Kendall

Michael Paduchak served his country long after WWII

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 March 2017 at 8:19 pm

Kendall man recognized posthumously by Congressman Collins

Photos by Tom Rivers: Congressman Chris Collins presents an American flag that flew over the Capitol building in Washington D.C. to Nadine Hanlon in honor of her late father, Michael Paduchak.

ALBION – Congressman Chris Collins honors a veteran each month in his eight-county district who not only served their country in the military, but went on to be dedicated to their community.

He found an ideal example of that veteran in Michael Paduchak, who Collins named his “Veteran of the Month” for March.

Paduchak spent about two years in the Army, enlisting during World War II. A staff sergeant, he fought in France and Germany, one of two to survive in his unit. Paduchak often spoke at Veterans Day and Memorial Day events, speaking of the loss of many of his friends during the war and his gratefulness to have survived.

After the war, he returned to Kendall and ran a 200-acre farm, served as the Kendall town supervisor for 32 years, which also included one of 10 seats on the former Orleans County Board of Supervisors. He is pictured in many photos of the Board of Supervisors in the legislative chambers, where his daughter Nadine works as clerk of the Legislature.

Michael Paduchak served in World War II, one of only two to survive from his unit.

“This is an individual who served his country,” Collins said about Paduchak, who passed away at age 91 on Jan. 21, 2017. “This is someone dedicated to service.”

Collins also presented Hanlon with a Congressional Commendation in honor of her father, as well as two “challenge coins” from Collins that include the Boy Scout motto of “Do Your Best.” Nadine and her brother John each received one of the coins from Collins. John lives in New Hampshire and watched the presentation by live video today.

Paduchak pushed for the creation of Community Action in Orleans County, and served on its board for about 40 years. Hanlon now serves on that board.

“He was very community oriented,” Hanlon said about her father. “He wanted to make sure people would get services who needed them.”

Hanlon is also president of the Kendall Board of Education. She said her father instilled community service in his children.

World War II veteran Michael Paduchak, right, and George Bakeman, a member of the Marine Corps League in Albion, salute during the flag-raising ceremony in July 2013 to kick off the Orleans County 4-H Fair. Paduchak was a dedicated member of the Honor Guard.

He was a member of the Kendall Fire Department for more than 60 years and also was chairman of the Orleans County Soil & Water Conservation District, and served on that board for more than 30 years.

Paduchak didn’t just serve on boards. He often was picked to lead the groups, whether the Town Board, Board of Supervisors, Community Action or Soil & Water.

“He kept a calmness in things,” Hanlon said. “He had his opinions but he wanted to hear others’ opinions as well. He never held grudges.”

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After days of uncertainty, show goes on in Kendall

Photos by Kristina Gabalski: Sophomores Hanna Hofstra and Ryan Barrett star as Winnifred and Dauntless in the Kendall High School production of Once Upon a Mattress.

By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 12 March 2017 at 9:55 am

2 more performances today of Once Upon a Mattress

KENDALL – Utility crews continued to work on power lines just down the road, but the lights were at Kendall Junior/Senior High School which meant this year’s school musical – Once Upon a Mattress – could open on Saturday at 7 p.m.

Power outages from Wednesday’s windstorm meant students had to “adapt to changing scenarios,” drama director Michael Billotti said, but the opening performance, only one day delayed, went off without a hitch.

Billotti spoke to the audience prior to the show. “Going into this week we had the usual stress of show week,” he said. “We weren’t thinking, ‘What if the lights were not going to be on?’ To say it has been an unusual show week in an understatement.

“We found solutions to each obstacle,” Billotti said. “At the beginning of the week we talked about the old adage that the show must go on… we did not know how telling those words would be.”

Daniel Lauritzson is the show’s musical director. The final two shows are set for Sunday at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. Tickets are available at the door. Tickets purchased in advance are good for any performance.

Kierstyn Christensen, the Wizard, puts Princess #12, played by Brianna Drennan, to the test.

