LYNDONVILLE – The Town of Yates is pleased to welcome people to the 3rd Annual Street Dance this Friday, August 23rd, from 5 to 9 p.m.
The festivities will be held on Main Street in the Village of Lyndonville which will be closed to traffic from Maple Road to Eagle Street starting at 4 p.m.
“We are very excited to work with the village to host our 3rd street dance on Main Street,” said Town Councilwoman Susan Hrovat, the event coordinator. “Join us for good music and dancing, card games and a bounce house, and enjoy some fun, food and fellowship with family, friends and neighbors.”
Live music will be played by a local band, the Guzinyas, and there will be food trucks, craft vendors and more. The event is free, and there will be tables and chairs on the street as well as plenty of room for dancing. All are welcome.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 August 2024 at 9:35 am
Planning Board chairman seeks compromise to allow 6 hens
Photo by Tom Rivers: The Village of Lyndonville Planning Board discusses a proposed chicken ordinance on Monday. Steve Vann is the chairman, and Justin Edwards, left, and Patti Gawne are members. Two other members, Terry Chaffee and Virginia Hughes, weren’t at the meeting. Village Clerk Teri Woodworth is taking notes.
LYNDONVILLE – The Village of Lyndonville’s Planning Board is trying to reach a compromise to allow residents to have a small flock of up to 6 hens.
The board had a draft ordinance ready on Monday, but failed to get at least three votes for the proposal which would then be forwarded to the Village Board.
Two of the five Planning Board members weren’t at Monday’s meeting. That meant the three remaining members all needed to be in favor of it for it to advance to the Village Board. Justin Edwards cast a nay vote because he doesn’t like the language in the proposed law about neighbor notification. He isn’t convinced having neighbor approval should be required to have hens.
Planning Board Chairman Steve Vann put together the draft ordinance, taking from other municipalities that allow chickens. One of those municipalities requires neighbors to give approval to allow chickens.
Vann wanted to have a majority of neighbors sign off when a resident applied for a permit to have chickens.
Kate Hardner, who has led the effort to have chickens be allowed in Orleans County villages, said neighbor approval shouldn’t be required for chickens. She noted the Health Department and state Department of Agriculture and Markets don’t require regulations for chickens.
She recommended Lyndonville instead have a process where neighbors can file a complaint about chickens, if the owner is not keeping the coops clean, if chickens are wandering off the property or other issues.
Vann said he doesn’t want to put more work on the village code officer in dealing with complaints and oversight.
“We don’t have the resources to be a neighborhood cop,” he said.
There are 457 homes in Lyndonville. Hardner estimates there would be 20 that would want to have chickens.
The Planning Board is proposing a one-time application fee of $25, with pictures of the coop and cage that the chickens would be kept in. The owners would need to reapply for a permit every three years, but wouldn’t be subject to the $25 fee every three years.
They would need neighbor approval every three years, including from any new residents who moved in adjacent to the chicken owner’s property.
Chickens won’t be allowed at duplexes or muti-family residences. They will be restricted to the rear or backyards of properties, and must be at least 30 feet from any door or window of a dwelling, school, church or other occupied structure other than the applicant’s dwelling. They must also be at least 5 feet from a side lot line or 18 inches from a rear lot line, according to the proposal.
The proposed ordinance also states the coops shall not exceed 32 square feet. The chickens must be kept in the coops or a fenced-in area at all times, unless there is a responsible individual directly monitoring the hens.
Vann said he intends to keep working on the ordinance.
“This is a good start,” he said. “We have to start somewhere. We’re trying to find a solution that works for all village residents.”
Hardner thanked the Planning Board for working on the issue. She said she supports the language in the proposal except for requiring neighbor permission.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 August 2024 at 1:33 pm
LYNDONVILLE – The Lyndonville Joint Fire District has been awarded $115,000 in federal funding through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced today.
Nearby to Orleans County, the Rapids Volunteer Fire Company in Lockport also was awarded $16,728, and Wolcottsville Fire Department in Akron was approved for $109,235.
The grants are part $2,476,058.74 in federal funding for fire departments across Upstate New York. The money will be used to provide protective gear, training, and supplies to emergency personnel across 34 fire departments.
