Press release, Orleans County Undersheriff Steve Smith
KENDALL – A Holley teen-ager is hospitalized in satisfactory condition after crashing her car this morning in the Town of Kendall.
The incident occurred shortly after 6 a.m. in the 1000 block of Monroe-Orleans County Line Rd., just north of Kenmore Rd.
Lauren A. Hennekey, 18, was traveling north when she lost control of the 1997 Honda sedan she was operating. The vehicle crossed the center line and ran off the west side of the roadway at which point it struck a ditch and became airborne.
Upon re-impacting the ground, the vehicle overturned several times, ejecting Hennekey, who was the sole occupant. The car came to rest on its roof.
Hennekey was transported to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester by Hamlin Ambulance Corps. Kendall Fire Department and Monroe Ambulance personnel assisted at the scene as well as Morton firefighters. A Monroe County Sheriff’s K-9 team also assisted Orleans deputies in checking the area for any other potential victims.
The incident was investigated by Deputy J.J. Cole, assisted by Deputy M.C. Mele. While that investigation is continuing, it does appear that excessive speed was a contributing factor. Charge(s) against Hennekey are pending her recovery.
Provided photos – Kendall High School graduates Caelan Welch and Tessa Vick are pictured at Commencement on Friday.
The auditorium was at capacity to see 72 students graduate from Kendall.
Press release Kendall Central School
KENDALL – Friends, family, faculty and staff filled the auditorium of the David J. Doyle Kendall Junior-Senior High School on Friday evening to celebrate the graduation of 72 Kendall high school seniors.
District Superintendent Julie Christensen was the master of ceremonies. Valedictorian Kari Hurlbutt and Salutatorian Tyler Smith addressed the class.
Kendall junior Marisa Hanlon, center, is pictured with two members of the Class of 2014 – Nicole Browe, left, and Kari Hurlbutt.
Featured speaker was Kendall graduate and celebrated athlete Roosevelt Bouie. The Royal Blue Band, led by Band Ensemble Director Ashlea Strouse, also performed.
Of this year’s class, 80 percent plan to pursue higher education degrees while 16 percent plan to enter the workforce. Four percent will be entering military service.
Earlier this month, Kendall also celebrated Kindergarten graduation and the sixth graders were honored at a “moving up” ceremony in which they mark their transition from elementary students to the junior high school.
Kendall students celebrate completing kindergarten.
The Top 10 Kendall sixth-graders were recognized during a moving-up ceremony.
KENDALL – During its Flag Day celebration last week, Kendall elementary students posed in a formation of a big “USA” by the school. The school’s music teachers took the lead for the USA tribute.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 May 2014 at 12:00 am
Holley, Kendall and Lyndonville budgets pass
Voters approved school budgets in Holley, Kendall and Lyndonville. In the closest vote in Orleans County for a proposition, Holley opposed reducing the size of the Board of Education from seven to five seats. That vote was 290 opposed to 287 in favor.
Holley’s $25,070,000 budget is cutting taxes by $800,000 or 10.6 percent. That budget passed, 443-138.
Voters approved, 403 to 172, a proposition to establish a capital reserve fund for up to $2.5 million.
A proposition to raise $104,705 in taxes for the Community Free Library passed 450 to 131.
Three BOE members were elected with incumbents Robin Silvis, 390, and Salvatore DeLuca Jr., 373, each receiving three-year terms. Former Board President John Heise will return to the board after taking a year off. He received 368 votes and will serve a two-year term.
Kendall
It was smooth sailing in Kendall with the $14,826,116 budget passing, 196-46. The 2014-15 budget will increase taxes by 1.36 percent.
A proposition to spend up to $250,000 from the district’s school replacement reserve fund passed 195-46.
A new member was elected to the Board of Education. Chaley Swift, the lone candidate for a five-year term, received 220 votes. She replaces Lucille Welch who decided against seeking re-election after 10 years on the board.
Lyndonville
The $13,188,750 budget passed and so did a transportation reserve account. Voters also approved creating a new capital reserve account that would have up to $2 million. The money can only be expended with voter approval.
Voters also approved $84,637 for Yates Community Library.
Incumbent Susan Hrovat was re-elected to a three-year term. She was unopposed.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 May 2014 at 12:00 am
KENDALL – A boost in state aid is allowing Kendall Central School to narrow a tax increase. Kendall school officials were looking at a 1.9 percent hike but that was trimmed to 1.36 percent in the budget that goes before voters on May 20.
