news

Clarendon unveils marker for historic cemetery

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 September 2014 at 12:00 am

Community makes push to restore chapel

Photos by Tom Rivers – Melissa Ierlan, the Clarendon town historian, unveils a historical marker this afternoon for Hillside Cemetery, which last year was named to National Register of Historic Places.

Clarendon Town Supervisor Richard Moy said the town supports the effort to restore the chapel, which was built in 1894 from local Medina sandstone.

HOLLEY – A year ago the U.S. Department of Interior gave lofty status to Hillside Cemetery by placing it on the National Register of Historic Places.

Today a historical marker was unveiled to highlight that recognition. A grant from the William Pomeroy Foundation paid the $1,280 cost for the marker.

The Holley and Clarendon community held an open house celebration for the chapel at the cemetery and Orleans County Historian Bill Lattin gave a tour of the chapel and cemetery. Town officials and the Clarendon Historical Society also urged the community to help restore the chapel, which needs a new roof, wooden window frames, some mortar repointing and repainting inside.

The chapel was open for tours today as part of a celebration for the site being listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The town is seeking a state grant to help with the $225,000 overall project. Town Historian Melissa Ierlan and Clarendon Historical Society member Erin Anheier are leading the effort to restore the chapel. They worked on the grant application and also the National Register nomination.

“The community owes them a big debt of gratitude,” said Richard Moy, Clarendon town supervisor.

Erin Anheier tells the community the chapel and cemetery are a “treasure.”

The town has owned Hillside Cemetery since the Hillside Cemetery Association disbanded about a decade ago. The cemetery is located at the corner of Route 237 and South Holley Road.

The cemetery opened in 1866 and was designed in the 19th century “Rural Cemetery Movement.” That is on the eastern side of the cemetery where the gravesides are dug into the side of the hill.

The 20th century “Lawn Style” approach is seen in the western portion. The cemetery has many beautiful gravestones that are works of art, Anheier said.

“We’re here to celebrate the historic treasure in our midst,” Anheier said when addressing about 50 people today.

Orleans County Historian Bill Lattin leads a tour of Hillside Cemetery. He is pictured with a crowd outside the chapel.

This photo was taken from the inside of the chapel, looking through one of the windows.

The chapel was built in 1894. It remains much like its original state with no alterations inside. However, the roof needs to be replaced and wooden window frames are rotting.

Anheier and Ierlan want the chapel to again be available for funerals. The site also has fine acoustics for concerts. Amy Harris played her flute during a reception this afternoon inside the chapel.

Melissa Ierlan, the town historian, leads a tour of the mortuary chamber, which has room for 48 caskets. The space continues to be used to store some caskets during the winter when the ground is frozen.

This picture was taken looking up from the mortuary chambers to the stairs leading to the main chapel room.

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.

Donations of more than $1,000 will be recognized with a plaque in the restored chapel. Donations can be sent to the Clarendon Historical Society Chapel Fund, P.O. Box 124, Clarendon, NY, 14429.

For more information, call the Town Hall at 585-638-6371 ext. 104 or email clarendon_hs@yahoo.com.

Amy Harris plays her flute during a reception today inside the chapel at Hillside Cemetery.

Medina Marching Band wins at Festival of Bands

Posted 21 September 2014 at 12:00 am

Photos by Sue Cook – The color guard dances and waves flags around the lined up marching band.

Editor’s Note: This article was updated to say Band Boosters offer scholarships and help fund the annual spring trip. The band program is open to all students, regardless of their ability to pay.

By Sue Cook, staff reporter

MEDINA – The Medina Mustang Marching Band won first place Saturday when it hosted a New York State Field Band Conference competition. Seven other bands joined Medina at Vets Park.

Medina marches out in preparation to take the field.

Brenda Waild’s daughter Nicole plays marching machine, chimes, cymbal and bass drum in the marching band.

Brenda commented that Nicole loves the band, saying, “She’s very musical and really enjoys it. She enjoys the friendly atmosphere that we have here. She also enjoys the competitions and going out to other schools.”

Chad Kenward said he and his wife motivated their daughter Madison Kenward to join the band.

