By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 June 2014 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
HOLLEY – Three sisters from Hamlin race towards the finish line in the annual Jim Ferris Memorial 5-kilometer on Saturday.
Julia Cammilleri, 15, finished in 31:42, a second ahead of her sisters: Lydia, 11, and Nicolea, 9. The sisters all attend the Old Paths Bible Baptist Church in Clarendon where their father Joe is the pastor. He also ran Saturday’s race, as did many Old Paths members.
The race included 101 runners and $1,800 in prize money given to overall winners and the fastest in different age groups.
Mike Nier of Rochester led the men with a time of 17:19, while Sarah Loerch of Rochester was the fastest woman with a time of 18:12.
The race is named in honor of Jim Ferris, a late Holley resident who was one of the top runners in the region.
Jack Richardson, a retired pastor from West Barre, collects a medal as the top runner in the 80 and older category. Richardson, 81, completed the course in 43:07. He is congratulaed by Sandy Heise, the race director.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 June 2014 at 12:00 am
Holley-Murray celebrate annual June Fest
Photos by Tom Rivers – Holley Boy Scouts toss candy from their float as part of this morning’s parade down East Avenue.
HOLLEY – The village of Holley was alive with the sound of music this morning during the Holley-Murray June Fest Parade.
Several marching bands performed including the combined Holley-Kendall Marching Band, which is now in its second season as a partnership between the two school districts.
Members of the Holley-Kendall Marching Band perform in the parade.
Jonathan Trembley and the drum line of the Albion Marching Band perform down East Avenue in Holley.
Sarah Graham and the Albion Marching Band perform “Heartbeats” in the parade at Holley. The band has won several first place awards in recent band competitions.
A Holley fire truck makes its way down East Avenue.
Members of the Kendall Fire Department march in front of fire trucks from the department.
Kim Corcoran and the Lawn Chair Ladies from Kendall delighted the crowd. The Lawn Chair Ladies will perform again at 7 p.m. tonight as part of a free Drum & Bugle Corp Show at the Woodlands soccer field.
The award winning Holley High School chorus will open the show followed by the Lawn Chair Ladies. The evening’s entertainment continues with the Kendall-Holley marching band, the Hit Men Brass Band, Ghost Riders Mini Corps, Mighty St. Joe’s and finally the Hamburg Kingsmen.
The evening concludes with a fireworks display by Young Explosives Inc.
File photo by Tom Rivers – The Lawn Chair Ladies, shown here last July at the Kendall Firemen’s Carnival, will be part of June Fest in Holley.
Press release, Village of Holley
HOLLEY – The annual festival season will kick off on Saturday with the 6th Annual Murray-Holley June Fest. The events start in the morning and are capped off with fireworks at dusk.
A committee has worked hard to plan a festival that the young and young at heart will enjoy. The June Fest grows bigger every year and attracts people from all over Orleans and surrounding counties. The festival enriches the community of Holley and all the businesses in town.
As in the past, the day kicks off with the village-wide yard sales at 9 a.m. At 9:30, the Jim Ferris Memorial 5K Race begins. Registration forms can be found on the Village of Holley website (click here).
At 10:30 the grand parade kicks off and will feature the Kendall-Holley Marching Band, Albion High School Purple Eagles marching band, 2014 World Champion Ghost Riders Mini Corps, Mighty St. Joe’s Alumni Corps, Sabers Drum & Bugle Corps, Hamburg Kingsmen Drum & Bugle Corps, Mark Time Marchers Band, Kendall Lawn Chair Ladies, many floats, organizations, and fire departments from around the area.
The parade will start at the VFW on 8 Veterans Drive, march to Batavia Street, proceed down Public Square to White Street then to East Avenue and end at the entrance to the canal park. The judges review stand is located between West Albion Street and Perry Street on East Avenue.
From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Canal Park on East Avenue you will find craft vendors, food, games and entertainment for children, a wine-tasting booth, farmers market, and musical bands.
