Photos courtesy of Orleans County Music Educators Association: The Junior High All-County Band, led by guest conductor Brendon Bardo, performed four selections in the Holley Middle-High School Auditorium on Saturday afternoon.

Press Release, Orleans County Music Educators Association

HOLLEY – This past Friday and Saturday, Holley Middle-High School hosted the first of two All-County Festivals that the Orleans County Music Educators Association will sponsor this winter.

This month’s festival featured the Elementary All-County Chorus, Jr. High All-County Band, and the Sr. High All-County Chorus. To participate, students from the five school districts in Orleans County are recommended by their music teachers, who then set up a meeting to select the ensembles who perform at the two All-County Festivals.

The students spend nearly 8 hours rehearsing on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning before giving a concert on Saturday afternoon. This festival featured three guest conductors, one for each of the performing ensembles.

Ms. Jean-Marie Carroll, 6th grade Choir and General Music Teacher from Bay Trail Middle School in the Penfield School District, was the guest conductor for the Elementary All-County Choir.

Ms. Carroll led students in a diverse selection of works including: I’m Seein’ Things at Night – Gilpin, I Will Dream of You, Doraji – Donnelly & Strid, The Dream Keeper – Dilworth, and We Will – Papoulis. The choir was made up of 91 fifth- and sixth-grade students from Orleans County.

Mr. Brendon Bardo, 7-12 Band Director at the Akron School District, served as the guest conductor for the Jr. High All-County Band. Mr. Bardo and the band worked up four selections: Spania – Shaffer, A Kind and Gentle Soul – Swearingen, High Intensity – Wilson, The Great Locomotive Chase – Smith. The band featured 78 students from grades 7 to 9 from Orleans County.

Mr. James DesJardins, Choral Teacher from Frontier Central Schools and published music composer with Carl Fischer Music and Boosey & Hawkes, was the guest conductor for the Sr. High All-County Chorus.

Mr. DesJardins programmed four selections, including his own work: The Word Was Good – Powell, Eve Novum – Gjielo, The Heavens Are Telling – Haydn, Sawubona – DesJardins. The choir assembled 67 students in grades 10 to 12 from all over Orleans County.

The next OCMEA All-County Festival will be hosted in Medina on March 6th and 7th, featuring the Elementary All-County Band, Jr. High All-County Chorus, and the Sr. High All-County Band.

OCMEA will also be hosting a brand new “Night of Jazz” at Lyndonville Central Schools on Friday, April 24th. The evening will feature performances by Jazz Ensembles from all five Orleans County Schools, a Junior-Senior “All Star” Jazz Band, and an OCMEA Staff Jazz Ensemble. Admission will be free, although a suggested donation for the OCMEA Scholarship Fund will gladly be accepted, and refreshments will be provided in conjunction with Music and Band Boosters from across the County.

The OCMEA Scholarship Fund is available to all student musicians in Orleans County who are pursuing extracurricular music opportunities such as music camps, private lessons, community theatre opportunities, and more.

Chelsea Campbell, 8, is fighting Acute Myeloid Leukemia

26 Shirts of Buffalo unveiled a new shirt design today showing a buffalo in the four seasons on Western New York. The shirt will be for sale the next two weeks and $8 from every sale will go to help Chelsea Campbell and her family.

BUFFALO – A company that makes creative T-shirts about the Buffalo Bills and Western New York has a new design out today with some of the proceeds going to an 8-year-old girl battling Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

Provided photo: Chelsea Campbell, the daughter of Holley native JoAnnah Piedmonte, is in the hospital and being treated for Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

26 Shirts has raised more than $2 million to assist families facing a health crisis. 26 Shirts unveils a design that is only available for two weeks. During that time, $8 from each shirt sale goes to a beneficiary.

26 Shirts is backing 8-year-old Chelsea Campbell with the proceeds from the sale of a shirt showing a buffalo during WNY’s four seasons of distinct weather. 26 Shirts also is pulling some merchandise out of its vault to help raise money for Chelsea and her family. Click here for more information.

Chelsea is the daughter of JoAnnah Piedmonte, a 1993 Holley graduate. The family lives in Buffalo. Chelsea, who has Down Syndrome, has two other siblings, carter and Chelsea’s twin, Charlotte.

The fundraiser will help take some financial pressure off Chelsea’s parents, JoAnnah and Twan, who need someone to provide care at home while the parents in the hospital, said Sam Zelent, a Holley school social worker and one of JoAnnah’s best friends.

Zelent also has started a GoFundMe for Chelsea and her family. Click here for more information.

“If you have ever had the privilege of knowing JoAnnah Piedmonte, you know she is the most caring and generous human being. Ever,” Zelent writes in the GoFundMe. “Now she, Twan, and her adorable family could use our help.”

Zelent shares how Chelsea was diagnosed with cancer, Acute Myeloid Leukemia, after going to the emergency room last June 6.

