By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 January 2015 at 12:00 am
File Photo – Bill Lattin leads a tour about downtown Medina this summer, one of the many events where he helped residents better understand the past and the county’s heritage. Lattin retired on Dec. 31 as county historian.
Editorial
ALBION – It was another day of horrible winter weather last Feb. 27. With blowing snow, fierce winds and freezing temperatures, I figured it would be a small group at a lecture by Bill Lattin. He was scheduled to talk about Mount Albion Cemetery and a Civil War memorial – the 68-foot-high tower in the cemetery – as part of GCC’s Civil War lecture series.
I went to show some support for Lattin. I really didn’t think too many people would brave the elements for his talk.
The bad weather didn’t deter the crowd. All of the seats were taken and many stood for an hour to hear Lattin talk about the cemetery and the Victorian attitudes towards death expressed in the gravestones. (Another dedicated group braved nasty weather about a year ago when Lattin led a tour of stained-glass windows at churches in Albion.)
Lattin has developed a following in his 36 years as Orleans County historian. He frequently gives lectures and talks around the county, leading tours of cemeteries, addressing service clubs and other organizations. He has proven a draw, telling stories of the county’s past, often mixing in humor and respect for residents from generations ago.
We live in an era when many people don’t know the names of their neighbors. Lattin is far the opposite. He can look at a picture from the 1940s and name the local residents, sharing anecdotes about local folks from long ago.
Local dignitaries including former Congressman John LaFalce (center) gather in 1977 for the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Ward House at the Cobblestone Museum in Childs. Bill Lattin, right, was the long-time curator and director of the museum and helped save several sites at Cobblestone Museum. The museum is a National Historic Landmark, the only location in the county with that designation.
Lattin retired on Dec. 31 as county historian, a role he served in for 36 years. A former Albion art teacher, Lattin also led the Cobblestone Museum for more than three decades, served on the Gaines Town Board, and has been active at the Pullman Memorial Universalist Church.
He has been a regular contributor to the Orleans Hub, providing us with photos and write-ups in the “Vintage Orleans” feature. For 35 years he wrote a weekly historical column for The Journal-Register in Medina. (He has given Orleans Hub additional photos that we will publish early in 2015.)
He has been available to help residents with numerous historic preservation and appreciation projects, whether erecting historical markers, researching ancestors or working with students on projects.
Lattin has worked with Albion High School students on the annual Albion Ghost Walk at Mount Albion Cemetery. He provides some background on prominent and sometimes obscure residents in the cemetery. The students will put the person from the past in the own words during a dramatic presentation at the cemetery.
The Ghost Walk typically includes about 50 students. About 500 people attend the annual Ghost Walk, which shows the community’s appreciation for history.
File photo by Tom Rivers – In this photo from last year’s Ghost Walk, student Chey-Rain Eagle depicts Elizabeth Proctor, the third wife of John Proctor. He is considered the “Paul Revere of Gaines” for riding his horse and alerting residents all the way to Lewiston that the British were coming.
In 2011, Lattin worked with Albion Middle School students in an impressive preservation effort. Lattin visited seventh graders in the 2010-11 school year and talked to their class about the former Alms “Poor” House, the precursor to the county nursing home on Route 31. The nursing home replaced the Alms house in 1960. Lattin told them why Countyhouse Road was called “Countyhouse.”
Some of the residents at the Alms House were buried in a cemetery on West Countyhouse Road in Albion. That cemetery in a wooded area became overgrown with brush and small trees.
The students wanted the residents to have a proper burial place. They worked with Lattin and the County Highway Department to research the site, find 66 head stones and clean up the property. It was rededicated in June 2011.
The poor house served many immigrants Irish, English, Dutch, Scottish and others and no doubt was a home for hard-luck Civil War veterans, Lattin said during the dedication ceremony.
He thanked the students for showing high qualities of citizenship, for wanting to recognize some long-forgotten residents. Lattin said those residents were also doting fathers and mothers, and contributing community members. But their families may not have had money to bury them in Mount Albion or another local cemetery.
