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Medina church celebrates upgraded playground for child care program

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 June 2013 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers – The P.Raising Kids Child Care Center celebrated the re-opening of its playground with several improvements to the area at the Medina United Methodist Church. Julianne McGrath, director of the P.Raising Kids, stands at left with children and staff involved in the program during a ribbon-cutting on Friday.

The playground includes new equipment for children.

MEDINA – New equipment. A smoother sidewalk. Safety improvements. The new playground next to the Medina United Methodist Church opened on Friday and immediately was embraced by children.

The church runs the P.Raising Child Care Center, serving about 40 kids on Mondays through Fridays.

Their playground has been off limits because of old equipment and glass shards that were discovered on the ground. The church replaced the dirt and base for the playground, installed new equipment, expanded the fenced-in area, and changed the sidewalk so it no longer has a step. That makes the site handicapped accessible.

“Before there were a lot of issues,” said Tony Hipes, the church pastor. “It was old and falling apart.”

The improvements cost about $3,000. The Medina Area Association of Churches chipped in $1,500. The MAAC wants to support the P.Raising program, which was started about four years ago.

“They are serving community children,” said Sue Metzo, the MAAC president and a member of the Presbyterian Church. “They are doing something that is very important in this community. Anytime there are churches doing things in the community, we try to help in any way that we can.”

The United Methodist Church also is working to renovate the former Apple Grove Inn down the road on West Center Street.

“We’re in full construction mode,” Hipes said.

He hopes the congregation can move into the building in late summer or early fall. After the move to the Apple Grove, the P.Raising program will continue to be run out of the existing church at 222 West Center St.

Nathan Brabon, 4, of Medina finds the smooth sidewalk good for riding a tricycle.

Point Breeze wins ‘Ultimate Fishing Town’

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 June 2013 at 12:00 am

Orleans community declared winner over Cape Hatteras, NC

Photo by Tom Rivers – An angler tries his luck at Point Breeze last month. Point Breeze was declared “Ultimate Fishing Town” by the World Fishing Network today.

POINT BREEZE – It appeared to be a big fish that got away, the title as “Ultimate Fishing Town.”

Point Breeze seemed to be the runner-up to Cape Hatteras, NC. When a three-week on-line voting contest ended May 24, Cape Hatteras led fishing communities with 47,147 votes. Point Breeze was next with 32,053 votes.

But the World Fishing Network declared Point Breeze the winner today, after the WFN reviewed the votes for Cape Hatteras and tried to authenticate them. Apparently those votes didn’t hold up.

Point Breeze can proudly proclaim itself as the overall winner of the contest. The community won an earlier regional competition. That netted the community $3,500 to promote its fishery. The prize money has now swelled to $25,000, plus lots of free publicity.

“That’s $25,000 that can be used for anything fishing related,” said Mike Waterhouse, the county’s sportsfishing promotion coordinator.

He praised Point Breeze fans for voting in the contest. The votes kept coming for Point Breeze even when it appeared Cape Hatteras had an insurmountable lead.

Point Breeze businesses say the competition unified the community to promote a fishery well known for brown trout, salmon, steelhead and cohoes.

The community built a new lighthouse at Point Breeze about three years ago.

“We are a small fishing town elated to win the title of Ultimate Fishing Town,” Point Breeze resident and town nominator Sharon Narburgh told the WFN. “We have a unique small town with many needs for our fishery and are thankful to our residents and anglers for their diligence in voting.”

WFN representatives, including Ultimate Fishing Town host Mariko Izumi, are expected to be in Point Breeze on June 26 to celebrate with the community and produce a video about the great fishing at Point Breeze.

WFN says it is the leading entertainment destination and digital resource for anglers throughout North America. Today it also declared Port Colborne in Ontario as the “Ultimate Fishing Town” in Canada. Last year, Olcott won the U.S. title.

There were 700 towns in the U.S. and Canada that received nominations and were eligible to advance in the contest. Participants were asked to nominate where he or she believes is the best place to fish. Town walls were then populated with videos, photos and written comments to promote the community’s candidacy and reinforce why the town is deserving of Ultimate Fishing Town honors.

“I want to take this opportunity to congratulate Port Colborne and Point Breeze, winners of WFN’s Ultimate Fishing Town for 2013, and commend the regional and affiliate winners, too,” said Pam Stinson, senior director of marketing for World Fishing Network. “The accomplishment of being named Ultimate Fishing Town demonstrates pride, passion and enthusiasm from start to finish, and it wouldn’t be possible without the commitment and dedication of all those who participated.”

