Lyndonville/Yates

Yates Town Park upgrades take shape at site by Lake Ontario

Photos by Tom Rivers: Yates town officials walk by the new concrete kayak launch and access point at the Yates Town Park off Morrison Road by Lake Ontario. Pictured from left include Town Councilman John Riggi, engineer Jon Hinman of the MRB Group, and Town Supervisor Jim Simon.

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 August 2022 at 5:01 pm

YATES – The Town Park by Lake Ontario is “no longer an afterthought,” Town Councilman John Riggi said.

The site has added a pavilion with bathrooms, new playground equipment, a kayak launch, a crusher-run walking trail, and new parking lot with sidewalks. More upgrades will follow, including a pier and a horse-and-buggy turnaround with hitching posts.

“This is really nice,” Riggi said Saturday morning while giving a tour of the improvements with Town Supervisor Jim Simon and engineer Jon Hinman of the MRB Group.

The town is pushing to have the $2.5 million project complete in time for the Sept. 24^th bicentennial celebration at the park. The “Grand Finale Lake Fair” from 1 to 9 p.m. that day is the third in a series of 200^th anniversary celebrations for the town. This Friday there will be a street fair as part of the 200^th on Main Street from 5 to 9 p.m.

Town Supervisor Jim Simon greets participants Saturday morning who were on a charity bike ride for Bike MS to support people with multiple sclerosis. Saturday’s bike ride started at Lakeside Beach State Park and included options for 16, 30 or 62 miles.

The town park improvements are 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 park and the town used a separate $400,000 grant from the state to put in a massive breakwall. Simon said about 25 feet of shoreline was chewed away from the high waters.

The local share is about $126,000. The Lyndonville Area Foundation gave $100,000 towards the local portion, with the town highway department providing in-kind services to meet the remaining local contribution. The highway department has removed trees, hauled stone and milled the driveway.

New playground equipment was installed by Landscape Structures. The new pavilion with bathrooms in the back. The playground is handicapped accessible.

Families can now bring their children to the park to use the playground.

The park itself has long lacked in amenities. Before there were some grills and port-a-johns.

The Town Board welcomed the chance for state funding to fortify the park from future flooding and erosion, and also create a destination for residents and visitors by the lake.

Simon said there is already interest from residents in renting the pavilion for weddings and special events. The board will soon create a policy for reserving the facility.

Community members already have asked about reserving the pavilion for special events.

Keeler Construction in Barre is the general contractor for the project. It put in a concrete kayak launch that Hinman believes is unusual for Lake Ontario. That ramp also gives easy access for people to the shoreline, instead of having to climb down the breakwall.

The launch is a sizable ramp, which was needed to withstand the waves from Lake Ontario that often can be 3 to 4 feet, Hinman said.

The pier is the last big piece of the project to be constructed. It will go 75 feet out into the lake for people to enjoy sightseeing and fishing. Boats won’t be allowed to tie up to the pier unless it’s an emergency.

Volunteers wait for cyclists on Saturday who stopped by the new pavilion for refreshments.

Town Supervisor Jim Simon said the park is better protected from high waters in the future. Simon said the town also is interested in land next door owned by NYSEG. That 100-acre site would make a great nature preserve, Simon said.

Lyndonville Youth Commission, school district partner for summer program

Posted 18 August 2022 at 2:49 pm

Photos and information from Lyndonville Youth Commission

LYNDONVILLE – The Lyndonville Youth Commission has sponsored a summer recreation and activity program for the youth of the Lyndonville Central School District for over 50 years.

Recently the commission partnered with the district summer reading/math camp with programming using the school facilities. The Town of Yates, Village of Lyndonville and the Lyndonville Area Foundation sponsor the program.

Mondays through Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon for five weeks there were over 100 children a day at the school facilities for athletic activities, arts and crafts, playground opportunities and boardgame fun.

Students attending the academic enrichment program also participated in the recreation program.

The community is grateful to the Lyndonville Area Foundation, the town and village government, and the school district for providing socialization and physical activities for our youth during the summer.

Yates continues 200th anniversary bash on Friday with street fair

Posted 18 August 2022 at 8:36 am

Press Release, Town of Yates

YATES – On Friday, August 19th, the Town of Yates will celebrate its bicentennial with the second of its three fairs, dubbed by committee coordinator Joanne Suhr as, “A Street Fair.”

