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.
A Yates Center sewing circle created this quilt in 1865, a heartfelt contribution to the welfare of the men at war.
By Catherine Cooper, Orleans County Historian
“Illuminating Orleans” – Volume 4, No. 20
YATES –“When the war (American Civil War) began in 1861, neither the Union nor the Confederate governments had enough uniforms, tents, blankets or even bandages for their armed forces. Women on both sides of the conflict stepped up to fill the enormous need, volunteering their labor and resources. They quickly became essential to keeping the soldiers well-nourished, clothed and warm.” {1}
Remarkably, a quilt completed by a sewing circle in the Town of Yates hamlet of Yates Center on February 5, 1865, survives intact. What is even more remarkable is that the quilt which resurfaced in 2010, following some 145 years in obscurity, was returned to its homeplace in 2022, thanks to the efforts of members of the Yates Baptist Church.
As they stitched and knitted, sewing circle ladies on both sides of the cause referred to their needles as “weapons” or “daggers.” They identified as fellow fighters with their “brothers in the field.” Soldiers were appreciative of the comfort of the blankets and quilts sent.
Using assorted fabric scraps, the Yates Center ladies created forty colorful 8” square blocks in the Album Block pattern. The material used for the backing and border was most likely an everyday dress fabric, which must have been a sacrifice since there was a shortage of fabric after three years of war.
Block patterns were favored as the quilters could easily work on their respective part of the project at their convenience and the quilt could be easily assembled. Quilters could also personalize their squares by signing them, or by including uplifting or encouraging messages.
Some of the signatures and verses have since faded. Pam Farewell used online census and cemetery records to help decipher the names. They include:
“Brave soldier, thou will ever be remembered.” – Sarah D. Lott
“March on to Victory” – Mrs. P. Lewis
“Wake, arise ye sons of freedom,
Bravely die but never yield,
While the signal drums are beating,
Marching to the battlefield.” – Sophronia Clark.
The quilt was completed on February 5, 1865. The end of the war was still several weary battles away. It was most likely donated to the US Sanitary Commission, the agency in charge of contributions from regional aid societies to hospitals and battlefields.
Its subsequent history is a mystery. Quilt collector Jane Garrod Chinault acquired it at an auction, date unknown. She displayed it at a quilt show in York, PA in 2010 where it fortuitously came to the attention of Sue Farwell Hauser, formerly of Yates Center, who, naturally enough, was immediately intrigued by its Yates Center connection. Sue contacted her sister-in-law, Pam Farwell, who arranged to borrow the quilt for a weekend in 2010 for a display at the Yates Baptist Church.
In 2022, church members again requested permission to display the quilt, this time as part of their bicentennial celebrations, at which point Ms. Chinault graciously decided to donate the quilt, stating that she felt relieved that it would have a permanent place to reside, “that it had returned home and will be well cared for.”
Karen Breeze was instrumental in researching how best to conserve and display this unique quilt. Church and family members assisted. Memorial funds were provided by the Bentley and Breeze families. The initiative concluded with a U-Haul road-trip to retrieve the framed quilt from Massachusetts. It is now on display at the Yates Baptist Church. Contact Karen at the church office (585) 765-2136 to arrange a tour.
The quilt is referenced in the book “Homefront & Battlefield: Quilts and Context in the Civil War” {1} by Madelyn C. Shaw and Lynne Z. Bassett, 2012, available for loan through the NIOGA Library system.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 June 2024 at 10:10 am
LYNDONVILLE – Local veterans are encouraged to be part of Lyndonville’s July Fourth parade. They can march in the parade or ride in a trolley.
“If any veteran would like to participate in the parade and ride on our float/trolley, we welcome them,” said Steve Goodrich, commander of the Houseman-Tanner Post in Lyndonville. “They do not need to be in the American Legion.”
Veterans who want to be part of the noon parade should go to the staging area at the corner of Alps and Platten roads before 11 a.m.
The trolley for veterans will be near the front of the procession for the parade.
