More shock and awe with a fair sunset
KNOWLESVILLE – The Orleans County 4-H Fair is batting 1.000 in the sunset department with three stunning sunsets the first three days of the fair.
Here’s how it looked on Wednesday night.
Photo by Tom Rivers
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Grease pole is proven crowd pleaser
Photos by Tom Rivers – The Grease Partiers made it to the top of a slathered telephone pole. Part of the team includes, from left: Raymond Austin of Knowlesville, Summer Prentice of Oakfield, Patrick Sewar of Knowlesville and John Ireland of Brockport.
Patrick Sewar, a member of the Grease Partiers, is the top man during a grease pole climb Wednesday night at the Orleans County 4-H Fair. Several hundred people turn out to watch the competition each night at 10 p.m.
KNOWLESVILLE It caps off most nights at the fair, drawing hundreds of people gathered around a telephone pole.
The grease pole competition is a proven crowd pleaser, who cheer and laugh as the competitors desperately try to climb the top of grease-slathered pole. It’s not easy for the teams, which need to stack four or five climbers, a tower of people standing one on top of the other.
It’s hard to do with a slick pole.
The Rough N Ready team debuted at the 2011 fair and they’ve gotten better. Last year it took them 48 seconds to get to the top. They did it in 30 seconds on Wednesday.
They practiced on a dry pole before the competition. Team captain Nic Elliott believes the team can lower its time at Saturday’s finals. The fastest team each night advances to championship on Saturday at 10 p.m. The winning team usually has a time around 20 seconds.
John Ireland of Brockport has the top position while Josh Avila of Clarendon, lower left, gets ready to climb.
Elliott and his Rough N Ready mates will talk strategy and look for ways to trim seconds off the climb. The group ranges in age from 18 to 23. Many of them are firefighters and self-described “good ole’ boys.”
Steven Papponetti, 20, of Albion left with several splinters in his hands after the climb. He was the high climber, the one who reached the top. Papponetti said he has improved from last year.
“It’s a lot of trial and error,” he said.
He puts his hands on the shoulder of each teammate on the tower, then puts his feet on their hips, and then his feet to their shoulders, before ascending another person.
Veteran climbers learn to tightly duct tape their waists so teammates have sturdy support on what can be a slippery experience.
Alex Graff of Rochester hangs on tight on top while Josh Avila of Clarendon provides steady support below.
Rough N Ready won on Wednesday, but another team impressed the crowd. The Grease Partiers took about five minutes to get to the top. They didn’t have duct tape and the team didn’t have experience with the competition. They struggled, and Rough N Ready members helped them get to the top.
The Partiers had grease all over their clothes, arms and ears.
John Ireland, 32, of Brockport was talked into giving it a try. He and his teammates were euphoric when it was over.
“It was a blast,” he said.
The team can try again later this week to try to qualify for the finals.
The Rough N Ready team huddles before the competition, the last event of day at the fair.
Today’s Fair Schedule
Photos by Tom Rivers – Marisa Hanlon, 15, of Kendall workers with other 4-H’ers to clean a stall at the fair on Wednesday evening. Marisa is a member of the Wranglers 4-H Club.
Daily Feature: Orleans County 4-H Fair Motorcycle Cruise-In, located in the Education Center parking lot
Daily Feature: Orleans County 4-H Fair Dunk Tank, located across from the Senior Council stand
8 am: Senior Council Stand Opens
8 am to 3 pm: Youth Camp Day – Sponsored by the Orleans County 4-H Fair Committee
9:30 am: Western Horse Show – Carlos Marcello Arena
10 am: $5 admission per car starts
10 am: All Buildings Open
10 am: Poultry Show – Wachob Pavilion
10 am: Wildlife I.D. Contest – Log Cabin
10:30 am: Little Britches Cattle Show (open to public) – Show Arena
12 pm: Leaders’ Pie Stand Opens
12pm – 1 pm: Dog Agility Demonstration with Della’s Agility Dream Dogs and Guests –
Show Arena
1 pm: Story Hour sponsored by Hoag Library – Trolley Building
1:30 pm: Magic of Cliff Hopkins & Kelly – OrleansHub.com Stage
2 pm to 4 pm: Home Ec Bowl – Trolley Building
2:15 pm: Fearless Flores – South of Knights Building
3 pm: Llama/Alpaca Costume, Leaping Llama/Alpaca,
Llama/Alpaca Limbo – Show Arena
Dominic Wilder of Albion performs “U Got it bad” by Usher during karaoke on Wednesday. The $1,000 championship will be tonight at 8 p.m.
