Lyndonville/Yates

Morelle takes tour of Orleans County, discusses local issues with elected officials

Provided photos: (Left) Kendall Town Supervisor Tony Cammarata, left, greets Congressman Joe Morelle outside the Lures Restaurant in Kendall by Lake Ontario on Feb. 22. (Right) Amy Machamer, owner of Hurd Orchards, welcomes the congressman on a stop at the farm on Route 104 in Murray.

Posted 16 March 2023 at 3:29 pm

Congressman wants to protect waterfront resources, strengthen agriculture

Press Release, Congressman Joe Morelle

Congressman Joe Morelle highlighted his recent visit to Orleans County, where he met with local elected officials and had productive discussions about the most important issues facing their community.

This marks Congressman Morelle’s first official tour of the portions of Orleans County recently added to New York’s 25th Congressional District.

“I’m proud to have added part of Orleans County to my district this year, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to spend time getting to know local leaders, exploring their vibrant community, and forming critical partnerships,” Morelle said. “It’s clear everyone I met has a deep love for the neighborhoods and families they serve, and we have a number of shared priorities—especially strengthening our agricultural economy and protecting our waterfront resources. I look forward to spending more time in this community and I know that through our continued work together we can build a strong future for Orleans County families.”

Lyndonville Mayor John Belson gives Joe Morelle a tour of Main Street and downtown Lyndonville.

Congressman Morelle began the day with a bus tour alongside members of the Orleans County Legislature, including the body’s Chairman, Lynne Johnson. Together, they visited businesses and landmarks across Orleans County and met with local leaders to discuss their mutual priorities. The tour ended with a visit to Hurd Orchards – complete with samples of apple pie, cookies, applesauce and their famous Ruby Frost apples.

“It was an honor to put this event together to showcase Congressman Morelle’s enhanced district within Orleans County,” said John Fitzak, Orleans County Legislator for District #4. “Based on our conversations, it is apparent that with the Congressman’s partnership, Orleans County can continue to grow and develop its footprint along the southern shore of Lake Ontario.”

Editor’s Note: Besides Monroe County, the 25^th Congressional District includes about half of Orleans County – the towns of Carlton, Clarendon Dist. 1, Gaines, Kendall, Murray and Yates.

Yates Town Supervisor Jim Simon shows Morelle the town park on Morrison Road by Lake Ontario.

Lyndonville accepting applications for PreK, kindergarten programs

Posted 14 March 2023 at 2:06 pm

Press Release, Lyndonville Central School

LYNDONVILLE – The school district is accepting applications for its 2023-24 pre-kindergarten and kindergarten programs.

If you are a resident of the Lyndonville Central School District and your child will be 3, 4 or 5 by Dec. 1, 2023, they are eligible to enroll. Space is limited, but openings are available for all age groups.

The five-day-a-week, developmentally appropriate PreK program engages students in planned educational activities, play time, and breakfast and lunch are provided. Our 3-year-old PreK runs from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. each day, and our 4-year-old PreK runs from 7:30 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. (with an option for parent pick up at 12:30 p.m.). Transportation is provided for children ages 3 and up.

If more students are pre-registered for Pre-K for the 2023-24 school year than there are available seats, a lottery will be held on May 15. If Pre-K seats remain, they will be filled per UPK and district guidelines.

It is important to begin the registration process as soon as possible! Lyndonville CSD will be hosting a PreK Open House on July 4, but seats fill up quickly. Getting your application in as soon as possible will ensure a higher chance of an available spot for your student.

If you have any questions or would like more information about the program, please call or email Dr. Elissa Smith, Elementary School Principal, at (585) 765-3122 or esmith@lcsdk12.org.

You will need to provide your name, address, child’s name and child’s date of birth. More information can be found at lyndonvillecsd.org/registration.

St. Joseph’s Church members feel ‘voices heard’ after meeting with bishop

Photos courtesy of Diocese of Buffalo: Members of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Lyndonville carry a crucifix and Book of Gospels into St. Mary’s Catholic Church for Mass on Sunday. The cross and book were rescued from a fire on Feb. 28.

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 March 2023 at 8:55 am

LYNDONVILLE – Less than a week after a fire destroyed the back end of the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Lyndonville, and damaged much of the interior, church members feel assured they will have input on the future of the church at 36 Lake Ave.