“Truly this is a ‘it takes a village’ moment,” Zelent said. “Every single dollar helps and the family is truly grateful for all the support.”

File photo by Tom Rivers: This photo from March 25, 2023 shows Fran Gaylord, president of the Holley Fire Department, presenting a president’s award to Kevin Dann for all of his assistance, including helping to organize the department’s roster on the computer. Gaylord has retired East Battalion Deputy Fire Coordinator and Dann has been appointed to the part-time position.

HOLLEY – With the retirement of Fran Gaylord as the deputy fire coordinator for the east battalion, a long-time leader of the Holley Fire Department/Murray Joint Fire District will be stepping into the position at the county level.

Kevin Dann, a past Holley fire chief, starts today as the deputy fire coordinator in the position at the Orleans County Emergency Management Office.

Dann of Holley has more than 25 years of experience in the fire service. He is currently the assistant fire chief for the Murray Fire District and works full-time as a firefighter/EMT in the Town of Greece. He also works part-time as a public safety dispatcher for the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office.

“Deputy Coordinator Dann will be a great addition and brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the team,” the Orleans EMO announced on its Facebook page.

“I would also like to congratulate Fran Gaylord on his well deserved retirement after over 25 years of service and dedication to residents of Orleans County,” Justin Niederhofer, EMO director, said. “You will surely be missed but I’m sure we will still see you running a pump at the next fire.”

Photos by Tom Rivers

HOLLEY – Santa rides on a fire truck from Murray Joint Fire District on Sunday in annual pre-Christmas tradition from the Holley Volunteer Fire Department.

There were two trucks that gave Santa and Mrs. Claus a ride through the village, with kids having a chance to meet Saint Nick.

Santa was an enthusiastic greeter along the journey through the village.

Provided photos: Santa makes a stop and visits a family in Holley.

Santa and Mrs. Claus met with Kerri Neale to get his wish list.

Provided photo: The Holley Rotary Club organizes Wreaths Across America at Hillside Cemetery. Some of the volunteers are shown at a veterans’ memorial at the cemetery last year. The memorial includes five granite etched stones for the Marine Corps, Army, Air Force, Navy and Coast Guard. The memorial has a pentagon-shaped concrete base and a 25-foot flagpole.

HOLLEY – There will be a Wreaths Across America ceremony for the third consecutive year on Saturday at Hillside Cemetery.

Volunteers will then place 300 wreaths at the graves of veterans. The effort is organized by the Holley Rotary Club with donations from the community and the Rotary Club. The wreaths are up from 250 last year, and 200 in the first year – 2023.

There will also be Wreaths Across America ceremonies at noon in Orleans County at Boxwood Cemetery in Medina, Mount Albion Cemetery in Albion, and Lynhaven Cemetery in Lyndonville.

MURRAY – Voters in the Murray Joint Fire District elected three fire commissioners on Tuesday: Scott Harrington, Jenna Amering and Shawn O’Mara.

The district also announced the fire operations officers for 2026. They were elected on Dec. 4.

• Fire Chief: Rick Cary
• Deputy Fire Chief: Pete Hendrickson
• Assistant Fire Chief: Kevin Dann
• Captains: Jeff Elsenheimer and Allan Smith
• Lieutenant: Chris Middleton
• Fire Police Captain: John Morriss
• Fire Police Lieutenant: Jerry Wagner

“These dedicated leaders will guide us through another year of service, safety and community commitment,” the fire district announced on Tuesday night.

HOLLEY – The Village of Holley held its annual tree lighting ceremony on Saturday. Diane Rietman sent in this photo she took from her apartment in the Holley Gardens, the former Holley High School.

This tree includes memory bulbs purchased in honor of Holley residents. Village officials wanted to separate this tree from the decorated trees in the Public Square. This year’s tree was donated by Cox Family Farm in Clarendon, which also donated last year’s tree.

Photos by Tom Rivers: Hartland Carriage offered rides through the Public Square and along the canal park trail.

Dale Jenks of Hartland Carriage in Gasport guides a pair of Percheron horses that pulled the carriage in Holley.

The rides were part of Christmas in Holley celebration that included other activities at the Murray-Holley Depot Museum, the Village Office and Community Free Library.

Hartland Carriage takes a group past Sam’s Diner in the Public Square.

Photos by Tom Rivers

HOLLEY – The Community Free Library has a Free Art Library outside the library at 86 Public Square. This is a project led by the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council.

Go Art! also has the free art libraries in Albion outside the Hoag Library and in Medina outside the Author’s Note book store.

At the free art library, people are encouraged to take an art book or art kit, leave an art book or art kit, and spread creativity.

The art libraries have been architecturally designed by Jeff Pasnik, and built and donated by members of the Carpenters Local Union 276. They are artistically painted by Jaylah Sherman.

