TSC Information Technology based in Public Square at former Village Office

Photos by Tom Rivers: Brandon Weber and his father Gregg Weber have moved their business, TSC Information Technology, from Gates to 72 Public Square. The former Holley Village Office now is a retail store for computers and the based for the company providing IT, structured cabling, VoIP phone systems, wireless infrastructure, surveillance camera systems and other services. Gregg Weber has owned the business since 1982, and started with TSC in 1977.

HOLLEY – A father and son have moved the base of their information technology business with a retail computer store from Gates to 72 Pubic Square in Holley, the former village office.

The village moved its office to the former Holley High School, which also has apartments for senior citizens.

Brandon Weber and his father Gregg Weber opened TSC Information Technology at the former village office on Aug. 1. The location works well for them. They have a warehouse on Geddes Street for electronics, and for about 25 years they were bouncing back and forth from Holley and Gates.

The Holley site also has resulted in an increase in foot traffic for the retail store, and the business also is connecting with many more customers in Orleans County.

Gregg Weber was a high school student at Kendall taking computer classes at the WeMoCo BOCES when he started an apprenticeship at TSC in 1977. Five years later, he bought the business at age 21.

Weber specializes in electronic repairs and recycling, and custom personal computers.

“It’s always an ongoing learning with computers,” Gregg said. “It changes weekly, even daily.”

Gregg enjoys the challenge of fixing electronics and computers.

“I’ve always been fascinated buying old things and getting them to work again,” he said.

His son Brandon has been part of the business since he was 13, initially helping in the warehouse. He became the warehouse manager at age 18. He is now vice president and runs the managed information technology, VoIP phone systems, structured cabling and other services.

Brandon graduated from Holley in 2003. He said working with information technology makes a big difference for residents, businesses and organizations. TSC can speed up computers, eliminating viruses and spyware. TSC helps the computers to run better, saving time for people and businesses. TSC also has helped some customers streamline and save costs, combining phone lines for example.

He said it is a rewarding career.

“It’s going into these businesses and seeing the technology woes they have and then improving their technology landscape, making it faster and better,” Brandon said.

Brandon and Gregg Weber said the walk-in traffic for has increased since the business moved to 72 Public Square in August. The retail store sells new and refurbished laptops, PCs and tablets, and also does repairs.

The storefront at 72 Pubic Square has a new look. Brandon’s wife Annmarie painted the façade. She also handles the marketing and website for TSC Information Technology.

Gregg’s wife Janice is the business’s bookkeeper.

TSC is busier since the move to Holley, with many local residents and businesses reaching out to the business. Click here for more on TSC Information Technology.

Brandon also is vice president of a board for a non-profit technology organization, TEKnowledge Worldwide, where people in IT and computer services careers share knowledge with a philosophy, “Community over competition.” Brandon co-founded the organization three years ago.

TEKnowledge Worldwide each year also picks an organization to upgrade their technology for free. TEKnowledge last month went to a linigual school in North Carolina and installed new computers, fiber, camera and a WiFi internet system, providing about $25,000 in upgrades.

Click here for more on TEKnowledge.

Speaker urges vets struggling with PTSD to seek help

Photos by Tom Rivers

HOLLEY – The American Legion in Holley hosted a Veterans Day ceremony today. Scott Galliford, the Legion commander, speaks during the service. Up front with him from left include Kevin Foley, Chuck Eberhardt and Mark James Morreall.

Galliford shared how Veterans Day was originally Armistice Day to commemorate the end of World War I. It was changed to “Veterans Day” in 1954 to honor all veterans who have honorably served in the military.

Galliford had each veteran stand and be recognized during today’s service and gave them a chance to say when and where they served. Galliford said he was a “submariner” in the military from 1975 to 1979.

“I want to say to all of you guys, welcome home and welcome back,” Galliford said. “I’m impressed to be around this much honor and devotion.”