“Every day, brave firefighters risk their lives on the frontlines to protect communities across Upstate NY, from Latham to Lockport,” Schumer said in a press reelase. “This nearly $2.5 million federal investment means better training, protective gear, and equipment that our firefighters need to keep themselves and New Yorkers safe. I stood with firefighters across Upstate New York to push for the reauthorization of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program and I’m grateful that, as a result, the AFG Program is continuing to deliver results.”
“New York firefighters work tirelessly to protect our communities,” Gillibrand said. “This federal funding will provide them with the necessary equipment, training, and resources to keep them safe as they respond to emergency situations. I will continue fighting for New York fire departments and working to ensure they are well-equipped for both their safety and that of our communities.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 August 2024 at 1:54 pm
LYNDONVILLE – This evening’s scheduled concert at the Yates Community Library has been cancelled due to rain in the forecast. The Barker Community Band was going to perform on the library lawn this evening but the concert will be rescheduled with a new date to be set.
The series continues the rest of August at 6:30 p.m. Next week on Aug. 12 features Mystic Sisters, a vocal trio featuring Lyndonville’s Ruby Hoffee. She’ll be joining Rose Briody and M’Lou Speranza (who also perform with Blue Sky Band).
The lineup in August also includes Puck Daddies on Aug. 19 and Celtic Spirit Pipe Band on Aug. 26.
LYNDONVILLE – The Carnival Kids Steel Orchestra concert presented by Yates Community Library will take place this evening, not at the library but at Yates Town Park, starting at approximately 6:45 p.m.
The group will play inside the Russ Martino Pavilion, and audience members may stay in their cars alongside and be able to hear them perform. Alternately, they may carry a chair over to the smaller pavilion to the west, or we may see the sunshine break through and spread out on the lawn!
Yates Town Park directions: take Route 63 north through Lyndonville to the flashing red light at the junction of Rt. 18. Turn right on Rt. 18 East and continue past Foss Road to Morrison Road. Turn left on Morrison and continue past the stop sign at Lakeshore Road, to the park at the end of Morrison.
Provided photos: (Left) Crash Cadillac performed at the yates Town Park on Thursday. Lions Club member Jeff Johnson helped the band during one of the songs. (Right) The community appreciation concert in Yates Town Park was sponsored by Lyndonville Lions Club and GO Art!
Posted 15 July 2024 at 8:38 am
Press Release, Lyndonville Lions Club
YATES – The Lyndonville Lions Club held to a long-standing tradition of thanking the people who have supported the club throughout the year. On Thursday, the Lions hosted their community appreciation event at the Yates Town Park.
Attendees were treated to hot dogs and sodas as Crash Cadillac entertained the crowd with a long list of classic rock and roll songs. The skies cleared just in time to allow the event to take place. A warm, but pleasant summer evening was enjoyed by all.
The Lions wish to thank all those who over the year supported the club in its many endeavors. The Lions will begin planning 2025 events in a few weeks. They did announce Octoberfest is planned for Oct. 10 at the White Birch Golf Resort. Further information about this event will be forthcoming and ticket sales will start the middle of August.
The club would like to wish all a happy and safe summer. Thank you again for the support, and may God continue to bless each individual and this great nation we live in.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 12 July 2024 at 2:27 pm
Provided photo: Jake “the Snake” Jackson of Lyndonville, 15, is currently competing at the Billiard Education Foundation Junior National Championship in Quincy, Ill.
LYNDONVILLE – Jake “the Snake” Jackson, 15-year-old son of Roger and Terah Jackson, is pursuing his dream this weekend at the Billiard Education Foundation Junior National Championship in Quincy, Ill.
In an e-mail this morning, Roger said Jake is currently in fourth place and playing this morning for third, after winning his first two matches.
“The competition is tough, but Jake is playing his best,” Roger said.
Jake qualified for a spot in the national competition by winning the New York State Junior Championships in Endicott.
Five from this competition will be chosen to represent the USA in the world championship in New Zealand.
Provided photos: Flowers bloomed all over at Jim and Connie Fisher’s garden on Millers Road for the “Back to the Garden” celebration Wednesday night to benefit the Cobblestone Museum. The garden includes a heron figurine, and a wrought-iron arch.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 12 July 2024 at 9:47 am
LYNDONVILLE – What threatened to be a complete washout actually turned out to be a very successful event for the Cobblestone Museum on Wednesday evening.
That was their annual mid-summer garden tour, this year at the wonderful gardens of Jim and Connie Fisher on Millers Road.
