By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 April 2017 at 9:11 am
MURRAY – The powerful wind storm last month blew off numerous shingles and caused other significant damage to the roof on the Murray highway garage.
“Two thirds of the roof came off,” Highway Superintendent Ed Morgan told the Town Board during its meeting last week.
The roof is currently leaking, and needs to be repaired soon, Morgan advised the Town Board.
He is seeking bids on the roof repairs, which could top $15,000.
In other action:
• Morgan also said three canal bridges in the town are due for major overhauls. The bridges on Bennetts Corners, Telegraph and Transit roads are all planned for extensive work by the state Department of Transportation. The projects are expected to cost about $1 million to $2 million each.
One bridge on Hindsburg Road has now been closed about 15 years. Morgan said the DOT has no plans of fixing that bridge.
• The Town Board held a hearing on a moratorium on installation of ground-mounted solar energy systems in the town for six months.
The Town Planning Board wants time to write zoning regulations for commercial-scale solar systems that are ground mounted. The moratorium doesn’t affect residential projects.
The town wants to have zoning in place for removing the solar systems when they are obsolete, and wants to establish setbacks, screening from glare and glint, and address other issues with the projects.
Code Enforcement Officer Ron Vendetti said he expected the regulations would be complete in about 60 days.
• Morgan also reported the town will be receiving $13,500 more in CHIPS funding from the state for road maintenance as part of the new state budget.
• The Town Board passed a resolution supporting a legislative proposal that would limit the SAFE Act to New York City.
• The Board also passed a resolution urging the state to pay any additional costs for probation and other impacted county departments associated with the “Raising the Age of criminal responsibility” from 16 to 18.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 April 2017 at 3:37 pm
Photo by Kristina Gabalski: Holley village officials and residents have been concerned about deteriorating sidewalks, including this one on Geddes Street, which was pictured last September.
HOLLEY – The Village of Holley will get a major overhaul of sidewalks and curbs.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced this afternoon the village has been approved for a $1,780,000 grant to construct curbs and sidewalks that are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The governor announced $112.2 million in funding for 81 projects in the state that support bicycle and pedestrian enhancements, and also improve air quality across New York.
“This funding is critical to enhancing our infrastructure and paving the way for both pedestrian and bicycle travel,” Cuomo said about the projects. “By improving roadway safety and increasing access to healthy transportation alternatives, we are providing both residents and visitors a chance to experience the state’s natural beauty like never before, while supporting a cleaner, greener New York for generations to come.”
The funding, which will provide up to 80 percent of the cost of each project, is made available through the Federal Highway Administration and administered by the New York State Department of Transportation.
Selected through a competitive solicitation process, awardees presented plans that will increase options for non-vehicular transportation, reduce vehicle emissions or traffic congestion, or both. Including additional public and private funding, these projects will leverage nearly $233 million in construction and operational enhancements that will improve air quality, promote walking and biking, expand public transportation access, and boost tourism across the state.
“This massive federal investment will help New York State make important upgrades for pedestrians and bicyclists and, in turn, encourage New Yorkers to travel more by bike or by foot,” said U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer. “Increased biking and walking is good for our collective hearts and lungs; it also reduces congestion and helps boost the economy. These transportation improvements demonstrate the types of important local projects that can only be accomplished with direct public investment.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 April 2017 at 11:40 am
HOLLEY – Firefighters were dispatched to a house fire at 11:26 a.m. today in the Town of Murray, and had the fire knocked down within minutes, an Orleans County dispatcher said.
Firefighters responded to 16629 Route 31, which is between the village line and Lake Road.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 April 2017 at 11:31 am
MURRAY – The town has met its goal in securing enough signatures to move ahead with a new water district.
Water District 3 Extension 1 will serve about 20 homes and 40 parcels. It covers about 3 miles on portions Hindsburg, West Kendall and Center roads.
The extension is off three roads on the western end of Ridge Road in Murray. The project will bring public water to some of the last remaining sections of the town without a waterline.
To move forward with the project, the town needed at least a majority of the homeowners and a majority of the tax base to sign off on the project.
The town has signatures from residents supporting the project from 60 percent of the total tax base owners, and 74 percent of the owner-occupied residences, Town Attorney Jeff Martin advised the Town Board on Tuesday.
