ALBION – Action taken by OCALS at their annual meeting Thursday night at Hoag Library was something none of them could have seen coming five years ago, announced board president Pam Schuner.

In a nearly unanimous vote, the board voted to dissolve the organization, effective Dec. 31.

“The mission of OCALS is to provide free confidential tutoring services to residents of Orleans County who want to improve their reading, writing and English speaking skills, along with improving their digital literacy proficiency,” Schuner said. “Unfortunately, the aftermath of Covid has severely impacted OCALS’s ability to achieve this mission. Since Covid (in 2020), the number of volunteer tutors has decreased to three and, likewise, the number of clients requesting our services has declined significantly as well.”

Don and Rose Ruck, who founded OCALS in 2006, were praised for their support of literacy in Orleans County and presented with a plaque during the final board meeting.

During the past several years, the board has taken numerous steps to increase OCALS’ presence in the community and recruit tutors, clients and board members. They have participated in the Orleans County Home and Garden Show, Medina’s Canal Village Farmers’ Market, Strawberry Festival in Albion, Orleans County 4-H Fair, Medina’s National Night Out and Medina’s Lions’ Vendor Fair during the Community Yard Sale.

They also hired Kathy Punch, an educator, who did more than 30 public presentations to promote OCALS throughout the county. This resulted in one new board member, Schuner said.

“Despite all our efforts, we have not seen an increase in potential new tutors, clients or board members,” Schuner said.

Added to their woes is the fact a majority of their board members with five to 10 years of service have decided to retire at the end of the year. With no replacements on hand, the remaining few board members will not be able to continue to run OCALS, Schuner said.

OCALS was started by Rose Ruck and her husband Don when, in 2003, after closing of Literacy Orleans, she sent out a survey regarding literacy in the county. She was amazed to learn most people in the county did not realize there was no literacy program. With a career spanning 35 years in the literacy field, including in Orleans and Genesee counties, Rose knew she had to do something.

She solicited some volunteers and officially launched Orleans County Literacy Services in 2006, with initial funding coming from the Ruck’s two daughters, Terry Novak and Donna Seyler.

As their services increased and they began serving a bigger segment of the population, the name was changed to Orleans County Adult Learning Services, or OCALS.

Schuner was the first paid employee, hired in 2010, and the only one for a number of years.

Dedicated board members included Ann McElwee, who developed a program she took to schools, Iroquois Job Corps and Lyndonville Library.

Don Colquhoun promoted literacy in workplaces and became vice president and treasurer.

Mary Lee Knights, who recently moved away, and Penny Nice were board members since the early years of OCALS.

“I’m so proud of all we’ve accomplished,” Rose said. “And although it’s sad, I’m totally in favor of this decision to dissolve the organization.”

According to law, a non-profit has to follow very strict procedures to dissolve. Colquhoun has been working with attorney Lance Mark to determine the correct steps to take.

This includes disposing of all its assets, and OCALS has identified a handful of local agencies who will benefit from their donations.

All office supplies will be donated to the Ministry of Concern; digital literacy backpacks, laptops, kindles and iPads will be donated to Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Digital Literacy program; Pre-K curriculum will go to P’Raising Kids; all their books will go to the Cobblestone Society; all tents, tables and chairs will be donated to the Lions Club; tablecloths and knickknacks have been given to Medina Area Association of Churches; all other outreach materials, such as a prize wheel, balloon pumps and ballon sticks will be given to Community Action.

After payment of any debts, funds will be distributed to agencies which have supported OCALS, including United Way, $30,000; Lyndonville Area Foundation, $15,000; and the Medina Sandstone Society, $1,000.

Schuner personally thanked each and every person who touched OCALS and the local communities in some way throughout OCALS’ tenure, especially Don and Rose Ruck. She presented the Ruck’s with the “Lighting the Way Legacy Award.”

“Your passion has touched the lives of all who had a role in OCALS,” Schuner said.

“It is with heavy heart the board of directors has determined we are unable to keep OCALS active,” Schuner added.

ALBION – Orleans County already has had more than 4,500 ballots cast through nine days of early voting.

The 4,539 votes cast topped the previous high of 3,753 during the 2020 presidential election. The 4,539 votes represents 18 percent of the eligible voters in the county, said Mike Mele, the Republican election inspector.

Every day was busy at the Board of Elections office in Albion for early voting, with an average of just over 500 voters a day. Each day of early voting, the polls were open eight hours, and averaged about a voter per minute over the nine days.

