By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 March 2020 at 5:07 pm
Holley and Lyndonville school districts announced meals will continue to available to students even though school is closed for at least this week.
Lyndonville beginning on Tuesday will have grab-and-go breakfasts and lunches available for all Lyndonville students at no cost. Families may pick up meals via the drop-off loop off Housel Avenue on the campus. If families have transportation needs or questions, call 765-3101 or email Llamay@lcsdk12.org.
Holley Central School will provide meals and have them available for pick up at the Holley Elementary School bus loop and four other locations in the community – Clarendon Town Hall, Thomas Estates (bus stop loop), County Line Trailer Park (Gulf Road & County Line Road) and the Fancher-Hulberton-Murray Fire Hall.
The meals are expected to be available beginning on Wednesday. Holley parents and guardians are asked to fill out a short online form or call the school district’s food service director, Vickie Scroger, at (585) 638-6318 x2566.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 March 2020 at 8:20 am
LYNDONVILLE – The school district has cancelled or postponed several programs, due to concerns about the spreading coronavirus.
Jason Smith, the school district superintendent, advised the community of the following cancellations: LCS Pickup Soccer, Lyndonville Youth Baseball/Softball Camp, AGOGE Wrestling Club, Lyndonville Youth Baseball Organization, Town of Yates Men’s Basketball, and the Spring Fling Daddy/Daughter Dance has been postponed until April 24.
“Please stay tuned for future announcements regarding upcoming events,” Smith said in message on the district website.
‘No plans to close school at this time’
Smith also wrote this letter to the Lyndonville community:
“We are continuing to monitor the Novel Coronavirus. As a district, we have been working together to discuss strategies on how to best keep our students, staff and families healthy during this emerging public health situation.
“According to the New York Governor, the decision to close a school is made locally with the guidance of the Orleans County Health Department. While there are no plans to close school at this time, we recommend that families begin to prepare for childcare in case closures become a reality.
“As a district, we have begun to develop a plan for extended school closings. Our instruction office, technology, transportation department and food service are collaborating on how to ensure the continuation of instruction and services in the event of closing.
“At this time, there are no confirmed cases in Orleans County.
“However, due to the rapid spread of the Coronavirus, the state and health department recommend that restrictions be placed on large group gatherings. Therefore, select cancellations and postponements may be needed.
“We are all working to navigate unknown situations.
“I ask that you check our district website regularly for updates. Please know the health and safety of our students and staff will continue to be the priority in all decisions we make.”
Photos by Tom Rivers: Yates town officials on Thursday passed a resolution opposing the governor’s proposed Article 23 for siting large-scale solar and wind energy projects. Pictured form left include Town Board members Harold Suhr and Susan Hrovat, Town Clerk Michele Harling, Town Supervisor Jim Simon, and Town Board members John Riggi and Jim Whipple.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 March 2020 at 9:46 am
YATES – The Town Board is sending a message to Albany that it doesn’t want the state to take more control over siting large-scale solar and wind energy projects.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Feb. 21 announced Article 23 in a budget amendment. The governor wants to speed up the review of energy projects and give the state more authority in siting projects which can currently take years to get through local and state approvals, often with stiff opposition from the local communities.
Cuomo wants to ensure that complete applications are acted upon within one year, except in the case of certain former commercial and industrial sites, which will be reviewed within six months.
John Riggi said the governor’s proposal needs to be defeated or else communities will see an erosion of local control.
Cuomo proposed creating a new Office of Renewable Energy Permitting to improve and streamline the process for siting of large-scale renewable energy projects. The governor said the projects deliver significant benefits to local communities.
Yates town officials see the governor’s proposal as an attack on home rule, with a loss of local control.
“This completely takes the town out of the process,” said Town Councilman John Riggi.
The Yates Town Board unanimously passed a resolution opposing the governor’s proposed Article 23. The resolution states Yates has a comprehensive plan for land use and local zoning laws to guide residential and commercial development.
