Contributed Story Posted 11 August 2015 at 12:00 am
Provided photos, Habitat for Humanity
MEDINA – Orleans Habitat for Humanity is announcing the winner of this year’s playhouse. Jason Miller of Lyndonville won the playhouse after buying a ticket as part of this year’s drawing.
The event raised about $1,600 for the local chapter of Habitat for Humanity. Miller’s name was drawn on Aug. 1, the final day of the Orleans County 4-H Fair.
Habitat also announced it received a check for $2,263 from the Valu Home Centers Company. This represents the amount collected by the local Valu store on Maple Ridge Road during the campaign sponsored by Valu to benefit Habitat for Humanity affiliates in the WNY area.
Customers in the Medina store purchased tickets for a chance to win a new Ford Focus. That money benefits the local Habitat for Humanity affiliate. The winner of the new car was a customer of a Bradford, PA store, but all the Habitat affiliates received proceeds because of the annual support provided by Valu Home Centers.
In the photo, Kay Van Nostrand (center), president of the Orleans Habitat, holds the check with Valu cashier, Allison Boring (left), and store manager, Jeff Osgood.
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo today announced six new patrol boats that will assist local law enforcement agencies across the state with keeping waterways safe.
One of the new vessels is assigned to the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department.
“More people than ever are taking advantage of the recreational opportunities at New York’s many lakes, rivers and coastal waters and we’re committed to ensuring that they remain safe for residents and visitors alike,” Governor Cuomo said in a press release today. “These new patrol vessels will assist local law enforcement efforts and will provide them with additional means to ensure those out on the water are abiding by the law.”
In addition to the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department, the new Brunswick Justice patrol vessels are assigned to the Babylon Police Department (Suffolk County), Irvington Police Department (Westchester County), Lewis County Sheriff’s Department, Livingston County Sheriff’s Department, and Port Chester Police Department (Westchester County).
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation purchased these vessels, which range in value from $70,000 to nearly $130,000. The transaction was made possible through the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund, administered by the U.S. Coast Guard, which provides funding to states to assist with recreational boating safety. Local police agencies will use the patrol vessels to enhance recreational boater safety and enforce New York State Navigation Laws.
“With our exceptional lakes, rivers and bays, New York State has a strong tradition of boating and fishing – and we want to make sure people visiting our waterways stay safe,” State Parks Commissioner Rose Harvey said. “Local marine patrols help keep our waterways safe by discouraging dangerous boating practices and serving as first responders in on-the-water emergencies.”
The State Parks Marine Service Unit is responsible for the general coordination of boating safety programs and supports marine law enforcement efforts across the state, including patrols, training and funding for local marine enforcement activities.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 August 2015 at 12:00 am
2 agencies are looking at more collaboration, possible merger
Photo by Tom Rivers – Donna Saskowski has been leading the Arc of Orleans County as executive director since April 1 on a six-month trial basis. She also is the executive director for the Genesee County ARC. She has led that agency for 11 years.
ALBION – The Arc of Orleans County and Genesee County ARC, two agencies that serve developmentally disabled residents, have collaborated with joint staff training for several years, as well as shared information technology services.
The two agencies since Aril 1 have shared an executive director. Donna Saskowski has led the Genesee County ARC for 11 years. The Arc of Orleans had been without a permanent executive director since Kellie Spychalski left in December to work in Niagara County with Opportunities Unlimited.
Patricia Kepner served as interim director for the Arc of Orleans for more than a year until Saskowski became the shared director on April 1. Kepner continues as director of quality assurance and the Camp Rainbow director for the Arc.
The two agencies are looking at more ways to share services, a discussion and study that could lead to a merger, Saskowski said today at the Arc’s administrative offices on Caroline Street.
An exploratory committee is looking at the issue with help from a consultant.
“I see opportunities,” Saskowski said. “We certainly compliment each other.”
The agency in Genesee County operates on about a $13 million annual budget with 340 staff members. In Orleans, the Arc has a $12 million budget and about 300 employees.
