By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 31 May 2018 at 8:10 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature on Wednesday presented two Special Recognition Awards. Danielle Figura, second from left, was recognized for winning an award on May 24 from the Mental Health Association of Genesee & Orleans Counties. Figura, clinic coordinator for the Orleans County Mental Health Department, receives the Special Recognition Award from County Legislator Skip Draper, left, and Marc O’Brien, director of the Orleans County Mental Health Department. Kim DeFrank, the county treasurer, is at right.
Figura was recognized last week at the Mental Health Association with the Constance E. Miller Commitment to Excellence. She has implemented numerous programs in Orleans County, including expanded mental health services at the five local school districts, the Orleans County Jail, the Genesee-Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, and Oak Orchard Health.
“Your dedication to serving the needs of those with mental health issues has well exceeded all expectations and had a profound effect on the residents of Orleans County, and beyond,” Draper said.
Jonathan Doherty, center, of Albion also was commended by the Legislature. He receives his Special Recognition Award from legislators Don Allport, left, and Skip Draper.
Doherty on May 19 was presented with the Chris Burke Award for Excellence in disABILITY Advocacy. He received that award during a 20th anniversary celebration for People Inc.’s DisABILITY Museum in Buffalo.
Doherty has been a leader of the Self Advocate All Stars in Orleans County since the group formed in 2006. The All Stars strive to promote awareness and acceptance in the community for people with disabilities.
Doherty is an active community member, volunteering with the Strawberry Festival Committee, Boy Scout Troop 164, the Albion Alumni Foundation, the Eastman at Albion Concert Series, and numerous events for The Arc of Genesee Orleans. He earned his Eagle Scout rank when he was 21 and is an assistant Scoutmaster.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 May 2018 at 5:10 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers: Local veterans are pictured during Memorial Day last year, headed down Park Avenue in Medina. This year’s parade starts at 11 a.m.
Five events are planned for Memorial Day in Orleans County. The schedule includes:
• Albion – The parade starts near the Orleans County Court House on Main Street at 10 a.m. and proceeds to the Albion Middle School front lawn where there will be a service near the Vietnam Memorial.
• Holley – Participants will form up at the American Legion Post at 10:30 a.m. with the parade starting at 11 and ending at the Hillside Cemetery.
• Lyndonville – The parade will start at 9 a.m. at the Catholic Church on Lake Avenue and end near the library on Main Street. A ceremony will be held there. The Yates Community Library has arranged to have many flags in the school front yard.
• Medina – The parade will start at 11 a.m. at the Olde Pickle Factory building and proceed to the State Street Park where a ceremony will be held at about noon.
• Kendall – The town has its Memorial Day observance on May 30. Kendall alternates the location among three cemeteries. This year Memorial Day will be observed at Greenwood Cemetery on Roosevelt Highway (Route 18). The ceremony starts at 7 p.m.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 May 2018 at 8:08 am
Orleans and Genesee have new numbers for a crisis hotline. The previous numbers through the YWCA will continue to work in the short-term.
ALBION – The Niagara County Mental Health Department will continue to operate a crisis intervention hotline for Orleans and Genesee counties, after Niagara stepped up in an interim based when the service ceased suddenly last month.
Niagara assumed Orleans and Genesee calls on a crisis hotline after the YWCA announced on April 2 it would be shutting down the crisis line.
The arrangement was formally approved on Tuesday after a final OK by the Niagara County Legislature. Orleans will reimburse Niagara at the same rate it did the YWCA, said Mark O’Brien, director of the Orleans County Mental Health Department.
The phone numbers for the Care and Crisis Helpline through the YWCA – Local: 585-344-4400 and Toll Free: 1-844-345-4400 – have been forwarded to Niagara County since soon after April 2.
O’Brien said new numbers are being introduced: 585-283-5200 and 741741 to text.
O’Brien said the mental health leaders in the three counties, including Ellery Reaves in Genesee and Laura J. Kelemen in Niagara, have been working hard to have a crisis helpline in place for Orleans and Genesee.
He praised Niagara County “for stepping up with this.”
Photos by Tom Rivers: Tim Gregoire, right, of Tim Gregoire Construction in Holley and Robert Batt, executive director of the Cornell Cooperative Extension in Orleans County, look over progress on a new addition and stage at the Curtis Pavilion at the 4-H Fairgrounds.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 May 2018 at 9:06 pm
KNOWLESVILLE – When the Orleans County 4-H Fair returns in late July, there will be a new stage and location for the popular karaoke, talent show, and other concerts.
The Cornell Cooperative Extension is using a stage grant to put an addition on the Curtis Pavilion which will include a stage, six dressing rooms and a sound booth.
