Photos by Sue Cook – The Old Goat’s sign by the edge of the road features a well-dressed goat smoking a pipe and wearing a monocle.
By Sue Cook, staff reporter
GAINES – Walking into The Old Goat is like stepping into a cozy country home. Tarama Vacanti, the owner of the store, greets you at the door with a smile and happily lets you explore. The store is made of three rooms full of antiques and vintage items, as well as some country crafts.
The Old Goat has a diverse selection. You can find everything from antique signs to sewing machines, lanterns to luggage, doorknobs to decorations, and many other items.
Vacanti started her business from her house by selling out of her garage and through eBay for 15 years. She finally decided to open a store in Gaines four months ago and has found a huge outpouring of interest in her business.
“The people here are awesome,” she said. “Everyone is very supportive. This is a lot of fun.”
Her husband Eddie helps create some of the store’s most popular items: recycled and repurposed furniture. The items, such as benches and cabinets, are usually made from wood that was sourced from barns and 1800s homes.
The front room of the shop offers a mixture of antique and recycled-wood furniture.
Many of The Old Goat’s customers are repeats and they come from Canada to Canandaigua. Some of them come in seeking specific items. Vacanti commented that some people come in to see what she has stocked for silver items, while another woman comes in looking for old-fashioned baby clothing.
The store has new items about twice a week, and Vacanti said her family brings her their finds all the time. She tries to make sure every time a customer comes in that they see something different.
Vacanti also said that if someone is looking for a specific item and she doesn’t have it, she will put it on a list of what to look for during buying trips.
The back room is a showcase for many smaller items such as antique toys and housewares.
The Old Goat, located at 14069 Ridge Rd. West, is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. For more information, call (585) 298-6167 or visit the business’s Facebook page by clicking here.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 January 2014 at 12:00 am
ALBION – A Medina woman pleaded guilty in Orleans County Court on Monday to third-degree criminal sale of a firearm.
Rebecca Bischoff, 27, could get sentenced to a maximum of 2 1/3 to 7 years in state prison when she is sentenced by Judge James Punch on March 31. She could also receive a lesser sentence.
She told Judge Punch she sold a stolen revolver from her boyfriend Christopher Hollenbeck, 27. She told the judge she knew it was stolen and sold it to someone in Medina. The revolver has since been recovered.
Bischoff and Hollenbeck were arrested after an investigation into a June 13 burglary of a Mill Road home in Ridgeway. Bischoff waited in the car while Hollenbeck entered the house and stole nine guns.
Hollenbeck pleaded guilty on Jan. 13 and also will be sentenced on March 31. He faces a maximum 2 1/3 to 7 years in state prison. He said he broke into the house using a credit card, took nine guns and defaced them. Bischoff drove him to the site and allegedly helped him sell the defaced guns.
In other cases in county court:
A Medina man pleaded guilty to misdemeanor driving while intoxicated and felony aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. Milton Hinkley III, 41, of Glenwood Avenue was charged with DWI and AUO after he was stopped on May 18, 2013 on Glenwood Avenue.
Hinkley, has a prior DWI in 1999, District Attorney Joe Cardone said. Hinkley could receive a maximum of four years in state prison or he could receive a lesser sentence. Judge Punch will sentence Hinkley on March 31.
Two Medina men were offered plea deals that would put them in state prison for a maximum of five years.
Lorenzo Poole, 30, of Dresser Road and Jason Wills, 28, of Church Street both have been charged with second-degree assault, which carries a maximum sentence of seven years in state prison.
The two were charged after an Oct. 27, 2013 incident at the parking lot of the Walsh Hotel in Medina when they each allegedly hit a man in the head with a beer bottle, causing a gash to the forehead and a broken nose.
Poole has four prior drug convictions, Cardone said, and Wills has a prior conviction.
An inmate at Orleans Correctional facility pleaded guilty to promoting prison contraband when he received a controlled substance, the drug buprenorphine, in the mail from his mother.
Jason Seifert, 28, has been at the Orleans Correctional Facility in Albion since April 23, 2010. He was sent to prison after being convicted of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree.
