Holley/Murray

Holley senior, 17, competing at prestigious Westminster Dog Show

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 February 2019 at 5:20 pm

Photo by Annette Mrzywka: Nicole Mrzywka rides the subway with her English Springer Spaniel this afternoon. They will be in the showring at 7 p.m. at the Westminster Dog Show.

NEW YORK – A Holley High School senior is competing with her dog at one of the most prestigious dog shows.

Nicole Mrzywka, 17, advanced this morning to the finals of the junior showmanship competition at the Westminster Kennel Club. She will be back in the show ring 7 p.m. today at Madison Square Garden. She is wearing arm band No. 63.

Nicole is showing Hughie, an English Springer Spaniel. The competition can be viewed on the Westminster Kennel Club app.

“It’s always a big thing when someone from Orleans County competes on the national stage, and not only competes but excels,” said Robert Batt, executive director of the Cornell Cooperative Extension in Orleans County.

He has known Nicole for about a decade. She is a member of the Orleans County 4-H Heelers Dog Cub.

Batt said Nicole is well regarded for her skills in showing dogs.

“It’s her dedication and her practice,” he said, explaining why she is so successful.

Nicole last July was named queen of the Orleans County 4-H Fair. She shows more than dogs. The past four years she has been the reserve champion in the grand master showman competition, which features the top showman in several breeds of livestock.

At Holley, she plays on the volleyball team and was a Genesee-Region league all-star this past season.

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Holley, Kendall plan to take the Polar Plunge on Sunday

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 February 2019 at 12:06 pm

Photo from Holley Central School: A polar bear mascot tries to rally support for a team from Holley, including students, staff and superintendent Brian Bartalo. Holley has raised $1,295 so far towards its goal of $2,000.

Holley and Kendall schools are both sending groups to the Polar Plunge this Sunday in Lake Ontario. They will be at Ontario Beach Park in Charlotte at noon to jump into the cold water.

Holley and Kendall have participated in the Plunge for several years. The event typically raises more than $200,000 for the Special Olympics.

Holley and Kendall are both trying to raise $2,000 for the Special Olympics. Kendall has raised $550 so far towards its goal. (Click here for more on Kendall’s fundraising page.) Holley is up to $1,295. (Click here for more on Holley’s fundraising page.)

Last year Holley students and their teacher and Student Council Advisor Jim Di Sessa raised just under $1,100. That passed the group’s fundraising goal of $1,000. Holley has doubled its goal this year.

Last year Kendall raised $1,875 at the Polar Plunge.

File photo by Tom Rivers: This photo from Feb. 12, 2017 shows a group of people jumping into Lake Ontario for the Polar Plunge in Charlotte at Ontario Beach Park.

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Veterans, Holley church remember 4 chaplains who sacrificed lives in WWII

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Veterans from Orleans County fill the front pews of the First Baptist Church of Holley on Sunday, where they participated in a memorial service honoring four chaplains who died at sea during World War II. The chaplains are remembered for giving up their life vests, locking arms and praying together as their ship sank.

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 4 February 2019 at 10:19 am

Chuck Eberhardt tells the story of Rabbi Alexander D. Goode during the Four Chaplains service Sunday at the First Baptist Church of Holley.

HOLLEY – The legend of the Four Chaplains, while tragic, is one which has gone down in history.

Each year on Feb. 3, it has become customary in churches throughout the country, including the First Baptist Church of Holley, to present a service honoring the four chaplains of four different faiths who gave their lives to save four other sailors during World War II.

The service in Orleans County was started by Larry Montello of Albion, who learned about it in 2007 from a lady he met after moving here from the Adirondacks. He has organized a service, with help from the American Legion, VFW and Legion Auxiliary ever since.

The first service was at the Pullman Memorial Universalist Church in Albion, and Montello moved it to various other churches, but for the last four years, it has taken place at the First Baptist Church of Holley.

The four chaplains were Clark V. Poling, a Baptist minister; John P. Washington, a Catholic priest; George L. Fox, a Methodist minister; and Alexander D. Goode, a Rabbi.

During World War II, they were all assigned to the USAT Dorchester.

In the early morning of Feb. 3, 1943 while sailing through the icy waters of the North Atlantic from Boston to Greenland, their ship was torpedoed by a German U-boat.

The chaplains got on deck and started handing out life vests. When all were handed out and there were still many men without any, the chaplains took theirs off and gave them to four sailors.

