By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 November 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – A new farmers’ market that started on July 11 proved a popular spot, with 14 different vendors spending time at the site, the parking lot across the Post Office in Medina.
The Orleans Renaissance Group managed the market this year, and moved it from the Canal Basin to a more visible spot in the downtown hub.
Dennis Stymus of Stymus Farms in Barre (pictured above) said the change in location was much more visible. He said he more than doubled his business at the market this year.
“In the Canal Basin it was kind of hidden,” he said.
The Canal Village Farmers’ Market also changed from a Thursday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Many of the market days included music and cooking or art demonstrations.
Gail Miller, left, served as coordinator of the market on a volunteer basis. She is pictured with Chris Busch, chairman of the Orleans Renaissance Group.
In the summer, there were often 450 to 500 people at the market. Gail’s husband Dave Miller kept track of visitors, and he said the weekly average was 366 since July 11.
“It’s been a great group effort,” said Mrs. Miller, who dressed as an Angry Bird character on Saturday, which was Halloween.
Next year the market will start in June, and Miller said there will be more entertainment and demonstrations.
Other vendors were urged to dress up, and Dawn Keppler from SK Herefords in Shelby wore a witch’s outfit. She is pictured with her daughter Alana. The market gave SK a chance to introduce many people to the beef raised in the Town of Shelby.
Jesus Molina, left, and Bob Renko are pictured at Renko’s Meat Processing. With the farmers’ market season coming to a close, Renko said he will soon be busy with deer processing.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 November 2015 at 12:00 am
Nearly 700,000 pageviews for news site during month
Photo by Tom Rivers – A fire broke out at a farmhouse for six year-round employees at Watt farms on Oct. 24. The damage was extensive and the building will have to be knocked down.
Orleans Hub had one of its biggest months for traffic in October with 682,735 pageviews, a daily average of 22,074. We also averaged 6,906 daily unique visitors, which was also one of our best months since the Orleans Hub started in April 2013.
The election has sparked reader interest, particularly with letters to the editor. We had 33,219 pageviews for the letters last month, or just over 1,000 each day.
Crime and a big fire at a historic farmhouse were among the top stories of the month. However, an article about a gravestone donated to Hillside Cemetery in Holley for Lillian Bentham, a survivor of The Titanic, proved very popular with readers.
Photo by Tom Rivers – Brigden Memorials in Albion donated this garve marker for Lillian Bentham, who survived The Titanic. Two men form Holley perished when the ship sank in April 1912.
Here are the five most popular stories from October (the ones with the most “clicks”).
Sports had its second-biggest month ever with 37,204 pageviews, with coverage highlighted by the playoffs. However, the top sports story of the month was a feature on a new Wall of Fame for Medina varsity football players. (Click here to see “‘Pinky’ Loughlin Memorial Wall of Fame to induct first members Friday.”)
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 November 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
SHELBY – Sun rays break through the clouds this morning in this scene of a barn on Fletcher Chapel Road in Shelby.
Here is another look of the scene showing the site in Shelby, just off Route 63.
The weather will be nice to start off November. Monday is forecast for sunny with a high of 60 followed by sunny and a high of 68 on Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service.
Wednesday will hit 70 with lots of sun, followed by a high of 67 on Thursday, according to the Weather Service.
Here is a field of harvested corn on West County House Road at the west end of Albion.
This is looking east on West County House Road this afternoon.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 31 October 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Bill Lattin signs a copy of his new book, “Halloween Pictures and Pranks,” for Albion resident Kim Pritt during a book launch party and photo exhibit this evening at the Pullman Memorial Universalist Church.
Lattin retired last Dec. 31 as Orleans County historian. He has been working on the book about Halloween, and includes submitted photos and essays of recollections and pranks from local residents.
Lattin also shares some personal photos, including one of him dressed as Tootsie for Halloween. He also divulges some of his own tricks during Halloween.
Lattin and organizers of the event at Pullman encouraged people to attend in costume, and Melissa Ierlan, the Clarendon town historian, dressed as a historical marker, noting that Lattin had written another book about local history.
The book launch party included a presentation by Joe Struble, retired archivist from the George Eastman House. He shared some historic photos about Halloween from the Eastman House collection.
The book is available for $10. It can be purchased from Bindings Bookstore and the Pullman church in Albion. Proceeds from sales of the book go the Pullman Memorial Repair and Restoration Building Fund.
A grant from the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council and additional support from businesses and sponsors helped make the book possible.
One of the images in the book shows this group at a Halloween party in 1943. Front row: Cary Lattin (standing), John Larwood, Avis Lattin, Robert Brown, Katherine Church, Fred Miller, William Phillips. Seated on floor: Ward Wilson. 2nd row: Jean Jackson, Geraldine Larwood, Doris Phillips, Dorothy Miller, Agnes Wilson, Angie Brown, Grace Phillips. 3rd row: Albert Mason, Ruth Mason, Marcus Phillips, John Jackson, Sanford B. Church.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 31 October 2015 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers – The Main Street clock in Albion is pictured after dusk on Friday.