“The Article 23 Amendment, if passed, would greatly limit the role of local zoning laws, avoid critical reviews of local environmental conditions requiring mitigation, allow the State to take certain lands through eminent domain and make them available to developers for construction of power plants, and limit a town’s taxation and assessment powers,” the resolution states.
The Barre Town Board approved a similar resolution on Wednesday. Barre and Yates both are eyed for large-scale wind turbine projects. A company also is proposing an 1,800-acre solar project in Barre and Shelby.
Yates is asking the governor to withdraw Amendment 23, which Cuomo proposed after state hearings in January.
Yates town officials said the proposal skirted the normal legislative process. Such a significant change in how the state sites energy projects shouldn’t be adopted as a budget amendment, Yates Town Supervisor Jim Simon said.
If the amendment is approved, the Yates resolution also states the town won’t provide its local resources or cooperation towards approval, administration and enforcement of any permits issued through Article 23.
Town Board members Jim Whipple and Susan Hrovat said the town still needs to follow state laws, even if legislation is passed that so board members don’t agree with. Whipple also had concerns with declaring the town an “Article 23 Sanctuary Town.”
Councilman Riggi said Yates was using some of the governor’s own language with that declaration.
“I think we’re being a little dramatic with ‘sanctuary town,’” Whipple said.
Resident Agnes Recco told the board she thought they were being disrespectful to the governor, especially when moments earlier the board voted to accept a state grant for more than $2 million to upgrade the town park.
“I’m objecting to you bashing the governor,” Recco said.
Town Supervisor Jim Simon said the board is sending a message over policy to the governor. Simon said he may disagree with Cuomo “100 percent” on Article 23, but the town supervisor still supports Cuomo, especially as he leads the state’s response efforts to the coronavirus.
“I pray for him,” Simon said at the Town Board meeting. “This is a tough situation we’re in. There needs to be a lot more respect for leaders.”
Simon urged residents to check in on elderly shut-ins and be good neighbors while social activities are curtailed with the coronavirus response.
LYNDONVILLE – Students may now take their driver’s permit knowledge test online at Lyndonville Central School through the New York State DMV-certified program.
The purpose of the program is to drastically reduce the time spent by students and parents at the DMV office.
This opportunity is offered free of charge to students who are within two months of their 16th birthday and are currently enrolled, and in good standing, at Lyndonville High School. All training materials and forms are provided free of charge by the DMV. After passing the online exam, the students who are at least 16 years of age will then be able to take the receipt and completed forms to the DMV to get their permit processed.
Jason Barnum, Lyndonville’s School Resource Officer, was selected by the administration to research, start and proctor this program. For more information on the online permit testing program, contact Officer Barnum at jason.barnum@orleanscountyny.gov. To register for the test, contact Lyndonville’s main office at 585-765-3162.
Press Release, Yates Town Supervisor Jim Simon and Somerset Town Supervisor Jeff Dewart
File photo by Tom Rivers: This photo from Oct. 14, 2015 shows some of the 400-foot-high turbines in Sheldon, Wyoming County.
The Town of Somerset (Niagara County) and the Town of Yates (Orleans County) are adamantly opposed to Governor Cuomo’s attempt – under the guise of a last-minute amendment to the state budget process referred to as Article 23 – to accelerate renewable energy development at the expense of our towns, our citizens and our environment.
Towns, citizens, environmental groups, developers and state agencies have operated for almost a decade under Article 10 (the current siting law), so one wonders what changed now that the existing process is hitting its stride. Lord Acton’s quote comes to mind, “All power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” This is a power grab, pure and simple.
Article 23, should lawmakers accept it, is sweeping in its scope and changes all aspects of how power plant siting (including industrial scale wind and solar projects) are permitted and approved. It eliminates the role of local zoning laws, allows for eminent domain takings of land, guts critical environmental review, and limits a town’s taxation and assessment powers and ability to negotiate host community agreements.
