By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 July 2023 at 8:36 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
LYNDONVILLE – It was another crowd-pleasing fireworks show at Lyndonville to cap the Fourth of July.
Young Explosives set off the fireworks for 40 minutes, beginning at 10 p.m. The Lyndonville show is one of the largest fireworks displays in Western New York.
A big crowd of people brought blankets and lawn chairs to watch the show behind the school on the athletic fields.
The band Flipside performed “Beat It” by Michael Jackson. The band performed many classic rock songs in stage by the Lyndonville baseball field.
Mark Christy is lead singer for Flipside, singing hard-hitting rock and roll from Billy Idol, Ozzy Osbourne, Styx and Journey, to many other singers, including pop and country stars.
People relaxed and enjoyed the fireworks, with many cheering after the finale.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 July 2023 at 6:19 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
LYNDONVILLE – Bob Eberle dressed as Uncle Sam and waves to the crowd along Main Street during today’s Fourth of July parade in Lyndonville.
Eberle was in the parade last year with the Lyndonville Class of 1982. He was asked to be Uncle Sam today and did it for the first time.
He was happy to add a well known July 4th character to the patriotic procession.
“A lot of people look forward to coming back to this small town and seeing friends they haven’t seen in the past five to 10 years,” Eberle said.
Molly Ingersoll, a member of the Leos Club at the school, passes out American flags before the parade. About 5,000 flags were available to the crowd.
Russ Martino, the grand marshal for the parade, rode in a car driven by Scott Schmidt. Martino was a shop teacher in the high school for 16 years and then a principal in the elementary school for 17 years. He later served as the yates town supervisor. Martino also has been a member of the Lyndonville Lions Club for 42 years.
He said it was a thrill to have many people yell out greetings to him in the parade, either calling him “Russ” or “Mr. Martino.”
“I’ve never found a friendlier place or nicer people,” Martino said.
Just before the hour-long parade a military flyover passed over Lyndonville – twice. The plane came from the 911th United States Air Force Reserve from Pittsburgh, Pa. The flyover was at about noon.
This group tries to get photos of the plane as it flies over Main Street.
Pudgie’s Veggies was in the parade promoting its sweet corn, tomatoes, squash, zucchini, cucumbers and potatoes. Many local businesses were part of the parade.
Gordon-Fisk, Inc, a lawn equipment sales and service business on Ridge Road in Medina, brought several lawn mowers to be in the parade.
This group waves from a boat on a trailer. They are representing Ontario Shores Realty which “specializes in waterfront property.”
These kids squirted water from a float promoting an upcoming Vacation Bible School at Oak Orchard Assembly of God from July 9-12.
Mark Hughes accepts a donation to go towards the Lyndonville fireworks show. Next year will be the 50th anniversary of the Lions Club putting on a Fourth of July celebration for the community.
Robert Batt, executive director of the Cornell Cooperative Extension, wears a 4-H costume to help promote the upcoming 4-H Fair from July 24-29. He is chatting with Shawn Cook, one of the fair volunteers.
Motorcyclists in ABATE of Orleans County brought a big group near the start of the parade.
Everett and Sylvia Bruning wore capes and passed out candy for Gallagher Hill Trucking in Albion. Their cousin Kendyll Kidney also was generous handing out treats.
American Legion member Joe Hausler joined other veterans on a trolley for the parade.
Bill Wolter, a candidate for Shelby highway superintendent, waves to people along Main Street.
Wandering Trails Taxidermy by Ashley had animals holding flags.
Dancers from Dance Theater in Medina toss candy to kids along the parade route.
The Murray Tractor Pull promoted its event on July 22.
This lineup includes a costumed Deadpool character, members of Hometown Wellness Center in Medina and youth football players in RBL (Roy-Hart, Barker and Lyndonville).
The Lyndonville school band, including many students who graduated last month, showed up in big numbers and played patriotic music along the parade route.
The band gave an energetic performance despite the bright sunshine and heat in the low 80s.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 July 2023 at 8:26 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers: These two watch the fireworks on July 4 in Lyndonville last year. They are sitting on top of a truck near the school fields close to the fireworks.
