By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 July 2016 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers – A chair is pictured by the shore of Lake Ontario last week at Oak Orchard on the Lake.
It’s going to be hot and humid today for Orleans County and Western New York. The Weather Channel has issued an extreme heat alert for Orleans County today when the heat index is forecast to reach 91 and the high temperature will be 88 degrees.
Thursday is forecast for a high of 87, with a chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 9 a.m.
On Friday the high will reach 88 with a chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 7 a.m., according to the Weather Service. There is a chance for showers and thunderstorms on Friday night.
Saturday there is also a chance of showers and thunderstorms with a high near 79.
The National Weather Service says there is a chance for numerous thunderstorms to develop in the area beginning on Friday as low pressure moves into the Great Lakes Region.
“There remains a good deal of uncertainty with respect to the exact timing and intensity of these storms,” the Weather Service said. “But there is some potential for at least a few strong to severe thunderstorms. The primary risk would be isolated damaging winds and large hail. These storms may also produce very heavy rainfall which could lead to localized flooding.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 July 2016 at 12:00 am
Band will play six concerts in four days
File photos by Tom Rivers – The Old Hippies play a concert from on top of a packet boat last July in Medina. The band is calling itself itself “The Traveling Towpath Troubadours” for the canal concert series.
MEDINA – When the canal was mostly drained in Orleans County last week for emergency repairs to a culvert in Hulberton, Bill McDonald worked on a backup plan for a series of concerts he had planned by boat.
McDonald and the other members of the Old Hippies were performing in Albion last Thursday for the village’s canal concert series. McDonald said the band could tell the canal was slowly refilling. The state Canal Corp. and its contractor made the fix in Hulberton.
McDonald and the band wouldn’t have to drive to concert sites after all. That was the back up plan. They will travel to the canal communities from a house boat and perform from the vessel.
Those concerts start Friday in Lockport and continue until Sunday with performances also in Middleport, Medina, Albion and Holley.
This is the second straight year McDonald, a Batavia resident, has organized the concert series. The Old Hippies will be the “The Traveling Towpath Troubadours” for the concert series, which this year has expanded to two performances in Lockport.
“The canal is so underutilized,” McDonald said today. “We want to promote it and try to get more utilization out of it.”
The Traveling Towpath Troubadours will be back performing in Medina’s Canal Basin on Sunday at 3 p.m. A grant through the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council is helping to fund the concerts.
The schedule starts on Friday with 6 p.m. concert at Lockport Historical Society, followed by another concert in Lockport at 11 a.m. Saturday for the Lockport Farmers Market. The music moves to Middleport for a concert by the canal at 6 p.m. on Saturday.
The Troubadours first perform in Orleans County on Sunday with a concert in Medina’s Canal Basin at 2:30 p.m. The band then travels by house boat to Albion for a 6 p.m. concert on Sunday.
The music concludes on Monday with a concert in Holley at 6 p.m. at the village’s canal park.
McDonald said the concerts were popular last year, with Medina drawing the biggest crowd. The band received such good feedback and is back for another series along the canal, with an expanded slate of concerts including the two in Lockport.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 July 2016 at 10:00 am
LYNDONVILLE – The Lyndonville community – and beyond – raised more than $12,000 during a basket auction on Monday to support a family with a baby battling a brain tumor.
More than 200 baskets were donated to support Ella Suhr and her family, and the auction raised $12,584.11, said Jen Button, one of the organizers of the event.
“That is way more than we ever anticipated,” Button said this morning. “It will definitely help them.”
Ella is the daughter of Joe and Meagan Suhr. Mrs. Suhr is a high school teacher in Batavia and her husband is a social studies teacher in Lyndonville. Both Joe and Meagan grew up in Lyndonville and continue to reside in the community.
Ella’s grandparents are also active in the Lyndonville school district. Harold Suhr is on the Board of Education and his wife Joanne is a long-time elementary school teacher. In addition, Ella’s grandmother Carol Neal is a teacher’s aide for the school district.
Ella in March was diagnosed with a brain tumor and stage 4 cancer. Surgeons have removed the tumor and an MRI last week showed no more signs of the tumor, Meagan posted on Facebook.
“We’re thankful for all of the donations,” Maegan said by phone today from Florida. “We’re overwhelmed.”
Provided photo – Many people buying tickets are lined up for the auction on Monday.
