Press Release, Orleans County Tourism Department

This is the cover of this year’s travel guide promoting events, sites and businesses in Orleans County.

ALBION – This week is National Travel and Tourism Week, the annual celebration of the contributions of the U.S. travel industry. It spotlights the essential role that travel will play in driving economic growth and innovation through the theme #TravelForward.

“The travel industry fuels every industry—our industry’s success is the nation’s success,” said U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman. “This week is a prime opportunity to elevate the message that travel is essential to moving America’s economy forward.”

Established in 1983, National Travel and Tourism Week is an annual tradition to mark the U.S. travel industry’s role in stimulating economic growth, cultivating vibrant communities, creating quality job opportunities, stimulating business activity and elevating the quality of life for everyday Americans.

Travel serves as a catalyst for a productive U.S. economy and helps power the success of other industries. The U.S. travel industry generated a $2.6 trillion economic output in 2022 and supported 15 million jobs, fueling communities, small businesses and working families across the country.

Travel spending also generated nearly $160 billion in federal, state and local taxes in 2022—revenue that helped fund critical public services while saving each U.S. household an average of $1,270 in taxes.

In Orleans County, the travel industry thrives on visitors coming to experience our world-class fishing, the Erie Canal and other historical assets such as the Medina Railroad Museum and Cobblestone Museum. In 2022, the bed tax that was collected exceeded $111,000. This reflects a 29% increase from 2021 which was a 26% increase from 2020.  We were fortunate to sustain during the peak of the pandemic in 2020 compared to 2019.

Orleans County Tourism is recognizing travel’s essential contributions by a number of promotional tools. This week, we are launching a new dynamic website to highlight all that Orleans County has to offer: OrleansCountyTourism.com.

This has a similar platform as the 4-county regional website, FreshAirAdventuresNY.com, that was launched in 2021. The information for each tourism related business will be expanded and featured on a dedicated page specific to that business. Viewers will be able to filter the listings and events by sub-category. And, we will have the ability to cross feed listings to both the county and regional websites simultaneously to expand our reach efficiently.

We are also expanding our partnerships so we can increase our social media campaigns and advertise in national magazines. Besides the 4-county Fresh Air Adventures campaign, we have partnered with Wyoming County to create “Lakes to Letchworth” and advertised in Good Housekeeping, Woman’s Day and Country Living Magazines, which has generated over 1,000 leads to date. The “100 Must See Miles on the Erie Canal” is in partnership with Wayne, Monroe and Orleans Counties featuring the highlights along the 100 mile stretch from Medina to Clyde. We are in the process of developing a similar campaign with Niagara Falls USA.

In 2023, the tourism department expanded by introducing a part-time sportfishing coordinator, Ron Bierstine, on a contract basis. Ron contributes a wealth of fishing and conservation experience to Orleans County and the region. He writes weekly fishing reports and works closely with NYS DEC and Canals NY to enhance fishing locally and regionally. We haven’t had a sportfishing coordinator since 2017 when Mike Waterhouse retired.

The summer events rack card will be available for distribution this week that features the concert series and community events. There are currently over 50 live concerts scheduled that are expected to draw thousands of visitors from outside the county that will be frequenting our shops, restaurants and plan for extended stays.

We’re expanding our video library to include the series, Small Town WNY that was produced for interstitial programming for the Buffalo/Toronto PBS market. In 2022, we collaborated with several businesses in Medina and were able to produce four 8-minute episodes profiling the history and hidden gems of Medina. We will continue reaching out to other communities to showcase their “hidden gems”  in 2023.

“Travel is at the heart of Orleans County, powering a strong U.S. economy, creating jobs and strengthening our community’s culture and identity,” said Dawn Borchert, director of Tourism in Orleans County. “This National Travel and Tourism Week, we are proud to celebrate all that travel does for our community now, and all that it will contribute in the future.”

Please visit ustravel.org/NTTW to learn more about National Travel and Tourism Week and OrleansCountyTourism.com for the multiple reasons to visit Orleans County and invite your friends!

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Bob Harker, director of Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern, addresses the crowd at Saturday night’s gala at Elba Fire Hall.