The event will be from 5 to 9 p.m. on Main Street in Lyndonville between Maple and Eagle Streets. There is no charge for admission.

After the “Family Fair” in July featuring live music from a Lyndonville school chorus, a church choir comprised of some of the churches in town, and a barbershop quartet, this second of three events should have the feel of a street dance.

Although thru traffic – especially all trucks – will be diverted around downtown Lyndonville, local traffic and people attending the fair will be allowed to park closer to the event. Main Street will be closed between Maple and Eagle, and the Town will have food trucks and tables and chairs on the street.

Several vendors will be set-up in the parking lot behind the Town Hall, and of course the Friday evening farmer’s market will be running at the old Pennysaver.

From 5 to 7 p.m., there will be a DJ and music in front of the Town Hall, and then from 7 to 9 p.m., the Who Dats will be performing live at that same location.

There will be a Civil War encampment in Patterson Park, southwest of the Town Hall parking lot along the reservoir, which will include several cannon fire demonstrations during the evening.

At 6 p.m., Catherine Cooper, the Orleans County Historian, will guide a cemetery tour at Lynhaven Cemetery on Housel Avenue. At 7 p.m., Steve Goodrich, American Legion Lyndonville Post Commander, will lead a cemetery tour. Both tours will begin at the flag pole in the cemetery.

Joanne Suhr is hoping that everyone comes out for the fun gathering, “What better way is there to celebrate the Town’s bicentennial than to have a street party?!”

As a reminder, please mark your calendars for the “Grand Finale Lake Fair” on Saturday, Sept. 24, from 1 to 9 p.m. at the Town Park.

For more information go to the Town of Yates website: townofyates.org, or call Town Supervisor Jim Simon, 716-946-2075.

Yates library hosts rescheduled concert this evening

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 August 2022 at 11:25 am

LYNDONVILLE – A concert that was cancelled last night due to the threat of rain will be this evening on the lawn behind the Yates Community Library, 15 North Main St.

The trio called Mystic Sisters will be performing from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in a concert that is free to the public. People are welcome to bring a lawn chair or blanket.

Emily Cebula, the library director, said the group from Rochester is popular with the local crowd. The Mystic Sisters have been members of the popular group Blue Sky.

Lyndonville Lions Club closes out busy week with outdoor concert at library

Provided photos: The band Crash Cadillac performed outside the Yates Community Library on Thursday evening. Members of the Lyndonville Lions Club served up grilled hot dogs and iced cold beverages during the event.

Posted 8 July 2022 at 3:34 pm

Press Release, Lyndonville Lions Club

LYNDONVILLE – Just off the heels of a very successful July 4th celebration the Lyndonville Lions Club closed out the first week of July with their 13th Annual Community Appreciation Concert.

The outdoor concert event was held at the Yates Community Library outdoor stage on Thursday evening and featured Crash Cadillac as the musical headliner. The annual event is free of charge and is meant to show the clubs appreciation for all those who attended the recent July 4th celebration.

Lions Club President Harold Suhr stated that the club had a record turnout for the 4th of July event and thanked everyone who attended and for their efforts in keeping the event safe, clean and family-friendly. Suhr recognized and thanked the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office.

“They were tremendous with traffic control and security throughout the entire day and worked well into the evening getting people home safely after the fireworks display,” Suhr said. “The Lions are extremely grateful for all the people and organizations that sponsored the fireworks display.”

This years’ effort to upgrade the evening concert series seems to have been met with much approval and again Suhr thanked the Concert Series Sponsors. Sponsors included at the Bronze Level: Dr. Thomas Madejski, Paul Mullane and Shelby Crushed Stone; Silver Level: The White Birch Golf Club, Steven Vann from Burger King, Drum Oil and Propane and the Johnson/Feigl Families; Gold Level: Baxter International; Platinum Level: Batavia Downs Race Track and Gaming.

“The concert was well attended and social media feedback shows a positive response to the Lions Clubs efforts to bringing in top name local entertainment for the evening concert,” Suhr said.

The concert headliner band DoubleShot gets a picture with Medal of Honor recipient David Bellavia just before they honored him with their rendition of “American Soldier” by Toby Keith.

The club further expressed their gratitude to Medal of Honor Recipient David Bellavia, who served as grand marshal of the parade.

“It was nice to have Sgt. David Bellavia back home to allow Lyndonville to express their appreciation for his service and sacrifice,” said Russ Martino, one of Lyndonville Lions Club’s senior members for over 45 years.

