By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 20 November 2024 at 8:05 am
MEDINA – As is traditional in Medina the day after Veterans’ Day, Medina DPW was out early in the morning taking down the veterans’ banners for another year.
Mary Woodruff, who heads the banner project, will be at the Medina village clerk’s office from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. today to hand out the banners which have hung for three years and can now be claimed by family members.
Woodruff started the project in 2019 after seeing her husband Paul’s father’s banner while visiting Almond.
“The banners were first hanging on wires in a school gymnasium and they blew my mind,” she said. “I talked to the lady who did them and got the information and brought it back to Medina. Mike Sidari was mayor then and I started to explain the program at a Village Board meeting. That was November 2018 and I got the OK that night. The program took off and has grown every year since.”
The first year 30 banners were hung in 2019, and by 2021, there were more than 100, and then 240 in 2022.
“I can’t say enough about the DPW, who puts up the banners and takes them down,” Woodruff said.
Banners hang for three years, and on the third year, the first year’s banners are taken home and washed by Mary and Paul, then made available for families to pick them up.
Applications for next year’s banners will be available after the first of January. The cost is a one-time charge of $200 for three years’ exposure. A banner may be hung for a fourth year for an additional cost of $125.
Although Paul’s father was from Alfred Station south of Buffalo, Mary hangs it every year, because he is the reason she started the project in Medina. Willis Burr Woodruff was a tech sergeant with the U. S. Army during World War II.
Other relatives, which all hung together on West Avenue near the railroad tracks, were John McElwain, a brother-in-law; Ken Schaal, cousin; and Carl Caleb Jr., Mary’s brother-in-law.
Banners hung have represented veterans in all branches of the military and World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam Conflict and Persian Gulf War. Woodruff is excited at the prospect next year of having at least one soldier represented from the Revolutionary War.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 November 2024 at 9:10 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers: The sign at the Crosby’s at the intersection of 98 and 31 in Albion displays the prices for a gallon of gas on Monday evening.
Gas prices continue to decrease slightly and are getting close to an average of $3 per gas for regular unleaded in the country.
The national average price was $3.08 on Monday, down a cent from a week earlier, while the New York State average was $3.15, also down a cent. A year ago the national average was $3.32 while the state-wide average was $3.62, according to AAA.
“The national average is now less than a dime away from dipping below $3 for the first time since May of 2021,” AAA reported on Monday. “But the possible formation of a new hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico could delay or even temporarily reverse the decline in pump prices.”
The national average price for diesel was $3.53 on Monday, down two cents from a week earlier while the New York average was $3.87, no change from last Monday.
The average prices in counties around Western New York include:
ONEONTA – Daisy Perez-Reyes and the SUNY Oneonta iGEM (International Genetically Engineered Machine) team traveled to Paris in late October to compete in the annual iGEM Grand Jamboree and received a gold medal in its first-ever collaboration with students and faculty from Hartwick College.
Perez-Reyes of Albion is studying Sociology at SUNY Oneonta.
The iGEM Grand Jamboree is a competition where teams of students from around the world “push the boundaries of synthetic biology by tackling everyday issues facing the world.” More than 450 teams registered for the competition this year, making the 2024 Grand Jamboree the largest in iGEM history. This was the fifth competition for the SUNY Oneonta team, which won silver medals in the 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023.
“We could not be prouder of this year’s team, not only for their success, but also for their enthusiasm and dedication to having a positive impact on the world,” said Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry Kelly Gallagher, who advises the team alongside Associate Professor of Biology Jill Fielhaber.
“Receiving a gold medal represents the culmination of countless hours spent both in and outside of the lab from every student,” said Dr. Fielhaber. “Our team’s first collaboration with students and faculty from Hartwick College makes receiving SUNY Oneonta’s first gold medal all the more significant.”
This year’s team included 16 SUNY Oneonta students from a wide variety of majors – including Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Dietetics, Early Childhood/Childhood Education, Earth Science, English, Exercise Science, Philosophy, Political Science and Sociology. They worked on both the scientific and human practices aspects of the project.
Hartwick team members included majors in Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry and Mathematics. Together under the mentorship of faculty from both SUNY Oneonta and Hartwick, the students worked on a project titled, “pHish and CHIPS,” to create a device that would neutralize water automatically after detecting the presence of extreme pH imbalances.
“It all started with thinking about what the CHIPS and Science Act meant for upstate New York and all the investment in semiconductor manufacturers that has impacted the state,” said Dr. Gallagher.
Signed into law by President Biden in August 2022, the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) and Science Act has accelerated the development of new semiconductor chip fabrication plants throughout the United States, with two plants planned for construction near Oneonta. Research for the team’s “pHish and CHIPS” project began in April 2024.
According to the team’s project description, water is crucial to the manufacturing process of semiconductor chips. Prior to release or recycling of these chips, fabricators purify their wastewater by adjusting the pH level and removing contaminants called polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). With millions of gallons of water to process daily, real-time pH adjustment presents sustainability and water management challenges.
