Ridgeway

Jeff Toussaint honored for 30 years on Ridgeway Town Board

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 1 March 2026 at 8:50 am

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Marcia Toussaint looks on as Brian Napoli, Ridgeway supervisor, presents a citation to her husband Jeff in celebration of his retirement from the board after 30 years of service. Toussaint was Napoli’s choice as deputy town supervisor for many of those years on the board.

MEDINA – Town of Ridgeway councilman Jeff Toussaint was honored at a luncheon Friday to celebrate his retirement after serving 30 years on the Ridgeway Town Board.

“I very much enjoyed my years on the board,” Toussaint said. “Whenever we looked at tough subjects, everybody always came together.”

Toussaint, who grew up on the family farm on Culvert Road, which he now runs, said public service ran in his family.

“My mom and grandpa both served years on the Medina School Board,” he said. “I was in my 20s when I was asked by the Republican Committee to run, but I was getting married and working on the farm, so I wasn’t interested. Then when Russ Rau stepped down, I was in my mid 30s and I interviewed with the other candidates and was approved and got elected. I never wanted to be a politician. I was never political in anything I did.”

He said one of the most satisfying things he helped accomplish during his years of service was getting municipal water for most of the town.

“At the time, some of the people weren’t in favor of it, but in hindsight, it was the right thing to do,” Toussaint said. “There are still a few spots which still don’t have water, but the town is working on it.”

Retiring Ridgeway Town Board member Jeff Toussaint, second from left, poses with his wife Marcia, daughter Andrea, son Matt and his wife Molly with baby Sloane.

Talk of dissolution of the Village of Medina was also a difficult time, as people had strong opinions both ways, he said.

Toussaint and his wife Marcia have three children: Matt, who works on the farm; daughter Andrea, a teacher; and son Aaron, who works in archeology.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better deputy than Jeff,” said Ridgeway supervisor Brian Napoli. “He’s been a big help during the 20 years I’ve served with him. We’ve had disagreements, but we always came to a compromise.”

“I never expected to be here 30 years,” Toussaint said. “It’s pretty amazing and I’m so appreciative the people kept voting me back in. I only worked under two supervisors during that time – J.T. Gidley and Brian.”

When asked why he decided to retire, he replied, “It was time.” As to what he’ll do now, he said he will occasionally come to a meeting to keep the others on their toes.

“And in a year or so, who knows what I’ll do,” he said.

The retirement luncheon was organized by Mary Woodruff, deputy supervisor; and board member Cliff Barber. Other board members are Jesse Cudzillo, the newest board member just voted in; and Duane Payne. John Olinger is the highway superintendent and Hannah Hill is the town clerk.

Woodruff’s granddaughter Amanda made and donated the cake for the retirement party, which included lunch catered by Avanti’s.

Mary Woodruff and Cliff Barber, standing, welcome family, friends and co-workers to a retirement party for Jeff Toussaint, who just completed 30 years as a member of the Ridgeway Town Board. Among the guests were, from left, Patty and Gus Blackburn, Duane Payne, Dan Wolfe, Mark Goheen and assessor Julie Cecchini (with her back turned).

Ridgeway Fire Company swears in officers, presents awards during annual banquet

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 19 January 2026 at 9:18 am

Austin Seefeldt named Firefighter of the Year

Provided photos: Austin Seefeldt was named Firefighter of the Year at Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company’s banquet. From left are assistant chief Jerry Lewis; deputy chief Kristin McAdoo; Seefeldt; his father and life member Christopher Seelfeldt; and chief Tyler Luckman.

RIDGEWAY – The Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company and Ladies Auxiliary held their 74th annual installation banquet Saturday night.

A welcome was given by secretary Marisa Gilbert and chief Tyler Luckman, followed by introduction of guests by master of ceremonies Justin Niederhofer. After the invocation by Pastor Dan Thurber, guests enjoyed dinner catered by Donna Eick.

The program began with special recognitions of firefighters and installation of officers.

Chief Tyler Luckman gave the Firefighter of the Year award to Austin Seefeldt.

Outgoing president Marisa Gilbert named Patrick Kelly as recipient of the President’s Award. Kelly, a 35-year member, was unable to attend because of work.

Ridgeway Fire Captain Jason Bessel was presented with a special award at the Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company’s installation banquet Saturday night. With him are, from left, assistant chief, Jerry Lewis, Bessel; deputy chief Kristin McAdoo and chief Tyler Luckman.

