By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 August 2016 at 12:16 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers Dan Fitzgerald, senior director of development for Apex Clean Energy, addresses the Orleans County Planning Board on Thursday.
ALBION – The Orleans County Planning Board is recommending the Town of Yates issue a variance and allow construction of a nearly 200-foot-high meteorological tower at the northeast corner of West Yates Center Road and Route 269.
Yates currently has a moratorium on wind energy projects, including Met towers. The Town Board will have a public hearing 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 8 at the Town Hall to consider if the town should allow a variance from the 180-day moratorium.
The Town Board will review the application for the Met tower from Apex Clean Energy at a later meeting if the board decides to give a variance from the moratorium, Town Supervisor Jim Simon said.
He told county planners the moratorium is simply “a timeout” to give the town more time to update its local laws for siting wind energy systems and Met towers. The town has already passed a local law for turbines. The 600-foot-plus turbines proposed by Apex Clean Energy would need setbacks of a half-mile, according to the new town law.
Dan Fitzgerald, senior director of development for Apex, said the meteorological tower will help the company site the project, which could include 70 turbines in Yates and Somerset. The Met tower would measure wind speed and consistency. Apex would also like to have microphones on the tower to help study the bat population, he said.
Most of the turbines are planned for between Lower Lake Road and Route 18, with some south of Route 18 as well. Fitzgerald said a series of Met towers will help to pinpoint the locations to best capture the wind. That information will be released to the public after the company gains the wind strength data from the Met towers, Fitzgerald told county planners.
He said the moratorium from the town delays the company from gathering that information, and giving the public a more precise plan for turbine locations.
Fitzgerald said the Met tower is a temporary facility for up to three years and should be considered separate from the larger Lighthouse Wind project.
The 17-member Planning Board voted for Yates to give the variance. The board’s vote is an advisory opinion. Gary Daum and Ed Urbanik from Yates both abstained from the vote on Thursday.
Planners said the Met tower is the most effective method for measuring wind strength with no other viable alternatives to getting accurate wind data. Apex, as part of its application through Article 10 with the the state’s Public Service Law, needs to provide wind measurement data, planners said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 August 2016 at 3:05 am
BARKER – Residents didn’t let a downpour keep them from gathering by Lake Ontario this evening to sound off against a proposal for about 70 industrial wind turbines in Yates and Somerset. Those turbines could be as high as 650 feet to the top of the blade.
About 200 people gathered at the boat launch at Golden Hill State Park this evening to voice their opposition to a proposed turbine project by Apex Clean Energy.
The rain became more intense soon after the event started at 6 p.m.
Dan Engert, the Somerset town supervisor, told the crowd that the turbines are far out of scale for a rural community by Lake Ontario. He said the public opposition has grown, and Apex should look elsewhere for its project.
The gathering this evening was by the historic lighthouse at Golden Hill State Park. Engirt said that lighthouse and park are treasures that should be spared from being so close to large turbines.
He faulted the state and Gov. Andrew Cuomo for passing Article 10 legislation that gives a state siting board the say on which energy projects are approved. Engirt said that change has taken power from lower communities to determine land use and zoning. He said he is trying to rally town officials from across the state to oppose the Article 10 process.
“We are trying to build a coalition among the towns,” Engert said, to fight “an unprecedented power grab” by the governor.
A resident holds a sign against siting the turbine project in Western New York. Several speakers said the state is pushing wind energy upstate to feed electricity needs in New York City.
People of all ages gathered near the boat launch, urging Apex to “go home!”
Jim Simon, the Yates town supervisor, said the community is still waiting to hear where Apex plans to put the turbines. Simon was elected last November in a write-in campaign. Simon ran with Save Ontario Shores’ backing and defeated the incumbent town supervisor. It’s unusual for a write-in candidate to win, and his election showed how strong the community feels against the turbine project, said Kate Kremer, SOS vice president.
Simon said he was impressed by the big crowd Thursday.
“I am in this fight for you,” Simon told the soaked gathering. “I will remember this day and everyone of you who stood in the rain. God bless you.”
State Sen. Robert Ortt said the turbine project, Lighthouse Wind, would bring few if any jobs to the community while destroying the lakefront.
“They are preying on peoples’ desperation – people who want fast money,” Ortt said.
