Sidonio apologizes, says he faces ‘hostile environment’ at Town Hall

MURRAY – The majority of the Murray’s five Town Board members are demanding that Joe Sidonio resign as town supervisor due to his use of racial slurs and “inappropriate language” in how he describes female employees.

Joe Sidonio

Board members Paul Hendel, Randy Bower and Lloyd Christ all called for Sidonio’s resignation at Monday’s board meeting. Hendel, Bower and Christ voted for Sidonio’s resignation with Michael Mele abstaining because as deputy town supervisor he would take over if Sidonio resigned.

Sidonio said this evening he doesn’t plan on resigning and did nothing illegal. He did say he regrets his language in private conversations with a resident that were recorded without Sidonio’s knowledge.

The board went on the record saying he should resign.

“Elected officials should exhibit behaviors that are held to a higher standard than others,” Councilman Hendel said during the meeting, according to draft minutes posted on the town website. “Mr. Sidonio’s behaviors demonstrate a total lack of leadership, lack of morals and lack of ethics, and when taken together prohibits his ability to continue to lead this Town in an effective manner focused on the best interests of the residents of the Town.

The draft minutes on the town website say the resolution calling for Sidonio’s resignation, states:

“The reasons for this motion are as follows:

1. Mr. Sidonio has consistently fostered a working atmosphere of ridicule and intimidation with the elected and non-elected individuals working for the Town.
2. Mr. Sidonio has consistently used vulgar and inappropriate language to identify and describe both elected and non-elected individuals working for the Town. For example: In recorded messages that have been obtained by the Town Board, he refers to our town Clerk as a “F—ing C—“; and our court clerk as “a clone of Ron Vendetti and a F—ing C—“! Mr. Sidonio said the full words, Mr. Hendel would not.
3. Mr. Sidonio has consistently manipulated facts, information and individuals to ensure that he would achieve what is in his best interest with little or no regard to the truth. Direct evidence of this behavior is again revealed in audio recordings.
4. Mr. Sidonio has multiple accusations of harassment to both elected and non-elected individuals since his tenure began as supervisor.
5. Mr. Sidonio has consistently violated the confidentiality of Town Board executive sessions by revealing the contents of those discussions with town residents outside of executive sessions. Again, in recorded messages he is revealing specific personal matters; results of personal interviews; and other such matters that must be kept as confidential executive session discussions.
6. Mr. Sidonio has used the most vile words often used to slander and degrade persons of color when describing work tasks. Again, he is recorded using the “N” word in statements such as: “I’m not going to be doing your N—– work”! Mr. Sidonio said the full word, Mr. Hendel would not.

Sidonio, during the meeting on Monday, said the board’s vote is non-binding and a moot resolution.

He issued this statement this evening:

“Citizens:

I am sorry and embarrassed for the emotionally charged, regrettable language I used in private conversation. That language does not reflect the person I am and has no place in our discourse today.

“While this is not an excuse, I made these remarks in unguarded moments during the course of private conversations with a person whom I thought was a friend. These private conversations were recorded without my knowledge or consent, and then shared with, and used by, members of the Town Board in an attempt to coerce my resignation as Town Supervisor.

“In fact, before the April 18, 2022 Town Board meeting, a member of the Board, Michael Mele, told me that ‘if I resigned, this would all go away.’ I refused to resign, and, sure enough, these recordings were released to the media.

“While I am sorry for the words I used, my unguarded expressions of frustration reflected my discouragement and disillusionment with the business-as-usual corruption and waste I routinely encountered in Town government. In fact, the words I used in frustration are not the real story here.  I invite you to get to the truth of how the people of Murray have been betrayed by their elected officials.

“If any story or report of this juncture in our town is printed without full context and clarity one and all are enabling the cruel practices of the Town of Murray Board to continue unimpaired and giving validity to the tactics of conspiracy, bullying, threats, fear mongering and corruption that have overshadowed our community for too long.

“At the outset of the Murray board meeting on Monday April 18th the four other members of the town board hijacked the town meeting in a coup attempt to get me to resign the Supervisorship.

“When the meeting was forced to be quickly adjourned many, many people who believe in good government vocalized their support for the honest, equal, welcoming, fair governance for which I stand. I stand up against bullies and against self-interested mismanagement of town government.

