By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 September 2014 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
HOLLEY – Village officials rededicated a fountain that was first installed in the Public Square 100 years ago.
The Salisbury Fountain was originally given to the village by Mrs. Abraham Salisbury. According to a plaque, it was “Presented through the Women’s Christian Temperance Union.”
The fountain was taken apart and refurbished with K.M. Verhagen doing much of the restoration work. The fountain was disassembled and sandblasted. New stainless hardware was installed and broken casting was welded. It was also cleaned, primed, and repainted. The detailing was done by local artist Howard Barry.
Rosa Maria Scroope, 2, and Marcus Vinca, 3, both of Holley delight in the water trickling from the rebuilt fountain in downtown Holley.
Village Historian Marsha DeFillipps praised the efforts to spruce up and repair the fountain.
“They did a beautiful job,” she said following a dedication ceremony on Saturday.
The village used $15,000 in state funds to pay for the fixes to the village landmark.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 September 2014 at 12:00 am
Community makes push to restore chapel
Photos by Tom Rivers – Melissa Ierlan, the Clarendon town historian, unveils a historical marker this afternoon for Hillside Cemetery, which last year was named to National Register of Historic Places.
Clarendon Town Supervisor Richard Moy said the town supports the effort to restore the chapel, which was built in 1894 from local Medina sandstone.
HOLLEY – A year ago the U.S. Department of Interior gave lofty status to Hillside Cemetery by placing it on the National Register of Historic Places.
Today a historical marker was unveiled to highlight that recognition. A grant from the William Pomeroy Foundation paid the $1,280 cost for the marker.
The Holley and Clarendon community held an open house celebration for the chapel at the cemetery and Orleans County Historian Bill Lattin gave a tour of the chapel and cemetery. Town officials and the Clarendon Historical Society also urged the community to help restore the chapel, which needs a new roof, wooden window frames, some mortar repointing and repainting inside.
The chapel was open for tours today as part of a celebration for the site being listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The town is seeking a state grant to help with the $225,000 overall project. Town Historian Melissa Ierlan and Clarendon Historical Society member Erin Anheier are leading the effort to restore the chapel. They worked on the grant application and also the National Register nomination.
“The community owes them a big debt of gratitude,” said Richard Moy, Clarendon town supervisor.
Erin Anheier tells the community the chapel and cemetery are a “treasure.”
The town has owned Hillside Cemetery since the Hillside Cemetery Association disbanded about a decade ago. The cemetery is located at the corner of Route 237 and South Holley Road.
The cemetery opened in 1866 and was designed in the 19th century “Rural Cemetery Movement.” That is on the eastern side of the cemetery where the gravesides are dug into the side of the hill.
The 20th century “Lawn Style” approach is seen in the western portion. The cemetery has many beautiful gravestones that are works of art, Anheier said.
“We’re here to celebrate the historic treasure in our midst,” Anheier said when addressing about 50 people today.
Orleans County Historian Bill Lattin leads a tour of Hillside Cemetery. He is pictured with a crowd outside the chapel.
This photo was taken from the inside of the chapel, looking through one of the windows.
The chapel was built in 1894. It remains much like its original state with no alterations inside. However, the roof needs to be replaced and wooden window frames are rotting.
Anheier and Ierlan want the chapel to again be available for funerals. The site also has fine acoustics for concerts. Amy Harris played her flute during a reception this afternoon inside the chapel.
Melissa Ierlan, the town historian, leads a tour of the mortuary chamber, which has room for 48 caskets. The space continues to be used to store some caskets during the winter when the ground is frozen.
This picture was taken looking up from the mortuary chambers to the stairs leading to the main chapel room.
The National Register listing should boost the town’s chances for securing funding for the chapel restoration. The Historical Society and town would like to use the building for community events in the future.
Donations of more than $1,000 will be recognized with a plaque in the restored chapel. Donations can be sent to the Clarendon Historical Society Chapel Fund, P.O. Box 124, Clarendon, NY, 14429.