He reiterated his concerns that the tall turbines would be a detriment to the military base, and could give the federal government a reason to close it in the future.
“It would be unconscionable to put the base in jeopardy,” Ortt said.
He also opposed the changes in Article 10 that shift power from the local communities to the state. Ortt also praised the group for coming out in the rain.
“This kind of turnout in this kind of weather should send a crystal clear message,” he said.
Dennis Vacco, the former state attorney general, has been hired by the Town of Somerset to fight the turbine plan. Vacco is a partner in the Buffalo law firm of Lippes Mathias Wexler Friedman.
He said residents with their sustained opposition are making their voices heard in Albany. He said he fears the state will be pushing for more big turbine projects as a result of a new goal to have 50 percent of the electricity in state to come from renewable sources by 2030. Sacco said it would take 1,400 turbine and solar projects in upstate New York for NY to reach that goal.
“They’re not going on the top of the Empire State Building,” he said.
The fight will continue against Article 10, Vacco said, so local communities can dictate their future.
“It’s about home rule,” he said. “You deserve the right to decide how your community is governed and how your land is used.”
Pam Atwater, SOS president, addresses the crowd and encourages them to keep speaking out through signs and letters.
(Editor’s note: SOS announced at the meeting that 500 attended the rally but it looked more like around 200. After speaking with other people at the event, they agreed 200 was an accurate count for the crowd size.)
Atwater is standing in front of a large sign that says, “Go Home Apex.”
Niagara County Legislator John Syracuse also noted that Niagara, Erie and Orleans county legislatures have opposed the project. He said the project is driven by Apex’s “crony capitalism and greed.”
He urged the Virginia-based company to seek other communities where Apex would be welcome.
“Please scrap your plans in Niagara and Orleans counties and go home,” Syracuse said.
Provided photo – Lyndonville Central School Superintendent Jason Smith, left, and Board of Education President Ted Lewis congratulate Dr. Elissa Smith on her appointment as elementary school principal.
LYNDONVILLE – The Lyndonville Central School District has appointed Dr. Elissa Good Smith as the Elementary School Principal. The Board of Education made the appointment on Monday evening. Smith starts her new job today.
She has worked the past 12 years at Lyndonville as a Spanish and public speaking teacher. In addition to teaching Spanish, Smith has served as a Teacher Leader and AVID Coordinator. She has had articles published extensively in professional literature and has given presentations at both the state and local levels on educational initiatives and programs.
Recently, she earned her Ph.D. in Leadership and Policy from Niagara University.
Smith was selected from over 30 applicants through a search and selection process that included participation from faculty, staff, parents, and Board of Education members, as well as a public presentation on the Strategic Plan.
“I am incredibly excited to be able to serve as the next Elementary Principal at Lyndonville,” Smith said. “I am beyond fortunate to have been given the trust on behalf of the Board of Education to support the next generation of learners and those staff whose jobs are critical in the foundation building of our students.”
Smith grew up in Albion. Her mother Nancy Good, now retired, served as Lyndonville’s elementary principal.
Smith completed graduate and undergraduate degrees at St. Bonaventure, Brockport College, and the University of Mount Union.
When she was a student at Albion, Jason Smith a social studies teacher in the high school. Later, when Elissa Smith was a Spanish teacher, Jason Smith was an assistant principal at Albion.
Jason Smith, who is now Lyndonville’s district superintendent, said the new principal will be a strong leader for the school.
“The district is incredibly excited about the leadership and experience that Dr. Smith will bring to this important leadership position,” Smith said. “Dr. Smith has demonstrated the instructional leadership needed to advance the goals of the District Strategic Plan and I am looking forward to the many positive contributions she will bring to our students, staff, and community.”
Dr. Smith is a native of Albion, and resides in Medina with her husband Shaun and two children Colton and Maddox.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 August 2016 at 6:47 pm
LYNDONVILLE – The Orleans County Chamber of Commerce put on its first wine walk on Thursday at the Robin Hill Nature Preserve in Lyndonville.
The Chamber was expecting about 25 people for the event and nearly 100 showed up to sample wine, mead and Steampunk Cider from four stops and explore the 45-acre nature preserve.
Bryan DeGraw, left, of 810 Meadworks in Medina serves samples of mead to Emily Cebula of Lyndonville, her daughter Margaret Mink of Rochester, and Margaret’s husband Josh Mink.
