Grades 5 & 6 would be shifted to former elementary school

File photo by Tom Rivers: Lyndonville will move some classes to the former elementary school which closed after the 2011-12 school year. The district last year used part of the building for an expanded prekindergarten program.

LYNDONVILLE – The school district’s reopening plan would give all students, in grades kindergarten through 12, the chance to attend in-person classes every school day.

Lyndonville would have reduced class sizes to allow for social distancing, spacing desks at least 6 feet apart. The district would like to move grades 5 & 6 to the former elementary school on Main Street.

That building has been largely closed since after the 2011-12 school year. Last year it was used for an expanded prekindergarten program. Pre-K would stay at the former elementary school as part of the reopening plan.

The district submitted the plan (click here) to the State Education Department today. That was the deadline for the 700 school districts in the state to send in their reopening plans, which need to include options for in-person learning, a hybrid model with in-person and remote learning, and an option that is entirely remote learning.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo next week will announce whether schools can return to in-person learning this fall.

Lyndonville’s plan includes many safety precautions with masks or face coverings required to be worn in the hallways and on buses.

The district will also increase cleaning and disinfecting of classrooms, the school buildings, and buses.

There will be daily health checks, and promotion of proper hand hygiene. The district won’t be offering any after-school activities until at least Sept. 21.

If Lyndonville gets the state OK for in-person classes, students will still have the option for remote learning.

“Next week, each family will receive a survey to complete that will indicate your preference for your choice of instruction: either 100% in person or 100% remote,” District Superintendent Jason Smith said in a message to the community posted on the district’s website. “These surveys need to be returned by Friday, August 14th so we can plan accordingly.”

Smith said the district’s Re-Opening Committee has been meeting on a regular basis to develop the plan, and meet the required components from the State Department of Health and the State Education Department. The committee included representations from the Board of Education, administration, faculty, staff, parents, community and students.

Some highlights of the reopening plan include:

• Face coverings will need to be worn during passing times, on the bus, at arrival and dismissal, and when 6 feet of social distancing isn’t possible. “It is our goal to reduce the requirement for face covering as much as possible by staying with current requirements,” Smith said. “In some cases, we are assigning larger classes to larger classrooms. We are purchasing protective barriers that can be used in the classroom and lunchrooms. Disposable masks will be made available to students if needed.”

• Health screenings will be required for every staff member and student, with health checks to be done at home.

“If your child has a temperature of over 100 degrees F, experiences a new cough, respiratory distress, vomiting or shortness of breath, she/he MUST stay home,” Smith said. “I have been and will remain in regular contact with the Orleans County Health Department. We will continue to consult with the Health Department, as they will with us, of any suspected or confirmed cases, and respond accordingly by following all guidelines from State Education and the State Health Department.”

• Hygiene and Sanitation – Signage and proper hand and hygiene cleaning will be posted throughout the school, and students will be given direct instruction on this important practice. Hand sanitizer will be available in every classroom and stationed throughout the school.

• Transportation – Face coverings will need to be worn on the bus and we will social distance to the extent possible. Families should notify the district if they plan to transport their children. Buses will be cleaned and sanitized on a daily basis.

• Staggered start the first week of school – Lyndonville is planning a staggered start to the first week of school only. Not every student will start school on the same day, but within three days, all students will be on a regular schedule.

“Do not plan on every student’s first day of school being the same, as we have done every year in the past,” Smith said. “The purpose of this plan is to introduce our students and staff to the new procedures in a structured and safe basis.”

• Parent meetings will be held on Aug. 12 and Aug. 13. The Aug. 12 schedule includes noon: PreK-Grade 6; 4 p.m.: Grades 7-12; 7 p.m.: PreK to Grade 12.

The Aug. 13 schedule includes noon: grades 7-12; 4 p.m.: PreK-grade 6; 7 p.m.: PreK to Grade 12. Parents need to register for a meeting. The district sent letters to families with information about the meetings.

“We hope that all of you will return your children to school, but fully understand if you have concerns,” Smith said in his message to the community. “Again, we are offering the option for a full remote learning program, and we ask that you make that decision for the semester by August 14, 2020.”

