Provided photo: Elly Stevens of Kendall, right, is pictured with her granddaughter, Amanda Stevens of Chili, who is holding a copy of a Stevens’ new book, In Searching for Serenity in My Crazy Life. Stevens also has written a crime novel, Dangerous Passion.

KENDALL – Living on the shore of Lake Ontario can be “heaven” or “hell,” as author Elly Stevens describes her current life — “heaven” when it’s full of the beauty of nature; “hell” when weather changes everything.

Stevens penned her relatable stories in her memoir, Searching for Serenity in My Crazy Life, covering not only her life on the lake in Kendall, but also many years in Rochester, Greece and three years in South Carolina.

Stevens came from a family of story-tellers, and almost every conversation started, “Remember when…?” Elly’s grandmother, Mary Kujawa Littlebetter, often told her stories of growing up in Albion, but so many of those stories were lost over the years.

Not wanting that to happen to her own stories, Stevens started writing a detailed history of her own life. And when her granddaughter, Amanda Stevens of Chili, started asking her to tell her stories, Stevens wanted to do something special for her – put them in a book for her 16th birthday.

In April 2018, Stevens received a call from Joe Janowicz, who worked with Stevens in the publications group at Kodak in the 1990s. He asked her to edit his horror novel, Bang-Bang You’re Dead, and she agreed. Joe encouraged Elly to do her own writing and, together, they began their journey to publishing.

In Searching for Serenity in My Crazy Life, Stevens travels through significant stages of her life — early childhood, growing up in an ethnic neighborhood, her first kiss, her marriage, the birth of her son, her career at Kodak, learning how to face and embrace retirement, the delight of a granddaughter, the passing of friends and family members, the remodeling of a house, the joy of nature, and the beginning of new “life” at age 70. She searches for serenity along the way.

Some stories may spark memories, such as the 1966 blizzard, the 1991 ice storm, and September 11, 2001. And she shares the story of the First Norwegian Settlement in the United States in Kendall.

Stevens is scheduled to have a book signing for Searching for Serenity in My Crazy Life at Lift Bridge Bookstore in Brockport, Oct. 26, from noon to 2 p.m. The book is also available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble online. Find out more about Stevens’ books at www.AuthorEllyStevens.com or connect with her on Facebook.

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Big crowd turns out for dedication ceremony at Community Park

KENDALL – The Kendall community dedicated the new war memorial at the community park today, a project that was spearheaded by four Boy Scouts.

The four scouts – Jayden Pieniaszek, Noah Rath, Brian Shaw and Ryan Barrett – join local veterans for a group photo this afternoon at the new Kendall War Memorial, which the Scouts worked on together for their Eagle Scout community service project.

The Scouts first presented the plan to the Kendall Board of Education about a year ago. The plan quickly gained momentum in the community and was complete within in a year of that initial meeting.

Patriot Guard Riders salute while the American flag is raised by the memorial wall.

The 39-foot-long brick wall features granite plaques highlighting the American Revolution, the Civil War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam War, the Persian Gulf War and the War on Terror. Alternating the granite plaques are concrete medallions representing the five branches of the military.

Three flag poles stand tall behind the brick wall. The center American flag pole is 35 feet high, with two 30-foot flag poles representing the State of New York and Orleans County standing on either side. The memorial is respectfully lit from dusk to dawn.

Black granite engraved bricks border the memorial sidewalk in honor of veterans who are currently serving, who have served, who have paid the ultimate sacrifice, or in appreciation of all veterans. Those bricks were sold for $100 each.

The centerpiece of the memorial is a black granite stone that previously stood in front of the Kendall Town Hall and was dedicated to Kendall residents who have served.

Scouts and community members stand and salute while the Honor Guard carries the American flag near the beginning of the dedication ceremony for the war memorial today. About 500 people attended the dedication.

Barb Flow, a member of the Kendall Town Board, takes a photo of three of the bricks along the walkway. Her family bought memorial bricks for her late father, Albert Haseley who served in World War II; her son, Sgt. Vincent Flow IV of the Army, who was deployed in 2008 to Afghanistan; and her late father-in-law, Vincent James Flow Jr., who served in World War II.

Flow said she likes how the brick line the edge of the walkway so people shouldn’t be stepping on the names of the soldiers.

The Honor Guard walks down the walkway, which is lined with bricks. The soldiers include from left: Malcolm Misere, Brian Kizer and Luke Rath. Luke is the older brother of Noah Rath, one of the scout’s who spearheaded the project.

The Scouts thank the community for supporting the project. The Scouts include, from left: Jayden Pieniaszek, Noah Rath, Brian Shaw and Ryan Barrett.