The concrete has been poured a 2-foot-high wooden stage wooden epoxy will be added. The Extension currently has to pay about $2,000 each fair to rent a tent and stage.
Robert Gregoire, Tim Gregoire’s son, screws in metal wall sheeting on the addition.
The state in 2016 set aside $5 million to help county fairs with capital improvements. Orleans received about $96,000. The new stage and addition at the Curtis Pavilion is costing about $83,000. The grant also paid for electrical upgrades for campsites.
Tim Gregoire Construction of Holley is well ahead of schedule on the project. Gregoire has until July 1.
The project includes an electrical upgrade in the pavilion and the installation of stage lighting.
The new addition looks like a pole barn to blend in with most of the other barns at the fairgrounds.
Robert Batt, executive director of the Extension, said the site will also be used for agriculture education programs as an outdoor classroom. He also would like to see other concerts held at the Curtis Pavilion outside of the busy fair week.
Batt said the Extension has applied for another $96,000 state grant for fairgrounds improvements. The Extension wants to replace four or five wooden bleachers with new metal ones. The Extension also has applied to use part of the grant for new animal stalls, lighting upgrades and also a new “show plex” for animal shows.
Ayman Huzair, then 21, performs during the karaoke finals in July 2015. Huzair won the competition singing a medley of songs from Michael Montgomery, Bruno Mars and Cupid. The karaoke competition this July will be held on the new stage at the Curtis Pavilion.
Photos by Tom Rivers: Robert Batt, executive director of the Cornell Cooperative Extension in Orleans County, experiments with programming a new LED sign that went “live” today at the fairgrounds.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 May 2018 at 1:31 pm
KNOWLESVILLE – A new electronic LED sign was turned on for the first time this morning at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds.
The Extension received a $4,535.75 grant to purchase and install the sign. The funding for the Extension was approved by the Genesee Valley Regional Market Authority. The State Department of Agriculture and Markets provided the funding. It is part of nearly $600,000 for research, promotion, and development projects to strengthen New York State’s diverse agricultural industry and spur economic growth across the state, according to Richard Ball, the State agriculture commissioner, who announced the funding in March.
Robert Batt, the Cooperative Extension executive director, said the new sign will allow the Extension to promote several events at the fairgrounds. The previous sign, with letters that had to be set by hand, only listed one event.
Howard Watts, the facility coordinator for the Extension, and Robert Batt, Extension executive director, are pictured with the new sign. Some additional work will be done on the frame.
“Before we could only highlight one thing,” Batt said. “Now we can highlight 4 or 5 things.”
He also wants the sign to include some agriculture facts.
Howard Watts, the facility coordinator for the Extension, had the frame ready last week. He worked on the electric this morning, and the sign went live for the first time at about 11 a.m.
This photo from July 2013 shows Extension Director Robert Batt, who was then the president of the Fair Board, and Kerri Richardson, who was then community educator for the Cornell Cooperative Extension, gearing up for 4-H Fair in Knowlesville. A new digital sign will allow the organization to list more events.
Photo by Tom Rivers: The Orleans County Youth Board on Thursday honored the following, from left: Doug Egling, Cody Crane, Emily Bibby, Jessica Sedore, Alexis Penna, Hannah Duhow, Carrie Janas, Kaitlin Zwifka, Michela Hanlon, Jeremy Browe, Reese Raduns and Sal DeLuca. Missing from photo include Emma Lonnen, Riley Seielstad and Salvador Solis.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 May 2018 at 2:58 pm
HOLLEY – Students who have stepped up in extraordinary ways to serve their families, school and community were honored on Thursday during the 36th annual Youth Recognition Banquet by the Orleans County Youth Board.
Doug Egling
Two adults were also honored for their service to children.
Doug Egling received the Helen R. Brinsmaid Professional Award, which is given to a paid professional who works with youth.
Egling is a caseworker for the Orleans County Department of Social Services. He is assigned to Albion middle and high schools. He supervises some children who are classified as PINS (Persons in Need of Supervision), and also does preventive and foster care cases.
Egling is musically talented and has found instruments for children to play, and will take them to concerts. He goes above and beyond to connect with children, said Carrie O’Neill, coordinator of the PINS program or juvenile adjustment services for Orleans County’s probation department.
“Doug is truly a genuine person who has a heart of gold and would truly do anything for anyone in need,” O’Neill said.
Egling has worked for the county the past 10 years, with six years as a caseworker assistant and the past four years as a caseworker. Prior to that he worked 16 years for The Arc of Orleans County.
