORFU VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT: Mitchell D. Bates, Lori Ann Santini and Kristen M. Gaik.
ELBA VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY: Jennifer A. Cardinali, Mandy L. Esten, Timothy J. Hoffarth, Michael J. Schad, Jr. and George M. Underhill.
RIDGEWAY VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT: Tyler R. Lucian.
SHELBY VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT: Jeffrey C. Arnett, Crystal M. Petry and Scott E. Petry.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 January 2018 at 10:07 am
Provided photo
An Albion student finished in second place on Sunday during the district competition of the American Legion Oratorical Contest in Buffalo.
Pictured from left include: Skip Merrick, Commander for the Oratorical Contest in Allegany County; first place winner Aiden Heaney of Belfast High School; second place winner Melissa Barnosky of Albion; and Oratorical Contest Zone 5 Chairman Lee Brucino.
Melissa Barnosky of Albion won the school and county competitions. By placing in the top two at district, she qualifies for the zone level contest on Feb. 3 at Mount Morris. If she wins at the zone level, she will advance to the state competition.
BUFFALO – Three students from Orleans County have made the Dean’s List at Buffalo State. Students with a GPA of 3.5 or higher who have completed at least 12 credit hours qualify for the Dean’s List.
The following students from Orleans attained this honor in the Fall 2017 semester: Wynter Dumont of Albion, Kendra Morrison of Albion and Jessica Skehan of Holley.
Buffalo State is a State University of New York (SUNY) college located in Buffalo. The college offers more than 160 undergraduate programs and more than 60 graduate programs.
Photo from NYS Ag Society: Pictured from left include at the New York State Agricultural Society meeting in Syracuse on Jan. 4 include from left: Commissioner Richard Ball, NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets; John and Cheryl Kast; Amanda and Brett Kast; Elizabeth Claypoole, NYS Ag Society; Mark Modzeleski, The Voss Group, award sponsor.
Staff Reports Posted 16 January 2018 at 9:31 am
Brett and John Kast embrace new technology, apple varieties and other crops
Press Release, NYS Agricultural Society
SYRACUSE – An Albion farm was recognized recently with a “Next Generation Farmer Award” at the New York State Agricultural Society annual meeting.
Kast Farms is a Century Farm dating back to 1884. Brett and John Kast are brothers who represent the fifth family generation to operate this diversified fruit, vegetable and grain operation in Orleans County.
Using new precision technology, partnering with Cornell University and others, and trying their hand at experimental crops like industrial hemp has enabled the brothers to uniquely challenge the status quo to help grow farm profitability, the Ag Society said.
The Kast family got their start in farming in 1884 when Aldelbert Chapman purchased the original 140-acre farmstead. Since that time, the Albion-based operation has grown to 4,500 acres. It’s a diversified fruit, vegetable, and grain operation that takes full advantage of Orleans County soil and climate afforded by its proximity to Lake Ontario.
John and Brett Kast pursued separate careers off the farm prior to returning home within the last 10 years. Until 2012, John was employed by the Buffalo and Fort Worth zoos. Brett worked in the Texas oil business before returning in 2008. The family business has immediately felt their combined impact. Owned and leased orchard acreage has increased, and the brothers created their own land limited liability corporation, adding another 600 acres of crop land.
Using new precision technology has allowed the pair to put their own stamp on Kast Farms, including prescription planting, fertilizing and spraying. Working with Cornell University and others, new consumer-friendly apples such as RubyFrost and SnapDragon are being grown on tall spindles and the future may dictate even more diverse varieties. For the past four years, Kast Farms has been malting barley and growing industrial hemp. Partnering with Farm Fresh First, they’ve expanded into spinach production, all with an eye to adapt and drive efficiencies for where customers and new markets are driving.
Both brothers believe that having off-the-farm work experience has enabled them to uniquely challenge the status quo to help grow farm profitability. But they’re quick to look to long time employees, vendors and Cornell to mine for new ideas, efficiencies and mentoring. “It’s this combination that has allowed the farm to continue to grow and be profitable,” John said.
Established in 1832, the mission of the NYS Agricultural Society is to foster, promote, and improve the NYS food and agricultural industry through education, leadership development and recognition programs. It has played a vital role in the development of the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets, Cornell University’s College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, the NYS Agricultural Experiment Station, the NYS Fair, and the Empire State Food and Agricultural Leadership Institute (LEAD NY). In 2011, the NYS Agricultural Society Foundation was formed.
