HOLLEY – The Board of Education has selected Karri Schiavone as the next superintendent of the Holley school district. She will succeed Brian Bartalo who is retiring on June 30.
Schiavone has worked for Holley for 26 years, including the past 12 years as the principal of Holley Elementary School. Prior to that she served as the director of instruction and special programs in Holley. Her educational career also includes work in Medina, Brockport and Buffalo.
“Karri brings an unmatched wealth of knowledge, experience and dedication to Holley that shined through our search. Her passion for education coupled with her love for the Holley community will bring growth and success to our school district. We look forward to collaborating with her to support the needs of the district,” said Holley Board President Anne Winkley. “We are thankful for the outstanding leadership Superintendent Bartalo has given to our district these past six years and wish him a happy, healthy retirement.”
The Board will formally appoint Schiavone at a special board meeting on Thursday, June 6. Schiavone will assume her new role July 1.
“I am humbled and honored to have been selected as the next superintendent of the Holley Central School District, a place I call home,” Schiavone said. “I look forward to working with the Board of Education, staff, students and community as we continue our journey toward excellence. Together, we will further build on the district’s successes and ensure that every student has the opportunity to achieve their highest potential.”
Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES District Superintendent Jo Anne L. Antonacci assisted the Holley Board of Education as search consultant throughout the process.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 June 2024 at 8:37 am
Terms for office increased from 2 to 4 years
Mark Bower
HOLLEY – Three names will be on the ballot for the June 18 village election and all three are current members of the Village Board.
Mark Bower is unopposed for mayor. He is running under the “Historic Holley Party.” Two incumbent trustees also are unopposed. Jessica MacClaren is running under the “Four Holley Party” and John Morriss is under the “Family Party.”
Voting will be from noon to 9 p.m. in the village office foyer. Holley’s terms of office used to be for two years but this election they will be for four years. The board voted to increase the terms on Jan. 10, 2023. This is the first election it takes effect.
Bower was elected mayor in June 2022. A retired school administrator, he wants to see projects to completion, including with street repairs. White Street is the first on the list for upgrades.
“There are a lot of unfinished things I want to bring to closure,” Bower said.
In the past two years some new businesses have opened in Holley. Bower said other projects are close, including a new Dollar General in the former Jubilee and Save-A-Lot grocery store building.
“We’re just waiting on that,” he said. “I’m trying to be a champion and an advocate for the businesses in Holley.”
Bower said the board members have a good working relationship, and respectfully disagree at times.
“We have a very good board,” he said. “It is a pleasure working with them. We don’t agree on everything.”
MacClaren is a fourth-grade teacher in Brockport. Morriss is a retired teacher and former Murray town supervisor.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 June 2024 at 1:22 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
HOLLEY – Shannon Brett, right, gets ready to sound the horn to start the Jim Ferris Memorial 5K on Saturday in Holley. It was the first event of the day for Holley’s June Fest celebration.
Brett and the Holley Rotary Club brought the race back after an absence in recent years. The race started on North Main Street Road, just north of the elementary school.
There were 91 participants in the race.
Ferris was one of the top runners in the Rochester region in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He died at age 53 from a sudden heart attack on May 7, 1994.
Lucas Lyons, 22, of Rochester was the first overall finisher in 20:57, just ahead of Jose Quiros of Medina.
Emma Brady was the first female to finish the race. The 17-year-old from Holley ran the 3.1 miles in 24:02. She finished ahead of Tyler Moore, 15, of Holley, who was done in 24:10.
(Left) Matt Feldman, the Holley Jr./Sr. High School principal, heads to the finish line. He completed the 3.1 miles in 27:25. (Right) Holley students painted these rocks which were given to the top 3 finishers in the different age groups.
Carsyn Mogle, 13, edged her father David Mogle down the stretch in the race. Carsyn finished in 27:46, 2 seconds ahead of her father, who is the Albion police chief. Kathryn Berner, no. 152, finished in 27:52.
Brian Bartalo, the Holley school district superintendent (in red), was among the runners in the race. Bartalo is retiring in June after six years of leading the school district. He is next to Grace and Tom Torpey of Holley.
