Lyndonville/Yates

Sharon Smith announces retirement as Lyndonville superintendent on Aug. 1

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 January 2025 at 7:37 pm

District will work with Orleans/Niagara BOCES to pick successor

Sharon Smith

LYNDONVILLE – Sharon Smith, the school superintendent for the past three years, announced she will be retiring on Aug. 1.

“It has been my greatest honor to serve as the Lyndonville Central School District Superintendent,” Smith said in a letter to the Board of Education on Jan. 14. “I am proud of the work accomplished together with my administrative team, faculty, staff and the Lyndonville Board of Education.”

Smith’s educational career spans 40 years, with her first 22 years as a teacher and the past 18 as an administrator. Prior to being Lyndonville’s school superintendent, she worked three years for Lyndonville as Director of Instruction and Student Services.

Previously, she worked as Kendall’s elementary principal, a curriculum coordinator for Frontier Schools and assistant principal, CIO and grants coordinator for Newfane schools. Prior to her administrative career, she worked as an elementary teacher for 22 years.

“I am so grateful for all the opportunities afforded me in my 40-year career, but it has been my greatest honor to serve as the Lyndonville Superintendent of Schools,” Smith wrote to the Board of Education.

Smith helped lead the district through a successful vote on a $19.5 million capital project. That was approved on Dec. 14, 2023.

Jerod Thurber, president of the Lyndonville BOE, said praised Smith for her service to the school district.

“We wish her the best in this next chapter of her life,” Thurber said.

The board will work with Dr. Taweepon Farrar, district superintendent of the Orleans/Niagara BOCES, in the search for a new district superintendent. This consultation service is provided to the district at no cost, Thurber said.

“A defined timeline will be shared with the community in February,” Thurber said in a letter posted on the district website. “Information about the search and critical updates will be provided to the community regularly.”

He welcomed input from residents and district stakeholders in the selection of the next superintendent.

“The Lyndonville Central School District Board of Education is committed to ensuring our students continue to receive exceptional education and set their path for future success,” Thurber wrote in the letter. “To uphold this commitment, our community must come together and work on finding an outstanding superintendent who will lead our schools into the future with vision, excellence and tiger pride.”

Hank, a Golden Retriever at Lyndonville school district, completes therapy dog training

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 January 2025 at 7:53 am

Provided photos: Lyndonville School Board President Jerod Thurber, center, congratulates Hank on completing therapy dog training. Sharon Smith, the district superintendent, is at right and Jason Barnum, the school resource officer, is at left.

Jason Barnum holds Hank soon after the dog became a part of the school community about a year ago in January 2024.

LYNDONVILLE – The school district celebrated a special graduation during the Board of Edcation meeting on Tuesday.

Hank, an English Cream Golden Retriever, has completed therapy dog training. Hank has been in the schools for about a year with his handler, Deputy Jason Barnum of the Orleans County Sheriff’s office. Barnum is also the school resource officer.

“Deputy Barnum and Hank have certainly made a positive impact on the students and staff at the Lyndonville School,” said Sheriff Chris Bourke. “I appreciate the partnership the Sheriff’s Office has with Lyndonville School District to provide a school resource deputy and Hank.”

Bourke said Hank and Barnum are a “dynamic duo” that make a positive impact in the school community, by fostering trust, safety and emotional support for students and staff.

Hank stays with Barnum and his family when not at school. Hank doesn’t do police work but is a school therapy dog, supporting the social, emotional and mental health of students.

As part of Hank’s year-long training, school counselors, administrators, and members of faculty and staff also attended trainings to develop programing, supervise Hank in a school setting, and support him. Hank and Barnum received training from the Eye of Oden K9 Training from Kent.

Hank is at Lyndonville through a collaboration between the school, county and Orleans County Sheriff’s Department. The Lyndonville Area Foundation and the Lyndonville Lions Club donated towards materials and supplies for Hank.

Lyndonville has 1 trustee up for election on March 18

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 January 2025 at 8:53 am

LYNDONVILLE – There is one position up for election on the Village Board. The election will be on March 18 with voting from noon to 9 p.m. at the Village Hall, 2 South Main St.

Potential candidates can pick up petitions from the village office. Those petitions need at least 27 signatures from registered voters in the village and must be turned in by Feb. 11.

The position up for election is a two-year term. Terry Stinson was in the spot until she stepped down as village trustee in August.

