Photo by Kristina Gabalski – Work continues this summer on the Kendall Jr./Sr. High School as part of Phase Two of the Kendall Central School Capital Project.

KENDALL – Members of the Kendall Board of Education held their regular meeting Wednesday evening in the Jr./Sr. High School cafeteria. The board normally meets in the school’s library but work is well underway on Phase Two of the district’s capital project which includes renovations to the science wing and the main office.

Kendall Superintendent Julie Christensen reported that work is slightly behind as there has been a delay in the delivery of new cabinetry for the science wing, but the district continues to plan an open house celebration for Sept. 1 when residents can come and see the completed Phase Two work.

The district held a similar open house last year at the close of Phase 1, and like last year, this year’s celebration will include the Sports Boosters’ Chicken BBQ, root beer floats from the PTSA and music provided by student ensembles.

Those attending Wednesday’s meeting were also given updates on several issues facing the district.

Christensen reported on a meeting held July 25 about the closing of the First Niagara Bank in Holley. Officials from the Kendall and Holley school districts, towns of Clarendon, Kendall and Murray, and Holley village attended the session.

“We are encouraging KeyBank to reconsider,” Christensen said.  If the branch closes as slated in October, the school districts and municipalities as well as residents who use the branch will have to travel 6 miles farther east to Brockport for banking. Christensen said officials have contacted state legislators regarding the planned closing.

Kendall BOE President Nadine Hanlon reported on the July 18 workshop held by school board members, administrators and other officials from both the Holley and Kendall school districts.

“We had great conversations,” Hanlon said. “We discussed all kinds of sharing of services. We are moving ahead…. I was pleased with the meeting and we will meet again.”

Christensen said the districts discussed sharing services in three areas:  instructional enrichment, such as summer programs;  non-instructional, such as transportation and sharing supplies; and extracurricular, such as 4-H programming and marching band.

One member of the audience asked Christensen if wrestling had been discussed. The district superintendent said it had been. She noted that the sport is declining in student participation and Kendall currently has few wrestlers. She explained that discussions over combined sports teams (the districts fielded a combined baseball team this past spring) are a challenge because the starting of  a combined sport that may take away from another well-established sport.

“It’s challenge to balance,” Christensen said.

She said many opportunities exist for “behind the scenes” sharing between the districts, particularly by increasing purchasing power for supplies.

Hanlon also reported on the effort to reduce the speed limit on Rt. 18/Roosevelt Highway in front of the Jr./Sr. High School, which currently is 50 miles per hour. Christensen was able to research the effort in 1998 to reduce the limit from 55 to 50 miles per hour and Hanlon said the district has now sent a letter to Kendall Highway Superintendent Warren Kruger.

In order for a study to be done by the State Department of Transportation, the request must go through Kruger, Hanlon explained.  Letters in support of the change from Orleans County Sheriff Randy Bower and the Kendall Fire Chief have also been presented to Superintendent Kruger, Hanlon said.

She added that she requested the Orleans County Department of Transportation to paint crosswalks in front of the Elementary School on Rt. 237, as the road there is being re-paved.

Board members entered executive session at the end of the meeting to interview three candidates for the school board seat recently vacated by board vice-president Chris Gerken. Christensen said the board will make its choice at the next regular board meeting scheduled for Aug. 24.

Provided photos – There were nearly 100 boaters at the Eagle Creek Marina over the weekend for the inaugural Harris-Lance Flotilla, an event that raised more than $11,000 for Boaters Against Cancer.

KENDALL – Two beloved members of the boating community at Eagle Creek Marina died from cancer this year. Many of their friends, still grieving from their loss, organized the inaugural Harris-Lance Flotilla, an event that raised more than $11,000 for the newly formed Boaters Against Cancer. The funds will go to families of boaters battling the dreaded disease.

Dave Bentley was friends with both Scott Harris and Phil Lance, the two long-time boaters who fought cancer.

“They were two of my best friends,” Bentley, owner of Bentley Brothers in Albion and Brockport, said today. “They were two great guys.”

Bentley was part of the effort from the boating community to put together the three-day Boaters Against Cancer event last weekend at Eagle Creek Marina. The event featured concerts, food trucks and was going to include a flotilla, but that was cancelled due to rough waters.

“It will be an annual event,” Bentley said today.

Scott Harris fought bravely against male breast cancer for almost four years. He was a boater for his entire life. He grew up boating with his parents at Oak Orchard Yacht Club.

Harris owned several boats over the course of his life and was a member of Eagle Creek Yacht Club. He is survived by his wife Karen; children Nick, Cory and McKenzi; and grandson Tanner.

Phil Lance, “Canada Phil,” battled colon cancer for about two years. He began boating as a youth while fishing with family. He held many boating certifications and was a member of Eagle Creek Yacht Club. His boating adventures took him all around Lake Erie, Lake Ontario and throughout the province of Ontario.

He is survived by his wife Jill, her children and grandchildren.

Boaters have fun by the lake during the Boaters Against Cancer event.

About 40 to 50 boaters who are regulars were part of last weekend’s memorial event for the two boaters. Another 30 boaters visited to join the effort.

