Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse continues to be recognized as one of the state’s “best companies to work for.”
For the fifth consecutive year, the New York State Society for Human Resource Management (NYS-SHRM) has included the Batavia-based substance use treatment, prevention and recovery agency on its list of Best Companies to Work for in New York. GCASA also has an office in Albion at 249 East Ave.
GCASA was one of 23 companies selected in the medium employers’ category (100-249 employees) for 2022. Additionally, 27 small employers (15-99 employees) and 25 large employers (250 or more employees) were honored at a reception last month in Albany.
“It is truly an honor to be selected for a fifth straight year,” said GCASA Executive Director John Bennett. “We were one of four agencies certified by the Office of Addiction Services and Supports, with the other three in the large employer category, and we actually ranked higher than those other three. This is a testament to our employees, who have shown remarkable resilience and commitment to their profession over a challenging last couple of years.”
To be considered for participation, companies had to fulfill the following eligibility requirements:
Be a for-profit, not-for-profit business or government entity;
Be a publicly or privately held business;
Have a facility in the state of New York;
Have at least 15 employees working in New York; and
Must be in business a minimum of 1 year.
Companies from across the state entered the two-part survey process to determine the Best Companies to Work for in New York. The first part consisted of evaluating each nominated company’s policies, practices, philosophy, systems and demographics. This part was worth approximately 25 percent of the total evaluation.
The second part consisted of a survey to measure the employee experience. This part was worth approximately 75 percent of the total. The combined scores determined the top companies and the final rankings.
Best Companies Group managed the overall registration and survey process in New York and also analyzed the data and used their expertise to determine the final rankings.
For more information on the Best Companies to Work for in New York program, visit www.BestCompaniesNY.com.
Provided photo: Patrick Riviere speaks on set with Broadway veteran Mary Ellen Ashley, who is the focus of a documentary produced and directed by Riviere.
Press Release
BUFFALO – Albion native and Niagara University Graduate Patrick Riviere has just learned that his award-winning documentary film, Just a Broadway Baby: Mary Ellen Ashley has been named an “Official Selection” at the Inaugural Upstate NY Film Festival to be held June 3 – June 9 at Eastern Hills Cinema in Williamsville. The film is slated to screen as part of BLOCK 16 on June 6th at 5:30PM.
Patrick Riviere
The film follows the career and life of Mary Ellen Ashley (formerly Mary Ellen Glass) who made her Broadway debut at the age of 5 in An Innocent Voyage. She would follow that with a role that was created just for her in the original Broadway production of Annie Get Your Gun with Ethel Merman.
Ashley grew up with the show and would go on to play all of the younger Oakley sisters and stay with the production for the entire run. But Broadway was not her only success. She was on radio, early Television, films, Las Vegas, her own club act and a plethora of Regional Theaters (including ArtPark) playing the most beloved leading ladies numerous times: Dolly Levi, Mame Dennis, Mama Rose…the list goes on. She would return to Broadway in the original production of Yentl starring Tovah Feldshuh. For eight decades she has graced the stage and screen and she met Riviere when they co-starred in the World Premiere of Family Dinner Off-Broadway over a decade ago.
The film won “Best Picture” at its World Premiere at The Oregon Documentary Film Festival in January. Riviere himself was awarded “Best Director of a Documentary Short” from The Vesuvius International Film Festival in Italy and the “Indie Soul Special Recognition Award” from The Boston International Film Festival (BIFF).
The official movie poster for Just a Broadway Baby: Mary Ellen Ashley
The film was also a nominee for Best Documentary Film at Green Mountain International Film Festival and Texas Short Film Festival. The film has also screened at Dam Short Film Festival. In addition, the Theatre on Film and Tape Archive (TOFT) at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts has invited the film to become a part of its permanent archive.
Riviere hails from Albion and graduated with honors from Niagara University where he was known for his roles both on the Niagara U main-stage and at ArtPark (most notably as Action in West Side Story, Che in Evita and Ali Hakim in Oklahoma).
