achievements

Hawley named Arc’s ‘Best Friend’

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 April 2014 at 12:00 am

Agency honors businesses and workers at banquet

File photo by Tom Rivers – State Assemblyman Steve Hawley addressed supporters of The Arc of Orleans County in June when quad-amputee John Robinson visited as part of his bike ride across the Erie Canal. Hawley was named winner of the Arc’s “Best Friend Award” on Friday.

Press release, Arc of Orleans

HOLLEY – The Arc of Orleans County named Steve Hawley the winner of the agency’s “Best Friend” award on Friday during its annual awards banquet.

Hawley, the area’s state assemblyman, fought to restore state funding for the agency after the governor’s budget proposed a 6 percent or $308,000 cut.

He has been a supporter for The Arc personally as a sponsor of the Arc’s annual golf tournament, and Hawley attends numerous Arc events. His father, R. Stephen Hawley, won the “Best Friend” award when he was assemblyman in 1982.

The Arc honored businesses and Arc consumers during the banquet on Friday. The following received awards:

Della’s Chocolates in Medina, Business Partnership Award

This honor is presented to a business that works in partnership with The Arc’s Vocational Services department to assist people with disabilities in achieving their work related goals.

Della’s owner Susan Fuller did not hesitate when asked to take part in the ETP program, and was more than willing to give Jen Haberger a chance to prove her abilities. Sue was patient and understanding as she trained Jen on many different job tasks and later made her a full-time employee.

Stanton Signs of Medina, Heritage Award

The Heritage Award was developed to honor a business or organization that consistently assists The Arc, and the people we serve, in achieving our mission.

Stanton Signs co-owners Greg and Barbara Stanton have partnered with The Arc for many years.

They have a provided their services to support the many fund-raising activities the Agency holds. They designed the shirt logo for the annual 5K for many years. They also update the corporate banner and the golf signs for our annual Golf Tournament, often on a moment’s notice. They most recently worked with Eagle Scout Matt Prawel to create and install a beautiful new sign at the entrance of Camp Rainbow.

Duane Smith, Orleans Enterprises Worker of the Year

Duane Smith began at Orleans Enterprises in 1988. He starts his day by giving staff a smile, a handshake, and a “You’re cute.” He has worked on a variety of piece-rated tasks. He is well liked by his co-workers and staff and is a great asset to Orleans Enterprises.

Brian McAvoy, Orleans Enterprises Worker of the Year

Brian McAvoy has been named the Orleans Enterprises Worker of the year due to his outstanding dedication to the workshop.

Brian comes in to work each day and displays a positive attitude and willingness to try any job that is put in front of him. His great work ethic, excellent attendance record, and optimistic outlook are qualities and values are qualities that other workers aspire to achieve.

Kurt Hoffman, Community Service Award

With a winning smile, a willing spirit and positive attitude Kurt touches many through hours of service each week. Born with Down syndrome, a heart defect, speech, physical, and visual impairments, Kurt has overcome many obstacles. Kurt works 15 hours each week performing various tasks and services for local organizations. He regularly vacuums at Della’s Chocolate, St. Mary’s and St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Medina.

Joe Barchet, Self-Advocate of the Year

Joe Barchet is an active member of the Self Advocate All Stars. More importantly he is a true Self Advocate for his rights, wants, and needs, and those around him. One of Joe’s goals was to live on his own in the community. When Joe was in his early 20’s, he moved from his parents home to the original “co-ed” IRA, with 24/7 supervision. Joe then moved to another home where he had more independence and “supported” supervision and then into a supportive apartment on his own.

Joe is also a hard worker, working in the past at Orleans Enterprises and then with the mobile cleaning crew. Joe worked at Associated Brands for several years before being accepted into the internship program through Supported Employment that connected him with Fisher’s News Stand, Medina YMCA, and Albion Redemption Center. He has worked hard to advance himself to his current position of regular employee at Albion Redemption Center.

Cecelia Robison, Mobile Crew Worker of the Year

Cecelia Robison has been with The Arc of Orleans County Supported Employment Program since 1984. She works on the Medina Mobile Crew. Cece knows what is expected of her and always strives to do her job to the best of her ability and will assist her supervisor and co-workers when needed.