ELBA – More than 100 supporters attended the Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern’s first gala since Covid on Saturday night at the Elba Firemen’s Recreation Hall.

The evening began with a prayer by board president Sister Dolores O’Dowd, who also paid tribute to Mary Grace DeMarse, a long-time board member who died in December. Many donations to the basket raffle for the evening were made in memory of DeMarse, who loved the annual fundraising event and would keep her eyes open for basket items all year round.

GOMOC’s director Bob Harker welcomed guests and thanked those attending for their support.

“Ministry of Concern doesn’t rely on tax dollars,” he said. “We rely on you. We are totally grant and donation supported. We have to do fundraising like this to pay the bills or we couldn’t do what we do for those in need. That’s why events like this are so important.”

He said they were thrilled to be able to have the first gala in three years and thanked Marie Gabalski for helping to organize the event.

Sue Metzo of Medina attended with a table of MAAC volunteers. She said they all enjoyed comedian Moody McCarthy.

“He was very interesting and did down-to-earth stuff,” Metzo said.

She said MAAC supports the Ministry of Concern, and they all work together. For example, when Ministry of Concern has a family who needs pots and pans, their volunteer will contact the MAAC Thrift Depot and ask if they have any.

“We do great things to help each other in Orleans County,” Metzo said.

Harker added he was very grateful to the people who supported the gala and GOMOC this year.

“It frees us to help people in a real way,” he said.

The evening also included a basket raffle, live auction, 50/50 drawing and dinner catered by Chap’s Elba Diner.

The Ministry of Concern is known as “The agency of last resort,” for having the ability to help people in need in various ways.

In addition to Sister O’Dowd, the agency’s board includes honorary director, John J. LaFalce; vice president, Bruce Schmidt; secretary, Teresa Gaylard; treasurer, Karen Kinter; and Jane Balbick, Jack Burris, Jennifer Metz, Phil Pies, Karen Tennity and the Rev. Colleen O’Connor.

Besides Harker, staff are office manager, Carol Whalin; advocate/furniture program coordinator, Lisa Taylor-Rowland; furniture program driver, Fran Gaylord; and furniture program assistant, Charlie Downey.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature presented four proclamations during its meeting on Tuesday. In the top photo, Legislator Bill Eick reads a proclamation declaring May 7-13 as “National Travel & Tourism Week.”

Standing to accept the proclamation include, from left: Lora Partyka of Partyka Farms in Kendall and the Country Barn Quilt Trail, Doug Farley of the Cobblestone Museum, Ginny Kropf of the Medina Railroad Museum, Faye Conley of the Bent’s Opera House and Dawn Borchet, the county’s tourism director.

Eick and legislators said travelers spend $30.9 million annually in Orleans County on lodging, recreation, restaurants, retail shops, agriculture, attractions and second homes, supporting over 510 jobs in Orleans County.

Sportsfishing is the county’s top tourism attraction at a $28 million annual impact.

The county’s occupancy tax continues to increase each year, with a record $111,013 collected in 2022.

Borchet, the tourism’s director, thanked the many local businesses and organizations that invest in their sites to bring in visitors to the county.

County Legislator Fred Miller reads a proclamation declaring May as National Foster Care Month. He is joined by Holli Nenni, the county’s Department of Social Services Commissioner and DSS employees Lianna Scipioni and Judianne Gearing.

“For the nearly 400,000 youth in foster care across our country, the best path to success we can give them is the chance to experience a loving home where they can feel secure and thrive,” legislators stated in the proclamation. “Whereas, strong support structures provide children with the environment needed to learn, grow and reach their greatest potential.”

The Legislature recognizes the efforts of foster families, social workers, faith-based and community organizations, and others that are improving the lives of our young people in foster care across our county.

County Legislator Skip Draper presents a proclamation to Matt Tracey of the Orleans County chapter of ABATE (American Bikers Aiming Towards Education). The proclamation declared May as “Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month in Orleans County.”

There will be a motorcycle safety rally at 2 p.m. on May 7 outside the Orleans County Courthouse. Bikers will then go on an awareness ride throughout the county.