In 16 years as Yates library director, Cebula expanded programs, connections with readers

Photo by Tom Rivers: Emily Cebula is shown last week at Yates Community Library, where she was director the director the past 16 years. She is retiring. There will be a reception in her honor on Jan. 21 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the library.

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 January 2025 at 10:04 am

LYNDONVILLE – Emily Cebula started a new chapter in her life in 2008 when she was hired as director of the Yates Community Library.

Cebula, a Bergen native, had recently moved to Lyndonville. She liked the small town atmosphere and felt providence with the position opening up.

“It was a God-given thing to have this job and a home,” Cebula said.

She was eager to commit long-term to a community. Her late husband Jacob Cebula was in the U.S. Forest Service and worked in more than a dozen states. He was 51 when he passed away 21 years ago.

Emily and Jacob both grew up in Bergen. Their goal was to return and close to their hometown.

“We both loved this area beyond anything else,” Cebula said. “It was our dream to come back to this area.”

After earning her master’s in library science from Geneseo State College, Emily started her career 40 years ago when she was hired as the first director of the Gillam Grant Community Center Library in Bergen. She set up the library with its first 10,000 books.

During her husband’s career, Cebula would work at a library in Missouri and as a teacher’s assistant in North Carolina. The job at Yates Community Library was a chance to lead a library again.

“She has been wonderful,” said Ginny Hughes, a board member for the library. “She really embraced the community when she moved here. She is a valuable person in the community.”

File photo: Emily Cebula, director of Yates Community Library, reads a story to first-graders after they saw a story walk in October 2019.

Cebula is the lone full-time employee at the library with four part-timers. The library has an annual circulation of about 12,000 books and other items.

Hughes often drives by the library and Cebula’s car is parked there early and late.

“She is a very sweet person who has the library and reading in her heart,” Hughes said. “She has tried to help every reader.”

Cebula organizes many of the library programs, an outdoor concert series, book club and other projects.

“The more programs we have, the more ways we can get people in the library,” Hughes said.

Cebula is retiring. There will be a reception at the library in her honor from 4 to 6 p.m. on Jan. 21.

Yates Community Library has hired Chrissy Carney as the new director. Carney worked for the Nioga Library System helping the member libraries develop and run programs, especially the smaller libraries in the three-county system. She worked as an assistant for Nioga with youth services.

“She knows the Nioga administrators and member libraries’ staff,” Cebula said.

Serving as director of a library is like running a small business, Cebula said, managing employees, planning programs, meeting customer needs and operating on a lean budget.

“We do everything the bigger libraries do but we do it with a smaller staff and less money,” Cebula said.

Lyndonville Lions announce Christmas decoration winners in community

Photos from Lyndonville Lions Club: The Christmas Decorations Committee bestowed the “Best Country Christmas” award to Jeff and Donna Manquen who reside on the Blood Road in the Town of Yates.

Posted 30 December 2024 at 2:03 pm

Press Release, Lyndonville Lions Club

LYNDONVILLE – The Christmas Decorations Committee of the Lyndonville Lions Club traversed the Village of Lyndonville and the surrounding community of the Town of Yates in search of the best holiday decorations on Sunday, Dec. 29.

The long-established tradition of awarding honorary plaques to residents of the local community was once again carried out to recognize their hard work in decorating their homes for the Christmas season along with their increased electric bills.

Inflation is real in Lyndonville as the committee saw a large “Inflation” of more displays.

This year’s inflatable display award goes to Mr. Eric Morton and Ms. Rose Carter of 65 Maple Avenue in the Village of Lyndonville. The committee was unanimous on this selection as Eric and Rose’s efforts are year-round and calculated into the equation of “Best Inflatable Display.”

The committee awarded the Best Newcomer Award to Andy and Donna Krall in the Village of Lyndonville. Not only are they newcomers, just recently moving into Lyndonville, they wasted no time or effort in joining in the holiday tradition of exterior home Illumination for Christmas. The Lions would like to send their holiday wishes and a big welcome to Mr. and Mrs. Krall.

An award was also bestowed on Ms. Barb Tice of 8 Eagle St. for the “Best in Show 2025.” This decoration job touches all the facets of the holiday season with lights, Christmas ornaments and Nutcrackers on display. It was felt that this display has been one of the largest and longest running displays in Lyndonville and really brings in a welcome feeling to Lyndonville for Christmas.

