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.
Photos by Ginny Kropf: John Patt of Holley stands by the pavilion in Holley Erie Canal Park which he is building for his Eagle Scout project. The pavilion stands near the bank of the Erie Canal, but also overlooks Salt Port Pond in the park.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 13 April 2022 at 11:29 am
HOLLEY – Visitors to Holley’s Canal Park soon will be able to enjoy the results of an Eagle Scout’s project.
John Patt of Holley, a member of Troop 94 in Kendall, is building a pavilion in the park to earn his Eagle Scout badge. The pavilion is 12’ x 12’, will sit on a four-inch concrete pad and have a tin roof in barn red to match other nearby structures.
John, a son of Jim and Debbie Patt of Holley, got the idea for the pavilion because he said there wasn’t anything like that along the canal in the Holley area for walkers or visitors to get out of the weather and rest.
As part of his Eagle Scout project, John Patt will make improvements to this kiosk in Holley Erie Canal Park, including a new map.
And he wanted to give back to the community, he said.
Before he could begin his project, John made a presentation for the village and mayor.
A week after contacting the mayor, John got a call saying that Mayor Kevin Lynch was okay with it.
Next John met with representatives of the Iroquois Trail Council of the Boy Scouts. They also signed off on the project.
It took two months of planning and meetings.
John went online to look for ideas for pavilions, then used that information to create his own plan. Next he made a list of materials he would need. Scoutmaster Ken Spohr is very knowledgeable about construction, and helped John, said Debbie Patt.
More support came from Dan Klips, owner of Stockham Lumber, who also happens to be an Eagle Scout. He went over John’s list and made suggestions. Other help came from fellow Scouts and their parents.
Spohr owns an auger and brought his equipment to dig the post holes, then John and his helpers had to finish digging the holes by hand.
In addition to the physical labor, John had to raise funds for his project. He visited many organizations and community members, doing presentations and asking for money. The initial cost was estimated at $1,700, but in the end, with the cost of paint, it will be closer to $2,500.
The Holley June Fest takes place in the park the first Saturday of June and John said the pavilion will be a really nice thing to have for that.
Also part of his Eagle Scout project will be to refurbish a nearby kiosk which holds a map and list of things in Holley. The kiosk needs painting and the map needs to be replaced, John said.
John, a senior at Holley Junior-Senior High School, is pushing to have his Eagle Scout project finished by the end of April.
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.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 April 2022 at 8:09 pm
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.
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.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 March 2022 at 7:09 pm
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.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 March 2022 at 10:10 am
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.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 March 2022 at 1:40 pm
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.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 March 2022 at 8:33 pm
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.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 March 2022 at 9:40 pm
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.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 March 2022 at 9:55 pm
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.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 March 2022 at 8:38 am
Photos courtesy of Dustin Gardner
HOLLEY – Ziah Colon, who played a leading role as Rusty in the 2011 version of Footloose, met over Zoom with Holley students in the cast and crew of the school’s upcoming musical, Footloose. Colon has also starred in NCIS and Joyful Noise.
Dustin Gardner, Holley’s co-director for the musical, follows Colon on social and reached out to her about talking with the Holley students.
“I thought, ‘What could I do to get the kids even more pumped up for the show in a week?’” he said.
Colon agreed to meet with the students through Zoom video conferencing. Gardner hasn’t heard of a movie star meeting with high schoolers who were getting ready to perform the same show as a musical.
“It was very unique opportunity for the students,” Gardner said.
About 40 students attended the zoom session with Colon on Friday afternoon.
“I really appreciated getting to speak with her,” said Thomas Dobri, a senior who plays Ren in Footloose. “I do still struggle with nerves from time to time so to hear from a professional that she does too and to hear her own remedies was really good for me. I think she gave a lot for younger members to think about as well – with energy and with ‘making your character your own.’”
Grace McKeon, a senior who plays Ariel, appreciated that Colon met with the students and shared insights from the stage.
“I’ve never had a conversation with an actor/actress, it was so cool to be able to talk to one and ask questions,” McKeon said. “It was nice to hear that she started right where we are now and that everything we’re doing is perfectly fine. She mentioned breathing exercises we could do to help us become our character that I think we will definitely try.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 February 2022 at 11:07 am
Sue Cory proud of family atmosphere at school
Photos by Tom Rivers: Sue Cory, the high school principal, and Brian Bartalo, the district superintendent, present the high school diploma to Jamel Hildreth during graduation on June 27, 2020. The district moved the ceremony to the school parking lot due to Covid restrictions that capped attendance at 150 for outdoor ceremonies.
HOLLEY – Sue Cory will be retiring on June 30 as principal of the Holley Junior-Senior High School. She has been principal for about 12 years during a time of a major capital project at the school and gains in student academic achievement.