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Photo by Tom Rivers: About two thirds of respondents in a school survey said they want students back in classrooms, with precautions in place, in September. This photo shows Lyndonville’s L.A. Webber Middle-High School.

LYNDONVILLE – Lyndonville Central School District recently conducted a reopening of schools survey. Over 550 family members, caregivers and staff responded with the majority, 66 percent, indicated they believe in-person school should resume in September with new procedures in place.

Last week Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Education Department released detailed school building reopening guidelines. The state developed a list of mandates and best practice recommendations. In developing Lyndonville’s reopening plan, the district will incorporate the mandates and guidance provided by the state and suggestions made through advisory meetings.

“The reopening survey reflects what we have been hearing from families,” said Superintendent Jason Smith. “Many in the Lyndonville community feel confident the district will comply with the NYS guidelines and will be able to provide a safe and healthy school environment for their children in the fall.”

The top measures the community felt the district should implement for the safety of the students and staff include:

• Hand sanitizer in classrooms/common areas (90%)
• Wearing masks when unable to maintain social distancing (52%)
• No sharing of resources or materials (51%)
• Limited hallway travel (51%).

Many parents/caregivers also indicated they would be willing to help transport their children to help reduce the number of students bused to school daily.

In addition, over 60% indicated they would like student athletics, performing arts and extracurricular activities to resume in a traditional format with reasonable safety precautions in place.

Unfortunately, the NYS Public High School Athletic Association recently voted to delay the start of the Fall 2020 sports season to Sept. 21. NYSPHSAA also canceled the Fall 2020 Regional/State Championships and are preparing to implement a condensed season schedule in January 2021 if high school sports remain prohibited due to Covid-19.

While a final decision has not yet been made by NYS to reopen in-person school this fall, Lyndonville Central School remains hopeful. The governor stated schools can reopen if the region is in Phase IV and if its daily infection rate remains below 5 percent or lower using a 14-day average. Schools will close if the regional infection rate rises above 9 percent, using a 7-day average. NYS will make the formula determination August 1-7.

“I would like to thank everyone who took the time to complete the reopening survey,” said Board of Education President Theodore Lewis. “We will do the best we can to incorporate your suggestions with the NYS mandates to create a workable plan that allows our students and staff to safely return to school in September.”

The district will continue to develop their reopening plan with a series of advisory meetings this week. Lyndonville’s full reopening plan must be submitted to the state for approval by July 31. The plan will also be posted on the district website on July 31.

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Provided photos: Roman is a seizure alert response dog in a training program by Canines 4 Hope in Palm Beach, Fla. Jade Moore, an incoming junior at Lyndonville, looks forward to meeting Roman next month. Roman will be trained to alert Jade’s family and friends if she is having an epileptic seizure.

LYNDONVILLE – There will be a fundraiser on Aug. 1 to help a Lyndonville family pay for a seizure alert dog.

The Grove Inn United Methodist Church will host Parker’s Pitt Barbecue, which will serve pulled pork or chicken with two side dishes from 1 to 4 p.m. The church is at the former Apple Grove Inn at 11004 W Center St. Ext.

Elizabeth Moore needs about $8,000 more to pay for Roman, a dog being trained by Canines 4 Hope in Palm Beach, Fla. She has $10,000 so far for the dog, with $2,500 raised through donations and $7,500 earned by working overtime at Mizkan, a vinegar plant in Lyndonville.

Her daughter, Jade Moore, epilepsy and needs to be careful around loud noises, and bright and flashing lights – which are often unpredictable. She never knows what will trigger an epileptic seizure.

She can’t watch the Lyndonville fireworks because of the exploding colors and tries to stay clear of the loud booms. Even her brothers need to be careful with the sounds and screens from video games if Jade is closeby.

The seizures aren’t always started by a thunderous noise or flashing light. Sometimes they strike while she is sleeping.

Jade will be a junior this year at Lyndonville. She has had seizures at school, with the ambulance called. It’s worrisome for her and her family, and the school, because her breathing will often slow down during a seizure.

Jade’s mother stays close to Jade at night and may need to spring into action if there is a seizure. The family, including Jade’s siblings, keep emergency pills on them to give to Jade to help bring her out of a seizure.

