By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 August 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – After six months of selling tickets, the Orleans Community Health Foundation picked the winner of its mega drawing tonight during a celebration at Leonard Oakes Estate Winery.
Michael Zambito won the $10,000 prize. Zambito is the owner of Zambistros in Medina and Mericana in Lockport.
The top photo shows Hospital CEO Wendy Jacobson (right) drawing the winning ticket in the mega drawing. She is pictured with Wes Pickreign, a board member for the OCH Foundation, and Heather Smith, donor development specialist for the Foundation.
Wes Pickreign thanks supporters for raising funds for a new ultrasound machine for the hospital.
The Foundation awarded 10 prize-winning checks totaling $15,700 in the mega drawing. That was up from five prizes in last year’s drawing.
This is the third time the Foundation has done the mega drawing. Last year there were about 200 tickets sold for $100 each. This year there were 250 sold. The Foundation made about $10,000 through the drawing and those proceeds will go towards buying a new ultrasound machine.
The Foundation has now raised about $100,000 towards its $175,000 goal for the new machine.
Tony Wynn (pictured), a member of the Foundation board of directors, was the biggest salesman for the mega drawing. He sold 75 of the tickets, including four of the top five winners.
Wynn of Albion said he is happy to promote and raise money for Medina Memorial Hospital and its parent organization, Orleans Community Health.
“I believe in the hospital,” he said. “It’s a great organization and they will take care of you.”
The group, “A Blues Band,” performed for the crowd at Leonard Oakes. The band includes, from left: Rob Robinson on keyboards, Mike Scanlan on drums, Mike Zelazny on guitar, and Glenn Fuller on harmonica.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 August 2015 at 12:00 am
ALBION – A Gaines resident who was arrested last month on multiple drug charges pleaded guilty in Orleans County Court and could face up to 2 ½ years in state prison.
Shane M. Maynard, 37, said in court that a confidential informant purchased methamphetamine from his residence at 12801 Ridge Rd., Apt. B. He had the meth with the intent to sell it, Maynard told Judge James Punch.
Maynard was arraigned on July 27 on 3 counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the fifth degree, and 3 counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree. He has been in the county jail on $100,000 bail.
He pleaded guilty on Monday to a reduced charge of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree. District Attorney Joe Cardone said Maynard is a first-time felony offender.
Maynard’s attorney Conrad Cropsey said his client wanted to plead guilty and not prolong the case in court.
Maynard will be sentenced on Oct. 19.
In other cases in court:
Cardone said he will not offer a plea deal for reduced charges to Henry Marling, 27, of Holley Road in Albion.
Marling was released from state prison in November after serving a sentence for third-degree burglary. He allegedly broke into Empire Trading on Bank Street on April 17 and stole items and damaged property.
Marling was arraigned in June on charges of third-degree burglary, third-degree grand larceny, fourth-degree criminal mischief, fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property and unlawful possession of marijuana. Marling has prior felony convictions.
Marling’s highest charge in the latest alleged crime includes third-degree burglary. He was released from prison after serving a sentence for that charge.
Judge Punch said he wouldn’t accept a plea deal anyway.
“If you have a record like that there’s not going to be a plea offer,” the judge told Marling who is in the county jail on $200,000 bail.
Michael A. Stewart, 38, was assessed a level 2 sex offender by Judge Punch. Stewart has been serving a seven-year prison sentence for first-degree sexual abuse.
Stewart’s attorney Nathan Pace asked Judge Punch to consider the level one classification for Stewart, which would be the lowest risk level.
However, the judge said Stewart’s victims were both less than 10 years old. Stewart also has a prior criminal history of nonsexual crimes, the judge said.
Stewart is currently an inmate at the Mohawk Correctional Facility and could be released on Sept. 26.
An Albion man had his sentencing adjourned for two months while he recovers from injuries. Judge Punch wants to give more time for James Herring III to recover and have more cognitive abilities so he can function on probation.
Herring, 24, of East State Street is accused of selling cocaine on May 22, 2013. He faces up to 2 ½ years in state prison. He has pleaded guilty to attempted criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 August 2015 at 12:00 am
ALBION – Three people were sentenced to state prison in Orleans County Court today for drug crimes, with another woman getting four months of weekends in jail for her third driving while intoxicated conviction.
Keith Toney, 36, of Rochester received the longest sentence of four years in prison.
Toney and a Rochester woman Lakusha McMorris, 35, both were arrested on Jan. 27 following a six-month investigation into the sale and distribution of crack cocaine from the City of Rochester to Medina.
McMorris was sentenced to two years in state prison today.