The Suhrs are in St. Petersburg for Ella’s care at All Children’s Hospital. She will be discharged today, and will return home to Lyndonville. She has three upcoming rounds of chemotherapy and will have some of her stem cells returned in a procedure at Golisano’s Children’s Hospital at Strong in Rochester.
“She still has a long way to go,” Mrs. Suhr said.
Button, a senior account clerk in the business office for the school district, said she is proud of the way the community has rallied to support the Suhrs.
As volunteers were setting up for the auction on the school lawn on Monday, during Lyndonville’s Independence Day Celebration, more people showed up unexpectedly with baskets to donate. Other people made cash donations, Button said.
The community has rallied to support the Suhrs since Ella was diagnosed in March. Joe’s colleagues at Lyndonville donated their sick days so he could take the rest of the school year off to care for his daughter.
Many in the community wore Lyndonville Tiger colors of orange and black with the message “Suhr Strong” to show support for the family and help raise money for medical costs.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 July 2016 at 9:00 am
LYNDONVILLE – Fireworks explode in the sky at Lyndonville to cap the 42nd annual Lions Club’s Independence Day Celebration.
The Lions Club hired Young Explosives for the show.
Neila Johnson, 8, of Barker has fun before the fireworks in Lyndonville.
The fireworks are a big draw to Lyndonville.
This family from Barker prepares to send a Chinese lantern. The group includes form left: Kristina Klosin, Natalie Regling (partially pictured), Neila Johnson, Brent Johnson and Christopher Klosin (back to camera).
The fireworks show started with this display of the American flag.
This family watches the fireworks from a swingset at the playground.
The Who Dats played before the fireworks. The band members pictured include from left: Marty Hobbs on bass guitar, Lonnie Froman on lead vocals and John Borello on lead and rhythm guitar.
The fireworks are pictured through the playground by the Lyndonville school.
Jeff Kerr from Massachusetts lets go of a Chinese lantern. He was in town visiitng family.
Fireworks are reflected in the Johnson Creek pond.
The fireworks show lasted more than a half hour and lighted up the sky in Lyndonville.
Shane Ritzenthaler, 9, of Medina holds some sparklers while waiting for the fireworks show.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 July 2016 at 12:00 am
Provided photo – Employees for the Elmer W. Davis of Rochester last week work on tearing off the roof of the Kendall Jr./Sr. High School. The building front entrance will get a radical new look over the summer.
KENDALL – Contractors will be busy this summer giving the Kendall Jr./Sr. High School a new look, especially with the roof.
Students, teachers and staff will return to a school in September that has a much more appealing look that allows more existing light in the building, said Julie Christensen, the school district superintendent.
This rendering shows how the new main entrance will look at the Kendall Jr./Sr. High School.
Kendall residents approved a $25 million capitol project in May 2013. Most of that work happened last summer. The revamp of the main entrance at the junior-senior high school is one of the final pieces of the construction project.
In addition to improved aesthetics, the new entrance will provide an enclosed place for students giving students a safe and dry spot while they are waiting before or after school, Christensen said.
Contractors will also work on bathrooms in the elementary school and remove some asbestos tiling over the summer.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 July 2016 at 12:00 am
“We’re going to be in very bad shape” without rain soon
Photo by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The trees on the lawn at the Hoag Library in Albion are surrounded by a lawn that has turned yellow and brown due to the lack of rain.Much of the county has only received about 20 to 30 percent of the rainfall the past four months compared to what is normal during that time frame, said Larry Meyer, director of the Farm Service Agency in Orleans County.
The area normally receives about 15 to 16 inches of rain during the previous four months, but 4 inches or less is more common this year for Orleans County, Meyer said. That has left many stunted crops.
Rain is in the forecast for later this week, and Meyer said it is desperately needed for farmers to have a chance at a viable crop for harvest season.
“If this continues we’re going to be in very bad shape,” Meyer said today. “We need rain and it needs to be soon.”
Many farmers have been irrigating which has helped some of the crops. Meyer praised the Canal Corp. for working to reopen the canal quickly after the repair of the culvert in Hulberton. About 25 farms have siphon permits for canal water between Brockport and Middleport.