Bishop Michael Fisher of the Diocese of Buffalo met with church members for about a half hour after Mass on Sunday at St. Mary’s in Medina. The bishop then travelled to Lyndonville to see St. Joseph’s with his own eyes.

Photo courtesy of Chris Busch: The burnt crucifix from St. Joseph’s was set at the side altar of St. Mary’s in Medina for Mass last Sunday.

“He is a very receptive bishop,” said Gary Daum, a member of St. Joseph’s for nearly 50 years. “We’re glad that he came here.”

The Diocese continues to assess the damage to the building from the fire, which is “quite extensive,” said Joe Martone, communications director for the Diocese.

Assessors from the Diocese are determining the full scope of the damage, he said.

Daum said St. Joseph’s members were told they would have a say in the next steps for the church.

“As parishioners, will we have a seat at the table about the future of this church site,” Daum said.

Daum appreciated the show of solidarity from the bishop and also the St. Mary’s parishioners in Medina. The bishop stayed after the Mass at St. Mary’s to meet with the parishioners from St. Joseph’s.

“He talked with anybody and anyone,” Daum said. “Everybody had a chance to have their voices heard.”

At St. Joseph’s in Lyndonville, Daum said he felt more encouraged about the future of the church building than he did soon after the fire. The main structure and sanctuary are intact, and the side of the church and an elevator are OK, he said.

“Yes, it is a mess,” he said. “The bishop said he has seen churches burnt worse than ours.”

While the bishop looked inside the church, St. Joseph’s members stayed outside and prayed, saying the rosary.

The church attendance was down in recent years, partly from the effects of Covid pandemic restrictions. Daum said about 20 people were attending Mass on Saturdays and 25 on Sundays. The church still has a dedicated core of believers.

“Right at this moment we don’t exactly know what the future holds,” Daum said. “There is no statement on where we are going. But at least we know we are being listened to.”

This group from St. Joseph’s Catholic Church says the Rosary outside the church in Lyndonville while Bishop Michael Fisher visits the church on Sunday afternoon after a Mass at St. Mary’s in Medina.

St. Joseph’s in Lyndonville celebrated Golden Jubilee in 1967

Posted 5 March 2023 at 11:38 am

St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Lyndonville is shown on its 50th anniversary in 1967. Photograph by Bill Covell.

By Catherine Cooper, Orleans County Historian

Illuminating Orleans, Vol. 3, No. 9

LYNDONVILLE – News of the devastating fire which occurred at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church in Lyndonville on the night of Feb. 28 dismayed many, far and near.

Rev. Thomas F. Gleason, pastor of St. Mary’s Church in Medina, is credited with organizing the construction of St. Joseph’s Mission Church in Lyndonville in 1917 to serve the fifteen Catholic families who lived in the vicinity.

The church, which seated 125 people, was built on land purchased from J.H. Lake. It was dedicated on Nov. 25, 1917, by Bishop Dougherty of Buffalo. A large contingent from St. Mary’s Church in Medina were in attendance.

St. Joseph’s was served by pastors and assistants from St. Mary’s for 45 years. During that time, the congregation grew to one hundred families. The Rosary Altar Society was established. Additional land on the north side of Lake Avenue was purchased for parking. A church hall and kitchen were added.

St. Joseph’s Church, Lyndonville, as it appeared before renovations for the Golden Jubilee.

St. Joseph’s was raised to the status of a parish on August 30, 1962. The parish comprises the Town of Yates, that part of Carlton west of Oak Orchard Creek and that part of the town of Ridgeway north of Ridge Road.

Fr. Bosack served as pastor in Lyndonville for 32 years

Rev. Albert J. Bosack was appointed as the first pastor. He was installed on Sept. 2, 1962, by Rt. Rev. Msgr. Felix McCabe, pastor of St. Joseph’s parish in Albion. Genial and much loved, Fr. Bosack served the Lyndonville congregation until his retirement in 1994.

A rectory was built on a lot east of the church in 1964.

The Church celebrated it’s fiftieth anniversary in 1967. In anticipation of this event, a new organ was purchased for the church, the building was painted inside and out, the fellowship hall and kitchen were renovated .

On Sunday, October 15, Most Rev. Stanislaus J. Branza, Auxiliary Bishop of Buffalo celebrated a Pontifical Solemn High Mass of Thanksgiving at the church.