The art library in Holley is done in a Pop Art style by Any Warhol with his famous painting of Marilyn Monroe and his tendency to do repeating prints.

GO Art! established the art library to make art supplies and resources more accessible to the community, fostering creativity and engagement in the arts. GO Art! wants the libraries includes art kits, coloring books and art books that are freely available for anyone to take and enjoy.

Photo by Tom Rivers: This photo from Nov. 11, 2024, shows Sandy Shaw, retired director of the Community Free Library, and retired Holley Mayor John Kenney, who were both writing messages on Christmas cards to be given to veterans.

HOLLEY – The Community Free Library in Holley will again welcome residents on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, to create Christmas cards for veterans.

The library welcomes people to come in from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. to write notes, decorate cards and stuff envelopes. There will be light refreshments available for those who stop by.

All the cards will be delivered by volunteers and staff to local veterans the first week in December, said Amanda Anderson, Community Free Library director.

Photos by Tom Rivers

HOLLEY – Crystal Botello is a big purple grape while she walks with her son, Sylas Botello, who was dressed as Bumblebee, a Transformer. Wanda Blanco is a dinosaur.

Nick Pifer of the Murray Joint Fire District served as an escort for the group while they were in a costume parade and could get candy from local merchants and organizations.

Amanda Anderson, director of Community Free Library, has treats ready for the kids in costume.

Dustin’s Pizzeria was happy to be a candy stop during the parade. The business is owned by Dustin Reisman. His wife Jennifer and their children, Dustin Jr. (dressed as a hot dog) and Harper (a slice of pizza), doled out lots of treats.

The Village of Holley Fall Hallow Fest included several vendors who were set up along the Public Square.

There was also a chili cook-off inside the American Legion, and a trunk or treat outside the police station on Thomas Street and at the Holley Gardens.

The Murray-Holley Historical Society also had a bake sale and introduced people to its new mule it purchased as part of the Orleans County Bicentennial celebration this year.

The mule is named Sal and will be rolled out for special events. Sal is shown with Dan Mawn, president of the Historical Society (left), and Raymond Santoro, the village historian.

The museum wanted to highlight a mule for their role pulling the canal boats. This mule came from the Long Island Statue Shop.

Governor’s office, agencies sent items for freshmen’s “Iowa” float during homecoming

Photos from Holley Central School: Freshmen at Holley are shown with their Iowa-themed float during the homecoming parade on Sept. 26.

Press Release, Holley Central School

HOLLEY – Each year, Holley Middle/High School’s Homecoming celebrations culminate with a parade that awards points for the coveted spirit stick. When this year’s theme of “States” was announced, the freshmen class chose Iowa, never imagining it would spark a heartwarming interstate collaboration.

Freshman Class Advisor Samantha Zelent and Volunteer Co-Advisor Jessica Seaward knew this state would hit close to home due to the Holley community’s farming connections. On a whim, they reached out to a few Iowa-based agencies to see if they might contribute materials for the float. The response was overwhelming.

Numerous Iowa organizations and affiliates sent donations, ideas, and encouragement. News of the float spread quickly, and soon packages filled with Iowa-themed goodies began arriving from Iowa organizations the school hadn’t even contacted.

Students embraced the opportunity, hoping to represent everything people love about Iowa, including emulating the Davis County FFA’s sculpture “Hog Wild” as the centerpiece for their float.

“We were overwhelmed by the support from Iowa, especially the governor’s office, who sent us items including a signed photo wishing us a happy homecoming,” said Samantha Zelent. “Students loved the help from Iowa and had so much fun with the float. We have been a part of their Facebook page and they made us honorary members of the Historic Hills Scenic Byway’s Annual Bale Trail. Now, Iowa has a whole group of fans from the Holley Central School District’s freshmen class!”

This unexpected partnership not only boosted school spirit, but also created lasting connections between communities hundreds of miles apart, proving that sometimes, the most meaningful collaborations begin with a simple idea and a little curiosity.

Press Release, NYS Department of Transportation

MURRAY – The New York State Department of Transportation is advising motorists that State Route 272 (also known as County Line Road) in the Town of Murray, Orleans County, will be closed to all traffic between Ridge Road and Kendall Creek Road beginning at 6 a.m. Monday, October 20, to accommodate a culvert replacement project.

Motorists should follow posted detours using State Route 18, State Route 237 and State Route 104. The road is expected to be reopened by the end of November.

Motorists should anticipate travel delays during this time and are advised to seek alternate routes if necessary. Construction activities are weather dependent and subject to change based on conditions.

Motorists are urged to slow down and drive responsibly in work zones. Fines are doubled for speeding in a work zone. Convictions of two or more speeding violations in a work zone could result in the suspension of an individual’s driver license.

