By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 June 2015 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers
The weather has been miserable for most of today, with heavy rain and temperatures in the high 50s to 60s.
I usually like to get photos of the local surroundings during nasty weather, but this picture of my back porch, dripping wet, was the best I could muster.
The National Weather Service in Buffalo says it will be chilly again on Sunday with a high of 61 and some scattered showers, but not nearly as heavy as today’s rain.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 June 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
HOLLEY – Holley graduates are excited are turning their tassels to symbolize the completion of their high school journey. Samantha Barniak, left, Cheyenne Bartlett and Faith Battaglia are pictured during commencement today at the school auditorium.
There were a lot of Smartphones out capturing scenes from graduation at Holley.
Commencement was moved inside due to the rain. Graduation is usually held outside at the soccer stadium.
The 77 graduates in Holley’s Class of 2015 are heading out to college and careers with advantages over graduates from much bigger communities, Holley commencement speaker said today.
Samantha Zelent is a social worker at the school district. She is also a graduate. And she is grateful for the chance to grow up in Holley and be part of the community today.
The Class of 2015 picked Samantha Zelent, a social worker at the junior-senior high school, to be the keynote speaker today.
“Show pride in where you come from,” Zelent told students during graduation today. “You’re not just from Holley. You are from Holley. Holley is truly an amazing place to be.”
She told the class she has been blessed with close-knit friendships and a caring community.
She recalled bringing some of her friends from Geneseo State College home when she was a student there. They went to Sam’s Diner for breakfast and Zelent, then Samantha Heise, was warmly greeted by many of the diner customers, who asked her how college was going. Her Geneseo classmates were impressed by the community.
Lucas Silvis holds his diploma with his mother Robin Silvis, who is a member of the Holley Board of Education.
More recently, this school year Zelent’s husband John was diagnosed with cancer. Zelent took a leave of absence and she felt the love of the students, who sent her frequent texts and Facebook messages.
“Because Holley is so small you have opportunities that others at bigger schools don’t have where they are just a number,” Zelent said. “Here there is an opportunity to know people on a personal level.”
Zelent urged the students to surround themesleves with peace and love.
“Go into the world and do well,” she said. “But more importantly go into the world and do good.”
Class Salutatorian Nicole Boyle urged her classmates to be conquerors and “go out there and show what Holley kids are made of.”
Emily Radford delivers her valedictory address.
Holley Central School Superintendent Robert D’Angelo and Susan Cory, the middle-high school principal, greet graduates at commencement.
Cory said the Class of 2015 has worked hard to prepare themselves for the next step in their lives. Of the 77 in the class, 53 will go to college, two in the military and 17 directly to the workforce. One foreign exhcange student will return home to Thailand, while a few students are undecided with their next step.
The Class of 2015 is collectively graduating with 450 college credits.
Joe DeFelice stands and is recognized for winning one of the scholarships announced today. Holley’s class was awarded about $16,000 in scholarships.
Taylor DeSimone is recognized as a scholarship winner and one of the Top 10 graduates in the class.
Board of Education President Brenda Swanger presents a diploma to Nicholas Pifer, who received the loudest applause during the ceremony. Nicholas was also recently crowned prom king.
Brenda Swanger also presents a diploma to Glenn Robb.
The diplomas are stacked and ready to be handed out at graduation.
Students file out of the auditorium after the commencement program.
By Matthew Ballard, Orleans County Historian Posted 27 June 2015 at 12:00 am
HOLLEY – This image shows the horse barn owned by Dr. George C. Kesler of Holley. The photographer directed his camera to the southeast while standing on the north side of East Albion Street.
The house in the background belonged to Dr. Kesler and was situated along the bend of White Street. The barn itself was located on the corner of East Albion and White Streets.
George Kesler, a native of Kendall, graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College on March 25, 1892. After his return to Orleans County, he started his practice in Holley on Main Street at a location west of the hotel. He married Agnes O’Neil and the couple made their home at this site in 1893. Kesler outlived his three wives, Agnes, Ana Wilson, and Ada before his own death in 1937.