MEDINA – The Medina Lions Club recently held its Peace Poster contest. Elaina Huntington had the winning design. She is pictured with Lions Club members Jim Hancock (project chairman), left, and Vice President Billy Roman.
Each year for the past 15 years the Lions Club has partnered with the Wise Middle School in Medina to offer this program. Special recognition was given to art teacher Judy Light, who coordinates the contest for the Lions Club. Each winner was awarded a nice certificate and a cash prize.
Katelyn Hilobuk was runner-up in the contest. Katelyn and Elaina were recognized during Tuesday’s Lions Club meeting.
ONEONTA – A total of 1,534 SUNY Oneonta students earned Dean’s List honors for the fall 2017 semester. To qualify for the Dean’s List, a student must earn a grade-point average of 3.5 or higher while carrying a course load of 12 hours or more.
Dean’s List honorees include Rubi Luna Mondragon of Albion and Gianni Pietroboni of Medina.
Located in the hills of Central New York, SUNY Oneonta is a mid-size, public, liberal arts and sciences college with a pre-professional focus. The college enrolls approximately 6,000 students in a wide variety of bachelor’s degree programs and a number of graduate certificates and degrees.
ROCHESTER – Nazareth College is proud to announce that the following area students have been named to the Dean’s List for the Fall 2017 semester. A student’s grade point average must be at least 3.5 or above, and they must complete 12 credit hours of graded work that semester in order to be included on the Dean’s List at Nazareth.
• Natalie Allen of Lyndonville is studying Music Education.
• Madeline Bilicki of Medina is studying Social Work.
• Michaela Cardone of Medina is studying Occupational Science.
• Michayla Kovaleski of Albion is studying Dance.
• Kyla Leno of Medina is studying Music Education.
• Regan Stacey of Medina is studying Musical Theater.
• Nicole Waild of Medina is studying Biochemistry.
ALFRED – Three Orleans County residents have each been awarded scholarships to attend Alfred State.
Jessica Sedore of Holley has been awarded a $30,000 “Presidential Scholarship.” Sedore is slated to graduate in 2018 from Holley Senior High School and has been accepted into the nursing (BS/AAS) program.
Hanna Waterman of Holley has been awarded a $19,000 “All-American Scholarship”. Waterman is slated to graduate in 2018 from Holley Senior High School and has been accepted into the nursing (BS/AAS) program.
Melody Purtell of Holley has been awarded a $2,000 “Academic Distinction Scholarship.” Purtell is slated to graduate in 2018 from Holley Senior High School and has been accepted into the radiologic technology (AAS) program.
Provided photo: NYS Ag and Markets Commissioner Richard Ball, front left, congratulates Jim Bittner on being recognized with the New York State Agricultural Society Distinguished Service Citation on Thursday in Syracuse. Also pictured, front row, third from left: Margo Sue Bittner, NY Farm Bureau representative Sandy Prokop, and NY AG Society President Beth Claypoole. Back Row: Kevin Bittner of Barker, David Bittner of Lyndonville, Janet Walker of Holley, and Award Committee Chair Richard Church.
The New York State Agricultural Society, the oldest Agricultural organization in New York State, honored Jim Bittner of Appleton with a Distinguished Service Citation at its 186th annual meeting on Thursday in Syracuse.
New York State Commissioner of Ag and Markets Richard Ball thanked Bittner for his service on various committees and pointed out that the Ag Society is like a family reunion. Producers, academics, political leaders and others involved in some aspect of agriculture come to celebrate this vital industry.
After relating Bittner’s history on the family beef farm and with Bittner Singer Orchards, presenter Richard Church, quoted nominator David Grusemeyer, New York Farm Viability Executive Director, who said, “Jim was a founding board member and later led the NYFVI as its chair with a level head, steady hand, and inquisitive spirit.”
Commissioner Ball confirmed that adding, “The industry is stronger today because of his great work.”
