Provided photos – State Sen. Robert Ortt stopped by Hoag Library in Albion today to present ceremonial checks for $35,000 to four public libraries in Orleans County, plus $15,000 for the Medina Railroad Museum. Pictured at Hoag Library, from left, include: Betty Sue Miller, interim director of Hoag Library; Sandra Shaw, director of Community Free Library in Holley; Catherine Cooper, director of Lee-Whedon Memorial Library in Medina; Senator Robert Ortt; Emily Cebula, director of Yates Community Library in Lyndonville; and Hugh James, treasurer of Medina Railroad Museum.
Pictured at the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office in Albion, from left, include: Holley Police Officer Peter Colombo; Orleans County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Tom Drennan; Medina Police Chief Jose Avila; Senator Ortt; Albion Police Chief Roland Nenni; Orleans County District Attorney’s Office 1st Assistant DA Susan Howard.
Press Release State Sen. Robert Ortt
ALBION – State Sen. Rob Ortt (R – North Tonawanda) today delivered a total of $85,000 to the Medina Railroad Museum, public libraries and law enforcement agencies throughout Orleans County.
The senator secured the money as part of the 2015-16 State Budget.
Senator Ortt presented the Medina Railroad Museum with a $15,000 check to support its educational, cultural, and recreational programming.
The Orleans County libraries received a total of $35,000 to assist with educational services and programming, materials, renovation projects, operations, or events that serve the community.
The amount of Senate grant money to the county libraries is as follows: Hoag Library, $20,000; Community Free Library, $5,000; Lee-Whedon Memorial Library, $5,000;and Yates Community Library, $5,000.
Ortt also secured funds for law enforcement agencies to help fight against crime, operate more effectively and efficiently, and aid emergency services and public safety measures.
The amount of Senate grant money to law enforcement is as follows: Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, $10,000; Orleans County District Attorney’s Office, $10,000; Albion Police Department, $5,000; Holley Police Department, $5,000; Medina Police Department, $5,000.
Press Release, Department of Environmental Conservation
BASOM – Trapping permits will be issued for the Oak Orchard, Tonawanda and John White Wildlife Management Areas beginning Oct. 1, for the 2015-16 license year, the state Department of Environmental Conservation announced today.
Permit applications can be obtained weekdays from Oct. 1 to Nov. 30, by appearing in person at the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge Office on Casey Road between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., or by writing to the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, Bureau of Wildlife, 1101 Casey Road, Box B, Basom, New York 14013.
Trappers who obtain a permit will be required to report their harvest and trapping efforts in each area. The Western New York trapping season for fox, raccoon, coyote and other upland furbearing animals opens Oct. 25 and closes Feb. 15, 2016. On the John White WMA the start of upland trapping will be delayed until Nov. 1.
This year’s trapping season for mink, muskrat and beaver in this area of New York including Tonawanda, Oak Orchard and John White WMAs will run from Nov. 25 until Feb. 15, 2016.
The start of muskrat and mink trapping at the three WMAs starts later than the Western New York trapping season and will run from Dec. 5 to Feb. 15, 2016.
Wetland muskrat and mink trapping may be limited to dike areas only with no marsh trapping in wetland impoundments. This action is intended to allow the muskrat population to recover after the very hard winter of 2014-15 and an apparent reduction in muskrat numbers in the area. A decision will be made by Oct. 1 and information will be provided when trapping permits are issued.
The maximum number of traps a trapper can set for muskrat and mink on the three WMAs is 25. To accomplish this, the DEC issues 25 numbered tags to each trapper who obtains a permit. A tag must be attached to each trap the trapper is using on the areas. Any trap that does not have one of these tags attached is considered an illegal trap.
Individual trappers can only operate traps that contain tags with their assigned numbers. Traps set for upland trapping and beaver will not require numbered tags and will not be considered in the trap limit. The trap limit provides a more equitable distribution of the harvest and prevents trappers from monopolizing the better trapping areas.
