By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 June 2018 at 8:55 am
HOLLEY – Village residents can hear directly today from the six candidates running for the Village Board.
The forum begins at 6 p.m. at the Holley Junior-Senior High School Auditorium. The event is sponsored by The Lake Country Pennysaver and Orleans Hub.
The event is set up as a forum and not a debate. Candidates will give opening and closing statements, and will respond to questions submitted by the audience.
Three incumbents are running in the June 19 election, including Mayor Brian Sorochty and two current village trustees – Connie Nenni and Kevin Lynch, the deputy mayor.
The other candidates include Shawn O’Mara for mayor and Alexa Downey and Robyn Schubmehl for village trustees.
The June 19 election will be from noon to 9 p.m. at the village office.
Photos by Kristina Gabalski: Amelia Sidonio, 15, of Holley led the planting effort on Thursday for a new bee pollinator meadow on Hurd Road near her family’s farm market at Hurd Orchards. Amelia, left, is joined by Joan-Marie Gabalski and Grace Gregoire in scattering seed in the newly tilled pollinator meadow.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 June 2018 at 7:28 am
HOLLEY – A local teen-ager is leading an effort to create a pollinator meadow where bees will be encouraged to flourish.
Amelia Sidonio, 15, and a group of local 4-Hers spread wildflower seed on Thursday for the new meadow which is about a half mile from Hurd Orchards, which is owned by Amelia’s family.
Bayer, which has an agricultural products division, provided a $2,500 grant for the project. Bayer is paying for pollinator meadows in all 50 states, part of an effort to encourage native bee populations.
Amelia Sidonio distributes seeds to Grace Gregoire, Sadie Gregoire and Luke Gregoire prior to planting.
The colony collapse disorder and other diseases have decimated the honey bee population, making the fruit industry vulnerable because bees are needed to pollinate crops for them to grow. The new meadows will provide pollen for native bees and honey bees.
“I’m just really happy to have the opportunity to work with Bayer and start the movement of wildflower plantings,” Amelia said.
She is a sophomore at the Harley School in Rochester. She has been involved with the Orleans County 4-H program since she was 5, starting as a Cloverbud with the rabbit program.
During a 4-H public presentation, she researched the crisis with the declining bee population and presented that report. She wanted to do something to help bees, and learned about the funding opportunity through Bayer.
Her mother, Amy Machamer, was honored in 2016 by Bayer with a farming innovation award. Machamer was recognized by Bayer welcoming the public on their farm to learn about agriculture. Hurd Orchards hosts luncheons and dinners that teach about growing fruit. Machamer also teaches people how to prepare dishes with ingredients grown from the Hurd farm.
A 4-Her holds a handful of seed. Wildflower seed planted included red poppies, yarrow, milkweed, oxeye and painted daisies.
The first pollinator meadow is about a half mile from the market at Hurd Orchards. Machamer and her daughter want to add another meadow closer to the market. That was the plan last year but it was too rainy to get the meadow started.
A group of Orleans County 4-Hers met in a small field on Hurd Road in Murray on Thursday to plant a pollinator meadow. Amelia reached out to her 4-H friends who filled pails with wildflower seeds and scattered the seed in the newly tilled meadow.
“It’s important to get the community involved,” Amelia said. “It’s good to connect to different kinds of agriculture.”
Orleans County 4-Hers are pictured after the planting. They are, from left: Luke Gregoire, John Gabalski, Amelia Sidonio, Grace Gregoire, Joan-Marie Gabalski and Sadie Gregoire.
She wants to raise more public awareness of the issue affecting bees. She said the wildflowers also have the added benefit of beautifying the countryside.
The plants will germinate this year and some may flower. Next year the planting will really take hold and provide blooms for many years to come.
“That field will be absolutely gorgeous,” Machamer said. “It will be really pretty. It will be really beautiful. It will provide beauty and a pollinator meadow, and raise consciousness.”