Kendall school officials cut taxes by $1 million in the 2013-14 budget, reducing the tax levy from $5.6 million to $4.6 million. The average tax rate fell from $21.51 to $17.45 per $1,000 of assessed property.
The tax levy will slightly rise in the new budget, from $4,606,613 to $4,669,245. That is about $110,000 below the district’s tax cap.
The overall budget increases spending by 5.5 percent from $14,051,383 to $14,826,116. The new budget doesn’t cut existing programs. It adds a student services coordinator and two special education teachers, one each at the elementary and high school levels.
School officials will have a budget presentation at 7 p.m. on May 7 at the Junior-Senior High School Commons. The vote will be from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on May 20 at the elementary school gym.
District residents last year approved a $25 million capitol project. The district has submitted the design specifications and other documents to the state Education Department and is waiting on SED approval, said Julie Christensen, district superintendent.
She expects the state will give approval to the project this summer and bids will go out in the fall. Some work could start in the winter, such as construction of a more secure entrance at the school.
The bulk of the work will likely be in the summer 2015, “when there will be major renovations at both buildings,” Christensen said.
Photos by Sue Cook – The hallways were packed to bursting as Marshall continued to collect presents. At the end of the walk, he had two large baskets and a cardboard box overflowing with cards, several plastic guitars and at least three beachballs signed by the students.
By Sue Cook, staff reporter
KENDALL – For 50 years – first as a student and then an employee – Kendall schools have been like a home to Bruce Marshall.
Today Marshall was greeted to a celebration from a grateful school community following 36 years of work for the district. Marshall is retiring, and Kendall Superintendent Julie Christensen says the school is sad to see him go.
“Bruce was a mainstay of the elementary school and Kendall community for over 50 years. He knows all the nooks and crannies,” she said. “If anybody needs anything, they’re stuck in a snow bank, need help with their locker or broke their glasses, he’ll do whatever he can to help. He’s been a great guy and we’ll miss him terribly.”
He began as a student at Kendall at 5 years old. When was 15, he started in the position of student helper, which is the title for a part-time custodian at the school. He moved on to full-time custodian in 1977 and became the head custodian in 1980.
Head custodian Bruce Marshall retired today from the Kendall Elementary School.
“I would like to still be able to stop in and see concerts now that I have more time and things like that,” Marshall said. “I would still like to see some of the kids.”
For Marshall’s last day today there was a cook-out style lunch celebration of hot dogs and hamburgers. The real surprise was at the end of the day.
Christensen had coordinated a surprise among elementary school staff and students for a final farewell to their head custodian. She called Marshall down to the principal’s office. Over the loudspeakers they played his favorite musician. To the soundtrack of Bruce Springsteen, Marshall walked the halls of the school followed by the administrators. In every hallway, students stood waiting outside their classrooms with cards, gifts and confetti.
Some students asked for signatures on items, as if they were meeting a celebrity. The sixth-graders sent him down their hall to the loud chanting of “Bruce! Bruce! Bruce!” The younger kids supplied their own chants of “Marshall! Marshall! Marshall!”
Teachers offered strong hugs and happy words. Even Channel 2 news out of Buffalo and Channel 13 from Rochester came out with cameras. It was a rock star sendoff that was both unexpected and touching for Marshall. In all, approximately 400 students congratulated Marshall on his retirement.
Marshall’s long-time girlfriend Karen Keck was there to watch Marshall walk the halls. They had already been talking about what it would be like when he retired.
“I think it’s going to be very exciting,” she said. “We’ve been counting down days since around 500-something. Now it’s finally here. I think it’s a good move for him and he’s really going to enjoy his time off.”
The youngest students were given glitter to toss for Marshall. At the end of the walk, the administrators joked that he wasn’t allowed to leave until every speck of glitter was off the floor.
“I don’t see him ever not being connected somehow to the Kendall schools,” Keck continued. “He’ll always find a way. Whether it’s participating in something like a community event or he does a lot of baking and he brings in his baked good, and I’m sure he’s going to continue with that.”
Marshall has been very happy with his employment at Kendall. He loves the school and believes in the staff and students continuing the positive direction.
“This has been a great place,” he said. “This school does everything it can for the students. I was glad to be able to be a part of creating an atmosphere that they were taken care of and this building being well-maintained. Just the caring that everybody shows from the superintendent, the secretaries, the cafeteria workers, the bus drivers, everybody just puts 110 percent into these kids to help them in every way they possibly can.”
