news

Governor, Task Force push to streamline farming regulations

Posted 19 May 2015 at 12:00 am

Press Release, Governor Cuomo’s Office

ALBANY – Gov. Andrew Cuomo today announced new initiatives to streamline regulatory burdens currently placed on farmers in New York. The first-ever “Strategic Interagency Task Force on Lessening Obstacles to Agriculture” identified new opportunities for improving the regulations for pesticide registration and certification without compromising current environmental protections.

Additional regulatory changes for the benefit of New York agriculture as a result of the Task Force will be rolled out in the coming weeks.

“This administration remains committed to supporting farmers and cutting red tape to make it easier for agricultural businesses to grow and thrive in New York,” Cuomo said. “Through this task force, we are implementing commonsense solutions that will improve business for our farmers and maintain this state’s strong commitment to protecting the environment.”

The Task Force is comprised of leadership from state government and representatives from the agriculture industry. It met five times during 2014, working together to develop recommendations to streamline the regulatory process for the state’s robust agricultural economy to grow. During these meetings, farmers identified concerns on a variety of current regulations and posed them to the task force, which responded with the following solutions:

Easier Pesticide Registration Process

In response to feedback from farmers, the Department of Environmental Conservation improved its pesticide product registration processes by scheduling pre-application meetings with registrants, reducing potential delays. It has also improved notification of new pesticide registrations to applicators and distributors.

Faster Recertification Process for Pesticide Applicators

Farmers using pesticides are required to be certified as private pesticide applicators and take either continuing education courses or a recertification exam every five years to remain current. The DEC now tracks applicator certification status in a new database, which improves the renewal notice process. Later phases will allow farmers to view and update their own information online.

Simplify Categories for Pesticide Applicators

New York State has seven private pesticide certifications. To make it easier for farmers to diversify the commodities they grow, the DEC now allows an applicant to request to switch their category, in most cases, and will propose consolidating the categories to simplify certification requirements.

“Based on these recommendations, the Department of Environmental Conservation has identified actions that will reduce the regulatory burdens on farmers and help them use approved products without weakening environmental protections,” said DEC Commissioner Joe Martens said. “Farmers are excellent stewards of the environment and we will continue to work with the agriculture community to promote New York’s agricultural economy and natural resources.”

Jeff Williams, New York Farm Bureau’s Public Policy Director, said the Task Force was able to “look for common sense solutions.”

“Changes to the pesticide approval and certifications processes will create greater efficiencies while maintaining a high level of standards in this state,” Williams said. “New York Farm Bureau appreciates the leadership of Gov. Cuomo’s administration, including the efforts of the Departments of Environmental Conservation and Agriculture and Markets, and the work of the entire committee. We look forward to even more regulatory changes to support New York’s farmers.”

Medina budget passes with 89% approval

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 May 2015 at 12:00 am

MEDINA – Residents gave overwhelmingly support today for a proposed $34,802,870 budget that increases spending by 0.94 percent but keeps taxes the same.

The budget passed 376-46. That’s an 89.1 percent approval rate.

The budget maintains existing programming and will increase enrichment offerings in the elementary and middle school.

The district will have a new member on the Board of Election. Brian Koch had the second-most votes with 264 of the five candidates seeking three-year terms on the board.

There were three open positions. Two incumbents were re-elected with Ann Bunch getting 305 votes and Renee Paser-Paull receiving 246.

Two other candidates were not elected. Former board member Virginia Nicholson received 209 votes and Danielle Class, 147.

School budgets, propositions, BOE candidates all on ballot today

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 May 2015 at 12:00 am

The five school districts in Orleans County will ask for the blessing of local voters today for school funding, candidates to serve on the Board of Education and several other propositions, including library funding and new buses.

Here is a snapshot of each district:

Albion proposes $14M capital project and budget that cuts taxes

ALBION – The school district is proposing a $14.3 million capitol project on Tuesday that will address numerous maintenance issues and infrastructure upgrades.

The project includes work in the elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as the bus garage and athletic facilities.

The $14,370,548 project for building reconstruction, energy and safety improvements will be 91 percent covered by state funds. The district has its 9 percent share, $1,286,000, already in a local reserve fund, school officials said.

