By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 May 2014 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers – Phil Warne, a past commander for the American Legion in Albion, led the Memorial Day service in Albion in front of the middle school.
ALBION – The circular stone structure that serves as a flag holder and speaking platform in front of the Albion Middle School is actually a memorial that was erected in 1950 by the American Legion Sheret Post in Albion.
The memorial is dedicated to all veterans – “Heroes” – in World Wars from the central Orleans towns of Barre, Albion, Gaines and Carlton. It was built back when the middle school was the high school.
I didn’t realize it was a memorial until today. There is also a monument in front of that memorial to Vietnam Veterans from the community.
Photos by Sue Cook – A wreath was placed on the canon at the corner of State Street Park to honor the fallen. Pictured are the commanders of the Medina VFW and American Legion.
By Sue Cook, staff reporter
MEDINA – In patriotic display this morning, Medina was packed with people wearing mostly red, white and blue.
Crowds lined up to watch a parade that made its way from the Old Pickle Factory to State Street Park.
The 4-year-old Kujawa twins, Olivia and Mia, waved flags given to them by the Sons of the American Legion.
The streets were packed as the parade moved along. The local youth baseball teams wore their colorful uniforms and tossed candy to other kids who were watching.
Though the morning was a joyful celebration, the crowd stopped in the park to listen to speakers remind everyone of the meaning of Memorial Day.
“There are some things that we Americans must never forget and this gathering serves as a reminder to all of us, both young and old, that our free and democratic way of life is intact today because generations of men and women chose to put themselves in harm’s way and multitudes gave up their lives for the cause,” said the Rev. Vincent Iorio, pastor of the Cavalry Church of Medina.
The Medina Mustangs Marching Band played the National Anthem in the park after the opening prayer.
State Assemblyman Steve Hawley spoke at the event to remind everyone of what our servicemen and women have done for us.
Hawley told the crowd, “Our nation has resolved to nurture freedom by serving as an example to the rest of the world, and ultimately defending other democracies if needed. From our own Revolution to the War on Terror, the cumulative sacrifice of all our conflicts has been enormous.”
“Thank a veteran today as we honor his or her fallen comrades,” Hawley urged. “Remember our gold-star mothers whose son or daughter made the ultimate sacrifice. Above all, never take our freedoms for granted.”
Hawley concluded his speech with words printed on a remote Allied World War II battlefield memorial. “When you go home tell them of us, and say: For your tomorrow, we gave our today.”
Veterans lined up along the edge of the park near the ceremony stage and flagpole.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 May 2014 at 12:00 am
Photo and article by Tom Rivers
GAINES – John Proctor is often referred to by historians as the Paul Revere of Ridge Road. On a December night in 1813, he rode by horseback on the Ridge from Gaines to Clarkson to warn of the approach of British and the Indians after the burning of Lewiston.
The following morning he joined a regiment that was headed to Lewiston. The regiment would capture the enemy quartered at Molyneaux Tavern. A historical marker on a large stone shares the story of Proctor. The stone is on the south side of Ridge Road, a few houses west of the Route 98 intersection.
The marker was put up in 1935 by the State Education Department and the Daughters of the American Revolution. It is one of a series of historical markers along Ridge Road that were erected in the 1920s and ’30s.
The Proctor marker also notes that the site was once a primitive log cabin owned by Elijah Downer. When Gov. DeWitt Clinton passed through in 1810, looking at land for a possible Erie Canal, he stopped at the cabin for breakfast.
Today, Justin and Adrienne Kirby and their three children make their home on the property.
Here are links to previous articles about the historic markers along the Ridge:
WATERPORT – In this picture from a photographic post card we see a view of the railroad crossing at Waterport in 1911.
The produce business of George D. Thompson is most prominent. Painted in large letters we see “Apples, Beans and Wheat Wholesale & Commission.” On the side of the building facing the tracks is painted: “The Home of Good Coal.”
In the center of our photo is a flagman’s shanty at this RR crossing with two men sitting by it.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 May 2014 at 12:00 am
Photo courtesy of Thom Jennings – Thom Jennings of Albion and his son Thom Jr. both ran the Buffalo Marathon today, completing the 26.2-mile course.
BUFFALO – A year ago Thom Jennings and his son Thom Jr. finished the Buffalo Half Marathon together, crossing the finish line in 2 hours, 11 minutes.
Today they both ran the full marathon, covering the 26.2-mile course. It was their second marathon together, after running the Rochester Marathon last September.
