Photos courtesy of Kendall Central School: The Class of 2025 was seated on stage for Friday’s commencement in the school auditorium.

Press Release, Kendall Central School

KENDALL – Fifty-three seniors graduated from Kendall Junior/Senior High School on Friday.

The students entered the JSHS Auditorium to “Pomp and Circumstance,” followed by the Presentation of Colors, which was carried out by Somer Baker and Vincent D’Agostino. The graduation band then played “America the Beautiful” and Vocal Effect followed up with a performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

After Superintendent Nicholas Picardo welcomed attendees and stage guests, Salutatorian Isabella Goodrich took a moment not to reflect on time spent on school, but on the future and its overwhelming – yet exciting – uncertainty.

(Left) Retired teacher Carolyn Sweeting gives the keynote address during commencement. (Right) Isabella Goodrich, the class salutatorian, will be attending Penn State to pursue a degree in pre-medicine, with the goal of becoming a pediatric surgeon.

Goodrich urged them to lean into unpredictable moments, as it’s only by pushing past fears and navigating roadblocks that opportunities arise.

“Don’t be afraid to choose the path that feels a little uncertain – because that’s usually where the best adventures begin,” she said. “Take risks. Trust yourself. Make choices that reflect who you really are – not who others expect you to be. The most important decision you’ll ever make is to live a life that’s entirely your own. The future is wide open – and it’s ours to explore.”

Next, Carolyn Sweeting, a retired Kendall Spanish teacher, addressed the graduates. She was chosen by the Class of 2025 as a teacher they felt connected with to give this year’s commencement address.

Sweeting shared three pieces of advice: travel often, know your worth, and be resilient.

She emphasized that travel teaches life lessons and broadens perspectives. “When you travel, you realize the world is way bigger than your problems and your hometown,” Sweeting said.

She urged graduates to value themselves not for what they do, but for who they are. They don’t need to earn approval from others or compare themselves to people on social media. “You’re great because you have unique qualities… and the world is better because you’re in it,” she assured them.

Finally, she spoke about resilience, reminding students that while life will bring challenges, they have control over how they respond. “Resilience is not about pretending everything is fine when it isn’t,” Sweeting said. “We have very little control over what happens to us, but we do have control over how we react to it.”

Vocal Effect sang the national anthem,  “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

Principal Melissa Strelick addressed the graduates, speaking to the power of taking chances.

“This is your moment,” said Strelick. “Your chance to take a step forward, to grow, and to begin your next chapter. Life has a funny way of offering chances when you least expect them. And sometimes, the greatest ones come when you feel the least prepared.”

She noted how when growing up in a small district like Kendall, you learn something special: you’re not just part of a school, you’re part of a community. Being raised in this type of community, where people show up, lend a hand, and genuinely care, is a gift and a spirit that she hopes graduates take with them.

William Kludt stands while a biography is shared about his time a Kendall. Each graduate was highlighted during the program.

Strelick quoted author Kobi Yamada, saying, “‘A chance is something you have to chase, because it’s not always going to wait for you.’ As you step across this stage tonight, I want you to ask yourself: ‘What will I do with my chance?’ I hope you run after it. I hope you mess up a little and get back up stronger. I hope you surprise yourself with what you’re capable of. I hope, years from now, you look back on this school, in this town, and smile – knowing that this was the place where your first big chances began.”

The Presentation of the Class of 2025 followed, with student names and biographies being read by Assistant Principal Mark Driesel, Counselor Jourdan Kludt, and Advisors Mirjam Bauer and Katherine Driesel. Diplomas were presented by Picardo, Strelick and Board of Education President Rachel Fisken.

Colby Hughes gives the valedictorian address. He will be attending Daemen University to pursue a degree in Natural Science, with plans to earn his Doctor of Physical Therapy.

Valedictorian Colby Hughes then took the stage to address his classmates. He reflected on failure as an unavoidable part of life that builds character.

“I’ve failed many more times than I have found success,” he said. “But out of all these failures has come one of the most valuable lessons: success cannot be achieved without failure. Failure is not a measure of achievement. It is a measure of growth. The ability to fail without giving up is the key to succeeding.”

He reminded classmates that their worth isn’t defined by accolades like Top 10 or National Honor Society, but by their journey of self-discovery and hard work.

“It is not what others deem as success that matters,” Hughes said. “These moments have made us realize that it is not the result that is the prize, but the journey to that ending.”

Hughes concluded, “No specific moment of failure defines you as a person. The response to said hardship is the real challenge. Do not view failure as a negative, but instead an opportunity to grow… remember your roots here in Kendall and all of the community members who have helped you grow.”

At the end of the ceremony, as a class, the graduates moved their tassels from one side of their caps to the other, signifying the end of their high school years.