In Buffalo he has performed at Studio Arena in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and several years ago co-starred as Gangster #1 in the Kleinhans/Buffalo Philharmonic Concert of Kiss Me Kate! starring Michele Ragusa.
He won a Gold Telly Award for his starring role in an Attorney Tom Spark’s Commercial which debuted during Super Bowl LII (2018) in the Providence, RI and Western MA Markets on NBC and was renewed for a fifth year in January. He is also a director, playwright and arts administrator and his play, The House of Nunzio, was named “Festival Winner” at The Barnstable Comedy Club in 2020. This film marks his directorial debut. He now resides on Cape Cod.
Editor Laird Odgen also hails from Albion and is the Creator and Executive Producer of “Captain Stargood” which brought him to collaborate with Riviere again after they had performed together in High School in My Fair Lady, many years earlier. Odgen approached Riviere about voicing two of the characters in the puppet based sci-fi spoof, which is currently available on-line.
More information, including the official trailer for the film can be found by visiting justabroadwaybabymea.com.
Provided photo: Orleans/Niagara BOCES students took home 17 first place awards, 10 second place awards and 17 third place honors at the New York State SkillsUSA Leadership and Skills Conference held in Syracuse.
Posted 3 May 2022 at 2:51 pm
Press Release, Orleans/Niagara BOCES
To ensure America has a skilled workforce, SkillsUSA serves students who are preparing for careers in trade, skilled and technical service occupations.
The SkillsUSA Championships are career competition events showcasing the best career and technical education students in the nation.
First place winners have an opportunity to compete at the National Leadership and Skills Conference in Atlanta, Georgia on June 20-24.
First place winners:
Zoyea Berning of Newfane, Animal Careers
Allison Dent of Roy-Hart, Cosmetology Senior
Zachary Luick of Lockport, Electronics Technology
Sophia Tronolone of Newfane, Medical Math
Charles Rickard of Roy-Hart, CNC Milling
Hannah Aiken of Roy-Hart, Health Occupations Professional Portfolio
Molly Russell of Roy-Hart, Extemporaneous Speaking
Mackenzie Clogston of Newfane, Basic Health Career Skills
Travis Franke of Starpoint, Industrial Motor Control
Tyler Lorence of Niagara Academy, Technical Computer Applications
Kymbrlee Simmons of HGL, Crime Scene Investigation
Marcelina Vazquez of North Tonawanda, Crime Scene Investigation
Marisa Garver of Niagara Falls, Crime Scene Investigation
Caleb Poeller of Christian Academy , Eng Tech/Design
Liam Robinson of Lewiston Porter, Eng Tech/Design
Alvaro Altolaguirre of Christian Academy, Eng Tech/Design
Xavior Fitzgibbon of Wilson, Employment Application Process
Second place award winners:
Jacob Miller of Newfane, Industrial Motor Control
Caleb McGuire of Albion, Electronics Technology
Kayla Guerin of Lockport, Internet of Things
Lee Harris of Lockport, 3-D Visualization and Animation
Aurora Lambert of Niagara Falls, 3-D Visualization and Animation
Serena Nice of Niagara Wheatfield, Fashion Design
Daniel Leising of Niagara Wheatfield, Automated Manufacturing Technology
Connor Williams of Lewiston Porter, Automated Manufacturing Technology
Korey Halford of Niagara Wheatfield, Automated Manufacturing Technology
Patrick Stryker of Niagara Falls, Diesel Equipment Technology
Third place award winners:
Sawyer Braley of Albion, Welding
Serenity Baumgart of Medina, Job Skill Demonstration Open
Madison Hessel of Lockport , Nail Care
Aylssa Tomanio of Lockport, Olivia Kroening of Medina, Emma Wisniweski of Newfane and Devon Tower of Newfane, Cosmetology Quiz Bowl
Tyler Halifax of Lockport, Information Technology Services
Savannah Shine of North Tonawanda, Advertising Design
Andrew Beiter of Niagara Wheatfield, Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
Corey Sanchez of Barker, Interactive Application Video
Lucas Grissett of Barker, Interactive Application Video
Jordan Drake of Starpoint, Automated Manufacturing Technology
Robert Dutton of Lewiston Porter, Automated Manufacturing Technology
Brian Zatkos of Niagara Wheatfield, Automated Manufacturing Technology
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 April 2022 at 11:53 am
Sarah Hallifax Bateman previously led North Wing in Medina, now works in Rochester
Sarah Hallifax Bateman
A Medina native has been named a “Women of Distinction” among nursing home administrators and will be honored during a celebration in Chicago on May 12-13.
