By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 May 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
CASTILE – This community in Wyoming County last June rededicated a bronze statue of a doughboy, a memorial for soldiers from the Castile community who served in World War I. (I drove by this site on Sunday when coming back home from Letchworth State Park.)
The weather will cooperate for today’s Memorial Day holiday with temperatures reaching a high of 83. It will be partly sunny, according to the National Weather Service.
The statue in Castile was in need of refurbishing and was sent to Illinois for repairs before being rededicated last June 14 as part of a Flag Day ceremony. The statue is now 89 years old.
The statute was first erected in 1926. It was designed by sculptor Ernest M. Visquey.
Some Medina community members are working to have a bronze statue of a World War I solider placed atop the monument by the former Armory, which is now the Orleans County YMCA on Pearl Street. For more information on that project, visit companyfmemorial.com.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 May 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – John Butts and his family treasure the dog tag and diary from John E. Butts, the only Medal of Honor recipient in Medina’s history.
However, the Butts family didn’t want to just store the diary and dog tag in a drawer or in a display at one of the relative’s. The family decided to give the identification and diary to the Medina community.
The top photo shows the dog tag with the name Anna Butts, the mother of the soldier. The dog tag was covered in blood, and that blood corroded the metal, causing it to split in half, Butts family members said today.
John Butts, nephew to Medina’s famed soldier from World War II, presented the dog tag and diary to Steve Johnson, commander of the American Legion, during a Memorial Day service today at State Street Park.
Steve Johnson, right, accepts the dog tag and diary from John Butts, nephew of the Medal of Honor recipient from Medina.
Johnson then presented the dog tag and diary to Catherine Cooper, director of Lee-Whedon Memorial Library, which already has a display about Butts with his medals, Medal of Honor citation and photographs.
“They are better served here than being locked in a closet or drawer,” said John Butts, who travelled to Medina from Portland, Maine. “It is more proper here. Medina is the origin.”
Butts and 10 other family members have been in Medina the past few days, learning more about John E. Butts.
The village named a park for Butts and the American Legion post also bears his name. He died in World War II in Normandy. Butts had already been wounded when he led a charge to distract the enemy. He was fatally wounded, but his battalion was able to advance.
Butts had five brothers serve in the war. The family is now spread around the country. They met for a reunion in Medina the past few days with Butts family members traveling from Portland, Maine; San Diego, Calif; Grand Rapids, Mich.; Rock Hill, South Carolina; and Virginia.
The Butts family is pictured with Catherine Cooper, back right, following the Memorial Day service today at State Street Park.
The family came together to give the treasured items from John E. Butts to Medina.
“I’m very appreciative and proud of Medina,” John Butts told a crowd gathered at State Street Park. “I’m very proud of the town of Medina and the kindness and generosity of the people.”
Butts said the big crowds of people that turned out for Memorial Day is unusual in America today. He said his uncle was like many from the community who heeded the call to serve the country.
The family started talking more in the past year when Tim Butts was contacted by a documentary filmmaker about John E. Butts. The family worked to assemble information. They discussed the diary and the dog tag and where those artifacts should go. They decided they wanted back in the community where Butts grew up.
This diary, held by Catherine Cooper, details the boot camp experiences by John E. Butts.
Catherine Cooper, the library director and also Ridgeway town historian, thanked the family for their generosity. She said the diary, with the family’s blessing, would be reproduced for the public.
Doug Butts, a family member from Grand Rapids, Mich., thanked the community for keeping up the park, Legion Post and grave for John E. Butts. Doug Butts said the family is impressed by the small-town charm in Medina.
“It’s a beautiful town with a Rockwellian Main Street,” he said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 May 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
CASTILE – Letchworth State Park, which recently was named the best state park in the country in a readers’ choice poll by USA Today, was busy on Sunday night with crowds of people drawn to see hot-air balloons.
There were about 20 of the balloons floating over the park, which is considered “The Grand Canyon of the East.”
There are about 6,000 state parks in the United States. Letchworth in Wyoming County is one of the most scenic areas in the eastern part of the United States.
