ALBION – The Orleans County Courthouse is closed until Wednesday so the historic site can be rid of fleas.

The State Supreme, County and Surrogate Courts will remain closed Tuesday, with Family Court shifting to the Albion Village Hall, 35-37 East Bank St., The Daily News is reporting.

Remediation work started today after an infestation was discovered throughout the courthouse, The Daily News reported.

Photo by Tom Rivers – This sign promoting the Niagara Wine Trail is in Lockport. More of the signs are headed to Orleans and Monroe counties after the trail was expanded.

Orleans County wineries and business owners cheered a long-sought move last September when Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed into law legislation expanding the Niagara Wine rail through Orleans, all the way to Route 390 near Rochester.

Orleans officials and businesses expected the expanded wine trail would lead to more tourists and customers for Orleans wineries, farm markets, restaurants and other businesses.

It’s been nearly a year since the state expanded the trail, but a road-side sign is yet to go up in Orleans County, promoting the Niagara Wine Trail.

That should soon change, local winery owners said.

Paul Schwenk of Schwenk Wine Cellars of Kent is picking up Wine Trail signs next week that will go on Route 18, directing people to his winery on Bills Road. He will hand the signs off to the state Department of Transportation, which will install them.

“Let’s hope they are up by Labor Day, at the latest,” Schwenk said on Thursday.

Wendy Wilson of Leonard Oakes Estate Winery in Medina is also hopeful the signs will be along Route 104, promoting the Wine Trail. She worked on expanding the wine trail for several years.

Each of the signs needed a DOT permit. Wilson said about 100 new signs will be going up to promote the expanded trail.

The Niagara Wine Trail used run along Route 104 mostly in Niagara County. It reached into Orleans to include the Leonard Oakes Estate Winery near the western end of Ridgeway. But it couldn’t keep moving east, without a change in the state law.
Several groups, including the wine industry, tried for years to extend the wine trail.

The State Senate was the first to go for it, but the Assembly didn’t agree until last year. The state about three years ago approved funding for the signs.

This trail is expected to be a tourism boost for Western New York. It will stretch from Niagara Falls through Orleans and into Monroe County. It also will run south from the Falls area into Erie County.

The trail will run on Route 104 between the Ferry Avenue/Route 62 intersection in Niagara Falls and Route 390 in Monroe County. That will be known as “Niagara Wine Trail Ridge.”

The complement to the Ridge route is the “Niagara Wine Trail Lake,” which follows Route 269 north from its intersection with Route 104 at the Niagara-Orleans County Line to Route 18. It then runs west to Route 425, then south to Route 62 and along that route until its intersection with I-290 in Amherst.

Lisa Ireland is first director for merged Orleans agency

File photo by Tom Rivers – Lisa Ireland, executive director for the United Way of Orleans County, joins campaign chairman Charlie Nesbitt last Sept. 11 in unveiling the $325,000 fund-raising goal. Ireland served as the United Way executive director the past three years.

MEDINA She led two Orleans County United Way charters through a merger, helped the combined organization raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for local agencies and spearheaded a “Day of Caring” on Sept. 11.

Lisa Ireland said it has been an honor to serve as executive director of the United Way of Orleans County the past three years. But she is leaving the position next month to take a job at the Rochester Institute of Technology. She will be working in the development office, raising money for scholarships.

The United Way in Orleans used to have Eastern Orleans and Western Orleans chapters. Now they are unified with an office in Medina. The United Way set a campaign goal last September to raise $325,000 for 20 different agencies.

“It’s an amazing, amazing job,” Ireland said. “With 20 agencies you see a whole variety of different work. You’re able to touch a lot of lives.”

The United Way is seeking a new director. Candidates should send their resume and cover letter to Bill Hungerford, board chairman at wgh@takeform.net. For more information on the position, click here to go to the United Way website.

Ireland said she will be available through the end of August to help with the transition to a new director. It’s a busy time for the agency as it plans for a new fund-raising campaign and also the Day of Caring on Sept. 11. On that day volunteers go out and work with many community service projects.

“We purposely chose Sept. 11 wanting to turn a day of tragedy into something positive,” Ireland said.

Ireland grew up in Albion and lives in Brockport. She was just elected president of the Board of Education in Brockport. Prior to the United Way, she was director of the Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern and the development director of Hospice of Orleans.

“I’ve worked 12 years in human services in Orleans County,” she said. “It’s been such an honor to work with everyone in Orleans County.”

