File photo by Tom Rivers – The Civil War section at Mount Albion Cemetery is pictured last October when the leaves were changing color. A Heritage Festival planned for Sept. 9-11 will highlight some of the county’s historic assets, including cemeteries.
Press Release, GCC
ALBION – People who live in Orleans County know that it is a special place and they work hard to preserve their precious heritage. They enjoy a wealth of extraordinary assets from historic buildings with magnificent architecture to the Erie Canal that did so much to create the town and villages along its banks.
Even the stone in the ground – Medina sandstone, and the soil sustaining the farms – the muck lands, are appreciated. Beginning in September 2016, a county-wide festival will celebrate these many cherished treasures.
Organizers are proud to announce the first Orleans County Heritage Festival, Sept. 9-11: a weekend dedicated to spotlighting the many historic assets of Orleans County. For this year’s festival, four themes will be highlighted – Agriculture, Transportation, Historic Cemeteries and Historic Gems.
Now in development, a high quality brochure will highlight all the participating museums, places and organizations. A passport system will encourage participants to visit six historic sites over the course of the weekend and prizes will be awarded for those who complete the task.
In addition to the many historic sites in Orleans County, Genesee Community College will participate in the festival as headquarters for the passport system and with special events. The Medina Campus Center will host a timeline festival featuring re-enactors from various American wars – from the French and Indian War down to 20th century wars. Artisans demonstrating period crafts and special music will contribute to the sensation as visitors walk through time.
The Albion Campus Center will host a program on “Death Ways” through the years featuring talks on Victorian mourning art and the famous murders that occurred in Orleans County.
Many other exciting details of the 2016 Orleans County Heritage Festival will be shared in the coming weeks, but planners are asking everyone to mark their calendars now – September 9-11, 2016. Make plans to join the fun and explore the many historic assets Orleans County has to offer!
For more information or to be involved as a volunteer, please contact:
Derek Maxfield, associate professor of History at GCC ddmaxfield@genesee.edu, 585-343-0055 ext. 6288.
Jim Simon, associate dean at the Medina and Albion Campus Centers, jsimon@genesee.edu,call 585-589-4936.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 May 2016 at 12:00 am
ALBION – Motorcyclists held a rally on Sunday in front of the Orleans County Courthouse to remind the public to be careful and look out for motorcycles. Chuck Persons, president of the Orleans County chapter of ABATE, addresses the group that gathered in the rain in front of the courthouse.
There are about 100 members of American Bikers Aimed Toward Education in Orleans County. The group promotes driver safety among its members, and tries to educate other motorists to be extra vigilant in sharing the road with motorcyclists.
State Sen. Robert Ortt thanked motorcyclists for many of the causes they support, including the Patriot Guard, where they provide an escort and presence for a member of the military killed in the line of duty. Motorcyclists also raise funds for many important causes, including Camp Rainbow in Orleans County.
“I want to thank all of you who are big supporters of our veterans,” Ortt said. “That’s what separates many of you from the general public.”
Ed Morgan, right, represents State Assemblyman Steve Hawley at the rally. Morgan and Ortt both said the new state budget includes a big state investment in roads and bridges that should improve safety of motorcyclists and other drivers.
After the rally outside the courthouse, motorcycle riders took off on a ride to the Vets Club in Medina. The awareness ride is usually 50 miles throughout the county, but was shortened to 10 miles on Sunday due to the rain.
By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 2 May 2016 at 12:00 am
Photos by Kristina Gabalski – Those attending the Raise a Glass for Reading fundraiser Friday evening at the Community Free Library in Holley enjoyed sampling local wines and sweet and savory finger foods.
Adam and Aimee Mesiti of Five Sons Winery and RG Brewery in Brockport attended the Raise a Glass event for the first time.
Rows of wine glasses await attendees at the Raise a Glass for Reading fundraising event at the Community Free Library in Holley.
HOLLEY – The Community Free Library in Holley was a popular destination Friday evening as the fifth annual “Raise a Glass for Reading” was held from 7-9 p.m.
The event raises funds to support the library’s Summer Reading Program and features wine and beer tastings from local wineries and breweries, a farmer’s market and products from local entrepreneurs.
“Some people were here ten minutes early,” Library Director Sandra Shaw said. “All are happy.” She said the event gets people together, and for some groups of friends, the annual event has become a “ladies night out.”
The theme for the upcoming Summer Reading Program is, “On your mark, get set….read,” and focuses on the Summer Olympics, fitness and nutrition.
Shaw said the Raise a Glass event has raised $1,500 a year for the program. “That’s great for a small community,” she said.
Wineries, farms and businesses featured change a bit from year to year, she explained, so that a larger number of vendors can take part.
“Orleans County has got wonderful farms,” she observed.
Library Board President Barb Kerns said vendors appreciate taking part as much as patrons enjoy the tasting. “We got notes from the Niagara Wine Trail thanking us for featuring them,” she said of last year’s tasting.
Even New York State has also expressed its gratitude after the library submits its paperwork for holding the farmer’s market. Kerns says they appreciate that the library provides an opportunity to showcase local agricultural products.
