By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 September 2013 at 12:00 am
Courtesy of Mike Zingler -Mike Zingler is pictured with Abby Wambach during a commercial shoot at his farm in Kendall.
KENDALL – When the New York Apple Association was planning a new commercial to promote the state’s $300 million apple industry, it wanted an apple farm close to Rochester, an orchard that was clean and a good representative of the industry.
The Apple Association picked Mike Zingler’s farm in Kendall to film a commercial featuring Abby Wambach, a Rochester native who holds the world record for most goals scored by a woman in international competition.
The new commercial featuring Wambach is now being aired. The soccer star also is featured in in-store advertising.
She spent part of July 30 at Zingler’s farm for the commercial shoot.
“She was great,” Zingler said about Wambach, whose family owns Wambach Farms, a farm market and garden center. “She is a gracious person. She’s really into farming.”
Wambach was hired as an apple ambassador because of her local roots and healthy, active lifestyle, said NYAA President Jim Allen.
Mike Zingler’s son, Jimmy, was able to meet Wambach. Jimmy, 20, played soccer at Kendall. He works at his father’s farm and is also a part-time college student.
Zingler is a past member of the NYAA board of directors. She has a reputation as a progressive grower with high standards at his farm, Allen said. Zingler also has an iconic red barn and a striking tree in the orchard that created an ideal farming atmosphere for the commercial shoot, Allen said.
“Mike’s location was just excellent,” Allen said.
The Apple Association is eager to promote this year’s crop, which is the biggest on record at 32 million bushels.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 September 2013 at 12:00 am
The cover of “Unknown Museums of Upstate New York” includes a photo of the Cobblestone Universalist Church in Gaines, which is part of the Cobblestone Society Museum.
The Cobblestone Society Museum, which includes several historic structures, has been trying to raise its profile in recent years so more people could experience the oldest cobblestone church in North America and other buildings at the museum.
A new book about 50 museums in Upstate New York includes a picture on the cover of the Cobblestone Universalist Church, which is the centerpiece of the museum complex near the routes 98 and 104 intersection. The church was built in 1834.
The book introduces readers to “unknown museums.” Chuck D’Imperio, the author of several books about Upstate New York, wrote his latest book as a guide to 50 “treasures” that tell unappreciated stories of the state’s history.
In “Unknown Museums of Upstate New York,” D’Imperio writes about the Jell-O Museum in Le Roy, the National Bottle Museum in Ballston Spa, the Catskill Fly Fishing Museum, the Kazoo Museum, and the Robert Louis Stevenson Cottage and Museum.
Syracuse University Press published the book. I spotted it earlier today in Bindings Bookstore in Albion. Click here for more information on the book.
(Editor’s note: John Ulmen, a member of the U.S. Navy, gave this speech during the Sept. 11 memorial service on Wednesday at the Elk’s Club in Albion.)
Honored dignitaries, members of the military, ladies and gentlemen. My name is John Ulmen. Since that terrible day 12 years ago, I joined and serve in the Naval Reserve. In 2007 I was called to serve a 14-month mobilization to active duty. Seven months of that tour were spent at Camp Fallujah, Iraq, where my Seabee regiment contributed to the rebuilding of that shattered nation.
Whatever your position on our war on terrorism, it is always been a uniting factor for us Americans to display our compassion, to give aid, and to value the lives of others. That is what differentiates us from the terrorists, who use religion to mask their evil. Today we observe a solemn sacred pause in our daily routine. The attacks of that day served only to unite us, much like the attack on Pearl Harbor did. Flags displayed at the rubble of ground zero inspired and reminded us all of what unites us, and we responded with a sea of flags displayed throughout the nation, and we delivered swift retribution to those responsible.
That day showed that it doesn’t matter what uniform an American wears, whether they be first responders, EMT’s firemen, policemen, military or citizen. All stood prepared to give their all, and tragically, too many did. There is no greater honor for me than to serve this great country, and to salute all others who have likewise served, and especially to those who have laid down their lives for her like our brave citizens that dark day.