Last of all, the Lions are extremely appreciative for the voluntary efforts of the men and women of the 911th United States Air Force Reserve from Pittsburgh. This unit was responsible for the military flyover tribute to our local veterans just before the parade.

Photo by Tom Rivers: Main Street was packed just before noon with people waiting for the parade and also a military flyover. The parade returned for the first time since 2019.

Parade and big crowd return for Lyndonville’s Fourth of July celebration

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 July 2022 at 8:49 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

LYNDONVILLE – Members of the Lyndonville school band play patriotic music during the parade in Lyndonville on Monday. The parade returned for the first time since 2019.

The community festival was cancelled in 2020 and last year was back in a scaled-down format without a parade.

Eric Villalta, the Lyndonville grades 7-12 band teacher, leads the group during the parade. The students and crowd wore lots of red, white and blue.

It was a packed Main Street for Monday’s parade, especially in the Lyndonville downtown. The procession started at noon and ended at about 1:10 p.m. This photo shows a float from the Class of 1982, followed by Weed Man Lawn Care Services based in Albion.

Kim Recco, from the Class of 1982, passes out candy along the parade route.

A young parade watcher takes in the action from a higher perch in the parade.

A lineup of classic cars heads down Main Street.

About 10 vehicles in the Peoples Convoy-NY decorated their vehicles in patriotic displays. They were seeking to “End the Mandates!”

These two girls are draped in American flags while walking along the Peoples Convoy, which featured several tractor trailers and other vehicles.

The fire trucks were a little too loud for these parade spectators.

These veterans acknowledge the crowd. They are riding on a trolley that debuted on Memorial Day.

State Sen. Rob Ortt, left, and Assemblyman Steve Hawley had lots of fun in the parade.

A bear holds a flag as part of a float from Wandering Trails Taxidermy by Ashley.

Gordon-Fisk Inc. on Ridge Road in Medina brought several lawn mowers for the parade procession.

A group of motorcyclists from the Albion and Brockport Elk Riders and Old Crow Motorcycle Club were part of the parade.

Lyndonville Fire Department members marched in their hometown.

Debbie Taylor, fire chief for the East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company, tosses candy.

These veterans – Tom Snyder in Navy uniform and Issac Robinson at right, wave to the crowd from a patriotic float.

The Oak Orchard Assembly of God promoted its upcoming “Kid’s Krusade” program.

Fireworks cap a glorious Fourth in Lyndonville

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 July 2022 at 1:18 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

LYNDONVILLE – These two watch the fireworks from atop a vehicle during a 40-minute show at Lyndonville on Monday night.

The Lyndonville Lions Club hires Young Explosives for the show, and it is one of the biggest displays in Western New York.

Before the fireworks, cousins Aubrey and Tyler Goetze of Lyndonville have fun with sparklers in the grass for the softball field next to where the fireworks were set off.

The fireworks are reflected in the water by the Johnson Creek dam with Lyndonville Central School in back.

Liam Goetze, 2, of Lyndonville handles two sparklers after he enjoyed some S’mores with his family.

Fireworks are launched by the team from Young Explosives.

The band Double Shot from Buffalo performed an outdoor concert for 2 ½ hours. They closed the concert with “Highway to Hell” by AC/DC.

These photos near the end of the fireworks show include the steeple of the Lyndonville United Methodist Church in the foreground.

Jayden Wyant, 3, of Albion has fun with a sparkler.

Bellavia comes home to serve as Lyndonville’s parade grand marshal

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 July 2022 at 6:46 pm

Photos by Tom Rivers

LYNDONVILLE – David Bellavia waves to people along Main Street during Lyndonville’s Fourth of July parade today.

Bellavia, a Lyndonville grad, is a Medal of Honor recipient. He received the medal from former President Donald Trump on June 26, 2019 at the White House.

Bellavia served as the grand marshal of today’s parade which started at noon and ended at about 1:10 p.m. Scott Schmidt, the county’s chief coroner, is driving the car.

Bellavia is the first living veteran from the Iraq War to receive the nation’s highest military medal. He 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. He is the first living Iraq War veteran to receive the nation’s highest honor for military service.

There was a big crowd out along Main Street for the first Fourth of July parade in Lyndonville since 2019. The Independence Day festival was cancelled in 2020 and the celebration returned last year, except without a parade.