Josh Mitchell and his dog cross the finish line, just ahead of Makenna Seaward, 11, of Holley. Mitchell is co-owner of Mitchell Family Cremations & Funerals. He brought his dog Charles along for the race. Charles is a Golden Doodle grief therapy dog. Mitchell was impressed Charles conquered the course.
“He is a stallion,” Mitchell said.
There were 49 craft, food and other vendors along the canal trail in Holley for the June Fest celebration.
Holley also unveiled a “Telephone of the Wind” in memory of Helene Gleason Calleri.
“This phone is for everyone who has lost a loved one,” according to the plaque with the phone. “This phone is an outlet for those who have messages they wish to share with friends and family. It is a phone for memories & saying the goodbyes you never got to say.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 June 2024 at 4:06 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
Kim Remley, left, and her sister Anne Beaty toss candy to kids along Route 98 during a parade in Carlton today.
The two were part of a float for Oak Orchard on the Lake. They are in a truck owned by Gary Wilson. His wife, Susie Wilson, and Km’s husband, Richard Remley, were also in the float.
Carlton last year had a bicentennial parade and festival and enjoyed it so much the town is looking to make it an annual event.
These families enjoy bounce houses and a saw dust pile at the town park.
Coupe de Ville was the first band to play under a big tent behind the Carlton Rec Hall. The Stony Creek Band takes the stage at 5 p.m.
Holley also celebrated with its annual June Fest today. The events began at 9 a.m. with the return of the Jim Ferris Memorial 5K. About 100 runners take off at the start of the race. They are headed down North Main Street and would soon go over the Erie Canal. Lucas Lyons of Rochester, no. 157, was the first overall finisher in 20:57.
This bench – “I’ll Meet You On The Other Side” – was dedicated today in memory of Tyanna Lutes. There were 49 different food, craft and other vendors for the festival.
George Johnson of Holley was the lone entrant in the regatta on the Erie Canal where people needed to make a vessel from cardboard and duct tape. Johnson was able to turn boxes from the Dollar General into a boat he called “Ship Happens.” He used four rolls of duct tape to hold it together. He was able to paddle across the canal and back in just over 2 minutes. He urges more people to try next year.
“It just takes gumption,” he said.
Orleans Hub should have more photos from the festivals later tonight or tomorrow.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 31 May 2024 at 5:34 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
HOLLEY – Sierra Apicella and her brother Xander are asked to look into a body bag where their younger sister Jasmine was pretending to be dead. Jasmine had makeup on her face to look like blood.
Chief County Coroner Scott Schmidt is at right. Holley police officer A.J. Fisher is at left.
Holley first responders staged a driving while intoxicated accident in front of the junior-senior high school. There were six students who were in the accident. Five had injuries and Jasmine was pronounced dead at the scene.
Sierra Apicella, 22, is overcome with emotion after seeing her sister lying motionless and pretending to be fatally injured in a car accident. Her brother, 25, also said it was difficult to see their younger sister in such a state.
“It was shocking,” Sierra said after the simulation. “It was a lot more than we thought.”
Lance Babcock has a neck brace as he led to an ambulance. About 75 Holley students watched from bleachers in the parking lot.
Holley did the simulation this morning. The junior-senior prom is tonight at the Ridgemont Country Club in Rochester.
Students were strongly encouraged not to drink and drive, and to be careful in the upcoming season of graduation parties. That includes any distracted driving, including texting and being overly tired.
Holley and Clarendon firefighters take the windshield out of a vehicle to try to extricate two students inside.
Gallo’s Performance Auto Parts donated an Infinity and Mazda to simulate the crash. The Village of Holley DPW brought a loader over this morning to smash up the vehicles to make them look like there had been an accident.
Holley police officers have Noah St. John do a field sobriety test to see if he can walk in a straight line. The Holley officers Jacob Buzard is at left and AJ Fisher is at right.
St. John said he considered it an honor to be part of the simulation, showing the serious consequences that can occur from drunk driving.
Lorenzo Zaragoza is taken by stretcher to a Monroe Ambulance to be transported.
Before going outside to see the simulation, Holley students saw a video that showed where some of the students pretended to be at a party, drinking alcohol. One student tried to stop them from getting in a car and driving.