Saskowski said some of the ARC chapters in the state are reducing programs and staff due to shrinking government reimbursements and other fiscal challenges.
“We might be able to provide services in a better manner and be more stable as an agency,” Saskowski said about a possible merged agency.
Two counties with a bigger land area, Livingston and Wyoming, have a single ARC chapter, the Arc of Livingston-Wyoming.
Saskowski said if the discussion and study doesn’t lead to a merger, she expects there will be more partnering among the two agencies.
Her goal is to preserve as many programs and services as possible for developmentally disabled residents and their families. She has pushed for shared services, even when it resulted in more work for her by working in two counties.
“I’m more of a believer of being more efficient at the administrative level and putting those savings into programs,” she said.
She said the Arc chapters are wrestling with how to provide and foster community based employment for development disabled residents. The state is limiting sheltered workshops, where Arc consumers do light packaging and other tasks for businesses. The state isn’t allowing more people into those sites, instead pushing for other employment in the community.
Saskowski said agencies need to continue prevocational services, and try to have choices for developmentally disabled adults in the workplace.
She also wants more housing choices for developmentally disabled adults, which could be semi-independent living in apartments, additional “group homes” known as IRAs (Individualized Residential Alternative), or certified apartments where a staff members check in periodicaly to make sure the residents are taking medications and maintaining their living space.
Saskowski also worries about the state push for a $15 minimum for fast food workers. That could pull away employees from human services agencies, she said.
She would like to see more funding from the state for the ARC chapters, so ARC employees can earn more money.
Unlike fast food restaurants, which can raise prices to pay employees more, Saskowski said the agencies can’t pay employees more without assistance from the state.
Provided photo – Laura Allen, left, and Rachel Hicks of Albion Agencies are pictured with a display at the Albion business on Main Street, where Albion Agencies is collecting school supply donations for children.
ALBION – A local business is accepting school supply donations to help Community Action of Orleans & Genesee with its annual push for pencils, pens, crayons, notebooks and other supplies.
Albion Agencies will accept the supplies at its 30 North Main St. location. The business is promoting the event in its quarterly email newsletter as well as on social media.
The effort has resulted in many donations from employees, customers and other community members. That allowed Albion Agencies to collect a substantial donation for Community Action to distribute to local learners in early August to get them prepped for the upcoming 2015-2016 school year.
Albion Agencies, with roots going back 170 years, is teaming up with Community Action, an agency celebrating its 50th year in 2015.
Community members are welcome to drop off items at Albion Agencies, or at Community Action’s site at 409 East State St. Call Community Action at (585) 589-5605 for more information.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 August 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers – Two people were seriously injured in a one-car accident on Horan Road in Ridgeway on July 19. It took firefighters almost an hour and a half to extricate the driver from the car.
Orleans Hub had a strong month in July, averaging 6,569 daily users or 203,627 over 31 days. The 6,569 average was exactly the same as in June, an uncanny statistical match.
We had a total of 617,809 page views. There were 16 articles that topped 1,000 page views or “clicks,” which I think is the most we’ve ever had in a month since we started the Orleans Hub in April 2013.
The top five stories (the ones with the most “clicks”) last month include:
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 August 2015 at 12:00 am
~Tribute~
Photos by Tom Rivers – Bob Waters, president of the Medina Sandstone Society, gives a rallying cry on Dec. 11, 2013, during the inaugural induction of the Medina Sandstone Hall of Fame. Waters believed the community should take pride in its history, including the many landmark buildings around the state made from the local stone.
MEDINA – Orleans County lost one of its biggest boosters last week with the death of Robert E. Waters. The former publisher lived a full life, leading the local newspaper, raising two daughters with his wife Barbara, and playing an influential role in civic affairs.
Waters was a community dynamo for nearly a century. In addition to leading the local newspaper, Waters was a key leader in finding a new use for the Medina Armory when it closed in 1977. It would become a YMCA. (The Y recently completed more than $500,000 in upgrades to the former Armory, setting the building up for years of more use.)