“Her mother and I were in band together,” he said. “We encouraged her to join and she loves it. She participates in concert band, jazz band and field band. She plays mellophone.”

Medina moved through various formations during their performance.

“It’s long and hard for those kids,” said Herb Grosslinger.

His daughter Keala Grosslinger is a member of the color guard and works with the rifles and flags. The color guard practices with the band twice a week as well as performing during games with them.

“She practices every night twirling rifle,” he said of Keala’s dedication. “She really likes it and these kids work really hard for what they do.”

Many of the parents stated that the kids in marching band and color guard operate like a very large family. Parents and band members work together raising money for the program so it is open to all students, regardless of their ability to pay.

For the Festival of Bands in Medina, the school performed a Miss Saigon repertoire including “The Heat is On,” “Please,” “March of the Dragon,” and “Fall of Saigon.” There are 105 band members and 25 color guard performers.

At the end of the performance, the band ran behind the Miss Saigon display boards as a huge flag was carried across the field by the color guard.

While waiting for the results to be read, the drum majors were all asked to entertain the audience by dancing to some Beach Boys music. The Medina students were happy to oblige.

Medina classified as a Small School 1 band and won first place in its category with 81.35 points against Northwestern from Albion, Penn., which scored 76.55.

At the end of the night, when the 50/50 raffle drawing was done, Wendi Pencille, a member of the Medina Board of Education, won $468 and immediately donated it back to the marching band.

Chamber honors businesses, community leaders

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 September 2014 at 12:00 am

Photo by Tom Rivers

GAINES – The Orleans County Chamber of Commerce recognized entrepreneurs and community leaders during the 16th annual awards banquet on Saturday at Tillman’s Village Inn. About 110 people attended the event.

The following were recognized, front row, from left: Phoenix Award for Linda and Ray Burke, owners of Fairhaven Treasures; Lifetime Achievement for Bruce Krenning; Community Service Award for Anni Skowneski; New Business of the Year for BAD-AsH-BBQ owner J.J. Heideman; Carl Tuohey, son of the late Marcia Tuohey, winner of Lifetime Achievement.

Back row: Chamber Board Award and special recognition for Lisa Ireland, outgoing director of United Way of Orleans County; Community Service Award for Ken DeRoller; Agricultural Business of the Year for Lake Ontario Fruit – co-owners John Russell, Rod Farrow and Eric Brown; Brad MacDonald, vice president for Brunner International, the Business of the Year; Greg Piedmonte, purchasing manager for Precision Packaging Products, winner of Entrepreneurial Excellence; and Craig Tuohey, son of the late Marcia Tuohey, recognized for Lifetime Achievement.

Orleans Hub will have more on the awards dinner.

Holley rededicates refurbished fountain

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 September 2014 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

HOLLEY – Village officials rededicated a fountain that was first installed in the Public Square 100 years ago.

The Salisbury Fountain was originally given to the village by Mrs. Abraham Salisbury. According to a plaque, it was “Presented through the Women’s Christian Temperance Union.”

The fountain was taken apart and refurbished with K.M. Verhagen doing much of the restoration work. The fountain was disassembled and sandblasted. New stainless hardware was installed and broken casting was welded. It was also cleaned, primed, and repainted. The detailing was done by local artist Howard Barry.

Rosa Maria Scroope, 2, and Marcus Vinca, 3, both of Holley delight in the water trickling from the rebuilt fountain in downtown Holley.

Village Historian Marsha DeFillipps praised the efforts to spruce up and repair the fountain.

“They did a beautiful job,” she said following a dedication ceremony on Saturday.

The village used $15,000 in state funds to pay for the fixes to the village landmark.

Albion scouts end a long tradition with paper drive

Posted 20 September 2014 at 12:00 am

Photos by Sue Cook – Nathan Olmstead takes papers from Cole Spierdowis to put into the truck.

By Sue Cook, staff reporter

ALBION – After 30 years, Albion Boy Scout Troop 164 is ending their monthly paper collection.

Every third Saturday, the Boy Scouts would collect newspapers from businesses and citizens in the Save-A-Lot parking lot, then makie collection stops to get large quantities. A large 18-wheeler would come from Pennsylvania to take their paper and put it to use as insulation for houses and animal bedding.