Egling said he is part of team of caseworkers and other professionals who determined to find solutions for kids who are often in crisis.
“I like being a member of that team,” Egling said. “The caseworkers and CPS workers are my heroes.”
Egling urged the community to be more open to reaching out to young people, especially those whose families have broken down.
“It’s neighbor to neighbor,” he said.
Emily Bibby of Holley was recognized as a behind-the-scenes leader. She is active in the Interact Club and has coordinated several projects for the service organization. Jocelyn Sikorski, director of the Youth Bureau, is at left.
Sal DeLuca of Holley received the Eileen Heye Adult Volunteer Award for his 30 years of volunteer service to Holley youth. DeLuca has been a long-time soccer, baseball and track coach.
Sal DeLuca
He is currently president of the Holley Sports Boosters Club. He spends many hours at the Woodlands field concession stand, working the grill and refilling the cooler with water, Gatorade and soda.
Penny Cole of Holley nominated DeLuca for the award. She said she pays for many meals for students who show up to the stand hungry.
He also mows the grass at the Woodlands Soccer Complex and fixes many things that need maintenance.
DeLuca served on the Holley Board of Education for six years and was influential in the recent capital projects on the campus.
“Sal truly cares about every student in the Holley community and does his best to make sure they have the best education and are the most well-rounded students out there,” Cole said.
DeLuca said he enjoys seeing students happy.
“It’s the smile,” he said. “That’s the bottom line. I just like to do it.”
Jessica Sedore of Holley is a positive presence in the school. She is a role model for her classmates, and pushes others to try their best.
The following young people were recognized for their outstanding service in the community and/or family: Emily Bibby, Jeremy Browe, Cody Crane, Hannah Duhow, Christian Hahn, Michela Hanlon, Carrie Janas, Emma Lonnen, Alexis Penna, Reese Raduns, Jessica Sedore, Riley Seielstad, Salvador Solis and Kaitlin Zwifka.
The students serve in different ways, from volunteering in a Pre-K classroom to serving as an athlete buddy in the Empire State Games for the Physically Challenged. They have all been selfless in serving others.
Cody Crane of Medina accepts a “Youth Recognition Award.” He planned, organized and was a presenter at a public forum on Jan. 30 about the stigma of opioid addiction.
Dr. Daniel Doctor, Medina Central School’s director of community outreach, served as keynote speaker. He urged the youth to continue serving others. He said they need to use their talents to better the world.
“The young people sitting here tonight have done something with their talents,” Doctor said. “Share it and don’t bury it. Because if it’s under something, the world can’t see your talents.”
Dr. Dan Doctor, director of community outreach for Medina Central School, was keynote speaker at the banquet.
Photos by Tom Rivers: Florence Surdi of Albion is recognized on Thursday as one of two outstanding senior citizens from Orleans County who will be honored in Albany on May 22 during an awards program at the State Capitol. Melissa Blanar, director of the Orleans County Office for the Aging, is at left, and State Assemblyman Steve Hawley is at right.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 May 2018 at 8:31 am
KNOWLESVILLE – Three senior citizens in Orleans County were honored on Thursday for their commitment to community service in retirement.
The Orleans County Office for the Aging held its annual Spring Jubilee program to celebrate “Older Americans Month.” About 200 seniors attended the program at the Trolley Building of the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds.
The OFA accepted nominations for outstanding seniors from the community. An advisory council then picked the two seniors who would represent the county in Albany during an awards program on May 22.
Florence Surdi, 88, volunteers with Hospice of Orleans, the American Red Cross, Office for the Aging, Genesee Orleans Ministry of Concern and Holy Family Parish.
Surdi worked five years at Kodak before going back to school to earn a nursing degree. She worked in many doctors’ offices in a 35-year career.
State Assemblyman Steve Hawley thanks the seniors for their many years of service to the community.
Surdi has been a very active volunteer the past 12 years, and is a past winner of Hospice’s “Volunteer of the Year.” At Hospice, she provides companionship to terminally ill patients. She also helps with the administrative office at Hospice.
“Florence calmly and efficiently handles any task she is given,” the nominator wrote about Surdi.
At the OFA she assists with the newsletter and a volunteer driver. As a driver, she took an elderly man to visit his wife in a nursing home for five years.
She also helps the American Red Cross during blood drives. When the Ministry of Concern needs to assemble a mailing, Surdi can be counted on.
At Holy Family Parish, she is active with two charitable organizations, the Ladies of Charity and Catholic Daughters.
“Mrs. Surdi always serves the community with a giving and open heart,” the nominator wrote. “She brings her compassion for others and a fabulous sense of humor to her volunteer work.”
