By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 July 2014 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
KNOWLESVILLE – The rain starting coming down around 5:30 p.m. at the Orleans County 4-H Fair. It put a damper on the atmosphere, but some hearty folks still ventured out to the Midway and other fair activities.
I was there with three of my kids and they said they didn’t mind the rain. At about 7, the rain stopped, the sun came out and then a big rainbow stretched across the sky.
I always seem to miss a good rainbow. Sometimes I’ll chase after them and they seem to vanish before my eyes. But today I was in the perfect spot.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 July 2014 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
A crowd gathered near the Grease Pole to watch a fireworks show put on by Young Explosives.
The crowd seemed to get bigger after the fireworks for the grease pole climbing competition. In this picture, Coming In Greasy members work their way up the pole. Mallori Wienke is on the bottom while Alexis Hartway works to go higher. The team climbed the pole. Five teams tried it on Friday night.
Marisa Hanlon of Kendall weaves between barrels during a drill at the fairgrounds on Friday while the sun was setting.
Ty Reilly, 5, of Albion powers a tractor in the small-fry tractor pull. Ty finished second in the 45 and under division with a pull of 26 feet, inches.
Jason Clark keeps several meat goats corralled while waiting for participants in the Grand Master Showman competition. Clark is superintendent of the dairy goats. The top showmen from eight different livestock breeds competed for the grand master showman title on Friday.
Kiley Stadmiller shows a dairy cow in the Grand Master Showman Competition. She qualified after winning the Western Horse title.
People filled the stands near the horse arena and grease pole grounds to watch the fireworks.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 July 2014 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
KNOWLESVILLE – Sierra VerHagen, 14, of Holley pauses to take a breath during Friday’s pie-eating contest at the Orleans County 4-H Fair. Sierra gobbled up most of a cherry pie.
Brown’s Berry Patch in Waterport donates the pies for the annual exploit of eating.
Elijah Van Epps, 15, of Albion has been competing in the contest for the past 10 years. He said he always gets a peach pie and would welcome a change next year. He is part of the Moyer family that has been a mainstay in the pie-eating contest for about four decades.
Andrew Moore, 14, of Albion comes up for air before plunging into the pie.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 July 2014 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
KNOWLESVILLE – This farmer works on a crop of hay on Friday evening just south of the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds.
The National Weather Service in Buffalo says there is potential for severe thunderstorms late tonight through Monday afternoon, which could lead to flooding in Orleans and other Western New York counties.
The field of hay bales as it appears at sunset, looking west from Wood Road.
ALBION – State Sen. Austin Erwin is seen on Aug. 28, 1960, laying the cornerstone at the new Orleans County Infirmary on Route 31 in Albion.
On the 25th anniversary of this event, the name was changed to the Orleans County Nursing Home. It is now known as The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 July 2014 at 12:00 am
Barre girl follows her 3 sisters in winning title
Photos by Tom Rivers – Jenny McKenna, back left, shows a goat while next to Elizabeth Storm during the Grand Master Showman Competition on Friday. Tammi Kron serves as one of the judges.
KNOWLESVILLE – Jenny McKenna captured won the Orleans County 4-H Fair’s most prestigious titles on Friday, winning the Grand Master Showman.
The competition takes the top showman in nine different animal breeds and has them compete for the grand master showman, showing nine different types of animals. Jenny, 19, won in her final year as a 4-H’er.
“It’s a great way to end my 4-H career,” she said. “It’s been a lot of hard work and determination.”
Jenny McKenna shows a dairy cow during Friday’s event. She showed eight other animal breeds in the grueling three-hour competition.
Her three sisters – Caton, Kerri and Betsey – have all won the title. Jenny just completed her first year of college at Roberts Wesleyan. She is transferring to Cornell University to major in animal science with a minor in agricultural business.
After the grand master event, McKenna quickly changed clothes to compete in the grease pole competition. She was part of the Iron Fists team that included her mother, Iva.