Waters relished life in a small town. He was pleased with the recent resurgence of the downtown Medina business district, with the influx of investment and young entrepreneurs.
“It used to be young people couldn’t wait to get out of here,” he told Orleans Hub in April 2014 when he was being honored as a Heritage Hero by Genesee Community College and Orleans Hub. “I’ve always been a small-towner. Maybe the small town is coming back.”
The Heritage Heroes were honored for the first time in April 2014 as part of the Civil War Encampment. Waters stood out for a lifetime of commitment to the community.
He used the written word to preserve local history. He has written publications – he wouldn’t call them books – about Medina’s sandstone past, the community’s boom years from 1900 to 1930, and a publication of penny post cards about Medina in 2012: “Greetings from Medina, New York.”
Bob Waters in April 2013 signs a copy of the Medina Sandstone Society’s latest publication, “Medina, My Home Town – Fond Memories.” Waters tended the Sandstone Society’s booth at the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce’s Home and Garden Show.
While Waters loved the written word, he has also provided leadership and some of the heavy lifting for community projects, perhaps most notably the reuse of the former Armory on Pearl Street.
That 90,000-square-foot structure was built in 1901. After the state closed the building in 1977, Waters and the Armory Action Committee met weekly and negotiated with the state to keep the utilities on, make needed repairs and eventually transfer the site to the community so it could be used as a YMCA.
“When the National Guard left, the property could have gone down hill in a hurry,” Waters told Orleans Hub last year. “Now the Y is just running with it.”
Even at 90, he was leading the Medina Sandstone Society as the group’s president. Waters turned the Sandstone Society into a dedicated group that relishes the rich local history of the area. He backed efforts to create a Sandstone Hall of Fame that inducts buildings and landmarks made of the local sandstone.
Waters also pushed to create the Sandstone Trust that doles out small grants to community projects, from restoring stained glass windows, boosting the archives at the Lee-Whedon Memorial Library, and repairing stonework at the former Armory, as well as numerous other initiatives.
Waters was meticulous in his dress, wearing suits and bowties. But he was far from pretentious. Many residents received notes from Waters over the years, praising them for their good works, whether opening a new business, planting flowers or painting their house.
Waters exuded enthusiasm for the community.
“He loved the character of small-town life,” said his daughter Julie, who works in central communications for Cornell University. “He believed that small towns have a lot of vitality.”
When the bishop of the Western New York Diocese for the Episcopal Church visited Medina on June 17, Bob Waters gave him a tour. The Right Rev. R. William Franklin is pictured at Medina City Hall with Waters after the two looked at the Sandstone Hall of Fame, which includes St. Paul’s Cathedral in Buffalo, a giant Episcopal church made of sandstone from quarries in Hulberton.
Waters graduated from Medina High School in 1942 and served in World War II with the Army. After he earned a degree from Miami University of Ohio, he joined the family business, The Journal-Register in Medina, in 1949.
The paper would expand its coverage under Waters, with a big push to cover all of Orleans County. Mike Wertman was hired as a reporter in 1978. He covered local sports and other community news, including local government.
At that time, Waters wanted more in the newspaper from outside Medina. He pushed Wertman and the staff to be a county-wide paper, and Waters embraced coverage of girls sports. He would make sports a full-time job for Wertman. Waters gave this advice to Wertman: “The more names you could get in the paper, the better.”
Wertman said Waters was influential in the careers of many journalists. Many got their start at The Journal with Waters as their mentor. Behind closed doors with staff, Waters was optimistic, looking for the good in the community and its residents.
“He was always positive and pro-Medina,” said Wertman, who now covers sports for the Orleans Hub.
After selling The Journal and the former Albion Advertiser to a large newspaper chain, Park Newspapers, in 1985, Waters would work 10 years as communications director for State Sen. John Daly and his successor, George Maziarz. Waters also served on the Ridgeway Town Board for a decade, and was deputy town supervisor.