Surdi encouraged more seniors to volunteer, saying she has made many friends in the community through serving the different organizations.
“You will find while volunteering it doesn’t seem like working at all,” she said. “It’s very interesting, you learn a lot, and besides that, it’s fun.”
Don Snyder of Albion was recognized Thursday for his community service as a senior citizen.
Don Snyder has been very busy in retirement, helping church leaders respond to the opioid crisis in Orleans County. Snyder, who is retired as a chaplain in the state correction system, was nominated for the senior citizen award by Sheriff Randy Bower.
Snyder was instrumental in setting up the Sheriffs CARE (Community Addiction Rehabilitation Education) as well as an on-call chaplains’ team. He has been active in helping the community establish an addiction recovery program and is a trained recovery coach.
For the past two years he has been a member of the Genesee Orleans Wyoming Opioid Task Force meetings. He also serves on the Orleans County Mental Health Service Board, which oversees delivery of mental health services in the community.
He also is a board member for the Oak Orchard Assembly of God in Medina, the Grace House in Buffalo/Saving Grace Ministries, and From the Inside Out Ministries.
Snyder also volunteers with the American Red Cross’s Disaster Action Team, responding when people are made homeless, and he participates in Pastors Aligned for Community Transformation.
“With our ever growing opiate epidemic, many times hand in hand with mental illness, Don has volunteered his time as well as getting others involved to assist our community to educate and rehabilitate those struggling,” Bower said.
Snyder said people need to be involved in community issues, especially when they are a resource or can connect people to resources for help.
Patricia Cammarata of Albion receives certificates of commendation for her volunteer service.
Snyder and Surdi will both be recognized in Albany for their volunteer work. Patricia Cammarata also was recognized during the Senior Jubilee on Thursday.
Cammarata worked as a licensed master social worker in children’s mental health. She volunteers with the Catholic Charities Friendly Phones Program, and has been a trustee on the Swan Library Board of Trustees and a member of the Albion Historic Preservation Commission.
She was nominated for the award by Catholic Charities.
“She has happily and consistently made calls or visits to socially isolated elders in our community,” the nominator said. “She has provided friendship and empathy in each relationship, improving the lives of our members significantly.”
The Albion High School Women’s and Men’s Select Chorus performed several songs for the seniors. The group has about 40 members and is led by director Gary Simboli.
Sophia Zambito has a solo in “Draw the Circle Wide.”
Arella Ives also was a featured soloist in the “Draw the Circle Wide.”
ALBION – Paul Pettit, Public Health director for the Health Departments in Genesee and Orleans counties, will serve as president of the New York State Association of County Health Officials, beginning June 1.
Chuck Nesbitt, Chief Administrative Officer for Orleans County, and Jay Gsell, Genesee County Manager, both congratulated Pettit on this achievement after being elected by his peers to lead the state association over the next year.
“Having Paul serve as President brings our Western New York rural counties to the forefront of influence and decision-making in regards to public health activities across the state,” Nesbitt said. “This is an excellent platform for our counties to be heard and recognized.”
Nesbitt and Gsell offered congratulations on behalf of their respective County Legislatures.
“Paul is an engaged and empowering leader of our two counties public health initiatives and has helped make our progressive and proactive commonly appointed Board of Health a prime example of what team work and collaboration can achieve,” Gsell said.
NYSACHO was organized in 1979 and is a membership association representing the 58 local health departments in New York State. The NYSACHO general membership meets monthly, providing a unique opportunity for the exchange of ideas and experiences among local public health officials as well as with other federal, state and local partners. NYSACHO strengthens the provision of local public health programs and services.
“The incoming officers and directors possess extensive knowledge and diverse experience in the field of public health,” said Pettit, an Albion resident. “I am honored to be able to serve on the board with them and represent this organization over the next year as President. I am confident that this board along with our active membership will continue to provide strong leadership and further NYSACHO’s mission of supporting, advocating for, and empowering local health departments in their work to promote health and wellness and prevent disease, disability and injury throughout New York State.”
Provided photo: Jeff Cole, a deputy with the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, is pictured with Otto, the K9. Cole is the dog’s handler and they work closely together. Otto is trained in narcotics detection and tracking.
Orleans County Sheriff’s Office K9 Otto will receive a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.
K9 Otto’s vest is sponsored by Staten Island Companion Dog Training Club and will be embroidered with the sentiment “Gifted by SICDTC, Staten Island, NY”. Delivery is expected within eight to ten weeks.
Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501c (3) charity located in East Taunton, MA whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States. The non-profit was established in 2009 to assist law enforcement agencies with this potentially lifesaving body armor for their four-legged K9 officers. Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provided over 2,900 protective vests, in 50 states, through private and corporate donations, at a value of $5.7 million.