Part of the iGEM students’ goal was to use their knowledge of synthetic biology to design a pH-sensitive wastewater system that would “turn on” and release buffers to neutralize the water in the presence of pH extremes during the chip fabrication process.
While one part of the team was concerned with the research and development of the pH device, the human practices group investigated the ethical and regulatory landscape of the project and how to best engage public interests and concerns.
This included how to successfully approach corporate sponsorship, researching what human impacts are related to these types of waste streams, where current holes in regulations exist and what can be done to help close those gaps, and how the group can improve industry issues.
Together, the full team worked on “pHish and CHIPS” with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Six (Ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all) and Nine (Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation) in mind.
The 2024 iGEM Grand Jamboree was four days long, from Oct. 23-26, at the Paris Convention Center – a roughly 15-minute drive from the Eiffel Tower.
At the conference, the team had a booth set up and coordinated times for each member to represent “pHish and CHIPS.” With guidance from their faculty advisors, each student was prepared to answer questions during the judging session by being an expert on at least one part of their project. When they weren’t at the booth, the students explored the other presentations at the Grand Jamboree.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 November 2024 at 3:55 pm
About 100 people seek winter clothes during event in Albion
Photo courtesy of Jack Burris: Hands 4 Hope made jackets, boots, gloves and other winter clothing available on Sunday in a Red Jacket Rally after a Spanish-speaking Mass at Holy Family Parish in Albion.
ALBION – The Hands 4 Hope ministry has been offering prayers and food for nine years now, making Saturday morning stops in Albion, Holley and Medina.
Hands 4 Hope has added winter coats, boots, hats and gloves to that effort with monthly Red Jacket rallies.
Jack Burris, the Hands 4 Hope founder and leader, decided to focus a Red Jacket Rally on the Spanish-speaking population of the community. The rally was held this past Sunday after a Spanish-speaking Mass at Holy Family Parish. Burris and a team of volunteers set up outside the church with the clothes on racks and tables.
About 100 people were able to take clothing with the cold weather around the corner.
Hands 4 Hope typically does a Red Jacket Rally the third Thursday in September, October and November. There is another one planned for Thursday from 10 a.m. to noon at Evans Ace Hardware, 342 East Center St., Medina.
Hands 4 Hope welcomes donated jackets, from children to adult sizes, as well as boots, hats and gloves. They can be dropped off inside the Arnold Gregory Office Complex in Suite 174 at 243 S Main St., Albion.
Photos by Tom Rivers: These tables have kid-size boots and other winter clothing. This photo was taken after about 100 people went through, picking out coats and other winter apparel.
Hands 4 Hope has already given away 459 coats since Sept. 1, passing the 407 distributed last year from September through the end of December.
Emily Kwiatkowski, the director of discipleship and mission at ONE Catholic, said the parish welcomed the chance to partner with Hands 4 Hope for the Red Jacket Rally.
“There is a very widespread need among the Hispanic community for a wide variety of things,” Kwiatkowski said.
Father Mark Noonan, pastor at ONE Catholic, did a promo of the Red Jacket Rally, speaking in Spanish in a Facebook post, encouraging people to stop by for the winter clothing.
Burris said he was thrilled to see the donated clothing be put to good use, and to send a message to the immigrants and others that the local community values them.
Hands 4 Hope typically sets up away from churches. But this time was stationed outside Holy Family Parish.
“Many people steer clear of churches for a variety of reasons,” he said.
Through the food, clothes and prayers offered by Hands 4 Hope, “they know God loves them through the community,” Burris said.
Jack Burris, right, founded Hands 4 Hope nine years ago. He appreciates the community’s continued donations towards the ministry.
Will make debut with Grease which will hit stage in March
Press Release, Holley Central School
Kayla Thrower, left, will direct Holley’s upcoming school musical of Grease.
HOLLEY – Holley Middle School/High School has announced “Grease” as its 2024-25 musical production.
Teacher and Holley alum Kayla Thrower has been selected as the school’s musical director. She succeeds MS/HS teachers and siblings Dan and Kellie Burke who co-directed Holley’s musicals for over 30 years; both have now retired from the district.
Thrower is a Holley 2017 alum who notably played the role of Ursula in the school’s 2016 production of Disney’s “The Little Mermaid.” She began teaching social studies at Holley MS/HS in 2022. Thrower previously served as musical assistant, vocal coach and head of stage crew for the school’s musical production of “Little Shop of Horrors” in 2024.
“I am incredibly excited and thankful to lead this year’s musical production,” Thrower said. “As a student, the musical was an integral part of my life. The experiences I had on stage brought me out of my shell and taught me valuable life skills. I am immensely grateful to have the opportunity to give that experience back to my students, who continue to impress me with their talent and dedication to the arts.”
Holley MS/HS chorus teacher Kelly Marzano, who has taught at Holley since 2006, will take over the role of vocal director this year.