Marshall has immediate retirement plans to follow Bruce Springsteen on tour for a while. His first concert stop will be in Pittsburgh later this month.
After following Springsteen’s tour for a little while, Marshall is already planning for more.
“I will be traveling to family,” he said. “Karen’s family is out in Colorado, a couple of sisters are in Florida. We have some grandkids in Reading, Pennsylvania, and Raleigh, North Carolina, that we’d like to see a little more of. We have a cottage at the lake. The main thing is enjoying the lake this summer and relaxing for my first summer off.”
‘There’s positive things that we do here 180 days a year. It’s been a great place and it always will be.’ – Bruce Marshall, who is retiring from the school
Starting Monday, Mark Kessler will move up to become the elementary school head custodian. Marshall expects Kessler to do a great job, but will be available in case there are questions.
“He has my number, and fortunately, I live one mile away,” Marshall said. “There are some little troubleshooting things that only I kind of know because I’ve been here 36 years, so I can point them out to him. There’s times you never know what’s going to hit you when you walk into this school.”
Marshall wanted to end his day with good words and encouragement before leaving to celebrate with friends over a pizza.
“There’s positive things that we do here 180 days a year. It’s been a great place and it always will be,” he said, picking glitter and confetti out of his hair.
Photos by Sue Cook – The Kendall High School Jazz Band, led by teacher Ashlea Strouse (left with arms raised), plays a rendition of “Blue Skies.”
By Sue Cook, staff reporter
KENDALL – Last night, Kendall entertained with student and teacher performances from their many music programs. The last few years the spring event has been An Evening of Jazz. This year, the teachers decided to change it up to become The Kendall Music Boosters First Annual Spring Dessert Cabaret and to include all the school music programs.
The performances throughout the evening were a mix of modern and classic. Some of the modern songs included “Flightless Bird” by Iron & Wine, which can be found on the soundtrack of the movie “Twilight” and Coldplay’s “Fix You,” which served as the evening’s finale.
Katie Richardson, Abby Rice, Tessa Vick, Sarah Gardner, Marisa Hanlon and Carley Lester sing “I Dreamed a Dream” from the musical “Les Misèrables.”
Kendall Superintendent Julie Christensen was thrilled to have the school hold the event.
“We wanted to recognize their talents and then the money they raise will go toward some of their equipment,” she said. “Sometimes they need big pieces of equipment for when they go off to off to the Heritage Jazz Festival. We use that money to offset some of the cost for some of the kids who would otherwise be unable to go. It’s a great opportunity to showcase and do something a little different.”
Some teachers performed throughout the night. Here Ashlea Strouse is playing “Believe Me if All Those Endearing Young Charms” on the trumpet while accompanied on piano by Leanne Swaciak who teaches elementary band. Swaciak accompanied many student performances throughout the night.
“It gives the kids more opportunities to perform,” said 7th through 12th grade instrumental music teacher Ashlea Strouse. “It’s a chance for diverse music to be performed together.”
Jayden Peniaszek took the stage with a very bluesy look that included a fedora and sunglasses. He removed the sunglasses and threw the audience a wink before starting his performance of “Trumpet Voluntary.”
The money earned from the evening goes toward funding all the music programs at the school. The students were very appreciative of the chance to perform in the cabaret.
Elementary general music and chorus teacher Jeremy Rath entertained the crowd as the worked their way through the dessert tables sampling everything from chocolate fondue to ice cream and more.
Senior Mark Washington, member of the a capella group Vocal Effect, said, “Thank you to the Kendall music department teachers.”
“And thanks to everyone for coming and supporting us,” added fellow Vocal Effect member senior Dustin Furness. Vocal Effect, led by 7th to 12th grade vocal teacher Steven Miller, will be performing the National Anthem at the Rochester Razorsharks game today.
Mary Price served chocolate cake at the dessert intermission. She is a Music Booster supporter because two of her sons are in the Kendall music programs. Her son Jonathan is a junior and her son Kenny is a freshmen.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 March 2014 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers – Justin Tese, a Holley special education teacher, tries to drive by two Kendall defenders during a faculty basketball game.
KENDALL – Two schools with a long-lasting rivalry joined forces for a good cause on March 20 when Holley and Kendall teachers laced up their sneakers for a game of basketball.