Provided photo – This undated photo, provided by Orleans County Historian Bill Lattin, shows the Courthouse Square in its pre-automobile days with hitching posts to tie up horses.

Photo by Tom Rivers – A hitching post will be installed sometime soon near the historical marker at the southwest corner of the courthouse lawn.

This hitching post is next to the home where Grace Bedell grew up on West State Street in Albion. Bedell is the girl who wrote a letter to Abraham Lincoln, encouraging him to grow a beard.

ALBION – The historic Courthouse Square will soon add an artifact from a bygone era.

The County Legislature has agreed to accept a hitching post from the Albion Main Street Alliance. The post will be added to the southeast corner of the courthouse lawn, likely in August, said Legislature Chairman David Callard.

The post will be located near a historical marker that was installed last July. That marker, with a log cabin logo, honors the pioneering spirit of Albion’s first residents. The marker recognizes William McAllister.

In December 1810, McAllister bought 368 acres in Albion, the east side of the village, from the Holland Land Company. The following year he built a log cabin where the current County Clerks’ Building stands next the county courthouse.

McAllister and his wife, known only in historical information as “Mrs. McAllister,” were Albion’s first settlers. The hitching post adds to that spirit of honoring the pioneers and early residents in the community. That was part of my message last week when I addressed the Legislature.

I showed them pictures of the many hitching posts and carriage steps in the community. I think Albion and Gaines have more of these survivors from the horse-and-buggy era than anywhere else. (I don’t think an inventory has ever been done to see which community has the most of these historical relics.)

Most of Albion’s hitching posts and carriage are on side streets. We don’t have too many along the state roads. AMSA is working with the village and now the county to have four hitching posts put back on Main Street. They will be set back off the state right of way. By having four in more prominent places on Main Street, we’ll be better able to promote the other sites that have hitching posts and carriage steps.

Many of them are in front of grand old houses from the 1800s or other historical sites, including the Cobblestone Society Museum and Mount Albion Cemetery.

I encouraged the Legislature to consider putting six to eight hitching posts along Main Street in front of the courthouse lawn, replicating the setup from the 1800s. I think we could find that many hitching posts or have them made.

I think the county could negotiate the placement with the state Department of Transportation, as long as the county assumes liability. I just wanted to put that idea out there for the county officials to mull over. For now I’m happy the Legislature will allow the one to go by the historical marker.

Photos by Tom Rivers

KNOWLESVILLE – Coming In Greasy works their way to the top of the pole. The team climbed the pole in 51.28 seconds.

The A Team works its way up the grease pole on Friday. The A Team was the second fastest of five teams with a time of 40.33 seconds. The Troll Diggers had the fastest time with 22.33 seconds to advance to tonight’s championship at 10:30 p.m.

The team 5 Guys And 2 Chicks are all smiles after climbing the grease pole in 44.95 seconds. Some of the team members include Brandi Newman of Medina, center, and Sean Poprawski, right, of Albion.

Mikayla Jackson of Barker made it to the top of the grease pole with 5 Guys And 2 Chicks. She smiles while sliding down the pole.

Iva McKenna of Barre acknowledges a cheering crowd after she was introduced by Barry Flansburg, emcee of the grease pole competition, as “the greatest female grease pole climber ever.”

Iva competed with the Iron Fists, which included two of her daughters, Jenny McKenna and Kerri Richardson. The team came about a foot short of getting to the top of the pole.

The Iron Fists gave a valiant effort in climbing the pole. The group includes, from left: Emily Bannister, Jessica Derefinko, Julie Cecchini (in back), Kerri Richardson, Zach Welker (in back), Andy Beach, Jenny McKenna, Iva McKenna and Amber Demmin.

Photos by Sue Cook

KNOWLESVILLE – Besides the animals, the Orleans County 4-H Fair also has a variety of amusement park-style attractions. Midway Rides of Utica provides the entertainment.

Here is a snapshot of the fun:

The carousel topper in a horse in mid-gallop.

Kyle, 6, and Tyler Brett, 8, ride The Caterpillar rollercoaster.

The horses look like they’re racing each other as they move around the carousel.

The Vortex turns stomachs during the day.

At night, the Vortex lights up as it continues taking riders for a spin.

Food and rides sit side by side down a busy main path.

The dizzy dragons whirl riders around. The riders can use the wheel inside of each dragon to spin themselves independently and make for an exhilarating ride.

Photos by Sue Cook – Morgan Parnitzke belts out “Listen” by Beyonce.

