Photo by Ginny Kropf: Members of Medina Knights of Columbus posed behind a kneeling soldier and cross to present a check for $2,500 to Pete Zeliff at the Warrior House on Salt Works Road. From left are Howie Gardner from the Knights, Zeliff and Dave Bellucci with the Knights.

MEDINA – The Warrior House on Salt Works Road has been designated by the Knights of Columbus as the recipient of a check for $2,500, representing the proceeds of their recent golf tournament.

The Knights have been having a golf tournament for 25 years, said Dave Bellucci, who was on the golf committee with Jim Mirand, Archie Washak and his wife Amy, Howie Gardner, Bob Fox, Karen Carlton, Kevin Bogan, and Mike and Martha Krupa.

Mirand said the committee wishes to thank all the volunteers who helped on the golf course, as well as those in the kitchen assisting with the banquet. He said thanks also go out to all the golfers, members and guests who generously supported the tournament and basket raffle.

The golf tournament was started to benefit a scholarship in memory of the late Larry Schrader, but recently the Knights decided to support the Warrior House and its programs for veterans.

Skip Draper, a member of the Knights, said they used to earn money by having fish fries, but had to discontinue them when Covid hit.

He also said it had been suggested they sponsor a veteran on Assemblyman Steve Hawley’s trip to Washington, D.C., but that would only help one person, where a donation to the Warrior House would benefit multiple veterans.

The Warrior House is also going to benefit from a promotion at Arby’s Roast Beef in Batavia. During the month of October, Arby’s owner Bill Meland has agreed to donate 10 percent of his proceeds to the Warrior House.

Pete Zeliff, who lived on Johnson Road in Middleport, donated the land and house for the Warrior House about 12 years ago to use as a retreat and hunting preserve for veterans. Since then, beds have been built in the home, where up to nine veterans can be accommodated for goose hunts and deer hunts annually.

“This donation will help support our programs going forward,” Zeliff said of the Knights’ check.

The Warrior House and hunting preserve are located on 100 acres of land, which Zeliff has dedicated to providing recreation for veterans. Zeliff’s mother Kathy Zeliff volunteers to cook meals for the veterans when they are at the Warrior House for a weekend hunt.

Zeliff and his wife also recently purchased the former Yellow Goose in Oakfield, which they have turned into the Oakfield Food Pantry. More and more veterans are taking advantage of that, Zeliff said.

Photos by Tom Rivers

EAST SHELBY – Nathan Gray, 6, is shown at his produce stand on East Shelby Road this afternoon.

Nathan started selling produce from the stand last month. He grew most of the vegetables with his father Justin Gray at their home on Dunlap Road. That is a low-traffic area so they decided to sell the produce from a spot in Nathan’s grandparents’ front yard just south of the East Shelby Fire Hall.

Nathan and his dad Justin are shown at the stand this afternoon. Justin has had a garden for years and his son likes to help him grow vegetables. Some of the items are from other growers, but Mr. Gray said about 90 percent comes from their garden.

Nathan wanted to sell some produce to make some money to go towards a small 4-wheeler. He also welcomes the chance to chat with customers who stop by.

“He has the gift of gab,” his dad said. “He likes to talk to people.”

Nathan will be a second-grader at Medina next month. He said he likes to meet people who stop by the stand.

“A lot of the people are nice,” he said.

Right now corn and tomatoes are the most popular items. They have a lot of pumpkins that will be ready in the fall. The Grays expect the will keep Nathan’s Produce Stand going until early November.

“We’re trying to teach him that hard work pays off,” Mr. Gray said.

Photo courtesy of Justin Gray: Nathan Gray operates a rototiller and works the soil this spring. He said he gets out early in the morning to work in the garden.

SHELBY – The town will shut off the water on Thursday for about 30 homes on Furness Parkway and Charles Street.

The water will be shut off from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. so the Niagara County Water District can do maintenance on a water vault to alleviate pressure variations. Dale Root, the town highway superintendent, said there are complaints from residents on the two streets about water pressure going from too high to too low.

Niagara County Water District will work on a pressure regulator, taking it apart, cleaning, readjusting and reinstalling it.