Sarah Hallifax Bateman graduated from Medina in 2006. She served as director of the North Wing facility at Medina Memorial Hospital from July 2018 to September 2020. She is currently administrator of the Edna Tina Wilson Living Center, which is part of the Long Term Care Division of Rochester Regional Health.
Bates said she is “truly honored and humbled” to be included in the 2022 McKnight’s Women of Distinction program.
She enjoys here career in long-term care.
“The most rewarding part about being a nursing home administrator is the relationships – relationships with residents, families and staff,” she said. “Nursing homes become a family of sorts – and those relationships grow within the walls of the facility, but extend far beyond into every facet of life.”
Bateman has worked 10 years with Rochester Regional holding various roles from social worker to administrator. She worked two years at the North Wing as part of a collaboration with Rochester Regional and Orleans Community Health.
She said she has had many great mentors, including the late Jim Sinner, who was the administrator of the Medina Memorial Hospital for many years.
“I am proud of my Medina roots and owe the start of my career to Orleans Community Health, Mr. James Sinner, and my grandparents Lloyd and Janet Hallifax whom both were longstanding members of the Medina community and worked at Orleans Community Health,” she said.
About the Event
McKnight’s Long-Term Care News, McKnight’s Senior Living and McKnight’s Home Care are thrilled to once again recognize women making a mark in skilled nursing, senior living and home care, inspiring others and having a powerful effect on the lives of the individuals they serve.
“As the pandemic continues to challenge long-term care providers, we’re so pleased to be able to offer this opportunity to give the exceptional women working in long-term care — often behind the scenes, making a difference in the lives of their colleagues and those they serve — the recognition they deserve,” says McKnight’s Senior Living Editor Lois A. Bowers.
ALBION – Thirteen Albion high school students were inducted into the National Honor Society during a ceremony Wednesday night.
Pictured, front row, from left include Audrey Pask, Clara Bolton, Emily Richardson, Natalie Baron, Hailey Crawford, Samantha Hand and Natalie Bertsch. Back row: Dallas Ecker, Amari Jones, Nicholas Andrews, Vincent Molisani and Jacob Foote. Not pictured: Brianna Sample.
The National Honor Society was founded in 1921 and is built on the four pillars of scholarship, service, leadership and character. Inductees must prove to exhibit all four qualities and be recommended by a faculty member. Last year’s inductees led the ceremony, which included recognition of outstanding high school teachers.
Math teacher Mr. Chad Owen was chosen as the recipient of Albion’s NHS Excellence in Teaching Award. Mr. Richard Gannon received recognition for exemplifying scholarship, Mrs. Sawyer Green service, Mr. Bradford Nickerson leadership and Mrs. Sandra Climenhaga character. All faculty honorees were picked by the current NHS members.
Current members, inducted in a ceremony in 2021, are Carson Bader, James Beach, Katelyn Beach, Olivia Bieber, Jeffrey Brown, Collin Capurso, Hannah Coolbaugh, Nicolina Creasey, Ann Faery, Ethan Ferchen, Tyler Gibson, Emily Graham, Kenzi Hapeman, Emily Harling, Leah Kania, Adrian Kingdollar, Alyson Knaak, Kyle Kuehne, Charley London, Allison Mathes, Sydney Mulka, Hannah Papponetti, Leah Pritchard, Reuben Rivers, Belen Rosario Soto, Aurora Serafin, Paris Smith, Presley Smith and Colleen Usselman. The advisor of Albion’s NHS is Mrs. Suzanne Newton.
