Photos by Tom Rivers

LYNDONVILLE – Fireworks are shot off in front of the Lyndonville school buildings on Saturday night to cap the fifth annual Town of Yates Street Dance.

The fireworks were more visible from Main Street rather than from the July Fourth launch area behind the school.

These people watched the fireworks behind the Yates Community Library near Johnson Creek.

Tables were set up on Main Street for people to enjoy food, fellowship and the music.

Nick Goodwin plays the bass for the band Vinyl Recovery which entertained the crowd with classic rock from the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s.

Vinyl Recovery also includes Nick Ciaramella on lead vocals, bass and harmonica; Mike Scanlan on drums, and Mike Zelazny on guitar and vocals.

Yates Town Supervisor Jim Simon welcomed people to the fifth annual Street Dance.

The event was partially funded by the Town of Yates, and also sponsored by Plummer Orchards, Signature Styles, RLW Cattle Company, and a New York 250 grant.

Jim Simon sings “God Bless America” with his sons Elijah (with son Theodore) and Sharbell (with daughter Esther).

Ellen LaBerth is shown with some of the iron works made by her and her son Leo LaBerth.

The Lyndonville Sports Boosters served tacos in the bag and other snacks. The group includes, from left: Alisha Schwarzott, Emily Aydelotte, Emily Costello, Stephanie Freas and Teri Buffin. The meat for the tacos was donated by RLW Cattle Co.

Best of Tymes Party Rentals brought this bounce house for kids to enjoy.

The fireworks go off behind Main Street near the “Hometown Hero” banners for the two Medal of Honor recipients from Lyndonville.

David Bellavia received the medal on June 26, 2019 in the East Room of the White House. Bellavia is the first living veteran from the Iraq War to receive the nation’s highest military medal.

Bellavia was honored for his acts of valor on Nov. 10, 2004 in Fallujah, Iraq. Bellavia led an infantry squad clearing houses of insurgents, saving the lives of the members of his unit.

Forrest Vosler was a radio operator and aerial gunner aboard a B-17 Flying Fortress during World War II. On Dec. 20, 1943, Vosler’s fourth combat mission, the plane was under fire and had two engines knocked out with the aircraft windmilling out of control. When a fellow aviator was knocked unconscious, Vosler maneuvered himself into the tailgun.

Vosler, severely wounded and floating in and out of consciousness, begged the crew to throw him out of the plane to reduce weight. As the aircraft plunged into the frigid waters of the North Sea, Vosler crawled out of the aircraft onto a wing. A passing Norwegian trawler quickly picked up the crew and transferred them to a British rescue vessel. One of Vosler’s eyes had one of his to be removed, and the other required extensive surgery.

Fireworks go off over the Yates Town Hall on Main Street.

Town leader kept out turbines, added large park by Lake Ontario

Photos by Tom Rivers: Yates Town Supervisor Jim Simon is shown near his office after Thursday’s Town Board meeting. Simon has been the town supervisor for nearly 11 years.

YATES – Jim Simon pulled off a shocking upset 11 years again when he was elected Yates town supervisor through a write-in campaign.

He had the backing of voters in an effort to fight wind turbines proposed for Yates and Somerset. Simon and two towns ultimately were successful in keeping out that project.

He would continue as town supervisor, and led the town’s effort to create a new $2.5 million park by the lakeshore. That project was 95 percent funded by the state.

Simon, 66, will be retiring as town supervisor after Dec. 31. He isn’t seeking re-election. Current councilwoman Sue Hrovat has the Republican endorsement as town supervisor and won’t see any opposition on the ballot.

“I’m thinking 11 years is enough,” Simon said after Thursday’s Town Board meeting. “The board and the town are in a really good position.”

Simon, his wife Paula and their family moved to the Yates community when he was hired as associate dean of the GCC campus centers in Albion and Medina. When he retired from that job, he worked as a headmaster of a Catholic high school in Buffalo.

Simon also retired from that full-time job. He is looking forward to be fully retired to have more time for his family and other community service.

He has seven grandchildren with two more on the way. He and his wife also lead the food pantry based at the Presbyterian Church in Lyndonville. He is an active member at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Medina (the Holy Trinity Parish).

Before his term ends, Simon said he wants to approve a local law for short-term rentals (Airbnbs and Vrbos) in the town.

He also wants to reach an agreement with the county that gives the town a significant boost for plowing and mowing county roads.