Residents will also vote on a proposed $33,240,940 budget reduces spending by $310,111 or 0.92 percent. The tax levy would drop by 1 percent to $8,355,939.

The budget vote also includes propositions to spend $460,000 for buses and $680,411 to be collected for Hoag Library.

There are two five-year positions up for election in Albion. Marie Snyder is seeking re-election while John King is not. Chantelle Sacco is seeking the other position and is unopposed.

Voting for the project, budget and other propositions will be from noon to 8 p.m. in the elementary school’s Conference Room A near the community entrance in the back of the school.

Holley school budget holds tax levy steady; Write-ins will determine one BOE position

HOLLEY – The school district is cutting its budget by about $1.7 million to $23,300,000. The budget keeps the tax levy unchanged at $6,741,780.

Residents will vote on the budget, Board of Education candidates and other propositions from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Holley Middle School/High School Foyer.

The proposition authorizing the purchase of school buses includes the purchase of two full-size school buses, one wheelchair bus and one 30-passenger school bus at a total cost not to exceed $355,000.

The proposition in support of the Community Free Library authorizes the district to raise $108,072 to be used in support of the maintenance and operations of the library in Holley.

In addition, residents will be voting on three Board of Education seats, with one to be decided by write-in votes. The three-year terms of office of current board members Mark Porter, John C. (Jack) Welch and Anne Winkley expire on June 30. Winkley and Porter are seeking re-election. No candidates submitted petitions for the third seat.

Kendall budget doesn’t increase taxes

KENDALL – Kendall residents will vote on a $15,065,842 budget that increases spending by 1.6 percent but keeps the tax levy unchanged.

Proposition 2 would create a school bus replacement reserve fund not to exceed $100,000 annually.

Proposition 3 would allow the purchase of school buses to replace existing vehicles at a sum not to exceed $250,000.

Proposition 4 would allow the creation of a capital improvement reserve fund not to exceed $5 million. Propositions 2, 3, and 4 will have no additional taxes if approved, the district said.

Proposition 5 is the election of one, five-year term member to the Board of Education. Current School Board President Nadine Hanlon is the incumbent and is seeking re-election. She is the only candidate for the open seat.

The vote will be from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Kendall Elementary School gymnasium.

Lyndonville proposes 5.4% tax cut

LYNDONVILLE – The school district’s proposed $13,253,892 budget increases spending by 0.5 percent, but taxes would be cut by 5.35 percent or by $250,000 to $4,416,578.

Other propositions include $90,653 for Yates Community Library (up from $84,637) and authorization to purchase one 66-seat bus at a maximum $105,000.

Three people are running unopposed for three-year terms to the Board of Education: incumbents Ted Lewis and Michelle Dillenbeck, and Kelly Cousins.

Voting will be from 1 to 9 p.m. at elementary library.

Several candidates seek BOE in Medina; No tax increase

MEDINA – Residents will vote on a $34,802,870 budget that increases spending by 0.94 percent but keeps taxes the same.

The budget maintains existing programming and will increase enrichment offerings in the elementary and middle school.

The budget includes vehicles purchases, which used to be a separate proposition. Taking those out of the regular budget would show a $25,124 decrease compared to the 2014-15 budget, said David Boyle, the district’s interim business administrator.
Medina is the only district with a surplus of candidates for the Board of Education.

The district has five candidates seeking three terms that are three years each. Ann Bunch, Carol Heiligenthaler and Renee Paser-Paull all have terms up for election. Bunch and Paser-Paull are seeking re-election while Heiligenthaler, a former board president, has decided against another term.

Three other candidates – Danielle Class, Brian Koch and former board member Virginia Nicholson – are on the ballot.

Polls will be open from noon to 8 p.m. in the Board Room at the District Office.

Voters pass Kendall budget, propositions

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 May 2015 at 12:00 am

Nadine Hanlon re-elected to Board of Education

KENDALL – Kendall residents gave strong support for a $15,065,842 budget today. The spending plan passed 172-50.

The budget increases expenditures by 1.6 percent but keeps the tax levy unchanged.
All of the propositions passed with wide margins of support.

Proposition 2 creates a school bus replacement reserve fund not to exceed $100,000 annually. It passed 180-40.