Photos and information courtesy of Orleans/Niagara BOCES: From left include the Culinary ProStart team of Grace Hodkin (Newfane), Melanie Nagel (Newfane), Troy Kelly (Medina) and Angelo Soliday (Medina). The team won $5,000 which will be used to fund their trip to the national competition.
The Culinary ProStart team of Troy Kelly, Angelo Soliday, Melanie Nagel and Grace Hodkin brought home the first place trophy to the Orleans Career and Technical Education Center from the NYSRAEF (New York State Restaurant Association Educational Foundation) ProStart Invitational.
The competition was held March 25-26 at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York where the team, taught by Chef James Atzrott, competed against several other teams from New York State.
The Orleans/Niagara team was handpicked because of their good grades, attendance and professionalism. The students showcased their knowledge, passion, creativity and skills in front of educators and industry leaders and the public at the event.
The team created their own menu and wowed the judges with beetroot gnocchi with lemon ricotta and walnut crumble, curried cod with mussels and raspberry cranachan which is a Scottish dessert.
“It was an awesome experience for them,” said Chef Atzrott. “They worked very hard and they were very emotional when they won. We were all ecstatic.”
The team won $5,000 which will be used to fund their trip to the national competition where they will compete on May 6-8 in Washington, DC.
Pictured from left include Sawyer Braley (ON BOCES), Isaiah Reading (KenTon BOCES), Tyler Gibas (Ellicotville BOCES), Collin Hoffman (LaGuidice BOCES), Thomas May (ON BOCES) and Jenette Grizer (Ellicottville BOCES).
Two Orleans/Niagara BOCES students took home the top prizes at the Niagara Frontier Weld Off this past weekend.
Welding students Sawyer Braley (Albion), a senior at the Orleans Career and Technical Education Center, and Thomas May (Niagara Wheatfield), a junior at the Niagara Career and Technical Education Center, placed in the top six at the competition.
There were 27 students at the event, which was held at Northland Training Center in Buffalo on March 26th. The students competed for $950 cash prizes and a $1,000 scholarship.
The event included raffle giveaways, hands-on demonstrations with Dynabrade and the world acclaimed metal sculpture, Barbie the Welder, who gave an inspiring speech to the crowd.
According to the American Welding Society, the industry will encounter a shortage of about 300,000 welders by 2024. Orleans/Niagara BOCES is doing its part getting the next generation of welders prepared for the future.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 March 2022 at 3:05 pm
Two Orleans County residents are among the 227 new state troopers who graduated today from the 210th session of the Basic School of the New York State Police Academy.
Kelsey Schmitt of Albion and Kyle Allen of Medina were recognized during a ceremony at the Empire Plaza Convention Center in Albany.
Ann Bates, a former Orleans County resident and Holley Central School graduate, also is a new state trooper. She now lives in Elmira.
“These men and women we welcome into the New York State Police today have worked and trained extremely hard for six months and have dedicated themselves to protecting the people of New York State,” Governor Kathy Hochul said. “I commend these new Troopers for their commitment to public service and making our state a safer place for those who live, work and travel through New York. I wish them luck as they start their careers and continue the 105-year-long tradition of the New York State Police.”
The graduates completed 26 weeks of training. They were selected from a list of more than 1,700 candidates, and now will report for field duty on March 31. For the following 10 weeks, the new troopers will be evaluated under a field-training program supervised by senior Field Training Officers.
ALFRED – Seven students from Orleans County earned Dean’s List honors at Alfred State College for the fall 2021 semester.
They include Michael DiCureia of Albion, Elizabeth Furmanski of Albion, Daniel Grabowski of Albion, Brandon Dillenbeck of Holley, Hanna Waterman of Holley, Ethan Kuhn of Kendall and Reagan London of Lyndonville.
Students must have completed at least 12 credit hours for the semester and earned a 3.5 grade point average out of a possible 4.0, to qualify for the Dean’s List.