Today was a big day for Boy Scout Troop 94. The troop worked with the Town of Kendall, local businesses and other community members to create the Kendall War Memorial, a 4-phase Eagle Project honoring the armed forces of the United States.

The memorial is part of the Kendall Community Park on Kendall Road, across from the Kendall Elementary School.

The war memorial project is a joint effort by four Boy Scouts: Ryan Barrett, Jayden Pieniazek, Noah Rath and Brian Shaw, each working to become an Eagle Scout. Barrett, a freshman at Nazareth College, has earned Scout’s highest rank while the three others are getting close.

State Sen. Robert Ortt joins Kendall Scoutmaster Ken Spohr in a salute while the flags were raised.

A marker on the brick wall commemorates the efforts of the four Boy Scouts.

Ryan Barrett led the first phase, which included putting in the foundation for the wall, a stone memorial and three flag poles. Two of the poles are 30 feet high and one for the American flag is 35 feet.

Jayden Pieniaszek led the second phase which includes construction of the brick wall, which is 39 feet long, 3 ½ feet wide and 4 feet tall.

Noah Rath headed up phase three which includes the medallions for each five branches of military. Rath also had the electricity set up so the memorial and sidewalk can be lighted up at night.

Brian Shaw coordinated phase four which includes final grading and planting of cedar trees behind the memorial, which provides a buffer for the neighbors and also enhances the site. Shaw also led the work to for the plaques on the memorial for the different wars where Kendall soldiers served.

State Assemblyman Steve Hawley, R-Batavia, speaks during the dedication ceremony. He paid for the flag pole that carries the New York State flag. He did that in memory of his father, the late R. Stephen Hawley who served in World War II.

The Kendall Lions Club and the VFW Lincoln Post 1483 in Medina also paid for flag poles. The VFW paid for the pole in honor of Duke Sevenski.

Assemblyman Hawley praised the teamwork by the Scouts in creating the memorial.

Hawley said he has led 12 Patriot Trips to take local veterans and their families to memorial in Washington, D.C. and the Gettysburg. About 1,500 people have attended those trips, which were originally the idea of the Mike Paduchak, a Kendall resident and WWII veteran.

Now local residents can come to the new Kendall War Memorial to reflect on the service of veterans.

Lori Cyr leads the Kendall Community Band, which played several patriotic songs for the dedication.

The Kendall High School group, Vocal Effect, also performed and sang, “Anthem.”

The four Scouts remove the cover on a bench by the memorial. The bench includes a quote by Joseph Campbell: “A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.”

The Scouts raise an American flag and a flag of Prisons of War and soldiers Missing In Action. About 20 members of the Patriot Guard Riders attended the dedication. They salute while the flags are raised.

Wilma Lemcke, a Kendall graduate, leads the group in singing, “God Bless America.”

Tony Cammarata, the Kendall town supervisor, said the war memorial is a great addition for the community.

“This memorial is dedicated to service members from all walks of life,” Cammarata said. “But they shared several fundamental qualities. They possessed courage, pride, determination, selflessness, dedication to duty and integrity — all the qualities needed to serve a cause larger than one’s self.”

“This remarkable memorial would not be possible without these four Eagle Scouts. Because of them we can, from today and going forward, have a lasting tribute to all those who have served. From the soldiers that shivered and starved through the winter at Valley Forge to the doughboys crouched in the muddy trenches of France to the platoon who patrolled the hazy jungles of Vietnam and the young man or woman patrolling the mountains of Afghanistan, we remember and never forget them.”

Cammarata thanked the Scouts for their vision with the project and seeing it to completion.

“Our gathering today is the beginning of one small spark that ignites a flame of pride, for the people of Kendall and across our great country.”

Orleans County Legislature Chairwoman Lynne Johnson presented certificates of commendation to the scouts.

She quoted the late U.S. President Gerald Ford, who an Eagle Scout. “The three great principles which Scouting provides – self-discipline, teamwork, and moral and patriotic values – are the basic building blocks of leadership,” Ford said. “I applaud the Scouting program for continuing to emphasize them.”

Joette Knapp, retired Kendall town historian, checks the memorial bricks, which include one in honor of her late husband, Yorke Knapp, who served in World War II.

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Provided photos: The war memorial will be dedicated on Sept. 29 at 2 p.m.

KENDALL – Boy Scout Troop 94 in harmony with the Town of Kendall will be dedicating the Kendall War Memorial, a 4-phase Eagle Project honoring the armed forces of the United States, on Sunday, September 29, at 2 p.m.

The memorial is part of the Kendall Community Park on Kendall Road, across from the Kendall Elementary School.

The war memorial project is a joint effort by four Boy Scouts: Ryan Barrett, Jayden Pieniazek, Noah Rath and Brian Shaw, each working to become an Eagle Scout.