ALBION – Tonight is the end of Daylight Savings Time and people should turn their clocks back an hour.
The American Red Cross also reminds people to take simple steps to make sure their household is prepared for emergencies.
“It’s important for everyone to make sure their household is ready,” said Chuck Marra, executive director of the Western New York Chapter. “A disaster like a home fire can happen anywhere, at any time. We urge people to take these steps now and know what they should do if an emergency occurs.”
Check smoke alarm batteries. When turning the clocks ahead, take a few minutes to replace the smoke alarm batteries and push the test button to make sure the alarms are working. It’s also a great time to check carbon monoxide detectors.
Install smoke alarms. If someone doesn’t have smoke alarms, install them. At a minimum, put one on every level of the home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas. Check local building codes for additional requirements.
Practice an escape plan. Make sure everyone in the family knows how to get out of every room and how to get out of the home in less than two minutes.
Get a kit. Keep disaster supplies in an easy-to-carry bag to use at home or carry in case ordered to evacuate.
Make a plan. Have all household members plan what steps they should take if an emergency occurs.
Be informed. Learn what emergencies can occur in the area and how officials notify residents should a disaster occur.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 31 October 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The Albion Merchants Association put on its biggest Beggar’s Night to date on Friday with 30 businesses and organizations treating nearly 500 kids to candy.
The top photo shows Amanda Wolford, a Bindings Bookstore employee, dressed as Elsa from the movie, Frozen.
Lisa Stratton, owner of the Hazy Jade Gift Shop on Main Street, hands out treats to the kids in costume.
State Assemblyman Steve Hawley is dressed as a gorilla while handing out candy. His district office is located at 121 North Main St.
Kids line up for candy from Marsha Rivers, director of the Orleans County United Way. She is dressed as a swan. The United Way office is located in the former Swan Library.
Members of the Albion Teachers Association also set up a table and handed out candy in front of the First Presbyterian Church. The teachers include, from right to left: Janet Husung, Stephanie Schepis, Mary Jane Klips, Juie Keller and Dawn Squicciarini (in purple). Lee Sheehan also helped with the effort.
Ken Bieber, owner of the Weed Man in Albion, dressed up as a pirate.
By Matthew Ballard, Orleans County Historian Posted 31 October 2015 at 12:00 am
By Matthew Ballard, Orleans County Historian
ALBION – This image shows Mrs. Jennie McGuire Leonard standing in front of her millinery located on North Main Street in Albion. The beautiful building constructed of brick was designed in the Federal style, often referred to as the Classical Revival style.
This type of architecture pre-dates the Greek Revival style that is often seen throughout Orleans County and structures of this type would have appeared as late as 1840.
Prior to serving as a place of business for Mrs. Leonard, the building acted as the law office of the Hon. Gideon Hard. Born April 29, 1797 to Philo Hard and Currence Hawley, Gideon was one of 15 children who descended from prominent lineage in Arlington, VT. Although his maternal great uncle, Seth Warner, was a respected captain with the Green Mountain Boys during the American Revolution, his father’s family were hardened Loyalists.
Attending Union College in Schenectady, Hard graduated in 1822 and immediately began the study of law. After his admittance to the bar in 1825 he traveled to Orleans County where he would establish himself as an attorney prior to moving his wife to the area the following year.
Although lost within our local history books, Gideon Hard should be regarded as one of our more notable founders. Hard became Orleans County Treasurer in 1827 and was said to have motioned to change the name of the village from Newport to Albion.
It was in 1833 that Hard was elected to the United States House of Representative for the 23rd Congress running on the Anti-Masonic ticket and serving as the 1st representative from the newly established 33rd District. He was again elected to the 24th Congress, this time running on the Anti-Jackson ticket.
Hard’s days as a politician were far from over and within five years of ending his career as a U.S. Representative, he was elected to the New York Senate, the last from the 1st District Class 3. After his term concluded in 1847 he was appointed to the position of Canal Appraiser in 1849 and later served as First Judge and Surrogate for Orleans County.
The late 1850s proved difficult for the Hard family. Gideon suffered from personal illness, making his engagement in political and community fairs extremely difficult.
Around 1861, Gideon’s wife Adeline became gravely ill and suffered for nearly three years before she passed. Her illness and subsequent death caused great grief within the family and Gideon was destined to live out the remainder of his life with his children and later his sister before his own passing on April 27, 1885 at Albion.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 31 October 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – It was Beggar’s Night in downtown Medina this evening and hundreds of children turned out for treats, stopping by many of the local businesses including Herbalty Cottage, which is owned by Bonnie Heck.
Heck dressed up as the Cat in the Hat and her husband Tom was agood sport as “Thing 1” from the popular book by Dr. Seuss. Their daughter Lindsay was Thing 2.
Ethan Brown, 6, of Medina is dressed as Jack Sparrow from the Pirates of the Caribbean. He is in Medina outside Main Street TV & Appliance Sales, one of the stops on Beggar’s Night.
Kylee Howard is dressed as a bumblebee while handing out candy at A Kut Above.
