By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 June 2026 at 11:05 pm
HOLLEY – Village of Holley residents elected Brenden Bedard and Rochelle Moroz to four-year terms as village trustees today.
Bedard received the most votes at 137, followed by Moroz at 102. Ron Vendetti was a close third at 93 votes.
Bedard works as assistant director for the Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments. His father, Kevin Bedard, has previously served as a Holley village trustee.
Moroz was re-elected to another term. She has been on the board for nearly a decade.
She was the only candidate who waited outside the village office for the votes to be tallied. The results were announced at about 10 p.m., an hour after the polls closed.
“I like to represent the village,” Moroz said.
She takes frequent walks around the community, and enjoys hearing from residents.
She was pleased to see a good turnout today.
Rainey Losee, the Holley village clerk, also said it was a good showing from the village voters.
“I’m proud of our village residents coming out and having their voices be heard,” she said after the results were announced.
Bedard will replace Jim DeFilipps on the board. DeFillipps didn’t seek re-election after 10 years on the board.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 June 2026 at 9:15 am
HOLLEY – It’s election day for the Village of Holley with three candidates on the ballot with two to be elected trustees to four-year terms.
The polls are open from noon to 9 p.m. at the Holley Village Office, the former high school at 1 Wright St. The new terms start on July 1.
The candidates include:
Brenden Bedard of East Albion Street
Rochelle Moroz of Orchard Street
Ron Vendetti of Ray Street
Current Trustee Jim DeFilipps isn’t seeking another term after 10 years on the board.
Vendetti previously served as a village trustee and also was Holley’s coordinator and DPW superintendent. He said the village taxes and water rates continue to climb putting a strain on property owners. The current village government spends too much time on festivals and parks, and not enough focus on infrastructure and reducing costs.
Mayor Mark Bower, in a letter on the village website on Monday, backed Moroz, a current trustee, and Bedard, who is the assistant director of the Genesee & Orleans Public Health Departments.
Bower praised Moroz for “paying attention to the little things that need work, as well as keeping her eye on the bigger picture.” She works to help the village “in countless ways for which she wants no credit.”
Bedard has deep roots in Holley with his mother a long-time elementary school teacher and his father a former village trustee.
“He has reached out to us on many occasions with opportunities for us to apply for grants,” Bower said about Brenden Bedard. “He will bring a fresh perspective to our board.”
The mayor cited the following accomplishments by the Village Board:
Completed the High Street waterline project coming in under budget.
Used state CHIPS money, along with local funds, and completely redid all of White Street, including curbing and new lights.
Sold the old Village Office on Public Square and used that money with additional local dollars to re-roof the Police Station building.
Replaced the Canal Park Playground with help from the Town of Murray and a grant through the Genesee and Orleans Public Health Departments.
Updated comprehensive plan, which was last done 14 years ago.
Begun the removal of all dead ash trees throughout the village park, waterfalls and trails in a project funded from a grant from Orleans County Soil and Water Department.
HOLLEY – The Community Free Library will host its first-ever Community Art Auction on Friday, June 26, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the library, located at 86 Public Square in Holley.
The event will showcase artwork donated by local artists from across the region. Community members will have the opportunity to view and bid on a diverse collection of paintings, photography, mixed media, fiber arts, and other original works while enjoying a reception and live auction experience.
All bidding will begin at just $20, making original artwork accessible to a wide range of attendees while raising funds to support library services, programs, and community initiatives.
The auction features works from more than 20 artists, including Ginny Schofield, Nora Lindsay, Jim Fiegel, Brianna Pellegrino, Chloe Dunn, Amy Ahl, Alanna Reed, Autumn Bradley, Emma Goodman, and many others who have generously contributed their talents to support the library.
“The Art Auction is a celebration of both creativity and community,” said Jenna Chevier, Programming Coordinator at the Community Free Library. “We’re excited to showcase the incredible artistic talent that exists in our area while raising funds that will directly benefit library programs and services for all ages.”
Guests are encouraged to preview the artwork in advance through the library’s online gallery and then attend the live event to place bids and meet fellow art enthusiasts.
HOLLEY – Festival visitor Evie is all smiles as she braves the Ultimate Ninja Warrior obstacle course. It was a popular attraction at this year’s JuneFest, which also featured craft and food vendors.