Veterans can be dropped off or can try to park along road, although there may not be any parking available.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 22 June 2024 at 11:05 am
July 10 Mid-Summer Soiree will benefit Cobblestone Museum
Photos by Ginny Kropf: (Left) From left, Connie Fisher and her daughter Christine chat with Shirley Bright-Neeper of Medina about the Mid-Summer Celebration scheduled July 10 in Fisher’s garden. Neeper is co-chair of the event with Joyce Chiczek of Lyndonville. Flowers are beginning to bloom, while in the back is Fisher’s She-Shack which her husband Jim built. (Right) Connie Fisher checks the Sweet William in bloom in their garden, where they will host a Mid-Summer Soiree on July 10 to benefit the Cobblestone Museum.
LYNDONVILLE – Most people would look at Jim and Connie Fisher’s acre of lawn with multiple flower beds, a pond with waterfall and various out-buildings and think, “What a lot of work.”
But to the Fishers, it is a labor of love.
Jim and Connie Fisher stand in the gazebo of their garden at 10193 Millers Rd., where they will host a Mid-Summer Soiree July 10 to benefit the Cobblestone Museum.
The Fishers will welcome guests to their garden at 10193 Millers Rd. on July 10 for a Mid-Summer Celebration “Back to the Garden” to benefit the Cobblestone Museum.
Shirley Bright-Neeper first visited the Fisher’s garden during a fundraiser last year for the Yates Community Library.
Neeper, who co-chairs the July 10 event with Joyce Chiczek of Lyndonville, was so impressed she asked the Fishers if they would be willing to host a garden tour for the Cobblestone Museum this summer.
“After a couple of years hosting our soiree at the Cobblestone campus, we are going ‘back to the garden’,” Neeper said. “There will be a lot of seating and a golf cart to get you to the garden from the parking area.”
The event, which runs from 4 p.m. until dark, rain or shine, will feature garden tours, music by McHenry and Baz, Mike Grammatico of Batavia on saxophone, wine and light refreshments.
The Fishers moved to Millers Road in 1983, but didn’t start their garden until 1996 when their kids were older. They first dug the pond, which today is beautifully landscaped, full of colorful fish and complete with water fountain.
“The garden is a full time job, since Jim retired,” Connie said. “We easily spend 40 hours a week working in it during the summer.”
She said the two of them are a team.
“Jim doesn’t know the flowers, but he helps with the mulching and the pond,” Connie said. “I couldn’t do it without him.”
They showed off their garden recently, dotted with flower beds of various varieties, a stone path edged with flowers and solar lights leading to a gazebo, water trickling in the pond and the She-Shed Jim built for Connie.
Connie said when planning the garden they were fortunate to know fellow gardeners who were wonderful about sharing ideas. She also read books and studied the gardens of neighbors and friends.
“Now we’re just grateful the Good Lord lets us enjoy his creation,” Connie said. “We spend every single day out here. The garden is never done.”
Photos courtesy of Connie Fisher: This section of Jim and Connie Fisher’s garden is in full bloom in this photo taken last year. They are preparing to host “Back to the Garden,” a Mid-Summer Celebration on July 10 to benefit the Cobblestone Museum.
While most of the flowers are not yet blooming, Connie said by July 10 the garden will be ablaze with color.
Blooms include day lilies, Shasta daisies, black-eyed Susans, tall flax, Lucifer peonies, sweet William, roses and many more.
Jim said next year they are not committing to anything.
But in the meantime, “Here we are getting ready for the biggest shindig ever,” Connie said.
A suggested donation for the Mid-Summer Celebration is $10. Reservations would be appreciated by logging on to CobblestoneMuseum.org or calling (585) 589-9013.
Flowers are in full bloom near the pond last summer in Jim and Connie Fisher’s garden. The couple anticipates the blossoms will be as beautiful when they welcome visitors July 10 for a Mid-Summer Celebration to benefit the Cobblestone Society.
This is the She Shed that Jim Fisher built for his wife Connie in their garden.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 June 2024 at 1:00 pm
First ‘Lace Up for the Library’ 5K also planned for July 20
LYNDONVILLE – The Yates Community Free Library’s concert series was scheduled to start on June 24, but the first concert has been pushed back a week due to unforeseen circumstances, said library director Emily Cebula.
