LYNDONVILLE – We are proud to offer extended WiFi for the community during this time of Covid.
We have strategically positioned at two locations access points in our community. These mobile units are active and are positioned in the parking lots of the White Birch Golf Course and The Oak Orchard Assembly of God on Route 104.
The range of these access points mounted on the Lyndonville School vans is approximately 200 feet. Please park near these vehicles while practicing social distancing when accessing the WiFi wireless interent service.
After arriving onsite you may need to refresh your list of WiFi access points to have the unit appear.
Provided photo: Lyndonville Area Foundation board members present a check for the food pantry at Lyndonville Presbyterian Church. Pictured from left include Doug Hedges, Board Director and Treasurer of Lyndonville Area Foundation; Pastor Martha Mitchell of the Lyndonville Presbyterian Church; and Dave Cook, Board Director and Foundation Grants Committee member.
Press Release, Lyndonville Area Foundation
LYNDONVILLE – At its quarterly meeting on April 28, the Lyndonville Area Foundation’s Board of Director’s expedited nearly $40,000 in grants throughout Orleans County to assist with Covid-19 related challenges.
Included in these were several food pantries that had exhausted supplies for the need due to high unemployment rates and other Covid-19 related issues.
As a result of the current pandemic the Foundation was faced with an unusual volume of requests for financial assistance. Foundation President Darren D. Wilson applauds the members of the Foundation’s Grant’s Committee for their work and diligence in sifting through and prioritizing the many grant applications they were faced with.
While the Lyndonville Area Foundation’s mission and by-laws ensure any program or project funding provided by it be distributed in a manner that directly benefits the citizens within the communities of Lyndonville and the Town of Yates, the Foundation’s Board of Directors recognizes that current conditions do not reflect normal times and determined to provide temporary assistance to communities as disperse as Medina, Kendall and Albion.
The Foundation’s Board of Directors also voted to approve funding grants to Hospice of Orleans, the Lyndonville Central School District, Lyndonville Lions Club, Orleans Country Adult Learning Services, the Lyndonville Volunteer Fire Department and the Lyndonville office of Oak Orchard Health along with Praising Kids Child Care Center in Medina.
“The final decisions are not always easy,” Wilson said. “However, the members of our Foundation’s Board work together, have a deep understanding of our community, can always be counted on to make the right decisions and I have a deep respect for all of them.”
The Foundation’s Board meets again at the end of July.
Photos by Tom Rivers: The Lyndonville Girl Scouts Troop 82040 won the award for “Most Colorful Float” during last year’s Fourth of July parade. The 44th Annual Independence Day Celebration Parade had a theme of “One Flag, One Land.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 May 2020 at 1:28 pm
LYNDONVILLE – The Lyndonville Lions Club has announced its annual Fourth of July celebration will be cancelled this year to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The event typically attracts about 15,000 people to the village of about 800 residents.
“The Lyndonville Lions announce with regret the cancellation of their annual Fourth of July parade, fireworks and celebration,” said Lions Club President Bruce Schmidt. “These are our children, relatives and friends whose health and well-being must always be our primary concern.
The Lions Club has organized the event the past 44 years. There are events throughout the day, including a big parade at noon, with the festivities capped by fireworks at 10 p.m. The fireworks show is one of the biggest in Western New York. There is also an arts and crafts show, chicken barbecue, live music, a tractor pull and other activities.
“Because of the effects of Covid-19, having a huge public gathering would not be in the public’s best interests,” Schmidt said. “We look forward to a bigger and better event on July 4, 2021.”
Albion and Holley both have cancelled their festivals in June due to the pandemic.
A big crowd of people watched the fireworks on July 4, 2018 on the athletic fields at Lyndonville Central School. The fireworks display in Lyndonville is one of Western New York’s biggest fireworks shows.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 April 2020 at 9:00 pm
Provided photos
LYNDONVILLE – Dr. Elissa Smith, Lyndonville Elementary School Principal, joins Madison Austin, the Student Council president, after Smith and other school officials delivered the sign and a cap and gown to Madison and her classmates on Tuesday.
Donations form the community covered the cost for the signs, with each of the 45 members of the senior class receiving one.
Isabella Carrasquillo holds balloons in Lyndonville’s school colors while standing with her sign.
Mitzi Fredericks, a library/media aide at the school, and her husband Merle present the senior sign to their grandson, Oskar Heinsler.
Mason Boyd was happy to receive the signs. Mason and his classmates have had their senior disrupted due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Students have been out of the school building for almost seven weeks, with students work on their schoolwork at home.
