Julie Christensen has led district past 15 years

Photos by Tom Rivers: Julie Christensen hugs Linda Rak, a retired reading teacher at Kendall. Rak was among current and former teachers and staff who celebrated Christensen during a retirement reception on Wednesday evening at the school.

KENDALL – Julie Christensen said she has attended 500 Board of Education meetings in the past 20 years, which includes 15 years as Kendall’s school district superintendent and five years as an assistant superintendent at gates-Chili.

Wednesday was her final meeting as school superintendent at Kendall. She is retiring on Dec. 31. She was honored during a retirement reception prior to Wednesday’s board meeting.

“She has done a phenomenal job for us,” said Lisa Levett, the Board of Education president.

She praised Christensen for leading the district through major capital projects, curriculum and technology changes, and the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic the past two years. Kendall was able to offer in-person education all five days for all students during the 2020-21 school year when many other districts were on a hybrid or remote schedule.

Kaitlyn Catone, a seventh- and eighth-grade teacher at Kendall, chats with Julie Christensen at the retirement reception.

Catone is a Kendall graduate and returned to teach in her hometown.

“I have nothing but good things to say about her,” Catone said. “She is always warm and welcoming. She made it easy to come back home.”

Christensen is holding a book with 200 suggestions on how to spend retirement. The book includes ideas from students, teachers and staff.

Christensen also was given a wooden artwork display made by teacher Jeff Decker and student Evan Levett. It was made using wood from the old school bleachers.

Julie Christensen laughs with teachers and staff at the reception.

Heather Tomasino, the Kendall faculty Association president, praised Christensen for steady leadership and pushing student achievement.

Tomasino said Christensen led the district for deep state aid cuts in 2010, and was able to maintain programs for students. Christensen was able to reduce taxes for the community while spearheading technology upgrades and overhaul of the school campus.

“She has kept the tax rate low for community members and still provided opportunities for our students,” said Tomasino, a middle school special education teacher. “All of our students are on 1 to 1 devices and many rural schools have that.”

Christensen led the district through $40 million of capital construction projects in the past decade, as well as lofty academic standing. Kendall is routinely recognized by the U.S. News and World Report for its academic performance and the district typically has a 100 percent graduation rate.

Teachers and staff stand and applaud Julie Christensen for her service to the Kendall community.

Nick Picardo will take over superintendent on Jan. 1. He started at Kendall 16 years ago as a social studies teacher and boys soccer coach. Christensen encouraged him as he became a school administrator, first as the coordinator of Student Services and chairman of the Committee on Special Education at Kendall. He is currently the executive director for Student Services and Athletic Director.

“She has provided me with an opportunity and had faith in me,” Picardo said.

He praised her for mentoring other administrators, including former Kendall Elementary Principal Sharon Smith who is becoming Lyndonville’s interim school superintendent and Elba Superintendent Gretchen Rosales, who was Kendall’s instructional support specialist and middle school department chair.

Picardo said Christensen leaves the Kendall district in great shape with strong support from the community.

“I want to just continue with what’s been built here,” he said. “We have great staff and kids.”

Lisa Levett, the BOE president, thanked Christensen for a “phenomenal job” at Kendall.

Christensen, in her remarks at the reception, said she has hired the majority of Kendall’s current staff. They have proven to be student-focused.

She thanked the community, teachers and staff for a joint effort in creating a caring and successful school district.

She said she won’t miss the frequent red tape and often changing guidelines from the State Education Department, Health Department and government agencies.

“The people and the kids, that’s what matters at the end of the day,” she said.

KENDALL – The Kendall Faculty Association is bringing back Supper with Santa on Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m.

The KFA also will have its annual Christmas Sale during the school day and then again from 5 to 7 p.m. Both events raise money for the KFA scholarship fund.

Last year’s Supper with Santa was cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions. It’s back this year and organizers will be following Covid protocols to keep families safe, said Heather Tomasino, KFA president.

Supper with Santa is at the elementary school cafeteria and costs $5 per person or $20 max for a family and includes pizza, a cookie and drink as well as a a visit with Santa.

“We will have a little craft for each child as well as a little game that they can play while waiting for their turn to see the big guy,” Tomasino said.

