ALBION – Mike Paduchak was honored for more than 40 years of service on the board of directors for Community Action of Orleans & Genesee.
Paduchak served as the board chairman for several years in the 1980s. Monday was his last meeting as a member of the board. State Assemblyman Steve Hawley stopped by the meeting at Hoag Library to present a citation, expressing appreciation for Paduchak’s service.
A World War II veteran, Paduchak also served as Kendall town supervisor and was a member of the former Orleans County Board of Supervisors.
His daughter, Nadine Hanlon, also serves on the board for Community Action.
ALBION – Meredith Patterson of Albion won the Orleans County American Legion Oratorical Contest on Saturday. She is pictured with Steve Goodrich, left, of Lyndonville who is the county Legion commander. Brandon Nunnery, right, of the Lyndonville Post serves as chairman of the oratorical contest.
Patterson won the 77th American Legion Orleans County Oratorical Competition. She competed against students from the other school districts in the county.
Participants delivered an 8- to 10-minute speech without notes about the Constitution.
Patterson will now advance to a regional competition in January.
ROCHESTER Orleans County Farm Bureau was presented with four Silver Key Awards at the annual meeting for the New York Farm Bureau on Dec. 9-11 in Rochester.
The Silver Key Awards are presented to county Farm Bureau organizations that have exhibited excellence in a variety of categories relating to effectiveness in policy implementation, promoting agriculture in the public and in classrooms, leadership development, and membership building.
The Orleans County Farm Bureau awards was recognized for excellence in the following categories: Membership, Agricultural Education & Promotion, Leadership Development, and Policy Development & Implementation on the local level.
While at the State Annual Meeting, farmer members also took part in the grassroots process of laying the groundwork for the year ahead. More than 100 delegates from across New York proposed, discussed and voted on resolutions that set NYFB’s public policy agenda for 2015.
Orleans County Farm Bureau is dedicated to solving the economic and public policy issues challenging the agricultural community. The county is part of New York Farm Bureau, the largest agricultural advocacy group in New York State, known to members and the public as “The Voice of New York Agriculture.”
ALBION – The Albion Police Department has been awarded the 2014 Community Traffic Safety Platinum Award by the America Automobile Association.
The nationally recognized AAA Platinum Community Traffic Safety Award is the highest award AAA can bestow on any police department. The award is given to police departments that have developed and maintained traffic safety initiatives in their communities and who have shown success in those initiatives.
The Albion Police Department has used programs such as Buckle Up New York, Selective Traffic Enforcement Program, Stop DWI and the Child Passenger Safety Seat Program to enforce vehicle and traffic laws as well as to educate and assist motorists.
Throughout 2014 the Albion Police Department conducted several targeted details that focused on specific areas of safety for both motorists and pedestrians.
“These details were done in non-traditional ways to increase their effectiveness,” said Roland Nenni, Albion police chief. “Several more details are planned using techniques that have never been done in our area and will increase awareness and effectiveness with the end goal of making our community safer.”
This is the fourth consecutive year that the Albion Police Department has received the Community Traffic Safety Platinum Award.
“The Albion Police Department is dedicated to making our highways and streets safer for all who use them,” Nenni said. “Throughout the holiday season we will continue our efforts by adding more patrols and details and we urge motorist to make responsible decisions.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 December 2014 at 12:00 am
First ‘Legacy Awards’ presented to duo who make chicken barbecue a success
Photos by Tom Rivers – Barb Lehning of Holley has volunteered with the chicken barbecue at the 4-H Fair for 30 years, helping serve 1,250 meals at the events. She was presented with a Legacy Award on Tuesday. Kim Hazel, left, was credited by Lehning for helping to organize the big meal.
KNOWLESVILLE – Joan Roberts and Barb Lehning say preparing and serving 1,250 chicken dinners at the fair is a lot of fun.
But it’s also a lot of work, Cornell Cooperative Extension officials said, and they wanted to recognize the two ladies for their years of commitment to making the chicken barbecue dinner such a success.
