MEDINA – The village’s first annual Farm-to-Table Dinner event is a sell-out with 125 tickets sold for the Aug. 4 dinner that will be served on Main Street in the village’s historic downtown district.The meal will be a full five-course dinner, prepared by chef Michael Zambito of Medina’s Zambistro restaurant. Each course will feature pairings from local Niagara Wine Trail wineries, 810 Meadworks and a WNY brewery.
“We made provisions for one-hundred tickets only, with an extra twenty-five in reserve in case demand was high,” Chris Busch, president of Orleans Renaissance Group, said on Thursday. “As of this morning, all one- hundred and twenty-five tickets have been sold. We want to thank everyone for their amazing and generous support of this landmark event which has generated Medina buzz from Rochester to Buffalo.”
The Orleans Renaissance Group is organizing the the dinner, which is a fund-raiser for the the Canal Village Farmers’ Market. The ORG started the farmers’ market last year. It now draws about 500 people every Saturday at the corner of West Center Street and West Avenue.
The farm-to-table event will be located on the north end of Main Street, between Pearl and West Center Streets. Guests will arrive at 6:30 p.m. with the first course scheduled to be served at 7. A rain date is scheduled for Aug. 11.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 July 2016 at 12:00 am
ALBION – Xavier Byrd, 9, of Albion gets a football painted on his cheek by Gabriell Struble, one of the park supervisors at Bullard Park, which hosted a children’s carnival today.
Community Action of Orleans & Genesee organizes the carnival with help from other local agencies and the park supervisors in the village park program. More than 300 children attended the carnival, which included about 30 different stations with games and activities.
Aiden Miller, 10, of Albion tries the game Plinko.
The Bounce House was a hit with Kyle VanAmeron, 11, and many other children.
“Mr. Scribbles” – Michael Sparling of Perry – was a popular stop at the carnival. He let kids scribble on a paper and then he added cartoons of animals with a friendly message.
Mr. Scribbles made this artwork for one of the kids at the park. The kid added the scribble.
Victoria Figueroa paints a butterfly on the cheek of Charlotte George, 2, of Albion.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 July 2016 at 11:00 am
Provided photos – There were nearly 100 boaters at the Eagle Creek Marina over the weekend for the inaugural Harris-Lance Flotilla, an event that raised more than $11,000 for Boaters Against Cancer.
KENDALL – Two beloved members of the boating community at Eagle Creek Marina died from cancer this year. Many of their friends, still grieving from their loss, organized the inaugural Harris-Lance Flotilla, an event that raised more than $11,000 for the newly formed Boaters Against Cancer. The funds will go to families of boaters battling the dreaded disease.
Dave Bentley was friends with both Scott Harris and Phil Lance, the two long-time boaters who fought cancer.
“They were two of my best friends,” Bentley, owner of Bentley Brothers in Albion and Brockport, said today. “They were two great guys.”
Bentley was part of the effort from the boating community to put together the three-day Boaters Against Cancer event last weekend at Eagle Creek Marina. The event featured concerts, food trucks and was going to include a flotilla, but that was cancelled due to rough waters.
“It will be an annual event,” Bentley said today.
Scott Harris fought bravely against male breast cancer for almost four years. He was a boater for his entire life. He grew up boating with his parents at Oak Orchard Yacht Club.
Harris owned several boats over the course of his life and was a member of Eagle Creek Yacht Club. He is survived by his wife Karen; children Nick, Cory and McKenzi; and grandson Tanner.
Phil Lance, “Canada Phil,” battled colon cancer for about two years. He began boating as a youth while fishing with family. He held many boating certifications and was a member of Eagle Creek Yacht Club. His boating adventures took him all around Lake Erie, Lake Ontario and throughout the province of Ontario.
He is survived by his wife Jill, her children and grandchildren.
Boaters have fun by the lake during the Boaters Against Cancer event.
About 40 to 50 boaters who are regulars were part of last weekend’s memorial event for the two boaters. Another 30 boaters visited to join the effort.
“It turned out to be a very good first-time event,” said Dave Oschmann, manager of the marina.
For more information about Boaters Against Cancer, click here.
By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 14 July 2016 at 12:00 am
Photos by Kristina Gabalski – Amanda Mrzywka is almost hidden behind the “Bountiful Basket” she plans to enter in this year’s Flower Show at the Orleans County 4-H Fair.
