Community turned out Saturday in big benefit for Hodgins family
Photo by Tom Rivers: Michael Hodgins is shown Saturday in the Shelby fire hall where the community packed the building for a spaghetti dinner and basket raffle in his honor to help the family with expenses for his second heart transplant. Hodgins had his first heart transplant 35 years ago.
By Tom Rivers and Ginny Kropf
MEDINA – Michael Hodgins got his new heart Wednesday morning. Hodgins has undergone successful heart transplant surgery for the second time.
The first time was 35 years ago. The community had a big benefit for Hodgins and his family on Saturday at the Shelby fire hall.
Hodgins, 64, was on the list for a heart transplant at the Cleveland Clinic, but the exact date for the surgery couldn’t be known.
On Tuesday, his family got the call at 1:30 p.m. that a heart was available.
He was in Cleveland and headed in for surgery at 10 p.m. that night. He received the new heart at 4 a.m. on Wednesday, his daughter
went in for surgery 10 p.m. on Tuesday with new heart in at 4 a.m. Wednesday, his daughter Alisha Duffina posted on Facebook.
“Michael Hodgins is so resilient and strong!!” Duffina posted on Facebook on Thursday. “Doctors are very pleased with his recovery and he possibly will be ready to graduate to a step down unit tomorrow! Thank you for your continued love and support!”
Hodgins first had a successful heart transplant when he was 28. He had that surgery at Buffalo General and it was a tremendous success giving him 35 more years of life.
Hodgins had a failing heart at age 27. He was born a preemie, just over 2 pounds and had a hole in his heart. He had heart surgery at age 9, and seemed to be doing OK until he was 27.
After more than 20 years with the Jubilee in Medina, he needed to get a new job when the store closed in 2006. Hodgins then joined Medina Memorial Hospital and works in the dietary department at the hospital.
He and his wife, Kathy, have three grown children and seven grandchildren.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 October 2025 at 10:18 am
Carl Zenger wins national award for 22 years of dedicated service at Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge
Photos by Tom Rivers: Carl Zenger holds up a certificate of commendation he received on Wednesday from a staff member for Congresswoman Claudia Tenney. Zenger received 2025 “Refuge Volunteer of the Year” award from the National Wildlife Refuge Association. Zenger has been a full-time presence at the local refuge for the past 22 ½ years.
MEDINA – There are 570 national wildlife refuges in the United States and many dedicated volunteers have been critical to educating the public, maintaining grasslands, nurturing wildlife and serving in other roles.
Of all the volunteers in the refuge system, Carl Zenger stands out among them all for his dedication at the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge, which covers 10,824 acres in the towns of Shelby and Alabama.
Zenger, 87, is up at 5:30 a.m. every day and make the 20-minute drive from Lockport. He is at the refuge by 7, typically the first one there.
He has kept a full-time presence at the refuge the past 22 ½ years, amassing 45,000 hours of volunteer service.
Zenger delights in mowing about 200 acres of grasslands each year, and along miles and miles of drainage dikes. He was instrumented in starting the Friends of Iroquois Wildlife Refuge in 2000, and has served as president, vice president and board member. That organization raises about $15,000 to $20,000 a year to support the refuge. Its fundraising has helped rebuild the Swallow Hallow Trail, extend the Cayuga Overlook Platform, install an accessible floating dock at the Ringneck Marsh, and sponsor youth fishing derbies and waterfowl hunts.
Tom Roster, the retired manager of the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge, spent just over 20 years with Zenger at the refuge. Roster praised Zenger’s commitment to the refuge and his willingness to serve in many roles at the site.
“Carl is a person of many talents,” said Tom Roster, who recently retired after more than 20 years as the refuge manager. “His volunteering has touched all aspects of Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge daily operations including habitat management, wildlife population monitoring, maintenance, interpretive and educational programs, outreach and yes, we even got him to do some administrative work. We just didn’t call it that. We referred to it as safety or vehicle and facility maintenance!”
Roster was among about 100 people who celebrated Zenger and his distinguished award as national volunteer of the year during a luncheon on Wednesday at the Bent’s Opera House. Many other dedicated local refuge volunteers and staff attended the luncheon. (Due to the federal government shutdown, the refuge staff attended in regular clothes, not their refuge work attire.)