Both Roberts and Lehning on Tuesday were presented with the first “Legacy Awards” by the Extension. The awards recognize people for many years of service and commitment to the Extension.
Joan Roberts of Medina has helped prepare the meals for 60 years. She received a Legacy Award for her efforts to support the Extension. She is pictured next to Extension board chairman Ed Neal.
Roberts of Medina volunteered for 60 years in preparing the chicken barbecues. Her husband Orren has been right there with her at the fair. Their four kids were in 4-H, and one son built the racks used to cook the chickens for an Eagle Scout project.
“It’s been a part of our life,” Roberts said.
Lehning was asked about 30 years ago to help organize the serving team. She remembers when the event peaked at 1,600 dinners. The 1,250 meals at more recent fairs keeps the serving line busy.
“It’s a fun day,” she said. “I like working with all of the people.”
Roberts and Lehning both said much of the event’s success goes to Kim Hazel, an administrative assistant at the Extension who helps organize the big dinner.
“We could not imagine a fair without the chicken barbecue or the chicken barbecue without Joan and Barb,” said Ed Neal, the Extension board president. “They have been a wonderful team who has built a legacy of community service and fellowship for future generations.”
Provided photo – Cornell Cooperative Extension officials presented the “Friend of Extension” to Orleans Hub editor Tom Rivers, center. He is pictured with Jennifer Wagester, the executive director, and Ed Neal, chairman of the board.
The Extension also recognized Tom Rivers, editor of the Orleans Hub, with the “Friend of the Extension” award. Jennifer Wagester, the Extension executive director, said the agency tends to be the best-kept secret in Orleans County.
But the Orleans Hub has changed that by telling the Extension story.
“In photos, Tom has shown our community the smiles of our 4-H youth and the excitement of the county fair,” Wagester told about 75 people during the Extension annual meeting. “In words, he has shared our success stories and our financial challenges.”
The agency also recognized Alice and Merri Mathes as 4-H club leaders of the year and presented the Friend of the Master Gardeners award to Eileen Sorochty for tending the gardens at the Cobblestone Museum and for taking the Master Gardener course.
The following were elected to the Extension board of directors: Erin Anheier of Clarendon, Vincent Flow of Kendall, Kathy Harling of Albion, Pete Toenniessen of Albion and Michael Zelazny of Medina.
Photo by Tom Rivers – Jayne Bannister, the Niagara-Orleans dairy princess, addresses the crowd at the Trolley Building at the 4-H Fairgrounds. She also served milk punch at the Extension annual meeting.
An Albion native has been picked for a key post in the White House, Rep. Louise Slaughter announced.
Don Sisson, 35, has worked for Slaughter the past 10 years. Slaughter is the ranking member of the Rules Committee in the House of Representatives. Sisson has worked for the Rules Committee since 2004 for both the Democratic and Republican sides, and most recently served as the committee’s Democratic deputy staff director.
In his new job he will be Special Assistant to the President for Legislative Affairs.
Sisson hails from Albion. After graduating from SUNY Brockport, which is located in Congresswoman Slaughter’s congressional district, Sisson worked as a clerk for the Rules Committee and moved up in the ranks to chief clerk, director of legislative operations, legislative director, and now the deputy staff director.
He has been responsible for overseeing all the functions of the Rules Committee, including managing committee meetings for Democrats, coordinating vote recommendations for the congresswoman, and serving as the Democratic Floor Director.
“As someone who could always be counted on as a friend, as someone with extraordinarily gifted intelligence, as being able to work his way through the most dangerous Gordian knot, Don Sisson is a man for all seasons,” Rep. Slaughter said on the House Floor. “I wish him the very best of everything, but say to you without a doubt that the loss for our side, for our office, for our friends, is profound. But nonetheless, he’s going to go. I just want the White House to understand what a jewel they are getting.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 November 2014 at 12:00 am
Self Advocates in Arc were featured in March
ALBION – They were pictured in a group, holding T-shirts that say, “SELF ADVOCATE All Stars.” The group planned to raise their profile this year, marching in parades and doing car washes.