Advertising as a Veterinary Surgeon and Dentist, his ads regularly featured the line, “All diseases of animals scientifically treated – open day and night.” The gentleman kneeling in front of the fence seems to have coaxed the horses to pop their heads through the windows for this photo. Both the barn and house of Dr. Kesler were razed and no longer exist at this site.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 June 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos from field courtesy of Andrea Lonnen – Brad McPherson, left, and Zachary Harris were out hunting for daisies on Thursday on Blair Road in this field owned by Bill and Sue Keppler.
Hannah Lonnen picks daisies. Hannah and 17 other Medina juniors filled 90 buckets with the flowers to build the Daisy Chain for tonight’s graduation ceremony.
Photos and article by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – When 16 Medina juniors carry a 54-foot-long chain of daisies into Medina High School Auditorium this evening, it will be the continuation of a nearly century-long tradition at Medina.
The Daisy Chain is a chance to honor the top 16 girls in the Junior Class. They are escorted by the top two boys in the class.
They will have spent two full days picking daisies and assembling the long chain that will be placed in front of the stage for graduation.
“Every year people joke you ought to buy plastic daisies,” said Eric Hellwig, a teacher and the advisor on the Daisy Chain’s construction. “It’s nice to have traditions and history.”
Meghan Allen wraps a new row of daisies on the long chain of flowers early this afternoon at Medina High School.
Caitlyn Davies works on the Daisy Chain, which will be carried inside the auditorium this evening in two 27-foot-long chains.
Besides Hellwig, two other teachers, Marguerite Sherman and Kathy Boje, also are advisors on the project, including the dress for graduation. The girls wear white dresses and gloves and the boys will wear tuxedos with red vests.
Hellwig said the attire adds a formal air to commencement.
He said the district can trace the Daisy Chain back until at least the 1920s.
Medina students spent hours assembling the Daisy Chain, spacing flowers about an inch apart in each row.
The flowers are taped and wrapped closely together to build the chain.
Students picked flowers for two to four hours on Thursday, filling 90 buckets at about a bushel apiece.
Meghan Allen admitted it was tedious and tiring work, but she saw symbolism in the that task with doing well in school.
“You have to work hard four your grades and work hard at this,” she said while building the Daisy Chain.
Michaela Cardone was grateful for the chance to work on the Daisy Chain and be part of a a revered Medina tradition. She said the project was good bonding with her classmates.
“Doing this gets more people involved in graduation and it looks nicer,” she said.
Hellwig said the Daisy Chain remains a popular tradition for the school. He expects it will continue to endure.
Michaela Cardone wraps some daisies in the Daisy Chain today. It will be unveiled during graduation at 7 p.m. today.
The Daisy Chain members for 2015 include Zack Harris and Brad McPherson, and the following: Meghan Allen, Alexis Barcena, Allison Bensley,Michaela Cardone, Davina Birch, Haylee Cogovan, Caitlyn Davies, Emma Gardner, Hannah Lonnen, Amanda Lunden, Liz Newman, Stella Russo, Carlin Sanders, Alyssa Shortridge, Abi Smith and Emma Wilson.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 June 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Justice Nauden, a member of Albion’s Class of 2015, walks to the stage to receive her diploma during a commencement program attended by about 2,000 people this evening at the high school gymnasium.
The Class of 2015 graduated from Albion with a send off that showed pride in the students for what they’ve accomplished so far.
Board of Education President Margy Brown presents Isabella Cox with her diploma. Cox was the class treasurer.
Albion graduated 129 students, the smallest class in recent memory. Those students leave with accomplishment, said Michael Bonnewell, the superintendent of schools.
The students logged 7,200 hours of community service. They needed 30 to meet their graduation requirement, but many were well over that with 16 hitting 100 hours or more, five at 200-plus and one beyond 300 hours.
The 7,200 hours is equivalent to 180 work weeks at 40 hours a week, Bonnewell noted.
District Superintendent Michael Bonnewell addresses the Class of 2015.
He said he’s proud of the students and how community service has become engrained at the school.
Students also excelled in the classroom, in music, the arts, and on the sports field.