Jennifer Haberger, Community Worker of the Year

Jennifer Haberger worked diligently with the Job Developer on work skills that she would need to be successful in the community. Jen was placed at Della’s Chocolate, where she started out by learning to package the candy.

Sue Fuller, the owner of Della’s has been a wonderful employer, and this has been a great asset towards Jen’s success. Jen was placed there on a trial basis with hopes that she would be able to become a permanent employee. Jen worked hard to achieve this. Her productivity was great and she was always willing to learn new job duties.

Sandy Marchesoni, Enclave Worker of the Year

Sandy Marchesoni has worked at the Ford Gum enclave since June 2011. Sandy has a firm grasp of what is expected of her at work and is always willing to do any job tasks assigned to her. Sandy will assist her co-workers when needed and is an asset to new staff when they cover the enclave. She also helps out at Orleans Enterprises when they are in need of extra help. Sandy is a role model when it comes to having excellent attendance as well as her exceptional work ethic.

Medina’s Cameron Morgan is honored by Business First

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 March 2014 at 12:00 am

Cameron Morgan – By Tom Rivers, editor

MEDINA – A Medina High School senior has been named a special mention to Business First’s 2014 All-Western New York Academic Team. That designation puts him in a group of the top 100 high school seniors in eight counties of Western New York.

Morgan is the fifth-ranked student in his class. He has been active in the school musicals, as drum major in the marching band and as Student Association president. He plans to attend either the University of Rochester or Columbia University to major in political science with a minor in human rights.

Business First said the Academic Team program is designed to spotlight students who pursue excellence both in and out of the classroom. The committee chose this year’s winners based on their records of academic achievement, school leadership and community involvement.

Photo by Tom Rivers – Cameron Morgan, Medina’s drum major, directs the 130-member band in the pouring rain on Sept. 21 during the Fall Festival of Bands.

Albion woman honored by GCC

Posted 27 March 2014 at 12:00 am

Michele Bokman

Press release, GCC
BATAVIA – Genesee Community College is pleased to announce Michele Bokman has been named May 2014 Employee of the Month. Michele has worked at GCC for nine years.

She is director of operations for the Albion and Medina Campus Centers and is also an adjunct instructor, having taught the Career and Education Planning course for the last six years.

In her role as director of operations, Michele oversees day-to-day activities at both of GCC’s Orleans County campus centers. She handles everything from facility needs to course planning.

“Her oversight of the day-to-day operations of both centers is extensive and involves every aspect of the operations,” GCC officials noted in naming her Employee of the Month. “Michele has a can-do attitude, and she sets a positive tone for staff and the students.”

Michele played an instrumental role in establishing the Orleans County Advisement Team. She also contributes to the college community through service on the joint advisory committee for the centers, the College Assessment Committee and on the All-advisor Committee.

Prior to GCC, Michele was the field support manager covering Albany and New York City for a large national property and casualty insurance company. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Syracuse University in French Language and Culture and a Master’s in Liberal Studies from The College at Brockport.

She loves the “unique work environment” at GCC. “I have the privilege of working with a group of people who value teamwork, innovative thinking and challenge each other to be the best.”

Michele lives in Albion with her husband Brad and their four children: Natalie, Chelsea, Matt and Mitch. Outside the College she serves on the Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension board. She loves international travel and hopes to experience as many cultures as she can. “Water activities, snow skiing and a great book make me happy!”

Lyndonville student picked among top 100 for WNY

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 March 2014 at 12:00 am

Abigail Feldman

LYNDONVILLE – A Lyndonville student has been named to a list of the top 100 high school seniors in the eight-county Western New York region.

Business First of Buffalo announced Abigail Feldman will receive Special Mention honors for the 2014 All-Western New York Academic Team. An eight-member selection committee put Feldman on the list.

Business First’s Academic Team puts the spotlight students who pursue excellence both in and out of the classroom.

Feldman in January won the Distinguished Woman of New York during a competition at SUNY Albany. She advances to the national competition in June in Mobile, Ala.