The first rural award went to Ryan and Katie Klotzbach of Alps Road for the most traditional Christmas display. The committee felt this simple display reflected the “Reason for the Season” and wanted to recognize it for its simple but powerful message.

The final award was given to Steve Shaw who resides on North Main Street in Lyndonville. The Currier and Ives Award honors the home decorations reflective of a nostalgic Christmas long ago.

The Lions had two honorable mention awards. It was felt the first reflected the Amish influence in the Town of Yates and the committee want to recognize this effort.

The second honorable mention went to a resident on Maple Avenue in the Town of Lyndonville. The committee felt this display was award worthy but since the resident already has a “Major Award” on display it was felt our plaque would have paled in comparison.

The Lyndonville Lions would like to thank all those who year in and year out continue to add, change or start decorating their homes for the Christmas Season. In an effort to increase the competition for these prestigious awards the Lions not only honored recipients with a plaque, but this year honorees received a gift certificate to the White Birch Resort.

The Lions would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year and my God continue to bless us and this great nation we live in as we start 2025.

State grant for $1.1 million allows Land Conservancy to acquire 153 acres in Yates

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 December 2024 at 8:41 am

Town sought land by Lake Ontario but purchase was defeated in public referendum in June

This map shows the boundaries of 153 acres in the Town of Yates that will be acquired by the Western New York Land Conservancy with a state grant for $1,120,387.

YATES – A state grant will allow 153 acres in the Town of Yates by Lake Ontario to be protected for future generations.

The state announced on Dec. 26 that it awarded a $1,120,387 grant to the Western New York Land Conservancy to acquire the 153-acre Yates Lakeshore Preserve.

This is the land the town sought to buy, but it was rejected in a public referendum on June 20 by 260-145. Yates officials envisioned walking and nature trails at the site.

The town had negotiated buying the land for $700,000 from NYSEG, with the stipulation the purchase come from grant funds not local tax dollars. Some residents stated they were concerned losing the land’s tax revenue, about $25,000 a year, and also the ongoing maintenance and insurance costs for the town.

The land owned by NYSEG was at one time eyed for a power plant. That project ended up at Somerset.

Town Supervisor Jim Simon saw the 153.3 acres by Lake Ontario as a tremendous opportunity for the town to preserve undisturbed land for generations to come. The site is next to the 6-acre Yates Town Park on Morrison Road.

He is pleased to see the land will be protected from development. When the town was eyeing the property, he said Yates officials received three inquiries about purchasing the land, and then two more requests after the June 20 referendum. The Land Conservancy was one of those entities.

In each case, Simon said he passed along the contact to NYSEG’s real estate manager.

“Needless to say, although we don’t yet know the details of the grant since we were not involved in the WNYLC grant request or the award, the Yates Town Board is very excited that the announced grant award will allow WNYLC to preserve and protect one of the few remaining natural watersheds and flora/fauna habitats in the western Lake Ontario littoral,” Simon said.

The state, in announcing the grant, said the acquisition in the Marsh Creek watershed by the Conservancy will protect drinking water and preserve lakeshore landscapes.

Kyle Semmel, communications manager for the Land Conservancy, said the organization has a mission “to permanently protect land with significant conservation value for the benefit of future generations, and this property is just such a place.”

The state funding comes from a DEC Water Quality Improvement Grant (WQIP). The primary purpose of the WQIP program is to improve water quality in the state, Semmel said.

The Yates land has for two public water intakes 2.5 and 6.5 miles downstream that serve more than 18,000 residents in eight municipalities: the towns of Yates, Albion, Barre, Carlton, Gaines, Murray, Ridgeway, Albion/Orleans Correctional Facilities, and the villages of Lyndonville and Albion, Semmel said.

“For the first few years of our ownership of the property, we will restore the shoreline and streambank areas to prevent erosion,” he said. “We also plan to conduct ecological restoration of the forested portion of the property to reduce invasive species, plant more native species, and enhance wildlife habitat.”

The 153 acres of lakeshore habitat are also of significant ecological value, featuring shrubland, mature native trees, successional forest, and abundant nesting and migratory bird habitat, Semmel said.

“Once conserved, this property will be restored to enhance habitat for rare and protected plants and animals, and to allow increased water retention on site,” he said. “Given its location along the Lake Ontario shoreline, the property is ideal for low-impact public access. The Land Conservancy will bear all stewardship and maintenance costs, including trail maintenance, signage, and other necessary public access amenities.”