On Dec. 20, 2012, he received buprenorphine in the mail under the postage stamp. He didn’t have a prescription for the drug and he knew it was against the prison rules to have it, he told Judge Punch.
Seifert could face another year in jail, plus three years probation when he is sentenced on April 7.
His mother, Tracey Stratton, 51, of Vermont, has been charged with promoting prison contraband in the first degree and criminal sale of a controlled substance in the fourth degree. Her case is pending.
A state Canal Corporation worker accused of stealing $5,700 worth of metal from the Canal Corp.’s Albion maintenance facility was offered a reduced charge if he pleaded guilty to fourth-degree grand larceny and paid restitution.
Bruce Rotoli, 55, of Albion has been charged with third-degree grand larceny and third-degree criminal possession of stolen property. He was arrested in May following a four-month investigation by state police, Village of Albion police and the Thruway Authority, which runs the canal system.
Police say that Rotoli in the fall of 2012 removed bronze bushing material from the Albion maintenance facility. Rotoli is currently on disability.
The DA’s office has video from various scrap yards of Rotoli selling the stolen property, Assistant DA Susan Howard said in court on Monday. Rotoli’s case was adjourned.
An Oakfield woman pleaded guilty to two counts of drug possession. Serena L. Weber, 28, avoided jail and will enter Drug Court. She pleaded guilty to fifth-and-seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 January 2014 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
It’s another single-digit day of cold in Orleans County. A wind chill advisory is in effect until 3 p.m. as wind chills will feel as low as 20 below zero.
I think today feels the coldest of the recent string of frigid days. I tried to take a few photos this morning, and my bare fingers didn’t last long.
The top photo shows the big grain facility in Knowlesville at the corner of Route 31 and Knowlesville Road. The sun is shining despite the lack of warmth.
The high temperatures are forecast to reach 30 on Thursday, 32 on Friday and 35 on Saturday.
This barn is on west side of Knowlesville Road, a little north of Route 31.
An apple orchard withstands the cold in this photo by the Erie Canal. The image was taken from the Presbyterian Road canal bridge.
This barn appears to be gasping for life on Albion-Eagle Harbor Road. It’s just east of the Eagle Harbor lift bridge by the canal.
File photo by Tom Rivers – A dairy cow is pictured last July during the Orleans County 4-H Fair in Knowlesville.
Press release
Congressman Chris Collins
Congressman Chris Collins (R-Clarence) voted in support of the bipartisan Farm Bill this morning.The five-year comprehensive legislation easily passed the House of Representatives, 251 votes to 166, with large support from both Republicans and Democrats.
A member of the House Agriculture Committee, Congressman Collins admits the bill is not perfect, but says it includes real reforms and spending reductions, while removing regulatory barriers for farmers and strengthening America’s safety net. In total, the bill saves $23 billion in mandatory federal spending.
“The bipartisan Farm Bill provides our farmers and producers the certainty they deserve,” said Congressman Collins.
“The bill saves taxpayers billions of dollars, includes historic reform for our dairy policy by repealing outdated programs, and strengthens crop insurance and other protection programs our farmers need.
“And despite the rhetoric, the Farm Bill does not take away Food Stamps from those who are truly eligible,” he said. “Instead, it protects Food Stamp funding by closing loopholes to stop ongoing fraud and abuse.This is not a perfect bill, but it is a bipartisan compromise that addresses many of the critical issues facing our farmers in NY-27 and around the country.”
Specialty Crop Research
Congressman Collins fought for and achieved a significant increase for specialty crop research (boost of more than $200 million between 2012 proposal and today’s bill). The funding finances partnerships between our land-grant universities and farmers to help growers meet new marketplace demands and cultivate new products.This funding is especially essential for the continued growth of New York’s fruit farmers.
Dairy
The Farm Bill includes historic reforms to dairy policy, something the industry has long championed. The controversial Supply Management program has been eliminated and replaced with a new and voluntarily Margin Protection program which provides our dairy farmers with the safeguards they need without imposing government mandated controls.Both milk producers and processors have endorsed this new program and its flexibility will help NY-27’s booming dairy industry continue to grow.