“That shows strong support for this proposed water district,” Martin said.
The board set a public meeting for 7 p.m. on May 3 at Town Hall to go over the cost structure of the project. Engineer Paul Chatfield is also expected at the meeting to go over the construction.
Martin said each parcel owner would pay $623.80 annually in debt service for the project. That doesn’t include buying water.
The Town Board thanked Art Knab of Hindsburg Road, Bob Beisang of West Kendall Road and Highway Superintendent Ed Morgan for going door to door and securing some of the signatures needed for the project.
Photos by Kristina Gabalski: Brenna Embury voted for a baby goat to be born on March 27 and that is the day that Hershey gave birth to Millie, making Brenna winner of the “Kids-terry” fundraiser. She was also able to pick a plush goat toy as a prize. The real goats - Hershey and Oreo - are owned by Karen Clark and Fran Gaylord, who also provided the plush toy goats for prizes.
By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 12 April 2017 at 6:49 pm
Kindergartener Eli Sample won for his selection of April 6 as a date for baby goats to be born. Eli holds the plush toy goat he selected as a prize. Third grader Gianna Brown also won for the second birth date, but was not in school Tuesday. Gianna will also receive one of the toy goats and a certificate.
HOLLEY – Members of the Holley Elementary Student Council continue to come up with innovative ways to raise funds for local community projects and school programs.
Their most recent effort was “Kids-terry” – a lottery to guess the birth of baby goats. The effort raised money to support After School Friends.
Elementary Student Council advisor Sally Martin says the After School Friends program encourages positive social interaction and the forming of friendships. It is a safe place with a structured environment for students in grades 4-6 which helps them to form friendships through interactive play, craft making, and exploration of new ideas.
Special guests from the community are also invited to help students learn the importance of working together and being part of a community.
The baby goat lottery helped raise funds through purchased “votes” for the date and number of kids that Oreo & Hershey – two mother goats – would have. Each vote cost 50 cents.
“The event raised $100 for ‘Kids-terry,’” Martin says.
An additional $200 was raised through collection boxes placed throughout the Holley community.
Last year, the Student Council raised funds for restoration work on the Hillside Cemetery chapel through the “Chancellor of the Chapel” fundraiser in which votes were purchased to select an animal “Chancellor” for the historic sandstone structure.
Posters were placed around Holley Elementary School during the “Kids- terry” fundraiser. This poster shows the first kid born – Millie. Mom, Hershey, is in the photograph on the right.
Another poster shows mom, Oreo, who gave birth to her kid on April 6.
A photograph of Oreo’s kid shortly after being born. The baby was not yet named as of Tuesday morning.
Fran Gaylord, who owns the goats along with Karen Clark, poses with Oreo’s kid on April 6.
Elementary Student Council President Katelyn Randall (left), a 6th grader, and Vice President Maggie Skehan, a 4th grader, hold a coin collection box for the ongoing “Pennies for Patients” fundraiser. Advisor Sally Martin says the Holley Elementary School Student Council participates in the fundraiser each year, which is part of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Student Series and Philanthropy programs. The fundraiser collects coins to help people in their battle against blood cancers.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 April 2017 at 10:44 am
Revised policy stipulates only town employees can hook up water meters
MURRAY – The Town Board approved higher water rates on Tuesday, an increase from $4.25 to $4.50 per 1,000 gallons.
The town raised the rates “based on our increased costs,” said Ed Morgan, the highway and water superintendent.
He said the rates were last increased in 2014. The town’s primary water supplier, the Monroe County Water Authority, has steadily increased its rates to the town, currently charging Murray $3.25 per 1,000 gallons plus an additional meter charge, Morgan said.
“That doesn’t leave much margin for water loss and operations and maintenance,” Morgan told the board.
He said the average residential water customer uses 9,400 gallons per quarter. Raising the rates by 25 cents will cost the average user an extra $2.36 every three months, Morgan said.
“I don’t believe it’s a hardship on anybody,” he said about the higher rates.
The new rate structure also includes $4.50 per 1,000 gallons for water haulers and $4 per 1,000 gallons for agriculture/farm users.
Morgan and the Town Board also declined to charge users a quarterly water meter fee.
The board also approved revisions to policies and procedures in the water department. Water meters now must always be hooked up by town personnel at hydrants.