The Class of 2015 was part of 10 teams that won Niagara-Orleans League titles and six Sectional crowns. The athletes were scholars with 55 of the 68 teams with Class of 2015 members at 90 percent or higher with their grade point averages, Bonnewell said.
Class President Aaron Burnside, left, Class Salutatorian Jacob Squicciarini and Valedictorian Madyson Coville are all smiles as the commencement program gets started.
The class will have at least 80 percent of its members enroll in college. The students are already graduating with 819 college credits, the equivalent of about $250,000 in SUNY college tuition.
“Despite it’s small size, this class has achieved,” Bonnewell said.
They won 11 first place awards in marching band competitions, were recognized for musical performances by the Rochester Stars of Tomorrow, and helped the district continue its streak of national recognition as a Best Community for Music Education.
Kevin Rosario walks up to get his diploma. He was one of 129 graduates in the Class of 2015.
Bonnewell said the Albion community provides students with an opportunity for success in school. And many students have done their part with diligent work and effort.
“This is just the beginning,” Bonnewell told the graduates inside a packed high school gymnasium. “Know you have your Albion community behind you.”
Dyer Benjovsky and his twin sister Monica walk to the risers to join other members of Senior Chorus in singing the National Anthem and then “For Good.”
Members of the Senior Chorus, from left on bottom row, include Sara Maxon, David Stilwell, Aaron Chen, Ben Vanacore and Andrea Muoio.
Board of Education President Margy Brown addressed the graduates and told them the school has worked to help them build their confidence. That is different from arrogance, which is driven by selfish motives, she said.
“Embrace the confidence that Albion has instilled in you,” Brown said. “Go out in this world and make a difference.”
Salutatorian Jacob Squicciarini and Valedictorian Madyson Coville gave a combined speech. After thanking parents, teachers and community members, the two alternated reading “Oh, The Places You’ll Go!” by Dr. Seuss.
Many members of the Junior Class, led by Dylan Bader, served as escorts for the Class of 2015, leading the seniors into the gymnasium.
Emily Shabazz is excited as she goes to get her diploma.
Chase Vazquez heads to the stage for his degree.
Class President Aaron Burnside leads the class in the turning of the tassel to signify the last step in graduation.
One graduate had a nice present waiting outside the school.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 June 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The Albion Rotary Club honored Kathy Ludwick, retired Albion village clerk/treasurer, as a Paul Harris Fellow on Thursday. She is pictured with Rotarians Don Bishop, center, and Bill Diehl.
This is the highest honor given by a Rotary Club. The Albion club will donate $1,000 in Ludwick’s name to Rotary International to be used for humanitarian work.
Ludwick was praised for her 32 years as a village employee, including 25 years as clerk/treasurer. She has been a volunteer with the Albion Strawberry Festival for all 29 of the events. Even in her retirement, she continues to help with the festival, serving as treasurer of the two-day event, which costs more than $20,000 to put on. Ludwick for many years coordinated the craft vendors.
The Rotary Club now is the main sponsor for the festival. Ludwick thanked the club for stepping up and leading the event.
Bishop has volunteered with the festival for two decades and he said Ludwick has been instrumental in the effort.
“She has been my mentor and go-to person for over 20 years,” Bishop said.
Marlee Diehl puts a Paul Harris Fellow pin on Bill Diehl, her husband and the outgoing president of the Albion Rotary Club. This is Diehl’s third Paul Harris award.
Diehl is a retired teacher and financial advisor. His wife also is a member of the Rotary Club and will serve as district governor in 2017-18 for 70 clubs in Western New York and Southern Ontario.
Mr. Diehl said the club tackled several important community projects in the past year in addition to the Strawberry Festival. A golf tournament raised $5,000 for a van for the Joint Veterans Council to take veterans to medical appointments. The Saint Patrick’s Dinner in March raised $1,633 for Rotary Interact to give to a community in South Sudan that is building a school and safe drinking water system.
Diehl also said the club secured funding for literacy projects in the Philippines and also locally with Head Start families.