This year’s wine vendors included A Gust of Sun Winery and Vineyard in Spencerport and Five Sons Winery and RG Brewery in Brockport, with returning favorites Leonard Oakes Estate Winery in Medina and Schulze Vineyard and Winery in Burt. The Farmers’ Market featured maple products from Nice Family Farms in Albion and jellies, jams, annual bedding plants and vegetable plants, and crafts from Brightly’s Farm Market in Hamlin.
Jenn Fraiser of Brightly’s said the business opened last August. “We’re glad to be here,” she said of the Raise a Glass event.
Also featured Friday evening were entrepreneurs, Mrs. C’s Apothecary with lotions and herbal products, and Sue Johnson’s Susi’s Hot Sauce.
Live music – jazz, classical and Broadway – was provided by Sean and Wendy Williams of Sound Foundations.
A festive banner welcoming attendees to the 5th Annual Raise a Glass event at the Community Free Library in Holley.
By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 2 May 2016 at 12:00 am
Photo by Kristina Gabalski – Holley Technology teacher Tim Rogers was presented with the Soaring to New Heights Award during last week’s Board of Education meeting. He is pictured with Susan Cory, principal of the Middle School/High School.
HOLLEY – Geometry and construction, a course that will be offered at Holley High School in the 2016-2017 school year, could provide some exciting challenges for students as they learn geometry through hands on projects.
Holley Middle School/High School Principal Susan Cory reported to Board of Education members during last week’s meeting that 15 students have registered for the class so far.
She showed a video about Second Wind Cottages, which constructs housing for the homeless in Ithaca, and announced that work is underway to see if students in the class can construct one of the cottages. The cottages help homeless men regain their health, create stability in their lives, and build relationships, the video explained.
“It’s an exciting prospect,” Cory told school board members. She noted the class will be instructional (students will take the Geometry Regents at the end of the year) and also provide an opportunity for community service by “doing something for someone else.”
Some supplies could be donated by Home Depot, Cory explained, but the cottages cost about $12,000 to construct and she is not yet sure what part of the expense Second Wind would cover.
Holley Technology teacher Tim Rogers will be one of the instructors for the class. He was presented with the Soaring to New Heights Award during Tuesday evening’s meeting. Rogers was recognized, in particular, for his work with the Holley Tech Wars team which competed recently at GCC. Rogers said the annual event is “great fun.”
School Board President Brenda Swanger said Rogers is an asset to the district. “The parents are so proud of their children, thank you,” she said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 May 2016 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Orleans County Legislator Ken DeRoller, left, reads a “Special Recognition” Award that was presented last week to members of the Oak Orchard Neighborhood Association, which donated $3,249 for a swing set at the County Marine Park.
The donation is part of an effort to relocate and upgrade the playground at the park. OONA members also put on a summer concert series at the park, and lead other efforts to promote the Point Breeze community.
The new playground equipment should be installed soon. “We’re waiting for the ground to firm up,” said Jim Bensley, the county’s director of planning and development. He also oversees the Marine Park on Route 98.
Orleans County Legislature Chairman David Callard, left, and Legislator John DeFilipps congratulate Melissa Ierlan of Clarendon for receiving a “Special Recognition” Award for repainting 15 historical markers in the county. Ierlan started by redoing all four in Clarendon, and now has given a facelift to many others in Orleans County, including one outside Orleans in Elba.
County legislators also issued a proclamation declaring May 1-7 as “Western New York Armed Forces Week.” Pictured, from left: Former Legislator Frank Berger who is active in veterans’ causes, Legislator Bill Eick, Legislator Fred Miller, and Earl Schmitt, director of the Orleans County Veterans Service Agency.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 May 2016 at 12:00 am
ALBION – Four people were arraigned in Orleans County Court today, facing felony charges.
A Rochester man, Trevis Baker, was arraigned on five counts of third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance. Baker, 38, allegedly sold heroin and cocaine to an informant from Orleans County between March 15 to March 24.
District Attorney Joe Cardone said Baker has an extensive criminal history.
Judge James Punch set bail for Baker at $150,000.
Other arraignments include: David M. Mitchell, 27, was arraigned on first-degree promoting prison contraband. Mitchell, an inmate in the Orleans Correctional Facility in Albion, allegedly sharpened two instruments to use as weapons in the prison. Those weapons were confiscated on Feb. 22. He has prior felony convictions. Judge Punch set bail at $75,000.
An Albion man was arraigned for fourth-degree grand larceny after he allegedly stole six chainsaws from a Waterport fruit farm, his employer at the time. Dustin Herzog, 27, was on probation when he allegedly stole the chain saws. Punch set bail for Herzog at $2,500.
Brandie Sumeriski, 21, of Albion was arraigned for violating her probation for second-degree criminal trespassing, a misdemeanor. She has been charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in January and again in April. In March she was charged with third-degree assault and unlawful imprisonment. She faces other violations of her probation. The judge released her on her own recognizance today.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 May 2016 at 12:00 am
MEDINA – The school district’s budget for 2016-17 reduces taxes for the fourth straight year.
The Board of Education approved a $35,825,184 budget that goes before district voters on May 17. The budget is up about $1 million from the $34,802,870 in 2015-16.