The proposed changes are inconsistent with our NY State Constitution’s Home Rule provisions and removes all local land-use control for power plants, transmission lines, and battery storage projects greater than 10 mega-watts in size. This is achieved through broadening the definition of an “unreasonably burdensome” local law to mean inconsistent with Cuomo’s energy goals.
The proposed changes will result in financial benefits to out-of-state energy developers at the expense of local governments and citizens. The changes will authorize the state (rather than the counties, towns and school districts) to cap PILOTs (payments in-lieu of taxes), to standardize the methodology for assessing property values with wind and solar energy facilities, and to create generic permitting conditions that could eliminate a municipality’s ability to identify and study the local conditions and problems that may require mitigation.
The proposed changes will alienate local constituents by excluding them from the siting process entirely. Individuals and public interest groups would be excluded from the Article 23 Siting Proceeding. This is a complete reversal of one of Article 10’s primary goals, which is to facilitate meaningful public participation in the siting process.
The proposed changes will exempt developers from a rigorous review of local environmental impacts through reliance on state-wide, yet-to-be-determined conditions and automatic approval provisions.
The most egregious proposed change? Once the application is deemed complete by the newly established Office of Renewable Energy Siting (ORES), the ORES will have one year to issue a final decision. If the ORES fails to make a decision in one year, then the siting permit will be “deemed to have been granted.” That’s right, this means that if the ORES (read: the state) doesn’t do its job then the project is automatically approved.
Ultimately, state lawmakers should realize that voting to jettison Article 10 and to force Article 23 into law is an unconscionable power grab and will result in numerous obstacles by picking winners and losers among developers and creating new agencies, staffing, rulemaking and, inevitably, litigation.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 February 2020 at 3:28 pm
The state has approved projects for two school districts in Orleans County in the latest round of funding through the Smart Schools Bond Act.
Lyndonville was approved to spend $89,900 for classroom technology while Medina was approved for $339,234 in high-tech security.
The money is available through a $2 billion Smart Schools Bond Act, which was passed by NY voters in 2014.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo today announced the approval of 133 Smart Schools Investment Plans aimed at improving school security and reimagining teaching and learning for the 21st century. The approved plans, totaling $110.7 million, will help ensure safety, modernize classrooms across New York State, and equip students with the skills they need to thrive in the global economy, Cuomo said.
The funding approved by the state in the latest round of Smarts Schools projects includes $19.0 million for school connectivity, $9,600 for community connectivity, $24.8 million for classroom technology, $3.1 million for Pre-K classrooms, $10.9 million to replace TCUs (Transportable Classroom Units), $51.5 million for high-tech security and $1.4 million for non-public schools.
In Orleans County, the five school districts were approved for about $7 million combined in technology aid as part of the $2 billion Smart Schools Bond Act. The state breaks that down to $2,238,441 for Albion; $1,311,463 for Holley; $967,959 for Kendall; $733,151 for Lyndonville; and $2,000,222 for Medina.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 February 2020 at 1:37 pm
Jade Moore, 15, has struggled with neurological disorder the past 5 years
Photos by Tom Rivers: Jade Moore, 15, looks forward to having a seizure alert response dog. Jade has been taken by ambulance from school after having seizures.
LYNDONVILLE – Jade Moore has to be careful around loud noises, and bright and flashing lights – which are often unpredictable. She never knows what will trigger an epileptic seizure.
Provided photo: Roman is a seizure alert response dog that graduates in June from a training program by Canines 4 Hope in Palm Beach, Fla.
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, 15 is a sophomore 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.
“It scares me because she can’t be left alone,” said Jade’s mother, Elizabeth.
Jade has suffered from epileptic seizures for at least five years. She may have had mini-seizures when she was younger than 10, but Jade and her family didn’t realize it.
But when she was 10, cheerleading at a Medina youth football game at Vets Park, the condition couldn’t be ignored.
She was on the sideline, rooting for the football team when she started twitching and lost her balance. Her arms and legs were shaking, and everything seemed to be spinning.
The seizures have been increasing since then. Jade has suffered two concussions from falling and hitting her head 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.