Retiring Yates library director gets praise from Town Board

File photo by Tom Rivers: Emily Cebula, director of Yates Community Library, holds a copy of The Beloved Wild, which was featured in a community reading project in July 2019. Cebula is retiring from leading the library.

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 December 2024 at 11:02 am

LYNDONVILLE – Emily Cebula is retiring next week after leading the Yates Community Library since 2008, a time when the library expanded cultural programming and gave the interior a significant renovation.

The Yates Town Board issued a proclamation on Dec. 12 praising her “exemplary” service as the library director.

She was commended for organizing and leading the “Lyndonville Reads” community reading project, overseeing a summer outdoor concert series, and her “exceptional” collaborative work with employees, volunteers, the board of trustees and NIOGA.

The Yates Town Board also cited Cebula’s efforts to implement the Orleans Digital Literacy Project, and her enhancements of the library website with digitized local newspapers and school yearbooks.

“The Yates Town Board hereby recognizes Emily Cebula’s faithful service to our community as director of the Yates Community Library, and wishes her all the best in her retirement,” the proclamation stated.

Cebula is the second public library director to retire this year in Orleans County. Sandra Shaw also retired from leading the Community Free Library in Holley.

Vann appointed to fill vacancy on Yates Town Board

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 December 2024 at 9:01 am

Photos by Tom Rivers: John Riggi, left, has stepped down as Yates town councilman and his spot will be filled by Steve Vann, who is shown speaking at a Lyndonville Board of Education meeting in May.

YATES – The Yates Town Board has appointed Steve Vann to fill a vacancy as town councilman with the resignation of John Riggi.

Vann, the chairman of Village of Lyndonville Planning Board, was appointed on Dec. 12. He starts on Jan. 1.

Vann was a member of the Lyndonville Board of Education. He works as a president of J.S.C Management Group which operates many Burger King restaurants.

Riggi served nearly a decade on the Town Board. He was active in a fight against large wind turbines in Yates and Somerset, serving as president of the Save Ontario Shores group. During his tenure on the board, Yates passed town ordinances making it more difficult to site industrial-sized turbines in the town.

Town Supervisor Jim Simon said Vann will be an asset to the Town Board starting on Jan. 1. Vann brings a business acumen, and expertise in finance and health care expenses, Simon said during the Dec. 12 meeting.

Lyndonville Lions have busy holiday season

Posted 19 December 2024 at 9:29 am

Photos and information courtesy of Lyndonville Lions Club

The Lions Club decorated a tree and served hot dogs and hamburgers during Lyndonville’s festival of Christmas trees on Dec. 7.

LYNDONVILLE – The Lyndonville Lions had a busy month of December to wrap up their 2024 agenda.

On Dec. 7 the Lions furnished hot dogs and hamburgers to a hungry crowd attending the Village of Lyndonville Christmas Tree Lighting Festival. The day long activities included a morning brunch, an extensive craft show and various other venues for people to visit.

The evening culminated with the arrival of Santa courtesy of the Lyndonville Fire District. Cool temperatures and a bitter cold north wind did not stop attendees from seeing Santa flip the switch as he illuminated over 85 Christmas trees in the village park.

The Lions held their final meeting of 2024 on Dec. 11 which was followed by their annual Christmas dinner party. All of the participants were treated to Christmas melodies performed by Mr. Kevin Clark from Lockport.

His Christmas performance includes a Christmas trivia challenge, name that tune contest and as always, a closing session of Christmas caroling.

During this event the Lions collected Christmas presents to be donated to the Genesee/Orleans Ministry of Concern. The Club also financially donates to this organization throughout the year to support the needed work they carry out all year long.

The Lions Club held their Christmas Party on Dec. 11 at the White Birch.

On Dec. 12 the Lions carried out their annual poinsettia delivery for shut-ins in the Town of Yates. Annually, the Lions provide a small bit of holiday cheer with the delivery of a poinsettia plant to local shut-ins during the Christmas season.

On Dec. 13, the Lions supported the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign. A monetary donation was given from the club along with sessions of Lions Club and Leo Club members ringing the bell at Tops Market in Medina.

Donors were treated with a heartfelt holiday thank you and candy canes. The Salvation Army is the largest non-government provider of social services in the United States and one of the top five worldwide. The Lyndonville Lions were proud to support their efforts.

Lyndonville Lions Club members, Julie & David Godfrey and Jeff & Lynne Johnson, rang the Salvation Army Red Kettle at the Tops in Medina.