For more information, call the Town Hall at 585-638-6371 ext. 104 or email clarendon_hs@yahoo.com.
Amy Harris plays her flute during a reception today inside the chapel at Hillside Cemetery.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 September 2014 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
HOLLEY – Firefighters from three companies are out today collecting money in a boot drive for Jon DeYoung, the deputy fire chief at Clarendon who is battling colon cancer for the second time.
DeYoung, 49, as been an active firefighter with the Clarendon Fire Company for 25 years. In the top photo, his son Jon DeYoung Jr. accepts money from a motorist in the boot drive at the intersection of routes 31 and 237.
Firefighters form Clarendon, Holley and the Fancher-Hulberton-Murray fire companies are out collecting funds for DeYoung, who is currently receiving treatments at the Cleveland Clinic.
DeYoung Jr. thanked the other firefighters in the East Battalion of Orleans County for rallying on behalf of his father.
“In the East Battalion we stick together,” DeYoung Jr. said.
His father has been a long-time leader for the Clarendon Fire Company, earning respect and admiration in the community, said Fire Chief Bob Freida.
“He’s an outstanding person who wouldn’t think twice about helping someone else in the community,” Freida said.
Holley firefighters had the idea for the boot drive today. In this picture Harris Reed, Holley’s assistant chief, accepts a donation.
Harris Reed, front, and Holley firefighter Jim Papponetti work together at this intersection on Route 31.
Update 4 p.m.: Holley Fire Department officials say the boot drive raised $2,710 for DeYoung and his family to help pay for costs not covered by insurance.
HOLLEY – A new fitness center will soon be opening at Holley Elementary School for use by the students, staff and community. The creation of the fitness center is due to the Carol White Physical Education Program, a multi-year $441,000 federal grant for Holley.
Lisa Campbell, the district’s Director of Physical Education, was instrumental in securing this grant for the district. Holley has used the grant money to purchase state-of-the-art fitness equipment to outfit the center.
Initially, the fitness center will be open two nights per week from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., starting in late fall/early winter. The center will be supervised by a Holley staff member and Holley Security Officers will be on duty during the community use hours.
During the evening hours, children under the age of 10 will not be permitted to use the equipment. All participants will be asked to sign a waiver form in order to use the equipment.
“I invite you to use the fitness center as your schedule permits, as it is just one more service that the school district provides the community, and we are very proud to do so,” said Robert D’Angelo, Holley school district superintendent.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 September 2014 at 12:00 am
File photo by Tom Rivers
HOLLEY – A fountain that was originally installed 100 years ago in the Public Square will be rededicated on Sept. 20 after being refurbished.
The Salisbury Fountain was originally given to the village by Mrs. Abraham Salisbury. According to a plaque, it was “Presented through the Women’s Christian Temperance Union.”
Holley is using a state street-scape grant to make improvements to the fountain. K.M. Verhagen did much of the restoration work. The fountain was disassembled and sandblasted. New stainless hardware was installed and broken casting was welded. It was also cleaned, primed, and repainted. The detailing was done by local artist Howard Barry.
The work is complete but the scaffold and plastic will remain around the fountain until the 10 a.m. unveiling on Sept. 20. The community is welcome to the dedication ceremony.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 September 2014 at 12:00 am
Spychalski
HOLLEY – The school district welcomes residents to apply for a vacant position on the Board of Education.
Kellie Spychalski, the board’s vice president, resigned during the Aug. 18 BOE meeting. Her terms runs until June 30, 2015.
The board wants to appoint someone to fill the vacancy. Residents are welcome to send letters of interest in the position to Connie Nenni, District Clerk at 3800 North Main St. Rd., Holley, NY 14470 or email the letter to cnenni@holleycsd.org. Monday is the last day to apply for the volunteer position.
“The Board and entire Holley community wish to thank Kellie for her hard work and dedication, as well as her many years of service to the students, staff and school community,” according to a statement on the Holley district web site.
Spychalski resigned due the demands of her job as executive director with Opportunities Unlimited in Niagara County, said BOE President Brenda Swanger.
