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Parade draws big crowd to Kendall

Posted 12 July 2014 at 12:00 am

Photos by Sue Cook – The Kendall Foremen’s Carnival continued Friday with a parade drawing many community groups. The Lawn Chair Ladies were among the performers. The carnival continues today.

The White Sabres drumline marches in the setting sun. The bugle and drum corps is from Dansville.

By Sue Cook, staff reporter

KENDALL – Kendall was a popular place Friday evening as crowds lined the street from the elementary school to the fire department on Kendall Road. The parade started as the sun was getting low in the sky.

The annual carnival is held by the Kendall Fire Department and each year there is a much-anticipated parade on Friday evening accompany the festivities.

The East Battalion consists of Clarendon, Holley, Fancher Hulberton-Murray, Kendall and Morton.

Vietnam veterans led the parade. The crowd stood and clapped or saluted as the men walked by.

Cars were a part of the parade. Seen here is a Chevy Chevelle.

Assemblyman Steve Hawley connects with a future voter.

State Senate hopeful Gia Arnold also walked in the parade handing children sweets.

The White Sabres color guards show off their moves.

A young woman rides her horse at the head of the group from Lone Oak Stables in Kendall.

Kendall Marching Band entertains the crowd as they move toward the judges.

Head Over Heels Acrobatics and Dance wore their costumes to pass out candy. Many of the girls also did acrobatic acts of handstands and cartwheels.

Holley kicks off summer concerts by canal

Posted 12 July 2014 at 12:00 am

Photos by Sue Cook – Kay and “Wild” Bill McDonald sing together while “Mild” Bill Pitcher plays guitar in the background during “Sweet Caroline.”

By Sue Cook, staff reporter

HOLLEY – The Holley Canal Park concert series kicked off last night to the country music of The Ghost Riders. They played hit numbers such as “Goodnight, Irene” and “Folsome Prison Blues.”

The band played near the water’s edge along the Erie Canal near the lift bridge. The audience of almost 100 stretched back along the canal bank.

The free concerts will take place every Friday night at 7 p.m. at the park gazebo on East Avenue until Aug. 15. In the event of rain, the event will be moved to Fireman’s Field on North Main Street.

A few people got up to dance during some numbers. The event is hosted by the Village of Holley. Concert-goers are encouraged to bring a chair or blanket. Concessions will be sold during the event.

The full moon rose in the sky over the concert.

The upcoming schedule includes:

July 18: Don Newcomb Band (classic rock)
July 25: The Who Dats (classic rock)
Aug. 1: Justin Crossett Band (blues)
Aug. 8: Triple Play (various)
Aug. 15: Wayward Wynd (country)

For more information, contact the Village of Holley office at 585-638-6367.

SCOPE registers voters and educates at rally

Posted 12 July 2014 at 12:00 am

By Sue Cook, staff reporter

ALBION – A rally today pushed Second Amendment advocates to register to vote and urge their friends and neighbors to also be more active in the political process.

“We need to stand up and use the power of the ballot box to enhance our freedom,” said Bob Lonsberry, a talk show host for WHAM 1180 in Rochester.

He was the lead-off speaker today for a rally organized by SCOPE. More than 100 people attended the “Our Constitution & Voter Registration” rally at St. Mary’s Athletic Club in Albion.

The band Dr. Moxy started the day with music while those attending the rally explored the stands. They played patriotic and American music including some music by Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Lonsberry said that many states, including neighboring Pennsylvania, have more rights and freedoms than what New York allows.

Lonsberry encouraged those in attendance to go to their neighbors and say, “I don’t know if you vote, or if you’re registered to vote, but I hope you’d think about it. We’ve got to get people to care. We need to stand up and use the power of the ballot box to enhance our freedom.”

Chris Moss also addressed the crowd. He is running for lieutenant governor alongside Republican Gubernatorial candidate Rob Astorino.

“You guys are doing what we need you to do: register the voters and spread the message. The Safe Act and getting it repealed is one of our number one priorities,” said Moss.

Moss also said there were other issues that needed to be addressed. Property taxes, the ability to attract new businesses, cutting off pensions for people convicted of crimes, term limits and he also wants to address corruption in Albany. Fresh views are needed in Albany, he said.

Several groups were set up with displays including the NRA, SCOPE and Repeal NY Safe Act, Gia Arnold and the New York Revolution, Register & Vote, Shooters Committee on Political Education and Stop Common Core.