He stayed active and engaged in community issues, and found time for golf at Shelridge. He enjoyed playing the game with friends, and his grandson, Cody. Bob was one of five founders of Shelridge Country Club and was its first president.
Julie Waters said the family nearly lost him when he was 40 and in the backyard with his kids. A stray bullet from a target shooter struck Waters in the cheek and left his neck. The injury gave him problems the rest of his life, but Waters and family were grateful for 50 more years.
“He almost died, but he survived,” his daughter said. “We always felt it was a gift that he lived and we had a father.”
Julie said she is grateful to the community for the outpouring of tributes for her father.
“People have expressed a lot for his love of community and family,” she said.
Bob Waters, right, shows Medina resident Roland Howell the Sandstone Hall of Fame during a reception in February 2014. Waters relished his friendships and local history.
On a personal note, I’ve been friends with Bob for 20 years since I moved to Orleans County and had my first newspaper job with the Albion Advertiser. I often went to the Medina office of The Journal-Register to drop off film and lay out the Albion paper.
Bob would often stop by. He sprinkled kind words around the news room, especially for the reporters. He offered some background on the issues of the day.
We remained in touch when I joined The Daily News in Batavia. We became closer friends the past two years. I really enjoy learning about the area’s Medina Sandstone history, and the seeing how far the stone travelled in building mansions, churches and other important community buildings all over the state and beyond.
I thought a Sandstone Hall of Fame would be a nice way to celebrate that heritage. I pitched the idea to Waters and some of the Sandstone Society members. They endorsed the effort – and did all the work.
Bob, like a lot of newspapermen, watched the grim state of the industry with concern. The Journal-Register closed last year. Other small-town papers have also shut down and many larger papers are a shell of themselves.
Bob was a big encourager when the Orleans Hub started. He wanted the local news covered. He even declared himself a “Hubster” in a recent email.
He has been a role model for many in the community, showing the importance of valuing people and history. He was unapologetic in his love for Medina.
He also showed it doesn’t always take a big capital campaign to make a difference. Sometimes it just takes a hand-written note.
By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 3 August 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Kristina Gabalski
KNOWLESVILLE – The Orleans County 4-H Fair ended its annual six-day run on Saturday, with the fair drawing thousands of people each day to the hamlet of Knowlesville.
Krsitina Gabalski was at the fair each day. Her two children, John and Peggy-Jo, are active in the 4-H program.
The top photo shows Naomi Haberger, Emma Mathes and Saleya Williams – all members of the Adventurers 4-H club – wearing their matching outfits as “mannequin models” in the Trolley Building on Saturday afternoon.
Fair Royalty were selected Saturday afternoon. Left to right: Princess alternate Olivia Kroening, Princess Lilly Mathes; Prince alternate Jack Cecchini, Prince Owen Shaw; Dutchess Alternate Emma Mathes, Dutchess Megan Blackburn; Duke Brian Shaw; Queen Alternate Peggy-Jo Gabalski, Queen Natalie Mrzywka, and Duke Alternate Justin Robinson.
Roman Brege, 8, takes a breather during the Pie Eating Contest on Friday evening. Brege came in second place in the Piglet Division (10 and under). First place in the division went to 9-year old Jillian Ray. In the Hog Division (11-17-year olds), first place went to 14-year old Dalton Moyer and second place went to 13-year old Haley Mayer. In the Old Boar Division (ages 18 and up) first place was taken by John Burgio and second place went to Sue Moyer.
Megan Bruning of Bruning Ware in Medina throws a pot during her pottery demonstration Friday afternoon in the Trolley Building.
4-H’ers work to pass hula hoops down a line all while continuing to hold hands during the Ag Olympics held Friday morning at the Orleans County 4-H Fair. Three teams competed during the event.
Things got a little messy and very fun during the “Musical Chairs” game at the 4-H Ag Olympics on Friday morning at the Orleans County 4-H Fair. Participants not only had to sit when the music stopped, they had to burst a balloon on the chair seat filled with shaving cream.