By Sue Cook, staff reporter

KNOWLESVILLE – Thursday night marked the finals of the karaoke contest at the 4-H Fair and a big crowd turned out for one of the fair’s most popular events.

Seventeen contestants were chosen from prior qualifying rounds throughout the week to compete for the $1,000 prize donated by M&T Bank.

Another prize of 16 hours of studio time was donated by John Wragg, owner of TORQUIL Studios. Wragg was personally judging the contest seeking someone who was very passionate about their and was not simply there trying to win the cash prize. The prize also includes time to make a music video with the studio.

Joyce Stamp entertains the crowd of more than 400 onlookers.

Wragg commented that he was not judging based on age, looks or gender. The important part was that the singer was full of energy and having a great time, while making it clear they lived to be a performer.

“Wide Open Spaces” by the Dixie Chicks receives a sweet rendition by Laura Mullen.

Brandon Johnson, the entertainment coordinator for the fair, was one of the judges for the karaoke contest.

“This is one of the biggest competitions in the entertainment portion of the fair that happens throughout the week,” he said. “Lots of people come out for this and come back night after night to try to qualify for finals. We’re looking for stage presence, vocal ability and crowd recognition.”

Olivia Redick gets energized during her performance.

He added that pure talent was the key to winning high marks from the judges.

“I like all types of music, said Johnson. “It just depends on who is singing it and their vocal ability and whether the song fits them or not.”

Contestant Rich Nolan performed “Eight-Second Ride” by Jake Owen.

“I’ve been singing my whole life, so it’s just natural,” said Nolan. “I’ve been practicing that way and doing other contests. There’s a lot of good competition. It’s going to be hard.”

Taylor Whittier rocks the crowd to AC/DC.

Taylor Whittier performed an AC/DC for the finals, but also used the band for his qualifier song on Monday. One way he says he gets positive feedback is to get the crowd involved.

“I play music in a local band called Terrible Ideas,” Whittier said. “I’ve been singing since I was 12 or 13 in local places. I just do it for fun.”

Jessica Reigle donned a candy-sweet pin-up look for her number.

Lydia Piazza, a resident of New Jersey, moves to the area in the summer and enters the 4-H karaoke contest each year.

“I love it,” she said about being on stage. “I’ve been dancing since I was 5, so it’s just calming to me. I’ve always been singing just for fun.”

John Gursslin got the ladies in the audience screaming as he sang “Bed of Roses” by Bon Jovi.

Morgan Parnitzke, 17, was not intimidated by some of the older singers because she was competing for the enjoyment of it.

“I just took a lot of time rehearsing the song over and over again. I just felt it,” she said. “I’m glad I got the chance to sing today.”

Parnitzke (left) went on to win the contest with a score of 88 out of 90. The other competitors to make it to the top five included (from left): Rich Nolan, Olivia Redick, Jessica Reigle and Emily Kordovich.

Jessica Reigle also won over Wragg with her fun performance of “Candy Man” by Christina Aguilera. Reigle will be given the opportunity to use the studio space for 16 hours.

A map from the state Department of Transportation shows where 450 miles of rumble strips are planned for in the region. In Orleans, the seems to show the strips will be added to portions of Route 104, 98 and 63.

The state Department of Transportation will add 450 miles of rumble strips to state highways next year.

The centerline strips will go on state roads in Orleans, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Wayne and Wyoming counties, according to State Sen. George Maziarz’s office.

The strips have been shown to reduce head-on collisions on high-volume, non-divided, high-speed roads, the DOT told Maziarz in an advisory.

“This work will be done during 2015 and drivers should expect only minor delays due to construction on the affected roadways,” the DOT advised Maziarz. “The work zone will be similar to what drivers encounter when meeting a striping crew, with the exception that flaggers will be stationed with the work zone to allow an alternating single lane of traffic to pass while the work is done.”

ALBION – Orleans County expects a sale to be complete soon for the county-owned nursing home, a 120-bed healthcare facility that has needed county subsidies to pay its bills.

The county budgeted an $825,000 contribution from taxpayers for the nursing home’s operations this year and that is projected to jump to $1.65 million next year. County officials fear the gap between government reimbursements and costs will get larger, necessitating county subsidies of $2 million to $4 million annually in the future.

That burden prompted county officials to sell the nursing home – The Villages of Orleans Health & Rehabilitation Center – for $7.8 million to Comprehensive Healthcare Management Services LLC. The sale needs the approval of the state and the Public Health Council is expected to vote on it Aug. 7. The state board has already given the sale contingent approval.