Albion student named to All-WNY Academic Team

Posted 10 March 2014 at 12:00 am

Jonathan Trembley

Press release, Albion Central School

ALBION – A Charles D’Amico High School senior has been named to Business First’s 2014 All-Western New York Academic Team.

Jonathan Trembley (Second Team) has qualified for this year’s list of the 100 most outstanding high-school seniors in the eight-county region. Winners were chosen for their records of academic excellence, school leadership and community involvement. The top 25 were named to the First Team, 25 runners-up to the Second Team, and another 50 to the Special Mention list.

“This is a highly competitive award,” said Jack Connors, president and publisher of Business First. “Think of it this way: We have about 20,000 high-school seniors in Western New York this year, and we’ve picked only 100 for the Academic Team. That puts them in the upper one-half of one percent. They’re the best and brightest students anywhere in this region.”

Schools throughout the eight-county area were asked to nominate their smartest and most accomplished students for consideration by an eight-member committee, which included six admissions directors at area colleges and two Business First editors. A total of 122 schools responded with 419 nominees. (Each school was limited to four candidates.)

The complete list of 100 honorees, along with their photos and profiles, will be published in Business First’s 2014-2015 Guide to Western New York Schools, which will hit newsstands on June 13.

Holley senior named to All-WNY Academic Team

Posted 4 March 2014 at 12:00 am

Shelby Kunker

Press release
Holley Central School

HOLLEY – Holley High School senior Shelby Kunker received Special Mention on this year’s Business First list of the 100 most outstanding high school seniors in the eight-county region.

Students were selected for this honor based on their records of academic excellence, school leadership and community involvement. The top 25 were named to the First Team, 25 runners-up to the Second Team, and another 50 to the Special Mention list.

“This is a highly competitive award,” said Jack Connors, president and publisher of Business First. “Think of it this way: We have about 20,000 high school seniors in Western New York this year, and we’ve picked only 100 for the Academic Team. That puts them in the upper one-half of one percent. They’re the best and brightest students anywhere in this region.”

Schools throughout the eight-county area were asked to nominate their most accomplished students for consideration by an eight-member committee, which included six admissions directors at area colleges and two Business First editors. A total of 122 schools responded with 419 nominees. (Each school was limited to four candidates.)

The complete list of 100 honorees – along with their photos and profiles – will be published in the Business First 2014-2015 Guide to Western New York Schools, which will hit newsstands on June 13.

Scouts give Albion den mother highest volunteer honor

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 March 2014 at 12:00 am

Karen Williams receives ‘Silver Beaver’ Award

Photos by Tom Rivers – Karen Williams receives a snow globe from Colburn Spierdowis and other Webelos II Scouts tonight when the group moved up to Boy Scouts. Williams has been the group’s den mother. She was honored by the Iroquois Trail Council last month with the Silver Beaver Award, the highest honor for a volunteer in Boy Scouts.

ALBION – An Albion woman who has been a Cub Scout den mother for eight years and coordinated district events for hundreds of Scouts has been honored with the Silver Beaver Award, the highest recognition given to an adult volunteer in Boy Scouts of America.

Karen Williams received the award last month from the Iroquois Trail Council. Williams has three sons in the Scouting program, including Gary, 17; Steven, 15; and Samuel, 11.

“It’s an important program for boys,” Williams said tonight after the Blue and Gold banquet at the lyceum. “It teaches them respect and responsibility. It teaches them to be a part of the community.”

Williams has been a den mother for Pack 164 in Albion. Her son Samuel crossed over to Boy Scouts tonight with four others in Webelos II. Williams will also transition to being a volunteer with the older Scouts. Her son Steven is assistant patrol leader with Troop 164.

Samuel Williams is welcomed into the Boy Scouts by Freeman Lattin, right. Samuel’s mother Karen is standing beside him.

Williams, a dental assistant for Dr. Warren Waldo in Fairport, also received a snow globe from the Webelos at the banquet.

Besides her son Samuel, the other Scouts to cross over and join Boy Scouts include Aaliah Knickerbocker, Nathan Olmstead, Colburn Spierdowis, and Jacob Thom.