The Royal Family – King Sextimus, played by senior Kenneth Price, Queen Aggravain, played by junior Megan Hardenbrook, and Prince Dauntless, played by Ryan Barrett – show their disappointment at the latest marital prospect for the prince.

Sir Harry, played by junior Caleb Henion and Lady Larken, played by sophomore Anna Oakley, pledge their love for each other as they sing, “A Little While.”

Winnifred, played by Hanna Hofstra, sings of being “Shy” shortly after being brought to court by Sir Harry as a potential bride for Dauntless.

Winnifred, played by Hanna Hofstra, is introduced to King Sextimus, played by Kenneth Price, as the Jester, played by Olivia Reed, and Dauntless, played by Ryan Barrett, look on.

Winnifred, played by Hanna Hofstra, is joined by Dauntless, played by Ryan Barrett as they sing, “The Swamp Home” about her humble beginnings…

Queen Aggravain, played by Megan Hardenbrook, prepares to place the pea at the bottom of a mattress-stacked bed, in order to test Winnifred’s appropriateness as a bride for Prince Dauntless.

Senior Clancy Frearson as the Nightengale, sings an entrancing lullaby as Winnifred goes to sleep.

Winnifred, played by Hanna Hofstra, finds it impossible to sleep on top of the mattresses with the tiny pea placed underneath.

Once Dauntless and Winnifred become engaged, the Jester, played by Olivia Reed, and the Minstrel, played by Sarah Knapp, remove objects from underneath the top mattress which were the real cause of Winnifred’s unrest.

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Red Cross shelter will shift to Kendall Town Hall

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 March 2017 at 4:46 pm

KENDALL – The American Red Cross is moving its shelter in Orleans County from Medina High School to the Kendall Town Hall.

Kendall Town Supervisor Tony Cammarata said Red Cross officials will be at the Town hall beginning at about 7 p.m. to get the building ready for residents to stay overnight.

The building will have cots, food and beverages.

“We will also arrange rides,” Cammarata said.

The Town Hall at 1873 Kendall Rd. has a generator, restrooms, running water, and a coffee machine. Local Girl Scouts have also dropped off cookies.

There were four residents who stayed overnight at the Red Cross shelter in Medina last night. The brunt of the power outages remain on the eastern end of the county in Kendall, Murray and Clarendon, said Dale Banker, the county’s emergency management coordinator.

“The east side is definitely more adversely effected,” Banker said.

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Crosby’s has kept going in Kendall despite power outage

Photos by Tom Rivers: Edith Brodie, a Crosby’s employee in Kendall, checks the coffee machines just before the lunch rush today. She said coffee has been a big seller since the power was knocked out in Kendall about 1:15 p.m. on Wednesday.

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 March 2017 at 2:03 pm

Store has been busy for residents needing gas, coffee and food

Missie Merritt slices a pizza that just came out of the oven.

KENDALL – The Crosby’s convenience store on Route 18 in Kendall has been a popular place the past two days while most of the town has been shut down without electricity.

Crosby’s has kept going after fierce winds knocked out power in the community at about 1:15 p.m. on Wednesday. The company brought in a generator three hours after the power outage so people could still buy gas and the store could serve up pizza, coffee and other food.

The store opens at 5:30 in the morning and customers are ready for their coffee.

“I’m thankful they are here and the people here are so helpful,” said Diane Howard of Kendall.

She said she has stopped by Crosby’s twice daily to buy several coffees for her family. She also has brought home pizza and other food.

After the power was knocked out Wednesday, Crosby’s stayed open. Its cash registers are battery powdered in case the electricity goes out. A generator was brought in three hours after power was lost, and the store was able to operate the gas pumps. The store has only been able to accept cash because the debit and credit card machines depend on cable, which has been knocked out. Crosby’s does have a working ATM for customers.

“We’ve been much busier than normal,” said Missie Merritt, one of the employees.

She said coffee, gasoline, kerosene and propane have been big sellers.