Yates, Ridgeway and Shelby also are negotiating with the Village of Medina about a new ambulance contract. Each town has contributed $35,000 towards the ambulance service, but the village wants more. Medina officials are asking for $135,000 each from the three towns in a new contract that starts 2027.

Simon said he wants to reach an agreement before his term ends, but not with Yates paying $135,000 a year. He also has talked with Mercy Flight EMS about providing ambulance services in Yates.

Yates Town Supervisor Jim Simon speaks during a Sept. 24, 2022 ribbon cutting for upgrades at the Yates Town Park. Simon announced that day the new pavilion at the park would be dedicated in honor of Russ Martino, the retired town supervisor and elementary school principal.

The $2.5 million park upgrades include a 75-foot-long pier, a pavilion with bathrooms, new playground equipment, a kayak launch, a crusher-run walking trail, and new parking lot with sidewalks.

The project was 95 percent funded by the state, which made $300 million available to southshore communities  through the state’s Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative or REDI. That was in response to historic flooding along the shore in 2017 and 2019. That flooding destroyed part of the shoreline at the Yates park and the town used a separate $400,000 grant from the state to put in a massive breakwall.

The park upgrades included a new elevated platform or pier that extends out into Lake Ontario.

Fireworks will cap event at 8:45 p.m.

File photo by Tom Rivers: The Buffalo-based band, Bleeding Hearts, played many popular classic rock songs during last year’s 4th annual Street Dance organized by the Town of Yates.

Press Release, Town of Yates

The Town of Yates is very excited to welcome our friends and neighbors to the 5th Annual Street Dance on Saturday, August 15th, from 6 to 9 p.m.  The festivities will be held on Main Street in front of the Yates Town Hall in the Village of Lyndonville.

Main Street in the village will be closed to traffic between Maple Avenue and Eagle Street starting at 4 p.m.

“We are very proud to host this increasingly popular street dance on Main Street,” said Susan Hrovat , deputy town supervisor for the Town of Yates.  “It is a lovely party with lots of fun, food and fellowship!”

This year’s festivities include: music by the Vinyl Recovery band featuring Classic Rock from the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s, kids’ games, a bounce house, Eula’s Baby Ribs, Lyndonville Sports Boosters tacos in a bag, Lyndonville Lions Club hotdogs, and a fireworks display at 8:45 p.m.

The street dance is partially funded by the Town of Yates, and also sponsored by Plummer Orchards, Signature Styles, RLW Cattle Company, and a New York 250 grant.

Photos by Tom Rivers

LYNDONVILLE – Representatives from National Grid stopped in Lyndonville to deliver 100 backpacks to students.

It is part of an overall outreach in Western New York where the utility company is giving away 2,000 backpacks, which have school supplies, personal care items and a water bottle inside.

The National Grid representatives include Mark Johnson, community manager; Leslie Vishwanath, regional exterior affairs manager; and Tracy Sutherland, regional account services.

The backpacks were delivered in the parking lot at the Lyndonville Presbyterian Church, which is hosting a summer recreation program. The students in the rec program as well as summer school at Lyndonville were able to receive backpacks.

The backpacks with school supplies is especially helpful for the district, which is operated under a contingency budget. The district is unable to purchase school supplies for students with district funds due to the contingency budget.

Dr. Elissa Smith, elementary school principal, said she and many of the families appreciate the donation from National Grid.

“We want as little impact to the students as possible,” Dr. Smith said about the contingency budget implications.

Provided photo and information

LYNDONVILLE – The Lyndonville Class of 1986 recently held its 40-year reunion at The Shelridge Country Club.  Members of the class get together formally every five years.

Seated from L to R: Tonia Young, Brian Marek, Nicole Dunham, Tricia Trupo Coffta, Laura Sills Merkl and Debbie Westfall Preston.

Middle row: Maria Quintern, Jacqui Schuner Young, Pamela Whittleton Allen, Julie Stalker Paul, Patti Thomas Hayes, Kimberly Lesher Stawicki and Jennifer D’Alessandro.

Back row: Brian Fisk, David Waldriff, Scott Goetze,  Jeanne Whipple Goetze,  Nicole Fisher Swallen, Randall Alan Cichocki, Robert Eddinger and John Hausler.

Class officers Nicole Fisher Swallen, Scott Goetze, Jeanne Whipple Goetze and Julie Stalker Paul organized the event.

Randall Cichocki gave a toast encouraging everyone’s attendance at the 75-year reunion,  and Laura Sills Merkl presented an updated slide show featuring our more recent lives with family, friends, and with each other on many occasions.