Staff Reports Posted 21 September 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Cheryl Wertman
SOMERSET – Cheryl Wertman visited Somerset just across the Orleans County line on Sunday for the community’s Old Fashioned Farm Festival on Route 18. The Somerset Historical Society puts on the celebration.
The top photo shows a pair of horses pulling a corn picker as they harvested the crop that was grown on the town farm land.
Here are some other snapshots from the event:
The antique car show attracted this line of Ford trucks.
This covered wagon from the mid 1800’s originally was a grain box wagon used to travel from Virginia to Iowa.
This is a Huber Super 4 tractor from 1921.
The Farm Festival brings out the best in antique tractors of all shapes, sizes, years and colors.
These antique engines ranged anywhere from use in lawnmowers to heavy farm machinery and still run in top form today.
This is a female Hereford Hog that was one of several farm animals at the festival for the kids to enjoy. This pig can be as heavy as 250 pounds in six months.
This pair of horses pulled the wagon that picked up the cut corn and brought it in to be chopped by an antique chopper.
Staff Reports Posted 21 September 2015 at 12:00 am
Provided photo – Some of the volunteers are pictured by the widewaters section of the Erie Canal along Presbyterian Road near Knowlesville.
Volunteers collected nearly 500 pounds of trash from local waterways this past Saturday when Orleans County participated in the American Littoral Society’s annual New York State Shoreline and Beach Cleanup.
The 23 volunteers collected, recorded and removed more than 2,919 items of trash weighing 489 pounds from local waterways over the course of three hours, said Dennis Kirby, manager of the Soil and Water Conservation District in Orleans County.
The county has participated in the garbage pickup for 15 years and has collected over 20,000 pounds of trash.
The volunteers convened at 9 a.m. at Bullard Park in Albion for instructions and introductions before dispersing to assigned locations. Groups tackled trash at locations along Glenwood Lake, Butts Park, Lake Alice, Point Breeze and the Erie Canal.
At noon everyone reconvened back at Bullard Park to weigh the 18 bags of trash collected along with various items such as TV’s, fishing gear, and discarded tires.
Every item collected, down to the last cigarette butt, was recorded and categorized on data sheets that were then sent to the American Littoral Society for statistical analysis along with data submitted by all the groups participating across the country.
This allows them to observe and track trends in sources of trash. In Orleans County, over half of the items collected were from food and beverage related items.
Along with concerned citizens, volunteers participating in the cleanup represented 4-H clubs and local high school students. This event was sponsored locally by the Orleans County Soil & Water Conservation District in conjunction with the Orleans County Water Quality Coordinating Committee.
Staff Reports Posted 21 September 2015 at 12:00 am
BATAVIA – The health departments in Genesee and Orleans counties are working together on an emergency preparedness exercise on Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Genesee Community College’s Batavia Campus.
Volunteers are sought to help the health departments simulate dispensing medication to residents. The drill will help local health officials prepare for an anthrax attack. Volunteers will be served lunch.
Both Health Departments will be temporarily closed on Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Residents interested in volunteering for the drill can find out more information by calling the Orleans County Health Department at (585) 589-3279 or the Genesee County Health Department at (585) 344-2580, ext. 5555.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 September 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
SHELBY – The roadside stand by Root Brothers Farm on Route 31A has several vegetables to choose from that are fresh from the field. Local farmers will have nice weather the next few days for bringing in their crops.
It won’t be 80-plus degrees like last week, but there will be lots of sunshine this week in the forecast.
The National Weather Service in Buffalo is forecasting a sunny Sunday with a high of 65 today, followed by a high of 68 on a sunny Monday. Tuesday is forecast to be mostly sunny with a high of 72, followed by a high of 73 on a sunny Wednesday.
A field of corn is next to a fence at Forrestel Farm in Shelby in this photo taken on Saturday.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 September 2015 at 12:00 am
Photo courtesy of Orleans County History Department
ALBION – Albion students have raised money and designed an interpretive panel about one of the community’s most famous residents, the late Charles Howard, who founded the first Santa Claus School.