She praised Crosby’s for getting a generator on site soon after the power was out because the store has been critical to helping residents cope without electricity.

Judy Hammond of Kendall fills up a container with gasoline that she said she would use for a generator to keep some appliances going in her house.

Judy Hammond of Kendall stopped by this morning to get gas for a generator. She has a wood stove in her garage and has fans set up to blow heat into her house.

The generator also is keeping her refrigerator and freezer going, and allowing her to have some lights on.

“It’s a pain but hopefully we’ll have power on back soon,” she said.

A resident on Route 18 near Peter Smith Road made this sign thanking the utility company workers for their efforts to restore power and services to the community.

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Kendall senior citizens shrug off power outage

Photos by Tom Rivers: Ellen Smith, manager of the nutri-fair site at Kendall, serves coffee and snacks before lunch today. She encouraged more senior citizens to attend the group, which meets Tuesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 March 2017 at 1:21 pm

‘It’s hard for the younger people who are always on the computer. But I never used one.’ – Fred Conradt, 85, of Kendall

Fred Conradt urged people to be patient during the power outage.

KENDALL – Kendall residents are nearing 48 hours without electricity. Fred Conradt, 85, just shrugs his shoulders.

Conradt spent his first eight years without electricity. His house didn’t get it until 1939.

“It’s hard for the younger people who are always on the computer,” Conradt said. “But I never used one.”

He joined some of his friends at the Kendall Town Hall today for lunch and card games. The Town Hall is a nutri-fair site on Tuesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Conradt said older residents don’t mind occasional inconveniences when the power goes out.

Kendall remains the hardest hit from the electricity outages. Nearly the entire town remains without power, 1,276 of the 1,279 National Grid customers. The company says it expects to have Kendall restored by 11 p.m. today. But on Thursday, National Grid said Kendall would be back by 10 p.m. last night.

Conradt said he is willing to be patient.

“Think about it, it’s quite a job to set a pole and then change all of the wires,” he said.

He feels fortunate to have natural gas so his house isn’t freezing.

Ellen Smith, 80, is the manager of the nutri-fair site. She said the temperature in her house is down to 54 degrees. The high temps are in the 20s today and could drop to 9 degrees tonight.

That worries Melissa Blanar, director of the Office for the Aging in Orleans County.

Her staff reached out to 300 senior citizens without electricity on Thursday. Many are staying with other relatives, or their power is coming back.

The OFA directed them to warming centers and the Red Cross shelter at Medina High School.

But so far, there have been few takers. Blanar said the plummeting temperature tonight is a concern if the power outage continues.

She also worries some people may try to keep their houses warm in unsafe ways, perhaps by keeping a stove open.

The Kendall Town Hall is one of four warming centers in the county. The others are at the Lyndonville Fire Hall, Hoag Library in Albion and the Eastern Orleans Community Center at 75 Public Square in Holley.

Amy Richardson, the Kendall town clerk, said only a few residents have used the Town Hall as a warming station since it was designated as a spot on Thursday. She said a couple residents came in to charge their phones.

Many Kendall residents also have lost phone and cable access. Even the Town Hall’s phones are out of commission.

“Many of the residents are independent and have generators,” Richardson said.

Fire Chief Mike Schultz said the Fire Department pumped three basements on Thursday and two this morning. He said the residents are persevering through the extended outage, but he worries about the very cold temperatures coming tonight and over the weekend.

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Kendall FD given stuffed animals to help calm kids who ride in ambulance

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 February 2017 at 7:34 pm

The is photo shows the stuffed animals and blankets that were donated.

Provided photos

KENDALL – Today the Kendall Fire Department received a generous donation of stuffed animals and blankets from a local family.

The toys and blankets will be available to children riding the Kendall ambulance to help calm them down, Fire Chief Mike Schultz said.

