By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 June 2020 at 9:31 am
LYNDONVILLE – School district voters passed the school budget, approved funding for buses and the library, and also elected Jerod Thurber to the Board of Election.
The absentee ballots were counted on Tuesday. The district, like others in the state, didn’t do in-person voting due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The district had 581 people vote for the budget, compared to 159 during the last election on May 21,2019.
• School budget, approved with 432 in favor and 149 opposed: The $14,698,217 is up by $526,516, mainly due to increased bond payments. The budget increases the tax levy by 2 percent.
• Proposition #2, Yates Community Library, approved in 379-202 vote: The $108,873 for the library is up by $5,123 or 4.94 percent from the $103,750 in 2019-20.
• Proposition Transportation for bus purchase, approved 447-134: The district will spend up to $130,000 for a new 64-seat bus, using money from a transportation reserve fund. It will replace a bus No. 90 from 2010.
• Board of Education: There were five candidates for one seat on the Board of Education. Jerod Thurber was elected with 205 votes. Other candidates include incumbent Kelly Cousins, 186; Ralph Smith, 95; Ace Strickland, 48; and Jeanne Crane, 40.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 June 2020 at 3:55 pm
Students encouraged to decorate vehicles for ride through community
Photo from Lyndonville Central School: Some of the senior class members are pictured at a pep rally earlier this school year.
LYNDONVILLE — The school district is encouraging the Class of 2020 to decorate a vehicle for a post-graduation parade on June 26.
The parade will start at 8, following the online premiere of a video of graduation. Students have been recorded receiving their diplomas from school administrators.
The video will be available to watch online at 6:30 p.m. Seniors are encouraged to start arriving in the school parking lot at 7:45. Students should decorate their vehicles in black and orange before arriving to the parking lot. The students also are asked to display their name prominently on the passenger door.
The parade will begin at 8 p.m. Community members and families of the graduates are welcome to stand on the sidewalk or next to their vehicles to celebrate the senior class.
The parade route includes:
Head out on Housel Ave. and turn right onto Main St.
Go south on Main St. and turn left onto Lake Ave.
Continue east on Lake Ave. until it turns into Willowbrook Dr.
Head north on Willowbrook and then turn left onto Maple Ave.
Head west on Maple Ave. toward Main St.
Turn right onto Main St. and head north to Rt 18
Turn right onto Rt 18 and head east
Turn left onto Morrison Rd. and head north
Turn left on to Lakeshore Rd. and head west
Turn left onto Rt 63 and head south until Rt 18
Turn right onto Rt 18 and head west
Turn left onto Murdock Rd. and head south
Turn left onto Mill Rd. and head east
Turn left on to Marshall Rd. and head north
Turn right on to Angling Rd. head south until Postle Rd.
Turn left on Postle Rd. and head east toward Rt 63
Turn left on to Rt 63 and head north
Turn right onto South Townline Rd.
Head east to Swett Rd. and head south to Ridge Rd.
Turn left onto Ridge Rd. and head east to Oregon Rd.
Turn left onto Oregon Rd. and head north to Rutherford Rd.
Turn right onto Rutherford Rd. and head east to Oak Orchard River Rd.
Turn left onto Oak Orchard River Rd. head north to Townline Rd.
Turn right onto Townline Rd. and head south to Ridge Rd.
Turn left onto Ridge Rd. heading east to Kenyonville Rd.
Turn left onto Kenyonville Rd. and head north. Cross the Kenyonville Bridge to Oak Orchard River Rd.
Turn left onto Oak Orchard River Rd. head south
Stay right and head west on Platten Rd head west until Townline Rd.
Turn right onto Townline Rd. head north until Alps Rd.
Turn left onto Alps Rd. head west until Goodwin Rd.
Turn left onto Goodwin Rd. and head south until Platten Rd.
Turn left onto Platten Rd. and head west to Maple Ave.
Continue west on Maple Ave. until Main St.
Turn right onto Main St. head north to Housel Ave.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 10 June 2020 at 9:29 am
Hope Resales rearranges store to allow more social distancing
Provided photos: Some of the baby clothes donated to Lyndonville United Methodist Church’s thrift shop are on display in the Fellowship Hall, waiting for the store’s opening on Wednesday. All are priced at 25 or 50 cents.
LYNDONVILLE – Hope Resales, the community thrift shop run by the Lyndonville United Methodist Church, will reopen today, after being closed for nearly three months due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Ruth Hedges, who was instrumental in starting the thrift shop in March 2019, said they are excited to see their customers and be open for business again, although it will not be “business as usual.”
Ruth Hedges has Hopes Resales ready for today’s reopening.