3 pm: Little Britches Llama/Alpaca, Open to Public – Show Arena
3 to 10 pm: Midway of Utica, $18 unlimited ride wristband
3 pm: Story Hour sponsored by Hoag Library – Trolley Building
3:30 pm: Magic of Cliff Hopkins & Kelly – OrleansHub.com Stage
4 to 8:30 pm: Master Gardener – Lawn of Education Center
4 pm to close: Orleans County 4-H Fair Motorcycle Cruise-In at Education Center Parking Lot
4 pm: Chainsaw Chix – Log Cabin
4:30 pm: Chicken BBQ Sponsored by Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension,
No Presale – Curtis Pavilion
4:30 pm: Fearless Flores – South of Knights Building
5:30 pm: Magic of Cliff Hopkins & Kelly – OrleansHub.com Stage
6 pm: Sheep Show – Knight’s Building
6 pm: Small Animal Grand Master Information Session – Wachob Pavilion
6 pm: Registration for Small Fry Pedal Tractor Pull Ends at Fair Office
6 pm: Chainsaw Chix – Log Cabin
6:30 pm: Fearless Flores – South of Knights Building
6:30 pm: Small Fry Pedal Tractor Pull Pedal Tractor Course - Fair Office
7 pm: Spanish/English Story Hour sponsored by Hoag Library – Trolley Building
7 pm to 8:30 pm: Local Entertainment Variety Acts – OrleansHub.com Stage
8 pm: $1,000 Karaoke Challenge Finals – OrleansHub.com Stage
8 pm: Chainsaw Chix – Log Cabin
8:30 pm: Fearless Flores – South of Knights Building
10 pm: Buildings Close
10 pm: Greased Pole Climbing Competition (Teams must pre-register at fair office)
Sheep show features novice and veteran handlers
Photos by Tom Rivers
James Trembley, 6, of Barre made his debut in the show ring this evening as a Cloverbud showing this sheep. James is too young to join 4-H. The Sheep Club gives Cloverbuds a chance to gain some experience in the show ring. Sheep show judge Mike Hargrave offers James a few pointers.
Amanda Armer, left, won the halter showmanship reserve champion tonight at the fair. Amanda, 18, of Albion is pictured with the Moore brothers from Albion – Zachary, 12; and Andrew, 13. Janie Schutz of Waterport won the contest.
Audrey Pask, 8, of Barre keeps her sheep under control during tonight’s show in the Knight’s Building.
Waldo wants to be found in Albion
Photo by Tom Rivers – This Waldo is hiding at the offices for The Lake Country Pennysaver and Orleans Hub at 170 North Main St., Albion. This is your only clue.
ALBION – He is hiding with the pens near the front desk at the Lake Country Pennysaver and Orleans Hub. This is the only clue we’re giving to find the 23 Waldos that are hiding at Albion businesses.
Waldo hunters have until Wednesday to try to find them all. Bindings Bookstore has organized the adventure for July. Bookstore owner Carolyn Ricker wanted to promote local businesses as part of the Waldo event.
The elusive character has black-rimmed glasses and striped shirts. If shoppers can find him in 10 spots, they will be eligible for prizes and coupons. Mayor Dean Theodorakos will pull the name of the winner of a grand prize from a basket at 6 p.m. July 31 at Bindings, 28 West Bank St. The winner receives a six-volume deluxe set of Waldo books.
A passport with a list of participating businesses is at Bindings. Waldo’s American publisher, Candlewick Press, is teaming up with the American Booksellers Association and 265 independent bookstores all across the country, including Bindings Bookstore, for some hide-and-seek fun while promoting local businesses.
Crooners take the stage at the fair
Photos by Tom Rivers – Allana Ramos, 21, of Lyndonville performs “What the Water Gave Me” by Florence and the Machine during karaoke Wednesday at the fair.
Bailey Flint, 17, of Holley sings Miranda Lambert’s “Famous in a Small Town.”
KNOWLESVILLE – The fair offers a platform for people to belt out a tune in front of an energetic crowd. On Wednesday, Brad London of Albion again hosted karaoke, which included a mix of country, rock and other foot-tapping music.
The best performers from each karaoke night will square off tonight with the karaoke finals beginning at 8 p.m. when $1,000 in prizes will be awarded.
Michelle Kozlowski, 18, of Middleport performs “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” by Pat Benatar during the fair on Wednesday.
Chicken barbecue, motorcycles and more at the fair
Photos by Tom Rivers
KNOWLESVILLE – It’s a busy night at the fair. The Cornell Cooperative Extension has an army of volunteers serving up a chicken barbecue. Linda Kirby and her daughter Jamie Brennan are among the volunteers. They are doling out the strawberry desserts.
There is also a motorcycle cruise-in next to the Buzz Hill Education Center. Jason Jeffords of Carlton is pictured on a Harley Davidson Road King Classic.
The karaoke finals start at 8 p.m. and the grease pole is on tap for 10.