Crop Insurance
The Farm Bill repeals direct payments to farmers and strengthens crop insurance and other risk management tools to protect both taxpayers and farmers when they suffer significant losses.
Beginning Farmer Support
To ensure young people choose agriculture as a career, the Farm Bill supports Beginning Farm Development programs. The bill will provide new farmers with discounted insurance and credit opportunities to help establish their business. With a large segment of America’s farmers and ranchers at or nearing retirement age, the Farm Bill helps encourage young people to enter this challenging and vitally important line of work which is essential to feeding our country and economy.
SNAP (Food Stamp) Reform
The Farm Bill makes the first reforms to SNAP since the bipartisan Welfare reforms of 1996. The bill closes a loophole that automatically enrolled people for Food Stamps when they receive heating assistance from their state government, regardless of their income level. The bill also cracks down on fraud and abuse (illegal immigrants and lotto winners receiving food stamps) and demands outcomes from existing employment training programs.
The New York Farm Bureau and other agricultural advocacy organizations firmly support the bill.The Senate is expected to vote on the measure later this week.
The last Farm Bill was passed in 2008. It expired in September after being extended for one year.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 January 2014 at 12:00 am
It’s the coldest winter in about four decades. It feels like day after day of brutal, bitter cold.
But Orleans County somehow shines amidst the snow and ice. Rick Baase of Carlton took the top photograph of the sunrise on Tuesday when it was 2-below zero.
It looks like steam is coming off Lake Ontario in the photo about 2 miles east of Point Breeze.
Peggy Barringer took this picture of the frosted window on her front door at Albion. The iced windows have revealed some wondrous artistic patterns.
Julie Miller of Barre last week took this picture of a sundog, which resembles a rainbow on a blistering cold day. She took it of a scene on Route 31A, west of Route 98 near Barre Stone Products.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 January 2014 at 12:00 am
Democrats back 3 candidates for village trustees
Dean London
ALBION – Albion Democrats have endorsed three candidates to run against Republicans for trustees on the Village Board. The Democrats, however, will not run a candidate against Dean London, the retired police chief who has the GOP-backing for mayor.
London will have both the Republican and Democratic Party lines for the March 18 election. He will be unopposed unless a candidate mounts an independent party campaign.
“It’s unexpected, but I’m very grateful,” London said after accepting the Democratic nomination on Thursday.
The party held its caucus at the Orleans Vets Club. Eight Democrats turned out, including Pete Sidari, a current village trustee. He nominated London for mayor. Sidari was cross-endorsed by the Republicans two years ago.
He said London has a long history of community involvement, has managed a budget and employees, and would be committed to the mayor’s position. London currently works at Baxter Healthcare in Medina.
“We don’t have anybody,” Sidari said at the Democratic caucus. “If you have to pull someone kicking and screaming, what kind of job are you going to get out of him?”
Democrats backed the following for trustee: Terry Wilbert, Patricia Cammarata and Sandra Walter. Wilbert and Walter attended the caucus and accepted the nominations. Cammarata wasn’t there and Walter, the Albion Democratic Party chairwoman, will confirm with Cammarata today if she will run for the position.
Cammarata, a resident of West State Street, served on the Swan Library board of trustees when the library worked to build the new Hoag Library. She worked as a social worker in Rochester. Wilbert nominated her at the party caucus for one of two four-year terms as trustee.
Wilbert
Wilbert, 63, is retired after a career as a school guidance counselor. He also worked for the Rochester Urban League and as an administrator for the Ulster County BOCES.
He has served on the Albion Board of Education, the Swan Library Board of Trustees, the Town of Albion Planning Board and helped start the youth soccer program in Albion about three decades ago. He is currently chairman of the administrative council for the First United Methodist Church in Albion.
“I’m real concerned about the whole area,” Wilbert said about the county. “The tax rate is the real problem.”
He noted the county has one of the highest cumulative tax rates in the country as a percentage of home value. The situation is even worse in the villages, where the tax rate is far higher.
“It impacts our ability to attract residents and businesses,” he said. “We need to find how we can cooperate and do things better.”