Jess Markel, a district executive, told the Scouting community at the Blue and Gold banquet about Williams receiving the Silver Beaver award. He praised her for being so active with the Albion scouts, and also stepping up as a volunteer, running a day camp for eight years and the Spook-A-Ree, programs attended by hundreds of scouts from several counties.

Area native joins national Farm Bureau as external relations director

Posted 26 February 2014 at 12:00 am

Sarah Brown grew up on fruit farm in Carlton

Sarah Brown

Press release, American Farm Bureau Federation

WASHINGTON, D.C. – An area native who grew up on a fruit farm has been picked as the external relations director for the American Farm Bureau Federation, based in the nation’s capital.

Sarah Brown will work as external relations director in Farm Bureau’s Industry Affairs Department. As external relations director, Brown will play an important part in increasing the organization’s role as the “Voice of Agriculture” for the industry.

She also will focus on expanding Farm Bureau’s influence by building alliances and coalitions with key industry partners to increase engagement with AFBF, according to Dan Durheim, executive director, Industry Affairs.

“Sarah has extensive experience in marketing and communications strategy, client relationship management, and sales and service optimization,” Durheim said. “AFBF will greatly benefit from Sarah’s experience and insights gained from working with clients, companies and organizations both inside and outside of agriculture.”

Brown comes to AFBF from Weber Associates, where she was a senior consultant charged with managing client relationships. Prior to that, she was assistant director of admissions at Cornell University’s College of Agriculture & Life Sciences in New York. She also worked as sales and marketing manager at Intergrow Greenhouses in the town of Gaines.

Her family owns Brown’s Berry Patch and Orchard Dale Fruit Company. That family farm dates back to 1804.

Brown earned a bachelor’s degree in communication with a minor in applied economics and management from Cornell’s CALS.

“AFBF is pleased to have Sarah play a key role in strengthening our stakeholder outreach efforts,” said Durheim. “The strategic outreach skills she brings to this position will benefit America’s farm and ranch families as we continue to realign our organizational resources behind implementing our grassroots policies.”

Holley woman to receive National MS Society award

Posted 24 February 2014 at 12:00 am

Elissa Rowley

Press release, National MS Society Upstate New York Chapter

HOLLEY – The National MS Society Upstate New York Chapter has named Elissa Rowley of Holley this year’s recipient of the “Young Person On the Move” award.

In 2012, Rowley interned for four months with the National MS Society. As an intern, she was able form a support group in Canandaigua for people living with MS and their caregivers. She sought to learn more about multiple sclerosis while also making a difference in the community.

“When I was offered the internship position, I felt like it happened for a reason,” explains Rowley. “My father-in-law, John, lived with Primary Progressive MS for more than six years, but this disease was still a mystery to me, and the internship provided me the opportunity to learn about the disease while impacting the lives of people affected by MS.”

Today, Rowley continues to play an active role as an advocate for MS Awareness. She has led an MS Service Day team for the past two years, and she plans to continue volunteering with the Upstate New York Chapter.

Rowley will be honored at the chapter’s fourth annual On the Move Luncheon at noon on March 7 at Locust Hill Country Club in Pittsford. The networking luncheon, held during MS Awareness Week, shines a spotlight on some of the area’s MS movement luminaries – people who are on the move to create a world free of multiple sclerosis, a disabling disease of the central nervous system that affects more than 2,800 people in the Greater Rochester area and more than 2.3 million people worldwide.

Rowley is one of eleven award recipients to be honored in six categories. For more information on National MS Society Upstate New York Chapter, click here.

Orleans 4-H’er wins state-wide youth award

Posted 13 February 2014 at 12:00 am

Haley Maier, 11, raises money for Alzheimer’s Association

Provided photo – Haley Maier, 11, demonstrates how she makes crocheted necklaces, which she sells to benefit the Western New York Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.

Press release, Prudential Financial

An Orleans County 4-H member has been picked as one of two top youth volunteers in the state. She has been recognized through the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, a nationwide program honoring young people for outstanding acts of volunteerism.

Haley Maier, a sixth-grader at Barker Middle School, has raised money for the Western New York Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association by making and selling crocheted necklaces in memory of her grandmother, who died from Alzheimer’s disease before Haley was born.