The top photo shows, from left: Kendall FD Chief Mike Schultz, Ava Newbould, Peyton Shuler, Bryson Shuler, Danny Shuler, Camden Holt, Phillip Newbould, Kendall Newbould, Julianna Newbould, Abrielle Shuler, Mallory Holt, SJ Finucane, Riannon Newbould, and Kendall FD EMS Captain Sue Maslyn.

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Planners want more information on Dollar General project in Kendall

Courtesy of Orleans County Department of Planning and Development: The proposed 9,100-square-foot store in Kendall could look like this, according to this image submitted to the Town of Kendall.

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 February 2017 at 10:02 pm

KENDALL – The Orleans County Planning Board voted to send back a referral seeking the board’s support for a new Dollar General in Kendall.

The board met this evening and determined the application needed more information, mainly with the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP). Planners wanted to see Dollar General’s plan for how stormwater will be handled.

Dollar General said stormwater would be treated on site and released to an existing drainage ditch. However, the company needs to submit a SWPPP.

Until that is done, the layout of the site for the building and parking lot can’t be fully determined because the drainage issues aren’t completely resolved, members of the Planning Board said.

“What is presented could change,” said Planning Board member Kirk Myhill of Shelby.

He said he supports the project, a new 9,100-square-foot store on Route 18, near the Kendall Road intersection. The new store would be across the road from Greenwood Cemetery.

The Dollar General would be owned by Primax Properties/Bohler Engineering MA of Albany. It is looking to build the store with 36 parking spaces at 1873 Kendall Rd., land owned by Walter Steffen.

Primax Properties wants to use 1.9 acres for the project, which would include the store, parking lot, access, lighting, landscaping and utilities.

The store would be on Route 18, about 300 feet west of Kendall Road (Route 237). The Kendall Elementary School is about 600 feet north of the proposed site. It is located in a General Business District.

Once the uncertainties with the drainage plan are resolved, the board said it would support the project.

“The SWPPP could affect the drainage and then the layout of the property,” said Tom Keeler, a board member from Barre.

The board voted 11-1 to send the referral back to Kendall for more information. Terry Brown of Carlton was the lone nay vote against sending it back to Kendall.

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Kendall LEGO workshop keeps kids busy on vacation

By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 23 February 2017 at 6:17 pm

Photos by Kristina Gabalski

KENDALL – The Kendall Recreation program hosted its 2nd Annual LEGO Workshop on Tuesday afternoon at the Kendall Elementary School. The popular event drew students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade and is planned for the February break week.

Brother and sister, Dominic and Ashlyn Heirigs, ages 7 and 4, worked together on their LEGO HEXBUG habitat station. Participants could create freehand LEGO sculptures, build specific LEGO vehicles with plans, send LEGO creations down a zip line and more. This year, Alicia Charland, Rachel Fisken and Rev. Steve Meyer worked to organize the workshop.

11-year old David Ramsey, 9-year old Caleb Schneider and 6-year old Ryland construct LEGO scenes for the green screen station.

A LEGO Workshop participant wears a t-shirt with the caption: “Building Innovation and Friendship Brick by Brick.” Participants collected stars during the workshop which they earn by showing they are a team player, using their creativity, working hard at each station for at least 15 minutes and cleaning up.

Chris Nettles, 10, concentrates as he works on his LEGO creation: “Underground Bank.” Chris was working at the free building station.

The workshop featured more than building with LEGOs. Here, participants used materials such as small red cups, popsicle sticks, play dough and paper towel tubes to construct “bridges” that would hold 21 elephants. Coby, 5, closes in on his goal.

Fort building was an activity for the hallway. Five-year old Cora stretches up to add height to her fort.

David Elliott, 11, (left) waits as Kendall 9th Grader Eric Warren prepares to launch David’s LEGO creation down the Zip Line. Kendall High School students help out during the workshop.

Participants colored LEGO figure pictures for Kendall native Jon Volkmar who is serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.

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DOT will study Route 18 by Kendall school to determine if speed reduction needed

By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 23 February 2017 at 2:58 pm

Photo by Tom Rivers: There was a fatal car accident last month at the Route 18 and Norway Road intersection, not far from the school entrance.