Elizabeth Moore wears this shirt as the mother of a daughter with epilepsy.
The family is optimistic help is on the way. Roman, a German shepherd, is being trained as a seizure alert dog. Roman completes his training in June and is expected to join the family in July. The family has raised $4,000 towards the $18,000 cost. They are seeking help to meet the expense. They have started a Go Fund Me and will be selling candy bars as a fundraiser. Insurance doesn’t cover the cost for the alert dog.
Moore is determined to get Jade the dog. Moore has been gladly taking overtime shifts at Mizkan, a vinegar plant in Lyndonville, to help pay for the dog.
Her daughter has been more withdrawn socially since the seizures increased and became more intense. She is sensitive to people staring at her when she has a seizure and her eyes roll back in her head.
Roman the dog will be able to detect Jade’s odor, which secretes when she has a seizure. Roman will be trained to wake up Elizabeth or a sibling if Jade is having a seizure at night.
The trainers have been sent clothes with Jade’s scent. Near the end of the dog’s training, Jade will go to Florida to spend a week with the dog as the last step in the training.
Jade has had to back off some of her extracurricular activities due to the seizures. She looks forward to being more active at school and the community once she has Roman by her side. Next school year, Jade is planning to enroll at the Orleans-Niagara BOCES to study cosmetology.
Her mother said Jade has been courageous in coping with the condition.
“She’s a tough kid,” Moore said. “She can handle a lot more than most children can handle.”
Jade Moore is pictured with some of her family members, including Ilana Shapiro, mother Elizabeth Moore, Jade, brother David Moore and brother Gauge Moore.
Provided photo: Lyndonville opened its expanded PreK program last week at the former elementary school on Main Street.
Press Release, Lyndonville Central School
LYNDONVILLE – Lyndonville Central School’s newly expanded Pre-Kindergarten program officially opened at its Main Street campus on Feb. 10.
Through a grant received from the NYS Department of Education, the district was able to expand the hours of its current program for 4-year-olds and initiate a new program for 3-year-olds.
Students engage in singing, art projects, dramatic and constructive play and early literacy and math learning. They are developing important skills including sharing and following routines, interacting with peers, controlling emotions and engaging in meaningful relationships with peers and adults. Breakfast and lunch are served within the classrooms, and students have rest-time each day.
To accommodate this expansion, the Pre-K program was moved to the former elementary school. The district partnered with the YMCA to staff and run the program for 3-year-olds. As part of this partnership, the YMCA leases the space from the district, which helps off-set the general operating expenses.
The district currently has two classrooms for 4-year-olds and one for 3-year-olds. Each class is set-up for a day of educational fun. An age-appropriate gymnasium with play equipment was created, and a large library was set up on the second floor.
“The students are enjoying their time at school,” said Dr. Elissa Smith, Elementary Principal. “We transitioned slowly, allowing all current Pre-K students to meet and interact with new staff in the new space prior to adjusting to a full-day. This allowed students to become comfortable in the new space, prior to making other changes. The transition was very smooth, thanks to all of the pre- planning and help from our staff.”
Smith explained that the benefits of an expanded Pre-K program for the community are both immediate and long term. Children have access to social-emotional skill building and early literacy and math skills in an interactive play-based learning environment that supports early learning standards. It helps families through providing safe and appropriate full-day programming for their children.
“All of us involved in the expanded Pre-K program look forward to following these children as they grow to see the future social and academic implications for primary and elementary grades and beyond,” said Dr. Smith.
The district currently has two spaces available for 4-year-olds this school year and is accepting applications the 2020-21 school year for children who will be 3 or 4 by Dec. 1, 2020. Pre- registration forms are due by April 1. A lottery will be held if requests received by April 1 exceed capacity.
Additional information, including registration, can be found on the district’s website or by contacting the Elementary Office at 585-765-3122.
LYNDONVILLE – Members of the Houseman-Tanner American Legion Post 1603 announced the delegate and alternates for the 2020 Boys’ State program at Morrisville State College from June 28 to July 3.