Altar boys, followed by Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus from Medina, march in procession along Lake Avenue in Lyndonville toward St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church for a Mass to celebrate the church’s Golden Jubilee. (Journal-Register on Oct. 18, 1967)

A Golden Jubilee Dinner Dance for parish families and friends was held at the Apple Grove Inn in Medina on October 13, 1967. Rev. Charles Amico was guest speaker. Harold Suzanne played a program of organ music during the evening and the Bob Still Trio provided dance music.

This group was photographed for the Journal-Register at St. Joseph’s Golden Jubilee dinner dance held at the Apple Grove In, Friday, October 13, 1967. Mrs. Iola Layer, at the left, was dinner chairman. The three ladies in the center were original members of the parish: Mrs. Floyd Smith, Helena Mahar, and Mrs. Stanley R. Berry, Sr. To the right are Stanley Barry, Jr. a church trustee and his wife, Margaret.

For many years the regular weekend schedule comprised a Saturday Mass at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday Masses at 8:30 am and 10:30 am to serve the congregation of one hundred families. During the summer months, the influx of lakeside vacationers necessitated the celebration of an additional Mass.

Though the congregation has since declined to fifteen families, this “little white church” has a special place in the hearts of many.

All-County Music Fest brings 5 schools together for concert at Lyndonville

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 March 2023 at 7:49 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

LYNDONVILLE – Amelia Symons of Albion plays the euphonium during Saturday’s All-County Music Festival at the Stroyan Auditorium at Lyndonville Central School.

The event is presented by the Orleans County Music Educators Association and features top music students from Albion, Holley, Kendall, Lyndonville and Medina.

The concert featured an elementary band, junior high chorus and senior high band.

This was the second All-County concert. The first on Feb. 4 featured the elementary chorus, junior high band and high school chorus.

Roger Chagnon III, director of instrumental music at Westfield in Chautauqua County, directs the elementary band. They performed “March of the Phantom Brigade” by John Edmondson, “Haunted Clocks” by Brian Balmages, and “Tempest” by Robert W. Smith.

Kimberly Harrison, choral director at Sweet Home High School in Amherst, served as guest conductor for the junior high chorus which performed four songs: “Bonse Aba” arranged by Victor C. Johnson, “Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho” arranged by Lon Beery, “Homeward Bound” arranged by Jay Althouse, and “Don’t You Worry ’Bout a Thing” arranged by Roger Emerson.

ChrisJen Winters of Albion and Ava Blount of Medina were soloists for one of the songs by the Junior High Chorus.

Angela Dray, director of the concert band and jazz ensemble at North Tonawanda High School, served as guest conductor of the senior high band.

The senior high band performed “Captain America March” arranged by Michael Brown, “English Folk Song Suite” arranged Ralph Vaughan Williams, and “Imaginarium” arranged by Randall D. Standridge.

The elementary band included 70 students from the five public school districts in the county.

The junior high chorus included 77 students in the county.

There were 74 students in the senior high band.

Thailer Seibert of Albion plays the tenor sax in the elementary band.

Senior high band students perform on Saturday. March is Music in our Schools Month and the local districts will be hosting their own concerts and events.

Oakes brothers emerge as leaders for NY Apple and Cider associations

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 1 March 2023 at 9:34 pm

Provided photo: Jonathan Oakes, left, and his brother Christopher stand in the State Capitol in Albany on the Million Dollar Staircase with steps made of Medina Sandstone. The brothers were in Albany for meetings of the New York State Apple Association and New York State Cider Association. Jonathan is president of the New York Cider Association and Christopher is vice president of the NY Apple Association.

LYNDONVILLE – There’s no mistaking Christopher and Jonathan Oakes passion for their family business.

The brothers are not only heavily involved in LynOaken Farms, but Christopher is vice chair of the New York Apple Association, while Jonathan is president of the New York Cider Association.

They recently attended annual meetings of their respective organizations in Albany, which they feel is important in urging lawmakers to make laws and provide funding for programs beneficial to farmers.

In addition to Christopher’s and Jonathan’s involvement in their agricultural organizations, their aunt Wendy Oakes-Wilson is a member of the New York Grape and Wine Foundation.

Jonathan has been a member of the New York Cider Association since its founding in 2015. He was elected president last June. He is the winemaker for Leonard Oakes Estate Winery.