Photos courtesy of Val Czamara: First Harvest Arancini, left, and Grilled Chili Lime Shrimp Salad were both prepared by Lyndonville native Val Czamara. She has made it to the quarterfinals of the Favorite Chef competition. The First Harvest Arancini is her contest entry for the critic’s pick which she could present at the James Beard Foundation gala if she is the overall winner. The other food photos are dishes she prepared.

Val Czamara works in digital marketing. She loves to cook as a side passion. She is a well-known regular customer at Lebro’s Restaurant in Getzville, near Buffalo.

A Lyndonville native has made it to the quarterfinals of a the national Favorite Chef competition. Online voting continues until Friday. She is currently is second place and could move up to the semifinals.

Val Czamara, 45, graduated from Lyndonville in 1998 when she was Val Bergeman. She lives in Buffalo and is a passionate home chef.

The Favorite Chef competition is hosted by Carla Hall, well known for her roles on the Food Network and Top Chef. The contest seeks to find the best undiscovered chef in the country.

Czamara is a self taught cook. She isn’t a caterer or a professional cook. She instead enjoys preparing meals for family and friends. She did the online profile for the Favorite Chef competition, and submitted photos of her signature dish. She was accepted and has been steadily advancing in the online competition.

If she wins, she gets $25,000 which she said she would put into her kitchen at home. The winner also will appear in Taste of Home magazine, and get to cook with Carla Hall. If Czamara wins, her signature dish, First Harvest Arancini, also would be served at the James Beard Foundation Gala in New York City in November.

She said her grandmother, Helen Bergeman, is her culinary inspiration. She made many pies for the former Apollo Restaurant in Albion and helped bake the record-setting pie at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds, a 21,210-pound apple pie in 1978 that was a record-setter.

“She taught me that food is how you take care of people, bring them together, and create memories,” Czamara writes in her profile on Favorite Chef. “She sparked the foundation, and from there my curiosity took over. I wanted to learn more, try more, and push myself further.”

Czamara said she has found incredible flavors and food from restaurants in Buffalo.

To vote for Czamara, click here to see her online profile.

Walleye Chowder, left, and Greek Style Lake Ontario Salmon Farro Bowl.

Linguine and Clams, left, and Mexican Shrimp Street Corn Bowl.

Photos courtesy of Lyndonville Lions Club: Distant View performs before the Lyndonville fireworks on July 4.

Press Release, Lyndonville Lions Club

LYNDONVILLE – The Lions Club extends thanks for those who made the 52nd annual Lyndonville Lions Club July 4^th Celebration a huge success. As the Lions dodged some early morning weather impediments, vehicle malfunctions and cancellations, the show went on.

The Lions Club would like to thank all who donated time, financial support and sweet equity to make this year’s event successful. It is estimated that during the daylong event over 12,000 people visited the streets of Lyndonville.

The evening Fire Cracker Concert Series saw a record crowd in no small part due to the local band Distant View” making their debut at this event. They did not disappoint as they had the crowd rocking right up until the commencement of the Lions fireworks show. The Lions would like to extend their appreciation for the band in doing double duty on July 4th.

The Lions introduced their lawn surfing contest this year at the Firecracker concert series. Surfers showed off their best surfing techniques as they did “cutbacks and top turns with snaps” to impress the crowd who shred on their efforts.

The Spalding family was honored for their contribution to the freedom of our country as the Honor Guard performed a long-awaited military ceremony recognizing the service of Mr. Nehemiah Spalding. He is the only Revolutionary War veteran buried in Lynhaven Cemetery. This event saw 4th, 5th and 6th generation family members see Mr. Spalding after 196 years receive his full military burial honors.

The Lyndonville Lions stand in appreciation to the American Legion Houseman-Tanner Post 1603 for their participation in this ceremony.

The club would like to express a special thanks to the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department and various law enforcement individuals for their efforts during this daylong event.

The Lyndonville Lions Club stayed true to its word by recognizing community members for their outstanding efforts during this year’s Light Up Lyndonville celebration.

A special thank you goes to the Village of Lyndonville Department of Public Works, whose hard work and preparation helped make the village shine throughout the event.

This year marked the debut of Light Up Lyndonville, a new addition to the community’s July 4^th celebration. Main Street was illuminated in patriotic red, white, and blue, the Lyndonville waterfalls glowed with colorful lighting, and residents proudly displayed some of their best Independence Day decorations.

