By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 15 December 2025 at 4:34 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers: Nyla Gaylord, executive director for the United Way of Orleans County, speaks during a forum in May about housing challenges in Orleans County. The organization has worked on several issues in the community outside of the traditional fundraising efforts by the United Way.
After more than six decades of service, the United Way of Orleans County has officially changed its name to Orleans Community Connects.
The change reflects the organization’s deep roots in the community and its expanding role as a connector of people, resources and opportunities, according to executive director Nyla Gaylord.
“This new name represents who we’ve become – a local, independent organization focused on collaboration, innovation and the unique strengths of Orleans County,” Gaylord said. “We are still the same trusted organization our community knows and values, but with a renewed energy and vision for the future.”
The new tagline – “Rooted in Community, Driven by Connections” – captures the organization’s focus on partnership-driven initiatives that improve lives and strengthens familiar neighborhoods in Orleans County.
Gaylord continued, “Over the past several years, the organization has led efforts in housing revitalization, digital literacy, caregiver support and food access, bringing together residents, local government and nonprofits to tackle community challenges.”
Orleans Community Connects remains dedicated to serving all residents of the county, continuing to support programs and services that build local capacity and connect people to essential resources. Fundraising will continue to be a priority to enable us to fund these programs and services, Gaylord added.
“This change isn’t about moving away from our past, it’s about building upon our recent successes,” she said. “We are growing into a future where collaboration and community connections are the keys to lasting change.”
Photo by Tom Rivers: Mike Donahue is the bugler while Taps was played as part of the Honor Guard on Dec. 14, 2024 during the first Wreaths Across America at Mount Albion Cemetery.
By Ginny Kropf and Tom Rivers
More than 2,300 wreaths will be set at veterans’ graves today at cemeteries in Albion, Holley/Clarendon, Medina and Lyndonville.
All four are hosting ceremonies at noon today as art of Wreaths Across America.
Volunteers will be placing 300 wreaths at Hillside Cemetery, about 450 in Lyndonville at Lynhaven and other sites, 360 at Mount Albion Cemetery, and over 1,260 in Medina at Boxwood, St. Mary’s and other cemeteries.
Medina was the first community in Orleans County to embrace Wreaths Across America in 2013. The wreaths are purchased for $17 each. The first year Medina had nine wreaths and now has over 1,200.
More than 5,600 communities around the country will honor service members laid to rest as part of Wreaths Across America.
Wreaths Across America began when Morrill Worcester, owner of a wreath company in Maine, visited Arlington National Cemetery and realized many veterans’ graves did not have wreaths.
That Christmas Worcester had extra wreaths and arranged to have them shipped to Arlington and placed on graves in the older part of the cemetery which had fewer visitors. His action picked up support, and since then Wreaths Across American has become a national tradition.
Kathy Blackburn pushed to start the effort in Medina and coordinated the program for about a decade. Tom Snyder is now heading Wreaths Across America in Medina.
He said 1,260 wreaths will be placed on veterans’ graves in Medina. A brief ceremony will begin at noon at Boxwood Cemetery, with Nik Mroz, director of Orleans County Veterans’ Services, as emcee.
Following the ceremony, which includes placing a wreath on the grave of a veteran from each branch of the military, volunteers will start placing the wreaths on the rest of the veterans’ graves in the cemetery. Snyder commended the Medina DPW, who placed the boxes of wreaths in strategic locations throughout the cemeteries.
Last year, Blackburn felt it was time to give up her role in the wreath project and turned it over to local businesswoman Gloria Snyder. This year Tom Snyder, who is Gloria’s brother-in-law and a Navy veteran, agreed to take on the project.
“I also take a wreath every year to my father’s grave at Mount Albion,” Snyder said.
Snyder encourages the public to consider buying a wreath for a veteran’s grave. During the month of December, they can be purchased for $17, buy one, get one free. Any resident may purchase one or make a donation to the project at the village office on Park Avenue.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 December 2025 at 11:18 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
GAINES – Rob Batt, executive director of the Cornell Cooperative Extension in Orleans County, honors the “Friends of the Extension” during the CCE’s annual meeting last week at the Tavern on the Ridge.