The program is open to dogs actively employed in the U.S. with law enforcement or related agencies who are certified and at least 20 months of age. New K9 graduates, as well as K9s with expired vests, are eligible to participate.
The donation to provide one protective vest for a law enforcement K9 is $950. Each vest has a value between $1,744 to $2,283 and a five-year warranty, and an average weight of 4-5 lbs. There is an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States. For more information or to learn about volunteer opportunities, please call 508-824-6978. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provides information, lists events, and accepts tax-deductible donations of any denomination at www.vik9s.org or mailed to P.O. Box 9 East Taunton, MA 02718.
Orleans County Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit Otto and Deputy Cole have a strong dedication to serving and protecting the local communities within Orleans County, as well as surrounding counties. The K9 unit works well together as a team, is energetic, and loves to train together. The K9 unit also enjoys performing demonstrations at local schools and events within our community.
K9 Otto is a 3-year-old German shepherd that was imported from Holland and joined the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office on October 13, 2016. K9 Otto is certified in Narcotics through NAPWADA and NYS DCJS and Tracking through NAPWADA.
“Many thanks to Vested Interest in K9’s, Inc. for their gift,” said Sheriff Randy Bower. “We are thrilled at the opportunity to receive a Body Armor Vest for K9 Otto’s protection during service.”
Provided photo – Pictured, from left, include: Sgt. First Class Terry Weaver, Officer Tammy Kendrick, Officer Todd Riemer, Officer Michael Salvatore, Officer Andrew Conlon, Officer Mathew Wingrove and Cook Cassandra Brady.
Press Release, Sheriff Randy Bower
ALBION – This week is National Correctional Officers Week.
The Orleans County Jail, as a unit of the Office of the Sheriff, shares the principle that the jail is part of the community and the community is part of the jail. The Corrections Division is committed to meet the standards of the community in a combined effort to promote safety, security, and opportunities for rehabilitation. Their values include respect, responsibility, honesty, and caring for others and themselves.
The responsibility of the Corrections Division is to operate a safe and secure detention facility in compliance with the New York State Corrections Law and with regulations set forth by the New York State Commission of Corrections. The staff of 38 corrections officers has the difficult and often dangerous assignment of ensuring the security, safety, and well-being of the inmates in our county jail. Their position is essential to the day-to-day operations, and without them it would be impossible to achieve the foremost institutional goals of care, custody, and control of around 600 inmates annually.
Please join me in recognizing our Corrections Officers at the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office for all their hard work, dedication and service to our community.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 May 2018 at 4:04 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – About 85 motorcycle riders take off at about 2:30 this afternoon following a motorcycle safety rally in front of the Orleans County Courthouse.
The bikers then went on a 50-mile safety and awareness ride throughout the county.
Orleans County Deputy Sheriff Jeff Cole and K-9 Otto helped to start the motorcycle safety ride in front of the courthouse. The group will then go on a 50-mile police-escorted ride within the county, ending at the VFW in Medina.
Orleans County legislators issued a proclamation declaring May as “Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month.” The Orleans County chapter of the American Bikers Aimed Toward Education organized today’s rally and ride.
State Assemblyman Steve Hawley addressed the group and thanked them for promoting safety on the local roadways.
Legislators praised ABATE for helping to prevent accidents through awareness programs aimed at all drivers, acting as liaison on behalf of motorcyclists with government agencies, and promoting good citizenship by encouraging members to use their right to vote.
ABATE reminds the public that motorcyclists are out and drivers should, “Look twice, save a life.”
Photos by Tom Rivers: Heritage Heroes were recognized during a ceremony on Friday at Genesee Community College in Albion. The group includes, from left: Aaron Grabowski of Medina, Diane Palmer of Albion, Beryl Barnes (accepting for her son Arthur Barnes) and Roy Bubb, who has written about growing up in Clarendon.
ALBION – When local residents write a book about growing up in Manning Corners in Clarendon, paint a watercolor of an aging barn, organize a fundraiser for the Cobblestone Museum or save a pipe organ for a church, they are doing work that few would undertake.
Big events of global interest, such as World War II or the sinking of Titanic, seem to have unending books, documentaries and historians devoted to telling those stories.
But the keynote speaker during last week’s Heritage Heroes celebration said only a few step forward to protect local historical sites or to preserve the cultural record in Orleans County.