This photo from about about 60 years ago shows Howard as Santa at Christmas Park, which he developed in Albion at Phipps Road.
Albion students are working with Takeform Architectural Graphics in Medina on the panel, which will share highlights of Howard’s life as a farmer, toymaker and later as the famous Santa who appeared in the Macy’s Thaksgiving Day parades.
Howard ran the school from 1937 until his death in 1966 at age 69. Howard started the school in Albion at the corner of Phipps Road and Route 31. He developed the school after noticing many Santas didn’t have training, and didn’t always interact with children well or meet a standard for dress. He established decorum for Santas and his Santa Claus suits became popular.
The school, now in Midland, Mich., still bears Howard’s name.
The 1948 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade was a huge day for Howard. The parade for the first time was televised nationally and in color for those that had color TV sets. There was also an opening for Santa and Macy’s asked Howard to fill the role. They wanted the man who trained Santas to be part of their parade.
He would do it every year until 1965 and Macy’s took pride in having Howard in the parade. The company would have him play Santa at their stores in New York City and Kansas City.
Howard is buried in Mount Albion not too far from the gazebo at the west entrance of the historic cemetery. Howard is buried on a knoll and his grave is difficult for many people to find.
The panel will be installed in the grass by the corner of the cemetery by the knoll.
The panel may be ready in time to be dedicated as part of the Oct. 3 Ghost Walk, where Albion students portray famous people in the cemetery. This year’s Ghost Walk will conclude with a stop by Howard’s grave.
Photo courtesy of the Santa Claus Oath Foundation – Charlie Howard portrays Santa in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. He served in the role from 1948 to 1965.
Students used proceeds from last year’s Ghost Walk to pay for the interpretive panel. Sue Starkweather Miller, one of the Ghost Walk coordinators, would like to see more panels at the cemetery.
“We would love to turn it into a museum without walls,” she said about adding many more panels.
She didn’t want to share a rendering of the panel publicly until it is unveiled. She said it will be black and white with text and photos, with a silver background. Those are the traditional Victorian mourning colors, she said.
Retired County Historian Bill Lattin helped students with the design of the panel.
Albion hosted about 250 professional Santas during a convention in April. That convention has spearheaded other efforts to honor Howard in his hometown.
The Albion Betterment Committee is working on a welcome sign that notes Albion is the hometown of a world renown Santa who started the first Santa School. The Betterment Committee also is pushing to have a bronze statue of Howard as Santa in front of the Hoag Library near the side walk on Main Street.
The Betterment Committee is working with Brigden Memorials in Albion on a design for that project and would like to have the money raised so it could be installed by the end of 2016, the 50th anniversary of Howard’s death.
Contributed Story Posted 20 September 2015 at 12:00 am
Provided photo from Medina Marching Band
MEDINA – The Medina Mustang band competed for the first time this season on Saturday at Jamestown High School. It was a rainy start to the show but all seven bands were able to perform outside.
Medina was the only contender in the SS1 class and scored 76.35, which was about par for their first show in comparison with past years.
“The kids performed very well for their first show of the year,” said Jim Steele, band director. “For the seniors it was the beginning of the end of a great career in band. For the 35 rookies, it was their very first show – very exciting to say the least, very proud of all of them.”
Medina hosts the next competition, the Fall Festival of Bands on Saturday at Vets Park. It is a great opportunity to see the band without having to travel too far, said Kathy Dreyfus, publicity chairwoman for the band.
Contributed Story Posted 20 September 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos courtesy of Janna Stirk
Janna Stirk of Albion pushes her son Brody, 3, in a stroller today as part of an autism awareness and fund-raising event at Monroe Community College’s Brighton Campus.
The walk raised about $76,000 for autism awareness and services for the Rochester/Finger Lakes region. Team Brody was the top fund-raiser of all the teams with $3,205.