Orleans Hub featured the Self Advocates on March 13, 2014. That photo was entered by The Arc of Orleans County in a state-wide contest and it won third place.
NYSARC, Inc., the state-wide association of member ARC organizations, recognizes news organizations each year for articles and photos about people with disabilities.
Jonathan Doherty, the Self Advocate’s fund-raising chairman, arranged for the Orleans Hub to come take the photo last March. He was one of the founding members of the Advocates in 2006, when the group launched a mission to eliminate the “R-word.”
Darlene Golson, community relations manager for The Arc, is pictured with Tom Rivers, editor of Orleans Hub.
The Self Advocates were able to convince county legislators to take a stand in May 2010. The Legislature passed an official county resolution, telling local, state and federal governments to no longer use the word “retarded” in describing people with developmental disabilities. The R-word is a “vicious slang” that is insulting and hurtful to people with developmental disabilities and their families, legislators said in their resolution four years ago.
The honor from NYSARC is the first journalism award won by Orleans Hub since we started on April 2, 2013. We won the Entrepreneurial Excellence award from the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce in 2013.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 November 2014 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
CHURCHVILLE – They built Lego robots that threw a ball into a net, moved Lego people, and completed several other tasks in a 2 ½ minute round.
(In the top photo Brian Shaw of Kendall lines up the Lego robot for the MiRiFiCi team, which means “Awesomeness” in Latin.)
MiRiFiCi and three other teams from the Orleans County 4-H program competed in a qualifying event at the Churchville-Chili today, with one of the teams advancing to a regional completion on Dec. 7 at the University of Rochester.
Prehistoric Robots was the only team from Orleans to advance to the UR event. In today’s competition at the Churchville-Chili, 17 teams competed with six advancing to the UR. Will Gregoire from Prehistoric Robots also won a “Hero Award” for exhibiting outstanding sportsmanship.
Prehistoric Robots members in photo include from left: Elaina Reese of Medina, Anna Reese of Medina, Sharbell Simon of Lyndonville, Michael Reese of Medina and JohnPaul Simon of Lyndonville. They lined up the robot, pressed the desired program and put on the attachments.
Zachary Neal of Albion is a member of the KOWZ (Kids Only Work Zone). The team needed to research a project, present their findings to judges, and also design a robot and have it complete tasks on a board. Zachary’s family owns a dairy farm in Albion.
His hat has buttons from other teams in the FIRST Lego League. For its project, KOWZ researched and developed a keyboard that can make it easier for people to learn how to type.
The Red Folders team takes a turn in the robot challenge. Tsali Garland-Standing, with head down, is shown working on the robot. Garland-Standing is from Spencerport. Deegan Bragg, in glasses, is from Medina.
There are about 40 kids in the Orleans 4-H Legos program. Most are from Orleans County, but a few are from outside the county borders. The Red Folders won a “Hero Award” for sportsmanship and enthusiasm during the competition.
Mike Beach, one of the mentors for MiRiFiCi, gives the team a pep talk before they send their robot out to complete challenges. The team’s outfits mimic the character from the Monopoly game. Beach’s son, James Michael, is on the team.
Jacob Velesko of Middleport has a hat adorned with buttons from other FLL teams.He is a member of the Red Folders.
The Hippie Pandas, a team from a Girl Scout troop in Churchville, was today’s overall champion. The Hippie Pandas also designed the best robot. They advanced to the national event last year.
Marlene Seielstad of Albion won a “Special Recognition Award,” the only one given to a mentor today for her dedication to the program as a volunteer. She and her husband Erik have served as coordinators and mentors of the FLL program in Orleans County since it started in 2012 with one team. Last year it jumped tp three teams and now there are four.
Benjamin Williams of Albion, a member of the KOWZ team, assembles a Lego model during a drill in today’s competition.
