By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 May 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – It’s tranquil on the Erie Canal this evening, but the National Weather Service warns of thunderstorms that could hit around 5 this morning with more thunderstorms on Wednesday night between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m.
The National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather outlook for western and central New York due to a chance of flooding from the storms.
“Showers and thunderstorms during the morning and midday will have the potential to produce very heavy slow moving downpours that could result in localized flooding,” the Weather Service stated. “A second round of thunderstorms Wednesday evening could contain the risk of strong to damaging wind gusts.”
Wednesday is forecast for a high of 85, followed by a high of 75 on Thursday and a high of 82 on Friday.
These photos show the canal in Albion looking west towards the Gaines Basin Road bridge. This photo was taken from a bridge on Albion-Eagle Harbor Road.
MEDINA – Cassidy Oliver sees how low she can go at the limbo competition, one of the events at the Orchard Manor Rehabilitation & Nursing Center in Medina during National Nursing Home Week.
This year’s theme for the event from May 10-16 at Orchard Manor was “Bring on the Fiesta!”
Leonel and Lola Rosario, co-owners of Mariachi De Oro, a Mexican restaurant in Medina, performed Mexican dances with audience participation. The Rosarios also brought refried beans for sampling.
Other events included music, a book fair, ice cream social and a line dancing performance by the Hot Country Liners
Service awards were also presented to staff members for years of service. Dave Denny, administrator, presented the awards. The following are pictured, front row, from left: Vicki Boyd and Roxanne Rhodes. Middle row: Carolyn Dix, Lynn Goodrich, LuAnn Thompson, Jackie Wheatley, Sarah Drier and Laura Bruton. Back row: Administrator Dave Denny and Jim Young.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 May 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The Capuano family, which is riding the entire Erie Canal to promote foster parenting, passed through Orleans County on Monday. They are pictured in Albion.
Renee and John Capuano and their two oldest children – Paul and Priscilla – want to encourage families to give foster parenting a try.
“Even if a child spends one night in your home and they are safe, you’ve made a difference in their life,” Mrs. Capuano said.
Paul Capuano, 16, came up with the idea of riding the canal length, hoping to inspire more people to try adoption and foster care. His family has recently adopted five children they were fostering: Edgar, 5; Vinny, 5; Nico, 6; Emilio, 6; and Franny, 8.
Paul has been pedaling a cargo bike with room for the four youngest to ride together. His sister Priscilla, 14, is riding a tandem bike with room for a sibling.
Priscilla leads the pack coming into Albion on Monday followed by her brother Paul and mother Renee.
There are 2,000 children in need of foster homes throughout the state, including 35 in Orleans County.
“We need foster homes desperately,” said Holli Nenni, deputy commissioner of Department of Social Services in Orleans County.
She met with the Capuanos in Albion on Monday. The family kept going to Lockport on Monday and today will complete the trip to Buffalo.
They are wearing bright orange shirts that urge people to try foster care.
“If we can do it, so can you,” reads the shirts.
Mrs. Capuano said the family considered adopting a child from another country before they pursued becoming foster parents.
“It seemed monumental but the county works with you,” Mrs. Capuano said.
Her oldest children have been welcoming to the adopted kids.
“Our message is give it a try,” Mr. Capuano said.
For more on the foster care program in Orleans County, call DSS at (585) 589-7000.
Paul Capuano crosses the Main Street lift bridge with four of his young siblings in tow on a cargo bike.
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 25 May 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Rick Forder, a member of the VFW in Medina, carries the American flag down Main Street during the parade today.
Gary Hill hands an American flag to Torry Dames, 4, of Medina. Hill and other members of the Sons of the American Legion handed out hundreds of flags today some people were in a patriotic mood for the parade.
Boy Scouts joined veterans and other service organizations and community groups in the parade today.
Abbigail Smith, 1, of Middleport watches the parade with her father, Johnathan Smith of Middleport.
The color guard performs with the Medina Mustang Marching Band on Main Street today.
The band makes its way down Main Street on a parade route that ended at State Street Park.
The band has about 130 members.
The band stays in position during today’s Memorial Day parade.
A long lineup of community participants joined in the parade, shown here on East Center Street.
A Medina Little Leaguer tosses candy to a spectator along the parade route.
Jack Hill and other members of the Medina FFA were part of the parade today.
Stan Thurber addresses the group at State Street Park. He gives a special shout out to all the Marines in attendance before leading the group in an opening prayer.
Thomas J. Walders, a member of the Medina VFW, plays “Taps” with the Honor Guard at the conclusion of today’s Memorial Day service at the park.
County Legislator Lynne Johnson and State Assemblyman Steve Hawley both spoke at the service. Tristan Sanders, a Boys State representative from Medina, also addressed the crowd.
By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 25 May 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Kristina Gabalski
HOLLEY – Members of the Honor Guard prepare for ceremonies at the V.F.W. Post 202 in Holley this morning as part of the Memorial Day observance in the community.
Members of the Holley/Murray/Clarendon community came together on Memorial Day to remember the brave men and women who gave their lives for our country. The community also acknowledged the sacrifice of veterans who returned home, but have since passed away.
Ceremonies began shortly after 9 a.m. at the American Legion Jewell Buckman Post 529 in the village.
Holley Mayor John Kenney speaks during Memorial Day ceremonies this morning at the American Legion. He is joined by other community leaders and members of American Legion Jewell Buckman Post 529. Orleans County Deputy Sheriff James DeFilipps is on the far right.
Mayor Kenney said the freedoms enjoyed in this country should never be
taken for granted and stem from the sacrifices made by those who serve and served in the Armed Forces.. He noted that every year, the community loses more and more if its veterans. “Thank these men and women while you can,” he told those in attendance.
Orleans County Deputy Sheriff James DeFilipps and Holley Village Trustee Kevin Lynch, both members of the Sons of American Legion Jewell Buckman Post 529, place a wreath at the memorial in the village morning during Memorial Day ceremonies.
Wreaths were laid by members of the Post, the Ladies Auxiliary and members of the Sons of the Legion at the monument located outside the Post.
Members of the community then processed to the V.F.W. Post 202 in the village for another wreath laying ceremony and then to Hillside Cemetery for a wreath laying, and a ceremony at the grave of Jewell Buckman.
The group then moved to Holy Cross Cemetery. Members of the Clarendon Historical Society opened the Hillside Cemetery Chapel for the public to visit and offered refreshments outside. After the ceremonies, refreshments were also available at the American Legion.
Holley Central School Senior Nicole Boyle reads President Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address during Memorial Day ceremonies Monday morning at Hillside Cemetery in Holley.
A wreath is placed at the grave of Jewell Buckman In Hillside Cemetery in Holley this morning. Buckman was the first local soldier killed in action in France during WWI. The American Legion Post in Holley is named for him.
Al Pulcino of American Legion Jewell Buckman Post 529 in Holley plays “Taps” during ceremonies Monday at the grave of Private Jewell Buckman in Hillside Cemetery in Holley.
Buckman was 26 years old when he was killed in action in France during WWI, the first local man to die in that war.
Major Ryan D’Andrea, retired, third vice commander of the Holley American Legion Jewell Buckman Post 529, speaks during Memorial Day ceremonies this morning in Holley. He discussed the history of the Memorial Day.
“We should never lose focus on what it means,” he said of the observance. “It is a day to remember … once a year is not enough.”
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.”
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.
