Lyndonville Lions Club, American Legion sponsor students who will spend week at Morrisville

Provided photo: Thomas Blake, Will Arlinton and Calvin Cook will be going to the 2026 New York State Boys State Program. They are shown with representatives from the American Legion and the Lions Club in Lyndonville.

Press Release, Lyndonville Lions Club

LYNDONVILLE – The Lyndonville Lions Club recently partnered with the Lyndonville Houseman Tanner American Legion Post to sponsor three students from Lyndonville Central School to attend this year’s New York State Boys State Program.

Boys State is a long-standing program organized by the American Legion that gives high school juniors the opportunity to learn about state government and the responsibilities of civic leadership. During the week-long program at Morrisville State College, students participate in hands-on activities that teach leadership, civic responsibility, and teamwork while gaining a deeper understanding of how government operates.

The program aims to inspire the next generation of leaders while helping students develop skills that will benefit them as they prepare for their senior year and future careers.

The Lyndonville Lions Club has long supported the American Legion’s efforts to send local students to the Boys State Program by covering transportation costs for Lyndonville High School participants as well as students from surrounding schools in Orleans County.

Through the continued efforts of the American Legion and the Lyndonville Lions to encourage student participation, Lyndonville Central School has seen an increase in interest in attending Boys State. This year, three students from Lyndonville were selected to participate, marking the highest level of participation from the school.

Each year, the Lyndonville Houseman Tanner American Legion Post sponsors one student to attend the program. This year, the Lyndonville Lions Club was asked to assist with the remaining two students and unanimously voted to cover the $900 cost to support their participation.

Students attending 2026 New York State Boys State Program: Thomas Blake, Will Arlinton and Calvin Cook.

In other activities, the Lyndonville Lions Club, working with the Lyndonville Central School Leo Club, recently screened more than 140 students at the school for visual acuity concerns. Students identified with potential vision deficiencies will be referred to local ophthalmologists for further evaluation, with the initial visit covered by the Lyndonville Lions.

Research has consistently shown a strong connection between good vision and successful learning in school. This ongoing project supports the Lions Club’s mission of promoting vision health in the community.

The effort also complements the Lions Club’s upcoming Annual Free Vision Screening and Eyeglass Clinic, scheduled for Saturday, May 21, at the White Birch in Lyndonville. Doors will open at 9 a.m., and community members are invited to receive eye exams, glaucoma screenings, and vision checks for glasses.

The event will once again be supported by members of the Kenmore Lions Club, along with volunteers from several surrounding Lions Clubs.

The Lyndonville Lions Club would also like to announce its upcoming Mother’s Day Rose Sale. One dozen long stem red roses will be available for $20.

Advance orders may be placed by calling Harold Suhr at 585-281-4646. Roses can be picked up at the White Birch in Lyndonville on May 7 and 8. For additional information, please call the same number.

ALBION – The Orleans County Planning Board is recommending the Town of Yates approve a special use permit for Call Farms in Batavia for farmworker housing at 2162 Lyndonville Rd.

Call Farms has already built two barns near the property as part of a new seed potato operation. They would use an existing house for about 10 farmworkers who would be in the H2A guest worker program. The house is south of the Village of Lyndonville on Route 63 ina residential-agricultural district.

The house for farmworkers is not expected to result in a significant increase in traffic to the area, the County Planning Board said during its meeting on Thursday in Albion.

“It’s a positive thing for the community,” said Planning Board member Gary Daum of Lyndonville. “Call Farms is a first-class operation. They’re very conscientious.”

Call Farms isn’t planning any exterior work on the house, but will do a small amount of interior work and may need to enlarge the septic system if required by the Orleans County Health Department.

The Planning Board also acted on another referral from the Town of Yates. The board supported a special use permit for Kervin Stauffer to run a home business repairing hydraulic cylinders and heavy equipment, and could include part sales at 11916 Roosevelt Highway, which is in a residential-agricultural district.