The Prehistoric Robots team advanced to the First Lego League championships on Dec. 7 at the University of Rochester. The team also moved on the the UR competition in 2013. The team includes, from left: Anna Reese, Jacques Gregoire, Michael Reese (in back), Elaina Reese, Nathaniel Scott-Avery, Lucas Wilkins, JohnPaul Simon, Sharbell Simon and Will Gregoire.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 November 2014 at 12:00 am
Albion and Medina kids compete in Louisville
In May, Jack Hill won the state FFA competition for delivering the junior creed speech. Hill was an eighth grader when he delivered the 2 ½ minute speech at the State Convention, which was hosted by Medina.
Jack Hill
His success earned him a trip to the National Convention in Louisville, Ky. Hill earned a bronze award, competing against the state champs from around the country.
He needed to memorize the creed and be ready to answer questions from the judges.
Jack was the first Medina student to compete at nationals “in a very long time,” said Todd Eick, the Medina FFA advisor.
Eick and four other students joined Hill at the convention, which they compared to a massive pep rally for agriculture. About 60,000 students were in Louisville from Oct. 29 to Nov. 1 for the event.
“You can’t begin to describe the energy of 64,000 kids wearing blue jackets and cheering for agriculture,” Eick said. “It’s definitely been a motivation for the kids that went and have gotten back. They have a different drive.”
Albion sent 10 students and two advisors to the National Convention. Jayne Bannister competed in the extemporaneous speaking competition and finished in the top 20, good for a bronze award.
Jayne Bannister
Jayne, an Albion senior, spoke about the role the United States can play in food production and food security in the future. She sees American farmers sharing good agriculture practices with other countries, including in Africa, to help boost yields and preserve farmland.
She said a growing world population, with a shrinking land mass for food, poses a great challenge to farmers. She thinks the agricultural industry will meet the needs in the future.
“We have to be more efficient and smarter in providing food for the world,” she said.
Jayne has been accepted to Kansas State University, where she plans to double major in animal science and agriculture education. Her family runs a beef and fruit farm in Point Breeze.
Jayne felt drawn to Kansas, the second leading state for beef.
“There are cows everywhere,” she said about the landscape at K State. “It felt like home away from home.”
Another Albion FFA member was recognized at the National Convention. Paige Levandowski is a junior at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, studying agriculture education. She wants to be an ag teacher, and would welcome the chance to return to Orleans County to help with an FFA program.
Paige Levandowski
She earned her American Degree through FFA. It was a continuation of her Empire Degree with a focus in equine science and management. Levandowski tracked expenses and revenues for buying and selling horses.
She buys horses and resells them after riding them and taking them to horse shows. She buys horses when they are “green” with not much training.
Levandowski was state vice president of FFA two years ago when she was a freshman at SUNY Morrisville. She was determined to complete the American Degree.
“It’s the highest ranking for a member,” she said. “It’s really good closure for my FFA career.”
The Albion chapter also was recognized at the National Convention with a silver award. It won a bronze award the previous year.
The chapter has 80 members. It was recognized for its community outreach efforts, including a holiday food drive that nets about 20,000 pounds of produce for Community Action. The FFA chapter also puts on a fall festival for the elementary school, welcoming students to paint pumpkins and do other crafts.
“The kids do a great job reaching out to the community,” said Adam Krenning, FFA advisor and ag teacher.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 November 2014 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers – Medina Central School on Friday welcomed five graduates as distinguished alumni, including from left: Dr. James Ingram, Maureen Blackburn and the Honorable James Punch. The district also inducted the late John McElwain and Dr. Susan Hagood.
MEDINA – The school district added five more graduates to its wall of “Distinguished Alumni” on Friday. The new inductees include graduates who stayed in Medina for long careers of community service. Others excelled far away from their hometown.
The honorees were recognized during a school assembly on Friday afternoon in front of 600 students in grades 8 through 12.
“They remind students of what they can do in their lives if they make good choices,” said Mark Kruzynski, high school principal. “We wanted to highlight that community service is also just as important.”
The honorees include:
James Punch, Class of 1973
After graduating from Medina, Punch earned his bachelor’s degree from the University at Buffalo and then earned a law degree from the University of Dayton School of Law in 1980.