Zenger grew up on a dairy farm in Pennsylvania and worked 42 years at General Motors. When he was nearing retirement from GM, he looked for a way to stay busy and give back to a worthwhile organization. The refuge was a perfect fit, utilizing his talents at a site with a long to-do list.
Carl Zenger said he has a great relationship with the refuge staff and other volunteers. “I did it because I wanted to be there,” he said about his volunteerism at the refuge.
Some of the projects Zenger has spearheaded, outside of routine maintenance, include:
• One of his first projects was establishing a bluebird trail with over 50 bluebird boxes along the trail. Zenger still coordinates the maintenance of this trail and has taught dozens of other volunteers and interns how to maintain the boxes, manage the program, monitor and band the birds.
• Zenger has worked to expand birding programs to include other cavity nesters like swallows, kestrels and purple martins.
“Carl’s interest in Kestrel grew as he saw that kestrel populations decline by 85% in New York State,” Roster said. “Carl has provided guidance on where and how to put up kestrel boxes on the refuge including switching over to his own pulley system that assists in lowering and raising nesting boxes for monitoring, thus eliminating the need for climbing up and down ladders. He ensures that monitoring is conducted every year.”
Those birding programs resulted in 130 bluebirds being fledged in the past year, 352 tree swallows and 71 house wrens, Zenger said, praising the refuge staff and volunteers. “Great job!” he declared from the podium at Bent’s Opera House.
Zenger is presented with the 2025 Refuge Volunteer of the Year Award by Wendi Weber, a board member for the National Wildlife Association and retired regional director for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
After the success of the bluebird trail, Zenger shifted to establish a purple martin colony at the refuge. Carl worked diligently for several years before he started to see any response to his efforts, Roster said.
“Each year he would put out purple martin decoys and play the ‘dawn song’ to hopefully attract any lost martins that happen to be passing by,” Roster said. “There were finally a few takers, and over the years that has grown to multiple colonies on the refuge that annually produces over 700 fledglings.”
One colony is adjacent to the parking lot at the refuge headquarters, and provides a great opportunity to educate refuge visitors on conservation of the species and show the bird monitoring and banding techniques very easily, Roster said.
Zenger makes the added effort of ensuring that calcium is available to female martins that may be deficient after laying a clutch of eggs.
“He collects eggshells from his local community breakfast event, rinses and bakes them to remove any potential salmonella,” Roster said. “He then crushes them and adds them to feeders at twelve sites where purple martin females can obtain this essential mineral that is integral to their post laying condition survival.”
This year, there were a record 950 purple martins banded at the refuge and 700 fledges.
Zenger said he prefers to be low-key and out of the spotlight. But his dedication over so many years stands out – across the country.
He thanked the staff and other volunteers, and especially his family, including his late wife of 63 years, Phyllis. She often joined him at the refuge for projects, working in the welcome center and with public education programs.
Zenger is eyeing a goal of 50,000 hours of volunteer service at the refuge.
“If it’s God’s will,” he said about continuing as a very active volunteer. “I’m not quite done yet, but I may have to temper my pace a bit.”
Desirée Sorenson-Groves, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Association, congratulates Zenger on his award. Sorenson-Groves, who is based in Washington, D.C., said refuges across the country have seen a gradual reduction in their workforces over the past decade. Iroquois, for example, used to have two full-time maintenance positions that haven’t been filled.
“The way things are going, volunteers are the future of maintaining our refuges,” she said.
Zenger is joined for a photo with his grandchildren, Malia Keespies, left, and Mattison Zenger Hain.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 October 2025 at 10:08 pm
Shelby fire hall packed for spaghetti dinner, basket raffle
Photos by Tom Rivers
SHELBY – Mike Hodgins, left, is greeted by Matt Grammatico of Albion today during a big benefit for Hodgins as he awaits a second heart transplants.
Hodgins, 64, had a heart transplant 35 years ago. He is on the list for another heart transplant at the Cleveland Clinic.
Grammatico, 52, of Albion is nearing the fifth anniversary of a heart and liver transplant at the Cleveland Clinic. Grammatico received those transplants on Jan. 12, 2021.