JuneFest took place on June 6 along Holley’s canal park path. The festival was made possible by funds from the Statewide Community Regrant Program and was administered by GO ART!
Wendy Cruz, manager of Project Salus, a program of Community Action of Orleans & Genesee hands out free flowers. Young Carlee Dale happily experiences the booth. The pots came in four rim colors that each represented a different kind of person. For example, the red rim represented playfulness and a loving and nurturing spirit. The group also handed out free make-your-own flowers out of pipe cleaners that came in both daisy and sunflower varieties. Running with the tagline “Youth Voices Driving Change – Define Your Impact”, the project promotes positivity and finds resources for adolescents. It has afterschool programs in Lyndonville and Holley. Moving forward, Project Salus wants to do more community outreach focused on youths.
Alex excitedly receives a face painting of a rocketship, with glittery flames. Mary Jo Whitman of Far Out Faces WNY Face Painting creates the masterpiece.
Kevin Johnson of Clarendon Lions Club serves up grilled goodies. There were several food vendors at the festival. They were hard at work crafting great food and tasty beverages.
Christina Kelley and Stephanie Ridder of CK Designs sold keychains that could be custom-made with a large number of selections, as well as ready-made keychains.
Samantha and Mike were in charge of the Oak & Flora Shop booth. They had an array of nicknacks to purchase.
Lorraine of LD Designs poses with her selection of crocheted goods. There were many vendors selling delightful crocheted critters.
Dennis Lusk shows off the Lusk Tree Service booth. It included a large bucket lift.
Arianna gets a rainbow butterfly wing done by Mary Jo Whitman. Families had a wonderful time looking at all the sights and goods.
JuneFest featured several more booths. One of the vendors sold rocks ranging from blue calcite from the Adirondacks to geodes from Kentucky. Penna’s Crafts and Things provided samples of maple products from Carney Farms in Hornell and also sold crafts from Donald Penna’s shop.
Candy Mosholder’s Pink Zebra had wax melters that, when burned, produce a pleasant aroma. Author Debbie Patt was selling her book, Aurora’s Sweet Dream, about her dog. Esipova Youth Ballet Theater had a recruitment booth. It has a focus on Classic Ballet Rendezvous Style and accepts children ages three-plus, and it also offers adult classes.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 May 2026 at 10:37 am
Photos by Tom Rivers: John Fitzak, Orleans County legislator and co-leader of the Orleans County Association of Municipalities, addresses about 20 local officials on Tuesday during the monthly meeting of the association. The meeting was hosted by the Village of Holley and held in the cafeteria of the Holley Elementary School.
HOLLEY – Officials in Orleans County were told the state has funding opportunities to study infrastructure needs and also to consider more efficient ways to providing services.
Andrew Santillo, a local government specialist with the NYS Department of State, was the featured speaker during Tuesday’s monthly meeting of the Orleans County Association of Municipalities. He spoke by phone from Albany.
The state has funded projects in the county, including $52,859 towards a current study looking at EMS and firefighting services throughout the county. A final report is expected soon on that report.
Holley Mayor Mark Bower said the village has worked to update its zoning ordinances and comprehensive plan with assistance from the Genesee Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council.
The Department of State also worked with Orleans County on a regional dredging plan.
The state made $8 million available for projects in the 2025-26 budget. About $800,000 goes towards planning grants while $7.3 million is directed at implementing projects, Santillo said.
The funding is open to counties, towns, villages, school districts, fire districts, libraries and BOCES.
Some recent projects have involved courts, a regional fuel facility, code enforcement, assessment, merging a police department, information technology services, municipal planning, clean energy initiatives and waste water.
Santillo highlighted a project in Lewis County in the north country where 17 municipal entities are sharing highway equipment.
The Brockport Fire District also secured nearly $500,000 for a regional bunk-in program that boosts firefighter staffing through SUNY Brockport. Students get free room and board at the Brockport firehouse in exchange for responding to some emergency calls as volunteer firefighters.
“We try to meet the needs of local governments,” Santillo said.
Some recent studies in parts of the state have assisted planning and zoning boards with zoning updates and new comprehensive plans, and fire districts and schools with mergers. Some students have looked at the dissolution of village governments and shifting those services to a town.