Larry Montello, right, reads a certificate of appreciation before he, Cathy Fox, president of the Orleans County American Legion Auxiliary; and Steve Johnson, County Legion commander (in cap), present it to Elder Todd Thomas (next to Fox) and pastor Joe Willis with the First Baptist Church.

Ron Ayrault of Holley plays Taps at the conclusion of the Four Chaplains service.

As the ship sank, the chaplains locked arms and prayed and sang in their own religions. Each was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and Distinguished Service Cross.

Participating in Sunday’s service were members of the American Legion in Medina, Albion and Lyndonville; VFW in Medina and Holley; Orleans County Legion Auxiliary; and Orleans County Pfc. Joseph P. Dwyer Peer-to-Peer program, which provided refreshments.

Also in attendance was American Legion vice commander of Gasport, Dan Fuller and his wife Susan.

Veterans formed an honor guard, while several others read the life histories of each chaplain, followed by laying a rose by each chaplain’s picture and lighting a candle in his memory.

Readings were given by Steve Goodrich, Clark V. Poling; Earl Schmidt, John. P. Washington; Ron Ayrault, George L. Fox; and Chuck Eberhardt, Alexander D. Goode.

Steve Johnson with the American Legion in Medina explained the service, saying an act of Congress in 1988 proclaimed Feb. 3 annually as Four Chaplains Day.

There were 902 men aboard the USAT Dorchester; only 230 survived.

Todd Thomas, an elder at the First Baptist Church, spoke on the sacrifice made by the four chaplains and how they willingly gave their lives.

Larry Montello, left, gives instructions to Legion and VFW members who formed the honor guard for Sunday’s Four Chaplains service at the First Baptist Church of Holley. Lined up are Glenn Whitmore, American Legion commander in Medina; Dave Kusmierczak, a member of Medina VFW; John Pera, commander of Holley American Legion; and Fred Heschke of Medina, member of the VFW.

Ron Ayrault salutes the American flag after lighting a candle in honor of George L. Fox during the Four Chaplains service.

Earl Schmidt, director of Orleans County Veterans’ Services, shares the story of John P. Washington, a Catholic priest and one of four chaplains who died in World War II when their ship was sunk by the Germans.

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Holley school superintendent gives rationale for keeping school open today

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 January 2019 at 12:50 pm

HOLLEY – Many school districts closed today in Western New York, including Albion, Medina and Lyndonville in Orleans County. Holley and Kendall both stayed open. (Kendall has cancelled all afternoon and evening activities at the school today.)

(UPDATED at 2:36 p.m.: Holley has also cancelled after-school activities today and school on Thursday.)

Brian Bartalo, Holley’s Superintendent of Schools, posted on the district website his rationale for keeping school open today. Here is his explanation:

“I want to assure you that the decision to close school is taken very seriously and with the safety of all in mind. If any one reason, or combination of them, suggests that we should close school, I will do so.

“Here are some of the factors I consider when deciding to keep the district open or closed based on weather conditions: visibility, road conditions, temperatures (including wind chill), and the pending forecast. I consult with a number of people inside and outside of our district and monitor these factors continuously. I also make sure the heat in all our buildings is functioning and busses are able to run. Once I’ve been assured we are within a safe range to open, school remains open.

“Orleans County Sheriff Randy Bower issued a ‘travel advisory’ for today (Jan. 30), not a ‘ban,’ based on the weather conditions in the western parts of Orleans County. If there had been a travel ban declared, we would be closed.

“Some area districts elected to close today, due to a high number of students who walk to school. All our students have the opportunity to be transported to school. While we have some that chose to walk to school, they can all board a district bus to get to and from school. Most of our students are picked up at their home (driveway). At dismissal time, no students are “out waiting” for a bus. They are picked up right near our buildings and then let out to go directly into their homes.

“School is an important place for our students to be. I want them to know and understand that. Some students are warmer and have more nutritious meals in school. Some parents can’t provide adequate supervision at home when we close and they have to go to work. Some parents have to choose to miss work and forfeit pay if they have to stay home to provide care for their children on emergency closing days.

“In the end, my decision is to do what’s best for our students, staff and community.

“If weather conditions worsen, I will get the message out ASAP if we need to cancel any activities or close school.”

