KENDALL – The Board of Education has approved the school tax warrant which sets the tax rates among the five towns that are included in the district.

The rates vary from a low of $10.51 in Clarkson to a high of $17.36 in Murray. Other rates include $12.15 in Carlton and Kendall, and $15.69 in Hamlin.

Clarkson, Kendall and Carlton are all at 100 percent full value after doing town-wide reassessments. That has resulted in much lower tax rates this school year.

A year ago, the rates for those towns included Carlton at $15.99, Kendall at $16.39 and Clarkson at $13.48.

Clarkson is in Monroe County, and Monroe County shares some of the local sales tax with school districts. That resulted in $150,000 being directed to the Kendall school district to lower the school property taxes in Hamlin and Clarkson.

Orleans County used to share some of the local sales tax with school districts but that ended about 25 years ago.

Kendall has a $20,413,805 overall school budget for 2023-24. Property taxes through the tax levy remain unchanged at $4,964,656.

The district’s full property value totals $420,902,818. Clarkson represents 0.52 percent at $2,199,479; Murray is 11.58 percent at $48,758,819; Carlton is 12.98 percent at $54,627,942; Hamlin is 21.20 percent at $89,247,870; and Kendall is 53.71 percent at $226,068,708.

Photos and information courtesy of Kendall Lions Club

KENDALL – The Kendall Lions Club on Sunday presented four AED devices to local churches. The automated external defibrillators is a portable electronic device that can be used to restart a heart of someone in sudden cardiac arrest.

Pictured from left includes Past District Governor Judy McKnight, Grant Coordinator Tom Bartolini, Patty Longrod (St. Mark’s Catholic Church), Pastor TC Smith (Mt Olive Missionary Baptist Church), John Becker (Kendall United Methodist Church), Pastor Steve Worrall (Morton Baptist Church), Beth Schmidt (Concordia Lutheran Church), Kendall Lion Club President Eric Maxon and District Governor Melanie Adams.

The Kendall Community gathered for a community worship at the town gazebo on Sunday. In a ceremony at the service the AED devices and cases were presented to representatives from the five Kendall area churches.

The Kendall Lions Club received funds for these devices through a matching grant from the New York State and Bermuda Lions Foundation. The total cost for the five AEDs was $9,400.

Amy Laureano

KENDALL – The school district is mourning the loss of a beloved first grade teacher. Amy Laureano passed away unexpectedly on Sunday.

“We are saddened to share news of the unexpected loss of Kendall Elementary School Teacher Amy Laureano,” Nick Picardo, the district’s school superintendent, posted in a message to the community. “Amy was a beloved member of our community, and our thoughts are with her husband, family and friends during this difficult time.”

Laureano’s husband Justin is also a coach and teacher at Kendall. They have three children.

Several people have posted tributes to her on the website for Fowler Funeral Home in Brockport.

“She was a great teacher and I never had the honor to have her as a teacher but I had many friends say she was a great one to have she was sweet and always kind to anyone around her,” Kari Harrier wrote. “My condolences goes towards her family who lost this wonderful women.”

Audrey Dezen posted that “Miss Amy” will be deeply missed by her former students.

“You were a bright light who always saw the good in others along with their potential,” Dezen posted. “Your smile could brighten anyone’s day, no matter how miserable they felt. You were not only a wonderful teacher/tutor to our Kylie, but a beautiful human being & friend to our family that had a passion for teaching & life.”

Holley Mayor Mark Bower, a retired teacher and school principal, said Laureano was a “beautiful human being.” He posted that Laureano left a strong impression on him when she was a student in the elementary school and he was a teacher at Brockport.

“I can’t even think of one instance where Amy didn’t demonstrate kindness and respect or any time when she didn’t put forth her best effort,” Bower posted. “How ironic that she became a teacher and that she taught 1st grade, as I was her 1st grade teacher at Ginther School in Brockport … I know from colleagues in Kendall and families whose children or grandchildren had Amy, what an exemplary teacher she was.”

Adriana Passarell said she had the then Miss Parmele in first grade 17 years ago.