Legislator Fred Miller presents a proclamation to Melissa Blanar, director of the Office of the Aging, that declared May as “Older Americans Month.”

“Orleans County includes a growing number of older Americans who contribute their time, wisdom, and experience to our community,” legislators said. “Whereas, communities’ benefit when people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds have the opportunity to participate and live independently.”

Photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION – A group of clergy members took the oath of office and were sworn in as chaplains for the Orleans County Sheriff’s office. Pictured form left include Dan Thurber, Don Snyder, Randy LeBaron, Brandon Carmichael, Tim Lindsay, Rebecca Allis, Eddie English, Bilal Huzair and Sheriff Chris Bourke.

County Clerk Nadine Hanlon administers the oath during the Orleans County Legislature meeting on Tuesday afternoon.

The Sheriff’s Office has chaplains on call every day, with the clergy taking turns. The chaplains are volunteers and are not paid. They do ride-alongs and offer spiritual support to employees of the Sheriff’s Office if requested.

They also are available to go to a scene where there has been a tragedy or crime and offer support for families or victims of crimes.

The chaplains also attend public events throughout the year with the Sheriff’s Office.

Provided photo: Unused prescription medication is packed up after being dropped off on Saturday at the Orleans County Public Safety Building. Jail Superintendent Scott Wilson is at left and Sheriff Chris Bourke is at right. Correction Officer Tyler Ajitsingh is at center.

Press Release, Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke

ALBION – The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office on Saturday once again participated in the National Prescription Take-Back Event that was sponsored by the Federal Drug Enforcement Administration. The collection event was staffed by deputy sheriffs and yielded 697.6 pounds of unused medication and sharps.

The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office has participated in the National Prescription Take-Back Program since 2012 and has collected a combined weight of over 12,000 pounds of unused medications and sharps.

The Sheriff’s Office will continue to support future collection events with the purpose of safely disposing unused medications and to reduce the potential for criminal diversion. Jail Superintendent Scott Wilson organized this year’s event.

Local funding from state regrant program doubles from last year

Photos by Tom Rivers: Gregory Hallock (right), executive director of the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council greets about 75 people during an announcement on Saturday for $210,000 in grants to local arts programs. He is joined at Hoag Library in Albion by Mary Jo Whitman (left), the education and Statewide Community Regrant Program coordinator; and Jodi Fisher (center), the GO ART! administrative assistant.

ALBION – Local artists and organizations will see a big increase in funding for cultural programming this year. The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council on Saturday presented grants totaling $210,000 to about 50 different organizations, municipalities and artists for events and projects.

That is about double the $107,800 from a year ago and triple the $70,000 in decentralization grants from the state in 2019.

There was more money available from the state through the Statewide Community Regrant Program. GO ART! has shown it can administer the funding, and the two local counties have shown there is demand for the programs, said Gregory Hallock, GO ART! executive director.

He addressed about 75 people on Saturday at Hoag Library, when the checks were distributed for the programs.

“It’s absolutely phenomenal to get this kind of money to give out,” he said.

GO ART! officials on Saturday presented checks for $210,000 to about 50 different artists, community organizations and municipalities to support cultural programs in 2023. The funding was presented to about 75 people at the Hoag Library in Albion. Last year there was $107,800 available.

The result is bigger grants – up to $5,000 – for many of the projects, and some first-time recipients.

The Statewide Community Regrant Program is funded through the New York State Council on the Arts. Money is available in all 62 counties with funding regranted by local arts agencies through a peer panel funding process. The Statewide Community Regrant Programs consists of 3 different grants – Reach, Ripple and Spark.

REACH: The GO ART! Community Arts Grants (Reach Grants) provide seed grants to individual artists, collectives and arts organizations for projects and activities that enable Genesee and Orleans communities to experience and engage with the performing, literary, media, and visual arts. Each year the program supports arts projects, including concerts, performances, public art, exhibitions, screenings, festivals, workshops, readings and more.

