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Outstanding citizens for 2015 contribute in many ways to Orleans County

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 December 2015 at 12:00 am

Orleans County is blessed to have many dedicated volunteers and generous residents, who give of their time, talents and financial resources for a better community. Each year since the Orleans Hub started in April 2013 we’ve recognized outstanding citizens and we want to do it again.

This time there are two – Melissa Ierlan of Clarendon and Al Capurso of Gaines – who are first-time “repeat winners.” We have no limits on how many times someone can be recognized. Many residents make big contributions to the community, year after year.

This year’s “Outstanding Citizens” include:

Kendall Community Chorus hits the right notes

Photo by Kristina Gabalski – Mary Campbell, far right, directs the Kendall Community Choir during a holiday concert in November. The concert also served as a benefit for the Kendall Food Cupboard.

In 2008, Mary Campbell put notices in Kendall churches and public buildings, looking for singers. Campbell retired as a Kendall music teacher in 2007. A year later, she was eager to lead voices again.

Campbell hoped 20 people from Kendall would volunteer for the Kendall Community Chorus. The first practice, 50 people showed up. The choir has performed in numerous concerts since then, including a big bash for Kendall’s bicentennial in 2012. They have sung in the school, at the town park, and many local nursing homes. They begin the annual Kendall Fireman’s Carnival Parade with the “Star Spangled Banner” and “America, the Beautiful.” They even sang a patriotic medley in a flash mob at Wegmans in Brockport.

The group’s annual November concert benefitted the Kendall Food Cupboard, with people urged to bring canned goods or cash donations.

“We tried to go where there were people we knew,” Campbell said.

Sixty-eight people have sung in the choir since it started. Many have become close friends through the group. Campbell announced after the November concert she was retiring from directing. She thanked the many dedicated singers. About 30 have stayed with the group since it started.

Campbell has been the group’s leader as it enriched the community, and built strong bonds of friendship. She said the singers have all given of their time to make the group a success.

Provided photo

Eighteen members of the Kendall Community Chorus sang in October 2014 at the Middleport Community Choir Invitational. The 18 members from the Kendall Community Chorus are, from left, first row: Kristy Markham, Alissa Grimm, Lisa Rowley, Katie Presutti, Marilynn Kundratta and Mary Campbell. Second row: Cindy Curtis, Debbie Collichio, Eileen Young and Candy Mael. Third row: Carol Duerr, Marietta Schuth and Mary Lou Lockhart. Fourth row: Jeremy Rath, Nancy Grah, Christopher Tobin, Robert Bissell and Eileen Grah.

Animal lover has boosted dog and cat adoptions, improved shelter

Photo by Tom Rivers – Joette McHugh of Albion, center, is pictured with her husband Bill and Gina Smith of Hilton. They are with Zurie, a Shar-Pei/Lab mix. About 20 volunteers are regulars at the Orleans County Animal Shelter, feeding animals, taking dogs for walks, socializing cats and performing other duties.

Ever since she retired nine years ago, Joette McHugh has been a devoted volunteer at the Orleans County Animal Shelter. She knows all of the dogs and cats by name, and has been instrumental in adopting out many of the animals.

She also has been a driven fund-raiser and spearheaded the start of the Friends of the Orleans County Animal Shelter. She is president of that group, which had a fund-raising gala at The Pillars in May, bringing in about $7,000.

That has helped to have all dogs neutered at the shelter, and also paid for a new washer and dryer.

Most of the animals at the shelter are chipped which makes it much easier to find their owners if the animals are ever lost or on the loose. The number of adoptions has actually gone down in the past couple years because the shelter has been able to find many of the owners.

However, many cats and dogs don’t have homes. McHugh, the other dedicated volunteers and Animal Control Officer Kathy Smith have adopted out 1,500 dogs and cats in the past seven years.

McHugh brings enthusiasm and joy to the shelter, whether its feeding the animals, walking dogs, playing with cats or cleaning cages.

“I love the animals and thought if there was anything I could do to help I would,” McHugh said.

Medina churches unite throughout the year to help community

Some of the members of the Medina Area Association of Churches are pictured on Dec. 19 after toys. clothes and food were delivered to Medina families, including about 150 children. The group includes, from left: Grace Pries from the First Baptist Church, Rosey Boyle from the United Methodist, Donna Johnson from the Presbyterian Church, Sue Metzo from the Presbyterian, Pastor Tony Hipes of the United Methodist, Joanne Arnett with United Methodist, and Ronnie Barhite from St. John’s Episcopal Church.

For more than four decades a group of Medina churches have played Santa during the holidays for local families.

The annual MAAC toy drive allows about 150 children to have several toys each year, as well as food, and new hats, mittens, scarves and socks.

The churches also work together throughout the year running the clothing depot at the Calvary Tabernacle Assembly of God, the former Medina High School. The depot sells clothes below thrift store prices. It generates about $30,000 to $35,000 annually that the churches give back to the community for many causes.

The humanitarian work has brought Christians from several churches together, strengthening their fellowship while they provide for local residents.

“You don’t see this in many other communities,” said Tony Hipes, pastor of the United Methodist Church and current vice president of MAAC. “It’s the body of Christ. We’re giving back throughout the year.”

MAAC members Sue Metzo (left) and Sylvia Riviere are pictured in December 2014 inside the Medina United Methodist Church at the former Apple Grove Inn, which has become the headquarters for the annual present sorting.

Charter boat captain has been instrumental in raising trout, salmon for local fishery

Bob Songin, in red, lead the pen-rearing project from 1998 to 2014 until passing off the reins to a new group of volunteers this year. Songin remains active in helping to raise the fish in the Oak Orchard River.

Orleans County’s top tourism draw are big salmon and trout in Lake Ontario and local tributaries, such as Oak Orchard River, Johnson Creek and Sandy Creek. Fishing has a $12 million economic impact in the county each year.

A local charter boat captain has given countless hours to improve the fishery through a pen-rearing project. With that effort, begun in 1998, about 100,000 baby fish are delivered to pens in the Oak Orchard River from the Altmar Hatchery.

The fish arrive at about 2 inches long. The are babied and nurtured for a month in the Oak Orchard, doubling in size before they are released from the pens. They are fed five times a day, beginning at 5 a.m.

The month in the Oak Orchard allows the fish to imprint on the river, increasing the chances they will return to spawn when they are mature.

Without the pen-rearing, the fish would more likely head near Oswego and the Salmon River, near the Altmar Hatchery.

Bob Songin is charter boat captain with Reel Excitement.

