Photos courtesy of Andrea Farwell: Adults have fun at a beanbag toss earlier this year, just one of many events the church sponsors for young and old. A free Family Carnival for the community is planned next Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

YATES – Fun-filled family-oriented events for members and the community are a top priority for the Yates Baptist Church.

Earlier this summer their members decided they wanted to host a free event for the community where the Gospel could be presented, and they decided to host a Family Carnival, with events for the entire family.

A committee was set up, with Corrine Mt. Pleasant as chair.

The event is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 29 at the church on Yates Center Road.

The afternoon will feature games, crafts, animals, prizes, caricatures, face painting, food and archery by Merle Fredericks, a member of the church.

Andrea Farwell, one of the members of the carnival committee, said they had a similar event when they celebrated the church’s bicentennial in 2022 and they are hoping for a large turnout on Saturday as well.

Programs for youth are popular at Yates Baptist Church. Here the youth and leaders pose after a creek float, which was followed by a bonfire.

Yates Baptist Church was founded 204 years ago. She has been a member for nine years, while her husband has attended there his entire life. They are now raising their three children there, Farwell said.

She said it was almost two years ago when Pastor Lyell Drake retired and Pastor Eric Wolbert took the role of lead pastor.

“He has been an answer to our prayers,” she said. “The transition was seamless. The Bible, as God’s inerrant Word, is the foundation of our church and is preached weekly.”

The church has a thriving Wednesday night Family Night program which meets throughout the school year.  Many families join in for dinner, worship, games and Bible study, Farwell said. This year’s Family Night starts Sept. 16 and runs from 5:15 to 7:30 p.m.

The Youth Group at YBC is also very active and gathered throughout the summer for bonfires, pool nights, kickball, bowling and floating down the creek.

The community is also invited to attend worship at 9:45 a.m. Sundays, followed by Sunday School and a family hour at 11:15 a.m.

Photos by Tom Rivers: Joanne Suhr leads the Lyndonville Board of Education meeting on Tuesday.

LYNDONVILLE – When Joanne Suhr was elected to serve as president of the Lyndonville Board of Education last month, school officials thought she might be making history as the first woman to serve in the role.

After digging deep in district history, it turns out Suhr is the second woman to serve as board president. Elaine Wilson was the first back in 1958-’59.

Suhr was elected by the other board members on July 14 to serve as board president this school year. She joined the board about a year ago. She was elected as a board member on May 20, 2025.

Suhr retired in June 2022 after working 30 years as an elementary school teacher. Her final year she was honored as the district’s “Educator of the Year” when she was a third grade teacher who specialized in teaching math.

She also has served on the Town of Yates Planning Board and the Town of Yates Bicentennial Committee.

During this past Tuesday’s meeting, she said the district is getting ready for the new school year, with contractors working long hours on a capital project. Some of that construction work will extend into the school year with crews working after the school day is over, Suhr said.

Some of the work includes new ADA-compliant bathrooms, new HVAC and air conditioning, and new windows for the upstairs of the schools.

Suhr succeeds Patrick Whipple as the board president.

Joanne Suhr leads the meeting on Tuesday in the school cafeteria. Next to her are Dr. Heather Lyon, the district superintendent at left, and Tanya Marek, administrative assistant to the superintendent at right.

Parkitects will install phase 1 of new playground in October

Photos by Tom Rivers: Ben Frasier, owner and president of Parkitects, goes over the layout of a playground to be built in phases at Lyndonville Central School, with phase 1 to be constructed in early October. Frasier is a 1988 Lyndonville graduate.

LYNDONVILLE – A Lyndonville graduate who owns a company that designs and installs playgrounds wants to build the “greatest playground in the land” in his hometown.

Ben Frasier, owner and president of Parkitects, shared his vision of the playground with the Lyndonville Board of Education on Tuesday. Frasier said the funds are already in place for phase 1 of the playground. Parkitects will install the first phase in early October.

The company based in Buffalo has built million-dollar playgrounds at several school districts, including one in Kendall last year. He wants the best one for his hometown, and he said Parkitects will be doing it at a discount with some donated apparatus and in-kind services.

Phase 1 includes a We-Go-Round, Sway Fun Glider, We-Saw and other equipment that will be accessible to kids of all abilities and mobilities. Lyndonville two years ago approved using $160,000 in its federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) stimulus funds toward the project, with Parkitects donating other features, including a sensory dome.

The new playgrounds are inclusive for people of abilities and mobilities. He highlighted several new playgrounds including the one at Kendall Elementary School. As he showed photos of those elaborate playgrounds, Frasier asked, “Why can’t the kids in Lyndonville have this?”

Frasier said he has profound memories of growing up in Lyndonville and playing on the former wooden playground at the school. The community came together nearly 50 years ago to build that playground.

“This playground taught me about the power of community,” he said showing a photo of the former site.

Ben Frasier shared a photo of the former wooden playground at the school. He said he was 10 when it was constructed at Lyndonville and the community helped install it. “I played on that playground everyday for two years,” he said. “I was really shaped by play.”

Lyndonville already has $160,000 set aside for phase 1. The Board of Education about two years ago approved that amount in federal stimulus money towards the first phase of the new playground. Parkitects also is donating some extra pieces to the first phase and company will install it in early October.

Frasier will be at a back-to-school open house to share his plans for an even bigger playground. He also will be attending two school assemblies in September to build excitement with students for phase 1.