For more on the Bayer program to help bees, click here.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 June 2018 at 9:42 pm
Provided photos: The spring Holley trap shooting team includes, front row, from left: Coach Jaime Almeter, Coach Ted Major, Kyle Surowy, Rayelle Bonacci, Evan Press, Joe Silpoch, Jakob Silpoch, Coach John Waldron, Coach Doug Baker and Coach Butch Moy. Back row: Hunter Cleveland, Triston McFadden, Alexis Clemens, Kelsie Johnstone, Brandon Dillenbeck, Alexis Penna and Max Hollister.
HOLLEY – The Holley trap team just finished its third season in the NYS High School Clay Target League. Holley was third in its conference out of six teams in the Spring 2018. Holley also competed in Spring 2017 and Fall 2017.
The schools are broken into conferences based on the size of the trap team. Holley with its 17 members competed in Class 1A in Conference 4. Kendall also had a team this spring for the first time and came in seventh out of seven teams in Conference 1.
The team for the first time was able to give a $500 scholarship. Steve Markle, a supporter of the program, donated the $500. He presents the scholarship last week to Brandon Dillenbeck for his high shooting and academic success.
Markle took up trap shooting himself two years ago at the Holley Rod & Gun Club, where the team practices and holds many of its matches. Markle said the sport teaches discipline and focus.
He said his two daughters were fortunate to get scholarships when they graduated from high school.
“I was looking for a way to give back,” Markle said. “I wanted to know what I could do to help the team out.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 June 2018 at 3:21 pm
Brian Sorochty
Shawn O’Mara
HOLLEY – Village residents can hear directly from the six candidates running for the Village Board during a forum on June 13 at the middle-high school auditorium.
The forum begins at 6 p.m. and is sponsored by The Lake Country Pennysaver and Orleans Hub.
The event is set up as a forum and not a debate. Candidates will give opening and closing statements, and will respond to questions submitted by the audience.
Three incumbents are running in the June 19 election, including Mayor Brian Sorochty and two current village trustees – Connie Nenni and Kevin Lynch, the deputy mayor.
The other candidates include Shawn O’Mara for mayor and Alexa Downey and Robyn Schubmehl for village trustees.
Sorochty works as Vice President of Engineering for an engineering/construction company. He said the village is seeing significant progress including the imminent construction of the old Holley High School, turning a vacant structure into senior housing and the village offices.
Holley also has been awarded $4.5 million in grants to fix many village sidewalks and upgrade the water system.
The village also was approved for a $165,600 state grant to develop a brownfield opportunities area program. That plan will help Holley develop strategies for improved housing, business and tourism opportunities.
Sorochty also said Holley is applying for a Bridges and Culvert grant, seeking about $900,000 to replace the undersized bridge on Veterans Memorial Drive and minor road widening to allow trucks to turn into the Industrial Park.
O’Mara is a Gates police officer. He has worked 25 years in law enforcement, including the beginning of his career with the Holley Police Department.
O’Mara supports Holley’s grant efforts. His campaign literature calls for stabilizing village taxes, reducing unnecessary spending and “providing excellent customer service from all village departments.”
The June 19 election will be from noon to 9 p.m. at the village office.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 June 2018 at 11:51 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
HOLLEY – A float in the June Fest parade that many people have found to be offensive and racist has prompted the June Fest Committee and the village to insist on a final check of all entries before the parade, Mayor Brian Sorochty said today.
A vehicle pulling a trailer had a detached fake head mounted by the front bumper and other strange “decorations,” included a black baby doll that was chained to a tree. There was a Sandy’s Oak Orchard Marina marker on the vehicle, but Sandy Kintz, marina owner, said she didn’t endorse the decorations.
A friend, Peter Gewerz, created the display. She was told it would be a water theme with a kayak and maybe an alligator.
“I had no idea,” she said. “I’m flabbergasted.”
Mayor Sorochty and Kintz have both spoken with Gewerz who insisted he meant nothing racist or offensive in the display. He is known for big Halloween displays.
