Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The state roads in the village of Albion got a fresh coat of paint for center lines and other road markings today.
The top photo shows Accent Stripe Inc. of Orchard Park working on the cross walk at the intersection of Beaver Street and Route 98.
Earlier in the day they were in front of Rite Aid on the south side of the routes 98 and 31 intersection. The rain in late afternoon sent the crews home early.
By Bill Lattin, Orleans County Historian
Who remembers Muggs? Mr. Thomas DePalma of Fancher was the owner of this mascot for different causes. He went to state and national Legion conventions and walked in many firemen’s parades back in the 1950s.
He was usually seen with a corncob pipe and sunglasses, his trademarks.
Muggs died in 1962 and is buried in the pet cemetery at Hornell. He will be fondly remembered by all who knew him.
File photo by Tom Rivers – Bob Waters, president of the Medina Sandstone Society, gives a rousing speech during the first Hall of Fame program on Dec. 12 at Medina City Hall. Six inaugural inductees were named to the Medina Sandstone Hall of Fame that day.
(Editor’s Note: Genesee Community College is honoring its first class of five Heritage Heroes during the Civil War Encampment on April 25 in Medina. Orleans Hub will profile the honorees. Tom Rivers, the Orleans Hub editor, served on the committee that helped pick the winners.)
MEDINA – He made a living telling the stories of Medina and the Orleans County community. Bob Waters served as publisher of The Journal-Register in Medina.
Since leaving the business more than three decades ago, Waters has made telling – and preserving – the community’s heritage a priority.
He has written publications – he won’t call them books – about Medina’s sandstone past, the community’s boom years from 1900 to 1930, and a publication of penny post cards about Medina in 2012: “Greetings from Medina, New York.”
Waters loves the written word, but he has also provided leadership and some of the heavy lifting for community projects, perhaps most notably the reuse of the former Armory on Pearl Street.
Waters served on the Armory Action Committee that helped find a new purpose for the building after it was shut down by the state in 1977.
That 90,000-square-foot building was built in 1901. It was closed in 1977 by state officials. Waters and the Armory Action Committee met weekly and negotiated with the state to keep the utilities on, make needed repairs and eventually transfer the site to the community so it could be used as a YMCA. That organization now has more than a 1,000 members and it is investing about $400,000 in a capital improvement project.
“When the National Guard left, the property could have gone down hill in a hurry,” Waters said. “Now the Y is just running with it.”
The building is one of the most iconic structures in the county. It resembles a fortress. In December it was part of the inaugural class of the Medina Sandstone Hall of Fame.
Waters is president of the group. He praised Sandstone Society members Jim Hancock, Dave Miller and John Slack for working to get the Hall of Fame established. The six inductees and other historical photos of quarrymen are displayed inside the meeting room at City Hall.
Photos courtesy of Dave Miller
Medina Savings and Loan celebrated its 125th anniversary in June. As part of the celebration, the Medina Sandstone Society unveiled a sandstone plaque by the bank’s front door. Pictured, from left: Medina S & L President Tim Moriarty, Sandstone Society President Bob Waters, and Charles Slack, chairman of the board for the bank.
The Sandstone Society has given many sandstone signs to recent projects or institutions that have invested in the community.
The Society has established a community foundation that helps fund community projects, which could be restoration of stained glass windows or putting old newspapers and photos in microfiche or digital files, among the many preservation efforts.
Waters also speaks with students about local history and also leads tours of historical buildings and sites in the Medina area.
He sees an interest in local history – from high schoolers and young adults. He thinks Facebook has helped fuel a love for local heritage.
File photo by Tom Rivers
Bob Waters signs a copy of the organization’s latest publication, “Medina, My Home Town – Fond Memories,” during the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce’s Home and Garden Show last April.
The Sandstone Society’s latest publication, “Medina, My Home Town – Fond Memories,” includes reminisces from writers about Medina. Many of the anecdotes came from the Memories of Medina Facebook page, which has nearly 3,500 members.
“There has been a resurgence of interest in hometown history,” Waters said.
And he thinks that has helped spark a new wave of entrepreneurs who are investing in the downtown and the community.
“It used to be young people couldn’t wait to get out of here,” he said. “I’ve always been a small-towner. Maybe the small town is coming back.”
ALBION – Three sisters who were in a car accident Saturday morning have all been released from the hospital, and their mother is thankful they weren’t seriously injured.
Kayla Strickland, 18, of Albion suffered a broken neck but she could have been paralyzed if her neck had twisted, her mother Linda said this afternoon. Kayla will have to wear a neck brace for about 12 weeks.
“It could have been much worse,” Mrs. Strickland said. “I’m thankful to God and the guys who worked on her.”
Medina and Ridgeway firefighters responded to the scene. Kayla was taken by Mercy Flight to Strong Memorial Hospital. She was released today.
Her 16-year-old twin sisters, Laura and Lilly, were taken by ambulance to Medina Memorial Hospital. They had bumps and bruises, but no injuries, their mother said.