Holley man charged with DWI after hitting porch on 104

Staff Reports Posted 22 January 2019 at 12:11 pm

MURRAY – State troopers have charged a Holley man with driving while intoxicated after he allegedly drove off Ridge Road and hit the porch of a house on Saturday afternoon.

Lawrence Lentz, 44, showed signs of being intoxicated and subsequently failed standardized field sobriety tests at the scene, troopers said.

Lentz was arrested for DWI and transported to the State Police Barracks in Albion, where a chemical test revealed him to have a .11% BAC, troopers said.

Troopers responded to the intersection of Route 104 and Route 237 in Murray at about 3 p.m. for a report of a vehicle that struck a house. The roof of the porch of the house needed to be stabilized.

The Holley Fire Department used rescue jacks to lift up roof and apply support beams for the time being.

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Historical marker headed to Holley for home on Underground Railroad

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 January 2019 at 11:57 am

HOLLEY – A new historical marker will be erected this spring on South Main Street in Holley at the former home of Chauncey Robinson, who was an abolitionist who opened his home to hide escaped slaves as part of the Underground Railroad.

The county, Orleans County Historical Association and two local donors are sharing the cost for the marker at 35 South Main, west of Geddes Street.

Local historians have long suspected there were houses in Orleans County on the Underground Railroad, which was a secret network of trails and homes. But there wasn’t documentation to back it up, until Clarendon Historian Melissa Ierlan found a letter from Robinson’s grandson.

In the lengthy letter, the grandson details visiting his grandfather, who took him up to the second floor of the back side of the house. The grandfather pulled back a curtain, and there was a group of escaped slaves on beds.

“It’s pretty unusual to find descriptions like that,” said Matt Ballard, the county historian and president of the Orleans County Historical Association.

More research showed that Robinson was in fact an outspoken abolitionist,.

The Orleans County Historical Association considered other sites for a marker, but decided on Robinson and his work with the Underground Railroad. Ballard said this will be the second historical marker in Orleans County about African-American history. Medina in April 2015 unveiled a marker on Main Street in recognition of two speeches delivered in the community by Frederick Douglass, a leading abolitionist. Ballard likes how the Holley marker highlights a local resident advocating for escaped slaves.

“This is more a man who lived in the community who was well respected and was participating in the Underground Railroad,” Ballard said today. “There has been a lot of speculation and rumor with the Underground Railroad, but no written documentation.”

Ballard wants to see markers recognize underrepresented groups in the county’s history, and also bring attention to overlooked and unappreciated sites.

The Holley marker will be two-sided with one side highlighting Robinson and the Underground Railroad, and the other side noted the work of Ezra Brainerd, who built Robinson’s home and oversaw construction of the canal embankment over Sandy Creek, “which was a major undertaking,” Ballard said.

The Historical Association is considering other spots for historical markers in the future, including:

• The childhood home of Henry A. Spencer on Chamberlain Street in Albion. Spencer was the first African-American student at University of Rochester, a pall bearer for Frederick Douglass’s funeral, a member of Frederick Douglass Memorial Committee, and secretary for the NYS Assembly.

• Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church on Brown Street in Albion, the first Polish rural mission church outside of Buffalo, and center of Albion’s Polonia.

• George Pullman’s home on East State Street in the Village of Albion

• Silas Mainville Burroughs’ home at State Street Park in Medina. S.M. Burroughs Sr. was a NYS Assemblyman and a congressman. S.M. Burroughs Jr. was founder of Burroughs Wellcome & Co., now GlaxoSmithKline.

• Carlyon Calamity in the Town of Carlton on Yates-Carlton Townline, This is the site of a railroad accident on R.W.&O. Railroad, causing deaths of 17 passengers.

• Stangeland property on Norway Road in Kendall, the site of Andreas Stangeland home. Stangeland traveled with Cleng Peerson in 1824 to select land for Sloopers, and remained with Norwegians as Peerson traveled westward.

• Bidelman’s Tannery on Ridge Road near Rt. 279 in Gaines, which was originally Mather’s Tannery. Masons allegedly stopped at site while transporting the kidnapped William Morgan to Lewiston.

• Brady’s Quarry on Butts Road near the canal in Albion. The site allegedly provided sandstone for the Capitol Building in Albany. (Historians need to confirm location.)

