Holley/Murray

Holley parade adds more lighted fire trucks, floats

Posted 2 December 2018 at 8:46 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

HOLLEY – Holley’s Nights of Lights was Saturday and was bigger than in recent years. There were about 15 floats and fire trucks lighted up in a parade down Route 31 through the Public Square.

The top photo shows the first place winner, the First Responders Group through Holley Central School.

The Clarendon Volunteer Fire Company brought a ladder truck with a Minion on top.

Orleans County Sheriff Randy Bower and his confidential secretary, Clara Martin, added some holiday cheer to the parade.

The Holley DPW gave Frosty the Snowman a lift in the parade.

The Flow family and friends had a float with a message of “Peace on Earth.”

The Head Start program through Community Action of Orleans & Genesee joined the procession through the Public Square.

The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office gives a friendly snowman a ride in the parade.

The Hamlin Fire District decorated a truck for the event.

Santa rode in the bucket truck for the Holley Electric Department.

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Holley lights blue Christmas tree for first responders

Posted 1 December 2018 at 10:58 pm

Garden Club named ‘Citizen of the Year’

Photos by Tom Rivers

HOLLEY – The Village of Holley held a tree-lighting celebration this evening in the Public Square and for the second straight year lighted a blue tree in honor of first responders.

The tree was donated by Erie Way Tree Farm in memory of Ed Bower.

Mayor Brian Sorochty served as master of ceremonies for the tree lighting. Sorochty read a long list of names for the Memory Bulb ceremony. The tradition began in 1982 with community members purchasing “memory bulbs” in honor of deceased loved ones. All names are read before the tree is lit.

The mayor urged the community to thank the firefighters, police officers and other first responders for their sacrifice and service.

Holley also recognized its “Citizen of the Year.” That honor was started last year. This time the village accepted nominations from the community. There were 15 suggestions from residents. The Myron Holley Garden Club was picked for the award. Sue Persia, the club president, accepts the award from Mayor Sorochty.

The mayor said the club is in its 20^th year and has been very active beautifying the Public Square with plants and flowers. The Garden Club last year also was instrumental in helping to start a community garden at a park on the east side of the village.

Community members have an opportunity to rent raised beds in the garden, and also tap into the knowledge of the Garden Club in growing plants, vegetables and flowers.

The mayor praised the group for bringing a passion to improving Holley.

Some of the Myron Holley Garden Club members include from left: Debbie Smith, Dee Langfitt, Diane Patterson, President Susan Persia, Joyce Potote and Greg Lawrence.

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Retired Albion principal will fill in at Holley until February

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 November 2018 at 3:51 pm

File photo by Tom Rivers: This photo from October 2014 shows Dan Monacelli portraying “Forgetful Frank,” a character in a mystery where students tried to determine who robbed the Pig E. Bank. It was an exercise to help Albion Middle School students with Common Core tests, making them observe, have deductive reasoning and make a compelling case in their writing.

HOLLEY – A retired Albion Middle School principal will fill in at Holley Junior-Senior High School until February, Holley school officials announced today.

Dan Monacelli retired from Albion in June 2017. He will serve in an interim basis at Holley while Susan Cory, the principal, is on a leave of absence to address some medical needs and family responsibilities. Said Brian Bartalo, superintendent of schools for Holley.

“As of now, Mrs. Cory is planning to return to work following the February recess,” Bartalo said in a message posted on the district’s website. “In order to support her and the school during this time, we have hired an interim principal.”

Monacelli grew up in Albion. He started his teaching career in Elba, and returned to Albion as a Correction Room specialist. Then he taught health before getting into administration at Pembroke and the Niagara Academy. He was hired as high school principal at Albion in 2007 and then moved over to lead the middle school.

“Please join me in welcoming Mr. Daniel Monacelli to Holley MS/HS,” Bartalo said. “Mr. Monacelli has vast administrative experience, including being a middle and a high school principal, an assistant principal and an athletic director.”

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Holley will host holiday parade, tree-lighting on Saturday

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 November 2018 at 2:17 pm

File photo: Holley’s Parade of Lights passes through the Public Square in December 2013. The parade returns on Saturday

HOLLEY – The Village of Holley will once again be celebrating the “Night of Lights” this Saturday from 4 to 7 p.m.

There will be many activities for children and adults in the Public Square including the Holley Community Library, the Eastern Orleans Community Center, and at the Friendship Bible Baptist Church, 32 Public Square. Holiday music will be played in the square by Northern Lights DJ and the Holley Elementary and High School chorus and bands.

There will also be six wineries and multiple vendors set up in downtown storefronts, said Mayor Brian Sorochty. Wine tasting tickets will be available for purchase on Saturday at the Village Office.

The annual Holiday Parade begins at 6:30 p.m. followed by the Citizen of the Year award, memory bulb and tree lighting ceremony.

