By Bill Lattin
Orleans County Historian
WEST BARRE – A child watches as August Rhodey of West Barre nails a horseshoe to a horse’s hoof.
This picture from around 100 years ago shows his blacksmith shop in the background. Horse shoeing and repairing were the most common things a blacksmith did at the time this picture was taken.
ALBION – Frederick Miller planned to use a psychiatric defense, that he was subjected to emotional abuse by his live-in girlfriend.
Miller, 62, is accused of killing Rachel Miller on March 4, 2013. Mr. Miller allegedly bludgeoned and stabbed Rachel Miller several times. He has been charged with second-degree murder.
But today in court Miller refused to meet with a psychiatrist. Orleans County Court Judge James Punch said he has been forced to preclude expert psychiatric testimony because Miller is refusing to cooperate.
Miller’s attorney, Robert King of Rochester, said in court today he will no longer pursue the psychiatric defense.
Punch set 10 a.m. on May 12 at the start of the trial. It has twice been delayed, first when Miller switched attorneys and then when King filed paperwork for the psychiatric defense.
“It would be a lot easier for everyone if you just cooperate,” Punch told Miller.
Miller met with Dr. John Amos, a psychiatrist form Rochester, but Punch said Miller wouldn’t discuss any details of the alleged crime. Punch said Amos would be available to meet again Tuesday or Wednesday this week for an evaluation, but Miller wouldn’t agree to it.
“He’s refused to cooperate with a psychiatrist assigned to the task,” Punch said in court. “It’s creating quite a mess.”
In setting May 12 for the start of the trial, Punch said there won’t be any plea deals entertained by the court.
The Millers allegedly had a fight on March 4 at a home they shared on Oak Orchard River Road. Rachel Miller was 53 when she died as a result of blunt force trauma combined with multiple stab wounds, according to an autopsy.
Photos by Tom Rivers – Sue Holmes became the owner of the Crooked Door, a tavern at the corner of East State and Brown streets, on April 3. Joe Martillotta, right, and his wife Debbie did extensive renovations of the site and opened Jan. 31, 2011.
ALBION – When Joe Martillotta retired from teaching social studies at Albion in 2009, he pursued a dream of owning a restaurant and bar.
Martillotta bought the former Club 469 on East State Street. It took 16 months to renovate the building along the Erie Canal. Joe and his wife Debbie opened the Crooked Door Tavern on Jan. 31, 2011.
The business employs 17 people, and draws customers from Orleans, Monroe, Genesee, Niagara and Erie counties. Mr. Martillotta worked 110 hours a week that first year in business. The second year he was down to 90 hours a week and then 80 hours weekly the past year.
Martillotta says he has put his heart and soul in the business. He planned to own and operate it for at least five years, but a health scare in December 2012 convinced him the Crooked Door was consuming too much of his life. He has recovered and is fine now.
“It was a wake-up call,” he said.
He and his wife Debbie decided to put the business on the market. They looked for the right fit in a new owner.
Sue (Schafer) Holmes bought the Crooked Door on April 3 after several months of transition. Holmes grew up down the street from the tavern. She remembers it when it was an Italian neighborhood bar.
Sue Holmes said she likes the excitement in the restaurant business and the chance to connect with so many people. Crooked Door is located at 469 East State St.
“I remember the old 469,” she said. “I can’t believe what Joe and Debbie have done to the place. It’s absolutely beautiful.”
Holmes worked as a software engineer for Xerox until the company sold its research and development, and laid her off in December 2012. A Hamlin resident, she set out looking to own a business.
A business broker mentioned the Crooked Door was for sale and Holmes was thrilled to reconnect with her hometown. She had never worked in the restaurant business after a career in a corporate setting.
“I like the excitement and the atmosphere,” she said. “It’s fun touching base with so many people.”
Martillotta also is remaining at the restaurant during a transition time. On Sunday he was the bartender. He is willing to help out where needed.
“I’m thrilled I get to stick around,” Martillotta said. “We’re thrilled to have an Albionite come home to run this. The Crooked Door is in good hands.”
Martillotta is happy to have more time for his family, including grandchildren. On Friday, he and his wife were both off and they saw a show at Shea’s in Buffalo.