The nine-day totals include:

• Oct. 26 – 647
• Oct. 27 – 410
• Oct. 28 – 563
• Oct. 29 – 608
• Oct. 30 – 487
• Oct. 31 – 416
• Nov. 1 – 486
• Nov. 2 – 452
• Nov. 3 – 470
• Total – 4,539

Polling locations will be open in all 10 towns on Tuesday for the general election with voting from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Press Release, Orleans County Legislature

ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature will once again be taking part in Operation Green Light, a campaign designed to show support for our nation’s veterans, raise awareness of the county role in providing support and resources to veterans, and advocate for legislation that will strengthen counties’ ability to support veterans.

In honor of Operation Green Light, the dome of the courthouse will be lit green from Nov. 4 through Nov. 11.

Residents and businesses are encouraged to participate in Operation Green Light by placing a green light in a window of their home or business.

“This campaign began with the New York State Association of Counties and now has been adopted by our national organization with the nation’s 3,069 counties, parishes, and boroughs all joining together to honor veterans,” said Lynne Johnson, chairman of the Orleans County Legislature. “By shining a green light, county governments and our residents will let veterans know how much they are appreciated and we are here to support them.”

Johnson said the Orleans County Veterans Service Office can help veterans with anything they need including filing important paperwork, fighting for benefits, securing medical appointments and finding counseling.  The office can be reached at (585) 589-3219.

Press Release, Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council (GO Art!)

KNOWLESVILLE – GO Art! is thrilled to announce an exciting new project set to transform the Genesee-Orleans region: GO BARN!

Located at the Orleans County Fairgrounds on Route 31, between Medina and Albion, GO BARN! will be a dynamic cultural community hub designed to bring arts, agricultural education, and entrepreneurial opportunities together under one roof.

GO BARN! will serve as a vibrant space for a wide range of arts and educational programs, with workshops spanning fine arts, culinary arts, horticulture, fiber arts, and more. Developed in partnership with Orleans Cornell Cooperative Extension, the facility will offer specialized programs in sustainable agriculture and fiber arts, alongside dedicated areas for performances, gallery exhibitions, community gardens, and artisan workshops. GO BARN! will be a cornerstone for local artisans, performers, and small business owners, creating opportunities for connection, learning, and economic growth in the region.

Community Backing Needed to Secure Funding

GO Art! has identified significant funding sources for GO BARN!’s construction; however, major funders want to see strong community support before committing to full project funding. To demonstrate the region’s commitment, GO Art! is launching a community campaign to raise $150,000 by Dec. 31. This initial funding will advance key programming and design stages, laying the groundwork for grant applications that will unlock the larger financial resources needed to bring GO BARN! to life.

“GO BARN! is about more than just a building—it’s about creating a shared space where our community can thrive,” said Gregory Hallock, Executive Director of GO Art!. “Every donation, no matter the size, is a show of support for our vision of a place where people of all ages can connect, create, and grow together.”

How You Can Help

Community members across Genesee and Orleans counties are invited to join this transformative effort by:

Making a Donation: Every gift, large or small, will help reach the $150,000 goal and demonstrate community backing to our funders. Donations can be made at www.goart.org.

Spreading the Word: Share the news about GO BARN! with friends, family, and neighbors.

Volunteering and Getting Involved: GO Art! is also seeking representatives from Orleans County to join its board and committees.

About GO Art!

GO Art!’s mission is to inspire a creative, inclusive community through the power of arts, culture, and traditions. GO Art! is dedicated to fostering an inclusive, culturally rich community across Genesee and Orleans counties. Through diverse programming, support for local artists, and an ongoing commitment to community engagement, GO Art! brings the transformative power of the arts to all.

‘GoBarn’ could be 30,000 square feet offering many art, community programs

KNOWLESVILLE – The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council (GO Art!) presented a plan for a new arts and cultural center – the GoBarn – at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds.

Gregory Hallock, GO Art!’s executive director, said the facility, which could max out at 30,000 square feet, would tie in with the mission of Cornell Cooperative Extension and the fairgrounds, while expanding arts and cultural program in the county.

Hallock said the new three-story building with a greenhouse, animal barns and a tavern/beer garden would be in the millions of dollars.

Rendering from Red Green Design: The three-story building would have the look of a barn, with the silo having an elevator and stairs to access the three floors.

GO Art! has spent about $40,000 so far for preliminary designs for the project. He said another $150,000 is needed by Dec. 31 to hire an engineering and design firm for more detailed drawings that are required to seek grants and other funding. Those more precise drawings will also include a detailed breakdown of the costs of the project.

“Our goal is to facilitate tourism and cultural growth,” Hallock told about 50 people during an announcement at the Trolley Building of the Fairgrounds. “The goal is to bring in thousands of people a month.”

Hallock has been scouting sites in the county for the project and struck up a conversation with Robert Batt, the CCE executive director, during the fair in late July. The two see many synergies with GO Art! and CCE by having the new facility at the fairgrounds.