Adam Tabelski, former mayor of Medina, gave the keynote address. Tabelski now lives in Batavia and works as an account manager for Wendel, an architectural and engineering firm. He has a master’s in public history from the University of Albany. GCC professor Derek Maxfield, back left, and GCC Dean Jim Simon are both on the Heritage Heroes Committee, along with Orleans Hub Editor Tom Rivers.
That’s why these “Heritage Heroes” deserve recognition and appreciation from the community, said Adam Tabelski, a former Medina mayor. Tabelski has a deep interest in history. He earned a master’s in public history from the University of Albany and was Shelby town historian and past president of the Medina Historical Society. He now lives in Batavia and works as an account manager for Wendel, an architectural and engineering firm.
“How are we ever going to remember these unique things to our region?” he said during Friday’s awards program at Genesee Community College in Albion. “These things are so important because they happened right here in our backyards and they have meant so much to us and to our families and our communities over the years.”
Tabelski noted recent reports that show a majority of millennials, the new adults, are fuzzy with the facts about the Holocaust, when 6 million Jews were murdered. Two thirds of millennials don’t know about Auschwitz, a concentration camp where Nazis sent 1 million Jews to die.
Although there has been a shift to the latest 24-hour news cycle and the immediacy of social media, Tabelski said Orleans County is fortunate to have several people giving of their time and talent to preserve important local culture and history.
“You, heroes, are carrying a baton that few are carrying,” he said. “You are telling the stories that would otherwise fade into obscurity or oblivion, saving the buildings that would be lost, and inspiring others to learn and to appreciate.”
GCC hosted its fifth Heritage Heroes celebration on Friday. The following were recognized:
• Aaron Grabowski – Organist and director of Music at St. Mary’s Church in Medina, Aaron Grabowski has always had a passion for making music. However, Grabowski is more than a musician, he also builds organs. Prior to moving to Medina, he acquired a circa 1890s Barkhoff pipe organ, which was originally installed in Annunciation RC Church in Buffalo, built just a few years before St. Mary’s.
When he joined St. Mary’s Church, it was evident to him that the church’s ailing electronic organ needed to be replaced. Although the original pipe organ was removed from the balcony many years ago, the organ facade (consisting of exposed pipes and oak millwork) remained intact. Upon inspection of the organ loft, Grabowski knew a proper pipe organ, befitting of the church’s history and space could be installed.
Grabowski and several other interested parishioners worked together and decided he would install his Barkhoff organ in at St. Mary’s, and do the work himself with some help from volunteers in lifting pieces that weighed several hundred pounds. The Barkhoff was a perfect fit, given its age (built within a decade of St. Mary’s), classical voicing and having been designed by the same architect, Albert A. Post. Grabowski’s dedication and hard work will fill the nave of St. Mary’s for generations to come.
Grabowski was living in Kenmore when he visited Medina about 15 years ago, and was given a tour by village resident Chris Busch. Grabwoksi and his wife were looking for a village setting where they could have a historic home. Medina fit the bill, he said.
• Diane Palmer has always been a historian at heart and has long lent her talents and dedicated her time serving the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and the Cobblestone Society & Museum. Currently a member of the Board of Trustees at the Cobblestone Society & Museum, Palmer has led the museum’s rebranding efforts and has been instrumental in several key fundraisers.
She also is one of the coordinators of the Eastman at Albion concert series. The series has included about 20 concerts, raising more than $20,000 with the proceeds going to scholarships for Albion students who pursue music and the performing arts in college. In many of the concerts, Albion high schoolers have performed with the professional musicians in town for the concert. The series features Rochester-area musicians, often affiliated with the Eastman Community Music School, paired with Albion’s architectural treasures – the historic churches at the Courthouse Square.
Past winners of the Heritage Hero award were asked to stand. Some of the past winners in attendance include Delia Robinson, Al Capurso, Matt Ballard, Holly Canham and Erin Anheier.
• Arthur Barnes is a noted local artist for over 30 years and constant advocate for the community. He uses his artwork to celebrate Orleans County and its rich history. Barnes created a series of four large-scale murals depicting the Erie Canal which can be enjoyed in Medina, Knowlesville, Albion and Holley. Both a photographer and artist, Barnes highlights local tourism landmarks, such as the County Courthouse, the Culvert in Ridgeway and Mount Albion Tower. However, most of his work pays homage to the houses, barns and beautiful rural landscape of the area. These pieces serve to document Orleans County history as several of the houses and barns in his paintings are no longer standing. In 2000, Barnes bought a cobblestone building in Millville originally built as a Quaker meeting house in 1841. Barnes has repaired the roof and spent countless hours on additional improvements to spare what would have been an inevitable collapse of the building.