• Sgt. Isaac Hawkins home near Glenwood & Ryan streets in Medina. Hawkins, an African-American, was a member of 54th Massachusetts Infantry. He was captured at Battle of Olustee, a prisoner at Andersonville, and buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

• Lake Alice in Carlton, a man-made lake that was constructed by Western New York Utilities Co. in 1917. The company purchased over 50 parcels of property and relocated buildings to create reservoir.

• Wilson Hanging at Courthouse Square in Albion, the site of only public execution in Orleans County.

Ballard welcomes suggestions from the community for other markers. To contact him, send an email to Matt.Ballard@orleanscountyny.gov.

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Holley has highest school-age poverty rate in Orleans

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 January 2019 at 1:51 pm

None of Orleans County districts are in top 50 in state for poverty rates

Recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau about poverty rates for school districts shows that none of the districts in Orleans County are even close to being in the top 50 of the districts with the highest poverty rates.

The Rochester City School District has the highest school-age poverty rate in the state at 52.2 percent, with 17,895 school-aged children out of 34,286, in poverty, according to the Census Bureau. The 50^th highest rate is 30.2 percent of school-age children in poverty and that’s in Sidney Central School n Delaware County.

The Census Bureau detailed the poverty rates for children, ages 5 to 17, in each school district. In Orleans County, Holley has the highest poverty rate at 22.4 percent or 245 out of 1,094 school-aged children in 2017.

That is just above the 22.0 percent in Albion, the 20.8 percent in Medina, the 19.5 percent in Lyndonville and 17.8 percent in Kendall.

The Orleans poverty rates are higher than neighboring districts outside the county. Barker has a rate of 11.5 percent, while Batavia is at 18.3 percent. Brockport is at 13.6 percent; Elba is at 9.7 percent; Hilton at 8.8 percent and Roy-Hart, 9.0 percent.

Holley Central School Superintendent Brian Bartalo said the district’s leadership discusses the poverty rate and how the district can use technology and education to help students overcome poverty.

Bartalo joined Holley as school superintendent in July. He said he is impressed with the community support, and the push for high achievement for all students.

“The Holley community wants the best for their kids,” Bartalo said today. “The poverty rate isn’t defining us, although if the trend continues we will need to look for more ways to support our kids.”

Bartalo said Holley has technology and Internet access “that levels the playing field.”

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Holley students given trove of newspapers from historic moments since the late ’50s

Photos by Tom Rivers: Jake Peters holds the Nov. 23, 1963 issue of The Post-Standard of Syracuse, detailing the shooting death of President John F. Kennedy. The historic newspaper is one of many given to Holley students who are going through the papers and creating a database. Peters is also active in the Holley Hub, which does podcasts of current events.

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 January 2019 at 8:10 pm

‘Holley Hub’ also does podcasts of current events

HOLLEY – Holley students in a current events class led by teacher Nick D’Amuro have spent this week poring over headlines from key moments in U.S. history since the 1960s.

One of D’Amuro’s colleagues, science teacher Kristen Pelkey, handed off five boxes of newspapers covering about 60 years since 1958. These are newspapers from Syracuse that show the news coverage from historic days, including the assassinations of John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr.; the resignation of Richard Nixon as U.S. president; many achievements by astronauts; and other key moments as well as ongoing coverage of the Vietnam War and the Civil Rights Movement.

Students are looking through the stacks of papers with rubber gloves, and making an inventory of the big headlines. They are making other observations, including the prominence of cigarette advertising, the lack of women in the news, and how newspapers weren’t very critical of government leaders until the 1970s with Nixon, who resigned in disgrace.

Holley teacher Nick D’Amuro and his students in the current events class look through newspapers of famous events from the 1960s.

The newspapers in the 1960s are very much in favor of government leaders, and really touted U.S. advances by astronauts as the country raced against Russia to have the first man on the Moon.

“In the 1960s, the newspapers were very patriotic and supportive of the government,” D’Amuro said during the class on Friday. “In the 1970s, the newspapers were more critical.”

There are 15 students in the class in grades 10 through 12. They meet each day for eighth period in the school library.

The batch of historic newspapers was a pleasant surprise. They were given to the science teacher, who thought D’Amuro and his class would enjoy going through the newspapers, which are considered “the first rough draft of history.”

“Martin Luther King Slain” – This April 5, 1968 edition of The Post-Standard in Syracuse covers the assassination of Civil Rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. The photo to the left shows Rev. Andrew Young, an aide to King shows where King was hit by a bullet in Memphis, Tenn. The newspaper cost 10 cents at the time.