“The Genesee River runs through a gorge cutting through the park, passing over three magnificent waterfalls along the way,” USA Today states. “Hikers have access to 66 miles of trail, and rafting, kayaking, horseback riding, mountain biking and hot air ballooning are also on offer.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 May 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Emma Wadhams, an Albion Girl Scout, carries the American flag while leading Scouts down East Avenue in this morning’s Memorial Day parade in Albion.
The parade started on Main Street near the Courthouse and headed to Route 31 where it concluded at the Middle School lawn for a ceremony that included speeches by County legislator Don Allport and former State Assemblyman Charlie Nesbitt, who served in the Vietnam War as a pilot.
Veterans from Albion carry the flag and other colors down Main Street in this morning’s parade.
The Knights of Columbus march in the parade.
Some members of the Albion Marching Band, including Jared Hollinger (with eagle), perform for the crowd.
Char Olick, a drum major, is one of the leaders of the marching band.
Logan London, left, and Nita Bela are members of the color guard in the marching band.
Kennedy Allport takes in the sights and sounds of the marching band while being held by her grandfather, Mark Webster of Albion.
Scouts from West Barre head down Main Street. John Schreiner is holding the American flag, while Ben Hickman carries the troop flag (center), and Tristan Lusk holds the pack flag.
Nathan Olmstead, an Albion Boy Scout, carries the American flag during the parade.
This group of Brownies in Albion includes from left: Sophia Albanese, Liana Flugel, Autumn Flugel and Julia Knight.
Albion firefighters Greg Marston, left, and Steven Papponetti join the parade processional.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 May 2015 at 12:00 am
John E. Butts’ family will present his dog tags to community
John E. Butts
MEDINA – John E. Butts remains a source of pride in the Medina community more than 70 years after his death. Butts is the lone Medal of Honor recipient from Medina.
He sacrificed himself in Normandy in World War II, advancing on the enemy to distract them so his battalion could advance. Butts had already been wounded, but pressed on, leading a platoon.
“Once more he was struck, but by grim determination and sheer courage continued to crawl ahead,” his Medal of Honor citation reads. “When within 10 yards of his objective, he was killed by direct fire. By his superb courage, unflinching valor and inspiring actions, 2LT BUTTS enabled his platoon to take a formidable strong point and contributed greatly to the success of his battalion’s mission.”
Butts was one of five brothers to serve in World War II. He died in Normandy on June 23, 1944. His body came home in 1948 and he is buried at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Medina.
The American Legion Post and a village park bear his name. There is a display of his medals at the local library. On Monday, following the Memorial Day parade, some of Butts’ family members will present his dog tags to the community during a service at State Street Park.
Several of Butts’ nieces and nephews are getting together for a reunion in Medina this weekend before they present his dog tags on Monday. The relatives are from South Carolina, Ohio, Michigan and California.
They are coming together for the first time since they were kids. The reunion came about after a Dutch television journalist/historian sought more information on Butts for a TV documentary following the 9th Infantry’s campaign from D-Day to WWII’s conclusion. Butts was featured in a segment in the series.
The parade in Medina starts at 11 a.m. at the Olde Pickle Factory on Park Avenue and ends at State Street Park with the ceremony at the park starting at about noon.
By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 24 May 2015 at 12:00 am
Provided photo – Kristina Gabalski, an Orleans Hub correspondent, completed the master gardener course in Orleans County. She is pictured with her flowering shrubs.
You might call me a “plant-a-holic” or maybe a “compulsive planter”, whichever the case, I’ve loved growing things since I was a kindergartener.
Up until a few months ago, gardening had always been a hobby for me. I love the seasonal process of clearing, digging, planting, watching something grow and harvest. I even love weeding.
Last fall I decided to finally get some formal training in horticulture and since my kids are Orleans County 4-Hers and I’ve really enjoyed Master Gardener programs I’ve attended in the past, I signed up for the 16-week Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Training Program. I knew I would enjoy helping and being a part of the activities and programs organized by Master Gardeners.
A group of more than 25 people started the program last October and those of us who made it all the way through – a few less than the beginning number – received our Certificates of Completion during the May 20 regular monthly meeting of the Orleans County Master Gardeners.