Two school administrators – Joe DiPassio (business administrator) and Jason Smith (district superintendent) – present the senior sign to and Faith Chaffee, who is the class president.
Kaci Wittmeyer received a sign from the district on Tuesday.
Cal Stinson feels school pride as a senior at Lyndonville.
Photo by Tom Rivers: Waves crash on the shore in the Town of Yates in this photo from April 9 on Fisher Lane.
The International Joint Commission sees Lake Ontario water levels peaking well below the record highs of 2017 and 2019, when there was widespread flooding damage.
The water levels are currently well above average, but conditions are expected to improve with more moderate weather. The IJC’s International Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River Board also has increased Lake Ontario outflows and help the system recover faster following extreme water level periods, the bi-national commission said ina news release today.
Besides increased outflows, beyond those previously perceived as feasible, there has been help from Mother Nature too, the IJC said.
“It’s worth reiterating that no regulation plan can be designed to address every imaginable and sustained extreme weather event and provide total protection for all water uses throughout the system at all times,” the IJC said. “While the Board is encouraged by current and projected water levels, the Board can’t predict what the weather will bring and encourage shoreline communities to not let their guards down.”
A key factor contributing to lower water levels is that the Ottawa River system has reached a peak earlier than in 2017 and 2019, and its current flow is much lower, the IJC said.
The Board has been able to continue increasing Lake Ontario outflows partly because the Ottawa River has been declining and conditions downstream can now handle additional flow.
These conditions have allowed levels on Lake Ontario to see a much more moderate rise this spring, despite extremely high and sustained inflows from Lake Erie.
All four of the upper Great Lakes are at or above record levels, whereas Lake Ontario is well above average, but still well below record levels.
LYNDONVILLE – In honor of our Class of 2020 and National Decision Day, a day when seniors traditionally make their final college decisions, we would like to hear where our seniors will be in the fall. Whether your child will be going to college, headed into the military or starting a job, we’d like to know and share their exciting plans on social media.
Please send a photo to tcroce@monroe2boces.org by Friday, May 15, showing your senior’s intentions. The photo should include a picture of your child, their full name and include the following:
• College: Show an acceptance letter and any other college items you have. In the email please include the college name and intended major, if known.
• Military: If your senior plans to go into the military, please let us know which branch and include items such as letters, pamphlets, clothing, etc. you may have.
• Work/Trade: Did your student attend BOCES, was involved in an apprenticeship or had work experience? You can include items in the photo with your senior such as a chef’s hat or welding mask. These are just suggestions; we look forward to seeing where your senior might be working. Please include the name of the company/business if possible.
If you have questions email Tricia Croce, Communication Specialist, at the email above. We look forward to sharing your photo and hope to include each senior of the Lyndonville Class of 2020!
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 April 2020 at 10:54 am
File photo by Tom Rivers: Members of the American Legion in Lyndonville ride on a trailer and wave to the crowd during the Fourth of July parade on July 4, 2015.
LYNDONVILLE – The Memorial Day parade has been cancelled in Lyndonville, Steve Goodrich, the American Legion commander for the Houseman-Tanner Post 1603, announced this morning.
Several of the American Legion Posts in Western New York have announced they are cancelling the parades on May 25 due to concerns about Covid-19.
Goodrich said the average age of the post members in Lyndonville is 83.
“I can’t in good conscience put them at risk,” Goodrich said. “I feel it is only prudent to take this action for the safety of everyone.”
News organizations in Western New York are reporting Memorial Day parades are cancelled in Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda, West Seneca, Lewiston, Lockport, Rochester and Irondequoit.
Goodrich said he has plans to recognize veterans in Lyndonville on Memorial Day. He asked community members to send him the names of local people currently serving in the military. He wants them to publicly acknowledged in the near future.
The American Legion in Lyndonville also places more than 400 flags on veterans’ graves right before Memorial Day. Goodrich said he doesn’t want the older members to be at risk with that duty. Goodrich said he will place the flags alone when he gets out of work. He said it will be a gradual process and urges the public’s understanding.
“If one is missed, I ask you notify me,” he said in a Facebook message on the Lyndonville, NY People page. “I will ensure any overlooked will receive a flag.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 April 2020 at 2:04 pm
Photos courtesy of Lyndonville Lions Club
LYNDONVILLE – The Lyndonville Lions Club organized “Chalk the Walk 2020” and distributed 360 bags of chalk to houses in the Village of Lyndonville.
“We felt it a prudent time for our community to show its support of one another, while having them engage in some family time and outdoor fun,” said Terry Stinson, Lions Club member.
People were asked to decorate sidewalks and driveways in the village, and to include messages of inspiration and hope.