The students have been digging into news this year, and it had been current events. The class created a “Holley Hub” podcast and has had about a dozen episodes so far. D’Amuro, who also teaches social studies, wants students to be critical thinkers and educated citizens. The podcasts are available through the Holley Hub Twitter feed.

D’Amuro said the old newspapers, covering historic events, has inspired students, and took them right back to key moments they had read about in class. With the newspaper coverage, the events didn’t feel like an event from decades ago.

The Holley students will go through the newspapers and compile highlights that they hope to share with the school community after they are done with their research, D’Amuro said.

D’Amuro holds a copy of The Post-Standard from Aug. 9, 1974 that includes extensive coverage of the resignation of Richard Nixon as president. This edition includes the rare use of red letters in the headline. Back then, the newspapers were almost solely black and white.

“Condition of Sen. Kennedy Remains Extremely Critical” – The June 6, 1968 Post-Standard is headlined by the shooting of Sen. Robert Kennedy in Los Angeles at a hotel. RFK was running for president was he was fatally shot by an assassin.

“Germans Celebrate Unity” – The Oct. 3, 1990 Herald-Journal highlights the reunification of Germany. “Forty-five years after it was carved up in defeat and disgrace, Germany was reunited today in a celebration of pealing bells, national hymns and the jubilant blare of good old German oom-pah-pah,” the article states. By 1990, there were color photographs on the front page.

These students are in the library discussing a podcast for the Holley Hub. They include, from left: Jordan Grein, editor Jeremy Crandall, and Jake Peters.

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Murray will make change in code enforcement position

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 January 2019 at 2:54 pm

MURRAY – The Town of Murray no longer has Ron Vendetti working as its code enforcement officer. The Town Board during its annual organizational meeting on Tuesday did not make an appointment to the position.

The town will have Melissa Ierlan, Clarendon’s code enforcement officer, fill in for some inspections. All contacts at Murray should still be made with Val Mauro, the deputy clerk.

“It is anticipated that after interviews with qualified applicants we will be able to fill this position for the foreseeable future with a quality candidate who embodies our mission of customer satisfaction and community involvement,” Town Supervisor Robert Miller said in a letter announcing the code enforcement change. “This transition may cause some minor delays, but we expect to offer uninterrupted service while we manage this situation. Your patience and cooperation are greatly appreciated.”

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At Holley fire 3 dogs rescued, resident taken to hospital for smoke inhalation

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 January 2019 at 4:04 pm

Photos by Tom Rivers

HOLLEY – These three dogs were rescued this afternoon in a fire at an apartment, 11 White St., Holley.

Firefighters were dispatched to the scene at 1:58 p.m. They put out a fire in the basement.

The residence filled with smoke. A tenant went back inside the house to get one of the dogs. The tenant was taken by Monroe Ambulance to a hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation.

Firefighters opened windows and used fans to ventilate the house, which includes two apartments.

Firefighters form Holley, Clarendon, Fancher-Hulberton-Murray, Albion, Hamlin and Brockport were at the scene, as well as the Orleans County Emergency Management Office, Holley Police Department, Monroe Ambulance and the county fire investigators.

Harris Reed, right, took over as Holley fire chief from Kevin Dann, left, on Jan. 1. This was Reed’s first fire call as the chief.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

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In 1926, express train collided with locomotive in Holley, killing 1

By Matthew Ballard, Orleans County Historian Posted 5 January 2019 at 8:58 am

“Overlooked Orleans” – Vol. 5, No. 1

HOLLEY – This photograph, taken September 25, 1926, shows the aftermath of a locomotive collision at Holley. Looking south on South Main Street, the Holley Electric building is pictured on the left. A few individuals are in the vicinity, including a young girl standing between the tall white fence and truck along the left side of the road. Upon closer inspection, a bicycle is lying on the curb near the railroad overpass, possibly left there by the girl.

At 3:33 p.m. on September 24, 1926, an express train, Engine 3373, pulling 28 cars and two coaches departed the Fancher station on the New York Central Railroad. Meanwhile, Engine 485 operating at a local quarry just east of Holley was pulling two cars along a segment of track. According to reports following the accident, Engine 485 was switching cars near the Holley station located immediately west of the railroad overpass as the express train approached.