“With respect to all previous allegations made and the opinions proffered about me by the other town board members and employees – both verbally and in print – each has been thoroughly investigated and found to be unsubstantiated, warranting no action.

“Yes, a hostile work environment exists in the Town of Murray. Each day I face board members and long-term employees who work hard to concoct schemes to dislodge me, disgrace me, foil my earnest work, frame me and in addition do not speak to me.

“The most egregious example is the horrific text sent between three women, both elected, appointed and employed, which outlined a conspiracy to falsely accuse someone, potentially me, of a crime. These same individuals then proceeded to investigate me for wrongdoing in objecting to their scheme. Their claims were found to have no merit. I objected then and I object now.

“It is worth noting that we have one board member who allegedly took early retirement from the Sheriff’s Office to avoid embarrassment. We have one town board member who allegedly has no permit to operate a septic business from his property and was found to have been using public water from a fire hydrant allegedly without either a water meter nor a back flow preventer on the hydrant. Another board member championed the unlawful healthcare benefits paid to an employee’s girlfriend.

“I was elected by voters to create an efficient and effective government delivered in an accountable and transparent manner. I had to challenge the status quo step on toes and be tough. I stated from the beginning I am not a politician. I am not perfect. But I try and work hard to learn and move forward.

“I declined the town board’s backroom offer to resign and ‘make all this go away.’

“I will not be coerced, blackmailed, bought or co-opted.

“I began the effort of helping Murray by reaching for a vision of a beautiful community.

In my vision there was no oppression and no persecution. Each citizen was treated with equality and had a voice that was heard.  Governance was fair, spending was conservative, and procedures were followed.  In this vision the energy of the town was focused on creating a beautiful place to live, a place for everybody, where people want to be, businesses want to be and where people want to be involved without fear of repercussion.

“Sadly, the citizens of the Town of Murray have been robbed of access to this vision, this promised democracy in America.” – Joe Sidonio

The Clarendon Softball Team from 1961 – Back row, from left, Melvin Burch, Leonard Ruggles, Ronald Moore, Wesley Potter, Cecil Moore and Gordon Ferguson; front row, Laverne Webster, Tommy Cook, Larry Wood, Paul Keith, Clifford Moore and William Crawford. Not pictured was Lloyd Tipton. Jimmy Snell was the scorekeeper.

By Catherine Cooper, Orleans County Historian

Illuminating Orleans – Vol. 2, No. 14

HOLLEY – This energetic photo of the Clarendon Championship Softball Team on the front page of the October 26,1961 edition of the Holley Standard caught our attention.

An accompanying article notes that the team was newly organized in the spring of 1961 and was sponsored by Duryea Motors. The league was composed of eight teams.

In the season playoffs, Clarendon defeated Bergen in two games, 17-3 and 6-3 in the semi-finals and won two out of the three in the final round against General Electric and Brockport. Clarendon won the first game of the series, GE won the second and the third game was a tie. Clarendon won the makeup game and thus the series and the championship.

The masthead notes that the Holley Standard had been established in September, 1870.

The Holley Standard building on Thomas Street in the village. The building was constructed in the early 1900s.

According to a history of paper written in 1964, it was started by Cyrus Marsh, publisher of the Brockport Democrat, and his son George F. Marsh. The first issue was dated September 17, 1870.

The newspaper used this promo to solicit local news.

A fire on July 23, 1874 destroyed the entire south side of the Holley Square, including the Standard office and its contents. Remarkably, the paper just missed one issue as it was printed temporarily at the publisher’s Brockport location.

Charles C. Hayden bought the paper in 1882 and was publisher for more than thirty years, until his death in 1914. Another fire in January 1885 destroyed the office and equipment again. This time, the paper was temporarily printed at the Orleans American office in Albion until a Holley location was available, over the State Exchange Bank.

In 1903, Charles Hayden bought the Weller property on Thomas Street, sold part of it to the Village of Holley as a site for a new village building and constructed the one-story building which housed the Standard for many years.

The Bartlett-Turner Company owned the paper from 1914-1936 when it was purchased by long-time employees Gerald McVay and Jessie Cole. It was purchased on October 30, 1945 by W.K. Hovey, a former General Motors engineer who was interested in rural journalism. It was purchased by the Suburban Record in Spencerport in 1971, and in 1974 by Robert Nagel, publisher of the Batavia Daily News, at which point it was combined with the Brockport Republic-Democrat and the Hamlin Herald to form the Erie Canal News which ran until 1979.