Some residents complained last year that some meters used by farmers and other users were put on by the users, and not town employees.
The town will now put on all meters and won’t charge the users the first time. However, there will be a $50 charge each time thereafter the meter is put on.
Some farmers will use public water during dry spells. They might then want the meter back on again a few days or weeks after irrigating a field.
They will now have to pay the $50 to have the meter put back on, or they can keep the meter on at a hydrant for several days or weeks.
However, if the meter is stolen, the farmer or other user will be responsible for paying the town $1,500 for a replacement. Morgan said a meter has only been stolen once, about 20 years ago.
The new policies and procedures give the town more control in the water system, and follows state health regulations, Morgan said.
Morgan and the Town Board were praised by resident Joe Sidonio for the revised procedures.
“I think it’s admirable,” Sidonio said about the changes. “Thanks for hearing our voice.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 April 2017 at 10:07 am
MURRAY – The town’s $4,985 annual payments to Ed Morgan, the highway superintendent, in lieu of health insurance are “proper,” Town Attorney Jeff Martin told the Town Board on Tuesday.
The board on Feb. 14 was urged to look into the payments by resident Joe Sidonio, who believed the payments were too high.
Sidonio said Morgan should only be getting $2,000 a year for not taking a two-person health insurance policy through the town.
The $4,985 amount was set for employees hired before 2012. The local law said if there was a break in service for a longer-term employee, the health insurance payment would drop to $2,000 and not $4,985.
The Murray local law states that current employees receiving the the stipend shall be considered new employees at the lower stipend level if they have a break in employment by not getting reappointed, not being re-elected “or otherwise.”
If they then return to employment with the town, “such employees shall be regarded as a new employee and subject to the limitations on payments in lieu of health insurance applicable to new employees,” according to the town law, which Sidonio read from on during the Feb. 14 meeting.
Morgan has served as town highway superintendent since Jan. 1, 1990. He has been elected to seven 4-year terms.
Morgan “retired” for a one day, Dec. 31, 2013, to be eligible to begin collecting his pension through the NYS Retirement System.
Sidonio said that one-day retirement should represent a break in service, with Morgan considered a new employee when his new term started on Jan. 1, 2014.
Sidonio said Morgan may have been overpaid $2,985 annually for three years for the health insurance stipend.
But Town Attorney Jeff Martin said Morgan never had a break in service. Morgan didn’t resign. He never submitted a letter of resignation.
The town law requires an elected official to take the oath of office within 30 days of the start of a new term. Morgan took the oath on Jan. 2, 2014, the first day the town hall was open to start the new term.
Martin said Morgan never left his office, and only took off a day to be eligible to collect his pension, which Martin said is common for many long-term elected officials in New York.
“He has had continuous service since Jan. 1, 1990,” Martin said. “The payment is proper. We’re not in violation of our own local law.”
Sidonio attended Tuesday’s Town Board meeting and thanked Martin for looking into the issue.
HOLLEY – The Board of Education on Monday approved a $24,500,000 budget for 2017-18, which represents a 0.41 percent spending increase over this year.
The budget would increase property taxes by 1.35 percent, which is below the district’s tax cap, the district said in a news release.
The budget goes before voters on May 16, when they will also elect members of the Board of Education. Voting is from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Holley Middle School/High School Foyer.
Budget information will be available soon on the district website at www.holleycsd.org and in the budget newsletter mailed to residents in May.
“I thank the Board for approving the 2017-18 budget, and I am also appreciative of the collaborative effort put forth by the Board and the administrative team,” said District Superintendent Robert D’Angelo. “Our goal was to create a budget that was both educationally sound, as well as fiscally responsible, for the community, and we certainly accomplished that.”
Photos by Kristina Gabalski: Holley students work together to clean up and put away materials as the school day draws to a close while they worked on a building project on Monday.
By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 5 April 2017 at 4:45 pm
Learning to use power tools is part of the experience offered by the Geometry in Construction class. Here, Tim Rogers guides a student working with a power drill.
Photos by Kristina Gabalski
HOLLEY – There is no lack of enthusiasm in the Geometry in Construction class at Holley Middle School/High School.
“It’s a fun class, it makes the end of the day more fun,” said sophomore Amanda Valerio.
Amanda said she loves math, but was uncertain early in the year how the class would work.