12 carnival rides, including Ferris wheel, added lots of pep to small town

Photos by Tom Rivers

KENDALL – The Ferris wheel glows in Kendall on Saturday night for the Kendall Firemen’s Carnival. The event returned this year after being limited to field days with no amusement rides last year.

Knox’s Great American Amusements, a new ride company from Franklinville, brought 12 rides for the three-day carnival. That is double what Kendall had been getting in its more recent carnivals.

Bryan Hardenbrook, carnival co-chairman, said the community showed up big for the carnival all three days, and many volunteers stepped up to help the fire department with the return of the three-day event.

“The community has come out in force to support us,” Hardenbrook said.

Julie Kludt, right, and Michelle Barrett, of the Kendall Ladies Auxiliary, made waffles on Saturday. They estimated the Auxiliary sold well over 2,000 of the waffles in the three days.

Kludt has been volunteering with the waffles for over 20 years. She is grateful the fire department was able to put on the event. The Kendall FD jumped at the chance to bring it back when Knox’s Amusements called in early May to say it would have rides available.

“I’m glad for the community,” Kludt said. “It’s a hometown carnival. It’s like a great big community picnic.”

The Ferris wheel hadn’t been in Kendall for several years.

Lucas Kinser, 11, of Kendall hit balloons on six out of seven throws. His mother Melissa Brown cheered him on. There were several dart games at the carnival.

The band Tryst closed out the carnival on Saturday playing to a big crowd under the beer tent. Shotgun Pauly performed on Thursday, with Highway 31 on Friday.

Tryst performs “Always Something There To Remind Me” by Naked Eyes.

Eli Ross, 5, of Kendall rides the “Sky Fighter.”

Louie Conte, 18, grills hot dogs and burgers on Saturday. He put in late nights all three days of the carnival helping his grandfather, Phil D’Agostino, co-chairman of the carnival.

Conte said he enjoyed seeing many Kendall residents and jumped at the chance to volunteer at the grill.

“I’m glad it’s back,” he said about the carnival.

Paul and Bonnie Gray took a four-hour shift on Saturday in the ticket booth. The Kendall Lions Club handles selling the tickets on site during the carnival.

Mr. Gray said the club signs up to help the fire department in a show of appreciation for the department letting the Lions Club use the fire hall for its meetings.

Mrs. Gray said kids bring big smiles when they get their tickets.

“They enjoy all of the rides,” she said.

The Merry-Go-Round proved a timeless classic, drawing lots of kids.

James Parsons of Medina won a stuffed dragon for his 1-year-old daughter in one of the dart games. The game was run by “Chaddanooga Chad.”

Phil Kludt, center, served as the dealer in the “Beat the Dealer” game near the beer tent. Kludt, 34, has been the dealer at the carnival since he was 18. He said most nights he is able to raise about $200 to $400 for the fire department through the game.

Photos by Tom Rivers

KENDALL – The Kendall Firemen’s Carnival returned Thursday for a three-day run of fun in Kendall. The top photo shows kids on a Caterpillar coaster ride.

Knox’s Great American Amusements in Franklinville has 12 different rides at the carnival. There wasn’t a carnival last year in Kendall, with the event downsized to field days over two days.

The department wasn’t going to do field days or a carnival this year, but jumped at the chance when Knox’s called in May to say it had 12 rides available this week.

Emelia Schildt, 3, of Kendall heads down the giant slide.

Kids in the Kendall Rec Program toss candy while riding on a wagon pulled by Partyka Farms.

The parade was held on Thursday, instead of the usual Friday during the carnival. The schedule was adjusted because this evening is Kendall’s graduation ceremony. The carnival is usually held in the second week of July. Kendall is the last fire department in Orleans County that puts on a carnival.

Vietnam Veterans of America based in Rochester marched near the front of the parade. They received a standing ovation from many in the crowd.

Gary Kludt drives a 1923 Model T carrying members of the Kendall Lions Club which is celebrating its 50^thanniversary this year.

Bagpipers from ROC City Guardians Pipes & Drums perform in the parade, followed by the Murray Joint Fire District.

Girl Scouts were among many community organizations in the parade down Kendall Road.

Lloyd Christ of Holley brought his tractor, “It’s Only Money,” in the parade to promote the Murray Tractor Pull on July 19. The tractors will compete at a track developed by Christ on Groth Road. He competes in the heavy super stock class.

Cindy Tinkous, who is retiring as a Kendall school bus driver after 20 years, waves to many friends along the parade route. She was driven in a cart decorated as Bus 141. Karen Jones, director of transportation, drives the cart. The district’s transportation department also had a school bus in the parade and advertised its need for more bus drivers.

The Cosgrove Middle School Drum Line from Spencerport pounded the skins in the parade.

John Becker once again served as emcee of the parade and was joined by local officials on the review stand near the fire hall.

Students in Jeannie’s Dance Connection in Hamlin tossed candy.

Max Equipment Rentals was one of several local businesses in the parade.