The masthead of the 1961 Holley Standard announced that it served: Clarendon – Kendall – Murray – Fancher – Hulberton – Kendall Mills – Kent – W. Kendall – W. Sweden – Morton.

The October 26, 1961 issue included the following items of interest:

• A tragic accident in Kendall which claimed the life of one teen and resulted in the injury of four others.
• Duffy-Mott reported increased sales.
• The Kendall Fire Department acquired a new fire engine.
• Fred DePhillips was a candidate for Town Clerk.
• Mr. & Mrs. Robert Miller of Morton celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.

The Orleans County History Dept. owns some early issues of the paper. From the July 5, 1878 issue we learn that:

• Dr. A.G. Henry and Miss Mary F. French were married in Sacramento.
• A tramp narrowly escaped lynching for assaulting a young girl.
• Mr. and Mrs. Odell of Kendall and their ten intelligent looking children had their photograph taken by Amos Belden.
• Mr. M. Hoffman of Kendall Mills was recovering from typhoid fever.

Advertisements from 1878

The eventual demise of the Holley Standard was part of a national trend. As readers gravitated to television news, rural newspapers faced increasing competition for advertising dollars, their main source of income.

Fortunately, access to this wealth of local information is still available. It is on microfilm at the Hoag Library in Albion, at SUNY Brockport, from the Town of Clarendon historian and at the Murray-Holley Museum.

HOLLEY – The Board of Education has approved a $26,982,000 proposed budget for 2022-23 that would increase taxes by 1.95 percent.

The budget goes before voters on May 17. The budget is below the district’s allowable tax cap of 2.793 percent, said Sharon Zacher, the district’s assistant superintendent for business.

“We kept this the same as last year with hopes that a moderate increase will not burden our taxpayers while assisting the district with an increase in expenses,” Zacher said.

The budget maintains all current educational programs and represents a 3.18 percent budget-to-budget increase. Zacher said contractual obligations and inflation of supplies and materials are the main reasons for the budget going up.

The vote on May 17 includes a proposition to establish a capital improvements reserve fund at a maximum of $6 million. Zacher said the fund is needed as the district begins to prepare for the next capital improvement project.

Holley currently receives state aid of 92.4 for capital projects. The remaining 7.6 percent is the local share.

“The capital reserve would allow us to pick up that difference without a tax impact on our community,” Zacher said.

Proposition 3 is to authorize purchasing new school buses as a maximum of $334,000.

Proposition 4 would be authorizing the district to collect $194,966 for Community Free Library, which is up from the $189,287 for 2021-22.

There are two candidates for two seats on the Board of Education. The deadline for submitting petitions to be a candidate was Monday, April 18. Tracy Van Ameron and Anne Winkley, current board members, are running unopposed for three-year terms on the BOE.

Provided photo: Ashley Farrell’s granddaughter Annalaya wears the little blue sweater Farrell passed on to her. The sweater has special meaning for Farrell, who was living in Holley 12 years ago and found it at the Community Center.

HOLLEY – This is a tale of a little blue sweater, a tiny piece of clothing which had the power to lift and encourage one individual.

It’s story began at a very bad time in the life of Ashley Farrell, who decided recently to write about it and post it on Facebook. Nyla Gaylord of Clarendon, event coordinator and fundraiser for United Way of Orleans County, saw the post and forwarded it to Renee Hungerford, director of Community Action of Orleans and Genesee.

Hungerford asked Farrell to share her story.

Farrell, who now lives in Batavia, was down and out 12 years ago and frequently visited the Holley Community Center for food and donations of clothing.

“I went to the Center two or three times a week for lunch so I didn’t have to use up the little food I had in my house,” Farrell said.

On one of those days, someone had dropped off a box of clothing, and Farrell started to go through it. In it she found a little blue sweater.

“I grabbed it,” Farrell said. “My daughter Riley was 3 and she wore the sweater for two years, until she outgrew it. Then I passed it on to my niece Haidynn, who also wore it for three years. Then it came back to me. I had four daughters by then and the two youngest, Jaidynn and Jetta, wore it.”

The sweater was still in great condition, Farrell said. Through all the play dates, spilled juice, trips and tumbles, the blue sweater remained resilient. Many walks to the park and always the extra layer of clothing at school on those chilly days, the blue sweater became priceless. But its  life didn’t end there.