The response from the community exceeded expectations. The Lions Club felt that every participant deserved recognition for helping create such a festive atmosphere. To celebrate their efforts, the club awarded gift certificates to the owners of the top five decorated homes.

While all of the winners were deserving of recognition, the greatest success of the event was the community itself. The enthusiasm and participation of residents helped establish Light Up Lyndonville as an exciting new tradition that the Lions Club hopes will continue to grow for years to come.

The Lions Club especially wanted to recognize the aerial ladder truck and giant American Flag draped over Lyndonville’s Main Street during the parade as the Grand Champion. So, the Lions extend a special thank you to Mr. James Panek and Panek Farms for their participation in this year’s event.

In closing, a “Community Thank You” concert and summer cook out was held at the Town of Yates Park to show appreciation to all those who have supported the Lyndonville Lions during their 2026 campaign.

A crowd favorite, Crash Cadillac, brought their special musical talents and entertained all attendees well into the evening under the cool breeze of the Lake Ontario shores. Attendees were treated to ice cold beverages and hot dogs as they enjoyed the music and some relief from the smokey air conditions more pronounced further inland.

Photo by Tom Rivers: George Avery was re-elected as vice president of the Lyndonville Board of Education last week. He led the board meeting because newly elected president Joanne Suhr was on vacation in Hawaii. She was able to attend the meeting through video conferencing. District Clerk Tanya Marek is at right.

LYNDONVILLE – The Board of Education has picked a new president. Joanne Suhr, a retired Lyndonville teacher, will lead the seven-member board during the 2026-27 school.

Joanne Suhr

Suhr received four votes during last week’s organizational meeting. Patrick Whipple, the board president the past school year, received two votes. One of the board members, Vern Fonda, was late for the vote due to coaching a baseball game. Fonda voted for Whipple about a year ago to be president.

Suhr secured for votes to be president from herself, James Houseman, Megan Bruning and new board member, Dana Goetze.

Whipple had votes from himself and George Avery, who was re-elected to serve as vice president. Goetze replaced Jerod Thurber on the board, and he backed Whipple as president for the 2025-26 school year.

Suhr attended the meeting from 4,600 miles away in Hawaii through videoconferencing.

“Thank you for my appointment,” she told the board. “I don’t take it lightly. Patrick, thank you. You did a great job.”

Whipple, the director of professional learning services for the Genesee Valley BOCEs in Batavia, said he was thankful for the chance to lead the board the past year.

“I know Joanne will do a great job,” he said.

Photo by Tom Rivers: Joanne Suhr was able to be  part of the meeting last week through video conferencing. She could hear what was happening and was able to vote, ask questions and make comments.

The district will be operating with a contingency budget this school year after a $19,194,000 budget was rejected twice by the public – on May 19 by a 172-129 vote and then again on June 16 with a 327-292 vote.

The Board of Education last week approved $266,495 in cuts needed to meet the threshold of a contingency budget.

“We’ll have challenges but we’ll pull through and we’ll do amazing things for our district,” said George Avery, the board vice president.

He said he looks forward to working with Suhr. The board throughout the school year will have to be very budget conscious, Avery said.

“We’ll have to look at everything through fiscal responsibility and the strategic plan, and find a balance,” he said.

The board approved one change for the new school year: the board meetings will start at 6:30 p.m. instead of 7. Many of the local municipalities and school districts have moved from 7 p.m. start times to 6 p.m. The 6 p.m. start time was a little too early for some board members, but they agreed to 6:30.

Vern Fonda, one of the board members, said many of the district sporting events start at 5 and preferred a later meeting start, rather than 6 p.m.

400-mile run for Community Action reaches $11,000 of $20,000 goal

Photos by Tom Rivers

LYNDONVILLE – Brett Sobieraski, in white, runs around the Lyndonville school track with Rochester police officer and Lyndonville native Chris Shingleton.

Sobieraski completed another 55 miles on foot or 220 laps around the track. It was his second 55-mile day out of seven in a row, with 15 miles on Saturday in a 400-mile trek to benefit Community Action of Orleans & Genesee.

Sobieraski, a Carlton resident and retired Rochester Police Department sergeant, is trying to raise $20,000 for Community Action to help the agency during a tiem of budget cuts and uncertainty.

He has raised $11,000 so far, including $6,691 online (as of 9:50 p.m.) To make an online donation, click here. Community Action representatives also are at each run, selling T-shorts and accepting cash donations or checks.