Gary and Dawn Marciszewski received the award for their volunteer efforts running the Senior Council Stand during the week-long 4-H Fair. They order all the food and stay with the volunteers from morning to night.
The stand raises about $15,000 during the week to support 4-H programs.
The Marciszewskis have been involved with 4-H for decades. They were poultry superintendents and chaperones for trips. Mrs. Marciszewski also was a dog club leader.
They work with about 100 youths in the Senior Council Stand during the week. Mrs. Marciszewski said the kids enjoy taking responsibility when they have their shifts.
“They like to cook, make change and stock shelves,” she said. They like to do things.”
She and her husband have enjoyed watching the 4-Hers grow up over the years.
Jann Davis of West Barre, left, was honored as the 4-H Volunteer of the Year. She is presented the award by Kristina Gabalski, the 4-H program leader.
Davis is vice president of the Horse Program Development Committee and coach of the Horse Bowl and Hippology teams. A former 4-H program leader, Davis returned to volunteering with 4-H about two years ago. She joined a strong horse program that has dozens of youths, Gabalski said.
The program is Orleans, however, had limited equine knowledge-related programs and contests. Davis stepped in to run Horse Bowl and Hippology for Orleans County.
Horse Bowl is in a Jeopardy-style format, giving youths a chance to showcase their horse knowledge in a competitive event. Horse Bowl asks questions about equine terms, the horse industry, feeding and care, and anatomy.
Hippology is more rigorous testing of equine science and application of equine knowledge in a competitive setting. “Hippo” means horse in Greek and “ology” is the study of.
Davis led teams in Horse Bowl and Hippology contests in regional contests last spring, and then the Hippology competition at the State Fair in August.
“Jann is incredibly knowledgeable, creative, enthusiastic, patient and kind,” Gabalski said. “She also understands the importance of setting expectations and challenges for youth while supporting them with the knowledge that they have the grit and ability to go outside their comfort zones and do these things.”
There are currently seven youths in the program. Davis said three more are expected to soon join.
Other 4-H leaders were recognized during the annual meeting:
Barb Kurzowski for 27 years with the Rabbit Raisers and poultry clubs
Erik Seielstad for 13 years with the robotics program
Dawn Marciszewski for the 4-H Senior Council Stand
Robyn Watts for 48 years with the Abundant Harvest 4-H Club. She also leads the Family and Consumer Science Program Development Committee.
Melissa Asento for five years leading the Goat Busters Club.
Bill Gerling for 35 years with the rabbit program
Caton Conde, president of the board of directors for the CCE, addressed about 75 people at the annual meeting. Conde was an active member of the 4-H program as a kid when she was Caton McKenna. She thanked the many 4-H volunteers for offering such a meaningful program in Orleans County.
“As a proud 4-H alum, I know firsthand how transformative the programs we offer can be,” Conde said. “Raising animals, learning new skills, showing at the fair – these moments create not only incredible memories but also a strong work ethic that stays with you for life.”
Conde said she felt so strongly about the 4-H, she named her daughter Clover, which is the 4-H logo. Her son is in the 4-H Lego Club. She looks forward to her children growing up in the program and showing animals and entering projects at the fair.
There are 319 youths enrolled in 4-H. They entered 3,337 exhibits at the county fair.
Some other highlights from the year:
Master gardeners and food preservers completed 2,335 hours of service teaching 1,388 class participants
Digital literacy served an average of 1.2 people very working day
The Elderberries Senior Cooking program expanded to serve eight counties in WNY
An average of 400 households attended monthly food distributions at the fairgrounds.
Families used 2,000 seed packets from the master gardeners seed share program to start and grow their own plants at home
Pesticide education supported 165 individuals taking pretest training for essential licensing
ALBION – Orleans County Clerk Nadine Hanlon today said those who are still using a standard driver’s license to board a domestic flight will be faced with a new $45 fee from the Transportation Security Administrations (TSA) beginning Feb. 1.
Those who have a New York State REAL ID license, enhanced license, passport or other DHS trusted traveler cards like Nexus are not impacted.