We celebrated with a pot luck dinner and cake before the business meeting took place and now Orleans County can boast of a register of 32 Master Gardeners – both experienced and new.
The training was rigorous and the size of the training manual itself a bit daunting, but the course was broken up with eight classes last fall and eight classes this spring. We covered a long list of topics – garden botany, soils and fertilizers, insects, plant diseases, diagnosing plant problems, woody plant materials, pruning, ecological lawn care, organic gardening, vegetable gardening, herbaceous perennial gardening, annuals and bedding plants, growing herbs, and nuisance wildlife management.
The training included open book mid-term and final exams. The most important part of training, however, was to provide us with the skills necessary to find information provided by Cornell University to help answer questions from residents and gardeners.
This spring we were also excited to welcome our new Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension horticulture educator, Katie Oakes. She taught several of the spring training classes and was particularly helpful in learning more about fruit production, a subject in which she has great expertise, as she is a member of the Oakes family, owners of Lynoaken Farms.
Master Gardener volunteers will now begin applying their knowledge and information gathering skills in a wide variety of ways. It is hoped that the Master Gardener hotline will be staffed soon, enabling residents with questions to call or come into the Extension office during mid-day hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Details will be determined in the near future.
Now that we are into the growing season, a number of special events are also planned by Master Gardeners. A Healthy Garden Walk is set for July 11 and features a walking garden tour of the Village of Medina.
Master Gardeners will have a strong presence at the 4-H Fair, July 27-Aug. 1, with a booth in the Lartz Building and the first ever Flower Show planned. The annual Plant Sale is set for Sept. 12 and the winner of the Master Gardener Makeover will be also be announced that day in the Lartz Building on the fairgrounds.
Tickets for the Makeover are available now for $10 each and can be purchased at the Extension office, 12690 Rt. 31, in Knowlesville. The winner will receive a beautiful new perennial garden installed by Orleans County Master Gardeners. The design will be created by Master Gardeners with the approval of the winner. The makeover sight can be a new planting or addition to an existing garden. The prize, including installation and plant material, is valued at $1,000.
Horticulture Educator Katie Oakes is also working with Master Gardener volunteers to develop summer children’s programming for local libraries and Master Gardeners will again be teaching local 6th graders about composting during Conservation Field Days May 26 and 27 at the fairgrounds.
New Master Gardeners are always welcome. If you would like to become involved, contact the Extension office at 585-798-4265 or click here.
Other graduates in the new class of Master Gardeners include: Catherine Adams, Erin Anheier, Denise Bedard, Paula Bensley, Jena Buckwell, Colin Butgereit, Cindy Confer, Janelle Flammger, Kristine Fredrick, Mari Hoffmeister, Deborah Hoy, Audry Liao, Barbara Linhart, Wayne Litchfield, Mary Mann, Amanda Mrzywka, Eileen Sorochty, Jennifer Tynan, and Mary Jane Woodworth.
Photo by Tom Rivers – Albion police officers David Mogle, left, and Will Francis respond to the scene of an accident on Saturday on Route 98, north of the village near the Five Corners.
Press Release
Orleans County Sheriff
Scott Hess
GAINES – An Albion man remains hospitalized in satisfactory condition this afternoon following a two-vehicle crash on Saturday in the Town of Gaines.
The incident occurred shortly after 5:30 p.m., at the intersection of routes 98 and 279 and Bacon Road. This intersection is commonly known as the Five Corners.
A 2007 Hummer HU3 Suburban was traveling south on 279 at a high rate of speed. A 2001 Chevrolet Malibu 4dr was northbound on Route 98 in the turn lane and preparing to turn left onto 279. The Hummer entered the intersection and struck the front end of the Malibu.
The Hummer continued southbound on Route 98 crossing and exiting on the east side of the roadway. The vehicle became airborne and overturned, then grounded and struck some shrubbery before becoming airborne a second time and striking a tree while still in the air. The vehicle then came to rest in an upright position against some other trees.
The driver (sole occupant) of the Hummer is identified as David W. Kuhns, 38, of Albion. He was extricated from his vehicle by Albion firefighters and flown by Mercy Flight helicopter to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester.