A special presentation was made to Jason Bessel for the great amount of work he did on the fire company’s Truck Committee.

“He has been involved with all our truck purchases for the last decade,” said Kristin McAdoo, deputy chief.

Fire company officers for 2026 were sworn in by Niederhofer, as follows: Chief, Tyler Luckman; deputy chief, Kristin McAdoo; assistant chief, Jerry Lewis; firematic captain, Jason Bessel; firematic lieutenants, Austin Mosher and Justin McAdoo; safety officer, Don Marchner; fire police captain, Paul Wengrzycki; fire police lieutenant, Kyle Brakenbury; EMS captain, Morgan Austin and EMS lieutenant, Page Smith.

Justin Niederhofer, Orleans 1 (the county’s emergency management coordinator), is at the podium and swears in officers for 2026 in the Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Department during their banquet Saturday night.

Executive officers sworn in were president, Greg Gilbert; vice president, Madison Austin; secretary, Marisa Gilbert; treasurer, Jennifer Thom; sergeant-at-arms, Justin McAdoo; director for 3 years, Morgan Austin; director for two years, James Ryan; and director for one year, Austin Mosher.

Members of the Ladies Auxiliary sworn in by Ridgeway Town Clerk Hannah Hill were president, Tracey Hendrick; vice president, Melissa Hansler; secretary/treasurer, Joelle Brown; and chaplain, Harriet Petrie.

It was announced that Ridgeway responded to a record number of calls in 2025 – 376, of which 218 were EMS. Other calls were for mutual aid – 19 (which included one water rescue; 12 fill-ins and nine working structure fires); automatic alarms – 10; structure fires – nine; good intent calls – eight; brush/grass fires – eight; water problems – five; vehicle fires – five; miscellaneous fire at a power substation – one; water rescue for kayakers stranded on the creek – one; and other calls, 12.

Top 10 responders in 2025 were Don Marchner – 283; his grandson Justin McAdoo – 273; Kyle Brakenbury – 186; Austin Seefeldt – 177; Greg Gilbert – 130; Andrew Austin – 127; Jerry Lewis – 125; Morgan Austin – 120; Kristin McAdoo – 105; and Mike Blue – 91.

The evening concluded with benediction by Pastor Thurber and music by disc jockey JT.


Hannah Hill, town of Ridgeway clerk, right, swears in Ridgeway Ladies Auxiliary officers at their banquet Saturday night. Officers are, from left, Harriet Petrie, chaplain; Joelle Brown, secretary/treasurer; and Tracey Hendrick, president. Absent is Melissa Hansler, vice president.

Medina adds late fees to Ridgeway, Shelby for not paying bills for water charge

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 January 2026 at 1:36 pm

2 towns together have been billed about $60,000 by Medina last 2 years for ad valorem charges

Photos by Tom Rivers: This photo from Aug. 8, 2016 shows a worker from DN Tanks putting a second coat of paint on Medina’s 3-million-gallon water tank. DN Tank also made several repairs to the water tank that was initially built in 1959 on Route 31A. The tank holds water from the Niagara County Water District. The Village of Medina’s water system also feeds water districts in Shelby and Ridgeway.

MEDINA – The Medina Village Board isn’t backing off collecting money from the towns of Shelby and Ridgeway with their shares of an ad valorem charge from the Niagara County Water District.

The NCWD supplies Medina, Shelby and most of Ridgeway with its water. The NCWD bills Medina about $136,000 annually in an ad valorem charge as an out-of-district user. That charge helps pay for infrastructure and operations of the Water District.

Village Attorney Matt Brooks told the Village Board on Monday it is obligated to collect the ad valorem charges from Shelby and Ridgeway, and may need to take legal action if the towns continue to not pay the bill.

Medina has been bearing the full bill itself, even though a study from 2013 called for Ridgeway to pay 5.02 percent of the bill and Shelby to contribute 17.98 percent. That is their share of the bill based on their water usage back in 2013. (Medina officials expect the towns are using a higher percentage now after adding water districts since 2013.)

Medina, however, didn’t seek to collect the ad valorem charge from the two towns until September 2024.

Shelby was billed $23,554.81 and Ridgeway was billed $6,576.48. Neither has paid.

They were billed again in September 2025, with Shelby’s amount at $23,193.84 and Ridgeway’s at $6,475.70.