“Now I know I definitely can do both,” she said of the hands-on, as well as the textbook side of the class.
This is the first year the class has been offered and is structured to help students learn how math concepts can be applied to real-world problems to create solutions. Skills learned may open the doorway to future jobs or help them maintain or build their own homes someday.
“It’s cool, we get both the math side and the construction side,” freshman Mikaela Auch says.
Sophomore Elijah Stanton gives the teachers of the class, Tim Rogers and Russ Albright, much praise.
“They are the best,” Elijah said.
All 13 students in the class have pitched-in on their main construction project – a service project creating a small house for Second Wind Cottages in Newfield, NY, a rescue mission which provides one-man shelters for homeless men as they work to turn their lives around.
Members of the Holley Middle School/High School Geometry in Construction class raise the wall of a small house Monday afternoon. The class is being offered this year for the first time and mixes Regents Geometry with real-life construction skills. The house will be donated to Second Wind Cottages in Newfield, NY.
“The home is going for a good cause,” Valerio said of the project. “We don’t want to mess it up.”
The class began raising walls on Monday afternoon and students are working to mount the structure on a wooden base they also constructed. They will then learn to panel the interior walls.
In early May, the class will transport the small home in sections to the grounds of Second Wind Cottages where it will be re-assembled and anchored on a concrete pad. They will complete the project on site.
Teacher Tim Rogers – in yellow construction hat – works to set the newly raised wall in place. The class learned while working Monday afternoon that the plans provided to them did not exactly match the wooden base of the structure, but Rogers says such “things happen” in construction, and it is not unusual to have to come up with alternate solutions when difficulties arise.
The fact the small house is going to someone in need gives the students an added sense of purpose and accomplishment.
“We have used a lot of math concepts and it is cool someone will live in this,” Mikaela Auch said.
Tim Rogers and Russ Albright, along with the students, say the class has bonded students who might otherwise have not worked together.
Tim Rogers holds a model of the small house the class is building. Students teamed up to make the model, which involved learning and utilizing the geometry concepts of ratio and proportion.
“I’ve learned a lot of people skills,” Elijah Stanton said. “It’s good to learn the construction side, there are many valuable skills.”
He said several students are now thinking about careers in construction, something they never considered before.
Rogers and Albright said construction is a growing field in need of good workers including people such as masons and plumbers.
The students will take the NYS Geometry Regents in June.
“We have to cover the same material as traditional Geometry classes,” Tim Rogers said. “The Geometry in Construction class brings more real-life situations to students.”
The hope is that the class may help students who typically struggle with Geometry learn more easily.
Both Rogers and Albright said they feel the class is going very well. They say in addition to math and construction skills, the class also builds teamwork and leadership skills, so vital to the real-world workforce.
“They have to work as a team,” Rogers said, “and they have done that.”
“They find the skills they are best at and that helps them become leaders,” Russ Albright explained. “They become leaders as they become comfortable with the tools.”
Rogers and Albright say they are looking for a similar construction-related service project for next year’s class and hope it might even be in Orleans County. They have had some difficulty finding a project near home due to a number of issues including insurance and the age of the students, but they are open to suggestions from the community. They could also continue with Second Wind Cottages in the future, they said.
Members of the Geometry in Construction class work to stabilize a newly raised wall on a small house they are building for the homeless.
By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 21 March 2017 at 10:39 am
Holley votes to restart marching band
HOLLEY – Holley Board of Education members had their first reading of a new Bed Bug protocol for the district during their regular meeting Monday evening.
The Elementary School battled a bed bug issue in classrooms this winter and at the February meeting of the Board of Education, President Brenda Swanger requested a protocol be put in place.
The protocol includes the response for a bed bug found on a student in school or in a classroom; response for a bed bug infestation in a classroom or school; and how to keep beg bugs out of the classroom.
“A protocol gives us more latitude than a policy,” District Superintendent Robert D’Angelo told school board members.
Swanger said she is glad the district will have something in place regarding the issue.
Board member Melissa Ierlan, who serves as the Town of Clarendon’s code enforcement officer, said during a recent code class she attended, she learned that the problem of bed bugs is becoming more widespread in public places.
In other issues:
• In her report, Holley Elementary Principal Karri Schiavone said that with assessment testing starting next week, the school will send a letter home to parents this week emphasizing the importance of parents allowing their children to take the tests.