The U.S. Drought Monitor last week declared that nearly all of Orleans County is suffering from “Moderate Drought” conditions. Meyer said he looked at agency records and the amount of rainfall the past four months is the least amount in about 40 years.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 July 2016 at 8:00 am
LYNDONVILLE – Thomas Follman plays the tuba in the Lyndonville Marching Band in today’s Fourth of July parade. Follman, who just graduated from the school, joined about 85 other students in grades 5 through 12 in the band for today’s parade.
The band stopped on the parade route on Main Street to lead the crowd in singing the National Anthem.
Numerous community organizations – churches, businesses, fire departments, service clubs, bands and more – marched in today’s parade in Lyndonville, and many of the participants were decked out in red, white and blue.
Miguel Aldaco, center, joins Jacob and Clara Pruski in the float for the Knights of Columbus and St. Joan of Arc of Orleans.
Faith Bible Baptist Church in Medina made this patriotic float, “Old Glory.”
The Spencerville Yacht Club in Lyndonville released a batch of balloons during the parade. The group has an Olympic-themed float.
The Hospice Duck stops to high-five a kid along the parade route.
Teri Woodworth, the village clerk, promotes Lyndonville’s public water supply.
This member of the American Legion in Lyndonville waves to the crowd on Main Street.
Employees for the Mizkan company in Lyndonville participate in the parade.
Daniel Grabowski of Albion helps carry the banner for the Knights of Columbus. His father Michael Grabowski is a member of the Knights.
The Shelby Volunteer Fire Company was among the many fire departments with a fire truck in the parade.
Lyndonville firefighters march in the parade.
Oak Orchard Assembly of God in Medina created a float to promote its upcoming Vacation Bible School called “Lava Lava Island, Where Jesus’ Love Flows.”
Lyndonville alumni once again joined to play in the parade. They call their band, “Treble in the Streets.”
Randall Bane is dressed as Uncle Sam while pushing his mother Mildred in today’s parade.
The Lyndonville United Methodist Church also created a patriotic float to promote some of the church’s ministry efforts.
The Gates Keystone Club, Police, Pipes & Drums plays patriotic music in the parade.
Georgia Thomas of Medina is dressed up as Cobble the Museum Mouse. Thomas has created a coloring book starring Cobble to help promote the Cobblestone Museum in Gaines.
Local Girl Scouts and their leaders were out waving flags and tossing candy along the parade path.
Automotive Solutions, a towing business in Medina, joined several other businesses in the parade.
State Assemblyman Steve Hawley, center, and State Sen. Rob Ortt passed out candy and waved to many in the crowd.
Orleans County Sheriff Randy Bower and a contingent from the Sheriff’s Office also participated in the popular parade.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 July 2016 at 12:00 am
News site sees big jump in readers
Provided photo – Nearly 100 Medina teachers wore ribbons with Notre Dame blue and gold, and a small green ribbon during the June 24 commencement in honor of Jeff Evoy, the school superintendent who died on June 23 at age 50. Evoy was a big fan of Notre Dame and he was also proud of his Irish ancestry. His death was mourned by the community.
MEDINA – Orleans Hub saw a big jump in traffic in June, setting a new record high for readership. Orleans Hub had 780,920 page views in 30 days, an average of 26,031 per day.
That breaks the record of 765,677 page views in September 2015, a daily average of 25,523.
September was also our previous high for average daily users. We had a 7,671 daily average in September during a heated primary season for sheriff and other local elected positions.
We’ve consistently stayed over a 7,000-average, but hadn’t eclipsed the September standard until June, when the daily average was 8,424. That is the first time we’ve been over an 8,000-daily average for a month. For the first six months this year, the daily average was 7,054 in January, 7,135 in February, 7,108 in March, 7,556 in April, 7,530 in May and 8,424 in June.
Jeff Evoy, a well-regarded superintendent of schools for Medina, died on June 23 at age 50. Evoy had been battling a serious illness, but continued to be active in running the district while he was in the hospital. He checked email and was often on the phone in the last month before he passed away the day before graduation.
The story about his death was the most-viewed during the month, and by far the most-viewed story of the year on the Orleans Hub.
Here are top five most-viewed stories of the month:
Photo by Tom Rivers – This home on Sawyer Road in Carlton was badly damaged in a fire on June 6.
Local sports also continues to be popular on Orleans Hub. Mike Wertman, a long-time local sports writer, provides a daily update on local high school athletes and other local sports. His wife Cheryl has photos from many of the games.