The Medina Village Board is determined to get those funds, and will be assessing 10 percent late fees as it does with all of its water customers who don’t pay on time.

Medina Mayor Marguerite Sherman said she has reached out to the town supervisors at both towns to tell them the money is owed, per their contract with Medina. The village sells water to the two towns that comes from the Niagara County Water District.

Sherman said Brian Napoli, the Ridgeway town supervisor, doesn’t think Ridgeway needs to pay. Jim Heminway, the Shelby town supervisor, has asked the town attorney to review the issue, Sherman said.

Village Attorney Matt Brooks advised the board on Monday that the village may need to take legal action if the two towns continue to refuse payment.

“This is an issue of a contractual breach,” he said. “It’s in violation of a contract.”

The Medina mayor said she is trying to reach an amicable agreement with the two municipalities.

“It’s not out of spite,” Sherman said about the bills from the village to the towns. “We want to be good neighbors but we are obligated to collect this amount based on the contract.”

Ridgeway firefighters responded to 378 calls in 2025, a record high

Posted 4 January 2026 at 8:36 am

Press Release, Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company

RIDGEWAY – Ridgeway firefighters & EMTs responded to 378 emergency incidents in 2025, making this a record high year for us!

Broken down:

  • 214 EMS
  • 9 Structure Fires, including a chicken coop fire, 3 barn fires, and multiple house fires
  • 5 Vehicle Fires, including a lawn mower, a farm sprayer and a combine
  • 8 Brush Fires
  • 1 Misc. Fire – a power substation
  • 23 Motor Vehicle Accidents, including 1 requiring extrication
  • 10 Automatic Alarms
  • 59 Hazardous Conditions
  • 2 Fire Police Requests
  • 8 Good Intent Calls
  • 1 Water Rescue – multiple stranded kayakers on Oak Orchard Creek
  • 19 Mutual Aid including 1 ice water rescue in Medina, 12 fill-ins to other agencies, and 9 working structure fires.

We averaged 8 personnel in attendance at each incident.

Outside of calls, volunteers hosted our normal fundraisers including 2 sportsman raffles, Fathers’ Day Chicken BBQ, 2 vendor shows, money raffle, toy show and our new trailer raffle!

Volunteers have worked multiple birthday parties, retirement parties, weddings, funerals and other rentals.

Crews attended multiple parades in Lyndonville, Albion, Medina, Middleport and Wildwood KOA!

Members even started some new traditions to work in our community even more. Firefighters & EMTs met with a Home School group to have a Fire Safety day!

Firefighters attended multiple classes. In 2025 Ridgeway gained: 7 Exterior Certified FFs, 2 went onto Interior Certified FFs, and 4 EMTs.

We are excited to see what the year 2026 brings with new members, trainings and ways we can engage our community! We’re always looking for more membership. Firefighters, EMTs, Drivers, Fire Police or even social membership are needed to help with events! We’re at our Ridge Road Fire House every Tuesday Evening at 7 p.m.

We thank all of you for your continued support to our Fire Company! Without you, there would not be an us.

The 2026 Ridgeway Fire Operational Line Officers are as follows:

  • Fire Chief – Tyler Luckman
  • Deputy Fire Chief – Kristin McAdoo
  • Assistant Fire Chief – Gerald Lewis
  • Fire Captain – Jason Bessel
  • Fire Lieutenant – Austin Mosher
  • Fire Lieutenant – Buford McAdoo
  • Safety Officer – Donald Marchner
  • Fire Police Captain – Paul Wengrzycki
  • Fire Police Lieutenant – (Not yet announced)
  • EMS Captain – Morgan Austin
  • EMS Lieutenant – Page Smith

The 2026 Ridgeway Fire Executive Line Officers are as follows:

  • President – Greg Gilbert
  • Vice President – Madison Austin
  • Secretary – Marisa Gilbert
  • Treasurer – Jenn Thom
  • Sergeant at Arms – Buford McAdoo
  • 3 Year Director – Morgan Austin
  • 2 Year Director – James Ryan
  • 1 Year Director – Austin Mosher

Ridgeway home badly damaged by fire with resident taken by ambulance

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 December 2025 at 8:41 am

Photos courtesy of Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company: Firefighters work on putting out a fire in a house on Niagara-Orleans Countyline Road on Monday evening.

RIDGEWAY – One resident was taken by ambulance from a house fire on Niagara-Orleans Countyline Road on Monday evening. The Red Cross was requested to assist that person with emergency housing.