Moss says that as his time as sheriff, the changes to the laws that limit things such as clip capacity are not, in his view, making things safer. He says that in his experience criminals are not abiding by the laws. He wants everyone to hear the message about what the gun laws are and are not doing.

“We don’t talk to Republicans as Republicans or Democrats to Democrats. We give our message to New Yorkers. We can make this state a better place to live,” said Moss.

Other speakers for the day also echoed the message of how important voting is to have your opinion heard. They encourage everyone to get educated on the issue and to vote accordingly.

Albany radio host Melody Burns also spoke. She passed out stars from a retired flag to veterans later in the day.

Rotary gives to Knights-Kaderli Fund

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

Photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The Albion Rotary Club donated $1,000 to the Knights-Kaderli Fund, which for the past 26 years has provided financial assistance to families in Orleans County that are battling cancer.

Rhonda Kaderli Sloper, left, accepts a $1,000 check on Thursday from Cindy Perry, a past Rotary president.

Two families have pushed to raise money for the fund after Richard Knights died from cancer in 1984. Five years later Sue Scharping Kaderli died from the disease.

Knights-Kaderli distributes about $50,000 annually to help families with expenses while battling cancer.

Chuck Nesbitt, the county’s manager, adds to his credentials

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 July 2014 at 12:00 am

File photo by Tom Rivers – Chuck Nesbitt details the Orleans County budget during a public hearing last December at the County Courthouse.

Press release
Orleans County Legislature and the International City/County Management Association

WASHINGTON, D.C. Chuck Nesbitt, chief administrative officer for Orleans County, recently received the Credentialed Manager designation from ICMA, the International City/County Management Association.

Nesbitt is one of over 1,300 local government management professionals currently credentialed through the ICMA Voluntary Credentialing Program and one of only 20 in New York State.

ICMA’s mission is to create excellence in local governance by promoting professional management worldwide and increasing the proficiency of appointed chief administrative officers, assistant administrators and other employees who serve local governments and regional entities around the world. The organization’s nearly 9,000 members in 27 countries also include educators, students, and other local government employees.

“Chuck’s ICMA credential is well-deserved and certainly earned,” said David Callard, chairman of the Orleans County Legislature. “He is a valued partner to me, the Orleans County Legislature and the many department heads he leads. Chuck possesses a deep knowledge and understanding of the needs and challenges of local government and he is steadfast in his commitment to doing what’s best for the county and its taxpayers.”

Nesbitt has been the county’s CAO since 2005. Prior to that, he served as an economic development specialist with Empire State Development, New York State’s economic development agency.

He also serves as the President of the New York State Association of County Administrators and Managers, Chairman of the Standing Committee on Taxation and Finance for the New York State Association of Counties and Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Healthcare Alliance of Western New York.

To receive the ICMA credential, a member must have significant experience as a senior management executive in local government; have earned a degree, preferably in public administration or a related field; pass a detailed examination and demonstrated a commitment to high standards of integrity and to lifelong learning and professional development.

Kids Carnival returns to Bullard Park

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 July 2014 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Bullard Park in Albion is abuzz this morning and early afternoon with lots of children playing games in a carnival-like setting.

In the top photo, Chris Porter, left, tosses a rubber chicken into a basket while his friend Scotty McMullen watches. There are many other games set up, as well as a bonce house, cotton candy, hot dogs, a fire truck and other activities.

Josue Serafin, one of the park supervisors, juggles while waiting for a participant in the milk can toss competition.

Al Sorochty, a member of the Albion Masonic Lodge, cooks some hot dogs while Charlie Daniels serves up French fries with help from Jean Shervin.

Ethan Ashton, front, gives the chicken toss a try while his brother Jayce watches. Sebastian Piedmont, one of the park supervisors, is running that game.

SCOPE plans ‘Constitution’ rally on Saturday

Staff Reports Posted 11 July 2014 at 12:00 am

ALBION – A big rally is planned for Saturday to register people to vote and support the Constitution. Several prominent people will speak at the event outside the St. Mary’s Athletic Club on 536 Moore St.

Several big names, including Lt. Gov. candidate Chris Moss, will address the crowd. Moss is sheriff of Chemung County, and the running mate for Rob Astorino. Moss will follow Conservative talk show host Bob Lonsberry, who will be the first speaker at 12:30 p.m.

Orleans County SCOPE (Shooters Committee on Political Education) took the lead in the planning the “Our Constitution & Voter Registration” rally.