Wilbert, a resident of South Main Street, said the local officials at all levels need to better capitalize on the local assets, including the fishing industry, the canal and historic sites.
Wilbert in his job with Ulster County saw other communities around the state, small counties that seemed to be prospering. In Orleans County, he said officials often cite state-mandated expenses as the culprit for the high taxes. Wilbert said those mandated costs are in other communities that are growing.
“The mandates are the same all over New York State,” he said. “That doesn’t explain why others are doing better. We’re at a cusp for our village, town and county. Do we want to stay in poverty?”
Wilbert and Cammarata were backed for four-year terms against Republican-endorsed candidates Eileen Banker and Stan Farone.
Walter
Democrats backed Sandra Walter to run against Gary Katsanis for a two-year term. Walter is the Albion Democratic Party chairwoman. She is also the treasurer for the Orleans County Democratic Committee.
The West Bank Street resident works as a quality control analyst for Claims Recovery Financial Services in Albion.
“People need choices and I think I would be a good choice,” she said. “It’s time for a change.”
She said the Village Board tends to let projects linger, whether it’s the replacement of the Clarendon Street bridge, sidewalk upgrades or sewer repairs.
“Things have been going on too long,” she said. “It’s time to bring some projects to fruition. It seems like we’re forever working on the sewer.”
The Village Board is a rare board in Orleans County that consistently has at least one elected Democrat. The Democrats have regularly offered up a slate of candidates.
Wilbert said at the local level, party labels don’t seem to matter as much to voters.
“It’s great the people of Albion look at diversity on the board,” Walter said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 January 2014 at 6:23 am
No school in Albion, Holley, Kendall, Lyndonville and Medina
The five school districts in Orleans County are all closed today due to dangerously cold temperatures. It is sub-zero outside and the wind gives a wind chill of minus-25.
The districts however will offer the Regents exams, including transportation for high school students taking those tests.
“We have several students that have prepared for it,” Lyndonville Superintendent Jason Smith said about the Regents. “It’s a one-shot deal for them and we have students trying to get an advanced score.”
Albion has cancelled classes for grades kindergarten through 8. High schoolers were off this week anyway, except for Regents. The high school bus is delayed two hours. The morning exams start at 10 with the afternoon tests at noon.
Smith, the Lyndonville superintendent, kept school open on Monday with a two-hour delay. With today’s closing, Lyndonville has now used up four snow days. To accommodate for those days, a March 14 Superintendent’s Conference Day has been changed to an early release day.
The districts need to provide a minimum of 180 days instruction, according to state law. If districts use up all of their snow days, they may have to adjust the school calendar, including scheduled vacation days. Smith said that would be a last resort.
“We should still be OK, but we’re hanging on by a string,” he said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 January 2014 at 12:00 am
ALBION – The five-person Town Board still hasn’t reached a majority decision on what is typically a routine annual appointment: hiring an attorney for the town.
Robert Roberson of Lockport did the job in 2012 and 2013 at a $36,000 annual contract. Town Councilmen Jake Olles and Todd Sargent favored bringing Roberson back for 2014.
But new Town Supervisor Matt Passarell and new Town Councilman Richard Remley favored either John Gavenda of Albion or Andrew Meier of Medina. Both offered to work for a base contract of $25,000, with litigation and some other non-routine work at an additional cost.
Councilman Dan Paprowski looks to be the swing vote. During a Jan. 13 meeting, he held off on voting for anyone, wanting to review the contract proposals. During a meeting on Monday, he said he wanted to look into additional attorneys, including the Hodgson Russ firm in Buffalo, which represented the town in the fight to halt a new landfill from Waste Management as well as other litigation.
The unresolved matter of hiring an attorney will be brought up again Feb. 10.
Passarell wants an attorney at the board meetings to provide advice. Most of the local Town Boards have an attorney present at their meetings. Passarell also said the town needs an attorney on board so Albion can implement a comprehensive plan that includes some zoning changes to encourage businesses and also preserve farmland.
“There’s work that needs to be done,” he said. “I’m concerned because right now that work isn’t being done.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 January 2014 at 12:00 am
The National Weather Service is warning about low temperatures and a wind chill that could hit 20 to 30 degrees below zero. It will be 0 to minus-5 out this morning combined with brisk winds.