The video then went to black, and then there was a 911 call about a two-vehicle accident in Murray with serious injuries.
Murray Fire Chief Rick Cary told students to show respect and look out for each other. Cary said car accidents with teen-agers are very difficult for the volunteer firefighters, who often have children of their own. He said the accidents are often avoidable.
“Guys, it’s up to you,” Cary told the students.
Holley has doing the simulation around prom and graduation season nearly every year for about 25 years, Cary said.
There also was a court proceeding in the school auditorium where St. John was arraigned on charges of felony aggravated vehicular homicide and driving while intoxicated, facing likely imprisonment when he is sentenced.
Orleans County District Attorney Joe Cardone acted as the judge with assistant district attorney Susan Howard, left, the prosecutor and Elizabeth Ogden, an assistant district attorney who served as public defender. Holley police officer A.J. Fisher is at right.
Photos courtesy of Holley Central School: Holley students have again built sheds to be used by Homesteads for Hope, a nonprofit community farm on Manitou Road in Spencerport that gives people of all abilities a place to grow their talents.
Posted 28 May 2024 at 1:46 pm
Press Release, Holley Central School
HOLLEY – Holley math teacher Russ Albright and technology teacher Dylan Sharpe co-teach Geometry in Construction, with students rotating between math days and building days each week.
There are 14 students in this year’s class, with the majority in 10th grade. The class helps students learn how math concepts can be applied to real-world problems to create solutions.
Students combined their math and construction skills to build two sheds for Homesteads 4 Hope this year. The sheds are both 8′ x 10′. One has a traditional gable end roof and the other has a “salt box” roof. They have done four previous building projects for H4H.
“I think some students benefit from a ‘hands on’ learning approach,” Albright said. “Not every student that takes the class will want to pursue a career in construction, but they will all leave with a general understanding of building techniques and see how geometric concepts are used in the construction field. The kids also like the idea of helping a non-profit organization with what we build. It gives them a sense of pride seeing that we accomplished something as a group that will benefit an organization in some way.”
This is the first year the class built the structures at the school and will have them delivered to H4H fully completed. Usually, they build the structure at the school in panelized form, break down the panels and load them onto a trailer, and reconstruct them on the H4H site, spending two full days there building.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 May 2024 at 3:41 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
HOLLEY – The top of a new historical marker includes artwork by Holley teacher Kayla Thrower. The marker was unveiled and dedicated today for the 9 “Holley Boys” who were killed during the Vietnam War.
Those young men include: John P. Davis, age 30: David Duane Case, 20; Ronald P. Sisson, 23; Howard L. Bowen, 20; Gary E. Bullock, 24; Gary Lee Stymus, 26; George Warren Fischer Jr., 23; Paul Scott Mandracchia, 18; and David States, 21.
Nick D’Amura, a former middle/high school history teacher at Holley, gave the keynote address. He is shown taking a photo with his phone. D’Amura now works for the Genesee Valley BOCES in Le Roy.
He taught at Holley for 10 years and his classes researched the Holley men who died in the Vietnam War.
Holley suffered one of the highest casualty rates in the country during Vietnam, and D’Amura said the losses are still felt deeply in the community.
The marker is next to the former Holley High School, where eight of the nine soldiers graduated.
“They grew up in a small town,” D’Amura said. “They played sports. They were in the marching band. They revved up cars.”
Melissa Ierlan, Clarendon town historian, hugs D’AMura after his speech.
D’Amura’s Holley students helped with the wording on the marker. In addition to listing the names of the Holley soldiers, the marker states the following:
“This marker is to commemorate the nine young men who lost their lives in service to their country during the conflict in Vietnam. The ‘Holley Boys’ attended classes here at the high school in the heart of the village before war called them to adulthood. They grew up with stories of their fathers from battlefields past, and each of them served with distinction when the great battle of their age arrived.
“Holley sent her finest when called.”
The marker ends with a quote from Abraham Lincoln: “I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.”
Ierlan pushed for the monument and secured funding from the Elizabeth Dye Curtis Foundation, Clarendon Historical Society and Murray-Holley Historical Society.