The two streets are off Route 31 between the Tops plaza and Salt Works Road.

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Andrea Walton walks down the driveway of her family farm on Maple Ridge Road in Medina where she plans to develop a family entertainment venue. She recently graduated from the Microenterprise Assistance Program.

MEDINA – Andrea Walton’s proposed new business – an entertainment venue at her family farm – isn’t going to happen overnight.

The Medina resident who was one of the graduates from the recent Microenterprise Assistance Program plans to create the entertainment center at the family farm on Maple Ridge Road. Walton grew up on the farm at 11412 Maple Ridge Rd., a daughter of Sharon and the late Walter Hurd.

Andrea Walton points to Oak Orchard Creek, which runs through her family farm on Maple Ridge Road. Her plans include a miniature golf course where she is standing, gem stone mining and an ice cream stand.

“There are a lot of pieces to the puzzle and I will add one piece at a time,” Walton said.

Her plans for what she is calling the Donkey’s Barnyard are to build a miniature golf course along the bank of Oak Orchard Creek, which runs through the property. Then she wants to have gemstone mining for children, U-pick pumpkins, a corn maze, petting zoo and playground for kids. One of the barns will become an ice cream and hot dog stand.

Walton works for a wholesale plumbing and heating contractor in Batavia and looked at developing such a site 12 years ago. She took an entrepreneurial class then, but the plans fell apart, she said.

“The idea has been back in my head for a long time,” she said.

She decided to take the Microenterprise Assistance Program class for the networking opportunities and potential to work with other entrepreneurs. The program is run through the Orleans Economic Development Agency.

Walton’s parents bought the farm in 1961. The land is rented out now, but Walton plans to repurpose part of it for her venture.

“I want this to be a place where families can have fun,” Walton said.

Her goal is to be able to start construction on the miniature golf course by next spring.

Board backs Albion battery storage regulations, storage addition for Ridgeway book and toy business

ALBION – The Orleans County Planning Board reviewed several proposals at its meeting last month and gave its recommendation for approval for an entertainment farm with a putt-putt course in Shelby, as well as other proposals.

Andrea Walton is proposing a recreational facility with putt-putt golf, an ice cream stand, gem mining, pumpkin sales and a corn maze at 11412 Maple Ridge Rd. Walton plans to utilize existing buildings on site without new construction.

The Orleans County Planning Board recommended the Town of Shelby approve the site plan for the outdoor recreational facility and activities, which are in an industrial zone.

In other action on June 24, the Planning Board:

• Recommended approval for the site plan and a special use permit for a used car sales business at 5138 South Gravel Rd. in Shelby.

Todd Walter plans to use the site as a pickup location for vehicles that are bought online. He plans to remodel an existing garage and add a 20-by-80-foot lot north of the garage. Walter will be limited to no more than 25 vehicles being offered for sale at the site.

• Backed an 11,200 square-foot addition for product storage at 3161 Fruit Ave. in Ridgeway. Living Waters America LLC, a Christian book and toy business, is adding more room to an existing 4,605 square-foot structure.

• Recommended Town of Albion approve its proposed law to regulate battery energy storage systems. Albion establishes a tier 1 storage system (capacity less than 600kWh) and tier 2 (more than 600 kWh).

Building permits will be required and an electrical inspection must be conducted with the systems. The tier 2 systems will be subject to a public hearing, and adjoining landowners within 500 feet of the property must be notified within 10 days of the hearing. The hearing notice also needs to be printed in a newspaper with general circulation.

The tier 2 systems shall be enclosed by an 8-foot high fence and with a self-locking gate. The tier 2 system also should have screening from adjacent properties “to the extent reasonably practicable” using architectural features, earth berms and other landscaping.

The one-hour average noise generated by the battery storage systems also shall not exceed a noise level of 60 dBA as measured at the outside wall of any non-participating residence or occupied community building.

The operators also need to have procedures for a safe shutdown, de-energizing or isolation of equipment under emergency conditions to reduce the risk of fire, electric shock and personal injuries.

Albion also includes decommissioning requirements for the systems, requiring them to be removed if they haven’t had any electrical storage for six months. Applicants for the systems will need to have a decommissioning plan for the projects.