Crooked Door is located along the Erie Canal. Sue Holmes bought the business from Joe Martillotta and his wife Debbie. The staff of 17 employees will remain largely unchanged.
He feels at home at the Crooked Door, and he said he has made many friends since the restaurant opened. He praised Holmes for keeping the staff of 17 largely intact. There is one new chef.
Holmes was won over by the “excellent food and service” at the Crooked Door. The staff prepares almost everything from scratch.
“It’s real food,” she said. “It’s not pre-made and frozen.”
Holmes has reconnected with many of her former classmates and friends in the past few months, while meeting many new people.
“It’s a great place and Albion needs this,” Holmes said.
For more on the Crooked Door, visit www.thecrookeddoor.com.
Photos by Tom Rivers – Ken Miller of Niagara on the Lake in Canada portrays Gen. James Longstreet, a commander in Northern Virginia under director of Robert E. Lee, who called Longstreet “Old War Horse.”
For the past three days Ken Miller of Niagara on the Lake in Canada transformed in General James Longstreet. Miller was one of the most popular re-enactors at the Civil War Encampment at Medina.
He traveled down Main Street by carriage in a parade on Saturday. He also joined other generals in meeting customers at Medina diners.
Miller brewed coffee over an open fire at his camp site at the Medina GCC Campus. He welcomed conversation.
Miller can talk the finer points of combat in the Civil War. But he prefers to talk about Canada’s role in the war. Canadians had about 60,000 men in the war, including 11,500 in the Confederacy.
“Most people don’t know that,” Miller said.
He goes to about dozen Civil War Encampments each year. Many are in Canada. He is happy to cross the border and join events in the States.
“I like to teach and promote Canada’s involvement,” Miller said.
Ray Ball of West Seneca wears a slouch hat and portrays J.C. Duane, who served in the U.S. Engineers. ‘The insignia of the Engineers was a source of pride,” he said.
The Civil War soldiers traveled in huge processionals, sometimes 13 miles long with supplies, weapons and the infantry. And they were often crossing the wilderness.
The U.S. Engineers were invaluable, and they were tasked with building bridges, barracks and forts – “bridges especially,” said Ray Ball, who portrays J.C. Duane, an engineer in the war.
“It’s our job to put together bridges – very fast,” he said.
Ball is a history teacher at West Seneca. He served with the engineers in the Army about three decades ago. Many of the leading officers and generals, such as Robert E. Lee, were engineers.
“The engineers were guarded,” Duane said. “They saw very little combat.”
Duane marvels at how the engineers would use raw timber to build sturdy supports, especially for cannons that weighed 19,000 pounds.
Lyne Lain and her husband Harry are Confederate soldiers in the 21st Georgia.
Lyne Lain and her husband Harry Lain are in their second season traveling to encampments as Confederate soldiers. Lyne portrayed a soldier she called “Len.”
She slept in tents on chilly nights in Medina as part of this weekend’s encampment. She and her husband and their son Bill left the comforts of home to join about 100 other re-enactors in Medina.
“It doesn’t bother me, sleeping in a tent,” she said. “I enjoy these events because you meet a lot of neat people.”
Mrs. Lain cooks over an open fire and shuns modern technology, at least for a weekend.
“I’m an avid hunter,” she said. “I enjoy being a part of it.”
She and her husband own a cider mill in Canisteo in Steuben County. They also have a logging business and a dairy farm.
The Lains also host their own Civil War Encampment. This year it’s June 7-8, overlooking the Canisteo Valley.
They came to Medina for the weekend to support the encampment and welcome re-enactors and the public to their event: “The Battle at Lain’s Mill.”
“If you don’t celebrate other people’s events, they won’t come to yours,” Mr. Lain said.
David Kreutz has been an Abraham Lincoln presenter since 1996. He is retired from General Motors, where he worked in production, drove a forklift and “did a little bit of everything.”
David Kreutz of Lancaster draws a crowd at Civil War re-enactments. No one is more recognizable. Kreutz has been an Abraham Lincoln presenter since 1996. He is one if 186 in the country in the Association of Lincoln Presenters.
He has attended many national events and met presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama.
“Other than Christ, Lincoln is the most famous person,” Kreutz said. “You have instant recognition.”