“As many people know, REAL ID requirements to board domestic flights took full effect earlier this year after years of postponement,” said Hanlon. “If you failed to get a REAL ID compliant document, TSA will soon begin charging you a fee to board a flight to cover the cost of an alternative ID verification process.”
Hanlon said specifically the fee is to use the TSA Confirm.ID process which uses advanced biometrics and biographic data for identification verification. Users will be directed to an online portal to provide personal details and documents. The approval is then good for 10 days.
“I highly suggest people who plan on flying and have yet to get their REAL ID do so and avoid the new process and fee,” said Hanlon.
Hanlon reminded residents that New York State offers both a REAL ID license and Enhanced Driver’s License to meet the federal requirements. The difference is the Enhanced can be used for travel to Canada, Mexico and some Caribbean countries.
Residents can visit www.dmv.ny.gov to learn about the different options and the documentation you must bring to the DMV to be issued one. The Orleans County Clerk’s Office is also a passport acceptance agency. Click here to learn more.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 December 2025 at 10:11 am
Taxes increase 2.6 percent, but that’s within county’s allowable limit
Photos by Tom Rivers: The Orleans County Legislature last week held a public hearing on the county’s $100,261,320 budget for 2026. From left include Jack Welch, the county’s chief administrative officer and budget officer; Lynne Johnson, chairwoman of the County Legislature; and Lisa Stenshorn, clerk of the legislature.
ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature has unanimously approved the 2026 budget, a $100,261,320 spending plan that increases taxes by 2.6 percent.
That is under the county’s allowable tax levy limit. The levy will increase by $500,000 in 2026 – from $19,639,000 to $20,139,000. The county’s allowable limit is an increase of $623,787. The tax rate will go up 14 cents from $7.91 to $8.05 per $1,000 of assessed property.
The budget tops $100 million for the first time. Spending is up 1.18 percent from the $99,092,747 in 2025 to $100,261,320.
County officials said the budget faced pressure from two significant increases: retirement contributions and the costs of a mental health program for people deemed unfit to stand trial.
Lynne Johnson, the County Legislature chairwoman, thanked Chief Administrative Officer Jack Welch and County Treasurer Kim DeFrank for their work on the budget.
Jack Welch, the chief administrative officer, said two big expenses, pension contributions and a mental health law 730.30, strained the budget for 2026.
“This has been a particularly challenging year and the fact that we continued to stay under the property tax cap is a testament to the hard work and creativity of Jack, Kim and all of our department heads,” Johnson said during a budget hearing on Dec. 3.
The budget also faces a 20.8 percent increase in New York State retirement costs due to a lower stock market evaluation on March 31, 2025, as well as some employees earning more money from longer work weeks – 35 to 40 hours, Welch said.
The county’s bill for retirement costs will be up $786,267 in 2026. The retirement costs are one of the nine state mandated programs which now account of 115 percent of the tax levy, Welch said.
The other big increase for the county: Mental Health Law Expense 730.30, where people deemed unfit to stand trial are committed to a facility. That can cost $30,000 to $50,000 a month per person.
The “730” expense went from $57,000 in 2023 to $367,000 in 2024 (with $50,000 budgeted). This year the budget was increased to $550,000 but the county has already spent over $1.8 million. The budgeted amount for 2026 is $1.5 million.
The cost used to be a 50-50 split with the state, but the state made it a 100 percent county expense.
“Orleans County and its taxpayers have no more capacity left to continue with these drastic increases. New York State must address this and do it now,” Johnson said.
The county was able to stay under the tax cap despite the big increases in retirement contributions and the “730” costs through other cost savings and revenue growth.
The county is moving its health insurance and medical coverage from Highmark to NYSHIP’s Empire Plan, which will reduce those costs by 6 percent.
The county also is projecting a $1.6 million increase in the local sales tax revenue. This year the sales tax receipts have been strong, nearly 9 percent ahead of 2024.
Welch said the budget maintains core county services and programs “in the most cost-effective manner possible, complies with the New York State property tax cap and provides funding for prioritized projects and programs while avoiding fiscal stress.”
Welch and Johnson both said the county budget remains driven by state-mandated programs.
The nine mandated programs used to account for 90 percent of the overall tax levy. With the 12026 budget, those mandates now account for $23,196,803 or 115.2 percent of the tax levy, Welch said.