LYNDONVILLE – The Lyndonville Lions Club is ready for a busy day of activities to help the community celebrate the Fourth of July on Tuesday.
The big events are a parade beginning at noon and fireworks at 10 p.m. But there is a lot of things happening throughout the day.
Some of the events include:
Arts and crafts sale from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the school front lawn
Antique and classic car cruise-in at 10 a.m. at the school parking lot
Hot dog stand and other food vendors beginning at 11 a.m. on the school grounds
Parade starts at noon with Russ Martino as the grand marshal
Chicken barbecue from 1 until 3:30 p.m. or sold out in the high school cafeteria
One-Man Band (Mike McCauley) performing from 5 to 7 p.m. in the parking lot behind the school
Flipside Band performing on a stage by school baseball field from 7 p.m. until the start of the fireworks
Fireworks by Young Explosives start at 10 p.m.
The Lyndonville Lions Club is organizing the celebration for the 49th year. This year’s event has a theme, “An Old-Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration.”
The Lions are encouraging all residents to fly American flags or. The Lions have plans to hand out over 5,000 American flags to parade goers.
Just before the parade there will be a military flyover from the 911th United States Air Force Reserve from Pittsburgh, Pa. It is expected that the flyover will pass over Main Street right at noon, just before the start of the parade. This is the second year there will be a flyover before the parade.
This photo at the end of the fireworks includes the steeple of the Lyndonville United Methodist Church in the foreground.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 June 2023 at 1:24 pm
YATES – The Orleans County Legislature on Tuesday accepted a $750,675 bid from Keeler Construction of Barre to build a new bridge over a unnamed creek on Lakeshore Road.
Keeler’s proposal was the lowest bid for the project, legislators said.
The project is 95 percent reimbursable through federal funds, with local money from the Road Fund Capital Project Account covering the remaining 5 percent.
Photo courtesy of Sharon Smith/Lyndonville’s Class of 2023 tosses their caps following commencement on Friday evening.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 June 2023 at 1:08 pm
LYNDONVILLE – The school district celebrated the Class of 2023 during commencement on Friday evening at the school’s Stroyan Auditorium.
There are 42 members in this year’s class, including Shelby Boring, Mackenzie Boyle, Tessa Davis, Lorelei Dillenbeck, Samuel Doolan, Josie Dusett, Harley Edkin, Alex Farrell, Camryn Fischer, Annabelle Follman, Christian Garver, Elizabeth Giarla, Rubie Godfrey, Payton Grabowski, Meagan Hardner, Allan Heideman, Nikki Holmes, Madison Kain, Brianna Krisher, Ian Mank, Owen Mank, Shaeleigh Miller, Matthew Miner, Christopher Mondoux, Trenton Muck, Mason Nicholson, Sheelah Pickle, Kylie Reisman, Mallory Robertson, MacKenzie Rutherford, Tyler Schnepf, Haley Shaffer, Parker Silversmith, Peyton Silversmith, Joshua Slingerland, Brianna Smith, Calista Stinson, Chyenne Tackley III, Kevin Travis, Dominic Twiss, Jacob Wilson and Mariah Wittkop.
Photos courtesy of Amanda Dedie on behalf of Lyndonville Central School: The class is shown on stage during commencement on Friday.
Valedictorian Lorelei Dillenbeck, left, and salutatorian Meagan Harder both addressed their classmates.
Chyenne Tackley is presented his diploma by Sharon Smith, the district superintendent.
Brianna Krisher receives a $4,000 Frank B. Housel Jr. Scholarship from David Cook, representing the Lyndonville Area Foundation. The Foundation presented $47,000 in scholarships on Friday.