Christopher has been on the New York Apple Association board since 2020 and was elected vice chair a year ago.

“Our involvement in agricultural goes back to our grandfather Jim,” Jonathan said. “He was active in many agricultural agencies, specifically apple organizations.”

Jim’s father Leonard founded the family farm in 1919, raising poultry and vegetables, continuing through World War II. After Leonard died in 1951 and Jim took over, he moved more into fruit and vegetables, Jonathan said. By the 1980s, the farm was mostly a fruit farm. Christopher’s and Jonathan’s dad Darrell heads the farm today.

File photos by Tom Rivers: Chris Oakes, orchard manager at LynOaken Farms and the fourth generation to work on the farm, holds a Redfield apple, a variety that was developed in 1938. The apple has a red flesh and pink seeds. It’s one of the heirloom varieties in a U-Pick orchard at the farm.

Farming has become more challenging in recent years, with all the rules and regulations being enacted in Albany, Christopher said, which is why the Oakes brothers know how important it is to support the Apple and Cider organizations.

Jonathan has always had a penchant for cider and started fermenting in 2003. Their tasting room was opened in 2008 at the winery on Ridge Road in Medina.

He said cider was one of original key beverages in our nation, and since LynOaken Farms had a lot of apples, it made sense to start making cider.

“Then we have a school like Cornell in our back yard,” Jonathan said. “It’s nice for us to collaborate with each other and assure we stay on the front end of things.”

He said the Cider Association is young as an organization, kind of running on the shirttails of the Apple Association.

“It’s been a good relationship so far,” he said.

LynOaken Farms currently grows 250 acres of apples, 16 acres of peaches and 15 acres of wine grapes. The major apple orchards are on their home farm on Platten Road in Lyndonville, while the winery is located at 10609 Ridge Rd., Medina. Commercially, they raise 14 varieties of apples, but their U-pick orchard offers more than 350 varieties. One of these is an ancient type called Ben Davis.

“This was a big variety when the canal came through,” Christopher said. “You could put them on a ship to England and they would still look like an apple when they got there. Of course, they were like shoe leather.”

Christopher said every apple grower in the state is automatically a member of the New York Apple Association. One thing which they advocated for was for a portion of every apple sale to go to the Association for marketing. Currently, 16 cents of every bushel sold goes to fund marketing of New York state apples. The Apple Board meets three times a year – in February, June and November. Meetings are in Albany at budget time and in different locations the other two sessions. The state has 550 apple growers.

Jonathan Oakes, the winemaker at Leonard Oakes Estate Winery in Medina, serves wine during the third annual Farm-to-Table dinner on Aug. 2, 2018 in downtown Medina.

The Cider Association is member driven and their funding comes from membership dues. The organization are hoping to convince Albany to increase the line item in the budget for state funding of the Cider Association.

Their requests include funding for a New York Cider Mark Promotion campaign (resulting in full activation on cider labeling indicating 100 percent use of New York apples); Cider Week New York; a New York Cider Trail app to inspire visits to tasting rooms and orchards; and update of the website, social channels and collateral to increase tourist attraction.

The Cider Association has a state director in Hudson Valley and a board of 11 members. They meet every other month, with one general membership meeting in March. Smaller committees meet regularly.

Since growers have started making cider in New York state, it has had a tremendous economic impact, according to information provided by Jonathan. From five licensed producers in 2011, the industry has grown to more than 125 in 2023, employing 6,148 and resulting in $520 million in wages.

The New York Cider Association says the cider industry has a $1.7 billion total economic impact in the state.

The state will celebrate Cider Week New York May 5 to 14 and Oct. 6 to 15. More information can be found on their website at www.ciderweeknewyork.com.

Diocese assessing damage at St. Joseph’s in Lyndonville

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 March 2023 at 4:31 pm

Bishop will meet Sunday with parishioners from church after Mass at St. Mary’s

Photos by Tom Rivers: Firefighters check the back end of the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Lyndonville after a destructive fire on Tuesday. Firefighters were dispatched to the scene at 3:41 a.m. This photo was taken at about 7:45 a.m.

LYNDONVILLE – The Diocese of Buffalo hasn’t made a decision about the next steps with the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church after a destructive fire Tuesday at the building on 36 Lake Ave.

“We are assessing the damage which is quite extensive,” said Joe Martone, communication manager for the Diocese. “It will be fairly substantial.”