Brett Sobieraski, Chris Shingleton and Brad Kingdollar (at right) run along the Lyndonville track. Kingdollar completed 80 laps for 20 miles. Altogether, there were 40 different people who joined Sobieraski on the track today. He welcomes walkers and runners to come out and join him, even if it’s just for a lap.

The schedule the next six days includes:

• Monday, July 20 – Batavia HS for 55 miles (7 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
• Tuesday, July 21 – East Rochester HS for 55 miles (Special Remembrance Day for Fallen Officers)
• Wednesday, July 22 – Kendall HS for 55 miles
• Thursday, July 23 – Medina HS for 55 miles
• Friday, July 24 – Holley HS for 55 miles
• Saturday, July 25 – Albion HS (8 a.m. to 11 a.m.) for the grand finale of 15 miles

After running more than 20 miles, Sobieraski took a short walking break. He is joined by childhood friend Shawn Gorman, left, and cousin Mark Sobieraski of Gasport.

Gorman grew up in Lockport with Brett Sobieraski. Gorman said Sobieraski has been a good friend since they were in kindergarten. Gorman said Sobieraski came out in the middle of the night to cheer him on when he did the 100-mile Beast of Burden on foot.

“He has always been an outstanding person and an inspiration to me,” Gorman said.

District makes $266,495 in cuts after budget was rejected twice

Photo by Tom Rivers: Dan Dragula, the Lyndonville school business administrator, goes over a contingency budget during Tuesday’s Lyndonville Board of Education meeting.

LYNDONVILLE – The Board of Education has approved $266,495 in cuts needed for the district to adopt a contingency budget.

Lyndonville adopted the $18,927,505 in a unanimous board vote on Tuesday. The district twice presented a $19,194,000 budget to the public. It was rejected on May 19 by a 172-129 vote, and then again on June 16 with a 327-292 vote.

The district worked to whittle down expenses that aren’t legally required or necessary to maintain the educational program, and not needed to protect the health and safety of students and staff. These contingency expenses could be equipment purchases, optional program enhancements, subsidized community use of school facilities and other discretionary expenditures.

The budget preserves all educational programs for students, and keeps all of the extracurricular programs and sports, including at the modified, junior varsity and varsity levels.

Lyndonville made the cuts from the following areas: $57,000 from administrative expenses; $52,000 from general instruction; $40,000 from operations; $21,118 from special education; $20,600 from library, media and technology; $20,000 from pupil services; $17,746 from Board of Education; $11,000 from Athletics; $8,200 from Central Administration; $7,331 from Instructional Administration/Staff Development; $7,000 from Finance; $3,500 from Community Services; and $1,000 from Transportation.

No new equipment purchases are allowed. Lyndonville zapped $108,600 in equipment purchases with $10,000 from elementary school, $20,000 from high school, $6,000 from music program, $40,000 from building maintenance and upkeep, $600 from library/AV equipment, $20,000 in computer equipment, $11,000 in athletics equipment, and $1,000 from garage equipment.

The board cut conferences and training programs, including for the Board of Education. The budget cuts $20,000 for part-time psychologist intern, and $27,000 in public information services. The Applegram newsletter may not be in print, and instead be online.

Lyndonville Board of Education members Patrick Whipple, left, and Vern Fonda are shown at the recent board meeting. Whipple said he was concerned about the budget cuts for curriculum development and teacher training.

“Not only does this hamper the coming year, but it reverberates from here on out,” Whipple said.

The main focus of the district is education and the contingency budget does weaken the district’s educational program due to the continuing education cuts for teachers.

“That compounds,” Whipple said. “It effects this year’s kids and next year’s. Teachers won’t be honing their craft.”

Whipple also said he was concerned by a reduction of $32,000 in the district line item for legal expenses from $72,000 to $40,000. He said “an increasingly litigious society” could warrant more legal costs for Lyndonville.

“We’re crossing our fingers we won’t need them as much,” Dragula said about the legal costs. If Lyndonville needs to spend more, Dragula said the district would need to find the money in another part of the budget.

Board member James Houseman said any outside groups using Lyndonville facilities should be responsible for any damaged equipment. The baseball and soccer leagues already do that, but the it should be spelled out for all outside groups, board members said.

The contingency budget continues all current community use programs except a $3,500 non-subsidized use of the fitness center. The other programs don’t have a line item cost to the district.

Houseman and board members said Lyndonville should consider fees for use of ball fields, the gym and other facilities. The Lyndonville Facility and Finance Committees will consider if there should be a charge in the future.