Travelling westbound against current traffic, the engineer in charge of Engine 485 observed the approaching express train, warned his fireman of the impending danger, and both quickly jumped to safety. A similar scenario unfolded aboard Engine 3373 and the two locomotives collided travelling at approximately 20-25 mph. While the engineer of Engine 3373 was able to safely jump from the express train, his fireman Frank Maloney was not as fortunate.

Both trains derailed, mangling the tracks and piling up cars behind them. Engine 3373 rolled onto its left side, striking the railroad station on the north side of the tracks while Engine 485 rolled in the opposite direction, striking the freight house. A large portion of the station was damaged and freight house knocked from its foundation. Maloney, who was unable to jump from the engine, was pinned under the wreckage and severely scalded; he died shortly after the collision.

This photograph shows the scene the following morning when a wrecking crew arrived on scene to clean up the debris. By the time this image was taken, Engine 3373 was turned upright, but the mangle pieces of Engine 485 are visible to the east of the overpass. A local brakeman was found at fault for failing to warn the oncoming express train.

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Albion and Holley PDs are now Safe Haven sites

Posted 30 December 2018 at 7:57 pm

Distressed parents can leave a baby up to 30 days old at police stations with no questions asked as long as staff present

The Albion and Holley police departments both have signs letting the public know the sites are Safe haven sites. The Albion PD is located at 106 North Platt St. and the Holley PD is at 8 Thomas St.

Press Release, Roland Nenni, Police Chief for Albion and Holley police departments

The Albion and Holley police departments in conjunction with Project Stork Inc. are proud to announce the recent designation and training for both agencies as Safe Haven locations.

New York State Law provides that a distressed parent who is unable or unwilling to care for his or her infant can give up custody of a baby that is 30 days old or less – no questions asked.

The parent must simply bring the infant to a safe haven location and make sure a person is located to give the child. As long as the child shows no signs of intentional abuse, no name or other information is required.

The officers and staff of both the Albion and Holley police departments were given training on the law and the procedure on how to handle an infant being turned over.

Signs have also been placed outside of both police stations indicating that the stations are Safe Haven locations. Each station also has a complete kit of supplies needed to care for an infant until other trained personnel arrive. These kits include items such as diapers, formula, clothing and other essential items.

I would like to thank the founder of Project Stork Inc., Jenny Staebell, for providing the signs and infant kits to the two police departments for this potentially lifesaving option to a distressed parent.

Thanks to the Safe Haven Law no one ever has to abandon a child again. For more information on the Safe Haven law in New York, click here.

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Albion, Holley police have AEDs in patrol cars, police stations

Posted 28 December 2018 at 10:13 pm

‘The citizens of the communities we serve will have a greater chance of survival when a person goes into cardiac arrest because of our new capabilities.’ – Police Chief Roland Nenni

Press Release, Roland Nenni, Police Chief for Albion and Holley police departments

Photo courtesy Albion Police Department: Albion Police Officer Daryl Robb trains with one of the new AEDs.

The Albion and Holley police departments are proud to announce the addition of Automatic External Defibrillators, commonly known as AEDs, to all police patrol vehicles in both departments as well as units in each police station.

All Albion and Holley police officers and civilian staff have also been certified by the American Heart Association by attending the Heart Saver AED/CPR course.

The AEDs and training were funded by a Community Health Grant from the Greater Rochester Health Foundation. The total cost of the AEDs and training was $11,335. Without this funding the life-saving tools would not have been possible.

The Albion Police Department and Holley Police Department first respond to all emergency medical calls in their respective jurisdictions. Albion and Holley officers arrive on scene within minutes of a medical emergency, often well before EMS personnel arrive. Officers will now have the life-saving tools needed during these medical responses. The citizens of the communities we serve will have a greater chance of survival when a person goes into cardiac arrest because of our new capabilities.

The AHA Heart Saver AED/CPR course that was taught to all officers and staff also comes with a Basic First Aid component. With this added training means an added level of care that will be provided to patients of medical emergencies.

I am very happy that we now have this added lifesaving ability. I am so proud that our officers see themselves as true public servants and as life savers, not just as law enforcement officers.

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Holley writer is prolific contributor to Chicken Soup for the Soul

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 December 2018 at 10:34 am

David Hull, a retired preschool teacher, is featured in about 20 of the popular books

Photos by Tom Rivers: David Hull of Holley is shown with two of the Chicken Soup for the Soul books that he is featured in. Hull, a retired preschool teacher, has stories in about 20 of the books in the Chicken Soup series.