Pictured from left include Steve Goodrich, Commander Post 1603; Hayden Arlington, 2020 delegate; Isaac Becker, alternate; Jacob Corser, alternate; and Joseph Hausler, Adjutant for Post 1603.
An alternate can go if the delegate is unable to, or if a delegate from another community has to back out of the week.
American Legion Boys’ State is a week-long program that immerses high school youth in citizenship and leadership training. They learn the practical aspects of government as it exists in New York State, and come to recognize that the individual is integral to the character and success of government. They also participate in physical fitness, teamwork and other activities, under the guidance of American Legion counselors and U.S. Marines.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 February 2020 at 9:41 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
LYNDONVILLE – The Senior High Chorus sings “Three Madrigals” this afternoon during the Orleans County All-County Music Festival at Stroyan Auditorium in Lyndonville.
There were 82 students in the chorus from the five school districts in Orleans County – Albion, Holley, Kendall, Lyndonville and Medina.
The chorus was led by Dr. Daniel David Black, the assistant professor of vocal music & conducting and director of choral activities at Houghton College. He served as guest conductor for the All-County Music Festival, which is organized by the Orleans County Music Educators Association.
There were 270 students from the five districts selected for the music festival, with 112 in the elementary chorus, 76 in the junior high band and 82 in the high school chorus.
The festival was hindered by a snow on Friday for all five districts. That meant that couldn’t rehearse the day before the concert.
Many of the students received the music a month earlier and worked with their district music teachers on the learning the notes and rhythms. They then rehearsed for the first time together as a group this morning.
The high school chorus was accompanied by Jeremy Rath, a Kendall music teacher.
The high school chorus sang Three Madrigals, How Can I Keep From Singing, Sing Me to Heaven, and Praise His Holy Name.
The junior high band performed Letchworth Fanfare, On a Hymnsong of Philip Bass, and Eagle Mountain Overture.
Dr. Timothy McGarvey, professor of conducting, director of instrumental activities and the wind ensemble director at Houghton College, was guest conductor of the junior high band.
Photos courtesy of Jen Trupo: Evee Heinsler danced during the elementary chorus’s performance of Dance of the Willows. This was taken during rehearsal.
The elementary chorus was led by guest conductor James DesJardins, a music teacher at Frontier Central School. The group sang The Sailor, The Vine and Fig Tree, Dance of the Willow, and Seed to Sow.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 February 2020 at 5:10 pm
LFD honors other members for dedicated service
Photos by Tom Rivers: Wes Bradley, center, receives citations from State Assemblyman Steve Hawley, left, and State Sen. Robert Ortt on Saturday when Bradley was recognized as Lyndonville’s firefighter of the year.
LYNDONVILLE – The Lyndonville Fire Department on Saturday honored Wes Bradley as its firefighter of the year for 2019.
Bradley, a retired middle school science teacher at Lyndonville, remains an active firefighter, responding to about 50 calls a year. Bradley also serves as the department’s chaplain.
“He does everything very professional,” Fire Chief Ben Bane said. “As chaplain, he is always there to comfort members when we have bad calls.”
Last year the department responded to 200 calls, including a fatal fire.
Bradley, 71, joined the department in August 1979 when he moved to Lyndonville to work as a teacher. He was about 30 at the time.
He was inspired by his father’s example. Ray Bradley volunteered for more than 30 years as a firefighter in Canton, NY.
“I saw my father volunteering and it was something I always wanted to do,” Bradley said on Saturday at the Carlton Recreation Hall, where Lyndonville had its annual awards and installation banquet.
Lyndonville Fire Chief Ben Bane, right, presents the Firefighter of the Year award to Wes Bradley, who remains an active firefighter at age 71.
Bradley, after years as an interior firefighter, continues as an exterior firefighter and with the fire police on traffic control. He also goes on EMS calls. He isn’t an EMT but he said it is comforting for many residents to see their neighbors in the fire service respond to the calls.