District Superintedent Dr. Heather Lyon goes over the district’s code of conduct. She addressed the contingency budget challenges. She said it will be “an ongoing conversation through the school year. She wants serving students and their needs to remain the focus.

“Our students didn’t get to vote but they are impacted by the vote,” she said.

Dr. Lyon has secured some assistance to help with student and teacher supplies in the coming year. The continency budget allows for some teacher supplies, but can’t cover students supplies, such as crayons, pencils, paper and erasers.

Hope Resales in Lyndonville has donated $500 to the district to help with needs due to the budget cutbacks. The ladies of Charity gave $1,600 for student supplies.

The Teachers’ Desk in Buffalo is welcoming Lyndonville teachers this school year to come to the site and pick up needed supplies for free.

Lyndonville was accepted after qualifying for assistance partly due to its high free and reduced lunch rate of 56 percent, Lyon said.

Isabella Brevet, the student representative on board, spoke during Tuesday’s meeting and urged the Board to keep as many programs and services for students as possible.

Photos by Tom Rivers

LYNDONVILLE – The Lyndonville Lions Club organized a ceremony on Saturday to honor Nehemiah Spalding on the 250^th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Spalding is a Revolutionary War solider buried at Lynhaven Cemetery.

Pictured from left include Scott Goetze and John Follman of the American Legion, Lyndonville Lions Club President David Godfrey and Mike Fiegl.

Mr. Spalding volunteered in a militia in the Albany area for the Revolutionary War. He fought in multiple British scrimmages in the Hudson and Mohawk Valley regions.

Further records show his cooperation in several of the major Revolutionary War battles including the Battle of Oriskany, The Battle of Klock’s Field and the Battle of Fort Ticonderoga.

Scott A. Goetze, a member of the American Legion in Lyndonville, presents a flag to descendants of Nehemiah Spalding. His family also was recognized as grand marshals of the Fourth of July parade.

Peter Wybron and his sister Nancy Gerhardt are 4th generation grandchildren of Spalding, and they live in Western New York. Other Spalding descendants also attended the ceremony which including a wreath-laying at Spalding’s grave.

Spalding’s family received commendations from the Orleans County Legislature, Assemblyman Steve Hawley, State Sen. Rob Ortt and Congresswoman Claudia Tenney.

American Legion members Scott Goetze, left, and John Follman fold an American flag that was presented to Nehemiah Spalding’s family.

Members of the American Legion served as the Honor Guard and did a 21-gun salute. Matthew Heinsler played Taps.

The Gates Pipe and Drum Band performed “Amazing Grace” at the end of a ceremony honoring Nehemiah Spalding.

Photos courtesy of Lyndonville Central School

LYNDONVILLE – The Class of 2026 tosses their caps after commencement on June 26.

There are 42 members of the Lyndonville Class of 2026, including Elena Barry, Alexandria Carvalho, Annalee Clark, Sebastian Clark, Irene Daniels, Emily Dill, Benjamin Doolan, Taleana Farrell, Austin Fonda, Jonathan Frasier, Zachary Freas, James Giarla, Jr.

Isabella Groves, Julius Heideman, Mathias Hoefer, Justin Holmes, Molly Ingersoll, Barbara Jary, Ayden Kepner, Ethan Ladd, Shyann Little, Emily Miner, McKinley Price, Lilly Raduns, Jamie Reynolds, Jillian Robertson

Brooke Robinson, Anthony Roman, Jr., Greyson Romano, Raul Sanchez Morales, William Schening, Andrew Schlegel, Colton Smith, Savannah Spoth, Lilly Temich, Rylan Townsend, Bryant Watson, Emma Wisniewski, Camdeon Wittcop-Howes and Nathan Woodworth.

Valedictorian Elena Barry, left, and Salutatorian Brooke Robinson both gave speeches during commencement.

Nathan Woodworth accepts his diploma and is congratulated by Dr. Patrick Whipple, the Board of Education president.

Lyndonville graduating seniors sing during the commencement program at the school auditorium.

Austin Fonda receives the first Mark D. Hughes Memorial Scholarship. He is congratulated by Shane Price, a teacher and former baseball coach at Lyndonville who worked and coached with Hughes for many years. The Mark D. Hughes Memorial Scholarship awards $2,000 to an individual that honors the legacy of a beloved educator, coach, and community pillar who spent over 52 years uplifting the students of the Lyndonville Central School District. Hughes passed away at age 75 on June 4, 2025.