The fire on Tuesday destroyed much of the back of the church and also left the inside covered in soot, peeling paint and wallpaper, fallen insulation and many melted and destroyed items.

Bishop Michael Fisher will be at St. Mary’s in Medina for the 11 a.m. Mass on Sunday and will meet with parishioners from St. Joseph’s after the service.

“It’s devastating to the parish,” Martone said about the fire. “It’s an outreach we wanted to do to show our support to the people in Orleans County. All our churches are important to us in the Diocese.”

The sanctuary of the church used to be white but now is gray and black from the smoke and soot. Wet insulation that fell from the ceiling is on the pews.

‘Words can’t describe it’

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 February 2023 at 8:29 pm

Inside of burned Lyndonville church shows extensive damage from smoke and fire

Photos by Tom Rivers

LYNDONVILLE – A statue of Joseph holding baby Jesus has soot and discoloration, even though it was a room and short hallway away from the sanctuary at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church which was extensively damaged from a fire today.

The church at 36 Lake Ave. suffered extensive damage after a fire destroyed much of the back of the building. The back holds a religious education classroom.

The pews have soot and soggy insulation on them. The walls have peeled the the former white interior is now gray and black after the fire.

Firefighters were dispatched to the scene at 3:41 a.m. after a motorist on Route 63 saw flames coming from the building.

The fire is currently ruled as accidental and fire investigators are working to pinpoint the cause. They are trying to rule out a few possibilities in the area where the fire started, said Justin Niederhofer, Orleans County’s emergency management director.

The condition of front of the church belies the extensive damage inside. Paul Davis Restoration, a Rochester company, boarded up broken windows, doors and other openings in the church today.

Gary Daum, a member of St. Joseph’s for 42 years and the church’s maintenance supervisor, points to where rafters are charred from the fire.

The altar suffered from the intense heat and flames.

“This is just devastating,” Daum said. “Words can’t describe it. We’ll get through this, but it will take some doing.”

Daum served as the lecter of the last mass at the church on Saturday. That Mass was in memory of his wife Diane’s parents.

The Daums said the church has been going through a transition in recent years. The sanctuary holds 125 people, but attendance for Mass was down to about 15 to 25 people. The religious education program also was discontinued with young families encouraged to take those classes at St. Mary’s in Medina.

St. Joseph’s was about to shift to offering only one Mass a week, Saturdays at 5:30 p.m. after having three services – a weekday Mass, one on Saturday and one on Sunday morning.

Some of the beams in the roof have been burned from fire. The blades on fans have melted and face downward, and the sanctuary’s globe lights are all broken.

Wet insulation is on pews in the front of the church sanctuary.

“Everything has been scorched, bent or covered in soot,” Daum said. “It’s all dirty.”

The basement also is flooded from the water to douse the flames.

Daum said there has been a stream of people driving by the church today, many stopping to offer their sympathy.

Even though attendance was down significantly in recent years, Daum said many residents have attended weddings and funerals at the site. They also have fond memories of a chicken barbecue where not too long ago, St. Joseph’s served 800 to 1,000 meals on the third Sunday in July. Daum was chairman of the event for many years. That summer social included live music and was well attended by the community.

The stained glass window of Joseph in the front of the church has five or six hairline cracks after today’s fire.

An official from the Western New York Catholic Diocese was on site today and will assist the church in deciding what is salvageable and the next steps for St. Joseph’s.

These statues of Joseph and baby Jesus are covered in soot. These statues are near the altar in the sanctuary.

Catholic Church suffers extensive damage from overnight fire in Lyndonville

Provided photo: Flames shoot out of the rear side of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church at about 4 a.m. today in Lyndonville.

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 February 2023 at 9:21 am

LYNDONVILLE – St. Joseph’s Catholic Church suffered extensive damage in a fire last night.

Firefighters were dispatched to the scene at 3:41 a.m. after a motorist on Route 63 saw flames coming from the building at 36 Lake Ave.

The fire likely started in the rear of the building, where the church was heavily damaged. Fire investigators are on the scene this morning trying to determine the cause.

“It’s devastating,” said long-time church member Gary Daum. “There is so much damage. The walls are peeled. The back end is gone.”

Photo by Tom Rivers: Firefighters are on the back side of the church this morning. They worked to open roof hatches and put out any smoldering fires in the walls.