The elder Jennings, 47, finished the course in 4:45. His son, 25, crossed the finish line about 45 minutes later. The younger Jennings battled some intestinal issues, but he persevered and finished.
“He really gutted it out,” his father said.
The two have both lost a lot of weight the past two years and have used long-distance races as motivation to stay healthy and trim.
“Once you lose a lot of weight, it’s hard to keep it off,” said the elder Jennings, who lost 100 pounds in the past two years.
He works as a social worker in Rochester, and also as a freelance writer and concert promoter. His son works in the digital sales division for The Buffalo News. The younger Jennings has lost 60 pounds in the past 18 months. He is working on becoming a certified personal trainer.
The two want to try other endurance challenges, including a 10-mile Tough Mudder, which features obstacles along a muddy course.
The elder Jennings also is toying with the idea of running 50-mile race before he turns 50. He also is interested in helping to plan a long-distance run in Orleans County. He thinks it would pull runners from both Rochester and Buffalo.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 May 2014 at 12:00 am
Clarendon is seeking state grant to help with restoration
File photos by Tom Rivers – The chapel at Hillside Cemetery was erected in 1894 from local Medina sandstone. The Clarendon Town Board and Historical Society is seeking $225,000 to help restore the building.
CLARENDON – It’s an iconic structure in the heart of Hillside Cemetery, but few people ever go inside the chapel that was constructed in 1894.
The structure will be open on Memorial Day from 9:30 a.m. to noon, and town officials and members of the Clarendon Historical Society hope the open house will kick off a fund-raising effort to restore the chapel, which needs masonry repairs, a new roof, and restoration to windows.
The town and historical society believe the building needs $225,000 in restoration work. The town, which owns the cemetery, is seeking a matching parks grant through the state. The Historical Society and town are trying to rally the local share to preserve the building.
Hillside Cemetery, located at the corner of Route 237 and South Holley Road, last year was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The cemetery with 3,500 graves is a distinctive example of a Victorian style cemetery on the west side of South Holley Road. That older section includes terraces and monuments that emphasize a sentimental Victorian attitude. Across the road on the east side the cemetery reflects the open lawn-park style.
The National Register listing should boost the town’s chances for securing funding for the chapel restoration. The Historical Society and town would like to use the building for community events in the future.
This photo was taken inside the chapel looking through one of the windows.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 May 2014 at 12:00 am
Shelby leads for fire training; Lyndonville tops for EMS
File photo by Tom Rivers – Firefighters from Barre, Shelby and Ridgeway trained last October to douse a tanker on fire at the Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company.
Firefighters in Orleans County topped 9,000 hours of training for fire and emergency medical services last year.
The fire companies and departments were recognized for their efforts during the
Fire Chief’s Association meeting this past Monday at the Barre Fire Company. The County Legislature this Wednesday at 3:45 p.m. will recognize the fire company or department with the most fire and EMS hours.
The Shelby Volunteer Fire Company led the county with 1,163 fire training hours. The Lyndonville Fire Department had the most EMS training hours with 750.
County-wide there were 6,918 fire training hours and 2,589 EMS hours. A husband and wife from Fancher-Hulberton-Murray had the most individual training hours.
Gary Sicurella of FHM completed 217 total fire training hours and his wife Tracey Sicurella completed 192 EMS training hours.
Here are the training hours for each fire company or department: Albion, 563 for fire and 20 for EMS; Barre, 729 for fire and 399 for EMS; Carlton, 337 for fire and 196 for EMS; Clarendon, 410 for fire and 147 for EMS; Central Orleans Volunteer Ambulance, 10 for EMS; East Shelby, 216 for fire and 390 for EMS; Fancher-Hulberton-Murray, 782 for fire and 503 for EMS;
Holley, 586 for fire and 40 for EMS; Kendall, 726 for fire and 42 for EMS; Lyndonville, 593 for fire and 750 for EMS; Medina, 227 for fire and 0 for EMS; Ridgeway, 586 for fire and 32 for EMS; Shelby, 1,163 for fire and 60 for EMS.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 May 2014 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers – American flags have been placed on the graves of veterans at Lynhaven Cemetery in Lyndonville.
The community will honor veterans with parades and services throughout Orleans County on Monday.
In Albion, a parade begins at 10 a.m. at the intersection of Main and State streets. The parade will go south on Main Street before turning east on Route 31 and ending at the front lawn of the Albion Middle School, where a service will follow the parade.
In Holley, a ceremony begins at 9 a.m. at the American Legion with a parade then starting at 10 a.m. It will go from the Legion and continue to the VFW on Veterans Drive. After the VFW, veterans will lay wreaths at Holley cemeteries.