Toney admitted in a previous court he arranged the transactions by phone and McMorris said she was the delivery person on three occasions. Toney was charged in January with nine counts of criminal sale of controlled substance in the third degree.
Toney pleaded guilty to third-degree attempted criminal sale of a controlled substance. He pleaded guilty specifically to arranging for a cocaine sale at the Wal-Mart parking lot in Brockport on Aug. 27, 2014.
Toney made the drug deal with an informant from Orleans County, which is why the case has been handled in Orleans County. Brockport is located in neighboring Monroe County.
Toney’s attorney Nathan Pace asked the judge for leniency, saying Toney has had no criminal offenses the past 18 years after he endured “a horrible childhood.”
Judge James Punch said Toney has a “serious criminal history.” The judge gave Toney four years in state prison, one year less than the maximum as part of a plea deal.
McMorris pleaded guilty to attempted criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree. Her attorney Larry Koss asked for a split sentence, with no state prison.
“You seem to have profited from the sale of these drugs for quite some time,” Punch told her at sentencing.
McMorris, a first time felony offender, has twice been on probation.
In another case, Leeanne Krull, 45, of Albion was sentenced to two years in state prison. She pleaded guilty on May 18 to criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree, which carries a maximum sentence of 2 ½ years in state prison.
Krull admitted in court on May 18 to having hydrocodone in Medina. She told Judge Punch she sold it one time on April 22.
The judge gave her two years in state prison, just under the maximum.
In another case, a Niagara County woman was sentenced to weekends in jail for four months despite a request from her attorney for no jail time.
Julie R. Wisniewski, 38, of Lewiston has three DWI convictions. She was stopped on Point Breeze Road in Carlton on April 12, 2014 and registered a .21 Blood Alcohol Content. She took her case to trial and was convicted by jury of DWI (felony due to previous conviction) and aggravated driving while intoxicated.
Punch said some jail time was needed for Wisniewski. However, he didn’t want her to lose her job or custody of her son.
“I don’t want you to do this again,” the judge told her. “You could easily kill someone.”
Wisniewski will also be on probation for five years, have her license revoked for a year, pay a $500 surcharge and will be required to install an interlock ignition device that measures her BAC before she drives.
Contributed Story Posted 17 August 2015 at 12:00 am
Provided photo
KENDALL – Two brothers from Kendall – Matthew and Nicholas Schuth – were recognized as Eagle Scouts during a Court of Honor ceremony on Aug. 10. Matthew and Nicholas join older brother Michael as Eagle Scouts, the highest honor for a Boy Scout.
David and Cathy Schuth are parents of the three Scouts who are members of Troop 94.
The Schuth family is pictured at the Kendall United Methodist Church. Pictured, from left: David, Nicholas, Michael, Matthew and Cathy.
State Assemblyman Steve Hawley attended the ceremony and presented the new Eagle Scouts with certificates for their achievement.
For his Eagle project, Matthew built a picture place at the Kendall Community Park. Beginning by clearing trees and brush, the site was then backfilled for planting arborvitaes. A foundation and concrete pad from a former building are the base for a vinyl arbor and are accessible by the stone walkway. This low maintenance backdrop has already been used for many formal photographs.
For his Eagle project, Nicholas improved the Kendall Food Cupboard. Housed in the Kendall United Methodist Church, this vital community service needed additional storage space. Wood shelving was installed to allow overhead storage for lightweight items and a full wall of shelves that more than doubled the shelving used for food. All food was removed from the shelving, inspected and placed on the new shelving per direction from Marty and Zina Goodenbery.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 August 2015 at 12:00 am
Business has been downtown mainstay for century
Photos by Tom Rivers – Gary Withey, owner of Fischer’s Newsstand in Albion since 1995, takes care of customer Amanda Harmer today. She bought a bag full of candy that is on sale.
ALBION – A store that has been a part of downtown Albion, and an endearing part of many childhoods, will close on Aug. 30 after more than a century of business.
Gary and Denise Withey became owners of the business in January 1995. They are out-of-towners. They live in Medina. Gary grew up in Kendall.
They weren’t sure the community would accept them. But Mr. Withey said the community has been welcoming since Day 1. He and his wife felt loved by their many customers through the years.
Lottery is a big draw for the business, which continues to have a variety of magazines and newspapers.
Sylvia Harmer said walking into the store is like stepping into the bar on Cheers, “Where everybody knows your name.” Mr. Withey gave her a big greeting today when she stopped in to check her lottery tickets.
Harmer said the Witheys have always been very personable with the public. She likes to see other customers at the store. Fischer’s has been a place to swap stories and catch up on the news. She started coming to Fischer’s to pass time while her kids had dance classes.