“I enjoy serving the community,” Bradley said. “The community has been good to me. I can give a little bit back.”
Bradley also is a member of the Lyndonville Lions Club and is a girls soccer referee for Section VI.
The Fire Department presented other awards on Saturday for 2019, including:
Fire President’s Award – Gary White (right), president of the Lyndonville Fire Department, presented the President’s Award to Pete Kage, who responded to 84 calls last year. He also has been an active member for five years.
“This is a person who does a lot for the department but doesn’t get much credit,” White said.
Chief’s Award – Fire Chief Ben Bane announced the Chief’s Award is going to John Flanagan, a long-time member currently battling cancer. Flanagan also was recognized for reaching 15 years of service with the department. Flanagan was unable to attend the banquet.
“Before his illness he would do anything to help out,” Bane said.
Auxiliary President’s Award – Nicole Kistner, Auxiliary President, presented the award to Anna Schuner, who has been a member of the Auxiliary for 15 years, and is the current treasurer. She is also an active firefighter and is an officer as the EMS lieutenant.
Top Five responders – These five firefighters responded to the most calls in 2019: 137, Mike Heideman; 108, Ken Starr; 106 Harold Scribner; 84 Pete Kage; and 76, TJ Heideman.
Service Awards – Some members were also recognized for reaching milestones in years of service. Jim Scharlau, right, is congratulated on 40 years of service by State Assemblyman Steve Hawley.
Other firefighters who were recognized with service awards include: 5 years, Pete Kage; 10 years, Pam Durow; and 15 years, John Flanagan.
Auxiliary members with service awards include: 5 years, Pam Durow, Cheryl Mapes and Taylor Piskorowski; 15 years, Anna Schuner; and 20 years, Vicky Bane.
The fire department swore in new officers and leaders for 2020. They are shown taking the oath of office, which was administered by Dale Banker, director of the Orleans County Emergency Management Office.
Fire Officers include: Chief, Ben Bane; First Assistant Chief, Mike Heideman; Second Assistant Chief, Steve Bane Jr.; Fire Captain, TJ Heideman; Fire Lieutenant, Danny Woodward; EMS Captain, Wally Snyder; EMS Lieutenant, Anna Schuner; Fire Police Captain, Bruce Fumia; and Chaplain, Wes Bradley.
The Fire Executive Officers members include: President, Gary White; Secretary, Peter Kage; and Treasurer, Jim Wells. Board of directors include Kenny Starr, 3-year term; Keith Weaver, 2-year term; and Mike Tabor, 1-year term.
Fire Company Auxiliary Officers include: President, Nicole Kistner; Vice President, Cheryl Mapes; Secretary, Cindy Grabowski; and Treasurer, Anna Schuner.
The group is gathered at the Carlton Rec Hall for dinner and the annual awards and installation.
LYNDONVILLE – The Lyndonville Central School District is currently accepting applications for the 4th Annual Educator of the Year Award, to be named in June 2020.
Parents, students, and community members are eligible to nominate a Lyndonville educator for this special honor. Applications need to be submitted by Feb. 7.
The Educator of the Year will also receive a $1,000 grant to be used for special programming in his or her department or grade level.
John Bailey, an elementary music teacher, was the first recipient of the award in 2017, second grade teacher Shannon Arlington was the second recipient, and Math teacher Jeff Qamoos was honored last year.
Nominees for the award must have completed at least four years of teaching at Lyndonville.
Nominees should also:
• Be an exceptionally dedicated, knowledgeable, and skilled teacher;
• Inspire students of all backgrounds and abilities to learn;
• Have a strong sense of values, integrity and professional ethics;
• Actively collaborate with colleagues, administration, parents and families;
• Demonstrate innovative 21st century skills and continuing professional growth;
• Have the respect and admiration of students, parents, and colleagues;
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 19 January 2020 at 10:25 am
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Ruth Hedges arranges merchandise in the newly expanded room of Hope Resales, the thrift shop she helped start at the Lyndonville United Methodist Church last March. The shop has become so successful they had to expand into another room in the basement of the church. Hedges said recent national surveys have shown more people are shopping in thrift stores.