SCOPE says it has a diverse lineup of speakers. In addition to Moss and Lonsberry, the following are scheduled to speak: Radio talk show host Melody Burns from Albany County, State Assemblyman Steve Hawley, SCOPE President Steve Aldstadt, State Supreme Court Justice Donna Siwek, State Sen. George Maziarz, SCOPE Chairman of the Board “Budd” Schroeder, Orleans County Legislator Don Allport, Iraq War veteran and political advocate David Bellavia, New York Revolution leader Gia Arnold, NY Revolution representative Shawn Lembke, and Gary Berntsen, a Fox News contributor and director of Concerned Veterans for America.

SCOPE wants to see more people register to vote and be involved in the political process. Speakers are expected to address the importance of voting, while sharing their views on Common Core, Second Amendment rights and the SAFE Act.

The Band Dr. Moxy will perform several patriotic pieces beginning at 11:45. The speakers are scheduled to begin at 12:30 p.m. The rally will last until 4 p.m. The public is welcome to attend.

Sons make another donation towards van for vets

Staff Reports Posted 11 July 2014 at 12:00 am

Provided photo

MEDINA – The Sons of the American Legion in Medina donated $500 recently towards a replacement van for veterans. The Sons have given about $2,000 towards vans that are used to transport veterans to appointments at VA health care sites.

The latest replacement van was recently put into service by the Joint Veterans Council Medical Transport service. Pictured, from left, include: Greg Stanton of Stanton Signs, who designed and installed the graphics for the van; and Sons of the American Legion members Treasurer Wayne Hale, Commander Chuck Eaton and First Vice Commander Guy Eaton.

The Sons of the American Legion group is associated with the Butts-Clark Post 204 in Medina. The Sons are not Legion members because they have not served in the military. However, they have had a relative that has served in the military and who has been a member of the American Legion.

“We help the Legion anyway we can,” said Sons Commander Chuck Eaton.

That includes helping with the Legion’s fundraisers and donating to the many causes that the Legion embraces.

“This is the third time that we have donated to the Joint Veterans’ Council for the van service,” Eaton said. “We do all we can.”

Albion extends concert series by 3 weeks

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 July 2014 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers – Jessica Condes and The Sophisticats performs on East Bank Street in Albion on Thursday evening. The crowd got bigger later in the evening.

ALBION – The Albion Village Board is declaring a new downtown concert series a success and will extend it by three more events this summer.

The board on Wednesday made the decision, following good feedback from concert goers and downtown merchants. The concerts have been attracting about 200 people to East Bank Street, which is blocked off to traffic for the concerts.

“It’s a way to give back to the community,” said Eileen Banker, a village trustee.

She was at Thursday’s concert, volunteering with the Albion Fire Department by selling hot dogs and other refreshments.

Leon and Peggy Randall drove from Holley for the concert, setting up lawn chairs on the Bank Street sidewalk. The couple says they go to several of the concert series in the area.

“This is very good common sense to get the community involved and see the businesses in the downtown and on the side streets,” Mr. Randall said. “There is a lot more here than what people see on Main Street.”

Bobby Skrzypek And The Pedestrians opened for the Sophisticats on Thursday.

The series started with five concert dates and that has been extended to eight with new dates added for July 31, Aug. 7 and Aug. 14.

The board said it would spend up to $1,500 for the additional concerts, but Banker is optimistic sponsors could reduce that expense to the village. The first five concerts were funded by the village with support from the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council and the Albion Rotary Club.

Lisa Stratton, owner of the Hazy Jade and a member of the Albion Merchants Association, said the business owners appreciate the village working hard to promote the downtown.

“I only hear good things about the concerts,” she said. “Everyone is excited the village is doing this.”

Gary Deiboldt of Albion plays the keyboards for the Sophisticats.

Trolley tracks cut through Holley in 1908

Posted 11 July 2014 at 12:00 am

By Bill Lattin
Orleans County Historian

HOLLEY – In this postcard view from 1908 we note it’s labeled “Trolley Road and Glen, Holley, N.Y.”

The picture was taken right after the BL & R trolley tracks were paid at the top of the very high embankment. This photo looking northeast from the glen shows the east branch of Sandy Creek where it goes under the canal.

Back in 1908 the trolley tracks were adjacent to the canal bank through here. Today the embankment is totally covered with a dense overgrowth of trees.