Cebula said she has long admired the Robin Hill property, which includes 250 varieties of trees on Platten Road in Lyndonville.
William and Mary Smith built this Medina sandstone house from 1948 to 1952.
Today, Doug Pratt lives in the house created by his grandparents. Pratt has created the Robin Hill Foundation with an educational mission. He has opened the property up to colleges, and also the community.
William Smith planted a variety of trees to attract birds to the property.
William and Mary Smith created the site after their daughter Lucille died from Scarlet Fever at age 19. They named it Robin Hill.
Lauren Stack, a server from the Leonard Oakes Estate Winery in Medina, serves Riesling to Donna Merritt and her daughter Melissa Ryczek, both of Holley.
Jerod Thurber, a manager at Leonard Oakes, said Robin Hill is a great setting for events, including wine tastings. Thurber and DeGraw are both on the Chamber’s board of directors. Thurber said he expects the wine walk will return next year at Robin Hill.
Thurber is so enamored with Robin Hill, he built his home on the edge of the property.
“It is a valuable asset,” he said about the preserve. “We need to figure out how to promote it and make sure it’s here forever.”
Robin Hill includes the grave for Clarence Pratt, a World War II soldier.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 August 2016 at 8:00 am
Apex plans to take people on tours of other wind farms to hear directly from landowners, government officials
Photos by Tom Rivers – Ben Martin walks through a barn with his daughters Lydia (in his arms) and Adeline during a tour of the farm with other supporters of the Lighthouse Wind project on Wednesday. Ben and his brother are partners and sixth-generation owners of a dairy farm on Lower Lake Road in Somerset. Karlis Povisils, vice president of development for Apex, is at left.
SOMERSET – It’s been a tough year for Atwater Farms, a dairy that dates back to 1852. Milk prices are low for farmers, and the drought conditions have hurt yields for feed for the cows.
Ben Atwater and his brother Seth are partners at Atwater Farms, sixth-generation owners of a farm that milks 1,020 cows.
They also are supporters of Lighthouse Wind. They have signed a lease with Apex Clean Energy to have turbines on their land.
Ben Atwater, 39, says the farm wouldn’t get rich by having turbines, but the revenue would certainly help, and be reliable income in a tough year like 2016.
“If we can get a little bit of money in the down years it would help sustain us long-term,” he said on Wednesday, when his farm hosted a tour and pig roast for supporters of Lighthouse Wind.
Atwater Farms on Lower Lake Road near the Golden Hill State Park keeps a sign in the farm’s front yard in support of the Lighthouse Wind project.
Apex has leases with many of the dairies and larger land owners between Route 18 and Lower Lake Road in Somerset. Atwater’s neighbor Charlie Lyndacker has a meteorological tower on his property. That MET tower has confirmed a strong wind presence for the project, said Karlis Povisils, vice president of development for Apex.
The company is going through the permitting process with New York, which Apex officials believe will take another 1 ½ to 2 years. The company would like to erect nearly 70 turbines in the towns of Yates and Somerset, with the turbines generating 201 megawatts of electricity.
Lyndacker and his father, Elmer, are from Lowville in the North Country. They go back home often, transporting heifers and dairy animals. They saw wind turbines go up in the Tug Hill region, resulting in an economic boost for that area.
“Tug Hill had more or less been abandoned,” the elder Lyndacker said. “The windmills have been a godsend to them.”
Elmer Lyndacker rides with Susan Atwater on a tour of the Atwater dairy farm on Wednesday evening.
Elmer Lyndacker said Lighthouse Wind has resulted in strained neighbor relations. Yards on Route 18 and the side roads show many signs either in support or against the project.
Officials in both Yates and Somerset have formally opposed Lighthouse Wind, and county and state officials, as well as Congressman Chris Collins oppose it. Collins says it could endanger the area’s chances of keeping the military base at Niagara Falls.
Other detractors worry the turbines, which would peak at over 600 feet, would harm wildlife, property values and disrupt the peacefulness in the rural countryside.
“It’s like a Civil War in Somerset,” Lyndaker said. “I hope it goes through. I have no objection to them.”
Willard Martucci of Yates is an outspoken supporter of the project, even though he doesn’t have a lease with the company. Martucci has a trucking company. In a busy year, he has five employees. This year he has three.