KNOWLESVILLE – Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension and 4-H Youth Development are sponsoring this year’s Flower Show at the Orleans County 4-H Fair July 25-30.
Amanda Mrzywka, a member of the 4-H team, is working to organize this year’s show. This is the second year for the Flower Show, which Mrzywka says got off to a great start in 2015. There were 86 entries in ten classes.
“People said how beautiful it looked,” she said. “It made the space full of color and got people excited.”
The show includes both open and junior divisions, meaning anyone can enter.
Exhibits can be entered in one of ten classes: cut flower bouquet (single or multiple stems); kissing ball design; miniature gardens or fairy gardens; dried flower or dried flower bouquets; edible container arrangements; houseplants; made for the shade; bountiful baskets; pedestal or regular urns for the sun; painting, drawing or photograph of a flower or garden.
“The biggest competition is in the miniature gardens/fairy gardens class,” Mrzywka said.
An example of a Made for the Shade container with shade-loving plants.
There are some changes from last year’s show, most notably a $2 per person per entry pre-registration fee for entries taken to the show by 7 p.m. on Friday, July 22. Entries received Saturday, July 23, will cost $5 per entry. The fees help to cover costs such as judges, ribbons and prizes, Mrzywka said.
Entries can be brought to the Lartz Building for pre-registration from 4-7 p.m. on July 22 or July 23 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for regular registration.
Judging will take place Sunday, July 24, at 9 a.m. Once exhibit judging is complete, exhibits will be showcased at the Flower Show booth in the Lartz Building on the fairgrounds, allowing fairgoers to enjoy the show throughout Fair Week.
At the judge’s discretion, an honorable mention prize will be awarded this year. Mrzywka says the honorable mention will be the “top prize” of the overall show. First, second and third place ribbons will also be awarded in each class.
Also new this year is a Garden Design Contest, which will give community members in local garden clubs an opportunity to design and create a garden on the fairgrounds based on the theme “Together We Bloom.” Judging for the Garden Design Contest will be held Monday, July 25, at 4 p.m.
Additionally, the Flower Show features a Fresh Bouquet Competition on Wed., July 29, at 6:30 p.m. The contest is open to the public. The entry fee is $10.
Register at the fair office during the week of fair. The winner will be presented with a trophy. Mrzywka encourages entries, even from those who might not like flowers or have allergies.
“You can enter a photograph,” she said in the painting or drawing of a flower or garden class. “Anything in a frame” will be accepted, she said.
“If you have baskets that are thriving, take them down and bring them to fair to show for a week,” she added.
For detailed information and rules for the Flower Show go to cce.cornell.edu/orleans or stop at the Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension Office on the fairgrounds.
Amanda Mrzywka stands with containers which would be suitable to enter in the fun in the sun pedestal or regular urns class.
HOLLEY – A vehicle hit a building at 81 State St. in Holley at about 8:30 this morning, causing some structural damage to the building and minor damage to the vehicle. The driver wasn’t injured.
Code enforcement assessed the damage and deemed a section of the building uninhabitable until the damaged area could be stabilized and further assessed.
Holley firefighters, including Fran Gaylord (pictured), responded to the scene as well as Holley police officers.
CLARENCE – Congressman Chris Collins (R-Clarence) released the following statement after being announced as a speaker at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland from July 18-21.”I am honored to have the opportunity to carry Western New York’s message on behalf of Donald Trump,” Collins said. “We need a Chief Executive who will put America first, defend our nation’s security, secure our borders and put an end to the devastating trade deals that have sent American jobs overseas for far too long. Now is the time for our party to unite and focus our efforts on defeating Hillary Clinton and making America great again for all Americans.”Congressman Collins was the first member of Congress to endorse Donald Trump. He is Co-Chair of Donald Trump’s Congressional Leadership Committee, Honorary Co-Chair of Trump New York, and has made countless media appearances as a surrogate for Donald Trump.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 July 2016 at 12:00 am
‘He was just like you and me. He got up every day and went to work.’ – Mother of 28-year-old who died from overdose
A former addict speaks in this video from the State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services. The addict discussed how she went from smoking marijuana and drinking to using pain pills, and then more dangerous drugs. The video with other testimonials was shown in GCASA”s community room, with a banner on the wall, saying, “The Time To Take Action Is Now!”