Church then listed the various agricultural organizations in which Bittner is involved: Niagara County and NY Farm Bureau, US Council for Agricultural Research, Extension and Teaching, NYS Advisory Council on Agriculture, New York Specialty Crop Advisory Committee, Agricultural Labor Advisory Group, SILO committee, Cornell School of Ag and Life Science’s Deans Advisory Committee, and Council of Agricultural Organizations. In addition, he has served on the NYS Horticultural Society Board of Directors.
In the community, Bittner is a long-time member of the Barker Lions Club and works with the Lewiston Kiwanis to have Niagara County peaches at their annual festival.
New York Farm Bureau Executive Director Jeff Williams thanked Jim for his service pointing out that they have worked together since 1975 when they were NY Future Farmers of America officers together. Williams pointed out the numerous lobbying activities in both Albany and Washington in which Bittner has participated.
In his “thank you” speech, Bittner acknowledged those who helped and supported him along the way: his parents, Joe and Theresa Bittner; children Kevin, Janet and David; wife Margo; and the two farmers who gave him the opportunity to farm, Frederick Atwater and Tom Singer.
Bittner also encouraged the group to reach out to those outside of agriculture to promote understanding.
“If you aren’t at the table, you may be on the menu,” he said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 January 2018 at 4:01 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers: David Green is pictured on Aug. 23 during the Super Cruise on Main Street. He has teamed with Donna Bushover for about 20 years to organize the car shows.
Each year since Orleans Hub started in 2013 we have named a group of “outstanding citizens.” We want to recognize people for stepping up to bring a new program or project to the community, or who have been consistent contributors for many years.
Here are some people who stood out in 2017:
Retired sheriff keeps the classic cars coming to Medina
Dave Green, the retired Orleans County sheriff, has remained an active community member in his retirement. For nearly 20 years he has been a key leader in a classic car show, which runs about 10 weeks in Medina.
That car show typically attracts a few hundred people to the downtown. That “foot traffic” provides energy and customers for the Medina businesses, and the shows have been part of the Medina downtown resurgence.
The car shows draw about 100 cars on a typical Friday. The “Super Cruise” brings about 200-300 cars when Main Street is closed off and Elvis impersonator entertains. Green also sells raffle tickets during the Super Cruise with proceeds going to the Orleans County United Way.
There was some concern with the car shows earlier this year, with some merchants wanting to move the show away from the Canal Basin and Main Street, due to parking concerns. The shows went on as usual while the village considers how to resolve a downtown parking crunch – a good problem to have.
Green was diplomatic and didn’t lash out at anybody when the issue was raised just before the car show season.
The retired sheriff also remains an active volunteer with the East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company and helps organize East Shelby’s annual swap meet at fairgrounds, which usually raises $5,000 to $10,000 for fire company.
Pastor brings new ministry to historic building in Albion
Mike Outten, pastor of North Point Chapel, is pictured at the former United Methodist Church building in Albion in this photo from March 30. North Point Chapel moved into the site in March and reopened the sanctuary which had been condemned due to concerns about a failing roof. The supports shown in this photo were found to not be needed.
A church building that is part of the historic Courthouse Square was feared doomed after the United Methodist congregation moved out of the building two years ago and the site then sat vacant with little interest from a new buyer.
The United Methodists moved out after being told by engineering and architectural firms the roof was failing and would need a $1 million repair, which included strengthening the structural supports for the building.
The church building is one of seven historic churches at the Courthouse Square, which is a nationally recognized historic district. Losing the church or having it sit empty would have been a blow to the district and one of the community assets.
North Point Chapel, a new congregation in Albion that was meeting at the Arnold Gregory Office Complex, felt God leading them to the church building on Platt Street. They purchased the building and a next-door site for $38,000. (They also took over a $22,000 contract for the roof support beams.)
North Point held services in a Sunday School classroom until the sanctuary was reopened in December. Outten, who ran a construction company, found the costly roof repair wasn’t necessary. Structural supports were buried in the insulation in the roof and weren’t seen by architects and engineers.
Outten and church volunteers repainted the sanctuary, replaced numerous lights (including high ones near the ceiling) and changed the sanctuary stage, adding space for the band.
Outten has insisted the past two years he’s been in Albion that he felt God had a plan for North Point to serve the Albion community. In addition to giving the church building new life, North Point welcomed two missionary teams for community service work in Albion this summer, which included a basketball camp, Vacation Bible School and work on the building.