Photos by Tom Rivers

HOLLEY – A house at 21 Orchard St. was badly damaged by fire on Monday evening in Holley, with even extensive damage when the fire rekindled around 5 a.m. today.

Firefighters are shown at the scene around 7:30 this morning.

Four people who live at the house were able to safely get out on Monday evening, but one person was taken by Mercy Flight EMS to a hospital as a precaution for smoke inhalation.

The fire started in the bedroom in the northeast corner, said Rick Cary, fire chief for the Murray Joint Fire District.

The fire rekindled likely from heat trapped in insulation in the attic, Cary said. Neighbors said there were flames shooting from the roof after the fire rekindled.

Cary said firefighters left the scene at 11 p.m. only to return at 5 a.m. Murray firefighters also responded to two EMS calls, one at midnight and another around 2 a.m.

Jerry Bentley, a deputy coordinator for the Orleans County Emergency Management Office, climbs up a ladder to see the damage at the house.

Fire investigators with the county are trying to determine the cause of the fire.

Murray firefighters were assisted at the scene this morning by Clarendon, Brockport, Barre, Kendall, Hamlin, Shelby and Ridgeway.

Farm on Route 104 in Murray draws many visitors for ‘authentic’  experience

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Amy Machamer, who runs Hurd Orchards with her mother Susan Hurd Machamer, stands amid a fall display of flowers and pumpkins at the family farm.

HOLLEY – Hurd Orchards, located at 17260 Ridge Rd., is not only an eighth-generation family farm and one of a few elite EcoCertified farms, but it now claims the distinction of being named a “Hidden Gem” by the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce.

The farm will be honored with eight other businesses and individuals at an awards ceremony Oct. 23 at White Birch Golf Course.

Amy Machamer and her mother Susan Hurd Machamer are celebrating 40 years of their partnership running the farm. Amy is proud to announce her daughter Amelia is the eighth generation to run the farm, which dates back to pioneer days.

Amy Machamer sits in the 200-year-old barn at Hurd Orchards. The farm has been named by the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce as a “Hidden Gem.”

“It is very flattering to be chosen for the Hidden Gem award,” Amy said. “Mom said one of the ‘hidden’ things here is the fact we tree-ripen our fruit. There’s nothing better than biting into one of our peaches, and the juice runs down your chin.”

While the farm is constantly changing, they always stay authentic, Amy said. The barn in which they hold luncheons is 200 years old and was purchased, moved there and raised in the traditional way in 1994.

They are known for their luncheons which come from an 1895 cookbook. One of the things they make is a steamed quince pudding. A pear luncheon features the Seckel pear which they grow there.

Susan commented that it’s not everywhere one can grow the market basket they are able to, being located between the Erie Canal and Lake Ontario.

“Our farm really is a gem,” Amy said. “We are very happy someone was thinking about this beautiful area on the eastern flank of the county. It is exciting to think somebody noticed what we are trying to do here.”

In addition to her mom and daughter, Amy’s husband Joe Sidonio is very supportive of the farm’s efforts, Amy said. She also said Amelia, a recent graduate of Cornell University, is remarkably excited and invested in their farm. Amy said her dad was a geologist and they lived in many places, but always returned to the farm, which her grandparents Leland and Betty Hurd were running. When Amy graduated from college in 1984, she came back to the farm.

“I didn’t know I was going to stay, but I loved it here,” Amy said. “It was challenging in so many directions.”

“We have a beautiful team who cook and develop new recipes,” Amy said. “They are the ones who breathe new life into our farm, yet we’ve stayed ‘authentically ‘us.’”

Hurd Orchards sells their fruits commercially, have a bakery and own a jam kitchen. They raise elegant flowers and make up gift baskets to order.

“My parents and grandparents saw the possibilities and beauty here and appreciated what this farm meant,” Amy said. “We have dedicated ourselves into shaping it and carrying it on into the future. We have followed our instincts and followed things that inspired us. Maybe it has evolved because we shared these ‘hidden gems.’ We are very grateful. It is a joy to be recognized for what we do.”

Press Release, Holley Central School

HOLLEY – Holley Central School District will host a series of events commemorating our alumni during the weekend of Sept. 26-27.

The Alumni Soccer Game will be held on Friday, Sept. 26, at 7 p.m. at Sander Soccer Field at The Woodlands, featuring 35 alumni who graduated in 1965-2021.

The Alumni Flag Football Game will be held on Saturday, Sept. 27, at 4 p.m. at Hawk Stadium, featuring 19 graduates from 1998-2019.

There will be an Athletic Hall of Fame Induction in between the 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Varsity games will be at the Woodlands honoring 2025 inductees.

A voluntary $3 donation will be collected at the entrance from spectators for all alumni games. Alumni game proceeds will benefit Interact Club, the 8th Grade Washington D.C. Trip Scholarship Fund and Holley Sports Boosters. Cash-only concessions will be available.