“We need jobs,” he said at Wednesday’s gathering at Atwater’s. “There is nothing here.”
Martucci and his wife Carol told about 50 people at the Atwater event they were camping in Laramie, Wyoming, with nearly 200 wind turbines nearby. They didn’t hear them.
“You could hear the sound of the wind, just like here,” Martucci said. “(The turbines) boosted their economy, and they were thankful. That’s what we need here.”
Gary Thering owns a 102-acre farm on Millers Road in Yates. He has cows, corn, fruit and hay at his farm.
He would like to have a turbine on his land. He said the turbines take up about a half-acre. He would gladly give that up for the steady revenue from a turbine.
“Your land is a resource and you have to get as much out of it as you can, and still take care of the land,” Thering said.
He came up with the words for a banner that Apex has been displaying at the county fairs in Orleans and Niagara counties: “Providing Energy from a breath of Fresh Air.”
Thering said the turbine project would be a lift to the local economy, and would also mean less burning of fossil fuels.
Apex is giving out signs in support of Lighthouse Wind, urging the community and state to “Harvest The Wind” and say “Yes” to the project.
Apex also said it will follow a suggestion from Howard Pierce, a Lighthouse Wind supporter from Yates, to take people on tours of other wind farms so they can hear directly from landowners, residents and government officials about the projects. Apex said it will reach out to communities in the North Country, where several projects have been built and are under development in northern New York.
“People often ask me, ‘What does a wind turbine look like and sound like,'” Taylor Quarles, development manager for Apex, told the group at Atwater. “I say, ‘Go see one.'”
Quarles said visiting communities with wind turbines will provide “a more real-world experience” and let local residents speak directly with people affected by projects.
Quarles and Apex officials took questions from supporters on Wednesday. They were asked if there is a decommissioning plan for the turbines.
Quarles said the leases with landowners make provisions for removing the turbines, which he said are expected to have a useful life of 30 years. If Apex secures a permit for the project from the state, one stipulation includes a plan and funds for removing turbines. The company needs to have a decommissioning bond from a third party for removing turbines and restoring the land, Quarles said.
“There is absolutely no way, after 30 years, a wind turbine will sit there rusting or be left with a town or landowner to deal with,” Quarles responded to the question.
Apex also will need to work out agreements with municipalities for restoring roads after the construction.
“We know we’re going to have to pay for what we take out of the roads,” said Povisils, vice president of development for Apex.
About 50 people who support the Lighthouse Wind project gathered at Atwater Farms in Somerset to hear from Apex officials on Wednesday evening.
Apex was asked what happens if another company acquires the Lighthouse project. Quarles said the leases and permit standards would pass to a new company, should Apex sell it. The company built five projects last year and did sell one, although Apex is the operator and contact for lease holders.
Quarles said he expects Apex will be the owner and operator for its projects in New York. The company is ramping up its presence in New York and the Northeast, adding employees and planning investments.
New York has set a goal for having 50 percent of the power in the state be provided by clean energy sources by 2030. That would be about double the current percentage from clean energy. That goal, announced Aug. 1 by the New York State Public Service Commission, makes New York fertile ground for wind energy projects, said Dan Fitzgerald, senior director of development for Apex in the northeast.
The state also has a strong agricultural sector, and farmers tend to be supportive of wind energy projects around the country, Povisils said.
“In New York wind energy is compatible with agriculture,” he said. “It helps diversify their income. (The turbines) aren’t susceptible to weather and prices.”
Quarles said Wednesday’s pig roast (from a pig Apex bought at the 4-H market auction in Orleans County) was intended to thank landowners and supporters for backing the project. Quarles said the company wouldn’t be able to advance the project without leases from landowners.
“We’re a private company,” he said. “We’re not taking land through eminent domain.”
The project’s target area runs near Route 18 from north of Lyndonville to the Somerset coal plant.
Atwater, the dairy farmer, said the project has been controversial. But he thinks the community will support Lighthouse Wind if the turbines are built. He said they will become an accepted part of the landscape.
“I think after they’re up a couple of years they will be just like utility poles,” he said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 August 2016 at 2:39 pm
LYNDONVILLE – The state has approved $39 million for 30 school districts to upgrade technology, including $165,000 for Lyndonville in classroom technology.