The driver (sole occupant) of the Malibu is identified as Michael J. Pommerening, 56, of Kent. He was treated at the scene by personnel from Central Orleans Volunteer Ambulance. He was not transported to the hospital.
While the investigation is continuing, it’s apparent that alcohol, excessive speed, and reckless operation were contributing factors. Pending his recovery, Kuhns is facing DWI and other charges.
The incident was investigated by Sergeant G.T. Gunkler. He was assisted by Sergeant D.W. Covis, Investigator D.E. Foeller Jr., Deputy T.C. Marano, and Deputy T.N. Tooley.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 May 2015 at 7:00 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The driver of Hummer going at a high rate of speed hit another vehicle on Route 98 near the 5 corners and then went airborne, flipping in the air at least once, before hitting a tree and coming to a stop near an embankment.
This vehicle was hit by the Hummer. The driver appeared uninjured and was talking with Orleans County deputies at the scene.
The driver of the Hummer survived the crash and was taken by Mercy Flight helicopter after being extricated by Albion firefighters. The accident was just south of Bacon Road near the intersection with Route 279.
Albion firefighters and personnel from Central Orleans Voluneer Ambulance work to get the driver extricated from the Hummer. He was transported by COVA to a landing zone for Mercy Flight at the Christian Missionary Alliance Church. Dale Banker, director of Emergency Management for Orleans County, is pictured in red.
Shelly Smith has lived at the 5 corners for 14 years. She said there are typically two serious accidents at the intersection each year. Many of those vehicles have ended up in her yard.
She saw the accident today, and watched the Hummer go airborne and flip over at least once in the air. The vehicle bounced into a tree, ripping the bark off about 20 feet up the tree.
“I have never seen anything like it,” she said.
Pieces of the Hummer were all over her yard.
“This is the worst I have ever seen,” she said. “I’ve never seen a car catapult.”
This photo shows where the Hummer took some of the bark off a tree.
The accident remains under investigation. The name of the driver of Hummer hasn’t been released. He was conversing with COVA personnel and Albion firefighters at the scene.
Mercy Flight takes off by the Christian Missionary Alliance Church.
By Matthew Ballard, Orleans County Historian Posted 23 May 2015 at 12:00 am
A day to remember those soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice over the last 239 years, Memorial Day serves as an occasion for each and every citizen to reflect on the freedoms that we enjoy.
“Decoration Day,” as it was called, has its roots in the Civil War when loved ones decorated the graves of their dearly departed soldiers. Today, we continue that tradition by adorning the graves of our veterans with flowers and flags.
Over the next four years we will commemorate the passing of the centennial of the First World War. A horrific and deadly conflict that was said to be “the war to end all wars,” took the lives of several dozen Orleans County citizens over the course of 19 months. Our families sent over 1,000 young men to face the horrors of war and upon their return, the physical and emotional scars would remain for the rest of their lives.
This photograph depicts Company F of the 108th Infantry. Originally believed to be a 1917 image showing men preparing for their departure from the Medina railroad station.
Instead, the image appears to show the men of Company F upon their return to Orleans County at the conclusion of the war. With medals pinned to their chests, the soldiers paraded along the streets of Medina amidst a crowd of teary-eyed onlookers lining the roads adorned with flags and patriotic bunting.
The Battle of St. Quentin Canal was still fresh in their minds – the day Medina’s own Company F broke the Hindenburg Line. Orleans County lost 12 men that day, September 29, 1918, including James Clark, William Collins, Frank Bloom, Walter Gaylord, Cecil Green, Albert Coon, Walter Lindke, Fred Hellert, Leon Clark, Alex Wilson, Egbert Sheret, and James Sheret.
Capt. John S. Thompson recalled the bravery each man from Company F exhibited as they went over the top at 5:50 a.m. that Sunday morning. They sang cheerful melodies as they advanced to the front line and continued to carry their tune as they advanced on the German line. Such heroism should forever be remembered.
The Orleans County Department of History continues to accept contributions of photographs, both originals and duplicates, as well as documents, records, and other items relating to the history of the area.