Stauffer wants to build a 10-by-12-foot storage shed and 50-by-70-foot accessory structure for the business.

Community eyeglass clinic planned for March 21

Provided photo: Russ Martino, right, presents the trophy to the winning team in Saturday’s second annual Winter Snowflake Bowling Tournament. The team includes Jeff Annable, Tom Mocarski, Jeff Black and Ken Schubert.

Press Release, Lyndonville Lions Club

MEDINA – The Lyndonville Lions Club closed out their winter schedule with the second annual Winter Snowflake Bowling Tournament on Saturday at Medina Lanes. Over 60 participants enjoyed the event, which saw the defending champions once again take home the top prize. The event also featured a silent auction, basket raffle, and complimentary pizza and wings for all attendees

The winning team – Jeff Annable, Tom Mocarski, Jeff Black and Ken Schubert – retained the trophy and will be ready to defend their title at next year’s tournament. In true Olympic spirit, team members received gold medals to recognize their achievement.

The Lyndonville Lions Club is excited to announce its 6th Annual Free Community Eyeglass Clinic at the White Birch on Saturday, March 21, beginning at 9 a.m. Future informational ads will provide additional details.  Participants can receive a free eye examination, glaucoma screening, and a pair of eyeglasses. The University of Rochester Mobile Eye Exam Unit is expected to be on site to provide information and additional services.

The Lions Club will also conduct vision screenings for Lyndonville students on March 5, ensuring that any children who need professional eye exams or glasses can take full advantage of the upcoming Eyeglass Clinic.

Additionally, the Lyndonville Lions will continue to support community traditions:

• Easter Egg Hunt: Enjoy a hot dog and beverage service at the community-wide Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 28, at the Lyndonville School.
• Mother’s Day Roses: Our long-standing tradition of selling roses for Mother’s Day will continue. Roses will be available for purchase starting the first week of May, with orders accepted through the White Birch Resort or Lyndonville School.

We look forward to seeing the community at these events!

The Lyndonville Lions Club is gearing up for the largest July 4th Celebration in Orleans County history, as the nation marks its 250th year of Independence. More details will be shared in the coming months as we get closer to this once-in-a-lifetime event.

Any organizations, clubs, or individuals interested in participating in this year’s July 4th celebration are encouraged to send an email to susanhrovat@gmail.com for application materials. The Club invites businesses and local organizations to join with floats, marchers, or business vehicles for inclusion in this year’s event.

A special Grand Marshal will be announced in early June, and once again, the Lions Club has requested a military flyover to kick off the celebration.

LYNDONVILLE – A food distribution scheduled for Friday in Lyndonville has been cancelled. The Lyndonville Presbyterian Church hosts the Foodlink Pop-up distribution.

The next one in Lyndonville will be on March 6.

There will be a Foodlink distribution in Albion at 9 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 9, at the parking lot at 165 South Platt St., next to Dubby’s Tailgate.

Harold Suhr recognized with Lions Club’s top honor, the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award

Photos courtesy of Lyndonville Lions Club: Lyndonville Leo Club:  Bailie Atwater (new), Aurora Avery (new), Robin Botsford (new), Isabella Bresett (President), Sarah Corser (Treasurer), Cylie DeLee (new), Austin Fonda (new), Hannah Fox, Grace Fox, Sierra Frasier (new), James Giarla, Isabella Groves (new), Thalia Heinsler (new), Molly Ingersoll, Emily Knoll (new), Emily Miner (Vice President), Brooke Robinson (new), Savannah Spoth (Secretary), Rylan Townsend (new), Haylee Wright (new) and staff advisor Jennifer Neroni-Trupo.

Press Release, Lyndonville Lions Club

LYNDONVILLE – The Lyndonville Lions Club held an Induction Ceremony on Wednesday, January 15, welcoming an impressive total of 20 members. During the ceremony, 12 new members of the Lyndonville Central School Leo’s Club were officially inducted for the 2026 calendar year.