“We are proud to continue our tradition from last year and we will be lighting the tree in all blue lights in honor of our brave emergency services and law enforcement personnel,” Sorochty said. “We had a tremendous turnout last year and we are looking forward to seeing everyone back again. Please join us for a fun evening celebrating the joys of the season.”

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Community shows up in a big way for Evan Valentine

Provided photos: Bob Miller, the Murray town supervisor and a neighbor of the Valentine family, reads a letter from Diane Valentine thanking the community for its support the past month since her son Evan was diagnosed with leukemia.

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 November 2018 at 8:15 am

600 buy dinners, 220 donate baskets at fundraiser

Evan Valentine makes a surprise visit to the Clarendon Rec Hall on Sunday for a fundraising dinner.

CLARENDON – There was a big turnout from the Holley community on Sunday for a spaghetti dinner and basket raffle to support Evan Valentine and his family.

Evan, 15, was diagnosed with leukemia on Oct. 19. He has completed his first round of chemotherapy. On Sunday morning, his cell counts were high enough where doctors encouraged him to leave the hospital and attend the fundraiser.

The parking lot at the Clarendon Rec Hall was nearly full before the doors opened for the fundraiser at 1 p.m. Inside there was a sea with people wearing orange T-shirts, many saying “Evan Strong.” There were about 600 dinner tickets sold, 160 pounds of pasta cooked “and trays and trays of meatballs,” said Trina Lorentz-Lang, a family friend.

The community also donated 220 baskets and 10 silent auction items. So far, 800 orange shirts have been printed by B&T Creations with all profits donated to Evan.

Local businesses and organizations that contributed to the dinner include Sam’s Diner, Jimmy Z’s, the Albion Running Club and many other community members, said Lorentz-Lang.

Sue Rowcliffe was instrumental in organizing the dinner and volunteers. Jennifer Morgan and Kerry Lonnen organized the basket raffle, and Troy Kingdollar arranged the use of the Clarendon Rec Hall, secured donated food for the benefit and spent several hours in the kitchen. Clarendon firefighters also cooked food and donated the space for the benefit.

“We literally have an army behind us,” Diane Valentine said in a letter read by family friend and neighbor, Bob Miller. “Without all of you, your kind words of support, your love, your prayers, all of this here tonight, we would be lost. You have helped us more than you know. The doctors and staff at Golisano are second to none. We are so very fortunate to have such incredible health care so close to where we live. A couple of weeks ago, I was sitting with Evan and I told him that a lot of people go through their entire lives and never know all the people they have touched. I told him that he has been given a gift because at 15 he definitely knows the people he has touched. You are a gift he will carry with him.”

Heather and Steve Kelley and their children attended the benefit on Sunday. Frank and Sharon Gurzynski are seated next to them.

The Valentine family – Neil, Evan and Diane – are pictured with Breanna Girgangaya, who helped out at the dinner. Many people also signed a board to support Evan.

The Clarendon Rec Hall was a busy place on Sunday for the benefit dinner.

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Benefit today for Holley teen battling leukemia

Photos courtesy of Diane Valentine: Evan Valentine met Jim Kelly, the Buffalo Bills Hall of Fame quarterback, on Nov. 12 when Kelly stopped at Golisano Children’s Hospital.

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 November 2018 at 9:07 am

Evan Valentine has completed first round of chemo

Evan Valentine is shown on Nov. 4 with some of the get well cards he has received. These cards were from Boy Scouts in Holley and the First Presbyterian Church of Holley.

HOLLEY – Evan Valentine, 15, of Holley has completed his first round of chemotherapy and his blood cell counts are high enough where he should be able to go home soon, before beginning another round of chemo.

Valentine was diagnosed with leukemia on Oct. 19, just a day before he expected to join the Holley soccer team for a Sectional playoff game.

The community will have a benefit for Evan and his family today from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Clarendon Rec Hall, 16169 East Lee Rd. There will be a spaghetti dinner, basket raffles and 50/50 drawings.

Evan is the son of Neil and Diane Valentine. The family appreciates the support from the family, including numerous get well cards, prayers and frequent visitors from Evan’s friends.

“We’re just incredibly grateful for all the support from the community from our friends and family, the school and the church,” Mrs. Valentine said on Saturday night. “It feels like we have an army behind us.”

Evan has completed the first round of 10 chemo treatments. He faces at least three more rounds. A bone marrow biopsy on Monday will help determine how much more chemo is needed.

He has fought through many fevers the first round, and his hair has fallen out. But Evan is staying strong and positive, with his spirits lifted by visits from friends and family.

He also has had several surprise visits, including one from Holley native Freddie Kimmel, who is a cancer survivor at age 32 and a Broadway actor.

“The community has just been phenomenal,” Mrs.Valentine said.

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Construction is imminent on old Holley school

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 November 2018 at 8:32 am

$17 million project to be complete by spring 2020

Photos by Tom Rivers

HOLLEY — The Holley community saw a welcome sight this week at the old Holley High School. A fence went around the building on Wright Street and contractors could be seen working on windows.