Debbie Woodroe, owner of Woodroe Realty, is dressed as a ghost and tries to get the attention of some of the kids on Beggar’s Night. Many of the business owners were in costume for the event.
Ashley Woodroe (left), granddaughter of Debbie Woodroe, and Ashley’s friend Jessie Fox are dressed as rockers while giving out candy at Woodroe Realty.
Leah Pritchard, left, and her cousin Hailey Bader dole out goodies at a lily and a sparrow.
These friends – Torry Dames, left, and Julian Tavor – are dressed a Teenage Ninja Mutant Turtles while getting some candy from Jaye Sullivan, owner of Blissett’s.
Medina Police Chief Jose Avila directs traffic at the Main Street and East Center Street intersection. Avila is retiring by the end of the year.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 31 October 2015 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers – Lubna Zaidi is opening the Medina Language Center at 511 West Ave., a former dental office. She will have an open house with demonstrations on Sunday beginning at 12:30 p.m.
MEDINA – Lubna Zaidi has a vision for Medina as a draw for international students. She and her team would teach English and foreign languages, and offer other services to help prepare students for American universities.
She thinks some students would stay for up to a year, improving their education and enjoying small-town American life.
Zaidi is taking the first step with that vision by opening the Medina Language Center.
“I think things grow in small places, sometimes faster than in big cities where you can get lost,” Zaidi said at the language center, which is located at 511 West Ave., a former dental office.
The school’s first focus will be high school students from the local community. The center will also gladly serve younger students and adults who need help to improve their skills and understanding in English and foreign languages, as well as other school subjects.
Zaidi and her team of teachers will have an open house on Sunday from 12:30 p.m. to about 5 p.m. Medina Mayor Andrew Meier, who owns the building, will give opening remarks at the celebration.
Zaidi will give an overview of the center’s programs at 1:30 p.m. and there will be free trial classes, registration and information sessions from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Zaidi currently runs the World Life Education Centre outside Toronto. The Medina center will be modeled after that school, helping students bolster language skills and prepare for college entrance exams and other important tests.
The smaller class setting has proven to help those students, Zaidi said. The school also has a youth leadership program, The Gavel Club, and Zaidi wants to bring that program with its public speaking competitions to Medina.
“The focus is on public speaking and leadership, and to first try to be a humanitarian leader before you move on to something else,” she said.
She grew up in Hong Kong and was involved in a Gavel Club, when the program was first starting. She has taught and learned at schools in Toronto, London and Dubai, before establishing her school in Toronto three years ago, working with about 40 to 60 students each year.
Zaidi also has been a volunteer with the World Life Institute Project Life program, where war orphans from Afghanistan, Kosovo and Chechnya spend the summer in Orleans County, learning English, art and enjoying the rural countryside with host families.
Zaidi has been a chaperone for children on the flights from Afghanistan to the United States. She said she was so inspired by the program she named her school in Toronto after World Life.
Her parents recently moved from New York City to Medina so Zaidi is often in town visiting them and her friends in the World Life Institute. She has a team of teachers ready to serve in the Medina Language Center.
Classes will be available in the mornings, afternoons and evenings if there is demand from the students. She would like to connect with local school districts to make the center available to help local students.
If the program grows, she thinks the center could be popular with international students spending several months in Medina, honing their language skills before college.
Zaidi thinks Medina has lots of small-town appeal that would be attractive to international students. Many are from smaller towns in other countries and they would feel more comfortable staying in Medina than a big city.
They would also be close to Niagara Falls and nearby cities.
For more information about the Medina Language Center, call (585) 765-5480.
Contributed Story Posted 30 October 2015 at 12:00 am
Submitted photos
ALBION – Many of the employees at The Villages of Orleans dressed up today. These four were winners of the costme contest at the nursing home on Route 31.
The group includes, from left: Dylan Miller with Eleanore; winner of “Just Plain Awesome” Costume; Rachael Steen; winner of “Ugliest” Costume; Morgan Haak; winner of “Cutest” Costume; and Dee Marks; winner of “Scariest” Costume.
Many of the staff members dressed up today for Halloween. The judges are pictured in front, from left: Lucille Bloom, Virginia McMurray and Mary Driesel, who are all residents of The Villages.
Staff members include, from left: Dylan Miller with Eleanore, Tanya Adams, Kay Sheffer, Rachael Steen, Betsey Wheeler, Kim Brueckner, Annette Barone, Matthew Blanar, Dee Marks, Sue Williams, Elissa Hyde, Sandy Money, Morgan Haak, Michelle Neal, and Deb Donnelly with Buddy.
Some CRFS employees dressed up with a “Price is Right” theme. They include, front row: Inda MacFarland, Allie Morris, Pam Allen and Judy Kennedy. Back row: Felicia Cunningham, Jose Strussenberg, Kristin Gross, Ashleigh Soule and Monica Seniuk.
Five Star Bank in Albion continued its tradition of dressing up for Halloween. The group this year had a “Spice Girls” theme. Pictured include, from left: Dean Marconi, Deb Yockel, Jamie Bennett, Becky Dillenbeck, Susan Plummer, Bethany Hodgins and Amy Bigley.