Daum said officials from the Western New York Diocese will be on scene today to assess the damage and determine the next steps for the congregation, which is part of the Our Lady of Lake Parish with a church in Barker.

The fire could have been much worse, taking the whole building if it wasn’t from a quick response from local firefighters, said Dave Hydock, a deputy fire coordinator with the county and 45-year member of the Lyndonville Fire Department.

He said there were 15 to 20 Lyndonville firefighters on the scene within 20 minutes of the call, and then crews soon followed from Medina, Shelby and Ridgeway. Albion and Carlton also joined in keeping the fire from totally engulfing the church. Firefighters had the blaze under control in about 35 minutes, Hydock said.

“In another 10 or 15 minutes this would have been like a barn fire,” Hydock said this morning at the scene. “In all my years as a fire coordinator this was a very good stop in a large building.”

Hydock has been a fire coordinator for 19 years. He praised the firefighters for responding so fast after being awakened from sleep to fight the fire.

St. Joseph’s Catholic Church was built in 1917 as a mission church under St. Mary’s in Medina.

Provided photo: The fire in the back of the church can be seen in this photo taken that shows the front.

Photo by Tom Rivers: Firefighters were able to keep the blaze from totally destroying the church on Lake Avenue.

2 trustees running unopposed on ballot in Lyndonville election

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 February 2023 at 11:47 am

LYNDONVILLE – Two candidates who are currently on the Village Board are seeking election to four-year terms as village trustees on March 21.

Kimberly Kenyon is running under the Pool Party while Terry Stinson is running under the Garden Party.

The two candidates are unopposed on the ballot. Voting will be at the Village Hall, 2 South Main St., from noon to 9 p.m.

Yates park upgrades to be honored as a Public Works ‘project of the year’

Photos by Tom Rivers: A new 75-foot-long pier is part of the upgrades to the Yates Town Park on Morrison Road by Lake Ontario.

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 January 2023 at 9:57 am

YATES – The park upgrades for the Town of Yates will be recognized as the “project of the year” by Genesee Valley Branch of the American Public Works Association.

The local chapter is honoring Yates in the Small Cities/Rural Communities category for Structures Projects.

The honor will be presented on Jan. 26 during the awards banquet for the APWA at the RIT Inn and Conference Center.

The award was established “to promote excellence in demonstrating creativity, ingenuity and efficiency in the delivery of Public Works projects that have a profound impact on the community.”

This award recognizes the alliance between the managing agency, the engineer and contractors who together have led to a successful completion of a public works project, said awards chairman Paul Chatfield.

The town worked with the MRB Group for engineering services and Keeler Construction in Barre served as the general contractor.

Russ Martino, a former Yates town supervisor, speaks during a Sept. 24 ribbon-cutting ceremony for the park improvements. The new pavilion is named in his honor. Martino served as town supervisor from 1996 to 2009. He was the supervisor when the town acquired the land for the park in 1997. It was for sale and the town used $100,000 from the state to acquire 5 acres of waterfront property.

The $2.5 million park upgrades included a 75-foot-long pier, a pavilion with bathrooms, new playground equipment, a kayak launch, a crusher-run walking trail, and new parking lot with sidewalks.

The new playground was designed by Parkitects, which is owned by Lyndonville native Ben Frasier, a 1988 Lyndonville graduate. The playground equipment includes several handicapped accessible features. The playground is on a rubber surface.

The project was 95 percent funded by the state, which made $300 million available to southshore communities through the state’s Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative or REDI.

That was in response to historic flooding along the shore in 2017 and 2019. That flooding destroyed part of the shoreline at the Yates park and the town used a separate $400,000 grant from the state to put in a massive breakwall.

The project turned a small park with few amenities into a site that Yates officials believe will become a vibrant destination.

Lyndonville Lions celebrate a busy year, with projects planned for 2023

Provided photo: Some of the Lions Club members in Lyndonville recently gathered for their annual holiday dinner at the White Birch.

Posted 31 December 2022 at 8:40 am

Press Release, Lyndonville Lions Club

LYNDONVILLE – The Lyndonville Lions Club recently held its annual holiday dinner at the White Birch Golf Course.

Members gathered for the holiday celebration and reflected back on a busy year for the club. The early months saw the club active with its annual support of the Easter egg hunt at the Lyndonville High School and supplied free hotdogs and soft drinks to all participants.