Outten and the congregation also have handled the thankless job of garbage collection during the annual Strawberry Festival.
The church runs weekly Bible studies and a “Celebrate Recovery” program for people battling addictions.
Outten deserves praise for seeing the good in what often appears a hopeless situation, whether an old building or people struggling with overwhelming problems.
Holley veterinarian took the lead in bringing back community festival
Photo by Tom Rivers: The Holley-Kendall Marching Band performs during a parade at the June Fest celebration.
Photo by Kristina Gabalski: Holley Rotarian Krista Wiley-Neale, right, presented Marge Dale with a check $2,000 from the Holley Rotary Club to help Dale and her husband after their house burned down in Clarendon on Nov. 28.
Holley took a break from its June Fest in 2016. The festival needed more volunteers and funding. Often when a community festival takes a break, it doesn’t come back.
But the June Fest returned in 2017 with a big parade, 5k race, music and many other activities and vendors.
Krista Wiley-Neale helped bring back the June Fest, and also was a key organizer in an expanded Festival of Lights in December. The Holley Village Board named her the “Citizen of the Year” and insisted she flip the switch during a Christmas tree lighting.
Wiley-Neale, owner of Wiley’s Ark Animal Care, also serves on the Village of Holley Development Corporation Board which was able to complete the sale of eight “Diaz homes” in 2017. Those houses will be returned to the tax rolls after about 15 years of being vacant.
Wiley-Neale also is a member of the Holley Rotary Club, which tackles several community projects each year.
She has provided a “can-do” attitude and optimistic attitude in the village.
Long-time grocer supported many community organizations
Photo by Tom Rivers: Jerome Pawlak ended a long career in the grocery business with the closing of Pawlak’s Food Center.
Jerome Pawlak lasted much longer in the grocery business than most small-town grocers. The grocery business in Albion is highly competitive with Wal-Mart, Tops, Rite Aid, Dollar General and other stores selling groceries.
Pawlak endured all that competition, while being a generous supporter of numerous community organizations.
He also has served on the boards of directors for United Way, the Chamber of Commerce, the Orleans Economic Development Agency and many others. He has coached Little League, youth basketball and been an active member of his church.
Pawlak and his family have been “all in” with Orleans County for many years. They opened a Save-A-Lot store in Holley after the community was without a store for five years.
Pawlak closed that store in September 2016 and he announced the end of his Albion business this past October. He wanted to continue but couldn’t reach an agreement for the lease in the Albion plaza.
The Pawlaks have been a presence in Albion for 49 years. They started a store in Lyndonville 57 years ago before moving to Albion.
Pawlak showed resourcefulness in keeping his business going for as long as he did. In addition to the grocery store, the Albion site included The Video Station, Save-On Beverage Center and an outdoor food stand during the warmer weather.
Firefighter was key in design of new fire safety trailer
Photos by Tom Rivers: A new fire safety trailer debuted in 2017. A $75,000 state grant from State Sen. Robert Ortt paid for the trailer, which will go to local school districts and community events.
Peter Sidari spoke at the Albion Board of Education meeting on Oct. 4, explaining the benefits of a new fire safety trailer and asking the Board to support a fire prevention and planning program.
Fire departments in Orleans County have a new tool for teaching fire prevention and the importance of a fire safety plan. In October, a new trailer with smoke simulators and other features debuted in the county.
Pete Sidari, an Albion firefighter, was among the committee members that picked out a design for the trailer and trained firefighters in leading safety programs with the trailer.
Sidari brings more than a decade of experience from his job as a fire safety educator for the North Greece Fire District.
Sidari pushed for kid-friendly decals and characters on the trailer that would serve as a billboard, helping to reinforce the message of having a fire escape plan.
The trailer is being used in educating the community on proper fire safety. Local firefighters have already taken it to the five school districts in Orleans County for students to practice exiting through a window in case of a fire, and to learn about smoke in a building (the trailer has a fog machine) and also to not open a hot door (the trailer can heat up doors).
There have been 42 firefighters in the county trained to lead students through the trailer. Sidari said the public education program will be a work in progress. Many other communities with fire safety trailers have paid personnel who lead the program. In Orleans County, almost all of the firefighters are volunteers. Only Medina has paid staff.