Orly the Ox, the Orleans County bicentennial mascot, rode on a trailer with hay that also was promoting a big event next year in Kendall: a 250th anniversary celebration of the United States on July 3rd. The event will include a parade, fireworks and other activities.

The Mark Time Marchers have been perennial performers in the Kendall parade.

A costumed scarecrow promotes the Kendall Scarecrow Festival on Oct. 4.

Lone Oak Stables brought about a dozen horses and riders for the parade.

Scouts from Troop 94 were more than willing to share candy with kids along the parade route.

State Sen. Rob Ortt greeted many in the crowd and was happy to toss candy to children.

Photo by Tom Rivers: Bryan Hardenbrook, co-chairman of the Kendall Carnival, is shown Tuesday evening with some of the rides at this year’s Kendall Carnival which runs from Thursday through Saturday. A new ride company, Knox’s Great American Amusements, will have 12 rides.

KENDALL – The Kendall Fire Department thought its annual carnival was over. The department was the last one in Orleans County to offer a carnival with amusement rides and other entertainment.

But it’s been increasingly difficult to find a ride company. Last year there was a carnival but there weren’t any rides, and it was reduced from three to two days.

The department’s leadership thought that was the last event, with no more carnival.

But then the department got a call in early May from Knox’s Great American Amusements, a new ride company out of Franklinville. Knox’s had an opening this week after a cancellation. Kendall called an emergency meeting and decided to continue the carnival.

The event is usually the second week in July, but the department will be running the three-day carnival this week from Thursday through Saturday. Knox’s will have 12 rides. That is up from the six in 2023 when there were last rides at the carnival.

“It’s a great community event,” said Bryan Hardenbrook, who is co-chairman of the carnival along with Phil D’Agostino.

The event is the department’s biggest fundraiser, usually generating about $20,000 to $25,000. It’s also a popular class reunion.

Due to the late start in planning the carnival, there won’t be fireworks but everything else is a go. The parade, which is usually on Friday, will be on Thursday at 7 p.m. so it doesnlt conflict with Kendall’s graduation ceremony.

 Some other highlights include:

• Knox’s Great American Amusements offering $20 ride specials for four hours, 6 to 10 p.m. on Thursday and Friday and Saturday, and also 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturday.

• Bands will play in the beer tent and include Shotgun Pauly on Thursday, Highway 31 on Friday and Tryst on Saturday.

• The auction will start at 5 p.m. on Friday behind the Kendall fire hall.

• Cornhole tournament begins at noon on Saturday at $60 a team. Chicken barbecue that day.

Hardenbrook also thanked Wegmans for providing a refrigerated trailer for the week at no charge to the fire department.

He expects big crowds for the three days. He is hoping to secure a longer-term agreement with Knox’s to provide the amusement rides so the carnival continues for years to come.

“It’s a lot of work but the community likes it,” he said about the carnival.

Turf instead of wood chips, and many other state-of-the-art features

Construction started on Kendall’s new playground in May, will continue throughout the summer and is expected to be complete in the fall.

Photos and information courtesy of Kendall Central School

KENDALL – Construction has started on a new playground at the elementary school on Kendall Road, and includes some features that are new to playgrounds.

The new playground is funded as part of the $12.68 million 2023 capital project, and work has been underway at the elementary and junior/senior high school buildings, as well as the transportation and building and grounds facilities.

“We are excited to bring a state-of-the-art playground to the Kendall community,” said Superintendent Nicholas Picardo. “The new location and design will provide enhanced safety and a multitude of play options for our students. I would further like to thank Campus Construction Management, LaBella Associates, and Parkitects for their collaboration with the district on bringing our vision to life.”

The playground will include turf that will replace the current woodchip base. Work will continue throughout the summer, with an official grand opening being planned for early fall. The new playground will replace one that is 30 years old.

District Superintendent Nick Picardo and elementary school principal Kevin Watson join board of education members and other officials in a ground breaking for a new playground at the elementary school.

This new space includes a wide variety of interactive stations that appeal to all elementary-grade levels. The previous structure had limited access points, often only allowing one student at a time to use specific features. Now, with a more open and varied layout—including multiple slides, see-saws, and swings—kids will always be able to find something fun and available to explore.

Many of the playground decisions were made with safety, comfort and accessibility in mind for all students and community members. The current playground is not built to scale for the tiny humans in Pre-K through first grade, as many features were simply too large or difficult for them to use. At the same time, the limited variety meant there wasn’t much that appealed to students in fifth and sixth grade. The new layout ensures that all age groups can find something engaging and developmentally appropriate.

The We-Go-Round is a modern take on the merry-go-round, with floor-level entry rather than requiring students to climb on. This makes it easier for students who use wheelchairs or have mobility difficulties to join in on the fun. It also features custom panels with seasonal photos taken by art teacher Andy King, showing off Kendall in spring, summer, fall and winter – a vibrant upgrade from the plain side paneling originally proposed.