Scenes from fairs of yesteryear
By Bill Lattin, county historian
This photo, taken circa 1905, shows many people in attendance at the Orleans County Fair in Albion. The large building at the right with a cupola supporting the flag was known as Floral Hall. It was the main exhibition building where all kinds of displays were judged. In the distance is the Dining Hall and to the left of that another exhibition building. In the skyline looking east we see the steeples of the First Presbyterian Church (left) and the Albion First Baptist Church (right).
This picture was taken 110 years ago in 1903 on the race track at the old Orleans County fairgrounds. The photo was taken by Marc Cole and shows three fast-moving sulkies, all in a blur. The driver of the middle sulky, which is slightly ahead, is Jack Roach. The driver of the sulky to the right is Harry Lattin. Daily races at the fair drew huge crowds years ago, as seen here. Both men and women are shown enjoying this popular event.
This photo was taken in Sept. 1929 when Charles Howard had the idea for creating the world’s largest apple pie at the Orleans County Fair. Joseph Dibley is pictured with the rolling pin he made for the pie. The clipping is from a city newspaper.
Here is the report from the newspaper:
“To Use Huge Rolling Pin in Making World’s Largest Pie”
ALBION, Sept. 8, 1929 – A huge rolling pin is expected to keep some comic strip characters away from the Orleans County Fair which opens in two weeks. Those whose helpmeets have the rolling pin complex will undoubtedly be absent when this specimen is used to smooth out the dough for the world’s largest pie.
Shown with Joseph Dibley, local blacksmith, who made it, the roller is four feet long with eight-inch handles and it is eight inches in diameter. Made of fir, it is estimated that it weighs about 60 pounds.
South tower on St. Mary’s gets a repair
Photos courtesy of Chris Busch – Workers were at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Medina on Tuesday, making a repair to the south tower of the landmark church.
MEDINA – One of Orleans County’s most iconic structures, St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Medina, has the attention of contractors, who are making a repair to the south tower of the church.
Chris Busch, a member of the Holy Trinity Parish in Medina, took these photos of workers in action on Tuesday.
“The structure is arguably one of the finest sandstone buildings in Orleans County and Western New York,” Busch wrote in an email.
Construction started on the church in 1902. It was complete in 1904. St. Mary’s was built in a 14th Century English Gothic design.
“It is an outstanding example of the ecclesiastical Gothic Revival architecture of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries,” Busch said, quoting from a brochure on the history of St. Mary’s. “It rivals many other examples in the region and the state in size, design, and stature.”
The southern spire measures 100 feet, while the northern tower soars 170 feet high.
Eagle Scout adds pavilion by Shelby boat launch
Photo courtesy of Darlene Rich, Shelby town clerk
SHELBY – Zach Waild, an Eagle Scout who built a pavilion in Shelby, is joined at a ribbon-cutting celebration on Tuesday by several local, county and state officials, as well as a representative for Congressman Chris Collins.
Waild organized the fund-raising for the project and was actively involved in its construction. The pavilion is located at the boat launch along the Erie Canal. The site is on Route 31E at Hoffman Road.
Several officials attended the ribbon-cutting, including Town Supervisor Skip Draper, State Sen. George Maziarz, and county legislators Lynne Johnson and Bill Eick.
Orleans chops unemployment rate from a year ago
June rate of 8.4 percent was down from 10.4 percent in 2012
ALBION – Orleans County’s unemployment rate fell to 8.4 percent in June, down from 10.4 percent in June 2012. The state Department of Labor reported the county had 200 more people in the workforce in June, compared to the same month a year ago.
The county’s workforce grew by 300 people from May, when the unemployment rate was also 8.4 percent. That is higher than the state average of 7.5 percent.
New York’s economy is improving, based on the report that showed the state’s private sector job count increased by 110,500 from June 2012 to June 2013.
Other nearby rural counties also added jobs and cut their unemployment rates. Genesee is down to 6.2 percent unemployed, compared to 7.4 percent the previous year.
Wyoming County had an 8.2 percent unemployment rate in June 2012, and that fell to 7.2 percent last month. Livingston’s unemployment rate was 8.2 percent in June 2012, and dropped to 7.2 percent a month ago.
The Buffalo-Niagara region rate fell from 8.5 percent to 7.4 percent during the year, while the Rochester region rate was 7.0 percent, compared to 8.4 percent in June 2012.
The counties with the lowest rates include Saratoga and Tompkins at 5.7 percent, while Bronx County in NYC has the highest at 11.8 percent. In upstate, St. Lawrence County has the highest rate of unemployed at 9.6 percent.
To see the report from the state DOL, click here.
Seniors invited to Bullard for picnic
Press release, Village of Albion Parks Department
ALBION – Senior citizens are welcome to attend the annual Senior Citizen’s Day Picnic from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, July 31. The picnic will be at the east end pavilion at Bullard Park.