Lyndonville will use the funds for interactive white boards, said Jason Smith, the school district superintendent.
The funds were announced last week by Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office. The money is part of $2 billion approved by voters in 2014 as part of a Smart Schools Bond Act. The money will support investments in education technology that will equip students with the skills they need to thrive and succeed in the global economy, Cuomo said.
The investments will help close the “digital divide” and increase access to technology and high-speed broadband in hundreds of schools across New York, the governor said.
“Through the Smart Schools Bond Act, we are ensuring that all New York students have access to high-speed internet and new technology, regardless of their zip code,” Cuomo said. “The tools and resources schools will be able to attain with this funding will help equip the next generation of New Yorkers to lead this state into the future.”
The Smart Schools Review Board met last week for the third time and approved investment plans submitted by school districts. The Board is comprised of the Director of the Budget, the Chancellor of the State University of New York, and the Commissioner of the State Education Department.
With the Smart Schools Act, school districts are investing in technology such as computer servers, interactive whiteboards, tablets, desktop and laptop computers, and high-speed broadband and wireless connectivity.
This technology helps students to learn at their own pace, expands access to advanced courses and interactive curriculum, and enhances communication between parents and teachers, Cuomo said. Smart Schools funds will also facilitate necessary investments in pre-kindergarten classrooms, removal of classroom trailers and high-tech school security.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 July 2016 at 11:00 am
LYNDONVILLE – The village water supply is running low due to drought-like conditions. That is prompting the Village Board to implement a water restriction policy until further notice.
The village can pump 400,000 gallons of water daily for customers in the village and the Town of Yates. Due to the lack of rainfall, water customers have been using more water for lawns, washing cars and other purposes, Village Clerk Teri Woodworth said.
“The water tower is nearly empty,” Woodworth said. “The restrictions are in place until we can replenish.”
The village water restriction policy, passed by a local law in 2003, says no public water can be used to wash vehicles, and watering lawns or gardens is limited to between 4 and 5 a.m., and 9 and 10 p.m.
Here is a public notice put out by the village this morning:
Due to extreme drought conditions the Village of Lyndonville declares that a water shortage condition now exists throughout the area served by the Village of Lyndonville.
The Village of Lyndonville and the Town of Yates (District 4) are implementing Stage 1 of the Water Conservation and Water Use Restriction policy. These restrictions shall remain in effect until the supply of water available for distribution is replenished.
The following restrictions apply to all customers: Stage 1
A. No Person or entity shall cause, permit or allow:
1. The continuing of a leak or waste from any water pipe, valve, faucet, conduit equipment facility, or device connected to the water system, or which utilizes water, on or in any premises owned, leased, managed, operated or controlled by such person or entity;
2. The washing of any vehide by means of a hose, fire hydrant, or other active source connected to the water system.
3. The washing of any street, sidewalk, driveway, outdoor areaway, outdoor steps, building exterior or other structure by means of a hose, fire hydrant or other active source connected to the water system.
4. The use of water from the water system for any ornamental purpose, including but not limited to use in fountains, artificial waterfalls, reflecting pools, lakes and ponds.
5. The use of water from the water system to water any lawn, ornamental shrub, plant or tree, except that:
a. Water maybe used to water any lawn, tree, shrub, or garden from 4:00 am. to 5:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
b. Water may be used at any time to irrigate from a hand held container, vegetables or fruits grown for human consumption.
6. The opening or use of any fire hydrant or of the water there from, for any purpose other than fire protection except in accordance with a permit obtained from the DPW Department and only for the period of and the purpose authorized by such permit and in strict adherence to all terms and conditions set forth therein;
7. The operation of any air conditioning system utilizing water from the water system in a cooling tower, unless within 30 days from the effective date of this regulation a separate meter is installed to continuously measure the flow of water to the cooling tower.
8. Operate any air condition system in excess of two tons of rated capacity or greater or any refrigeration unit rated at 10 horsepower or greater using water from the Village water system, unless such air condition system or refrigeration unit is equipped with a water re-circulating device approved by the Department of Public Works and;
9. The use of water from the water system to fill or maintain the water level in any swimming pool, except that, provided the pool is operated with re-circulating equipment water may be used to fill the pool once during each calendar year, and thereafter may be used as necessary to maintain the water level in such pool.