The Lyndonville Area Foundation scholarship winners include:
Mabel I. Stroyan Memorial Scholarship ($5,000) to Lorelei Dillenbeck
Josie P. Gracey Scholarship ($5,000) to Parker Silversmith
Frank B. Housel, Jr. Scholarship (3 for $4,000 each) to Annabelle Follman, Haley Shaffer and Brianna Krisher
Foundation Directors’ Scholarship ($5,000) to Chyenne Tackley III
The Skinner-Wilson Scholarship ($5,000) to Meagan Hardner
Foundations Choice Scholarship (2 for $2,500 each) to Calista Stinson and Samuel Doolan
Trevor Cook Memorial Scholarship (4 for $2,500 each) to Annabelle Follman, Josie Dusett, Payton Grabowski and Trenton Muck
Tyler Schnepf and Mackenzie Boyle decorated their graduation caps with dinosaurs.
Kristin Nicholson, a member of the Board of Education, hugs her son Mason after presenting him with his diploma. Ted Lewis, the board president, is in back to the right of Nicholson.
Seniors in the chorus sing, “Count On Me” by Bruno Mars.
The seniors move the tassels on their caps to signify their graduation from Lyndonville.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 June 2023 at 1:43 pm
Provided photo
LYNDONVILLE – These five people completed The Murph Challenge on Memorial Day in Lyndonville. They wore 20-pound body armor while doing a 1-mile run, 100 pull-ups, 200 push-ups, 300 air squats, and another mile run for time.
Pictured from left include 14-year-old Austin Fonda of Lyndonville, environmental conservation police officer Shane Dobies, environmental conservation police officer Vern Fonda, State Police investigator Brian Belson and environmental conservation police officer Evan Laczi.
The Village of Lyndonville hosted the challenge for the seventh time. The event is held in memory of Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy, a U.S. Navy Seal killed in combat in Asadabad, Afghanistan on June 28, 2005.
He was 29 when he was killed. LT. Michael Murphy was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor on October 27, 2007. Murphy would push himself with fitness challenges, including the tasks in the “Murph Challenge.”
The challenge is held throughout the country, and has raised more than $2 million for the LT. Michael P. Murphy Memorial Scholarship Foundation.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 June 2023 at 11:51 am
Provided photo: Local veterans are shown with a trolley used for parades in Lyndonville.
LYNDONVILLE – Local veterans are encouraged to be part of Lyndonville’s July Fourth parade. They can march in the parade or ride in a trolley.
Veterans who want to be part of the parade should go to the staging area at the corner of Alps and Platten roads before 11:30 a.m. After 11:30, those roads close to traffic.
The trolley for veterans will be near the front of the procession for the parade, which starts at noon.
Veterans can be dropped off or can try to park along road, although there may not be any parking available, said Steve Goodrich, American Legion commander in Lyndonville.
“Our trolley is handicap accessible, so no worries there,” Goodrich said.
Photo by Tom Rivers: A United States Air Force C-17 flies over Route 63 in Lyndonville just before the noon Fourth of July parade last year.
Posted 26 June 2023 at 11:07 am
Press Release, Lyndonville Lions Club
LYNDONVILLE – The Lyndonville Lions Club recently received confirmation that the 911th United States Air Force Reserve from Pittsburgh, Pa. will open the July 4th celebration with a military flyover again this year.
The crew that flew last year stated that the Lyndonville flyover was very special for them. One of the commanding officers held it in special regard due to the fact that he spent his youth growing up in the Oakfield-Alabama area.
The crew was amazed at the size of the reception they received once over the Village of Lyndonville. It is expected that the flyover will pass over Main Street right at noon, just before the start of the parade.
The Lions Club has a full day planned on July 4th with arts and crafts, chicken barbecue and live music throughout the day. New activities like bounce houses and pony rides have been added this year.
The evening events will see the band Flipside perform from 7 p.m. until the start of the fireworks at 10 pm. Flipside has been voted western New York’s top rock band for the last eight years.
Chicken barbecue tickets can be obtained at the information booth on the school front lawn on July Fourth. Indoor seating in the school cafeteria will be available for those purchasing chicken barbecue dinners.
The Lions want attendees to know that coolers and folding chairs are welcome for the evening concert and fireworks. They ask attendees to avoid glass bottles and practice a carry in, carry out refuse policy.
Photo by Tom Rivers: It was a packed Main Street for the Fourth of July parade last year. This photo shows a float from the Class of 1982, followed by Weed Man Lawn Care Services based in Albion.