“The music in ‘Grease’ is not just integral to the storyline, it’s the hallmark,” said Marzano. “I look forward to helping the cast gain confidence in their singing through good vocal technique and applying that to their character portrayals. We’re fortunate to have so many creative and talented students here in Holley. This is sure to be a production for the record books. I am honored to be a part of it.”
Band teacher Zach Busch will support this year’s production as pit director. “Grease” was performed at Holley in 2017, and it was the first musical he was involved in when he began teaching in Holley that year.
“I am very excited to bring this iconic production back to the stage at Holley,” Busch said. “My goal is to provide the best musical accompaniment possible for our students on stage. I also look forward to welcoming student-musicians into the pit to learn from and play alongside our adult musicians.”
Performances will be held at the Holley Middle/High School Auditorium on March 14 at 7 p.m., and March 15 at 2 and 7 p.m. Ticket information will be shared on the HCSD website at a closer date.
“Grease” Synopsis:
Rydell High’s senior class of 1959: duck-tailed, hot-rodding “Burger Palace Boys” and their gum-snapping, hip-shaking “Pink Ladies” in bobby sox and pedal pushers, evoking the look and sound of the 1950s in this rollicking musical.
Head “greaser” Danny Zuko and new (good) girl Sandy Dumbrowski try to relive the high romance of their “Summer Nights” as the rest of the gang sings and dances its way through such songs as “Greased Lightnin’,” “It’s Raining on Prom Night” and “Alone at the Drive-In Movie,” recalling the music of Buddy Holly, Little Richard and Elvis Presley that became the soundtrack of a generation.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 November 2024 at 1:03 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers: Noah Magee walks out of the County Clerk’s Building, where there is an entrance to the County Courthouse, after the trial concluded today where he faces second-degree murder. Judge Sanford Church scheduled Dec. 4 for when he will announce his decision in the case, although he could issue a written decision sooner.
ALBION – Noah Magee’s attorneys say he shouldn’t face any charges for a Feb. 8 collision that resulted in the death of Roger Kingdollar III.
It was merely an accident and Magee, 19, shouldn’t be charged with second-degree murder, leaving the scene of an accident, reckless driving or failure to keep right, his attorney, Paul Vacca Jr. said in closing statements this morning in the Orleans County Court.
Kingdollar, 24, was driving a dirt bike on McNamar Road at about 4 p.m. He was on a lawn beyond the north side of the road. Two of his friends were on four-wheelers, and Vacca said they were weaving in the road. Magee had just turned from Angevine Road onto McNamar when he was confronted with Kingdollar on the north side and the four wheelers in the road, Vacca said.
Magee then tried to safely get off the road, and collided with Kingdollar, Vacca said.
He described Kingdollar as driving the dirt bike recklessly, doing wheelies and weaving.
“My client is the victim of circumstance here,” Vacca told Judge Sanford Church, who is presiding over the case and will decide Magee’s fate. “The dirt bike was the cause of the accident.”
Magee last week waived his right to trial by jury. In a bench trial, the judge decides if the defendant is guilty.
District Attorney Joe Cardone said it was “preposterous” to say Kingdollar was at fault in the accident. A surveillance video from a neighbor shows Kingdollar riding just north of the road in the grass. He wasn’t doing any wheelies.
The video shows Magee cross the center line, go past the opposite lane and shoulder of the road and then strike Kingdollar in the grass, Cardone said.
“He drove his vehicle in the path of this victim,” he said.
Magee was very familiar with the intersection and road, Cardone said. Magee traveled the road almost daily going from his sister’s in Batavia to his girlfriend’s.
He and Kingdollar also knew each other from years of “animosity,” Cardone said. Kingdollar previously tried to run Magee off the road, and Magee threw a rock at Kingdollar while he was driving a vehicle, Cardone said. Magee felt like Kingdollar had “constantly terrorized” him and his friends who also enjoyed dirt bikes and four-wheelers, Cardone said.
In text messages with a friend, Magee was urged to find Kingdollar and “beat his ass,” Cardone said in his closing statement. Magee allegedly told the friend in a text he was waiting for the right time.
Cardone said that moment came on Feb. 8, when Magee rounded the corner of Angevine and McNamar and saw Kingdollar without a helmet on the dirt bike.
Magee didn’t intend to kill Kingdollar. He just meant to intimidate him and brush him off, Cardone said.
Magee hit the gas pedal and drove towards Kingdollar, but then hit the brake just before the collision, Cardone said. The left side of Magee’s 2006 Chevrolet Silverado truck hit the left side of the dirt bike’s handlebars. Cardone noted the 9,200-pound truck far outweighed the 236-pound dirt bike.
The collision caused a fatal fracture in Kingdollar’s neck, Cardone said citing the testimony of the medical examiner who performed an autopsy. Kingdollar was knocked into a ditch by the road.
James Vacca, Paul Vacca’s brother and part of the defense, said Kingdollar may have suffered the fatal neck fracture when he was moved from the ditch using ropes without any neck support.