The Leo’s Club is a youth branch of Lions Clubs International, where Lions Club members serve as mentors to future community leaders. Through this program, Lions encourage America’s youth to become actively involved in civic engagement, leadership development, and voluntary community service.

Pictured from left include Leo staff advisor Jennifer Neroni-Trupo, president Isabella Bresett, vice president Emily Miner, treasurer Sarah Corser, and secretary Savannah Spoth.

The Lyndonville Central School chapter, under the leadership of its staff advisor, Jennifer Neroni-Trupo, has been very active in recent months through several meaningful service projects.

Harold Suhr (left) is presented the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award by Eric Johnson, president of Lyndonville Lions Club.

These efforts included a school-wide peanut butter and jelly collection to support a local food pantry, a holiday Christmas card–writing project to spread cheer to members of the local shut-in community, and a hat, mitten, and scarf donation tree at the school. Items collected through the donation tree were distributed to those in need throughout the Lyndonville community.

The Lyndonville Lions Club hosted the event, which included a buffet dinner, to honor and recognize the Leo Club members for their service and commitment. Looking ahead, the Leo’s will assist the Lyndonville Lions with several upcoming community events, including the annual Community Free Eyeglass Clinic, the Mother’s Day Rose Sale, and the 52nd Annual Fourth of July Celebration.

The Lyndonville Lions Club took time to honor one of its own when longtime member Harold Suhr was presented with the prestigious Melvin Jones Fellowship Award. This award is named in honor of the founder of Lions Clubs International, Melvin Jones.

Mr. Jones was a businessman who established Lions Clubs International and helped grow it into the largest service organization in the world. He is also credited with the motto, “You can’t get very far until you start doing something for somebody else.”

The Lyndonville Lions Club proudly used this guiding principle in honoring Mr. Suhr for his numerous years of service on various boards, his generosity and dedication to the youth of the Town of Yates, and his unwavering support of the Lyndonville Lions Club.

Photos courtesy of Lyndonville Lions Club: Carla and Terry Woodworth were recognized for Overall Best Holiday Display Award. They received a commemorative plaque and a bottle of champagne.

Press Release, Lyndonville Lions Club

LYNDONVILLE – The Lions from Lyn“Who”ville were busy at their Hall.

They were readying awards for those who honored the call. 

Those who hung lights, wreaths and Holiday balls.

Those who strung lights from trees and from walls.

The awards went to some but could have been given to all.

Some displays were massive and some were small.

The Lions traveled the roads to view them all.

Some displays had lights, some had bows and some had nothing, nothing at all.

The Lions recognize them come one and come all.

The winners of awards held them high and they held them tall.

So, the Lions would like to say thank you and Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas to all.

The Lyndonville Lions continued a much-anticipated recognition of the Holiday Spirit shown by the Village of Lyndonville and Town of Yates residents. Three categories were awarded in the village and town as the best holiday decorations were singled out.

Winners received a plaque that recognizes the hard work undertaken by those decorating their homes for the Christmas season. They were supplied with a bottle of bubbly to help them celebrate their achievement and the New Year. There were several displays in and around town noted to be worthy of honorable mention.

Best Single-Color Lighting Display

Best Holiday Inflatables Display

Currier & Ives Award – Most Traditional Display

Best Holiday Display in the Town of Yates

Best Holiday Display in the Village

The Lions would like to thank all for participating in the holiday illumination project in and around Lyndonville during the Christmas Season.  We would encourage all to take a moment to view the holiday decorations and enjoy the season.

May God continue to shed his many blessings on our residents and we wish everyone a Happy New Year!