“These dangerously low wind chills will result in a risk of hypothermia and frostbite for anyone outside for even a short period of time without proper clothing,” the Weather Service said. “If you must be outside this morning use common sense and dress warmly.”
The announcement applies to Orleans, Genesee, Niagara and Erie counties.
“Hi, I’m Congressman Chris Collins and I want to take a moment to discuss the President’s State of the Union address.
For weeks now, President Obama has been talking about using a pen and a phone to get things done. But the American people don’t need a pen and a phone, they need jobs and a paycheck. We need to focus on strengthening our economy. There are 91.8 million Americans out of work and at the end of the day jobs are created by economic growth, not mandates from Washington.
Unfortunately, President Obama did not talk about plans for economic growth, like fundamental tax reform, energy independence, or significant changes to ObamaCare. We could immediately bolster our nation’s economy by changing ObamaCare’s definition of a full-time work week from 30 hours back to the traditional 40. And we could repeal the medical device tax, which is hurting American manufactures.
But we didn’t hear any of these solutions from the President. Instead, we heard more “big government knows best” solutions that are paid for by borrowing more money from China.
The American people want the checks and balances that come with divided government. But they also want Washington to roll up its sleeves and actually get something done.
Thankfully, Congress has started to get the message. We recently passed a responsible spending bill, which will help restore Congress to regular order, and are poised to pass a bipartisan Farm Bill.
But we cannot do it alone. We need President Obama to work with Congress to address our nation’s addiction to deficits and debt, so we can begin to move our country toward a balanced budget. We need President Obama to work with Congress to reform Social Security and Medicare, to ensure they are solvent and give Americans confidence in their retirement future. And we need the President to work with Congress to get rid of Common Core, and put an end to the federal government telling local schools how and what to teach.
Sadly, nothing in President Obama’s address indicates he has gotten the message that government works better when we work together. We need a President who will work with Congress, not around Congress.
Thank you for listening, and as always, please continue to reach out to me to share your comments and concerns.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 January 2014 at 12:00 am
File photo by Tom Rivers – The Downtown Browsery includes 15 vendors on East Bank Street, including, from left: Linda Hollenbeck, antiques and collectibles; Susie Gaylard, hand-crafted purses; and Maureen Bennett, antiques and collectibles. The Browsery is added more vendors with its move to a second location.
ALBION – The Downtown Browsery is expanding after eight years, adding a second location in the Albion historic downtown business district.
On Feb. 15, the Uptown Browsery will open at 118 North Main St., a site last used by the Golden Gourd.
The Downtown Browsery currently has 15 vendors. Some of them will go to the Uptown site, which will also include several new vendors.
“We were turning people down,” said Browsery President Maureen Bennett. “Now we have more room for new people.”
The Browsery includes a variety of items, with the vendors also specializing in their own niches, Bennett said. She sells vintage collectibles.
Bennett believes the two Browsery sites can be part of a resurgence in the downtown business district. In September she pushed for several businesses to stay open to 7 p.m. on Thursdays.
The Uptown Browsery has room for more vendors. It will have a soft opening on Feb. 15 and a grand opening on March 1.
“We’re trying to get downtown moving,” Bennett said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 January 2014 at 12:00 am
With more bitter cold temperatures forecast for Wednesday morning, two local school districts have already decided to be on a two-hour delay.
Lyndonville and Medina will run their school buses two hours later than the regular schedule. Classes will start at 9:50 a.m. in Lyndonville.
The National Weather Service has issued a wind chill warning for Orleans County until 10 a.m. on Wednesday. The wind chill will feel as low as 25 below zero in the morning, the Weather Service advised.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 January 2014 at 12:00 am
Botello
ALBION – A Kendall resident accused of trying to kill a state trooper rejected a plea offer in court on Monday that would have capped the prison sentence at 15 years.
Carlos Botello, 42, is accused of attempted murder of a state trooper following a traffic stop on Sept. 3. Botello was stopped by Trooper Dan Metz. Botello, who also has been charged with driving while intoxicated, allegedly attempted to back over the trooper. Metz avoided being struck, but Borello smashed into a state police vehicle.