Veronica Morgan accepts a grant for $5,000 to go towards the “I was a ‘Hoggee’ on the Erie Canal” program planned for Oct. 6-7 which will include a canal boat in Orleans County, artists and other entertainers.

ORLEANS COUNTY REACH GRANTEES

• Albion Merchants Association – Concerts on the Canal, $5,000
• Cobblestone Society & Museum – Cobblestone Museum Arts Series, $5,000
• Friends of Boxwood Cemetery – Boxwood at Night, $4,160
• Hoag Library – Hoag Music Series, $5000
• Howard Barry (Community Free Library) – Myron Holley Erie Canal Mural, $5,000
• Lee-Whedon Memorial Library – Finally Fridays! Concert series, $3,200
• Lyndonville Lions Club – I Hear the Music, $5,000
• Orleans County Historical Association – Multidisciplinary Live History Event, $5,000
• Veronica Morgan – I was a “Hoggee” on the Erie Canal, $5,000
• Vette (Albion Merchant Association) – Albion Summer Concert, $4,768
• Village of Albion – Bridging the Village Music Series, $5,000
• Village of Holley – Concerts at the Canal, $3,000
• Yates Community Library – More than Just Books, $5,000

Tony Barry, an artist from Holley, receives a grant to paint a mural on the back of the Community Free Library building. The mural will be in an Erie Canal theme, and will include a portrait of Myron Holley, the village’s namesake and an early champion of the canal.

GENESEE COUNTY REACH GRANTEES:

• Batavia Business Improvement District – Jackson Square Concert Series, $5,000
• Batavia Concert Band – Batavia Concert Band Summer Concert Series, $3,231
• Batavia Development Corp – Murals in the Batavia City Centre, $2,800
• Batavia Players, Inc. – 2023 Theater Season, $5,000
• Bergen Historical Society – Holiday Mural Panels, $4,286
• Bill & Kay McDonald – Homegrown Concert Series, $5,000
• Brian Kemp (Batavia Business Improvement District) – TableTop ArtShow, $5,000
• Byron-Bergen Public Library – Enriching lives through the Arts, $4,954
• David Burke (Warrior House of WNY) – The Goose Community Center Indoor Mural, $2,500
• Elba Betterment Committee – EBC Presents Art Around Town (Again), $5,000
• Friends of the Batavia Peace Garden – Artistic Interpretive Panels, $5,000
• Gillam-Grant Community Center – Community Art Adventure, $4,849
• Genesee Chorale, Inc. – Genesee Chorale 2023 Season, $5,000
• Genesee Symphony Orchestra – Concert Series, $5,000
• GLOW OUT! – Pride Festival, $4,500

Sara Vacin, executive director of GLOW Out, said a grant will help fund the GLOW Pride Fest on June 9 in Batavia.

• Haxton Memorial Library – Talented Thursdays, $5,000
• Heather Davis (St. Mark’s Episcopal Church) – Opera on the Oatka, $1,500
• Holland Land Office Museum – Guest Speaker & Concert Series, $3,500
• Hollwedel Memorial Public Library in Pavilion – Shake on the Lake Presents William Shakespeare, $5,000
• Michelle Cryer (Friends of the Batavia Peace Garden) – Batavia Water Storage Tank Mural, $2,800
• Oakfield Betterment Committee – Oakfield Labor Daze, $5,000
• St. Mark’s Episcopal Church – Music at St. Mark’s, $2,970
• Thera Sanchez (Habitat for Humanity) – Batavia’s Gold Mural, $3,000
• Warrior House of WNY – Learning Through Art, $5,000
• William Peterson (Batavia Players) – Everyone Has a Story, $5,000
• Woodward Memorial Library – Art All Year, $5,000

RIPPLE: The GO ART! Individual Artist Commission (Ripple Grant) supports local, artist-initiated activity, and highlights the role of artists as important members of the community. The Commission is for artistic projects with outstanding artistic merit that work within a community setting.