KENDALL – The New York State Department of Transportation will complete a study before deciding whether the speed limit outside the Kendall Jr./Sr. High School on Rt. 18 (Roosevelt Highway) will be reduced.

“We are anxiously awaiting their response,” Town Supervisor Tony Cammarata said during the Town Board meeting on Tuesday evening.

Many community stakeholders have pressed the DOT for the study, seeking a speed reduction, including the Town Board, Kendall Central School Board of Education, the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce, the Orleans County Legislature, the Kendall Lions and Leo clubs, and other local residents.

The current speed limit is 50 miles per hour in front of the school.

County Legislator Ken DeRoller attended Tuesday’s Town Board meeting and reported that the study will take place in the very near future. He is pleased the state is looking into the issue.

“It is a very important issue for our community,” DeRoller said. “We are encouraged we have the right players at the table.”

He explained that the study will cover the stretch of Rt. 18 from Kendall Road (Rt. 237) to Norway Road, and that the state typically considers a span of 1,320 feet in front of a school to be a school speed limit zone which, “should be 10 miles per hour lower than the adjoining limit,” DeRoller said.

In November last year, Kendall Town Board members passed a resolution asking the state to drop the speed limit in front of the school from 50 mph to 20 mph. Town Board members said the current speed limit is creating dangerous conditions for students.

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Firefighters do controlled burn at Kendall house

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 February 2017 at 11:55 am

Photos courtesy of Dale Banker

KENDALL – Firefighters used a controlled burn to take down a house at 2180 Peter Smith Road this morning.

Firefighters from Kendall, Holley and Carlton were able to use the controlled burn for some training. The Orleans County Emergency Management Office also was at the scene. (Dale Banker, the EMO coordinator, provided these photos.)

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Kendall Lions sell nearly 1,000 chicken dinners to benefit woman fighting cancer

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 February 2017 at 6:56 am

Photos courtesy of Helen Unterborn

KENDALL – The Kendall Lions Club held its annual chicken barbecue on Feb. 4 and sold 864 dinners, with proceeds to go to Paula Mattison-Prince, who is fighting cancer.

This photo shows Lions Club members in the serving line, including Gayle Ashbury, Dan Peckham, Steve Cliff, Tony Cammarata and Bob Furness.

The Lions Club does the fund-raiser every year, and picks someone from the community as the beneficiary of the funds. The Lions Club next month expects to present a check to Mattison-Prince, with the money to help her with her medical expenses.

Phil Haight, Blaine Young and Cary Wright work in the barbecue pit.

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Dollar General proposed for Kendall

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 February 2017 at 2:21 pm

KENDALL – A Dollar General store is proposed in Kendall for Route 18, near the Kendall Road intersection. The new 9,100-square-foot store would be across the road from Greenwood Cemetery.

The Orleans County Planning Board will review the site plan for the project on Thursday, Feb. 23, at 7 p.m. The board meets in Conference Room C of the County Administration Building on Route 31 in Albion.

The store is planned for a site in Kendall’s General Business District.

The board will also consider the following referrals:

• Request for a six-month moratorium on installation of freestanding or ground-mounted solar energy systems in Murray.

• Request for amendment of the Shelby zoning map, reclassifying Hamlet District at Maple Ridge Rd., West Avenue Extension, and South Gravel Road to General Business District.

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Kendall school wears pink for principal battling breast cancer

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 February 2017 at 4:23 pm

Provided photos

KENDALL – Teachers and staff at the David J. Doyle Junior-Senior High in Kendall wore pink T-shirts on Monday during an assembly in honor of Carol D’Agostino, the school’s principal the past 12 years.

D’Agostino, in front holding flowers, was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and had surgery today.

On Monday, the school had a surprise assembly with all the students and staff wearing pink for the school’s principal.

“The idea was to give her strength so she knows we’re behind her,” said Kevin Watson, the school’s assistant principal.