The Christmas Sale will be held in the elementary school auditorium. It has been a long-standing event put on the KFA. Students can shop during the day to purchase gifts for their family members. Items cost between 25 cents and $3 and the KFA donates $1 to each student so nobody is left out.

“This is the first year that we are opening it in the evening so that families can bring their littlest ones in to shop as well,” Tomasino said.

KENDALL – The Kendall school district will be closed on Monday due to widespread power outages in the community. National Grid doesn’t expect to have the electricity restored until Monday evening or near midnight tomorrow.

Kendall staff also shouldn’t report to school, said Julie Christensen, the district superintendent.

The Kendall Town Hall also is opening as a warming center for residents, said Town Supervisor Tony Cammarata.

National Grid is reporting 1,855 customers in the Kendall community are without power, which is most of the town.

There are currently 4,644 National Grid customers in Orleans County without electricity, out of 19,601.

In Genesee there 3,991 Grid customers without electricity out of 27,109 customers. In Niagara, 4,992 Grid customers are without power out of 83,165 customers.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The Kendall Community Band, led by director Lori Cyr, performed on Saturday at the First Baptist Church in Albion.

Proceeds from the concert will go to Community Action of Orleans & Genesee. A concert on Nov. 4 by the band at Kendall High School was a fundraiser for the Kendall food cupboard.

The band is shown performing the “Dirty Dozen March.” It followed that with “Shenandoah.”

Lori Cyr provides some background on “Shenandoah.”

The band’s next concert will be 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 9 at Hoag Library.

Press Release, Kendall Central School

Nicholas Picardo

KENDALL – The Board of Education has selected Nicholas Picardo as the next superintendent of the Kendall Central School District, pending formal appointment to the position at the Board of Education meeting tonight. He will begin his new position on January 1.

“The Board of Education is excited that Nicholas Picardo, who has 16 years of experience in our district, will be our new leader for KCSD,” said Board President Lisa Levett. “We are thrilled to begin this next chapter with Nick, who brings a passion for teamwork and growth. We welcome his commitment to a well-rounded 21st Century educational program and equity for all our students.”

Picardo is currently the Executive Director for Student Services and Athletic Director for KCSD and has served in those positions since July 2018. Prior to that, Picardo served as the Coordinator of Student Services and Committee on Special Education Chair in the district, a position he began in July 2014.

Picardo has spent his educational career in Kendall serving as an administrator, Social Studies teacher, department chair, coach and advisor. Picardo and his wife, Kelly, live in the district, where their daughter, Sophia, attends school.

“The Kendall community is truly a special place to live and work,” Picardo said. “I am both humbled and excited to have been chosen as the next superintendent of the Kendall Central School District. I look forward to working with the Board of Education, staff and community to ensure that we continue to provide our students with an exceptional educational experience.”

The Board was pleased with the breadth of experience and quality skillset each finalist had to offer, and they would like to thank Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES District Superintendent and Search Consultant Jo Anne L. Antonacci for her assistance throughout the search process.

Press Release, Kendall Central School

KENDALL – The Kendall Central School District Board of Education has chosen three finalists for the district’s next top administrator. The finalists are:

• Jennifer DeVinney – Assistant Superintendent for Instruction, Lyons CSD
• Nicholas Picardo – Executive Director for Student Services and Athletic Director, Kendall CSD
• Kerstin “Kas” Wheeler – Educational Consultant, New York State Council of School Superintendents

“The Kendall Board of Education is pleased with the committed educational leaders we have announced as finalists. We’d like to thank the entire Kendall community for the feedback they provided during this process,” said Board President Lisa Levett. “We are confident this process will deliver a new leader who will support a well-rounded 21st century educational program that includes the arts and extracurricular activities. One who will promote growth, demonstrate a commitment to equity for all and invest in developing strong relationships with the Board of Education, our staff and community through transparent leadership.”

The backgrounds of each finalist include:

Jennifer DeVinney

Jennifer DeVinney is currently the Assistant Superintendent for Instruction in the Lyons Central School District and has served in that position since 2019. Prior to that, DeVinney was the Director of Technology and Curriculum for two years and the Middle-High School Assistant Principal for one year, both in the Lyons Central School District. She taught middle school Spanish for nine years in the Solvay Union Free School District and AP Spanish for one year in the Westhill School District.