Firefighters were dispatched to the scene at 7:43 p.m. Firefighters worked for hours to find hidden fire and stop it, the Ridgeway Fire Company stated on its Facebook page. The fire was declared under control at 10:04 p.m. with extensive overhaul operations. Firefighters cleared the scene just after midnight.

Ridgeway was assisted at the scene by Medina Fire Department, Lyndonville Joint Fire District, Shelby Fire Company, Albion Joint Fire District, Tri-Town Ambulance and a fill-in crew from Hartland Fire Company.

This was also the first call of Ridgeway’s new fire truck, Engine 12.

Santa, ABATE take 50-mile motorcycle ride in annual toy run

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 September 2025 at 3:17 pm

Photos by Tom Rivers

RIDGEWAY – Al Schumacher, a motorcyclist from Middleport, dressed as Santa today for a 50-mile ride around Orleans County.

Schumacher has wore the red Santa suit the past several years for the annual toy run led by ABATE in Orleans County.

There were 23 motorcyclists in the ride today. They have to pay either $20 or donate a toy to be part of the journey that started at the Ridgeway fire hall on Route 104. Motorcyclists headed west before getting on Route 18 and going east across the county towards Kendall. Then they got on Route 31 in Holley headed west towards Albion before getting on 31A and going back towards Medina. The ride ended at the Vets’ Club in Medina.

Don Sloper, president of the local ABATE chapter, said the toy run has been an annual tradition in September for about 40 years.

The group usually raises $600 to $1,000 which is donated to Community Action of Orleans & Genesee for their annual toy drive during the holiday season.

“It’s good riding weather for us and it gives them a good start (on the toy drive),” he said.

Al Schumacher and the other motorcyclists get ready for the 50-mile ride.

Santa rode on a trike motorcycle. The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office provided an escort for the toy run.

Firefighters collect $6,500 to support Make-A-Wish at boot drive today

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 September 2025 at 2:48 pm

Photos by Tom Rivers

RIDGEWAY – Ridgeway firefighter Morgan Austin, third from left, collects a donation for the Make-A-Wish Foundation today on Route 104 near the Route 63 intersection. She is joined by other Ridgeway firefighters – Paige Smith, left, and Madison Austion.

Firefighters from the western battalion in Orleans County were out today collecting money in a boot drive for Make-A-Wish. The public gave about $6,500 in today’s boot drive from 9 a.m. to noon.

Firefighters were at different locations:

  • Route 63 with Shelby and East Shelby firefighters,
  • Maple Ridge Road and the downtown intersection with Medina firefighters
  • South Lyndonville Road and Route 104 with Ridgeway firefighters.

Kyle Brakenbury, a member of the fire police for the Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company, collects a donation today.

Firefighters did the drive today in honor of Koleson Meakin, age 4, who received a wish last January with his family through Make-A-Wish. Koleson spent a week in Disney World with his parents and little sister.

Koleson is diagnosed with TPK1 Thiamine Deficient Leigh syndrome, a rare genetic metabolic disease.

Ridgeway Fire Chief Tyler Luckman receives a donation from a motorcyclist.

These Ridgeway firefighters include Tyler Luckman, Austin Seefeldt and Austin Mosher.

People donated cash, usually $1 or $5, but one person gave a hundred-dollar bill in Ridgeway.

This group includes, from left: Page Smith, Madison Austin, Morgan Austin, Alex Benz and Buford McAdoo. All are Ridgeway firefighters except Benz, who is a member with Shelby.

Batavia man dies after hitting utility pole in late-night accident in Ridgeway

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 September 2025 at 3:13 pm

RIDGEWAY – A Batavia man was killed after he struck a utility pole around midnight on Route 104 in Ridgeway, Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke said today.

Brad Ohlson, 48, hit the pole and his vehicle caught fire, Bourke said. Deputies responded and the vehicle was fully engulfed in flames at 12623 Ridge Road.

Live power lines also fell across the roadway and around the vehicle, preventing emergency personnel from immediately reaching it, Bourke said.

National Grid crews arrived and disconnected power, allowing Ridgeway firefighters to extinguish the blaze.

Ohlson was located inside the vehicle and was pronounced deceased at the scene. He was transported to the Monroe County Medical Examiner’s Office for further examination.

The preliminary investigation indicates the vehicle was traveling westbound on Ridge Road at a high rate of speed when it left the roadway, striking several fixed objects before overturning and catching fire, Bourke said.