Spychalski left the Arc of Orleans County last year to take the position in Niagara County. She worked for The Arc for 21 years. She has been commuting from Holley to Niagara Falls.
“She was a great addition to the board,” Swanger said. “She is a very respected professional woman who loves the kids.”
The BOE appointed Robin Silvis to vice president of the board during the Aug. 18 meeting.
HOLLEY – Village police say a Holley woman, Lynnette Schumacher, has been missing since last Tuesday when she was last seen at the Holley Hotel on Thomas Street.
Schumacher suffers from mental disorders and may not have her medication, investigators told WHEC in Rochester. She was last seen wearing a gray hoodie and gray sweatpants. Schumacher is also heavily tattooed.
Anyone with information is asked to call 911.
Schumacher was subject of a missing person alert in March from the village of Albion. She allegedly took an acquaintance’s car and was located in the city of Rochester.
CARLTON – A Holley man had to be rescued this afternoon while swimming in Lake Ontario.
Sean M. Bemont, 38, was boating with his wife Elena, 35, about 1 mile north of Wilson Road in the Town of Carlton. Bemont decided to take a swim and at some point he and the boat began drifting apart.
He was attempting to swim back to the boat when he experienced a medical problem. Elena Bemont, who is not savvy to the operation of the vessel, called 9-1-1 as the boat was drifting farther away from her husband.
The Orleans County Sheriff’s Marine Unit responded to the area. Deputies Erin Fuller and Jim Burke rescued Bemont from the water. He was not wearing a PFD.
Deputy Fuller transported Bemont to the State Boat Launch on Oak Orchard River, where he was treated by personnel from Central Orleans Volunteer Ambulance and released. Deputy Burke drove Bemont’s boat back to its dock at Wiley’s Marina, also on Oak Orchard River.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 31 August 2014 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
HULBERTON – Jeff Gifaldi of Holley throws the bocce ball during today’s tournament in Hulberton. Gifaldi, 35, formed a team for the tournament for the first time and they won their first three games.
“It’s a blast,” Gifaldi said. “It’s a good bunch of people here.”
The Holley community embraced its Italian heritage with the annual St. Rocco’s Festival today. The festival features lots of Italian food, a bocce tournament, produce sales and other events to raise money for the St. Mary’s and St. Mark’s Parish for Holley and Kendall.
Rosemary Bower gets some Italian sausage ready for a customer. Popular Italian foods such as eggplant parmesan, meatball sandwiches, pasta fagioli, pizza and shells were served.
Dan Mawn works on some fried waffles that would then be covered in confectionary sugar.
Emilio Monti of Rochester reacts after rolling the bocce ball during a game today. Monti’s team won its first four matches. The team won the tournament last year. They practice twice a week at the Italian American Community Center in Rochester.
The festival included several games for children. Joey Camacho, 5, of Brockport tosses a ping pong ball towards a table of jars. His mother, Dana Swanger, cheers him on. If the ball made it in a jar, the child would win a goldfish.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 August 2014 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
HOLLEY – In the top photo, Mary DiBattisto races with her horse at the Orleans County Boots and Saddle Club arena at the corner of Hulberton and Powerline roads. DiBattisto, 13, of Greece has been a member of the club the past three years.
There were about a dozen participants in four barrel races this summer. The club wants to add members, including adults. In the past it has had 50 to 60 riders.
Faith Woody of Albion dodges the poles in a barrel race on Tuesday at Boots and Saddle.
The riders and their horses weaved between obstacles in the final barrel race of the season at the club. For many riders the race on Tuesday evening was a final tune-up for competition at the State Fair.
Riders at the club have been getting together since the late 1940s or early 1950s – no one is quite sure when it started. The club had four barrel races this year but would like to have more next year. The public is welcome to attend the events.
Shelly Daggs, vice president of the club, also sold slices of pizza on Tuesday. A dedicated group of volunteers keeps the club and the arena running. Besides events at the arena, the club also goes on trail rides.
For more information on Boots and Saddle, click here.