Grammatico and Hodgins have been friends on Facebook for several years and have been cheering each other on through social media. Today they met in person for the first time.
“I don’t want to miss the chance to connect with another heart transplant recipient,” Grammatico said.
The community also put on a benefit for him and his family before his transplants. He was thrilled to see such a big turnout today for Hodgins at the Shelby Fire Hall.
Hodgins said he and Grammatico are both miracles who have been given another chance at life by God’s mercy. Hodgins is wearing a “Miracle Mike” shirt.
Mike Hodgins takes a brief break from greeting friends, family and community members who attended a benefit for him and his family today.
“I’m just overwhelmed,” Hodgins said.
He and his wife Kathy have three children – Alisha, Greg and Ryan – and seven grandchildren.
Mike and Kathy need to travel about four hours to the Cleveland Clinic for testing, evaluation, surgery and recovery. This will require extended time away from work and significant out-of-pocket expenses for lodging, food and transportation.
“I’m taking it one day at a time,” said Hodgins, a longtime employee at Medina Memorial Hospital in the dietary department. His wife is chief executive officer at UConnectCare.
There were 200 people at the fire hall within the first hour of the benefit which was 4 to 8 p.m. today. There were 195 baskets up for raffle, plus 86 gift cards.
Businesses from the region donated gift cards as part of today’s benefit which was led by Hodgins’ niece Stephanie Kozma.
Many family members, friends and members of the Oak Orchard Assembly of God rallied to run the benefit.
Dark Horse Run entertained the crowd with country music.
Some of the kitchen crew serving spaghetti dinners included, from left, Julie Mufford, Pete Panek and Amy Albone. They had 400 dinners ready.
The Shelby fire hall was a full house for the benefit.
Matt and Rhonda Grammatico of Albion pray with Hodgins as he awaits a second heart transplant.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 October 2025 at 5:24 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers
EAST SHELBY – A fire caused extensive damage this afternoon inside a house at 12491 Smith Rd.
Firefighters were dispatched to the scene around 3:30. No one was home at the time of the fire. A family of three lives there in a house owned by Douglas Watson.
The family’s dog perished in the blaze. The fire in under investigation and the cause is undetermined at this time.
Multiple firefighters joined east Shelby in responding to call. The fire caused extensive damage to first and second floors, and the attic.
Zack Petry, deputy chief for Shelby, is on the ladder trying to vent the house from smoke.
Firefighters set up a dump tank for an added supply of water. This is a rural area in southern Shelby near the refuge where there aren’t fire hydrants.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 October 2025 at 10:26 pm
EAST SHELBY – The Orleans County Emergency Management Office is advising the public of an oversize load on Thursday morning that will go from Knowlesville to East Shelby.
The load will make its journey starting at about 6:30 a.m. from Growmark FS. The load will go south on Taylor Hill Road and Townline Road, making its final destination to East Shelby Road.
“Due to size and slow speed, we encourage those in the area of transport to use caution,” the EMO stated. “And for morning commuters, alternate routes are encouraged.”
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 23 September 2025 at 8:45 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: A group walks down East Shelby Road on Oct. 7, 2023 for the 35th annual walk/run for the Knights-Kaderli Fund. The Knights and Kaderli families estimate that more than $1 million has been used from the fund since it was established, helping cover some of the utilities, co-pays and other bills for people fighting cancer in Orleans County.
MEDINA – For the past 37 years, the community has gathered for a walk/run to support patients living with cancer in Orleans County.
The Knights-Kaderli Walk/Run began when two families – those of Richard Knights and Sue Kaderli – decided to join their fundraising efforts in memory of their loved ones into one event.
“This year we are happy to celebrate our 37th annual Knights-Kaderli Walk on Oct 4,” said Stacey Knights Pellicano, Knights-Kaderli board member and daughter of Richard Knights. “This is our favorite time of year. We look forward to being with all of our supporters. If you have ever participated in our event, you understand the energy of that day. It gives us hope and unites participants.”