Mrs. Stirk was the leading individual fund-raiser at $2,330, which was $1,000 more than the second place person.
Team Brody was picked to start the walk. Besides raising more than $3,000, the group all wore matching shirts.
The Stirk family is grateful Brody was diagnosed young and started receiving services when he was 18 months old. He continues to receive speech and occupational therapy at Rainbow Preschool.
His mother, Janna Stirk, believes those services and an early diagnosis of autism have helped Brody be highly functioning.
By Matthew Ballard, Orleans County Historian Posted 19 September 2015 at 12:00 am
ALBION – Taken in May of 1933 by Frank S. Nayman, this image shows the Village of Albion’s sewage disposal facility located on Densmore Street near Butts Road. The plant used a “trickling filter” system where sewage was continuously sprayed over crushed stone.
Residents of Albion were forced to suffer from the pungent odors and pressured the village on numerous occasions to pursue other waste treatment options. Prior to this, sewage flowed directly into the West Branch of Sandy Creek that runs through the village. Residents clamored for improvements to the sewage disposal system as early as the 1880s, knowing that their current means of waste removal was unsanitary.
In the left half of this panoramic image, we see the houses that line Knapp and Joseph Streets with Sandy Creek running between them and the treatment plant. In the right half are a number of village laborers standing around a Ford Model T truck and a team of horses.
For those with 20/20 vision, you can catch a glimpse of the steeples of both the Presbyterian Church and St. Mary’s Assumption Church.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 September 2015 at 12:00 am
Community turns out to say goodbye to Erin Fuller
Photos by Tom Rivers – Many of the police officers who attended the calling hours on Friday and funeral today for Deputy Erin Fuller included a black band over their badges in honor of Fuller. This photo shows the badge worn by Deputy Josh Narburgh.
SHELBY – In his 16 years as a deputy sheriff in Orleans County, Erin Fuller saved many lives and proved an advocate for his fellow deputies, whether at the negotiating table for a union contract and writing successful grants to bring equipment and resources to the Sheriff’s Office.
More than 300 people attended a funeral service for Fuller today at the Shelby Fire Hall, including many police officers from throughout the county and outside Orleans.
Sean-Michael Green served four years in the Marines with Fuller, including a deployment during Desert Storm.
“He was incredibly special,” said Green, who travelled from West Haven, Connecticut for the service today. “He was absolutely a hero.”
Erin Fuller
Fuller was committed to serving his country, said Green, who first met Fuller at Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, NC.
“Erin was more creative and passionate than your typical Marine,” Green said during the service at the fire hall.
Fuller was 45 when he took his own life a week ago on Sept. 12. His death has shocked with colleagues, friends and family.
His cousin, Doug Fuller, told the crowd at the service that Erin inspired his family by joining the Marines and then serving as a deputy sheriff.
“We’re very proud of Erin,” Doug Fuller said. “He sacrificed and put his life on the line.”
Members of the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office served as Honor Guard during calling hours and the funeral. The group includes, from left: Alex Breuilly, Dave Foeller, Ryan Flaherty, Jeff Cole, Chris Bourke, Brian Larkin, Josh Narburgh and Dean Covis.
Sheriff Scott Hess spoke at the funeral and said Fuller “proudly served his community.”
Fuller was president of the 23-member Orleans County Deputy Sheriff’s Association. That role put him a “tough spot,” Hess said. Fuller would sometimes butt heads with management while advocating for deputies.
Fuller was re-elected by his deputies year after year to serve as the union leader.
“That speaks to his leadership and commitment,” Hess said.
Fuller wrote the grants that resulted in two new boats for the Marine Patrol. One of the grants he wrote also paid for new boots, sunglasses and sneakers for deputies on the Marine Patrol.
In 2013, Fuller earned his captain’s license to be part of the Marine Patrol. It’s another example of him pushing himself to excel and serve the community, Hess said.
David Thom, a member of the auxilliary police, wore the black band over his badge today in tribute to Fuller.