“I am praising God in every way possible that they are all home today,” Mrs. Strickland said.
Kayla, a student at Genesee Community College, was driving her twin sisters home after the three attended a all-nighter at Calvary Tabernacle Church in Medina. Kayla fell asleep at about 7:40 a.m. while driving a 2005 Ford sedan on Knowlesville Rd. The vehicle went off the east side of the road into a field and overturned, coming to rest on its side, the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department reported.
Kayla attended the Orleans County Christian School at Calvary Tabernacle, where her mother is the school administrator. Kayla’s twin sisters are both juniors at the school.
The church hosted an all-night youth event that included a praise worship team, preaching, games and fun activities, their mother said.
She and her husband Curt thanked the community for their prayers after the accident.
“I’ve heard from a lot of people and it’s very comforting,” she said.
Evan Maedl, 10, steps back to watch his rocket shoot off into the sky. The rockets took off so quickly that many were only found once they released their yellow streamer during their fall back to earth.
By Sue Cook, staff reporter
KNOWLESVILLE – Doug Pratt had a booth at the Orleans County Home & Garden Show this weekend to promote the hobby of rocketry and bring awareness to his company, Pratt Hobbies, Inc.
He allowed children to press the button for launch on Sunday afternoon.
The rockets are slid onto the upright metal post which guides them upon launch into an upward trajectory. The cord at the base is attached to the rocket base and ignition switch.
Pratt Hobbies will be at the Warbird Museum for the NYPOWER 18 event in Geneseo over Memorial Day weekend from May 24-26. Pratt said that during the NYPOWER model planes and rockets are given a chance to show off. Everyone from professionals to Boy Scout troops are given the chance to make their creations fly.
Damian Chadsey, 4, presses the button with his father’s help. His brother, Jason Farrington, 6, watches as the rocket takes to the air.
Pratt will also have a booth during the week of the 4-H fair with more opportunities for kids to build and launch their own rockets.
Owen Maedl, 4, presses the button for the launch of a small cardboard rocket.
Press release, Orleans County Undersheriff Steve Smith
LYNDONVILLE – A Lyndonville man is facing numerous traffic charges after crashing his car Friday evening in the Town of Yates.
The incident occurred at about 6:30 p.m. in the 12400 block of Platten Road. Antonio F. Lopez, 23, was operating a 2005 Chevrolet SUV. He was travelling east when he lost control. The vehicle crossed the center line, left the north side of the roadway and struck a fire hydrant. Lopez, the sole occupant, was not injured.
He is charged with driving while intoxicated, aggravated DWI, aggravated unlicensed operation 3rd, and numerous other vehicle and traffic charges. He is scheduled to appear in Town of Yates Court on April 16.
The incident was investigated by Deputy K.J. Colonna, assisted by Deputy D.S. Klips and Deputy J.J. Cole.
Photos by Sue Cook – Seven-month-old Cory Schrader poses with the Easter Bunny for his family. He is dressed up for the occasion.
By Sue Cook, staff reporter
MEDINA – Children and their parents peeked into shop windows as part of the Golden Egg Hunt. It was one of the day’s events put on today by the Medina Business Association.
Once a participant found all 12 eggs and wrote the shop names on their entries, the forms were turned in to Apple Blossom Florist. At the end of the day, one entry was randomly selected from all the correct entries. The winner would receive a 4 ½ pound milk chocolate rabbit from Della’s Chocolates.
Susan Fuller, owner of Della’s, was happy to donate the chocolate bunny. “For the last three years we’ve been a part of this,” she said. “I was asked to donate the prize, but I had already planned on it anyway.”
Three-year-old Owen Sargent found an egg in the window of Gramma Hawley’s Dream, one of the 12 participants. The other eleven include Della’s Chocolates, a lily and a sparrow, Creekside Floral, A Kut Above, Case-Nic Cookies, The English Rose Tea Shoppe, Ashlee’s Place, Shirt Factory Cafe, Apple Blossom Florist, ellen j. goods and The Book Shoppe.
“We go with stores that have windows decorated that will be nice to look into,” said Cindy Robinson, MBA president. “They’re asked to hide it where kids can see it.”
Businesses saw a significant increase in the number of participants from last year, she said.
“It’s something fun for kids and families. You see whole families out there. Moms, dads and grandparents all participate. It’s cute,” Robinson said. “You don’t even have to go into the stores. This event is for the kids and the memories.”
Georgia Thomas was assisting in The English Rose Tea Shoppe during the Hattie Standish Contest. Her hat is a vintage bonnet from 1962.
Robinson’s business, The English Rose Tea Shoppe, had its own contest as well. This was the store’s second year holding an Easter bonnet contest. The contest is called the Hattie Standish Bonnet Contest.
Robinson got the idea when she opened the Memories of Medina calendar. November was a photograph of a hat shop owned by Hattie Standish in 1917 in the same location that the Tea Shoppe is today.