In keeping with government regulations on reopening in light of the virus, the store has been totally cleaned and disinfected. Hedges has purchased new, longer racks to create more room in the aisles, allowing for social distancing. The store has been painted and merchandise rearranged.
Customers will be limited to eight in the store at a time. As per Health Department recommendations, parents are asked not to bring children, due to sanitary concerns. Everyone will be required to wear a mask and use hand sanitizer at the door. For anyone who doesn’t have a mask, one will be provided.
Hedges asks anyone who doesn’t feel good or has tested positive for the coronavirus to please not visit the store. She also said anyone with a medical condition who is fearful of visiting the store while it is open may call her at (585) 866-9133 to set up a private appointment.
Hedges said they were fortunate to have ample merchandise in stock, although they are in need of good summer clothing, especially children and women’s shorts, as well as small appliances and other household products.
They do have to limit donations, however, as they do not have room to store things.
Another improvement is obtaining a credit card machine. While they haven’t received it yet, Hedges said she thinks it will contribute to increased sales.
They have also added a corner for antiques. Hedges was able to sell some antique blue Currier and Ives china in the Grist Mill pattern online. She said they still have a few pieces left.
She added they have also been blessed with an enormous donation of beautiful baby clothes in sizes 0 to 24 months. All are priced at 25 to 50 cents, and because there are so many, they are on display in the Fellowship Hall.
Household goods are neatly displayed at Hope Resales in the Lyndonville United Methodist Church, which will reopen from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. today.
When the thrift shop opened, it was their goal to serve God’s people, at home and abroad, Hedges said. Its name was taken from Scripture in Romans 12:9-13, which talks about hope and helping others.
Due to a very successful first year they contributed half of their net proceeds to the church and the other half to mission projects. These included donations to Care Net, Ministry of Concern and Camp Rainbow. Every month, except during the pandemic-caused closing, they donate $200 to the Lyndonville Food Pantry. They also sponsored a Cuban Methodist minister and her family at $150 a month and supported a young girl from Buffalo in her mission journey.
“We haven’t been able to do any mission work while our income was shut off,” Hedges said. “So we will be happy to get back to our missions.”
Store hours will be 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. today and continuing every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Additional hours will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursdays.
Hope Resales in located in basement of the Lyndonville United Methodist Church at 102 North Main St.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 June 2020 at 12:59 pm
District also approves tenure for teachers, principal
LYNDONVILLE – The district announced its educator of the year during Monday’s Board of Education meeting.
Bliss Thurber, a sixth grade teacher, will receive the honor and will be recognized at a future Board of Education meeting when the restrictions on crowd sizes are increased. Right now, the meetings are limited to no more than 10 people.
“Bliss is truly an exceptional teacher and is known for creativity, innovation, and will be receiving a $1,000 grant from the District for a special project in her classroom,” said Jason Smith, the district superintendent.
Thurber has utilized technology in her classroom, and also is co-leader of the AVID program for grades kindergarten through 6.
• RETIREES – The district also announced four staff members are retiring: Diane Thurber, clerical; Nikki Robison, teacher aid; Kathy Payne, bus driver; and Dave Balcer, director of Buildings and Grounds.
“We thank each of these retirees for their dedicated service to our community and district, and I look forward to recognizing them at a future Board of Education meeting,” Smith said.
• TENURE – The Board of Education approved tenure for the following: Paula Bachman, math teacher; Cassandra Fleck, school counselor; Jenna Goheen, elementary education; Amy Kingsbury, elementary education; Amanda LeClair, art teacher; Shane Phillips, health education; Alisha Schwarzott, English Language Arts teacher; Elissa Smith, elementary principal.
• MEMORIAL TREE – The district also accepted a $500 donation from Roger Miller to plant a flowering cherry tree in memory of Charles Prahler, who passed away on April 15. Prahler, 95, was an active member of the community, including with the Lyndonville Lions Club.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 June 2020 at 11:21 am
Board member doesn’t want students to be ‘guinea pigs’ if new Covid-19 vaccine becomes available
LYNDONVILLE — The Board of Education decided to table a policy for 2020-21 that would require all students to have mandated immunizations.
The district this school year adopted a policy, following the state’s lead, that no longer allows religious exemptions for required vaccines. Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed that bill last July, repealing religious exemptions for required vaccines.
The Lyndonville Board of Education on Monday was set to vote on the policy again, but board member Vern Fonda said he is concerned the state may require districts to have all students take a Covid-19 vaccine. That vaccine isn’t available yet.
Fonda said he is concerned there could be unknown ill-effects with that new vaccine, if it becomes available.
“I don’t want my children or children of my friends to be guinea pigs for the Covid-19 vaccine,” Fonda said during Monday’s meeting.
Other board members agreed to hold off on adopting the policy, to see if the state provides any direction on the issue.