Shoppers are setting a new trend in America, with more people buying at thrift stores.
A report by ThredUp said the resale market continues to grow at a rate expected to reach $51 billion by 2023. In fact the trend is becoming so popular, traditional department stores like Macy’s and JCPenney have started to team up with ThredUp to sell thrift finds in select stores.
Not only are they finding fine quality merchandise at drastically reduced prices, but the money spent at thrift stores usually goes to helping worthy causes in their communities.
Such is the case with the MAAC Thrift Depot in Medina, Community Action’s Main Street Store in Albion and Hope Resales in Lyndonville.
Annually, MAAC donates about $35,000 to local organizations such as Community Action, Vacation Bible School, Long Point Camp, Boy Scouts in Medina, Medina Police Department, Aglow, Orleans County Christian School, Hands 4 Hope, scholarships for Medina High School seniors, Oak Orchard Bike Rodeo, missions of local churches, fire victims, Tricounty Clergy Fellowship Workshop, Praising Kids Preschool, Senior Citizens of Western Orleans, Hospice, war orphans, GCASA roller skating, Christian Bowhunters, postage for Christmas Shoebox project, Medina National Honor Society veterans’ dinner, Orleans Recovery Hope, Parade of Lights, Veterans’ Christmas project, PACT, Empire State Special Olympics, MOPS, Orleans County Sheriff’s Department, Orleans County Summer Recreation Program, Camp Rainbow and National Night Out.
Photo by Tom Rivers: Community Action of Orleans & Genesee opened of the Main Street Thrift Store in October 2014 at the former American Legion at 131 South Main St.
The Main Street Store in Albion has targeted their profits for a job training program. Michelle George oversees the store at the former American Legion building. The store is a public resource for quality, gently pre-owned merchandise and apparel, and is a designated job skill training site for the community.
The profits from the store allow them to offer enrollment for “on the job” retail training, as well as partner with several local agencies for referrals. Store merchandise is donated and all proceeds from sales support employment services, including resumes, internet job searching, interview techniques, business and retail training and business communications. On completion of training, the store assists participants with job searches, work apparel (Dress for Success project) and references.
Hope Resales in Lyndonville has only been open about 10 months, yet sales have exceeded all expectations, said Ruth Hedges, one of the active volunteers who run the site.
Donations also have been so abundant the Lyndonville United Methodist Church has had to expand into another room in the basement.
During the past year, Hope Resales has given monetary donations not only to the church, but to Lyndonville Fire Department, Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern, Camp Rainbow, Lyndonville Food Pantry, Care Net of Orleans, Lockport Cares Homeless Shelter, Hospice of Orleans and to a young missionary who traveled to India. They also are sponsoring on a monthly basis a United Methodist minister and her family in Cuba.
Photo by Ginny Kropf: he MAAC Clothing Depot moved from a spot in the former Medina High School to the former Mic-Jac store at the corner of Starr and Orient streets in July 2018. The new home has more space to display and sell merchandise.
In addition, Hope Resales has been able to provide free clothing to several families in need, who have been referred to the store, Hedges said.
Hedges quoted a study by The Wall Street Journal, in which they reported more than half of respondents said they would consider gifting second-hand presents, while 56 percent said they would welcome thrifted gifts.
Whether it’s called a thrift shop, second-hand store or consignment shop, Hedges shared several reasons for shopping at a thrift store.
They include supporting a charitable cause, saving money, reducing waste and helping to save the environment, obtaining gently or never used items at a bargain, acquiring hard-to-find items one might only use occasionally, discovering a hidden treasure and buying something you forgot on vacation without paying full price.
Hope Resales is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday and Friday and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. A new feature is offering one-half off select merchandise in the store on the last Wednesday of every month. Other sales can be found on their Facebook page during the month.