Coming from a military family, I learned at a young age how fortunate I was to be an American, by seeing and appreciating those who stood the watch and guarded our safety. I have proudly instilled my love for my country into my children, one of which presently serves in the Navy. I know they will pass on our love of America to theirs.
As I speak there are U.S. forces deployed around the world, some performing critical missions, some mundane everyday tasks. I can tell you that today, wherever they may be, they feel a sense of pride and satisfaction that they are standing the watch for all of you, and that we recognize and appreciate your support. It has been my privilege to serve you.
So, let us pause and reflect on what it actually takes and what it has taken to preserve our great nation. For the firemen, police, medical personnel, and our military and general citizenry who have sacrificed and still do, and to the sacred graves of those who have paid the ultimate cost, let us honor them and let us never forget to teach our children to observe and appreciate the meaning of this day and the cost of freedom.
Photo by Tom Rivers – Apples await to be picked at an Orleans County orchard. After a disastrous 2012, New York fruit growers are poised for a record harvest this year.
Press release
NY Apple Association
The apple harvest is now officially underway across the state of New York, from the lower Hudson Valley to the upper Champlain Valley and throughout Orleans County – and growers are harvesting a record crop, the New York Apple Association reports.
The state’s nearly 700 apple growers are expected to pick about 32 million bushels by the time harvest concludes in November, a modern record.
Last year’s crop was decimated by late spring frosts that killed many tree buds. The 2012 crop was 17.1 million bushels. New York’s average production is 29.5 million bushels of apples.
Excellent weather conditions – beginning during this year’s bloom and growing season, and continuing into harvest so far – mean that this year’s fruit will be large and juicy, with high natural sugars. Meanwhile, recent new plantings mean that consumers will find more of the New York state apple varieties that they love.
“Good news, New York state apple fans: This year’s apple harvest is on time, and is now in full swing across New York state,” said NYAA President Jim Allen. “Our consumers who have been waiting for us to get back into the market after last year’s short crop will have lots to celebrate this fall.”
Harvest of New York’s top variety McIntosh is now underway in the eastern part of the state and will soon be harvesting statewide, Allen reported. Harvest of all other varieties, including consumer favorites including Zestar, Gala and HoneyCrisp, also has started across the state.
Farm markets across the state are now stocked with new-crop fruit and fresh apple cider, and retail stores are stocking their shelves. Pick-your-own orchards are also open statewide, offering wholesome, healthy family fun.
NYAA’s consulting dietitian also celebrated arrival of the new crop as the state’s schoolchildren head back to class.
“Apples are the perfect addition to every school lunch,” said Linda Quinn, MS, RD. “Their natural sweetness comes packaged with a big serving of fiber so that fuel is released to the body more slowly, giving your child healthy energy while leaving her feeling fuller for longer.”
To promote this year’s crop, NYAA has enlisted Rochester native and international soccer star Abby Wambach. In July, Wambach became the women’s world record holder for career goals scored. Television and radio commercials featuring Abby are airing now. She will also be featured in in-store signage starting later this fall.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 September 2013 at 12:00 am
ALBION – Orleans County municipalities have different ways of enforcing building and property maintenance codes, which can be confusing to residents and businesses who want consistency across the county, said District Attorney Joseph Cardone.
He spoke to the County Legislature on Wednesday, asking the group to be part of a county-wide meeting with village and town officials about establishing consistency in code enforcement.
Cardone’s office prosecutes some of the code infractions. The code enforcement officers also go to court for code violations.
Legislature Chairman David Callard said he supported a push for more consistency in enforcement across the county. Cardone said many of the towns and villages have common code definitions, but they are interpreted differently by some code officers and municipalities.
The upcoming code enforcement meeting could also raise the prospect of county-wide code enforcement. In Wyoming County, a county about the same population as Orleans, the county handles county enforcement, which results in more uniformity throughout the county.
Cardone is reaching out to towns and villages, and offered to coordinate any meetings about the issue.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 September 2013 at 12:00 am
Albion town and village each give $250 to event
ALBION – Beggar’s Night, when youngsters descend on the downtown looking for candy, will return after a year’s absence on Oct. 25.