Lattin’s best legacy may be empowering residents, including many students, to understand the past and to care more deeply about the community’s residents, including those who paved the way for the current generation.
If you love your community, you should know about its history. Lattin has been a dedicated teacher.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 December 2014 at 12:00 am
‘Outstanding Citizens’ serve community in many ways
Several residents deserve to be recognized as “Outstanding Citizens” for their efforts to make Orleans County a better place this past year. They did many good deeds for little to no pay, driven by a love for their community and neighbors.
Orleans Hub is pleased to recognize the following:
Leader of Lawn Chair Ladies adds excitement to local parades, community events
Photos by Tom Rivers – Kim Corcoran leads the Lawn Chair Ladies at a local parade.
When the Town of Kendall celebrated its 200th birthday in 2012, Kim Corcoran and some of her friends decided to add some excitement to the local parade. Corcoran and her friends formed the Lawn Chair Ladies and had a dance routine on the parade route. The women, while wearing pink boas, choreographed a number with lawn chairs.
They were an immediate sensation and now perform at many community events during the year. The group has 18 members who practice regularly.
“I didn’t have any hopes beyond that summer,” said Corcoran, the group’s leader. “It’s been really fun getting all of my old buddies together.”
Corcoran grew up in Kendall and was in the marching band. After a 35-year career in New York City in the advertising and publishing business, Corcoran moved back to her hometown in June 2011. She attended the parade at the Kendall Firemen’s Carnival and thought it was missing some excitement that June.
The Lawn Chair Ladies formed to add some pep to the local parade and haven’t skipped a beat since, performing in Kendall, Holley and Brockport, with requests for other events. Corcoran also has been appointed the town historian.
Volunteer event planner adds much to Medina’s cultural life
A giant snowman makes its way down Main Street in a lighted float by MAK Plowing and Landscape in Medina on Nov. 29. Jim Hancock coordinates the parade that includes many businesses, civic groups and other organizations.
Since he retired as director of the Job Development Agency in Orleans County, Jim Hancock has been busy working for free for the Medina community. He heads the Medina Tourism Committee and makes sure a visitor center inside Medina City Hall is staffed during the summer.
He plans an annual concert by the Canal Basin, and has been instrumental in establishing the Medina Sandstone hall of Fame inside City Hall. Hancock visits all of the nominated sites, which stretch throughout New York State and to Erie, Pa.
Jim Hancock, a member of the Medina Sandstone Hall of Fame committee, discusses the Million-Dollar Staircase in Albany, which was partially built with Medina Sandstone. The Staircase has been nominated for the Medina Sandstone Hall of Fame.
Hancock spearheads one of Medina’s most popular events: the annual Parade of Lights on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. It has turned into a mega-draw for Medina, filling the downtown and some side streets with thousands of people. The number of glowing floats increases each year. It is a great display of community pride.
Resident does the research and convinces government to name creek for pioneer
Al Capurso is pictured on a pedestrian bridge over Gilbert Creek in the Town of Gaines.
For about two centuries Orleans County residents passed by a creek in Gaines and Carlton. The unnamed waterway has remained largely unspoiled and undisturbed.
Al Capurso wanted it to have a name and to honor a pioneer resident who lived next to the creek more than 200 years ago.
For more than a year he researched the 6.5-mile creek that starts near Brown Road and heads northeast to Marsh Creek in Carlton. Capurso pushed for the waterway to honor Elizabeth Gilbert, the first settler on Ridge Road in Orleans County.
Gilbert and her husband built their cabin in 1807. Mr. Gilbert died soon after they settled, and his wife was left to raise a family and make a life in the wilderness of the Niagara frontier.
It took Capurso a year of lining up local support, and gaining permission from the federal Bureau of Geographic Names. The agency on April 10 formally approved the naming request.
