LYNDONVILLE – Bruce Schmidt, the Lyndonville Lions Club president, announces the club’s annual “Spirit of Christmas” awards.
“Lyndonville has some of the best Christmas-decorated homes around during this wonderful time of year,” he said.
The Lions are happy to recognize the community efforts to add beauty to the town. Schmidt said judges will be out checking for the best decorations on Dec. 18. All lights should be on by 5 p.m.
Provided photo: Senior Investigator Thomas Gibbons of the State Police spoke during Lyndonville High School health classes this week to discuss sexual assaults on college campuses.
Press Release, Lyndonville Central School
LYNDONVILLE – High school students at Lyndonville met with Senior Investigator Thomas Gibbons of the State Police this week during their health classes to discuss sexual assaults on college campuses.
This discussion is part of the NYS Police Campus Sexual Assault Victims Unit’s prevention education program. Their mission is to reduce the incidents and facilitate the reporting of sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence and stalking at colleges and universities.
Investigator Gibbons explained the problem of sexual assaults on campuses to the students. He provided prevention and bystander strategies and emphasized the importance of reporting sexual assault crimes to law enforcement. The investigator stressed that everyone has a role to play in keeping friends, peers and family safe.
“Educating the students about these topics will allow them to make responsible decisions now and later in life,” said Shane Phillips, health teacher at Lyndonville. “Collectively the students agreed that learning more about healthy relationships and how to identify common signs of an unhealthy relationship was very helpful.”
The second part of the presentation will take place near the end of the school year and will continue its focus on identifying positive and negative relationships.
Photos by Tom Rivers
LYNDONVILLE – The Lyndonville community turned on the lights on Saturday evening for the 76 Christmas trees that are decorated at Veterans Park on Main Street, next to Johnson Creek near the dam.
The village started the tradition in 2013 with 26 trees, and it has grown each year since. Community members and organization pay $30 to decorate a tree. The fee covers the cost of the tree, materials for the sign, lead cords, replacement cords and adapters as needed. Participants provide lights and decorations.
(Click here to see a video of Santa flipping a switch to light up the trees.)
Chris Borner walks with her granddaughter to look at the trees at the park. Many of the trees are decorated as memorials or tributes to family members.
The lights were turned on at about 5 p.m. after Santa arrived and flipped a switch to light up all the trees.
Lorna Klotzbach, Don Gramlich and the Atwater family teamed up to provide horse-drawn carriage rides.
Claire, 4, of Lyndonville pets a sheep as part of a petting zoo that also included goats and a donkey.
There were many activities throughout the day, including a basket raffle, craft sale, beef on weck, caroling, a community breakfast and Christmas Choir LaLaPalooza.
Lyndonville Lions Club members served up hot dogs. Roy Holland is at left and John Belson, the Lyndonville mayor, is working the grill.
Here are a few more photos of the trees, which will be lighted up until after Jan. 1.
Photos by Tom Rivers
LYNDONVILLE — The Lyndonville community has decorated 76 Christmas trees that will be lighted up on Saturday during an annual Christmas celebration at Veterans Park.
Santa will arrive at 5 p.m. and he will flip the switch, turning on the electricity for the lights on the trees.
This tree by Boy Scouts in Pack 25 includes the names of scouts with ornaments listing scouting values.
The 76 trees is a new record for Lyndonville, which started the tree display in 2013 with 26 trees in the first celebration. There were 75 last year. Each year the number of trees has grown.
This group checks out the trees when they were lighted up last December during the celebration at Veterans Park. The trees stay up until right after Jan. 1.
Community organizations and residents pay $30 to decorate a tree. The $30 fee covers the cost of the tree, materials for the sign, lead cords, replacement cords and adapters as needed. Participants provide lights and decorations.
The celebration on Saturday starts at 8 a.m. with a community breakfast at the Lyndonville Presbyterian Church. There are many activities throughout the day, including horse-drawn carriage rides, a basket raffle, craft sale, beef on weck, caroling, a petting zoo, and other events, including Santa’s arrival at 5 p.m.
Santa will then be available to meet children in the Village Hall from 5:15 to 6:30 p.m.
The day is capped at 7 p.m. with a Christmas Choir LaLaPalooza at the Lyndonville Presbyterian Church.
Click here to see the full schedule of events.
The event is sponsored by the Village of Lyndonville, Lyndonville Fire Department/Auxiliary, Lyndonville Lions Club and Lyndonville United Methodist Women.
File photo by Tom Rivers: Wreaths are shown on veterans’ graves at Boxwood Cemetery in Medina in January 2018. Boxwood has been part of Wreaths Across America since 2013.
LYNDONVILLE – The community is welcome to be part of a new tradition at Lyndonville, where 401 wreaths will be placed on veterans’ graves at five cemeteries over the holiday season.