The district sent a letter home with students last week in grades 7-12, informing them that D’Agostino had a recurrence of cancer. She first battled the disease 25 years ago.

D’Agostino is expected to be out of work for six to eight weeks.

The principal addressed the students during the assembly, saying she was determined to beat cancer.

“She told them they don’t need to be afraid of the word, ‘cancer,’’” Watson said.

He orchestrated the assembly on Monday, and pushed to have t-shirts for all students and staff. He wanted D’Agostino to see all the pink shirts to know she has strong support at the school. Watson said D’Agostino is a caring leader for the school, often visiting students in the hospital and going above and beyond in numerous ways.

“She does so much for so many people in this little town,” Watson said.

This photo shows the student body, about 300 students, wearing pink shirts in honor of D’Agostino. The Sports Boosters and sales from the other shirts will cover the costs for the students’ shirts.

D’Agostino is hugged by students at the assembly on Monday.

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Stars come out for Kendall Dessert Cabaret

By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 11 February 2017 at 10:25 am

Photos by Kristina Gabalski

KENDALL – Brandi Stephens sings the Cup Song (When I’m Gone) accompanied by a chorus of “cups” on Friday evening when the Kendall Music Department and Kendall Music Boosters held their annual Dessert Cabaret to benefit the school’s music programs.

The evening included vocal and instrumental music, desserts and a raffle. Theme baskets, which were part of the raffle, were on display before the first half of the musical performance.

Caleb Henion performs a solo as part of My Funny Valentine.

Those attending the Dessert Cabaret enjoy their sweets while Mr. Veit and Mrs. Zito perform prior to the evening’s Act II in the auditorium which featured performances by the Senior High Jazz band, members of the Jr./Sr. High Band, Senior High Chorus and other students.

Kierstyn Christensen and Michela Hanlon served as emcees for the evening.

Kenny Price, on trombone, plays Andante and Allegro by Barat, accompanied on piano by Mr. Jeremy Rath.

Members of “The Band” perform Hey Brother.

Act I of the performance wrapped up with two songs from Vocal Effect: My Funny Valentine and Sun and Moon from Miss Saigon.

Sarah Knapp, “Knappers,” sings and plays her original song, Saturn.

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Kendall school district will partner with OCALS for peer tutoring

By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 28 January 2017 at 2:15 pm

KENDALL – The school district is beginning a partnership with OCALS – Orleans County Adult Learning Services, a literacy organization that currently partners with Lyndonville, Holley and Albion school districts.

OCALS provides free and confidential literacy services to residents of Orleans County and contiguous areas and utilizes trained volunteers to assist students based on each individual student’s literacy needs.

Carol D’Agostino, Kendall’s Junior/Senior High Principal, told the Board of Education this week that OCALS will allow the district to get “peer tutoring back up and running.” OCALS will provide services twice each week during the 8th period.

D’Agostino said the partnership is part of an overall effort to build relationships between the school district and county-level organizations and agencies.

“We would like to see continued networking with services in Orleans County,” she said, “to build positive relationships and maximize everything we can do for our kids.”

D’Agostino said the district is also inviting community residents to take part in the “Kendall Reads Event” which includes Kendall High School Library’s first “Community Read” planned for Thursday, March 23, at 7 p.m.

Community members are encouraged to read The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary Pearson and join in a discussion of the book at the March 23 event, which will also include light snacks. All ages are welcome to take part.

“It will build a sense of literacy in the community,” D’Agostino said. “It’s an exciting thing for the whole community.”

Copies of the book will be available at the high school library. For more information call 659-8959.

Members of the Board of Education on Wednesday also briefly discussed the preliminary school budget for the 2017-18 school year.

Superintendent Julie Christensen said the district anticipates a 1.4 percent increase in Foundation Aid which she said is operating aid the district receives from the state. The tax cap for 2017-18 is 1.26 percent compared with .12 percent under the current budget. Christensen said health insurance rates are expected to increase by 12 percent, while pension costs are expected to go down.

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