The walk/run will begin at 11 a.m. Oct. 4 at East Shelby Volunteer Fire Hall. Registration fee is $20 and participants are encouraged to ask their friends and neighbors for small sponsorship donations. Every dollar helps, Pellicano said. There is also a large basket raffle for the Knights-Kaderli Fund that morning at the East Shelby Firehall.
The 5K will continue as an untimed walk/run, so registrants can participate in a leisurely walk with family and friends, or set their watches for a 5K run. As always, participants and the community are encouraged to participate in their basket raffle. Lunch will be served immediately after the race and guests may eat outside under the pavilion. Everyone is urged to photograph their experience and tag Knights-Kaderli on Facebook and Instagram at #KnightsKaderli5K for some fun prizes.
Richard Knights and Sue Kaderli were both lifelong residents of Orleans County. Knights died from cancer at age 38 in 1984. Kaderli passed away from the disease at age 52 in 1989.
“They were both known for their spirit of community and we are honored to remember them in this way,” Pellicano said.
Funds are raised through annual events and various contributions made by individuals, organizations and memorials.
For more information or financial assistance, contact Mary Zelazny at (585) 746-8455, Melissa Knights Bertrand at (716) 983-7932 or Pellicano at (716) 998-0977.
Participants may register for the walk/run online (click here). Those unable to participate are asked to consider a direct donation through Venmo@knightskaderli.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 September 2025 at 8:05 pm
Heminway won primary for town supervisor but term doesn’t start until Jan. 1
Jim Heminway
SHELBY – Jim Heminway is getting a head start as the Shelby town supervisor.
Heminway won a Republican primary in June for town supervisor and appears to be a lock to win the general election as an unopposed candidate.
His one-year term will start on Jan. 1. However, this evening he was appointed as acting town supervisor until Dec. 31 by three members of the Town Board: John Misiti, Linda Limina and Ed Zelazny.
The Town Board needs either an acting town supervisor or town supervisor in order to file the town budget by Nov. 20.
The board has been without a town supervisor for about two months since Scott Wengewicz resigned in mid-July. Heminway beat Wengewicz in the Republican primary on June 24, 283 to 118.
Board members Jeff Schiffer and Stephen Seitz Sr. also resigned in mid-July. Seitz also was the deputy town supervisor.
The board was left with only two out of five members and couldn’t meet or conduct town business because it didn’t have a quorum until last week. That’s when Misiti joined the board following an appointment by Gov. Kathy Hochul.
Misiti, Limina and Zelazny were unanimous in appointing Heminway as the acting town supervisor. He starts in the midst of the Town Board and department heads working to put together Shelby’s budget for 2026.
Misiti, during this evening’s meeting, said none of the three existing board members could be appointed acting town supervisor without resigning their seat. None wanted to do that and Misiti said the appointment could appear biased if they appointed one of the current members.
Heminway brings more than 40 years of experience in working in local industry with 20 years at Sigma (now Baxter) in Medina and then 21 years at Monroe Electronics (now Digital Alert Systems) in Lyndonville.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 15 September 2025 at 10:05 pm
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Seated from left, Chris Crane and Tammy Fearby chat with Joey Molisani while waiting for the start of the Fuller 155 benefit by the Watts/Fuller families to support suicide prevention causes. For a donation of any amount, people could write their loved ones name on a heart, which will be placed on a banner and carried in the Out of the Darkness walk on Saturday in Buffalo.
SHELBY – The Fuller 155 Suicide Prevention Basket Raffle/Walk Committee is extending a heartfelt thanks to the community for tremendous support of their annual fundraiser Sunday at Shelby Fire Hall.
Committee chair Ike Watts was overwhelmed with the generosity with which people throughout the area supported their efforts.
“Your support plays a meaningful role in helping us raise awareness, offer hope and provide essential resources to those affected by suicide and mental health struggles,” Watts said. “I am particularly grateful for my work family at Medina Central School. I received tremendous support from my co-workers.”
“Your kindness and generosity help us build a stronger, more compassionate community,” Watts said.
Walkers start out on the walk held for the first time this year during the annual suicide prevention fundraiser at Shelby Fire Hall.
A walk added for the first time this year brought 47 adult walkers and a crowd of children.