ORLEANS COUNTY RIPPLE GRANTEES:

• Eric Weatherbee – The Humble Bard Presents, $2,500

GENESEE COUNTY RIPPLE GRANTEES:

• Eric Zwieg – Passenger: A Billion Little Pieces – Postmodern Reflections, $2,500
• David Burke – Harvester Center Hallway Mural, $2,500
• William Schutt – Connecting Hands Connecting Communities, $2,500
• Joshua Lang – On Dreams, $2,500

Alex Fitzak, a member of the band Vette, accepted a grant on behalf of an Albion concert series organized by the Albion Merchants Association.

SPARK: The Arts Education Program (Spark Grant) supports arts education projects for youth and/or senior learners. Emphasis is placed on the depth and quality of the creative process through which participants learn through or about the arts. Projects must focus on the exploration of art and the artistic process.

ORLEANS COUNTY SPARK GRANTEES:

• Patricia Greene (Orleans County Chamber of Commerce) – Art Experiences for Seniors, $5,000
• Judd Sunshine (Lyndonville Central School District) – Erie Canal Songwriting Project, $3,300

GENESEE COUNTY SPARK GRANTEES:

• Genesee County Youth Bureau – Re:Creation (Drawings of Nature), $3,200
• Strength in Numbers Organization Inc. – Strength In Numbers Organization Youth Music Program, $5,000
• Linda Miranda Fix (Batavia Central School District) – #kindness,empathy&you mural, $5,000
• Laura Jackett (Byron-Bergen Public Library) – Art Workshops at the Libraries, $5,000

Todd Bensley, one of the leaders of Friends of Boxwood, accepts a grant to support the Boxwood at Night event this summer at Boxwood Cemetery in medina. Boxwood is a first-time recipient of a GO ART! grant. The Boxwood at Night includes a cemetery tour, ghost walk and music.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Orleans County legislator Skip Draper, center, presents a proclamation for “April as Donate Life Month” to Pam Boyer (left), deputy county clerk at DMV, and Nadine Hanlon, the county clerk.

The County Legislature urges residents to join the New York State Donate Life Registry.

“In New York State there are approximately 8,100 people waiting for an organ transplant which represents the third highest need in the nation; and there are an estimated 400 New Yorkers that die every year while waiting for an organ transplant,” county legislators stated in the proclamation. “A single individual’s donation of the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, pancreas and small intestine can save up to eight lives; donation of tissue can save and heal the lives of up to 75 others.”

County legislators also issued a proclamation celebrating March 1-7 as “Weights and Measures Week.” Weights and Measures Director Ron Mannella accepts the proclamation last week from County Legislator Don Allport, right. Paul Pettit, the public health director, is at left.

Mannella serves as Weights and Measures director for both Orleans and Genesee counties. The two counties have had a shared program for four years which officials say has saved $200,000.

Weights and Measures is responsible for the annual assurance of accuracy and design for over 1,200 commercial weighing and measuring devices in more than 200 businesses.

“The efforts and determination exemplified by Weights and Measures to resolve any price or product discrepancies for the advancement of equality does not go unnoticed,” legislators stated in the proclamation.

County legislators also issued a proclamation for April 3-9 as “National Public Health Week.” That proclamation was presented to Paul Pettit, the public health director.

“Public health professionals help communities prevent, prepare for, mitigate, and recover from the impact of a full range of health threats, including—disease outbreaks, natural disasters, and other disasters, including those caused by human activity and public health emergencies,” legislators stated in the proclamation.

Photo by Tom Rivers: Orleans County Legislature Chairwoman Lynne Johnson speaks at last week’s Legislature meeting in Albion.

ALBION – Orleans County legislators are well aware of the effort among towns and villages in the county to receive more of the local sales tax.

But uncertainty with the state budget – the potential cost shifts and added expenses to the county – have the Legislature in a guarded position with finances, said County Legislature Chairwoman Lynne Johnson.

“Until the governor’s budget goes through we’re in limbo,” Johnson said during last week’s meeting of the Orleans County Association of Municipalities.

The county could see a $1 million hit in Medicaid expenses if the state opts to keep all of the federal funding used to help pay for that program. Those federal funds have helped prevent a cost spike in Medicaid from the county in recent years. But county officials say it could be a $1,059,034 hit to the county budget, resulting in a tax increase locally of 7.5 percent.