Barnes is active on social media as “The Artist Monk” posting photos and artwork about local sites. He was out of town on Friday. His mother and sisters accepted the award on his behalf. Barnes left a note with them where he praises the county’s rich history and vibrant landscapes, including the wildlife refuge, much, apple orchards, canal, historic downtowns and even the barns that often appear to be on their last legs.
“As a man who loves history and appreciates scenic views I feel very fortunate to live here,” Barnes said in his message. “In my travels I will continue to be a good ambassador and sing the praises of my beloved Orleans County.”
• Roy Bubb, a teacher and historian, added author to his resume when he penned Memories of Manning Corners: History of the Bubb Family and its Neighborhood 1931-1942, which is a retrospective on growing up in Orleans County. In 1986, Bubb retired from The SUNY College of Brockport after 25 years of service providing the best possible learning environment to future educators. In the late ’60s, Bubb co-created a simulation program that received recognition from the National College Association. Since then, Bubb has published nearly a half dozen books including his 2017 work, The Family Scrapbook, An Era in Clarendon and Holley-Murray’s History. Proceeds from Bubb’s many works benefit both the Madison Historical Society in Madison, NH, and the Clarendon Historical Society in Clarendon, NY.
Bubb said he grew up always asking questions to his family members and neighbors. He didn’t want to have those stories die, so he wrote the books.
The Heritage Heroes Committee also honored two local municipal historians with awards.
Betsy Hoffman, the Carlton town historian, received the C.W. “Bill” Lattin Award for Excellence in Municipal History.
• Lysbeth “Betsy” Hoffman received the C.W. “Bill” Latin Municipal Historian Award for her nearly 40 years of service as the Carlton town historian.
Since 1980, Hoffman has served her community researching information, collecting names and dates, archiving and cataloging, and writing as the Town of Carlton Historian. For many years Hoffman was a regular columnist for The Journal-Register in Medina reporting the “goings on” in Lakeside. She developed special displays in the Carlton Town Hall and was an avid collector of archival material that continues to aid and educate future generations.
Lattin, the retired county historian, said Hoffman pushed to have historical markers in each town and then have a local book that compiled all of the markers. She also was the driving force to have a stream named Proctor Brook. Lattin said Hoffman has an amazing ability to know the news in Carlton.
“For someone who doesn’t drive or do email, Betsy knows more about what’s going on in Carlton than anyone,” Lattin said.
• Marsha DeFilipps, the Holley-Murray historian for more than 40 years, received the Bob Waters Lifetime Achievement Award.
DeFilipps has been very active in the Holley-Murray Historical Society. She was influential in establishing the Murray-Holley Historical Society Museum in the old train depot and has led multiple talks and workshops and helped many residents trace their own familial roots.
Recently DeFilipps teamed with Melissa Ierlan to present “Digging up your ancestors online” which is a public workshop designed to encourage and guide individuals down their own genealogy path. One of the signature accomplishments during her term as town historian has been her creation of an Index of personal names in Landmarks of Orleans County. To do this, DeFilipps spent many months combing through and extracting every name mentioned in Isaac Signor’s 1894 publication, developing a permanent record of history.
Matt Ballard, the current county historian, said DeFilipps and the other municipal historians don’t get the credit them deserve for the countless hours spent doing research and cataloging records.
“Much of what we do lacks the glory and pizzazz,” Ballard said. “But the municipal historians are cataloging, collecting, making sure there is something for the future of what’s happening now.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 May 2018 at 4:51 pm
Take-back events deemed a success; year-round collection boxes available
Photo by Tom Rivers: Scott Wilson, Orleans County jail superintendent and coordinator of the National Prescription Take-Back initiative in Orleans County, said the county’s prescription drug take-back events have been a success the past six years, resulting in more than 6,000 pounds of unused prescriptions being dropped off at sites in Holley, Albion and Medina. He presented information today from recent take-back events. (The DEA no longer wants a participant count.)
ALBION – Orleans County had more prescription drugs dropped off on April 28 as part of a National Prescription Take-Back initiative than many other nearby similar-size counties.
The event on April 28 resulted in residents dropping off 644 pounds at three locations in Orleans County, with 387 pounds at the Orleans County Public Safety Building in Albion, 205 pounds at the Medina Fire Department, and 72 collected at the Holley Fire Department.
There were 8,347 pounds collected from 8 Western New York counties, including 627 from Allegany, 548 from Cattaraugus, 995 from Chautauqua, 3,186 from Erie, 530 from Genesee, 549 from Niagara, 664 from Orleans and 75 from Wyoming.
Scott Wilson, the county jail superintendent and coordinator of the take-back event in Orleans, said the events are well publicized in Orleans through the local media and advertisements by the Orleans United Drug Free Communities Coalition.