DeVinney holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Childhood Education and Spanish from Elmira College, a Master’s Degree in Teacher Leadership from the University of Phoenix, and a Master’s Degree in School Building and School District Leadership from St. John’s University. She previously served on the Board of Education in the Red Creek Central School District where she currently resides with her husband Nathan, who is an electrician. DeVinney and her husband are small business owners and have four children: Connor, 11, Addison, 9, Reagan, 7 and Barrett, 2.

Nicholas Picardo

Nicholas Picardo is currently the Executive Director for Student Services and Athletic Director

for the Kendall Central School District and has served in those positions since July 2018. Prior to that, Picardo served as the Coordinator of Student Services and Committee on Special Education Chair in the Kendall Central School District, a position he began in July 2014. Picardo has spent his educational career in the Kendall Central School District serving as an administrator, Social Studies teacher, department chair, coach and advisor.

Picardo holds a Bachelor of Science in History from SUNY Geneseo, a Master of Science in Education from Roberts Wesleyan College and a Certificate of Advanced Study in Education Administration from SUNY Brockport. He also completed the Future Superintendents Academy program through the

New York State Council of School Superintendents. Picardo and his wife Kelly live in the Kendall Central School District where their daughter Sophia attends school.

Kerstin “Kas” Wheeler

Kerstin “Kas” Wheeler earned a Bachelor of Arts in Modern Foreign Languages with a concentration in business and a Master of Science in Education from Nazareth College. She earned a Certificate of Advanced Study in Educational Administration from SUNY Brockport. Wheeler has served in both small and large districts as a teacher in both general and special education, a building leader, Director and Assistant Superintendent. She is also currently serving as an educational consultant through the New York State Council of School Superintendents, as well as the chair-elect of the Rochester Finger Lakes Affliate of NYS Association for Women in Administration. Wheeler is a self- proclaimed bookworm, appreciator of the arts and outdoor enthusiast. She cherishes family time with her husband, their three children, and grandchild.

The three finalists are scheduled for individual day-long visits to district buildings. The schedule is as follows:

• Thursday, October 21: Jennifer DeVinney
• Wednesday, October 27: Nicholas Picardo
• Thursday, October 28: Kerstin “Kas” Wheeler

Each day-long visit will end with a Meet the Finalist Forum beginning at 4:30 p.m. in the Kendall Junior/Senior High School Auditorium for all community members to meet the candidates in person.

“The members of the Kendall Board of Education have dedicated themselves to an intensive process to select finalists for a new superintendent,” said Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES District Superintendent and Search Consultant Jo Anne L. Antonacci. “Their choice of three qualified candidates demonstrates their commitment to providing Kendall with exceptional leadership.”

These three quilt patterns are among 40 on the Kendall Barn Quilt Trail. From left they include “The Farmer’s Daughter,”  “Twisting Star” and “Railroad Crossing.”

“Illuminating Orleans” – Vol. 1, No. 24

By Catherine Cooper, Orleans County Historian

KENDALL – Colorful quilt patterns have adorned barns in the Kendall area since 2006 when quilting enthusiast, Lora Partyka, first suggested the idea of a local quilt trail which generated a great deal of local enthusiasm.

Soon the 4’x 4’ hand-painted squares which depict designs that signify the property or the owner’s interests were to be seen on many barns and the initiative was the focus of tourist interest.

• The Farmer’s Daughter quilt pattern is on Countyline Road at Partyka Farms. Lora’s design was the first to be displayed. Lora is a fifth generation farmer’s daughter on her father’s side.

• Railroad Crossing on Kendall Road was selected by Jeanette and Bill Behnke. Bill was a conductor for the Kodak Industrial rail system. This design also reflects local railroad history. The property is close to the old Hojack Line which was instrumental in the development of Kendall as a shipping center for the abundance of locally grown farm produce.