Jennifer Bansbach of Lyndonville signed up to walk in memory of three very dear people who succumbed to suicide, she said.
“This is to support them, and besides it’s a beautiful day for a walk.”
The basket raffle had the most donations in the three years of the benefit – 242.
Early birds check out the more than 200 baskets donated for the Fuller 155 basket raffle/walk to benefit suicide prevention Saturday at Shelby Fire Hall.
An added attraction was a trolley which Doug Bracey brought and gave rides to those unable to walk the route or pick up anyone who couldn’t finish.
“Everyone I spoke to said what a wonderful event this was and how happy they were to have come,” Watts said. “It was for a very meaningful cause.”
Another feature was a table where, for any donation, Chris Crane and Tammy Fearby sold hearts on which a loved one’s name or a message could be written. The circles were then glued on a banner which the Watts will carry in the Out of the Darkness Walk on Saturday in Buffalo.
Chris and Anita Hughes, right, register Jennifer Bansbach of Lyndonville for the first walk held in conjunction with a suicide prevention benefit Sunday at Shelby Fire Hall.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 September 2025 at 1:21 pm
Board needs to tackle budget, expects to appoint acting town supervisor next week
Photos by Tom Rivers: The Shelby Town Board met on Tuesday for the first time since July 8. Pictured from left include new town councilman John Misiti, town attorney Kathleen Bennett, and board members Linda Limina and Ed Zelazny.
SHELBY – For the first time in about two months, the Shelby Town Board was able to convene and hold a meeting on Tuesday.
The board wasn’t able to function after three of the five members resigned in mid-July, leaving the board without a quorum to conduct business.
John Misiti takes his spot on the Town Board. He was appointed by Gov. Kathy Hochul on Sept. 5 and gives the Town Board a needed third member to conduct town business and hold a board meeting.
It took a special appointment by Gov. Kathy Hochul to fill a seat and give the board a needed third member to vote to pay bills and tend to other town business.
The governor appointed John Misiti, a retired sales manager who also is chairman of the board for the Orleans Economic Development Agency.
Misiti, in his comments at the meeting on Tuesday, said he wants to put aside any in-fighting at town hall, and focus on the town’s finances while ensuring there isn’t a hostile work environment for the board members and employees.
“We’ve been in a state of paralysis here since essentially July 15,” Misiti said. “The acrimoniousness has to end.”
The board was unable to function following the resignations of Town Supervisor Scott Wengewicz and board members Jeff Schiffer and Stephen Seitz Sr., who was also the deputy town supervisor. (The Town Board on Tuesday voted to accept those resignations. The board also approved a resolution to change the locks on the town supervisor’s office.)
Misiti joins Linda Limina and Ed Zelazny on the board. They said they would pick an acting town supervisor at their meeting on Sept.16, and that person wouldn’t be one of the current board members.
An acting supervisor is needed to certify the town’s budget for 2026, a document that needs to be finalized by Nov. 20.
The board met for 56 minutes on Tuesday, and there wasn’t a cross word exchanged the whole time. Residents commented they appreciated a shorter meeting focused on the issues facing the town.
John Parada spoke at the meeting and he said most of the previous board meetings often stretched past two hours.
About 40 people attended the Town Board meeting on Tuesday. The meeting ended after 56 minutes, far shorter than many of the meetings so far this year that often topped 2 hours.
Besides appointing an acting town supervisor on Sept. 16, the board also will work on the town budget for 2026.
Misiti said the board needs to get a handle on the town finances.
“The financial standing is the first priority to make sure we have money to finish the year out,” he said.
Town Justice Ed Grabowski thanked Misiti for agreeing to be on the board until Dec. 31 to allow town business to move forward.
Garbowski also shared with the board that Shelby has armed security officers for court nights. Three of those officers will be getting recertified next week for firearms.
The town pays the COPS security firm $56 per hour for security for a minimum of a four-hour shift plus mileage for the security officers.
Mark Wambach, left, and John Pratt III speak during Tuesday’s meeting. The two will face each other during the Nov. 4 election to fill one of the vacancies on the Town Board.
Wambach is backed by the Conservative Party while Pratt has the Republican line. The winner will get the final two years of Jeff Schiffer’s term.