The Murray-Holley Historical Society will be holding their annual bake food sale at the museum. You can pick a fresh cup of coffee at Sam’s Diner, Jonathan’s Pastry Shoppe & Café or several of the food booths in the park.
The Community Action center at 75 Public Square will be serving “garbage plates” from noon to 3 p.m. St. Mary’s Catholic Church will feature a chicken barbecue from 11 a.m. until sold out.
Back by popular demand, the evening events begin at 5 p.m. at Woodlands Soccer field with our own version of “Holleywood” Idol. Contestants can sign up at 1st Niagara Bank, Public Square. See Nancy Manard for details.
The free Drum & Bugle Corp Show begins at 7 p.m. with an all-star line-up this year. The award winning Holley High School chorus will open the show followed by the musically talented Lawn Chair Ladies. The evening’s entertainment continues with the Kendall-Holley marching band, the Hit Men Brass Band, Ghost Riders Mini Corps, Mighty St. Joe’s, and finally the Hamburg Kingsmen.
The evening concludes with the spectacular fireworks display by Young Explosives Inc. Bring your lawn chair and let this evening start off a beautiful summer season.
Provided photo – Air Force Airman 1st Class Camron M. Quaranto
Press release
Hometown News Releases
Air Force Airman 1st Class Camron M. Quaranto graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.
The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.
Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
Quaranto is the son of Paul and Christy Quaranto of Holley.
He is a 2012 graduate of Holley Central High School. He earned an associate degree in 2013 from Genesee Community College, Batavia.
Photos by Sue Cook – Wreaths were placed by the memorial near the Holley Post Office. Here members of the Sons of the American Legion, including Dan Mawn at right, place the third wreath.
By Sue Cook, staff reporter
HOLLEY – The Holley community honored veterans today, first with a ceremony outside of the Jewell Buckman Post 529 and then with a parade through the downtown and services at local cemeteries.
“Out little village has always answered our nation’s call to arms and we have lost many of our young in defense of freedom,” said Chuck Eberhardt of the American Legion.
Major Ryan D’Andrea
Major Ryan D’Andrea told the crowd about the oath that taken by ROTC students at the Rochester Institute of Technology. He explained that this oath has been taken by many and that few likely thought they would have to make the ultimate sacrifice.
“The oath is to the Constitution, the ideals on which this nation was founded, not to any one person, but to the concept. We defend it from all who would see it destroyed. Faith, loyalty, duty, nation. These are the things that those we honor today swore to uphold. Let us reflect on that always,” D’Andrea said to the audience.
The Holley-Kendall Marching Band, led by music teacher Daniel Wakefield, played the national anthem during the ceremony.
Holley Mayor John Kenney addressed the crowd as well. “We are today remembering those soldiers, past and present, who gave their lives so that we, their families, friends and neighbors, may continue to enjoy our precious freedom. May we continue to remember, year after year, that freedom is not free. And may we long continue to thank and honor our United States soldiers.”
Veterans led the community to the VFW. After the parade, veterans went to the cemeteries to lay wreaths.
Holley resident Wendi Pollock was among the crowd with her grandson. “We’re here because I’ve got my two youngest in the military and they’re out protecting our freedom along with all the ones that have in past, present and future.”
The ceremony also included the naming of all those who have passed since Memorial Day last year, a gun salute by veterans and Taps was played on bugle at the closing.
Children’s groups such as Scout Pack 3062 and some of the Little League baseball teams followed the procession.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 May 2014 at 12:00 am
Clarendon is seeking state grant to help with restoration
File photos by Tom Rivers – The chapel at Hillside Cemetery was erected in 1894 from local Medina sandstone. The Clarendon Town Board and Historical Society is seeking $225,000 to help restore the building.
CLARENDON – It’s an iconic structure in the heart of Hillside Cemetery, but few people ever go inside the chapel that was constructed in 1894.