Other students have examined how municipal services could better be reorganized.
“We put some money behind projects to see if savings can be had,” Santillo said. “Is there a way to help you guys do things better or more cost effective?”
He noted some current projects in the GLOW region including a water main replacement in Avon, a water-loss study in Wyoming County, and a large sewer project in Darien.
County Legislator John Fitzak also is chairman of the Genesee Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council, which serves nine counties and the city of Rochester.
He said the organization can assist municipalities with preparing and administering grants.
Provided photo: Holley Central School Superintendent Karri Schiavone, left, congratulates Payton Preston as Holley’s “Outstanding Senior.”
HOLLEY – Payton Preston of Holley has been recognized by the Monroe County Council of School Superintendents as a 2026 Outstanding Senior at the annual Dr. Michael C. O’Laughlin Outstanding Senior Recognition Dinner on May 14.
One senior from each high school in the Monroe One and Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES region is selected for this honor based on scholarship, leadership, service and character.
Payton is a dedicated student who has been actively involved in academics and extracurriculars throughout her high school career. She participated in varsity soccer, cheerleading and tennis, demonstrating commitment, teamwork and school spirit across multiple programs.
She serves as president of the National Honor Society and is a member of the National Technical Honor Society through her Career and Technical Education program. Her leadership and academic success reflect a strong work ethic and commitment to excellence.
Payton also served as a SOAR mentor for seventh-grade students during her junior and senior years, providing guidance and support to peers transitioning into middle school. Outside of school, she is active in 4-H, further demonstrating her commitment to community involvement and personal growth.
“Payton exemplifies the heart of Holley,” said Holley CSD Superintendent Karri Schiavone. “She is a well-rounded student whose leadership, academic achievement and commitment to service set her apart. Her dedication and passion make her a positive role model and a deserving recipient of this recognition.”
She will continue her education at SUNY Geneseo this fall, where she plans to major in biochemistry.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 May 2026 at 12:26 am
Provided photo
HOLLEY – Nora Lindsay, center is shown presenting a ceremonial check for $2,350 for C.U.R.E. Childhood Cancer Association. She is shown with Neil and Diane Valentine, parents of the late Evan Valentine.
Evan passed away at age 18 on February 21, 2021 after a courageous battle with acute myeloid leukemia. Evan was very active in Holley’s music program and also was a soccer player and Eagle Scout.
Evan was friends with Nora’s older brother, Gabe Lindsay. Nora last year raised $700 for the C.U.R.E. Childhood Cancer Association by selling cookies.
This year she organized a cash raffle. Tickets sold for $10 each with $500 awarded for first prize, $350 for second, and $150 for third.
The raffle raised $1,850 and another donation came in for $500, bringing the total to $2,350. She was joined by Evan’s parents in presenting the donation on Tuesday to the C.U.R.E. Childhood Cancer Association in Rochester.
“My mother always taught me that no one ever really dies until the last time someone says your name,” Nora said. “Evan Valentine meant a lot to my brother, and my family is close, so when my brother went to college I told him I’d make him proud. The first time I really understood what community meant is when the Holley community rallied around Evan and his family,” Nora said. “So, for all those reasons and more, I wanted to honor his memory and all that C.U.R.E. does both seen and unseen.”
Evan Valentine, left, was a very active student at Holley.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 May 2026 at 2:47 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
HOLLEY – Boy Scout Troop 59 was part of the Memorial Day parade this morning in Holley.
Tyler Moore, left, carries the Troop 59 flag while Ryker Knight carries the American flag. They are joined by Scoutmaster Randy Moore.
There was a ceremony at the American Legion Post on Wright Street and then a procession from South Main Street to Hillside Cemetery where there were services in honor of veterans.
Madison Hults of Kendall leads the Holley-Kendall marching band as the drum major.
The band played patriotic music as part of the parade.
Miranda Blanar is a member of the color guard in the Holley-Kendall marching band. There are about 50 students total in the marching band.
The band works their way up the hill on South Main Street on their way to Hillside Cemetery.
Todd Klatt, a mechanic in the National Guard, drives this military vehicle in the parade. Klatt is a sergeant first class who returned home in November after a 9-month deployment to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The vehicle is a M1120A4 Load Handling System. It is a mobility tactical truck. The ladder truck for the Murray Joint Fire District is after the military vehicle.