Although she never knew her grandmother, Haley often listened to her older sisters talk about what a great grandma she was.

“She had done so much for everyone that I wanted to do something on her behalf,” she said.

Since her grandmother loved to crochet, and had been assisted in many ways by the Alzheimer’s Association after she became ill, Haley decided to crochet necklaces to support the Association’s work.

After her mother taught her to crochet, Haley, 11, began spending evenings and weekends making necklaces and then sold them to friends, classmates, family members, teachers and others in her community.

She also set up necklace displays at her pediatrician’s office and hair dresser’s salon, and demonstrated her crocheting technique at a county 4-H event.

“It makes me happy to know that people like my grandma could benefit from what I do,” said Haley. “I wish I had known my grandma, but somehow I know she is watching over me.”

Haley and Sean Egan, 17, of Staten Island will each receive $1,000, an engraved silver medallion and an all-expense-paid trip in early May to Washington, D.C. for four days of national recognition events. During the trip, 10 of 102 youth volunteers from around the country will be named America’s top youth volunteers of 2014.

The Orleans County 4-H nominated two local youths for the award. Besides Haley for the junior division, the 4-H program picked Jonathan Trembley for the senior division.

Jonathan, 17, is a resident of Albion and has been involved with 4-H for the past decade. Jonathan is very talented musically and sings, plays piano, drums, guitar, and bass guitar for church events and local holiday concerts.

You might also recognize him as the Village Blacksmith from the historical re-enactments that take place in the West Jackson Corners in Shelby.

He has performed at local nursing homes, and has also worked with the Care-A-Van Band ministry in Batavia as a percussionist.

Kendall student wins $500 Legion scholarship at oratorical contest

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 February 2014 at 12:00 am

Marisa Hanlon advanced to zone competition

File photo by Tom Rivers – Marisa Hanlon, a junior at Kendall, delivers a speech about the Constitution during the Jan. 8 Orleans County Legislature meeting. Legislature Chairman David Callard is pictured in back listening to Marisa. Her mother Nadine Hanlon is the Legislature clerk. She is pictured at right. Hanlon won the county contest and advanced to the district and then zone levels.

KENDALL – After winning the oratorical contest at Orleans County and advancing past the district level competition, a Kendall student’s journey ended on Saturday in the American Legion’s annual competition.

Marisa Hanlon won a $500 scholarship after making it to the zone competition. The top two finishers from five zones in the state advance to the finals in Albany next month.

Hanlon was the only public school student in the zone competition in Mount Morris. The other participants all had speech coaches.

Marisa recited her memorized speech “A Perfect Union” on Saturday and also had to be prepared to give a 3- to 5-minute speech on a random Constitutional amendment. The amendment chosen was the 1st Amendment – “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”

Marisa was joined in Mount Morris by Charles Eberhardt, her escort from the American Legion. He is the commander of the Jewell Buckman Post 529 in Holley.

She thanked her Kendall social studies teacher, Mr. Petrosino, who helped her to prepare for the competition. Marisa also credited the Kendall school district for encouraging students to compete in the contest.

Dunham Family Farms honored for conservation efforts

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 February 2014 at 12:00 am

Mark Dunham and his son Brian appeared on the January cover of the American Agriculturist magazine. The two talked about the benefits of a new tile plow.

KNOWLESVILLE – A seven-generation farm that has embraced new ways of planting crops and preserving soil health has been named the “Conservation Farm of the Year” in Orleans County.

Dunham Family Farms in Knowlesville received the award today at the annual meeting for the Orleans County Soil and Water Conservation District at Tillman’s Village Inn.

The farm works 2,000 acres and had adopted many conservation practices, including no-tillage planting, cover crops and installation of drainage tile. Dunham also is working on precision nutrient management.

“We’re honoring somebody who has concentrated on the stewardship of the land,” said Dennis Kirby, district manager for Soil and Water.

The farm about eight years ago started to use no-till for planting. Rather than plowing a field before planting, the farm minimally disturbs the soil for planting. That has kept microorganisms thriving in the soil.