Dan Mawn, president of the Murray-Holley Historical Society, was among about 150 people who attended the dedication ceremony in the rain. Mawn said he was born the same year as Mandracchia and rode the same school bus with Stymus and Bowen.
“This is long overdue,” Mawn said about the prominent display for the Holley soldiers.
Before the marker dedication, there was a Memorial Day service in the American Legion Post in Holley. Scott Galliford, the post commander, welcomes about 125 inside the hall for the service.
He noted the Legion post is named for Jewell Buckman, the first soldier from Holley to be killed in World War I about a century ago. Buckman’s life was cut short on June 7th, 1918, fifty miles northeast of Paris, at the Battle of Belleau Wood. He was 26 and a member of the Marine Corps.
Ron Ayrault, the Legion’s chaplain, shared the names of local veterans who passed away since last Memorial Day: Robert Stirk, Army; Alfred Pulcino III, Air Force; Paul Wright, Army; James Miller, Navy; James B. Coats, Navy; Garland Miller, Army; Robert Pinson, Army; Frank Mandigo, Air Force; Noel Zicari, Air Force; Neil Passarell, Army; Wayne Robinson, Navy; and Jerome “Jeff” Machamer, Army.
Kevin Foley, a helicopter pilot during the Vietnam War, received a Purple Heart and two Distinguished Flying Cross medals after being shot down and being determined to help his fellow soldiers.
He spoke to about 125 people inside the Legion hall. The service moved indoors because of the rain.
Mark James Morreall reads a poem he wrote, “The Cost of Freedom.”
Some of the poem’s lines include:
“He gave his life at Little Round Top,
At Valley Forge and Normandy,
In Flanders Fields and Iwo Jima,
At Pork Chop Hill and in Quang Tri.
“Sometimes we take this life for granted,
Do we forget the price they paid?
They say the freedom wasn’t free my friend,
It’s been paid for by the brave!”
Joyce Foley, a retired teacher and Kevin Foley’s wife, said she attended church with Ron Sisson, one of the nine from Holley killed in Vietnam. That United Methodist Church was in the Public Square and still stands, although it’s now used for apartments.
“He made everyone feel special,” Foley said about Sisson. “He had a smile that lit up a room.”
She recalled being on her senior trip with her classmates. They went to Gettysburg. They were having a great time, when news came that Gary Stymus had been killed. Two of his family members were on the senior trip.
She said the historical marker is ideally located next to the old high school.
“How fitting that they will be honored in front of the high school where they lived, loved, laughed and learned,” Foley said.
Foley said many of the Vietnam vets who came home suffered with missing limbs, PTSD, brain injuries, exposure to Agent Orange and other hardships.
She said the vets served “for love of family, for love of God and for love of country. It was their sense of duty.”
Before the service and rain these scouts stand in front of a 5-ton military dump truck from 1991. The truck is now used by Howard Farms. Todd Klatt brought it from the farm for its first parade. Klatt is a mechanic in the National Guard.
Mark Morreall rides his motorcycle in the parade followed by several fire trucks.
Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts ride in the parade to Hillside Cemetery. Scouts and veterans laid wreaths at Hillside and Holy Cross Cemetery. The Scouts are in Pack 62, and Troops 62 and 59.
Photo courtesy of Erin Anheier: Alvin Anheier, 97, of Brockport. sits in the passenger seat of his 1928 Ford Model AA. Anheier, a World War II veteran, wanted to be at the parade. Ross Sceusa is driving, Sandy Moy is in the second row seat and Kevin Bedard and Wally Sanford are in the top back seats.
Photos courtesy of Holley Central School: Board of Education members celebrated the ground-breaking. They include, from left: Trina Lorentz, Jennifer Reisman, Anne Winkley (President), Salvatore De Luca Jr. (Vice President), Tracy Van Ameron, Anne Smith and Brian McKeon.
Staff Reports Posted 22 May 2024 at 3:19 pm
HOLLEY – The school district today celebrated the start of an $18 million capital project.
Celebratory photos were taken in the Holley Elementary School small courtyard where its new science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) classroom will be.