Farrell now has a granddaughter Annalaya, 2, who is going to get the sweater.

It’s only a small piece of clothing, but it’s sentimental value is overwhelming to Farrell.

“I found it when I needed help the most,” Farrell said. “It’s become a big piece of my family’s history. I look back now on the day I was rummaging through that box at the Community Center and I thank God, I thank the universe and all the powers you can’t see, but most importantly I thank myself.”

Hungerford stressed how a simple donation of that box of clothing impacted one family’s live.

“Everyone who donates or volunteers in any way has no idea how it can change somebody’s life,” she said.

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Ashley Farrell holds the little blue sweater someone donated to the Holley Community Center 12 years ago. She has passed on from her children to her niece, and now her granddaughter will get to wear it.

“The person who gave it away probably thought they were getting rid of clutter, but had no idea what it would mean to my family,” Farrell said.

Farrell often came to the Community Center for help in the past. She not only was fed there and found clothing for her family, but coordinator Debbie Rothmund used to help her out with money for gas and Annette Finch, recently retired director of Emergency Services, has given Farrell gas cards. When Farrell got a job at the Le Roy Village Green, she got her scrubs at the Community Center’s thrift room.

“Our mission is to help people become self sufficient and Ashley is a shining example,” Hungerford said.

Farrell said it has come full circle.

“I’ve been in homeless shelters and domestic violence shelters, and this little blue sweater reminds me of a time I don’t want to go back to,” Farrell said. “But it also reminds me of how far I’ve come. I’m on my feet now and any way I can help someone, I try to do it. I always try to inspire people and urge them not to give up. Don’t take ‘no’ for an answer.”

She recalls how people would look at her when she was asking for food and clothing.

“Don’t let your situation define you,” Farrell said. “If I can do it, you can do it.”

Rothmund said anyone who needs a support system is welcome at the Holley Community Center.

“I tell people, ‘I promise you in six months you’ll feel differently if you just keep going,’” she said.

Hungerford said Community Action needs volunteers, and she hopes people will take from this story how important it is to volunteer and donate.

From left, Renee Hungerford, director of Community Action; Debbie Rothmund, coordinator of the Holley Community Center; and Katrina Chaffee, director of Community Services and Reporting at Community Action, look at the little blue sweater Ashley Farrell found there 12 years ago. The sweater has become a symbol of hope and inspiration for Farrell’s family.

Provided photo: A Holley student helps serve the senior citizens attending the 2019 Senior Citizen Breakfast.

Press Release, Holley Central School

HOLLEY – Please join us for the annual Senior Citizen Appreciation Breakfast on Thursday, May 12 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. in the Holley Elementary Café.

The Holley Central School District would like to thank the senior citizens in our community for all they’ve done to support our students and schools over the years, and for all they continue to do.

You must be age 55 or older and a resident of the district to attend. RSVP by Monday, May 2 to Connie Nenni in the District Office at 638-6316, ext. 2003.

Transportation is available! Please let us know when you RSVP if you need a ride.

Press Release, NYS Department of Transportation

HOLLEY – The New York State Department of Transportation advised motorists today that the bridge carrying State Route 237 over the Erie Canal in the Village of Holley will be closed for repairs beginning at 7 a.m. on Monday, April 11. The bridge is expected to reopen by late May.

Motorists should utilize the posted detour outlined below:

• State Route 237 Soutbound Traffic: State Route 104 (Ridge Road) to Fancher Road to State Route 31 to State Route 237
• State Route 237 Northbound Traffic: State Route 31 (Holley Road) to Fancher Road to State Route 104 (Ridge Road) to State Route 237.

Provided photo

HOLLEY — Holley Police Chief Bob Barton shakes hands with Jacob Buzard who joined the Holley Police Department as a part-time officer. Buzard will start the police academy at Genesee Community College on April 12.

Buzard is originally from Albion and now lives in Brockport.

Press Release, Village of Holley

File photo by Tom Rivers: A costumed dalmatian dog waves to the crowd as part of a float for Wiley’s Ark Animal Care in Holley during the parade in Holley on June 6, 2015. The festival is back on June 4 after being cancelled due to Covid restrictions in 2020 and 2021.