The Lyndonville Lions would like to thank all those who have supported the Lions during the year. The club is actively planning for 2025 and further details of upcoming events will be forthcoming in the near future.

During this time of year, we are reminded of the biblical verse from Luke 2:11: “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

We wish all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We ask that God continues to bless you and your family and this great nation we live in.

Lyndonville Foundation gives towards EMS training equipment at East Shelby

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 December 2024 at 10:02 am

Photo by Tom Rivers

EAST SHELBY – The Lyndonville Area Foundation has approved a $9,700 grant to the East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company for EMS training equipment. East Shelby trains many of the EMTs in Orleans and nearby counties.

Lyndonville Foundation representatives met at the East Shelby fire hall on Monday evening to see some of the new equipment.

Pictured from left include Mike Fuller, an EMT and certified instructor coordinator; Norm Behrend, CIC; Russ Martino, treasurer of Lyndonville Area Foundation; Harold Sure, EMT and foundation board member; Sue Behrend, EMS coordinator at East Shelby and CIC; and Gary Lamar, a Shelby firefighter in the EMS continuing medical education recertification program.

East Shelby just had 20 EMTs students take their practical skills exam. Behrend leads the four-month training program that starts in August. Classes are twice a week, and sometimes additionally on Saturday.

The new equipment includes two mannequins to train on opening airways and properly do suctions. The mannequins will be used to practice inserting an oropharyngeal airway (OPA), which is is a medical device in airway management to maintain or open a patient’s airway. The students also will insert a nasopharyngeal airway (NPA), which is a thin, clear, flexible tube into a nostril.

There is also a new childbirth mannequin at left to practice birthing scenarios, from breached birth, normal child births and the umbilical cord around the baby’s neck.

The grant from the Foundation also paid for a hemorrhage control kit to practice “Stop the Bleed” from gunshot wounds, punctures or other cases with big open wounds. The EMS class often used a Nerf ball to simulate “Stop the Bleed.”

The EMS program also now has two emergency traction splints, and padded wood splints to assist the class in training to move people with broken legs and other injuries.

Harold Suhr, an EMT for 25 years, also is on the Foundation board of directors. He said East Shelby is training and recertifying many of the EMTs in the county, as well as eastern Niagara and Genesee. That includes an EMT in Lyndonville, and many who respond to calls in Lyndonville.

“This really saves lives,” Suhr said about enhancing the training for EMTs.

Lyndonville lights up 82 Christmas trees decorated by community

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 December 2024 at 8:37 pm

Photos by Tom Rivers

LYNDONVILLE – The Village of Lyndonville welcomed Santa to Veterans Park this evening, when he flipped the switch to turn on the lights of 82 Christmas trees decorated at Veterans Park.

The village started the tradition of decorating the trees in 2013 with 26 the first year. The number steadily grew reaching a record high of 98 in 2022. Last year there were 85, and now 82 this year.

The trees will be lighted up until just after New Year’s Day.

After he flipped the switch at the “North Pole Electric Company” at veterans Park, Santa went into the Village Hall where he greeted a long line of families.

This group includes the Freeman siblings, who are the children of Devan Freeman, Lyndonville’s DPW superintendent. The kids include from left Nora, Carson (standing), Carter and Averie.

Here are some more photos of the trees, including the one in front decorated by Lyndonville’s Class of 1982.

82 Christmas trees will be decorated at Veterans Park in Lyndonville

File photo by Tom Rivers: These trees were lighted up and decorated in December 2022 at Veterans Park in Lyndonville. The village will turn on the lights on Saturday for 82 trees.

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 December 2024 at 11:40 am

LYNDONVILLE – The community is gearing up for its “Christmas in Lyndonville” celebration on Saturday.

There are activities throughout the day, capped by the lighting of 82 Christmas trees at Veterans Park at 5 p.m. and then a chance to meet Santa from 5:15 to 6:30 at the village office.

The trees are purchased for $45 and decorated by businesses, organizations, families, churches and some graduating classes from Lyndonville.

The village started the tradition of decorating the trees in 2013 with 26 the first year. The number steadily grew reaching a record high of 98 in 2022. Last year there were 85, and now 82 this year.

Santa will arrive at 5 p.m. to flip the switch at the “North Pole” at the park and turn on the lights. The trees will stay on display until after New Year’s, said Teri Buffin, the village clerk/treasurer.