The project was approved by voters in December 2022 and school leaders said the construction work is expected to be finished by the fall of 2025. The district completed the construction bid process in March. This capital project is led by architects from LaBella Associates and a project management team from Turner Construction.
The district is working with the construction management team to ensure that there is as little disruption to students’ regular school day experiences as possible.
“The district is excited to work with the professionals from Turner Construction and LaBella Associates on this project so that the students and staff of Holley continue to have a safe, innovative, and well-maintained learning environment that the entire community will be proud of for years to come,” said Brian Bartalo, Holley school district superintendent.
Brian Bartalo (center), Holley district superintendent, is shown with project managers from Turner Construction and LaBella Associates.
The $18.1 million project is funded by New York State building aid and a school district Capital Reserve Fund. There will be no additional tax impact to district residents, district officials said.
The scope of the project includes:
Safety
New secure entrances at the Elementary School and Middle/High School
Security film applied to doors at both schools’ main entrances
Program Improvements
Music rooms renovated in both schools
New STEM and instructional spaces created at the ES
M/HS Auditorium lighting updated
Site Renovations
New bleachers, scoreboard, lights and parking lot installed at The Woodlands
Air conditioning established in remaining ES classrooms
Storage added inside and outside district buildings
Provided photos: (Left) Bella Thom graduated on Saturday from Genesee Community College, about a month before Holley’s commencement. (Right) Cavan Bennage was inducted into the National Society of Leadership and Success at GCC.
Press Release, Holley Central School
HOLLEY – Two Holley seniors recently earned impressive distinctions.
Bella Thom on Saturday graduated from Genesee Community College with an associate’s degree in advanced science.
Aside from taking advantage of Holley’s college precalculus course offering during her senior year, she independently enrolled in and completed both online and in person classes GCC over the past two years.
“My mom really pushed me to do this,” Thom said. “She is my biggest inspiration and support. It has been a challenging process, but something that I do not regret doing.”
With over 60 completed college credit hours, she will attend D’Youville University in the fall as an incoming sophomore where she will study to become a pharmacist. She will graduate from Holley High School on June 29 in the Top 10 of her class with National Honor Society honors, the Seal of Civic Readiness, an Advanced Regents Diploma and as a three-time Genesee Region All Star soccer player.
“Bella is an incredible young lady,” said Holley Middle School/High School Social Worker Samantha Zelent. “To watch her manage the workload of both her senior year and her GCC classes has been amazing. It has taken a ton of determination and planning on her part. It is not very common to see students demonstrate this level of proactiveness and accomplish a feat such as earning a college diploma before graduating high school.”
Holley senior Cavan Bennage was recognized by the Monroe County Council of Superintendents as a 2024 Outstanding Senior at the 29th Annual Dr. Michael C. O’Laughlin Outstanding Senior Recognition Dinner on May 8.
One senior from each school in Monroe County, as well as Holley and Kendall in Orleans County, is selected for this honor based on their scholarship, leadership, service and character.
“Cavan represents the best we have at Holley. He’s an excellent musician, athlete, student, and an even better person. He’s a tremendous young man with a very bright future,” said Holley CSD Superintendent Brian Bartalo.
Bennage on May 7 also was inducted into the National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS) at Genesee Community College. NSLS is the largest leadership honor society in the country. Students are selected for membership based on academic standing or leadership potential, and less than five percent of students nationwide receive nominations. He plans to transfer this membership to the Rochester Institute of Technology chapter where he will be attending in the fall to study engineering.
Press Release, Peter D. Hendrickson, Jr., Deputy Chief of Murray Joint Fire District
Provided photo: ShawnMarie Hendrickson checks the blood pressure of a man in Holley last year. The Murray Joint Fire District last year started several community blood pressure checks for the community.
HOLLEY – May is Blood Pressure Awareness Month and this is a great opportunity to emphasize the importance of monitoring and maintaining healthy blood pressure levels.
The Murray Joint Fire District is pleased to announce the teaming up with local community partners to promote cardiovascular health, through community blood pressure clinics. One of our missions is to provide accessible and high-quality care to our community and this is one way to aid in improving their cardiovascular health.