65 charged in Albion with seatbelt violations

Posted 10 June 2013 at 12:00 am

Press release, Albion Police Department

ALBION – The Albion Police Department participated in the “Buckle Up New York Campaign” from May 20 to June 2 and arrested 65 people for not wearing seatbelts.

The Police Department was awarded a $779 grant from the New York State Governors Traffic Safety Committee to participate in this state-wide initiative.

Albion officers issued 138 tickets for various vehicle and traffic law violations during the 14-day enforcement wave. Besides the 65 seatbelt violations, officers issued 13 speeding tickets (six in the school zone), 10 uninspected motor vehicles, five unlicensed operators, six aggravated unlicensed operator in the third degree, one ticket for facilitating unlicensed operator in the third degree, four for operating without insurance, one for reckless driving, two for operating with registration suspended/revoked, and five for talking on cellphone while driving.

Police Chief Roland Nenni III said the department also made arrests for driving while intoxicated and for driving while ability impaired by drugs/marijuana.

The Albion Police Department hosted two multi-agency road checks during the campaign period with assistance from the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office and New York State Department of Motor Vehicles.

During the road checks, which were conducted on North Main Street and South Main Street, officers issued a total of 26 uniform traffic tickets. One motorist was arrested during the road checks for DWAI by drugs/marijuana and unlawful possession of marijuana.

The main factors that cause fatalities in motor vehicle accidents continues to be speeding, not wearing seatbelts and driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, Nenni said.

“The safety of our streets continues to be the number one goal of the Albion Police Department,” he said. “We will continue to strive to make our community safe.”

Musicians make some noise in Medina

Contributed Story Posted 9 June 2013 at 12:00 am

Photo courtesy of Chris Busch

MEDINA – A group of Buffalo musicians known as “The Healing Committee” performed Saturday night at the Boiler 54 outdoor venue at the back of the Shirt Factory Café building on West Center Street. The trio includes, from left: Alan Whitney, Kathryn Koch and Timmy P. Boiler 54 has live music most Friday and Saturday nights throughout the summer.

A showcase of talent

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 June 2013 at 12:00 am

Dance, music, theater on display at Albion event

Photos by Tom Rivers – Ryan Haight, center, and other members of the Albion Men’s Select Chorus ham it up with Director Gary Simboli during Theatre on Main Street on Saturday.

Mary Martin and the Albion Women’s Select Chorus performed several songs for about 400 people at the Theatre on Main Street.

Elizabeth Banty is the swan queen surrounded by black swans in a performance by the Gotta Dance by Miss Amy studio.

ALBION – Performers from several communities in Orleans County were welcomed for the debut of Theatre on Main Street.

The three-hour show was on an outdoor stage on West Bank Street.The crowd seemed to get bigger throughout the night. Organizers estimated 400 people were there.

Organizers hope it’s the beginning of more shows drawing dancers, musicians and theatrical performers to the county. Someday soon, the stage could be the opera houses in Albion and Medina.

The National Park Foundation and the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor contributed grants for the first Theatre on Main Street. The groups wanted the performance close to a historic opera house. Michael Bonafede and Judith Koehler own that building and are working to restore the site.

The Spotlight Dance Studio in Albion gets a chance on the stage.

Students from Dance Reflections by Miss Heather were among the performers.

John Martin, “Zilch Fletcher,” of Medina entertained with some light-hearted songs.

The Three Little Maids include, from left: Maarit Vaga, her daughter Lydia Erakare and Kristi Phillips.

Holley students create plaques for Woodlands pavilion

Posted 9 June 2013 at 12:00 am

Courtesy of Holley Central School – The Holley Sports Booster Club accepted plaques from art students for the Woodlands Soccer Field. Pictured, from left: Bob Brice, Sports Booster Club president; students Corinne Lamorie and Gionni Kowalski; and art teacher Brandi Zavits.

Press release
Holley Central School

HOLLEY – Two high school students, junior Corinne Lamorie and freshman Gionni Kowalski put their artistic abilities to work on a Sports Booster Club project that will enhance the pavilion at the Woodlands Soccer Field.

Working with art teacher Brandi Zavitz and Sports Booster Club President Bob Brice, the students designed and created eight oval-shaped plaques, one for each of the sports played at Holley.

The plaques will be hung inside the pavilion at Woodlands as a finishing touch to Booster Club upgrades occurring there this summer.