The MAAC Thrift Depot moved into new quarters in the summer of 2018. They are located at the corner of Orient and Starr streets. Hours of operation are 9 a.m. to noon Monday and Thursday, 9 a.m. to noon and 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday and 10 a.m. to noon Saturday. The first Tuesday of each month is “one-half price day.”
Drop-off chutes for donations are located outside the building on Orient Street. MAAC accepts good, clean clothing; shoes and jewelry; clean household items in good condition, including small appliances and small furniture; books, toys and linens; DVDs and CDs; kitchen items and holiday decorations.
The Main Street Store is open from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday and from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
File photo: About 200 people attended a concert at the Yates Town Park by Lake Ontario in July 2014. The park is at the end of Morrison Road. The town was awarded a $2.5 million state grant for the park.
YATES – The Town of Yates is exploring how best to take advantage of the $2.531 million grant awarded for the Yates Town Park by the NY State Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative (REDI) Commission.
The REDI grant authorizes the Town of Yates to develop shoreline resiliency upgrades such as jetties, a kayak launch, and a safe harbor for watercraft, and to add park amenities such as a handicap-accessible playground, additional parking for cars and horse-drawn carriages, safety and security measures, a nature walkway, restrooms and a pavilion.
The Town of Yates was in the process of expending a $414,500 state grant for shoreline remediation caused by the 2017 flooding when the REDI Commission called for proposals in June for enhancing resiliency and economic development initiatives along the Lake Ontario shoreline due to additional flooding in 2019.
“This grant provides a much-needed shoreline resiliency upgrade and comes at a time when the Town of Yates is poised to take advantage of the fruits of multiple community-wide planning efforts to enhance the park experience for future generations,” said Jim Simon, Town Supervisor.
“The Town’s REDI grant application was based on ideas generated from the recently revised and adopted Yates-Lyndonville-Ridgeway-Medina-Shelby Western Orleans Comprehensive Plan, the ongoing Yates-Carlton-Kendall-Lyndonville Local Waterfront Revitalization Program revision efforts, and the work of the Yates Town Park Task Force,” Supervisor Simon said.
The Yates Town Park Task Force has met several times since June 2019 to help develop and refine the park proposal. Members include Russ Martino, Georgette Stockman, Paul Lauricella, Anne Marie Holland, Linda Fisk, Highway Superintendent Roger Wolfe, Town Engineer Jon Hinman (MRB Group), Councilman John Riggi, and Supervisor Jim Simon.
The goal of the task force is to make recommendations to the Town Board for final design and related suggestions. The final meeting of the Task Force is January 6 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Yates Town Hall at 8 South Main St. The meeting is open to the public but only Task Force members will participate, with an option for the public to ask questions once the meeting adjourns.
The Town of Yates is tentatively planning on a public forum followed by a public hearing on Feb. 10 at 7 p.m., at the Town Hall. Yates residents can get the latest updates about the park proposal on the town website (townofyates.org) and may submit ideas about the town park via email to jamesjsimon11@gmail.com.
The Yates Town Board will vote on the final design of the project no later than its March 12 board meeting in order to meet the REDI Commission grant acceptance deadline of March 16.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 December 2019 at 8:33 am
LYNDONVILLE – The school district was awarded $540,392 state grant this week to expand prekindergarten.
Lyndonville a decade ago started a half-day PreK program. The state funding will allow the district to expand the hours for 4-year-olds and also will allow Lyndonville to start a new program for 3-year-olds.
“It is such exciting news for us, and a phenomenal opportunity to support our community!” said Dr. Elissa Smith, the elementary school principal.
Lyndonville will be partnering with the Orleans County YMCA for the new program for 3-year-olds.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the funding for Lyndonville on Wednesday, as part of $15 million to 26 school districts.
“New York is making an unprecedented commitment to universal pre-kindergarten for children living in high-need and underserved school districts,” Cuomo said. “This funding will help ensure more children than ever before are able to attend pre-k and enjoy the proven benefits of early childhood education into adulthood.”