Proposition 3 allows the purchase of school buses to replace existing vehicles at a sum not to exceed $250,000. It passed, 174-46.

Proposition 4 allows the creation of a capital improvement reserve fund not to exceed $5 million. It passed, 174-47.

Kendall residents also re-elected Nadine Hanlon, the current Board of Education president, to another five-year term. She was unopposed and received 199 votes.

Albion honor grads feted at convocation dinner

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 May 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers – Elijah Martin shakes hands with members of the Albion Board of Education during Monday night’s academic honors convocation dinner, when 33 students were recogizned for graduating with grade point averages at 90 or higher.

Each honor grad received a certificate noting their achievement.

HOLLEY – Albion Central School honored 33 students who will graduating with cumulative grade point averages at 90 percent or higher. The students and their families were treated to dinner on Monday at Hickory Ridge Country Club.

Bill Lattin, an Albion graduate and a former Albion art teacher, was picked to address the students. Lattin recently retired as county historian. He did that job for 36 years and also worked 40 years as the part-time curator at the Cobblestone Museum.

Lattin urged the students to have open minds and not let differences get in the way of their work and service.

“Don’t be rigid in your thoughts,” Lattin said. “Let your mind be expansive.”

Bill Lattin addresses the honor grads during Monday’s program.

He urged the students to take time to enjoy simple pleasures in life, which could be smelling the peonies flowers.

When Lattin worked at the Cobblestone Museum, the organization held several ribbon-cutting ceremonies for buildings that were rededicated or relocated and saved. Lattin always invited Congressman John LaFalce. There was at least one Republican on the Cobblestone Board who didn’t want to see LaFalce, a Democrat, invited to the ceremonies. But Lattin insisted the congressman be welcomed.

LaFalce attended the celebrations. In 1993, the Cobblestone Musuem tried to get the Cobblestone Universalist Church from 1834, a central point of the museum, declared a National Historic Landmark. State officials said the museum would need the support of its congressman. Lattin made a call and LaFalce backed the effort. The Cobblestone Church is the lone National Historic Landmark in the county.

“Don’t burn your bridges,” was Lattin’s advice to the students. “Don’t be afraid especially in politics to reach across the aisle. We need more of that today.”

Nita Bela, one of the honor grads, is congratulated by Michael Bonnewell, superintendent of Albion Central School.

Lattin was thanked by Margy Brown, the Board of Education president, for working with students though the years on many service learning projects.

The students were praised for their years of hard work in the classroom. Many juggled their school work with busy schedules with extracurricular activities and part-time jobs.

Kyler McQuillan is graduating number 3 in the class. He is thankful he doesn’t have to give a speech at commencement. Kyler’s advice to students: “Do your work.”

Kyler McQuillan is congratulated by his parents, Brenda and Sean McQuillan. Mrs. McQuillan presents her son with his honor cord.

Kyler often stayed up late to get his homework done and to study, often after soccer and tennis matches. He insisted on getting enough sleep so his body wouldn’t wear down.

He will major in chemical engineering at the University at Buffalo this fall. He said Albion offers rigorous courses that helped him gain acceptance at UB’s engineering program.

Kyler took advanced placement classes in calculus, chemistry and physics at Albion, classes he needed to get into the UB program.

Dyer Benjovsky kept up his grades while playing golf, hockey and tennis. He took AP classes and also earned 38 college credits while in high school.

His advice to students: “Do your homework.”

He said the honors students had a friendly rivalry, pushing each other to excel in the classroom. He is headed to UB to study aerospace engineering.

Morgan Seielstad is congratulated by Albion Board of Education members Dean Dibley, Margy Brown and Marie Snyder, left.

Students who are graduating with a cumulative grade point average at 90 percent or higher include:

Andrea Aman, Drake Arnold, Jayne Bannister, Nita Bela, Monica Benjovsky, Theodore “Dyer” Benjovsky, Alex Bison, Mallory Broda, Adryan Cheeseboro, Peiyi “Aaron” Chen, Madyson Coville, Amanda Covis, Nicholas Ettinger, Morgan Ferris, Laura Flanagan, Brittany Francis, Elijah Martin, Sara Maxon, Kyler McQuillan, Sara Millspaugh, Dakota Monno, Justice Nauden, Kellie O’Hearn, Charlyne Olick, Carol Pritchard, Cristal Quintana Aragon, Ryan Reed, Kerry Rice, Morgan Seielstad, Jacob Squicciarini, Gabriell Struble, Benjamin Vanacore and Crystal Zayac.