Capurso painted a wooden sign with the name, “Gilbert Creek.” It stands by Ridge Road, next to the Gaines Carlton Community Church.
During the May 24 dedication program, State Sen. George Maziarz praised Capurso for working through the bureaucracy to get the creek named for one of the county’s pioneers.
“There is no better title than a citizen who loves his community, who respects his community,” Maziarz said about Capurso.
Al Capurso’s son Dan unveils the sign for Gilbert Creek by Ridge Road during a dedication program on May 24.
Resident spearheads effort to feed the hungry in Medina area
Bilal Huzair stacks up some frozen pizzas on Dec. 20 during a Foodlink delivery in Medina next to the Old Mill Run Restaurant on Route 63.
About two years ago Bilal Huzair and his family opened the Old Mill Run Restaurant on Route 63, just south of Maple Ridge Road. Huzair met many local residents and had a sense that many were struggling to buy groceries.
Huzair and other members of the World Life Institute connected with Foodlink about doing a food drop-off in Medina the first and third Saturdays each month. Huzair didn’t know what to expect – just how many people would show up for fruits, vegetables and other food.
The program started in November 2013 and quickly drew big crowds with about 200 people standing in line, with many there two hours ahead of time. Another 200-plus are given food, with deliveries by friends and World Life Institute volunteers.
Many of the people in line are senior citizens on fixed incomes. They see their income consumed by medical bills, prescriptions and other bills.
“We didn’t have an expectation,” Huzair said about how many people would seek the food. “We just knew there was a need.”
An anonymous donor has been paying Foodlink for the food that is given out. Huzair manages the volunteers and keeps the program running smoothly.
“These are people who genuinely need things,” he said.
Assemblyman leads veterans on trips to DC
Provided photo – State Assemblyman Steve Hawley, lower right, is pictured on Sept. 19 with a group of veterans in Washington D.C. on seventh annual Patriot Trip. About 100 people travelled to the nation’s capitol with Hawley to tour war memorials.
Many politicians say they value veterans, but Steve Hawley may be the only elected official in the country who leads about 100 people each year to Washington, D.C. Veterans from World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War can tour the war memorials.
It is a meaningful trip for veterans and their families and Hawley and his staff deserve praise for all of the effort. Hawley has coordinated the Patriot Trip for seven years with about 750 people travelling to the nation’s capital.
“The Patriot Trip is a token of my appreciation for the men and women who have served our country with courage and honor,” Hawley said in September, when the group headed to DC.
Hawley isn’t an Orleans County resident. He is from Batavia. He has kept his district office in Albion, even when redistricting shifted the district south with more of Genesee County. He has shown his commitment to Orleans County residents.
Historian helps awaken Clarendon to celebrated past
Melissa Ierlan, the Clarendon town historian and president of the Historical Society, unveils a historical marker on Sept. 21 for Hillside Cemetery, which last year was named to National Register of Historic Places.
In recent years, Melissa Ierlan has helped save the Old Stone Store in Clarendon, erect historical markers, and get sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Ierlan has also been good about forming partnerships and connecting with residents and preservationists. She scored a big win in 2014 by celebrating the life and legacy of Clarendon’s native son, Carl Akeley.
Last spring the Clarendon Historical Society was brainstorming programs for the upcoming year. The group considered famous people from Clarendon’s past to feature. Someone mentioned Akeley, one of the most acclaimed taxidermists in the world.
It just happened to be his 150th birthday on May 19. The Historical Society decided to throw Akeley a big party. They invited author Jay Kirk, who wrote a biographical novel about Akeley called “Kingdom Under Glass.”
Provided photo – Carl Akeley is pictured with a leopard in Africa that he killed with his bare hands after it attacked him.
Prominent taxidermists also joined 150 people at the May 21 bash for Akeley. The celebration would link Ierlan, the Historical Society president, with prominent taxidermists who have long wanted to honor Akeley. The taxidermists gave Ierlan several Akeley mementos, including a gorilla death mask, to display at the Town Hall. The taxidermists also started raising $8,000 for a monument to be set in Hillside Cemetery in Clarendon in honor of Akeley.