The tactical truck had a tribute in honor of veterans who have died. Klatt’s wife Mary, son Trent and daughter Olivia were on back of the truck tossing candy.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 23 May 2026 at 12:36 pm
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Assemblyman Steve Hawley presents a proclamation to Amy Machamer during a luncheon Friday celebrating Hurd Orchards inclusion on the State Historic Business Preservation Registry. County Legislator Ed Morgan is at right.
HOLLEY – Hurd Orchards, a seventh-generation family farm going back more than 200 years, was presented with a proclamation by Assemblyman Steve Hawley on Friday during a luncheon celebrating Hurd’s inclusion in the State Historic Business Preservation Registry.
Amy Machamer, who owns Hurd Orchards with her mother Susan Hurd Machamer, said they had already planned a special luncheon featuring rhubarb when they learned of their historic designation.
Holley mayor Mark Bower added his congratulations to Amy Machamer on being included in the State Historic Preservation Registry, after presenting her with a proclamation from the village.
“Our guests will be surprised to learn about our honor,” Machamer said.
The State Historic Business Preservation Registry recognizes business that are at least 50 years old, according to Hawley.
Hurd Orchards was established by Luther Hurd in 1825 and has evolved into a thriving fruit-growing enterprise. It is now in its eighth generation.
“From a pioneer farm, they have changed and thrived with the times, yet kept their historical significance and maintained conservation practices,” Hawley said. “It is extraordinary in this day and age for an agricultural business to last this long.”
Hawley presented Amy with a proclamation from the New York State Assembly, while Ed Morgan presented one from the Orleans County Legislature and another came from Holley mayor Mark Bower.
Amy, who has been in business with her mother since 1985, is the seventh-generation Hurd to run the farm, and when her daughter joins the operation, she will become the eighth-generation.
“I love all that goes into it,” Amy said.
She was not only honored by Hawley’s bestowing such an honor (which she called cool) on the farm, but praised him for supporting farms. She cited this spring when they needed water desperately, which they get from the canal, and was told it would be six weeks before the canal was filled. She contacted Hawley and their state senator, and within 24 hours, there was water in the canal.
Luncheons, such as Friday’s, have become a tradition in the family’s 200-year-old barn. Each one focuses on a different theme found on the farm, from Friday’s rhubarb to chives on June 3. Peonies, strawberries and roses will be featured in upcoming June luncheons.
Amy welcomed a full room of guests to Friday’s lunch, first sharing a little history of the family farm, then explaining about rhubarb. The menu included rhubarb/raspberry jam cookies rolled in paprika, rhubarb muffins, herb bread hot out of the oven, ham with a rhubarb sauce and for dessert, rhubarb pie (also known as pie plant), brown sugar rhubarb cookies and rhubarb custard cake.
“We are contributing in a very special way to the heritage of Western New York,” Amy said.
Hurd Orchards is the fourth Holley area business to be included on the Historic Business Preservation Registry, following Kirby’s Farm Market (just across the Orleans/Monroe County line), who was recognized last year, and Stockham Lumber and Holley Cold Storage, both in Holley, which were announced a week ago.
Honored businesses were identified after Orleans County historian Catherine Cooper compiled a list for Hawley, showing companies in business more than 50 years.
Prior to receiving a proclamation from Assemblyman Stave Hawley, Amy Machamer described the benefits of rhubarb to guests gathered for lunch Friday at Hurd Orchards.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 May 2026 at 9:57 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
HOLLEY – Jeremy Arnold and his daughter Philomena, 13, pull a long invasive vine from the bushes near a rest area along the Erie Canal in Holley.
They were among 200 volunteers for today’s “Day of Impact” led by Holley Rotary Interact and EarlyAct Clubs at the school.
There are usually about 100 volunteers for the big day in Holley of picking up trash and doing special projects. There was an even bigger response with today’s efforts dedicated in memory of Eric Fredendall, who passed away from melanoma on February 17, 2026 at age 46.
