MEDINA – Farm Credit East’s Batavia branch recently presented the Medina FFA Chapter with a $5,000 donation to help support the 89th annual New York State FFA Convention.
The three-day event will be at Medina High School in May and will draw over 1,000 FFA members, advisors and officials from around the state. During the convention, students will have the opportunity to attend workshops, network with agriculture professionals and compete in career development events. The event also showcases local agricultural businesses and the surrounding area.
Supporting young farmers and youth agricultural organizations is an area of special focus for Farm Credit East. In addition to providing financing and business services to Northeast farmers, Farm Credit maintains special programs for young, beginning and small farmers and also helps to provide and encourage their participation in activities that improve farm and financial management skills.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 December 2013 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers – Knight’s Pride at 120 North Main St. had the second most votes in the contest.
ALBION – The downtown merchants in Albion stepped up their decorating efforts this holiday season, with many of the storefronts full of holiday displays.
“I think the downtown looks nice and festive,” said Carolyn Ricker, president of the Albion Merchants Association and owner of Bindings Bookstore. “A lot of people have commented that there is a sense of pride in the downtown.”
The Merchants Association held a contest for the best window decorations and the public cast ballots for their favorites.
The Main Street Store at 49 North Main St. garnered the most votes.
Burgio Salon at 117 North Main St. came in third, according to the public votes.
Lisa Stratton, owner of the Hazy Jade at 50 North Main St., sent letters to all the downtown building owners and convinced many to decorate for the holidays. Stratton’s shop in shown above.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 18 December 2013 at 12:00 am
Photos by Mike Wertman – Roles will be shifting a bit in January for Medina Central administrattors Chris Hughes, left, and Mark Kruzynski.
Academic demands will be causing a bit of a shift in the work load for two Medina Central administrators, Medina High Principal Mark Kruzynski and Athletic Director and Wise Middle School Assistant Principal Chris Hughes, as of January 1.
Kruzynski will be adding the responsibilities of athletic director while Hughes will remain as Wise Middle School assistant principal and head of the district’s Physical Education Department.
The increased academic demands on staff due to the state’s listing of Wise Middle as a Focus School is cited as a primary reason for the shifting of duties.
“Academics is our primary concern and since the middle school is a Focus School this year Chris is needed in that area,” Kruzynski said. “And that is a very time consuming effort so this is really a balancing of work loads.”
Adding the role of athletic director is not a new one for Kruzynski who previously served in that position for several years before becoming high school principal.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 December 2013 at 12:00 am
NY approves low-cost power for company to grow in Orleans
(Editor’s note: This article has been updated from an earlier version.)
MEDINA – A Medina company will receive 2.4 megawatts of low-cost electricity as part of a $15 million expansion project that will add 43 jobs, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced today.
The New York Power Authority approved the low-cost hydropower allocation for Brunner International. The company is considering a 45,000-square-foot addition to expand the production of machined axle forgings that are sold to large, heavy-duty truck and trailer suppliers.
Brunner hasn’t committed to project yet and is weighing locations in other states for the expansion, said Jim Whipple, chief executive officer for the Orleans Economic Development Agency.
The power allocation makes Medina a more enticing site for the project, he said.
“This is not a done deal but it certainly helps,” Whipple said about the power allocation. “Brunner is weighing all the issues.”
Brunner, located at the corner of Bates Road and Route 31, has been a longtime hydropower customer for NYPA.
The state also approved a $750,000 incentive package under Empire State Development’s Excelsior Jobs Program and additional tax incentives are expected from the Orleans County Economic Development Agency if the company commits to the expansion in Medina.
Brunner completed a 41,250-square-foot expansion about five years ago that added 50 jobs in Medina.
Brunner is one of three growing companies in Western New York approved for the cheap electricity, according to the governor’s annoucement today. The hydropower is available to companies within 30 miles of the power plant in Lewiston. Medina is at the far end of the eligible territory.
Ford Motor Company will receive 1 megawatt in support of its plans to invest $150 million in its 63-year-old Hamburg stamping facility, located just outside Buffalo. Ford will upgrade equipment and add 10 new assembly lines.
The company will commit to creating 350 new positions at its facility above its current employment of 640 as a result of the expansion, with startup of the new equipment and assembly lines by the end of 2014, according to the governor’s announcement.
Gracious Living USA will receive 3.7 megawatts to renovate and refurbish four abandoned buildings on 50 acres of property in Buffalo to open an injection molding manufacturing facility and warehouse. The Canadian company wants to establish a greater presence in the U.S. for its resin-based furniture and other plastic products. The new facilities will lead to the creation of 250 jobs.
