Motorcycle Club has been racing on Culvert Road since 1957

Provided photos: (Left) Justin Jones of Holley was the 2025 Track Champion. (Right) Kyle Wyman, the 2025 King of the Baggers Champion is left next to James Rispoli, the 2025 Mission Super Hooligan National Champion.

Press Release, Crusaders Motorcycle Club

MEDINA – What began in 1957 as a handful of friends building a dirt track on a leased farmer’s field has evolved into a legendary Western New York sports tradition.

The Crusaders Motorcycle Club Today kicks off its 69th consecutive season on a track recognized nationwide for producing national champions and elite professional racers.

The club’s early history is deeply rooted in the local community. Initially, members met in private homes or at various off-site locations. The club eventually moved an older trailer onto the current property to serve as a meeting space, using it until the modern, permanent clubhouse was constructed in September 1997. A concrete concession stand was added in the 2000s to upgrade the facility and accommodate growing spectator crowds.

A Legacy of National and International Draw

The Medina track has long been a destination for global racing talent. In 2000, the club launched the Pat Blount Memorial Race in dedication to club member David Waters’ late friend and fellow motorcycle enthusiast. This marquee event grew into a historic 25-year tradition, annually drawing competitive riders from across the United States, Canada, and as far away as Australia.

Today, the club operates as a 100% volunteer-run organization. Dedicated members work countless hours to maintain a safe, family-friendly environment that balances high-octane competitiveness with lifelong community friendships. The club is actively seeking new volunteers and interested community members to join its ranks.

Summer Event Schedule

The Crusaders Motorcycle Club will host five major events throughout the summer season. The lineup features a mix of standard points races and specialized showcase classes:

• May 17: Regular Race Event & Season Opener
• May 31: Regular Race Event
• June 14: Men’s Mad Dawg Special Event
• June 28: Women’s Mad Dawg Special Event
• July 12: Retired Riders 100cc Race

Gate and Track Information

Location: 3312 Culvert Road, Medina, NY 14103

Admission: $15.00 per person (Children under 12 are free with an adult)

Sunday Times: Gates open at 8 a.m. | Practice begins at 11 a.m. | Racing starts at 12 p.m.

Track Venue Rules: For public safety, pets, grills, and glass containers are strictly prohibited on the premises.

RIDGEWAY – The state comptroller has released an audit of the Town of Ridgeway that faults the Town Board and Town Supervisor for overpaying health insurance premiums by $236,885 over seven years.

Town Supervisor Brian Napoli said the Town Board agrees with the findings and will implement recommendations from the comptroller’s office to ensure no overpayments in the future.

“As Ridgeway taxpayers themselves, the Ridgeway Board is committed to using taxpayer funds efficiently and appropriately,” Napoli wrote in a Feb.19 letter to Melissa Myers, chief of municipal audits in Buffalo for the Office of the New York State Comptroller.

“In the future, we will be cognizant of these findings when updating, implementing, and monitoring policies,” Napoli wrote. “We appreciate the time and thorough efforts of the auditors that will assist the Town Board in the continued managing of the finances of the Town of Ridgeway.”

Napoli said the town’s work rules were updated in 2024 to begin the process of clearer and more definitive language regarding employee and elected official benefits. The state general municipal law allows towns to pay health insurance upon retirement to employees and elected officials, Napoli said. The town’s policies will be utilized in a proper way to administer those benefits, he said in his letter.

The comptroller’s office, in its report about Ridgeway, reviewed town health insurance payments since from Jan. 1, 2018 to Dec. 31, 2024.

The report (click here to see it) was filed March 13 and faulted town officials for the following:

Finding 1 – The comptroller’s office reviewed all health insurance premium payments paid by the Town for certain former officials totaling $198,102. “We determined the Supervisor approved payments of post-employment health insurance benefits for three former officials and their spouses totaling $179,325 that they were not eligible to receive,” the report states.

Finding 2 – The comptroller’s office reviewed health insurance premiums from January 2018 through December 2024 totaling $207,911 for one current Town Board member, the current Board member’s spouse and the Supervisor, to determine whether contributions were made in accordance with the Policies. “We determined the Supervisor did not ensure the Clerk collected health insurance premiums totaling $52,659 from one Board member who was required to contribute toward their health insurance premiums,” the report states.

Finding 3 – The comptroller’s office reviewed all disbursements made to individuals for reimbursement of health insurance premiums totaling $4,901 from January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2024. “We determined that the Board issued reimbursement checks totaling $4,901 to a former Clerk’s spouse for Medicare Part B health insurance premiums over 31 months, from April 2021 through November 2023, without documentation authorizing the payments,” the report states.

Audit Summary

The Town Board did not authorize or monitor health insurance benefits for current and former officials, according to the report.

“Due to the lack of controls and oversight of health insurance benefits, the Town Supervisor did not ensure officials were eligible to receive post-employment health insurance benefits or paid all required health insurance premium contributions owed to the Town, and the Board did not have support to authorize health insurance premium reimbursements to a former official’s spouse,” the report states.

As a result, the Town incurred $236,885 more for health insurance premiums than it should have during the audit period. This amount accounts for approximately 34 percent of the Town’s total health insurance premiums over the seven-year period. When health insurance benefits are not provided in a manner consistent with Board-adopted policies, it may result in unnecessary costs to taxpayers, the auditors stated.

Recommendations

The comptroller’s identified 14 recommendations for the Town Board and Town Supervisor:

1. Update the policy to provide clear guidance for who is eligible to receive post-employment benefits and require the Supervisor to develop procedures to help determine and verify eligibility for post-employment health insurance benefits.
2. Consult with the attorney for the Town to review the current post-employment health insurance benefits being provided by the Town, and, if appropriate, discontinue post-employment health insurance benefits for officials who are ineligible for such benefits.
3. Consult with the attorney for the Town to determine what action, if any, should be taken to recover the $179,325 in health insurance premium amounts paid by the Town that should not have been.
4. Review all health insurance invoices monthly to verify all officials, including former officials, are authorized and eligible to receive post-employment health insurance benefits.
5. Develop written procedures to ensure compliance with the Policy, including eligibility for post-employment health insurance benefits, and specify who is responsible for each part of the process.
6. Review and authorize post-employment health insurance benefits for eligible officials prior to enrollment.
7. Review the bookkeeper’s accrued sick leave conversion calculations for accuracy and verify the amounts are supported by leave records.
8. Update the current Policy to provide clear guidance on what contributions are required of elected officials when they choose to receive health insurance through the Town.
9. Consult with the attorney for the Town to determine what actions, if any, should be taken to collect the $52,659 in required health insurance premiums owed by the Board member.
10. Periodically review the Policy and make necessary updates to help ensure the Policy is clear and consistent with the Board’s intentions.
11. Review monthly health insurance invoices and payments, including officials’ health insurance premium contributions, to help ensure accuracy and compliance with the Policy.
12. Develop procedures to help ensure compliance with the Policy, including the collection of required health insurance premiums from officials, and specify who is responsible for each part of the process.
13. The Board should consult with the attorney for the Town to review the reimbursement payments made to the former Clerk’s spouse and determine what actions, if any, should be taken to recover the $4,901 in reimbursement payments.
14. The Supervisor should verify that all payments are adequately supported and made in accordance with the 2024 Policy before authorizing the payments.

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).

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.