He returned to Orleans County in 1985. Two years later he was the youngest district attorney ever in the state. In 1990, he was elected as county judge. He continues in that role, leading County Court, Surrogate Court, Family Court and State Supreme Court. He has started the Crime Victims’ Unit, Youth Court, a Sex Abuse Task Force, Drug and Alcohol Treatment Court, and Domestic Violence Court.
He is active in the community, serving as legal advisor to Medina High School’s mock trial team. He also has been active with the Rotary Club, Knights of Columbus, YMCA Board, Boy Scout Executive Committee, and the Holy Trinity Parish. He is president of the Parish Council and a Eucharistic minister.
Punch addressed the students are encouraged them to always move forward. They shouldn’t sit back and dwell on either success or failure.
“Don’t define yourself as ‘having succeeded’ and decide nothing more needs to be done – ‘I’m perfect,'” Punch said. “Equally, don’t define yourself by your failure and decide nothing more can be done – ‘I’m hopeless.'”
Punch said he is grateful for a career in Medina and Orleans County. He told the students he hopes many of them will be able to stay in the Medina area and contribute to the community.
Dr. James Ingram, Class of 1965
After Medina, Ingram earned degrees at SUNY Geneseo and the University of Alabama School of Medicine, where he earned his medical degree and became a certified surgeon. He also served in Vietnam with the Navy.
In his career he pushed for innovation in electronic health records and his company developed patient management software tools for physicians. Ingram’s company went public in 2012 and was acquired by Vista Equity for $644 million.
Ingram lives in Carrollton, Ga. He said Medina provided a foundation for his career.
“Find a passion in life, find a direction,” Ingram advised students. “You’ll have challenges and misdirection, but keep up the course and you’ll be successful.”
Maureen Blackburn, Class of 1963
When she was a student at Medina, Blackburn had three lung surgeries. Doctors said she’d be lucky to live 20 years. She spent a lot of time in the hospital as a kid.
“It’s everyone’s choice on how you meet challenges,” she told the students.
She took on an attitude to embrace each day, to give of her talents and look for ways to encourage others.
Maureen Blackburn addresses Medina students on Friday when she was presented with a Distinguished Alumni Award. She is joined on stage by Dr. James Ingram and the Honorable James Punch, right.
Blackburn earned degrees from GCC, RIT and then her master’s in social work from the University of Buffalo. She worked for Medina Central School as a social worker. When she retired, she served on the Board of Education, including as its president.
She has been active as St. John’s Episcopal Church, the Red Cross, Medina Area Association of Churches and the Medina Sandstone Society.
“Each day is a gift, each day is a blessing,” Blackburn said. “Make it count.”
John McElwain, Class of 1959
After high school, McElwain served four years in the Navy. He returned to Medina and was active in numerous community causes. For 20 years, the electrician by trade designed and installed the lights for the Christmas displays at State Street Park, creating the nativity scene and electric candle advent wreath.
McElwain was 70 when he died on March 8, 2012.
He was very active with the Lion’s Club, served as past president and promoted a Lions Vision Screening Program at Medina schools and other districts in Orleans County.
He volunteered as a “Big Brother” in the Special Friends program through the Orleans-Genesee Minsitry of Concern, was recognized as a “Best Friend” by The Arc of Orleans County for his service at Camp Rainbow, and was a Boy Scout leader for many years.
“He was very active with kids,” his cousin Russ Martino said. “He was very down-to-earth and lovable.”
Dr. Susan Hagood, Class of 1975
Hagood completed her undergraduate studies at Stephens College in Columbia, Mo., and did graduate work at Louisiana State University. She received her Ph.D. in ecology from the University of Maryland at College Park in 2009. She dedicated the last 20 years of her professional career to the Humane Society of the United States.
During her career with the Humane Society, she worked with predatory control, wild horses and animal preservation funding efforts. She researched the effects of human-wildlife conflict, particularly with development and transportation.
Hagood was 54 when she died of cancer Nov. 8, 2011, at her home in Hanover, Pa. with her husband of 28 years, Jerry Boxman, at her side.
Each honoree will have a plaque in their honor on the “Alumni Hall” by the cafeteria.