For more information, contact the Village Office at (585) 765-9385.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 July 2016 at 10:00 am
LYNDONVILLE – The Lyndonville community – and beyond – raised more than $12,000 during a basket auction on Monday to support a family with a baby battling a brain tumor.
More than 200 baskets were donated to support Ella Suhr and her family, and the auction raised $12,584.11, said Jen Button, one of the organizers of the event.
“That is way more than we ever anticipated,” Button said this morning. “It will definitely help them.”
Ella is the daughter of Joe and Meagan Suhr. Mrs. Suhr is a high school teacher in Batavia and her husband is a social studies teacher in Lyndonville. Both Joe and Meagan grew up in Lyndonville and continue to reside in the community.
Ella’s grandparents are also active in the Lyndonville school district. Harold Suhr is on the Board of Education and his wife Joanne is a long-time elementary school teacher. In addition, Ella’s grandmother Carol Neal is a teacher’s aide for the school district.
Ella in March was diagnosed with a brain tumor and stage 4 cancer. Surgeons have removed the tumor and an MRI last week showed no more signs of the tumor, Meagan posted on Facebook.
“We’re thankful for all of the donations,” Maegan said by phone today from Florida. “We’re overwhelmed.”
Provided photo – Many people buying tickets are lined up for the auction on Monday.
The Suhrs are in St. Petersburg for Ella’s care at All Children’s Hospital. She will be discharged today, and will return home to Lyndonville. She has three upcoming rounds of chemotherapy and will have some of her stem cells returned in a procedure at Golisano’s Children’s Hospital at Strong in Rochester.
“She still has a long way to go,” Mrs. Suhr said.
Button, a senior account clerk in the business office for the school district, said she is proud of the way the community has rallied to support the Suhrs.
As volunteers were setting up for the auction on the school lawn on Monday, during Lyndonville’s Independence Day Celebration, more people showed up unexpectedly with baskets to donate. Other people made cash donations, Button said.
The community has rallied to support the Suhrs since Ella was diagnosed in March. Joe’s colleagues at Lyndonville donated their sick days so he could take the rest of the school year off to care for his daughter.
Many in the community wore Lyndonville Tiger colors of orange and black with the message “Suhr Strong” to show support for the family and help raise money for medical costs.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 July 2016 at 9:00 am
LYNDONVILLE – Fireworks explode in the sky at Lyndonville to cap the 42nd annual Lions Club’s Independence Day Celebration.
The Lions Club hired Young Explosives for the show.
Neila Johnson, 8, of Barker has fun before the fireworks in Lyndonville.
The fireworks are a big draw to Lyndonville.
This family from Barker prepares to send a Chinese lantern. The group includes form left: Kristina Klosin, Natalie Regling (partially pictured), Neila Johnson, Brent Johnson and Christopher Klosin (back to camera).
The fireworks show started with this display of the American flag.
This family watches the fireworks from a swingset at the playground.
The Who Dats played before the fireworks. The band members pictured include from left: Marty Hobbs on bass guitar, Lonnie Froman on lead vocals and John Borello on lead and rhythm guitar.
The fireworks are pictured through the playground by the Lyndonville school.
Jeff Kerr from Massachusetts lets go of a Chinese lantern. He was in town visiitng family.
Fireworks are reflected in the Johnson Creek pond.
The fireworks show lasted more than a half hour and lighted up the sky in Lyndonville.
Shane Ritzenthaler, 9, of Medina holds some sparklers while waiting for the fireworks show.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 July 2016 at 8:00 am
LYNDONVILLE – Thomas Follman plays the tuba in the Lyndonville Marching Band in today’s Fourth of July parade. Follman, who just graduated from the school, joined about 85 other students in grades 5 through 12 in the band for today’s parade.
The band stopped on the parade route on Main Street to lead the crowd in singing the National Anthem.
Numerous community organizations – churches, businesses, fire departments, service clubs, bands and more – marched in today’s parade in Lyndonville, and many of the participants were decked out in red, white and blue.
Miguel Aldaco, center, joins Jacob and Clara Pruski in the float for the Knights of Columbus and St. Joan of Arc of Orleans.
Faith Bible Baptist Church in Medina made this patriotic float, “Old Glory.”