Elsa Bieliski, left, and Brigid Keller, both 15 and from Medina, prepare to share their yummy brownie sundae at the Leader’s Pie Stand.
The crew exits a Mercy Flight helicopter Saturday at the Orleans County 4-H Fair. The helicopter landed on the south lawn of the fairgrounds as part of the “Kids Love Trucks Day.” Youngsters were able to get an up-close view of the helicopter and emergency trucks/vehicles from fire departments, law enforcement agencies and ambulance services around Orleans County.
Fire trucks and emergency response vehicles from across Orleans County were on display for fairgoers Saturday afternoon during the final day of the fair.
Theresa Jewell works on her loom in the Lartz Building. She is weaving a scarf. Jewell owns Stoney Meadows Alpacas and Fiber Boutique on Glidden Road in Clarendon and this was her first year as a vendor at the fair.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 August 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
KNOWLESVILLE – Sam Remley of Albion, the last climber for the BB Queens, propels himself over Taylor Soule and makes it to the top of the grease pole in 18.80 seconds, the fastest time of the week in the grease pole competition at the Orleans County 4-H Fair.
That time was part of the qualifier on Saturday. The BB Queens then competed in the championship round and bested three other teams for the title.
The BB Queens are all smiles after winning the title. The team mostly consists of recent Albion graduates. The group includes, front row, from left: Halle Jurs, Cady Messmer, Sam Remley and Taylor Soule. Back row: Grease pole event chairman Jeremy Neal, Marco Lopez, Hannah Hapeman, Brooke Bensley and Jessica Grimes.
The BB Queens race to the pole in the championship round. They climbed the grease-covered pole in 23.13 seconds to win the title. They won $100 for first place.
The team competed in the contest for the first time in 2014. Brooke Bensley is the team captain.
“We have so much fun,” Bensely said. “It’s about getting all of the high school kids together.”
The BB Queens work their way up the pole. Sam Remley, the last climber for the team, was called the BB Queens “secret weapon.” He has the upper body strength and agility to climb up three stacked people.
A big crowd gathered to watch the competition on Saturday night.
Jackie Sponaugle of Holley serves as the base for a team called Lyntucky Hicks. Kevin Ginger of Albion is climbing on Sponaugle, trying to be the second person on the pole.
Jackie Sponaugle holds up two people on the pole. He got more grease on his face as the team tried to work its way up the pole. The Lyntucky Hicks didn’t quite get to the top in the qualifying round on Saturday.
The Udder Suckers compete in the finals on Saturday. Neal Kruger of Holley is nearly to top with his feet on the shoulder of Noah Preston of Albion.
Neal Kruger smiles after reaching the top of the grease pole for the Udder Suckers, which finished third overall in the finals with a time of 31.18 seconds. The Troll Diggers were second at 26.61 seconds. Lusciously Lube was fourth at 36.62 seconds.
Lusciously Lube’s top three climbers include Devan Freeman on top, followed by Ben Martin and Mike Murphy.
The A Team gets in position to climb the pole. The climbers include Devin Taylor at left, Jake Vick at center and Larry Vick at right. The team was wearing shirts in support of Tom Drennan for sheriff.
A full moon was out Saturday for the competition, which has been a tradition at the fair for about 40 years.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 August 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
KNOWLESVILLE – Buyers were out in force on Saturday evening, paying well above the market price for animals raised by 4-H’ers.
Jayden Neal, 12, of Albion is pictured with a pig that received the highest bid of seven swine. Bentley Brothers in Albion paid $6.75 per pound for the 264-pound pig or $1,782. Andy Beach, left, and Zach Welker keep an eye on the bidders.
The auction raised $18,888 for 4-H’ers, who sold a steer, pigs, lambs, meat goats, meat rabbits, and processed chickens and turkeys. (The live chickens and turkeys were banned from county fairs this year due to avian influenza.)