Akeley was also a prolific inventor and world traveller. He died of a fever in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1926, and is buried there.
Ierlan has travelled to New York City with other Historical Society members to see The Akeley Hall of African Mammals, which showcases large mammals of Africa that Akeley killed and stuffed. She and members of the Cobblestone Society Museum are working with a taxidermist to restore a stuffed fox done by Akeley as a teen.
The Historical Society also is working on Akeley’s 151st birthday party in 2015.
Albion couple teaches 4-H’ers about science through Legos, robotics
Erik Seielstad has volunteered as mentor in the Lego program since it started in 2012. He is pictured with Dan Squire, 13, of Medina in this photo from early November.
Four years ago Erik and Marlene Seielstad pushed to start a robotics program through 4-H in Orleans County. High schoolers program a robot to perform tasks, including picking up and shooting a basketball.
“Joe’s Average Slackers” were born, and they have competed in regional events. The Seielstads serve as mentors and their son Morgan is a senior in the program this year.
Many parents pushed the Seielstads to start a Lego team for kids in elementary and middle school, and the Seielstads three years ago agreed to coach the team. The The First Lego League proved popular and expanded to three teams last year and a fourth team this year. There are about 40 kids under the guidance of the Seielstads with some help from parents.
Marlene Seielstad, right, talks with members of the Prehistoric Robots team during a competition at Churchville-Chili on Nov. 15.
The Seielstads have been honored for their volunteer efforts by the FLL regional leaders. Most teams are led by paid staff in school districts.
Mr. Seielstad works as a systems engineer in Rochester. He said the students are all learning math and science skills, as well as teamwork.
“The kids get the opportunity to work together and accomplish things,” Seielstad said during a November practice.
His wife is a member of the Albion Board of Education. She keeps the teams organized and funded. She has numerous businesses backing the robotics and Lego teams.
The Seielstads believed the program could work in rural Orleans County. They have been the drivers of its success.
“I find it overwhelming that this has occurred,” Mrs. Seielstad said. “Our uniqueness is we have people from all over our county, as well as kids from other counties.”
Orleans Hub plans to honor the “Outstanding Citizens” during a reception in early 2015.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 December 2014 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Jim Andre has been with the all-volunteer veterans’ van service since it started 16 years ago. He offered to drive veterans to medical appointments. A Korean War veteran, Andre of Kent continues to give his time with the service coordinated by the Orleans Joint Veterans Council.
Andre, right in photo, was one of three volunteers recognized during a luncheon on Tuesday at the Joint Veterans Council. The group also recognized Owen Toale, left, for his fund-raising efforts that helped the Council purchase two lower-mileage vans.
Gloria Kuhn, center, is volunteer coordinator for the program. She goes to the office on Route 31 at the Veterans Service Agency and connects drivers with veterans who need rides to appointments.
There are about 25 volunteers, including drivers and people in the office. The service has five vans. In 2013, they transported 1,040 veterans to medical appointments at no cost to the veterans.
This year, drivers transported 1,627 veterans to appointments (with a week to go), the most since the service started, said Paul Fulcomer, the county’s Veterans Service Agency director.
“We are the only county with a volunteer-run program,” Fulcomer told the group. “It’s veterans helping veterans.”
Kuhn said the service tends to have a shortage of drivers during the winter, when many volunteers head to Florida, Arizona and other out-of-state locations.
“My Christmas wish is more help during the winter,” she told the group.
Fulcomer and Kuhn said many veterans still don’t know about the program. In a marketing effort, she passed out hats to all the volunteers that say “Orleans County Joint Veterans Council.” The hats include a flag.
For more information on the program, call (585) 589-2856.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 December 2014 at 3:55 pm
Salma Huzair will also perform Saturday in Medina
Photo by Tom Rivers – Salma Huzair will travel to New York City to audition on Jan. 25 for “The Voice,” NBC’s vocal competition. She is pictured outside her family’s restaurant on Route 63 in Medina.