9 state-mandated programs:
Medicaid – $8,810,237 (down 0.3 percent)
Public assistance/Safety Net – $3,169,135 (up 6.5 percent)
Mental Health law expense 730.30 – $1.5 million (up 272.7 percent)
Early intervention – $360,258 (up 13.0 percent)
Pension – $4,557,190 (up 20.8 percent)
Total: $23,196,803 (up 10.1 percent)
Welch said the budget also maintains funding to local municipalities (sales tax sharing, community college local expense, animal control, vehicle and traffic prosecution) at $3,819,691 in 2026, up from $3,810,445. That accounts for 19.0 percent of tax levy or $1.53 of the overall rate.
The budget keeps funding at the same levels for organizations providing services in the county including:
Cornell Cooperative Extension at $240,000; Orleans Economic Development Agency at $200,000; Soil & Water at $100,500, four public libraries to share $10,000; Mercy Flight at $5,000; Council of the Arts at $4,000; Cobblestone Museum, $3,000.
The budget includes $8,566,052 for capital projects:
Highway – $7,446,143 ($7,060,509 from state and federal governments)
Local bridge and culvert repairs, $50,000
Patch and seal county roads, $150,000
Highway reconstruction, $2,668,458
Eagle Harbor Knowlesville culvert, $865,000
Bridge Project #2, $2,375,500
Groth Road bridge replacement, $1,337,185
Buildings and grounds – $610,000 (all county cost)
2025 guide put special emphasis on bicentennial of Orleans County and Erie Canal
Press Release, Orleans County Tourism Department
The cover of the 2025 Orleans County Travel Guide features a vintage black-and-white image of downtown Medina from the 1906 Old Home Days, accompanied by three photos showcasing agriculture, the Erie Canal and world-class fishing on Lake Ontario.
ALBION – Orleans County Tourism is proud to announce that its 2025 travel guide “Celebrate Orleans County’s Bicentennial” has received the Excellence in Print Marketing: Large Format Print Publications for Destination Marketing Associations award at the inaugural ANDIES Awards, held during the Campground Owners Expo in Branson, Missouri on December 3.
The 2025 travel guide, designed by Orleans County Tourism Creative Director Lynne Menz, commemorates the bicentennials of Orleans County and the Erie Canal. Designed as a collectible, coffee-table-style publication, it features a vintage black-and-white background image from the 1906 Old Home Days in Medina, along with three cover photos showcasing the county’s signature attractions: agriculture, the Erie Canal and world-class fishing on Lake Ontario.
“I am deeply humbled by the unexpected accolades as I complete my tenure with Orleans County Tourism and transition into my retirement,” Menz said. “It has been an honor to highlight the many assets that Orleans County has to offer as a destination. I am especially grateful for the partnerships with those who contributed to the content, including photographers, historians and colleagues.”
“We’re thrilled to be recognized by our peers with this ANDIES Award for the Orleans County travel guide,” adds Dawn Borchert, Orleans County Tourism director. “We wanted to make this a special travel guide this year, and my staff worked hard to achieve this for our bicentennial celebration of Orleans County.”
Anderson’s Brochure Distribution Service, a division of Merchantry Tourism LLC, has been serving the outdoor hospitality and tourism industries for more than 40 years and is widely respected for its expertise.
Owned and operated by Lisa and Don Bennett Jr., the company developed the ANDIES Awards to recognize excellence in print marketing for businesses and associations in these industries. The awards honor creativity, design and effectiveness in engaging audiences, with winners selected by a panel of industry professionals with expertise in tourism, outdoor hospitality and marketing.
The 2025 travel guide is available at the Orleans County Tourism Office in the Orleans County Administration Building, 14016 Route 31 W, Albion, N.Y., at local libraries or online (click here) for viewing or to request a copy.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 December 2025 at 10:09 pm
Photos from Orleans County Sheriff’s Office
ALBION – The Walmart store in Albion hosted “Shop with a Cop” on Saturday with 10 children paired with someone from the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office.
The store provided a $5,000 grant for the Sheriff’s employees and representatives to help kids pick out gifts for their family members.