Tammi Kron of Alden was one of the judges for the Grand Master Showman. She said McKenna stayed positive in the show ring and could answer her questions about each of the animal breeds.
“She had a lot of show ring presence,” Kron said.
Jayne Bannister, 16, of Point Breeze was the reserve champion. She is shown working with a goat during the Gand Master Showman Competition. Jayne has won the title before.
Melanie Klossner sets up a llama before judge Jim Lasel of Albion during the Grand Master Showman Competition.
Nicole Mrzywka answers a question from judge Tammi Kron while Nicole’s sister Natalie, left, waits her turn.
McKenna qualified by winning the dairy cattle showman title. Other master showmen include Elizabeth Storm, representing Horses – English; Kiley Stadmiller, Horses – Western; Claudia Drechsel, sheep; Natalie Mrzywka, meat goats; Nicole Mrzywka, dairy goats; Rylie Lear, swine; Melanie Klossner, llama; and Jayne Bannister, beef cattle. Last year’s grand master showman, Janie Schutz, also was invited back for the competition on Friday.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 July 2014 at 12:00 am
‘This absurd, unjust system is easy enough to fix. It will just take a little courage from Congress to do so.’
– documentary producer Roy Germano
Image from Vice News – Cows are pictured in a milking parlor at a dairy farm in Western New York.
New York’s dairy industry is growing, and it’s especially hot in Western New York with new yogurt plants opening in Batavia. Farmers don’t need to worry about a supply for their product.
The state’s farms generate about $5 billion in sales, and about half comes from dairy producers. We’re the third-leading dairy state and the top producer of yogurt in the country.
However, the industry is vulnerable because of a broken immigration system, a new documentary highlights. Roy Germano was in the area in April, talking to dairy farmers, workers, an immigration attorney, a retired immigration officer and others affected by the issue.
Vice News on Wednesday debuted the documentary, “Immigrant America: They Steal Our Jobs?” Germano says dairy farms have grown larger, requiring 24-hour milking operations. Workers from Mexico, many without legal documents to be in the country, typically are working the overnight shifts at the dairy farms, doing “a dirty monotonous job that most Americans don’t want to do.”
Vice News – A federal program that allows farmers to hire foreign workers legally can’t be used by dairy farmers because the dairy jobs aren’t considered seasonal.
Fruit and vegetable farms have access to legal foreign workers through the H2A program, but the federal government hasn’t made that possible for dairies because the work isn’t considered seasonal. Dairies haven’t had much success finding local Americans to work the night shifts.
Many dairies say they have been forced to hire Mexicans who don’t have proper documents. They are hard-working and dedicated, but they are also vulnerable to sudden removal by immigration officers. Germano interviews one dairy farmer who will soon have long-term milking employees deported.
“I am tired of the inaction in Washington,” a WNY dairy farmer tells Germano. “We’re trying to run a business. We’re the ones caught in the crosshairs between the government that makes the laws and the other agency that has to enforce the laws.”
The dairy farmer says he and others in the industry don’t have legitimate access to foreign workers for their farms. (Germano doesn’t identify the farmer because he fears retaliation from ICE.)
“What incentive is there to grow our business when at any given time our workers can be taken away?” he said.
Vice News – Roy Germano visited local dairies for his documentary about the immigration crisis in WNY.
Germano tries working in the milking parlor and strugglesto attach the milker units to the cows teats. He pushes liquid manure with a squeegee to drains and seems overwhelmed by the smells in the parlor.
Germano wonders if any local Americans who are looking for a job would work at a dairy. He does an experiment, going to unemployment office in Batavia. He tells people looking for jobs that he has immediate openings at dairies, but they’ll have to work the night shift from 2 a.m. to noon. There are plenty of jobs for $9 an hour with housing, he tells them.