Posted 20 June 2023 at 8:53 am
Press Release, Lyndonville Lions Club
LYNDONVILLE – At the Lyndonville Lions Club recent meeting, the July Fourth Planning Committee unveiled the theme for this year’s 49th Annual Independence Day Celebration. The theme will be “An Old-Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration.”
The Lions are encouraging all residents to fly American flags or banners and encourages all participants to reflect the theme. The Lions have plans to hand out over 5,000 American flags to parade goers.
Provided photo: Lyndonville Lions Cub President Harold Suhr, left, congratulates Russ Martino on serving as parade marshal in the upcoming Fourth of July parade.
The committee announced the musical lineup for this year’s Firecracker Concert Series, funded by GO ART!, sponsors, and Lyndonville Lions Club. A local one-man band, Mike McCauley, will be leading off the evening with his easy rock playlist at 5 p.m.
McCauley will be followed the headliner band, Flipside. They will take the stage on the upper baseball field at 7 p.m. The Lions would like to encourage all concert goers to stay for the fireworks immediately following the end of the concert, at approximately 10 p.m.
The Fourth of July Celebration will include an arts and crafts sale, chicken barbecue, hot dog stand, food vendors, pony rides, antique & classic car cruise-In, and other activities.
The grand marshal for this year’s parade will be Russ Martino. The committee wanted to recognize Martino for all of his hometown efforts. He has a long and distinguished career as a high school educator and administrator, serving both as a teacher and principal. He has been active in local government serving on numerous county, town and village boards and as the Yates Town Supervisor. He continues to be active in many civic organizations and is the longest serving member in the Lyndonville Lions Club.
Any group or organization wishing to participate in the parade should contact the parade director at Gwendolynlarge002@gmail.com.
The Lyndonville Lions Club also has plans for an inaugural golf tournament at Hickory Ridge Golf Course on Sept. 10. Plans call for a foursome scramble format with a 9 a.m. tee off, followed by an awards presentation and steak roast dinner. There will be more information and registration packages available in the coming weeks.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 15 June 2023 at 8:15 am
Collaborative Kitchen, candy store among tenants so far
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Participating in a ribbon cutting ceremony for the renovated Webber Hotel in Lyndonville include, from left: Orleans County Chamber president Dave Gagne, Lyndonville mayor John Belson, Chamber director Darlene Hartway, building owner and Lyndonville native Robert Smith and Assemblyman Steve Hawley.
LYNDONVILLE – Completion of a project several years in the making was celebrated at a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday afternoon on Lyndonville’s Main Street.
Building owner Robert Smith of California, a Lyndonville native, cut the ribbon signifying the opening of the Webber Hotel and Webber Kitchen Collaborative. Joining him were Orleans County Chamber president Dave Gagne, Lyndonville mayor John Belson, Chamber director Darlene Hartway and Assemblyman Steve Hawley.
Smith’s idea for the historic renovation was born in August 2017 when he came home for his mother’s birthday.
“I grew up here and I love this community,” he said Wednesday afternoon.
Thus began a restoration completed with a $490,000 matching grant, which included complete gutting of interiors, new windows and doors and exterior upgrades.
People chat in front of the three buildings owned by Robert Smith. The white building houses the Webber Hotel on the second floor and the Webber Kitchen Collaborative on the ground floor. The blue building has been leased for a candy store and a third building to the right, not pictured, is available for lease.
The Webber Building’s first floor has been leased by Hartway for a Collaborative Kitchen. The kitchen is a New York State Certified Processing Kitchen and is available for rent by anyone who wants to learn to cook, practice their culinary skills or has a product they would like to make and sell, such as jams or baked goods. Hartway has even added a bread oven for bakers to use.
Eventually she plans to have a dietitian and nurse onsite to teach nutrition and cooking for diabetics.
“We would talk about the nutritional values of bone broth, and then make it,” she said.
The kitchen will also be open as a grab-n-go café, offering sandwiches from the Sourced Market in Millville, homemade soups, chips, bagels, tea, coffee, lattes and other snack foods. Hours will be 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.