Wednesday morning, Shirley Bright Neeper, who co-chaired the event with Joyce Chizick, e-mailed that she was heart-broken over the weather forecast, which predicted high winds, severe thunderstorms and heavy rain.
Bright expected nobody would come and they would be sitting under the tent eating up the delicious snacks Chizick had prepared.
Miraculously, the weather broke mid-afternoon and the sun even partially came out.
And so did the people.
There were 80 guests who came to view the exotic gardens at the Fisher home, all in full bloom, and enjoy the snacks. Neeper was sure attendance would have been double, had it not been for the weather.
Guests and Cobblestone Museum volunteers enjoyed conversation under the tent during Wednesday’s garden tour. From left are Chris Sartwell of Albion, Holley Mayor Mark Bower and Sue and Jim Bonafini of Kendall. Sue is assistant director of the Cobblestone Society.
Doris Antinore of Albion was one of the guests, who couldn’t stop raving about the evening.
“The gardens were absolutely beautiful,” she said. “Especially the lilies. They were all colors. I can’t imagine having that much garden to care for. They were so beautiful I can’t even describe it. I’ve never seen anything like it. And the snacks were so delicious.”
Neeper said everyone who came had a wonderful time. One band didn’t come because of the weather. However, Mike Grammatico offered to play his saxophone under the tent throughout the entire evening.
“How lucky we were the flowers didn’t get beat up by the wind and rain,” Neeper said. “A lady just a mile north said her lilies were laying on the ground. God was good to us.”
Cobblestone Museum director Doug Farley added his praise to the event.
“It was a huge success, even with the threat of terrible weather,” Farley said. “Overall, we were very lucky. We had a good turnout and gardens were beautiful.”
He extended special thanks to Garden Walk Chairs, and Shirley Bright Neeper and Joyce Chizick for co-chairing the event.
Wayne Miller of Wayne Miller Roofing and Siding built and donated a birdhouse door prize, which was won by Carole Patterson of Albion.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 July 2024 at 11:03 am
Districts give students celebratory sendoff during commencement
Provided photos from the school districts
Brian Bartalo, retiring superintendent from Holley Central School, gives the keynote address during commencement on June 29. Holley celebrated the graduation of 63 seniors.
Caitlin Dobri delivers the valedictory address. Other student speakers included: Kayla Neale, salutatorian; and Layne Walker, the class president.
Graduates move their tassels to signify completed high school. Students wore their red Holley Hawk robes and caps for the ceremony inside the school auditorium.
After the ceremony students gathered in the gym to toss their graduation caps.
Kendall’s 57 graduates (and one honorary foreign exchange student) celebrate commencement on June 28 in the school auditorium.
Kendall’s student speakers includes salutatorian Louis Conte and valedictorian Hannah Brundage.
Conte shared about his competitive nature and how his high school experiences in athletics and other activities have fueled that competitiveness and need for perfection.
Kendall Board of Education member Chaley Swift presents the diploma to her son, Jimmie Swift, during commencement on June 28.
“Every step is growth and advancement,” Conte said. “The way we handle the roadblocks that keep us from our goal of being perfect is what defines us and what needs to be embraced. It’s this mindset that needs to be embraced, not just by me, but by anyone who ever feels like they aren’t enough. Finding silver linings when experiencing failures is a mindset that takes practice. From all my years of playing sports, l’ve learned that practice does not make perfect; it makes progress.”
Valedictorian Hannah Brundage reflected on shared experiences and bonds among classmates. She recalled moments the senior class bonded over, including parking lot painting, Senior Breakfast, Commitment Day, “the pickle game” and other activities.
“It’s moments like these that we truly connect through and allow up to pull together through the challenges that life throws at us,” she said. “None of us would be where we are without the people surrounding us, because we are greatly influenced by our surroundings. The people we love, the friends we hang out with – they are what get you past the hardships we all eventually encounter.”
Social Studies teacher Joseph Petrosino also addressed the graduates. He was chosen by the Class of 2024 to give this year’s commencement address.
Petrosino gave a history lesson on education in Kendall, highlighting unwavering community support for education despite challenges faced. From the original two-room log cabin that housed school lessons, to the hearses pulled by horses that served as school buses.
“The people of this area have never stopped supporting education and supporting the school,” Petrosino said. “When the school community is touched by tragedy, disaster or loss people come to support us both teacher and student alike.”