Several Orleans County natives are on the Dean’s List of colleges and universities. Here are some notices that have been sent to the Orleans Hub, recognizing students excelling in the classroom.
Clarkson University – Jorge Phillips of Medina has been named to Clarkson University’s Dean’s List. Phillips, a senior majoring in mechanical engineering, was named to the Dean’s List for the fall 2021 semester at Clarkson. Dean’s List students must achieve a minimum 3.25 grade-point average and also carry at least 14 credit hours.
SUNY Morrisville – Faith Woody of Albion was named to the President’s List for the Fall 2021 semester. To be named to the President’s List, a student must achieve a perfect 4.0 average for the semester and complete 12 credit hours.
Buffalo State College – Hannah Heil of Medina, Robert Johnson of Medina, Lexi Reyngoudt of Holley and Zachary Shaffer of Knowlesville have been named to the Dean’s List at Buffalo State College. In general, students who have completed at least 12 credit hours and who have attained a GPA of 3.5 or higher qualify for the Buffalo State dean’s list.
Nazareth College – Nazareth students named to the Fall 2021 Dean’s List include Ryan Barrett of Kendall, Emma Baldwin of Medina, Matthew Kovaleski of Albion, Ally Benson of Holley, Laiken Ricker of Albion, Melissa Robinson of Albion, Joseph Nettles of Holley and Karlee Robb of Kendall.
A student’s grade point average must be at least 3.5 or above, and they must complete 12 credit hours of graded work that semester in order to be included on the Dean’s List at Nazareth.
Holy Cross – Brigid Keller of Medina was named to the Holy Cross Fall 2021 Dean’s List. A member of the Class of 2022, Keller is majoring in Economics and Political Science.
To qualify for the Dean’s List, students must pass four or more letter-graded courses with no failing grades during the semester and earn a GPA of 3.5 or higher.
Edinboro University – Rachel Killian of Holley earns Dean’s List honors at Edinboro University for the fall 2021 semester. In order to attain this highly regarded academic honor, students must maintain a quality point average of 3.4 or higher, complete a minimum of 12 semester hours of credit and receive no grade lower than a C in any course.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 January 2022 at 6:40 pm
ALBION – Bruce Landis of Photos by Bruce in Albion has won a First Place Merit Award by the Professional Photographers of America International for his photograph of Jacob, a Brockport High School student posing for senior portrait.
Landis entered the image, “Opening Day Ready,” in the PPofA competition. The portrait will be on display starting this weekend at the PPofA International Convention, National Harbor, MD.
Landis has worked as a professional photographer locally since 1974. In 2017 he was honored by the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce with a “Lifetime Achievement Award.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 December 2021 at 3:36 pm
Provided photo: Coby Albone, a graduate student at Brockport State College, receives the Jay B. Nash Outstanding Major Award with NYS AHPERD President Dr. Clancy Seymour.
BROCKPORT – A Medina graduate who is working on his master’s degree in athletic administration at Brockport State College, has won a state award given to an outstanding student majoring in physical education.
Albone earned his bachelor’s degree in P.E. at Brockport, double majoring in physical education and health education, with a concentration in adapted physical education. He is working on his master’s and plans to work as a P.E. teacher in a school district.
“It’s what I have a passion for and what I want to do with my life,” he said about being a teacher and coach.
He has been active locally at the Orleans County YMCA the past 4 ½ years, working as youth sports program director and the canal club coordinator. He also coached youth soccer in medina and assisted a lacrosse team at Brockport High School.
At Brockport State College, he was president of PE Club and president of the club for people majoring in Kinesiology, Sports Studies and Physical Education. He also was on the executive committee for the New York State Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance.
That organization, AHPERD, selected Albone as the recipient of Jay B. Nash Outstanding Major Award. It is given to two undergraduate students for their outstanding performance and extensive preparation for the profession in the areas of health education, physical education, exercise science, recreation or dance education.
This award is the most prestigous award that a student can receive at the state level from the NYS AHPERD.