If you have materials you would like to share, please contact Matthew Ballard at Matt.Ballard@orleanscountyny.gov or 585-589-4174. In conjunction with “The Lost Generation” exhibition set to open at the Cobblestone Museum in early July, the Department of History is working towards assembling a detailed record of Orleans County’s 20th century military history and needs help from the community.
Provided photos – Firefighters work to put out a fire in Washboard Willy’s on Starr Street in Medina early this morning.
MEDINA – A fire early this morning at the Washboard Willy’s laundromat caused an estimated $50,000 damage to the building and $25,000 to equipment, Medina Fire Department officials said.
Firefighters were called to the scene at 2:22 a.m. The building at the corner of Starr Street and Main Street was filled with smoke with fire coming out of the roof, said Steve Cooley, Fire Department public information officer.
Chief Todd Zinkievich requested mutual aid from the Ridgeway Fire Department to the scene along with an engine from East Shelby to stand by at the Medina firehouse.
While interior crews completed primary searches and fire attack, additional crews laddered the roof to perform ventilation operations, Cooley said.
The fire was knocked down and under control within 30 minutes from time of dispatch.
The cause of the fire appears to be nonintentional at this time but remains under investigation by department investigators. There were no firefighter injuries reported, Cooley said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 May 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
HOLLEY – The Clarendon Historical Society threw another birthday for the community’s most famous son, Carl Akeley, on Wednesday. The top photo shows a comic book image of Akeley fighting with leopard in Africa.
Akeley survived and managed to kill the leopard in Africa. Akeley was a world renowned taxidermist and inventor. He was instrumental in creating the first national park in Africa.
Provided photo – Carl Akeley is pictured with a leopard in Africa that he killed with his bare hands after it attacked him.
Last year the Historical Society celebrated Akeley’s 150th birthday with 150 people turning out for the party, which featured a presentation by the author of a book about Akeley’s life.
Jay Kirk wrote “Kingdom Under Glass,” a book that traced Akeley’s upbringing on Hinds Road in Clarendon, when he started “stuffing” birds and small animals, to his ground-breaking advances in taxidermy and his adventures in Africa.
The 151st party featured another prominent Akeley enthusiast, Stephen Quinn. He worked in the Akeley Hall of African Mammals, where many of Akeley’s elephants, lions, rhinos and gorillas are displayed in New York City at the American Museum of Natural History.
Steven Quinn addresses about 100 people on Wednesday at Holley Junior-Senior High School, sharing photos and insights from a trip to Africa, retracing Carl Akeley’s trips to the continent from 1921 to 1926.
Quinn said the mountain gorillas are threatened, losing habitat and suffering attacks from predators and illnesses. The gorilla pictured has a nose fungus, Quinn said.
“The natural world is to be cherished,” Quinn said. “We’re accountable to the natural world.”
Quinn is recently retired from the American Museum of Natural History. He said the Akeley Hall “is truly a magnificent place.”
Quinn wanted to retrace Akeley’s route in the eastern Congo, where Akeley and his team visited from 1921 to 1926, bringing back paintings, photographs, and specimens collected in the field nearly a century ago.
Akeley became a passionate advocate for the mountain gorillas and other wildlife, and pushed for a national park in the area.
Quinn in his presentation also highlighted the work of the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Program, which provides care to sick gorillas, cleaning and suturing cuts and providing medicine.
“The work they do is truly wonderful,” Quinn said. “They work they do wouldn’t be possible without Carl Akeley, who gave his life and is responsible for the first national park in Africa.”
Akeley was on his fifth trip to the Congo in 1926 when he died of fever. He is buried in Africa, just miles from where he encountered his first gorilla.
The taxidermist community is working to raise money for monument for Akeley at Hillside Cemetery in Holley.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo today announced that State Police and local law enforcement across New York State will be increasing patrols to combat impaired and distracted driving this Memorial Day weekend from Friday to Monday.
“Ensuring the safety of motorists and passengers on New York roadways is top priority of this administration and driving under the influence or while distracted will simply will not be tolerated,” Cuomo said. “I urge all motorists to be safe this Memorial Day weekend and to exercise caution when getting behind the wheel.”