Many downtown merchants will be handing out treats beginning at 5 p.m. The bounty has been sweetened by $500 in donations, $250 from both the town and village of Albion. Both municipal boards agreed to donate to the cause at their meetings this week.
Merchants also are paying for candy for the event, which attracted about 350 to 400 children in past years.
“We want to provide a safe place and a fun community event,” said Carolyn Ricker, president of the Albion Merchants Association.
The Village Board on Wednesday also approved $1,000 towards a concert series next year. The board is seeking a $1,000 grant from the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council for the series, which is in the planning stage.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 September 2013 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers – New York Revolution, a grass-roots organization that formed after the state passed an anti-gun law in January, has rallied public opposition against the SAFE Act by attending many community events, including the Lyndonville Fourth of July parade, as shown in this photo.
Nine months ago the group didn’t exist. Now it has secured resolutions from the 10 Town Boards, four Village Boards and the Orleans County Legislature all in opposition to the state’s new anti-gun law.
New York Revolution also is mounting a voter registration drive. The organization wants citizens to be more involved in the political process at the local, state and national levels. A big goal: voting out Gov. Andrew Cuomo in his re-election effort next year.
Cuomo pushed the SAFE Act through the state Legislature in January, a process that many have decried because there weren’t public hearings. Many detractors also say the law is unconstitutional, an attack on Second Amendment gun rights.
Gia Arnold of Holley was outraged when the law was passed. The 23-year-old mother of three young children helped form the New York Revolution, and coordinated a SAFE Act protest by the county courthouse in April. She has become the state leader of NY Revolution and has attended gun rights rallies throughout the state.
She also has been working to secure the resolutions from the local governments, believing a unified front in Orleans would send a message to Cuomo that the law is roundly opposed in Orleans. She hopes other counties will follow suit.
“We are very proud we got them all,” Arnold said this morning. “It’s a big accomplishment for Orleans County and I hope Gov. Cuomo will take notice.”
Medina and Lyndonville villages were the last to go on record against the SAFE Act. Those Village Boards voted on Monday.
Arnold has been busy in recent months, attending government meetings, parades and gun clubs, trying to mobilize residents against what she said is an unconstitutional law.
“When the law was passed in January, I told my husband we couldn’t stay quiet any longer,” Arnold said. “There are too many people staying under the radar. We need to make our voices heard.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 September 2013 at 12:00 am
YMCA director has organization on new path
Photos by Tom Rivers – Jeff Winters, executive director of the Orleans County YMCA in Medina, has led the organization to profitability, a big increase in membership, and the start of a $400,000 capital campaign.
MEDINA – It was 2010 and Jeff Winters had a law degree and a good job. He was only 27 with a bright future ahead of him.
But Winters dreaded his new career, the long hours of paperwork and what felt like detachment from regular folks.
So three years ago, Winters walked away from that life and took a job as executive director of the Orleans County YMCA in Medina. The organization ran at an $80,000 annual deficit, operated out of a historic building in need of significant repairs, and had a modest membership base.
Winters, now 30, has led a transformation of the local Y, with membership doubling to 2,400. The Y has made a concerted effort to expand outside of Medina, by running youth programs in Albion and Lyndonville, which has resulted in a big boost of program participants.
“We got back to the basics, focusing on good customer service and programs,” Winters said.
The organization is now profitable. The Y put a new roof on its historic site in Medina, the former Armory on Pearl Street. It has new cardio equipment, treadmills and other exercise equipment.
It has raised $275,000 towards a $400,000 capital campaign, which will increase handicapped accessibility of the facility and add a vestibule and two unisex bathrooms and shower areas inside. The lobby will be expanded for social areas for coffee and conversation. A “Child Watch” room and group exercise room will be added.
Jeff Winters is pictured with some of the new exercise equipment recently added to the Orleans County YMCA.
The transformation of the Y earned Winters the Chamber of Commerce’s “Community Service Award.” Winters, a Medina native, said the honor should be a group award because many community members have diligently worked to keep the Y in the county.