Wambach asked the board if it would be presenting a list of priorities. Misiti responded that the finances are the immediate concern, and also accepting new flood maps for the town that were prepared by FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency). The board needs to finalize those so people in town are eligible for flood insurance.
The town will have a hearing on the flood maps at 6 p.m. on Sept. 16.
Pratt thanked the three current board members for their willingness to serve the town.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 5 September 2025 at 9:03 pm
Team Fuller 155 organizing event for third year, with new option for 3.5 -mile walk
Provided photo: Ike Watts takes time from organizing basket donations for a benefit Sept. 14 to support suicide prevention to hold 3-month-old granddaughter, Emma. The raffle is scheduled at Shelby Fire Hall.
SHELBY – A local family whose lives were forever changed by the suicide of a loved one are again planning an annual fundraiser to support suicide prevention.
It all started for Jason and Ike Watts when cousin Erin Fuller, an Orleans County sheriff’s deputy, died by suicide at age 45 on Sept. 12, 2015.
“It left the family lost and heartbroken,” Watts previously told the Hub.
Shortly after when they saw an advertisement for Out of the Darkness Walk in Buffalo to benefit suicide prevention, they knew they had found a way get involved. They formed a team, Fuller 155 (Erin’s badge number), and have walked there every year. In 2023 they came up with the idea to have their own basket raffle here at home. This year on Sept. 14 at Shelby Fire Hall, Team Fuller 155 has put together the third annual fundraiser to support suicide prevention.
This year, yet another feature has been added – a 3.5-mile community walk, starting and ending at the Shelby Fire Hall.
Their motto is “We support the fighters, admire the survivors, honor the taken and never give up hope,” said Watts.
“We encourage the community to take steps – literally and figuratively – toward mental health awareness and community healing,” Watts said. “A walk interests different people and adds a new component of fundraising. People feel good when they’re outside in the fresh air. It clears your mind. Those who are struggling will have an hour to enjoy nature and clear their mind. The walk will pass by Shelby Falls and the creek. There’s something about being in the country that brings peace.”
Local resident Doug Bracey has a small trolley-like vehicle on which he will drive those who are unable to walk the distance. Shelby firefighters will also be riding the route with their emergency SUV to pick up anyone having trouble walking.
Registration is just $10 and will begin at 8 am., with the walk stepping off promptly at 9 a.m.
The basket raffle will begin at 10 a.m., featuring a wide array of themed baskets donated by local businesses, families and community members. Her goal is to have 155 baskets and they are already at almost 100. For the first time, Watts has solicited donations from local businesses. She sent out 157 letters requesting donations and two were returned “undeliverable,” bringing the total to the 155 – Erin Fuller’s badge number.
“I took that as a positive sign,” Watts said.
“In appreciation to the businesses who have donated baskets, I have gone back and purchased merchandise from them to make up another basket,” Watts said. “I want to make sure I support the businesses who support us by repaying their generosity.”
Some incredible baskets have already been received – items from a company called “Comfrt,” which makes clothing and items to comfort people with mental health, a toy ladder truck, items from a company called “Thirty One,” which sold totes and bags, a signed Josh Allen jersey, numerous gift cards and a collection of books for a year.
Donations of baskets is greatly appreciated and may be arranged by calling Watts at (585) 590-0291. Cash donations are always welcome and may be made by making a check payable to Orleans County Suicide Prevention Coalition.
Breakfast sandwiches will be served early in the day, giving attendees a warm welcome and the energy to participate in the morning’s activities, Watts said.
Fuller 155’s Suicide Prevention Committee said the event is not just about honoring their cousin Erin.
“It’s about anyone who has been affected by suicide,” Watts said. “We’ve lost friends, teachers and a lot of others to suicide. Erin’s name is the foundation for our efforts, but we do it for all.”
“This event has grown into something incredibly special over the past three years, and we’re especially excited to include the community walk this year,” Watts added. “It’s another step in bringing people together to support one another and promote mental wellness.”
All funds raised from the event will support local suicide prevention programs and mental health outreach initiatives in Orleans County and surrounding areas.
Watts and her committee of Tammy Fearby, Rebecca Lacy and Christine Crane encourage the community to “come, walk, win and raise awareness.”