With heart disease and hypertension posing significant health risks to millions worldwide, it has become increasingly vital to offer convenient avenues for monitoring and managing blood pressure.
The members of the Murray Joint Fire District are dedicated to empowering individuals with the knowledge they need to take control of their heart health and reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease. By focusing on prevention and proactive management, we aim to make a meaningful difference in the lives of our patients and the broader community.
Together, we can work towards a future where heart disease is no longer a leading cause of illness and mortality.
The clinics will be held as follows:
Murray Joint Fire District Headquarters
7 Thomas Street
Holley, NY 14470
585-638-6884
The first Wednesday of the month from 1 to 3 p.m. (All year long)
Community Action, Eastern Orleans Community Center
75 Public Square
Holley, NY 14470
585-638-6395
The third Friday of the month from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. (All year long)
Big Guys Campgrounds
3739 Monroe-Orleans Countyline Rd.
Brockport, NY14420
585-638-2237
The third Saturday of the month from 1 to 2 p.m. (May 18 through October 19)
Red Rock Ponds – RV Resort
16097 Canal Rd.
Holley, NY 14470
585-638-2445
The third Saturday of the month from 11am-12pm. (May 18 through October 19)
For more information about our local clinic please call the firehouse at (585) 638-6884. To learn more about high blood pressure and the risk factors for stroke and heart disease, click here.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 May 2024 at 3:55 pm
Heather Kelley will take over dance studio in Holley with Lisa Bower-Logsdon to continue as teacher
Photos by Tom Rivers
HOLLEY – Lisa Bower-Logsdon is hugged by Kamryn Berner, one of her faculty choreographers, at the end of Saturday’s recital at the Holley Junior-Senior High School Auditorium. Heather Kelley, second from right, and Caitlin Milizia, the other choreographers on staff, move in to congratulate Bower-Logsdon on her 47-year career as the owner and dance instructor at Lisa’s Dance Boutique in Holley.
“The dance studio became my second home, as I know it was for so many of our students,” Bower-Logdson said. “It was there that I met such wonderful families and made everlasting friendships. Bot now, it is time to pass the torch to capable hands and I am confident that this studio will continue to thrive.”
Lisa Bower-Logsdon thanks the community, the dance families, her staff and her family members for their support in her 47 years of running the dance studio. Her choreographers join her on staff, including from left: Heather Kelley, Kamryn Berner and Caitlin Milizia.
Bower-Logsdon announced her retirement from owning the business at the conclusion of the Saturday night recital and that Heather Kelley will become the new owner. Bower-Logsdon will continue to work as one of the dance instructors.
“It is time to take my final bow,” Bower-Logsdon said at the end recital, which was attended by 650 people.
Bower-Logsdon said Kelley brings a love of dance, children and community. Kelley has coached the Holley cheerleaders and served as a dance instructor at Lisa’s for 27 years. Her dancers are regulars in the finals at the State Fair and one year won a state championship.
“Her passion for dance is unlike anyone I know,” Bower-Logsdon told the crowd about Kelley. “And when it comes to choreographing dance or cheer, she is one of the best.”
Saturday’s show included Bower-Logsdon’s granddaughter, Emilia Logsdon, in the baby tap class. Bower-Logsdon said teaching dance to her granddaughter has been an extra joy this year. Emilia is shown here during the “Baby Take A Bow” number. Emilia is doing leaping toe, back step.
Lisa started her dance studio as a junior in high school, first operating out of the St. Mary’s hall and then the Presbyterian Church before buying a building in the Public Square in 1991. Lisa’s has been there since. This year she had 200 students with most from Holley, Kendall, Albion and Brockport.
Bower-Logsdon said her parents, the late George and Sandy Bower, nurtured her love for dance and urged her to open a dance studio in Holley. Lisa praised her husband Kevin Logsdon for his steady support, including countless hours of maintenance with their building, and she commended her children Lauren and Mike and their families.
Bower-Logsdon said her fellow dance instructors over the years are the “unsung heroes behind the scenes.” They include Jill Bower, Beth Friedo, Caitlin Milizia, Alana Piccirilli, Malia Gardner, Lora Bower and Kamryn Berner. All started dancing at Lisa’s when they were young children.