Bellavia is one of five county residents to receive the Medal of Honor. Bellavia has said he is very appreciative to have grown up in Orleans County, where veterans are respected and people are encouraged to serve their country in the military.

He is a radio talk show host for WBEN and also travels extensively as an ambassador for the Army, speaking at colleges, high schools, bases and other events.

Bellavia and Forrest Vosler, another Medal of Honor recipient from Lyndonville, are recognized with Hometown Hero banners on Main Street.

Vosler was assigned as a radio operator and aerial gunner aboard a B-17 Flying Fortress during World War II with the 358th Bombardment Squadron, 303rd Bombardment Group stationed out of England.

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. Another 20-mm shell hit the aircraft, sending shrapnel into Vosler’s chest, face, and eyes. He continued to deliver defensive fire upon German aircraft until the attacks subsided. Nearly out of fuel and losing altitude quickly, the crew jettisoned every piece of equipment to lighten the plane.

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 to be removed, and the other required extensive surgery.

C-17 military flyover precedes parade in Lyndonville

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 July 2022 at 3:09 pm

Photos by Tom Rivers

LYNDONVILLE – A United States Air Force C-17 flies over Route 63 in Lyndonville just before noon today for Lyndonville’s Fourth of July celebration.

The flyover was a first for Lyndonville’s July 4^th festival, which has been organized annually by the Lyndonville Lions Club for about 50 years.

The plane approaches the Lyndonville at about 11:55 a.m.

The flyover was carried out by the 911th Airlift Wing from Pittsburgh, Pa. The C-17 planes are used by the Air Force Reservists to carry out their mission of aeromedical intratheater evacuations and agile combat support.

Here is a photo looking overhead as the plane passed by, heading north.

Main Street was packed with people for the flyover and the parade to follow.

Route 63 in Lyndonville will close at 11:40 a.m. today for military flyover

Staff Reports Posted 4 July 2022 at 8:47 am

LYNDONVILLE – Route 63 north, leading to Lyndonville, will close to traffic today at 11:40 a.m. until a military flyover is complete.

The flyover is scheduled for 11:55 a.m., just before the start of the parade in Lyndonville.

The Lyndonville Lions Club is asking people to arrive early for the flyover and parade, and be in pace no later than 11:30.

The Lions Club also encourages everyone to bring an American Flag or homemade signs to the flyover to honor our veterans and men and women in active duty.

The flyover will be carried out by the 911th Airlift Wing from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The plane will be a United States Air Force C-17. These planes are used by the Air Force Reservists to carry out their mission of aeromedical intratheater evacuations and agile combat support.

The grand marshal for the parade will be David Bellavia, a Lyndonville native and Medal of Honor recipient.

Re daylong celebration includes live music, food and craft vendors and other activities. It will be capped by fireworks at 10 p.m.

Lyndonville hosting PreK/K open house during July 4th celebration

Posted 1 July 2022 at 3:53 pm

Press Release, Lyndonville Central School

LYNDONVILLE – Lyndonville Central School will be hosting a pre-kindergarten/kindergarten open house on Monday, July 4, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Staff will be available on the lawn in front of the school (Main Street location) to help families/students sign up for the 2022-23 school year and gather contact information for younger children in the community.

Staff will also answer questions about Lyndonville’s PreK and kindergarten programs, complete craft projects and read stories to children. You may also visit an early learning classroom.

The district received a NYB5 Transition grant from the NYS Department of Child & Family Services to help fund this outreach program.

Lyndonville is currently accepting registrations for both their PreK and kindergarten 2022-23 programs. If you are a resident of LCSD and your child will be 3, 4 or 5 by December 1, they are eligible to enroll. For more information, please see the district’s website: Lyndonville Central School District (lyndonvillecsd.org) or call (585) 765-3122.

Lyndonville Lions gear up for 4th of July celebration

Posted 1 July 2022 at 8:25 am

Event includes military flyover, big parade, craft show, music and fireworks

Press Release, Lyndonville Lions Club

Provided photos: Lions Club members Harold Suhr, Eric Johnson, Gwen Large, Russ Martino and Tom Wenhold meet to put final details together for the Lyndonville July 4th Parade and Fireworks display.

LYNDONVILLE – The Lyndonville Lions Club is in the final stage of preparation for their planned July 4th parade, lawn festival, concerts and fireworks display.