Albone is a 2021 graduate of SUNY Brockport. During his time at Brockport, he found success in holding leadership positions at the state level, as well as at the collegiate level. He was a part of numerous community involvement, teaching, and coaching experiences, along with striving in the classroom.
With receiving the Jay B. Nash Outstanding Major Award, Albone was put into two pools for two different national awards through The Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE America). Albone was selected this spring for the Ruth Abernathy Presidential Award as well as the Robert Pate Teaching Award.
Since 1995, SHAPE America has awarded scholarships to outstanding undergraduate and graduate student members. The Ruth Abernathy Presidential Award, developed by the past presidents of SHAPE America to honor deserving students, who exhibit a strong master of understanding/ performance element in their discipline, and demonstrated a significant service element related directly to their field. This award is given to three undergraduate students and two graduate students each year.
Robert M. Pate Student Award sponsored by the SHAPE America, the Robert M. Pate Student Scholarship is given annually to undergraduate student currently pursuing a degree in Health Education or Physical Education. Recipients must be an outstanding undergraduate student who exemplifies professionalism, academic achievement, service and character. Selections are based on academic achievement, community service, professionalism and character.
MEDINA – Congratulations to the 33 students from the Orleans Career and Technical Education Center who were recently inducted into the National Technical Honor Society.
Out of all the high school students in the United States, the National Technical Honor Society students who receive this honor comprise 1.6 percent of that population. For staff at the Orleans/BOCES center, they represent the four pillars of the National Technical Honor Society: scholarship, leadership, service and character.
The students were honored in front of their teachers, families and school district representatives. The students had to maintain an 89.5 grade average in their career and technical education programs and an 84.5 average at their high schools, have superior attendance, exemplary behavior, be a member in good standing with SkillsUSA and have a recommendation from a faculty member.
Congratulations to: Hannah Aiken (Royalton-Hartland) – Allied Health Program, Serenity Baumgart (Medina) – Animal Science, Zoeya Berning (Newfane CSD) – Animal Science, Alyssa Clare (Newfane) – Health Occupations Technician, Emily Clark (Royalton-Hartland), Mackenzie Clogston (Newfane) – Health Occupations Technician, Paige Dennis (Barker) – Security & Law Enforcement, Allison Dent (Royalton-Hartland) – Cosmetology, Brandon DiNieri (Royalton-Hartland) – Electricity/Electronics, Brooklyn Garrow (Medina) – Security & Law Enforcement, Haylee Green (Lockport) – Graphic Communications, Nikolas Gutierrez (Royalton-Hartland) – Allied Health, Claire Halstead (Royalton-Hartland) – Allied Health, Seana Hamilton (Royalton-Hartland) – Health Occupations Technician, Kyle Haner (Newfane) – Building Trades, Catelynn Kidney (Lyndonville) – Cosmetology, Christian Lates (Royalton-Hartland) – Allied Health, Kailyn Livergood (Royalton-Hartland) – Allied Health, Jacob Lundy (Newfane) – Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering, Paris McCugh (Albion) – Security & Law Enforcement, Keegan Muessigbrodt (Orleans County Christian School) – Diesel Technology/Heavy Equipment, Michael Pasquale (Newfane) – Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering, Reanna Perkins (Royalton-Hartland) – Allied Health, Karina Rotoli (Medina) – Allied Health, Molly Russell (Royalton-Hartland) – Computer Technology, Nathaniel Sauls (Newfane) – Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering, Gabriella Smith (Royalton-Hartland) – Building Trades, Dakota Socha (Akron) – Diesel Technology/Heavy Equipment, Ashley Stanczyk (Royalton-Hartland) – Allied Health, Lilian Streich (Lockport) – Security & Law Enforcement, Alyssa Tomaino (Lockport) – Cosmetology, Sophia Trononlone (Newfane) – Health Occupations Technician, Jack Whipple (Lyndonville) – Allied Health.