The event on Saturday is sponsored by the Village of Lyndonville, Lyndonville Fire Department, Lyndonville Lions Club and Lyndonville United Methodist Women.

The schedule for Saturday includes:

Mail letters to Santa at the North Pole Post located at the Yates Community Library
8 a.m. to 11 a.m. – Community Breakfast/Basket Raffle – Lyndonville Presbyterian Church
9 a.m. to 8 p.m. – Holiday Cookie Decorating Station & Crafts – Webber Kitchen
9 a.m. to 8 p.m. – Soup, Sandwiches, Mac & Cheese & Hot & Cold Drinks – Webber Kitchen
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Magical Musical Craft Show – Music Boosters – Lyndonville School
10 a.m. to until sold out – Paula’s Donuts & Food – Music Boosters – Lyndonville School
2 p.m. to 4 p.m. – Petting Zoo – Library Parking Lot
2 p.m. to 4 p.m. – Hot Chocolate – M&T Bank – Library Parking Lot
2 p.m. to 4 p.m. – Catherine Street Bakery – Library Parking Lot
2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. – Frosty Toss – Christine Heideman Ins. Broker – Library Parking Lot
2 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. – Horse Drawn Carriage Rides – Village Hall
2 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. – NYS Child ID – Orleans County Sheriff’s Dept – Village Hall
2 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. – Pizza Slices & Subs – Chops Shop Bar & Grill North – Library Parking Lot
3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. – Craft & Games at Yates Community Library
3 p.m. to 6 p.m. – Hotdogs & Sodas with Lyndonville Lions Club – Library
4:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. – Caroling at Veterans Park
5 p.m. to Santa’s Arrival & Lighting of Trees at Vets Park
5:15 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. – Visit with Santa
7 p.m. – Christmas LaLaPalooza at Lyndonville Presbyterian Church

Lyndonville Lions welcome new member, look forward to busy 2025

Posted 15 November 2024 at 8:12 pm

Photos from Lyndonville Lions Club: New Lions Club member Justin Widrig, left, takes the Lions Club oath while joined by long-time member Jeff Johnson, center, and President Eric Johnson.

Press Release, Lyndonville Lions Club

LYNDONVILLE – The Lyndonville Lions inducted a new member, Justin Widrig, and four new Leo Club members on Wednesday.

Two more Lions Club members will be sworn in next month with the full traditional candle and blindfold ceremony to be held in the spring for all three new members. The Lions leadership stated that they were happy with the addition of younger members who in the future will carry the Lions Club International torch forward.

The new Leo Club members – Austin Bentley, Grace Fox, James Giarla and Amir Huzair – from the Lyndonville Central School were inducted by Ms. Gina Marker, the club advisor.

The Leos assist the Lyndonville Lions Club in their community projects and are scheduled to help with the upcoming Village of Lyndonville Christmas Tree Lighting and will be caroling during the Lions planned Salvation Army Red Kettle Bell Ringing.

Lyndonville Leo’s Club members attended Wednesday’s Lions Club meeting.

The Lyndonville Lions will be busy this holiday season with several planned events. Their annual “Poinsettia’s for Shut Ins” is scheduled for the third week of December. The Lions deliver poinsettia plants to those who will be homebound for the holidays.

It is the club’s hope that this small effort may bring some holiday cheer to those that otherwise might not experience all the joys of the Christmas season. Harold Suhr, the chairman, stated, “This effort has been one of the most gratifying events that the Lions do all year.”

The Lions will be supporting the Village of Lyndonville’s Christmas Tree Lighting event on Dec. 7 at the village park in Lyndonville. The club will be serving hot dogs, hamburgers and beverages.

The event brings nearly 100 Christmas trees decorated by residents, businesses and organizations. There will be horse-drawn carriages and the smell of hot cocoa, along with the crackling of warming wood fires. All are invited to this holiday tradition in Lyndonville. Further information can be gained by calling the Village of Lyndonville office.

In other club news, several members of the club attended the Lions Club International Regional Conference on Nov. 1 at the Batavia Downs Gaming Resort. Important programs of the Lions Club International were discussed and local clubs were made aware of the resources available to them through Lions Club International.

The Lyndonville Club has started a preliminary project on securing a $10,000 matching grant from Lions International for a third world vision and eyeglass clinic that would be tentatively slated for next fall. This effort would see Lyndonville Lions in conjunction with a third world Lions Club travel to their country and carry out a “Pop Up Eye Clinic.” Visual testing, glaucoma screening and the providing of a set of new glasses to needy recipients will be the projected goal for this endeavor. The Lyndonville Lions have established a potential country for this needed service and future information on this project will be forthcoming.