“I just like to come down and hang out,” Harmer said. “I’ve met a lot of people here.”
Many of the customers are older, and many have passed away without new faces coming in. Withey said business has slowed with a shrinking customer base. He also felt it with a decline in newspaper, magazine and sports cards sales.
Fischer’s Newsstand is open until Aug. 30 at 105 North Main St.
Karen Walls stops by Fischer’s with her son Aaron Walls and nephew Joseph Argo.
The portrait of Medina native Carl Fischer hangs on the wall at Fischer’s. He pitched for the Detroit Tigers and later lived in Albion and ran the newsstand.
The Witheys persevered and kept the business going in recent years, as other news stands shut down in Batavia, Medina, Rochester, Dunkirk and other Western New York communities.
The business pressures don’t compare to the crisis for the Withey family last October when Denise suffered catastrophic kidney failure. She was on dialysis until her death at age 51 on Feb. 27.
Mr. Withey said he is thankful for the community support since then. But he no longer wants to keep up with the demands of the business. His wife worked part-time at the store while working a full-time job with The Arc of Orleans County.
“We were in business for 20 years and that was our goal when we opened,” Withey said today. “I’m going to miss it terribly.”
He will start a new job in September as a medical courier for ACM Medical Laboratory in Buffalo. Withey won’t have to work holidays and weekends in the new job. He hasn’t had those perks at Fischer’s.
Withey said the store has never struggled to sell candy. Many children come in for candy bars and sweets.
Karen Spierdowis remembers coming to the store when she was about 7. It was her first trip from home without a grownup. She and some friends went to the store for candy. She spent part of her allowance on penny candy.
“It was a rite of passage for kids in Albion,” she said.
Spierdowis has stayed a steady customer. Now she brings in her son for candy or for sports cards. Sometimes she picks up a newspaper or magazine.
“It’s the last of an era with the newspaper store,” she said.
Withey, 54, wanted to thank his many loyal customers over the years, as well as long-time employees Marilyn Kilbourn and Diane Edwards, his wife’s best friend since kindergarten.
“We’ve had people come in here from ages 6 to 90,” Withey said. “The town has treated us very well. They took care of us for 20 years.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 August 2015 at 12:00 am
ALBION – The Rev. Richard Csizmar, pastor of Holy Family Parish, tosses a ring towards wine bottles. Csizmar won at least six of the bottles due to his accurate tosses. He gave them to family members.
Tony Navarra, left, and Kevin Sheehan work the game.
There was a crowd of at least 300 people at the Elk Club grounds on Sunday for the annual Lawn Fete for the church, where the community enjoyed food, games, raffles and music.
‘It’s a small-town thing,” Csizmar said about the Lawn Fete. “It gets people together. That’s the main thing.”
Sausage and peppers are grilled and ready to eat.
The line of cooks for the sauage, hot dogs and cheeseburgers includes, from left: Greg Metz, his son Corey Metz, Tim Adduci and Mike Grabowski.
Jean Shervin, left, and Michele Grabowski cook up some fried dough. Uncle Sal’s in Albion donated 50 pounds of dough for the popular treat at the Lawn Fete.
Mary Ann Tillman wears an apron about her “Famous Polish Bread.” The Lawn Fete started at noon and the bread was quickly gone. Mary Ann’s daughter gave her the apron, using a photo of Mary Ann from the Lawn Fete two years ago when she was pictured on the Orleans Hub.
There were 52 raffle baskets at the Lawn Fete. The event usually raises about $18,000 for the parish.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 August 2015 at 12:00 am
ALBION – An Orleans County judge set bail at $750,000 today for a Rochester man arrested last week on drug charges.
Charles A. Verstreate, 46, of 44 Lennox St. was arrested on Aug. 11, following an undercover buy operation of oxycodone pills by the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force and the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department.
Verstreate was charged with one count each of criminal sale and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, both felonies.
He has seven prior felonies, 17 prior misdemeanor crimes and twice has failed to appear at court appearances, District Attorney Joe Cardone said.
Verstreate was arraigned last week in Murray Town Court by Town Justice Gary Passarell, who committed Verstreate to the Orleans County Jail without bail due to his extensive criminal history.
Orleans County Court Judge James Punch cited that lengthy criminal history today in setting bail at $750,000.
By Matthew Ballard, Orleans County Historian Posted 17 August 2015 at 12:00 am
As the parishioners of St. Mary’s Church in Holley celebrate the 150th anniversary of the establishment of their parish, it is also worth noting that the physical building will celebrate its 110th birthday this December.