The local residents overwhelmingly declined the positions, not wanting to work on a farm especially during the night. (Some dairies are turning to robots to milk cows, and Germano shows a robot in action. The robots cost about $250,000 each and can milk about 50 cows a day, a big investment for the farms. The farms are “price takers” and can’t demand an increase in milk to pay their employees more, perhaps making the jobs more attractive to local Americans, Germano says.)
Western New York is a dairy powerhouse. The area is also home to the largest immigration detention facility in the country outside of Arizona. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers have arrested many farm workers, often without probable cause, because of pressure to meet quotas to fill the ICE facility in Batavia, according to the documentary.
Vice News – Many local farmworkers are arrested and placed at the immigration and detention facility in Batavia.
Germano interviews a dairy worker who is soon to be deported. He is married to an American with an American child. He doesn’t want to be separated from his family. So he said he will make the dangerous journey back to the area once he is deported to Mexico.
The racial profiling by police and ICE, when farmworkers try to go to the store or church, has many rarely leaving farms, Germano says. The workers pay people to get them groceries. They don’t fully participate in community life.
Germano advocates for immigration policies that meet employer needs, and stop treating family farmers and hardworking immigrants like criminals.
“This absurd unjust system is easy enough to fix. It will just take a little courage from Congress to do so.” Germano said in concluding the documentary.
(Editor’s note: Orleans Hub editor Tom Rivers wrote “Farm Hands: Hard work and hard lessons from Western New Yorks farms.” The book is based on his experiences working at local farms in 2008. Germano said that book was part of his inspiration for the documentary on the WNY dairies.)
A map from the state Department of Transportation shows where 450 miles of rumble strips are planned for in the region. In Orleans, the seems to show the strips will be added to portions of Route 104, 98 and 63.
The state Department of Transportation will add 450 miles of rumble strips to state highways next year.
The centerline strips will go on state roads in Orleans, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Wayne and Wyoming counties, according to State Sen. George Maziarz’s office.
The strips have been shown to reduce head-on collisions on high-volume, non-divided, high-speed roads, the DOT told Maziarz in an advisory.
“This work will be done during 2015 and drivers should expect only minor delays due to construction on the affected roadways,” the DOT advised Maziarz. “The work zone will be similar to what drivers encounter when meeting a striping crew, with the exception that flaggers will be stationed with the work zone to allow an alternating single lane of traffic to pass while the work is done.”
KNOWLESVILLE – Besides the animals, the Orleans County 4-H Fair also has a variety of amusement park-style attractions. Midway Rides of Utica provides the entertainment.
Here is a snapshot of the fun:
The carousel topper in a horse in mid-gallop.
Kyle, 6, and Tyler Brett, 8, ride The Caterpillar rollercoaster.
The horses look like they’re racing each other as they move around the carousel.
The Vortex turns stomachs during the day.
At night, the Vortex lights up as it continues taking riders for a spin.
Food and rides sit side by side down a busy main path.
The dizzy dragons whirl riders around. The riders can use the wheel inside of each dragon to spin themselves independently and make for an exhilarating ride.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 July 2014 at 12:00 am
Contract makes everyone pay towards health insurance
ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature approved a two-year contract with management that gives about 65 employees 2 percent raises in 2015 and 2016.
The labor deal also continues a prior agreement for all management to pay towards their health insurance. The previous deal started a phase-in for veteran managers to pay more towards their health insurance in 2 percent increments.
That five-year roll-in continues in the new contract until it’s at a 10 percent share for all management, unless the manager is a new hire who chooses family insurance coverage. Then the employee has to pay 20 percent of the cost.
The new contract mirrors a three-year deal approved in October with about 70 employees in the Sheriff’s Department. They received 2 percent pay hikes annually and agreed to higher deductibles to their health insurance, which will reduce county health premium expenses.
The management staff also agreed to the higher deductible plan.
The county is now focusing on a labor accord with its largest union, CSEA. That contract expires on Dec. 31.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 July 2014 at 12:00 am
ALBION – Orleans County expects a sale to be complete soon for the county-owned nursing home, a 120-bed healthcare facility that has needed county subsidies to pay its bills.