Fuller also was president of the NYS Deputy Sheriff’s Association, which has about 2,000 members. Fuller was a resource to union presidents around the state, offering advice and often traveling to Albany and other counties to speak on behalf of deputies.
“He had the respect of everybody in the association,” said Tom Ross, executive director of the NYS Deputy Sheriff’s Association.
Ross worked closely with Fuller and watched him develop into an effective leader for the deputies.
“He was reasonable, and you have to be reasonable,” Ross said. “He wouldn’t keep arguing a point if there was no point in arguing. He could have a rational conversation, figure out the differences and then fnd a solution.”
Chuck Nesbitt, the Orleans County chief administrative officer, said he admired Fuller and respected him as the leader of the local union. Fuller was aware of the county’s budget needs and secured concessions from the deputies while also reaching a deal in their benefit, Nesbitt said.
Law enforcement vehicles are parked outside the Shelby Fire Hall, where more than 300 people attended a funeral service today for Deputy Erin Fuller.
Lt. Chris Bourke worked closely with Fuller on the Marine Division and also with road patrol. Bourke said Fuller enjoyed a good conversation.
“He liked to debate,” Bourke said. “He would take a position.”
Fuller stepped up in writing the grants to secure the boats for the Marine Patrol, which was a lot of extra work for Fuller.
“He was always for the good of the department and moving us forward,” Bourke said. “He worked hard for the Marine Division, getting us more equipment and raising the professionalism.”
The Rev. Stanley Thurber, retired pastor of the oak Orchard Assembly of God, led today’s service. He said Erin is part of the Fuller family that is heavily involved in serving the community.
Thurber said there is no making sense of Fuller’s death. Thurber said God was with Fuller during his death and has welcomed him.
The pastor shared Matthew 11:28-29: “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Many of Fuller’s colleagues and first responders have posted this image on Facebook in honor of Fuller, who wore badge No. 155 for the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 September 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers – The Orleans County Chamber honored local businesses and community leaders at its 17th annual awards dinner Friday. Front row, from left, include Kathy Blackburn, Chamber executive director; Lora Partyka, Businessperson of the year; Barbara Waters, accepting lifetime achievement in honor of her late husband Robert Waters; Laura Gardner, Phoenix Award for her efforts at “a lily and a sparrow”; and Lisa Stratton, owner of the Hazy Jade Gift Shop and special recognition for her work in promoting downtown Albion. Back row, Greg Budd, general manager for Business of the Year, Hinspergers Poly Industries; Barb Flow, Community Service Award; Jill and Mike Bower, owners of Small Business of the Year, Erie Way Tree Farm; Bernie Heberle, general manager and co-owner of Roberts Circle R Fruit Farms, named Agricultural Business of the Year; and Bryan and Larissa DeGraw, owners of 810 Meadworks, the New Business of the Year.
GAINES – Orleans County is a place where you can bring your business dreams and turn them into a reality and a success. It’s a place where volunteers can pitch in, and become involved in youth sports, festivals and other community events.
Those were among the themes at the 17th annual awards dinner on Friday for the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce. Award winners described a welcoming community, open to “outsiders” trying ventures in the county.
Bryan and Larissa DeGraw moved 400 miles from New Jersey to Orleans County to open 810 Meadworks in downtown Medina last November. The business makes alcoholic drinks by fermenting honey.
Bryan and Larissa DeGraw, owners of 810 Meadworks, accept the award for New Business of the Year.
Their meadery, named New Business of the Year, has become a destination, drawing visitors to the county. The DeGraws said the community has supported the business and embraced the couple.
Mr. DeGraw said 810 Meadworks received lots of help and encouragement along the way. Mayor Andrew Meier and real estate agent Katt Battaglia were instrumental in their decision to pick downtown Medina for the business.
The Orleans Economic Development Agency also approved a loan for 810 Meadworks.
“The EDA board puts its faith in our business plan to give us a loan to get us going,” Mr. DeGraw said.