The state has boosted aid by nearly $900,000 and Medina is tapping some of its reserve funds to lower taxes in 2016-17, Mark Kruzynski, the district’s business administrator, said.
“We’re in a great spot with our reserves and we’re going to use some,” he said this morning.
The new state budget boosts aid to Medina from $23,769,997 to $24,860,152. That increase is a big factor in Medina’s ability to cut taxes by 1.3 percent, from $8,774,760 to $8,660,915.
The budget keeps all existing programs and also boosts the gifted and talented offerings.
Voting will be from noon to 8 p.m. on May 17 at the District Office.
The vote includes the Board of Education election. There are six people running for three three-year terms, including incumbents Lori Draper and Wendi Pencille.
Retired Medina school administrator Alberta Suozzi also is running for the board along with Timothy Dunham, Virginia Nicholson and Brenda Lindsay. (Draper and Pencille are seeking re-election and John McCarthy opted against seeking another term.)
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 May 2016 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
KNOWLESVILLE – Brian Armison of Centerville in Allegany County competes with his team of powerful horses in Saturday’s “Pull of Champions” at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds.
This was the third year the Fairgrounds hosted the horse pull for the New York State Horse Pullers Association. About 25 teams of horses, including many of the top teams from the U.S. and Canada, competed in the event, which kicks off the horse-pulling season.
Armison is on the board of directors for the NYS Horse Pullers Association. The association used to hold the “Pull of Champions” at the state fairgrounds in Syracuse. It was moved to Knowlesville in 2014 through the efforts of horse pull competitor Nick Nesbitt of Waterport as well as the support of the Cornell Cooperative Extension in Orleans County.
Armison said the Fairgrounds in Knowlesville has proven a good fit providing a more central location for horse pulling teams, as well as a supportive host. He praised 4-Hers for selling food and the Extension staff for maintaining a nice dirt track.
“They’re super accommodating,” Armison said. “They even send us a thank you note.”
A team owned by Dennis Weinberger from Reading, Michigan, captured first place in the lightweight division. Weinbegrer, in black hat, also won the title in 2015 at “The Pull of Champions.” He said the horses need strength and stamina to compete at such a high level. His team won by pulling a dynamometer, 16 feet, 7 inches when the dynamometer was weighed down with an additional 4,400 pounds. The dynamometer, in the final pulls, can simulate 160,000 pounds.
Danny Smith from Cummington, Massachusetts, gets a horse ready for competition. This horse was part of a team of two that combined weighed less than 3,425 pounds. There were 25 teams competing in either the lightweight division (3,425 pounds or less), or the heavyweights for teams that exceed 3,425 pounds.
Charlie Blanchard of Winchester, New Hampshire, puts the harnessing equipment on his horse. He is partners with Danny Smith of Massachusetts.
Josh Wickum of Menomonie, Wisc., leads his team in the finals of the lightweight division. Wickum’s team finished second overall in the division.
4-H kids and volunteers sold food and other concessions at the pull. This photo shows Gail Ebbs and 4-Her Jordan Boccacci selling cotton candy.
The Armison Brothers from Centerville – Caleb, left, and Chris, right – get their team ready for the pull. The brothers, who are Brian Armison’s nephews, just jogged the horses as a warmup for the pull.
About 800 people attended the horse pulls on Saturday. The crowd size and numbers of teams continues to grow with the event since it was moved to the 4-H fairgrounds in Knowlesville.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 May 2016 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers – Charles Howard, founder of Santa Claus School in Albion, died 50 years ago today. This image shows Charles W. Howard on the cover on a report from January 1961 about the previous season at Christmas Park.
ALBION – Today is the 50th anniversary of the death of Charles Howard, one of Albion’s most prominent residents. Howard was a farmer and toymaker who started a Santa Claus School in 1937 on Phipps Road in Albion.
He played Santa in the Macy’s televised parades for about 20 years. He established standards for how Santas should look and act with children, principles that are still taught today to Santas around the world.
Howard expanded his school into Christmas Park, a destination for the community that remains a cherished memory for many local residents. After Howard’s death in 1966, the school was moved to Michigan. Today it is in Midland, Mich., and still bears Howard’s name.
Waterman Park has room for a statue of Charles Howard and other displays about the founder of a Santa Claus School.
A committee in Albion has been working for more than a year on a memorial for Howard. The Village Board last week agreed to make Waterman Park, a half block south of the Erie Canal, available for a bronze statue of Howard as Santa Claus. The park will likely include interpretative panels, murals and other displays about Howard and Santa Claus.
The committee will now work on designs of the statue and park, hoping to have them ready for the community at the Strawberry Festival in June.
“I’m excited about it,” Mayor Dean London said on Wednesday when the board voted to back the effort.
The Albion Betterment Committee is taking the lead in a fund-raising campaign that could be about $100,000.
Photo by Tom Rivers – Howard made Santa Claus suits and other Christmas items from Christmas Park in Albion. This picture shows the tag inside a Santa suit.
The group was determined to have a site for Howard on Main Street, seeing a statue as a boost for other downtown businesses.