Class of 2026 Awards & Scholarships

• Elks National Foundation Legacy Scholarship: Colton Smith
• F. Edward (Ted) Powley Jr. Memorial Scholarship: Colton Smith
• Fred Large Memorial Scholarship: Greyson Romano & Rylan Townsend
• Harvey E. Anderson Section V Scholarship: Colton Smith
• Jones Family Memorial Scholarship: Austin Fonda
• Keith N. Bane Jr. Memorial Scholarship: Jonathan Frasier & Zachary Freas
• Louise Sidari Felso Scholarship: Lilly Raduns
• Lyndonville Teacher’s Association Scholarship: Emily Dill
• Lyndonville United Methodist Church Daniel Irwin Memorial Scholarship: Molly Ingersoll
• Medina Area Association of Churches Scholarship: Brooke Robinson
• New York Credit Union Association Scholarship: Colton Smith
• New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association Scholarship: Elena Barry
• New York State Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizen’s Award: Colton Smith
• New York State Daughters of the American Revolution Scholarship: Colton Smith
• New York State Series Scholarship for Academic Excellence: Elena Barry, Emly Miner & Rylan Townsend
• Niagara University Presidential Scholarship: Emily Dill
• Ontario Shores FCU Scholarship: Colton Smith
• Orleans County Farm Bureau Scholarship: Nathan Woodworth
• Patricia Bane-Blanchard Memorial Scholarship: Shyann Little
• St. Bonaventure University Friars Scholarship: Benjamin Doolan
• Scott Scharlau Memorial Award: Nathan Woodworth
• Steven Broadwell Memorial Award: Justin Holmes
• SUNY Geneseo Presidential Scholarship: McKinley Price
• Towpath Lodge #1193 Free and Accepted Masons Architecture and Geometry Award: James Giarla, Jr. & McKinley Price
• Trevor T. Cook Memorial Scholarship: Elisabeth Ingersoll, Emma Freas & Anastasia Hess
• U Connect Care Scholarship: Colton Smith
• Virgil Bogue-Catherine Flanagan Scholarship: Jamie Reynolds
• William Merritt Carpenter III Scholarship: Elena Barry

Lyndonville Area Foundation Scholarships

• Directors’ Scholarship: Emily Miner
• Foundations Choice Scholarship: Savannah Spoth & Emily Dill
• Frank B. Housel Jr. Scholarship: Benjamin Doolan, Isabella Grove & Colton Smith
• Josie Gracey Memorial Scholarship: Rylan Townsend
• Keegan S. Bayne Memorial Scholarship: Jonathan Frasier & Zachary Freas
• Mabel I. Stroyan Scholarship: Brooke Robinson
• Mark D. Hughes Memorial Scholarship: Austin Fonda
• Skinner-Wilson Scholarship: Elena Barry
• Trevor T. Cook Memorial Scholarship: Molly Ingersoll, McKinley Price, Lilly Raduns & Greyson Romano
• Lyndonville Employees Association Skilled/Service Trade Scholarship: Justin Holmes & Barbara Jary

Lyndonville Lions Club Scholarships

• Donald Fraser Memorial Scholarship: Emily Miner
• Dr. Julius Layer Memorial Scholarship: Lilly Raduns

David Cook, president of the Lyndonville Area Foundation, presents a scholarship to Ben Doolan.

Photos by Tom Rivers

LYNDONVILLE – The older water tower on West Avenue is silhouetted on Saturday night at the start of Lyndonville’s Fourth of July fireworks show. Lyndonville works with Young Explosives to put on one of the region’s biggest fireworks shows. The Saturday night show was just over a half hour.

This photo shows the Lyndonville United Methodist Church at left with the Presbyterian Church in back at right.

Saturday’s fireworks show was part of Lyndonville’s Independence Day celebration on the 250^th anniversary of the country.

The water in Johnson Creek reflects the fireworks that are shot off behind the school.

The Lyndonville Lions Club added the red, white and blue illumination as part of the Independence Day celebration.

There were cutouts of Uncle Sam and the Statue of Liberty near the waterfalls on Main Street.

This photo looks through the cutoff of Uncle Sam with fireworks in the background.

Fireworks are shown in the distance while looking through the Statue of Liberty cutout.

There were lots of concessions available throughout the day, including right up until the fireworks.

A basketball hoop is shown with lots of fireworks.

The basketball hoop is a silhouette against the colorful fireworks during the finale.

Two kids play with light-up swords on the basketball courts during the fireworks finale.

Bryan McDowell sent in this photo from the finale with the scoreboard in the foreground.