Lora Partyka of Kendall accepts the award for Businessperson of the Year, a new honor presented by the Chamber of Commerce.
Lora Partyka, a Barker native, moved to Kendall with her husband Jeff in 1985. They opened a roadside stand. That has grown to a farm market, gift shop, ice cream and the base for community projects, including the country barn quilt trail, which includes 40 sites in the Kendall area.
The Partykas take produce to several farmers’ markets in the area, and in April opened The Farmers’ Table, a restaurant in Hamlin that serves breakfast and lunch made from local produce, eggs, syrup and hash.
“It’s not frozen food,” Partyka said. “The concept is fresh and local.”
Partyka was praised for her work ethic and community dedication when she was presented the Businessperson of the Year, a new award from the Chamber.
Partyka admitted she didn’t know too much about Kendall when she and her husband moved there 30 years ago.
“We couldn’t do what we do without a great supportive community,” Partyka said during an awards dinner attended by 130 people at Tillman’s Village Inn.
Barb Flow accepts the community service award. Last year’s winner, Ken DeRoller, presented the award to Flow.
Flow also moved into Kendall. She remembers coming to town and seeing no grocery store or a bank. But she is thankful to have raised a family and built her life in Kendall.
“It has the people of a hard-working community,” she said.
The school district and 4-H programs are also assets, she said.
She recently retired after 26 years of leading the recreation program. She is now on the Kendall Town Board and runs a garlic farm with her husband Vince.
“Helping a child succeed and supporting them on their journey is truly a reward for me,” Flow said.
Greg Budd, general manager for Hinspergers Poly Industries in Medina, accepts the award for Business of the Year.
In 2002, a Canadian company opened a site in Medina. Hinspergers has expanded the former Jamestown Container manufacturing building on West Oak Orchard Street from 25,000 square feet to 83,000 square feet.
The company had 17 employees in 2003 and now is up to 70 workers in Medina who make covers and solar blankets for swimming pools.
“We are here long-term,” said Greg Budd, general manager for the Medina site. “We have no plans on leaving.”
Budd moved from Ontario, Canada to help get the Medina plant up and going. The company has proven a “good corporate citizen” for the community.
Other businesses recognized on Friday started from scratch in Orleans, and have found success in the county.
Bernie Heberle is general manager and co-owner of Circle R Fruit Farms in Carlton. The farm started in 1986 and has grown to 80 employees and a retail farm market that sells ice cream.
Circle R has expanded to 550 acres and expects to produce 450,000 bushels of fruit this year. The Chamber praised the farm for its growth and for providing “exceptional local produce to Orleans County and beyond.”
Heberle accepted the award for Agricultural Business of the Year in honor of Lynn Roberts, the farm’s longtime leader who died at age 80 on June 13.
Mike and Jill Bower won Small Business of the Year for their work in expanding the Erie Way Tree Farm of Holley. The couple has run a Christmas tree farm since 1985. It has grown since 2010 and expanded to landscaping, wreaths, centerpieces and holiday decor.
“They are an excellent example of how small businesses can succeed in Orleans County, said Greg Piedmonte, a member of the Chamber board of directors.
Laura Gardner accepts the Phoenix Award for her work in renovating a storefront for her business, a lily and a sparrow in Medina.
Laura Gardner opened a lily and a sparrow five years ago in downtown Medina, after she worked more than two decades as an accountant. About a year ago she moved the business down the street to 438 Main St., a site that had been home to Baughn’s Shoe Store since 1960.
Gardner has given the storefront a vastly different look. “It has been transformed into a modern, chic storefront,” said Cindy Robinson, president of the Medina Business Association. “It’s like a boutique in Rochester or Buffalo.”
Gardner draws local shoppers and out-of-towners for the designer clothing from designers in Turkey, Israel, India and the United States. Gardner also has an array of leather handbags, perfume, jewelry and vintage glassware and note cards.
Barbara Waters accepts the “Lifetime Achievement” award in honor of her husband, the late Robert Waters.