On September 10, there will be a meeting for the community from 6 to 8 p.m. to discuss the playground plans and how it will be designed for inclusive play for children of all abilities.

Frasier wants the larger project and he believes through fund-raising, grants and donations Lyndonville can make it a reality.

Phase 2 would include some larger equipment including Super Netplex Towers, ZipKrooz, Oodles Swing, Sensory Tunnel, Rollerslide with Exit Bench, and a 7-Post Hex Net.

He would like to see phase 2 be constructed next year. He also would like to see a phase 3 for a full buildout that would include a shelter for parents and grandparents to stay in the shade while children are on the playground.

Dr. Heather Lyon, the district superintendent, thanked Frasier for bringing a strong passion and commitment to the project, which she said will not include any local school funding. She looks forward to seeing kids of all abilities on the playground.

“Students who have never been able to use our playgrounds will be able to and that is something to celebrate,” Lyon said.

Photo by Tom Rivers: Dr. Aaron Slack, Lyndonville’s junior-senior high school principal, shares data from the recent Regents with the Lyndonville Board of Education on Tuesday evening. Slack informed the district he will be retiring on June 30.

LYNDONVILLE – The junior-senior high school at Lyndonville will have a new principal after this school year.

Dr. Aaron Slack, the school’s principal the past 15 years, informed the district and Board of Education he will be retiring on June 30.

Slack told the board he has been grateful to serve at the district and is proud so many students have taken college-level and AP classes. There were 58 students in 2025-26 who earned 393 college credit hours.

Board President Joanne Suhr told Slack he has made a positive difference for the district.

“Everybody knows you,” she said at Tuesday’s Board meeting. “The teachers appreciate you. You will be missed.”

District superintendent, Dr. Heather Lyon, has worked with Slack the past year.

“It makes me sad,” she said on Tuesday when she shared about Slack’s intention to retire on June 30.

She said Slack remains deeply engaged in the school and working on students’ opportunities and achievement.

“Aaron is running through the finish line,” she said.

Slack, a Medina resident, said he looks forward to having more time for his family. He has been heavily involved at Lyndonville, and even was a part of the 2025 school musical of Newsies, when he played the role of Theodore Roosevelt.

Slack said his first job was at age 15 when he worked as a counselor at Camp Rainbow in Lyndonville. After working in the Greece school district as an eighth grade English teacher and then a middle school administrator, he welcomed the chance to work in Lyndonville 15 years ago.

Agency celebrates upgraded pavilion in memory of Marcy Mruczek

Photos courtesy of Arc GLOW: Arc GLOW staff, donors and community members gather under the Marcy Mruczek Pavilion for the dedication ceremony.

Press Release, Arc GLOW

LYNDONVILLE — Making their way across the paved paths and between laughing children as they ran and played, Camp Rainbow donors and community partners had a chance to see the difference their support has made in the lives of local children and young adults.

Founded in 1970, Camp Rainbow provides an inclusive summer day camp available to all children ages 5 to 21 of all abilities. Located in Lyndonville, the camp was established through the generosity of the Shenberger family, who donated the property to create a place where children with disabilities could experience recreation, friendship and belonging in a supportive environment.

Joan Grein, daughter of the Shenbergers, attended the event with a photograph of her brother, the late Jim Shenberger, who was the reason the camp exists in the first place. His legacy continues through Camp Rainbow, where generations of children have had the opportunity to experience recreation, friendship and belonging. The Shenberger family was also among the founding members of the Arc of Orleans County. Peter Bartula and Arc GLOW Board President Eric Parker was also in attendance.

Jen Batt, director of Community Services for Arc GLOW, provided a tour of Camp Rainbow alongside Jill Pegelow, vice president of Community Services and Self-Direction for Arc GLOW. The tour gave donors and community partners an opportunity to see firsthand the programs, facilities and experiences made possible through community support.

Prior to the tour, attendees gathered for a dedication ceremony at the Marcy Mruczek Pavilion, whose construction was organized by Dr. Arthur and Donna Mruczek, and built by the late Terry Garigen, represented by his wife, Nancy, at the dedication. The pouring of the concrete for the pavilion improvements was made possible through a generous donation from Orleans Ready Mix, owned by Reggie Cichocki.

(Left) A camper shows donors and community members a fairy home they made. (Right) Joan Grein with a picture of her late brother, Jim Shenberger, who passed away in March.

Originally dedicated in 2012 in memory of Marcy Mruczek, who served as a Camp Rainbow counselor for three summers, the pavilion recently underwent improvements thanks to the completion of a new ADA-compliant sidewalk and concrete patio. A commemorative plaque was unveiled recognizing the many individuals and organizations that contributed to the project.

“The support of our community is what makes Camp Rainbow possible,” said Lisa Bors, vice president of Public Relations and Development for Arc GLOW. “Camp Rainbow depends on the generosity of our community to give campers this opportunity to make friends, build confidence, enjoy new experiences and, most importantly, feel that they belong. Every donation, partnership and volunteer effort help make this special place possible.”

The Children’s Guild Foundation, represented by its Board Chair Darci Cramer, provided a grant to repair and replace the pool’s return line and sand filter. This upgrade allowed Camp Rainbow to double the number of swimmers during the day, providing more campers with the opportunity to enjoy the pool.

Aug. 7 was the last day of Camp Rainbow for the 2026 season.

For more information on Camp Rainbow, visit ArcGLOW.org. Arc GLOW is a nonprofit organization serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming counties.

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.