Vacca said Magee decelerated to 24 miles per hour and didn’t have any intoxicants in his system, while Kingdollar had three types of THC from using marijuana that day and from chronic use.
“That may have been a contributing factor,” James Vacca said.
Cardone refuted that contention, saying Kingdollar did nothing to cause the collision.
The lack of any intoxicants in Magee’s system also shows he was clear-minded in driving towards Kingdollar, Cardone said.
Vacca also described the collision as being similar to people walking in a busy mall and rounding a corner and bumping into each other.
“This is not an accident,” Cardone said about the collision. “This is not two people running into each other in the mall.”
While Magee didn’t intend to kill Kingdollar, Magee made intentional choices that led to Kingdollar’s death, Cardone said.
Magee would face a more serious charge if he intentionally tried to kill Kingdollar. But Cardone said the evidence shows Magee tried to scare Kingdollar, by grazing him instead of making a direct hit. And Magee certainly wouldn’t have tried to intentionally kill Kingdollar in front of his friends who were on four-wheelers, Cardone said.
With the second-degree murder charge, the defendant doesn’t need to have tried to kill the other person. Cardone said the defendant needs to show an extreme disregard for human life, and that is the situation with Magee who struck the dirt bike with a much heavier pickup truck.
“He thought he would just brush the victim and move on, but he totally miscalculated,” Cardone said. “He badly misjudged. Any reasonable driver who saw people coming in the opposite direction would have slowed down and not sped up.”
After the collision Magee drove off but came back to get a headlight in the road. One of Kingdollar’s friends allegedly threatened Magee’s life and Magee fled the scene out of concern for his safety, James Vacca said.
Cardone said Magee fled and attempted to hide the truck on a dirt lane off Chugg Road. He only returned to the scene after being persuaded by his sister.
The trial is the last one for Cardone in his 33 years as the county’s district attorney. He told the court today he has tried to be a voice for victims of crimes in the community.
“I ask the court to do justice for the Kingdollar family,” Cardone said.
Judge Sanford Church didn’t make a ruling today. He scheduled 1:30 p.m. on Dec. 4 to announce his decision in the case, although he said he may decide the outcome sooner.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 November 2024 at 9:15 am
ALBION – Orleans County officials have put together a tentative $99,092,747 budget that represents a 7.1 percent spending increase and would raise taxes by 1.95 percent.
Jack Welch
The additional $375,000 in the tax levy from the $19,264,000 for 2024 stays under the tax cap, said Jack Welch, the county’s chief administrative officer. The tax rate will drop by 66 cents per $1,000 of assessed property to $7.91 due to growth in the tax base through reassessments.
Welch filed the tentative budget on Friday, the deadline to submit the tentative plan. There will be a public hearing at 4 p.m. on Dec. 3 for the budget, with the Legislature to vote in a meeting following the hearing in the legislative chambers of the County Office Building.
Welch, in a budget message, said the fiscal plan faces many financial pressures and uncertainties.
“This year’s $99 million budget recommendation is influenced by VUCA: volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity once again,” he said.
Mandated costs are on the rise, including the “9 for 90 Mandates.” Nine mandated programs used to consume 90 percent of the county’s tax ley. In 2024, it was up to 98.9 percent. But the 2025 budget has the mandates totaling $21,060,228 or 107.4 percent of the tax levy, Welch said. The mandated programs’ cost is up by 10.5 percent.
One of those mandates, health insurance costs, are up 19.8 percent to $7.7 million.
“The true challenge of this expense is that nearly 24 percent of this cost is for one drug,” Welch said in his budget message. “As an experience-rated group, orphan drug expenses play a significant role in the calculation of health insurance premium rates by all health insurance companies.”
The costs for retirement are up 22 percent over the 2024 budgeted expense for the pension contributions.
“The retirement increase is related to the increase in benefits for Tier 6 and the comptroller’s need to increase revenue since more employees are retiring from the workforce statewide,” Welch said.
Sales tax helps offset property taxes, and sales tax has been rising significantly in recent years. However, this year it was $900,000 below the amount in 2023 for the first six months, but then saw an $800,000 jump in the third quarter, Welch said.
“Accrued sales tax collections year-to-date are still below 2023,” he said. “This is the first time since 2016 we have experienced this. Residents have shifted their spending from taxable sales to sales that do not have a sales tax connected to essential goods like food and rent.”
The county’s Capital Plan includes $10,925,755 in projects and equipment upgrades.
That includes the following departments:
Highway – $8,132,479
Peter Bilt 10-wheeler, $260,000; Rollers, $200,000; local bridge and culvert repairs, $200,000; two pickup trucks on lease, $22,104; Upper Holley and South Holley Road replace and overlay, $460,000; patch and seal county roads, $200,000; highway reconstruction, $2,464,280; Eagle Harbor Road culvert replacement design, $170,000; Eagle Harbor Road culvert replacement, $759,625; Gillette Road bridge replacement design, $289,270; bridge preventive maintenance, $1,809,300; Route 279 bridge replacement, $1,136,900; Lakeshore Road bridge design, $161,000.