“It’s beautiful,” Gardner said about the renovations. “I love when I look at that building everyday when I’m coming into town.”
Robert Waters and his family ran the local newspaper, The Journal-Register, for decades until it was sold in 1985. Waters expanded its coverage from Medina to a county-wide publication.
After getting out of the newspaper business, Waters would work 10 years as communications director for State Sen. John Daly and his successor, George Maziarz. Waters also served on the Ridgeway Town Board for a decade, and was deputy town supervisor.
He was active in numerous community causes. He helped found the Shelridge Country Club, and was instrumental in finding a new use for the shuttered Medina Armory, which is now the Orleans County YMCA.
He was active in the Medina Historical Society and was president of the Medina Sandstone Society.
Mr. Waters was 90 when he died on July 29.
“He extended such warmth as he worked for the greater good of Orleans County,” said Bruce Krenning, who presented the award to Waters’ wife, Barbara.
Chamber Executive Director Kathy Blackburn also presented a special recognition to Lisa Stratton, honor of the Hazy Jade Gift Shop in Albion for her efforts to beautify downtown Albion with flowers and also to promote many events to highlight local businesses in the downtown.
Staff Reports Posted 18 September 2015 at 12:00 am
Photo by Cheryl Wertman
MEDINA – At halftime of the Medina/Lyndonville football game vs. Riverside, the Mustang band plays music from its fall show, “Circus sole’ with a touch of magic.”
The Medina/Lyndonville team and Riverside are playing for the first time tonight at Vets Park. Check local sports on the Orleans Hub later for coverage of tonight’s football games and other local sports.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 September 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Paul Gray, a motor equipment operator for the Orleans County Highway Department, moves a pallet of computer units and other electronic waste at the County Highway Department today at 225 West Academy St.
The county started accepting e-waste on Monday at the Highway Department and at two other sites: the Murray Town Hall at 3840 Fancher Rd (Route31), and the Shelby Town Hall, 4062 Salt Works Rd.
Already, 34 pallets of e-waste, mostly older TVs with cathode-ray technology, were collected at the three locations. Residents can drop off the materials for free.
Paul Gray and Chuck Nesbitt, the county’s chief adminsitrative officer, are pictured inside the Highway Department where 13 pallets of e-waste have been dropped off this week in Albion, mostly the older televisions.
The state on Jan. 1 began banning curbside disposal of older TVs with cathode-ray technology. Many residents have upgraded from those televisions, switching to popular flat screens. Many of the older TVs have been dumped in ditches along rural roads.
The County Legislature last month approved a deal with Sunnking Incorporated of Brockport to pick up and dispose of cathode ray tube televisions, monitors, computers, peripheral devices and other household electronics.
The company will be paid $14,782 annually for the service.
Nesbitt said the big influx of e-waste this week shows a pent-up demand among residents to get rid of the material.
The three locations will accept the e-waste from Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Contributed Story Posted 18 September 2015 at 12:00 am
Provided photo
ALBION – Albion village officials last Saturday helped to dedicate a new memorial for veterans of the armed forces.
Mary Anne Braunbach, right, pushed for the Blue Star Memorial through the National Garden Clubs. The memorial is just south of the Main Street canal bridge on the west side of the road in front of PathStone. Braunbach owns the building at 140 North Main St., where PathStone is a tenant.
She is pictured with, from left: Village Trustee Gary Katsanis, Mayor Dean London, Village Trustee Eileen Banker, and Toni Howe, chairwoman of the Blue Star Memorials through the Federated Garden Clubs of New York State.
The Soil, Toil and Thyme Garden Club sponsored the memorial. Braunbach was part of that group for about 20 years. The garden club recently disbanded but laid the groundwork for getting the Blue Star Memorial.
A state grant paid for the marker, and Braunbach paid for the stone. Brigden Memorial in Albion attached the plaque on the stone. The village Department of Public Works set the concrete pad for the stone.