HOLLEY – David Hull of Holley has become a frequent contributor of one of the most popular book series.

Hull, a retired preschool teacher, has stories in about 20 of the Chicken Soup for the Soul books. The Chicken Soup for the Soul series started about 25 years ago and now includes more than 250 titles. It has sold more than 100 million copies.

Each of the books includes 101 stories that tend to be three to four pages for each article. Hull, 59, checked the Chicken Soup website about seven years ago, and sent in a story. Although he has now been included in about 20 of the books, Hull said some of his stories didn’t make the final cut.

Chicken Soup editors say they get several thousand submissions for each book. Hull said he tries to write from the heart and mix in humor.

“You got to be very persistent and brave to send your stuff off to publishers,” he said during an interview last week at Sam’s Diner in Holley. “Don’t be stopped by rejection.”

Hull said he wrote for some small magazines before being published in Chicken Soup for the Soul.

Chicken Soup published The Power of Yes! This year and includes two articles by Hull. In “Boldly Going” he shares how a friend urged him to help at a community clothing center at a local church. Hull was moved by the people, including a high schooler who wore size 9 shoes during school and his father then wore the same shoes later in the day for work. The shoes were wore out. There were children without winter coats and a family using mittens to keep warm at night.

The next day, Hull went to a department store and found shoes and clothes on clearance, including a new pair of size 9 shoes for the father and son.

“My friend may have had to persuade me to get involved, but because of that experience, I realized that many people were a lot worse off than me,” Hull wrote. “I also learned that I could help my community through the simple tasks of being aware and donating a little time and money.”

Also in The Power of Yes!, he writes about his reluctance to try a community exercise program in Kendall. But in “C.R.A.F.T.S.” – Calming, Relaxing Activity for Tired Souls – Hull finds acceptance and success. Six months into the program he loses 11 pounds and drops his cholesterol and blood pressure.

Hull is featured in these four recent Chicken Soup books.

Hull studied English in college and earned a degree in education. He worked 28 years as a teacher at the Brockport Child Development Center at Brockport State College. He retired four years ago.

He tries to write each day. Some days that might only be jotting down some notes.

“It’s very therapeutic,” he said. “It helps you to reflect on situations and think more deeply.”

The Best Advice I Ever Heard also was published in 2018, featuring 101 stories of “epiphanies and wise words.” Hull writes about “The Sensitive Plant.” It’s a fern-like herb his mother had in her house. When the plant was stressed it would tuck its leaves close together. Hull writes about a tough first semester of college, when his grades were low. He was tempted to give up. His mother told him to not act like the sensitive plant, putting his guard up and refusing to take risks. Hull returned to college and, with perseverance, would graduate.

Hull said he has submitted stories for future Chicken Soup books. He’s waiting to see if those will be published.

“It’s great to see your work in print,” he said.

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Contractor starts work on first of 7 canal bridges to be rehabbed in Orleans

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 December 2018 at 5:08 pm

Photos by Tom Rivers

HOLLEY – An employee with Crane-Hogan Structural Systems in Spencerport gets a cable in place on Wednesday on the Bennetts Corners Road bridge over the Erie Canal.

This is the first of seven canal bridges in Orleans County that will be rehabilitated with a new deck and other improvements.

The Bennetts Corners bridge had its weight limit reduced to 4 tons before it was closed on Dec. 3 for the construction project.

The state Department of Transportation announced last month that seven of the canal bridges would receive extensive work with the seventh bridge to be completed in the summer 2020. The Bennetts Corners Road bridge could reopen in about six months.

Crane-Hogan gets a platform in place to work on the deck of the bridge on Bennetts Corners Road.

The state is spending $10.7 million on the seven bridges. Besides Bennetts Corners, other bridges that will be upgraded include: Telegraph Road in the Town of Murray, Transit Road in the Town of Murray, Densmore Road in the Town of Albion, Gaines Basin Road in the Town of Gaines, Bates Road in the Village of Medina, and Marshall Road in the Town of Ridgeway.

The DOT said the work on these bridges will include installing high-strength galvanized steel to replace steel floor systems, low chords, gusset plates, and truss elements. Bridge railing and guide rail on the bridge approaches also will be improved and each bridge will be repainted. The alignments and profiles of the bridges will not change.

The seven single-lane truss bridges were constructed between 1909 and 1914.

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