“The work Corinne and Gionni did is absolutely beautiful and will enhance the pavilion in a meaningful way,” Zavitz said.

Brice, who is coordinating the pavilion upgrades added, “We’re not only thrilled to replace what’s there now but we are especially excited to be able to showcase wonderful artwork for many years to come. Our thanks to Corinne and Gionni!”

Grant will help with Cobblestone Church roof and tower study

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 June 2013 at 12:00 am

Photo by Tom Rivers – The Cobblestone Society Museum has been awarded a matching grant to survey the roof and tower of the Cobblestone Universalist Church, a building from 1834 that is part of the museum near the intersection of routes 98 and 104.

GAINES – The most prominent building in the Cobblestone Society Museum, the Universalist Church from 1834, needs roof and tower repairs.

The museum has received a matching $1,000 “Sacred Sites Grant” from the New York Landmarks Conservancy. The grant will go towards a survey to determine the repairs needed for the roof and tower.

The church is used for a variety of historical programs, services and weddings every year.

“Preserving this unique piece of cobblestone heritage is vital for future generations to enjoy,” said Deborah Brundage, the museum’s director. “The Cobblestone Society wishes to thank The New York Landmarks Conservancy’s Sacred Sites Program for their support in this endeavor.”

The eight-building museum was established in 1960 to preserve the oldest cobblestone church in North America and to collect and disseminate information on cobblestone masonry construction.

In 1993, the U.S. Department of the Interior declared the collection of buildings a National Historic Landmark, the only historic site in Orleans County with this designation.

A cobblestone house from 1836, which was once owned by the famous publisher Horace Greeley, is next to the church.These two buildings are furnished to show how they would have been used in the 1880s. A few buildings east on 104 sits a one-room cobblestone schoolhouse from 1849.

The museum also includes four wooden buildings on Route 98, just north of 104. They include a blacksmith shop, print shop, harness shop and an exhibit hall of 19th century farming tools. A brick house from 1836 also serves as a resource center on the 1,200 cobblestone buildings in North America.

The museum opens its season June 23 and runs until Sept. 1. It’s open every day but Monday during the summer. For more information on the museum, click here.

More photos from Theatre on Main St

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 June 2013 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers – The Albion Women’s Select Choir includes Maria Ostafew, front right.

Steven Stauss, right, and other members of the Albion Men’s Select Choir give an enthusiastic performance of a romantic song.

Gary Simboli plays the keyboards and directs the Albion Men’s and Women’s Select Choir.

ALBION – The Theatre on Main Street production on Saturday resulted in a treasure trove of images. I shared some after the show last night, but here are some more.

A stage with professional sound and lighting was set up on West Bank Street for the three-hour show.

John Martin, “Zilch Fletcher,” of Medina shared a few folksy songs.

Albion residents Dorothy and Milt Boyer, center, react to a funny line from one of Martin’s songs.

Performers from Lisa’s Dance Boutique on Holley were among the acts in the three-hour show.

A group of four dancers from Dance Reflections by Miss Heather perform during Theatre on Main Street.

Outdoor theater a big hit

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 June 2013 at 12:00 am

Erie Canal Sal, others perform for 400

Photos by Tom Rivers – Gretchen Murray Sepik portrays Erie Canal Sal during the Theatre on Main Street talent showcase tonight in Albion.

ALBION – Gretchen Murray Sepik starred as Erie Canal Sal as part of the Theatre on Main Street production Saturday night to close out the Strawberry Festival.

At least 400 people watched the three-hour show on West Bank Street.

Sepik, an Albion resident, portrays Sal, a cook on canal boat in 1840. She was among the performers. (I’ll have pictures on The Hub soon of some of the other acts.)

Local school bands strut stuff

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 June 2013 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers – The Purple Eagle Band performs in the rain on Main Street this morning.

The Kendall-Holley Marching Band was part of the Strawberry Festival for the first time today.

ALBION – The Albion Purple Eagles Marching Band played for the home crowd today in the Strawberry Festival Parade.

The newly formed Kendall-Holley Marching Band also made its debut in the Albion parade. The Dragons from Pembroke have been mainstays at the parade for many years.

Several other bands performed in the 90-minute parade, including the Hitmen Brass Band, Mighty St. Joes, Mark Time Marchers, Rochester Scottish Pipes & Drums, Kendall Royal Blue, White Sabres Dream Corps and the Alexander Fireman’s Band.