achievements

Albion father and sons part of winning band in Buffalo corporate challenge

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 November 2016 at 1:15 pm

Provided photos: Thom Jennings Sr. and Thom Jennings Jr., left, are part of Mouse Pad, which won a band competition a week ago in Buffalo.

BUFFALO – Thom Jennings and his two sons were part of a band called Mouse Pad that won the “Battle of the Corporate Bands” in Buffalo a week ago at The Town Ballroom.

Jennings and his son Thom Jr. are both employees at 360 PSG, a web development company.

The elder Jennings is a business development manager for the company and Thom Jr. works as a digital marketing specialist. Another Jennings, Trevor, is pursuing a music career and is a member of four bands.

Trevor plays the drums. Thom Jr. is a guitarist and musical director, and their father sings, plays the guitar and manages the band.

The band includes other 360 PSG employees. They won not only won bragging rights, but a chance to perform a at the next Music Is Art Festival in September 2017.

The band performed five songs at The Town Ballroom.

The bands in the competition all picked band names that had a connection to their company. 360 PSG picked Mouse Pad because it relates to the business’s services. National Fuel chose “Methane” and a debt collection agency picked “Paid in Full” for a band name.

Mouse Pad performed 5 songs. Three were cover songs – Elle King’s “Ex’s and Oh’s,” Lady Antebellum’s “We Owned the Night” and Pink’s “Just Like Fire.”

Thom Jennings Jr. plays the guitar for Mouse Pad.

The originals were “Perfect Pop Song” written by Thom Jennings and “Guilty Pleasure” written by Jessica Chizuk.

Music Is Art hosted its second annual Battle of the Corporate Bands. The Music Is Art was founded by Buffalo native and Goo Goo Dolls bassist, Robby Takac.

Mouse Pad swept three awards including Grand Champion. Six bands competed in the event.

The event was designed as a corporate team building activity, and participating bands were made up largely of employees of each organization.

Mouse Pad featured six 360 PSG employees, which represented about 20 percent of the company’s workforce. In addition to Grand Champion, they captured awards for Best Original Song and Best Individual Performer (Jessica Chizuk).

Mouse Pad’s victory earned them a spot on the main stage at Music Is Art 2017 and studio time. 360 PSG has partnered with Music Is Art to assist the not-for-profit in rebuilding their website to optimize the organization’s web presence and produce a larger platform for the music events, programs and culture that Music Is Art and Buffalo offer each year.

Trevor Jennings plays the drums for Mouse Pad. He is a member of four bands.

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Cobblestone Museum honors supporters

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 November 2016 at 8:28 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

GAINES – The Cobblestone Society and Museum held its 56th annual meeting on Thursday evening at Tillman’s Village Inn and honored several supporters for their efforts at the museum.

The following are pictured, from left: Emily Maxwell, secretary and vice-president elect for Brockport History Forum; Robert Bretz, president of Brockport History Forum; David Mitchell of Christopher Mitchell Funeral Homes; Shirley Helfer; and Patty Blackburn, illustrator for new coloring coloring book about the museum and Cobble the Mouse. (Not pictured: Georgia Thomas and Kim Martillotta-Muscarella.)

Business Partner of the Year: Christopher Mitchell Funeral Homes was recognized for being a steady supporter over the years, including sponsoring events this year at the museum. Christopher Mitchell was the first sponsor to step forward and support the Halloween Bash on Oct. 21. David Mitchell of Christopher Mitchell was praised for supporting many local organizations, including the museum on Route 104 and Route 98 in Childs.

New Partner of the Year: Brockport History Forum. This group of students at Brockport enjoys history. Many of the members are history majors, but not all of them. They helped put on the Halloween Bash at the museum. That event attracted more than 100 people and raised $1,100 for the museum. The activities included wine tastings, music, ice cream from a food truck, “ghoulish games,” a Halloween costume contest, pumpkin painting contest, swing dance lessons and lectures.