Buildings and Grounds – $1,410,000
Public Safety Roof, $1,200,000; sewer lateral lining, $150,000; Mental Health and Clerk’s buildings, $50,000; Animal Control roof, $10,000.
Information Technology Services – $70,000
Firewall replacement, $70,000.
Sheriff’s Office – $1,313,276
Dispatcher Stations upgrade, $810,000; jail repairs, $200,000; Jail vests, $13,000; Axon Tasers lease in jail, $6,000; animal control leased truck, $15,000; fleet maintenance program 2022, $66,493; fleet maintenance program 2024, $52,958; fleet maintenance program 2025, $106,000; Tasers lease from 2024 to 2028, $43,825.
Welch said the county has experienced big increases in homeless placements the past 30 months for temporary and emergency housing.
“Our total monthly placements are up over 190% when compared to July 2022 with our in-county placements up 116% and our out-of-county placements up over 600% as of October 2024,” Welch said.
The county budget includes 445 full-time, 107 part-time and 163 seasonal positions across numerous programs and services. This is a decrease of 4 full-time positions and an increase of 10 part-time positions compared to 2024.
The county has struggled to fill some positions in the government. With that reality, plus the rise in costs for employee benefits, the county has begun changing the work week for employees from 35 hours per week to 37.5 hours per week – with a goal of 40 hours per week rather than hiring additional employees, Welch said.
The annual fee for solid waste and recycling service will increase $5 to $225. This fee will continue to support the e-waste collection efforts for county residents at three sites across Orleans County, Welch said.
“The program remains very popular, with high demand for the disposal of CRT monitors and televisions,” he said. “The county is also planning to continue to offer the Household Hazardous Waste pick up annually, which includes residential tires.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 November 2024 at 9:37 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Ingersoll Street is shown north of the canal late this afternoon.
The State Department of Transportation on Tuesday will mill a section of Ingersoll between Caroline and Bank streets, and then pave that section on Wednesday.
Ingersoll has seen increased traffic the past two years with the Main Street lift bridge closed and much of the traffic diverted to the Ingersoll lift bridge.
The section of Ingersoll will be closed to traffic from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for the two days.
From 9 a.m. to 2:30 traffic will need to use alternate routes to cross the Erie Canal: Butts Road on the east side and Gaines Basin Road on the west side.
HOLLEY – As they approach their 20th anniversary of working with Hillside as foster and adoptive parents, Chris and Alan Girangaya of Holley, have created a legacy of love and commitment for children in need.
Over the years, the Girangayas have welcomed and fostered dozens of children until either the children could be reunited with their families or other permanent placements could be made. They have also legally adopted eight of those children over the years, six of whom still live at home with their forever dads.
“Chris and Alan Girangaya’s partnership with the Hillside community opened many opportunities for children as well as within their own family,” said Jean Galle, Hillside Vice President of Community Based Services. “Through their care, love, and nurturing, many children have been able to call this family their family, and this house, their home.”
Hillside’s Therapeutic Foster Care model is designed to aim for biological family reunifications whenever possible, with foster parents often playing an invaluable partnership role in that process – but in many cases, adoption remains a possible outcome.
“Hillside has been so helpful and supportive,” Chris and Alan shared. “Because we work so closely with the dedicated Hillside staff, we have developed a close-knit and personal relationship. They’re always there for you!”
As with many of their adoptions, Chris and Alan have maintained relationships with their children’s biological families when possible. In fact, one of their children’s maternal grandmothers joined her grandson’s recent celebratory courthouse adoption ceremony.
Maria Cristalli, Hillside President & CEO, points out that the need for foster families has never been greater, and Hillside is always seeking new families willing to open their homes and their hearts to young people in need.
“Becoming a foster parent makes such a difference in a young person’s life,” she said. “Whether you’re providing short-term or respite support, or long-term support to children in need, these connections and relationships bring stability to so many children.”
Hillside’s Therapeutic Foster Care program includes ongoing training and support opportunities for foster families. To learn more, visit www.hillside.com.
Note: The Girangayas participated in a recent Hillside “Conversations with the CEO” podcast interview with Maria Cristalli. To listen, click here.
About Hillside:
Founded in 1837, Hillside is one of the country’s oldest family and youth non-profit human services organizations, and the largest of its type in New York State. The agency supports vulnerable children, adults and families through services delivered on residential campuses, in group homes, and in a wide range of school- and community-based settings.