In Lyndonville, a parade begins at 9 a.m. on Lake Avenue at the parking lot of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and continues to Main Street where it ends by the library at the Village Park.
In Medina, a parade begins at 11 a.m. on Park Avenue by the Olde Pickle Factory. It continues to State Street Park where a ceremony will follow. Both the VFW and American Legion will serve lunch following the ceremony.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 May 2014 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers – Dan Capurso unveils the sign for Gilbert Creek by Ridge Road in the town of Gaines.
The creek runs about 6.5 miles from near Brown Road northeast to Marsh Creek in Carlton.
GAINES – A painted wooden sign was unveiled at about noon today. “Gilbert Creek” is on the sign by Ridge Road, next to the Gaines Carlton Community Church.
The sign and the name of the creek honors a woman from more than 200 years ago, the first settler on Ridge Road in Orleans County. Elizabeth Gilbert and her husband built their cabin in 1807. Mr. Gilbert died soon after they settled, and his wife was lef to raise a family and make a life in the wilderness of the Niagara frontier.
State Sen. George Maziarz, right, addresses a group on the lawn next to the Gaines Carlton Community Church near the spot where the Gilbert family built a cabin more than 200 years ago.
She stayed for two years with her children, and helped other settlers. She let them stay in her cabin while she helped build a cabin for at least one pioneer family. She used her oxen to haul wagon loads of timber for the cabin.
Al Capurso admires the grit of the pioneer settlers in Orleans County. In early 2013 he and his son Kenny noticed a creek along Brown Road in Gaines. They followed its path across Ridge Road and to Carlton. It flows 6.5 miles northeast and connects with Marsh Creek about 2.4 miles south of Lake Ontario.
Capurso did some research and realized the stream that starts by Brown Road didn’t have a name. He wanted the waterway to honor Elizabeth Gilbert. It took a year of lining up local support, and gaining permission from the federal Bureau of Geographic Names. The agency on April 10 formally approved the naming request.
Al Capurso and his son Dan performed four songs today in honor of Elizabeth Gilbert and the pioneer settlers of Orleans County.
“Today, we dedicate this creek to the pioneering efforts and spirit of Elizabeth Gilbert, the Gilbert family and the town of Gaines,” Capurso said at a ceremony on the church lawn next to the creek.
Capurso not only did the research and pressed the government officials for the creek naming, he also made the sign. He thinks it blends in with the historic corridor on Ridge Road. The Cobblestone Society Museum is down the road to the west.
Capurso and his family were praised by town, county and state officials for their efforts.
“There is no better title than a citizen who loves his community, who respects his community,” said State Sen. George Maziarz.
The state senator admitted he had never heard of the federal Bureau of Geographic Names until Capurso launched his effort. Maziarz commended him for working through the bureaucracy to get the creek named for one of the county’s pioneers.
Town Historian Delia Robinson said pioneers often don’t get much appreciation from today’s residents, with women even getting less attention from historians. She noted the settlers looked for land that was “high and dry” and near water so they had the resource readily available for cooking and cleaning.
“When the settlers came it was just wilderness,” Robinson said. “There were no neighbors, there was no village, there were no stores.”
Town Supervisor Carol Culhane, Cobblestone Museum Co-Director Matt Ballard and County Legislator Fred Miller all spoke at the dedication.
“It’s wonderful to have someone from the community do this kind of effort,” Miller said. “It adds another attribute that people can look at when they come see the Cobblestone Museum.”
Provided photo – Ben Miller and the Albion Marching Band perform last Saturday at Seneca Falls.
Press release
Albion Marching Band
ALBION – Mike Thaine has been involved with the high school marching band activity for his entire teaching career, but he says that in those 23 years he’s never experienced a spring like this one.
“The wet weather has been just impossible,” said the Albion High School band director. “Typically we like to move practices outdoors in late March, but this year, because of the seemingly constant rain, we actually had just one outside practice prior to the Lilac Parade.”
The students had the book (music) learned by the beginning of March, and the staff had taught each of the individual sections of drill in the gym prior to Spring Break. Thaine said that by the middle of April, they’d pretty much tapped-out the usefulness of the indoor facilities.
“There’s only so much you can with a marching band in the band room and gym, eventually you need to practice in a regulation-sized judging area. The rain really set us back.”
Luckily for the Purple Eagles, the May 10 Rochester Lilac Festival parade was just a “straight-through” performance, meaning that bands aren’t allowed to perform any kind of drill or formation changes and must maintain forward motion. And, it was an exhibition, rather than a competition. Those factors made that performance much easier to manage given the limited outdoor practice time.