3 arraigned for felony crimes in county court

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 May 2015 at 12:00 am

ALBION – Three people were arraigned in Orleans County Court on Monday for crimes that included driving while intoxicated, drug sales and offering a false instrument.

An Albion woman, 71, was charged with filing a false instrument after allegedly putting false information on her pistol permit application.

Elsie Biaselli of East State Street was remanded to county jail on $5,000 bail. She is currently on probation and has pending welfare fraud charges, District Attorney Joe Cardone said.

Biaselli has a prior conviction of promoting prison contraband for allegedly smuggling illegal drugs in to inside Attica Correctional Facility, where her grandson was an inmate. Biaselli was sentenced to five years on probation in 2013.

She could face up to four years in prison for offering a false instrument.

A Hamlin man was arraigned on four counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree.

Joel E. Johnson, 31, of Fox Hollow Street was arrested in March following a three-month investigation into the sale and distribution of cocaine in Orleans County and the Town of Hamlin, the Orleans County Major Felony Task Force reported on March 6.

Law enforcement agencies executed a search warrant at Johnson’s residence and seized over 20 grams of cocaine, a quantity of prescription hydrocodone pills, over $1,100 in cash, and scales, packaging and other drug paraphernalia. He is in jail on $5,000 bail.

Jeremy Smith, 30, of Lydun Drive in Albion was arraigned for DWI and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

Smith has a prior felony DWI in 2006 and a prior misdemeanor DWI in 2002, Cardone said.

Smith has posted $5,000 bail.

Lyndonville budget with tax cut passes

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 May 2015 at 12:00 am

LYNDONVILLE – The school district’s budget that reduces taxes by 5.3 percent passed “overwhelmingly,” by a 101-19 vote, said Jason Smith, the superintendent of schools.

The school district’s proposed $13,253,892 budget increases spending by 0.5 percent, but taxes will be cut by 5.35 percent or by $250,000 to $4,416,578.

Other propositions also passed, including $90,653 for Yates Community Library and authorization to purchase one 66-seat bus at a maximum $105,000.

Three people ran unopposed for three-year terms to the Board of Education. Incumbents Ted Lewis and Michelle Dillenbeck were elected along with board newcomer Kelly Cousins.

Rochester man facing DWI charges allegedly stole ID from homeless man

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 May 2015 at 12:00 am

ALBION – A Rochester man who was charged with driving while intoxicated in October in Murray allegedly stole the ID from a man in a homeless shelter in Rochester.

Jeffrey Houghtaling, 49, was arraigned in Orleans County Court on numerous charges today. In addition to DWI, he was arraigned for driving with Blood Alcohol Content above 0.8 percent, aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the first degree, forgery in the second degree, offering a false instrument in the first degree and criminal impersonation in the second degree.

Houghtaling was in a homeless shelter in Monroe County when he allegedly stole the identification from a person there.

Houghtaling then allegedly drove to North Carolina with the other person’s documents, District Attorney Joe Cardone told Judge James Punch in court today during Houghtaling’s arraignment.

Houghtaling has at least four prior felony DWIs, two prior misdemeanor DWIs, and possibly other charges, Cardone said.

Houghtaling was arrested in Murray on Oct. 25 when he was driving with another person’s ID.

Houghtaling currently is in the county jail. Judge Punch set bail at $100,000. The judge noted Houghtaling has four prior instances of failing to appear for court dates.

“That’s quite a series of problems,” Punch said after reviewing Houghtaling’s criminal history.

GCC approves $25 tuition increase for 2015-16

Staff Reports Posted 18 May 2015 at 12:00 am

BATAVIA – Full-time Genesee Community College students will pay $25 more in tuition in the 2015-16 college academic year, an increase from $1,925 per semester to $1,950. The entire academic year will cost $3,900 in tuition.