He urged students to find their purpose beyond a job, saying, “When you find it, you will know. You’ll work harder than ever before and won’t mind. You’ll feel compelled to do that thing even when you have a million other things to do. You will wake up at night with new ideas, and you will feel alive, working towards something good for the world.”
The Presentation of the Class of 2024 followed, with advisors Margaret Alloco and Elizabeth Erickson reading student bios and diplomas presented by principal Melissa Strelick and assistant principal Mark Driesel.
The group moves their tassels to signify the transition from students to graduates.
Lyndonville’s 38 students in the Class of 2024 toss their graduation caps to celebrate commencement on June 28. The ceremony was inside at the Stroyan Auditorium.
Student speakers at Lyndonville’s graduation included salutatorian Elizabeth Whipple, left, and valedictorian Daniel Barry.
Kayli Miller accepts her diploma from superintendent Sharon Smith. Ted Lewis, president of the Board of Education, is in back.
These students who are seniors in the high school chorus lead the crowd in singing the national anthem at the start of commencement. The graduating seniors in the chorus include Madalynn Baker, Katelynn Breeze, Ella Fletcher, Laci Giarla, Amber Grabowski, Maximus Hilton, Hannah Songer and Elizabeth Whipple.
Photo by Tom Rivers: There was a float in the Lyndonville Fourt of July parade with inflatable chickens, and people walking and trying to raise awareness of a petition to allow backyard chickens in Orleans County.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 July 2024 at 9:55 am
Provided photo: Kate Hardner is leader of the push to change the backyard chicken ordinance.
LYNDONVILLE – Kate Hardner seeks the public’s input as she tries to convince Lyndonville village officials to change a local law and allow for backyard chickens.
Hardner was joined by friends and supporters of the effort during Lyndonville’s Fourth of July parade. They walked with inflatable chickens in the parade and advertised a Change.org petition – “For Cluck’s Sake! Stop the Backyard Chicken Ban.” Hardner and supporters seek to amend local laws to allow backyard chickens within the villages in Orleans County.
Hardner said the petition touts the environmental advantages of raising backyard chickens by reducing landfill mass and costs in addition to the nutritional benefits of fresh laid eggs, increasing the family’s sense of food security, and improving mental and physical health, teaching children the responsibility of taking care of animals and learning where their food comes from.
“At this time in our lives, it is easier to own chickens in the suburbs and in the city then it is out here in rural America,” Hardner said. “My first exposure to chickens was hatching chicks in 1st grade at Lyndonville Central School and the tradition continues at LCS today, 45 years later.
“Orleans County, with its strong agricultural history, is woefully behind the times in its viewpoint of backyard chicken keeping,” she said. “Furthermore, why is it accepted that local laws are denying youth access to state and federally funded poultry science experiences in 4-H and FFA? It’s time for law makers to review our local practices. Backyard chicken keeping is an easy way for anyone to shorten their food chain from backyard to table.”
Hardner has approached the Lyndonville Village Board, which asked the Village Planning Board to review a proposed Harboring of Animals amendment.
Upon request, Hardner provided examples to the Planning Board of exceptions to allow for chicken hens from the City of Buffalo, Town of Brighton, Town of Hamlin, and Village of Brockport. The next Lyndonville Planning Board meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 15, at 4 p.m.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 July 2024 at 8:37 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
LYNDONVILLE – The fireworks are shown Thursday night with a reflection in Johnson Creek by the waterfalls.
Young Explosives put on a 45-minute show with big booms and bright lights. It was the largest show in the company’s 75-year history.
The Lyndonville Lions Club pushed for a bigger show than usual to commemorate the club’s 50th anniversary of organizing the Fourth of July festivities in Lyndonville.
The show began with the lighting of a “50” display in honor of the Lions Club’s 50 Fourth of July festivals.
These kids sit on top of a vehicle to take in the experience of the fireworks.
Here are some reactions posted on the Orleans Hub Facebook page:
Stephanie Waszak: “Amazing show, thank you”
Donna Glover: “Best fireworks ever!”
Beth Ann Mccollum-Bobzien: “It was a great show over a half hour of fireworks and a 10 minute Grand Finale.”
April Lambert Flick: “Best fireworks I have ever seen!”
Joey Molisani Jr.: “Lyndonville absolutely delivered with the fireworks this year!”