Kim Martillotta-Muscarella organized several art shows at the Cobblestone Museum this year.

New Partner of the Year: Kim Martillotta-Muscarella. The Albion resident coordinated several art shows at the museum as her “First Friday” shows moved from her house on Main Street in Albion to the Cobblestone Church. The shows drew hundreds of people to the museum, and also showcased several local artists. The shows included wine-tastings and refreshments.

Volunteer of the Year: Shirley Helfer. She gave nearly 70 hours at the museum, helping to prep buildings for weddings and other events. She volunteered at the gift shop and was flexible in helping behind the scenes.

Georgia Thomas of Medina is dressed up as Cobble the Museum Mouse during the Fourth of July parade at Lyndonville.

John Proctor Award: Georgia Thomas and Patty Blackburn. This award is named for the founder of Childs who helped establish the Cobblestone Church. The Ward House, which is part of the Cobblestone Museum, also was built in 1840 under the direction of Proctor. The award in his honor is given “for selfless efforts to promote the Cobblestone Museum.”

Thomas and Blackburn worked together to create a coloring book. Thomas wrote the book which shows Cobble the Mouse visiting the different buildings at the museum. Blackburn illustrated the book.

“Other museums have coloring books with a character,” Thomas said in a July interview. “Cobble is a wonderful mouse and he gives you an enchanting tour of the museum.”

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Little People, once made in Medina, inducted into Toy Hall of Fame

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 November 2016 at 2:24 pm

File photo by Tom Rivers: These Little People, which were manufactured when Fisher-Price was in Medina, are pictured as part of a display by the Medina Historical Society in 2014.

ROCHESTER – A toy that was once mass produced in Medina at the former Fisher-Price plant has been inducted into the Toy Hall of Fame at the Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester.

Museum officials announced Little People have joined the distinguished group of toys. Other inductees announced today include the swing and the game Dungeons & Dragons.

The honorees were selected from a field of 12 finalists that also included: bubble wrap, Care Bears, Clue, coloring book, Nerf, pinball, Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots, Transformers, and Uno.

The Little People are manufactured by Fisher-Price and for many years were made in Medina until Fisher-Price left in the late 1990s. The company started operations in the Orleans County community in 1970.

The Little People are the first Fisher-Price toy to make the Hall of Fame.

“Little People have been a fixture—albeit a small one—in many American playrooms for more than 50 years,” said Chris Bensch, Strong Museum’s vice president for collections. “More than two billion Little People have been sold since 1959, and they have helped generations of small children imagine big adventures in play sets representing farms, schools, airports, and other fascinating places in their worlds.”

Here’s what the the Strong National Museum of Play had to say about the Little People:

“Fisher-Price first offered its Little People in a 1959 Safety School Bus pull toy. These stylized figures populated a variety of play sets that encouraged youngsters to explore the world beyond their homes and to imagine themselves at school or the airport, at the service station or the amusement park, and at the zoo or a faraway farm. Fisher-Price made the first Little People of wood and lithographed paper; solid, single-colored wooden bodies followed. Later figures were made of hard plastic. In the 1980s, concerns about the small figures becoming a choking hazard led to the 1991 introduction of a new design for larger diameter Little People known as “Chunky People” or “Chunkies.” By the mid-1990s, the Little People became more people-like with arms, legs, and dimensional faces.”

The National Toy Hall of Fame was established in 1998 and recognizes toys that have inspired creative play and enjoyed popularity over a sustained period. Each year, the prestigious hall inducts new honorees and showcases both new and historic versions of classic toys beloved by generations.

For more information about the hall and to see the list of previous inductees, visit toyhalloffame.org.

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Joyce LaLonde of Albion is Remembrance Scholar at Syracuse

Provided photo by Julie Sanford: The 35 Remembrance Scholars are pictured Friday at Syracuse University. Joyce LaLonde, a senior majoring in policy studies and public relations, is one of the 35 scholars awarded $5,000 scholarships for the year. It is one of the prestigious scholarships at Syracuse.