April saw a large turnout of over 250 people for the Lions Club Eye Health Care Screening. A free eye examination, glaucoma screening, and eye glass fittings were performed. The attendees all received a pair of refurbished eye glasses care of the Lions Club.

In May, club members delivered red roses to all mothers at the nursing home in Medina and at the extended care unit at the Medina Memorial Hospital. This was conducted in conjunction with their annual red rose and carnation sale for Mother’s Day.

Photos by Tom Rivers: The White Birth Golf Course hosted a pop-up eyeglass clinic on March 19 and about 250 people filled the site not long after doors officially opened at 10 a.m. The Lyndonville Lions Club organized the first-time community eyeglass clinic in the county. Lions Club members from Medina and the Leos Club at Lyndonville Central School also assisted. A team of eye specialists – state-licensed doctors of ophthalmology and optometry – were on site to determine the correct prescription glasses for each individual.

In July, the club celebrated the return of its primary endeavor with a full July Fourth parade, a chicken barbeque, and an evening concert followed by their famous large fireworks display. The day’s activities saw Grand Marshall David Bellavia, a recipient of the Medal of Honor, return to his home town to be honored. A military fly-over was performed to honor him and all the home town heroes.

The fly-over was carried out by the 911th Air Force Reserve Unit from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The attendance for the one day celebration was calculated to be over 10,000 people.

A summer long project that will be completed in the spring of 2023 is the village park project. The “Village of Lyndonville Sunset Park” project saw the improvement of an underutilized piece of property at the termination of route 63. The village-owned property has been transformed into a beautiful picnic and observation area thru the generous donation of man hours, cement slab pours, tree donations, and bench and table placements. The improvements have allowed the public to better use this area for various activities. The placement of a sign and flag pole should be completed this spring with a projected ribbon cutting event set for early summer.

A flyover preceded the Fourth of July parade in Lyndonville. It was carried out by the 911th Airlift Wing from Pittsburgh, Pa. The C-17 planes are used by the Air Force Reservists. The flyover was a first for Lyndonville’s July 4th festival, which has been organized annually by the Lyndonville Lions Club for about 50 years.

December brought holiday cheer and a Christmas Tree Lighting to the Lyndonville Village Park. Nearly 100 trees were sold and decorated in various ways to start the holiday season. The Lions supported this effort which is held by the village yearly. Lions supplied hot dogs and soft drinks throughout the day to those who ventured out on a blustery Saturday to experience the tree lighting and the arrival of Santa Claus.

The club recently sent several boxes of farm fresh apples from LynOaken Farms to the Commanding Officer and participants of the July Fourth flyover. The club wanted to thank the men and women of the 911th Air Force Reserves for their efforts. LynOaken Farms donated the gift to be sent.

The club is finishing a new membership drive which has been under way since November. Efforts are also well under way to purchasing a tenotomy machine to test eye pressure and screen for glaucoma. It is expected that this instrument could be used by Lyndonville’s and other Lions Clubs for their screening events. The club is also exploring the idea of an inaugural Lyndonville Lions Club golf tournament.

For the club’s schedule and plan of events you may contact President Harold Suhr or follow us on Facebook. The club would like to thank all the individuals and businesses that have supported our efforts in 2022.

New 184-foot-high telecommunications tower in Yates backed by County Planning Board

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 December 2022 at 8:50 am

ALBION – The Orleans County Planning Board on Thursday evening voted in support of a new 184-foot-high telecommunications tower in Yates on the Yates-Carlton Town Line Road.

Tarpon Towers would own the tower, about 1,000 feet north of Route 18. Tarpon plans to lease out space to other companies.

The project is designed to increase capacity and improve phone coverage throughout the eastern portion of Yates, western part of Carlton, northeastern portion of Ridgeway, and northwestern portion of Gaines.

The tower also will allow Verizon to offload current overloaded sites/cells. Jared Lusk, a real estate attorney with Nixon Peabody, told county planners there is room for at least two companies to co-locate on the tower with the possibility for more.

The tower will go on land owned by Bradley Bentley. It will be built on a concrete pad that is 4 by 11.6 feet. There will also be a structure that is 6.3 feet by 6.3 feet to house supporting equipment.