The Orleans County Y used to be known as the Lake Plains YMCA before the organization joined the GLOW Y, which has sites in Batavia and Warsaw. The decision to join the multi-county Y likely saved the Y in Orleans County, giving the Medina-based program access to more resources, Winters said.
Scott Taylor is the leader of the GLOW Y. He said Winters has done a remarkable job in three years.
“He has a passion to help others in the community,” Taylor said. “He has grown the programs, done fund-raising and worked on the capitol project.”
Winters took a significant pay cut to join the Y, but he said he doesn’t have any regrets. He is happy to be working in his hometown of Medina, connecting with people of all ages.
“When I was hired at 27, it was a leap of faith on my part and also on their part,” he said.
The YMCA has been running programs out of the former Medina Armory for about 30 years. The site was built in 1901 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Winters, a 2000 Medina grad, was an offensive lineman for Medina’s varsity football team and played catcher on the baseball team. He played baseball for four years at Ithaca College before earning his law degree at the University at Buffalo. He was working as a lawyer, but found he didn’t enjoy writing legalese.
“I consider myself a people person and I missed the people,” he said. “This job has definitely aligned all of my passions.”
Winters like sports and business. With the Y position, he has been able to combine many of those interests in leading the organization.
He praised a team of employees that has grown from 13 three years ago to 47 now. The Y has been reinvigorated by many new volunteers who are looking for ways for the Y to engage the community.
One new program starts on Sept. 28. The Y wants to tap a growing movement for 5K races through obstacles and mud. Many of these races draw hundreds of participants. The Y is planning its debut “Mud Run” on Sept. 28 beginning at the Sacred Heart Club with the first waves of runners at 11 a.m. The course includes three farms and the Erie Canal.
Participants will slip and slide down a muddy hill, climb hay bales and carry wood, as well as maneuver through other challenges.
“We’re always trying new things and taking some risks,” Winters said.
Winters and the other Chamber winners will be honored Saturday during a banquet at the White Birch Golf Course in Lyndonville. The event is open to the public. Tickets are available by calling the Chamber at 589-7727.
Press release, Orleans County Sheriff’s Department
GAINES – An Albion man was injured last night when the motorcycle he was operating collided with a deer.
Luis R. Soto-Thomas, 45, was riding solo on his 2002 Harley-Davidson MC travelling north when a deer ran onto the roadway and into his path. After the collision, he and the machine became separated. Both slid an additional 225 feet before coming to rest on the east shoulder of the roadway.
Soto-Thomas was flown to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester by Mercy Flight helicopter with serious but non-life threatening injuries.
The incident occurred at about 8 p.m., in the 2900 block of Gaines Road (State Route 279) in the town of Gaines.
Soto-Thomas was cited for aggravated unlicensed operation in the third degree and operation without a license. He will appear in Town of Gaines Court at a later date pending his recovery.
The incident was investigated by Deputy J.J. Cole, assisted by Deputy K.J. Colonna and Sergeant G.T. Gunkler.
LYNDONVILLE – Lyndonville Central School has been awarded a $100,000 New York State Performance Improvement Grant.
The district was a recipient last year, and in order to qualify for funding this year, Lyndonville had to demonstrate significant academic gains and growth, as well as meeting the goals of the grant.
The Performance Improvement Grant is used to support Lyndonville’s mission of ensuring that its students are college and career ready. Specifically, the grant will be used to support the AVID (Advancement via Individual Determination) Program. AVID is a college readiness system for elementary through higher education that is designed to increase school-wide learning and performance.
The AVID College Readiness System (ACRS) accelerates student learning, uses research based methods of effective instruction, provides meaningful and motivational professional learning, and acts as a catalyst for systemic reform and change.
“This second year of grant funding will allow our district to continue to provide exceptional learning opportunities for our students as well as meaningful professional development for our teachers,” said Jason Smith, superintendent of schools.
Anne Marie Holland, director of Special Programs for the district, said the grant gives teachers additional staff development in AVID strategies, and will increase college opportunities for students.