HOLLEY – After much consideration and advocacy by the people of Holley, the Village Board has decided that 2022 will be the year that June Fest returns!

With music, entertainment, and chances to win in the Basket Raffle and the 50/50 Cash Raffle, there is fun to be had for everyone.

Come hang out in the community and participate in this year’s Holley History Scavenger Hunt, where players are introduced to the rich history of the community and a chance to win a prize!

Let the kids come out to play in the many bounce houses that are already on board as well as a petting zoo. There’s plenty of fun to be had this year at Holley’s June Fest. And don’t forget all of the great tasting food that’s provided by our very own local eateries.

This year’s June Fest will take place on June 4, the first Saturday in June. Festivities will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and events will occur in or around the Canal Park.

The June Fest Committee is requesting that anyone interested in volunteering, donating, vending, or sponsoring at this time to  please send inquiries to junefestcommittee@yahoo.com or contact Keith Lutes at (585) 354-6467 or Rainey Losee at (912) 334-6737.

Photos by Tom Rivers: Erin Reed holds a stork award she was presented on Saturday night during the annual banquet for the Holley Volunteer Fire Company. Reed, the EMS lieutenant for the Murray Joint Fire District, delivered a baby at about 4:30 in the morning on a snowy Feb. 4.

CLARENDON – It was after 4 in the morning on Feb. 4 when Harris and Erin Reed responded to 911 dispatch message that a woman was about to give birth at home in Murray.

Harris, chief of the Murray Joint Fire District, and his wife Erin, an EMS lieutenant for Murray, headed out on snowy roads.

They made it to the pregnant woman’s home at 4:25 a.m. and the baby wasn’t waiting. There wasn’t time to get to a hospital.

A dispatcher for the Orleans County 911 center, Jerry Bentley, was on the phone and offering instruction.

Mrs. Reed took the lead in delivering the baby at 4:35 a.m.  (The boy is now home and healthy.)

Harris and Erin Reed, and Bentley on Saturday were presented with stork awards during a banquet on Saturday honoring firefighter sin the Murray Joint Fire District. A stork award is given to first responders who actively participate in the out-of-hospital delivery of a newborn.

Murray Joint Fire District officials present stork awards on Saturday to county dispatcher Jerry Bentley, left, from Deputy Chief Rick Cary, Fire Chief Harris Reed back right from Fire Commissioners Chairman Mark Porter, and Erin Reed at right.

Mark Porter, chairman of the Murray board of fire commissioners, said it was an incredible response from the firefighters and the dispatcher, with a wonderful outcome.

“It was a really awesome job,” Porter said at Saturday’s banquet.

The delivery was a first for the fire chief, who has been responding to fire and emergency calls for 25 years. It was also a first for the new Murray Joint Fire District, which in 2021 combined Holley and Fancher-Hulberton-Murray.

Reed is grateful the firefighters were there in time to help with the delivery. Reed said he is proud of his wife for her actions that day. Mrs. Reed has been a volunteer firefighter for 10 years and an EMT for 3 years.

Not long after the baby was born, the Reeds reported to work for their day jobs: Mrs. Reed is a teacher’s aide at Holley Central School and Mr. Reed works as a mechanic for the Gates Fire District.

It’s the second stork award for Bentley, who was the dispatcher for another at-home delivery last year. Bentley has worked full-time as a dispatcher for 4 ½ years after 16 years with the Barre Highway Department. He said many dispatchers go full careers without helping with a baby delivery.

Bentley is a long-time volunteer firefighter. He followed emergency medical dispatcher cards (EMDs) to offer some instructions. He was on the phone for an hour for that call.

“Really I’m just a big cheerleader, a coach on the sidelines,” Bentley said.

Colton Tuttle is congratulated after receiving the chief’s award in 2021 for his many ways of assisting the fire district.

Other awards were presented on Saturday, which was the first fire department banquet in two years.

Harris Reed, the fire chief, said Murray firefighters responded to 755 calls – 414 for fire and 341 for EMS.

Reed presented the 2021 chief’s award to Colton Tuttle for helping the fire district in many different ways, and always with an eagerness.

Richard Alvut receives the service award for Fire Police member of the year for 2021. He is shaking hands with Assistant Chief David Smith.

Fran Gaylord, president of the Holley Volunteer Fire Department, presented president’s awards for 2020 to Chris Chilson and 2021 to Erin Reed.

