By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 9 December 2021 at 8:10 am
Provided photo: Erik Olsen, pastor of East Shelby Community Bible Church, leads the choir in singing Christmas carols at a previous Old Fashioned Christmas celebration at West Jackson corners, the miniature village created by the church on East Shelby Road.
EAST SHELBY – The East Shelby Community Bible Church will again host its annual Old Fashioned Christmas on Sunday at the church at 5278 East Shelby Rd.
The event, from noon to 5 p.m., will feature old-time Christmas traditions and activities at the church and in the miniature village of West Jackson Corners.
There will be crafts for children, swags for mom, cookies for dad and dancing for everyone’s entertainment. The Band of Renown will present a Christmas concert at noon, and the choir will sing in the village and in the church.
Visitors are invited to see the new barn and the extra-large manger scene. There will be an opportunity to make a candle, catch a ride on the drawn wagon, make a swag to take home, string popcorn and visit Mrs. Claus upstairs in the parsonage.
Santa will arrive at 4 p.m.
The pastor and congregation invite everyone to come to West Jackson Corners on Sunday and celebrate Christmas the old-fashioned way.
There is no charge to attend this celebration which takes visitors back to a bygone era.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 December 2021 at 6:51 pm
SHELBY – The Town of Shelby building will be closed at least another day due to a power outage. Town Supervisor Jeff Smith said he hopes the Town Hall will re-open Friday.
The building was closed today and will again be off-limits to the public on Thursday.
Photos courtesy of Celeste Morien: A Tufted Titmouse was spotted at the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge.
Posted 7 December 2021 at 4:08 pm
Press Release, Celeste Morien, count compiler for Oak Orchard Swamp Christmas Bird Count
SHELBY – It’s close to that time again for the Oak Orchard Swamp Christmas Bird Count.
The count began in December 1968. The National Audubon Society has been sponsoring Christmas Bird Counts for 121 years and the Friends of Iroquois NWR, Inc. provide support for this local count.
Count compiler and Medina resident Celeste Morien would like the public to be alert for counters with spotting scopes and binoculars who will be out and about Dec. 28 on local roads, searching for birds in fields and at bird feeders.
Filling bird feeders now and keeping them stocked ahead of the count helps fulfill the count objective of counting all wild birds seen and heard within the circle! Our Oak Orchard Swamp count is centered at the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge on the Orleans and Genesee County line at Route 63. Count volunteers follow specified routes through a designated 15-mile diameter circle, which includes more than the refuge and state wildlife areas, counting every bird they see or hear all day. It’s not just a species tally—all birds are counted all day, giving an indication of the total number of birds in the circle that day.
According to the Audubon website, “Prior to the turn of the 20th century, hunters engaged in a holiday tradition known as the Christmas “Side Hunt.” They would choose sides and go afield with their guns—whoever brought in the biggest pile of feathered (and furred) quarry won.
Conservation was in its beginning stages in that era, and many observers and scientists were becoming concerned about declining bird populations. Beginning on Christmas Day 1900, ornithologist Frank M. Chapman, an early officer in the then-nascent Audubon Society, proposed a new holiday tradition—a “Christmas Bird Census” that would count birds during the holidays rather than hunt them.
So began the Christmas Bird Count. Thanks to the inspiration of Chapman and the enthusiasm of 27 dedicated birders, 25 Christmas Bird Counts were held that day. The locations ranged from Toronto, Ontario to Pacific Grove, California with most counts in or near the population centers of northeastern North America.
From Dec. 14 through Jan. 5 each year tens of thousands of volunteers throughout the Americas brave snow, wind, or rain, and take part in the effort. Audubon and other organizations use data collected in this long-running wildlife census to assess the health of bird populations, and to help guide conservation action.
The data collected by observers over the past century allow Audubon researchers, conservation biologists, wildlife agencies and other interested individuals to study the long-term health and status of bird populations across North America. When combined with other surveys such as the Breeding Bird Survey, it provides a picture of how the continent’s bird populations have changed in time and space over the past hundred years.
The long term perspective is vital for conservationists. It informs strategies to protect birds and their habitat, and helps identify environmental issues with implications for people as well.
If your home is within the circle and you are at home on count day, you can report the birds that visit your feeders. To do so, please contact celeste.morien@gmail.com.
Please consider donating to the Christmas Count here since the Audubon Society no longer collects fees from each participant. Click here for more information.