The Easter Bunny was available for photo ops at Rotary Park. Children were welcome to sit on his lap and let their parents take pictures.
“It was fun visiting Medina,” said the Easter Bunny. “It was great seeing all the kids, big and small, enjoying Easter memories and still believing in the Easter Bunny.”
Nine-year-old Madison Morgott posed with the Easter Bunny. After the photos, he gave her and her friends candy as an early Easter gift.
Photos by Tom Rivers
KNOWLESVILLE – It was opening day for the Orleans County Home and Garden Show today at the 4-H Fairgrounds. About 50 vendors were at the event including Darren Towner, owner of the Western New York Fireplace Outlet in Batavia.
Towner and the vendors will be back on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Home and Garden Show includes a miniature golf course that is free to the public.
Lisa Trippensee, head designer for Apple Blossom Florist in Medina, works on the business’s display at the Home and Garden Show.
Danny Dill, left, is owner of Danny’s Equipment in Holley. He is joined by Michael Gray, regional manager for Country Chipper and supplier of some of the lawn mowers at the Holley business. Dill is participating in his first Home and Garden Show this weekend.
“We’ve talked to a lot of people,” he said. “We’re trying to get more exposure and we’re getting it by being here.”
Photos by Tom Rivers – Christi Waldron, a rape crisis counselor with RESTORE, addresses the crowd at a crime victims’ rights gathering Friday night at the Orleans County Courthouse. Waldron was presented with the 16th annual Milford Phinney Victim Advocate Award.
Orleans County First Assistant District Attorney Susan Howard, left, presents Christi Waldron with the Milford Phinney Victim Advocate Award. The late Phinney was an assistant DA.
RESTORE, which was previously called Rape Crisis Service, displayed T-shirts made by victims of sexual assault.
ALBION – Christi Waldron has earned a reputation as a passionate advocate for victims of sexual assault in Orleans County.
Waldron, a rape crisis counselor with RESTORE the past 2 1/2 years, often speaks on behalf of victims with the district’s attorney office, will help them get needed medical care and sometimes will just sit quietly by them during a court appearance.
“She brings a lot of energy and passion to her job,” said Susan Howard, the first assistant district attorney for Orleans County.
She presented Waldon with the Milford Phinney Victim Advocate Award during a crime victims’ rally on Friday evening at the Orleans County Courthouse.
Waldon works with rape and sexual assault victims in Orleans County and also in Brockport. She worked with 51 clients in 2013, including 16 children abused sexually, 12 adults abused sexually and four adult survivors of child sexual abuse.
Seventeen of the cases involved in criminal charges with seven resulting in convictions. Waldon said sexual assaults largely go unreported.
“We live in a culture that still blames victims of sexual violence,” Waldron said when she accepted her award. “A culture that says these acts are somehow a result of the victim not being careful enough, or too drunk, or dressed inappropriately. Rarely is the focus ever on the perpetrator.”
Waldron said some schools only educate girls about sexual violence. Men are affected by the crime as well.
“Sexual violence affects most everyone at some point in their lives,” she said. “This is everyone’s problem.”
She participated in 25 community education programs and connected with 1,300 people through outreach events in 2013. Cultural norms need to change to reduce sexual assaults, she said.
Waldron thanked other agencies and staff for working with crime victims. She said she is committed to her job and seeing a change in society.
“I do this in hopes that one day the culture will change and the myths about sexual violence and blaming will disappear,” she said. “But most importantly I do this for the victims who feel they don’t have a voice or any options when something like this happens.”
Friday’s event at the courthouse culminated Crime Victims’ Rights Week in the county.
Howard said the week is empowering for those who work in the criminal justice system.
“We gather to give ourselves energy to get through the difficult things we have to deal with,” Howard told the group.
Press release, Orleans County Undersheriff Steve Smith
RIDGEWAY – Three sisters from Albion are hospitalized this morning following a one-car rollover crash in the town of Ridgeway.
The incident occurred at about 7:40 a.m. in the 2800 block of Knowlesville Road. Kayla M. Strickland, 18, of Albion, was operating a 2005 Ford sedan travelling north on Knowlesville Rd., when the vehicle ran off the east side of the roadway into a field and overturned, coming to rest on its side. Kayla’s twin 16-year-old sisters, Laura and Lilly Strickland, were both passengers in the car.
All three girls had to be extricated from the wreckage by Ridgeway firefighters. Kayla was flown to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester by MercyFlight helicopter. The twins were both transported to Medina Memorial Hospital by Medina Fire Department ambulance.
At the time of the crash, the girls were returning home from an overnight activity at their church. Kayla told Sheriff’s deputies that she fell asleep at the wheel. There does not appear to be any other contributing factors in the crash.
The incident was investigated by Deputy J.W. Halstead, assisted by Deputy K.J. Colonna and Sergeant D.W. Covis.