“The Sheriff’s Office teamed up with children from across Orleans County for a morning of shopping, laughter, and creating memories that will last far beyond the holiday season,” the Sheriff’s Office posted on its Facebook page. “Seeing the excitement on each child’s face is a reminder of why we do what we do.”
(Left) Bilal Huzair, a chaplain with the Sheriff’s Office, assists a young shopper. (Right) Dawn Basinait, a sergeant in the Orleans County Jail, helps a child pick out gifts for family members.
“A huge thank-you to Walmart for their continued partnership that makes this event possible every year,” the Sheriff’s Office said. “We’re grateful for the opportunity to give back and proud to serve this incredible community.
The Orleans County Office of Child and Family Services also assists in the event.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 December 2025 at 12:00 pm
Photo courtesy of Operation Honor
ALBION – Operation Honor director Jenn Thom, right, hands a $5,000 check to Jim Nudd, Veterans Service Officer for the Orleans County. The money goes to the veterans’ van service run by the Joint Veterans Council.
The proceeds come from a recent cornhole tournament that Operation Honor ran in the Knights of Columbus hall in Medina, as well as some of the revenue from a golf tournament this past summer run by the Knights of Columbus.
The van service provides transportation for honorably discharged veterans who reside in Orleans County to their scheduled VA medical appointments.
Operation Honor this Saturday at noon will be placing 360 wreaths on soldiers’ graves at Mount Albion Cemetery. This is the second year Operation Honor is part of Wreaths Across America.
Last year Operation Honor placed 200 wreaths on veterans’ graves at Mount Albion. Volunteers are welcome to be there at noon on Saturday to help set the wreaths.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 December 2025 at 8:15 pm
County Historian to move to space next to Subway in Albion
Photos by Tom Rivers: The Central Hall building at 34 East Park St. will soon be vacated and put up for sale by Orleans County. The County Historian will move to a space next to the Subway.
ALBION – The County Legislature agreed today to a lease space in a plaza on South Main Street for the county historian, a move that will be made as soon as the space is ready.
The historian works out of the top floor of Central Hall at 34 East Park St. That building will become vacate once the historian and Department of History are moved to the plaza. County officials said the change is a cost-cutting move that could save $90,000 to $110,000 a year in maintenance and other expenses once the building is sold.
The change also will make the historian’s office more accessible to the public, county officials said. The space is on the first floor and people won’t need to climb stairs to access the building.
The county has owned Central Hall the past 45 years. It was used by the treasurer until September 2024 and used to be the offices for the Probation Department.
The County Historian and the Department of History’s artifacts will move to 2,000 square feet of space on the side of a plaza next to Subway. Most of this space is on the north side of the building. The historian and any visitors to the office can use a parking lot for the county treasurer.
Central Hall, a solid red-brick building, was a school from 1882 to 1934, and then was used as the post for the American Legion until the site was bought by the county in 1980.
The historian will move to 2,000 square feet of space on the north side of the plaza, facing the parking lot of the treasurer’s office. There will be a part of the historian’s office facing the main parking lot.
The county won’t have to pay to lease the building except for the cost of utilities and to renovate the site. The county also will plow the parking lot in the winter. The county is already plowing out the treasurer’s office and some of the spots in the lot that are used for the treasurer’s office.
The Buildings and Grounds staff for the county will be putting in an ADA-compliant bathroom and making other renovations to the site.
The lease agreement was approved by the Legislature in a 6-1 vote. Legislator Fred Miller cast the lone no vote. He thanked Lynne Johnson, the Legislature chairwoman, for her work on the lease but he didn’t agree with the relocation of the historian to the plaza.
“I don’t feel this is what the county should be doing,” Miller said during the Legislature meeting.
The Legislature approved the lease with Nomax Albion, LLC, which is owned by Noah Michaels. He reached out to the county about leasing the space in exchange for plowing the parking lot for the plaza.
The county doesn’t have a solid move-in date for the historian. It depends on when the space can be made ready by the Buildings and Grounds staff.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 November 2025 at 4:46 pm
After about a month delay to the federal government shutdown, the HEAP is scheduled to open on Monday, Dec. 1, in New York State.