Albion marches in the Lilac Festival parade each year, and uses it mainly as conditioning for their competitions and hometown performances. The Purple Eagles’ normal marching band program utilizes the “open class” or “5-minute rule.” This competition format allows for any formation and direction changes within the judging area, the only stipulation being a 5-minute time limit between the first note of music or movement and the last.
“It’s almost like a field show on the street, except you have the added element of making an entrance 150 feet down-street, developing the show left to right, progressing toward a logical exit from the 300’ judging area,” Thaine explained. “It’s not intended to be a ‘Park and Play,’ where bands simply march into the area, stop and play a song, then march away. There’s more to it than that. Judges look for a development of the whole show, from beginning to end, with drill that complements the musical program.”
Bands are judged on music performance, visual design and execution, and general effect.
The Albion Marching Band started their competition season off on the right foot by posting a win at the Seneca Falls Pageant of Bands this past Saturday. The Purple Eagles’ score of 93 was tops in the seven-band field, earning them the first place award in Open Class by more than 8 points. Also in competition were bands from Baldwinsville, Marcus Whitman, Moravia, Dundee, Marathon, and Mexico (NY).
The band’s 2014 program is titled “Heartbeats” and features loved-themed music. It opens with Queen’s “Can Anybody Find Me Somebody to Love?” before transitioning into “You Give Love a Bad Name” by Bon Jovi. The ballad is Phil Collins’ “You’ll Be In My Heart” from the Walt Disney motion picture “Tarzan.” This season’s closer is “I Can’t Help Falling In Love With You” by Elvis Presley.
Apparently the crowd at Seneca Falls approved of the band’s performance as much as the judges did. Sophomore band member Zach Shaffer talked about a situation that happened to him after the competition.
“After the parade I went into the cafeteria to buy some pizza and the lady accepting money noticed my Albion Marching Band shirt and told me that we brought her to tears…so must be doing something right!”
The AHS Indoor Drumline also captured first place in their division. Albion next marches in Albion Memorial Day parade on Monday.
MEDINA – Almost one year later, Medina’s efforts to install interpretive signage throughout the Downtown Historic District are complete.
Jimmy Swain of The Print Shop in Medina installed the finished panels today, and the results are remarkable.
“This is one of the best projects I have ever been associated with,” said Chris Busch who headed up the project with the help of Ken Daluisio, owner of The Print Shop. “It’s been an absolute success and I think folks will be quite pleased with how they look – and they look simply fantastic.”
There are 11 signs placed throughout the district, each telling a chapter of Medina’s fascinating history with old photographs and written text. Busch said these signs will be invaluable to Medina’s tourism efforts.
“We see more and more visitors wandering Main Street, snapping photos and marveling at the architecture,” he said. “These panels will provide a much more meaningful experience for them and will keep visitors lingering in our business district.”
The sign bases were purchased through The Print Shop, which also donated the actual panels. Research, design and panel layout was done by Busch. The Medina DPW installed the bases.
Sponsors of the project include the Medina Business Association, Gabrielle and Andina Barone, Andrew Meier, ORG, Dave and Gail Miller, Hartway Motors, Rita Zambito/Zambito Realty, Medina Sandstone Trust, Marcia Tuohey, Chris and Cynthia Busch, and the Medina Fire Department.
LOCKPORT -The New York State Police in Lockport is requesting the assistance of the public in locating Catherine F. Ribbeck, 70, of Barker.
She is a white female, white hair, glasses, approximately 95 lbs, 4’6″ with a tattoo on her chest and is suffering from dementia. She left the Lockport area approximately 3 a.m. today.
She is operating a gold 2011 Chevrolet Malibu with Florida registration 030MCW. She recently moved from Mulberry, Florida in Polk County.
If located, contact New York State Police Lockport at (716) 434-5589.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 May 2014 at 12:00 am
Top 10 grads told there are opportunities in WNY
Photos by Tom Rivers – Nicole Blackburn of Holley is recognized for being a Top 10 graduate. She shakes hands with Robert D’Angelo, Holley’s school superintendent.
Hannah Albone of Lyndonville is congratulated for being a Top 10 graduate by Ted Lewis, president of the Board of Education at Lyndonville.
HOLLEY – The top 10 graduates from four Orleans County school districts were celebrated on Thursday and given medallions, certificates and praise.
Hickory Ridge hosted the 28th annual Academic Awards Excellence Dinner. The tradition honors the Top 10 from each district and is a chance for students, their parents, and school administrators and Board of Education members to get together.