“It started in 1984,” said Troop Leader Jonathan Doherty. “Troop 167 started it, then it was Troop 48, then Troop 60, now 164, but it ends today.”

Troop Leader Jonathan Doherty helps with carts while the boys load the trucks.

The collection has come to an end due to the busy schedule that the Boy Scouts have in their own lives. Many are unable to make time on Saturdays due to commitments to family activities, sports and other functions. The troop of about 40 ranges from age 10 to 18, though most of the scouts are 11 years old.

“We just can’t get help on Saturdays,” Doherty said. “We can only get a couple to help. It’s sad, but what can you do? We’re going to do two big fundraisers for the year, so that way there’s money for the activities.”

Troop Leader Karen Williams added, “It’s sad to see the paper drive go because it’s been going on over 30 years. It’s a sure sign of the electronic age and people’s lives getting busier where they just don’t have time to spread themselves out for volunteer work.”

From left: Nathan Olmstead, Cole Spierdowis and Sammy Williams load papers on the last day of the paper drive.

The troop is currently uncertain if they will continue their pop bottle collection. They are considering having an account at a local redemption center to allow the public to drop off bottles any time.

Kendall man killed in lawn tractor accident

Posted 20 September 2014 at 12:00 am

Press release, Orleans County Undersheriff Steve Smith

KENDALL – A Kendall man is dead, apparently after being accidentally pinned underneath the lawn tractor he was working on.

The incident occurred at a private residence in the 16900 block of Roosevelt Highway (State Route 18) and was reported to Orleans County 9-1-1 at about 4:20 p.m. Kendall Fire Department first responders found Stephen C. Ergott, 62, pinned under the machine and already deceased.

Upon investigation it appeared that Ergott had used the forklift on a larger tractor to lift the lawn tractor and suspend it off the ground so he could do maintenance on the under-side. At some point the lawn tractor apparently slipped off the forklift and fell to the ground, pinning Ergott underneath.

The on-scene investigation was conducted by Deputy R.M. Flaherty, assisted by Deputy J.J. Cole, Sergeant D.W. Covis, Investigator D.E. Foeller Jr., and Chief Deputy T.L. Drennan. That investigation has since been joined by the Monroe County Medical Examiner’s Office in Rochester.

East Shelby FD hosts car show, flea market and swap meet

Posted 20 September 2014 at 12:00 am

Photos by Sue Cook – Classic trucks line up for the truck show.

By Sue Cook, staff reporter

KNOWLESVILLE – The Orleans County fairgrounds was packed today with hundreds of people for the East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company’s September to Remember event.

This is the 12th year that the East Shelby Fire Company has put on the event, watching it grow from just a small swap meet to what it is today. The swap meet let vehicle enthusiasts get together to exchange parts and information.

“It was just a swap meet the first two or three years,” said event chairman Dave Green. “We thought we would give it up because we weren’t getting many people or making any money really, but then we started the truck and car show and it just took off and it’s gotten bigger and bigger every year.”

The flea market, swap meet, and craft show spread across most of the fairgrounds.

Some vehicles are for sale at the swap meet including ones that could be turned into someone’s pet project.

Today, about 50 trucks came out for the show ranging from 1900 until present in both modified and unmodified categories. The car show is much more popular and about 300 cars are expected to participate.

The categories include all different eras of trucks.

Tracy Flint from Barre brought a modified 1941 Chevy truck for the Saturday show. He purchased it eight years ago and has been making changes to it ever since. The vehicle now sports a gothic look that includes spiderwebs and skulls.

“It’s my retirement project,” he said. “When I first got it, I was going to make a rat rod out of it. The only rule with rat rods is to do it the way you want and this is the way I want it. I wanted something different.”

Flint sits behind the wheel of his vehicle. The mirrors and the steering wheel are held by chrome skeleton hands.

Flint has a shop at his house that he uses to modify his truck and fabricate parts. The wood that lines the bed of the truck was cut from a black walnut tree in Albion 20 years ago. Flint estimates he’s put about $15,000 into the truck so far and keeps it nice for shows, rather than driving it as a regular daily vehicle.