Photo by Ginny Kropf: This truck from Modern Disposal lies on its side on South Gravel Road, Medina, just a few hundred feet south of Full Gospel Fellowship, after losing control about 1:30 p.m.
MEDINA – A Modern Disposal truck lost control and rolled over on South Gravel Road about 1:30 this afternoon.
Trooper Stirk with the New York State Police said the driver evidently caught the shoulder of the road and couldn’t recover. He said two occupants were taken to Medina hospital to be checked out, but didn’t appear to be seriously injured.
The incident closed South Gravel Road from Oak Orchard Road to Fletcher Chapel for nearly two hours. The road opened at about 5 p.m.
Volunteers from Shelby Fire Department were on the scene, assisting with traffic control.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 September 2025 at 10:06 am
Board has lacked a quorum since 3 out of 5 members resigned in July
File photo: John Misiti, chairman of the board for the Orleans Economic Development Agency, is shown during an EDA meeting in March.
SHELBY – Gov. Kathy Hochul today has appointed John Misiti to fill a vacancy on the Shelby Town Board. The appointment gives Shelby three board members, which are needed to carry out town business.
Three of the five board members resigned in July, leaving Shelby without a quorum on the board to conduct a Town Board meeting.
Governor Hochul issued this statement: “As a former Town Board member, I know firsthand how our local governments play a critical role in the daily lives of New Yorkers, and it’s absolutely critical for the Town of Shelby to have a functioning Town Board. After significant engagement with local stakeholders, I am appointing John Misiti to the Shelby Town Board to ensure the continuity of government.”
The board hasn’t been able to function for about six weeks following the resignations of Town Supervisor Scott Wengewicz and board members Jeff Schiffer and Stephen Seitz Sr., who is also the deputy town supervisor.
Misiti, a retired sales manager, currently serves as chairman of the Orleans Economic Development Agency. He has been a volunteer on the EDA board for 23 years. Misiti had one other needed criteria to be considered by the governor for the appointment: He is a registered Democrat.
“I’m not looking back, I’m looking forward,” Misiti said. “We got to move forward.”
He will be on the board until Dec. 31. Misiti said he only intends to serve on the Shelby Town Board for about four months with no aspirations of seeking elected office in the future. In his role with the EDA, he said he would recuse himself if there are any votes directly affecting a project in Shelby.
On Jan 1, the board should be at full strength with all five members. Two of the members will likely be Jim Heminway as town supervisor and Larry Waters Sr. as a councilman. They won a Republican primary in June and don’t face any opposition on the ballot on the Nov. 4 general election. Incumbent Eddie Zelazny also won the primary.
The next Town Board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday. Misiti will join a board with Linda Limina and Eddie Zelazny. Among the three board members, they are expected to pick an acting town supervisor.
The board will be busy as it tries to put together the town’s budget for 2026.
Zelazny said he supported having Misiti’s name submitted to the governor’s office for consideration. Misiti said it was about a four-week process of a background check and vetting process by Hochul’s team.
“He’s business oriented,” Zelazny said about Misiti. “I’m happy we can get things rolling again.”
The two years of the unexpired term of Schiffer also will be filled in the Nov. 4 election. The Republican Committee backed John Pratt III, a former Town Board member, while the Conservative Party nominated Mark Wambach for that election.
The terms for Wengewicz and Seitz both end Dec. 31. Those can’t be filled with a special election. Because Schiffer has more time on his term after this year that spot can be filled at the Nov. 4 election.
That councilman’s position will be on the ballot as a two-year term, along with the full terms for town supervisor and two other councilman positions.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 29 August 2025 at 1:32 pm
Mike Hodgins had his first heart transplant was almost 35 years ago. Friends and family are planning a benefit Oct. 11 at Shelby Fire Hall to help with medical expenses.
SHELBY – Mike Hodgins was hailed as a miracle when he survived a heart transplant nearly 35 years ago, followed by Covid in 2020.
Now he is hoping for one more miracle as he faces a second heart transplant at the Cleveland Clinic.
“Mike has inspired so many with his strength, resilience and fighting spirit,” said Stephanie Kozma, a niece who is organizing the benefit.