MEDINA – Salma Huzair has always enjoyed singing around her house, and in the Lyndonville school choir. People have told her she has a great voice.
But she started to really turn heads on Sept. 17. Her family owns the Old Mill Run Restaurant on Route 63 in Medina. Russ Peters was performing that day at the Old Mill. He took a break in his concert and during intermission karaoke singers had a chance at the microphone.
Salma sang “Skinny Love” by Birdy. John Wragg was in the crowd and he was wowed by Salma. Wragg has a recording studio in Middleport.
He welcomed Salma to the studio and they put some recordings of her on Facebook and YouTube. They sent links of those videos to “The Voice.” The television show welcomed her for an audition.
She will travel to New York City on Jan. 25 for the blind audition, when singers perform for four celebrity judges. The judges have their backs to the singers in the blind auditions. The judges decide if they want the singer on their team.
“I’m really excited but a little nervous,” Salma, a sophomore at Lyndonville, said on Tuesday at the Old Mill.
Salma Huzair works at the Old Mill Run Restaurant in the kitchen and as a waitress. Here she is making a Reuben sandwich.
She will perform in a concert on Saturday at the Medina Theatre. The 7:30 p.m. concert will be a fund-raiser for the trip to New York City, and also a chance to perform on stage for a live audience.
Wragg believes Salma could be a big star. She needs to build up her confidence, he said.
“Everyone knows how good she is except Salma,” Wragg said.
There is a suggested $3 donation to attend the concert and there will be raffles to help cover the travel and lodging costs for Salma. The band, The Blind Leading the Blind, will also perform from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m.
“We’re here to support the local talent,” said Nicole Bellnier, manager at Medina Theatre.
Salma’s mother Alana Ross will join her daughter in New York City. She said Salma has had perfect pitch since was a little girl.
“She has a very delicate sounding voice, but she can be powerful when she wants to be,” Ross said.
Salma Huzair is pictured with her father Bilal and her mother Alana.
Salma sang her first solo in the fifth grade at an elementary school concert. She has been picked for many all-county musical festivals.
A soprano, she enjoys singing pop music. She admitted she is a little shy. But she is pushing herself. She had a concert at the Old Mill Run Restaurant on Dec. 13 and engaged with the crowd.
“Since her concert here she has really blossomed,” her mother said.
Salma’s parents opened the Old Mill Run about two years ago. Their daughter has preferred to stay in the background, working in the kitchen. But lately, she has been waitressing, working more with the public.
“She has really stepped out,” her mother said.
Salma said she is grateful for the chance to try out for “The Voice.”
“I really enjoy singing,” she said. “It just takes me away.”
Salma Huzair makes a Reuben sandwich at the Old Mill Run. She also has been waitressing more recently, connecting with customers.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 December 2014 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Orleans County Historian Bill Lattin, center, was recognized today during the final Orleans County Legislature meeting of 2014. Lattin is retiring on Dec. 31.
Legislature Chairman David Callard, left, presented Lattin with a “Special Recognition Award” for his 36 years as county historian. Resident Al Capurso, right, presented Lattin with a model of a log cabin that Capurso made.
“Bill has been extraordinary,” Callard said. “He has gone above and beyond to promote our county history by teaching, lecturing to our community members and our visitors from near and far about the strong history and heritage we have here in our county.”
Lattin also served as curator of the Cobblestone Museum for nearly 40 years and was influential in many of the museum’s acquisitions. He also coordinated the relocation of several of the buildings at the museum complex near the corner of routes 98 and 104 in the Town of Gaines.
Outhouses, a print shop, blacksmith shop and Farmer’s Museum were all moved to the museum complex to be preserved.
Callard praised Lattin for his “extreme professionalism” and efforts on many fronts in preserving local history.