The event features 140 vendors that make up the swap meet, flea market and craft show, as well as a car/truck show and a lawn-and-garden tractor pull. The truck show was Saturday, while Sunday will feature only cars. The Ladies Auxiliary is also serving food. About 50 volunteers from the Fire Company and the Ladies Auxiliary run event.

“It depends on the weather, but we can make anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000,” said Green. “Last year it was $5,000 when it rained all day on Saturday. It’s a good fundraiser for our fire department. Gear and stuff is so expensive to buy and we need all the money we can get. This helps us out.”

Competitors bring out their tractors before the pull begins.

The lawn-and-garden tractor pull will return again on Sunday. Participants in the pull can be as young as six years old, though they generally pull on the smaller, often unmodified tractors.

Nick Zandrowicz gets ready to put his tractor on the scale to see if he needs to add or remove weights to qualify for his category.

Nick Zandrowicz, 13, wanted to start when he was four, but had to wait. He had watched his uncle doing tractor pulls with a triple-snowmobile-engine tractor and was excited to get started. When he turned six, he began immediately competing in events. His older sister also participates in tractor pulls.

“My parents fund this. I couldn’t afford to do this myself,” he said. “This is is something that they really support. We’re more of a motorsport family. We have a full trophy case of trophies between me and my sister.”

Marvin Cummings from Oakfield has been a hobby tractor puller for about 10 years. He attended the event today with a modified garden tractor to run exhibition instead of for a prize.

“It’s just a hobby,” he said. “You don’t prep, you just pull up to the track, put it to the floor and you go as fast as you can go. There’s no practicing until you get here.”

His fiance, Pat Keller, added, “I think it’s great. It’s something to do and something to look forward to. It’s great to come out here.”

Cummings and Keller clean and prep their tractor for the pull.

The event continues Sunday rain or shine from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. and will feature the car show. There will also be musical entertainment. Parking is $5 per car.

Boot drive collects money for Clarendon firefighter battling cancer

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 September 2014 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

HOLLEY – Firefighters from three companies are out today collecting money in a boot drive for Jon DeYoung, the deputy fire chief at Clarendon who is battling colon cancer for the second time.

DeYoung, 49, as been an active firefighter with the Clarendon Fire Company for 25 years. In the top photo, his son Jon DeYoung Jr. accepts money from a motorist in the boot drive at the intersection of routes 31 and 237.

Firefighters form Clarendon, Holley and the Fancher-Hulberton-Murray fire companies are out collecting funds for DeYoung, who is currently receiving treatments at the Cleveland Clinic.

DeYoung Jr. thanked the other firefighters in the East Battalion of Orleans County for rallying on behalf of his father.

“In the East Battalion we stick together,” DeYoung Jr. said.

His father has been a long-time leader for the Clarendon Fire Company, earning respect and admiration in the community, said Fire Chief Bob Freida.

“He’s an outstanding person who wouldn’t think twice about helping someone else in the community,” Freida said.

Holley firefighters had the idea for the boot drive today. In this picture Harris Reed, Holley’s assistant chief, accepts a donation.

Harris Reed, front, and Holley firefighter Jim Papponetti work together at this intersection on Route 31.

Update 4 p.m.: Holley Fire Department officials say the boot drive raised $2,710 for DeYoung and his family to help pay for costs not covered by insurance.

Chamber honors Bruce Krenning for lifetime achievement

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 September 2014 at 12:00 am

Former fruit grower has served many organizations

Bruce Krenning

ALBION – It started when he was about 30. Bruce Krenning joined the Lyndonville Board of Education. For the past four decades he has volunteered his time and talents, helping organizations meet challenges and prepare for the future.

After Lyndonville, Krenning joined the Albion Board of Education. He and his family moved from Lyndonville to Howlett Road in Albion so he could operate his own fruit and hog farm. His BOE colleagues picked him to serve as Albion’s president.

He was active with the Orleans County Farm Bureau and about a decade ago served as vice president of the state-wide organization with 30,000 members.

Community members also reached out to him to serve on the board for Orleans Community Health, the parent organization of Medina Memorial Hospital. He is in his third year as chairman, helping the organization through a time of change.