The most-viewed sports story was on June 4, featuring Medina High sophomore Jalin Cooper. He scored an impressive sweep by capturing both the 100 and 200 sprints at the Section VI Division 2 championships.
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Jalin Cooper was a double winner at Sectionals.
By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 3 July 2016 at 12:00 am
Eileen Sorochty of Albion shows off the blooms on one of the clematis vines which grace her home garden in Albion. Her garden is one of six featured on this year’s Garden Path Tour on July 16.
Orleans County Master Gardeners will host their 2016 Garden Path Tour on July 16, featuring six gardens, mainly in Albion and Medina.
Master Gardner Eileen Sorochty is helping to organize the event and her garden in Albion is one of the six “Garden Stars” included on the tour.
Sorochty’s garden surrounding her home on East Avenue is a mix of relaxed borders and beds which feature spring bulbs, perennials, flowering shrubs, and garden art and ornaments. Additionally, Sorochty grows vegetables and has plantings devoted to attracting and hosting butterflies as well as other pollinators.
The house she lives in is her childhood home, and some of Sorochty’s mother’s plants – including iris and a clematis – are still part of the garden.
A bright red Monarda or Bee balm blossom in Eileen Sorochty’s garden welcomes pollinators.
She grows heirloom tomatoes which she calls, “different and tasty,” as well as vegetables completely new to her like bok choy.
The garden features a small patio pond and solar night features and Sorochty says she is working towards all organic gardening practices and a new composting system.
Other 2016 Garden Stars are Sharon Sugar, who is a neighbor of Sorochty’s. Her garden is child-friendly with play equipment, a pond garden, outdoor rooms and seating areas.
The mostly shaded garden of Sharon Sugar in Albion features several outdoor seating areas and a rose garden.
The English gardens of Brandi Zavitz on Center Street in Medina feature perennials and a pond; Ruth Shewan’s country garden on West Shelby Road in Medina includes perennial beds and a greenhouse. A memorial garden honors the Native American relics said to be buried on the property.
Ann and Stephen Bunch’s garden on Howell Parkway in Medina is a relaxed English garden that is bird-friendly. Additionally, the Bunch’s have many trees and a Pagoda garden.
Jeannette Riley has an eclectic garden at her home on Braley Street, by the canal in Albion. It is filled with re-purposed glass/metal/gates/doors/ knobs and more. Riley grows perennials and flowering shrubs and her garden features a mini guest house with a patio.
Eileen Sorochty uses an old wooden wagon bed for a fairy garden. She stores the elements indoors during the winter.
“You can start where ever you want, we will have a map of the gardens for you,” Sorochty says regarding the tour.
The Garden Path Tour will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. rain or shine on July 16. Tickets are are available at Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension – 12690 Rt. 31 in Knowlesville. Call 798-4265 for more information. Tickets are also available the day of the tour at any of the featured gardens. Sorochty requests that you bring correct change for tickets if purchasing day-of. Participants will receive a hand-stamp to show that they have paid and will have their names entered in a drawing for a gift certificate from Sara’s Garden Center in Brockport.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 July 2016 at 12:00 am
HULBERTON – The State Canal Corporation plans a bigger fix to a culvert in Hulberton after the canal boating season ends on Nov. 20, Canal Corporation officials said.
The Canal Corporation and contractor C.P. Ward of Scottsville made a temporary repair to a leaking culvert that allowed the canal to be reopened. A section was closed between Middleport and Brockport for about a week.
“For the temporary repairs that were completed this week, sheet piling was installed into the north and south embankments around the culvert to stabilize them and grout (cement) was pumped into the void areas, essentially plugging the leak,” Shane Mahar, Canal Corp. spokesman, said in an email, describing the work that was done.
The Canal Corp. had warned it could take several weeks to make the temporary fix during the height of the canal boating season.
“The full and complete repair is being designed by our engineers,” Mahar said. “We expect those repairs to be completed during the non-navigation season.”
Brian Stratton, the Canal Corp. director, said a “multi-agency response” allowed the canal to reopen ahead of the initial predictions.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 July 2016 at 12:00 am
File photos by Tom Rivers
LYNDONVILLE – A big crowd gathered to watch the fireworks last July 4 in Lyndonville. The show was 43 minutes long and this year’s fireworks will be a comparable show, said Wes Bradley, fireworks chairman in Lyndonville.