The schools sold 500 tickets at $2 each. The fund-raiser netted $500 each for the Kendall Food Cupboard at the United Methodist Church and the Holley Loaf and Ladle at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.
“I knew the two towns would come together for something like this,” said Jason Cole, who graduated from Kendall and teaches high school math at Holley.
Photo by Tom Rivers – Justin Laureano of Kendall drives with the ball.
The Kendall faculty won the game, 55-44. Kendall Principal Carol D’Agostino served as the public address announcer and she mixed in a lot of banter when teachers nailed three-pointers and shot air balls. Colt Tooley, the junior high boys basketball coach, was the top scorer, hitting several three-pointers.
Kendall faculty have played state troopers and teachers from Albion and Byron-Bergen in recent years. Kevin Watson, Kendall’s athletic director, thought a game with the school’s top rival would draw a big crowd, and could net some funds for a good cause.
He approached Dan Courtney, Holley’s AD, about a benefit game between the two schools. Courtney agreed and the game – “Cause for the County” – was talked up in both communities.
“Holley was willing to do it right off the bat,” Watson said after catching his breath from the action on court. “It’s a big rivalry so it makes sense to play each other.”
Photo by Tom Rivers – The Kendall cheerleaders performed at halftime and cheered throughout the game.
The game was such a success that the two schools hope to make it an annual tradition.
“We’ll do it every year, although we may pick different causes in the community,” Watson said.
The game had the added gimmick of a wrestling match between two Kendall teachers. The match between biology teacher Tige Noni and math teacher Dan Boyd was supposed to be a low-profile battle at a wrestling practice.
Photo by Tom Rivers – Dan Boyd gets a take down on Tige Noni.
Photo by Tom Rivers – Tige Noni is the winner of a wrestling match between two Kendall teachers. Dan Boyd did score a takedown in the battle.
But students and staff heard about it and the match was worked into the benefit game. Boyd is a newcomer to the sport, and he managed a double-leg takedown on Noni, the more experienced wrestler. Noni then reversed the takedown, and was able to pin Boyd with a half nelson. The match drew loud cheering. Noni was presented with a trophy and a championship belt.
“I figured we would wrestle at practice but this really blew up,” Noni said. “It was fun and we were both willing to do it for charity.”
Kendall students videotaped both wrestlers earlier in March and prepared promotional videos that were shown in school. Boyd was shown training with the Rocky theme song.
After the wrestling match, Noni and Boyd both played in the basketball game.
Photo by Tom Rivers – Dan Kelly, a high school senior, offers instructions to the Kendall faculty team.
The Kendall squad was coached by Dan Kelly, a high school senior. He was animated by the team’s bench, shouting instructions. His coach, Justin Laureano, played for the Kendall faculty team.
“It’s been fun spending time with the teachers,” Kelly said about coaching the team. “I got to yell at my coach the way he yells at me.”
KENDALL – A Canandaigua man is hospitalized after falling from the operator’s platform on a hydraulic boom truck this morning.
The incident occurred shortly before 10:30 a.m., in the 900 block of West Kendall Road. Allen L. Harter, 62, had climbed up to the platform and was preparing to sit down in the boom operator’s chair when he lost his footing and fell to the ground, a distance of between 7 and 8 feet.
Harter was transported by Kendall FD ambulance to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester. He is employed by J.F. Electric Inc., of Edwardsville, Ill. The company leased the truck from Global Rental Co., in Indianapolis, Ind.
The incident was investigated by Deputy M.C. Mele.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 February 2014 at 12:00 am
EDA stipulates $500K annually in cottages need to be built or else no deal
ALBION – The Orleans Economic Development Agency this morning approved $227,000 in tax incentives over 10 years for The Cottages at Troutburg. However, if the developer fails to grow the tax base by at least $500,000 a year with new cottages or other projects, the incentive deal could be cancelled.
Kendall residents and town officials spoke out against the deal in two recent public hearings. Town Councilman Bruce Newell asked that any incentives be tied to performance or new development at the 126-acre former Salvation Army Camp along Lake Ontario.
The EDA board acknowledged today the agency doesn’t typically make performance part of a tax incentive package. But the board added that stipulation.
“That was great language that was negotiated in the process,” said Ken DeRoller, an EDA board member and county legislator from Kendall.
Orleans Hub will have more on the tax incentive deal later today.