Photos by Tom Rivers

CLARENDON — Fran Gaylord holds a plaque with a ceremonial ax in honor of his 50 years of a service as a member of the Holley Volunteer Fire Department. He was recognized on Saturday night during the department’s annual banquet. He is joined up front by from left: Erin Reed, a trustee with fire company and EMS lieutenant; Tina Reed, vice president of fire company; and Kevin Dann, a trustee and past chief.

The fire department also recognized Dennis Piedimonte and AJ Gifaldi for their 50 years as members. Both were unable to attend Saturday’s banquet at the Clarendon Rec Hall.

Fran Gaylord is shown with his four daughters, from left: Amy, Shelby, Lindsay and Courtney.

Gaylord acknowledged his family for their understanding over the years, when he would often step out from family dinners, birthday parties and other events to respond to call.

“Thank you for supporting me and making this possible,” Gaylord told his family.

Gaylord, 69, remains very active as a firefighter, responding to about 300 calls for the Murray Joint Fire District, Clarendon and Kendall. He has twice served terms as Holley fire chief in 1991-93 and 1997-99 and has been a deputy emergency coordinator for the county the past 22 years.

He is retired as the transportation coordinator for the Holley school district and continues to work part-time for the Geneses-Orleans Ministry of Concern as a driver for the furniture program, picking up and making deliveries.

Assemblyman Steve Hawley presents a commendation to Fran Gaylord for his 50 years of service as an active Holley firefighter. Dale Banker, right, is the county’s emergency management coordinator. He presented a certificate of commendation to Gaylord on behalf of the Firefighters Association of New York State. The commissioners for the Murray Joint Fire District also presented a gift of appreciation to Gaylord.

Fran Gaylord addresses the group of firefighters and local officials during the banquet that was held at the Clarendon Rec Hall. It was the department’s first banquet in two years.

Gaylord said he was grateful to be a firefighter in the Holley community. He followed the example of his father Fran and uncle Ross in joining the fire department. Gaylord was 18 at the time and he said many people couldn’t wait to be 18 so they could be firefighters.

Now, it’s difficult to find dedicated volunteers. He remains committed to going to fire and emergency calls and last year was the top responder in the Murray Joint Fire District, which includes the Holley and Fancher-Hulberton-Murray districts.

Gaylord said he has made many great friends through the fire service. He cited the example of another long-time firefighter, Ron Meiers, who often is right there with Gaylord as among the first to get to the fire hall for a call.

“This is very family oriented,” Gaylord said about the fire department. “Everybody gets along and wants to help everybody.”

Gaylord said serving as a volunteer firefighter is much safer now with better turnout gear and fire trucks, as well as much more training.

The group gave Gaylord a standing ovation.

Fran Gaylord accepts the award as the top responder in the Murray Joint Fire District in 2021 from Fire Chief Harris Reed.

“Fran Gaylord, you are the epitome of a volunteer,” said Mark Porter, chairman of the board of commissioners for the Murray Joint District.

Porter praised Gaylord for being a mentor to so many firefighters over the years.

HOLLEY – A possible explosive device was removed from a Holley home on Franklin Street on Friday, and taken to a safe location for detonation, Holley Police Chief Bob Barton said.

Holley officers were called to the scene at 3:30 p.m. on Friday to investigate a suspicious condition, Barton said.

“While at the location, a possible explosive hazard was observed,” he said. “The Monroe County Bomb Squad was notified and responded.”

The device was taken and detonated in a safe location.

Due to the age of individual involved the name won’t be released to the public, Barton said.

UPDATE: The mother of the child involved responded on the Orleans Hub Facebook page, apologizing for any panic that people felt. She said her child mixed hydrogen peroxide in a jar and added a little acetone from gel nail polish remover pads after seeing a video about making a homemade firework.

“She was brave enough to let the cops know what was going on, and she had absolutely no ill intention,” the mother said. “The cops came and investigated, and they had to deal with it as if it were a bomb. I am very thankful that they took all the precautions that they could take in this situation.”

HOLLEY – The lift bridge on East Avenue in Holley will be closed beginning 8 a.m. on Thursday and is expected to reopen by April 10, the state Department of Transportation said.

The bridge was originally constructed in 1911. Motorists should utilize the bridge carrying State Route 237 over the Erie Canal or other nearby canal bridges during the closure, the DOT said.