Leah Fredendall thanks the big crowd that turned out for the “Day of Caring” in honor of her late husband. Mrs. Fredendall works as an aide in the elementary school. Her husband grew up in Holley, graduated in 1997 and insisted on raising their family in the community. After serving as a combat veteran in the US Marines during the Iraq War, he worked for Stockham Lumber driving the lumber truck and making deliveries, a job he thoroughly enjoyed, his wife said.
Mr. Fredendall was an enthusiastic participant in previous “Day of Caring” events, relishing oddball items he would find as part of the litter cleanup. He once found a piece of a hot tub in the canal.
“Eric was always a hands-on, hard worker,” his wife said. “He took great pride in Holley.”
They have two children – Cole, 16; and Lauren, 14.
The people wore orange shirts today that noted it was the 2026 Day of Impact and it was dedicated in memory of Eric Fredendall.
“It means so much to all of us,” Mrs. Fredendall said about honoring her husband with today’s community service projects.
Mr. Fredendall was at last year’s event, despite being sick with cancer. He didn’t want to miss the chance to help out.
“He looked forward to it because you could accomplish something and get something done,” she said.
Holley students paint red along the curb in front of the elementary school. These students include Miori Fisher, an eighth-grader at right, and Zoey Warner, a sophomore.
Zoey said she looks forward to the “Day of Impact” every year.
“It’s a way to bring our community together,” she said.
Samantha Zelent, the Interact Club advisors, thanked the students and other volunteers for joining on the community service projects. She said the community is very supportive of the Interact Club efforts throughout the year.
The group gathered at the elementary school parking before dispersing to tackle different projects.
These Holley students washed about 200 afghan blankets that were donated when a house was cleaned out in Holley. The people who donated the afghans also gave detergent and 200 dollars in quarters to have they all cleaned at the laundromat.
The students – from left Bailey Bibbins, Nora Lindsay, Kaeleigh Eiland, Olivia Kirkpatrick and Lillian O’Brien – also folded all of the blankets.
The afghans will be donated to the VA, nursing homes, and a few organizations that work with homeless people.
Matt Campbell cleans off the memorial bricks at the military tank by the VFW. Students and volunteers did landscaping and other cleanup work by the tank. Bricks also were placed there in memory of Eric Fredendall and Mark Morreall. Morreall was very active at the VFW and American Legion. He also worked with the Interact Club last year to make the landscaping by the tank one of the projects for the “Day of Impact.”
Don Pera, a retired Holley teacher and Eric Fredendall’s uncle, holds a garbage bag while volunteers put trash in it from a field in the Holley Business Park. Eli Prior, 11, and his sister Leah, 13, were among the litter hunters. They are in Fredendall’s family.
Volunteers picked up litter along every village street and the canal towpath within the Holley school district.
This group works on cleaning up the East Avenue canal welcome spot. It was overgrown on the stone pavers and also the bushes needed to be trimmed and some nasty weeds removed. Lewanne Nettles, in front with the shovel, was among the community volunteers to helped with today’s projects. The welcome area was a new project on the list this year.
Pat Fredendall, Eric Fredendall’s mother, stopped by the canal welcome area to pass out bottles of water. She saw her granddaughter there, helping clean up the stone pavers. Lauren Fredenedall, 14, is Eric’s daughter.
Pat Fredendall said she appreciated the big turnout today from the volunteers.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 May 2026 at 8:32 pm
Memorial bricks placed by military tank near VFW to conclude today’s ‘Day of Impact’
Photos by Tom Rivers
HOLLEY – Memorial bricks were set today in honor of Eric Fredendall and Mark Morreall by the military tank by the Holley VFW, where Morreall was a long-time leader.
“These are two amazing veterans,” Interact Club advisor Samantha Zelent said about Morreall and Fredendall. “They are two very special people to the Interact Club.”
Morreall passed away at age 69 on October 29, 2025. He was a US Army veteran who also was very involved with the American Legion in Holley.
Mark Morreall’s wife Susan is joined by son Sean Morreall after they set the brick in honor of Mark Morreall.
A group gathers near the tank to see the two memorial bricks be placed in honor of Mark Morreall and Eric Fredendall.
Eric Fredendall’s children – Cole, 16, and Lauren, 14 – place a brick with their father’s name by the tank. The Vietnam War era tank has been near the VFW since 2009.
Eric Fredendall passed away February 17, 2026 at age 46 from melanoma. He was a 1997 Holley graduate who then served as a combat veteran in the US Marines during the Iraq War.