Multiple properties sustained damage, including utility poles, a mailbox, fencing and a tree.

The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by Ridgeway Fire Company, National Grid, Batavia Police Department, and the Orleans County Coroner’s Office. This incident remains under investigation.

Late-night fire destroys 3 barns in Ridgeway on Fruit Avenue

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 August 2025 at 8:56 am

Photos courtesy of Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company

RIDGEWAY – Three of the barns at 3502 Fruit Ave., the site of Christmas in Shawna’s Barn, were destroyed in a fire last night. That business is operated by Shawna and Chris Baldwin.

Firefighters were dispatched to the scene just before midnight. Residents needed to evacuate a house that was close to the barn that was engulfed with flames. The property is owned by Robert and Mary Lou Blount.

The house sustained minimal damage, only to the eaves and some melted siding, but three of the barns are a total loss with two of them burned to the ground, said Ridgeway Fire Chief Tyler Luckman.

“That fire had a pretty jump on us,” he said this morning. “You could see the flames from the Marshall Road bridge.”

Many of the firefighters were there most of the night. Ridgeway firefighters were assisted by the Medina, Shelby, Middleport, Albion, Lyndonville and Hartland as well as the Orleans County Emergency Management and fire investigators, Orleans County Sheriff’s Office Communications and Road Patrol.

Fire destroys barn in Ridgeway on Portage Road

Posted 10 August 2025 at 8:21 am

Photos courtesy of Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company from Buford McAdoo and Joleen Bessel

RIDGEWAY – A fire destroyed a barn in Ridgeway on Saturday evening at 11811 Portage Rd.

Firefighters were dispatched to the scene at 6:17 p.m.

Medina Engine 11 with career staff arrived first to find a fully involved barn fire that had already partially collapsed, with exposure problems, and a house with melting siding, the Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company stated on its Facebook page.

Ridgeway firefighters are shown at the scene of the fire on Portage Road.

Medina firefighters pulled a hose line to protect the residence. Ridgeway Engine 32 arrived minutes later and was instructed to “lay in” to Medina Engine 11, and 300 feet of 4-inch supply line was laid to supply Engine 11, the Ridgeway VFC stated.

More lines were then put into service to knock down the main barn fire and subsequent grass fires. Firefighters checked the residence for any possibility of extension into the garage or house, Ridgeway fire officials said.

Ridgeway Tanker 52 and Shelby Ladder 40 were staged and manpower sent forward. Albion’s FAST Team was held in quarters as there were no interior operations. Ridgeway firefighters were on scene for just over three hours.

Ridgeway thanked the following for their assistance: Medina Fire Department & Medina Fire Investigation Team, Shelby Fire Company, Albion Joint Fire District, Orleans County Sheriff’s Office Communications and Road Patrol.

3 fire departments team for ‘Rumble on the Ridge’ tractor pull on July 26

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 July 2025 at 3:18 pm

Ridgeway, Middleport and Hartland putting on fundraiser for first time with WNY Pro Pullers

Photo by Tom Rivers: Adam Conley of the Hartland Fire Company drives a fire truck in the July 4 parade in Lyndonville while also promoting the July 26 truck and tractor pull in Hartland.

HARTLAND – Three volunteer fire companies are joining for a new fundraiser for the groups: a big truck and tractor pull on July 26.

The event will be at the Hartland Town Park, behind the Hartland fire hall on Ridge Road. Ridgeway, Middleport and Hartland fire companies are putting on the event – “Rumble on the Ridge” – with big trucks and tractors from the WNY Pro Pullers beginning at 6 p.m.

Earlier in the day from 1 to 5 p.m. there will be a “pull what you brought” event at $20 per pull that is open to the community..

Middleport and Hartland approached Ridgeway about being in the pull and hosted the event, said Tyler Luckman, fire chief for Ridgeway which used to host a lawn mower pull.

But they ultimately decided Hartland was a better location for the event. The three fire companies will organize and staff the event, which proceeds to be divvied up by thirds.

“We are super excited about this,” Luckman said. “We’re hoping to do this as an annual thing.”

Admission is $20 at the door with children 12 and under for free. Tickets will be paid at the door. There will be concessions available with hamburgers, cheese burgers and hotdogs as well as beer, pop and water.

Luckman said the three departments work together on mutual aid at some fire and emergency calls. The tractor pull will be a way for them to strengthen that bond and get to know each other even more.