“Together we’ve laughed, cried and brainstormed choreography,” Bower-Logsdon said. “Your creativity knows no bounds, and you commitment to our dancers has been nothing short of extraordinary. As I retire, I leave you with the legacy of collaboration and camaraderie that defines our studio.”
Lisa Bower-Logsdon sits close to the stage and helps guide a a tap dance from her young dancers. The number was called, “When I Grow Up.”
Caitlin Milizia, 33, has been part of Lisa’s since she was 3. She started as a staff choreographer when she was 17. She drives in from Webster to be part of Lisa’s Dance Boutique.
“She has been my role model for my whole life,” Milizia said. Her love for her dance families doesn’t stop when they leave her studio.”
Milizia had to wipe away tears talking about Bower-Logsdon after the recital.
“She puts forward her love of dance and it’s contagious,” Milizia said. “She puts her whole heart into it.”
Heather Kelley, the new owner of the dance studio, joins some of the dancers, including many alumni, in a number called, “Pass That.”
Kelley said she will continue Bower-Logsdon’s commitment to the community. Like Lisa, Heather has grown up in Holley and wants the dance studio to be a vital part of Holley for years to come.
“This has been my dream ever since I was little,” Kelley said.
These dancers perform “Gotta Be Mine” during the recital on Saturday.
This group performs “Fun” with some gravity-defying moves.
This younger group of dancers sport sunglasses in a number called, “Shades.”
“Dynamite” was one of many dancers with exuberant energy on stage.
“Sugar Sugar” featured dancers in colorful costumes with a lollipop prop.
This group performs M.C. hammer’s “Can’t Touch This” and even wore similar-style baggy pants as the rapper from the early 1990s.
“The Nicest Kids In Town” offered high-energy and upbeat music and moves.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 May 2024 at 11:07 am
HOLLEY – The Village Board approved a budget on April 30 that increases taxes by 5.5 percent, an amount needed for the village to keep up with services and not keep projects on the back burner, Mayor Mark Bower said.
Mark Bower
The board considered three options for the budget, a tax increase of 5 percent, 5.5 percent or 7 percent.
Bower and the board felt the 7 percent was too much of a burden on the village taxpayers. It went with the 5.5 percent so the village could maintain services and not put things off.
“We didn’t want to impose such a high increase on village residents,” Bower said. “But we have to get back to maintaining our village streets and village-owned properties.”
The $2,509,431 total village budget includes a general fund of $1,673,609, water fund of $554,226, and sewer fund at $281,596.
The village will be collecting $1,078,527 in property taxes, up 5.5 percent from the $1,022,300 in 2023-24.
The tax rate will increase by 3.56 percent from $17.26 to $17.87 per $1,000 of assessed property.
The village saw about $1 million in growth in its tax base, from $59,238,365 to $60,350,244. The community hasn’t gone through a full reassessment like other villages in Orleans County either last year or this year.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 May 2024 at 8:47 am
Provided photo
HOLLEY – The Holley school district has picked the Holley Rotary Club to receive “A Community Together for Education” or ACT award for its support of Holley students through scholarships and its partnership through service clubs in the school – Rotary Interact at the junior-senior high school and EarlyAct for grades 4-6.
Brian Bartalo, left, the district superintendent, presented the award to Jeff Martin, center, and Josh Mitchell from the Rotary Club.
Holley is part of the Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES and all school districts in the BOCES pick an ACT recipient or “community champion” each year. Last year Holley chose TeacherGeek for its support of STEM projects in the district and also teacher development.
Bartalo attended the canal and community trash pickup event on Saturday led by the Rotary Interact Club. Many Rotarians joined about 100 students in picking up litter in the community.
The district superintendent also noted another big annual effort when about 70 Interact Club students clean headstones at Hillside Cemetery.
Holley Rotary also sponsors many events throughout the school year, Bartalo said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 May 2024 at 4:35 pm
100-plus hunt down litter; Today’s effort dedicated to Danny Cory, husband of retired Holley principal
Photos by Tom Rivers
HOLLEY – Ryan Seward, a Holley seventh-grader, snags an empty beer can from a drainage area next to the Holley Pharmacy. He is joined by friends Mason McGuire, top left, and Logan Lane with the trash bag.