“She was the BEST teacher,” Passarell wrote. “Always so kind, nurturing, understanding, and fun. I distinctly remember 1st grade and I truly believe it’s because of her. She had so much love for her students and a special bond with every single one of us, which speaks right to her amazing character. Mrs. Laureano definitely left a mark on Kendall that will never be forgotten.”

Laureano’s family will receive friends on Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. at Fowler Funeral Home, 340 West Ave., Brockport. A memorial service will be 10 a.m. Saturday at the Brockport Free Methodist Church, 6787 4th Section Rd, Brockport.

Donations are being accepted to the Kendall Central School District for the Amy Laureano Scholarship Fund.

Photos by Tom Rivers

KENDALL – Firefighters at the Murray Joint Fire District are high on the ladder truck dousing a fire at the grain dryer at Kludt Farms this afternoon 1161 West Kendall Rd.

Firefighters were dispatched to the scene at about 5 p.m. Smoke was coming from the grain dryer and there were flames.

Firefighters first tried getting water from a hose on the grain dryer, using a lift from the farm. Then Murray arrived with its ladder truck.

Albion firefighters apply water from another side of the grain dryer.

The farm recently harvested wheat which was wet from the heavy rainfall on Thursday. Kludt was using the grain facility to dry out the wheat.

No one was injured in the fire and it is under investigation, said Sgt. Adam Hazel of the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office.

Kludt family members and employees work to get burnt and soggy wheat out of the grain dryer.

Albion firefighters get water on the hot grain dryer. Firefighters responded from Albion, Kendall, Carlton, Murray and Hamlin, as well as the Orleans County Emergency Management Office.

Andrew Kludt of the Kludt Farms posted this message on the Orleans Hub Facebook page: “Thank you to everyone who came to our aid. And thank you for all the well wishes and offers to help. It’s extremely appreciated. I love our small community and how everyone rallies around you in your time of need. There had to be over 100 firefighters here and everyone played a crucial role. 🙏🏻very grateful everyone is going home safe tonight.”

Provided photo: Orleans Millworks owner Karl Driesel gives Assemblyman Steve Hawley a tour of the business in Kendall.

Press Release, Assemblyman Steve Hawley

KENDALL – Last week, Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) visited Orleans Millworks to tour the facilities and meet with owner Karl Driesel.

Orleans Millworks was founded in Kendall in 2016 and has three full-time and three part-time employees. The company uses industry-leading and cutting-edge manufacturing equipment to take on numerous projects throughout the region. These projects include the iconic East Garden Pergola at the George Eastman Museum in Rochester, interior moldings at the Orleans County Courthouse and renovations to the Student Union at SUNY Geneseo.

“I was excited to visit Orleans Millworks, an unbelievably successful and innovative business that has done so much to make our community a better place to live,” Hawley said. “The owner, Karl Driesel, is a ‘homegrown boy’ and is a great example of someone who is living out the entrepreneurial spirit and the American dream. I want to congratulate Karl and the entire team at Orleans Millworks for their success and impact on the region.”

Orleans Millworks’ warehouse has stocked over 120,000 feet of lumber and has supplied over 2.5 million feet of trim since 2019. The company has experienced excellent growth over the last few years and has expanded its operations, including a new warehouse expansion in 2020.

Driesel is a 2005 graduate of Kendall High School and a 2009 graduate of Morrisville State College. He lives in Kent with his wife, Rachel, and sons, Joseph and Luke.

Photos by Tom Rivers

KENDALL – The Grinch waves to people along the parade route Friday evening in Kendall for the Kendall Fire Department’s annual carnival. The Grinch was part of a float created by local Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts.

The annual carnival welcomed big crowds on Thursday and Friday. The event culminates today.

The schedule today includes:

• Corn Hole Tournament at noon
• Lawn Mower Tractor Pull at noon
• Ride Special from 1 to 5 p.m.
• Cruise-in at 4 p.m.
• Ride Special from 6 to 10 p.m.
• Band: Shotgun Pauly
• Fireworks at 10 p.m.