ALBION – Robert Bale had a good job as a HVAC technician. He often worked 50 hours a week.
Bale, 28, also had a secret addiction. He used heroin. His family didn’t know it, nor did his roommate or close friends.
On March 10 he had a fatal overdose at age 28.
“He was just like you and me,” his mother Tammi Bale said Wednesday during a community meeting about the opioid crisis at GCASA’s Albion clinic. “He got up and went to work every day.”
Robert Bale
Her son, a Brockport native, didn’t give signs of drug use. He didn’t steal or commit other crimes to feed his addiction.
“He kept it from everyone for four years,” his mother said.
The opioid epidemic has reached Orleans County with several recent deaths from heroin overdoses, according to the Genesee-Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse.
Kathy Hodgins, director of treatment services for GCASA in Orleans County, said it is the biggest community drug crisis she has seen in her 20-year career, affecting people from all walks of life.
“This is the first time in my 20 years that one drug has caused such an impact in our community,” Hodgins said during Wednesday’s meeting.
GCASA officials said crisis has grown partly due to painkiller abuse. Many people become hooked on painkillers and then their prescription expires. Some will turn to heroin to get their fix. The heroin can be deadly, especially when mixed with fentanyl and other drugs, Hodgins said.
Tamara Ashton lost her daughter, Christina Ashton, to a drug overdose on June 27. Christina had been clean for 19 days. Her mother left the house for a 40-minute errand. When she came back her daughter was found dead in the backyard after someone dropped off heroin and her daughter took a fatal overdose. Christina was 34.
Christina Ashton
“I want people to know it can be anybody,” Tamara Ashton said.
Her daughter started using drugs about two years ago. She lost too much weight, stole from loved ones to buy drugs, and would be gone unaccounted for often for two or three days.
She went from drinking alcohol to crack cocaine to heroin.
“She just wasn’t the same girl,” her mother said.
The opioid crisis has the attention of local, state and national leaders. Orleans County has started a program in the county jail to help addicts transition from the jail to the community. That includes connections to addiction counselors and shots of Vivitrol, a treatment that blocks the effects of opioid addiction.
“Every person that gets clean is less crime in the community,” Sheriff Randy Bower said.
The addicts also need to be connected to the community, finding a strong purpose through perhaps work, volunteerism, church or service clubs, Bower said.
Sheriff Randy Bower receives training in using Narcan from Diana Fulcomer of GCASA. About 20 people received the training on Wednesday. Narcan can help someone suffering an overdose.
“It’s an illness,” Bower said about the addicts. “We have to be able to accept these people.”
Bower said the Sheriff’s Office wants to go to schools in Orleans County, giving presentations to students about the dangers of using painkillers without a prescription, and how they can lead to more dangerous and fatal drugs.
The issue has been in the news throughout the region, state and country due to the increase in overdose deaths. In nearby Erie County, the community is on pace to have 500 people die from overdose deaths this year.
GCASA wants to educate Orleans County about the crisis and give insight and help to parents and friends of people struggling with addiction.
The agency on Wednesday trained about 20 people in using Narcan, which can take someone out of an addicted state. The people trained received a Narcan kit to use in case of an opioid overdose.
Sherri Bensley, assistant director of prevention for GCASA, discussing commonly used opioids during a presentation Wednesday. She said addicts get the drugs often from friends or relatives, “not the street corner drug dealer.”
GCASA leaders said the agency will have more community meetings to educate the public and get more people involved in fighting the crisis.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 July 2016 at 11:00 am
LYNDONVILLE – The village water supply is running low due to drought-like conditions. That is prompting the Village Board to implement a water restriction policy until further notice.
The village can pump 400,000 gallons of water daily for customers in the village and the Town of Yates. Due to the lack of rainfall, water customers have been using more water for lawns, washing cars and other purposes, Village Clerk Teri Woodworth said.
“The water tower is nearly empty,” Woodworth said. “The restrictions are in place until we can replenish.”
The village water restriction policy, passed by a local law in 2003, says no public water can be used to wash vehicles, and watering lawns or gardens is limited to between 4 and 5 a.m., and 9 and 10 p.m.
Here is a public notice put out by the village this morning:
Due to extreme drought conditions the Village of Lyndonville declares that a water shortage condition now exists throughout the area served by the Village of Lyndonville.