Hochul also is proposing to increase the hourly rate for assigned council from $75 to $119 an hour.  This would cost the County approximately $200,000 per year.

“I don’t want you to think we’re hoarding the sales tax,” Johnson told the town and village officials last week.

The local sales tax revenue has increased significantly in recent years with online sales being taxed and inflation fueling more in sales tax collections.

The county took in $22.5 million in local sales tax in 2022, up by $4.8 million or by 27 percent from the $17.7 million in 2019.

The 10 towns and four villages have been frozen at $1,366,671 since 2001. That year there was a small increase after the town and village share hadn’t been changed since 1996.

Many of the towns and villages have passed resolutions asking the Legislature to boost the percentage given to the villages and towns to at least the 14 percent in 1996. That year the local sales tax was $9,499,138. It has more than doubled since then.

To get to 14 percent of $22.5 million, the county would have to increase the amount to towns and villages to $3,150,000 – a $1,783,329 increase.

The towns and villages say the added revenue is needed to help them offset rising expenses and maintain services, without putting it all on the property tax.

Johnson said some of the money has been used by the county to get caught up on infrastructure projects, from the county buildings to maintaining roads and bridges. This year’s infrastructure budget is a record for the county at $19 million.

ALBION – Community Action of Orleans and Genesee has been notified of an award of $13,846 to Orleans County in federal funds for emergency food and shelter programs through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, as appropriated by Congress through FY2022.

The announcement came from Jeanette Worsley, case manager and health coach at Community Action in Albion.

Applications are due from qualified organizations by April 14.

The National Board consists of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency, the American Red Cross, Catholic Charities USA, National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA, the Jewish Federations of North America, the Salvation Army and United Way Worldwide. More information about the national program is available online at www.efsp.unitedway.org.

According to Worsley, a local board is charged to distribute funds appropriated by Congress to help supplement food and shelter programs in high-need areas around the country. The local board will determine how the funds awarded to Orleans County are to be distributed among local qualifying agencies.

The Orleans County Emergency Food and Shelter Program board is encouraging local agencies that meet requirements to apply for the funds. Under the terms of the grant from the National Board, local agencies chosen to receive funds must (1) be private voluntary non-profits or units of government, (2) be eligible to receive federal funds, (3) have an adequate accounting system, (4) practice non-discrimination, (5) have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs and (6) if they are a private voluntary organization, have an active voluntary board of directors.

Non-profit organizations or public agencies interested in applying for funding may contact Worsley, local board chair, at (585) 589-5605, Ext. 105 or via e-mail at JWorsley@caoginc.org.

Photos by Tom Rivers

KNOWLESVILLE – Michael Klepp and Darlene Hartway are at the booth for the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce on Saturday afternoon during the Chamber’s Home Garden and Outdoor Show.

Klepp, a nature teacher, gave a presentation about “Bountiful Butterflies” and the benefits of having pollinators in gardens.

Hartway is the executive director fo the Chamber. She said the event had a strong first day, despite a downpour in the afternoon.

There are 25 vendors at the show, up for 14 last year. The event was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid restrictions.

The show continues today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds. There is no admission charge.

Gertie Montulli greets the Easter Bunny (Michelle Wiseman in costume) in a booth set up by Best of Tymes Party Rentals.

Presenters today include Nancy Haas of Larkin Tree Care at noon, “Buying & Selling in 2023” by Mark Zambito of BHHS Zambito Realtors at 1 p.m., and “Weed Control” by master gardener Erica Joan Wanecki at 2 p.m.

The show includes a raffle to win a fully installed blooming garden designed by Preston Landscaping, with trees, shrubs and plants; a wooden bistro set; or a pair of gravity chaise lounges.

Aaron Preston, owner of Preston Landscaping in Albion, said he was glad to be back at the show. He said he gets many leads from potential customers during the two-day event, and is glad to answer questions from people about how to improve their property.

Preston provides landscaping and hardscaping services, and this year is promoting drip irrigation for people to care for their lawns and gardens.