Capurso said Lattin is a long-time friend. The historian also worked with former Albion Mayor Donna Rodden, Capurso’s late mother in law, to have several sites in Albion – Mount Albion Cemetery, the Courthouse Square and Downtown Albion – listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Capurso worked for a month to create a model of pioneer log cabin for Lattin.
“It’s a drop in the bucket for what Bill has given of himself for the county and historic preservation,” Capurso said. “He doesn’t seek recognition. That’s not what drives him.”
The Legislature expects to appoint a new historian in early 2015.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 December 2014 at 12:00 am
Sandra Baxter returned to college after Worthington Cylinders left Medina
Provided Photo – Sandra Baxter (third from left) is pictured with Enrollment Management committee members, from left, Cherie Chatt, Dr. Virginia Taylor, and Judie Littlejohn.
BATAVIA – In an effort to encourage students to enroll for Spring 2015 semester, Genesee Community College offered those who registered by Dec. 12 a chance to win an iPad mini.
Sandra Baxter of Albion needed no incentive. She had registered back in October, the first chance she could. In a case of “the early bird gets the worm,” Sandra won the drawing. She came to the Batavia campus on Thursday to collect her prize.
“I felt like Santa Claus calling her,” said Dr. Virginia Taylor, vice president for Student and Enrollment Services. Sandra was surprised to have won. “I couldn’t believe it. I usually don’t win things.”
She’s thrilled to try the mini, as are her children. She is the mother of 7 and 11 year olds and stepmother to one, age 21, who graduated from GCC last spring.
That’s the same semester Sandra returned to college at age 40. When her job in distribution at Worthington Cylinders (BernzOmatic) was relocated to Wisconsin, she decided it was time.
“I said that’s my sign that I need to go back to school full time and start a new career.”
She is studying to be a medical administrative assistant and hopes to graduate in 2016. Sandra has taken classes at the Batavia campus and online.
“I figured it would be hard,” she acknowledged since she hadn’t taken a class since her first foray into college after high school. “But I haven’t had any real trouble. I really like it. Everybody’s been great. Even the other students have been really helpful with the technology.”
She was most nervous about taking the online class, but managed with minimal trouble.
“It’s a lot of asking questions, but I’m getting the hang of it,” she said.
Sandra was chosen from 14,857 class registrations submitted between the time enrollment opened in October and Dec. 12, 2014. Assistant Dean for Records and Advisement Terry Reding put all the names in a database randomly and assigned them a number. He then asked members of the Enrollment Management committee to select a digit from a specified range, which, when compiled into one number produced the winner – 3,843.
“Our contest may be over, but there are still opportunities to register for spring classes,” said Dr. Taylor. “Many fill quickly, that’s why we encourage students to enroll early. But there are some classes available. We encourage people to check out all the opportunities. A new year is a great time to make a fresh start!”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 December 2014 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers – This photo shows corn waiting to be harvested in early September along Zig-Zag Road in Albion.
KENDALL – Matt Kludt and Kludt Farms have won the New York crown for biggest corn yield.
Kludt’s per-acre yield of 281.5 bushels won the non-irrigated, no-till/strip-till category. Two nearby farms finished second and third with R.L. Jeffres & Sons, Inc. in Wyoming at a 269.2 yield and RY Properties in Pavilion at 264.9.
The National Corn Growers Association announced the state and national awards today. One farm – Randy Dowdy of growbigcorn.com in Valdosta, GA – topped 500 bushels for the first time in the contest’s 50-year history. Seven farms topped 400 bushels in the national contest, all with entries from irrigated fields.
“While this contest provides individual growers a chance for good-natured competition with their peers, it also advances farming as a whole,” said Don Glenn, chairman of NCGA’s Production and Stewardship Action Team. “The techniques and practices contest winners develop provide the basis for widely used advances that help farmers across the country excel in a variety of situations, including drought. This contest highlights how innovation, from both growers and technology providers, allows us to meet the growing demand for food, feed, fuel and fiber.”
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.