The bricks were placed to conclude today’s “Day of Impact” in Holley, where about 200 students and other community members picked up litter and tended to other special projects in Holley, including landscaping work by the tank. Today’s “Day of Impact” was also dedicated in Fredendall’s memory.
Next year more bricks honoring veterans could be added by the tank on the “Day of Impact.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 May 2026 at 4:19 pm
Pierce-Smith Pioneer Cemetery on Hulberton Road includes burials of Revolutionary War soldier, Civil War vets and many early residents
Photos by Tom Rivers
MURRAY – About 75 people attended a program today at the Pierce-Smith Pioneer Cemetery at 3960 Hulberton Rd. in Murray. Two historical markers were unveiled at the cemetery.
The markers were part of an effort by Albion middle school students and their teacher Tim Archer, who researched Orleans County’s Revolutionary War soldiers.
The “Early Cemetery” marker recognizes the approximately 135 early citizens of the Pierce-Smith Pioneer Cemetery, with burials dating back to 1818.
Sutton Sanders, an eighth-grader who has been working on project since last summer with classmate Luci Borello, thanked local officials for their assistance researching and recognizing the Revolutionary War soldiers.
There are 65 proven burials, but Sanders said there are likely more, but cannot be proven. There are 30 cemeteries with a Revolutionary War veteran.
The Daughter of the American Revolution purchased 13 bronze Revolutionary War flag markers for those who had none, she said.
The students also secured a new headstone from the Veterans Administration in Washington, DC for Revolutionary War veteran Lott Smith at the East Barre Cemetery. It replaces a broken headstone. Another headstone for the Revolutionary War veteran will be replaced in Medina this fall.
Besides the two historical markers at the cemetery on Hulberton Road, the students secured markers that have been placed in Albion at Annis Cemetery on Riches Corners Road and Tanner Road on Route 31 across from Mount Albion.
Luci Borello shared about the historical marker for Robinson Smith, who died on Aug. 27, 1828 at the age of 66.
Smith is buried at the cemetery with his wife Mariam. He enlisted as a private in August 1782 in New Hampshire and served several months in General Washington’s Commander-in-Chief’s Life Guard.
Known to many as Elder Robinson Smith, he was one of a group forming the “Christian Society,” which started in Murray in 1815. Smith had seven children and at least 16 grandchildren.
The other namesake of the cemetery originates with Aretas Pierce. Upon his arrival to the natural wilderness of Western New York, the family lived in a log schoolhouse where they would later construct a simple log cabin.
Aretas was their school teacher. Nine Pierce family members are buried at the cemetery. Prior to their arrival to New York from Vermont, Aretas served as a captain in the Vermont state militia.
Another Pierce family member, Darwin, was a Civil War solider in a New York cavalry. He died at the Andersonville Prison in George on Oct. 30, 1864. Andersonville was a notorious Confederate prison at Camp Sumter where over 45,000 Union soldiers were held captive, and 13,000 died from disease, malnutrition and exposure. The cemetery on Hulberton Road includes headstones for four Civil War soldiers.
Tim Archer welcomes the group. He worked with students on the project. It is among many service-learning projects he has been a part of in the past two decades, connecting students with community services efforts. In the back are regiment flags from the Revolutionary War. They were brought by the Rochester chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution.
Caleb Wolfe, standing next to Tim Archer, provided some details about the two new historical markers. He read a letter from the Pomeroy Foundation, which paid for the markers. The two markers represent over two centuries of history in Albion and Murray, and memorialize Revolutionary War and Civil War veterans and also early residents who are interred at the cemetery.
The foundation praised the Albion School District and the students for worked with teacher Tim Archer on the project. The foundation congratulated them for identifying one of General George Washington’s special unit “Life Guards” who protected the Commander-in-Chief during battle.
Sutton Sanders, left, and Luci Borello, right, presented folders of their research to Elizabeth Haibach, assistant director at Hoag Library; Catherine Cooper, Orleans County historian; Patrice Birner of the Orleans County chapter of the DAR; and Sue Starkweather Miller, Village of Albion historian.