“Today’s low-cost hydropower allocations are a major win for Western New York, helping to create more than 600 new jobs, while reducing business costs to support the manufacturing industry,” Cuomo said. “As we grow the manufacturing sector in Western New York, the state will continue to leverage these kinds of investments to strengthen the local economy.”
State Sen. George Maziarz praised the power allocations for the companies.
“Ford Motor Company employs many Western New Yorkers and this award will expand that number exponentially,” Maziarz said. “I am also pleased that Brunner International in Medina will benefit from the excellent programs NYPA provides businesses, as it will continue to grow Orleans County’s largest private-sector employer.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 December 2013 at 12:00 am
ALBION – Claims Recovery Financial Services could spend up to $4,430,000 for new equipment, machinery and furnishings as part of its relocation and expansion into the JP Morgan Chase call center on East Avenue.
The company won’t have to pay sales tax on any of those purchases, a benefit that could save the company up to $354,400 because of the sales tax exemption.
The Orleans Economic Development Agency approved the tax exemption on Friday. That followed a public hearing on Dec. 10. No one spoke against the tax savings benefit for CRFS.
The EDA has the authority to lift the 8 percent sales tax for companies in an expansion project. CRFS won’t have to pay the 4 percent county and 4 percent state sales tax rates. Both the county and state would have received $172,200 in sales tax if CRFS spends $4.43 million for equipment and furnishings in its expansion and relocation.
The company is expected to start moving into Chase next month. It is consolidating Albion and Medina work sites into the former Chase building, and adding 150 employees. It projects there will be 750 workers out of the building.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 December 2013 at 12:00 am
(Editor’s note: This article was updated from an earlier version.)
ALBION – A fourth county department head is retiring, only to return to a management role on a part-time basis.
Craig Lape, the county’s weights and measures director, also manages the fuel farm on West Academy Street. After Lape retires on Dec. 31, the fuel farm duties will be shifted to a secretary in the highway department, whose weekly hours will increase from 35 to 40.
Lape will continue as weights and measures director. He visits stores, markets, warehouses, wholesale houses, gas stations and other businesses to test and verify the accuracy of weighing and measuring devices. The position ensures accuracy in meat, produce and platform scales.
County Legislature Chairman David Callard said the county is fortunate Lape is staying on in the position, at a reduced cost to the county.
He is the fourth department head to reach retirement, and then agree to stay on in a part-time basis.
Wayne Hale retired as planning and tourism director, but has stayed on in a part-time role in the positions. Pam Canham also retired as Office for the Aging director, but continued with the department as an assistant director. Carol Miller also serves as part-time director for job development after she retired from a full-time role in the position.
“Their experience is invaluable,” Callard said. “They’re working at a reduced cost to the county, and we’re still able to deliver the service.”
The part-time retired directors receive their state pensions. They can not earn more than $30,000 in their part-time roles if they want to receive their full pension, according to state comptroller rules, county officials said.
LYNDONVILLE – Lyndonville residents put their best lights forward for Lyndonville Lions Club’s “Spirit of Christmas” annual lighting contest this year.
Judges patrolled the area on Monday visiting the winners’ homes and presenting the top 5 with plaques. The winners are:
Village of Lyndonville, 2 South Main St.
Mr.& Mrs. Gary Newman, 1548 N Lyndonville Rd.
Alex Seaman, 1559 N Lyndonville Rd.
Bill Harrold, 10 Garland St.
Jacob, Margaret, and Emily Cebula, 15 Miller Drive.
KENDALL – A Kendall Central School District school bus carrying four students was involved in an accident with another vehicle this morning near the intersection of Route 237 and Ridge Road.
Our four students and bus driver were taken by ambulance to Strong Hospital as a precaution. Thankfully, their injuries are minor.
We are saddened to learn news that the driver of the other vehicle suffered fatal injuries and we are working with the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department as they conduct their investigation.
MURRAY – A Brockport man is dead following a head-on crash this morning with the car he was driving and a school bus.
The incident was reported at 7:09 a.m. and occurred in the 16600 block of Ridge Road (State Route 104) in the Town of Murray.
Daniel L. Hollaert Jr., 23, was operating a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt, travelling east on Ridge Road when the vehicle collided with a full-size school bus owned and operated by the Kendall Central School District.
Hollaert was pronounced dead at the scene by Orleans County Coroner Joseph Fuller. Hollaert was extricated from the car by firefighters from the Holley and Fancher-Hulberton-Murray Fire Departments, and then transported to the Monroe County Medical Examiner’s Office in Rochester.
The driver of the bus is identified as Harold F. Barnard, 72, of Kendall. There were four students on-board at the time of collision ranging in age from 11 to 15. All the students as well as their driver sustained minor injuries. They were all transported by ground ambulance to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester. School District officials responded to the crash scene.