Kreutz is tall like Lincoln and enjoys mingling with the crowd. On Saturday morning in Medina he visited six restaurants. He also posed for pictures in the Bent’s Opera House, which was built during the Civil War.
He rode in carriage during a parade with a re-enactor portraying General Grant.
“That was a thrill,” Kreutz said.
By Bill Lattin
Orleans County Historian
An itinerant photographer took this picture of an apiarist showing off his beehives during the first decade of the 20th Century.
A one-room schoolhouse shows in the background. A telephone pole may also be seen directly behind the beekeeper.
It is believed the picture was taken in either the Town of Barre or Town of Clarendon.
A glass negative was used for this image. Note the wooden boxes of combed honey on either side of the beekeeper along with the bee smoker device in front.
Photos by Sue Cook – General Grant of the Union army (left of kneeling man) poses with soldiers by the campfire. Grant is wearing his combat attire which is much simpler than his dress uniform. The photograph is sepia tone to emulate the style of photography from the period. Tintypes were common because they were sturdier than glass plates and were quick to develop. The soldiers in the photograph are from the 28th and 104th NY Volunteer Infantries, as well as the 9th NY Volunteer Cavalry Company B.
By Sue Cook, staff reporter
MEDINA – Throughout Saturday, guests at the Medina GCC campus were invited to participate in the Civil War encampment. All over the surrounding field, soldiers set up camps and even a sutler popped up selling Victorian era clothing. The campus provided space for visitors to hear about the time period and to ask questions.
Lieutenant Colonel Charles Marshall of the 21st Georgia (Scott Hoffmeier of Rochester), left, and General James P. Longstreet of the 21st Mississippi (Ken Miller of Ontario, Canada) pose for a portrait after their success in Saturday’s mock battle. When asked how they captured the win, Longstreet quoted General Robert E. Lee. “We will prevail.”
Miller said he started out enjoying all periods of history as a member of a history roundtable. He found that he greatly enjoyed learning about Victorian times and enjoyed participating in Civil War events. He feels his influence stems from his childhood.
“My grandma bought me little plastic soldiers. John Wayne probably influenced me, too,” Miller said.
Abraham Lincoln came to the encampment after appearing in the parade. Lincoln is portrayed by David Kreutz of Lancaster, who became a member of the Association of Lincoln Presenters in 1996.
Soldiers were more than happy to be approached by visitors and asked questions. Many soldiers are very well versed in the Civil War and have purchased or hand made their own uniforms. Most uniforms are correct all the way down to the woolen socks.
Vaughn Weston spent the weekend as Colonel Madison of the Louisiana Light Artillery. He poses with one of the cannons he fired on the battlefield.
Weston was very enthusiastic about participating. “I’ve been doing this since 1961 when I was 9 years old,” he said. “What got me interested was that they came out with bubblegum packs with these gory Civil War cards.”
The cards showed soldiers in uniform, but also images of the wounded and dead. He said the cards were very similar to baseball cards that most other kids preferred.
To add more realism to the event, the soldiers also are welcomed to camp out in their pup tents overnight. Despite the cold, wet weather, many stayed the night and reported that they were dry and well rested after sleeping between wool blankets.
Private Max Todd from Geneseo, a member of the 28th Volunteer Infantry, rests in his tent and eats lunch. Among his possessions are his rifle, canteen and ammunition bag.
After being asked why there was a random pin with a looped end stuck in his cap, Todd explained that it was called a nipple pin and was used for cleaning the portion of the gun that the wing-tip firing cap rests on.
“Everything serves a purpose,” Todd said. No matter how small the item, everything the troops brought to battle was important in some way, even if it doesn’t seem obvious.
“There’s always so much to learn,” he said.
From left: Rudy Coumont, Kim Fontana and Sue Cifaldi play the fife. Ken Barlow is playing the drum. The group played songs for the crowd including Yankee Doodle and the Rogue’s March.
“Bugles supplanted the fife and drum,” lamented Barlow. “A bugle could be played on horseback with one hand.”
Barlow says that fife and drum players are becoming very rare, and even bugles are being phased out by played back digital recordings.
Encampment Coordinator Derek Maxfield, left, asks questions to Bill Kauffman, the screenplay writer of the film “Copperhead.” Kauffman lives in Elba.