A sign out front on Route 31 also says the project will be done in the spring 2020.

The community has worried about the building for more than two decades since its last occupant, Liftec Manufacturing, went bankrupt.

Home Leasing LLC, a Rochester company, is leading the renovation of the former Holley High School, and will turn the site into a mixed-use facility that will include 41 apartments for seniors age 55 and up. The existing school auditorium will be renovated to be used by the Village of Holley as meeting space and administrative offices.

The ceremony to celebrate the start of construction of the old Holley High School on Dec. 11. The Holley community and graduates of the old school are welcome to attend the “Preservation Celebration” at 2 p.m. People interested in attending are urged to RSVP at maloriele@homeleasing.net.

The site will be known as Holley Gardens. The former school is in the heart of the Village of Holley and residents will have easy access to local small businesses and amenities.

Home Leasing LLC has been working on the $17 million renovation for several years, lining up financing, including some state assistance. Home Leasing is working along with Edgemere Development, Glasow Simmons Architecture L.L.P. and Marathon Engineering – all Rochester-based firms – on the project.

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2 Holley girls collecting items for Veterans Care Packs

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 November 2018 at 9:14 am

Koryn and Kayla Neale are organizing effort for 5^th year

File photo: Koryn (front) and Kayla Neale are shown last November with some of the items they collected for care packs for local veterans. This year their goal is 75 packs, up from 35 last year.

HOLLEY – Two sisters from Holley are collecting items for care packs to be given to local veterans.

Koryn and Kayla Neale are collecting the care packs with health/hygiene/comfort items. This is the fifth year they have led the effort. They have set a goal of 75 packs, which is up from 35 last year and 25 in 2016.

The two girls will pack the items at the Community Free Library in Holley today at 4 p.m. They will collect items on Saturday night at the Holley VFW Marine Corps birthday party, Sunday morning at the American Legion Jewell-Buckman Post, and Monday night at the Holley Falls Bar & Grill.

Items can also be dropped off at Wiley’s Ark today from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Monday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“Every year we are overwhelmed by the generosity of our community and their willingness to help us succeed in thanking and caring for veterans,” said Krista Wiley-Neale, the girls’ mother.

Right now the care packs are short on deodorants, sugar free candy, calendars, Sudoku books, socks, wash cloths, winter hats, and snack cracker packs.

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Preservation Celebration of old Holley HS moved to Dec. 11

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 November 2018 at 2:57 pm

This rendering shows how the former Holley High School would look after $17 million in renovations.

HOLLEY — The ceremony to celebrate the start of construction of the old Holley High School has been changed to Dec. 11. It was planned for Nov. 20.

The Holley community and graduates of the old school are welcome to attend the “Preservation Celebration” at 2 p.m. on Dec. 11 at the former school, 1 Wright St.

People interested in attending are urged to RSVP at maloriele@homeleasing.net.

Home Leasing LLC, a Rochester company, is leading the renovation of the former Holley High School.

The Holley High School will be turned into a mixed-use facility that will include 41 apartments for seniors age 55 and up. The existing school auditorium will be renovated to be used by the Village of Holley as meeting space and administrative offices.

The site will be known as Holley Gardens. The former school is in the heart of the Village of Holley and residents will have easy access to local small businesses and amenities.

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Holley students give cemetery markers a cleaning

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 October 2018 at 10:43 am

Provided photos

HOLLEY – About 30 members of the Interact Club at Holley Central School spent part of Saturday cleaning grave markers at Hillside Cemetery.

The group that helped on the project Saturday include: First row – Emily Bibby, Morgan Cary, Rachael Howard, Harleigh Andrews and Breanna Girangaya. Second row – Kamryn Berner, Kayleigh Neale, Sarah Harrington, Jocelyn Cervone, Rotarian Jessica Mandigo and Rotarian Brian McKeon.

Third row – Chuck Turpyn, Janne Grasshoff, Amaya Cancinco, Ally Lyndaker, Rachel Killian and Historian Melissa Ierlan. Fourth row – Hayley Passarell, Jordan Wright, Madison Marsh, Harley Felerski and Allana Knopp.

Fifth row –Kohl Morgan, Jamel Hildreth, KJ Biedlingmaier, Libbie Pecora, Grace McKeon and Hope Falls. Last row – Nathan Nothnagle. Missing from picture – Casey Onisk, Ave Quincey and Elise Quincey.

The Interact Club is sponsored by the Holley Rotary Club. Samantha Zelent and Evinn Neadow are advisors of Interact, and John Heise is the Rotary Club adviser.

Melissa Ierlan, a member of the Holley Board of Education, also helps oversee the cemetery and is the town historian. She was instrumental in the cleaning effort on Saturday. She laos gave the student a tour of the cemetery and the chapel.