Lyndonville resident Anna Stelianou is paying for the wreaths and has set up an endowment with the Lyndonville Area Foundation to cover the costs for perpetuity. Stelianou made the donation in honor of her parents, Ary and Konstantina, who emigrated to Lyndonville from Greece after WWI. Stelianou also donated the money for the program in honor of her five brothers who served in WWII and the Korean War.
Steve Goodrich, commander of Houseman-Tanner American Legion Post 1603 in Lyndonville, is grateful for Stelianou’s donation. Goodrich identified and mapped put the location of the veterans’ graves.
He is asking the community to help place the wreaths on the gravesites the morning of Dec. 14.
Lynhaven Cemetery on Housel Avenue will be the site of a noon ceremony that day.
“We are not looking for donations,” Goodrich said. “What we need are volunteers to help place the wreaths. No one is too young or too old. If there is a family member you want to specifically place a wreath on, we will be happy to help.”
To sign up to help place the wreaths, click here to be directed to Lyndonville’s link on the Wreaths Across America website.
BATAVIA – The Lyndonville school superintendent is one of three finalists to be the next leader of the Batavia City School District.
Jason Smith
Jason Smith is a Batavia resident. He has served as Lyndonville superintendent the past eight years.
Smith grew up in Batavia and has worked as a teacher and vice principal in Albion, and then as a principal in Elba, before going to Lyndonville.
The Batavia district held community meetings this week for the public to meet the finalists. Besides Smith, Batavia is considering Anibal Soler, Jr., an associate superintendent for the Buffalo Public Schools; and Joleen Dimitroff, principal of Sweet Home’s Glendale Elementary School.
The district wants to have the new superintendent in place by Feb. 3, according to The Daily News in Batavia.
In a press release from the Batavia school district, Smith is praised for leading extensive curriculum work at Lyndonville in math and English Language Arts with full alignment to the Common Core. Those changes resulted in a near 100 percent increase in math scores from 2013 to 2014.
Smith implemented APPR requirements with alignment to the Framework for Teaching and Leadership standards and provided on-going administrator professional development to ensure consistency of teacher observations.
At Lyndonville, he supervises over 100 staff and faculty members, and a student body of about 650.
Photos by Tom Rivers
LYNDONVILLE – David Bellavia, a 1994 Lyndonville graduate, returned to his alma mater on Thursday. He was awarded the Medal of Honor on June 25 during a ceremony at the White House.
In this photo, he shows the medal to fourth-grader Christopher Atkins. Elementary students lined the hallway for Bellavia, who was a staff sergeant in the Army.
David Bellavia speaks to about 400 students in grades 5 to 12 during an assembly at the school. Students were shown a video of him while he was deployed to Iraq.
He received the nation’s highest military honor for risking his life on Nov. 10, 2004 – his 29th birthday. Bellavia defended his fellow soldiers while serving in the second battle of Fallujah, Iraq.
As a squad leader in Operation Phantom Fury, a 2004 American offensive on the western Iraqi City of Fallujah, Bellavia saved his entire squad when he cleared a housing block of enemy combatants who had pinned down his unit. Once Bellavia secured the safety of his squad, he re-engaged with the enemy combatants, re-entered the house where enemy fire was located, proceeded to kill four enemy insurgents, and wounded a fifth.
During a speech to 400 Lyndonville students in grades 5 to 12, Bellavia said he often thought of his time at Lyndonville school while he was deployed. He thought of teachers and classmates, and those memories gave him comfort and courage in battle.
During battle, he said he would think of his soccer coach, teachers and classmates.
“What gives you the energy and drive to face fear? This is what you think about,” he said scanning the crowd of students and teachers. “It’s right here. This is my safe space when I get freaked out.”
Lyndonville students and staff met with Bellaria after his speech and he accommodated the many requests for photos.
He told the students they live in a great community, where people are engaged in service to others. They can be in multiple school activities – several sports, the band, the musical and more. They know their classmates and the kids in the grade levels above them and below them.
It’s a great place, the greatest town in the world, but Bellavia didn’t realize when he was in school.
“I spent my childhood just wanting to get out of here,” he said. “You get out in the world and you realize I have the best hometown in the world.”
Bellavia told the students receiving the Medal of Honor is like “being struck by a comet.” He is grateful for the attention it has brought to the unit he served with in Iraq, and he is happy when the media highlight his hometown.
He urged people to consider serving in the military. If they don’t follow that path, they can contribute to the community and society in so many others ways. Being from Lyndonville isn’t a deterrence in pursuing their dreams. The school district has produced doctors, lawyers, innovative farmers, and top performers in many fields.
“There are no excuses to not launch of Lyndonville and go into the next stratosphere,” he told the students. “That is what we’re doing here.”
Students lined the hallway for David Bellavia in his return to the school on Thursday.
He encouraged the students to always give an honest effort, even when the outcome seems bleak.