For past results of any Christmas Bird Count, the National Audubon Society website is an excellent resource. Click here for more information.
A Song Sparrow blends in with the surroundings at the wildlife refuge. Last year there were 20,843 birds counted in 73 species.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 7 December 2021 at 8:42 am
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Members of the Butts-Clark American Legion Post in Medina made a donation to the Warrior House on Saturday. Here, Dave Morien presents a check to Warrior House owner Pete Zeliff as Jim Wells, left, and Legion commander Glen Whitmore at right look on.
MEDINA – The Butts-Clark American Legion Post on Saturday gave out the last donation from its raffle held throughout the spring and summer.
The first of the profits given out over a month ago was $2,500 to the winner of the raffle. The remaining $1,000 was divided between the Legion to help with expenses and the Warrior House on Salt Works Road, a retreat for veterans.
Legion members Jim Wells, Dave Morien and Commander Glen Whitmore presented Warrior House owner Pete Zeliff with a check for $500 on Saturday morning.
“We had hoped for a larger amount, but everything helps,” Whitmore said.
Zeliff said every donation is appreciated, especially as the Warrior House didn’t do any fundraising last year due to Covid.
“We are blessed with people like this who step up to support us and keep us going,” Zeliff said.
The Warrior House is an unused farmhouse on Zeliff’s property on Salt Works Road, which he has donated as a weekend retreat for veterans, who spend weekends there while enjoying hunting excursions. All expenses are paid, including food, for the veterans.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 21 November 2021 at 8:38 am
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Mary Kaderli, left, accepts a check for $800 for the Knights-Kaderi Fund from East Shelby Fire Chief Debbie Taylor. Taylor solicited donations across the county selling sweatshirts, hoodies and t-shirts with emergency responder logos on.
EAST SHELBY – When the Knights-Kaderli walk-run was approaching, East Shelby Fire Chief Debbie Taylor wanted to do something to help.
She contacted all the fire departments in Orleans County and asked their permission to put their logo on wearing apparel.
The started advertising them for sale, and little more than a month later, she had collected $800.
On Tuesday morning, Taylor presented an $800 check to Mary Zelazny, daughter of Sue Kaderli, one of the cancer victims for whom the fund is named. The fund assists Orleans County families who are battling cancer.
“I didn’t know how it would pan out, and I’m glad it ended up great,” Taylor said.
She handed Zelazny the check, each of them wearing their hooded sweatshirt.
“Donations like this really help big time,” Zelazny said. “We really appreciate this. Firefighters really look out for people in their community.”
Taylor said many people who aren’t firefighters supported the cause by buying apparel, and for that she was grateful.
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Members of the Knights of Columbus in Medina on Sunday morning presented a check from Arby’s in Batavia to Pete Zeliff and his family, representing the Warrior House in West Shelby. The check, for $14,500, was a result of a promotion in October run by Arby’s franchise holder, Bill Meland. Kneeling are Dave Bellucci and Jim Mirand. Standing, from left, are Zach Baldwin, Skip Draper, Howie Gardner, Bob Fox, Archie Washak and the Zeliff Family, Pete, Gatlin, Sue and Ethan.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 15 November 2021 at 8:00 am
Bill Meland, owner of Arby’s in Batavia, holds a check for $14,500 which he donated to the Warrior House.
MEDINA – A Batavia businessman with roots in Lyndonville has made a generous donation to the Warrior House on Salt Works Road.
Bill Meland, owner of the Arby’s franchise in Batavia, has golfed on a four-man team for the Knights of Columbus in Medina for several years. Meland is no stranger to the Medina area, so when he learned of the Knights’ support of the Warrior House on Salt Works Road, he stepped up to help.
During the month of October, Meland agreed to donate 10 percent of his restaurant’s proceeds to the Warrior House. On Sunday morning, the Knights’ members presented a check for $14,500 on behalf of Arby’s to Pete Zeliff and his family.
Zeliff donated a farmhouse on land he had purchased to be used as a retreat for veterans. He outfitted the rooms with six cots and collaborated with Operation Injured Soldier to bring veterans to the location for four hunting weekends a year – two deer (one bow and arrow and one firearm), a goose and a turkey hunt. Pete’s mother Kathy comes and cooks meals for the veterans.
The Knights became involved with the Warrior House as a result of their golf tournament. They had established a scholarship fund years ago, but it had become well-funded, said golf chairman Dave Bellucci. Several years ago, they had been asked to sponsor a veteran on Assemblyman Steve Hawley’s patriotic trip to Washington, D.C., and they thought that was a good cause.