Ambitious restoration of 3 Main Street buildings in Lyndonville nearly complete

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 December 2022 at 8:37 am

Robert Smith overcomes obstacles to downtown revitalization with 3 storefronts, 4 hotel rooms

Photos by Tom Rivers: Robert Smith is pleased with the progress with renovating three Main Street buildings behind him in Lyndonville. He is seeking tenants for the storefronts, and expects four hotel rooms to be ready in April.

LYNDONVILLE – Robert Smith sees lots of potential in his hometown. The Lyndonville native now lives in Palm Springs, Calif., where he has worked as a financial advisor for nearly four decades.

But he comes home often to see family and friends, and to check up on a construction project that he hopes will add to Lyndonville’s quality of life. After more than three years of construction, three of Lyndonville’s Main Street buildings are nearly ready for tenants, and four hotel rooms will be available in the spring.

Smith took on the project, giving the three buildings a major transformation. The buildings don’t have tenants yet, but Smith sees many possibilities for the spaces – from cafes, restaurants, retail businesses, receptions for parties and events, shared work space and a certified kitchen that can be rented out, just to name a few options.

This 1,400-square-foot space looks much different than when it was a liquor store years ago.

“There are a lot of opportunities,” Smith said on Saturday, giving a tour of the nearly finished first floors. “It’s an open footprint. We’re really ready to start entertaining tenants.”

He welcomed people interested in the space to reach out to him at 760-408-8686.

Smith hosted a group on Saturday morning to breakfast and coffee before they went out and set more than 400 wreaths on veterans’ graves. On Sunday he had an appreciation gathering for the contractors who have worked on the project.

Mike Preston & Son Construction in Lyndonville served as general contractor on the Webber Building at 29 South Main St. Papilia and Sons, led by Ferdinando Papalia, did the bulk of the work as general contractor on the two other buildings.

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Here is how the building looked in 2018 before the construction started.

The Webber site has about 2,200 square feet of space on the first floor. The next two buildings have about 1,400 square feet in the former liquor store and about 1,500 square feet in the former sweet shop. The site also has outdoor patio space after the former Pennysaver building had to be knocked down when it’s roof caved in in February 2020 due to heavy snow and ice.

Smith said there could be pop-up vendors as tenants who may only need a small amount of room.

John Belson, the Lyndonville mayor, praised Smith for seeing the project through many challenges, including Covid restrictions and supply chain shortages that slowed down construction.

“It’s been trials and tribulations,” Belson said. “It’s been a huge undertaking.”

Some of community members were welcomed inside the Webber building on Saturday. Steve Goodrich, second from left, and Scott Goetze, both members of the American Legion in Lyndonville, spoke to a group on Saturday morning before they went to place wreaths on 441 veterans’ graves. Robert Smith, back left, invited the group inside the newly renovated Webber Hotel/Cafe on Main Street. Jim Simon, Yates town supervisor, is at right.

Smith adapted his overall plan when the Pennysaver building had to be taken down.

“It’s amazing,” Belson said about the repurposed buildings. “Hopefully it will help bring Lyndonville back. Having it come to fruition is good for the town, village and everybody.”

The village was able to help Smith secure a state grant that contributed about $400,000 towards the project.

The buildings have a fresh and modern look, with new plumbing, HVAC and drywall.

Darlene Hartway, one of the owners of Sourced Market & Eatery in Medina, is managing the certified kitchen at the Webber building. She plans to offer cooking classes. She said the kitchen can be renting out by others.

Smith plans a local advertising campaign when the hotel rooms are ready, likely in April. He sees a need for places to stay in Lyndonville with White Birch hosting many weddings and events on Route 63. There are also fishermen and many others who come to the community, including drivers for the Amish and Mennonite communities.

Robert Smith sees lots of potential for Lyndonville’s Main Street with three storefronts nearly ready.

Lyndonville Lions will judge Christmas decorations on Dec. 21

Posted 19 December 2022 at 1:00 pm

Press Release, Lyndonville Lions Club

LYNDONVILLE – In an effort to encourage and thank the residents for their decorating skills, the Lyndonville Lions Club will sponsor its annual “Spirit of Christmas” lights and decoration contest, with plaques awarded to the homes that are picked as the winners of the contest.

Residents do not need to pre-register their homes for contest entry. “Spirit of Christmas” Committee members will be the judges of the contest.

In order to have your home included in the judging you need to have your lights and decorations turned on by 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 21. The judges will canvas the entire Lyndonville area.