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 October 2016 at 9:05 am

University picks 35 students annually in memory of students killed in Lockerbie terrorist bombing

Joyce LaLonde is pictured at The Place of Remembrance at Syracuse on Friday where there was a memorial service and rose-laying ceremony. LaLonde is one of 35 Remembrance Scholars. The scholarships are a tribute to the 35 Syracuse students killed in the Dec. 21, 1988, bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland. LaLonde was awarded her scholarship in memory of Frederick “Sandy” Phillips.

SYRACUSE – On Dec. 21, 1988 Syracuse University suffered a huge loss when 35 students, who were returning from a semester of study in London and Florence, were killed when their plane was bombed.

The students were among 270 killed with the terrorist attack of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland.

Syracuse University continues to honor and remember those 35 students. This past week was remembrance week at Syracuse and it was capped with a service on Friday at The Place of Remembrance in honor of the fallen students.

Joyce LaLonde of Albion is one of this year’s Remembrance Scholars, who all receive $5,000 scholarships. The Remembrance Scholars are picked in a rigorous review by the university.

LaLonde, a senior policy studies and public relations major, received her scholarship in honor of Frederick “Sandy” Phillips.

The scholars had to write three essays as part of a comprehensive application, and finalists were interviewed by members of the selection committee, composed of university faculty, staff and current Remembrance Scholars.

The $5,000 scholarships are awarded on the basis of distinguished academic achievement, citizenship and service to the community.

LaLonde, 21, is vice president of the student association which represents about 15,000 students. She is also on the board of Nourish International, which is based in North Carolina. She has attended humanitarian trips to Uganda on behalf of Nourish.

LaLonde was back in Albion on Saturday for the “Orchard Walk for the Cure” in honor of people battling cancer. Many of LaLonde’s friends from Syracuse joined her for the trip.

Joyce’s mother, Kathy LaLonde, died from breast cancer at age 54 on Oct. 6, 2013. Joyce has followed her parents – Kathy and Steven LaLonde – by attending Syracuse.

Joyce LaLonde said she is honored to be chosen as one of the 35 Remembrance Scholars for her senior year.

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International police chiefs honor Orleans deputy

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 October 2016 at 2:06 pm

File photo, Badge of Honor Association: Orleans County Deputy James DeFilipps speaks on June 18 during the Policeman’s Ball in Rochester.

San DIEGO, CA. – James DeFilipps, the Orleans County deputy who survived a shootout last year after being shot twice in the abdomen, was honored earlier this month in San Diego by the International Police Chiefs Association/DuPont Kevlar Survivors’ Club.

DeFilipps was chosen as the 2016 Honoree of the Year. He received the award during a luncheon on Oct. 15 during the 123rd International Association of Chiefs of Police Annual Conference and Exposition.

DeFilipps was one of the first on the scene in response to a domestic disturbance call when he noticed the suspect’s vehicle speeding by on the road on March 21, 2015.

DeFilipps was in pursuit when the suspect exited his vehicle and hid from the officers on scene. The suspect then began to shoot at the officers from a nearby wooded area in Clarendon, striking DeFilipps twice in the torso.

DeFilipps fired back, eliminating the threat, and then maintained his position and used the flashlight on his rifle to illuminate the suspect’s location for the other officers. His quick response saved the lives of the other officers at the scene and, thanks to the use of his body armor, DeFilipps sustained non-life-threatening injuries, according to a news release from the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

“The brave actions of Deputy James A. DeFilipps helped save the lives of his fellow officers,” said IACP President, Chief Terrence M. Cunningham of the Wellesley (MA) Police Department. “We are pleased to honor Deputy DeFilipps for being an example to others for wearing his vest.”