The Rotary Interact leaders at Albion High School attended the Rotary meeting on Thursday. The Interact club started in Albion in 2000. Tim Archer, left, is advisor for the club that includes these student officers for 2015-16, from left: Elizabeth Goff, president; Meredith Patterson, treasurer; Matilda Erakare, vice president; and Vivian Rivers, secretary.
The Interact Club connects students to community service, including projects far from Albion. Besides the humanitarian work in the South Sudan, Interact has raised money to dig water wells in Peru, build a school for girls in Pakistan and help hurricane-ravaged Biloxi, Miss.
“We’ve done a lot with your help to touch our world,” Archer told the Rotary Club. “The world is full of places in need and we’re grateful to touch just a few of them.”
Karen Sawicz, owner and publisher of The Lake Country Pennysaver and Orleans Hub, was inducted as the new Rotary president for the next year.
Sawicz, left, is sworn in as new president by Carol Toomey, a newspaper publisher and a Sawicz friend from Concord, Mass. Toomey is a past district governor in Central Massachusetts.
Sawicz joined the Rotary Club in 1995 and served as president in 2002-03. Her father, the late Vincent St. John, also was a Rotarian.
This year’s theme for Rotary is “Be a Gift to the World.”
State Sen. Rob Ortt (R-North Tonawanda) and State Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R-Batavia) both issued statements after the conclusion of the legislative session in Albany.
Both have districts that include Orleans County.
Ortt says work needed to fight ‘destructive policies of downstate politicians and special interests’:
“I believe the 2015 legislative session, now officially concluded, was a mix both personally and for the Western New Yorkers that I represent,” Ortt said. “There have been significant victories for our region on tax relief, education, and job creation. Our unwavering commitment to protecting the property tax cap – and keeping state spending under a similar cap – will result in larger property tax relief checks and record funding for STAR and Enhanced STAR.
“We also secured a key victory for Western New York children, parents, and teachers through record investments in our schools as well as common sense policies to ensure transparency and fairness in student testing and teacher evaluations. We’ve also prioritized local job creation by taking important steps to strengthen agriculture, redevelop brownfields, reduce energy rates, fund infrastructure, and expand green technology.
“In other areas, we increased critical services to veterans returning from combat, children without adequate health care, women subjected to rape and domestic violence, victims of mental illness, and individuals and families affected by disabilities. Stricter measures against drug dealers and sex offenders will keep our families and communities safe.
“But I’m also extremely disappointed in the actions – or inaction – taken by the New York City-dominated Assembly and a downstate liberal Governor on key issues. The Governor and Assembly walked away from most of our common sense reforms to the unconstitutional SAFE Act.
“The Governor threatened to shut down government unless legislators accepted his divisive education proposals. He has also vowed to proceed unilaterally on controversial issues like mandating a minimum wage that’s unacceptable to our small businesses and non-profits and appointing a special prosecutor to investigate our police officers.
“Despite the progress, I’m not ready to declare victory because we still have a lot of work ahead of us to revitalize Western New York and fight back against the destructive policies of downstate politicians and special interests.”
Hawley says upstate ignored as ‘Corruption Session’ comes to a close
“This year’s session has been extremely dysfunctional and marred by gridlock and controversy,” Hawley said. “We saw the downfall of two of Albany ‘s most powerful elected officials, yet there has been little to no meaningful ethics reform passed despite consistent pressure from the Assembly Minority Conference. Gridlock epitomized the waning days of session and the divide between upstate and downstate became much more apparent.
“As upstate businesses continue to struggle and middle-class New York is eroding, legislative leaders selfishly negotiated rent control as their end-of-session priority, an issue virtually meaningless to upstate New York.
“The extended negotiations between the ‘three men in a room’ cost taxpayers almost $40,000 per day for the per diem and travel expenses for the 213 legislators that were required to remain in Albany. We have been in session for a total of 14 hours this week, so that amounts to an extra $160,000, or $11,429 per hour in session, paid for by taxpayers. These extended negotiations are an affront to hardworking citizens of our state. “
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 June 2015 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers – Randy Bower, left front, has been endorsed for sheriff by a union representing jail corrections officers, dispatchers, three clerical staff for the Sheriff’s Department, and two kitchen employees at the jail. (Bower is pictured at the far left with Jim Lyman from Council 82, Local Union President Mike Christopher and Lt. Chris Bourke, who Bower said would serve as undersheriff if Bower is elected.)