Bradley and other members of the Lyndonville Lions Club work throughout the year planning the Fourth of July festival in Lyndonville, which is capped by the fireworks show at 10 p.m.
Young Explosives will be back to set off the fireworks on Monday night in Lyndonville.
Organizers don’t know how many turn out for the fireworks, but Lyndonville is the hub of the county for the Fourth of July.
“You walk up (Route) 63 and there are cars for as far as you can see,” Bradley said. “People watch on the side roads. They’re all over the place watching the fireworks.”
This photo from July 4, 2014 shows the fireworks reflected over the Johnson Creek pond in front of the school.
Bradley said the community steps forward donating to the fireworks show. Residents, businesses and organizations are give to the annual spectacle in the sky.
“It’s everybody that makes this possible, even the people giving dimes and quarters,” Bradley said.
The fireworks will start at 10 p.m. They will follow a busy day in Lyndonville, including a parade at noon, arts and crafts show from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., chicken barbecue from 1 to 5 p.m., a garden tractor pull from 1 to 4 p.m., the Hospice duck race at 3 p.m.
There is also live music and other entertainment including a bounce house for kids from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., concert by Gates Keystone Club Police Pipes & Drums at 1:30 p.m., and the Who Dats at 7 p.m.
There will be also be a basket raffle with about 200 baskets up for bid up until 3 p.m. Proceeds go to Ella Suhr and her family. Ella is about 7 months old and is battling a brain tumor.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 July 2016 at 8:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers– Jonathan Doherty of Albion is pictured with a can for recyclable bottles and cans that was recently added on Main Street in Albion by the Frosty Bucket. The Self Advocate All Stars collect the cans and use the proceeds to fund recreational programming and conferences for people with disabilities.
ALBION – Jonathan Doherty has been recognized as the Volunteer of the Year in the western region of the Self-Advocacy Association of New York State.
Doherty, 33, of Albion is an active community member, volunteering with the Strawberry Festival Committee, Boy Scout Troop 164, the Albion Alumni Foundation, the Eastman at Albion Concert Series, and numerous events for The Arc of Orleans County.
Doherty also was one of the driving forces a decade ago in creating the Self Advocate All Stars, a group for developmentally disabled adults who do community service projects.
“I’m never home,” Doherty said about his busy schedule. “I like to get out in the community and support the community because I live here. It’s fun to help the different groups.”
Doherty and the Self Advocate All Stars march in parades, wash cars, present at County Legislature meetings and make other efforts to reach out to the community. Last month they added cans to collect recyclable bottles in downtown Albion. They collected $38.85 worth of bottles and cans at the Strawberry Festival.
Doherty called the Mizkan vinegar plant in Lyndonville, and the company donated six cans that the All Stars turned into recyclable collectors.
The All Stars formed in 2006. One of its early goals was to rail against official government use of the “R-word.” The County Legislature in May 2010 passed a formal resolution, telling local, state and federal governments to no longer use the word “retarded” in describing people with developmental disabilities.
The R-word is a “vicious slang” that is insulting and hurtful to people with developmental disabilities and their families, legislators said in their resolution in 2010.
Doherty said the All Stars have other events and fundraisers planned, including car washes at the Save-A-Lot in Albion from noon to 4 p.m. on July 9 and Aug. 13; a garage sale on July 15-16 at the Albion Academy at 16 West Academy St. in Albion; and a picnic at Camp Rainbow in Ridgeway on Aug. 20.
Jonathan Doherty walks in Holley’s parade last June with the Self Advocate All Stars. Last month he was named Volunteer of the Year for the western region of the Self-Advocacy Association of New York State
By Matthew Ballard, Orleans County Historian Posted 2 July 2016 at 12:00 am
Volume 2, Issue 27
Orleans County boasts a long an impressive lineage of entrepreneurs, inventors, and local celebrities so it should be no surprise that this week’s column features yet another area native who developed an illustrious career for himself.
The child of John Babbage and Fanny Wescott, Edward Frederick Babbage was born along the Oak Orchard River in Carlton around 1841. His mother was an English immigrant arriving in the United States in 1837 and marrying her husband the following year.