“We are hoping to get as many kids as we can,” Schiavone said.
She explained that the state has made many changes to the tests following last year’s survey which included parental input. “It’s more like the assessments students used to take,” she said, and explained New York State has veered away somewhat from Common Core in preparing the tests.
“The tests have changed,” Schiavone said. The results, “don’t count against the student.” She explained that students will now have unlimited time and students with documented needs will be accommodated.
Schiavone said teachers and administrators utilize results from assessment testing to help them focus on areas where students need the most help.
• Under consensus approvals, Board of Education members approved the formation of a marching band for students in grades 7-12.
Elementary band director Hannah Bock told Orleans Hub the district had a combined marching band with Kendall Central School a few years ago, but there had been a lack of student interest in a marching band.
Middle School/ High School band director Zachary Busch said that has changed, and 25-30 students have expressed interest in forming a marching band.
Busch and Bock are hoping to have the band ready to march at the Memorial Day Parade in Holley as well as other local festivals such as the Strawberry Festival in Albion.
“We’ve been trying to get up a marching band” Bock said. “We hope that this time is the charm.”
They added that interested Kendall Central students will be welcome to join, once an agreement between the two districts can be reached.
• School Board members also approved a trip to the State Capitol in Albany for students in the 11th and 12th grade Humanities Class.
Students in the class attended Monday’s meeting and told board members the trip, scheduled for March 26th and 27th, will include a visit to the New York State Museum, the floor of the New York State Senate and meetings with Senator Robert Ortt and Assemblyman Steve Hawley.
The students have prepared written statements regarding issues of interest to them, which they will discuss with local representatives.
Topics include improving opportunities for low-income families to access higher education; Common Core testing; and tuition-free college.
Students were invited to take the trip after meeting recently with Assemblyman Hawley’s Chief of Staff, Eileen Banker.
“It’s a great place to go and visit, especially at your age,” Board President Brenda Swanger said.
Board member John Heise said he supported the trip as did Board Vice-President Robin Silvis. Board members said students would find the experience inspiring.
“I can’t wait to have you share it with us,” Silvis said.
Photos courtesy of Melissa Ierlan: One of Clarendon’s most revered residents, Lemuel Cook, is buried at a pioneer cemetery on Munger Road in Clarendon. His gravestone toppled over during the wind storm on Wednesday.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 March 2017 at 1:13 pm
Photo courtesy of Matthew Ballard: Here is how Lemuel Cook’s gravestone looked recently before the powerful windstorm knocked it over.
CLARENDON – Lemuel Cook lived to be 107, dying on May 20, 1866. He was the oldest pensioner of the American Revolution, considered the last surviving soldier from the war that gave the United States its independence.
Cook is buried in Cook Cemetery on Munger Road in Clarendon. His gravestone has been damaged over the year, occasionally pushed over by vandals.
The gravestone was knocked over again last Wednesday. This time the culprit was powerful winds from a storm that knocked out power for hundreds of thousands of people in Western New York and the Finger Lakes. Nearly the entire town of Clarendon went at least two days without electricity.
The town is proud of Cook, and has set May 20 as the dedication for a historical marker at the cemetery, noting Cook’s service in the Revolution.
The town will have to work to have the gravestone reset in time for the dedication, Town Historian Melissa Ierlan said this morning.
The gravestone doesn’t have pins to help holds the pieces together. One recent repair used caulk to help hold the stones pieces in place.
The town has five pioneer cemeteries and Ierlan said two of them were damaged from the storm last week.
Besides Cook Cemetery on Munger Road, a cemetery on Hibbard Road, just off Route 31A, had a tree and big branches come down. That site on Hibbard Road includes the grave of Eldredge Farwell, the town founder.
Eldredge Farwell died in 1843. Farwell discovered Clarendon in 1810 while looking for his brother Isaac’s lost horse. He traced Isaac’s footprints along the border of Sandy Creek and was impressed with the town waterfalls.
Farwell saw the waterfalls as a potential source of power for business. He moved his family to Clarendon in 1811 and built saw and grist mills. The town was originally named Farwell’s Mills but was renamed to Clarendon. Farwell was from Clarendon, Vermont.