The folders include information about the 65 Revolutionary War soldiers in the county. The document lists the soldiers by town and cemetery. There’s a master list with the service record of each of the soldiers, when they served, where they served, wife’s name, birth and death date. The folder includes some of the records that were used to prove they were Revolutionary War soldiers – enlistment papers, pension records that showed their wives were trying to get a pension after their husband’s death, and census records. The students collected the data since last summer.
Albion student Lucas Palone read an excerpt from the Declaration of Independence.
Civil War re-enactors, including retired Albion teacher Doug Mergler, do a military volley during today’s program.
These Sons of the American Revolution members from Rochester and Buffalo were part of the service. They said they have a busy schedule this year as part of the country’s 250th anniversary. They plan to attend other marker unveilings, parades and special events throughout the year.
Ron Boyd of Holley is a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, Rochester chapter.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 May 2026 at 9:29 am
Photo by Tom Rivers
HOLLEY – The entrance to Veterans Drive off South Main Street in Holley is barricaded over a culvert.
The entrance is blocked off to traffic after a powerful storm on April 1 caused flooding that damaged a culvert near the entrance. The road is crumbling near the culvert.
It would be too expensive for the village to take on the cost of replacing the culvert, Holley Mayor Mark Bower said at Tuesday’s Village Board meeting.
Early estimates put a replacement at $300,000 to $500,000, he said.
The VFW and businesses in the Holley Business Park are accessible from Maziarz Drive off Route 31 by Crosby’s and Mitchell Family Cremations & Funerals.
The Veterans Drive entrance has long been considered a dangerous intersection, especially making a left turn onto South Main Street due to limited sight lines, village officials said.
There is a chance the culvert and road could be fixed if federal funding is approved by FEMA. Holley and other municipalities that suffered damages from the flooding may be eligible for FEMA funding. The state is currently going through the process to see if there will be FEMA aid for the affected counties.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 May 2026 at 9:39 am
File photo by Tom Rivers: Holley Mayor Mark Bower addresses a big group of Holley students in the elementary school parking lot on May 4, 2024 before they went out picking up littler along the canal and village streets. He thanked them for helping to make the Holley community a better place.
HOLLEY – More than 100 Holley students will out on Sunday picking up litter and doing other community service projects. The effort is the annual Day of Impact led by Holley Rotary Interact and EarlyAct Clubs.
They will be at the elementary school parking lot at 10 a.m. and then disperse into the community. The Day of Impact will be held in honor of Eric Fredendall, who welcomed opportunities to make a positive difference in his community.
The event expands upon the Annual Clean Sweep, an effort Fredendall actively supported, to create a day of service that reflects the lifetime of impact he had on Holley.
Participants will take part in a variety of service projects, including cleaning the canal and village streets, organizing the fire department’s storage center, working on the memorial tank at the VFW, and completing several additional community improvement tasks.
Volunteers will also prepare meals and assemble emergency supply kits for Operation Open Hearts.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 May 2026 at 8:59 am
HOLLEY – Hurd Orchards, a farm going back more than 200 years, will be honored next week when it is included on the State Historic Business Preservation Registry.
Assemblyman Steve Hawley will be at Hurd’s for a 2 p.m. celebration on May 22 at 17260 West Ridge Rd.
Founded in 1825 by Luther Hurd, Hurd Orchards has two centuries of history from its early beginnings in pioneer farming to its evolution into a thriving fruit-growing enterprise, Hawley said.
“The Hurd family has demonstrated a remarkable ability to adapt, innovate and lead within New York state’s agricultural industry,” he said.
Hawley is proud to be able to present this prestigious certificate and proclamation to Susan Hurd Machamer and Amy Machamer, who represent the sixth and seventh generations. The orchard continues to grow and evolve while honoring its rich history and commitment to excellence.
Hurd Orchards is the fourth business in the
Hawley last week presented citations to two other Holley businesses for the joining the State Historic Business Preservation Registry – Stockham Lumber and the Holley Cold Storage.
Kirby’s Farm Market, down the road on Route 104 from Hurd Orchards, also was recognized last year. Kirby’s is just across the Orleans/Monroe county line in the town of Clarkson.
The Historic Business Preservation Registry was established by the State Legislature in 2020. The registry recognizes businesses that are at least 50 years old. These businesses also contribution to the municipality’s history and identity.