The turf will also bring big improvements. Compared to the woodchips (which were messy and needed constant upkeep), the turf will be cleaner, safer, more accessible, and usable in more types of weather.

Kendall’s new playground will be the first school district on the East Coast to have a Volo Aire – a covered climbing tower complete with slides. There will also be We-Saws, a We-Go-Round, swings, a zipline, chill spinners, climbing mounds, and plenty of shade to protect students and equipment from the sun (no more hot metal slide summers)—as well as for grown-ups to enjoy while they keep an eye on their kids.

Finally, the playground’s new location addresses a major safety issue: previously, students had to cross an access road to reach the play area. With the removal of the nearby tennis and basketball courts, the new playground will be located further back from the road, allowing students to head directly outside without having to navigate traffic.

The design of the new playground took into consideration ideas from several focus groups made up of students and staff members. A Playground Committee was also formed to take the lead on bringing those ideas to the forefront of the planning process.

“I’d like to thank the playground committee for taking the time to help push this project further with design features, color recommendations, site visits to other schools, and their genuine passion,” said Elementary School Principal Kevin Watson. “Our committee featured the voices of older students who wished to advocate for our youngest eagles. Together, we designed the next generation of play for our community!”

The committee, which was composed of both students and staff members, took a field trip to visit three elementary school playgrounds in Orchard Park. There, students tested out the structures, noted features they hadn’t seen before, and brought their ideas back to the district.

“I knew our school needed a new playground, and I felt like I should take responsibility and see what I could do to help,” said sixth grader Kaitlyn Bunn. “I talked to Mr. Watson about it, and then I got invited to join the playground committee. We went on a trip to test out playgrounds in Orchard Park. After that, I helped give suggestions and share ideas about what I liked. I thought it was really smart that we’re going to have two different playground areas, because the larger one is too big for the Pre-K students, and they could get hurt.”

One of the first things to top the list was the type of slide. During Voting Day 2023, KES students cast ballots for either a curly slide or a double slide. Their voices were heard, the votes were counted, and the curly slide won by a landslide.

The Playground Committee members include Amy Bateman, Angela Cole, Sarah Cole, Toni Cook, Sara Dellaquila, Meghan Dill, Andy King, Taylor Kingsbury and Jackie Roberts, as well as student participants Chase Kludt and Kaitlyn Bunn, who shouldered the exhilarating task of product-testing the Orchard Park playgrounds.

Photo by Tom Rivers: Kendall Town Board members on Thursday joined state officials for the ground-breaking of a $17 million sewer project in Kendall and Hamlin. They are shown at Lake View Park on Thompson Drive, where the project will start and then head east to Hamlin covering about 15 miles of sewer pipe. From left include Orleans County Legislator John Fitzak; Mark Mistretta, WNY regional director for NYS Parks; Tim Walsh, DEC Region 8 Director; Kendall Town Supervisor Tony Cammarata; and Town Board members Barb Flow, David Bentley and David Gaudioso.

KENDALL – The Town of Kendall celebrated the start of a $17 million sewer project on Thursday, a project that was delayed a few years after initial bids exceeded the budget.

The town was able to secure more funding from the state to allow a 15-mile-loing sewer district to go forward serving 330 residences in the two towns with most of the sewer pipe going in Kendall.

The project starts at Thompson Drive and heads east along the shoreline in Kendall, and then includes part of Hamlin, covering an area just south of the Hamlin Beach State Park.

Kendall Town Supervisor Tony Cammarata said the sewer project is a first for the 10 towns in Orleans County. He recalled when the lake waters were so high they chewed away many feet of the shoreline in 2017 and 2019, threatening residents’ property. He thanked the state for increasing its contribution to the project when the initial bids came in far above projections.

Kendall was able to tap more than $12 million in the State’s Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative (REDI), up from the initial award of $9 million. Kendall also was awarded a $1,763,835 state grant through the Water Infrastructure Improvement Act.

“This is a blue ribbon project,” Kendall Town Supervisor Tony Cammarata said during the ground-breaking celebration on Thursday. “I am very honored. This is one of the largest REDI projects in the state.”

Kendall has created five water districts during Cammarata’s tenure as town supervisor, but he said the sewer district was by far the most challenging to line up the funding and work out all the details.

Tim Walsh, DEC Region 8 Director, said the state has worked with lakeshore communtiies with the permitting process for solutions that make ecological sense, protecting the environment and property.

Two contractors are lined up and ready to start work on the project which serves about 270 residences in Kendall and about 30 in Hamlin.

Blue Heron Construction Co. LLC will be paid $8,326,480 to install low-pressure sewer collection system from Thompson Drive to Troutburg Cottages. The company will install will install grinder pumps, lateral connections and abandon septic tanks at each residence.