Clifford “C.J.” Provost, a Kendall native who now lives in Brockport, takes pictures of the parade on Friday. Provost said he doesn’t miss the carnival. He looks forward to seeing old friends and seeing the community come together.

“Every year I got to come back,” he said. “It’s a small town. I just love it.”

Nora Rasmusson, 4, of Kendall has fun on the Sky Fighter ride in the midway.

Max Martin, 5, and his sister Alice, 8, of Kendall zoom on the swing ride.

Jeff Partyka holds his granddaughter McKenna, 15 months old, on the merry-go-round.

The Gates Keystone Club Police Pipes and Drums performed in the parade. The band formed in 1998 to honor public safety and military personnel who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Dave Smith, assistant chief of the Murray Joint Fire District, marches with other firefighters in the parade. There was a big turnout from departments in Orleans and western Monroe counties.

A lineup of fire trucks joined the procession down Kendall’s main road from the elementary school to past the town hall and fire hall.

Horses and riders from Lone Oak Stables in Kendall remain a big part of the parade. This year the group welcome Before the Last Call, an equine therapy program for first responders and veterans. That program tries to help people with post traumatic stress disorder.

The crowd salutes and gives a standing ovation to the Vietnam Veterans of American, Chapter 20 out of Rochester. These veterans led the parade down Kendall Road.

Sparky the Firedog from Holley waves to the crowd.

State Sen. Rob Ortt greets a person along the parade route. Several local and state officials and candidates were in the parade.

Margaret Buell rides in the parade and is celebrated as Kendall’s oldest resident who was born in the town and continued to live in Kendall. Buell is 91.

“It’s a great town,” she said before the parade. “I have lived here all of my life.”

Betty Wilson rides in the parade with her great-grandchildren, Carson and Finn Carbonel in back. Wilson is Kendall’s oldest resident at age 103. Many on the parade route gave her an enthusiastic greeting.

These kids in the Kendall Rec program ride on a trailer pulled by Partyka Farms. Partyka has been pulling the trailer for more than 30 years in the parade.

Photos courtesy of Beth Nash/Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES

KENDALL – Kendall’s Class of 2023 celebrated commencement in the junior-senior high school auditorium on Friday.

The top photos show Principal Carol D’Agostino congratulating Riley Robinson on his graduation. He is one of 48 graduates in the class. D’Agostino is retiring June 30 after 18 years of leading the school as principal.

The class gathers on the stage for commencement on Friday evening.

Taigan Guerrero stands to be recognized as one of the graduates. Highlights from her time at Kendall were shared.

These grads include El Chaw, left, and Liza Martinez Tinoco.

Danon O’Brien and Bruce Rasmusson are happy for the next stage of their lives after graduating from Kendall.

These Kendall friends include, from left: Gabriel Loran, Owen Hirschman and Ronald Kuhn.

These members of the Class of 2023 include Arianna Lissow, Aubreye Haskins and Tyana Burroughs.

Speakers at the graduation included, from left: salutatorian Tori Conner, valedictorian Mary Jones and keynote speaker Jim Oschmann, a 1977 Kendall graduate.

Oschmann is the co-founder and advisor of Photonect Interconnect Solutions Inc. and a retired executive from Ball Aerospace.

Provided photo

KENDALL – Firefighters kept a shed fire with huge flames and dark smoke from destroing a residence about 10 feet from the fire on Monday afternoon.

The Kendall Fire Department was dispatched to 16653 Roosevelt Highway at 1:09 p.m. on Monday for a shed fire.

Kendall, Hamlin-Morton-Walker Fire District, the Murray Joint Fire District and Hamlin Fire Department all responded to a fully involved shed fire, that was beginning to burn a tree to the west and the Tyvek wrap on the rear of the house. The fire was under control at 1:28 p.m.

“Due to the quick response the fire was contained mainly to the shed with no damage to the inside of the house and minimal damage to the exterior of the residence,” Kendall Fire Department officials posted on the department’s Facebook page. “The shed, which contained a motorcycle, miscellaneous tools and building materials, was a total loss.”

Orleans County fire investigators are working to determine the cause of the fire.