“As compared to the proposed tuition increases that we are aware of from peer institutions, this modest increase maintains Genesee’s competitive position as one of the most affordable higher education options available among SUNY’s 30 community colleges,” GCC President James Sunser said. “It is a carefully-constructed, ‘hold the line’ budget, providing for inflationary cost increases while maintaining the quality of our academic programs.”

The tuition increase is part of GCC’s $39,927,000 budget for the 2015-2016 academic year. The budget is up from last year’s $38.7 million budget.

The new budget, which covers the fiscal year beginning Sept. 1, will be reviewed by Genesee County Legislature’s Ways and Means Committee prior to its submission to the Genesee County Legislature.

Other highlights of the budget include:

GCC is adding a new online learning fee of $10 per credit hour for courses that are taught fully online. The revenue from the online learning fee will be reinvested to fund the enrollment growth and enhancements to online learning programs and courses.

College staffing will be maintained at current levels adding no new positions.

Assumes New York State “base aid” at $2,597 per full-time-equivalent student. This is a $100 increase over the New York State 2014-2015 budget, but remains below the state aid of $2,675 the college received six years ago.

The New York State budget also included support for GCC’s capital projects, the construction of the College and Community Events Center and the Student Success Center. These projects are designed to transform the campus by supporting the GCC’s academic mission and vision by promoting student success, partnering with the community and maintaining facilities in a cost-effective manner, GCC officials said in a news release.

Albion student elected president of state FFA

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 May 2015 at 12:00 am

Sara Millspaugh leads organization with 4,000-plus members

Photos by Tom Rivers – Sara Millspaugh will serve as president of the FFA in New York in 2015-16. She has been president of the FFA chapter in Albion the past two years.

ALBION – An Albion student who has helped the Albion FFA chapter organize food drives, banquets, chicken barbecue dinners and other community service projects is the new leader of the state-wide FFA organization.

Sara Millspaugh wants to bring some of the successes from the Albion chapter to chapters throughout the state, while encouraging each student to pursue their potential through the many opportunities in FFA.

More than 1,000 FFA students gathered at Morrisville State College for the state convention from Thursday through Saturday. Millspaugh was elected the new state president on Friday.

“It’s about giving back to the organization,” Millspaugh said the Albion High School today.

She joined the FFA as a freshman. She didn’t grow up on a farm. But the FFA is more than traditional farming. The organization remains rooted in agriculture and teaching those skills, but it has transitioned to train students for leadership, community service, business and many other skills.

“I’m not the traditional FFA student,” said Millspaugh. “I didn’t come from a farm background.”

Her father Sam Millspaugh owns Sam & Sons, a construction company.

Sara Millspaugh, left, is pictured with Jayne Bannister. Both earned their Empire Degrees, the top honor in the FFA at the high school level.

The new FFA president is heading to Cornell University in the fall to major in agricultural business management.

She and the five other state officers will go to Camp Oswegatchie in the Adirondacks next week for five days to prepare for next school year.

Millspaugh believes her college schedule will be less demanding than in high school, where students have multiple classes each day while juggling sports and other activities.

Millspaugh and the five other state officers were interviewed for 2 ½ days last month in Syracuse by FFA delegates and adult advisors. Millspaugh emerged as the leading candidate for president.

She spoke to the 1,000-plus students during the closing ceremonies on Saturday.

Adam Krenning, the Albion FFA advisor, said Millspaugh has proven she is up for the challenge.

“She carries herself well and she includes everyone in what’s going on. Those are among her best qualities,” Krenning said. “She works well under pressure.”

The FFA chapter is busy throughout the year. It organizes a food drive each December that results in nearly 30,000 pounds of produce being donated by local farms and delivered to Community Action and other food pantries.

The chapter organizes a citrus sale and also puts on a mini-farm at the school where students can see livestock and farm machinery. The chapter also helps plan the annual Farmer to Neighbor dinner in Lyndonville, and runs other events and competitions. FFA members are busy today preparing for Tuesday’s chicken barbecue dinner with 1,300 meals.

“There are many passionate people in FFA,” Millspaugh said. “It’s an organization where you can discover yourself.”