Many volunteers were part of the committee with the fire safety trailer. Sidari was a key to “selling” it to the local schools. He attended several Board of Education meetings and provided insight on how the trailer should be used and firefighters be trained.
Holley dentist led effort to return ‘Diaz homes’ to tax rolls
Photo by Kristina Gabalski: Village of Holley Development Corporation President Daniel Schiavone, left, is pictured on May 2 with Holley Mayor Brian Sorochty, Village Trustee Connie Nenni, and Orleans County Legislators Ken DeRoller and John DeFilipps. They are gathered on the porch of 37 S. Main St., one of eight “Diaz Homes” that Schiavone and the village worked for years to get turned over by the federal Environmental Protection Agency.
It was a thankless task for Dan Schiavone: leading a village-created development corporation that take possession of eight homes from the federal Environmental Protection Agency and then resell them.
Schiavone, a Holley dentist, served as chairman of the Village of Holley Development Corporation. The organization had a big breakthrough in 2017, getting the EPA to relinquish eight houses that had been off the tax rolls for about 15 years. The EPA took ownership of them after a chemical leak in January 2002 at the former Diaz Chemical.
The houses were cleaned and deemed safe although the EPA wanted assurances of lead abatement at some of the sites before they were sold.
Schiavone worked with the EPA, a real estate company and the village officials to see the sales through completion.
The eight houses sold for $192,600 with the EPA getting 90 percent and the Village of Holley Development Corporation collecting the other 10 percent.
“It will be a big plus for the village to have them back on the tax rolls and not be eyesores in the neighborhood,” Schiavone said.
He also can be counted on supporting many community fundraisers and events. The Holley Board of Education recognized his efforts in December with a “Soaring to New Heights” award.
Medina resident led new toy collection effort to brighten Christmas for many local children
Photo by Tom Rivers: Shawn Ramsey, left, is owner of Canalside Tattoo in Medina. He is pictured with Andrew Szatkowski, organizer of the toy drive that resulted in 500 gifts to be given away.
Andrew Szatkowski said he didn’t want any local kids to not have a present on Christmas day. Szatkowski had a brainstorm. He knew thousands of people would be in downtown Medina for a Christmas celebration, capped by the Parade of Lights, the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
He urged people to drop a present at Canalside Tattoo. If they donated a gift or $5, they would get a raffle ticket for one of 20“Medina Experience” packages. Szatkowski thought the raffle was also a way to promote Medina businesses and events.
The one-day toy drive on Nov. 25 resulted in 500 toys being donated plus about $700. The toys were dropped off at Canalside Tattoo on Main Street in Medina.
The toys were given to Community Action of Orleans & Genesee, which distributed them to families in Orleans County.
“In our county there are children that need toys,” Szatkowski said. “I think it’s important as a community that we step up. There are children that need help.”
Community Action officials said the toys were a big contribution for the agency that has 300 children on its list for Christmas.
Painted rocks bring smiles to community
Photo by Tom Rivers: Lori Laine is pictured with two rocks that were among more than 100 delivered to residents of The Villages, the former county nursing home, during the holidays. She painted about 40 of the Christmas rocks for nursing home residents. “It’s such an easy thing to do and it makes people so happy,” she said.
An interesting phenomenon took hold in Albion and many communities around the country in 2017. “Kindness Rocks” are painted, often with inspirational words and messages, and left in the community for people to find. They are encouraged to then post a picture with the rock and rehide it.
Lori Laine loved the idea and organized rock-painting parties in Albion. She painted several hundred rocks, some in very intricate detail. Laine pushed the Albion “rockers” to paint rocks and take them to the local nursing home.
Laine said the rocks have brought more people to Main Street, Mount Albion Cemetery and other locations in the community. She sees families with young children on rock hunts.
“It’s great to see parents and their kids walking around looking for the rocks,” Laine said. “They’re having fun with it.”
Laine also has been an active promoter for Donate Life, urging people to be organ donors. She put together a Donate Life float for the Strawberry Festival Parade in June. Laine is committed to that cause because her husband, Tom, received a liver transplant in July 2014.
Laine also organized a first-time pet parade in October for Albion’s Fall Festival. She has a big heart and makes Albion a lot more fun.
Orleans Hub will recognize the outstanding citizens at an awards program, likely in February. More details will be announced.