Senior Citizens are urged to bring a dish to pass and optional place setting. The menu will include hot dogs, hamburgers, pop, chicken wings, pizza and treats.
There will be some fun games and activities provided for those who want to participate. The event is sponsored by the Village of Albion Recreation Department.
Dunkin’ Donuts would have entrances on Main and Platt
CHA submitted this “concept plan” to the Village of Albion for a Dunkin’ Donuts on Main Street, between the railroad tracks and Tim Hortons.
ALBION – A proposal for a new Dunkin’ Donuts in Albion would have access for motorists on both Main and Platt streets, helping to ease congestion on Route 98, village officials said.
Dunkin’ hasn’t submitted a formal plan to the village yet. The coffee and baked goods franchise has hired the CHA firm for engineering and design of the Albion site.
CHA and Dunkin’ expect to have a formal site plan submitted to the village in August.
Dunkin’ wants to demolish a warehouse next to Tim Hortons in Albion for the new store. The concept plan shows about 40 parking spaces at the site.
The warehouse is owned by Charles Breuilly. The building occupies almost the entire property. The Dunkin’ plan would add green space to the site, improving runoff and water quality, said Village Code Enforcement Officer Ron Vendetti.
Today’s Fair Schedule
Photo by Tom Rivers Posted- Mason Bennett, 8, of Albion keeps his focus in the small fry tractor pull on Tuesday.
Daily Feature: Orleans County 4-H Fair annual Craft and Community Yard Sale, located in the Education Center parking lot
Daily Feature: Free coffee for senior citizens from 1pm to 4pm, compliments of the Orleans County 4-H Fair Committee
Daily Feature: Orleans County 4-H Fair Dunk Tank, located across from the Senior Council stand
8 am: Senior Council Stand Opens
8 am: Goat Show (Dairy, Companion, and Pack) – Knights Building
9:30 am: Dressage Horse Show – Carlos Marcello Arena
10 am: $5 admission per car starts
10 am: All Buildings Open
11 am to 1 pm: Nutrifare Senior Luncheon with Al Howe – Curtis Pavilion
12 pm: Leader’s Pie Stand Opens
1 pm: Story Hour sponsored by the Community Free Library – Trolley Building
2 pm: Magic of Cliff Hopkins & Kelly – Orleanshub.com Stage
3 pm: Meat Goat Show – Knight’s Building
3 pm: Story Hour sponsored by the Community Free Library – Trolley Building
3 pm to 8 pm: Orleans County 4-H Fair annual Craft and Community Yard Sale – Education Center parking lot
3 pm to 10 pm: Midway Rides of Utica $18 unlimited rides wristband
3:30 pm: Fearless Flores – South of the Knights Building
4 pm: Dairy Cattle Showmanship – Show Arena
4 pm: Chainsaw Chix – Log Cabin
4 pm to 8:30 pm: Master Gardener – Lawn of Education Center
5 pm: BBQ Pulled Pork Dinner, Sponsored by Dance Theater. Cost: $8 – Curtis Pavilion
5:30 pm: Magic of Cliff Hopkins & Kelly – OrleansHub.com Stage
6 pm: Mounted Games Competition – Carlos Marcello Arena
6 pm: Registration ends for the Small Fry Pedal Tractor Pull
6 pm: Chainsaw Chix – Log Cabin
6:30 pm: Dairy Cattle Show – Show Arena
6:30 pm: Small Fry Pedal Tractor Pull
6:30 pm: Fearless Flores – South of the Knights Building
7 pm: Rooster Crowing Contest, register at event – Wachob Pavilion
7 pm: Spanish/English Story Hour sponsored by the Community Free Library – Trolley Building
7:30 pm: Magic of Cliff Hopkins & Kelly – OrleansHub.com Stage
8 pm: Chainsaw Chix – Log Cabin
8:30 pm: Fearless Flores – South of the Knights Building
9 pm: $1,000 Karaoke Challenge – OrleansHub.com Stage
10 pm: Buildings Close
10 pm: Greased Pole Climbing Contest (teams must pre-register at the fair office)
All creatures – big and small
Rabbits, steer get their chance in limelight
Photos by Tom Rivers
Allison Mathes, 9, uses all her might to get her dairy steer to cooperate during today’s show at the Orleans County 4-H Fair in Knowlesville.
Judge John Stenson looks over the rabbits during today’s show at the fair. The three boys waiting for their rabbit inspections include, from left: John Gabalski of Byron, Ian Smith of Lyndonville and Brian Neal of Albion. There are 84 rabbits at this year’s fair. Club leader Neil Johnson, right, served as emcee for the show.
Jayne Bannister, 15, of Point Breeze won the grand market steer competition at the fair today.
Lauren Becht, 14, of Barre tries to keep her dairy steer calm during today’s show at the fair. Lauren won the dairy steer category.