Botello then fled the scene by vehicle. Metz pursued him until Botello entered a farmer’s field and became disabled, police reported.
District Attorney Joe Cardone presented a plea offer to Botello in county court on Monday. If Botello pleads guilty to attempted murder in the second degree as well as the DWI he would face a maximum sentence of up to 15 years, according to the offer from Cardone.
But Botello, with his attorney Nathan Pace from the Public Defender’s office, rejected that in court. Judge James Punch then set a date for the trial. A jury will be selected on April 1 and the trial is scheduled to start on April 2.
Botello in recent court appearances had asked that Punch recuse himself from the case due to his past with Botello when Punch was both county court judge and district attorney. Botello on Monday said he is withdrawing his request that Punch recuse himself.
Botello remains in the county jail on $2.5 million bail.
Photos by Sue Cook – Art & Soul is located at 410 N. Main St. next door to the Zambistro restaurant.
By Sue Cook, staff reporter
MEDINA – The American lifestyle is all about doing everything in a New York minute and taking very little time to recuperate from the stresses of the everyday. Art & Soul in Medina offers a space to help people step out of all that. Owner Donna Bryant says it is the area’s first expressive healing arts studio lounge.
The front of the store is a boutique area selling whimsical primitives and handmade gifts. All of the fiber merchandise such as hats and handbags are handmade from natural materials. There is also natural tea for sale that can be sampled during monthly tea tastings on the third Thursday of every month.
The back of the space is where things get really interesting. Classes will be offered to teach basic techniques on the looms, spinning wheels, or sewing machines for crafts that attendees can then try out using studio equipment.
Students of the studio can learn techniques ranging from Saori weaving to what Bryant calls mindful, intuitive sewing. The equipment also can be used at other times besides classes to allow for a creative space when someone needs to take some quiet time.
Looms are available for anyone who would like to try out the craft without having to purchase large, expensive equipment at home.
Bryant says the studio offers an atmosphere that allows for healing with low meditative music and a helping hand whenever someone would like assistance. She thought of starting the studio when she was recovering from spinal surgery. During that time, she made craft items as a type of rehab for herself and wanted to pass the healing onto others.
She sees her shop as a therapeutic venue without the concerns of perfection and judgment from others. It is about overcoming the fear of trying something new and making things for the sake of personal enjoyment. Perhaps you may never make a perfect item on a loom, but if you enjoy the process then that is what is most important, Bryant said.
“Try it,” she said. “Don’t be afraid of making mistakes. You can have as many beginnings as you want.”
Most of the fibers available are quality material such as wool. However, Bryant also offers acrylic yarns that are great for children or anyone who doesn’t want to spend a lot if they are uncertain about the craft. She said classes will be offered that will appeal to children eight years old up to adults. She plans to offer one-day events to let people get a taste of the craft, but also plans to offer classes that could run once or twice a week for several weeks.
An array of colorful materials are available for making crafts in the fiber studio lounge.
Children can work on simple crafts such as basic potholders. Teens can look forward to a Project Runway-style fashion show, interior decorating, altered couture to help change up their wardrobes, and needle felting. Other classes she plans to offer include hand-dyeing fabrics, basket weaving, quilting, and making simple handbags.
Bryant is also looking for people in the community who would be willing to teach classes on other fiber topics. She would love to hear from knitters, crocheters, and anyone else who would like to share their ideas for classes. She wants her business to be used as a healing vehicle and a draw for the area. If there is enough interest she said she would expand to include classes for people with disabilities.
“There’s nothing like this in Rochester or Buffalo,” she said.
The only places she has seen that offer this service have been in places such as Texas, California, and New York City. She wants her business to be known as a studio focused on intuitive creativity and engaging in something fun and different, rather than just a place to shop.
Art & Soul is currently open on Saturdays, although appointments can by made by calling (585) 798-4980 or (585) 318-4314. It will be open during Wine About Winter on Feb. 1. It will also have a free tea-tasting event called Cherubs & Chocolate on Feb. 9 that requires registration by phone.