Silvia Rosario first at World Life Institute to achieve citizenship during pandemic
Photos courtesy of Linda Redfield Shakoor
WATERPORT – Silvia Rosario of Albion is celebrated at the World Life Institute on Tuesday evening after passing her U.S. citizenship test earlier in the day.
She is one of many students at the World Life Institute Education Center in Waterport to achieve citizenship in the past 20 years, and the first one since the pandemic to achieve this honor.
The program at the WLI includes English as a Second Language and US civics. It has been offered at the site on Stillwater Road since 1997 and is sponsored by Orleans/Niagara BOCES.
Susan Diemert, literacy director, presented Rosario with a US citizenship certificate. A congratulatory meal was prepared by Orleans BOCES teachers at the WLI school for Silvia, her husband Sergio Rosario, and several agricultural students who finished their several months of harvesting apples.
Silvia Rosario is a mother of four, including two who are in college. She recently purchased an apple farm called Rosario Brothers Farm in Medina. Her husband Sergio is the owner of an apple farm in Sodus.
Silvia Rosario and her husband Sergio are happy after she attained her US citizenship.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 23 October 2021 at 6:57 pm
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Orleans County Chamber of Commerce award winners gathered for a group photo after their recognition Thursday night at White Birch Golf Course in Lyndonville. Seated, from left, are Lora Partyka from Partyka Farms, Legislator Ken DeRoller, Natasha Wasuck from Lockstone, Attorney Lance Mark, Rachel Kaiser from Wildwood Lake KOA Campgrounds, and Ellen Eaton from Takeform. Standing, from left, are Jeff Partyka from Partyka Farms, Jim Minner from Virtual Polymer Compounds, Justin Bruce from Bent’s Opera House, Marco Rivas with Oak Orchard Community Health, Robert Batt as Business Person of the Year, Rob Kaiser from Wildwood Lake, and Jim Nowaczewski from HeBrews Coffee.
LYNDONVILLE – Representatives, employees and friends of this year’s Orleans County Chamber of Commerce’s business award winners gathered at the White Birch Golf Course Thursday night to celebrate the successes of these nominees.
Winners recognized were Takeform, Business of the Year; Partyka Farms, Agricultural Business of the Year; HeBrews Coffee, New Business of the Year; Bent’s Opera House, Phoenix Award; Oak Orchard Health, Community Service; Lockstone, Small Business of the Year; Robert Batt, Business Person of the Year: Virtual Polymer Compounds, Employer of the Year; Wildwood KOA Campgrounds, the Hidden Gem; Ken DeRoller and John DeFilipps, Service to the Community; and Lance Mark, Lifetime Achievement Award.
Chamber director Darlene Hartway welcomed guests, saying, “We are here to spotlight just a few of our successful businesses.”
Marc Shurtz, head of Orleans Community Health, presents the Business of the Year Award for Takeform to Ellen Eaton, director of Human Resources.
She said the year started off again as a trying one for businesses, still having to deal with restrictions and constraints with the Covid pandemic. She commended the businesses who took adversity and turned it into the positive.
Chamber president Bryan DeGraw added his praise for the local businesses and individuals who have done, and continue to do so much for this county. He acknowledged major sponsors – Bank of Castile and Apex Clean Energy/Heritage Wind, Platinum sponsors; Takeform, Mark &Graber and Baxter, Gold sponsors; Christopher Mitchell Funeral Homes, Silver sponsor; and Ontario Shores, Hinspergers Poly Industry and Albion Agencies/Seaway Insurance, Bronze sponsors.
DeGraw recapped the year, saying it started slowly, still dealing with Covid, and the decision was made to cancel the annual legislative luncheon and the spring Home and Garden Show. In June, they resumed Chamber After Hours events, with a tour of Orleans County’s first robotic dairy at the VanLieshout Farm in Barre. In July, they finally held the legislative luncheon. He shared the joy of having the Orleans County 4-H Fair return, with record-breaking attendance. In August, the Chamber hosted their annual Wine and Garden Walk at Robin Hill Preserve in Lyndonville.
He added the Chamber is looking forward to serving, representing and enhancing business growth in Orleans County.