The Spencerville Yacht Club in Lyndonville released a batch of balloons during the parade. The group has an Olympic-themed float.
The Hospice Duck stops to high-five a kid along the parade route.
Teri Woodworth, the village clerk, promotes Lyndonville’s public water supply.
This member of the American Legion in Lyndonville waves to the crowd on Main Street.
Employees for the Mizkan company in Lyndonville participate in the parade.
Daniel Grabowski of Albion helps carry the banner for the Knights of Columbus. His father Michael Grabowski is a member of the Knights.
The Shelby Volunteer Fire Company was among the many fire departments with a fire truck in the parade.
Lyndonville firefighters march in the parade.
Oak Orchard Assembly of God in Medina created a float to promote its upcoming Vacation Bible School called “Lava Lava Island, Where Jesus’ Love Flows.”
Lyndonville alumni once again joined to play in the parade. They call their band, “Treble in the Streets.”
Randall Bane is dressed as Uncle Sam while pushing his mother Mildred in today’s parade.
The Lyndonville United Methodist Church also created a patriotic float to promote some of the church’s ministry efforts.
The Gates Keystone Club, Police, Pipes & Drums plays patriotic music in the parade.
Georgia Thomas of Medina is dressed up as Cobble the Museum Mouse. Thomas has created a coloring book starring Cobble to help promote the Cobblestone Museum in Gaines.
Local Girl Scouts and their leaders were out waving flags and tossing candy along the parade path.
Automotive Solutions, a towing business in Medina, joined several other businesses in the parade.
State Assemblyman Steve Hawley, center, and State Sen. Rob Ortt passed out candy and waved to many in the crowd.
Orleans County Sheriff Randy Bower and a contingent from the Sheriff’s Office also participated in the popular parade.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 July 2016 at 12:00 am
File photos by Tom Rivers
LYNDONVILLE – A big crowd gathered to watch the fireworks last July 4 in Lyndonville. The show was 43 minutes long and this year’s fireworks will be a comparable show, said Wes Bradley, fireworks chairman in Lyndonville.
Bradley and other members of the Lyndonville Lions Club work throughout the year planning the Fourth of July festival in Lyndonville, which is capped by the fireworks show at 10 p.m.
Young Explosives will be back to set off the fireworks on Monday night in Lyndonville.
Organizers don’t know how many turn out for the fireworks, but Lyndonville is the hub of the county for the Fourth of July.
“You walk up (Route) 63 and there are cars for as far as you can see,” Bradley said. “People watch on the side roads. They’re all over the place watching the fireworks.”
This photo from July 4, 2014 shows the fireworks reflected over the Johnson Creek pond in front of the school.
Bradley said the community steps forward donating to the fireworks show. Residents, businesses and organizations are give to the annual spectacle in the sky.
“It’s everybody that makes this possible, even the people giving dimes and quarters,” Bradley said.
The fireworks will start at 10 p.m. They will follow a busy day in Lyndonville, including a parade at noon, arts and crafts show from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., chicken barbecue from 1 to 5 p.m., a garden tractor pull from 1 to 4 p.m., the Hospice duck race at 3 p.m.
There is also live music and other entertainment including a bounce house for kids from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., concert by Gates Keystone Club Police Pipes & Drums at 1:30 p.m., and the Who Dats at 7 p.m.
There will be also be a basket raffle with about 200 baskets up for bid up until 3 p.m. Proceeds go to Ella Suhr and her family. Ella is about 7 months old and is battling a brain tumor.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 July 2016 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
LYNDONVILLE – The Lyndonville marching band was out practicing on Friday for Monday’s July 4 parade that starts at noon. This photo shows Aaron Despard, left, and Justin Higgins carrying the banner for the band.
Last year there were 40 kids in the band for the Independance Day Parade. This year there will be 85. The program has grown with the inclusion of fifth- and sixth-graders as well as more participation from upperclassmen.
Natalie Allen, front right, plays the piccolo in the band, which was rehearsing on Housel Avenue on Friday.
Kristina Best, the middle and high school band director for Lyndonville, keeps an eye on the band during rehearsal on Friday. She said she is impressed by the big turnout from the students, especially at the beginning of summer vacation.
“We’re really proud of these kids because it is optional,” she said. “They’re out here for the community.”