“It turned out to be a very good first-time event,” said Dave Oschmann, manager of the marina.

For more information about Boaters Against Cancer, click here.

KENDALL – Members of the Fancher-Huberton-Murray Volunteer Fire Company march and salute during Friday’s parade in Kendall during the Firemen’s Carnival. There were about 20 fire departments represented in the parade, a big turnout.

Several fire departments in the region have recently decided to close their firemen’s carnivals. That may be why fire companies from as far away as East Rochester and Byron wanted to be part of the Kendall parade.

There were several marching bands in the parade, including the Mark Time Marchers based in Churchville. The front three members include Ryan Pastecki, TJ Jones (with flag), and Grant Pastecki.

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

Kendall Fire Department was well represented in the parade.

The Boy Scouts in the Kendall area put together a patriotic float.

The White Sabres Drum and Bugle Corps from Dansville gave a high-energy performance.

The Kendall Lawnchair Ladies continue to be crowd favorites.

The Lawnchair Ladies smile near the end of their routine. This group includes Kendall High School Principal Carol D’Agostino, second from right.

Brightly’s Farm Market in Hamlin was among many local businesses in the parade.

Jeff Partyka from Partyka Farms tosses treats to kids along the parade route. Partyka Farms used a tractor to pull a trailer with children in the Kendall Recreation Program.

The Kendall Lions sang patriotic songs from this vintage vehicle driven by Gary Kludt.

The Elba Fire Department rode in the parade with a flag attached high on the fire truck.

Members of Prime Time Brass in Rochester make their presence felt.

Head Over Heels Acrobatics and Dance pass out candy while walking in the parade.

Lone Oak Stables on Norway Road in Kendall has been a regular participant in the parade for several years.

Ellen Robinson, owner of Lone Oak Stables, saw many friends along the parade route.

John Becker serves as parade emcee. He thanked the participants, including Fancher-Huberton-Murray, for being part of the Kendall Firemen’s Carnival.

KENDALL – These Kendall kids ride the Twist this evening during the opening day of the Kendall Carnival, an annual gala organized by the Kendall Fire Department. This group includes, from left: Emma O’Neill, CJ D’Agostino, and Brady Werth. They will all be in second grade this fall.

Olivia Bruski of Albion makes her way through an obstacle course on one of the rides at the carnival. American Amusements Rentals of Machias is the ride provider.

The swing ride was popular.

Mike Sanders of Barre heads down the Rapid Slide with his granddaughter, Payson.

These Kendall kids head down the big slide.

It wouldn’t be a carnival if there weren’t goldfish as prizes at some of the games.

A young carnival-goer waves to family on one of the kiddie rides.

The carnival continues until Saturday. There will be a 7 .m. parade on Friday and Saturday will be capped with fireworks at 10:20 p.m. To see the full schedule, click here.

Provided photo – Employees for the Elmer W. Davis of Rochester last week work on tearing off the roof of the Kendall Jr./Sr. High School. The building front entrance will get a radical new look over the summer.

KENDALL – Contractors will be busy this summer giving the Kendall Jr./Sr. High School a new look, especially with the roof.

Students, teachers and staff will return to a school in September that has a much more appealing look that allows more existing light in the building, said Julie Christensen, the school district superintendent.

This rendering shows how the new main entrance will look at the Kendall Jr./Sr. High School.

Kendall residents approved a $25 million capitol project in May 2013. Most of that work happened last summer. The revamp of the main entrance at the junior-senior high school is one of the final pieces of the construction project.

In addition to improved aesthetics, the new entrance will provide an enclosed place for students giving students a safe and dry spot while they are waiting before or after school, Christensen said.

Contractors will also work on bathrooms in the elementary school and remove some asbestos tiling over the summer.

Provided photos from Kendall Central School

KENDALL – This line of Kendall female grads gets ready for commencement on Friday at the David J. Doyle Junior/Senior High School. Kendall graduated 67 members of the Class of 2016.

Zachary Rohr is recognized during the commencement ceremony. Julie Christensen, the Kendall Central School superintendent, watches from the stage with other members of the Class of 2016.

Abby Rice delivers the salutatorian address. She told her classmates to, “Fake it until you make it.”

In her valedictory address, Julia Smith noted that, “life is messy,” from “Grey’s Anatomy.”

Kendall male graduates are lined up for the ceremony.

Kendall Principal Carol D’Agostino presents Caitlyn Bonifield with her diploma.

Creagan Maclaren, Brooke Andrus, Keri Furness and Julia Smith pose for a photo.

Members of the soccer team are pictured with their coach, Pam Beres.

Kris Johnston, a 1995 Kendall graduate who now works at Constellations Brands, gave the Commencement Address. Johnston obtained her bachelors and masters degrees in accounting from St. Bonaventure University and is a CPA.  The theme of her speech was “Oh the Places You’ll Go,” from Dr. Seuss.

Kendall graduates move their tassels near the end of commencement on Friday.

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Provided photo by Jeremy Rath

KENDALL – Elementary school students at Kendall celebrated Flag Day on Tuesday with most students wearing red, white and blue. The students gather for a group picture every Flag Day. This year the school decided to pose in the shape of the peace sign.