The event began on Easter Sunday and will continue throughout the week as weather permits. There are additional bags of chalk available through the club if needed.
So far more than 130 messages and pictures have been created.
“As we were driving around, it was amazing to see how happy a simple piece of chalk made people,” Stinson said. “To watch as families gathered and laughed while creating their drawings was just absolutely heartwarming.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 April 2020 at 11:11 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
YATES – Firefighters put out a chimney fire this morning and make sure there aren’t any hot spots in the cottage by Lake Ontario.
Lorrie and Ed Thering are thankful there wasn’t more damage to their cottage on Fisher Lane. Mrs. Thering called to report the fire at 8:58 a.m. Her husband arrived on the scene and was able to fill buckets of water from mud puddles, helping to contain the fire.
There are strong westerly winds this morning. If it had been easterly winds, the fire likely would have spread through the house, Mr. Thering and firefighters said.
The Therings are putting an addition on the cottage, hoping to make it a year-round residence. The site has been in Mrs. Therings family for about 70 years.
There was a big turnout of firefighters from Lyndonville, Ridgeway, Shelby, Medina and Carlton. That isn’t the normal situation on a Thursday morning, but many of the firefighters are home from work right now due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Therings are hopeful they can have the room repaired soon.
Kyle Morgan of the Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company carries a ladder back to a fire truck.
Donato Rosario of the Medina Fire Department removes some of the metal roofing.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 April 2020 at 6:12 pm
A picture of many Lyndonville students is near the beginning of a new video put together by the school district.
LYNDONVILLE – The school district has created a 6 ½ minute video with many teachers and staff holding messages, telling students they are missed. (Click here to see it.)
Lyndonville was planning a parade by vehicle last Thursday, with teachers and staff passing by students’ residences. But that parade was nixed because the district didn’t want to encourage any kind of social gathering during the coronavirus pandemic. Lyndonville students have now been out of school for three weeks, trying to keep up with school work at home.
Lyndonville instead created a video with messages from teachers, staff and school administrators. The video plays to the song, “We’re All In This Together” from High School Musical.
Myles Kifner, an elementary music teacher at Lyndonville, urges his students to practice with their instruments while they are home with schools closed.
Julia Robinson, one of the Lyndonville teachers, joined in the message brigade for Lyndonville students.
Dr. Elissa Smith, the elementary school principal, lets students know they are missed “a whole lot.”
The Renewable Energy Siting Law passed today has some minor changes from the governor’s original budget amendment. Community groups were added back in as possible parties. There are additional opportunities to request a hearing.
But the process does not give local concerns, local health impacts, and local environmental issues a chance against the looming “state energy goals” and the out of state industrial renewable developers who stand to profit from these projects.
New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) says the upstate grid is self-contained and cannot transport renewable energy downstate. NYISO also says currently planned transmission upgrades will be insufficient to transport renewable energy downstate. Since upstate electricity is 90% emission-free, New York cannot advance its renewable energy goals by adding more capacity upstate.
There are many ways to address climate change. Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has chosen an upstate industrial path that will be expensive and ineffective, and he will do so with expanded authority to overrule local laws.
Local input has always been deemed necessary to properly review large-scale complex industrial projects before approvals are granted to build these projects. Local input is necessary to gauge impacts on a community’s health, environment, economy and safety. Historically these responsibilities have rested with local governments through their local laws. Under prior energy siting laws, the State has been reticent to waive them.
Now the Governor has tightened the vise to crank out many sprawling 400-million-dollar industrial projects in a year. This will be accomplished by removing the “pre-application” phase that offered the local community an opportunity to impact the application before it was filed – and by waiving local laws.
With the decision to waive local laws comes the erosion of protections for citizens and communities from harmful projects. This obligation cannot be subordinate to a political agenda or to private developers.
Unfortunately, this legislation seems to have been driven by such an agenda and the private interests behind it. Usurping home rule harms the health, safety, environment and economy of communities.
About Save Ontario Shores
Save Ontario Shores, Inc. (SOS), was formed in December 2014. We are a self-funded group of local residents and property owners from diverse backgrounds who share a deep appreciation for the unspoiled beauty of Somerset and Yates and the shoreline of Lake Ontario. We endeavor to protect the rural environment, wildlife, economy and its citizens by opposing the Lighthouse Wind encroachment of up to 70 mammoth industrial wind turbines that will soar more than 600 feet into the sky.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 April 2020 at 12:16 pm
LYNDONVILLE – The school district has cancelled a faculty and staff parade that was planned for Thursday. Medina also has nixed its “Mustang Motorcade” on Friday.