Each day she takes 10 different pills to help stave off the seizures. Her mother said the medication seems to work for a few weeks, then the seizures start up again and doctors try other medicines.

The family had an new challenge last month when their home burned down on Townline on June 1. They lost all of their belongings. They have since moved to Ridge Road and remain in the Lyndonville school district.

Tickets for the Aug. 1 benefit are $11. Elizabeth Moore said people can text her or call to reserve tickets at (585)735-5501. The event is drive-through only.

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Press Release, Lyndonville Mayor John Belson

LYNDONVILLE – Due to the long period of warm temperatures and lack of precipitation the Lyndonville-Yates municipal system is nearing their maximum daily pumping capacity.

Any extra measures that users can voluntarily do to reduce water consumption and high volume use for the next four days would be greatly appreciated. If voluntary conservation measures are unsuccessful, mandatory conservation may be enacted.

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No Fourth of July community celebration in Lyndonville due to Covid-19; Lions Club looks forward to next year

File photos by Tom Rivers: With no fireworks in Lyndonville today, we pulled out our file photos of past shows, including this one from July 4, 2018.

LYNDONVILLE – There are no fireworks in Lyndonville tonight. The community in recent years has hosted one of the biggest Fourth of July fireworks shows in Western New York, about 40 minutes of big booms and bright lights.

The Covid-19 pandemic and the restrictions on crowd sizes prompted the Lyndonville Lions Club to cancel a festival that includes a parade, arts and crafts vendors, chicken barbecue, tractor pull and fireworks show.

This would have been the 46^th annual event by the Lions Club.

The fireworks show usually begins with a lighted up American flag and many colorful fireworks. This photo is from July 4, 2016.

Wes Bradley has been the fireworks chairman since 2006. He normally checks in on the crew from Young Explosives during the day, and brings them a chicken barbecue and beverages.

During there fireworks show, there are many hundreds of people on the school lawns, sitting on blankets and lawn chairs.

“There really isn’t a way to socially distance this,” he said.

People pull up on side roads to watch the fireworks. The line up by the bridge and at the Veterans Park.

“It is certainly is a very different year,” Bradley said today. “We’re disappointed we can’t do what we always have done for the village and town.”

Bradley spent part of the morning trimming a trim at his yard. He is grilling chicken this afternoon and he and his wife will have a friend over later for dinner. Bradley plans to watch the fireworks on TV.

He is looking forward to next year, when he hopes a big crowd can again descend upon Lyndonville for the parade and fireworks.

“We’ll come back bigger and better,” he said. “My plan for next year is to have the largest fireworks show we’ve ever had. I expect next year we’ll have a super crowd.”

The fireworks are reflected in Johnson Creek in this photo taken from Veterans Park on July 4, 2014.

The Lyndonville Lions Club posted this message on its Facebook page: “Our club would like to wish everyone a very happy, safe, and healthy 4th of July. We may not be together this year, but know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. Words can not express how much we will miss celebrating with you. We love you Lyndonville!! Blessings to you all.”

Shaun Kelly of Kent and other family members release five Chinese lanterns on July 4, 2017. The family does it in memory of Shaun’s nephew, Trenton Nelson, who died at age 16 on June 2, 2015 after being fatally stabbed in Rochester.

Lyndonville has been the place to be in Orleans County for the Fourth of July for decades.

This fireworks watcher takes in the sights and sounds of the show from a lawn chair on July 4, 2013.

These fireworks are shown through a row of trees next to the school’s soccer field in this photo from July 4, 2015.

Last year’s fireworks show ended with a spectacle of sound and light in the sky.

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Press Release, Steve Goodrich, commander of Houseman-Tanner Post 1603 in Lyndonville

Provided photo: Seated in photo is Miss Anna Stelianou and Houseman-Tanner Post member Carl Boyle. Note: Masks were taken off only for this picture then immediately put back on.

LYNDONVILLE – The Houseman-Tanner Post 1603 American Legion on Sunday took possession of a new ADA-certified trolley to be used in parades.

This is the capstone of a three-year project. The previous trolley was extremely difficult to enter or exit for the older veterans and over time had become unserviceable. Once the decision to replace it was made, the post began fundraising.