Robert Bannister, right, serves as auctioneer for the 4-H Market Meat Auction. His sister Jayne Bannister is in the ring with the lone steer in the auction. Panek Farms paid $4.50 a pound or $5,378 for the 1,195-pound animal.
Jim Panek, co-owner of the farm, said the Panek family wants to support the 4-H program and the kids who raise livestock.
He said the meat from the animal would be split up among family and employees of the farm.
John Gabalski, 14, of Byron has a pen of rabbits for sale in the auction. They sold for $70 each.
Ian Smith, 17, of Lyndonville is pictured with his grand champion rabbit. Laura Bentley from Bentley Brothers paid $105 for the rabbit.
Smith said a meat rabbit usually commands about $20. He said he would use the extra money from Bentley to buy cages, bowls and hutches for his rabbits.
Zach Welker eyes a bidder for a turkey raised by Grace Sapienza of Hilton. The turkey was already processed. Grace held up a poster with pictures of the animal. The 18-pound bird sold for $55.
Zachary Neal, 10, of Albion gives his pig a final brush before heading into the show ring. Zachary’s brother Jayden, left, also raised a pig for the auction. The brothers were happy with the prices for their pigs. Jayden received $6.75 a pound and Zachary got $5.25 a pound for a 224-pound pig from Lee Shukhecht and Sons in Elba.
Anna Wagester, 12, of Batavia watches the bids for her rabbit, which sold for $87.50. She also had a meat goat in the auction. Her mother Jennifer Wagester is director of the Cornell Cooperative Extension in Orleans County.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 August 2015 at 12:00 am
Natalie Mrzywka, 16, of Holley wins the title
Photos by Tom Rivers
Nicole Mrzywka, left, and her sister Natalie hold their trophies after the Grand Master Showmen Competition at the Orleans County 4-H Fair on Friday. Nicole was the reserve champion and Natalie won the event. Their mother Annette (Lear) Mrzywka won the title in the early 1990s.
The event includes the top showman in nine different animal breeds and has them compete for the grand master showman, showing nine different types of animals. It is a grueling three-hour event.
Natalie Mrzywka, 16, of Holley leads a dairy cow in the show ring on Friday. She qualified for the competition after winning the showmanship award for meat goats.
Natalie shows sheep, goats, horses and dogs. That experience helped her show the range of animals in Friday’s competition.
“It’s a lot of hard work,” she said.
Natalie said showing the beef cattle are the most difficult because they are often unruly.
Her sister gave her a big hug after Natalie was declared the winner of one of the fair’s most prestigious titles. Natalie said the sisters push each other to learn about animals and excel in the show ring.
Nicole Mrzywka, 14, keeps a dairy animal under control during the Grand Master Showman Competition. Nicole qualified as the top showman for dairy goats.
Emily Harling, 11, of Barre tries to get a sheep set up during the Grand Master Showmen Competition. Emily qualified as the top showman for horse (western). Jayne Bannister is behind Emily and judge Tammi Kron listens to an answer about the breed from Janie Schutz. Both Jayne and Janie are past winners of the Grand Master Showmen.
Janie Schutz, left, of Waterport and Elizabeth Bentley of Albion show sheep in the competition.
Schutz qualified as the beef cattle showman and Elizabeth represented the llamas.
Elizabeth, 17, has shown llamas outside of 4-H for years. This year she joined the 4-H program and also showed in the dairy competition.
“I would definitely do it again,” she said. “The people in the barns, we’ve all worked together and taught each other how to show the animals.”
Judge Tammi Kron of Alden eyes the showmen as the lead dairy animals in the show ring.
Kron said the competition was very close. It came down to a tie-breaking question that Natalie Mrzywka answered. Kron wanted to know the best spot for a showman to be in the show ring. Natalie said it’s best to have the animal in the center of a show ring so it can be easily visible to the judge.