Bellavia played varsity soccer and basketball for the Tigers. The basketball teams struggled during his era, but Bellavia said the team played hard in their games, even in blowouts. The opponents knew they Lyndonville wouldn’t just lie down despite a disadvantage in size. (Bellavia said the team had a 5-foot, 8-inch center.)
“In Lyndonville, we’re never going to let you beat us,” he said. “We don’t quit.”
He is proud of the effort from those basketball and soccer teams. He even recalled a win over the powerful Kendall boys soccer team.
Before the student assembly, Bellavia met with Lyndonville community leaders, including Jim Simon, the Yates town supervisor. Simon had a long career in the Air Force. He and Bellavia are saluting each other.
Bellavia said people often thank him for his military service. He wasn’t sure how to respond. But a Vietnam War veteran told him he should tell people, “You are worth it.” That is what he often tells people now while he is traveling around the country.
David Bellavia embraces math teacher Jim O’Connor after Bellavia’s presentation. Jeff Gress is another teacher at left.
Bellavia was asked if he could do anything different if he could go back in time when he was a student. Besides a better haircut instead of the long hair he had then, he said he wished he had thanked the teachers and staff for their dedication. He wished he had let his friends know how much they meant to him.
“Tell people you care,” he said. “Tell your mom and dad, your granddad that you love them.”
After Bellavia concluded his presentation, one of his former teachers – Jeff Gress – yelled out, “You were worth it, Dave.”
David Bellavia had many funny comments during his presentation. Jason Smith, the school district superintendent, laughs at one of Bellavia’s one-liners.
Each student had a chance to hold the Medal of Honor. Bellavia is the first living Iraq War veteran to receive the nation’s highest military honor.
Dr. Clark Godshall, superintendent of the Orleans-Niagara BOCES, holds the Medal of Honor during a meet and greet with Bellavia before the student assembly.
Here is the medal in Dr. Godshall’s hand.
Provided photos
LYNDONVILLE – These Lyndonville students had the top 3 “Peace Posters” in an annual contest by the Lyndonville Lion’s Club. From left include Justin Higgins, first place; Katelynn Breeze, second place; and Daniel Barry, third place.
There were 37 Lyndonville 8th-graders who participated in the contest with the theme, “Journey of Peace.” The Lion’s Club voted on 10 posters and narrowed it down to the top 3 selections.
First place went to Justin Higgins, whose poster will now go on to compete at the district level for the Lion’s Club.
Photos courtesy of Lyndonville Central School
LYNDONVILLE – Lyndonville students interview Bob DeMallie on Friday as part of an oral history project.
The school district welcomed and honored about 40 veterans. There were veterans from each branch of the military who met with middle and high school students to discuss their lives before, during and after the military.
Students listened intently as veterans shared memories and answered questions. The students will create a report for each interview and incorporate them into a book to share with the district.
State Assemblyman Steve Hawley was among the veterans who shared some of his experiences. He served seven years in the Ohio Army National Guard and the US Army Reserves.
He has been a member the past nine years of the Assembly Veterans’ Affairs Committee and sponsored legislation to aid veterans and current service personnel. During his keynote speech, Hawley reflected on his father’s military service in World War II and discussed his annual Patriot Trip to Washington D.C.
Hawley presented Lyndonville Central School with a NYS Assembly Citation in recognition of the district’s First Annual Veterans Day Program. The district also received recognition from NYS Senator Robert Ortt for celebrating Veterans Day and honoring those who have served the country.
Local veterans check in on Friday morning for the event at the former elementary school.
“The project was a meaningful way for students to understand the dedication of our military personnel and the sacrifices they have made for our freedom,” said Superintendent Jason Smith.
The district would like to thank all the veterans who participated in this year’s Veterans Day Project and Laura Moore, fifth-grade teacher, and local veteran Bob DeMallie for project coordination and assistance. The district looks forward to hosting the event again next year.
Lyndonville students welcomed veterans for the event on Friday.
(Editor’s Note: There is 5K run and walk this morning at 11 to benefit the Veterans Van Service in Orleans County. This second annual event starts at the Junior Wilson’s Sportsmen’s Club on Bates Road in Medina. Click here for more information.)
LYNDONVILLE — Students will spend part of today interviewing Lyndonville area veterans as part of a new oral history program at the school.
Students in grades 5 and 11 will be talking with veterans today at the former elementary school.
They will start his morning at 9:30 and will be together until just after lunch.
About 35 to 40 veterans will be at the school to share their experiences with students.
“You need not to have seen combat to be part of this program as we feel that all who wore the uniform have made their contribution and have a story to tell,” the district said in a letter to veterans. That letter was signed by Jason Smith, district superintendent, and Laura Moore, a fifth grade teacher.
State Assemblyman Steve Hawley will also give a keynote speech. He is a veteran, serves on the Assembly’s Veterans’ Affairs Committee and leads local veterans each September on a Patriot Trip to see memorials in Washington, D.C.