After spending their earliest years in Orleans County, the Babbage family relocated to Rochester where the father worked as a fruit peddler. It is said that Edward was always on the “large” side, being exceptionally big at the age of six and weighing in at 200 pounds at the age of 14. His interests were varied, so much of his early working career was spent experimenting in various vocations; first as a hotel porter, then as a hotel manager, a traveling salesman, museum manager, and eventually a glassblower.
At the conclusion of the Civil War, Babbage was enlisted as the road agent for a minstrel troupe operated by veterans of the 15th Engineer Corps. After a three-year stint with the troupe, his services were sought by the well-known minstrel troupe operated by “Happy Cal” Wagner. As the story goes, Wagner was unaware of Edward’s initials sent the letter addressed to “Phat Boy” Babbage; from that point forward, the name stuck like glue.
“Phat Boy” Babbage became a celebrity thanks to his large size, amiable personality, striking looks, and sense of humor. During his years as a road agent, he claimed to have visited every city and town that boasted more than 5,000 inhabitants. He became a popular public spectacle and a larger-than-life personality, which conveniently matched his physical stature. As a result, newspapers remarked “he was the fattest of the fat” and “was as broad as he was wide”
Babbage’s rise to fame occurred during the time in which the country’s wealthiest and most famous capitalists were scarfing up land throughout the St. Lawrence River region. Venturing northward, Babbage was enlisted by the steamboat operators of the Thousand Islands to act as a tour guide for the region. He often sat aboard the bow of the boats equipped with his signature felt hat and diamond lapel pin, sharing colorful stories of the area’s rich and famous inhabitants.
“Phat Boy” was an astute guide and spent much of his time brushing up on the history of the region, authoring several books which are still viewable today. Babbage’s book entitled “The Phat Boy’s 15 Years on the St. Lawrence River” highlights his career on the river as well as stories of celebrities he met along the way including President Ulysses S. Grant and George M. Pullman.
Humorous anecdotes fill the pages often discouraging readers from attaining a mass equivalent to his own, remarking that such extreme weights were far from enjoyable. Pushing 330 pounds by 1890, Babbage’s wife had died several years prior largely due to her excessive weight and his own twin brother, Dr. Edwin F. Babbage lagged behind at a mere 300 pounds.
On June 23, 1891, Babbage felt ill and meandered up the stairs of the Marsden House at Alexandria Bay. Whistling his usual joyful melody as he ascended, he collapsed at the head of the stairs and died at the age of 51; 340 pounds his final weight.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 July 2016 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
LYNDONVILLE – The Lyndonville marching band was out practicing on Friday for Monday’s July 4 parade that starts at noon. This photo shows Aaron Despard, left, and Justin Higgins carrying the banner for the band.
Last year there were 40 kids in the band for the Independance Day Parade. This year there will be 85. The program has grown with the inclusion of fifth- and sixth-graders as well as more participation from upperclassmen.
Natalie Allen, front right, plays the piccolo in the band, which was rehearsing on Housel Avenue on Friday.
Kristina Best, the middle and high school band director for Lyndonville, keeps an eye on the band during rehearsal on Friday. She said she is impressed by the big turnout from the students, especially at the beginning of summer vacation.
“We’re really proud of these kids because it is optional,” she said. “They’re out here for the community.”
Anna Lewis, left, and her sister Aubrey, right, play the saxophone in the band.
John Bailey, the elementary school music teacher, is happy watching the students practice on Friday. He has several elementary school students in the band.
Tamara Huzair is among the band members for Lyndonville.
The band stopped by a teacher’s house on Garland Street and played “Happy Birthday” for the teacher.
The parade on Monday is a big part of Lyndonville’s Fourth of July celebration. (Click here to see the schedule.) The Lyndonville Lions Cub organizes the popular community celebration.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 July 2016 at 12:00 am
Jenna and Martin Bruning turn iconic barn into events center
MEDINA – After more than a year of hard work with lots of imagination, Jenna and Martin Bruning hosted their first wedding today at The Gallagher, one of the area’s most iconic barns.
The barn on North Gravel Road has been transformed into an events center. Today Alex Shuknecht married Kate Eberlin in an outside ceremony next to the barn. The couple is having the reception inside the barn, which has room for 250 people.
Alex Shuknecht and the his wife, the former Kate Eberlin of Holley, walk down the aisle after getting married today in a service outside the Gallagher barn on North Gravel Road.