Local Lions Club members donate much needed medical equipment to the Grenada General Hospital.

The Lyndonville Lions would like to thank all those who have supported their efforts during the 2024 campaign. Upcoming fundraisers include a winter bowling tournament and a summer golf outing. The club does realize it is the people of the surrounding area that assist the club in achieving their community support projects.

The Lyndonville Lions Club wishes all of you a bountiful Thanksgiving and a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year as they close the books on 2024 and look forward to 2025. May God bless all of us and this great nation we live in as we travel through the holiday seasons.

Volunteers sought to help place 445 wreaths at veterans’ graves in Lyndonville

Photo by Tom Rivers: A volunteer carries wreaths to be placed at veterans’ graves at Lynhaven Cemetery on Housel Avenue in Lyndonville on Dec. 17, 2022 as part of the Wreaths Across America observance. Wreaths Across America will be observed on Dec. 14.

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 November 2024 at 8:51 am

LYNDONVILLE – Volunteers are welcome to help set wreaths on 445 graves of veterans in Lyndonville on Dec. 14 during Wreaths Across America.

Volunteers are welcome to a complimentary brunch from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Dec. 14 at the Webber Café on Main Street. Then there will be a wreath-laying ceremony at Lynhaven Cemetery.

The 445 wreaths will be placed at veterans’ graves for six cemeteries in Lyndonville: Lynhaven, Yates Baptist Cemetery, Angling Road, Marshall Road and Greenman Road as well as the Robin Hill Estate.

The wreaths are funded by an endowment created by Anna Steliano’s family. Stelianou funded the effort in honor of her five brothers who served in WWII and the Korean War.

The American Legion Houseman-Tanner Post 1603 is organizing the Wreaths Across America program in Lyndonville.

“Our chapter is committed to the mission of the American Legion of enhancing the well-being of America’s veterans, families and military, as well as enhancing relations in our community,” said Steve Goodrich, the Legion commander.

‘Lyndonville Rocket’ tops state in go-kart racing

Provided photos: Laina Stewart is shown in action during a race at Weedsport on Oct. 26. She completed the season as the top-ranked driver in the state for the Jr. Purple Clone division.

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 November 2024 at 4:46 pm

LYNDONVILLE – The racing season has ended and a Lyndonville six-grader finds her name at the top of the list among go-cart racers state-wide in the Jr. Purple Clone division.

Laina Stewart, 11, won the series championship with 286 points. She also is the Ransomville track champ. She edged the Weedsport champion Levi Herriven by 4-points to earn the state-wide title for points. Laina also is a regular at Weedsport.

Laina Stewart, 11, holds a trophy and plaque after winning her heat at Weedsport on Oct. 26.

She is one of the few girls racing in the division.

“I’m out here to prove that girls can do anything,” Laina said.

She competed in the Purple Clone division this year, moving up a division from last year. Next year she will move up another division and will compete with 12- to 15-year-olds.

Laina competed in about 25 races this season at Ransomville and Weedsport. The state-wide series championship takes the point totals for a driver’s 12 best finishes at any participating facility in the Burris Racing Weekly Championship Series.

Participating tracks include Allegany Memorial Speedway, Brockville Ontario Speedway Karting, Can-Am Speedway, Lebanon Valley Speedway, Merrittville Speedway, Moose Mountain Racing Club, Ransomville Speedway, Turkey Trot Raceway and Weedsport Kartway.

Points were awarded based on the number of karts starting a feature race, with up to 16 karts being counted. Race winners were awarded 2 points per kart, with a maximum of 32 points going to a winner.

As the champion of the Jr. Purple Clone division, Laina receives a set of Burris Racing tires and a Burris Racing State Champion jacket. She scored more points than about 50 other drivers in the division.

“I just want to thank my supporters and all the people who have faith in me,” Laina said.

She is in her fifth season of go-kart racing. She just completed the Junior 2 Division.

In the races, she zooms around a ½-mile dirt oval, topping 40 miles per hour. Her go-kart is labelled, “The Lyndonville Rocket.”

She tops out at about 45 mph on the straight-a-ways and lets off the gas, a little, when she rounds the corners. She also plays soccer and softball, and this year was on Lyndonville’s youth football team for the first time, as a defender.