If you are applying for the first time, a phone interview is necessary which can be completed beginning on Dec. 1. Applications will be available at the County Office Building in Albion, PathStone, Community Action, or Ministry of Concern; at the Community Center in Holley; or at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library in Medina.
You can apply online for HEAP by visiting www.myBenefits.ny.gov. If you received a benefit through a HEAP case last season you may apply through www.myBenefits.ny.gov or submit your completed application along with necessary documentation to the Department of Social Services, 14016 Rt. 31 W. Albion, NY 14411.
If you are currently a Public Assistance or SNAP recipient, you should automatically receive your HEAP benefit through your case. Please be sure your worker has accurate vendor and account information to prevent a delay with your HEAP grant.
For questions or to set up an appointment call (585) 589-3182. If you are aged 60 or older, please call the Office for Aging at 589-3191.
New ‘DMV DRIVES’ system expected to be activated in February
Press Release, Orleans County Clerk Nadine Hanlon
ALBION – Orleans County Clerk Nadine Hanlon today announced the county Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office will be closed on Wednesday, December 3, and will close early on four other Wednesdays over the next few months.
The closures are necessary for staff members to train for the new state DMV modernization project.
Specifically, the staff is training on Phase I of the new NYS DMV DRIVES operating system that is planned to go live in February. The new system is expected to enhance efficiency, customer service and security in the handling of motor vehicle transactions.
Beyond the December 3rd closure, the limited DMV office hours are:
Wednesday, Dec. 10, closed from noon to 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Jan. 7, closed from noon to 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Jan. 21, closed from noon to 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 11, closed from noon to 4:30 p.m.
“These statewide DMV changes are a significant upgrade to our current system and given the small size of our staff, the only way to efficiently complete the training in time for the launch of the new system is to close the office,” said Hanlon. “We very much appreciate the public’s understanding.”
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 23 November 2025 at 8:27 am
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Jim Nudd, left, and Nik Mroz, director of the Orleans County Veterans Service Agency, hand out free turkeys to veterans on Friday. Here, Albion American Legion commander Brad Rouse gets his free turkey.
ALBION – Orleans County veterans received 125 free turkeys for Thanksgiving this year, thanks to support from the Pfc. Joseph Dwyer Peer-to-Peer program.
Nik Mroz, director of the Orleans County Veterans Service Agency, and retired veteran Jim Nudd handed out the turkeys on Friday.
One of the first to get his free turkey was Brad Rouse, commander of the Albion American Legion, who praised the give-away program, funded by the Pfc. Joseph Dwyer Peer-to-Peer program.
“This is an excellent program,” Rouse said. “I also picked up one for my vice commander, Bob Gilsinan. We will probably cook both of them for veterans in the Legion.”
Mroz said in total they handed out 1,000 pounds of turkeys. They also do a ham give-away at Easter, passing out 100 hams to veterans.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 November 2025 at 3:12 pm
Provided photos
ALBION – Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke announced that Julie Vendetti, a long-time dispatcher, is the new communications coordinator for the Sheriff’s Office.
She succeeds Allen Turner who retired in October after a 33-year career with the Sheriff’s Office. Vendetti’s appointment is effective Oct. 28.
“I am confident that all members of our agency will work with Julie Vendetti to ensure that she has a smooth transition into his new role,” Sheriff Bourke said.
The Sheriff’s Office has 10 full-time dispatchers and four part-timers that receive about 40,000 calls for service each year. The dispatch center handles calls for fire, EMS, ambulance, police/law enforcement, animal control, and the coroner’s office.
Dispatchers also handle other non-emergency calls that brings the total call volume to about 61,000, Bourke said.
“The communications coordinator is responsible for assisting the sheriff with the day-to-day operation and maintenance of the many operating platforms that make the 911 center work,” Bourke said.
The center is currently doing a $1.1 million mandated upgrade to the Motorola/Vesta/Frontier 911 phone equipment as well as the computer-aided dispatch. The upgrade includes a new report management system (RMS), the sheriff said.
“The 911 center is an extremely important component to public safety and is the lifeline to our residents in Orleans County,” he said.