The structure will be open on Memorial Day from 9:30 a.m. to noon, and town officials and members of the Clarendon Historical Society hope the open house will kick off a fund-raising effort to restore the chapel, which needs masonry repairs, a new roof, and restoration to windows.
The town and historical society believe the building needs $225,000 in restoration work. The town, which owns the cemetery, is seeking a matching parks grant through the state. The Historical Society and town are trying to rally the local share to preserve the building.
Hillside Cemetery, located at the corner of Route 237 and South Holley Road, last year was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The cemetery with 3,500 graves is a distinctive example of a Victorian style cemetery on the west side of South Holley Road. That older section includes terraces and monuments that emphasize a sentimental Victorian attitude. Across the road on the east side the cemetery reflects the open lawn-park style.
The National Register listing should boost the town’s chances for securing funding for the chapel restoration. The Historical Society and town would like to use the building for community events in the future.
This photo was taken inside the chapel looking through one of the windows.
MURRAY – Emergency personnel were dispatched at about 7:45 this morning for a vehicle that crossed over Ridge Road in the Town of Murray.
A male, 30 years old, was traveling northbound on North Main Street Road (Route 237) under heavy fog conditions. When he approached the intersection, unaware of the stop sign due to visibility, he crossed over Ridge Road (Route 104) on to the property on the north side of the road.
The driver was able to maintain control, narrowly missing a vehicle and slightly damaging a barn before his vehicle rolled coming to a rest about 200 feet from the roadway.
The driver was evaluated by Monroe Ambulance at the scene, while members of the Holley Joint Fire District and Fancher-Hulberton-Murray District handled hazards caused from the crash. Stae Police handled the scene investigation.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 May 2014 at 12:00 am
Several candidates running for Holley Village Board
HOLLEY – Skip Carpenter, a former Holley mayor and current village trustee, is challenging John Kenney, the incumbent, in the June 17 village election.
Carpenter is running under the Independent Party and Kenney is on the ballot under the Family Party.
The race for a two-year term as mayor highlights the election, but there are also five candidates seeking two trustee positions. The incumbents – David Dill under Citizens Party and Don Penna under Justice Party – face challengers Connie Nenni (Peoples Party), Kevin Lynch (Happy Party) and Shawn O’Mara (Taxpayer Party).
The election will be from noon to 9 p.m. at the Village Office, 72 Public Square.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 May 2014 at 12:00 am
Holley, Kendall and Lyndonville budgets pass
Voters approved school budgets in Holley, Kendall and Lyndonville. In the closest vote in Orleans County for a proposition, Holley opposed reducing the size of the Board of Education from seven to five seats. That vote was 290 opposed to 287 in favor.
Holley’s $25,070,000 budget is cutting taxes by $800,000 or 10.6 percent. That budget passed, 443-138.
Voters approved, 403 to 172, a proposition to establish a capital reserve fund for up to $2.5 million.
A proposition to raise $104,705 in taxes for the Community Free Library passed 450 to 131.
Three BOE members were elected with incumbents Robin Silvis, 390, and Salvatore DeLuca Jr., 373, each receiving three-year terms. Former Board President John Heise will return to the board after taking a year off. He received 368 votes and will serve a two-year term.
Kendall
It was smooth sailing in Kendall with the $14,826,116 budget passing, 196-46. The 2014-15 budget will increase taxes by 1.36 percent.
A proposition to spend up to $250,000 from the district’s school replacement reserve fund passed 195-46.
A new member was elected to the Board of Education. Chaley Swift, the lone candidate for a five-year term, received 220 votes. She replaces Lucille Welch who decided against seeking re-election after 10 years on the board.
Lyndonville
The $13,188,750 budget passed and so did a transportation reserve account. Voters also approved creating a new capital reserve account that would have up to $2 million. The money can only be expended with voter approval.
Voters also approved $84,637 for Yates Community Library.