Dave Cole of Kendall speaks about his service in the military. He attended boot camp with Galliford and another one of their friends from Kendall, Stew Leverenz.

The Legion hall includes a banner, “We Support Our Troops – Come Home Soon!”

About 50 people attended the service.

Ron Boyd, a member Jewell-Buckman American Legion Post #529 in Holley and the Sons of the American Revolution, shares about a table set for prisoners of war and those missing in action.

David Shaffer served in the Army for three years beginning in January 1957. He said he was very lucky as his deployment had him in the German countryside for 30 months where he made many new friends.

Sue Johnson, the keynote speaker, asked for a moment of silence “for everyone who has lost lives to invisible wounds.” Johnson worked as an assistant chaplain in the Army and spent two years in Iraq.

In that role, she learned the importance of asking veterans how they are doing.

“Support each other, no matter what,” Johnson said.

She said political opinions, gender, sexual orientation should not be dividers in offering compassion to people.

The VA reports that an average of 17 veterans each day die by suicide, while America’s Warrior Partnership and Duke University said veteran suicides are underreported and as many as 24 veterans a day die on average from suicide.

PTSD and “the wounds we cannot see,” should be taken very seriously, Johnson said.

“It’s courageous to talk about those things and to get help,” she said.

Kevin Foley, a pilot during the Vietnam War, shared about joining the Army in 1968, and then being deployed to Vietnam. He received a Purple Heart and two Distinguished Flying Cross medals after being shot down and being determined to help his fellow soldiers.

Todd Klatt, a mechanic in the National Guard, is also the VFW post commander for eastern Orleans County. He has been deployed twice – to Bosnia and Qatar. He leaves for a third deployment in January, this time to Guantanamo Bay in Cuba.

Photos by Tom Rivers

HOLLEY – Sandy Shaw, recently retired as director of the Community Free Library, and retired Holley Mayor John Kenney write messages in Christmas cards to be given to veterans.

Shaw has organized the annual “Cards for Vets” effort the past five years. She is hoping 500 cards can be written for veterans this holiday season.

Community Free Library is open until 8 p.m. today and welcomes people to come in and write messages in cards.

The cards will be delivered to the NYS Veterans Home in Batavia and the VA Medical Center in Batavia, as well as other local veterans.

Shaw said the cards have all been donated by community members.

Amelia Buchanan of Albion, right, signs cards in the library for veterans. She is joined by her daughters Aubrey and Alexie, and their friend Savannah Gross, left, of Brockport.

“We really wanted to do it,” Buchanan said about writing messages in the cards for veterans. “We hope they will appreciate it and feel joy.”

The library expects to have the cards available for several days for people to stop in and write messages.

Amanda Anderson, the new library director, said she wants to keep the “Cards for Vets” for many years to come. She said Orleans County has a high percentage of people who are veterans.

On June 9 she performed CPR outside Brockport Subway

Photos by Christopher Martin: Pictured from left include Haley Walker, Leigha Walker’s mother; Monroe County Executive Adam Bello; Leigha Walker; Rochester Mayor Malik Evans; Police Chief David Smith and Jack Brennan.

By Christopher Martin, public information office for Brockport Fire District

ROCHESTER – The Rochester Police Department hosted a “Do The Right Thing” Award ceremony on Thursday, and recognized 18 youths who have been nominated for doing just that in the community.

Leigha Walker holds a “Do The Right Thing” award on Thursday after she was honored in Rochester. Leigha is a student at Morrisville State College and a member of the women’s soccer team.

Leigha Walker, 18, was nominated by the Brockport Fire District after performing CPR and contributing to the saving of the life of another on June 9.

She was working at the Brockport Subway that morning. A man was driving a vehicle when he had a heart attack and became unconscious. He crashed into a pole outside the Brockport Subway where Leigha was working.

She heard the crash and immediately called 911 at about 10 a.m. Leigha grabbed a wooden rod so a bystander could break the passenger window of the pickup truck and then unlock the vehicle.