Songin and the volunteers have increased the survival rate of fish, and charter boat captains say more bigger fish return to the Oak Orchard for fall fishing runs since the pen-rearing.

“He has spent untold hours getting it off the ground,” said Mike Waterhouse, the county’s sportsfishing promotion coordinator. “The whole community benefits because it ensures our fish will remain at a level to draw fishermen from all over the country.”

Songin also has shared the success of the Oak Orchard pen-rearing with other fishing communities. Now there are similar efforts in Olcott and the Genesee River in Rochester. This year he handed off the main pen-rearing responsibilities to Mike Lavender, Bob Stevens, James Cond, Chris Efing and Ian Scroger.

Downtown business owner spearheads several efforts in Albion

Lisa Stratton is dressed in costume during Beggar’s Night in October, when hundreds of children stopped by Albion businesses for treats.

Lisa Stratton, owner of the Hazy Jade Gift Shop in downtown Albion, remains one of Albion’s biggest boosters and tireless workers.

Each spring she and a few other volunteers fill concrete planters with dirt and flowers. She also arranges for the hanging baskets on Main Street.

Stratton organizes volunteers to water the flowers on weekends. She also helps plan many of the events through the Albion Merchants Association, including a wine tasting, Beggar’s Night with candy for children, and other activities throughout the year that provide fun for the community while promoting the locally owned businesses in the downtown.

She attends many of the Village Board meetings, advocating for the downtown businesses, and often will step forward to help with a community event.

Old farmhouse turned into hunting retreat for wounded warriors

Photos by Thom Jennings – Hunters pose with some of the birds harvested during a hunt in September in Shelby, the first for The Warrior House.

Peter Zeliff Jr. turned an old farmhouse in West Shelby into a therapeutic site this year for wounded veterans.

Zeliff and a team of volunteers fixed up the house and connected with veterans’ groups to bring injured soldiers to the site for a few days of hunting. The property was renamed The Warrior House.

The site hosted its first hunt in September with 13 wounded veterans. Other groups have followed and The Warrior House will be made available to spouses and children of veterans as well.

Zeliff sees the site as a ministry for people who served the country. Some bear obvious injuries and walk with a cane. Others suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and constant physical pain.
Shannon Girard from Lafayette, La. was out for a hunt at The Warrior House in late October-early November. Girard, 40, said he “slept like a baby” over the weekend on his hunting retreat. That is a big deal for Girard and the other veterans.

Girard was deployed as a medic to Iraq in 2004-05. The Louisiana resident said the hunting getaway is a perfect way for veterans to calm their nerves and bodies, while connecting with others in the military.

“The best therapy is bringing people together,” Girard said on Nov. 1 after a morning of bow-hunting. “You can decompress when you come out here and be in nature and see the beautiful sunrises and sunsets.”

Zeliff, through his generosity and hard work at The Warrior House, is making a big difference for many soldiers.

Peter Zeliff Jr. is pictured in July during a workday at The Warrior House.

Volunteer made farm market a Medina hotspot

Photo by Tom Rivers – Gail Miller stepped forward this year as volunteer coordinator of the new Canal Village Farmers’ Market in Medina.

A farmers’ market that operated in the Canal Basin for about a decade ceased after the 2014 season. The Orleans Renaissance Group saw a farmers’ market as a draw for the downtown and residents’ quality of life.

The ORG decided to start a new market, The Canal Village Farmers’ Market. The market date was moved from Thursdays to Saturdays, and the location shifted from the Canal Basin to the parking lot across from the Post Office.

Gail Miller volunteered to lead the market, working with vendors and lining up entertainment and exhibitors. Some Saturdays, 450 to 500 attended the market.

“It’s been a great group effort,” said Mrs. Miller on the market’s final day of the season, which was Halloween. She dressed as an Angry Bird character that day.

Next year the market will start in June, and Miller said there will be more entertainment and demonstrations. She has been a key to the market’s success and it’s bright future.

One of oldest cobblestone schools gets new life

Al Capurso is pictured with a new historical marker that was unveiled Oct. 17 by a former one-room schoolhouse on Gaines Basin Road, just north of the Erie Canal. The schoolhouse was built in 1832 and is one of the oldest cobbesltone buildings in the area.

Orleans County is home to about 100 cobblestone buildings and many other historic sites that are a source of pride. But there could be more if the wrecking ball, fires and neglect hadn’t destroyed former mansions, schoolhouses and other sites established in the 1800s.

Al Capurso didn’t want to lose another building that is important to the county’s past. This year Capurso rallied volunteers to save a former one-room schoolhouse on Gaines Basin Road. The building from 1832 is one of the oldest cobblestone buildings in the county and region.

The building has been largely abandoned since 1944. This year it got a new roof. Boards were removed from windows and sashes restored. Junk was cleared out.

Capurso and members of the Orleans County Historical Association also put up a historical marker for the school. The marker notes that Caroline Phipps taught at the school. She went on to be a distinguished educator and ran the Phipps Union Seminary in Albion from 1837 to 1875. That spot later became the County Clerks Building.

The 913-square-foot building needs more work and Capurso has a game plan to get it done. Next year he said there will be repairs to the floor, and the building will be rewired and ceiling and walls plastered. Some missing sections of cobblestones will be replaced with appropriate soft lime mortar.

In 2017, Capurso said he expects the site will receive donations for a piano, school desks, teachers desk, wood stove, tables, chairs and wall hangings. The site, where hundreds of children were educated, will add to the county’s historical fabric. A treasure that could have caved in has been saved.

Capurso was recognized as an outstanding citizen by the Orleans Hub in 2014 for leading the effort to have the federal government name a creek in honor of a pioneer resident, Elizabeth Gilbert. It flows 6.5 miles along Brown Road in Gaines across Ridge Road to Carlton.

It took a year of lining up local support, and gaining permission from the federal Bureau of Geographic Names. The agency on April 10, 2014 formally approved the naming request.

Faded signs about local history get a makeover

In August, the historical marker for Balcom’s Mills on Fancher Road in Murray was reinstalled with fresh paint. Melissa Ierlan, the Clarendon town historian, repainted the marker. She is right of the marker in light purple shirt. Ierlan repainted nine historical markers in the past two years.

It started in 2014 when Clarendon was celebrating the 150th anniversary of Carl Akeley’s birth. Akeley grew up in Clarendon on Hinds Road and became one of the most famous taxidermists in the world.

Melissa Ierlan, the town historian, noticed the historical marker on Hinds Road about Akeley could barely be read due to flaking paint. She took the marker down, stripped off the remaining paint and repainted it blue and gold.