Incumbent Susan Hrovat was re-elected to a three-year term. She was unopposed.
Photos courtesy of Jimmie Jo Neary – A pickup truck driven by Lee D. Sietmann is on fire after a collision with a train this morning in Hulberton.
Press release, Orleans County Sheriff Scott Hess
HULBERTON – A Brockport man escaped serious injury this morning when the pickup truck he was driving struck a moving train in the town of Murray.
The incident occurred at about 10:15 a.m. in the 3600 block of Hulberton Road at intersection with the Falls Railroad.
Lee D. Sietmann, 24, was the sole occupant of a 1998 Chevrolet S-10 pickup. He was traveling south on Hulberton Road, when the vehicle struck the west bound 3-car freight train, operated by Genesee Valley Transportation Co., Inc., of Batavia.
The train was already on the “at-grade” crossing when the collision occurred. Upon striking the locomotive, the impact spun the truck into one of the crossing warning-light poles after which the truck struck the train a second time, before coming to rest on the north/west corner of the crossing.
Sietmann was able to escape the vehicle before it burst into flames and was totally consumed by fire. He was transported as a precautionary measure by Holley Volunteer Ambulance to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester.
The train travelled approximately 50 yards west of the crossing before stopping. The engineer is identified as Neal D. Keirn, 56, of Middleport in Niagara County. The conductor is identified as Lawrence X. Zablonski, 49, of Lackawanna in Erie County.
They were the only individuals on board at the time of collision and neither was injured. The two freight cars each contained about 130 tons of fertilizer. Neither one of the cars/contents was compromised.
The on-scene investigation was conducted by Deputy A.L. Jenks, assisted by Deputy E.N. Fuller, Sergeant D.W. Covis, and Chief Deputy T.L. Drennan. Deputies were assisted by the Holley and FHM (Fancher-Hulberton-Murray) Fire Departments and Monroe Ambulance. Representatives of Genesee Valley Transportation and the Falls Railroad were also on-scene.
The investigation will continue in an effort to determine what factors contributed to the crash. Charges against Lee Sietmann are pending.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 May 2014 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
HULBERTON – A train hit a pickup truck at about 10:30 this morning in Hulberton. Nobody was injured in the crash, but the vehicle burst into flames not long after the accident.
The train engine operated by Genesee Valley Transportation sustained superficial damage and was back in service at about noon. GVT officials on the scene said the train will need some repairs.
The photo above shows a service truck from the train company. The damaged vehicle had already been towed from the scene at about noon.
The stanchion on the north side of the railroad tracks, which supports the flashing lights, was knocked down and its base uprooted. That will have to be completely rebuilt, GVT said.
Firefighters were on the scene to put out the truck fire. The Sheriff’s Department is expected to soon put out a press release with the driver’s name.
The crossing on Hulberton Road doesn’t have crossing arms, but one witness said the lights were flashing and the train was blaring its horn when the driver pulled in front of the train.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 May 2014 at 12:00 am
ALBION – The villages of Albion and Holley are working on an agreement where Holley would pay Albion to run Holley’s sewer plant.
The village of Elba also has reached out to Albion about possibly running Elba’s sewer plant. That discussion is just in the “exploratory stage,” said Aric Albright, Albion’s sewer plant chief operator.
The agreement with Holley, however, is close to approval. The Village Boards from both communities are working on the language for a contract to have Albion provide the service.
Albion has three employees that work out of the Albion sewer plant on Densmore Street. The village wouldn’t add staff as part of the added workload with Holley.
“It’s a win-win situation for both Albion and Holley,” Albright told the Albion Village Board last week.
Albion would provide the manpower to run the Holley plant. Holley would still be responsible for any maintenance and equipment costs. Holley currently contracts with the Camden Group for sewer personnel.
Albright said the agreement brings revenue to Albion’s sewer plant, and also provides personnel services to Holley at a reduced cost.