The Village of Lyndonville and the Town of Yates (District 4) are implementing Stage 1 of the Water Conservation and Water Use Restriction policy. These restrictions shall remain in effect until the supply of water available for distribution is replenished.
The following restrictions apply to all customers: Stage 1
A. No Person or entity shall cause, permit or allow:
1. The continuing of a leak or waste from any water pipe, valve, faucet, conduit equipment facility, or device connected to the water system, or which utilizes water, on or in any premises owned, leased, managed, operated or controlled by such person or entity;
2. The washing of any vehide by means of a hose, fire hydrant, or other active source connected to the water system.
3. The washing of any street, sidewalk, driveway, outdoor areaway, outdoor steps, building exterior or other structure by means of a hose, fire hydrant or other active source connected to the water system.
4. The use of water from the water system for any ornamental purpose, including but not limited to use in fountains, artificial waterfalls, reflecting pools, lakes and ponds.
5. The use of water from the water system to water any lawn, ornamental shrub, plant or tree, except that:
a. Water maybe used to water any lawn, tree, shrub, or garden from 4:00 am. to 5:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
b. Water may be used at any time to irrigate from a hand held container, vegetables or fruits grown for human consumption.
6. The opening or use of any fire hydrant or of the water there from, for any purpose other than fire protection except in accordance with a permit obtained from the DPW Department and only for the period of and the purpose authorized by such permit and in strict adherence to all terms and conditions set forth therein;
7. The operation of any air conditioning system utilizing water from the water system in a cooling tower, unless within 30 days from the effective date of this regulation a separate meter is installed to continuously measure the flow of water to the cooling tower.
8. Operate any air condition system in excess of two tons of rated capacity or greater or any refrigeration unit rated at 10 horsepower or greater using water from the Village water system, unless such air condition system or refrigeration unit is equipped with a water re-circulating device approved by the Department of Public Works and;
9. The use of water from the water system to fill or maintain the water level in any swimming pool, except that, provided the pool is operated with re-circulating equipment water may be used to fill the pool once during each calendar year, and thereafter may be used as necessary to maintain the water level in such pool.
For more information, contact the Village Office at (585) 765-9385.
Provided photo Girl Scouts in Albion are pictured with one of the blankets they donated to Hospice of Orleans for local veterans. The Scouts include, front row, from left: Mallory Holt and Julianna Newbould. Middle row: Julia Fuller, Autumn Flugel, Kendall Newbould, Riannon Newbould, and Abrielle Shuler. Back row: Isabel Penafiel, Sarah Mathes, and Molly Wadhams.
Press Release, Hospice of Orleans
ALBION – As part of the “We Honor Veterans” campaign, Hospice of Orleans reached out to facilitate gifts and several troop leaders and girls from the Cobblestone Service Unit of the Girl Scouts committed their time and energy. They were able to complete several heart-warming blankets for veterans. Troop Leader Von Newbould shared that the designs on the blankets were carefully chosen.
A few of the girls had a grandfather that received Hospice care and the girls used to call him Super Man. So, it only made sense for them to choose a superhero pattern for one of the blankets.
Some reflected that the highlights of this project were learning how to make the blankets and then being able to do it all by themselves and meeting a few times at Burger King as a group to spread out. One of the girls even made blankets in the car.
By joining an awareness campaign called We Honor Veterans, Hospice of Orleans recognizes that a vast majority of veterans may not be aware of the services and benefits that may be available to them at the end of life and aims to provide quality care while honoring veterans’ preferences.
In speaking to the girls that participated in this project, it was clear that their understanding of service did not echo a theme of self-sacrifice. Rather, they felt enthusiasm and joy to be able to help. The staff at Hospice extends a heartfelt thank you to all that participated in this service project and knows that each veteran that receives a blanket will feel the care that went into making them.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 July 2016 at 12:00 am
Bikes are set by a tree at Holley’s Canal Park on Monday when about 700 cyclists passed through the county on the annual Cycling the Erie Canal event.
Today will be another hot day with temperatures reach to reach a high of 93. The National Weather Service in Buffalo has issued a hazardous weather outlook for Orleans and other western and central New York counties.
“Heat and humidity will combine today to produce Heat Index values in the mid to upper 90s.
“Please exercise caution with outdoor activities during peak heat today. Stay hydrated and never leave kids or pets unattended in vehicles.”
Other highs for the next few days include 85 on Thursday, 81 on Friday and 79 on Saturday.