This photo shows some of the damage at Cook Cemetery on Munger Road in Clarendon after the storm on Wednesday.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 March 2017 at 8:45 am
Alyssa Devault took this photo of a cracked tree on North Main Street in Holley on Wednesday. The Holley Electric Department was able to restore power not long after the big branch came down.
HOLLEY – While much of Orleans County has gone without electricity since the powerful wind storm swept through the area on Wednesday, knocking down trees and wires, Village of Holley residents haven’t been forced to endure lengthy power outages.
The village has its own electric department with about 1,100 customers. About 100 of those customers lost power short-term after the storm on Wednesday.
One tree came at the corner of North Main and East Union streets. There were 20-25 customers without power for abut 12 hours while village electric crews restored service.
There was another issue on Nelson Street that shut down a section of the village temporarily.
Matt Campbell, the Electric Department superintendent, said the village trimmed many trees last year, clearing branches from near power lines.
“We trimmed out our whole village and that definitely helped,” Campbell said. “We cleared are our lines back and I think that’s what saved us.”
Holley had help with the tree trimming from other municipal electric crews from Bergen, Churchville, Akron and Castile.
The village receives its power through a National Grid transmission line which remained in service after the storm.
Most of the eastern end of Orleans County – Clarendon, Murray and Kendall – have been in the dark since the power outages on Wednesday, except the Village of Holley.
By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 4 March 2017 at 8:52 pm
Photos by Kristina Gabalski
HOLLEY – Cast members of this year’s Holley school musical production of Grease performed a number from the show on Thursday evening and encouraged everyone to attend the performances on March 10 and 11.
Holley Middle School/High School Principal Susan Cory welcomed those attending. She said students and community residents should show their pride in being from Holley and in being part of “Holley Strong.”
The Holley Middle School/High School auditorium was a sea of red and black and full of excitement and enthusiasm Thursday evening as students, parents, faculty, staff and community members came together to celebrate “Holley Strong.”
“I’m proud to celebrate the good things about Holley,” Middle School/High School Principal Susan Cory said in opening up the event which included a teaser of the upcoming school musical, Grease; presentations on the Holley community; the importance of assessment testing to students and the district; and an epic “Teacher Lip-Sync Battle” which pitted Elementary teachers against Middle School/High School teachers.
Cory said Holley Central School is the heart of the Holley community and that it is important to “celebrate more of the positive” aspects of the school.
The district ran out of red T-shirts with the new Holley Strong logo and Hawk. Cory said more will be available.
“Bubbles” of facts about the Holley community asked those attending, “Did you know….” and included information promoting community and school pride.
Teacher Nick D’Amuro, “Mr. D.” discussed all the pieces of the “puzzle.” “We want to see the entire piece of the puzzle,” he said regarding student performance. “Students are not just test scores.” D’Amuro teaches 8th Grade Social Studies and Contemporary Issues at the Middle School High School.
D’Amuro discussed how all the pieces of the student puzzle fit together and noted that Grades 3-8 assessments are part of completing that puzzle.
Seniors Kayla Thrower, left, and Jessica Sedore discussed challenges they have faced in their academic careers, particularly regarding mastering Chemistry during the “Holley Talk” portion of the event. They stressed students should see challenges as opportunities and that failure can be managed, as it is only, “one part of the puzzle.”
Thrower hosted the Holley Strong event. “Holley (Central School) is a home full of teachers who care,” she said.
The Holley Strong event concluded with a Lip Sync Battle between Elementary and Middle School/High School teachers. Here, Elementary teachers perform during the first round.
Teacher Nick D’Amuro wowed the crowd during the Middle School/High School teachers lip sync performance during the Holley Strong event at the school on Thursday.
Middle School/High School and Elementary teachers performed together for the lip sync finale. Students voted on the winner and Elementary teachers were victorious by a narrow margin of 96-88 votes.
Teachers invited students to join them on stage during the lip sync finale.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 March 2017 at 8:15 am
Provided photos
Holley cheerleaders traveled to the Ronald McDonald House in Rochester on Thursday evening to deliver “The Little House That Love Built,” a fund-raiser that netted $2,050 for the Ronald McDonald House. Cheerleaders also turned a discarded doll house into a refurbished mini-house that will be displayed at the Ronald McDonald House.