The parade committee has assembled a line-up that will have something for everyone. Starting at noon, Sgt. David Bellavia will lead off the parade as the grand marshal. Bellavia, a Lyndonville native, is a Medal of Honor recipient.

An extensive collection of antique and classic cars will bring back memories of yesteryear, and a large assembly of firetrucks is sure to delight the young and old. Several bands will fill the air, including traditional music of John Phillip Sousa, and the Gates Police Pipe & Drum Band will add an international flavor to the event. Multiple groups will participate in the parade with floats and all types of group marchers.

An array of craft vendors and food trucks will be available starting at noon on the Lyndonville School grounds. You can get your traditional July fourth hot dogs and ice-cold beverages from the Lions Club hot dog stand starting at 11 a.m. Tickets are still available for the 1 p.m. chicken barbecue by purchasing them in person at M & T Bank in Lyndonville.

The Who Dats will perform from 2 to 5 p.m. and then headliner Double Shot will take the stage for the evening summer concert starting at 7 p.m. and ending near 9:30, just before the fireworks display.

It is anticipated that there will be a large turnout for the scheduled military flyover honoring all military active and veterans at 11:55 a.m. The plan is to have people arrive early and be in place no later than 11:30 a.m. It is expected that the best viewing will be from Route 63 north to the village of Lyndonville and Route 63 north after the village.

We are asking people to remember Route 63 North from Ridgeway to Lyndonville will be closed from 11:40 a.m. until the flyover is complete. The Lions are encouraging everyone to bring an American Flag or homemade signs to the flyover to honor our veterans and men and women in active duty.

Chairs and coolers are allowed at the daylong event with a carry in-carry out policy and no glass bottles please. Dogs are welcome as long as they are leashed and owners clean up after their pets.

Please use extra caution when crossing all streets and roads. It is the hope of the Lions Club to make this event as safe as possible for all. We look forward to seeing you at the event and wish all a great Independence Day!

Photo by Tom Rivers: Fireworks always provide big exclamation point on the Fourth in Lyndonville. This photo was taken on July 4, 2018.

Yates will kick off bicentennial celebration on Sunday with first of 3 ‘fairs’

Posted 30 June 2022 at 10:37 am

Press Release, Town of Yates

LYNDONVILLE – The Town of Yates began preparations to commemorate their 200th anniversary over a year ago, and now they are very excited to host the first of three celebratory “fairs” to recognize their bicentennial (1822-2022).

On Sunday, the Town will have “A Family Fair” featuring live music from the Lyndonville School band and choir, a number of inspiring songs by a gathering of church choir members from the local churches, and a mix of medleys performed by the Crescendo Barbershop Quartet out of Buffalo.

There will be a bounce house, face painting and sidewalk chalking. Free ice cream will be served while it lasts!

The event will take place outside the Yates Community Library, 15 N. Main St., and it is recommended that folks bring their favorite lawn chair.

Historical artifacts will be on display at the Town Hall throughout the afternoon.

The event will run from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.

The committee members who put together the 200th celebrations include: Jim Simon (chair), Susan Hrovat (deputy chair), Dawn Metty (town historian), Brad Bentley, Kelly Cousins, Cindy Grabowski, Ginny Hughes, Russ Martino, Cal Stinson, Georgette Stockman, Joanne Suhr, Valerie Wells, Tom Wenhold, and Katie Whipple.

Susan Hrovat, the coordinator for the July 3rd event, is particularly hopeful that local families will attend this kick-off event.

“I am blessed and grateful to have grown up in and to be a part of this wonderful, patriotic farming community, and I am honored to be involved with a great team of volunteers to help celebrate our bicentennial,” she said.

Town Supervisor Jim Simon looks forward to future press releases to highlight the two other major events.

“Please join us to celebrate and honor the rich history of the Town of Yates, to instill community pride in our town, and to inspire future generations,” Simon said. “Our second and third major events are: “A Street Fair” on Friday, August 19th, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., in downtown Lyndonville; and “A Grand Finale Lake Fair” on Saturday, September 24th, 1 to 9 p.m. at the Town Park.

For more information go to the Town of Yates website: www.townofyates.org.

Lyndonville gives Class of 2022 a fitting sendoff at commencement

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 June 2022 at 9:33 pm

Photos courtesy of Tricia Croce, Lyndonville Central School

LYNDONVILLE – The 52 members of Lyndonville’s Class of 2022 celebrated their commencement on Friday. After the ceremony they tossed their graduation caps.