Anna Lewis, left, and her sister Aubrey, right, play the saxophone in the band.
John Bailey, the elementary school music teacher, is happy watching the students practice on Friday. He has several elementary school students in the band.
Tamara Huzair is among the band members for Lyndonville.
The band stopped by a teacher’s house on Garland Street and played “Happy Birthday” for the teacher.
The parade on Monday is a big part of Lyndonville’s Fourth of July celebration. (Click here to see the schedule.) The Lyndonville Lions Cub organizes the popular community celebration.
By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 1 July 2016 at 12:00 am
Photos by Kristina Gabalski
LYNDONVILLE – Popular presenter Rick Merritt returned to the Yates Community Library on Thursday afternoon with a special kids’ program entitled “Pop Secret and I Scream for Ice Cream!” Participants learned about the science behind bubble gum and ice cream.
The second half of the yummy science program involved analyzing the effect of salt on ice and making ice cream. Here, participants work in pairs to agitate ice cream ingredients and ice with salt in plastic bags to make the frozen treat.
Merritt and his sons, Nate (in white T-shirt) and Kory show participants how to measure the s-t-r-e-t-c-h (thanks to elastomers) in bubble gum.
After participants tested and recorded data regarding the elasticity of various bubble gums, a bubble blowing contest was held.
Merritt helps participants dish up the ice cream.
This year’s family of swans on the Johnson’s Creek millpond adjacent to Yates Community Library includes six babies or cygnets. The family could be seen swimming serenely around the pond during the library program which was held outside.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 July 2016 at 12:00 am
Nearly 200 gift baskets will be raffled off Monday during Lyndonville’s Fourth of July celebration
Photos by Tom Rivers
LYNDONVILLE – Brittany Button, one of the organizers of a basket raffle to benefit Ella Suhr and her family, is pictured with the baskets today inside the Lyndonville school. The raffle on Monday is the latest effort by the community to support a young couple and their baby daughter who has been diagnosed with a brain tumor.
“I know as a community how well we can all come together,” Button said. “This is a small community that is very close knit.”
Joe and Meagan Suhr spent this week in Florida, where their daughter Ella had a tumor removed. An MRI showed no more signs of cancer, Meagan posted on Facebook.
Mrs. Suhr is a high school teacher in Batavia and her husband is a social studies teacher in Lyndonville.
They were on vacation in March in St. Petersburg when Ella became sick. They took her to the emergency room. She would be diagnosed with stage four of a rare form of brain cancer.
Joe’s colleagues at Lyndonville donated their sick days so he could take the rest of the school year off to care for his daughter.
Many in the community wore Lyndonville Tiger colors of orange and black with the message “Suhr Strong” to show support for the family and help raise money for medical costs.
The community is putting on a big basket raffle on Monday during Lyndonville’s Fourth of July Celebration. Nearly 200 baskets have donated. They will be on display on the school front lawn from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Jan Heideman wraps one of the gift baskets today. She is among several volunteers helping with the basket raffle on Monday.
“It’s an absolutely phenomenal cause,” she said. “In this small town, people really rally around each other.”
The volunteers said they were all encouraged by the good news shared by the Suhrs this week, that Ella’s tumor was gone.
Abby Button works on the ticket bags for the basket raffle. Her mother, Jen Button, has been one of the lead organizers for the raffle.
Jack Buckner, his wife Janice and the Buckner family also have worked hard on the event.
Abby said people and businesses from all Western New York have donated baskets for the auction. She said it has been emotionally moving to see the donations come in.
“All of Western New York is coming together for our little town,” she said.
There are several items donated by the Buffalo Bills, including this autographed hat by Rex Ryan, the team’s head coach.
Bills star wide receiver Sammy Watkins signed a pair of cleats that will be in the auction. There will also be a helmet signed by quarterback Tyrod Taylor.
Provided photos
LYNDONVILLE – Lyndonville Central School celebrated commencement Friday when 42 seniors graduated. Jasmine Plummer, valedictorian of the Class of 2016, delivers her speech.
This trio of new graduates includes, from left: Amanda Blackburn, Rhiannon Burgess and Jessica Harling.
Jenna Doran, the class salutatorian, gives her speech at the Stroyan Auditorium.
Graduates, including Thomas Follman, center, sing during the commencement program on Friday.