Covid wiped out shows in 2020, 2021

Photos by Tom Rivers

HOLLEY – Thomas Dobri plays the lead role of Ren McCormack in Holley’s musical performance of Footloose. Shows are 7 p.m. Friday, and 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday

Dobri, a senior, is grateful to be performing for a live audience after there wasn’t a show last year and in 2020 the musical was cancelled on the day of the show. Holley had prepared for about three months for High School Musical. Opening day was March 13. The cast and crew were told that afternoon the show wouldn’t go on – that night. Dobri remembers they believed they would be able to perform in about two weeks. But school never opened again for in-person learning that year due to Covid-19 restrictions.

“We tried and we tried and we tried,” Dobri said about the cast and crew for High School Musical. “It’s such a relief that things have come back to normal and I get one more try.”

Last year there wasn’t a musical at Holley. This year, the production is back and is led by a new team – executive director Dustin Gardner, and music directors Samantha Heagerty and Brandon McArdell. Previous director Dan Burke retired. Kellie Burke also was the longtime musical choreographer.

Dustin Gardner, right, leads the cast in a warmup during rehearsal on Wednesday.

Gardner grew up and graduated from nearby Kendall. He said he is happy the mask mandate was lifted for indoors and students can perform with cloths covering their mouths or with shields. He didn’t want muffled voices or faces obscured.

During rehearsal on Wednesday he urged the cast to give a high-energy performance, with smiles and exaggerated movements. But he stressed to have fun – and enjoy the opportunity to be on stage.

There are 35 student sin the cast and another 15 in the stage crew.

Dobri said being in the musicals – first in seventh grade – helped him develop confidence and become much more outgoing.

“I was a very shy and reserved student in the seventh grade,” he said.

He praised the cast and crew for working hard on the show since early January.

“We’re putting a lot into it because we’re so glad to have this program back.”

Tickets are $7 and can be purchased online (click here) or at the door.

Gabe Lindsay portrays the Rev. Shaw Moore who leads a crackdown against dancing and rock-and-roll music in the rural town of Bomont. Ren and his mother Ethel just moved there from Chicago. They find the small town to be very conservative.

Grace McKeon plays Ariel Moore, the minister’s daughter. She enjoys dancing and an active social life despite her father’s disproval.

Jose-Angel Valentin plays Chuck Cranston, Ariel’s rough-edged boyfriend. He sings, “The Girl Gets Around.”

Broek Ostrom plays a slow-witted cowboy named Willard Hewitt. He is trying diffuse the wrath of principal Harry Clark (portrayed by Mason Neale) for Ren after the principal sees Ren dancing in school. The principal explains that dancing is illegal in the town of Bomont.

BrookeLynn Kruger (right) plays Rusty and Ellie Quincy is Wendy Jo while performing “Somebody’s Eyes” about how people are watching you in a small town.

Grocery store worker finds gold wedding band

Photos courtesy of Kelly Ryan: Don Ryan is happy to have his wedding ring back.

HOLLEY – Don Ryan is happy after getting his wedding ring back today after it had been missing for nearly a month.

Ryan, 88, of Holley had the ring come off when he was shopping at the Aldi’s store in Brockport. But he didn’t realize it until later that day on Feb. 12. He had been to the doctor’s office, too, and wasn’t sure where it might have come off. Ryan had lost weight so the ring must have slipped off.

He recently lost his wife of 66 years, Darl, on Nov. 5. He and his family searched his house, his vehicle and even used a metal detector in the yard to try to find the ring.

His daughter Kelly reached out to Aldi store manager Amy DeFelice of Holley about the ring. The store employees didn’t see it soon after Ryan called, but they kept looking.

On Saturday night at about 10 employee Mike Pearson spotted it on the floor near the an area with flowers. He was cleaning and remembered DeFelice telling the employees to be on the lookout for a ring.

Kelly was thrilled to get a call last night that the ring had been found.

“It’s a blessing,” she said. “It’s a miracle.”

Her father is very appreciative that Aldi’s kept up the search, especially after nearly a month had passed.

“It’s awesome that there are people out there who still care for other people,” Kelly said.

Her parents were married for 66 years. Mrs. Ryan owned a ceramic studio for many years in Holley. Mr. Ryan is a Kodak retiree and long-time volunteer Holley firefighter.