The take-back events are a collaborative effort with the U.S. Department of Justice – Drug Enforcement Administration, the Orleans County Health Department and the Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism & Substance Abuse.
The events are an opportunity for the public to surrender unwanted and/or expired medications for safe and proper disposal. Sheriff Randy Bower said the events have dramatically reduced the risk of prescription drug diversion and abuse, taking thousands of pounds of prescription drugs out of the community.
There are collection boxes available year-round at the Public Safety Building, and Albion, Holley and Medina police departments, during regular business hours. The Public Safety Building and Medina Police Department also collect sharps.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 May 2018 at 7:37 am
County tries to highlight wine industry, Mental Health, Armed Services, ‘Older Americans’ and Motorcycle Safety
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature presented five proclamations last week recognizing programs and assets in the county and region.
Legislator Ken DeRoller, right, presents a proclamation that recognizes April as “Wine Month.” Bryan DeGraw, owner of 810 Meadworks in Medina, accepts the proclamation with Cate Banks, director of Niagara Wine Trail. DeGraw is vice president of the Wine Trail.
Legislators said wineries attract guests from neighboring counties, and visitors from other states.
New York is the country’s third largest grape and wine producer, with 1,631 family-owned vineyards that generate 25,000 jobs and is visited by 5.29 million people, according to the proclamation.
The county also joined seven others in Western New York in declaring May 10-20 as Western New York Armed Forces Week. The proclamation encourages residents to thank active duty members, reservists, military retirees and veterans “for their dedication, sacrifices and service to Our Nation.”
County Legislator Fred Miller, left, presents the proclamation to Earl Schmidt, director of the Veterans Service Agency in Orleans County, and Nancy Traxler, a veterans service officer for the county. Schmidt and Traxler give the county two certified veterans service officers.
Legislator Don Allport, left, presents a proclamation for “Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month” in May to Matt Tracy, vice president of the Orleans County chapter of the American Bikers Aimed Toward Education.
ABATE will have a motorcycle safety rally on Sunday at the County Courthouse. Bikers will arrive about 1 p.m. with the rally at 2 p.m. The group will then go on a 50-mile police-escorted ride within the county, ending at the VFW in Medina.
Legislators praised ABATE for helping to prevent accidents through awareness programs aimed at all drivers, acting as liaison on behalf of motorcyclists with government agencies, and promoting good citizenship by encouraging members to use their right to vote.
Legislator Fred Miller reads a proclamation declaring May as “Older Americans Month.” He presented the proclamation to Melissa Blanar, director of the Office for the Aging. The local agency enriches the lives of individuals of every age by promoting home- and community-based services that support independent living; involving older adults in community planning, events, and other activities; and providing opportunities for older adults to work, volunteer, learn, lead, and mentor.
County Legislator Skip Draper, left, reads a proclamation declaring May as “Mental Health Month.” He presented the proclamation to Mark O’Brien, director of the Orleans County Mental Health Department.
Draper said mental illness will strike one in five adults and children in a given year, regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion or economic status.
“Mental Health Month was developed to bring public awareness to the mental health challenges facing children, adolescents and adults, and to diminish the stigma associated with it,” the proclamation reads.
HOLLEY – The Orleans County Youth Board will sponsor its 36th annual Youth Recognition Dinner on May 10 at Hickory Ridge Golf and Country Club when 14 youths will be honored for their commitment to community service and/or their impressive role in their family.
Additionally, the dinner will recognize an adult youth worker and an adult volunteer.
The following young people will be recognized for their outstanding service in the community and/or family: Emily Bibby, Jeremy Browe, Cody Crane, Hannah Duhow, Christian Hahn, Michela Hanlon, Carrie Janas, Emma Lonnen, Alexis Penna, Reese Raduns, Jessica Sedore, Riley Seielstad, Salvador Solis and Kaitlin Zwifka.
Douglas Egling is receiving the Helen R. Brinsmaid Memorial Youth Worker Award. Egling is a caseworker at Orleans County Department of Social Services and continuously is going above and beyond for local youths.
Sal DeLuca is receiving the Eileen Heye Adult Volunteer Award. He volunteers his time with the Holley Sports Boosters and the Holley school district. He has been giving back to the Holley community for over 30 years.
The keynote speaker for the evening will be, Dr. Daniel Doctor, Medina Central School’s director of community outreach.
Registration and refreshments will begin at 6 p.m. The program and dinner will commence at 6:30. Seating is limited. If you are interested in attending the banquet, contact the Orleans County Youth Bureau at (585) 344-3960 by May 1.