The 39-foot-long brick wall features granite plaques highlighting the American Revolution, the Civil War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam War, the Persian Gulf War and the War on Terror. Alternating the granite plaques are concrete medallions representing the five branches of the military.

Three flag poles stand tall behind the brick wall. The center American flag pole is 35 feet high, with two 30-foot flag poles representing the State of New York and Orleans County standing on either side. The memorial is respectfully lit from dusk to dawn.

Black granite engraved bricks border the memorial sidewalk in honor of veterans who are currently serving, who have served, who have paid the ultimate sacrifice, or in appreciation of all veterans.

The centerpiece of the memorial is a black granite stone that previously stood in front of the Kendall Town Hall and was dedicated to Kendall residents who have served.

Four Boy Scouts each worked on a phase of the project as part of their work to become an Eagle Scout. Those scouts include, from left: Ryan Barrett, Noah Rath, Brian Shaw and Jayden Pieniaszek.

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Provided photo: Lures part owner Anna Migitskiy, center, discusses the challenges to the Eagle Creek Marina and Lures Restaurant from the high lake levels. She attended last Thursday’s meeting at Lures with IJC U.S. Section Chairwoman Jane Corwin and many local elected officials.

Press Release, Orleans County Legislator Ken DeRoller

KENDALL – Nineteen elected officials from municipalities in Orleans County hosted a dinner meeting on Aug. 29 at Lures Restaurant with Jane Corwin, U.S. Section chairwoman for the International Joint Commission.

Corwin, a former state assemblywoman from Clarence, presented a high level, very informative overview on three main points in managing Lake Ontario water levels.

She discussed the some of the history since 1909 International Treaty between the U.S. and Canada; 100 Year Lake Levels and evolution of plans to manage outflows; and Plan 2014 performance pros and cons, as well as trigger levels with the Great Lake basin high levels of runoff.

Since Plan 2014 was implemented in December 2016, 80 percent of the time we have been outside the plan’s design due to high precipitations, snow melt and ice jams.

Corwin assured us that everything possible will be done to try and manage these new norms of high water levels. In terms of review of Plan 2014, for example: The Adaptive Management committee will be looking at potential impacts of affecting the current navigation limits, lowering trigger levels in general and modifying outflows during the spring and fall.

Also, Anna Migitskiy, part owner of Eagle Creek Marina and Lures Restaurant, gave everyone in attendance an overview of the challenges their business has faced fighting high lake levels in 2017 and again in 2019. This has caused additional expenses in managing their business.

All those in attendance committed to continued and improved communications to the International Lake Ontario/St. Lawrence River Board, and advisors to the Great Lakes Adaptive Management committee study, plus input from riparian interest.

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Provided photo

KENDALL – The Kendall War Memorial, which is under construction at the Town Park, was lighted up Thursday evening for the first time after electricity was installed.

The 36-foot-long brick wall for the memorial is done, and three flag poles are up. The wall includes granite rectangles that highlight wars including the American Revolution, the Civil War, World War 1, World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam War, Persian Gulf War and the War on Terror.

The project is a joint effort by four Boy Scouts – Ryan Barrett, Noah Rath, Jayden Pieniaszek and Brian Shaw – each working to become an Eagle Scout.

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Provided photos

KENDALL – The 36-foot-long brick wall for the Kendall War Memorial is done, and three flag poles are up. The wall includes granite rectangles that highlight wars including the American Revolution, the Civil War, World War 1, World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam War, Persian Gulf War and the War on Terror.

There also are concrete medallions on the wall for the five branches of military service.

The project is a joint effort by four Boy Scouts each working to become an Eagle Scout.

Ryan Barrett, Noah Rath, Jayden Pieniaszek and Brian Shaw have joined forces in the project.

Six granite rectangles highlight wars where Kendall soldiers fought for the country.

Ryan led the first phase, which is complete and includes putting in the foundation for the wall, a stone memorial and three flag poles. Two of the poles are 30 feet high and one for the American flag is 35 feet. Barrett will be the first to receive his Eagle. His Court of Honor ceremony is Aug. 19.

Jayden Pieniaszek is leading the second phase which includes construction of the brick wall, which is 36 feet long, 3 ½ feet wide and 4 feet tall.

Noah Rath is heading up phase three which includes the medallions for each five branches of military. Rath will also lead the efforts to get the electricity set up so the memorial and sidewalk can be lighted up at night.

Brian Shaw is coordinating phase four which includes final grading and planting of cedar trees behind the memorial, which will provide a buffer for the neighbors and also enhance the site. Shaw also led the work to for the plaques on the memorial for the different wars where Kendall soldiers served.

Th Scouts have sold 120 memorial bricks which will go by the edge of the walkway for the memorial. Thy would like to sell 60 more bricks, which are $100 each, said Ken Spohr, the Scoutmaster. Click here to see the Facebook page for the memorial where there is a form about ordering a brick.