Rochester Pipeline Inc. is the low bidder at $5,380,730 to construct three sewer pump stations, and install sewer force main and gravity sewer from Troutburg Cottages to the sewer connection point in Hamlin. The three sewer pump stations will be near Lomond Shores/West Kendall Road, Troutburg Cottages and Hamlin Beach State Park entrance off Moscow Road.

The entire project should be done by late 2026. The transmission lines and pump stations are scheduled to go in this year, with the connections to the houses next year.

The project costs include paying for the connections to the homes and the grinder-pump stations for each residence. The work also includes decommissioning the septic systems and filling in those areas with dirt. Residents will have to pay to have electricians put in the electricity connections.

Powerful waves from Lake Ontario took out chunks of land, including this spot on Ed Shores Road shown on May 7, 2017.

Cammarata recalled when Lake Ontario water levels were high in 2017 and 2019, eroding the shoreline. Residents and National Guard soldiers tried desperately to save property with sandbags and Aqua-Dams. The highway department, firefighters and Ladies Auxiliary all teamed in a valiant effort to help the shoreline residents, Cammarata said.

“Something needed to change to prevent the destruction of our town,” he said.

The National Guard from Rochester helped stack sandbags in Kendall on May 7, 2017.

The new sewer system is designed to allow for sewer expansion in the future, said Jason Ebbs and Jacob Bower, engineers from LaBella Associates.

Cammarata and Town Board members said they will continue to look for ways to expand infrastructure in the town, including additional water districts.

From left include Jacob Bower, project engineer for Labella Asssociates; Jason Ebbs, project manager for LaBella; Eric Maxon, Kendall highway superintendent; Kendall Town Supervisor Tony Cammarata; and Town Board members Barb Flow, David Bentley and David Gaudioso.

Group formed in 2012 for Kendall bicentennial, draws members from Orleans and Monroe counties

Photos by Natalie Baron: John Grillo, the Village of Albion recreation director (center), is joined by recreation committee member Bernie Baldwin and Lori Cyr, director of the Kendall Community Band. They welcomed people to Wednesday’s concert at Bullard Park in Albion. The band will be back in Albion on June 13 at the Strawberry Festival, performing from 5 to 7 p.m.

By Natalie Baron, Orleans Hub intern

KENDALL – The Kendall Community Band performed at Bullard Park’s amphitheater on Wednesday, the kick off of Albion’s summer concert series.

The band recruits members from both Orleans and Monroe counties.

Peggy Warren

Peggy Warren, a retired chemistry teacher from Kendall, is one of the band’s flute players.

“We just love it. We go play in nursing homes, we play at the carnivals, just to share our joy of music,” she said.

David Warren, Peggy’s husband, is a retired manufacturing engineer from Kendall who plays trumpet in the band.

“I played in high school. I loved it. It saved my life,” he said. “It kept me on the straight and narrow, so music’s very important to me. I started with the band about twelve, thirteen years ago and I’ve just stuck with it. It’s grown since then.”

David and Peggy’s daughter, Tricia, is another returning member of the band, performing on bass clarinet. She works as a nurse.

The band formed for the Kendall bicentennial in 2012. It has been around ever since.

Lori Cyr, the band’s director (left), is shown with Tricia Warren, a nurse who plays bass clarinet.

Lori Cyr is the band’s director. She is a retired music teacher from Potsdam. She explained that the band gains a couple of new members each year.

“I have been involved in community music my whole life,” Cyr stated. “Starting even when I was in high school, I was involved in the community band in the summertime.”

Cyr performs in three ensembles and directs two, including a community clarinet choir in Rochester that she directs and plays in.

The band’s members give a lot of their time and energy to the band, ensuring it is the best it can be.

“I give this group a lot of credit for what they’re willing to do and the amount of commitment they make to the group,” Cyr explained. “They show up every week for rehearsals. We rehearse every week from September through June with a couple of vacations. I put music in front of them that they don’t like at first because it’s too hard, and yet they work on it and it gets better. It’s a great group of people and I absolutely love doing this.”

David Warren plays a trumpet solo during Wednesday’s concert at the amphitheater at Bullard Park.

Mr. Warren stated that the band is always looking for new members, and the offer is open to anyone who plays an instrument. The band plays for donations only.

The Kendall Community Band will next be playing at the Strawberry Festival on June 13, with future dates at The Manor House in Batavia and The Villages of the Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center in Albion.

Visit the Kendall Community Band’s Facebook page for further details about the group.

Lori Cyr introduces some of the music during Wednesday’s concert in Albion.

The Kendall Community Band welcomes more members for their performances at community events and at care facilities.

Photos by Tom Rivers: Kendall Town Supervisor Tony Cammarata stands at Lake View Park which was established through the REDI program – Lake Ontario Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative. This area used to be a turnaround along Lake Ontario. Big chunks of the land were washed out and eroded during high lake levels in 2017 and 2019. The town’s new sewer project with Hamlin will start near this park.