Last year alone, Hillside programs and staff—across central and western New York State and in Prince George’s County, MD—helped more than 9,000 young people and families work toward building the stronger futures they deserve. Learn more at www.hillside.com. To support Hillside’s mission, visit www.hillside.com/donate.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 November 2024 at 2:55 pm
Provided photos
NEWARK – The following students from Orleans County participated in the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) Zone 2 Sr. High Area All-State festival this weekend at Newark Central High School (from left):
Ryder Jones from Medina, trumpet in symphonic band
Amir Huzair from Lyndonville, tenor in mixed chorus
Noah Fox from Lyndonville, tenor in mixed chorus
Zachary Baron from Albion, bass in mixed chorus
Mallory Kozody, soprano in mixed chorus
Sarah Corser, soprano in mixed chorus
These students are joined by the top singers and instrumentalists from all over Zone 2, which encompasses Monroe, and all its surrounding counties, including Orleans to the other side of Wayne County and south, said Jennifer Neroni-Trupo, vocal teacher and musical director at Lyndinville.
Admission to the Area All-State ensembles requires students to receive a top NYSSMA solo festival score in the spring, a nomination from their music teacher, and eventual selection from a committee of music teachers from Zone 2 based on the first two criteria.
“It is a rigorous process and a tremendous honor for all students involved!” Neroni-Trupo said.
The mixed choir was conducted by Cody Mott from Edinboro University. The choir performed Nox, by Elaine Hagenberg; When Dreams Take Flight, by Rollo Dilworth; Even When God is Silent, by Michael Horvit; Soon ah Will Be Done, by William L. Dawson; and Walk Out on the Water, arr. Geung Kroeker-Lee.
The Symphonic Band was conducted by Dr. John C. Coggiola from Setnor School of Music at Syracuse University. The band performed On Parade, by Amanda C.E. Eldridge; Cloudburst, by Eric Whitacre; Homage to A Dream, by Mark Camphouse; and Ride, by Samuel R. Hazo.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 November 2024 at 12:06 pm
125 attend Diamond Gala to celebrate organization
Photos by Tom Rivers
RIDGEWAY – State Assemblyman Steve Hawley presents a citation from the State Assembly in honor of the 60th anniversary of the United Way of Orleans County. He made the presentation on Saturday evening to Nyla Gaylord, executive director of the United Way.
“The mission of the United Way of Orleans County is to provide funding and support for Orleans County charities, civic organizations and the people of the county,” the citation states. “A connector of people, resources and fundraising, the United Way strives to make the county stronger. The United Way uses values of collaboration, responsiveness, service, accountability and aids area of the community such as youth, older adults and vulnerable families.”
The Diamond Gala was held at the Ridgeway fire hall with 125 people attending to support the United Way mission. The buffet dinner was catered by Donna Eick.
Nyla Gaylord, United Way executive director, said the organization is committed to helping raise funding for agencies in the community while also pursuing grants for other important initiatives.
Gaylord said the United Way has secured $2 million in grants towards projects, such as a respite program for caregivers of seniors, a digital literacy and low-cost internet initiative, and a nutrition program through Community Action/Cornell Cooperative Extension. United Way also helped with the basketball court upgrades at Bullard Park in Albion.
The organization also helped establish a “Code Blue Warming Center” at Christ Episcopal Church in Albion, working with other partners, including Oak Orchard Health, which runs the site.
“The United Way is one of the most recognized charities in our county, but not many people know what the United Way does,” Gaylord said. “In Orleans County the United Way raises funds to support local organizations providing needed programs and services to residents of Orleans County.”
The United Way does an annual funding appeal with that money dispersed to Arc GLOW (Camp Rainbow and Meals on Wheels), Cornell Cooperative Extension, Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern, GO Art!, Medina Senior Center, OK Kitchen, Orleans County YMCA, P.Raising Kids, Hospice of Orleans County, UConnectCare and Scouts.
“Our focus is on Orleans County,” Gaylord said. “All funds raised stay in Orleans County to benefit our neighbors.”
Gaylord said United Way is taking a leadership role in helping community leaders address some of tough issues, including a need for more affordable housing.
“Today, like 60 years ago, we are amid a time of great social change,” Gaylord said. “Our community faces unprecedented challenges – but also limitless new opportunities. Our mission statement says it all: United Way of Orleans County is a connector of people, resources, ideas and founding to make our community stronger.”
The attendees enjoyed a cake and cupcakes for dessert.
Jodi Gaines, president of the United Way board of directors, accepts the microphone from Assemblyman Hawley.
Gaines has been part of the United Way for 25 years. She started when she was at the former Dime Bank in Albion as a campaign captain. She liked how the United Way could take one donation and share it with agencies working on behalf of local residents.
“I can write a check and impacts so many, from babies to the elderly,” she said.
Gaines went on to start CRFS, and has recently returned as its owner and chief executive officer.
She said the United Way has shifted from a focus on an annual appeal to know securing funding from foundations in Rochester and Buffalo to address community challenges. The annual appeal still generates about $50,000 from the community, which is down from about $300,000 during its peak.
Gaines has been active with the local United Way back when there were two chapters in the county, western and eastern Orleans. The two chapters merged into a county-wide organization in 2011.