Photos by Ginny Kropf: A table full of veterans and their guests enjoy conversation during the Christmas dinner served Tuesday night at White Birch Golf Course. Clockwise, from left front are Dave Barhite of Lyndonville, an Army veteran who served in Vietnam; Norma Huth (not pictured), wife of veteran Peter Huth of Medina; Diana Anderson and her husband Dan, an Air Force veteran, retired, from Medina; Army veteran Kevin Sheean and his wife Carol from Albion; Peter Huth, Army veteran who served in Germany; and Debby Rodrigues of Medina, daughter of a POW in North Korea and granddaughter of a World War I soldier.

LYNDONVILLE – Seventy-five Orleans County veterans and their guests enjoyed an evening of camaraderie, conversation and good food Tuesday evening at the White Birch Golf Course in Lyndonville.

Organized by the Orleans County Veterans’ Services office, the evening was sponsored through a grant from the Pfc. Joseph P. Dwyer Veterans Peer-to-Peer Support Program. Named after an Army medic from New York state who enlisted after the Sept. 11, 2011 terrorist attack, Dwyer served in Iraq and later died after a long battle with post-traumatic stress disorder. The program was started in Orleans County in 2018, when the first event was a ride on a Christmas train at the Medina Railroad Museum. The program also this year provided free turkeys to 100 veterans at Thanksgiving.

Tuesday night’s event brought veterans from the Army, Air Force, Marines, Navy and Space Force, with their guests. After a buffet dinner, Nik Mroz, director of the Orleans County Veterans’ Services office drew tickets for dozens of free prizes and gift certificates donated by local businesses.

Mroz introduced guests who have given their time in helping with programs to support local veterans, including Wayne and Barb Hale (Wayne has been active in the Sons of the American Legion for 29 years); Phyllis Schrader, a volunteer who heads the Veterans’ Van Service; Jackie Lonnen, office assistant who was instrumental in planning Tuesday’s evening and securing prizes; Assemblyman Steve Hawley,  a member of the Army Reserves and National Guard who is an avid supporter of veterans; and Sara Hults, an Army veteran who is coordinator of Suicide Prevention for the Department of Veterans Affairs in the VA WNY Healthcare System.

Nik Mroz, director of the Orleans County Veterans’ Services Agency, welcomes veterans and their guests to a holiday meal Tuesday night at White Birch Golf Course in Lyndonville, sponsored by the Pfc. Joseph P. Dwyer Peer-to-Peer Support Program.

Orleans County has a lot of veterans and they support them, Hawley said. A 1st lieutenant for 6 1/2 years, Hawley continues to support veterans, by participating in Wreaths Across America at Boxwood Cemetery and sponsoring veterans’ trips to Washington, D.C. every year.

“To our veterans, we say ‘thank you’,” Hawley said.

One of the guests Tuesday night was Jeanne Crane of Kenyonville, who brought her friend Dan Nogle of Medina, an Army veteran.

“This is a great thing they do here for veterans,” she said.

Also instrumental in planning the evening’s events was Jim Nudd of Medina, an Air Force career veteran and newly hired assistant in the Veterans’ Services office.

“He is a great asset to our office,” Mroz said. “He cares about helping vets.”

Mroz just completed his first year as director of the Veterans’ Services Office.

Chris Schicker, a four-year Marine veteran and his wife Sonya of Clarendon, share a table with Jeanne Crane and her friend, Dan Nogle of Medina, an Army veteran. Schicker served in the Persian Gulf and on an aircraft carrier.

Club will be judging outdoor holiday decorations in Lyndonville and Yates

Photos courtesy of Lyndonville Lions Club: Like years past, the Lyndonville Lions continued their efforts assisting the Salvation Army Red Kettle campaign by ringing the bell at the Tops grocery Store in Medina on Dec. 12. Pictured from left include Julie Godfrey, Bruce Schmidt, Jeff Johnson, Lynne Johnson and Dave Godfrey.

Press Release, Lyndonville Lions Club

LYNDONVILLE – The Lyndonville Lions close out the 2025 calendar with a flurry of holiday events. The month of December saw the Lyndonville Lions support or carry out many holiday events in and around the Village of Lyndonville and Town of Yates.