(Editor’s Note: This article includes two corrections/ clarifications from an earlier version, which stated the union gave most of its support to Randy Bower, then Tom Drennan had second most votes and Donald Organisciak was third. The vote to endorse didn’t include the option to vote for Drennan or Organisciak. It asked union members if they wanted to endorse Bower, not endorse him or if they preferred not to vote. About 60 percent favored endorsing Bower, with about 30 percent saying they didn’t want to endorse him and about 10 percent saying they didn’t want to vote.
The earlier version also listed four job titles that are part of the union but the article may have implied each of the four groups voted for Bower. The vote was the collective total from the four job titles.)
Randy Bower, a dispatcher for nearly 30 years, is running for Orleans County sheriff. He has the Conservative Party endorsement and is working on forcing a Republican primary against Tom Drennan, the chief deputy for the Sheriff’s Department. Drennan was endorsed by the Orleans County Republican Committee last month.
The Democratic Party has endorsed retired Medina police investigator Donald Organisciak for sheriff.
Scott Hess, the incumbent, is retiring on Dec. 31 and isn’t seeking re-election.
Bower and many of his key supporters met Thursday at the Orleans County Veterans Club when Bower was presented a $1,000 campaign donation and endorsement from the Council 82. That union in Albany represents about 4,300 corrections officers and law enforcement officers.
Jim Lyman from Council 82 made the trip to Albion to meet Bower. Lyman said Council 82 takes direction from the local union for endorsements and donations.
Mike Christopher, a corrections officer in the jail for 23 years, is president of the local union. He said the union membership put the endorsement to a vote and Bower received the majority of the support.
Bower reached out to the union for an endorsement, and Christopher said the group welcomed being part of the election process.
Drennan didn’t seek an endorsement from the union and he said he doesn’t want to put employees in an awkward position at work, asking them to pick sides.
Bower also has the endorsement from the Deputy Sheriff’s Association.
With the latest endorsement of the union that represents dispatchers, corrections officers and some other Sheriff’s staff, Bower said he has a team that can work to improve services for residents.
“With the support from the two unions there will be no broken campaign promises,” Bower said. “We can get the job done.”
One of Bower’s plans is to reach out to the state for a more intensive drug and alcohol abuse program for inmates. Bower said many of the inmates are in jail due to their addictions.
Christopher, in his role as correction officer, said he sees the impact drug and alcohol addictions have in crimes that result in jail.
“Nine out of 10 inmates are in there directly or indirectly by drugs or alcohol,” Christopher said. He wants a stronger program to help inmates break the cycle of addiction.
Christopher said he has known Bower since they were kids growing up in Holley. Christopher was the ball boy in junior high when Bower played on the varsity basketball team.
Bower was injured in a car accident at 18, and paralyzed from the waist down. He has shown tremendous determination in living a full and active life since that accident more than three decades ago, Christopher said.
He has watched Bower ride snowmobiles, play golf and hunt since he has been paralyzed from the waist down.
“I’ve known Randy since we were kids and you can’t find a more likable guy,” Christopher said.
He knows Bower can inspire others, and raise the level of performance.
“It’s really a motivation thing,” he said about Bower. “He shows initiative and he has good ideas.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 June 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – There was a lot of head turning on Main Street in Albion today when motorists passed near Beaver Alley. A film crew was getting footage of actresses who appeared as “working women.”
The scene will be part of a new film by Rhonda Parker, a film director and writer in Albion. Her latest film is called “Message in a Bottle.”
Her husband Mark Parker is the lead videographer and editor.
DaShaun Baldwin is one of the actresses in “Message in a Bottle.” She tries to entice “Timmy,” a teen-age boy played by Jack Champion.
According to a synopsis of the film: “A trio of young teens’ lives are changed forever when they go on a journey to rescue a kid sending eerie notes down stream in bottles.