KENDALL – The towns of Kendall and Hamlin on Thursday will celebrate the start of construction on one of the bigger municipal projects in recent memory – a $17 million sewer project that will stretch about 15 miles in the two towns.

Two contractors are lined up and ready to start work on the project which serves about 270 residences in Kendall and about 30 in Hamlin.

Blue Heron Construction Co. LLC will be paid $8,326,480 to install low-pressure sewer collection system from Thompson Drive to Troutburg Cottages. The company will install will install grinder pumps, lateral connections and abandon septic tanks at each residence.

Rochester Pipeline Inc. is the low bidder at $5,380,730 to construct three sewer pump stations, and install sewer force main and gravity sewer from Troutburg Cottages to the sewer connection point in Hamlin. The three sewer pump stations will be near Lomond Shores/West Kendall Road, Troutburg Cottages and Hamlin Beach State Park entrance off Moscow Road.

Kendall Town Supervisor Tony Cammarata said the “blue ribbon project” includes many different entities, including the two towns, counties of Orleans and Monroe, Monroe County Pure Water, the state parks system, and many other entities.

A section of Thompson Drive at the western end of Kendall was eaten up by Lake Ontario in the spring 2017. This photo was taken on May 7, 2017.

The cost was significantly higher than the initial $9 million earmarked for the project in 2019. The state offered to pay 95 percent of the cost through the REDI Commission, which was established with $300 million for projects along the south shore of Lake Ontario.

Kendall and Hamlin were able to get about $4 million more from the state towards the project, and access other grants to bring the project to an affordable costs for residents.

“This is a win for everybody,” he said.

Kendall and Hamlin officials will join dignitaries on Thursday for an 11 a.m. ground-breaking at the Lake View Park on Thompson Drive for the sewer project. Kendall used REDI funds to create a small town park at Thompson Drive. This area saw chunks of land eroded from the high lake waters in 2017 and 2019.

Many of the septic systems along the 15-mile project have septic systems vulnerable to high waters that could erode land for septic. The project will disconnect homes from the septic systems and connect them to a wastewater system.

Besides the 15 miles of force main via horizontal directional drilling, the project includes 3,431 feet of gravity sewer via open trenching, and approximately 5 miles of sewer laterals to private residences via open trenching.

This map from LaBella Associates shows the project area in Kendall and Hamlin.

Photo by Tom Rivers: Kendall Town Supervisor Tony Cammarata stands at the chapel at Beechwood Cemetery. The Medina Sandstone Society contributed $1,400 towards new doors for the chapel which has been hit with vandalism in recent years. The town recently put a new roof on the sandstone structure which was built in 1898.

KENDALL – The Medina Sandstone Society has approved a $1,400 grant to assist the Town of Kendall with new doors for a sandstone chapel at Beechwood Cemetery.

The new doors will protect the chapel from vandalism on the inside of the building which was constructed in 1898.

Sandstone Society President Matt Holland said the organization wanted to help the town in preserving and safeguarding the historic building.

Provided photo: Matt Holland, president of the Medina Sandstone Society, recently presented a check for $1,400 from the Medina Sandstone Society to Kendall Town Supervisor Tony Cammarata. The money goes towards new doors on a chapel at Beechwood Cemetery.

Town Supervisor Tony Cammarata said the town appreciates the assistance from the Sandstone Society. Cammarata said the total cost of the new doors will be about $3,500.

“It’s a big help,” he said about the $1,400 grant.

He also is thankful the Medina Sandstone Society is looking to assist with preservation projects outside its immediate target area of Medina.

“This sends a message the Sandstone Society is for all of Orleans County,” Camarrata said.

The Town of Kendall Highway Department recently worked on the roof of the chapel. With the new doors, Cammarata expects the building will be used to store lawn mowers and equipment. It also will keep out vandals.

“It’s a beautiful little chapel,” Cammarata said.

Holland said the Sandstone Society commends the Town of Kendall for working to preserve the chapel. The Sandstone Society is looking to partner with organizations to maintain historic sandstone buildings.

“This is really at the heart of why the Sandstone Society was created in the first place,” Holland said about the organization, which originally formed to save the Medina Armory and find a new use for the site (which later became the YMCA). “I look forward to doing more projects like this.”

The Sandstone Society also approved a $2,500 grant towards a memorial at Boxwood Cemetery in Medina for the 107 people buried in the potter’s field. Of those 107, only 28 have head stones. The Friends of Boxwood Cemetery would like to install a plaque in the cemetery listing all 107 people.

Photos and information courtesy of Country Mouse Nursery School

KENDALL – The sign outside of Morton Baptist Church has welcomed preschoolers from the Kendall-Hamlin community since the fall of 1974. This year marks 50 years of preparing children for kindergarten and their school career.