Besides the four fire departments, Orleans County Emergency Management, Monroe Ambulance and New York State Police responded to the scene.

“Kendall command would like to thank all responders for their quick response which allowed for a quick fire attack, preventing any damage to the residence itself,” Kendall fire officials said.

Provided photos: Lions Club member Helen Unterborn, left, and Kendall Lions Club President Eric Maxon, right, present Zina Cappotelli with the 2023 Lion of the Year Award.

Press Release, Kendall Lions Club

KENDALL – The Kendall Lions Club held its annual Officer Installation and Awards Dinner on Thursday.

At the meeting Lion Randy Unterborn installed our incoming officers for the 2023-2024 year. The following will lead the club: Eric Maxon, president; Zina Cappotelli, vice president; Steve Giverson, secretary; Julie Bunn, treasurer; Tom Minigiello, Mindy Zyra, Kurt Charland & Bill Ingham, board of directors.

In addition, several members were recognized for their service and leadership in the community and our Lions Club. Zina Cappotelli was awarded the Lion of the Year. Cappotelli has been a member of our club for four years and has actively served our club in many of our service projects and in her role as vice president. She has assumed the role of scheduler for tent rentals, our biggest fundraiser.

Lions Club member Ken DeRoller, left, and President Eric Maxon, right, present Frank Panczyszyn with a Robert J. Uplinger Award for service to the community.

The Robert J. Uplinger Award was presented to Frank Panczyszyn, who has been an active and enthusiastic member for 18 years. He organizes our twice-yearly visit to the Batavia VA hospital where we provide a bingo night for the residents and actively participates in our service, fundraising and social activities.

He is active not only in our club activities but in the community as well, even while wintering in the south. Panczyszyn is active with the Oak Orchard Neighborhood Association, emceeing their summer concert series and many activities supporting veterans.

Kendall Lions Club member Gary Crawford, left, and President Eric Maxon, right, present Bill Ingham with a Career Lion Award recognizing his active membership and long-term service to the club.

A Career Lion was presented to William Ingham, who has been an active member of the club for 42 years and has served in many leadership roles. He takes an active role in service projects whether it be driving tractor for the annual hayride or cooking at the BBQ, steak roast, spaghetti dinner or highway cleanup. For many years, Ingham organized and hosted the hospitality room at the State Conventions and is always present at our meetings, offering the board of directors his expertise from many years of service.

Kendall Lions Club President Eric Maxon presents June Knapp with a Melvin Jones Fellow, the highest award a Lion can receive. Looking on is her husband, Clarendon Lions Club member Don Knapp.

A Melvin Jones Fellowship was awarded to long time member June Knapp. When she transferred to our club, she became the first female member of the Kendall Lions Club opening the door and setting the example for many more who follow in her footsteps.

Knapp and her husband, Clarendon Lions Club member Don Knapp, have been representing the Kendall Lions at both District and State Conventions for many years and are the first to sign up to help at our activities and meetings. When they wintered in Florida, they also provided service through their participation with the Bradenton Lions Club.

Mark Driesel

KENDALL – The Board of Education has approved Mark Driesel as the next Junior/Senior High School assistant principal and athletic director. He will begin his new position on July 1.

Driesel returns to Kendall school district after serving as an assistant principal at Hilton High School this past school year. Prior to that, he served as a special education teacher and coach at Kendall for nine years.

“I am excited to be rejoining the Kendall family as the assistant principal and athletic director,” said Driesel, a Kendall graduate. “I know the students and staff we have here in Kendall are top tier, and the coming year will bring lots of great things for all. I’m looking forward to the 2023-24 school year!”

Cara Montrois

The Board of Education also approved Cara Montrois as the director of technology. She will begin her new position with the district on July 1.

Montrois comes to Kendall with 22 years of teaching experience and eight years as a Teacher on Special Assignment as the Teacher Center Director at Wheatland-Chili Central School District.

“I am thrilled to begin my journey with the Kendall Central School District,” said Montrois. “I look forward to working with the teachers and administrative team within my position as Director of Technology. There is already a dynamic team in place, and I am eager to join their efforts in supporting all students in achieving at high levels.”