“He didn’t seem like the kind of guy to do that,” Kintz said about a racist message. “If you know him, you know he would never do that.”
She apologized to the community for the display.
Sorochty said the committee and village will do a thorough review of all floats in the future while they are in the parade staging area at the elementary school.
He issued this statement to the media:
“It has come to our attention that one of the parade participants had display material on their float that offended many people. I have spoken with this person and he claims that he had no intention what so ever of displaying any kind of racist or offensive message. I have also spent the last day looking into the matter, keeping in mind that we had several committee members all who were responsible for a variety of aspects of this fast growing event. The bottom line is that when this individual arrived we clearly did not perform a thorough review and scrutinize the float content.
“This event is supposed to be an opportunity to celebrate our community and the floats are supposed to family friendly. The fact that this happened is very saddening to me and for all those that were disturbed and offended by this float I am sorry. Please note that neither the Village of Holley nor our Community Events Committee would ever approve of any offensive content for our festival.
“Our committee has done a wonderful job pulling this festival together and growing it the last two years and I hope that this one incident does not take away from what a great day it was. Our committee has only done this now for two years and we are learning each year how to improve the operations of this event. Going forward we will absolutely have an individual dedicated to performing a final check on all floats to ensure this does not happen again. Thank you for your understanding.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 June 2018 at 8:20 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
HOLLEY – Fireworks are reflected in the Erie Canal by the lift bridge in Holley at about 10 p.m. on Saturday. A 20-minute fireworks show was an explosive conclusion to the June Fest celebration in Holley.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 June 2018 at 6:13 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
HOLLEY – The parade seemed to keep going in Holley today with classic cars, community organizations, fire trucks and other participants as part of a re-energized June Fest.
The top photo shows Koryn Neale tossing candy with a group from Wiley’s Ark Animal Care, which is owned by her mother, Krista Wiley, who also is coordinator of the June Fest.
Al Pulcino of the American Legion greeted many people with a big smile along the parade route, which went from the elementary school through the Public Square.
Maarit Vaga dressed as Cobble the Museum Mouse for the Cobblestone Museum. She rode in a 1911 Reo truck owned by Russ Bosch of Clarendon.
John Brown of Batavia brought this 1964 Amphicar and his dog Reagan, an English Setter, for the parade. Brown also brought several other classic vehicles for the parade and for a car show. Brown, owner of a collision shop in Batavia, was recognized with the business award for his efforts with the parade.
Al Capurso, president of the Orleans County Historical Society, dressed as a pioneer resident with a log cabin shed to honor the pioneers. Capurso said he will have the log cabin shed at upcoming parades in Albion, Barre and Lyndonville.
There were many soccer participants in the parade and that earned the youth soccer program the youth award from the parade judges.
Dan Schiavone, left, and John Kenney, both former Holley mayors, served as parade judges along with Penny Cole.
Some members of the Clarendon-Holley-Hulberton fire youth group march in the parade.
The Holley-Kendall Marching Band was awarded the grand prize from the parade judges.
Carol D’Agostino and the Kendall Lawn Chair Ladies were a big hit with the crowd. They won the award for best group.
Barb Kurzowski walks a llama in the parade to promote the Orleans County 4-H program.
Dustin’s Pizzeria was among many local businesses in the parade.
Dick Holland of West Henrietta drives a 1947 Massey Ferguson tractor through the Public Square. He is followed by Matt Clayton of Knowlesville and Raychelle Wilson with a 1958 Massey Ferguson.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 June 2018 at 4:30 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
HOLLEY – The Village of Holley is bustling today with many activities as part of the June Fest, including a big parade at 11 from the elementary school through the Public Square. The top photo shows Bill Ingham of Morton with his 1954 Model 40 John Deere tractor.
Cameron Kelley, 6, of Holley makes his way up the climbing wall.