Darlene Hartway stands by a table she acquired from the Lyn-D-Lounge, a restaurant owned for 18 years by Webber Hotel owner Robert Smith’s mother. Barbie Smith got the table from the former Apple Grove Inn.
The kitchen is meant to be a gathering place for the community, Hartway said.
“We want them to have a place to meet and talk,” she said.
There is room to sit and talk and space to rent for private events. Several tables were acquired from the Lyn-D-Lounge, the restaurant his mother ran for 18 years. One of the tables came from the former Apple Grove in Medina.
Throughout the building, the walls have been decorated with artwork from local artists, including Pat Greene of Medina. Many of the paintings are of local farms in the area and are available for sale.
The crowd was invited to go upstairs and tour the new hotel rooms. The first guest was welcomed to the hotel Wednesday, a Lyndonville native who came home for a visit.
This is one of the traditional rooms in the Webber Hotel, which welcomed its first guest on Wednesday, in time for the ribbon cutting.
Lyndonville Mayor John Belson was thrilled with the new hotel. In a prior interview he said it would be in big demand by people attending weddings at White Birch and by fishermen.
“It’s been 10 years since anything like this has happened in Lyndonville,” said Assemblyman Steve Hawley. “It came from the heart as you spoke,” he told Smith. “I commend anyone who comes back to New York, to their roots, invigorating the things we believe in.”
Lyndonville native Ethel Valentine said the building looked very nice.
“He put a lot of time and effort in it,” she said. “It livens up the town.”
Town of Yates supervisor Jim Simon was also excited about the new buildings.
“The Sourced Market is one of my wife’s and my favorite places to eat, so we are thrilled their food will be here,” Simon said. “This is great for the village, and what’s great for them is also great for the town.”
Robert Smith, right, owner of the Webber Building, chats with two of his new tenants, Dan Conrad, left, who plans to open a candy store, and Darlene Hartway, Orleans County Chamber director who will operate the Webber Collaborative Kitchen. The trio are standing in the kitchen prior to Wednesday’s ribbon cutting ceremony.
YATES – At their board meeting on June 8, the Yates Town Board voted unanimously for a resolution setting a date for a Town Hall meeting regarding Short-Term Rentals. The meeting is set for 6:30 p.m. Monday, July 10, at the Town Hall.
The Yates Town Board began a review of its Short-Term Rental (STR) local law several months ago as a result of the increased number of inquiries regarding STRs in the town.
“We’ve had calls both for and against STRs – especially on the lakeshore,” said Supervisor Jim Simon.
Of late, several towns in Orleans County have adopted updated STR local laws which reflect a wide range of different approaches to the topic: from banning new STRs in certain zoning districts to imposing very few restrictions.
Councilwoman Susan Hrovat wants to hear from more people in town.
“This shouldn’t just be decided based on how long someone has lived in our town, rather, our local law should be based on what is the right thing to do to protect property rights as well as foster democracy,” she said.
After some debate at the board meeting, the board agreed with Councilman John Riggi that any further plans after the town hall meeting should be based on the feedback the board gets. “This is an opportunity for our residents to be heard, and we should do so before we even decide to modify our existing STR local law.”
The town hall meeting is open to all – residents and non-residents of the town.
“We’ve had an inquiry from someone outside of town who wants to buy waterfront property to establish an Airbnb, and we’ve been asked if we can further restrict Airbnbs by someone out of town who is considering buying a cottage on the lake – we need to hear from everyone,” Simon said.
Photos by Tom Rivers: Lyndonville Fire District Chairman Scott Goetske, Lyndonville Fire Department President David Hydock and Fire Chief Mike Heideman are pictured inside the fire hall.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 May 2023 at 1:21 pm
LYNDONVILLE – Village and town officials, as well as leaders of the fire department are positive about a new change for funding and managing the Lyndonville Fire Department.
On Jan. 1, the management shifted from the Lyndonville Village Board to commissioners on a newly formed Lyndonville Fire District.
The funding also is collected through the fire district, rather than by the Village of Lyndonville, which also had a contract with the Town of Yates for fire protection.