Maeday Theodorakos: “I told my friend it was something you would see at NYC. I watched from Mill Road. It was packed with cars. Perfect night.”
Sharon Ricotta Lampo: “The most magnificent display I have EVER seen in my entire life. You totally outdid yourselves and was completely in aww.”
Jen Johnson: “My daughter grew up near Philly and lives here now, watched the fireworks in Lyndonville tonight and says it was the most amazing display she’s ever seen. She said they were so great she almost cried.”
The trees by the ballfields are a silhouette with the fireworks lighting up the sky.
These fireworks are shown over the Lyndonville school.
Liberty Klein, 5, holds a sparkler with her father Austin Klein while they wait for the fireworks.
Ronald and Carole Cunningham of Churchville have fun with sparklers while passing time before the fireworks show. They drove more than an hour with their daughter and son-in-law from California, as well as their grandchildren. “We do it every year,” Mr. Cunningham said about the Lyndonville fireworks. “It’s a family tradition.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 July 2024 at 8:03 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
LYNDONVILLE – Kendyll Kidney, wearing her duchess sash from last year’s Orleans County 4-H Fair, helps promote the upcoming fair from July 22-27.
The float from 4-H’ers was among about 60 in today’s parade in Lyndonville. This was the 50th anniversary celebration put on by the Lyndonville Lions Club.
A group of 55 Lyndonville students in grades 5 to 12 marched in the parade and played “Stars and Stripes” and “Cupid Shuffle.” They wore patriotic tie-dyed shirts.
Gerald “Shorty” Nellist, a World War II veteran, served as grand marshal of the parade. He is driven in a car by his son-in-law Harold Suhr.
A plane passes over Main Street during the parade. This was the third straight year there was a ceremonial flyover carried out by the 911th Air Lift Wing of the U.S. Air Force Reserves in Pittsburgh, Pa.
The plane heads north over Main Street over a caravan of floats.
Bob Eberle dressed as Uncle Sam and greeted many of the onlookers along the parade route.
Uncle Sam heads north on Main Street in front of a throng of people.
The Alexander Fire Department Band, a mainstay at the parade in recent years, was among several bands adding lots of pep to the parade.
Gordon-Fisk, Inc. on Ridge Road in Medina brought several lawn mowers and other equipment in the parade. Many local businesses participated in the parade.
The fire trucks were a little too loud for some of the people on Main Street.
These people were friendly faces from a Ridgeway fire truck.
These veterans ride in trolley provided by the Houseman-Tanner Post of the American Legion.
People wave to the crowd from atop a Middleport fire truck. Main Street is lined with flags for the holiday.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 July 2024 at 5:14 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
LYNDONVILLE – Stan Powers, crew leader for Young Explosives, holds a 12-inch shell that will be sent up about 1,000 feet tonight during the finale of Lyndonville’s fireworks.
The shell is in a special package in honor of the Lyndonville Lions Club’s 50th annual Fourth of July celebration.
Lyndonville is one of Young Explosives biggest fireworks shows every year, and tonight will be a record-breaker in the company’s 75-year history. Before today, the biggest fireworks show ever for Young Explosives was $50,000. The Lyndonville show tonight will top that at $50,100. That is about double the $25,000 in recent history for the Lyndonville fireworks display.
Powers has been doing the show sin Lyndonville for the past decade. He said the setting is ideal – “5 stars out of 5 stars.”
There are no nearby structures. It’s mostly hundreds of acres of fields. That allows Young Explosives to send up bigger shells. At most other sites, Young is limited to shells that are 3 and 4 inches in width and those typically go up 375 to 425 feet. At Lyndonville, Young Explosives will send up shells that are 8, 10 and 12 inches, and those big shells explode abut 1,000 feet up high.
The Lyndonville fireworks typically goes about 38 minutes. Tonight may stretch out to 45 minutes, and there will be less time in between the fireworks.
“If we do it right there should be no dark sky,” Powers said today, taking a short lunch break before he and a crew of four others returned to setting up for tonight’s show.
The fireworks usually are set off beginning at 10 p.m. Tonight it begins at 9:55 with a special “50” ground display, followed by a display of the American flag.
Wes Bradley, the fireworks chairman the past 19 years, pulls a collection container in today’s parade. Bradley is retiring as chairman of the fireworks.