Deputies D.E. Foeller Jr., & A.J. Houghton responded to the incident. They were assisted by Deputy D.S. Klips, Investigator C.L. Black, and Chief Deputy T.L. Drennan. State Troopers from the Albion barracks also assisted at the scene.
The incident remains under investigation by the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 December 2013 at 10:24 am
Photo by Tom Rivers – A Kendall school bus is towed back to the school at the intersection of routes 104 and 237 this morning at about 9:45 a.m.
MURRAY – The driver of the car that collided with a Kendall school bus at the intersection of routes 237 and 104 this morning has died. None of the students on the bus were seriously injured. Four of the children have been taken to the hospital with minor injuries.
Route 104 is now open in both directions. The school bus has been towed from the scene.
Orleans Hub will have more information as soon as it becomes available.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 December 2013 at 9:40 am
MURRAY – Orleans County Sheriff’s Deputies are at the scene of a serious school bus accident in the town of Murray. The accident occured at the intersection of routes 237 and 104 around 7:40 a.m.
Time Warner Cable News is reporting that a car and a Kendall school bus collided and the accident has resulted in one fatality. It has not been determined whether there were any students on board the bus at the time of the accident.
Route 104 is closed between Kendall Road and Route 237 (North Main Street).
Orleans Hub is on the scene and will have more information as soon as it becomes available.
Provided photo – Medina FFA students, pictured from left, include Kalvin Packer, Ashlee Dow, Kelsey Cody, Chantelle Kidney, Addy Zavitz, Charlie Enderby and Cassidy Albone.
Press release, Medina FFA
MEDINA – The Medina FFA has its annual Farm Store open for business. Running in conjunction with the citrus sale, the students set up a small store offering Medina FFA apparel, beef jerky, homemade dog treats and bird feed, apples, and many other products.
New this year is the opportunity to build-a-box. Visitors can select either a handmade crate or tray and fill it with local made products and goods. Customers can peruse the wares while waiting for their fruit to be carried to their vehicle.
The store is located in the greenhouse behind the high school. It is open Tuesday through Thursday this week from 9:30 a.m. until 7 p.m. and on Friday from 9:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. On Friday after 2 p.m. all extra fruit will be available for sale.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 December 2013 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers – The stained-glass window tour on Saturday included a stop at the First United Methodist Church. The Good Shepherd window was created in the Tiffany style but not by Tiffany. The large window was gift to the congregation by the church’s pastor in 1914, the Rev. Henry Clay Woods.
ALBION – They drove through a storm to see works of art by famed masters of the craft.
Anne and Ed Engel of Oakfield weren’t disappointed on Saturday with the first ever stained-glass window tour of Albion’s seven churches in the historic Courthouse Square.
The Pullman Memorial Universalist Church has more than 40 windows created by Tiffany Glass and Decorating Company, perhaps the most esteemed stained glass artist.
Bill Lattin, Orleans County historian, talks about the Christ the Consoler window in the Pullman Memorial Universalist Church. The church in 1895 wanted a window with outstretched arms of Christ to fit the denomination’s welcoming tradition.
One of the windows of Christ the Consoler shows Jesus with his outstretched arms. George Pullman paid $5,000 for that window, which was installed in January 1895.
Tiffany highlighted that window as example of the firm’s work in an 1898 brochure.
Engel gazed at the glass, and ran her finger along the bottom of the window.
“I touched a Tiffany stained-glass window,” she said, breaking into a smile.
Tiffany revolutionized the stained-glass world. Stained-glass windows, prior to Tiffany, tended to have clear glass with a stencil pattern painted on the glass.
The Free Methodist Church in Albion was built in 1860, the first church in a denomination that now has more than 1,000 churches. The church still has the original stained-glass windows from the building. Those windows from 1860 were fairly plain compared to the style that emerged in the 1890s.
Tiffany developed opalescent glass, putting color directly in glass. His windows became very popular in the 1890s. His windows at the Pullman church were installed in 1895.
Other stained-glass artists turned to opalescent glass, and many churches, including several in Albion, swapped out their older, plainer windows with Tiffany-style windows, Lattin said on the tour. (Lattin wrote a book about Orleans County’s stained-glass windows: Luminaries in the Firmament.)
The windows in the seven churches range in age from the 1860s to the 1960s. Many of the masters of the craft, both at the regional and national level, created windows for churches in Albion.
Lattin concluded the tour of the seven churches inside St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, which includes many narrative windows that depict scenes from the Old and New Testaments in the Bible. Leo Frohe, a popular stained-glass artist from Buffalo, designed and created many of the windows at St. Joseph’s. The Frohe studio also has several windows at the former St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Albion.