Train service began in 1876. Several industries developed around the railroad station: grain storage, cold storage, dry-houses, coal-yards. As transportation methods changed, the Hojack Line became defunct in the 1970s, having served the area for one hundred years. Two buildings which used to be on the railroad property, a small shed and a red octagonal building, were relocated beside the Behnke barn.

• Twisting Star is on Bropst farm on Peter Smith Road features this dramatic design selected as it was a personal favorite and reflects the constancy of the beauty of the area as well as the changes caused by time and climate

These are but a few of the over 40 barn quilts in Orleans County. As we are celebrating Heritage Season, a leisurely country quilt-spotting drive might be in order.

Can you find this barn?

Make-A-Wish originally had playground built for Elaina Dixie Webb

Photos by Tom Rivers

KENDALL – Kyle and Beth Webb are pictured with Lora and Jeff Partyka today at Partyka Farms in Kendall.

A playground built in January 2017 for the Webbs’ daughter, Elaina Dixie Webb, has been relocated to Partyka Farms, 1420 County Line Road (Route 272).

Elaina was 2 ½ when she passed away on Feb. 7, 2017 from cancer – acute myeloid leukemia. The Make-A-Wish Foundation paid for Bears Playgrounds in Lima to construct the playground in January 2017.

The playground was in the family’s backyard on Herrick Street. They no longer live there. The playground had been removed and in storage for nearly two years. Beth Webb said she is very appreciative to Bears Playgrounds for keeping the playground in storage and then reassembling it at Partyka’s, with some changes to meet commercial regulations. Bears also replaced some pieces.

Elaina Dixie Webb, 2 ½, is shown with her father Kyle Webb and older brother Colin after a new playground was opened on Jan. 19, 2017 in the family’s former backyard on Herrick Street in Albion.

The Webb family initially offered the playground to the Village of Albion but that didn’t move forward because the village’s insurance company said the equipment wasn’t up to municipal code. The playground was built to be used in a backyard by a family.

Beth Webb happened to be at Partyka’s in June for ice cream with her 5-year-old twin sons. She thought the playground would fit in well with a play area by the farm market.

Lora and Jeff Partyka had been talking about adding a playground at the site in recent years and even visited Bears Playground. They paid some of the cost to have the playground relocated and modified.

Workers from Bears Playgrounds – Curtis Northrop, left, and Brett Otto – spread mulch at the playground at Partyka Farms in Kendall.

Kyle Webb said the farm market and play area will be a draw for the playground.

“We wanted it to be used,” he said. “We wanted it to be used by as many kids as possible.”

This bench with Elaina’s name is next to a tree by the playground. Her parents said Elaina loved the outdoors.

“She was a nature girl,” Beth said.

The playground has slides, a climbing wall and a bridge.

“It fits perfectly,” Lora Partyka said.

She said the farm will add picnic tables nearby and will stain some of the new wood.

There will also be a plaque noting the playground was given in honor of Elaina Dixie Webb.

Kyle and Beth Webb are pictured with the playground crew from Bears – Lenny Yokes, Curtis Northrop and Brett Otto (with orange head band).

Provided photos

KENDALL – David Warren of Kendall played Taps this morning for each of the four times then planes crashed during the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

Warren played Taps at the Kendall Town Park which includes a war memorial. Warren, a member of Bugles Across America, wanted to honor the nearly 3,000 people killed in the terrorist attacks 20 years ago.

There was a reading prior to each sounding to let the audience know which plane crashed and who was being honored.  There were many community members that attended for one or more of the soundings, Warren said.

Warren played Taps at the following times:

• 8:46 a.m. when Flight 11 crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City
• 9:03 a.m. when Flight 175 crashes into the South Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City
• 9:37 a.m. when Flight 77 crashed into The Pentagon in Washington, D.C.
• 10:03 a.m. when Flight 93 crashed into a field in Shanksville, Pa.

Click here to see a video of Warren playing Taps this morning.

There will be a community memorial service at 6 p.m. today at the Courthouse lawn in Albion.

KENDALL – Dave Warren, a member of Bugles Across America, will play Taps on 4 times on Saturday at the times of the four plane crashes on the 20^th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people.

Warren will play Taps at the Kendall Town Park across from the elementary school. That park includes a war memorial. He will be among 900 buglers around the country playing Taps.