They were among more than 100 Holley students and many other school and community volunteers who were out picking up garbage in Holley’s annual Canal Clean Sweep effort.
Holley makes the event a big effort, with students getting a tie-dyed T-shirt to mark the occasion. Students also get a sense of pride in cleaning up litter in the village and along the canal towpath in the town of Murray and Village of Holley.
Holley Mayor Mark Bower addresses the group at about 10 a.m. in the elementary school parking lot. He thanked them for helping to make the Holley community a better place.
The students split into smaller groups with two adult volunteers in each pod. Elementary students in the Rotary Early Act group picked up litter along the canal. The Early Act Club, for students in grades 4 to 6, is led by Jessica Seaward.
The junior-senior high school students dispersed into different parts of the village, as well as the canal park to hunt down trash.
Before the left, they were welcome to a Paula’s Donut. Holley Rotary Club member Craig Lane picked up 10 dozen donuts early this morning. He has made Paula’s Donuts part of the annual tradition for the canal clean sweep.
Brian Bartalo, the Holley school district superintendent, takes a photo of the large group. Many of the students are in the Holley Interact Club, which is led by advisors Samantha Zelent and Erin Dibble.
“They are very excited about this,” Dibble said about the annual cleanup. “this is our biggest event of the year.”
Dibble and Zelent thanked the students, and many teachers and parents who stepped up as volunteers.
Brian Bartalo also addressed the group before they headed out for about two hours of volunteer service.
The cleanup effort was dedicated to Danny Cory, the husband of retired Holley principal Susan Cory. Mr. Cory passed away unexpectedly on April 22 at age 61 while on a vacation with his wife in Nashville.
Mr. Cory attended numerous Holley school events while his wife was principal. Even though he was proud to be a Le Roy graduate, he became an enthusiastic Holley Hawk.
Kayla Neale, a Holley senior, designed the t-shirt for the annual cleanup day.
The students were on the hunt for trash in the village and along the canal.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 May 2024 at 9:26 am
Provided photo: Jim Ferris is shown giving maximum effort in a race. Ferris was one of the top runners in the Rochester region in his 40s and early 50s.
HOLLEY – A 5-kilometer walk and run honoring the memory of one of the area’s top runners will be returning to Holley on June 1.
The Holley Rotary Club is organizing the Jim Ferris Memorial 5K. The race is coming back after an absence of several years, going back before the Covid pandemic.
“We’re excited to do it,” said Shannon Brett, the Holley Rotary president. “We want to turn it into a community event.”
The Rotary Club wanted to bring back a 5K and have it be part of Holley’s June Fest. The Rotary Club choose to continue to honor Ferris with the race.
Ferris was one of the top runners in the Rochester region in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He died at age 53 from a sudden heart attack on May 7, 1994.
Ferris was a dominant runner in the master’s division, over age 40, beating fast runners half his age.
Ferris graduated from Holley in 1959. He was a star baseball and basketball player, and scored 38 points in one basketball game, then a school record. He played on the basketball team at Niagara University.
Ferris was in the ROTC program and served with the Army in the Vietnam War. He stayed in the Reserve, retiring as colonel in 1993.
Ferris and his wife Linda lived in Clarendon. They raised two daughters, Carson Ferris-Zeolla and Jane Ferris.
Ferris did not start running competitively until age 43. At age 47, he ran his fastest 5K in 15:44. He averaged between 16 to 17 minutes in most of his races, which are blazing fast times.
For a 10K, 6.2 miles, Ferris ran 32:45 for his fastest at that distance.
Brett said the race will bring people together for an endurance challenge, and also raise money for Rotary to give out to causes in the community.
The course will start and end near the elementary school, and go through part of the village, and Telegraph and Hurd roads.
“It should be a fun race,” Brett said. “We wanted to bring it back.”
The race starts at 9 a.m. For information about registering to participate, click here.
To sponsor the race for $100, which gets your name on the back of the race shirt, send a check to Holley Rotary Club at P.O. Box 224, Holley, NY 14470.