She did three others in Clarendon. It’s tedious work, but she wanted the markers to look good.

Other communities also had markers in need of fresh paint and Ierlan this year has redone five markers, including one for the Elba Muck, one in Albion for Grace Bidell, two on Ridge Road in Gaines, and one in Murray.

She has three others and some will require welding.

The restored markers not only make it easier to read about prominent people and places in the community’s past but also project a message that the community cares about its historical assets. Ierlan has done a nice service in reviving some of these markers.

She was also an outstanding citizen in 2014 for her efforts to save the chapel at Hillside Cemetery. Ierlan received good news on that project on Dec. 10 when the state announced a $126,210 grant for the chapel.

Deputy survives shootout, prevents mayhem

Deputy James DeFilipps is pictured with his wife Marie and their infant son Jake at the Orleans County Public Safety Building on May 19 during a recognition program.

It was 3 a.m. on March 21 when James DeFilipps was shot twice following a high-speed chase with James Ellis of Wyoming County. Thankfully, the deputy was wearing a bullet-proof vest.

DeFilipps was the first police officer on scene when Ellis wrecked his vehicle in Clarendon on Route 31A. Police were pursuing Ellis after a 911 call when he threatened an ex-girlfriend in Shelby with a gun.

DeFilipps was the first on the scene. Ellis had fled to a nearby wooded area and opened fire on DeFilipps and other deputies and police to arrive on the scene. DeFilipps, despite getting hit twice by gunfire, shot Ellis, killing him and ending his threat.

Police feared Ellis could have shot more officers on the scene if DeFilipps hadn’t been there. Ellis could have fled to a neighbor’s house.

A grand jury reviewed the evidence and found DeFilipps was justified in the shooting. After recovering from his wound to his stomach, he returned to the night shift for the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department, where he has worked nearly 13 years.

Orleans Hub will recognize the outstanding citizens during a reception in February.

Yates hires law firm, engineering company to help review Lighthouse Wind

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 December 2015 at 12:00 am

Photo by Tom Rivers – Monday’s year-end meeting for the Yates Town Board was the last meeting for Town Clerk Brenda Donald, who is retiring, and John Belson, the town supervisor. Belson lost a close election in November to Jim Simon. Donald and Belson were both thanked for their service on Monday by the Yates Town Board.

(Editor’s Note: This article was updated from an earlier version that stated Somerset hired GHD Services LLC for engineering work. The town has instead hired Wendel for work reviewing the Lighthouse Wind project.)

YATES – The Yates Town Board has retained a Buffalo law firm and also an engineering company to review the preliminary scoping statement from Apex Clean Energy’s wind turbine project and also help the town prepare comments for the New York State Public Service Commission.

The town plans to use intervenor funds from Apex to pay for the legal and engineering services.

The Public Service Commission required Apex to set aside $70,350 for municipalities and citizens’ groups to hire consultants to help review the PSS. That money represents $350 for every proposed megawatt in the project.

Apex wants to build a 201-megawatt wind turbine project in the towns of Somerset and Yates.

If Apex proceeds with the project to a final application stage, it needs to provide another $1,000 per megawatt or $201,000 for the community to review the document and comment on the studies from Apex.

Yates on Monday voted to hire Hodgson Russ in Buffalo and GHD Services LLC, an engineering firm with a Buffalo office. GHD has experience reviewing large-scale wind energy projects.

Yates wants to use intervenor funds to cover the expense for the work by Hodgson Russ and GHD.

The Public Service Commission set up the intervenor funds to be split 50 percent by a local government where the project is planned, and the other half for citizens’ groups.

Dan Spitzer, an attorney with Hodgson Russ, is asking the PSC on behalf of Yates to set aside 75 percent of the $70,350 for the local governments. The Apex project, Lighthouse Wind, covers two towns in two different counties.

Spitzer said during Monday’s Town Board meeting that the two towns are clearly taking the lead in reviewing the 125-page preliminary scoping statement from Apex.

Spitzer requested that the 75 percent or $52,762.50 be split in half for the two towns with Somerset and Yates each receiving $26,381.25. That would leave 25 percent of the intervenor funds, or $17,587.50, for other local parties or citizen’s groups to participate in hiring experts for the review.

Spitzer said Yates and Somerset will try to coordinate the review as much as possible to stretch out the dollars for the two towns.

Spitzer, in a Dec. 28 letter to the PSC, said Yates didn’t budget for the expense of hiring experts and also is under the 2 percent property tax cap. (Click here to see submissions to the PSC.)

“We really don’t want to see taxpayers pay for a private application,” Spitzer said during Monday’s board meeting.

The PSC has set a Jan. 12 deadline for comments on the Apex preliminary scoping statement. The Town Board moved to hire Hodgson Russ and GHD in order to meet the PSC deadline.

Hodgson Russ attorneys Daniel A. Spitzer will be paid $270 per hour and Charles W. Malcomb, $265 per hour, for their work on the PSS. GHD engineers will be paid the following per hour: Camie Jarrell, $141; Dave Britton, $177; and Robert Adams, $187.

Two incoming members of the Yates Town Board, John Riggi and Town Supervisor-elect Jim Simon, will take office Jan. 1. They said after Monday’s meeting the outgoing Town Board should have refrained from hiring Hodgson Russ and GHD until the new board was in office.

Simon said there still would have been time to meet the Jan. 12 deadline for comments by waiting to hire consultants next week.

2015 Best Submitted Photos from Readers of Orleans Hub

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 December 2015 at 12:00 am

If a rainbow emerges in the sky or if there is a dazzling sunset, Orleans Hub readers will often send in photos of the spectacles.

Readers also will spot snowy owls, bald eagles and other wildlife and share those images.

The top photo shows two bald eagles pictured in early March at the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge. Pamela Moore took the picture.

Here are some of my favorite images captured by readers during 2015.

Linda Dale of West Bacon Road has found a bright spot in the brutal cold weather on Feb. 18: a frequent visitor she calls “Allie.” She took this photo of Allie – a spotted deer. This Piebald deer was eating seeds from the bottom of a bird feeder.

“She’s such a delight!! Just look at that face!!” Dale said in an email.

Jason Smith was driving to work on Feb. 20 as superintendent of Lyndonville Central School and took this picture of a sundog on West Countyhouse Road in Albion.

The sundogs resemble rainbows. They appear sometimes in the winter when low-lying sun creates ice halos.

Matilda Erakare took this photo at about 6:50 a.m. on May 5 while she was walking along East Avenue on her way to school. She was a freshman at Albion last year when she took the photo.