Both of the chapters originally were a “Community Chest” with local leaders helping to raise funds for agencies in the county.
Gaines said the “pivot” by the United Way to funding from the major foundations in Buffalo and Rochester has given the local United Way a renewed mission.
“We try to find the needs in the county and where we can help,” Gaines said.
Dean Bellack of Medina was asked to stand and be recognized. He served as director for three years and helped change the structure of the organization, bringing in big grants from the Rochester and Buffalo foundations. One of those grants pays the staff for the United Way over five years until the end of 2026.
Mollie Radzinski, the United Way board president, announces winners of the baskets and prizes up for raffle.
Besides Radzinski, the board officers include Jodi Gaines, president; Tim Moriarty, treasurer; and Jennifer Mateo, secretary. Other board members include Dean Bellack, Ginny Kropf, Jerome Pawlak, Don Colquhoun, Ayesha Kreutz and Lynn Vendetti.
Gary Simboli, a retired music teacher at Albion, provided the entertainment, sharing a show he wrote about the importance of positivity. Simboli said the news is dominated by tragedy, crime and natural disasters. He sang several songs with uplifting messages, including “Imagine” by John Lennon, “Firework” by Katy Perry, “Show Me The Way” by Styx, “Hero” by Mariah Carey and several others.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 November 2024 at 11:27 am
Magee won’t testify in his own defense
ALBION – The trial against Noah Magee for second-degree murder goes to closing arguments on Tuesday morning.
Noah Magee
The prosecution rested its case this morning after three days of testimony and the defense isn’t calling any witnesses, including Magee, Paul Vacca Jr., Magee’s attorney, announced in court this morning.
The defense asked again that the case be dismissed, saying District Attorney Joe Cardone didn’t prove a collision on Feb. 8 in Barre rose to the level of second-degree murder.
Magee, 19, faces that charge for driving a pickup truck and allegedly intentionally striking Roger Kingdollar, who was riding a dirt bike along McNamar Road. Magee just turned onto McNamar from Angevine Road and then hit Kingdollar who was riding a dirt bike with some of his friends who were on four-wheelers.
Cardone said while Magee didn’t mean to kill Kingdollar, Magee’s “complete disregard to human life” rose to the level of second-degree murder.
“This was no accident,” Cardone said in court this morning. “It was a complete disregard to human life.”
Magee was driving a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado that struck Kingdollar who was driving a motor bike on Feb. 8. The truck outweighed the dirt bike, 9,200 pounds to 236.
Cardone presented evidence showing Magee crossed the center line at about 4 p.m. Cardone contends that Magee then purposely drove at Kingdollar, who was riding on the grass on the north side of the road.
Vacca said the incident was an “automobile accident” with no malicious intent from Magee.
Dr. Nadia Granger, medical examiner from Monroe County Office of Medical Examiner, performed the autopsy on Kingdollar. She said in court today he died from a fracture in the joint in the lower skull and upper neck. That fracture was caused by “blunt force trauma,” either from the collision with the truck or when Kingdollar was knocked into a ditch by the road, she said. He also had bruises and scrapes on his face and forehead, torso, right pinky finger and lower legs.
Kingdollar wasn’t wearing a helmet, but Dr. Granger said a helmet likely wouldn’t have prevented his death.
Kingdollar also was raised from the ditch with ropes under his arms by friends and a responding state trooper. Dr. Granger said that effort wouldn’t have contributed to the fatal injuries he sustained.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 November 2024 at 8:02 pm
Seaver helped foster a new generation of local rock and rollers
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – A photo of the late Mike Seaver, owner of the Shay’s bar on Main Street in Albion, is on display today at the Carlton Rec Hall for a big party in honor of Seaver.
He was 69 when he passed away on Sept. 20. Seaver didn’t have an obit or a funeral. He preferred to stay out of the limelight.
But a longtime friend Mike Whiting organized the big party today. Whiting organized open mic nights at Shay’s for a decade. He said Seaver helped launch some of the local bands by giving them their first chance to play in public and build their confidence,
The celebration for Seaver included many mementos from Shay’s included this restored guitar by Mike Whiting. White, shown here at right, joined in the open mic music. Here he is playing with the band, Lonesome Road.
Whiting said when he turned 21, he went to Say’s for a beer. Seaver was the bartender and the two struck up a good conversation. They became good friends.
Seaver had a karaoke machine in the bar, and welcomed the chance for musicians to perform in open mic nights and also in concerts.
“He was a big proponent of the local music scene,” Whiting said at today’s party for Seaver. “Many local bands were birched at Shay’s. He helped create the Orleans County collective. We didn’t realize the talent we had right here.”
Whiting also became close with Jessi Snyder, a bartender at Shay’s, and the two are now married.
Jessi worked with Seaver for 11 years.
“He had a heart of gold,” she said. “He looked intimidating but after talking to him a few minutes, you really liked him.”