The master showmen included Janie Schutz, representing beef cattle; Justin Robinson, representing dairy cattle; Nicole Mrzywka, representing dairy goats; Natalie Mrzywka, representing meat goats; Kelsey Hilburger, representing horse – English; Emily Harling, representing horse – Western; Elizabeth Bentley, representing llamas; and Jayne Bannister, representing sheep and swine.
While waiting for the scores to be tallied, the participants each took turns introducing themselves to the crowd and sharing a highlight from the competition. Emily Harling told the crowd she learned to step outside her comfort zone. Other master showmen include, from left in back: Justin Robinson of Albion, Kelsey Hilburger of Elba, Janie Schutz of Waterport and Jayne Bannister of Point Breeze.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 August 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers – John Borello, left, and Ed Hilfiker, guitarists with The Who Dats, perform on Friday at the Orleans County 4-H Fair.
Special Event: Kids Love Trucks: Orleans Emergency, Fire Department, Law Enforcement, and Ambulance Services from across the county.
Daily Feature: Orleans County Flower Show, sponsored by Orleans County Master Gardeners. Display located in the Lartz Exhibit Building, daily presentations at 6 p.m.
Daily Feature Meet Michael Keene, author of five books on hidden history in New York, in the Lartz Building, 3-9 p.m.
8 a.m. Senior Council Stand Opens
9 a.m. Horse Games Day (Gymkhana) – Carlos Marcello Arena
10 a.m. All Buildings Open
1 to 4 p.m. Kids Love Trucks: ORLEANS EMERGENCY, Fire Dept., Law Enforcement, and Ambulance Services from across the county. Education Center Parking Lot
This 1965 Volkswagon was part on the Cruise-In Car Show Friday at the fair.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 August 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
KNOWLESVILLE – Friday at the fair once again included a fireworks show by Young Explosives.
These photos were taken near the livestock barns.
The fireworks went off at about 10 p.m. and helped keep a big crowd at the fairgrounds.
The Who Dats put on an entertaining show at the main stage. Ed Hilfiker, right, plays the guitar and Lonnie Froman is the leader singer. John Borello, center, is also a guitarist.
Ed Hilfiker is silhouetted on the main stage during the Who Dats concert.
Aaron Robinson plays the drums for the Who Dats. Another band member includes Marty Hobbs on bass.
A 1947 Cadillac is among about 100 classic cars in a cruise in on Friday evening at the fair.
The Troll Diggers Practice Squad race to the grease pole and begin their climb. The team made it to the top in 27 seconds. They had already qualified for today’s championships.
Andrew Jones touches the top of the grease pole while standing on Isaiah Jenks’ shoulders. These photos were taken from a lift.
The competition draws several hundred people, perhaps more, as a finale to the fair each night.
Craig Calliste of Lyndonville makes his way up the grease pole for the Udder Suckers, a team of mostly former 4-H’ers who showed dairy animals.
Craig Calliste and the Udder Suckers made it to the top in 1:12. That earned the team a spot in tonight’s championships. Calliste is climbing over Noah Preston, who stands on Theo Irwin. Jonathan Trembley is the base for the team.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 31 July 2015 at 12:00 am
Only 2 of 4 teams can make it to the top
Photos by Tom Rivers
KNOWLESVILLE – Alex Graff is up on Nic Elliott’s shoulders as the team, Rough N Ready, tries to climb the grease pole on Thursday night at the Orleans County 4-H Fair.
The team wasn’t able to pull off the challenge. Four teams tried it, but only two made it.
“It’s slippery up there,” Graff said.
Brad Driesel of Rough N Ready gets close to the top. Before he could get there, the bottom of the team started to give out. A nearly full moon shows in this photo.
The A Team makes it to the top of the pole as a crowd of several hundred people gather at 10 p.m. to close out the fair. The A Team completed the challenge in 1 minute, 1 second. That was good for second place on Thursday.
Lusciously Lube was the fastest team on Thursday. They climbed the pole in 38.32 seconds.