On Dec. 6, the Lions supplied hot dogs and much needed hot chocolate to the attendees of the annual Community Tree Lighting Event. Over 80 trees came to full illumination as Santa himself pulled the switch to start a four-week run of Christmas trees welcoming all to the streets of Lyndonville.

The Lyndonville Lions started a new project to decorate all municipal buildings in the village for the holiday season by supplying lights and manpower to decorate the Yates Community Library and Village Hall, just to mention a few. The Club hopes that this project grows over the years and that private and public buildings on Main Street will be fully decorate for the future holiday seasons.

John Belson hangs Christmas lights on Yates Community Library.

December 10th saw the Lions hold their Annual Christmas Dinner at the White Birch Golf Course. During this celebration the Club continued its charitable efforts by having all attendees donate unwrapped presents to Community Action of Orleans and Genesee, and the Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern for their annual toy drive.

Mr. Kevin Clark did not disappoint as he delivered his Christmas Show which included piano Christmas songs, various holiday games of Christmas trivia, and ended with the entire group singing Christmas carols.

The Lions held their Christmas Dinner Party on Dec. 10 with entertainment by Kevin Clark.

On December 11^th, Lions Club the continued its tradition of distributing poinsettia plants to shut-ins, local churches and health care agencies was carried out. The club delivered individual plants to local residents in the Lyndonville area as well as donating dozens of plants to needy organizations like the North Wing Nursing Facility at Orleans Community Health in Medina and Orchard Manor Nursing Facility on Bates Road. Several local churches received plants and will deliver them for the Lions to their needy parishioners.

Adrienne Belson, Activities Director at North Wing, is shown with Laura Belson and Dave Godfrey.

Upcoming events, like the much-anticipated Annual Lions Club Holiday Decorations Awards, will be carried out in the next few weeks. A well-trained team of Lyndonville Lions will traverse the streets and byways of the Village of Lyndonville and Town of Yates in search of the best decorated homes.

Awards will be distributed to the top three selections inside the Village and in the Town of Yates. All those wishing to participate just need to have their decorations up and on for the committee to judge. We thank those for helping to bring some extra joy to those who enjoy seeing the Holiday Lights.

The club would like to announce that their Second Annual Snow Flake Bowling Tournament will be held on February 28th at 3 p.m. at the Medina Lanes. The Club wishes to invite anybody wanting to participate. Contact the club for information by emailing gwendolynlarge002@gmail.com.

The Lyndonville Lions would like to wish all a joyous Hanukkah, a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

May God bless all of us during this most joyous time of the year and continue to bless this great nation we live in.

Families, businesses and organizations decorate trees at Veterans Park

Photos by Tom Rivers

LYNDONVILLE – The Village of Lyndonville turned on the lights Saturday for 82 Christmas trees decorated at Veterans Park. Many of the trees are decorated in memory of loves, while businesses and organizations also puts lights and ornaments on the trees.

Lyndonville started the tradition in 2013 with 26 trees. It has continues to have a strong response from the community.

This tree with angel at top was decorated by the family of Derwood and Dorothy James.

One of the trees is decorated by the Bradley family for family members including Wes Bradley, who was a founding member of Christmas in Lyndonville Committee. For the first 12 years of the celebration, Bradley served as the emcee when Santa arrived by carriage and led the countdown to Santa flipping the switch to light up the trees.

Bradley, a beloved teacher and coach in Lyndonville, passed away on Sept. 27. He also was chairman of Lyndonville’s fireworks effort for many years.

Carla Woodworth, left of Santa, served as emcee on Saturday and helped guide Santa to the “North Pole” electric switch so he could turn on the power for all the trees.

The Hardner-Smith family decorated the tree in lower right in memory of Dr. Elizabeth Lucyszyn. It includes a chicken ornament on top.