The county budgeted an $825,000 contribution from taxpayers for the nursing home’s operations this year and that is projected to jump to $1.65 million next year. County officials fear the gap between government reimbursements and costs will get larger, necessitating county subsidies of $2 million to $4 million annually in the future.
That burden prompted county officials to sell the nursing home – The Villages of Orleans Health & Rehabilitation Center – for $7.8 million to Comprehensive Healthcare Management Services LLC. The sale needs the approval of the state and the Public Health Council is expected to vote on it Aug. 7. The state board has already given the sale contingent approval.
The nursing home sale is on target to be finalized by Jan. 1, 2015. If the sale isn’t finalized by then, county officials put a clause in the contract for Comprehensive Healthcare Management Services to pay for the operating losses for each month, beginning with January, until the sale is finalized, said Chuck Nesbitt, the county’s chief administrative officer.
Most of the sale price will be used to pay off existing debt, about $6.5 million, for the nursing home. The county will be spared from paying the shortfall for the nursing home in the future once its owned by a private firm.
The sale comes at a time when the county needs to repair or replace bridges and culverts. State and federal government dollars have been harder to come by for the county infrastructure. The nursing home savings will allow the county to direct more local dollars to infrastructure.
“We’re looking to address a number of bridge projects,” Nesbitt said.
The federal and state dollars are already scheduled for the next three years through a regional transportation council. Little of that money was directed to Orleans.
Nesbitt and the county don’t want to wait until 2018 for the next transportation funding plan to have a chance at state and federal money for local bridges.
“It’s problematic because of the number of the bridges and culverts that need attention,” Nesbitt said. “They can’t be deferred until 2016 or 2017.”
He expects the county will fix six bridges next year, with more to be targeted in the following years.
Besides the money it will be spared from the nursing home, Orleans also is projected to receive $268,000 in casino funds through a compact between the state and the Seneca Nation of Indians. Those dollars can help with the infrastructure projects, Nesbitt said.
The Legislature on Wednesday approved a bridge replacement on Hulberton Road in the town of Murray for $1,338,900. That project will be paid 80 percent by the federal government, 15 percent by the state and 5 percent by the county.
Crane Hogan Structural Systems in Spencerport submitted the low construction bid of $894,275 for the new bridge over the west branch of Sandy Creek.
Photos by Sue Cook – Morgan Parnitzke belts out “Listen” by Beyonce.
By Sue Cook, staff reporter
KNOWLESVILLE – Thursday night marked the finals of the karaoke contest at the 4-H Fair and a big crowd turned out for one of the fair’s most popular events.
Seventeen contestants were chosen from prior qualifying rounds throughout the week to compete for the $1,000 prize donated by M&T Bank.
Another prize of 16 hours of studio time was donated by John Wragg, owner of TORQUIL Studios. Wragg was personally judging the contest seeking someone who was very passionate about their and was not simply there trying to win the cash prize. The prize also includes time to make a music video with the studio.
Joyce Stamp entertains the crowd of more than 400 onlookers.
Wragg commented that he was not judging based on age, looks or gender. The important part was that the singer was full of energy and having a great time, while making it clear they lived to be a performer.
“Wide Open Spaces” by the Dixie Chicks receives a sweet rendition by Laura Mullen.
Brandon Johnson, the entertainment coordinator for the fair, was one of the judges for the karaoke contest.
“This is one of the biggest competitions in the entertainment portion of the fair that happens throughout the week,” he said. “Lots of people come out for this and come back night after night to try to qualify for finals. We’re looking for stage presence, vocal ability and crowd recognition.”
Olivia Redick gets energized during her performance.
He added that pure talent was the key to winning high marks from the judges.
“I like all types of music, said Johnson. “It just depends on who is singing it and their vocal ability and whether the song fits them or not.”
Contestant Rich Nolan performed “Eight-Second Ride” by Jake Owen.