“What they have in common is that they all began their paths to success at Medina High School,” Kruzynski said.
Provided photo from Orleans County Sheriff’s Department
ALBION – Orleans County Sheriff Scott Hess recognized members of the correctional services faith-based ministry during a luncheon on Oct. 17.
David H. Ferris has been ministering to inmates since 1986. He received a plaque from the sheriff, in recognition of his “28 Years of Dedicated and Faithful Service to the Sheriff’s Office and the County of Orleans.” While Ferris is planning to “scale back” his ministry, he has no intention of retiring completely from this unselfish calling.
Seated from left: Mrs. Ben Harris, Rev. Ella Mae Hawkins, Dave Ferris and Mrs. Dawn King.
Standing from left: Sheriff Hess, Rev. Leroy Hawkins, Rev. Ben Harris, Rev. Richard Allis, Rev. Neil Samborski, Rev. Charles Barkowski, Mr. Dylan Parfitt, Rev. Dan Thurber, Rev. Don Snyder and Rev. Tim Lindsay (Jail Chaplain and Ministry Coordinator).
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 October 2014 at 12:00 am
File photo – Rachel Gregoire is shown competing at the Orleans County 4-H Fair in this photo from July with an Australian cattle dog.
HOLLEY – An Orleans County 4-H’er has placed eighth in the country in the National Junior Horticultural Association contest. Rachel Gregoire, 14, of Holley also was part of a team from New York that beat all the other state teams.
Gregoire can identify numerous plants from flowers to woody ornamentals to fruits and vegetables. The national test included 100 samples to identify. Participants were also quizzed in a written exam.
Rachel travelled to Lexington, Kentucky, for the competition, leaving last Thursday and returning home on Tuesday. She competed against more than 50 people in the individual competition.
“There’s not a lot of kids that do it,” Rachel said about the horticultural study. “It’s not like Facebook.”
She said she enjoys learning about plants, and is able to pinpoint them based on their characteristics.
“It’s really useful,” Rachel said about the ability to identify plants. “It’s like detective work. There are so many. It’s been a great learning experience.”
Rachel is primarily coached by her mother, Kellie. They connected with several horticultural enthusiasts from St. Lawrence County while in Lexington.
Rachel is also a member of the Rabbit Raisers 4-H Club. She is a sophomore at the Cornerstone Christian Academy in Brockport.
She can compete in the national events until she is 21. Next year’s event will be in Orlando, Fla. It shifts closer to home in 2016 when it will be at Erie, Pa.
MARIETTA, OH – Adam Hoot of Medina, N.Y., has been selected to be a McDonough Scholar at Marietta College this fall. Hoot is a graduate of Medina High School.
The nationally recognized McDonough Leadership Program helps students gain a deeper understanding of leadership, practice their leadership skills, and in the process grow as engaged leaders on campus, in the local community, and beyond.
Students must be accepted into the program through a highly selective process. While a part of the program, Hoot will take leadership classes, participate in different community service projects including the award-winning Make a Difference Day in October. Hoot will have the chance to travel as part of the McDonough Leadership Study Abroad, pursue a variety of experiential activities, and attend prestigious leadership conferences.
“We have an outstanding group of students starting the leadership program this fall,” said Dr. Gama Perruci, Dean of McDonough. “They are driven and full of passion. It’s very exciting to work with them because they are at a stage in their lives when they are defining their goals and developing their leadership skills in order to pursue their dreams. The McDonough Leadership Program serves as the nurturer of those dreams.”
Hoot came to campus the week before classes began to participate in the EXCEL (Experience Civic Engagement and Leadership) Workshop, designed to introduce students to the McDonough Leadership Development Model. As a McDonough Scholar, Hoot will pursue one of four academic options: International Leadership Studies Major, Minor in Leadership Studies, Certificate in Leadership Studies, and the Teacher Leadership Certificate.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 October 2014 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers – The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council honored three people from Orleans County on Saturday. Kelly Kiebala, GO ART!’s executive director, is pictured with, from left: Michael Bonafede, Lance Anderson and Jim Hancock.