Since 1987, IACP has partnered with DuPont to honor those police officers who have survived life-threatening incidents because they were wearing their personal body armor. To-date, more than 3,100 officers who have been saved from death or serious injury by wearing body armor have been honored, with one officer chosen annually as the Honoree of the Year. The award helps to reinforce the use of body armor every day and every shift for officer safety. It also serves as a reminder of the heroic efforts police exhibit while serving their communities.

“Every day, law enforcement officers confront multiple, unpredictable situations that can quickly become life-threatening or disabling,” said Steve LaGanke, Global Marketing Manager, DuPont Protection Solutions. “At DuPont, we are committed to providing advanced materials that help officers, like Deputy DeFilipps, come home safely day after day. We hope that his inspiring story of heroism and survival will help reinforce the fact that wearing personal body armor can mean the difference between life and death.”

DeFilipps, a Holley resident, has worked as a deputy in Orleans County for 13 years after starting his career with the Holley Police Department. The New York State Sheriff’s Association named him the “Deputy of the Year” in 2015.

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Medina band takes first twice over weekend

Staff Reports Posted 24 October 2016 at 3:53 pm

MEDINA – The Medina Mustang Band competed twice over the weekend and won first place at both competitions.

On Saturday the band performed in Orchard Park where 10 schools in six classifications competed. In SS1, Medina took 1st place with a score of 86.75 followed by East Irondequoit in 2nd with 83.20.

The following came in first in their classifications: In SS3, Pioneer with a score of 68.75; West Seneca in LS3 with a score of 81.50; Northwestern in SS2 with a 80.10; Orchard Park in LS2 with 85.70 and Lancaster in National Class with 86.2.

On Sunday, the Mustangs traveled to Webster where they won 1st place in SS1 with a score of 87.85 followed by East Irondequoit in 2nd with a score of 84.6.

Hilton took 1st place in LS3 with a score of 78.55; Leroy in SS2 with 76.1; and Webster in LS2 with a score of 83.55.

After the show the Medina and Webster bands proceeded to the auditorium and the groups performed for each other.

Jim Steele, the Mustang band director, commented that the band had two great opportunities to perform their 2016 show this weekend. They did a good job Saturday night in Orchard Park and bested that with a great performance in Webster on Sunday, Steele said.

The Mustangs next head to the NYS Field Band Championships on Sunday, Oct. 30. (There are 7 seats left on the spectator bus. If interested, contact Jim Steele at 585-317-9389.)

The Carrier Dome is the grand finale of the field band season. There will be 51 bands in seven classes, performing beginning from 8 a.m. with SS3 and working down. The SS1 class starts at 6 p.m. and includes 9 bands with Medina performing at 7:08 pm. The day also includes exhibition performances by UB’s Thunder of the East and the Syracuse University Marching Band.

For more information on the competition, click here.

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Brockport college plants a tree for former muck farmer

Photos courtesy of The College at Brockport, State University of New York – Matthew Yeoman photographer: Frank Sacheli, a former Brockport mayor, accepts a proclamation from the current mayor, Margaret Blackman, during a tree planting ceremony last week in his honor. Heidi Macpherson, the college president, is at left.

Staff Reports Posted 18 October 2016 at 6:31 pm

Frank Sacheli chats with people at the dedication last week. He worked on his family’s onion farm before going to The College at Brockport, State University of New York. He graduated in 1945.

The College at Brockport, State University of New York

BROCKPORT – A former Brockport mayor whose family owned a muck farm in Barre was honored with a tree planted in his name last week.

Frank Sacheli is a proud graduate of The College at Brockport, State University of New York. He served as president of Brockport Alumni Association, and was inducted in the Alumni Association’s Hall of Heritage in 1990.

The college celebrated Sacheli with a tree-planting ceremony on Oct. 11 with a reception at the Alumni House after the ceremony.

Sacheli has lived in Brockport for 73 years. He is well known for owning the Landmark Hotel in the late 1940’s, and for his family onion farm in Orleans County.