This tree is decorated in honor of Mark Hughes, a Lyndonville teacher and coach who passed away on June 4. Hughes was known to many as “Mr. Lyndonville.” He was a very active part of the school district for 52 years.

The patriotic tree with flags was decorated by Lyndonville Lions Club.

Veterans Park is the site for Lyndonville’s display of trees. The trees stay lighted up until just after New Year’s Day.

Jennifer Trupo, a music teacher at Lyndonville, and her chorus students sang “Silent Night” and other Christmas songs outside the Yates Community Library before Santa arrived and the trees were lighted up.

There were nearly 20 activities throughout the day on Saturday for Christmas in Lyndonville beginning with a community breakfast/basket raffle from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Lyndonville Presbyterian Church. The day concluded with a Christmas LaLaPalooza at the Lyndonville Presbyterian Church.

Amelia McDonald, 3, of Lyndonville was among about 100 kids who were able to meet Santa inside the Village Hall.

The lighting of the trees brought many people to Veterans Park on Saturday evening.

The trees are all decorated in a different way by families, businesses and organizations.

‘Christmas in Lyndonville’ includes many activities throughout the day

Photo by Tom Rivers

LYNDONVILLE – The Village of Lyndonville will host many activities on Saturday as part of its community Christmas celebration.

The community has decorated 82 Christmas trees at veterans Park. The lights on the trees will be turned on at 5 p.m. by Santa.

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. There continues to be a big response to decorating the trees with 85 in 2023, and 82 in both 2024 and 2025.

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

There are nearly 20 activities throughout the day beginning with a community breakfast/basket raffle from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Lyndonville Presbyterian Church. The Webber Cafe will host holiday cookie decorating station with crafts from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

There will be caroling at Veterans Park from 4:30 to 5 p.m. just before Santa’s arrival and the lighting of the trees.

Afterward, Santa will be available to visit with kids from 5:15 to 6:30 p.m.

The events conclude with a Christmas LaLaPalooza at the Lyndonville Presbyterian Church. Click here to see the full schedule of activities.

Christmas in Lyndonville is sponsored by the Village of Lyndonville, Lyndonville Fire Department, Lyndonville Lions Club or the Lyndonville United Methodist Church.

Photo by Tom Rivers: This photo from Dec. 17, 2022 shows volunteers getting ready to place wreaths on veterans’ graves at Lynhaven Cemetery on Housel Avenue in Lyndonville. Volunteers placed 441 wreaths at veterans’ graves as part of the Wreaths Across America observance.

LYNDONVILLE – The Lyndonville community will be placing wreaths on about 450 graves of veterans on Dec. 13. This will be the eighth year the American Legion will be holding a ceremony at noon and then joining volunteers to set the wreaths for veterans as part of Wreaths Across America.

The ceremony begins at noon at Lynhaven Cemetery. There will be other activities after the wreaths are set at Lynhaven, with others put at veterans’ grave sites at Yates Center Cemetery, Robin Hill Estate, the Greenman Road Cemetery, Lott Cemetery on Angling Road and a cemetery on Marshall Road.

“I want to remind visitors and volunteers alike in Lyndonville we are fortunate to have a memorial fund set up in memory of  Fred (Fotius), Peter, George Menel and Ernest Stelianou by their sister Anna,” said Steve Goodrich, commander of the American Legion in Lyndonville and coordinator of Wreaths Across America for Lyndonville. “All veterans (current & future) graves will receive a wreath at no expense to the veteran’s families.”

Any donations made to the Lynhaven Cemetery will be redirected to the Boxwood Cemetery in Medina to help support the wreaths’ effort there, Goodrich said.

There will be a complimentary volunteer appreciation luncheon at the Webber Café afterwards. Webber Café also will offer free crafts for kids, including rock painting and cookie decorating.

The Grinch will be at Sweet Tilly’s Mercantile on Main Street, offering ornaments for kids.