Doug Boyer took this picture of an osprey with its catch on May 16 at Lake Alice in Carlton.

Joe Martillotta was out mowing his lawn on North Main Street in Albion on May 22 when he discovered a fawn nestled in the bushes. Martillotta said he was tempted to pet the baby deer but he didn’t want its mother to reject it. The fawn eventually got up and took off running.

These baby swans were out on Lake Alice for their first day on the water on May 29. Doug Boyer was there for the milestone moment.

Mike Beach of Albion snapped this photo of geese crossing Gaines Basin Road by Wal-Mart on June 14.

Peggy Barringer of Albion took this photo of people in in Amphicar on Sept. 6 at Point Breeze.

A blood moon was out on Sept. 27 and Heather Kuepper took this picture of the total supermoon lunar eclipse, also known as a blood moon.

A double rainbow appeared on Oct. 16 and Chris Busch took this photo of the rainbow as seen from South Main Street and Crosby’s in Medina.

Michelle Restivo joined her grandfather Richard Heard of Albion on an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. on Oct. 24 to see war memorials. Heard enlisted during World War II and was a radar mechanic. In February of 1943, he was called to active service from reserve status. He was stationed in six states. Here he is pictured by the Korean War Memorial, sitting near a wall inscribed with the words,” Freedom is not free.”

Curtis Beecher, an employee at the Lynn-Ette and Sons farm in Kent, took a picture on Nov. 25 of a snowy owl on some of Lynn-Ette’s farm equipment. The owls returned for another winter in Orleans County.

It was a dramatic sunset on Dec. 6 and Eric Conn captured this scene at Point Breeze.

It was shockingly warm for much of December, including a 72-degree day on Dec. 14. Jennifer Orr of Albion took her kids to the lake at Point Breeze. They made this snowman in the sand.

Clarendon seeks state help with painting water tower

By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 29 December 2015 at 12:00 am

Photo by Kristina Gabalski – Clarendon’s water tower is located next to the fire hall on Rt. 31A, just west of Route 237.

ALBION – Leaders in the Town of Clarendon are hoping the state will come through with funds to help with the cost of painting the municipal water tower.

Town Supervisor Richard Moy received a letter from State Sen. Robert Ortt in late November informing the town that he is working to secure funding to be used for capital improvements for municipalities in his district through the State and Municipal Facilities Capital Funding Program (SAM).

“It is my hope that you can provide my office with a short list of projects within your jurisdictions that fit the criteria that I have enclosed along with this letter to you,” Senator Ortt wrote.

Supervisor Moy responded earlier this month thanking Senator Ortt for informing the town of the funding source.

“This is very timely for the Town of Clarendon in that we are planning to paint our municipal water tower,” Moy informed Senator Ortt in a letter. “Any contribution to our water tower painting project would be greatly appreciated, as this cost would be a great burden to our taxpayers.”

According to Supervisor Moy, the water tower was built in 1998 and the estimated cost for painting is $500,000. The town included photographs of the interior of the water tower and a DVD with additional details along with the letter to Senator Ortt.

According to information provided to the town by Senator Ortt, all projects must be approved by the Division of Budget and the Executive after completion of a review process by the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York.

Projects eligible for funding include major repair or renovation of a fixed asset, or assets which materially extend its useful life or materially improves or increase its capacity.

President Obama signs bill banning plastic microbeads

Staff Reports Posted 29 December 2015 at 12:00 am

File photo by Tom Rivers – A fisherman walks along the west pier at Oak Orchard Harbor in this photo from May 3, 2015. Microbeads are seen as a threat to fishing industries in the Great Lakes.

President Barack Obama on Monday signed legislation banning products containing plastic microbeads, an effort that was championed by U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-NY.
Plastic microbeads are found in personal care products like facial scrubs, body washes, hand cleansers, and toothpaste. These products are designed to be rinsed down the drain, but the microbeads are too small to be captured by wastewater treatment plants.

They subsequently have been found in large bodies of water across New York State, where they concentrate toxins and can be ingested by birds and fish, posing serious environmental and health risks, Gillibrand said.

In an April 2015, a report released by Attorney General Eric Schneiderman’s office found that microbeads were present in 74 percent of water samples taken from 34 municipal and private treatment plants across New York State.

“I am pleased that President Obama signed our legislation to federally ban plastic microbeads in personal care products,” Gillibrand said in a statement today. “This new law gives us a powerful new tool in our efforts to clean up New York’s waterways. These tiny pieces of plastic have the potential to cause serious ecological damage, hurt our fishing and tourism industries, and they have already polluted our drinking water supply. By removing products containing plastic microbeads from the marketplace, we can now begin to focus on cleaning up the mess they caused.”

The plastic microbeads could have a devastating effect on the state’s fish populations, hurting the commercial and recreational fishing industries, tourism industry, and the general economic wellbeing of the state’s coastal communities.

The states of Illinois, Connecticut and California have already banned plastic microbeads in consumer products, with legislation being considered in several other states, including New York.

World Life Institute plans to turn Masonic Hall into new international headquarters

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 December 2015 at 12:00 am

Photo by Tom Rivers – The Masonic Hall on West Center Street in Medina, a former church, will become the international headquarters for the World Life Institute, which runs several programs in Orleans County and beyond.

MEDINA – The World Life Institute is buying the Masonic Hall in Medina on West Center Street, with plans to make the site the international headquarters for WLI.

“It’s a beautiful historic building,” said Chris Wilson, a member of WLI. “We’re trying to be a force for good in the community and in our own small way internationally.”

The World Life Institute is mostly volunteer run. It built an education center on Stillwater Road in the mid-1990s. That school is used for ESL and other adult educational programs, mainly for farmworkers.

World Life Institute also has been hosting war orphans the past two decades through Project LIFE. WLI has hosted about 110 children from war-torn Bosnia, Afghanistan and Russia. Some children also came one summer from Sri Lanka following a devastating tsunami. All of the children have lost at least one parent to war or tragedy.

Wilson is international director for Project LIFE, making the contacts in the foreign countries for the children to come to Orleans County each summer.

The children are treated to peace in the countryside of Orleans County, good nutrition, art and music therapy, and English as a second language. They receive medical and dental care, and then return home after about two or three months.

Wilson said WLI plans to use the Masonic Hall for offices, educational programs and a lecture hall for community programs. WLI would like to host “TED talks” and engage the community in discussion of ideas and current events. WLI and the Masonic Lodge will close on the sale on Monday, Wilson said.