Devan Freeman of Medina is on top of the grease pole for Lusciously Lube with Ben Martin second from the top, and Mike Murphy third from the top.
Many of the team members are from Medina. Some of them tried it last year and couldn’t get to the top.
“We didn’t make it last year so this was a redemption thing,” Ben Martin said.
Lusciously Lube advances to the finals on Saturday night.
By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 31 July 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Kristina Gabalski
KNOWLESVILLE – There is a lot going on at the fair this week, and the annual event includes some new additions, including a flower show sponsored by Orleans County Master Gardeners.
Fairy Gardens (pictured above) are popular entries in the flower show, which is being held in the Lartz Building at the fairgrounds.
Orleans County 4-Her Rachel Gregoire, left, and Kate Hardner participated in the first-ever Master Gardener Floral Design Contest on Wednesday evening. The two were awarded trophies for their efforts. The contest was part of the flower show.
This clever and colorful container garden entry by Paula Bensley is part of the flower show. Paula used an old enamelware container to hold dishes and flower “soapsuds.” The flower show continues through Saturday.
Rebecca Semmel (standing, far left) headed to the Trolley Building on the 4-H Fairgrounds with her family to help churn and sample homemade butter and fresh, homemade rolls made by Jane Read (seated, far right). Also in the photo are Abigal Schrieber and Grace VanSlyke (seated).
Jane Read demonstrates butter making with a circa 1920-1930’s glass butter churn in the Trolley Building at the Orleans County 4-H Fair on Wednesday afternoon.
Lucky fairgoers had the chance to work the antique churn and sample the results on warm, fresh-baked rolls Jane had made in the Trolley Building kitchen. Here Jane is using a wooden paddle to gently press buttermilk out of the solid butter.
Orleans County 4-H Rabbit Raisers await while their entries are judged for Best of Show at the conclusion of the Rabbit Show at the Fair Tuesday evening while Mike Ross judges. Ross, a former Orleans County 4-H Rabbit Raiser, thanked show organizers for, “bringing me home” to judge the show. He said it was great to see the Rabbit Raiser program continue to flourish in Orleans County.
Orleans County 4-H Rabbit Raisers celebrate their Best of Show entries for the 2015 Rabbit Show at the Fair. On the right is Zach Albright who won Best of Show with his Satin Rabbit. On the left is John Gabalski who won Reserve of Show with his Californian rabbit. Looking on is Grace Gregoire who won Best of Show for cavies (guinea pig).
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 31 July 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
KNOWLESVILLE – Thursday was the finals for karaoke at the Orleans County 4-H Fair and Ayman Huzair, 21, captured first place and a $500 prize for his performance.
Huzair sang a medley of songs from Michael Montgomery, Bruno Mars and Cupid.
Huzair welcomed the crowd to join him on stage for the “Cupid Shuffle.” He just graduated from Brockport State College with a biochemistry degree and is applying to med school. His sisters Salma, 16, and Tamara, 13, both performed, and so did their brother Qasim, 11. The siblings took three of the top 5 spots.
Salma Huzair won second place and $250 for singing “Broken Hearted Girl.”
Rich Nolan, a past champion, was third with “Eight Second Ride.” Nolan, 25, of Medina said the contest, featuring 16 singers who qualified from Monday through Thursday, was a showcase of the singing talent in Orleans County.
“I just love performing for people,” Nolan said. “It’s just fun to have fun with the crowd.”
Olivia Redick of Kendall was fourth with “Girl Crush.”
Qasim Huzair proved a crowd favorite with his performance of “Sugar.” Qasim sang in public for the first time on Wednesday and transformed from a quiet kid into a high-energy singer.
Dawn Hoffmeister of Ridgeway sings “Still Got The Blues.” Hoffmeister, 54, said she has been singing karaoke for more than 20 years.
“I just love to sing,” she said. “It’s my passion.”
Lindsay Thurber sings “Gunpowder and Lead.”
Liz Osborn sings “Girl Crush” during the karaoke finals.