The only accepted exemption now for students from immunizations is a valid medical reason where a doctor certifies that a vaccine may be detrimental to a child’s health.
For children without a valid medical exemption, they can remain in school for 14 days at the start of the school year, to give them time to provide evidence of the required immunizations. An out-of-county or out-of-state transferee has 30 days to provide the district with evidence of the mandated immunizations, according to the district policy.
Photos courtesy of Lyndonville school district: Isabella Carrasquillo gets a horse-and-ride to the school last Friday when the district presented her and her 44 other classmates with her diplomas. Her family arranged for the carriage ride.
Posted 8 June 2020 at 9:13 am
Press Release, Lyndonville Central School
Class President Faith Chaffee shared a message with her classmates: “Congratulations Class of 2020! Even though this wasn’t how we dreamed graduation would be, we made the best of it. I wish you the best of luck in your futures endeavors.”
LYNDONVILLE – Lyndonville Central School began their personalized graduation ceremonies on Friday for each of their 45 graduates.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the strict restrictions in place by the CDC, the Class of 2020 was unable to have a traditional graduation ceremony. After weeks of meeting, researching and planning, the officers of the Class of 2020, parent advisory panel and school administrators decided to create a personalized graduation ceremony for each senior that was videoed and will be shared through YouTube.
In cap and gown, each senior walked into the Stroyan Auditorium to the sounds of Pomp and Circumstance. Select family members watched with pride as their child was welcomed by Superintendent Jason Smith, High School Principal Dr. Aaron Slack and a representative from the Lyndonville Board of Education. Dr. Slack provided a highly personalized speech for each senior reflecting on special moments throughout high school.
“After working with most of these young people for the past six years, it was a rare opportunity to share the many reflections and memories acquired along their pathway toward graduation,” said Principal Slack. “This was not something that a traditional graduation ceremony affords. I will carry many found memories of the Class of 2020 and wish them the very best in their future endeavors.”
After the ceremony, the graduate and family were able to have pictures taken by a professional photographer. Each graduate was given a personalized cookie from Case-Nic Cookies and a wrapped gift from Superintendent Smith. Graduates were told to open the gift following the superintendent’s speech that will be shared during the full gradation video to be aired on June 26 at 6:30 p.m. This video will include speeches from the Class President Faith Chaffee, Valedictorian Oskar Heinsler, Salutatorian Evan Horn and school administrators. A link to view the video will be provided on the district’s website prior to June 26.
Johnathan Slingerland was joined by his family during the diploma presentation last Friday.
Following the June 26 Graduation Ceremony video, the district will be holding a vehicle parade so the community can honor and celebrate with the Class of 2020. This event will be coordinated with local officials and all participants and spectators must follow the social distancing requirements. A parade map and additional information on this event will be posted on the district’s website.
“This was an extremely special and personalized day for each graduate and their family, and I was honored to be a part of,” said Superintendent Jason Smith. “Thanks to our senior class officers, parent advisory panel and my graduation staff for their exceptional leadership in planning the event. We look forward to premiering our entire graduation on June 26 and hope the community will join us for the vehicle parade to honor the Class of 2020.”
Dr. Aaron Slack, high school principal, offered a personalized speech for each graduate, including Danielle Weldon.
Alyssa Winder was among the graduates in cap and gown on Friday. A video of ceremony will be shown on June 26, when there will be a vehicle parade with graduates after a video of the ceremony starting at 6:30 p.m.
LYNDONVILLE – The Town of Yates regrets to announce the cancellation of the 2020 Summer Recreation Program due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Town wants to thank the many supporters of this program, including the Village of Lyndonville, the Lyndonville Area Foundation, the Lyndonville Central School District and the United Way.
The Town looks forward to offering the program again in the Summer of 2021.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 May 2020 at 11:19 am
Photos courtesy of Steve Goodrich
LYNDONVILLE – The American flag is lowered at Lynhaven Cemetery in Lyndonville on Memorial Day.
It was a quieter Memorial Day observance in Lyndonville on Monday with no parade or official ceremony.
But the local American Legion Post and other community members honored the sacrifice of soldiers.
At Veterans Park, the Houseman-Tanner American Legion Post 1603 set up a POW/MIA table in front of Lyndonville’s Veterans Park.
Joseph Hausler, Adjutant of the Houseman-Tanner Post, played Taps. Steve Goodrich, the Post Commander, also was present for the service where the names of people were read from Lyndonville who are currently serving in the military.
The Yates Community Library organized this display of American flags on the school grounds next to Johnson Creek.
“We hope you enjoy this time of reflection and thankfulness, remembering that Americans have endured obstacles and suffering in the past and have overcome these hurdles by sticking together to become the strong nation of communities that we are,” the library stated at the display.
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.”