“However, we realized that would help only one veteran, and we wondered if there wasn’t something we could do to help more veterans,” Bellucci said.
They learned of the Warrior House and chose to donate the profit from their golf tournament for the veterans. While playing golf, Meland learned what the Knights were doing and wondered what he could do to help.
Pete Zeliff, right, who donated a farmhouse on his property as a retreat for veterans, looks at a check for $14,500, just presented to him for the Warrior House by Archie Washak of Medina Knights of Columbus on behalf of Arby’s in Batavia.
Zeliff said this is the largest single donation the Warrior House has received since it has been in existence.
“Meland is a very generous man,” he said.
Zeliff said the money will be used to fund new programs they are developing for the veterans next year.
Any veteran is welcome to apply to take part in a hunting weekend at the Warrior House. They can find information on the Warrior House website.
In the past, veterans have come from Florida, Louisiana and all across New York, with several from Watertown, Zeliff said. The Warrior House also offers to pay for travel expenses, if needed.
SHELBY – A special meeting of the Shelby Town Board will be held on Tue., Oct. 26, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. at the Town of Shelby, 4062 Salt Works Rd. Medina, NY 14103.
The purpose of this special meeting will be to schedule a public hearing for Tue., Nov. 9 at 6:30 p.m. (with the town board meeting following immediately after) for Local Law No. 2 of 2021 to opt out of allowing cannabis retail dispensaries and on-site consumption sites as authorized under Cannabis Law Article 4.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 October 2021 at 9:01 am
Provided photos
SHELBY – A group of 14 firefighters from the Shelby Volunteer Fire Company recently put into service a new grain rescue tube system with an auger that was donated by New York Farm Bureau.
Firefighters trained with the new rescue system in a grain bin at Todd Roberts’ farm on Salt Works Road.
This photo shows Crystal Luckman being “rescued” after sinking into the grain.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 7 October 2021 at 7:00 am
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Debbie Taylor, fire chief of the East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company, poses with a poster showing the design of a tee shirt she has created to pay tribute to the fire companies with EMS departments in Orleans County. The proceeds from which will benefit the Knights-Kaderli Fund which assists people in Orleans County fighting cancer.
EAST SHELBY – A walk-run to benefit the Knights-Kaderli Fund has been an annual event at the East Shelby Fire Hall for many years, and this year when the date for the walk approached, East Shelby fire chief Debbie Taylor started brainstorming what she could do to help.
“Knights-Kaderli helped my in-laws, who have since passed, and my sister-in-law, who beat breast cancer,” Taylor said. “Our fire company just got done participating in a fundraiser with battalions from the west and one from the east to help Make-a-Wish, and that gave me the idea to incorporate firefighters into something to help Knights-Kaderli.”
Taylor got in touch with a guy who works at D&T Graphics in Lockport to see he could help her. Then she contacted all the fire departments to make sure it was alright to put their names on a tee shirt.
Albion, Carlton, East Shelby, Lyndonville, Medina, Shelby, Barre, Clarendon, Kendall, Ridgeway, Murray Joint Fire District and COVA EMS all agreed.
The design chosen is a skull with a firefighter’s hat, firefighters’ axes, a pink ribbon for cancer and the names of the fire companies and COVA.
The design is available on long- or short-sleeved tee shirts, sweatshirts and hoodies. A face mask is also available.
The deadline is Oct. 31 and orders must be placed online at orleanscounty2021.itemorder.com. Orders will be shipped to the customer’s house. Taylor is working with fire company members to save money on their shipping.
“This shows support for Orleans County firefighters and helps Knights-Kaderli,” Taylor said. “It’s a win-win situation.”
Taylor, who is Orleans County’s first female fire chief, will complete her first year in office on Jan. 1. She already plans to run again for the office.
Provided photos: Congressman Chris Jacobs toured the Iroquois Job Corps on Thursday. He commended students for preparing for careers in trades and healthcare.
Press Release, Congressman Chris Jacobs
SHELBY – Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) toured the Iroquois Job Corps Center in Shelby on Thursday.
“Our region, and much of the country, faces an aging workforce in trades and a lack of younger, qualified individuals to carry the torch. That is why the work the Iroquois Job Corps is doing is so critical,” Jacobs said. “This center, and ones like it around the country, are giving young adults hands-on training in various trades that have immediate career potential following their graduation. In addition, they are providing young adults in high-risk situations with a second chance and the opportunities and resources to succeed.”