Drivers can expect to see sobriety checkpoints and more troopers on major highways during this holiday weekend. Troopers will be using both marked State Police vehicles and Concealed Identity Traffic Enforcement vehicles as part of this crackdown in order to more easily identify motorists who are violating the law.
CITE vehicles allow Troopers to better observe driving violations. These vehicles blend in with every day traffic but are unmistakable as emergency vehicles once the emergency lighting is activated.
“As we remember the men and women who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation, we encourage all motorists to drive safely,” said State Police Superintendent Joseph A. D’Amico. “We are reminding motorists to buckle up, obey speed limits, and put down any electronic devices when behind the wheel.”
According to the National Highway Safety Administration, drunk driving kills more than 10,000 people every year.
On Memorial Day weekend in 2014 State Troopers arrested more than 235 people for DWI and issued more than 12,000 tickets.
This targeted enforcement effort is funded by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee and STOP-DWI, a comprehensive and financially self-sustaining highway safety program that allows participating counties to qualify for the return of all fines collected for alcohol and other drug-related traffic offenses.
File photo – The Holley-Kendall Marching Band was part of last year’s parade in Holley on Memorial Day.
The community will honor veterans with parades and services throughout Orleans County on Monday.
In Albion, a parade begins at 10 a.m. at the intersection of Main and State streets. The parade will go south on Main Street before turning east on Route 31 and ending at the front lawn of the Albion Middle School, where a service will follow the parade.
In Holley, a ceremony begins at 9 a.m. at the American Legion with a parade following at about 9:45. The parade will go from the Legion and continue to the VFW on Veterans Drive. After the VFW, veterans will lay wreaths at Holley cemeteries.
In Lyndonville, a parade begins at 9 a.m. on Lake Avenue at the parking lot of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and continues to Main Street where it ends by the library at the Village Park.
In Medina, a parade begins at 11 a.m. on Park Avenue by the Olde Pickle Factory. It continues to State Street Park where a ceremony will follow. Both the VFW and American Legion will serve lunch following the ceremony.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 May 2015 at 12:00 am
Mike Dreyfus, a substance abuse counselor, says band teaches commitment and discipline
Mike Dreyfus
MEDINA Mike Dreyfus has watched the Medina Mustangs perform hundreds of times. He still gets caught up in the emotion of the music and choreography of seeing 100-plus kids performing in unison.
“I still feel smitten by it all,” Dreyfus said. “I still get goose bumps when they hit on impact.”
Dreyfus has been an active band booster for nearly two decades. He won a guest conductor contest and will lead the marching band on Monday’s parade that begins at 11 a.m. The band will go from the former Fisher-Price on Park Avenue to Main Street and then to State Street Park. It’s about a 2-mile route.
Community members paid $1 to vote for one of five guest conductors. Dreyfus emerged the winner. He has been an active fund-raiser and vocal cheerleader for the band.
His son Kip joined as an eighth grader and graduated in 2003. Mike and his wife Kathy have stayed band enthusiasts even after their son graduated.
“In band there is a sense of family,” Dreyfus said. “It’s a giant trust exercise.”
File photo – The Medina Mustang Band is pictured in last year’s Memorial Day parade.
No one sits the bench in band, Dreyfus said, and boys and girls share leadership roles.
“These guys and gals are friends,” Dreyfus said. “Everybody is equal. It’s positive competition and it’s gender neutral.”
Dreyfus sees other benefits with a demanding program such as the band. He has worked 40 years with people who struggle to be law-abiding citizens in his roles as probation officer for 20 years and then as a substance abuse counselor for two decades.
The band connects students to the community, teaching them discipline and drawing them away from temptations with drugs and alcohol.
“It is the best prevention program there is,” Dreyfus said. “I’ve seen the value of this whole program for the kids involved. The band program screws the kids’ heads on straight. It teaches them commitment. It teaches discipline and focus.”
Dreyfus played football in high school and college. He admitted he’s a little nervous about leading the band on Memorial Day.
“I know nothing about this,” he said about conducting. “The only thing I play is the stereo.”