The first “Concert on the Lawn” for the 2024 season will be July 2 at 11 a.m. featuring Dave Stockton on a variety of instruments. The morning show on a Tuesday will include special audience guests – the residents of Medina Memorial Hospital’s Skilled Nursing Home.
The concerts in the series are all free to attend and people are encouraged to bring a lawn chair. Besides the Tuesday concert on July 2, the events are all on Monday evenings.
The schedule includes:
July 2 at 11 a.m. – Dave Stockton
July 8 at 7 p.m. – Feedback
July 15 at 6:30 p.m. – Carnival Kids Steel Orchestra
July 22 at 7 p.m. – Old Hippies
July 29 at 7 p.m. – Stanton
Aug. 5 at 6:30 p.m. – Barker Community Band
Aug. 12 at 6:30 p.m. – Mystic Sisters with Ruby Hoffee
Aug. 19 at 6:30 p.m. – Puckdaddys
Aug. 26 at 6:30 p.m. – Celtic Spirit
The library’s concert series is funded by the state with money administered by the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council.
Yates Community Library also is planning its first “Lace Up for the Library” 5K on July 20. Walkers and runners are welcome to event which starts and finishes at the Yates Town Park. The race starts at 9 a.m. and people who register by July 12 will receive an official race T-shirt. Click here for more information.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 June 2024 at 9:59 pm
Referendum to buy 153 acres fails in 260-145 vote
Photos by Tom Rivers: Staff from the Orleans County Board of Elections counts ballots this evening in the Yates Town Hall while onlookers observe the county. Town Supervisor Jim Simon is in back at left.
LYNDONVILLE – Voters in the Town of Yates today gave a decisive rejection of a land purchase along Lake Ontario to expand the town park.
The town held a referendum today on whether Yates would be authorized to spend $700,000 in grant funds to acquire 153.3 acres next to the current 6-acre Town Park on Morrison Road.
The town wanted to expand the park by buying the land from NYSEG. Even though the purchase would only move forward with grant funding, residents still said no. Several voiced their concerns about ongoing expense with maintenance and the uncertain plan for how the town would use the land.
Town Supervisor Jim Simon envisioned a nature trail for the property, and keeping the site mostly wild.
“The people have spoken,” Simon said after the votes were counted in the town hall. “It’s definitive.”
The stack of “no” votes is about twice as high as the “yes” votes.
There were 415 votes counted today, with 382 ballots cast in person today and 33 more through absentees. A few more absentees also might trickle in the next few days but they won’t change the outcome.
There are 1,629 registered voters in Yates. That puts turnout at 25.5 percent.
Simon said residents are feeling a general uneasiness about the economy, and many recently had their assessments raised adding to their angst.
He will inform NYSEG that the land purchase was denied by residents. Simon expects NYSEG will put the land up for sale with the future use unknown. Residents in favor of the town purchase preferred to keep it mostly wild or have public access, over the land being developed for housing or industry and business.
Simon said he was pleased to meet more residents through the town discussions about the land, including recent public meetings.
“It got more people involved in the process,” he said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 June 2024 at 8:43 am
‘Sammy the Stone Snake’ makes debut at Patterson Park behind Post Office
Photos courtesy of Katherine Kage
LYNDONVILLE – Kids and other Lyndonville community members painted stones on Wednesday and they were lined up to form “Sammy the Stone Snake” in Patterson Park behind the Post Office.
“Similar to the shoe tree, we want to see how large we can make the snake!” said Darlene Hartway, who runs the Webber Café on Main Street where many of the stones were painted.
Hartway is also director of the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce. She invites the community to add more painted stones to the snake to see how long it can get.
Darlene Hartway and Lyndonville Mayor John Belson are shown with the stone snake. Belson laid the headstone of the snake that was painted by Jeannie Goetze.
Kids and community members painted an additional 34 stones to get the snake started.
These kids paint stones at the Webber Café for the snake’s body.
There are signs at the entrance and in the park to direct people to the snake.
Lyndonville is also gearing up for a Retro-Fest and town-wide garage sale on Saturday, Aug. 3. People hosting a garage sale can get their sales listed on a map, both digital and printed for a small fee, Hartway said. Maps and URL codes will be given out that morning and during the day at the Webber Café.