WLI will have a community reception beginning at 3 p.m. on Sunday at the Masonic Hall, 223 West Center St. Dinner will follow at 4 p.m. The event is a fund-raiser for WLI and will feature awards to local supporters, a silent auction of art and jewelry, and entertainment by a surprise local celebrity.

“This exciting event is our way to say thanks to the local community while we raise funds to support our charitable work here and around the world,” said WLI Vice President Jacob Zimmerman. “Strong local support has been the key to our success over the years, so we want to celebrate that.”

Most of WLI’s work is done by dedicated volunteers, Wilson said, with support from local congregations, businesses and individuals.

“Our work has benefitted greatly from support in the community,” Wilson said.

In Orleans County, WLI provides language training through its Medina Language Center and adult education, medical services and food programs to local people in need. WLI also operates a publishing house and provides advanced educational programs internationally through its online division, World Life College.

Tickets for the event on Sunday cost $25 for adults and $15 for children. They are available for purchase online at https://www.paypal.me/worldlifeinstituteHQ. For questions, call (585) 205-4545.

WLI is also happy to receive donations and sponsorships. For more information, please contact World Life Institute by email at wliheadquarters2016@gmail.com or phone at (585) 205-4545.

NY approves $5M, low-cost electricity for STAMP company

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 December 2015 at 12:00 am

ALABAMA – The state is releasing the first $5 million of the $33 million approved in the 2014-15 state budget to develop infrastructure for the STAMP site in the Town of Alabama in Genesee County.

1366 Technologies will be the first tenant at the 1,250-acre Science and Technology Advanced Manufacturing Park, just south of the Orleans County border. The company made the announcement, committing to the Genesee County site on Oct. 7 with Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

1366 Technologies, a manufacturer of technologies for the solar energy industry, will establish its first large commercial Direct Wafer production plant and expects to hire 600 people initially at STAMP, which could grow to 1,000 local employees.

The company is working with engineers on its building, and will also need to secure approvals from the Alabama town officials. The company expects to break ground in 2016 and begin manufacturing in 2017, said Earl Wells, a spokesman for the Genesee County Economic Development Center.

Empire State Development today announced the $5 million for STAMP. The money will be used by the GCEDC for the cost of land acquisition, engineering, and soft costs related to infrastructure development for 1366 Technologies.

Wells said additional state funds should be released as the construction and infrastructure work moves along.

Empire State Development said today that the company chose the STAMP site out of 300 possible locations due to the site’s positive momentum and commitment to growing manufacturing interests. The project will be completed in August 2016 and aligns with the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council’s plan for advanced technology and manufacturing, Empire State Development said in a news release.

The New York Power Authority also voted on Dec. 17 to allocate 8.5 megawatts of low-cost electricity to 1366 Technologies through the state’s ReCharge NY program.

Yates official disappointed with opposition to wind turbines by congressman, Ortt, Legislature

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 December 2015 at 12:00 am

‘They never came to us and asked our feelings’

Photo by Tom Rivers – State Sen. Robert Ortt attends a meeting at the Barker Fire Hall on Dec. 7 attended by about 200 people. Ortt told that group he would work to defeat a proposed wind turbine project in the towns of Yates and Somerset.

YATES – A Yates town official says he is “really disappointed” with recent public declarations from elected officials against the Lighthouse Wind project.

Wes Bradley, a Yates town councilman, said county legislators, a state senator and congressman did not reach out to Yates officials about the project before making their public comments, denouncing the project. Apex Clean Energy wants to build up to 71 large-scale wind turbines in the two towns.

Bradley said this morning during a Yates year-end meeting that he is most disappointed with the Orleans County Legislature, which voted on Dec. 16 to oppose the project.

Legislators on Aug. 27 said they would hold off on a public stance on the project until after a town-wide wind survey. The wind survey results were presented this morning, with 66 percent of the respondents saying they oppose the project.

“They couldn’t wait 12 days,” Bradley said about legislators and their vote. “They never came to us and asked our feelings.”

County legislators said on Dec. 16 they wanted to get on the record with the Public Service Commission. The deadline for comments was Jan. 6, but was extended on Dec. 16 until Jan. 12.

Legislators said they have heard “the voice of the people” and want to state the county’s opposition to the project to the PSC. Legislators opposed the project that they said would “place commercial wind turbines within this quaint, beautiful Town of Yates,” according to the county resolution.

The Legislature also opposed the state’s Article 10 law, which gives the state the power to site the turbines, not the local government leaders.

Bradley said the Legislature’s talk about “home rule” through Article 10 is “lip service.”

Brad Bentley, a Yates town councilman, also said he was disappointed to see the Legislature come out against the project while it’s in the preliminary scoping stage. All of the studies haven’t been done and Apex Clean Energy hasn’t disclosed the locations and size of the turbines.

“I take issue with the county,” Bentley said. “It seems they want home rule but that’s quite a lot of hypocrisy.”

State Sen. Robert Ortt and Congressman Chris Collins also came out publicly against the proposed Lighthouse Wind project, where the turbines could peak at about 600 feet high.

Ortt was the first to say he opposes the project and will work to defeat it.

“My focus will be to kill the project,” Ortt told about 200 people at a meeting on Dec. 7.

That meeting was organized by Save Ontario Shores, a citizen group opposed to the project by Apex Clean Energy.

“Sen. Ortt has never spoken to us,” Bradley said. “He never asked us our opinion.”

The next day after Ortt’s comments, U.S. Rep. Chris Collins sent a letter to the Department of Defense and Federal Aviation Administration officials expressing concern over the wind turbine project along the Lake Ontario shoreline.

Collins said the project could jeopardize 3,000 jobs at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station military operating area.

“Protecting the military missions and jobs supported by the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station (NFARS) is my main priority,” Collins said in a news release on Dec. 9. “The proposed wind turbine project along the Lake Ontario shoreline has the potential to jeopardize the base’s operations and viability. Any project that puts the base’s future at risk is unacceptable. NFARS has survived a number of closure attempts, and I will continue to do everything in my power to guarantee its doors remain open.”

Bradley said Yates officials were never contacted by Collins and his staff about the issue.

“He never spoke to us and got our input,” Bradley said. “They all made these statements without ever talking to us.”

Taylor Quarles, the development manager for Lighthouse Wind, issued a statement today after the wind survey results were announced. Quarles said the full application hasn’t been submitted. He thanked the Yates Town Board for refraining from judging the project in its early stages.

“The Yates Town Board has taken a very responsible approach in waiting to take a position until all of the relevant information has been collected and submitted as part of the application process, and we encourage others to follow its lead,” Quarles said.