Photos by Tom Rivers: Allen and Rose Phillips opened Rosenal Hardware today at 29 South Main St. They ran a hardware store in Albion the past two years next to Save-A-Lot before moving the store to Lyndonville.

LYNDONVILLE – Allen Phillips tried to stay retired from the hardware business but he finds he likes to share his knowledge with the public.

He started working with a hardware distributor 50 years ago when he was in high school. He worked as a sales rep for many years, visiting hardware stores all over the region.

He finally retired, but when a new hardware store opened four years ago in Albion, Phillips decided to take a part-time job at Pro Hardware. Not longer after he became the store’s manager and then two years ago, the owner.

He renamed the store, Rosenal Hardware, which is a combination of his wife’s first name and his, Al.

The couple lives in Lyndonville and they decided to move the hardware store closer to their home.

Allen and Rose Phillips chose the name, Rosenal Hardware, as a combination of their first names, Rose and Al. Rosenal Hardware is located a building that saw a major renovation. Lyndonville native Robert Smith owns that site as well as others on Main Street that have been significantly refurbished.

Today was an unofficial opening day at 29 South Main St. They are still settling into the space. Only half of their hardware inventory is currently available at the site.

Phillips said Rosenal has a full array of hardware products, from a paint department to plumbing, electrical, nuts, bolts, rakes, shovels, rock salt, fasteners and many other products. Rosenal sells DeWalt power tools.

Rose and Allen are happy to have the store in Lyndonville, where the couple raised their four daughters: Amanda, Alicia, Rachael and Dana.

Rosenal will be open Monday through Saturday. Call (585) 765-1144 for more information.

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Volunteers on duty at Lyndonville United Methodist Church’s Hope Resales Holiday Shop are, from left, Cathy Bane-Dinse, Cathie Barry, Anne Hyndman and Roxinne Montague.

LYNDONVILLE – Anyone looking for an unusual or unique Christmas gift just might want to check out Hope Resales Holiday Shop at Lyndonville United Methodist Church.

Hope Resales Thrift Shop was an idea developed by former church member Ruth Hedges in 2019, before she moved east to be near her family.

Since then, the shop has generated thousands of dollars, which have benefited the church and its missions.

“Ruth was in charge of missions for our church and got the idea to start a thrift shop to earn money for missions,” said Cathie Barry, a church member and thrift shop volunteer.

Cathie Berry and Colleen Gooding look at a list of charitable causes to which the Lyndonville Methodist Church has donated with profits from their Hope Resales Thrift Shop. The shop’s Christmas Store recently opened, with an entire fellowship hall full of holiday items.

The shop was immediately popular and profitable. Then they decided to open a separate holiday shop at Christmas time.

“People who work in our sorting room say there’s not a day goes by that they don’t get donations of Christmas items,” Barry said.

“This is the place to get good deals on games and toys,” said volunteer Anne Hyndman. “People who regularly shop here are always asking when are we opening the Christmas store.”

The Christmas Store grew from an idea developed years ago by their women’s group, who started a mini mall at Christmas, where children could come and shop for their parents and friends at very reasonable prices.

“Whatever money a child had, we accepted it for the gift they wanted,” Barry said. “It was a custom for parents to sit in another room drinking coffee and eating cookies while volunteers helped their children shop. There was also a room for wrapping.”

A customer browses in Hope Resales Holiday Shop at Lyndonville United Methodist Church. The shop is full of all kinds of Christmas items, from games and toys to clothing and Christmas trees.

Hyndman said people would come in and give them donations to be used for children who didn’t have any money to buy gifts.

After the lady who came up with the idea died, people were constantly asking if the church was going to do it again. The result was the Christmas Store.

“People like to shop here because they get good deals on games and toys,” Hyndman said.