“We’ve seen some big advantages with no-till,” said Brian Dunham, co-owner of the farm with his father Mark. “The soil is a living organism in itself. Every time you disk or plow a field, you disrupt it.”

Dunham Family Farms has seen its yields increase for corn and soybeans through no-till. The farm saves fuel costs because it’s not running as much equipment over the fields, Dunham said.

The farm purchased a tile plow last year and has used that to add drainage tiles to some of its land. That has helped the ground to dry out sooner in the spring for planting and do better at moving water off crops after big storms.

Brian, 31, said the entire farm has embraced no-till and conservation practices. After several years of effort, it is paying off with healthier soils and bigger crops.

“I’m really proud of the effort everyone puts in,” Brian said. “It’s not just one year or one field. It’s a mindset that everyone buys into.”

Brian works closely with his father. Brian’s brother Tim also works part-time on the farm. His full-time job is as a school administrator at Holley.

Richard Dunham, Brian and Tim’s grandfather, remains active on the farm. At one time Richard had the largest hog operation in the state, Kirby said.

Dunham Family Farm now grows corn on 1,000 acres, 700 acres of soybeans, 200 acres of wheat and 100 acres of peas.

The farm is now incorporating precision nutrient management. That involves taking soil tests in the fields and entering those results on a map. A computer records that data and feeds it to GPS systems on farm equipment. Rather than blanketing an entire field with the same amount of fertilizer, precision nutrient management varies the application.

“It is based on need,” Kirby said. “You match the use with the need. That saves the extra fertilizer from becoming run-off.”

Assembly honors Nesbitt for service as pilot in Vietnam

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 January 2014 at 12:00 am

Provided photo – State Assemblyman Steve Hawley, left, presents former Assemblyman Charles Nesbitt with the resolution that was passed in honor of Nesbitt’s receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross for his heroic rescue of a soldier during the Vietnam War.

ALBANY – For the first time in more than eight years, Charlie Nesbitt was back in the State Assembly chambers today.

Nesbitt, the area’s former assemblyman for 13 years, was invited to the state capitol today to be honored by the Assembly, where he was the leader of the Republican conference.

But today’s recognition was for Nesbitt’s heroic actions in 1968, when he was a helicopter pilot in the Vietnam War.

The Assembly today passed a Legislative Resolution, recognizing Nesbitt for receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross. He was presented with that medal in August during a reunion of the 57^th Assault Helicopter Company.

The Assembly, including Speaker Sheldon Silver, gave Nesbitt two standing ovations today and read the Legislative Resolution, detailing his heroics on Nov. 14, 1968. That day he was tasked with extracting a Special Forces unit out of Laos.

Under enemy fire after one chopper crashed in the jungle, Nesbitt picked up the crew of the downed aircraft and left. Then the crew discovered that one man, John Grimaldi, had been left behind. Though low on fuel, Nesbitt turned his helicopter around and successfully rescued Grimaldi under intense enemy fire. Nesbitt was 20 at the time.

Silver presented Nesbitt with the honor along with State Assemblyman Steve Hawley of Batavia, Majority Leader Joe Morelle and Minority Leader Brian Kolb.

“It was very nice,” Nesbitt said. “I saw a lot of old friends.”

The Assembly resolution follows a similar from the state Senate last week. State Sen. George Maziarz sponsored that resolution.

Hawley was among the speakers in the Assembly today, detailing Nesbitt’s life-saving rescue in the Vietnam War.

“It was a humbling honor to speak about Charlie’s heroics during the Vietnam War,” Hawley said. “His life is a shining example of service and sacrifice on behalf of his country, and I hope that as his successor, I have fulfilled that legacy.”

Nesbitt, a Barre resident, was elected in 1992 and served until late 2005. He left Albany as leader of the Republicans in the Assembly. He resigned and was appointed president and commissioner of the state Tax Appeals Tribunal.

He received the Distinguished Flying Cross at a ceremony at the Clarion hotel in Batavia in August. Some of his crew members attended that ceremony.

“The Distinguished Flying Cross is one of the highest honors a pilot can receive,” Hawley said. “It is our duty to make sure that the story of his heroics is told so that future generations may be inspired to serve their country.”