Lyndonville followed the Village of Holley in a shift to a fire protection district. The Village of Albion also is discussing moving the fire department’s management and financing to a fire protection district.
“It was definitely a smart move governmentally,” said Jim Simon, the Yates town supervisor.
The town in recent years funded about 80 percent of the fire department budget through a contract with the village and he said the contract negotiations were often challenging with some “minor disputes.” Simon said the town officials didn’t always feel included in the fire department’s budget and operations even though town residents outside the village paid the bulk of the bill.
With the fire district, the costs are spread out through the overall assessed value in the town (which includes the village) with property owners paying a fire district tax. That rate is $1.05 per $1,000 of assessed property in 2023. The previous year, Yates property owners outside the village paid a 74-cent rate per $1,000 of assessed property as part of the contract with the village.
The Town Board and Village Board each appointed commissioners to the fire district, and those posts will be up for election this year. Scott Goetske is the group’s chairman. Other commissioners include Jim Hydock, a retired Rochester firefighter; John Flanagan, a Lyndonville firefighters; Edward Jay, a banking executive; and Terry Woodworth, Lyndonville’s DPW superintendent.
David Hydock is the Lyndonville Fire Department president and Mike Heideman is the fire chief. There are 27 active firefighters.
“We have five really good people,” Simon said about the commissioners. “They can answer directly to public. My vote was in support of a fire district. It’s better use of governance and the responsibilities of a governing body are more clearly defined.”
Lyndonville Mayor John Belson and the Village Board also backed the move to the fire district. He said the commissioners can be focused on managing the fire department.
“It puts the people in charge,” Belson said.
The fire district can also use the fire hall for fundraisers, and is more autonomous whoch may appeal to new members, Belson said.
The fire district has a new off-road vehicle that is was able to purchase with proceeds from fundraisers and donations from the community.
The fire district is still subject to the 2 percent tax cap imposed by the state. That cap can be exceeded by a vote of the commissioners.
The Village Board agreed to transfer ownership of the fire hall, trucks and equipment to the fire district without a charge.
“We made them clean going in, with no debt,” Belson said.
The Village Board recently adopted a village budget for 2023-24 that doesn’t include the fire department. The department’s budget is now managed and collected by the fire district.
Not having the fire department is the main reason the village tax rate is falling 3.1 percent from $16.46 to $15.95 per $1,000 of assessed property. The tax levy for the village is down 2.6 percent from $501,199 in 2022-23 to $488,066 in the new budget for 2023-24.
Goetske, chairman of the commissioners and recently retired after 35 years with the Air Force (including as a chief master sergeant), said the group of commissioners has been visiting other fire districts to gain insights on how to best run a district.
He appreciates that there are commissioners, Jim Hydock and John Flanagan, who have experience as firefighters. The commissioners also work closely with Fire Chief Mike Heideman and Fire Department President Dave Hydock.
Goetske wants to make sure the fire department has the equipment and personnel needed to serve and protect the community, and to do it in a cost-effective way.
“I commend the mayor and the town supervisor for bringing everyone together,” Goetske said.
Heideman, the fire chief, said he is glad for the change to commissioners who are focused on the fire department. With the Village Board, the mayor and trustees were managing multiple departments in the village government and other community issues.
“I think it’s a big weight off their shoulders,” Heideman said about taking the fire department out of the village budget. “We can focus solely on safety and meeting the needs of the public.”
The fire district increased the budget for the department from $184,000 to $206,586, with legal expenses at $14,240 as part of the formation of a new district.
The fire district can’t utilize village staff to clean the fire hall or to fix fire trucks. Goetske said the district appreciates that the village will continue to plow the parking lot at the fire hall and maintain the generator.
Goetske said the cost of running a fire department has been an eye-opener. The district recently acquired three sets of turnout gear with ants and a coat and that was $8,500, not counting the helmet, hood and gloves.
The fire district will likely need to soon replace some of the fire trucks for Lyndonville. The district has five fire trucks and a new off-road utility vehicle.
One pumper is 31 years old, another is 22 years and a tanker is 18 years old. Replacing one of those trucks is in the $500,000 range.