July 4th raffle tickets and a Labor Day yard sale as well as generous donations made by individuals made this project possible. The trolley sits much lower than the previous unit. It can seat 9 with room for up to 3 wheelchairs, something impossible with the old trolley. Access is through two wheelchair ramps and there are seatbelts and wheelchair tie downs for all passengers.

The initial payment was sent to the contracted builder Diversified Golf Cars Inc. of Orlando, Fla. one week before the lockdown was announced.

This project would not have been possible without the very generous donation made by Miss Anna Stelianou. To pay our respects to Miss Anna, the Houseman-Tanner Post will be dedicating the trolley in the memory of her brothers – all veterans – Fred, Peter, George, Menel and Ernest, who all served inworld War II or the Korean War.

Commander Steve Goodrich, Adjudant Joseph Hausler and post members John Follman and Carl Boyle stopped by Anna’s home to make sure she was the first to see and set foot on the new trolley on June 24th.

Lastly, the Houseman-Tanner Post wants to specifically thank the businesses and individuals who made generous donations that helped make this possible. Businesses: Canalside Tattoo, Gordon-Fisk, H.H. Dobbins, Hometown Energy, Lake Wine & Spirits, Oak Orchard Canoes, Wildwood Campgrounds, Whipple Realty and Wiley’s Riverside Marina.

Individual Donors: Anna Stelianou, Ethel Valentine, Mike Dagobert and Bob Burtwell.

Due to Covid-19 there haven’t been any meeting and no upcoming meetings are planned for the foreseeable future. Sadly this also applies to parades. The trolley is being stored for now. We hope to see everyone in the not too distant future.

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LYNDONVILLE – School district voters passed the school budget, approved funding for buses and the library, and also elected Jerod Thurber to the Board of Election.

The absentee ballots were counted on Tuesday. The district, like others in the state, didn’t do in-person voting due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The district had 581 people vote for the budget, compared to 159 during the last election on May 21,2019.

• School budget, approved with 432 in favor and 149 opposed: The $14,698,217 is up by $526,516, mainly due to increased bond payments. The budget increases the tax levy by 2 percent.

• Proposition #2, Yates Community Library, approved in 379-202 vote: The $108,873 for the library is up by $5,123 or 4.94 percent from the $103,750 in 2019-20.

• Proposition Transportation for bus purchase, approved 447-134: The district will spend up to $130,000 for a new 64-seat bus, using money from a transportation reserve fund. It will replace a bus No. 90 from 2010.

• Board of Education: There were five candidates for one seat on the Board of Education. Jerod Thurber was elected with 205 votes. Other candidates include incumbent Kelly Cousins, 186; Ralph Smith, 95; Ace Strickland, 48; and Jeanne Crane, 40.

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Students encouraged to decorate vehicles for ride through community

Photo from Lyndonville Central School: Some of the senior class members are pictured at a pep rally earlier this school year.

LYNDONVILLE — The school district is encouraging the Class of 2020 to decorate a vehicle for a post-graduation parade on June 26.

The parade will start at 8, following the online premiere of a video of graduation. Students have been recorded receiving their diplomas from school administrators.

The video will be available to watch online at 6:30 p.m. Seniors are encouraged to start arriving in the school parking lot at 7:45. Students should decorate their vehicles in black and orange before arriving to the parking lot. The students also are asked to display their name prominently on the passenger door.

The parade will begin at 8 p.m. Community members and families of the graduates are welcome to stand on the sidewalk or next to their vehicles to celebrate the senior class.

The parade route includes:

• Head out on Housel Ave. and turn right onto Main St.
• Go south on Main St. and turn left onto Lake Ave.
• Continue east on Lake Ave. until it turns into Willowbrook Dr.
• Head north on Willowbrook and then turn left onto Maple Ave.
• Head west on Maple Ave. toward Main St.
• Turn right onto Main St. and head north to Rt 18
• Turn right onto Rt 18 and head east
• Turn left onto Morrison Rd. and head north
• Turn left on to Lakeshore Rd. and head west
• Turn left onto Rt 63 and head south until Rt 18
• Turn right onto Rt 18 and head west
• Turn left onto Murdock Rd. and head south
• Turn left onto Mill Rd. and head east
• Turn left on to Marshall Rd. and head north
• Turn right on to Angling Rd. head south until Postle Rd.
• Turn left on Postle Rd. and head east toward Rt 63
• Turn left on to Rt 63 and head north
• Turn right onto South Townline Rd.
• Head east to Swett Rd. and head south to Ridge Rd.
• Turn left onto Ridge Rd. and head east to Oregon Rd.
• Turn left onto Oregon Rd. and head north to Rutherford Rd.
• Turn right onto Rutherford Rd. and head east to Oak Orchard River Rd.
• Turn left onto Oak Orchard River Rd. head north to Townline Rd.
• Turn right onto Townline Rd. and head south to Ridge Rd.
• Turn left onto Ridge Rd. heading east to Kenyonville Rd.
• Turn left onto Kenyonville Rd. and head north. Cross the Kenyonville Bridge to Oak Orchard River Rd.
• Turn left onto Oak Orchard River Rd. head south
• Stay right and head west on Platten Rd head west until Townline Rd.
• Turn right onto Townline Rd. head north until Alps Rd.
• Turn left onto Alps Rd. head west until Goodwin Rd.
• Turn left onto Goodwin Rd. and head south until Platten Rd.
• Turn left onto Platten Rd. and head west to Maple Ave.
• Continue west on Maple Ave. until Main St.
• Turn right onto Main St. head north to Housel Ave.

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Hope Resales rearranges store to allow more social distancing

Provided photos: Some of the baby clothes donated to Lyndonville United Methodist Church’s thrift shop are on display in the Fellowship Hall, waiting for the store’s opening on Wednesday. All are priced at 25 or 50 cents.

LYNDONVILLE – Hope Resales, the community thrift shop run by the Lyndonville United Methodist Church, will reopen today, after being closed for nearly three months due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Ruth Hedges, who was instrumental in starting the thrift shop in March 2019, said they are excited to see their customers and be open for business again, although it will not be “business as usual.”

Ruth Hedges has Hopes Resales ready for today’s reopening.

In keeping with government regulations on reopening in light of the virus, the store has been totally cleaned and disinfected. Hedges has purchased new, longer racks to create more room in the aisles, allowing for social distancing. The store has been painted and merchandise rearranged.

Customers will be limited to eight in the store at a time. As per Health Department recommendations, parents are asked not to bring children, due to sanitary concerns. Everyone will be required to wear a mask and use hand sanitizer at the door. For anyone who doesn’t have a mask, one will be provided.

Hedges asks anyone who doesn’t feel good or has tested positive for the coronavirus to please not visit the store. She also said anyone with a medical condition who is fearful of visiting the store while it is open may call her at (585) 866-9133 to set up a private appointment.

Hedges said they were fortunate to have ample merchandise in stock, although they are in need of good summer clothing, especially children and women’s shorts, as well as small appliances and other household products.

They do have to limit donations, however, as they do not have room to store things.

Another improvement is obtaining a credit card machine. While they haven’t received it yet, Hedges said she thinks it will contribute to increased sales.

They have also added a corner for antiques. Hedges was able to sell some antique blue Currier and Ives china in the Grist Mill pattern online. She said they still have a few pieces left.

She added they have also been blessed with an enormous donation of beautiful baby clothes in sizes 0 to 24 months. All are priced at 25 to 50 cents, and because there are so many, they are on display in the Fellowship Hall.

Household goods are neatly displayed at Hope Resales in the Lyndonville United Methodist Church, which will reopen from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. today.

When the thrift shop opened, it was their goal to serve God’s people, at home and abroad, Hedges said. Its name was taken from Scripture in Romans 12:9-13, which talks about hope and helping others.

Due to a very successful first year they contributed half of their net proceeds to the church and the other half to mission projects. These included donations to Care Net, Ministry of Concern and Camp Rainbow. Every month, except during the pandemic-caused closing, they donate $200 to the Lyndonville Food Pantry. They also sponsored a Cuban Methodist minister and her family at $150 a month and supported a young girl from Buffalo in her mission journey.

“We haven’t been able to do any mission work while our income was shut off,” Hedges said. “So we will be happy to get back to our missions.”

Store hours will be 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. today and continuing every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Additional hours will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursdays.