Albion man accused of damaging several sites on West Avenue

Posted 28 December 2015 at 12:00 am

Tracy Damico

Press Release, Albion Police Chief Roland Nenni

ALBION – The Albion Police Department has made an arrest following the investigation of several suspicious conditions that occurred in the early morning hours on Dec. 24.

Several commercial properties, businesses and homes on West Avenue and other locations in the Village of Albion had the outside phone lines, cable lines, camera systems, security systems and water meter lines disabled or otherwise tampered with.

Tracy A. Damico, 51, of 3309 Brown Rd., Albion, was arrested in connection with the damage and tampering of the above listed property. The investigation indicated that Damico targeted the location in retaliation to individuals and business that he felt “wronged him.”

Damico was charged with three counts of criminal tampering in the first degree, one count of criminal mischief in the third degree, and three counts of criminal mischief in the fourth degree.

He was remanded to Orleans County Jail on $10,000 bail. He is to return to Town Court on Wednesday at 10 a.m.

Yates survey shows 66 percent oppose wind project

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 December 2015 at 12:00 am

Photo by Tom Rivers – Wes Bradley, a Yates town councilman, discusses a town-wide survey on a proposed wind project. There were 1,187 respondents and two thirds said they opposed Lighthouse Wind. Brad Bentley is next to Bradley during this morning’s Town Board meeting.

YATES – The survey results are in and about two thirds of the 1,187 respondents said they oppose the proposed Lighthouse Wind project by Apex Clean Energy.

That company has submitted a preliminary scoping document to the state Public Service Commission. The company says it wants to build up to 71 large-scale wind turbines in Yates and Somerset.

Yates residents, in a survey mailed just before Thanksgiving, were asked 10 questions, including, “Based on your knowledge of Lighthouse Wind, are you in favor of or opposed to this project at this time?”

There were 770 respondents or 65.59 percent who said they oppose it, 353 or 30.07 percent who support it, and 51 or 4.34 with no opinion.

The survey was mailed to 2,608 registered and non-registered voters. The 1,187 returns represents a 46.57 percent participation rate, which town officials this morning said they were pleased with.

The results will be submitted to the state Public Service Commission. Wes Bradley, a Yates town councilman, worked on the survey with a representative from both Apex Clean Energy and Save Ontario Shores, a citizens group opposed to Lighthouse Wind.

The results are similar to a town-wide survey in Somerset in June. Somerset town officials mailed about 1,100 surveys and 644, or nearly 60 percent were returned.

The Somerset survey showed 61 percent “strongly oppose” the project while 17 percent “strongly support” it. Another 6 percent said they “moderately oppose” it while 12 percent “moderately support” the project.

Save Ontario Shores also did a survey in October, sending out 1,235 to Yates property owners with 421 surveys returned. Of the respondents, 77.9 percent of Yates property owners say they oppose the project.

The percentage of opposition fell by nearly 12 percent in the Yates town survey. Taylor Quarles, the project manager for Apex, said there is growing support for the project in the community.

The company will work to address residents’ and community concerns about the project, and will offer more specifics about size and location of the turbines in the next document on environmental impacts, Quarles said. The preliminary scoping document is intended to identify concerns that need further study, he said.

The Public Service Commission set a Jan. 12 deadline for comments on the preliminary scoping document. Dan Spitzer, an attorney for the town, said the review is a “process” with input from the town and community. There will also be opportunities to comment on the Apex application if the company proceeds after the preliminary stage.

Quarles said Apex would like to submit the next stage of the application in the summer, and then work with the community and state officials to address any concerns with the turbines.

Jim Simon, the town supervisor-elect, said the town survey is additional validation of strong opposition from residents to the project. He said Apex should not proceed with the effort given the limited support.

Here are the 10 questions residents were asked to answer on the survey and their responses:

1) Many topics are currently being studied regarding Lighthouse Wind. These proposed wind turbines would change the appearance of the landscape within the town. Do you have a concern about this?

Yes – 793 (66.92%), No – 365 (30.80%), No Opinion – 27 (2.28%)

2) As currently proposed, the electricity from this project would be delivered into the New York State electrical grid. Should the Town of Yates attempt to negotiate a separate agreement with electric suppliers for more favorable rates?
Yes – 840 (74.53%), No – 133 (11.80%), No Opinion – 154 (13.66%)

3) If Apex eventually seeks a PILOT (Payment-in-lieu-of-taxes) from COIDA (County of Orleans Industrial Development Agency), should this be granted?

Yes- 307 (26.84%), No – 654 (57.17%), No Opinion – 183 (16.00%)

4) In 2015, the Town of Yates tax levy was $852,205. What percentage of decrease in the Town of Yates tax levy would you like to see come from this project? Circle one answer.

0% – 94 (8.39%), 25% – 164 (14.63%), 50% – 239 (21.32%), 75% – 90 (8.03%), 100% – 369 (32.92%), No Opinion – 165 (14.72%)

5) What effect do you feel wind turbines would have on property values in the Town of Yates?

Increase – 81 (7.00%), Decrease – 807 (69.75%), No Change – 269 (23.25%)

6) Taking into consideration requirements of the Article 10 review process, do you feel the study of health issues is important?

Yes – 909 (77.69%), No – 208 (17.78%), No Opinion – 53 (4.53%)

7) Taking into consideration requirements of the Article 10 review process, do you feel the study of wildlife issues is important?

Yes – 891 (76.02%), No – 247 (21.08%), No Opinion – 34 (2.90%)

8) Taking into consideration requirements of the Article 10 review process, do you feel the study of possible effects on the operations at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station is important?

Yes – 822 (70.26%), No – 260 (22.22 %), No Opinion – 88 (7.52%)

9) Do you feel New York State’s “Reforming Energy Vision” is an effective way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions?

Yes – 350 (30.54%), No – 516 (45.03%), No Opinion – 280 (24.43%)

10) Based on your knowledge of Lighthouse Wind, are you in favor or opposed to this project at this time?

Favor – 353 (30.07%), Oppose – 770 (65.59%), No Opinion – 51 (4.34%)

Yates will present wind survey results this morning

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 December 2015 at 12:00 am

YATES – The Yates Town Board will present the results of a town-wide wind survey this morning that was sent in by more than 1,000 residents.

The town mailed 2,608 surveys last month. The survey asks 10 questions, including whether residents favor a proposed Lighthouse Wind Project. Apex Clean Energy is proposing to build as many as 71 wind turbines in Yates and Somerset that would peak at about 600 feet tall. Those turbines would be about 200 feet higher than the ones in Wyoming County.