“One of the goals is to increase that camaraderie,” he said.

This will be the first ever truck and tractor pull at the Hartland Fire Company. The WNY Pro Pullers will have the following categories of pullers: Light Pro Farm, LLSS, 466 Hot Farm, Unlimited Street Diesel Trucks, 10500 Too Hot Too Farm, Modified Two Wheel Drive Trucks.

Click here for more on the WNY Pro Pullers.

Run for the Fallen makes way through Orleans, part of 500-mile journey

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 7 June 2025 at 8:02 am

Group honors soldiers who died during War on Terror

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Runners and their support staff on the New York Run for the Fallen pose in front of the Canal Culvert in Ridgeway with David and Carol Cook (holding son Trevor’s Honor and Remember flag at left) and Carol’s sister. Trevor Cook was killed on July 6, 2011 during a training mission with the Marine Corps. Sgt. Cook was a crew chief for a UH-1Y helicopter.

Many people have not heard about the New York Run for the Fallen, but this week, a handful of runners dedicated to honoring New York military men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice, left their mark on Orleans County.

The New York Run for the Fallen is a 10-day journey encompassing more than 500 miles of remembrance, unity and purpose. The relay foot run wants to honor every New York military service member who died while serving or as a result of serving during the War on Terror since Oct. 12, 2000.

Family and friends of David and Carol Cook of Lyndonville gathered with participants of the New York Run for the Fallen on the towpath over Culvert Road to welcome two runners Thursday afternoon. This was one of the memorial stops along the 500-mile run from Buffalo to New Yor City. The ceremony on the culvert honored the Cook’s son Trevor, a Marine killed in a training accident on July 6, 2011 when he was 25.

Volunteer runners in groups of up to 20, along with a support crew, will stop at two- to six-mile intervals at a pre-placed marker along the towpath, where they will call out the name, rank, branch of military and date of death of each fallen service member from the nearby area. Family members, friends and patriots are welcome to be at the stops, where they may be presented with an Honor and Remember flag with their loved one’s name on it.

Such was the case for David and Carol Cook of Lyndonville. The Cook’s son Trevor was killed in a training accident in 2006, while serving in the Marines in California. The service honoring their son took place on the culvert at Culvert Road, east of Medina.

Each memorial stop along the way includes a reading, in which it is explained, “We run for them all, honoring their service and sacrifice and remembering that each gave up a future so we could have ours.”

“It’s nice they remembered Trevor,” David said.


Left – Photo by Robin Boyle: Runners on the first leg of the New York Run for the Fallen stopped for a break at Marshall Road bridge Thursday afternoon. From left are Kevin Travey of Lockport, Jacina Ramirez of Buffalo, Brian Carol of Rochester, Jeff Tracy of Lockport, Lori and Joe Jablonski of Buffalo, Nancy Weber of Syracuse, Alton Lewis of Buffalo, Beth Harvey of Tennessee, Cayna Mangine of Oneida, Ryan Milton of Saratoga Springs, Tara Evans of Knoxboro and Cory Mangine of Oneida. Right – Photo by Ginny Kropf: Two members of the team on the New York Run for the Fallen hold an Honor and Remember flag with Trevor Cook’s name, which was presented to his parents on the towpath Thursday afternoon.

Lori Jablonski of Buffalo, organizer of the local event, learned about Trevor from a friend of hers in Lyndonville and contacted David and Carol. Lori and her husband Joe lost their son Jason to leukemia while he was in the military.

This year is the 10th anniversary for the New York Run for the Fallen, which began with an opening ceremony at 7 a.m. Thursday at Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park Memorial Garden. The 10 runners who started the day departed for Medina at 8 a.m., with several ceremonies in Erie County and Niagara County. Arriving at the Marshall Road bridge, they held another ceremony, then continued to Culvert Road.

Curt Follman, standing at left, and Kelly Follman (seated) welcome runners on the New York Run for the Fallen to their home on Wilson Road Extension, Waterport. Standing next to Curt is Kelly’s mom, Jeanne Crane.

Following the ceremony there, the entire group of runners and their accompanying crew left the canal bank and headed to the home of Curt and Kelly Follman of Waterport, where they had been invited to have supper and spend the night.

The Follmans had learned about the Run for the Fallen from Brian Carl, president of the WNY Parent Club, whom they met at a parents’ meeting at Annapolis. Four of the Follmans’ seven children are in the military, including a daughter at the Naval Academy, so they were eager to support the runners.