She also earned her Empire Degree during the state convention and was awarded a gold in proficiency for an ag education focus. She job shadowed Krenning, and created workshops and lesson plans that she shared with some of the classes. Krenning said she would make a good ag teacher.

Jayne Bannister also earned her Empire Degree with a gold in proficiency for her beef and swine production. She raised the animals and tracked her expenses and assets with the livestock.

Bannister served as a district president this past year. Clara Stilwell, another Albion student, was picked for that post in 2015-16.

Bannister is heading to Kansas State University next year with a double major in animal science and ag education.

She would like to return to area and teach agriculture and lead an FFA program someday. Bannister said she is grateful for the opportunities in FFA, working with the local community and travelling throughout the state and making trips to the national convention in Louisville and Indianapolis.

“It has been amazing,” she said. “It has been experiences I will never forget that have shaped me.”

Millspaugh is the third Albion student elected among the top leaders of the FFA in the past decade. Anna Metcalf served as president in 2007-08 and Paige Levandowski was vice president in 2012-13.

“We have great kids that are motivated to get the most out of themselves,” Krenning said.

There are about 100 FFA chapters in the state, and Krenning said some nearby school districts may start programs. Albion students have met with some of the schools to help start FFA chapters.

“The FFA is producing great leaders for our country and state and more school districts are noticing that,” he said.

2 plead guilty to drug crimes in Orleans County

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 May 2015 at 12:00 am

ALBION – Two Albion residents pleaded guilty to drug crimes today in Orleans County Court and could be sentenced to state prison.

Leeanne Krull, 45, of 35 N. Main St. admitted in court today to having hydrocodone in Medina. She told Judge James Punch she sold it one time on April 22.

She pleaded guilty to criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree, which usually carries a maximum sentence of 2 ½ years in state prison. Because Krull has a prior felony, the maximum will be 4 years in state prison.

She will be sentenced on July 27. She is currently in the county jail on $5,000 bail.

John B. Lang, Jr., 56, of 175 North Main St., Apt. 16, also pleaded guilty to criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree.

Lang admitted he had hydrocodone on Sept. 9 and made one sale. He has no prior felonies and faces a maximum of 2 ½ years in state prison when he is sentenced on July 27.

Lang has been in the county jail on $75,000 bail. Judge Punch agreed to reduce the bail today to $25,000.

Thruway says no toll hikes this year

Posted 18 May 2015 at 12:00 am

Press Release, NYS Thruway Authority

The New York State Thruway Authority board of directors today approved a modified budget for 2015 that is balanced and does not include toll increases for any part of the Thruway system.

The $1.9 billion spending plan approved today at a board meeting in Albany closes a gap that was identified in the original 2015 budget approved in December and includes more than $22 million in spending cuts and nearly $44 million in reduced debt service costs.

“The budget approved by the board today reflects the commitment of the Thruway Authority’s new management team to scrutinize all spending and to take a more conservative approach regarding revenue estimates,” said Thruway Board of Directors Chair Joanne M. Mahoney. “Thruway board members and management share a common goal – to keep tolls as low as possible for as long as possible.”

The 2015-16 Enacted State Budget directed $1.285 billion in bank settlement funds to the Thruway Authority for the New NY Bridge project to replace the Tappan Zee and other capital projects throughout the system. An estimated $750 million of these funds will be used for the new bridge project this year, allowing Thruway to avoid borrowing and generating debt service cost savings.

“The bank settlement funds allow us to ensure that there will be no toll increase anywhere in the system this year and that any future increases will be as small as possible,” said Thruway Acting Executive Director Robert L. Megna. “We worked closely with staff to review all spending throughout the organization and made cuts in virtually every area of Thruway operations.”

Thruway’s modified 2015 budget also addresses current-year costs related to winter weather that were higher than expected, and provides additional support for capital projects across the state.

The Thruway Authority’s fiscal year is Jan. 1 through Dec. 31.

Historic photos show grandeur of Drake House at Golden Hill

Posted 18 May 2015 at 12:00 am

Contributed Photo – A gathering of Newell Shirt Factory employees at the Drake House in 1922.

By Cheryl Wertman

BARKER – A recent “I Love My Park Day” project at Golden Hill State Park involved cleaning up an area at the old “Drake House Ruins” site, on the west side of County Line Road.