Jason Smith, the Lyndonville school district superintendent, said the event on Thursday was cancelled “out of an abundance of caution.”
The district is looking at other ways to boost school spirit and connect “virtually” with students and their families, Smith said.
“Our staff was excited to re-connect with our students and families, while maintaining social distance guidelines,” Smith said. “However, given the rapidly changing conditions and recommendations/restrictions, we do not want to take unnecessary risks.”
This design by the MRB Group in Rochester shows the layout of an improved Yates Town Park.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 April 2020 at 11:19 am
(Editor’s Note: Orleans Hub is trying to catch up from other articles before the coronavirus dominated the news. The Town Board voted to accept the state grant on March 12.)
YATES – The Yates Town Board is moving ahead with a $2.5 million upgrade of the Town Park on Morrison Road.
The state is paying 95 percent of the costs of the $2.531 million project or $2,404,450. It is part of $300 million in state funding for projects along the southshore of Lake Ontario.
The local share of the Yates project – $126,550 – will be covered with in-kind services by the town Highway Department and also funding by the Lyndonville Area Foundation.
Photo by Tom Rivers: This photo from Oct. 23 shows some of the tables along the shoreline at the Yates Town Park.
The Town Board – Supervisor Jim Simon and board members Jim Whipple, John Riggi, Susan Hrovat and Harold Suhr – voted unanimously on March 12 to accept the grant from the NY State Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative (REDI) Commission. (Click here to see a bigger map of the project.)
“It’s a beautiful little park and now it will be more beautiful,” said Simon, the town supervisor.
Some highlights of the project include an L-shaped breakwater at $640,000; pavilion with bathroom and fire place, $394,000; park activities (kayak boat launch, dock ramp, ADA compliant playground), $266,000; road, parking, pavement, $95,000; stone dust trail with benches, garbage can, bike rack and plantings, $75,000; stormwater, $56,000; electrical, $42,000; erosion control, $41,000; sanitary/leach field, $31,000 and water service, $20,000.
Engineering costs also are estimated at $372,000, with legal and administration fees at $93,000.
Annual operation and maintenance costs with the added amenities are estimated at $3,000 for water and electric service, insurance, bathroom cleaning and septic tank costs and other operation, maintenance costs. However, the town will save $1,500 annually by not needing portable bathrooms at the park. So the net increased operation and maintenance costs will be $1,500 or an additional penny on the town tax rate, according to the town’s calculations.
Simon sees many reasons for moving forward with the project. He wrote a letter to the editor in the Orleans Hub on Jan. 31, outlining the positives of an expanded town park (click here).
Simon believes the park will improve the quality of life in the community, improve health and wellness, and boost property values in that part of the community.
Simon said he would like to see the community eventually work to put in sidewalks from north of the village on Route 63 to the Town Park. That would be an ideal link between the village and park for walkers, joggers and cyclists, Simon said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 March 2020 at 10:25 am
LYNDONVILLE – The school district announced there will be a staff parade on Thursday beginning at 1 p.m.
Teachers and other district staff will travel by vehicle to see kids in the community, who have been out of school for two weeks and counting due to health concerns with the coronavirus.
“Our faculty and staff miss you and would love to see you!” the district announced on its website this morning. “If you are on our parade route, please come on your porch or driveway. If we are not passing by your house and you are driving to the area, we kindly ask you to remain in your vehicles, or stay 6 feet apart (Social Distance Guidelines) to celebrate, while at a safe distance from others! Show us your decorated signs, get ready to wave and wear your orange and black to show your Tiger Spirit!”
The parade will follow the route of the July 4th parade, starting by Lynoaken Farms on Alps Road, left on Willowbrook, down Lake Avenue, turning right on Route 63 (Main Street), turning left on Housel, and ending at the school parking lot.
If people don’t live on the route, they are welcome to pull up and park in their vehicles to see the teachers and staff.
Press Release, Jason Smith, Lyndonville Central School superintendent
LYNDONVILLE – The school district is seeking to expand access to the internet for online learning during the closure, as we are committed to equal access for all students.
We need feedback if we are going to pursue this opportunity.
Free WiFi access is available on school grounds. The network is GUEST and password is WIRELESS.
Would you/your family be interested in additional hot-spots at either of the following locations?
• Oak Orchard Assembly of God Church – 12111 Ridge Road
• White Birch Golf Course – 1515 North Lyndonville Road
Please let us know by replying to the school district’s tweet, the original Facebook post or by texting us at 585-207-3323 with feedback. You can also call the school district at (585) 765-3101 or e-mail the superintendent at Jasmith@lcsdk12.org.