Also invited to dine with the runners were a Gold Star family from Cambria.

Enjoying supper at the Follman home Thursday night are, clockwise from left, Bruce Schmidt, his sister Heather Schmidt Maitland and Scott Maitland with Lori Jablonski, organizer of the New York Run for the Fallen. Bruce and Heather’s older brother died on a training mission while serving in Kuwait.

The first Run for the Fallen took place in 2008 when runners went from California to Arlington National Cemetery.

“That spawned other events across the country, including New York state in 2016,” said Ryan Milton of Saratoga Springs, who has taken part in the run all 10 years.

The group resumed their trek at 8 a.m. Friday, starting at Allens Bridge Road and concluding the day in Fairport. Their journey will end June 14 at the Intrepid Museum in New York City.

Photos courtesy of Natasha Wasuck: A runner carries an American flag as he heads towards Main Street in Albion on Friday morning.

The group poses for a photo on Friday morning near the Main Street lift bridge.

4-H Fashion Revue pays homage to county’s bicentennial with styles from the past

Photos courtesy of Orleans County 4-H Program: 4-H Fashion Revue participants line-up on the runway for photos following the Fashion Show Saturday evening at the Trolley Building on the 4-H Fairgrounds.

Posted 28 April 2025 at 4:07 pm

Article courtesy of Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension

KNOWLESVILLE – “Fashion Pioneers” was the theme of the annual 4-H Fashion Revue held on Saturday in the Trolley Building of the 4-H Fairgrounds.

“Orleans County is celebrating its bicentennial this year, and we wanted to acknowledge that with our Fashion Revue theme,” said 4-H Program Coordinator Kristina Gabalski.  “‘Fashion Pioneers’ tips its hat to those who have come before us as well as those designers who are now on the cutting-edge of fashion and who inspire us, including the youth who participate in 4-H programs.”

The event’s theme honored the Bicentennial of Orleans County and included a number of vintage Fashion Revue projects – including the Civil War era style dress made by 4-H alum Merri Mathes when she was a teenager.

The annual Fashion Revue features sewn garments, textile, and fiber art projects completed by 4-Hers.  It is an opportunity for them to receive feedback, learn about fiber arts, personal care, careers in the fashion/fiber science industry, and show off their skills and creativity during the evening Fashion Show, Gabalski explained.

This year featured 21 participants, some of whom entered more than one project. The total number of projects – which included a hand-woven shawl, sewn blanket, hand-painted t-shirt, upcycled t-shirt, evening gown and barbecue aprons – was 26, Gabalski said.

Orleans County 4-H requested families to bring in projects featured in past Fashion Revues as part of the historical theme.

About a dozen projects were displayed, several from the last ten years and others going back as far as the 1980s and ’90s.

More vintage 4-H Fashion Revue projects on display. The red plaid dress on the chair features a dropped waist – very popular in the 1980s.

Merri Mathes of Barre, a former 4-Her and now 4-H mom, brought in two Civil War era dresses she sewed while a teenager. The gowns are historically correct and continue to be in use for historical re-enactments and museum events.

“You can tell the ball gown is for a younger girl because it has bows,” Mathes explained.

The other dress, made from a plaid fabric, is an example of a day dress or tea dress, she said.

“Sewing machines were becoming more common in homes just before the Civil War,” Mathes noted, “but garments also included lots of hand sewing.”

Local quilter Brenda Radzinski did a demonstration of hand-quilting during the morning workshop, evaluation, and practice portion of the event. Radzinski says she loves hand-sewing because it helps relieve stress. “Machine sewing can be stress-inducing,” she said. “This is relaxing.”

4-H participants say they enjoy and value the experience of Fashion Revue.

“You can make something specifically for you,” said 13-year-old Robin Botsford of the Abundant Harvest 4-H Club. She utilized her love of art to customize a plain white T-shirt with ocean creatures she painted with a mix of acrylic and fabric paints.

“I like to see what other people made,” said her 11-year-old sister, Lily, who made several accessories including a hand-woven pillow, customized hat for softball, an infinity scarf, and a hand-woven bag.

Julia Graham, 14, of the Adventurers 4-H Club, sewed a royal blue sheath dress and thanked her 4-H Leader, Alice Mathes, for her limitless patience in helping with the project.