This time Mike’s journey is even more demanding, according to Kozma.
He and his wife Kathy will have to travel to the Cleveland Clinic for testing, evaluation, surgery and recovery. This will require frequent and extended trips, time away from work and significant out-of-pocket expenses for lodging, food and transportation.
Through it all, Mike and Kathy continue to face each day with strength, love and unwavering hope. But they cannot do it alone.
The need the public’s support to help relieve the financial strain so they can focus fully on what matters most – Mike’s health and recovery, Kozma said.
Mike’s daughter Alicia said her father continues to work in his position at Medina Memorial Hospital.
“We urge the community to come together to support him and his family during this next chapter,” Kozma added.
The fundraiser is scheduled from 4 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 11 at Shelby Fire Hall. Admission is $25 for adults and $10 for kids 12 and under. Food, desserts and soda are included.
Mike’s favorite band, Dark Horse Run, will provide entertainment. There will also be a basket raffle 50/50 drawing and cash bar- but most of all, a whole lot of love for Miracle Mike.
Those who can’t make it but would like to donate may do so by logging on a GoFundMe (click here). Anyone who would like to donate a basket is asked to contact Stephanie at (716) 946-5591.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 August 2025 at 10:15 am
Photos courtesy of Susan Starkweather Miller
SHELBY – About 50 people attended Sunday’s evening tour of the Millville Cemetery in the Town of Shelby. Orleans County Historian Catherine Cooper is shown leading the tour of the cemetery.
Millville is one of four cemeteries in Orleans County named to the National Register of Historic Places.
The most prominent monument marks the grave for Asa Hill, a Civil War soldier and prominent local farmer. His family put up the large monument, where local lore suggests he is looking towards Sanderson Road, keeping watch on the family farm.
Catherine Cooper and Alice Zacher, retired Shelby historian, are shown inside the chapel at the cemetery. Zacher helped get the cemetery listed on the National Register in 2007.
The Millville Cemetery was established in 1871 on East Shelby Road. The monuments and Victorian funerary art reflect the prosperity of the community back when it was home to three sawmills, gristmill and turning mill, according to the description of the site on the National Register.
The wood frame chapel has a Medina Sandstone foundation. It was built in 1894 into a hill and also served as a receiving vault and office.
Many prominent local residents are buried at Millville, including this large grave marker for Arnold Gregory, who left money to start a hospital in Albion. Some of the names of the family plots, such as Dresser and Pask, are names of roads in the community.
The Orleans County Historical Association has two more cemetery tours at 6 p.m. on Sundays in August:
The tour on Aug. 24 Greenwood Cemetery, 16670 Roosevelt Highway/Route 18, Kendall, will focus on the first Norwegian settlement in the United States in 1825 in Kendall. Orleans County historian Catherine Cooper will lead this tour.
Aug. 31 at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, 581 East Ave., Albion, will conclude the series of tours. Catherine Cooper and Sue Starkweather Miller will lead the tour, which will include a visit to the chapel to view the beautiful interior stained glass windows, and stops at several prominent gravesites.
SHELBY – Makenzie McGrath, 17, of Medina was awarded a $1,000 college scholarship from the Shelby Volunteer Fire Company. Presenting the award is Treasurer Kirk Myhill, left, and Makenzie’s grandfather, Gary Watts. Mr. Watts has been an active member of the company for 52 years and is a past chief.
Shelby Volunteer Fire Company awards an annual scholarship to a student who has shown enthusiasm and volunteered serving the fire company.
Makenzie McGrath is a member of the Shelby Auxiliary and has been an active participate in fire company activities from a very young age. With her great-grandfather, Sidney Watts, a founding member of the company, and many family members active, volunteering with the fire company seems to run in your blood, McGrath said.
She has volunteered at fundraisers, Mothers’ Day Chicken Barbecue, catered weddings and parties for many years. When old enough she became a member of the Auxiliary to support the fire company.
Makenzie graduated from Medina High School in the top 10 of her class and is involved in many other community-service activities. She is the daughter of Patrick and Julianne McGrath and plans to attend Nazareth University and major in Elementary and Music Education.