The Shuknechts looked at the barn about a year ago. It was in rough shape then, but the Brunings assured them they would have the barn repainted, and redone inside in time for the wedding.
“It looked pretty rough a year ago,” Mr. Shuknecht said today before the wedding. “Kate and I couldn’t be happier with how it turned out. We wanted a rustic look. I love this place. I wish them all the success in the world.”
The barn has been a landmark on Route 63 since the 1880s. The Brunings had the barn repainted to its original colors last year, with large painted letters, WM J. GALLAGHER STOCK FARMS.
The Brunings each grew up on dairy farms. Jenna’s parents, Mike and Cyndi Van LieShout, own a dairy farm in Barre. Martin grew up on a dairy in Waterport. The couple was married in a barn at the Van Lieshhout farm on Route 98.
Barns have become popular as wedding venues in recent years. Kate Eberlin grew up in Clarendon. She was a student in GCC’s vet tech program with Shuknecht’s brother, who introduced Kate to Alex. That was in December 2011.
Kate now works as a vet tech at the Brockport Animal Hospital. Alex owns a dairy farm in Pavilion with his brothers, Eric and Adam.
They looked at barns for their wedding in Rochester, but those sites were booked two years in advance, and they didn’t give the couples options for catering and DJ services.
The Brunings say they are fortunate several friends and family helped create “The Gallagher,” including Tyler Palmer of Lyndonville who made the tables using reclaimed wood from three other barns that had fallen down due to neglect. Palmer also used wood from rotted fence posts for some of the table legs.
The Brunings allow people to pick their own caterer, DJ, photographer and anyone else they want to provide services at the wedding.
David Barone, a wedding photographer from Buffalo, said barns are becoming popular as wedding venues. He has taken wedding pictures at barns before. The Gallagher is much bigger than other barn venues he has been in for weddings.
“This is one of the biggest barns I have seen,” he said. “I like the rustic look. I like the light inside.”
He expects The Gallagher will be very popular for weddings.
“People like the originality,” he said. “They want to step out of the box.”
Alex Shuknecht holds his daughter Avery, who served as a flower girl at her parent’s wedding today.
The Brunings worked diligently on the property while juggling their own full-time jobs and raising three young children. Mrs. Bruning is a district manager for Aldi and Mr. Bruning is a milk truck driver.
They cleared brush, redid masonry work, installed new support poles, put in bathrooms and a bar, and redid a third of the wooden floor, as well as numerous other projects.
The Gallagher has new bathrooms and other modern features while preserving a rustic look. James Kyle put in the bathrooms, a bar, a dance floor and back doors.
“We had a lot of great people help with this,” Mrs. Bruning said.
The new Mrs. Shuknecht said the barn setting exceeded her expectations.
“I’m beyond happy,” she said. “It’s gorgeous in here.”
The table is set for guests at today’s wedding at The Gallagher. The table is made from reclaimed wood from another barn on the property.
The Shuknechts are the first of 10 weddings already set for this year at The Gallagher. Three more are booked for 2017.
Mr. Bruning said he sometimes questioned if the project was too much for the young couple. But Medina residents always seemed to stop by at the right time, offering encouraging words. Family and friends also stepped up to help get the barn ready for its first wedding.
Mr. Bruning went without a haircut from October until early this afternoon. He said he wasn’t go to get it cut until the barn was ready. He showed up at the wedding with much shorter hair.
Martin and Jenna Bruning turned a dilapidated barn into an events venue. They are pictured inside the barn before today’s wedding.
“Everything that we wanted it turned out better than we expected,” said Mr. Bruning, 31. “There is more to do. The wish-list goes on.”
The Brunings have church pews outside the barn for people to sit during the weddings. The pews were acquired less than two months ago from a Lutheran church in Wolcottsville, which Mr. Bruning attended as a kid.
The Brunings also added a barn door and wrought-iron gates as a backdrop for the weddings.
“We’ve been able to make a lot of things beautiful that originally had a utilitarian purpose,” Mrs. Bruning said.
The ring bearers, Camden and Norah Eberlin, make their way down the aisle during today’s wedding.
The wedding as pictured through one of the side barn doors.
The Gallagher property includes 14 acres, including space next to the barn for weddings.
Alex and Kate Shuknecht kiss after being pronounced as husband and wife.