Although the house itself was demolished in the early 1960s when New York State acquired the land as part of the development of the Golden Hill State Park, some remnants of the estate’s grounds remain, primarily the elaborately decorated perimeter (likely garden) walls.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – A section of the wall is shown here, a picture taken during the “I Love My Park Day” cleanup project on May 3.

Following an initial article and photos on the Orleans Hub of those remaining walls, photos have been received of the house itself. Two photos of the house in this article were taken in the 1920s when the estate was owned by Medina’s Newell Shirt Factory owner Robert Newell. In fact, the closeup photo of the group on the porch has the date of 1922 on it.

The first photo, shown at the start of this article, is of the house at the annual Newell outing in 1922 with the employees from the shirt factory gathered in front of the porch area.

This photo was contributed by Alana Koneski whose great-grandmother and grandmother worked at the shirt factory and the great grandmother is in the picture. The photo shows that the house itself was very near the shoreline as the lake is clearly visible in the background on both sides of the building.

This photo is an overview shot of the area with the red X marking where the ruins are (via bing maps). The estate’s location is at the far east end of the Golden Hill State Park property adjacent to County Line Road.

The second photo of the house shows employees in front of the house’s porch at the outing in 1922. The photo was contributed by Andrew Meier who currently owns the Newell Shirt Factory building.

Information contained in a booklet about the estate written by Town of Somerset Historian Lorraine Wayner indicates that the house was constructed in the 1850s by Aaron Drake. Several other owners followed over the years including Newell.

Renowned Gaines naturalist was purveyor of fine specimens in Chicago

By Matthew Ballard, Orleans County Historian Posted 17 May 2015 at 12:00 am

This image shows the storefront of F. H. Lattin & Company in Chicago, Ill. Although this is not an image of a building in Orleans County, Frank Haak Lattin of Gaines operated this store as one of several specializing in the sale of natural specimens, instruments and supplies.

Graduating from the Albion High School in 1882, Lattin would spend several years teaching in Gaines. Lattin recognized the rich geological nature of the Orleans County region and collected a number of specimens from neighboring sandstone and limestone quarries.

In his earliest years as a collector he focused his attention strictly on birds’ eggs and started a publication called the “Oologist” in 1884. That collection of eggs became so extensive that it occupied two warehouses and at one time pieces of the collection were placed on exhibit at the Field Museum in Chicago.

By the time of his retirement in 1896, he was regarded as one of the most well known dealers of his kind in the United States. He would later attend the University of Buffalo, graduating from the medical department in 1899.

Lattin also became a well-respected fruit grower throughout New York State with over 200 acres of land dedicated to the growing of pears, cherries, peaches, plums and apples in both Orleans and Oswego counties.

At the time of this photograph, Lattin was heavily engaged in the wholesale and retail business, selling specimens, instruments, supplies and publications for the naturalist. The careful eye can catch a glimpse of the variety of specimens within the storefront.

In the window to the left is the nose extension of a sawfish. In the window to the right you can see an alligator lying across the length of the window and the mounted head of a red fox. Frank Lattin is standing on the left.

Medina and Albion bands have strong showing at Seneca Falls

Staff Reports Posted 17 May 2015 at 12:00 am

Provided photos – The Medina Mustang Marching Band performs in Saturday’s parade at Seneca Falls.

SENECA FALLS – The Albion and Medina marching bands both competed in the Seneca Falls Pageant of Bands on Friday and Saturday with Medina taking the top prize as grand champion champion.

Albion won first place in the marching band category.

There were 16 bands from western and central New York competing in jazz, concert band, color guard, twirling, percussion and parade. The schools are placed in classifications based on the size of their enrollment.

Medina’s Color Guard took first place.

In Jazz, Medina took first place in the Senior High B class, with Solvay coming in second and Albion in third. In Senior High Concert Band, Medina took first against Akron. Medina also was awarded first place in Twirling, Color Guard, Percussion and Parade.

The Medina band leaves for Ohio on May 21 and will be back to perform in the Memorial Day parade on May 25.

Logan London, right, and the Color Guard from Albion lead the marching band in the parade.

Albion was first in Marching Band with an 89 score and third in Jazz Ensemble with a 96.