To celebrate past teachers, Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Unterborn and present teacher, Mrs. Grimm invite former students and their families to reconnect.

On Sunday, June 8, there will be an open house at Morton Baptist Church (1152 County Line Road, Morton NY) from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Come take a walk down Memory Lane. Say Hello to your teachers and former classmates. Bring a favorite photo to add to our collection and share your favorite memories.

2 seek one spot on Board of Education

KENDALL – Eligible voters 18 and older in the Kendall school district will vote on a proposed budget, propositions and also will elect a member to the Board of Education.

Voting is from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. today at the Kendall Town Hall, 1873 Kendall Rd.

The district is proposing a $21,424,159 budget, which is up by 2.40 percent or by $502,327 from the $20,921,832 in 2024-25. The district has 708 students.

The proposed tax levy would increase 2.95 percent or by $147,922 from $5,014,303 to $5,162,224. The tax rate of $10.60 per $1,000 of assessed property is amongst the lowest in the region, Kendall school officials said.

State aid covers 67 percent of the budget or $14,427,435.

The budget will be proposition one on the ballot today.

Other propositions include:

Proposition 2 – Vehicle Capital Reserve Fund Usage to allow spending up to $350,000 to purchase purchase of transportation vehicles to replace existing vehicles in the transportation program.

Proposition 3 – Establish a Vehicle Capital Reserve Fund at a sum not to exceed $10 million. It will be used towards future vehicle purchases.

Proposition 4 – Building Capital Reserve Fund Usage to allow an increase to the local funding of the $12.68 million capital improvement project. The sum may not exceed $260,000.

Board of Education – There are two candidates for one five-year term.

Bryan Hardenbrook, a machinist with SPX Flow Rochester, is married with two children.

“I would like to continue to serve Kendall, my lifelong home,” he stated in the school newsletter. “I have the perspective of a parent of a special needs student, a firefighter, a graduate of a CTE program – I would like to continue to use my experiences to help the community I love.”

Scott Martin, an engineer and member of MCC faculty, he has three children in the Kendall school district.

“I am a US Army vet having served in both Iraq and Afghanistan,” he said in the school newsletter. “I am currently an Engineer at SPX Flow and Faculty at MCC teaching Engineering and Technology courses.

“I have three kids at Kendall Elementary and volunteer as a youth baseball, football and basketball coach in Hamlin and Kendall. My goal is to make sure Kendall remains one of the top schools in the county and teaches our children what they need to grow and be successful adults. I will ensure district decisions are transparent and parents are not left in the dark wondering what’s in their child’s curriculum. I believe the best way for my children to be successful after high school is for them to have the best education possible, and I want to do my part to help make that happen.”

Photos courtesy of Kendall Lions Club – (Left) Lions Club President Zina Cappotelli is shown accepting a proclamation from State Assemblyman Steve Hawley. (Right) Orleans County Legislator John Fitzak presented a citation to the Lions Club on behalf of the Legislature.

Article by Helen Unterborn, Kendall Lions Club member

KENDALL – The Kendall Lions on Saturday celebrated 50 years of service to the Kendall Community. Members, their families and guests gathered at the Hamlin VFW for dinner, a program and display honoring our members past and present.

State Assemblyman Steve Hawley and Orleans County Legislator John Fitzak both presented official citations recognizing the service of the Kendall Lions Club. The guest speakers were Korey K. Brown, Monroe County Undersheriff and Holly Dutcher, Executive Director of C.U.R.E. Childhood Cancer Association.

Monroe County Undersheriff Korey K. Brown Monroe County Undersheriff shares his family’s journey with childhood cancer, which has twice affected his grandson Joel.

Undersheriff Brown shared his family’s cancer journey with their grandson Joel and how he is giving back to C.U.R.E. in appreciation for their help and to raise awareness of childhood cancer. During September, Childhood Cancer Month, he completes a 5K every day to raise funding and awareness for C.U.R.E.

Dutcher then shared the work of C.U.R.E. And the resources and assistance they provide to families.  This past February the proceeds of the Kendall Lions annual Chicken BBQ were designated for C.U.R.E., and a check for $6,500 was presented to the organization at the dinner on Saturday.

Kendall Lion President President Zina Cappotelli (middle) presents a check for $6,500 to Holly Dutcher, executive director C.U.R.E. Childhood Cancer and Monroe County Undersheriff Korey K. Brown, who is an active volunteer for the organization.

The Kendall Lions Club has been very active serving the Kendall community since it was chartered on January 28, 1975, under the leadership of charter president Ray Ernenwein. From early in our existence, the Kendall Lions Club has had an impact on the community in big and little ways.

The Lions Club played a significant role in creating the Kendall Medical Center and bringing Kendall its first doctor. As time went on, the Lions club helped the fire department purchase a new truck and a new ambulance. The club has also made important donations to our school by donating such things as vision testing machines, nebulizers and AEDs.