Photos by Tom Rivers

LYNDONVILLE – The Lyndonville marching band performed with a big contingent of students for the Fourth of July Parade today that started at noon. The marching band is shown going down Main Street.

The band heads north on Main Street near a giant American flag that was displayed by Panek Farms. Panek held the flag high from an old City of Lockport ladder truck the farm acquired.

Veterans ride in a trolley provided by the Houseman-Tanner Post of the American Legion.

Main Street was packed with people to see the parade.

Lyndonville Mayor John Belson wears the Lyndonville baseball jersey of the late Mark Hughes, a much loved Lyndonville teacher and coach who passed away at age 75 on June 4, 2025. Belson assumed Hughes’s long-time role, pulling the fundraising barrel for the fireworks, which start at 10 tonight.

Auston Ley portrays George Washington and tosses candy to kids along the parade route.

Mike Fiegl plays Abraham Lincoln and Jeff Costello is Ben Franklin. There were more than the usual famous U.S. leaders in the parade, which falls on the 250^th anniversary of the country.

Bob Eberle dressed as Uncle Sam and waves to the crowd along Main Street during today’s Fourth of July parade in Lyndonville. He is approaching the giant American flag.

Eric Johnson also pulls a fundraising barrel for the fireworks. He added some touches for President Donald Trump with the orange hair and a golf club for a cane.

Scott Schmidt, second from right, served as the parade emcee. He is joined on the parade platform by his father, Bruce Schmidt, a member of the Lyndonville Lions Club, which organized the Fourth of July celebration for the 52^nd year.

The Keystone Club Police Pipes & Drums in Gates have been a parade mainstay in Lyndonville.

Mark Watts drives a 1933 fire truck that was used by the Medina Fire Department until 1972, when it was taken out of service.

Marlene Seielstad, a candidate for Orleans County legislator, had a contingent with her during the parade.

3B Manufacturing, a precision machining and fabrication shop in Medina, tossed candy to the crowd, many of the people were wearing red, white and blue.

Community Action and Head Start was out spreading the message about their programs serving children and families.

Snowstorm Solutions brought a plow truck with a tribute to the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

The Oak Orchard Assembly of God promoted an upcoming Vacation Bible School – July 12-15 with a theme of “Emerald Crossing.”

The East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company was among many fire departments represented in the parade.

Provided photo: The Lyndonville Lions Club lights the Lyndonville Waterfalls on Main Street in patriotic red, white, and blue as part of the community’s July 4th holiday celebration.

Press Release, Lyndonville Lions Club

LYNDONVILLE –  The Lyndonville Lions Club has officially opened the extended July 4th holiday weekend with its “Light Up Lyndonville” campaign, part of the 52nd Annual Lyndonville Lions Club July 4^th Celebration.

The initiative has transformed several municipal buildings along Main Street into a patriotic display of red, white, and blue lighting. One of the highlights of this year’s effort is the illumination of the Lyndonville Waterfalls, creating a striking tribute to our nation’s birthday.

The club also regrets to announce that there will be no military flyover preceding Saturday’s July 4th Parade. The Lions Club was informed that, due to current operations in the Middle East, regional United States Air Force bases capable of conducting the flyover have been placed on Operational Alert, making them unavailable for ceremonial missions.

The club is extremely proud of the military flyovers that have honored our community in previous years and hopes to once again welcome this special tribute in future celebrations.

During this Independence Day weekend, the Lyndonville Lions Club asks everyone to keep our military personnel and their families in their thoughts and prayers. As we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, they will be standing watch around the world, protecting the freedoms we are privileged to celebrate.

All scheduled July 4th festivities will proceed as planned. The July 4th Parade begins at noon, with the Arts & Crafts Show, vendors, food, entertainment, and family activities on the Lyndonville Central School grounds.

The popular Firecracker Concert Series begins at 7 p.m. on the baseball fields at the school and will be followed by the Lyndonville Lions Club’s spectacular Salute to America Fireworks Display.

Advance tickets for the famous Chiavetta’s Chicken Barbecue are still available at the Town of Yates Hall through Thursday afternoon and at the Hojack Ice Cream Shack in Lyndonville through Friday afternoon. As always, tickets will also be available on the day of the event for walk-up purchases.

The Lyndonville Lions Club extends its sincere appreciation to the many sponsors, volunteers, community partners, and supporters who have helped make this year’s celebration possible.

The club warmly invites everyone to join them this July 4th as the community comes together to celebrate our nation’s independence and America’s 250th anniversary in true Lyndonville tradition.