“He has given us the leadership that we needed,” said Patricia Fox, a hospital board member for nine years. “He is a phenomenal person when it comes to running a board. He has led us through a very difficult time.”

The hospital, like many rural health care organizations, has struggled financially. Other small towns have seen their hospitals close or downsize.

File photos by Tom Rivers – Bruce Krenning, board chairman for Orleans Community Health, is pictured in June 2013 with Diane Bradley, regional clinical coordinator, and Mike Lieb, temporary CEO. Dolores Horvath would later be named OCH’s chief executive officer.

Orleans Community Health last year changed its chief executive officer, opened a new health care center in Albion and affiliated with Catholic Health in Buffalo, giving Medina access to specialists and other medical and surgical services.

“We’ve had some extremely difficult decisions to make,” Fox said. “Bruce is up for the challenge. He listens and he is thinking all the time. He draws us all in and we’re determined.”

The Chamber of Commerce is honoring Krenning tonight during its awards banquet for “Lifetime Achievement” for his service to the community.

Krenning, 71, grew up in Lyndonville and earned an economics degree from Cornell University. He and his wife Diane have four grown children and 12 grandchildren. Their son Adam is the agriculture teacher and FFA advisor for Albion Central School.

Krenning said he has been blessed with great mentors who encouraged him. He cited George Lamont of Albion, he gave Krenning a job when he was 21. Krenning also worked for Dennis Kirby and David Kast before starting Krenning Orchards in 1987.

He grew apples and peaches and also raised hogs. Francis Kirby and Pierson Root also were great mentors, Krenning said. Root, in particular, encouraged Krenning to become involved in Farm Bureau. Root told Krenning he had “a God-given talent to get along with people,” Krenning recalled.

“People respect him and trust him.
He is not afraid of an unpopular decision if it’s the right thing to do.”
Dean Norton, president of NY Farm Bureau

Krenning was elected to the state-wide board, representing several Western New York counties in the mid to late 1990s. That was back when the fruit sector didn’t have much of a voice on the state board. Krenning impressed Farm Bureau so much that they elected him vice president.

They did that after he was forced to exit farming. A Labor Day hail storm swept through the area in 1998, and decimated Krenning’s apple crop. Krenning and several other growers in Orleans County were forced out of business.

But Krenning wouldn’t give up on the agriculture industry. He saw the weakness of insurance programs for fruit growers. He teamed with Albion fruit grower Chris Watt and Larry Meyer, head of the Farm Service Agency in Orleans County, to craft a fruit insurance program that would become federal policy. Fruit growers now have protection should another hail storm wipe out their crop.

Bruce Krenning, president of the board of directors for Orleans Community Health, attended the Treasure Island fund-raiser last November.

Dean Norton, president of the New York Farm Bureau, said Krenning was “monumental” in getting the NYFB to support the insurance protection and secure backing from the federal government.

“He took those lemons after the hail storm and used it as an educational experience to help the farming community,” Norton said. “People respect him and trust him. He is not afraid of an unpopular decision if it’s the right thing to do.”

Since he left farming, Krenning has worked as an insurance agent with the Southcott Agency in Albion. He serves farmers and homeowners. One farmer in Niagara County recently received a $900,000 check, money that kept the farmer in business.
“The Labor Day storm tested our faith and resolve,” Krenning’s wife Diane said during an interview at their home. “You can either give up or move forward. In some ways it feels predestined because Bruce has been able to help other farmers get crop insurance. It’s changed the lives of so many people since then.”

As an insurance agent, Krenning works with farmers running varied operations. He remains closely connected to the industry.

Norton, an Elba resident, often calls Krenning, looking for his opinion.

“He is one of those people I continue to talk to and pick his brain,” Norton said. “He has been a mentor to me.”

Krenning said the roles on the boards are often demanding, especially the latest effort to make sure the hospital and Orleans Community Health remain viable for years to come. He praised his fellow board members for their determination to healthcare in the county.

“I’ve been fortunate that people trusted me and with that trust I can build relationships and with those relationships you can get things done,” Krenning said.