Allen Turner was celebrated by many of his co-workers, retired sheriffs and other law enforcement personnel during a retirement party last month.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 November 2025 at 3:56 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers: This historical marker dedicated for a Revolutionary War hero was unveiled on April 14, 2021. The marker highlights Marquis de Lafayette, a French military officer who provided critical aid to George Washington in securing American independence. The marker notes a farewell tour in 1824-1825 to honor Lafayette, who traveled on the Erie Canal from Lockport to Rochester in June 1825 to great fanfare. This marker is located by the Erie Canal in Albion in between the two lift bridges.
ALBION – The state has given Orleans County $15,000 to help commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution in 2026.
The New York State 250th Commemorative Commission sent Orleans County Historian Catherine Cooper a letter on Nov. 7, thanking the county for partnering with the state Education Department in commemorating the American Revolution and also the “Unfinished Revolution.”
Cooper said she expects to have a committee in Orleans County to help direct how the county will spend the $15,000 and be part of the commemoration.
She has been leading an effort this year for the Orleans County Bicentennial, highlighting important dates, events and citizens since the community’s founding.
None of the Revolutionary battles were fought in Orleans County, but several soldiers from the war settled in Orleans County. Some of those soldiers, who are buried at local cemeteries, will be spotlighted next year, Cooper said.
People interested in being on the committee can reach out to Cooper by email at Catherine.Cooper@orleanscountyny.gov or call her office at (585) 589-4174.
New York State 250th Commemorative Commission wants to do more than celebration the period of American Revolution and the formation of the United States. That Commission wants to recognize ongoing efforts to reach the goals expressed by the nation’s founders. New York has been a significant force in those movements, including such iconic, historic stories as serving as the routes for the Underground Railroad, the abolition of slavery, women’s suffrage, the labor movement, and the LGBTQ+ rights movement, Gov. Kathy Hochul said on May 14 last year when the state named members of the Commemorative Commission.
There are numerous existing sites and battlefields associated with New York’s role in the American Revolution, all of which are vital to telling this part of the history of the nation., the Commemorative Commission writes in a guide to observing the 250th anniversary.
“The Founding Fathers wrote, ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator, with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness,’ as the guiding principles of a new nation,” the Commission states. “New Yorkers continue to lead in efforts to expand these ideals to include everyone. This part of the Revolution continues.”
For more information on the NYS 250th Commemorative Commission, click here to see a field guide on the commemoration.
The state’s commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution isn’t just based on the country’s founding in 1776. NYS wants to highlight other significant movements, including the push for women’s rights. This photo shows three statues in Seneca Falls of prominent women’s suffrage leaders.
The statues “When Anthony Met Stanton” depict the chance encounter in May 1851 in Seneca Falls that forever altered the struggle for women’s rights. Amelia Jenks Bloomer, depicted in center, introduced Susan B. Anthony, left, to Elizabeth Cady Stanton.
The friendship that was forged between Stanton and Anthony gave direction and momentum to the 72-year struggle for women’s suffrage which was culminated on Aug. 26, 1920 with the passage of the 19th Amendment in the U.S. Constitution. Neither woman lived to see women’s suffrage become a reality. When Anthony Met Stanton was gifted to the Seneca Falls community by the Governor’s Commission Honoring the Achievements of Women on July 18, 1998.
Veterans Service Agency Office will be closed for event at Medina VFW
Press Release, Orleans County Veterans Service Office
ALBION – Orleans County Veterans Services is teaming up with GO Health to host a Veterans Health and Benefit Fair on Monday, November 17.
The fair will be from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the VFW, located at 216 E. Center Street in Medina. The Veterans Services Office on Route 31 will be closed Monday as staff will be working this event.
The event is open to all veterans. Representatives from GO Health and Veterans Services will be on hand to discuss healthcare resources and benefits available to veterans. Free food and drink will be provided.
“We are always looking for ways to support our veterans and by teaming up with GO Health for this event, we can offer information on a wide variety of health and benefit programs available to the veteran community,” said Nik Mroz, Director of Veterans Services. “While we asked for preregistration, any veteran who missed that deadline is still welcome to attend and bring a guest.”
Cooper said she expects to have a committee in Orleans County to help direct how the county will spend the $15,000 and be part of the commemoration.