“It’s a real possibility that all of these communities could come together and help each other,” Albright told Albion village officials. “This would be a huge benefit to Albion.”
Provided photo – Stacey Kirby, an Albion native who has created many local murals, talks with Holley students about creating a mural design.
Press release
Holley Central School
HOLLEY – The Holley Central School District recently received the 2014 Arts Education Grant from the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council. This grant enables the district to offer a special program called “Seeing as an Artist” to first grade students at the Holley Elementary School this May.
Artist Stacey Kirby is presenting the week-long program to students, leading them through an artistic process that begins with a nature walk to select an object of study.
“The process the artist uses encourages students to use their five senses to observe nature and sharpen their observational skills,” said first grade teacher Katie Trupo. “Studying a single object in this way requires them to develop focus, patience and attention to detail.”
Kirby met with students on Monday and talked to them about what it is like to be a professional artist. She also used this time to prepare them for their upcoming nature walk when they will be on the lookout for an item from nature that has particular colors, shapes and textures.
The students will create a drawing of something from the nature walk. They will then select a single drawing that the artist will use to create a mural for the school.
The finished mural will be unveiled at a ceremony at the Elementary School on Wednesday, June 4 at 6:30 p.m. in the school cafeteria.
Kirby created several murals about Holley history that are on display near the gazebo by the village’s Canal Park.
Provided photo – Holley junior Madison Pritchard, center, pours coffee for guests at this year’s annual Senior Citizen appreciation breakfast.
Press release
Holley Central School
HOLLEY – About 130 senior citizens from Holley turned out to enjoy the ninth annual Senior Citizen Appreciation Breakfast at the Holley Elementary School on May 1.
The Holley Central School District hosts the event each year as a way to recognize the significant contributions area senior citizens make to the community and in support of Holley schools.
The breakfast menu was prepared and provided by the district’s food service vendor, Personal Touch. High school seniors greeted guests, served coffee and presented each with a long stem rose. For entertainment, kindergarten and high school music students performed.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 May 2014 at 12:00 am
Program will highlight Carl Akeley, famed taxidermist, on his 150th birthday
Provided photos – Carl Akeley is pictured with a leopard in Africa that he killed with his bare hands after it attacked him.
CLARENDON – The Clarendon Historical Society is planning one of its biggest events ever in honor of the 150th birthday of the town’s most famous son.
Carl Akeley, a world renown taxidermist and inventor, will be the focus of a May 21 event at the Clarendon Recreation Hall. The event starts at 7 p.m. and will include Jay Kirk, author of a book about Akeley called “Kingdom Under Glass.” Copies of the book will be for sale.
The cover of Kirk’s book: “Kingdom Under Glass.” The Clarendon Historical Society will be selling copies of the book on May 21.
Akeley grew up on Hinds Road. He made many safaris to Africa and became an advocate for preserving Africa’s wildlife.
“He is considered the Father of Taxidermy,” said Historical Society member Erin Anheier. “He made it an artform.”
The Cobblestone Society Museum has a fox stuffed by a young Carl Akeley, which will be displayed as part of the May 21 event.
Jay Kirk, author of the Carl Akeley biography “Kingdom Under Glass,” will be the featured speaker on May 21st during a program about Akeley, a Clarendon native.
Kirk, the author, chronicles Akeley’s life during the golden age of safaris in the early 20th Century. Akeley created the famed African Hall at New York’s Museum of Natural History.
“He was concerned about saving animals, especially the giant gorillas in Africa,” Anheier said. “He collected and stuffed the animals for scientific purposes.”
Akeley’s adventures connected him with Theodore Roosevelt, P.T. Barnum and George Eastman. Akeley died in 1926 and is buried in Africa.
“We were talking about programs for the year at the Historical Society, looking at what’s unique about Clarendon,” Anheier said. “Carl Akeley is the most famous person ever from Clarendon.”
A historical marker on Hinds Road notes that Carl Akeley grew up in Clarendon.