Board of Education President Ted Lewis presents a graduate with her diploma. District Superintendent Sharon Smith is at right and also congratulated the new graduates during the ceremony. Valedictorian Jack Whipple is at left and Salutatorian Maddox Stirk is at far right, cheering on their classmates.

Erin Townsend, a professional photographer from Middleport, assists two graduates in prepping for portraits.

Jack Whipple delivers the valedictory address in the Stroyan Auditorium at Lyndonville Central School. There are 52 graduates in the Class of 2022.

Maddox Stirk gives the salutatory speech during commencement.

David Cook presents scholarships on behalf of the Lyndonville Area Foundation, including one in memory of his son Trevor Cook.

The class stands together and is acknowledged on the Stroyan stage.

Many of the graduates decorated their caps with messages for the occasion.

Lyndonville’s July 4th celebration will include Air Force flyover just before parade

Posted 23 June 2022 at 3:40 pm

Press Release, Lyndonville Lions Club

Provided photos: A C17 Aircraft will do a ceremonial flyover in Lyndonville at about 11:55 a.m. on July 4, just before the start of the parade. The plane will be coming from the U.S. Air Force Reserve Unit from the 911th Airlift Wing based in Pittsburgh, Pa.

LYNDONVILLE – The Lyndonville Lions Club recently received approval for a United States Air Force flyover to honor the veterans of Western New York.

The flyover will take place just before the start of the 48th annual Lyndonville Lions Club Independence Day parade at 11:55 a.m. on July 4.

The annual celebration will honor all local veterans with the unveiling of Home Town Hero banners and have special recognition of two Lyndonville Medal of Honor recipients. Tech Sergeant Forrest Vosler was a B-17 Flying Fortress radio operator during World War II. He received his Medal of Honor in 1944, given to him by President Franklin Roosevelt. His story is best told by visiting SOFREP.COM Forest Vosler, where the history of his gallantry can be found.

The Lions will also recognize Medal of Honor recipient Sergeant David Bellavia. He received his Medal of Honor from President Donald Trump in June of 2019 for valor during the second battle for Fallujah in the Iraq War. Bellavia’s experience is best told through his book, “House to House: An Epic Memoir of War.” He will serve as the grand marshal of the parade and speak at the flag-raising ceremony at the culmination of the parade on the front lawn of the Lyndonville School. Lyndonville Lions will remember recently deceased Col. Rick N. Parsons after the flag-raising with a moment of silence and the playing of Taps.

The other events that day include a parade at noon, large arts and crafts show, demonstrations by the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department, multiple food vendors, and the Lions Club annual chicken barbeque starting at 1 p.m.

A concert is scheduled for 2 p.m. with the Who Dats performing their repertoire of rock and roll favorites.

The evening will then see the band Double Shot take the stage for a concert from 7 p.m. until dusk. During the band break, local dignitaries will speak briefly and award a proclamation to Sgt. Bellavia. The grand finale will be one of the largest 4th of July fireworks shows in Western New York.

Young Explosives Corporation of Rochester will be producing the fireworks display once again, as they have been since 2012. Thanks to the continued support of businesses, organizations and individuals throughout the area, this year’s display will once again be one of the largest in WNY. Young Explosives has been contracted to do over 100 shows in the two weeks around July 4th. With the exception of the City of Rochester, Lyndonville’s will be the largest they will be producing throughout all of Monroe County and its surrounding counties.

The Lions would kindly ask anyone who wants to see the military flyover to be in Lyndonville no later than 11:30 a.m. It will start with a pass over in Medina and is expected to travel north from Ridgeway to Lyndonville along Route 63. The best viewing will be along Route 63 and in the Town of Yates. By asking people to arrive early we hope to keep Route 63 free of traffic to allow spectators better viewing opportunities. The Lions have requested traffic stoppage on Route 63 from Ridgeway north to Yates Center 15 minutes prior to the flyover.

The Lyndonville Lions would like to thank the entire 911th Airlift Wing for their efforts in supporting our July 4th celebration. All the airmen who will be participating in this flyover, from ground crews to pilots, all volunteered to do this flyover, and for that we would like to extend them a warm welcome and thank you for their service.

The band Double Shot from Buffalo will perform at an outdoor concert starting at 7 p.m. on July 4 in Lyndonville.