Julia said 4-H experiences like Fashion Revue help her to gain valuable life skills while also enjoying spending time with friends. “It helps me to be ready for the real world,” she said.

More vintage projects including a Civil War era style ball gown by Merri Mathes. Also in the photo is a denim quilt raffled-off at the 1996 4-H Fair, which was the 50th anniversary of the Orleans County 4-H Fair. The winner, Muriel F. Howlett recently donated it back to Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension.

Helena expects fast start on new addition, a $4.275 million project in Ridgeway

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 March 2025 at 9:06 pm

EDA approves $454K in tax savings for project in next decade

Photo by Tom Rivers: John Ivison, branch manager for Helena Agri-Enterprises in Ridgeway, said the $4,275,000 addition will be an asset to the local agricultural community. Ivison is speaking at today’s Orleans EDA meeting. County Legislator and EDA board member John Fitzak is at left next to Gabrielle Barone, vice president of development for the EDA.

ALBION – The Orleans Economic Development Agency gave its final approval for tax incentives for a $4,275,000 expansion at Helena Agri-Enterprises on Allis Road in Ridgeway.

Helena is planning a 15,000-square-foot addition. The company hopes to start construction next month and be done in October, said John Ivison, the branch manager.

The company in 2017 moved from a warehouse in Albion to Ridgeway, building a new facility. The latest project will give Helena more capacity to serve farm operations of all sizes, especially the larger ones in planting season where there is often a small weather window to get fertilizer in the ground.

“It is designed to be high output for the growers of the future to get to the fields quickly,” Ivison told the EDA board today. “We can be precise with the nutrient needs of the crop.”

The addition will include $1 million of blending equipment. It also will have storage for 4,000 tons of product. That is enough plant food and fertilizer for about 30,000 acres.

The EDA approved $454,663 in incentives over 10 years while Helena pays $158,288 to local governments in a PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes).

The company will get a sales tax exemption, saving Helena $261,200 or 8 percent on $3,265,000. It will get a sliding scale tax abatement over 10 years, with $35,175 exempted the first year and then 10 percent added over 10 years. That exemption will save the company $193,463 in property taxes on the new facility over the decade.

Helena employs 15 people in Ridgeway. Ivison said the company could add six more employees with the addition, with a person in information technology, two truck drivers, a skid steer operator, a salesperson and an employee with soil testing.

John  Misiti, the EDA board chairman, said the Helena expansion reflects confidence in the agricultural economy in Orleans County.

Helena planning expansion in Ridgeway with new fertilizer storage, blending facility

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 March 2025 at 9:21 am

Orleans EDA offering $454K in incentives for project

Photo by Tom Rivers: Helena Agri-Enterprises will be expanding at 3956 Allis Rd. in Ridgeway. The company built its facility in 2017 to serve the local agricultural community.

RIDGEWAY – A business serving local farmers will be expanding on Allis Road in Ridgeway.

Helena Agri-Enterprises expects to break ground this spring on a new facility for blending and storing fertilizer. Helena estimates the new complex will be complete Dec. 31, 2026.

The new 15,000-square-foot facility will give Helena more capacity to serve farm operations of all sizes, especially the larger ones in planting season where there is often a small weather window to get fertilizer in the ground.

“This will eliminate bottlenecks,” said John Ivison, Helena branch manager.

Helena has been operating in Orleans County for about 22 years, first in Albion before building the new complex in Ridgeway in 2017.

The new building will have storage for 4,000 tons of product. That is enough plant food and fertilizer for about 30,000 acres.

The Orleans Economic Development Agency held a public hearing on Wednesday for financial incentives for the estimated $4,275,000 project.

The EDA is proposing $454,663 in incentives over 10 years while Helena pays $158,288 to local governments in a PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes).

The company would get a sales tax exemption, saving Helena $261,200 or 8 percent on $3,265,000. It will get a sliding scale tax abatement over 10 years, with $35,175 exempted the first year and then 10 percent added over 10 years. Those exemption will save the company $193,463 in property taxes on the new facility over the decade.

Helena employs 15 people in Ridgeway and will add two full-time positions in the first year, and then a third position in year three with the average salaries at $55,000, according to its filing with the Orleans EDA.

Helena officials said the incentives will help mitigate the higher labor and energy costs in New York. Scott Gilliam, division manager for Helena, in a letter to the EDA board said the company’s labor costs are 20 percent higher in New York, and its energy expenses 15 percent more compared to the average in other states.