“I’ve been singing my whole life, so it’s just natural,” said Nolan. “I’ve been practicing that way and doing other contests. There’s a lot of good competition. It’s going to be hard.”
Taylor Whittier rocks the crowd to AC/DC.
Taylor Whittier performed an AC/DC for the finals, but also used the band for his qualifier song on Monday. One way he says he gets positive feedback is to get the crowd involved.
“I play music in a local band called Terrible Ideas,” Whittier said. “I’ve been singing since I was 12 or 13 in local places. I just do it for fun.”
Jessica Reigle donned a candy-sweet pin-up look for her number.
Lydia Piazza, a resident of New Jersey, moves to the area in the summer and enters the 4-H karaoke contest each year.
“I love it,” she said about being on stage. “I’ve been dancing since I was 5, so it’s just calming to me. I’ve always been singing just for fun.”
John Gursslin got the ladies in the audience screaming as he sang “Bed of Roses” by Bon Jovi.
Morgan Parnitzke, 17, was not intimidated by some of the older singers because she was competing for the enjoyment of it.
“I just took a lot of time rehearsing the song over and over again. I just felt it,” she said. “I’m glad I got the chance to sing today.”
Parnitzke (left) went on to win the contest with a score of 88 out of 90. The other competitors to make it to the top five included (from left): Rich Nolan, Olivia Redick, Jessica Reigle and Emily Kordovich.
Jessica Reigle also won over Wragg with her fun performance of “Candy Man” by Christina Aguilera. Reigle will be given the opportunity to use the studio space for 16 hours.
Contributed Photo – Shelridge Open winners Chuck Barone and Dave Bellucci, at left, are shown here with runners up John and Frank Vekich.
The duo of Dave Bellucci and Chuck Barone captured top honors at the Shelridge Open this past weekend by a single stroke.
Bellucci and Barone carded a 125 total to edge out John and Frank Vekick who ended up with a score of 126.
The Open also had winners in three flights.
In the Waters Flight, Charlie Kudel and Ryan Winchip scored a win with a score of 127. Brett Decker and Doug Herberger finished second with a 129 and Mike Paul and Randy Coleman third at 131.
In the LaMont Flight, Tom Pegelow and Dennis Higgins took first place honors with a 129. Mark Rydza and Dick Diminuco placed second at 130 and Bob and Chad Hursey third at 132.
In the Pollard Flight, Dave and Pete DiCureia scored a win with a total score of 127. Paul and Tom McPherson placed second at 128 and Jim Klino and Jeff Heitzenrater third at 129.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 July 2014 at 12:00 am
Photos by Sue Cook – Games at the fair attracted a lot of attention throughout the day on Thursday. Many people were happy to walk away with stuffed animals or other prizes.
Special Event: Orleans County 4-H Fair 2nd Annual Craft Sale located in the Buzz Hill Education Center Lot, including professional appraisals from 4 to 7 pm at a special price of $5 per item (bring photos for your larger items).
Strolling Entertainment: Amazing Magic Joe, throughout the grounds, 5 to 9 p.m.
8 am: Senior Council Stand Opens
9:30 am: Youth Ag Olympics Fun Activities – South Lawn
9:30 am: Miniature Horse Show & Driving Competition – Carlos Marcello Arena
10 am: $5 Admission per car starts
10 am: All Buildings Open
The Hot Country Liners do a line dance on Thursday evening to “What Does the Fox Say,” a song by Norwegian comedy band Ylvis.
10 am: Grand Master Showman Workshop Starting in Show Arena
10:30 am: Tractor Driving Contest – South Parking Lot
12 pm: Leaders’ Pie Stand Opens
12 pm: Goat Knowledge Bowl: Dairy and Meat – Knights Building
12:30 pm: Dog Show, Agility Competition (Classes 23-30) – Show Arena
1 pm: Little Shepherds Sheep Show – Open to Public – Knights Building
1 pm: Story Time sponsored by Medina Community Library – Trolley Building
3 pm to 10 pm: Midway Rides of Utica $20 Unlimited Ride wristband – Midway
3 pm: Story Time sponsored by Medina Community Library – Trolley Building
Jayne Bannister squares the back legs of her animal during the sheep show.