“It’s all about building community support for education and recognizing the rural districts are doing great things,” said Jason Smith, superintendent of schools for Lyndonville, which hosted Thursday’s event.
The annual dinner and awards program helps the local districts build collaborations and partnerships, Smith said.
“We want to recognize academics,” he said. “We want to celebrate the best of the best.”
Holley, Kendall, Lyndonville and Medina all join for the annual event. Albion has its own convocation awards dinner and includes students with a cumulative grade point average of at least 90 percent in high school. Albion typically has 30 to 40 students at that level and didn’t want to limit its honors grads to the Top 10.
Medina school officials support the Top 10 dinner, where students meet other students from nearby districts and see where those students are going for college or their other plans for the future.
“They see beyond themselves and other kids who will be joining them at the next level,” said Jeff Evoy, Medina Central School superintendent. “These are great kids and they make us proud.”
James-Michael Soho of Medina is graduating in the top 10 and heading to Clarkson University to study engineering.
“It really feels great to achieve something so prestigious,” he said. “I feel so privileged to be here with others in the community.”
Soho said Medina creates a culture for striving in the classroom. Many of his closest friends are also in the Top 10.
“There is a lot of friendly rivalries,” he said. “We’re all there to push each other.”
Dustin Furness of Kendall is congratulated by Adam Tabelski, representative for State Sen. George Maziarz, during the Academic Excellence Awards Dinner at Hickory Ridge Country Club. Each honors student received citations from the State Senate and Assembly.
Lyndonville graduate Jonathan Oakes, a winemaker and grape grower from Lyndonville, addresses the Top 10 graduates.
Jennifer Hendel is graduating ranked sixth in Holley’s Class of 2014. She is going to Fredonia State College to major in liberal arts. She played volleyball at Holley, performed in school musicals and is a member of the marching band.
The Top 10 students all tend to be heavily involved in the school, maintaining high grades while doing numerous extracurricular activities.
“It’s a balancing act,” Hendel said.
She appreciated the dinner on Thursday, and the chance to be recognized with her parents and the other students.
“It gives us a chance to meet the other Top 10,” she said.
As the honors students prepare to head off to college or the military, they were encouraged to think of their hometown and Western New York region as their future destination.
Jonathan Oakes, 31, is a Lyndonville graduate. He returned to the family farm at age 20 in 2003 and worked with family members to establish the Leonard Oakes Estate Winery on Ridge Road in Medina. Oakes studied wine making and viticulture across the border at Niagara College in Ontario.
Leonard Oakes has won numerous awards for wine-making and the business has allowed the farm to diversify.
Oakes was keynote speaker for Thursday’s dinner. He admitted when he was in high school he was eager to leave the small town. He attended Mercyhurst College in Erie, Pa., for anthropology. He changed his plans when his father and the family welcomed the idea of a winery at LynOaken Farms.
Oakes has been the driving force behind the winery, a venture that utilizes his love of history, science, art and a passion for the area.
Rachel Ackles of Kendall accepts a medallion and recognition from Kendall Central School Superintendent Julie Christensen, left, and BOE President Nadine Hanlon.
“I found something to believe in that centered around family, community and legacy,” Oakes told the crowd at Hickory Ridge.
Orleans County and the Niagara region are among the most beautiful places on earth. The land is fertile and the community rich in heritage, Oakes said.
“We live in a region with tremendous agricultural and historical wealth,” Oakes said. “The greater Western New York area is quickly reclaiming history and marrying it to our sense of place.”
Oakes shared a French term among wine-makers, the word “Terroir.” It means “a sense of place.” For grapes and wine, the Terroir is influenced by soil structure, geology and slope, hydrology and proximity to water, weather patterns and orientation to the sun, Oakes said.
The Top 10 have a Terroir, and their parents and families, town and community, teachers and friends have all had a hand in designing the students’ identity.
“They have helped to form the fingerprint of which you will leave on this world,” Oakes said. “Go out into the world but do not give up your sense of place.”
The following were honored from each school district:
HOLLEY – Nicole Blackburn, Daniel Flanagan, Jennifer Hendel, Emily Kordovich, Shelby Kunker, Nicole Mauro, Savanna Merriam, Claudia Passarell, Emily Skehan and Morgan Zona.
MEDINA – Emilee Austin, Scott Barber, Alicia Cochrane, Anthony Levesque, Elizabeth Meyer, Cameron Morgan, Anthony Pane, Matthew Prawel, Barry Rogenmoser and James Soha.