Families stay at the Ronald McDonald House while children are hospitalized in the Rochester area. The house from Holley, which includes 780 roof tiles with names and messages from the Holley community, sends a message that the families at the Ronald McDonald House are loved, said Penny Cole, co-coach of the cheerleaders.
Cheerleaders and their coach, Penny Cole (back center left), present the house to the Ronald McDonald House in Rochester.
Photos by Tom Rivers: Holley cheerleaders are pictured with a discarded dollhouse that was repurposed as a fundraiser for the Ronald McDonald House in Rochester.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 March 2017 at 10:26 pm
Project raised $2,050 for Ronald McDonald House Charities
Penny Cole and her daughter Heather Kelley, the co-coaches of the Holley varsity cheerleading team, are pictured with ‘The Little House That Love Built.’ The house was taken to the Ronald McDonald House in Rochester today.
HOLLEY – A discarded doll house proved a popular fund-raiser that also touched the hearts of many in the Holley community.
Holley cheerleaders led the effort to repurpose a toy dollhouse into “The Little House That Love Built.” The house was given today to the Ronald McDonald House in Rochester, along with $2,050, the fruits of the fund-raising effort.
Cheerleaders sold tiles on the roof for $1 each. There are 780 tiles and most of them include names of the donors.
The cheerleaders are pictured above with the house at about 4 p.m. today before they took it to Ronald McDonald House in Rochester.
“I hope people see the names and draw strength from it,” said Penny Cole, co-cheerleading coach.
Cole thanked the community for supporting the fund-raiser which started in November. Cheerleaders sold tiles at basketball games and school events. Many of the donors gave more than $1 for a tile.
This is the third year that Cole and the Holley school have raised money for the Ronald McDonald House. This is the first time the effort topped $1,000.
It took 780 tiles to cover the roof of the house.
The tiles include hundreds of names of community members, as well as visiting fans from other teams that played in Holley.
Cole is co-cheerleading coach with her daughter, Heather Kelley. Cole said Heather was a preemie when she was born before there was a Ronald McDonald House. Cole said she was in anguish having to leave her newborn at the hospital after she was born. Cole wishes there had been a home then for families with children receiving healthcare.
While selling tiles for the mini-house, Cole and cheerleaders heard from families who have stayed at the Ronald McDonald House, and how that option made a difficult time more bearable.
The house was initially for the daughter of a kindergarten teacher. When the daughter outgrew it, the teacher brought it to her classroom. But it was too big for the classroom and was going to be tossed in the garbage.
Cole rescued it, and had it repainted, furnished with toy furniture and a new roof put on with tiles listing hundreds of names. It is now, “The Little House That Love Built.”
Cole has been the cheerleading coach at Holley since 1989. After her daughter graduated from high school in 1997, she joined her mother as co-coach. The two lead a dynamic team which won the Genesee-Region title last month. Cole and Kelley were named the league’s coaches of the year for the second straight year. The two also praised Corrida Shepherd, the JV cheerleading coach.
The house has been decorated inside and even includes furniture.
Cole organizes the varsity team and her daughter is in charge of choreography.
“She is the head train that keeps everything running smoothly,” Kelley said about her mother.
The state in January 2015 made cheerleading an official sport. That designation has resulted in more tumbling and jumping, and less emphasis on dancing. Cole and Kelley said the team starts practicing in August and competes until late February. They cheer for fall and winter sports, and also compete in five of their own events.
“It’s hurtful when people say they’re not athletes because people don’t realize what cheerleaders do,” Cole said.
Holley cheerleaders Kelsey Daniels, left, and Madeline Rowley are pictured with the house and the fund-raising result.
The cheerleaders support their school, and also cheer for other cheerleading teams at the competitions. The Holley cheerleaders also embrace community service, including visits to The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center in Albion (the former county nursing home). The cheerleaders visited residents for the Christmas holiday and were back on Valentine’s.
Two of the Holley cheerleaders, Kelsey Daniels and Madeline Rowley, were selected to cheer in the senior showcase, the annual Ronald McDonald House All Star basketball games in Rochester.
Kelsey said the community responded to the Ronald McDonald house fund-raiser, enjoying a new approach to raising money and awareness.
She praised Cole and Kelley for their dedication to the cheerleaders.
“They think of us as their own children,” Kelsey said.