BATAVIA – Jim Hancock read about a small town in the Midwest that started a parade of lights to celebrate the holiday season. That was seven years ago. The parade attracted community organizations with floats decorated with lights and holiday themes.
Hancock, chairman of Medina’s Tourism Committee, thought a similar parade would be a draw to Medina, bringing the community together and attracting visitors to see the businesses in the downtown.
Hancock has been the lead organizer for the Parade of Lights in Medina the past six years. The event draws several thousand people to the downtown and keeps getting bigger. This year’s parade on Nov. 29 will conclude with fireworks for the first time.
“I really proud of where I live and I want to do what I can to enhance it,” Hancock said on Saturday after he was recognized by the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council for his efforts with the parade and other Medina events.
Hancock was one of three from Orleans County to be honored by GO ART! on Saturday during the organization’s 14th annual community arts awards gala.
In addition to serving as chairman of the Parade of Lights, Hancock is active with the Medina Sandstone Society and took the lead in establishing a Medina Sandstone Hall of Fame last December. The second class will soon be announced.
He also helps organize concerts in Medina, has been a long-time member of the Lions Club and assists in the food pantry. He recently retired from United Way board of directors after 37 years.
Lance Anderson, an Albion native, was honored for efforts as president of the Lake Plains Players, a community theater group with members primarily from Orleans and Niagara counties.
Anderson works as a private voice teacher. He said the Lake Plains Players is like a family that finds a spot for interested community members to be part of their shows.
The group has been raising the bar, doing more productions each year, including a children’s theater camp and show this summer.
Last year Anderson played one of the lead roles – Jean Valjean – in the organization’s production of the epic show, Les Miserables. The group’s next show, Follies, will be Oct. 17-19 at the Roy-Hart Auditorium.
“It’s an honor working with so many lovely people,” Anderson told a crowd at Terry Hills Golf and Banquet Facility. “I’m very proud to be a part of the Lake Plains Players.”
GO ART! also recognized Michael Bonafede of Albion as both a musical performer and for his efforts promoting cultural events in the community.
Bonafede is a skilled percussionist who played in the band Black Sheep. He continues to perform with friends and fellow musicians.
He also serves as chairman of the Strawberry Festival Committee, which puts on a two-day fest every June with a schedule packed with entertainment. That festival has been an annual tradition for nearly 30 years.
He praised a dedicated festival committee, with many long-time members that help plan concerts, a 5K and 8K race, the parade, crafts, a car show and other entertainment.
He quoted the late opera singer Beverly Sills, who said “Art is the signature of a civilization.” Bonafede said, “Art can be a signature of a community.”
Bonafede also served 16 years on the Albion Board of Education, including more than a decade as its president. He promoted the arts in the school district, which has won national recognition for its music program.
Bonafede, his wife Judith Koehler and their sons also have been working to restore the Pratt Opera House in downtown Albion with a goal to make it a musical and performing arts venue. He thanked his friends for their help with the project.
Bonafede noted that the Pratt Opera House was built in 1882 by John Pratt, a local farmer.
“He knew what culture and art was,” Bonafede said about the builder’s founder. “He knew the significance of it.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 October 2014 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers
BATAVIA – The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council honored artists and contributors of the local cultural scene on Saturday during GO Art!’s annual community arts awards gala at Terry Hill Country Club.
The honorees include, from left: Michael Bonafede of Albion for his role as drummer and help in planning many community events; Kim Buczek (Linda Blanchet Award) for earning doctorate in music arts and performing in Cincinnati area; Jim Hancock of Medina for his volunteer work with many community causes and events; Albion native Lance Anderson, president of the Lake Plains Players – a community theater group; Cassandra Prong (daughter of honoree Bill Hayes – honored for his years of support for GO ART!); Vincent Pastore, a life-long Batavian and accomplished musician; and Leslie DeLooze, accepting on behalf of the Richmond Memorial Library, which offers many arts and cultural programs through the year.
Orleans Hub will have more on the program later today.