Taken prior to 1939, this image shows the interior of St. Mary’s Church as it would have appeared shortly after the dedication of the building in 1905.
The Catholic population of Holley first celebrated Mass around 1850 when Revs. Donnelly and O’Laughlin of Brockport ministered to the inhabitants of the region.
Services were held at the old stone school located on the corner of Main and Albion streets and then at the home of Fenton Whalen until a site on Canal Street was purchased from John Connery. It was under the direction of Rev. John Castaldi that the old frame church was erected on this site and the Holy Cross Cemetery purchased.
The subsequent pastorates of Revs. David Lasher, James Lasher, Patrick Maloy, James Leddy, and Michael Noonan left the parish in a stable financial state. Upon the arrival of Rev. James McCarthy in 1902, the focus of the congregation shifted towards the construction of a new church edifice upon a site selected by Rev. Noonan. A native of Albion, McCarthy studied at St. Bonaventure and then in Italy before his ordination as a priest in the Diocese of Buffalo in 1885.
Constructed of Medina Sandstone quarried from Orleans County, the interior of the structure contained beautiful vaulted ceilings painted pure white. The Georgia pine wainscoting and dark oak pews provided a striking contrast. The image shows the Gothic altar, finished in white and gold and the four statues that adorned the side altars; the Sacred Heart, St. Joseph, St. Patrick, and the Virgin Mary.
The north and south walls contained nine stained glass windows in addition to the two pictured in the chancel of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Sacred Heart of Mary. A set of 14 Gothic Stations of the Cross donated by local quarry owner Richard O’Brien were situated between the windows. The most stunning feature of the church interior was the dome of amber glass situated over the altar.
On Dec. 24, 1905, Bishop Charles Colton arrived at Holley with a gathering of priests from Western New York to dedicate the church. Due to a delay in delivery, the altar rail, electric lighting, and other minor fixtures were not installed in time for the dedication ceremonies.
The interior bears a striking resemblance to those of the old St. Mary’s Assumption Church and St. Joseph’s Church in Albion, the latter also containing a beautiful dome of amber glass.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 August 2015 at 12:00 am
HOLLEY – William Murphy on Sunday submitted his letter of resignation, effective Sept. 1, as chief for the Holley Police Department. Murphy has been the lone full-time officer in the department that includes 10 part-time officers.
Murphy said he wanted to continue as police chief. But he resigned following a decision on the Village Board not to seek a pay waiver for his retirement.
Murphy was retired from the Greece Police Department when he joined Holley as chief 7 ½ years ago. The Village Board needed to seek a waiver from the State Comptroller’s Office for Murphy twice a year because he was paid over the $30,000 limit for retirees receiving a police pension.
The board always sought the waiver until a board meeting on July 30, when the majority of the board opposed seeking the waiver again.
Murphy was paid $42,000 as Holley chief. Without the waiver, his pay would be capped at no more than $30,000. He is already close to that threshold this year, nearing the end of August. Murphy said without the waiver not only is his pay capped at $30,000, but he would see his pension decrease.
Mayor John Kenney said some members of the board are against the waivers. The mayor said Murphy said done a “great job” for the community, running a professional department.
He said village officials will discuss the next steps for finding Murphy’s successor.
Murphy has been out since July 28 due to back surgery. Robert Barton has been serving as officer-in-charge, but he will done in two weeks to return to his full-time teaching position.
Murphy said the department’s part-time officers impressed him with their commitment to the job.
“We were stepping up patrols,” Murphy said. “They are dedicated.”
Murphy, an Albion native, started his law enforcement with Holley in 1985. He also worked at the Albion, Rochester and Greece police departments and then retired. However, he took the chance to return to Holley as police chief.
“The people are the main reason I stayed,” he said. “The residents there are great. They’re like your family.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 August 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
POINT BREEZE – Ham radio operators from throughout the world, including at Point Breeze in Orleans County, are communicating with each other this weekend as part of International Lighthouse Weekend.
The Orleans County Amateur Radio Club has been sending and receiving signals by the Oak Orchard Lighthouse. They were there on Saturday when a “solar storm” made it difficult to get signals from out of the country.
Jim Salyer of Gasport, left, and Paul Mulford of Le Roy make a connection with a ham operator at a Long Island lighthouse on Saturday morning.
The ham operators are back today until 5 p.m. Last year they made 400 contacts around the world. This weekend, due to weak signals, they may only get about 100 contacts.
“We’re having fun,” Mulford said. “That’s what this hobby is all about.”
Jim Salyer said many of the ham operators are creative, building their own radios and antennas.
The ham operators, as part of the international weekend, want to promote lighthouses and also their hobby of amateur radio.