Most of the project is complete, Spohr said, with lighting and landscaping to done.

“To see where it is now is truly amazing,” Spohr said. “I can’t tell you how proud I am of what they’ve done.”

Spohr praised the Scouts for working on the project this summer, while all have been juggling jobs.

Brian Shaw works on the landscaping, laying beds for bricks that will line the edge of the sidewalk, so people aren’t walking on the bricks. Nick Wolf, a local scout at right, helps with the project.

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KENDALL – After a group of boaters lost two friends to cancer, they banded together four years ago to sponsor “Boaters Against Cancer” to help fellow boaters and their families affected by cancer.

Dave Bentley and Gail Grigg of Albion are heading up the fourth annual Harris-Lace Flotilla Saturday at Bald Eagle Marina and Lure’s Restaurant.

Scott Harris of Oakfield and Phil Lance of Canada are the boaters who lost their lives to cancer.

A hundred boaters are expected to participate in the event Saturday, which will feature more than 20 vendors, live music from 4 to 10 p.m., a basket raffle, duck races, wine and beer tasting and fireworks over the lake at 10 p.m.

Each year, the boaters have planned on a flotilla in memory of the two men, but the lake hasn’t cooperated, and they haven’t been able to do it, Bentley said. He hopes this Saturday will be different.

The boats will tie up in the lake to demonstrate how boaters support each other and to commemorate fallen cancer victims and their families. In case the lake is rough on Saturday, the flotilla will be rescheduled until Sunday (again if the lake conditions allow).

Bentley said the event is open to the entire public, and he hopes other boaters and boat lovers will come and support their efforts.

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Provided photos

KENDALL – The Kendall Fire Department last Sunday put a new 2019 International Rosenbauer into service. The fire truck, Engine No. 12, is a pumper and was manufactured out of Michigan.

The Fire Department will have an open house soon so the community can get an up close look at the truck and see other improvements.

The department also had the Stone Jug building with the cobblestone wall remortered by Paul Zeppetella of PAZ Masonry in Albion. Local fundraisers paid for that work.

Other fundraising also paid to have the fire chief’s office remodeled with slate flooring. Local contractor Chris Barrett completed the job.

The Fire Department also is in the process of bidding out landscaping around the fire hall.

“We would like to thank everyone for their support,” said Eric Maxon, the fund drive chairman.  “This is a very caring community. We appreciate your help so we can, in turn, help you!”

The Kendall Fire Department would like to thank the community for their support and personal help for making the 2019 Kendall Carnival a huge success, Maxon said.

The winners for the raffle include 1st place ($1,500), Heather Banker from Kendall; 2nd place ($250), Charlene Urquhart from Kendall: 3rd place ($250), Ron Burrstone from Kent.

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Photos courtesy of David Klafehn, a member of Kendall’s Class of 1986

KENDALL – The Kendall Alumni Association held a launch celebration and reunion party on Saturday, and about 125 people attended the event, including graduates, their children and grandchildren. Many alumni toured the recently renovated school, turned pages of decades of yearbooks, and caught up with old friends.

Multiple generations of graduates joined together for this picture in the school cafeteria. Pictured from left are: Tacha Gennarino (’90), Mary Gaesser (’78), Robert Wilson (’17), Maya Rutland (’16), JoAnne Hill (’82), Eileen Hill (’81), Taylor Rutland (’16), Sue Klafehn (’60), Pat Suhr (’57) and Carol Klafehn (’66).

John Richards (’86), Mike Hill (’86) Dave Sedore (’85), Jason Glather (’87), Dan Hill (’80) and Mike Golden (’87) provided live entertainment during the event.

The newly formed Alumni Association also held softball and volleyball games.

Madison Rath (’17) and Morgan Rath (’15) get some help from Ron Gaesser (’83) while looking in a yearbook and trying find their parents, Chuck and Melissa Rath, and Aunt Julia and Aunt Tricia.

Larry Klafehn (’60) took some time to look at his plaque and others in the Kendall Athletic Hall of Fame.

Renee Sheelar (’89), Paula Browe (’89), Sue Kyle (’89) and Tina Visconte (’89) caught up with Gary Kent (’62) and shared a few stories. Kent taught social studies at Kendall.

Some of the members of the Alumni Committee and the band get together for a picture – Melissa Rath (’84, AC), Mark Porter (’88, AC), John Richards (’86, AC), Mary Gaesser (’78, AC), Carol D’Agostino (77, AC), Jason Glather (’87), Paula Browe (’89, AC), Mike Hill (’86, AC), Karen Gaesser (’85, AC), Dave Sedore (’85) and Mike Golden (’87).

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