In the evening, the campus screened the film “Copperhead,” directed by Ron Maxwell. The film follows the story of upstate New York farmer Abner Beech and his family during the war. Beech wanted to remain a pacifist and was harassed by his neighbors for his choice.
At the end of the Q&A with Kauffman, Liz Guthrie, an employee of a Webster high school, stood up to share her appreciation of the film.
“For high school students today, it seems to enhance their experience,” she said. “Students are using these films to learn about history.”
She applauded Maxwell’s other films for providing students with different insights of the Civil War.
Sunday’s events will include the battle at 2 p.m. Also scheduled are demonstrations and talks including field medicine, candle making, mortuary arts, music, meetings with the generals and more. The camps are also open to the public who can walk among the tents, meet the soldiers and see them in a realistic camp setting.
Photo by Tom Rivers – Ryan Earl, a friend of Paulie Lauricella, is pictured with Paulie’s father Paul Lauricella during a celebration and benefit for Paulie today at the Lyndonville fire hall.
LYNDONVILLE – “Love.” That’s how Ryan Earl describes one of his best friends, Paulie Lauricella.
“Paulie had a very big impact on everybody,” Earl said.
Lauricella was 24 when he died on Jan. 15. He was on his way to work as a machinist at Brunner in Medina when he hit black ice at 6:30 a.m. on East Yates Center Road, lost control of his vehicle and then hit a tree.
The community responded with a vigil on Jan. 19 in his honor. Paulie’s family has received home-cooked meals from community members and many cards expressing condolences. Today, from 1 to 5 p.m. Earl organized a celebration and benefit in honor of Lauricella at the fire hall.
Proceeds will go towards an etching on his mausoleum in Lynhaven Cemetery. Earl and Paulie’s father, Paul Lauricella, also would like to establish a scholarship in honor of Paulie. The scholarship would go to a graduating senior who loved his or her classmates the most, who was a loyal friend, Earl said.
“People don’t get commended for being righteous,” Earl said.
During low times in his life, Earl said he could always count on acceptance and encouragement from Paulie.
“He had a very big impact on everybody,” Earl said. “I wouldn’t be the husband or father I am today without him.”
Paulie’s death has been difficult on his friends and family. Paul Lauricella worked with his son in a business where they bought vintage vehicles that were beyond restoration and sold off the parts. Paulie was good at negotiating, at buying the vehicles and then working with buyers interested in parts.
“He could talk to anybody,” his father said.
Paulie and Paul Lauricella are pictured last summer with a 1940 Buick Special. The father and son worked together buying vintage vehicles. The younger Lauricella also was a machinist at Brunner in Medina.
Paulie is the youngest of Lauricella’s four children. Paulie would bring dinner to his parents on Friday nights and would then watch wrestling with his father.
Mr. Lauricella would hear from the parents of Paulie’s friends about how he would always shake hands with the fathers and hug the mothers. Paulie was sought out for advice by his many friends.
“He was an amazing kid and I miss him terribly,” Mr. Lauricella said. “He was friends with everybody. He accepted everybody and that’s why people loved him.”
Mr. Lauricella is vice chairman of the Orleans County Conservative Party. He had been a frequent presence at local government meetings, especially the County Legislature. Lauricella would rail against government spending and often was critical of the local officials.
He received cards from all seven legislators after his son died, and some made memorial donations to the library in honor of his son. Other community members have reached out to him and his family, and Lauricella thanked them all for their support.
“This has completely changed my outlook how people will rally around you,” Mr. Lauricella said. “My son would always say you need to ‘Pay it forward’ down the road and I intend to. I understand how all humanity hurts when something like this happens.”
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – The Medina community is hosting a Civil War Encampment this weekend. This morning many of the Civil War re-enactors marched down Main Street and headed to Boxwood Cemetery for a memorial service.
Excelsior Brigade Fife and Drum from Rochester marched in the parade. The group will be in concert from noon to 1 p.m. today at GCC in Medina.
The GCC campus on Route 31A is offering many workshops and educational programs today and on Sunday. There will be mock battles on both days at 2 p.m.
To see the full schedule of events, visit https://civilwaratgcc.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/cw-medina-encampment-program-2014-final-final.pdf.
The Medina community hosted the Encampment for the first time a year ago. GCC is holding the events to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Civil War.