The nursing home sale is on target to be finalized by Jan. 1, 2015. If the sale isn’t finalized by then, county officials put a clause in the contract for Comprehensive Healthcare Management Services to pay for the operating losses for each month, beginning with January, until the sale is finalized, said Chuck Nesbitt, the county’s chief administrative officer.

Most of the sale price will be used to pay off existing debt, about $6.5 million, for the nursing home. The county will be spared from paying the shortfall for the nursing home in the future once its owned by a private firm.

The sale comes at a time when the county needs to repair or replace bridges and culverts. State and federal government dollars have been harder to come by for the county infrastructure. The nursing home savings will allow the county to direct more local dollars to infrastructure.

“We’re looking to address a number of bridge projects,” Nesbitt said.

The federal and state dollars are already scheduled for the next three years through a regional transportation council. Little of that money was directed to Orleans.

Nesbitt and the county don’t want to wait until 2018 for the next transportation funding plan to have a chance at state and federal money for local bridges.

“It’s problematic because of the number of the bridges and culverts that need attention,” Nesbitt said. “They can’t be deferred until 2016 or 2017.”

He expects the county will fix six bridges next year, with more to be targeted in the following years.

Besides the money it will be spared from the nursing home, Orleans also is projected to receive $268,000 in casino funds through a compact between the state and the Seneca Nation of Indians. Those dollars can help with the infrastructure projects, Nesbitt said.

The Legislature on Wednesday approved a bridge replacement on Hulberton Road in the town of Murray for $1,338,900. That project will be paid 80 percent by the federal government, 15 percent by the state and 5 percent by the county.

Crane Hogan Structural Systems in Spencerport submitted the low construction bid of $894,275 for the new bridge over the west branch of Sandy Creek.

Contract makes everyone pay towards health insurance

ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature approved a two-year contract with management that gives about 65 employees 2 percent raises in 2015 and 2016.

The labor deal also continues a prior agreement for all management to pay towards their health insurance. The previous deal started a phase-in for veteran managers to pay more towards their health insurance in 2 percent increments.

That five-year roll-in continues in the new contract until it’s at a 10 percent share for all management, unless the manager is a new hire who chooses family insurance coverage. Then the employee has to pay 20 percent of the cost.

The new contract mirrors a three-year deal approved in October with about 70 employees in the Sheriff’s Department. They received 2 percent pay hikes annually and agreed to higher deductibles to their health insurance, which will reduce county health premium expenses.

The management staff also agreed to the higher deductible plan.

The county is now focusing on a labor accord with its largest union, CSEA. That contract expires on Dec. 31.

BB Queens advance to Saturday’s championship

Photos by Tom Rivers

KNOWLESVILLE – Taylor Soule of the BB Queens is ready to descend the grease pole after Sam Remley reaches the top of the telephone pole slathered in grease.

The BB Queens were the fastest team on Wedneaday night, climbing the pole 43.72 seconds.

The BB Queens include, from left, in front: Gretta Smith, Taylor Soule and Halle Jurs. Back row: Jessica Grimes, Hannah Hapeman, Sam Remley, Brie Dixon, Brooke Bensley, Cady Messmer and Eboni Taylor.

Most of the members graduated from Albion in 2013. Brooke Bensley pushed to form the team. She has been watching the grease pole at the fair since she was a kid. During many sleepovers with her friends, she said they practiced cheerleading units and pyramids. She knew they could climb the pole.

Most of the men’s teams have taller participants and need to stack four people to get to the top. An all-ladies team would need to stack five people, Soule said. The team reached out to their Sam Remley, who is wiry with the upper body strength to get to the top.

The BB Queens drew loud cheers from the crowd of several hundred people after Remley made it to the top. Soule was covered in grease after the event.

A team from Hamlin, the Troll Diggers, works its way up the pole with Andrew Jones on top. The group watched friends compete last year and decided to try on Wednesday night. They did it in 46.23 seconds, just behind the BB Queens.

Andrew Jones of the Troll Diggers tries to find a grip to keep going up the grease pole.

A team from Medina, Mucked up, battled and climbed the pole in 2:05.99. Here Mucked Up members Andrew Cotter in white with Nick Schroeder in red at right try to get up the pole. Schroeder lost his grip but regrouped and made it to the top.

Lucas Evans of Mucked Up tries to steady himself so the next team member can climb up and stand on his shoulders. The grease pole continues each night at 10 p.m. with championships on Saturday.