This year could end up being a record year for giving, Barry said. Last year they gave a total of $10,000 to their church missions and to local charities, including the food pantry housed at the Presbyterian Church, Orleans Koinonia Kitchen in Albion, a homeless shelter in Lockport, the United Methodist Committee on Relief, local libraries, PAWS Animal Shelter and more. They have already donated $9,000 to various causes and anticipate a very busy month ahead.

This table features an assortment of miniature Christmas buildings and accessories.

“It takes a lot of volunteers to run the thrift shop,” Barry said. “We need sales people, cleaners, sorters, organizers and people to create displays. We can always use more help. It’s really kind of fun. Some great friendships have been made with the people we work with here. And we really love the people who shop here. We often pray together before we open the doors.’

“And we have prayed with our customers who came through the door,” Hyndman said.

Hope Resales has become a favorite place to shop for many people.

“Often, we open the doors at 10 a.m. and by 10:02 there are eight people in the store,” Barry said.

Hope Resales, managed by Colleen Gooding, is located in the basement of the church at 102 North Main St., and offers clothing in all sizes for the entire family, gifts, housewares, jewelry and more. Entrance is through the door on the northeast corner of the building. The Christmas Store is in the fellowship hall, one floor above. Hours are 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Friday and Saturday and 4 to 7 p.m. Thursdays. The Christmas Store opened Nov. 5 and will be open through Dec. 20.

Photos and information courtesy of Lyndonville Lions Club

LYNDONVILLE – The Lyndonville Lions Club held its second annual Oktoberfest on Saturday at the White Birch Golf Resort in Lyndonville.

The Die Wiesen (festival goers) enjoyed lively, traditional German music performed by The Frankfurters German Band. Their performance featured authentic Bavarian bell music and several pieces played on the Alpine horns—both instruments deeply rooted in the Bavarian Alps region of southern Germany.

Guests were treated to a hearty German buffet featuring bratwurst, sweet and sour cabbage, and pork schnitzel, followed by apple streusel for dessert. Of course, Oktoberfest beer also made an appearance and was enjoyed by all the attendees.

This year, the Lions added a new highlight to the program – the crowning of Oktoberfest Royalty. This fun tradition pays homage to the origins of Oktoberfest, which dates back to the early 1800s. The very first Oktoberfest was held in southern Bavaria to celebrate the marriage of King Ludwig I and Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. Guests from Munich traveled to the royal festivities, which featured horse races, music, and plenty of Bavarian beer.

Since then, Oktoberfest has become an annual celebration held in late September and early October, drawing millions of visitors to Munich each year — and it’s estimated that over one million gallons of beer are enjoyed during the festival.

The Lions also introduced the Traditional “Shot Ski”, a lively addition that has become a staple at modern Oktoberfest celebrations. The tradition traces its roots to Alpine skiers in the Bavarian Alps, who began sharing shots together from a single ski to celebrate camaraderie and good cheer.

The Lyndonville Lions Club would like to thank everyone who supported this year’s Oktoberfest fundraiser and helped make it such a success. We hope all who attended had a wonderful time celebrating with us!

Looking ahead, the Lions are excited to host several upcoming community events, including the annual Village Christmas Tree Lighting in late November and the second annual Snowflake Bowling Tournament on Saturday, February 28th. Additional details on these events will be shared soon.

As we move through the beautiful fall season, the Lions extend warm wishes to all and ask that God continue to bless our community and this great nation we call home.

Photo by Tom Rivers

LYNDONVILLE – Dylan Cote of Pavilion casts a line out on Friday evening at Johnson Creek in Lyndonville. This is a spot near the top of waterfalls of the dam.

“This is the magical spot,” Cote said.

He usually catches blue gill, bass, cat fish and carp. Cote frequently is in Lyndonville to see his girlfriend.

He said several salmon fishermen were in the area on Friday. The salmon make it all the way up Johnson Creek from Lake Ontario, but can get no farther than the dam. Cote said sometimes the big fish are jumping, trying to get past the dam.