Leigha and co-worker got the man out of the truck and onto the ground. Leigha checked his vital signs. When the Brockport Fire District ambulance pulled up, a medic urged someone to start CPR.

Leigha did more than 30 compressions to keep Brennan’s blood moving. Then the Brockport ambulance personnel used an AED to get the man’s heart restarted. He was then transported by ambulance to a hospital.

The DTRT program collects nominations from across Monroe County to recognize youth that perform above and beyond that of their peers. They recognize students and youngsters through their high school years.

Leigha was accompanied by Jack Brennan, the man she performed CPR on, her mother and was escorted into the ceremony by a representative from the Brockport Fire District.

The ceremony lasted a little over an hour where 18 youngsters were honored by the DTRT program for their service to others. There were tear-filled moments as each one had their story told by guest host Deanna Dewberry of News 10 NBC as they took to the stage. Each of them was greeted by Rochester Mayor Malik Evans, County Executive Adam Bello, and Police Chief David Smith.

The recipients then had a portrait style photo taken for use on roadside billboards to highlight the program and recognize the recipients in a very personal way. They were then invited to a personal interview with staff from News 10 NBC for broadcast at a later date speaking about how they got here.

The Brockport Fire District offers our congratulations to all 18 recipients and especially to our nominee: Leigha Walker.

Leigha Walker was among 18 youths in the Rochester region honored on Thursday.

Photo courtesy of Scott Galliford

HOLLEY – A house at 19 East Albion St. in Holley was destroyed by a fire this evening. Firefighters were dispatched to the scene around 5:30 p.m. for a fully involved fire in a van. That blaze spread to a camper and a house that was under renovation.

The house is a total loss and the Holley DPW will be knocking it down.

Provided photo: Sandra Shaw was honored last week during the Holley Village Board meeting with the “Mayor Vaughn Award.” County Legislator John Fitzak, left, and Holley Mayor Mark Bower presented the award. Shaw is the seventh recipient of the award which was started by Holley’s mayor from 1976 to 1982.

HOLLEY – Sandra Shaw will be honored today with a retirement party at the Community Free Library beginning at 5 p.m.

Shaw is retiring after leading the library the past 19 years. During her tenure she led library in acquiring a former video store next door where the library expanded in 2008 and dedicated that space for children’s programs and materials.

She also has led the library in adding two large murals on the back side of the brick building, and steered the library through the Covid pandemic.

Shaw was honored last week by the Holley Village Board with the “Mayor Vaughn Award.”

Mayor Mark Bower said Shaw has expanded programming and improved services at the library.

“Sandy Shaw’s influence on the Village of Holley and the larger community, its residents, the school district and its students is quite significant,” Bower said. “She’s had a strong presence as the library director and has ensured that they remain viable in our community.”

He is pleased she will remain active in the community, including serving on the Mayor’s Advisory Council.

“She has always been a huge advocate for the library, reading, and the children’s library and programming,” Bower said.

Funding includes $405K grant, $2.8 million in financing

HOLLEY – The Village of Holley is among the recipients of $665 million announced today by Gov. Kathy Hochul to finance and help fund clean water projects around the state.

Holley has been approved for $2,061,338 in interest-free and $783,016 market-rate financing from the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds, and a $405,646 grant from the Water Infrastructure Improvement program for the planning, design, and construction of wastewater treatment plant upgrades and disinfection improvements.

Hochul today announced the Environmental Facilities Corporation Board of Directors approved $665 million in financial assistance for water infrastructure improvement projects across New York State.

“No one in New York should ever fear that they don’t have access to clean water,” Governor Hochul stated in a news release. “With this funding, we are safeguarding the health and well-being of New Yorkers, providing critical resources to local economies, creating jobs and protecting our natural resources.”