Linda Knipe, GO Art! board president, said the community has an opportunity to add a major asset to the community.

The fiber and wool from llamas, alpacas and sheep could be used by artisans during a fiber festival, for example.

A greenhouse could be used to grow herbs and flowers in programs run by the CCE, in another example.

The building would have flexible or adaptable space that could be used for many things. Hallock and Go Art! envision two art galleries, artist studios and a residence where artists could bunk instead of driving home in the wee hours of the night. Hallock would like to the building to be used for many art forms – culinary, folk, horticultural, literary, visual, muli-media and more.

Linda Knipe, GO Art! board president, acknowledged this a major initiative for the community. She noted how her son, Alex Feig, was able to work with a small group of volunteers and get a $500,000 skate park built in Medina.

“These are very big plans for a rural community,” Knipe said. “We can do this. This is about having vibrant communities where the kids want to stay. We are looking to make this a more vibrant community than it already is.”

A survey completed by about 150 people also shows interest in a pottery studio & kilns, educational studios, film recording studio, culinary kitchen, dining/farm-to-table, tavern/beer garden, offices/conferences and an outdoor music venue.

GO Art! has a liquor license at its facility in Batavia, and Hallock said being able to serve alcohol has boosted attendance and sales of art at the Batavia gallery. The alcohol has to be consumed on site and Hallock said there have been no issues with over-drinking.

Robert Batt, CCE director, sees a lot of possibilities with the GoBarn in boosting artists and agriculture. “The potential is ripe and awesome,” he said.

The new complex was planned to be close to the main education education, just east of it. But Hallock said the state isn’t allowing that due to the close presence of a wetland. GO Art! has shifted the facility to the west end of the fairgrounds, near the corner of Route 31 and Taylor Hill Road.

Hallock said the site would likely be built in stages. He said a July 2025 start is possible with the project’s target completion in July 2028.

He listed the following potential new programs:

Fiber arts and crafts; culinary arts; horticultural and agriculture programs; art and design classes; animals and fiber arts; health, wellness and social programs; technology and innovation programs; performing arts and music classes; film and digital media classes; woodworking classes and workshops; crafts and do-it-yourself classes; sustainability and eco-classes; business and entrepreneurship classes; collaborative and community projects; educational and community events; bar and beverage service; event space rentals.

The facility would be accessible and inclusive to all community members, Hallock said. The GoBarn would have hands-on programs in arts, agriculture and sustainability that would provide workforce readiness. Hallock said GO Art! wants to partner with local schools and organizations in “fostering a lifelong learning environment.”

The facility is expected to draw thousands of people monthly, which Hallock said would provide a boost to local businesses, such as lodging, restaurants and shops. He envisions a Fiber Arts Festival as a big event at the site.

The GoBarn would provide a platform for artisans and rural entrepreneurs to grow their businesses sustainably, expanding economic opportunities in the region, he said.

For more information contact Hallock, GO Art! director, at ghallock@goart.org or (585) 343-9313. He welcomes donations and volunteers to serve on a committee to move the project forward. Click here to see more renderings of the GoBarn.

About 50 people attended the announcement at the Trolley Building with the plans for a new cultural center for the community.

ALBION – Scott Wilson has retired from leading the Orleans County Jail after 12 years as superintendent, a time when the facility added programs for people being held in the facility.

Wilson also helped oversee a $1 million construction project at the jail in 2013. That project staved off pressure from the state for the county to build a new jail. The current jail was constructed in two stages around 1970, and was falling into disrepair mainly due to water infiltration.

“I tried to keep costs down and extend the life of the building,” Wilson said on Tuesday after being presented with a “Special Recognition Award” from the County Legislature.

Wilson started working at the Orleans County Jail as a correction officer in 1998, and worked his way up as a sergeant and lieutenant, and then was appointed superintendent in 2012.

The jail on Platt Street has about 45 employees and a capacity for 72 inmates. Wilson said there have been fewer inmates in recent years due to the state’s bail reform laws.

He has been praised in his career for bringing more services to the jail for inmates, including mental health and addiction treatment services.

The jail is now used for Centralized Arraignment Parts (CAP Court) for morning and evening arraignments for arrests made in the county.

Wilson also has helped spearhead the county’s prescription drug take-back events, which netted about 1,000 pounds of pills each year since 2012.

He also serves on the boards of the Genesee-Orleans Mental Health Association and the Suicide Prevention Coalition.

Wilson was named the jail’s officer the year in 2003 and in 2014 was named the county’s employee of the year.

Chris Caulfield, a lieutenant at the jail, is the site’s acting leader until the superintendent position is filled.