Warren will play Taps at the following times:

• 8:46 a.m. when Flight 11 crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City
• 9:03 a.m. when Flight 175 crashes into the South Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City
• 9:37 a.m. when Flight 77 crashed into The Pentagon in Washington, D.C.
• 10:03 a.m. when Flight 93 crashed into a field in Shanksville, Pa.

“I believe that all those who perished in this tragic event deserve to be honored,” Warren said. “As an American, and a member of Bugles Across America, I am proud to be part of this event.”

Provided photos

MURRAY – Friends of Tom Drennan rallied for Drennan and his family on Saturday during a “Tee Off for Tom Drennan” golf tournament, which raised $25,000 for the Drennan family.

Drennan, a retired chief deputy and investigator with the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office and a longtime Kendall firefighter, is shown with his wife Terri and also getting a hug from Tim Juhrs, one of the organizers of the event.

Drennan was diagnosed with a blood cancer called multiple myeloma in March and received a stem cell transplant in July.

The golf tournament at Hickory Ridge included 144 golfers and 235 dinners sold. There was a basket auction, silent auction and a 50/50 raffle.

Photos by Ginny Kropf: The Woodams family from Center Road, Kendall, pose in front of their hops field, which is nearly ready to harvest. From left are son Ethan, Kim and John Woodams and longtime family friend and helper Frank Mandigo.

KENDALL – Growing hops is a family venture for John and Kim Woodams of Center Road, and one which they are eager to promote any way they can.

On Tuesday, the Woodams hosted the first hops festival at their farm, in hopes of sharing their passion for the crop.

More than 100 breweries across New York state were invited, according to Kim Woodams. However, while many responded, most could not attend because of the shortage of laborers, they said.

“There is a high demand for hops, but we can’t find anybody to work,” said Josh Kimm, owner of Skaneateles Brewery. “With college kids looking at getting their school loans paid for by the government, why would they want to work?”

The Woodams are fortunate to have a family friend of more than 60 years, Frank Mangio, who helps any way he can, as do the Woodams children.

The Woodams have 10 acres of hops and plan to plant five more acres next year.

Larry Smart, a professor of Horticulture and Plant Breeding at Cornell University, attended the Woodams’s hops festival with Chris Gerling, a senior Extension Associate in the Department of Food Service at Cornell.

Smart explained the increase in popularity of growing hops is due to the laws being passed requiring brewers to buy a certain percent of hops from local growers. That number is currently 60 percent, but will increase to 90 percent in 2024.

He went on to say most hops grown in New York come from out west and don’t do well in New York’s climate. Hops grow well in the Pacific Northwest, because the climate is so dry. He said Cornell is trying to create hops that will grow well here in New York’s shorter growing season.

Several individuals interested in growing hops attended a hops festival Tuesday at the home of John and Kim Woodams. Checking out samples of the varieties the Woodams grow are, clockwise from left, Chris Gerling, a senior Extension associate in the Department of Food Service at Cornell; Josh Kimm, owner of the Skaneateles Brewery; Larry Smart, professor of Horticulture and Plant Breeding at Cornell; John Woodams; and son Ethan Woodams.

In spite of New York’s climate not being the most ideal for growing hops, their popularity is attributed to the fact people want local ingredients in their beer, along with the laws requiring brewers use a certain amount of locally grown hops.

Smart said he had never worked with hops before and attended the Woodams’ hops festival to learn as much as he could.

“I am happy to take this opportunity to learn from the growers,” Smart said.

Ken Greenwood of Avon accepted the Woodams’ invitation because he hopes to build or buy a brewery and wants to learn as much as he can about the industry.

“If I can buy a brewery, it will be between Buffalo and Syracuse, but if I have to build, it will be in Livingston County,” he said.

It was also revealed that the Cooperstown area was one of the original hops growing regions in New York state, due to the fact the Anheuser-Busch family once had a vacation home there and grew hops.

The Woodams planted their first hops five years ago and harvested a few last year. This year will be their first major crop, John said. They plan to start harvesting the first of the vines in about a week.

Concluding the hops festival was a catered lunch provided by the Woodams and sampling of several varieties of craft beers from the Skaneateles Brewery.