Town Councilman Wes Bradley served on the survey committee along with Save Ontario Shores member Richard Pucher and Taylor Quarles, the project manager for Apex Clean Energy.

The survey results will be presented at 10 a.m. as part of the Town Board’s year-end meeting at the Town Hall, 8 South Main St.

Kendall schools open satellite office for mental health

Posted 28 December 2015 at 12:00 am

Press Release, Kendall Central School

KENDALL – In response to the national concern about mental health issues and the impact they have on student performance and school district climates, Kendall Central School has partnered with Orleans County Mental Health to offer a satellite office at Kendall Elementary School two days a week.

Kristen Acquilano, a mental health counselor with the county, works out of the satellite office at Kendall on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Kendall elementary through high school students are eligible to be referred to the counselor by the district’s Student Referral Team. Transportation from the high school to appointments during the school day is provided by the district for the older students.

“By having the mental health collaboration, it helps us address the stressors and the root cause of a student’s behavior at school,” said Kendall Superintendent Julie Christensen. “This is a real boost to our side of the county to offer mental health services here. Coming here rather than traveling to Albion saves our families time, plus it supplements the services provided by our district’s counseling staff. By having the satellite office at the Elementary School, students can use the services provided to help them concentrate on their studies and be positive contributors in school. This new service opportunity also encourages our parents to further engage with the district on students’ academic issues.”

Kristen Acquilano

Since Oct. 7, Acquilano has begun to make assessments of students, offer counseling appointments and give referrals to other mental health professionals to help address the needs of students and their families. Acquilano has a master’s degree in social work and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.

Students are referred to her by Kendall counseling staff. After receiving the referral, she begins the process by obtaining parent/guardian permission and insurance information, then scheduling an hour-long initial assessment. Parents/ guardians can also contact her for guidance on receiving mental health services for their children.

Once the assessment is complete, she works with the student’s schedule to make regular appointments. Appointments are available in the late afternoon and early evening hours for students and their families. Parents/guardians may have the opportunity to attend counseling sessions to support their child, but parents/guardians will not be able to schedule counseling appointments for themselves.

Acquilano welcomes contact from parents/guardians through email or phone if they have feedback, questions or concerns about their children and are unable to attend an appointment with them. Acquilano’s email address is Kristen.Acquilano@orleanscountyny.gov and her Orleans County Mental Health office phone number is 585-589-2787.

“I am absolutely loving my experience at Kendall,” said Acquilano. “All of the staff have been warm and welcoming. I am finding it so beneficial to coordinate care with teachers and counselors. We are able to work together on case plans in order to address student needs.”

After final service, congregation looks for next steps

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 December 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers – Art Girasole, the preacher this morning at Next Steps of Orleans Ministries, urges the congregation to continue its ministry even though the church held its final service this morning. “The Lord will open up new doors,” said Girasole, a pulpit supply minister for Next Steps.

ALBION – In May 2012, members of the Barre Center Presbyterian Church held a vote whether to break away from the Presbyterian Church USA. Many of the members were concerned the denomination was becoming increasingly liberal.

In 2010, the denomination’s General Assembly decided to allow non-celibate homosexuals to serve in church positions and receive ordination.

That was the last straw for some of the members of the Barre Center church. About 90 people voted whether to leave the PC (USA), and the vote narrowly called for staying in the denomination. (That year 110 churches were granted dismissal from Presbyterian Church USA and 86 other churches were dissolved.)

Some of the Barre Center members were so distressed with the denomination’s direction that they made the decision to leave a church many had been attending for decades and start a new church, Next Steps of Orleans Ministries.

The new church met for the first time at the home of Mark and Lois Chamberlain. By June 2012, it was meeting in a room at the Arnold Gregory Memorial Complex, the former hospital at 243 South Main St. The new church also aligned with the Evangelical Presbyterian Church.

About 30 members left the Barre Center church. About a dozen have been dedicated participants of the Next Steps ministry, attending Sunday services at 10 a.m.

The church has had five different pulpit supply preachers in 3 ½ years.

“We’re not large enough to have our own full-time pastor,” said Lynn Goetz, one of the Next Steps members.

Next Steps also didn’t want to pull from other congregations. The Next Steps membership didn’t grow, and the church held its final service this morning.

The Next Steps members say they will get together for regular Bible studies and want to have a reunion at least annually. Some of the members say they will visit other local churches and look to join a congregation.

Art Girasole, a seminary student from Orchard Park, has been a pulpit supply preacher for Next Steps the past six months. He gave the sermon today. He told the Next Steps members they will be a blessing to the churches they attend.

Lynn Goetz leads the Next Steps congregation in singing, “God Be With You.”

Next Steps was a mission group of the Lancaster Evangelical Presbyterian Church. Ed Carlson attended the final service. He is a member of the church in Lancaster.

“It’s exciting to think what the Lord will do as you disperse,” Carlson told the group.

Dick Tucker has been one of the Next Steps leaders. He said the Next Steps members are seeking God’s grace as the church closes and the members pursue the next steps of their lives, trying to find new church families.

Next Steps also has chairs, tables, and an electric piano it would like to give to organizations in the community. The lectern at Next Steps was donated after today’s service to The Villages of Orleans, the former county nursing home, for its Sunday church services.

Don Joslyn, one of the Next Steps members, shares during the final service of the church this morning. Joslyn said he and other Next Steps members will be visiting other local congregations, looking to connect and contribute to other local churches.

2015 Portraits and Personalities

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 December 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

These are some of my favorite “people pictures” from 2015, showing Orleans County residents at work and play, and sometimes in mourning.

The top photo shows Medina Fire Chief Todd Zinkievich hustling down Eagle Harbor Road in Gaines to help at the scene of a fire on April 13. Zinkievich retired from the position, effective Sept. 28.

Greg Martillotta, the middle school band teacher at Albion, leads seventh- and eighth-grade band members during a March 4 All-District Concert.

The Albion music program has been honored the past seven years with national awards through the North American Music Merchants. NAMM has named Albion a “Best Communities for Music Education.”

Casey Costello, a tenor and recent graduate of Nazareth College in Rochester, sings “Danny Boy” during a Celtic celebration of music and dance on March 15 at First Baptist Church in Albion, part of the Eastman at Albion concert series. Costello was given a standing ovation from the crowd after the song.

Frank Sidari of Albion has his photo taken with Boy Scouts in Troop 164 on March 15, during a celebration of his 90th birthday at St. Mary’s Athletic Club. About 200 people attended the party for Sidari, a long-time volunteer with the troop. Mr. Sidari, a World War II veteran, would die about a month later on April 18.