Dan Mawn, president of the Murray-Holley Historical Society, rings a bell by the Historical Society Museum. Mawn rang the bell 12 times at noon, the first time in many years the bell had rung out that many times at noon. The bell was originally used by the United Methodist Church when it was in the Public Square. The church built a new site in Clarendon on Route 237. The bell was donated to the Historical Society about a decade ago and was mounted in a display by Mawn and the village in early 2017.
The museum is open today includes many displays of Holley pride, including this uniform of the state champion marching band in the 1950s.
Adam Johnson, owner of 39 Problems in Albion, is debuting a new Chuck Wagon, which is like a food truck. Johnson, a Holley resident, unveiled the new portable trailer on Friday at CRFS in Albion. He plans to take it to community events and parties.
The Clarendon Lions Club sells hot dogs, sausage, hamburgers and cheeseburgers at Holley’s Canal Park. This trio includes, from left: President Kevin Johnson, Roger Boynton and Chris Miller.
Children enjoy a bounce house in the park.
The festival concludes with fireworks tonight at the Firemen’s Field across from the elementary school.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 June 2018 at 3:19 pm
File photo by Tom Rivers: Many community organizations participated last year’s June Fest parade, including the Holley-Kendall Marching Band.
HOLLEY – The local festival season is starting to ramp up with Holley’s June Fest on Saturday. The village will be bustling with activities from 9 a.m. until fireworks at night.
The festival took a year off in 2016 but returned last year, and is back again with more activities and volunteers.
When the festival didn’t happen in 2016, people realized how much they valued the event, said Krista Wiley, this year’s coordinator. She was among the new volunteers who stepped forward to help last year with the June Fest.
“It’s something we lost that people really enjoyed,” she said. “They see old classmates and neighbors. It’s a great thing. It maintains that small-town feel.”
The festival has some new twists this year, with wooden boats in the parade, fireworks at night, an expanded wine tasting area that includes beer and cider, as well as other additions including vintage tractors on display by the museum.
Wiley likes how the festival organizers are willing to try new things.
“It can be different each year,” she said. “People are accepting of that. We already have ideas for next year.”
Some highlights for Saturday’s June Fest:
• 5K race starting at 9 a.m. at elementary school
• Arts and crafts vendors from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on canal path
• Village-wide garage and yard sales from 9 a.m.to 4 p.m.
• Gray Wolf Karate for a demonstration at 9:30
• Parade starting at 11 a.m.
• Library book sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Wine tasting from noon to 4 p.m.
• Erie Canal Sal at museum at 1 p.m.
• St. Mary’s chicken barbecue
• Historical Society bake sale
• Expanded kids’ area with bounce house and games
Wiley said many volunteers have worked on the festival, which also has benefitted from the efforts of the Holley villages and school employees.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 May 2018 at 6:05 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
HOLLEY – Charlene Favata, president of the VFW Auxiliary in Holley, carries the American flag out of the Holley Elementary School gymnasium after a Memorial Day assembly this morning.
Elementary students took the lead in the organizing and running the event, with help from teachers’ assistants Jennifer Morgan and Alexis Downey, and Tim Artessa, the school’s assistant principal.
Students in the chorus sing, “Fly High, You Grand Old Flag,” during the assembly.
Sloane Kruger, a fifth-grader, and Alexis Downey, a teacher’s assistant, were among students and staff who shared, “Because of their sacrifice …” Downey said because of the sacrifice of soldiers she can teach children, while Sloane said because of that sacrifice she can learn in school.
Julianna Thomas, a fifth-grader, served as an emcee of the assembly. Her grandfather, Jeff Thomas, was among the veterans recognized for his military service.
Leigha and Layne Walker, who are sisters, read the poem, “In Flanders Field,” a poem written in World War I.
Photos courtesy of Jennifer Morgan: Leigha, right, and Layne Walker read the poem in front of about 550 elementary students.
These prekindergarten students, including Brielle Carpenter, show their patriotism during the assembly.