The first award of the evening was Business of the Year, which was presented to Takeform by Marc Shurtz, representing the 2019 winner, Orleans Community Health. Ellen Eaton, director of Human Resources, accepted the award.
Hartway explained Takeform makes industrial signs, with customers who not only include local and regional businesses, such as Medina Memorial Hospital, but others as far-reaching as the Cleveland Clinic, Johns Hopkins and Georgetown University. She said Takeform saw their most successful year to date in 2020.
Mark Zambito, right, presents the Phoenix Award to Justin Bruce, general manager of Bent’s Opera House. Orleans County Chamber director, Darlene Hartway, looks on at left.
Chamber board member Dave Gagne presented the Agricultural Business of the Year Award to Partyka Farms in Kendall. Accepting the award with Lora were her husband Jeff and sons Scott and Steven. The Partyka farm which was started with 150 acres has now expanded to 800 acres.
New Business of the Year was awarded to Jim Nowaczewski, who opened HeBrews Coffee in Medina during the summer after opening a site in Albion in November 2020. The award was presented by Michelle Waters from the Tree House, the previous winner.
Hartway said some people dream of success, while other people get up every morning and make it happen.
“Jim is one of those people,” she said. “His hard work and determination brought him to where he is today.”
The Phoenix Award is presented to an individual or individuals who have successfully repurposed an existing facility for their business in Orleans County. This year’s winner is Bent’s Opera House in Medina.
Mark Zambito, the 2019 award winner and Chamber board member, presented the award to Justin Bruce, general manager of Bent’s. Bruce said Roger and Heather Hungerford were not able to attend, but said the restoration was undertaken with the ultimate goal that the project would grow Medina, grow Orleans County and grow Western New York.
Elisa Chambery from Supportive Care of Orleans presented the Community Service Award to Oak Orchard Health in Albion. Marco Rivas, chief compliance officer, accepted the award on Oak Orchard Health’s behalf.
Rob and Rachel from Wildwood Lake KOA Campgrounds receive the Hidden Gem Award from Orleans County Chamber president Bryan DeGraw.
The Small Business of the Year Award is presented to a business with 50 or fewer employees, which has sustained significant success throughout the year. This year’s award was presented by Gagne to Natasha Wasuck from Lockstone in Albion. Wasuck and her husband John Hernandez have turned a former auto repair site into a wedding and events venue by the Erie Canal.
Robert Batt, director of Cornell Cooperative Extension, was named Business Person of the Year. The award was presented by DeGraw. Batt was recognized as an individual who has had outstanding accomplishments within his own business and has made notable contributions to the local business sector.
The Hidden Gem Award goes to a business that has made a positive contribution to tourism in the county, Hartway said. Chamber board treasurer Rachel Hicks presented the award to Rob and Rachel Kaiser from Wildwood KOA Campgrounds.
Kelly Kiebala, director of Orleans County Job Development Agency, presented the Employer of the Year Award to Virtual Polymer Compounds in Medina. Representing the company was Jim Minner.
The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to an individual with a long-term record of outstanding business achievements. Hartway presented the award to Medina attorney Lance Mark. Mark has lived in the county for 43 years and watched it evolve, he said. He called it a great, great county and predicts “The best is yet to come.”
Dean Bellack, left, presents Ken DeRoller with a Service to the Community Award.
The final award of the evening was Service to Community, and was presented by United Way director Dean Bellack to two individuals – both county legislators – Ken DeRoller and John DeFilipps. DeFilipps was unable to attend, and his award was accepted by legislator Bill Eick.
Bellack called DeRoller a “doer.”
“He is an asset to anything he associates himself with,” Bellack said.
DeRoller said it has been a pleasure to serve Orleans County. He called it, “A great place to live, play and work.”
Hartway said “service to the community” is an understatement when it comes to these two men.
“They have both made significant and lasting contributions to our community,” she said.
The evening ended with a basket raffle fundraiser.
Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse continues to be recognized as one of the state’s “best companies to work for.”