After serving in World War II for two years, Frank graduated from Brockport State College in 1945. Twenty years later, he was elected mayor of the Village of Brockport, a role he would fill for four years.

Frank married Patricia Curtin in 1946, and as a widower became a faithful friend of Antoinette Ercolano. He is the father of Kathleen, John, Anne and Elizabeth. He freely shares his expertise in euchre and gin, continues to enjoy golf and his garlic/vegetable garden, and remains an avid supporter of his community and church.

On behalf of the Village Board, Mayor Margaret B. Blackman proclaimed October 11, 2016 as Frank Sacheli Day in the Village of Brockport.

The tree is planted on the front lawn of Hartwell Hall.

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Wall of Fame has new inductees

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 15 October 2016 at 5:45 pm

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Friday’s annual Medina/Lyndonville vs. Albion football game featured a special pre game ceremony as three new members were inducted into the Mustangs’ John “Pinky” Loughlin Wall of Fame including Ron Taylor (Class of 1975), David Maiorana (Class of 1981) and Charlie Wilson (Class of 1989). Their banners are shown here hanging at Vets Park. All three helped lead the Mustangs to division titles , and in Maiorana’s and Wilson’s case also to sectional football championships in their senior year.

Here David Maiorana is welcomed by players and cheerleaders as he is introduced in the pre game ceremonies.

Charlie Wilson here is cheered by players and cheerleaders during his introduction.

Several 4-H members starred at State Fair in horse riding

Staff Reports Posted 4 October 2016 at 5:34 pm

Photo courtesy of Lydia LaDue: Marisa Hanlon of Kendall competes in the Texas T Barrels at the NY State Fair.

(Editor’s Note: This week is National 4-H Week. Orleans Hub posted an article recently about State Fair winners from Orleans, but didn’t include these local youth who competed in the Gymkhana Games for the Horse Division.)

SYRACUSE – Several 4-H’ers in the horse program competed over Labor Day weekend at the State Fair in Gymkhana Games.

Emma Klaver and Katelyn Spierdowis competed in the Junior Division. Emma was 8th in Sweetheart Barrels, 2nd in Texas T Barrels and 10th in Figure 8 Barrel. Katelyn finished 8th in Straight Barrels.

Faith Woody participated in the Pony Division and was 6th in Texas T Barrels, 8th in Quadrangle Barrels and 5th in Pole Bending.

Mary DiBattisto and Marsia Hanlon competed in the Senior Division. Mary was 9th in Keyhole Race and 10th in Pole Bending. Marisa was 6th in Quadrangle Barrels, 6th in Texas T Barrels and 10th in Figure 8 Barrels.

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State group will feature artwork by Orchard Manor resident

Susan Christie created this artwork that will be featured in the 2017 “Art From the Heart” wall calendar.

Staff Reports Posted 30 September 2016 at 11:55 am

Provided photo: Orchard Manor Administrator Martin MacKenzie, left, is pictured with resident Susan Christie. Jamie Murphy, Orchard manor’s activities director, is in back.

MEDINA – Susan Christie, a resident of Orchard Manor Rehabilitation & Nursing Center in Medina, was recently honored at a reception to celebrate her artistic achievement.

Christie’s artwork is one of 13 chosen of 87 submissions that will be featured in the 2017 “Art From the Heart” wall calendar.

The art competition is sponsored by The Foundation for Quality Care with the New York State Health Facilities Association.

“Art From the Heart” is an opportunity for residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities in New York state to share their artwork.

Christie, a self-taught artist since the age of nine, said she has used artwork to help cope with abuse she experienced in her past.

“I express myself through my art,” she said. “The more I express myself, the more I blossom and heal.”

Jamie Murphy, Orchard Manor activities director, encouraged Christie to enter the contest. Murphy asked Christie what she enjoys most about creating art. Christie replied, “I like to start with a piece of paper and end up with a face staring back at me or a pretty picture.”

Proceeds from the Art From the Heart calendars will benefit the Foundation for Quality Care.

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