The generals ride in a carriage down Main Street during the parade. Generals Robert E. Lee, Ulysses Grant and James Longstreet are at the Encampment this weekend. There is also a re-enactor portraying Abraham Lincoln.
Photos by Sue Cook – The Iroquois Job Corps graduating class of spring 2014 consisted of 132 graduates. Not everyone was able to attend the ceremony, however, because many graduates had already started their new jobs.
By Sue Cook, staff reporter
MEDINA – Friday was a day of celebration at the Iroquois Job Corps in Medina as 132 students graduated from the program.
Job Corps offers training and education with free tuition to students ages 16 to 24. They earn a high school diploma or GED, and learn a trade with the goal of finding and keeping a good job.
Rolando Ramos, the student government president, stood before his classmates at commencement and told his story. He was working two jobs to support his family, but had dropped out of high school and did not have a diploma. He wanted to improve his situation and decided enrolling in Job Corps was the best solution. Ramos is graduating from the Brick Mason program.
“I told myself you need to set an example to your sisters and make your mother proud,” he said as he addressed the crowd in the gymnasium. “I learned a lot in this program. The main thing I learned was to never give up on myself.”
Ramos turned to the underclassmen watching from the bleachers. “If I did it, you all can do it, too.”
Another graduating student from Buffalo, Damone Foster, was also given the opportunity to speak. He offered a message of hope and achievement.
“We did it guys,” he said to the eruption of applause. “I came here and it really changed my life. I achieved a lot and it made me a better man today. I got to know a different Damone. Don’t let anything break you down. Stay positive and stay happy.”
Foster was the first child his mother has been able to see graduate. He and his two sisters dropped out of high school. Damone said the program was important for his future, but he also wanted his mother to be proud and to have the experience of watching one of her children walk the stage. Foster has graduated as a Certified Nurse’s Assistant and already has a job at the Waterfront Nursing Home in Buffalo.
Kylil Young is posed with Rev. William Coplin of Urban Christian Ministries of Buffalo and Louise Ross, the Admissions Counselor of Buffalo. Ross encouraged Young to enter Job Corps and was given the opportunity to see him graduate and congratulate him.
Job Corps Director Melissa Volpe distributed the diplomas to the students as they walked the stage. She instructed the graduates to not be afraid to follow their dreams even if it is a hard road and people tell you to give up.
“Don’t stop digging until you hit a river of blessings,” Volpe said. “Nothing worth having comes easy. You have to push through.”
The technical training Iroquois Job Corps offers falls into the categories of construction or medical careers. Brick masonry, carpentry and painting are the construction options. The medical options include Clinical Medical Assistant (CMA), Certified Nurse’s Assistant (CNA) and Medical Administrative Assistant (MAA). Students can also earn their driver’s license through the program.
Center Director Melissa Volpe shakes hands with Keonna Pearson. Pearson is graduating from the Certified Nurse’s Assistant Program. To the right of the stage are Nursing Instructors Audrey Evans and Jimmy Ponder.
Many people often associate troubled inner-city kids with Job Corps. Not all those who attend are from Buffalo or Rochester. Students from the local area are also able to attend. Some students come from as far as Syracuse and even New Jersey.
Sometimes students enter the program for reasons such as dropping out of high school to being the caregiver of an ill family member.
The Iroquois Job Corps campus is located inside the scenic wildlife refuge. It gives students an opportunity to attend school in an environment as free from outside distractions as possible.
Once the graduation was complete and the students threw their caps into the air, they were able to celebrate with their families. The graduates all expressed endless gratitude to their teachers and their families. Tears were shed as people around the gym bear-hugged each other.
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The Orleans Hub editor turned 40 today and my present to myself was a jog while the sun was setting in Albion.
I brought along my Smartphone and took a few pictures of the scenery. The top photo was by an apple orchard along Butts Road.
Not far from the orchard is a bridge for the railroad tracks. I ventured up the embankment to the tracks because I like a little adventure. The pictures show the tracks looking east and then west toward the sun.
A little farther on Butts Road towards Route 31 and there is a nice barn with a quilt pattern on top.
I stopped by Bullard Park. It was awfully quiet with the temps in the low 40s. It will warm up with highs in the mid-50s from Sunday through Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service.