Albion music teacher is a big fan of Westfield teacher who won Grammy

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 January 2014 at 12:00 am

‘Whenever he was doing something it was all-out and it was for the kids.’ – Wayne Burlison on Kent Knappenberger

Photo courtesy of the Grammy Foundation – Kent Knappenberger

When Wayne Burlison did his student teaching at Westfield Academy in 1999, Kent Knappenberger made an impression.

Knappenberger is the Westfield teacher who is being honored this weekend with the first-ever Grammy Award for a music teacher. He was picked from 30,000 teachers who were nominated for the award across the country.

Burlison, an Albion elementary instrumental teacher, remembers Knappenberger and his dedication to students.

“He had a steel drum band and the kids did heavy metal,” Burlison said. “The general music students played in the bell choir. I saw things as a college student that I didn’t think you could do in a public school.”

Westfield is a tiny school in Chautauqua County. Many of the Fredonia music majors did their student teaching at Westfield.

“Mr. K” was well liked by students and the other music teachers, Burlison said.

“He had this enthusiasm,” Burlison said. “Whenever he was doing something it was all-out and it was for the kids. He didn’t want any glory.”

Burlison said strong school music programs excel from the efforts of several teachers, working together. That was apparent at Westfield, Burlison said.

“It really does take a team to educate kids musically,” he said. “At Westfield, they were definitely a team.”

Knappenberger has been a music teacher and choir director at Westfield Academy for 25 years. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Fredonia and a master’s degree in music education, harp performance and literature from Eastman School of Music.

Burlison has been rooting for Knappenberger, who was one of 10 announced finalists. He has been widely interviewed in Western New York and national media in the past week.

“He has a little less hair and a lot more beard,” Burlison joked about the honored teacher.

The Music Educator Award was established to recognize current educators who have made a significant and lasting contribution to the field of music education and who demonstrate a commitment to the broader cause of maintaining music education in the schools.

Nominations for the second annual Music Educator Award are now open. The deadline to nominate a teacher is March 31. Click here for more information.

Click here to read an interview with Knappenberger on Grammy.com.

Nesbitt will be honored Monday in state capitol

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 January 2014 at 12:00 am

Charles Nesbitt

ALBION – Charlie Nesbitt, the area’s State Assemblyman for 13 years, will return to the Assembly chambers on Monday to receive an award.

Long before he joined the Assembly, Nesbitt was a helicopter pilot in Vietnam. In August, 45 years after he served in Vietnam, Nesbitt was awarded a “Distinguished Flying Cross.”

On Monday, the Assembly will recognize him for the distinctive honor. Speaker Sheldon Silver and Minority Conference Leader Brian Kolb both insisted on carrying the bill that will honor Nesbitt, State Assemblyman Steve Hawley said today during a Legislative Luncheon at The Village Inn.

Nesbitt received the “Distinguished Flying Cross” based on his actions on Nov. 14, 1968. That day Nesbitt and his crew members were told an American soldier was stranded in enemy territory in the jungles of Laos, across the border from Vietnam.

Another helicopter had been hit with a rocket and crashed. The crew needed to be rescued. Nesbitt flew a helicopter in and got out everyone, except one gunman, John Grimaldi, who was separated from his crew.

Nesbitt took the recovered crew members back to safety, and then returned to enemy territory to find Grimaldi.

“Charlie took it upon himself to say, ‘We’re gonna go back and get him,’” Jim McKenzie, Nesbitt’s copilot, said on Aug. 24, when Nesbitt received the award at the Clarion in Batavia.

The crew spent 9.2 hours in the air, including 3.5 hours exposed to enemy fire.

“He was in the jungle and we could see him, but we couldn’t get down to get him,” Nesbitt said on Aug. 24.

An onslaught of enemy fire and tiny landing areas made the task difficult. Nesbitt and his crew refueled twice, and the group finally was able to rescue Grimaldi.

The medal citation notes that Nesbitt “flew aircraft in hostile enemy territory on three separate occasions while drawing enemy fire to accomplish the rescue of soldiers and crew members downed by enemy fire. His valorous actions were an inspiration to the officers and men of his unit.”