File photo by Tom Rivers: Eli Pask and Evan Allen play their instruments to “When the Saints Go Marching In” as part of a parade through West Jackson Corners, a hamlet created by the church. This photo was taken in July 2017. The popular event will be back on July 18.

EAST SHELBY – After an absence last year due to Covid-19 restrictions, Old Tyme Day will return to the East Shelby Community Bible Church and its miniature village, West Jackson Corners, on July 18.

The celebration will begin with a church service at 10 a.m., followed by an afternoon of festivities in the miniature village across the street. There will be old-fashioned crafts on display, including candle making, woodworking, sewing, the blacksmith shop, corn husk dolls and weaving.

Another highlight will be old-time games for children and the opportunity to have an old-fashioned picture taken. One of the favorite games is a David and Goliath-style activity, where children shoot the giant with a slingshot, but instead of stones, they shoot gumballs.

Visitors can take a horse and wagon ride or a trip to the East Shelby Cemetery for a tour. Many local residents who were active in the early years of the church are buried there.

The barn on the edge of town has goats to pet, and for entertainment there will be dancing, a band concert, a gospel concert and other music performed throughout the day.

For lunch, visitors can buy a hotdog, lemonade, popcorn, homemade pie and homemade ice cream – all for a penny each or a donation.

At the miniature candy store, everything is only one cent.

A raffle will take place at 3:30 p.m. to give away certain craft items.

Mrs. Claus will welcome visitors to her Christmas shop, or they can stop for a class at the one-room schoolhouse.

All are welcome to join in the festivities, eat lunch and see how people lived more than a century ago.

East Shelby Community Bible Church is located at 5278 East Shelby Rd., one mile south of East Shelby.

Organization’s fundraising efforts have been hurt during pandemic

EAST SHELBY – Relaxing the Covid restrictions couldn’t some soon enough for many, including the East Shelby Firemen’s Ladies Auxiliary.

Like every other fire companies, businesses and organizations in the country, activities had to be canceled or put on hold due to the pandemic, but now things are changing.

Bronwyn Green

With the increase in Covid vaccinations and decrease in cases, the Auxiliary has decided to go ahead with a spring basket raffle and fundraiser June 12 at the fire hall. They are calling it “We’re Back Basket Raffle.”

Auxiliary president Bronwyn Green said they have done basket raffles through the years during other fundraisers, such as their His and Hers’ Raffle, usually in April, and Casino Night in the winter. The firefighters have also done one during the “September to Remember” event at the fairgrounds, which was also canceled last year.

“As you can imagine, our coffers took a big hit last year due to the Covid pandemic restrictions,” Green said.

Green explained how important these fundraisers are to the Auxiliary and the Fire Company.

“The money the auxiliary raises goes toward equipment for our kitchen, donations to philanthropic causes, for recognition of members’ milestones in the Auxiliary and to support the firemen and women in our company,” she said. “Through the years, the money we have raised has helped to remodel our kitchen, purchase chairs for the new tables in the firehall and to provide equipment for the firemen, to name a few causes. This past year we were unable to provide a gift to the department, as our fundraising opportunities were stripped away by the pandemic.”

In addition to the basket raffle, which will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on June 12, the Auxiliary will have a side raffle of a $200 gift certificate to the soon-to-be-opened Bent’s Opera House. This generous donation can be used by the winner to have dinner at the Harvest Restaurant or a night at the hotel. In addition, there will be a lottery tree door prize giveaway.

“This is our first event where the public will be allowed in the fire hall,” Green said.

Guests must adhere to Covid guidelines in effect at the time. Tickets may be purchased on site for the basket raffle or the Bent’s Opera House drawing. There will also be hot dogs, chips and beverages for sale. The drawings may be observed at 3 p.m. in person or online on Facebook with Eli Howard.

“This event is so important for several reasons,” Green said. “We miss our supporters tremendously. We have been a successful fire company auxiliary in East Shelby since the 1950’s. Our company is our community. We have so many faithful supporters year after year, after year, after year – even if they aren’t lucky enough to have a winning ticket. They continue to come through for us in so many ways. We get to know them when they sit in our firehall and joke with our members, eat our food, drink our beverages and socialize with us and with one another. Our friends of the East Shelby Fire Hall have supported our events and sat in the same seats every year. Plain and simple – we miss them.”