Jacobs’ visit included a tour of the carpentry, medical care, electrical, masonry, and educational facilities at the Iroquois Job Corps campus in Medina. In addition, Jacobs met with instructors and students from the various programs to learn about the work they are doing and the opportunities available.
“I commend the leadership team and the instructors at the Iroquois Job Corps Center for the incredible work they are doing and the impressive education they are providing. This center is integral to maintaining our region’s strong workforce and economic prosperity,” Jacobs said. “I urge any young adult considering a career in the trades to reach out to the center to learn more about the opportunities available.”
Jacobs saw up close how students are skilled with tools.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 September 2021 at 1:09 pm
BARRE – Two state administrative law judges have awarded $167,200 in intervenor funding to the towns of Barre and Shelby for its legal and engineering expenses to review an application for a 200 megawatt solar project covering about 2,000 acres in the two towns.
Michele M. Stefanucci and Anthony Belsito, administrative law judges, on Sept. 2 awarded $122,200 to Barre and $55,000 to Shelby. That was the exact request from each town.
As part of the application through the state Office of Renewable Energy Siting, the solar company needs to provide up to $1,000 per megawatt or up to $200,000 total for municipalities, non-profit organizations and other groups that apply for some of the funding to hire experts to review the application.
Community Energy Solar is proposing to construct and operate “Hemlock Ridge Solar.” The project was initially presented as “Orleans Solar” but Community Energy has modified the name. (Many of the solar arrays are proposed to be along Hemlock Ridge Road in Barre.)
The project is proposed to be about 80 percent in Barre and 20 percent in Shelby in a sparsely populated part of the two towns near the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge. A substation would also be in Barre for the project.
The facility site will be located on approximately 2,094 acres, of which approximately 1,268 acres will be occupied by facility infrastructure and maintained for the life of the project, estimated to be at least 30 years, the company states in a filing with ORES. (Click here to see documents submitted to the NYS Department of Public Service about the project.)
The two towns, in their letters to the state requesting intervenor funds, said the money would allow the towns to defray “the cost of legal, environmental and engineering consulting services.”
The consultants will assist the towns in determining whether the proposed facility is designed to be sited, constructed, and operated in compliance with applicable local laws and regulations. Lawyers hired with the intervenor funds can also assist the towns with developing a host community agreement and a PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes), which is revenue to be shared among the local taxing entities.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 8 September 2021 at 12:37 pm
KNOWLESVILLE – The Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds will be the site Sept. 18 and 19 of the 20th annual “September to Remember” to benefit the East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company.
David Green of East Shelby started the first event 19 years ago as a swap meet for collectors of antique and vintage vehicles. He had a 1953 Buick at the time, which he drove in parades when he was campaigning for sheriff.
He knew when he and other antique car buffs needed parts for their vehicles they had to travel to Carlisle, Pa., where they have one of the biggest automotive swap meets in the country. Carlisle has more than 7,000 vendors and as many as 2,200 vehicles for sale, Green said.
“If you collect old cars and you’re looking for a part, like a simple tail light, you can’t just go to the store and buy one,” he said.
The first swap meet was at the East Shelby Fire Hall and it was a huge success, Green said.
“It was so successful we decided to move it to the fairgrounds, where we had lots of room outside,” he said.
Green has had several old vehicles and now owns a 1980 short box Chevrolet truck and a 1978 Buick Regal Limited.
The Swap Meet has grown over the years to include food, a craft and antique show, flea market and car and truck show.
For $10, a vehicle owner can enter his car or truck he wishes to sell in the car corral.
The event is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Saturday will feature a truck show from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Sunday will have a car show from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Ladies Auxiliary will provide beef on weck, chili, breakfast sandwiches, coffee, cold drinks and donuts.
Vendors will be set up in the Lartz Building. One hundred vendor spaces are available, Green said.
There will be a $5 charge for parking, but admission is free. Proceeds benefit the East Shelby Fire Company, and help make up the revenue lost with the loss of bingo and their chicken barbecue.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 3 September 2021 at 8:35 am
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.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 August 2021 at 5:38 pm
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.
Count compiler and Medina resident Celeste Morien would like the public to be alert for counters with spotting scopes and binoculars who will be out and about Dec. 28 on local roads, searching for birds in fields and at bird feeders.