We were one of the original supporters of Camp Abilities, a week-long camp at Brockport College for visually impaired students. To this day we continue to cook a dinner for the campers annually.

For most of our existence, we invite parents to bring their Pre-K to 3rd grade students to come for a wagon ride to a Pumpkin Patch for a free pumpkin, donut and cup of cider. We also celebrate the accomplishments to each senior class at our Senior Breakfast at a local facility.

A banner marks the Kendall Lions Club’s 50th anniversary.

Each year, on Superbowl Saturday we have a Chicken BBQ with the proceeds going to a local family in serious need, to the school or to a non-profit organization.

In 2018, our community was stunned by the tragic deaths of a single mother and her son to carbon monoxide poisoning.  The Kendall Lions responded by teaming with the Kendall Fire Department providing and installing free smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors to any community member who wanted them.

Most recently, our club raised the funds and provided AEDs to each of the churches in the Kendall Community.

In addition, we also play Bingo with the vets at the VA in Batavia twice a year. We have an emergency fund and a medical loan closet to support community members as needs arise. We sponsor an Environmental Cleanup Day and a Fourth Grade Forester Program on Arbor Day (we give each 4th grader a tree to bring home to plant). We give scholarships to graduating seniors, are the district’s hub for eye glass collections and offer free eye exams and glasses to students in need.

As you can see, for our entire existence, the Kendall Lions Club has proudly and tirelessly lived up to our motto, “We Serve.”

Lions Club members and guests celebrate the milestone anniversary for the service organization.

Press Release, Kendall Central School

Photo courtesy of Kendall Central School: Superintendent Nick Picardo, left, and Karen Jones, right, congratulate Cindy Tinkous on being “employee of the year” among Kendall bus drivers.

KENDALL – Cindy Tinkous, a Kendall school bus driver, received the Rochester Area Transportation Supervisors Association 2025 Professional Pupil Transportation Employee of the Year recognition.

The Rochester Area Transportation Supervisors Association (RATSA) annually awards exceptional employees from area school districts to receive the Professional Pupil Transportation Employee of the Year award.

Nominees are chosen based on merits such as having good attendance, being accident-free, having a friendly disposition, and readily accepting and exceeding responsibilities. They are also expected to relate well with fellow workers, parents and children.

Tinkous was recognized at a ceremony that took place on Thursday alongside transportation honorees from a number of area school districts.

“Cindy has been employed at Kendall for over 20 years and is an invaluable asset to the pupil transportation department as a long-time driver,” said Director of Transportation Karen Jones. “She has been a mentor to all drivers and loves all of her students on the bus. Cindy is the matriarch of the Kendall Bus Garage family and will be retiring in July. She will be greatly missed by all.”

Program has low enrollment in Kendall, putting funding at risk

KENDALL – Community Action of Orleans and Genesee announced it will be closing a Head Start site in Kendall. There are currently 11 children in the program this school year, with six eligible to return next year.

That low enrollment puts the agency at risk of losing funding, said Renee Hungerford, Community Action executive director.

The Community Action board of directors followed a recommendation to close the Kendall program and that was approved on Wednesday by the Head Start Policy Council, which is predominantly Head Start parents. The decision follows “extend analysis,” she said.

“We are going to do all that we can to accommodate those families,” Hungerford said about the six eligible for the program next year.

Community Action has partnered with the Kendall district for the past 20 years to provide a Head Start preschool classroom.

 “Unfortunately, the extremely difficult decision has been made to close this classroom at the end of this school year,” Hungerford said.

Head Start is a federally funded program which provides comprehensive, early childhood services to income eligible children and families living in poverty in both Orleans and Genesee counties since 1965, she said.

“The program has been identified as under enrolled and may be at risk of reduced funding despite ongoing recruitment efforts across the program, including in Kendall,” Hungerford said. “In hopes of preserving full funding, the program has and will be utilizing program data to make strategic operational changes.”

The children, families and staff displaced by the closing of the Kendall location will be offered opportunities at the other sites, the closest being in Albion.

All other Head Start sites will remain open but Hungerford said there may be some changes in format, such as the potential expansion to infant care and offering more full day classes.

Some parents have started an online petition (click here), hoping to keep the Head Start program in Kendall.

“I am asking for the community to come together and fight to keep this program at Kendall since this has made an overwhelmingly positive impact on the families and the community,” said Clancy Gaddy, co-chair of the policy council. “I hope we as a strong community can come together and support this program!”

Another parent, Chelsea Winkler, said Head Start has made a big impact on her children, providing services and friendships.

“I can’t imagine our lives without these relationships or the opportunity to have been part of this program,” Winkler said. “I am so devastated for the teachers and staff, along with the kids who desperately need this program and the support it provides.”