Hope Resales in located in basement of the Lyndonville United Methodist Church at 102 North Main St.

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District also approves tenure for teachers, principal

LYNDONVILLE – The district announced its educator of the year during Monday’s Board of Education meeting.

Bliss Thurber, a sixth grade teacher, will receive the honor and will be recognized at a future Board of Education meeting when the restrictions on crowd sizes are increased. Right now, the meetings are limited to no more than 10 people.

“Bliss is truly an exceptional teacher and is known for creativity, innovation, and will be receiving a $1,000 grant from the District for a special project in her classroom,” said Jason Smith, the district superintendent.

Thurber has utilized technology in her classroom, and also is co-leader of the AVID program for grades kindergarten through 6.

• RETIREES – The district also announced four staff members are retiring: Diane Thurber, clerical; Nikki Robison, teacher aid; Kathy Payne, bus driver; and Dave Balcer, director of Buildings and Grounds.

“We thank each of these retirees for their dedicated service to our community and district, and I look forward to recognizing them at a future Board of Education meeting,” Smith said.

• TENURE – The Board of Education approved tenure for the following: Paula Bachman, math teacher; Cassandra Fleck, school counselor; Jenna Goheen, elementary education; Amy Kingsbury, elementary education; Amanda LeClair, art teacher; Shane Phillips, health education; Alisha Schwarzott, English Language Arts teacher; Elissa Smith, elementary principal.

• MEMORIAL TREE – The district also accepted a $500 donation from Roger Miller to plant a flowering cherry tree in memory of Charles Prahler, who passed away on April 15. Prahler, 95, was an active member of the community, including with the Lyndonville Lions Club.

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Board member doesn’t want students to be ‘guinea pigs’ if new Covid-19 vaccine becomes available

LYNDONVILLE — The Board of Education decided to table a policy for 2020-21 that would require all students to have mandated immunizations.

The district this school year adopted a policy, following the state’s lead, that no longer allows religious exemptions for required vaccines. Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed that bill last July, repealing religious exemptions for required vaccines.

The Lyndonville Board of Education on Monday was set to vote on the policy again, but board member Vern Fonda said he is concerned the state may require districts to have all students take a Covid-19 vaccine. That vaccine isn’t available yet.

Fonda said he is concerned there could be unknown ill-effects with that new vaccine, if it becomes available.

“I don’t want my children or children of my friends to be guinea pigs for the Covid-19 vaccine,” Fonda said during Monday’s meeting.

Other board members agreed to hold off on adopting the policy, to see if the state provides any direction on the issue.

The only accepted exemption now for students from immunizations is a valid medical reason where a doctor certifies that a vaccine may be detrimental to a child’s health.

For children without a valid medical exemption, they can remain in school for 14 days at the start of the school year, to give them time to provide evidence of the required immunizations. An out-of-county or out-of-state transferee has 30 days to provide the district with evidence of the mandated immunizations, according to the district policy.

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Press Release, Town of Yates

LYNDONVILLE – The Town of Yates regrets to announce the cancellation of the 2020 Summer Recreation Program due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Town wants to thank the many supporters of this program, including the Village of Lyndonville, the Lyndonville Area Foundation, the Lyndonville Central School District and the United Way.

The Town looks forward to offering the program again in the Summer of 2021.

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Photos courtesy of Steve Goodrich

LYNDONVILLE – The American flag is lowered at Lynhaven Cemetery in Lyndonville on Memorial Day.

It was a quieter Memorial Day observance in Lyndonville on Monday with no parade or official ceremony.

But the local American Legion Post and other community members honored the sacrifice of soldiers.

At Veterans Park, the Houseman-Tanner American Legion Post 1603 set up a POW/MIA table in front of Lyndonville’s Veterans Park.

Joseph Hausler, Adjutant of the Houseman-Tanner Post, played Taps. Steve Goodrich, the Post Commander, also was present for the service where the names of people were read from Lyndonville who are currently serving in the military.

The Yates Community Library organized this display of American flags on the school grounds next to Johnson Creek.

“We hope you enjoy this time of reflection and thankfulness, remembering that Americans have endured obstacles and suffering in the past and have overcome these hurdles by sticking together to become the strong nation of communities that we are,” the library stated at the display.

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