“Johnny Tatro (Matthew Owen Kozak) is a passionate young teen that has been mislabeled due to skeletons in his family closet. His sarcastic, socially immature best friend, Timmy (Jack Champion) has been sheltered his entire life due to medical issues.
“Emily (Emma Morrison) is a young women trying to get out from under her sister’s shadow and find her own identity. Each set out on this Journey to an unknown destination for their own reasons and a shared bond of friendship. Can the optimism of youth survive the harsh light of day?”
The film crew is on location at Beaver Alley this afternoon.
Rhonda and Mark Parker have named their film production company, Beaver Alley Studios. They said they will be shooting the film over 12 days at many locations in Albion and Orleans County.
Mrs. Parker said she is aiming to have the new film released in spring 2016.
Parker released her first film last year. “Friends Don’t Let Friends – Date Friends” was named the “Best Western New York Student Film” by the 2014 Buffalo Dreams Fantastic Film Festival Dreamer Awards. That film racked up six award nominations, including Best Comedy Feature, Best WNY Feature, Best WNY Student Film, Best WNY Director (Feature) for Rhonda Parker, Best WNY Screenplay (Feature) for Rhonda Parker, and Best Performance by a WNY Actress for Amelia Favata.
Rhonda Parker, front left, and her husband Mark, kneeling with camera, work on a shot as part of their newest film.
For more on Beaver Alley Studios, visit beaveralleystudios.com.
The Supreme Court’s 5-4 ruling today that the Constitution guarantees a right to same-sex marriage is drawing praise from Gov. Andrew Cuomo and President Barack Obama.
Cuomo announced he directed that the lights on One World Trade Center’s 408-foot spire will be light up in a rainbow on Sunday night, June 28.
The governor issued this statement today:
“New York has been a leader in the fight for marriage equality, and today’s Supreme Court decision affirms what we have fought so hard for – that marriage is a fundamental right that should be afforded to everyone, regardless of whom they love. When we passed the Marriage Equality Act in 2011, New York sent a message to the nation that it was time to end one of society’s greatest inequities, and I am thrilled to see the Court join us on the right side of history. Dividing people into first and second-class citizens is not only wrong, it runs contrary to who we are as a nation. From Stonewall to Edie Windsor, New Yorkers have always been on the front lines of the fight to ensure equality and fairness for all. Today, we are proud New Yorkers and proud Americans. Today, progress marches on.”
The decision today follows decades of litigation and activism.
Obama spoke from the Rose Garden today.
“Our nation was founded on a bedrock principle that we are all created equal. The project of each generation is to bridge the meaning of those founding words with the realities of changing times – a never-ending quest to ensure those words ring true for every single American.
“Progress on this journey often comes in small increments, sometimes two steps forward, one step back, propelled by the persistent effort of dedicated citizens. And then sometimes, there are days like this when that slow, steady effort is rewarded with justice that arrives like a thunderbolt.
“This morning, the Supreme Court recognized that the Constitution guarantees marriage equality. In doing so, they’ve reaffirmed that all Americans are entitled to the equal protection of the law. That all people should be treated equally, regardless of who they are or who they love.
“This decision will end the patchwork system we currently have. It will end the uncertainty hundreds of thousands of same-sex couples face from not knowing whether their marriage, legitimate in the eyes of one state, will remain if they decide to move [to] or even visit another. This ruling will strengthen all of our communities by offering to all loving same-sex couples the dignity of marriage across this great land.”
In my second inaugural address, I said that if we are truly created equal, then surely the love we commit to one another must be equal as well. It is gratifying to see that principle enshrined into law by this decision.”
U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) made this statement on Facebook:
“So powerful to see The Supreme Court rule in favor of marriage equality today! Congratulations to all who fought to get us here. Today is a truly historic day, a day where we as a nation take a huge step toward LGBT equality. But even as we cheer this decision, we must remember that the fight for full equality continues, including passing an inclusive ENDA, ending adoption and foster discrimination, and combating the crisis of LGBT youth homelessness and suicide. So, as we celebrate this win, I hope you’ll join me, add your voice to urge Congress to continue the fight for full LGBT equality.”