The band Lonesome Road performs during the open mic at the Carlton Rec hall this afternoon. From left in front include Robert Williams on bass/vocals, Alex Fitzak from the band Vette, Todd Colegrove on guitar/lead vocals and Mike Whiting on guitar/vocals.
The big interior sign from Shay’s was on display at today’s benefit, as well as other Shay’s flags and banners.
Tom Irwin and Seaver have been close friends for about 50 years. They were the best man in each other’s weddings.
Seaver worked as a bartender at Shay’s for about 30 years before taking over the business from Bill Shay. The business was hurt by Covid and restrictions on crowd sizes. It hasn’t open to the public for about four years.
Many of the shot glasses and mementos were for sale at today’s party.
Irwin said Seaver was the heart and soul of the place.
“He was a very talkative person, just like his mother,” Irwin said. “People came in to see him.”
Seaver enjoyed seeing the younger adults come in for karaoke and the live music in the last 20 years.
“He kept rock and roll alive in Albion,” Irwin said.
There were 52 gift baskets up for raffle during the party and celebration of Seaver. Lori Laine collected the baskets for the event. She said Seaver opened up Shay’s to a rock painting group led by Laine. They would meet there from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesdays. Seaver liked chatting with the group and appreciated that they brought him home-cooked food, Laine said.
Proceeds from today’s event go to Seaver’s wife Ange to help with expenses.
These musicians in front include Dylan DeSmit, Mike “Thunder” Warren and John Borello. They were among the people rocking out in tribute today for Mike Seaver, owner of Shay’s in Albion.
File photo by Tom Rivers: Mike Seaver and Jessi Whiting are shown in this photo from Aug. 13, 2016 during a “Sip N Stroll” when Shay’s joined 13 other locations in a wine-tasting. Shay’s served ice pops from Lake Effect Ice Cream at The Shamrock (Shay’s).
Whiting said she was thrilled to see a big crowd, at least 150 people in the first two hours of today’s party.
“He didn’t want a funeral but this is our way of saying thank you and good bye,” she said.
Many of Seaver’s family attended the celebration and they were serving food in the kitchen.
Seaver’s sister Donna Halladay came from California with her daughter Samantha. Halladay provided pizza and hot dogs, and headed up the kitchen staff made up of Seaver’s family. Many of them also were part of putting on events and holidays at Shay’s over the years, Mike Whiting said.
“Donna used to make some homemade salsa and chips that were famous at the bar!” Whiting said. “Whenever she was in town visiting, you could always count on those being on hand at the bar, always at no charge!”
Other family members from Orleans County who helped in the kitchen include Vicki Juckett, sister; Melissa Hope, niece; Barry Hope, nephew; Eileen Manning, cousin; and George Manning, cousin.
“Vicki and George were very active with Mike’s life at the bar,” Whiting said. “George even used to help host a video game night called ‘Halo Night’ where we would all play the game Halo 2 on Xbox with Mike for hours! Mike loved that game!”
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 17 November 2024 at 5:42 pm
MEDINA – Medina Lindy in the Village has announced a “Spritz of the Season” dance and concert Nov. 29 at Bent’s Opera House.
The live concert and dance event will feature Gordon Webster’s seven-piece Jazz Band, with vocalist Julia Weatherholtz.
From 7:30 to 10:30 p.m., the band will perform three full sets of big band-style jazz and swing classics, including upbeat holiday jazz, according to Julie Berry, co-founder of Lindy in the Village with her husband Phil.
Webster is a musician and bandleader, famous worldwide for his modern take on vintage swing music, according to Berry. Vocalist Julia Weatherholtz of Rochester will perform with Webster on keyboards, Jake Handelman of New York City on trombone, Tim Clarke of Buffalo on trumpet, Eric Metzgar of Sao Paolo, Brazil on drums and Eric Heveron Smith of Rochester on bass.
This lineup was part of the ensemble which recently played with Webster on Jeju Island in Korea. Weatherholtz and Handelman recently played with him at the Lincoln Center.
Attendees at the event, the day after Thanksgiving, will enjoy the ambiance of Bent’s newly restored opera house, along with drinks and appetizers from Harvest Restaurant. Those wishing to dance can take advantage of an open dance floor.
For those interested in learning more about Lindy Hop swing dancing, Medina Lindy in the Village will host a beginner swing dance lesson from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., included with ticket purchase for the concert. Experienced dancers will be on hand all evening to assist beginners.
This event is made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrant program through the New York State Council on the Arts with support of the office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and administered by GO ART! Medina Lindy is sponsored by Community Action of Orleans and Genesee.
Tickets for the concert/dance can be purchased at www.medinalindy.com/tickets, with early bird pricing now through Nov. 24. Discounted pricing is available for college students. Under 18 may attend for free, but youth 13 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
For more information on the concert, dance and lessons, e-mail info@medinalindy.com. Those wishing to make dinner reservations at Harvest or hotel reservations should call (585) 318-2110 or visit www.bentsoperahouse.com.