Lattin said Albion is blessed to have so many exquisite examples of stained glass.
“There is really some extraordinary artwork here,” Lattin said after leading the tour. “There is really something here that can be marketed.”
Saturday’s tour drew about 40 participants on a bitterly cold morning. Tony and Cathy Mancuso of Elba have driven through Albion for years. They have long admired the churches, and wondered what they were like inside.
They took lots of pictures of the windows, the pipe organs and architectural features. Mr. Mancuso works in the real estate business.
“This place is absolutely gorgeous,” Mancuso said while on a tour of the First Presbyterian Church. “I love the woodwork in here.”
Lattin stands in the Presbyterian Church by a window created by Henry Keck, an apprentice at the Tiffany studio until 1933, when he started his own company in Syarcuse. This is an early work by Keck, created in 1934 as memorial to Ella Beckwith Kenney, a Sunday School teacher at the Presbyterian Church. Lattin said it’s one of his favorite windows in Orleans because of theme and striking colors. It shows a teacher and her two students.
Connie Mosher is a long-time local resident and an artist. She praised Lattin for his recall of the dates of the windows, who made them, and the stories behind them often as memorials for local residents. Lattin led the nearly two-hour tour without notes.
Mosher said the tour was an eye-opener and made her admire the community’s residents from a century ago even more. The seven churches showcase a variety of architectural features. The buildings are all listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The churches have added meaning after learning about their windows, Mosher said.
“What a heritage we have,” she said. “Until you get inside, you don’t realize the richness of it.”
Tony Mancuso of Elba took a lot of photos on the stained-glass window tour. He is shown inside the sanctuary at Christ (Episcopal) Church.
Many of the stained-glass windows, including this one in the First Baptist Church, were paid for as memorials to prominent Albion residents.
ALBION – This picture was taken around 1890 and shows the F.W. Butler jewelry store on Main Street in Albion.
This was located in the third store up from the four corners in the Royce Block at the southeast corner.
Arthur D. Bliss and Fred W. Butler are standing in the doorway. Note the advertising including the wooden pedestal sign made to look like a watch. The hands were painted at 8:20 to commemorate the time when Lincoln was shot.
Spectacles are also seen here to advertise eyeglasses. Watches, clocks and plated silverware fill the display window.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 December 2013 at 12:00 am
Firefighters have been raising funds for equipment
Photo by Tom Rivers – Representatives from the Oak Orchard Neighborhood Association presented a $1,000 check today to the Carlton Volunteer Fire Company. OONA members are pictured in front, from left: Ed Bellnier, president; Nicole Wilson-McGurn, treasurer; Jeanne Lauta, co-communications director; and Eileen Wuethrich, secretary. Arianna McGurn, McGurn’s daughter, is behind the OONA members. Carlton firefighters include: Dale Niehaus, assistant chief; Andrew Niederhofer, chief; Justin Niederhofer, EMS captain; Chris Standish, second lieutenant; Jim Tabor, president; Kevin Hurley; Tom Yockel, treasurer; Dan Strong; Dick Brackenbury; Bruce London; John Buckland; and Dwayne Tinkous, captain.
CARLTON – The Carlton Fire Company has received $14,000 from nearly 1,000 donors in response to a fund-raising campaign.
The fire company sent out about 1,700 letters to residents, telling them the fire company needed a utility box for a rescue truck and equipment to respond to water-related emergencies and motor vehicle accidents.
The Oak Orchard Neighborhood Association is among the donors to the cause. The group presented fire company leaders with a $1,000 check tonight.
“We’re glad to help out because we need you guys,” OONA President Ed Bellnier told Carlton firefighters.
Carlton has sent out letters the past three years, seeking funds from residents to help supplement the money it gets from the town in a fire protection contract.
Fire company officials tried to boost its contract with the town from about $114,000 to $152,000 for 2014. The Town Board agreed to half of the increase.
That leaves the fire company short for equipment, gear and needed roof and parking lot repairs, said Jim Tabor, fire company president.
Carlton property owners will pay 65 cents per $1,000 of assessed property for fire protection, about half of rate in most towns. Tabor and the fire company wanted to get that rate to 75 cents, but was rebuffed by the Town Board, which agreed to 65 cents for 2014.
“Even if we were at 75 cents we’d still be the lowest in the county,” Tabor said.
Fire company officials worry about the cost of new turnout gear at about $3,000 per firefighter. The company also faces a new roof on the recreation hall on Route 98, and parking lot repairs at the two fire halls on Kent Road and Waterport-Carlton Road.
Tabor said the fire company appreciates the response from the public to the fund-raising campaign.