A second reason events like this are so important is that the fire company needs training and equipment, and the money raised by Auxiliary fundraisers enable them to help the fire company any way they can.

The third reason is hall improvements are going to be needed, something that is never ending, Green said. And finally, the fire company has many veteran members who have made the East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company what it is today.

“It is an organization of which both firefighters and our auxiliary members are beyond proud, and we owe it to these veterans, our supporters and the communities we serve to help maintain that pride in our company,” Green said. “We could not do it without the help of our faithful supporters.”

Green added they would welcome any donations of baskets or services from community members, should anyone wish to contribute.

Provided photos: Gerry Zinkievich, left, of East Shelby and Doris Antinore of Albion were recognized at the April meeting of the East Shelby Ladies Auxiliary for 50 years of membership. Debbie Green was elected vice president of the East Shelby Ladies Auxiliary.

EAST SHELBY – The East Shelby Ladies Auxiliary recognized its slate of officers and dedicated members at its April meeting.

President Bronwyn Green said because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the fire company did not have its annual banquet in March this year, so members were honored at the regular meeting.

The slate of officers recognized were Bronwyn Green, president; Debbie Green, vice president; Sawyer Green, secretary; Carol Lonnen, treasurer and chaplain; sunshine, Jessie Green; historian, Wanda Dingman; three-year trustee, Shirley Printup; two-year trustee, Elaine Newton; and one-year trustee, Sue Green.

Gerry Zinkievich and Doris Antinore each received certificates for 50 years of membership. Other service certificates were awarded to Sue Green, 35 years; Debbie Green, 40 years; and Marcia Walter, 45 years.

Other special recognitions included the Steward’s award, which was presented to Sawyer Green for her service to the fire company during the 2020 year; and the Ladies Auxiliary President’s Award, given to Carol Lonnen.

During the past year and restrictions due to Covid-19, the Auxiliary has been conducting most of its business through its phone tree, Bronwyn Green said.

Sawyer Green, left, has been elected secretary of the East Shelby Ladies Auxiliary. Carol Lonnen, treasurer and chaplain of the East Shelby Ladies Auxiliary, was presented with the President’s Award at their April meeting. The award would have been presented at the annual banquet, which was canceled this year due to Covid-19 restrictions.

SHELBY – The Orleans County Planning Board gave its support for a new agricultural processing facility at 4765 South Gravel Rd.

Phil and Dawn Keppler are applying to build the new 9,640 square feet beef slaughter plant would be part of the SK Herefords Premium Beef farm, which is owned by the Kepplers and David Schubel. The new processing facility will only serve the beef animals raised by SK Herefords.

“Slaughtering facilities are few and far between, and they are expensive,” said Jim Bensley, the county’s planning director.

SK Herefords currently sell the beef to many farm markets in Western New York. The new processing facility will include space for a retail outlet for the meat. The processing facility also will have an inspector from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The Planning Board recommended the Town of Shelby approve the site plan, issue a permit and also approve a variance because the project is 7 feet short of the 500 feet required in the Shelby code for distance from a neighboring property line. The facility would be 493 feet from the northern property line.

The project also includes 10 parking spaces on the west side of the facility, and a loading/unloading area on the south side. The building would be set back 80 feet from the road.

The project needs a final OK from the Town of Shelby Planning Board.

In other action:

• The Orleans County Planning Board also recommended Shelby approve the site plan for an antique retail sales business at 4237 South Gravel Rd. in General Business District.

Filomena’s Favorites, which has about 25 vendors currently on East Center Street in downtown Medina, is looking to relocate to the former Old Mill Run restaurant.

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Students studying to be clinical medical assistants learn to draw blood at the Iroquois Job Corps Center.

MEDINA – Like so many companies and schools, the Covid pandemic took a toll on students and learning at the Iroquois Job Corps.

Luke Kantor

The Job Corps was shut down in March 2020 when orders were issued to send all Job Corps students home and put a temporary hold on admitting new students. They didn’t start bringing back students until November, when they were allowed back in small groups.