Powers said he has enjoyed working with Bradley over the years. Bradley helped raise the money to give Lyndonville such a big show. He also keeps Powers and the crew in good spirits, bringing them a chicken barbecue during the busy setup.
90 West Country Band performs on a stage behind the town hall. 7th Heaven will close out the concerts from 7 to 10 p.m. at the stage.
These three are part of a crew that cooked 800 chickens for a barbecue. They include Chris Hughes, left, and his brothers-in-law, Eric Gremli of Auburn and Ryan Demorest of Syracuse. They are come to Lyndonville to help the Lions Club with the chicken barbecue. Lions Club members Mark Hughes, John Belson and Roger Wolfe recruit several family and friends for the annual task. They said they haven’t been able to see the noon parade in years.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 July 2024 at 4:28 pm
Lions Club ready for its 50th anniversary July 4 celebration; Flyover and cornhole part of festivities
Photos by Tom Rivers: Fireworks burst in the sky during the finale of last year’s show in Lyndonville. This year’s display will be the largest yet in Lyndonville.
LYNDONVILLE – The Lyndonville Lions Club will put on its 50th annual Fourth of July celebration, and the bash will include the largest fireworks show in Lyndonville’s history.
The annual fireworks show is already one if the biggest in Western New York, typically lasting 38 to 40 minutes, said Wes Bradley, the fireworks chairman the past 19 years.
Provided photo: Gerald “Shorty” Nellist will serve as grand marshal of the parade that starts at noon.
The fireworks on Thursday will go about 45 to 50 minutes.
The contract with Young Explosives is the biggest in the company’s 75-year history, Bradley said.
There will be a ground display starting at 9:55 p.m., commemorating the 50th anniversary celebration. Then there will be an additional ground display featuring the American flag and then the finale with the fireworks high in the sky.
The celebration also will include a military flyover for the third straight year. It honors veterans, including this year’s parade grand marshal, Gerald “Shorty” Nellist. He is the oldest surviving World War II veteran in Orleans County. Harold Suhr, Lions Club president and Nellist’s son-in-law, said it is an honor to have “Shorty” leading the parade, which this year honors the soldiers from the “Greatest Generation” on the 80th anniversary of the D-Day Invasion.
The ceremonial flyover will be carried out by the 911th Air Lift Wing of the U.S. Air Force Reserves in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania.
The flyover is scheduled at 11:55 a.m., just before the parade starts at noon. Route 63 will be temporarily closed to traffic 15 minutes before the flyover.
The Lions Club also announces there will be a cornhole tournament on the school grounds. The tournament is a double elimination format and will be sponsored by Dubby’s Tailgate. For more information call (585) 283-4347. Those not in the tournament but wishing to try the game can do so free of charge, courtesy of Dubby’s Tailgate, the Lions Club said.
This year’s celebration will be the largest event ever produced by the Lyndonville Lions Club, Suhr said. Expanded parade bands, and the largest fireworks display ever carried out by Young Explosives are just a few things to look for, he said.
The schedule for bands includes:
90 West, playing country music from 2 to 5 p.m. at the main stage on Main Street
Mike McCauley’s One Man Band, starting at 4:30 p.m. on the school grounds
7th Heaven, from 7 to 10 p.m. at main stage on Main Street
A military flyover will be back for the third straight year. This photo shows the airplane passing over Lyndonville. It did it twice just before last year’s parade. The plane came from the 911th United States Air Force Reserve from Pittsburgh, Pa.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 July 2024 at 10:54 am
Provided photos
Kelly Follman congratulates her daughter Annabelle for graduating from then Marion Military Institute in Alabama.
Annabelle Follman, a member of Lyndonville’s Class of 2023, recently graduated from the Marion Military Institute in Marion, AL. She completed a year of academics and competed on the track and field team.
She was sworn in as midshipman on June 27 at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, where she will spend the summer as a plebe in seven weeks of rigorous training.
Annabelle is the daughter of Curtis and Kelly Follman. This past year she was sponsored by the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation as a recipient of the Class of 1949 Memorial Scholarship.
Three of her siblings are currently serving in the military, with Thomas and Elisabeth both in the Marine Corps and brother Roy in the Coast Guard.
Annabelle Follman plans to major in either English or Political Science and she hopes to pursue naval aviation, following in her father and her brother Thomas’ footsteps.