Some teens shoot hoops at dusk on the basketball courts by the Lyndonville Central School on March 24.

Michael Stephenson, pastor of the First Baptist Church in Medina, leads a sunrise service on April 5 in Boxwood Cemetery next to Glenwood Lake. About 25 Christians from Medina churches attended the service on Easter morning. Stephenson spoke of the power of Christ’s resurrection and the hope that provides for the world.

An employee with Genesee Valley Transportation watches the demolition of the Clarendon Street bridge in Albion on April 7. GVT owns the railroad that passes through Albion. The bridge was built 40 years ago and came down in April after being ripped apart from the shears on heavy equipment from Wargo Enterprises, an Akron company specializing in demolition.

About 200 Santas were in Albion in mid-April for the Charles W. Howard Legendary Santa Claus Conference. Many of the conference participants gathered on the steps of the Orleans County Courthouse for a group photo on April 18. They also sang some Christmas carols from the Courthouse steps. Howard started the first Santa Claus School, which he ran in Albion from 1937 until his death in 1966.

Teams of powerful draft horses, with participants from eight states, get ready to compete at 4-H Fairgrounds in the “Pull of Champions.” This team from Michigan waits its turn to pull on April 25. The teams compete in either the lightweight division (3,425 pounds or less for two horses), or the heavyweights for teams that exceed 3,425 pounds.

Union soldiers make a charge on the Confederates during a mock battle April 26 at the GCC’s Medina campus center on Maple Ridge Road. The campus hosted Civil War Encampments the past three years.

John Deere tractors are parked outside St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Albion on May 12 during the funeral for John Panek, who helped start one of the area’s largest local farms.

Samuel Glushefski, 8, and his brother Jesse Glushefski, 19, finish the Jim Ferris Memorial Race together in a time of 24:57. Holley hosted the race for the 19th time on June 6. The brothers are from Clarence and attend the Old Paths Bible Baptist Church in Clarendon, where several members ran the race and volunteered at a water stop.

The Turtle (Nikolas Greean, 15, of Albion) and Michael Bonnewell, Albion Central School superintendent, watch the Turtle Race on June 13 from their vantage point on the Main Street lift bridge. Volunteers sold more than 900 turtles for the Turtle Race. Proceeds from the race are used to help pay for the two-day Strawberry Festival.

The bishop of the Western New York Diocese for the Episcopal Church spent several hours in Orleans County on June 17, visiting sites in Albion and Medina. The Right Rev. R. William Franklin is pictured with Robert Waters, a member of the St. John’s Episcopal Church in Medina. They are pictured at City Hall in Medina after Waters showed Franklin the Medina Sandstone Hall of Fame. Several Episcopal churches in WNY were built with Medina Sandstone, some nearly 200 years ago. Mr. Waters, a long-time community booster, would die at age 90 on July 29.

Emily Shabazz is excited as she goes to get her diploma during Albion’s commencement on June 26.

Lucas Silvis holds his Holley diploma on June 27 with his mother Robin Silvis, who is a member of the Holley Board of Education.

Bennie Blount, 11, of Medina twirls a sparkler on July 4 before the fireworks went off in Lyndonville.

Ayman Huzair, 21, of Waterport captured first place during the karaoke competition on July 30 at the Orleans County 4-H Fair. Huzair won a $500 prize for his performance, which was a medley of songs from Michael Montgomery, Bruno Mars and Cupid. Huzair welcomed the crowd to join him on stage for the “Cupid Shuffle.” His sisters Salma, 16, and Tamara, 13, both performed, and so did their brother Qasim, 11. The siblings took three of the top 5 spots.

Ed Hilfiker, a member of the Who Dats, performs with the band on July 31 at the main stage of the Orleans County 4-H Fair in Knowlesville.

Phoebe Kirby, left, and Kasey Neal of Albion are delighted with the ride on the Midway on Aug. 1, the last day of the Orleans County 4-H Fair for 2015. About 25,000 people attended the fair during the week.

Jackie Sponaugle of Holley serves as the base for a team called Lyntucky Hicks. Kevin Ginger of Albion is climbing on Sponaugle, trying to be the second person up during grease pole competition at the fair on Aug. 1.

Gary Withey, owner of Fischer’s Newsstand in Albion since 1995, takes care of customer Amanda Harmer on Aug. 17. Withey closed the business on Aug. 30. Fischer’s was part of the community for about a century.

Kirsten Struble, a member of the Albion Cross Country team, and her teammates are enthusiastic boosters on Aug. 22 at Mile 9 in the Metro 10 race in Albion, a 10-mile trek on foot where runners squared off from Rochester versus Buffalo. The cross country team also manned a water stop at the ninth mile on Butts Road. There were about 400 runners in Albion for the debut race, which was won by Rochester.

Susan Rudnicky of Waterport has 40 paintings in watercolors and acrylics in the last show at Marti’s on Main, an Albion art gallery. Rudnicky is pictured on Oct. 1. Kim Muscarella, owner of the gallery, gave artists a place to display their work for the past seven years. She has opted against another season in 2016.

Doug Bower lets out a big laugh on Oct. 24 when he was roasted by Jim Salmon during a benefit at Tillman’s Village Inn. Bower, a plumber in Albion, is co-host of the WHAM Home Repair Clinic with Salmon. Bower provided plenty of material for the sold-out roast, which was a benefit for The Salmon Children’s Foundation. That foundation has donated more than $7,000 to Albion High School graduates in scholarships in memory of Nicholas Kovaleski.

With the sun shining and temperatures at about 70 degrees, many folks were out enjoying the Great Outdoors on Nov. 3. John Paul Simon, 12, (left) and his brother Sharbel, 13, fish in Johnson Creek behind the Yates Community Free Library. They spent much of the day in Lyndonville, fishing and reading at the library while their father, Jim Simon, campaigned for Yates town supervisor.

Winter weather advisory issued for Monday and Tuesday

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 December 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers The ground was covered in frost on Saturday morning following a cold night. This leaf was on the lawn of the Orleans County Courthouse in Albion.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for Orleans County from 6 p.m. Monday until 10 a.m. Tuesday, when the area could get hit with freezing rain and snow.

The Weather Service says up to 2 inches of snow could fall Monday night, with another inch on Tuesday morning. Untreated roads could be extremely slippery, the Weather Service said.

The advisory was issued for Orleans, Niagara, northern Erie, Genesee, Wyoming and Livingston counties.

The frost on Saturday morning left its mark on lawns in Albion.