Hydock said the commissioners are working cooperatively with the fire department to address the issues. He is pleased the village and town voted to make the change to a fire district.
“It has always been a struggle to make a budget for the fire department,” he said. “Everybody is wrestling with numbers in this day and age.”
Photo by Tom Rivers: Steve Goodrich, the commander of the Houseman-Tanner American Legion Post in Lyndonville, leads the crowd in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance on Memorial Day, May 30, 2022.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 17 May 2023 at 2:45 pm
LYNDONVILLE – Steve Goodrich, commander of the Houseman Tanner American Legion Post, has a goal to let everyone know about the activities of the Post.
He recently announced an inaugural Post newsletter for May, which he plans to make a regular occurrence. The newsletter is electronic and anyone who is interested can receive one online by sending Goodrich their e-mail address at americanlegion1603@gmail.com.
Goodrich said they especially want to connect with veterans. Locally and nationally, Legion membership is quite literally dying out, he said. Younger veterans are not joining as they once did. He has been commander of the Houseman-Tanner Post since 2009. During his first year, they had 24 members who attended on Memorial Day. This year, only six or eight will be there.
“If membership does not change, I’m not sure if the Legion will survive,” Goodrich said. “So the newsletter is our way of building connections with our fellow veterans.”
Some of the highlights of 2022 were a Memorial Day ceremony, a veterans’ float in the July 4 parade, a flower booth at the town of Yates birthday event in August and a brunch in support of the Wreaths across American program in December.
Goodrich is anticipating a busy 2023 season, starting with placing flags at the grave of veterans at Lynhaven Cemetery and other local cemeteries. All volunteers will meet at the Civil War cannon at 4 p.m. on May 25.
The Post will participate in the traditional Memorial Day parade and program on May 29 at the library honoring heroes who have gone before. A ceremony at the library will follow the parade. Parade participants should gather at St. Joseph’s Church parking lot at 8:30 a.m. The parade will start at 9 a.m. and participants will march to the library for the ceremony which follows. All participating groups are encouraged to bring a bouquet of flowers or potted plant to place at the memorial stone when prompted during the ceremony.
To date, the following groups are planning to participate in the parade – Lyndonville Joint Fire District, Lyndonville Central School District band and chorus, Lyndonville Lions and Lyndonville Boys/Girls Baseball League. Further information is available by calling Scott Goetze at (585) 765-3983 or e-mailing Goodrich at the above address.
On July 4, the Post will have the Veteran’s Trolley in the Lyndonville parade. Anyone wishing to ride on the trolley or help should contact Goodrich. The American Legion booth will be the first one at the bridge. They will have a 50/50 raffle, as well as some amazing patriotic themed art.
In August, the Post will provide flowers and vases to raise funds at the town of Yates street dance. The date has yet to be announced.
September will be the American Legion Labor Day Yard Sale.
Again this year, the Post will support Wreaths across America. December 16 is the date for this event. Last year, they provided brunch before the ceremony at the cemetery at the newly renovated Weber Café.
Goodrich urges all veterans to consider joining their local post. He said they provide needed services to the local community for veterans, donate funds to related charities and support the Boys State Program.
“We are looking for new members all the time, so please join and help make a difference in our community,” Goodrich said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 May 2023 at 2:20 pm
Provided photo
LYNDONVILLE – The Lyndonville Area Foundation has donated $4,000 to the Orleans County Adult Literacy program. Pictured from left include Dave Cook from the Foundation, Don Colquhoun from Orleans County Adult Literacy, and Russ Martino from the Foundation.
OCALS works in and around the Lyndonville area, utilizing the Lyndonville school district and other sites for literacy programs from children to adults.
“The Foundation is proud to assist local agencies like this, and in a short time will continue giving towards educational needs, with approximately $50,000 in scholarships given out at June’s graduation ceremony,” Cook said.
Photo courtesy of Sharon Smith: The Lyndonville Board of Education on Monday approved tenure to three teachers, from left: Brianna Wheeler, special education; Joe Smith, elementary education; and Kelly Follman, music education. They were praised for their dedication to the students and building a supportive culture as educators.