Photos by Tom Rivers

MURRAY – Firefighters from Murray and Clarendon have a rescue boat in the Erie Canal as they prepare to recover a body near the Bennetts Corners Road bridge. This photo was taken at about 2:45 p.m.

Representatives from the State Police and Orleans County Sheriff’s Office also are at the scene.

First responders were dispatched to the canal at about 1 p.m.

No other information is available at this time.

Photos by Tom Rivers

HOLLEY – Holley first-graders visited Vendetti Farms this morning on Fancher Road, which has been an annual fall outing for students since 2008.

About 60 first-graders were at the farm, and were able to pick out a pumpkin to take home.

These first-graders meet “April,” a Nigerian Dwarf goat brought to the farm by Karen Gaylord, who works as an administrative assistant with the school district’s special education program.

Gaylord said the goat likes to climb, and enjoyed its perch on the stone wall.

Karen Gaylord holds a chicken that drew a crowd on kids. One of the kids exclaimed, “That’s so soft.”

Lynn Vendetti shows kids the sign at Vendetti Farms, and notes the different crops grown on about 2,500 acres. Vendettti Farms sells from a produce stand, and also through wholesale and processing markets.

The family is in its fourth generation of farming. Vendetti farms was started by Anthony Vendetti, who was followed by Albert, then Lynn’s husband Bob, and their sons, Bobby, Ryan and Andrew.

Lynn Vendetti is a retired Holley elementary teacher. She first brought a class of her fourth grade students to the farm, and it has expanded to the entire first grade. The outing ties into their curriculum of learning about the fall. She said it’s also a lot of fun for the students and the Vendetti family.

Ron Vendetti drives a tractor while the students get a hayride at the farm, including a close look at the combines and other big farm equipment.

Lynn Vendetti shows the students a pumpkin that was hit by hail by hail on Aug. 11, causing some scarring. Vendetti said the farm lost most of its pepper crop, while pumpkins and squash were damaged.

These kids play a pumpkin game, where pumpkins are bowled towards crates.

Lori Hinman, a teacher aide at Holley, cleans some mud off a pumpkin for one of the students.

Greyson Arthur, a first grader, stacks pumpkins up high in one of the pumpkin games.

Photos by Tom Rivers

HOLLEY – The Holley school community dressed up as Disney characters for the annual parade through the village on Friday evening.

The senior class created a float celebrating Peter Pan and the Lost Boys.

Karri Schiavone, the district superintendent, dressed up as the Queen of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland. The school administrators all wore costumes of villains from Disney shows.

Brendan Keiser (in back), Holley’s director of teaching and learning, is Hades from Hercules, while Sharon Zacher, the district’s assistant superintendent of business, is Cruella de Vil from 101 Dalmatians.

The junior high student council portrayed characters from Maui.

Matt Feldman, the junior-senior high school principal, dressed as Scar from The Lion King. Feldman urged the other administrators to join him as a Disney villain.

These youth football players were energetic during the parade.

These youth cheerleaders enjoy the parade through the village.

Mike Roffe, who worked security at Holley with COPS for nine years, played the bagpipes in the parade. Roffe is a retired sergeant from the Greece Police Department and a member of the Gates Keystone Police Pipes & Drums.

Holley administrators dressed as villains from Disney shows for the parade. In front from left as Karri Schiavone, the district superintendent as the Queen Hearts; Sharon Zacher, the districts’ assistant superintendent for business as Cruella de Vil; Henry and Harlow Zacher (Sharon Zacher’s grandchildren as dalamations); and Stephanie Sanchez as Ursula from Little Mermaid. In back: Mackenzie Swartz, Holley’s assistant elementary school as Mother Gothel from Tangled; Tim Artessa, elementary principal as Gaston from Beauty and the Beast; Dan Courtney, athletic director and assistant jr./sr. high principal as Captain Hook; Brendan Keiser, director of teaching and learning as Hades from Hercules; and Matt Feldman, jr./sr. high principal as Scar from The Lion King.