3 pm: Horse Judging Contest – Education Center
3:30 pm: AirPlay Jugglers – Orleanshub.com Stage
4 pm: Royalty questionnaires due – Fair Office
4 pm: Chainsaw Chix – Log Cabin
4 pm to 8:30 pm: Master Gardener – Lawn of Education Center
4:30 pm: The Barnyard Review: Entertainment for your whole family – Lawn South of Knights Building
5 pm: Friday Night Fish Fry: Sponsored by Renovation Lodge #97 Cost: $9 Adult (Half portion $7) – Curtis Pavilion
5:30 pm: AirPlay Jugglers – Orleanshub.com Stage
5:30 pm: Classic Car Cruise-In – Education Center Parking Lot
The Mathes sisters Emma (front) and Lillian speak with judge Chad Swartz during the wool-outfit show.
6 pm: Set Up for Band – Orleanshub.com Stage
6 pm: Registration Ends for Small Fry Pedal Tractor Pull – Fair Office
6 pm: Grand Master Showman – Livestock Areas
6 pm to 8 pm: Pie Eating Contest: Sponsored by Brown’s Berry Patch – (Register at Fair Office during the week) – Curtis Pavilion
6 pm: Chainsaw Chix – Log Cabin
Lakeside Karate invited children from the community to join them on stage and learn some basics in front of the audience.
6:30 pm: The Barnyard Review: Entertainment for your whole family – Lawn South of Knights Building
By Nola Goodrich-Kresse, Public Health Educator for Orleans County Health Department
With fair season and this week’s Orleans County 4-H Fair underway it is important to remember to stay hydrateddrink water whether you are thirsty or not. Increased heat and activity outdoors brings certain risks with it, particularly dehydration and heat related illnesses.
Some people are more susceptible than others are to dehydration and heat related illnesses. They include infants, children, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses.
Dehydration is ‘the excessive loss of water from the body.’ The more physical activity that you engage in, the more water you are likely to lose.
Possible signs of dehydration:
Dry mouth and fatigue.
If you are mildly dehydrated, you might experience muscular pain or pain in the lower back region or even a headache.
Dark yellowish urine is also a good indicator that dehydration is setting in.
Severe dehydration can cause dizziness, confusion, accelerated heartbeat and eventually, kidney failure.
There are ways you can prevent dehydration from occurring. The most obvious way to prevent dehydration is by drinking a sufficient amount of water to replace the fluids you lose throughout the day.
The best way to figure your ideal daily water needs is to take your body weight and divide it in half. This is the number of ounces of fluid you should be consuming on a daily basis through beverages and foods. For example, a person who weighs 160 pounds should be drinking no less than eight 10-ounce glasses (80 ounces) of water each day. You should drink more than this during extreme heat and/or if you are engaging in physical activity. Talk with your healthcare provider if you tend to retain water and have puffy or swollen ankles, legs and hands.
Consider these suggestions for keeping yourself well hydrated:
Foods with high water content can help you meet your fluid needs. Some examples include soups, stews, citrus fruits, grapes and melons.
Low-fat and fat-free milk, 100 percent fruit juice and decaffeinated tea and coffee can also count toward your minimum eight glasses of fluid a day.
Develop a habit of staying hydrated. Drink a glass of water when you wake up, one between and at each meal, and one at bedtime to make eight. Remember you need more during hot days or when engaging in physical activity.
Keep bottled water in your car, backpack or desk.
When visiting the Orleans County 4-H fair this week, drink plenty of water and take breaks in the shade by visiting the great exhibits the county’s youth have worked so hard on this past year. Enjoy the fair!