In December 2020, it was announced the Job Corps’ new year would begin under the leadership of Education and Training Resources headquartered in Bowling Green, Ky. ETR formerly managed the Iroquois Job Corps for a number of years and won the contract back in December, according to Center Director Dennis Essom in the December newsletter.

Luke Kantor, manager of Outreach and Admissions/Career Readiness/Career Transition, said during the pandemic students were on distance learning and now some would prefer not to come back in person. Students at home were issued Chromebooks and wireless hotspots, and instructors created virtual classrooms to work with students, so they could continue their education.

A student lays bricks in the masonry class at Iroquois Job Corps. Bricklaying is one of half a dozen careers students can train for at the Job Corps.

As of March, 40 students were on site and 110 were waiting to get in. Each group brought back to the Center must quarantine for two weeks. The Iroquois Job Corps Center has the capacity for 225 students.

Training is offered as a certified nursing assistant, clinical medical assistant and in electrical, carpentry, bricklaying and painting fields, as well as high school equivalency.

Kantor said a student who graduates from the bricklaying program can start working with a union at $42 an hour. He also said a student can’t learn bricklaying on a computer. They need to be on site.

The bricklaying program has recently acquired a new piece of equipment called a brick mule. It is a mix of robotics and masonry, Kantor said. It can pick up blocks as heavy as 200 pounds and put them in place.

The goal of ETR and Job Corps is to promote more connections to the community. There is a focus on bringing in more local students, rather than those from the big cities, Kantor said. A Community Relations Council, which meets four times a year, and Work Force Council, which meets twice a year, are made up of members from the community.

Also, the Job Corps is encouraging females to train the fields of skilled trades, such as carpentry, stone/brick masonry, commercial painting and electrical.

Kantor also noted the Job Corps not only works with at-risk students, but those who’ve done well and graduated from high school and BOCES.

“If they are looking for extra training, we can provide it,” he said.

Kantor said staff is working on a virtual job fair and with a virtual military recruiting meeting.

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Charlie Ralph, right, and his son Todd hold a wooden clock presented to him by Mike Fuller, left, in honor of Charlie’s 50 years of membership in the East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company.

EAST SHELBY – The East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company took the opportunity to honor dedicated members during their March meeting Tuesday night.

The honors would have been awarded during the fire company’s annual banquet the first Saturday in March, however, the pandemic prevented that, so they decided to award the honors at their meeting.

“These people were certainly deserving to be recognized,” said David Green, a 60-year member of the fire company.

Officers of the East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company were sworn in by Orleans Emergency Management Coordinator Dale Banker during the monthly fire department meeting Tuesday night.

Dale Banker, director of Orleans County Emergency Management, installed the following line officers for 2021:

Chief – Deb Taylor; 1st asst. chief – Devin Taylor; 2nd asst. chief – Andy Beach; 3rd asst. chief – Dennis MacDonald; captain – Jeff Taylor; lieutenant – Sharon Grimes; fire police captain – Laura Fields; and safe/training officer – Todd Ralph.

Administrative officers installed were:

President – Mike Fuller; vice president – Joe Newton; secretary – Karen Bracey; treasurer – Allen Turner; trustees – Gordon Reigle, Ken Printup, Norm Beherend and Alan Lonnen; and steward – Dave Green.

Certificates for years of membership were presented to Josh Green, five years; Sharon Grimes and Devin Taylor, 10 years; Matt Grimes and Joe Newton, 15 years;  Laura Fields and Amy Herman, 20 years; Ken McPherson and Allen Turner, 35 years; Mike Zelazny, 45 years; Charles Ralph, 50 years; and David Green, 60 years.

Ralph also received a large wooden American flag with a clock for his years of service to the fire company.

Mike Fuller presented the President’s Award to Deb Taylor, the first woman chief of East Shelby Volunteer Fire Department, at their March meeting Tuesday night.

Mike Fuller presented his President’s Award to Debbie Taylor, who last year became the fire company’s first woman chief.

“She spent a lot of time here during the Covid pandemic, making sure everything was safe,” Fuller said. “Her leadership is what made it all happen.”