Cory said new clubs have emerged for students and the district has embraced students’ social, emotional and mental health, along with academics.
“I love Holley,” Cory said. “We do a great job of taking care of each other. We really are family.”
Cory has worked at Holley for about 34 years. She started her career for four years as a home economics teacher in Ticonderoga and then worked a half year at Brighton. She has been a guidance counselor at Holley, a teacher on special assignment and director of student services.
Cory has been eligible to retire but wanted to help students and staff work through the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“I’m ready for the next chapter,” Cory said. “I know I have made a difference in the lives of some and they have definitely made a difference in my life.”
Cory spoke on Wednesday evening to the Orleans Hub while she watched a JV basketball game between Holley and Kendall girls. That game and the varsity contest that followed also were a fundraiser for a student battling lymphoma. Cory and many of the attendees wore green T-shirts in support of the student, Ella Richards-Dyson, a high school junior.
Cory said the small school district rallies around students facing a health crisis.
“I’m proud that we’re a staff and school that bands together in happiness and sadness,” Cory said.
Sue Cory speaks to a gym full of students and staff on April 22, 2019 when they welcomed back Evan Valentine, a student who was in the hospital fighting leukemia.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 February 2022 at 8:17 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
HOLLEY – The Holley junior varsity basketball team warms up on Wednesday before a game at home against Kendall. The Holley players are wearing green T-shirts in honor of Ella Richards-Dyson, a high school junior who was recently diagnosed with lymphoma.
The varsity team also wore the green shirts before their game. There were several fundraisers for Ella during the two games.
“We come together as a small town,” said Sal DeLuca, one of the JV team coaches.
Students and community members were encouraged to leave a message of support for Ella, who is described as an outgoing, hard-working and athletic student.
Olivia Wolf, a ninth-grader, puts up streamers at the entrance of the gym to show support for Ella. The green T-shirts were available for sale.
There were about 70 gift baskets available to bid on, as well as a 50/50 raffle.
Hawkins Daly, a seventh-grader, signs his name after buying 50/50 tickets. Missie Ketchum, right, and her daughter Melia Prince sold the tickets.
Sheri Girvin, a teacher at Holley, welcomes the crowd to the game and encourages them to check out the fundraisers for Ella.
Mark Thomas and Renee Wolf, Holley teachers, coordinated the event on Wednesday with lots of help from students Ava and Ellie Quincy, Rachel Kinsey, Hope Falls, Lydia and Lily Sprague, Lena Golisano and Alyssa Wright.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 February 2022 at 7:21 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
HOLLEY – A performer with Billy Martin’s All Star Circus entertains the crowd on Wednesday during the first of two shows at the Holley Elementary School Intermediate Gym.
The circus was back after most of its schedule was wiped out the past 23 months due to Covid-19 concerns and restrictions.
Billy Martin has led the circus the past 45 years. Since the group returned to performing iits New York and Pennsylvania tour on Feb. 1, they have been greeted with big crowds.
“It’s very emotional,” Martin said during intermission of the first show. “I thought people might have forgotten about us.”
The circus was able to survive the past two years working out of an amusement park in Iowa for 21 weeks in both 2020 and 2021.
Martin said the group is happy to be back performing in small towns. The tour started Feb. 1 in Lyons.
They perform today in Leroy, then Friday in Medina at the Wise Middle School Gym for shows at 5:15 and 7:15 p.m. On Tuesday the circus will be at Albion with shows at 5 and 7 p.m.
Kids get in for free and tickets for adults are $10 in advance or $15 at the door.
Some of the proceeds from Holley’s performances went to the National Honor Society.
Slinko, a crowd favorite, is back in the ring for Billy Martin’s Cole All Star Circus.
Maggie Edmonds, 4, of Holley gets her face painted during intermission.
The circus is doing two shows at schools in New York to help reduce the crowd capacity. Holley had a full house for the first show on Wednesday.
Angela is back performing her aerial acrobatics.
The souvenirs were popular at Holley.
A juggler tests her skills in front of a capacity crowd in the gym.
Editor’s Note: For the Friday shows in Medina there aren’t presale tickets available for adults. Tickets are only sold at the door. Kids are free with a paying adult. Adult tickets are $15 unless you have a $5 off coupon. Coupons are available at the following locations: Orleans County YMCA, Lee-Whedon Library, Orleans Community Health/Medina Memorial Hospital, Oak Orchard Main Office, Lyndonville Main Office, Champs Mini-Mart on 104, Rudy’s, Mark’s Pizzeria, Cusimano’s, Avanti’s, Marathon gas station in Medina on 31, Kwik Fill in Medina, Chop Shop Pizza in Gasport, Crosby’s gas station in Middleport on 31, and Middleport Family Health in Middleport.