An EMS award was presented for only the second year by Fuller, who chose Dennis MacDonald for the honor.

“He has been heavily involved all year, and goes to all the calls,” Fuller said.

Steve Wolter, left, received the Chief’s Award from Andy Beach Tuesday night at the East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company’s March meeting.

Andy Beach said the Firefighter of the Year was somebody behind the scenes at any fire or whatever else is going on, shutting down the roads and making it safe.

“He puts in a lot of time as a fire police,” Beach said, naming Steve Wolter as recipient of the award.

Beach also presented his Chief’s Award, saying he thought about it long and hard.

“This year the award goes to the entire East Shelby Fire Company, who have been great during my last four years,” Beach said.

The award was accepted by Mike Fuller.

The final award was presented by Deb Taylor to Andy Beach, who she said has contributed to the betterment of the fire company.

Dennis MacDonald, left, received the EMS Award from East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company’s president Mike Fuller at their March meeting.

Mike Hodgins leaves Buffalo hospital after difficult ordeal to rehab at Medina Memorial

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Looking frail and thin after spending two months at Buffalo Mercy Hospital battling Covid, Mike Hodgins is surrounded by son Greg Hodgins, wife Kathy and daughter Alisha Duffina.

SHELBY – Miracles do happen.

Ask Kathy Hodgins of Shelby, whose husband Mike just spent two months in Buffalo Mercy Hospital, recovering from Covid-19.

Mike, 59, contracted Covid from his wife Kathy, who isn’t sure where she got it.

The last time she saw Mike was when she dropped him off at the door of Medina Memorial Hospital on Nov. 28. Because of Covid restrictions, she couldn’t even go in with him.

Later that night he was transferred to Buffalo Mercy Hospital, the only place they could find who had an ICU bed available.

The situation was dire, because Mike had a heart transplant 30 years ago, and doctors said he would need a miracle to survive Covid, which has killed more than 400,000 Americans in the past year.

Their miracle was realized this afternoon when Kathy and their children Greg Hodgins and Alisha Duffina brought Mike from Buffalo Mercy to Medina Memorial Hospital, where he will spend seven to 10 days in rehab to regain his strength.

Kathy Hodgins waves as she catches the first glimpse of her husband Mike being wheeled down the ramp at Buffalo Mercy Hospital. It was the first time she had seen him in two months.

While at Buffalo Mercy, Mike spent three weeks on a ventilator, while doctors kept him sedated. During that time, his blood pressure would plummet. Doctors also feared kidney failure.

During his ordeal, Mike developed abdominal bleeding and his epiglottis became paralyzed, meaning he can’t swallow anything by mouth. When he tries to, it goes down his windpipe instead of into his stomach. This resulted in a feeding tube in his stomach, which he still has.

Doctors are hopeful his epiglottis will return to normal so the feeding tube can be removed.

When Kathy learned Mike was going to be discharged and transported to Medina, she insisted on picking him up herself, so she could at least spend some precious time with him.

Alisha drove home, so Mike and Kathy sit in the back seat, where they hugged and held hands all the way home.

Mike Hodgins is wheeled down the ramp at Buffalo Mercy Hospital Monday by an aide named Thi, as his family waits to transfer him to Medina Memorial Hospital for rehab.

Kathy is convinced it is their faith which brought Mike through this ordeal. She said, even in his sedated state, he could hear her voice and she called the hospital every day. She would ask the nurse to put the phone to Mike’s ear and she would repeat that she loved him.

“Every day while he was on a respirator, I called and told him I loved him,” Kathy said. “Then I prayed with him every single day.”

She said it is the most powerless feeling not to be able to see your loved one who is so sick. She said the only exceptions to allowing visitors was in end-of-life situations, and she is thankful they didn’t get to that.

“It’s been quite the journey,” she said.

After getting Mike to Medina Memorial Hospital, the family, along with his brother and sister, stood under his window and waved to him. They are counting the days until they can bring him home.

Kathy Hodgins of Shelby hugs her husband Mike as she sees him for the first since Nov. 28, when he was taken to Buffalo Mercy Hospital with Covid. She brought him to Medina Memorial Hospital Monday, where he will undergo rehab.