By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 August 2025 at 7:50 am
Thurman Brothers played music from Allman Brothers at State Street Park
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – The Thurman Brothers, a band from Niagara Falls, played to a crowd of 1,200 people in the Blue Thursdays finale for 2025.
The Print Shop and Orleans Renaissance Group have teamed up to organize the concerts since their debut in 2022. The lineup includes eight bands, some of the top blues performers in the Rochester and Buffalo region.
The concerts draw big crowds to State Street Park on Thursday evenings.
This trio is the driving force behind the concert series. Pictured from left include Micheal Fuller of The Print Shop, Chris Busch of the Orleans Renaissance Group, and Dameon Heslor of The Print Shop.
Busch books the bands, and he said many of the top performers in the region reach out to ORG to be in the series.
“Not only has this series become established in Medina, but it has become established in the Western New York blues community,” Busch said.
It was about a year ago when Ken Daluisio, owner of the Print Shop in Medina, died unexpectedly. Daluisio helped promote and run the concerts.
Fuller and Heslor are the owners of The Print Shop and they have continued Daluisio’s passion of the concert series. The Print Shop put up 1,500 signs within a 25-mile radius of Medina, promoting the concerts. They also sell Blue Thursdays merchandise and run raffles to help promote the series.
Fuller said they have also hired a professional sound person for the concerts which has helped the music resonate deeper into the sprawling crowd.
Fuller said there is a shortage of parking for the event. The park fills up by 5:45 p.m., before the start of the concerts at 6 p.m. A shuttle service could help with that issue, he said.
The concerts typically bring in 600 to 800 people, but Thursday’s finale had about 1,200.
The band had some of the people up on their feet and dancing.
About a dozen vendors sell food and merchandise at the concerts, including Dubby’s Wood Fired Pizza.
Most of the concert-goers bring their own lawn chairs and listen the music on the lawn at the park.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 August 2025 at 5:58 pm
Lights and equipment installed to create a Northern Lights effect on lighthouse
Photos by Tom Rivers: Chris Manaseri, president of the Oak Orchard Lighthouse Museum, holds one of the four larger light fixtures that will be installed in the ground at each corner of the lighthouse, with each capable of illumining two sides of the building. There will be 192 smaller lights up top on the lighthouse on the parapet around the light.
POINT BREEZE – A team of volunteers have spent the day installing lights and computer equipment at the Oak Orchard Lighthouse so the iconic site at Point Breeze can display a light show resembling the Northern Lights.
The first half-hour show is expected to go on after the sunset this evening around 9 p.m. The Oak Orchard Lighthouse Museum wants the first one to be tonight on National Lighthouse Day.
The OOL Museum received a $5,000 grant through the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council to hire IlluminFx Lighting Systems in Rochester for the display. That company has created lighting displays for the Alamo, a battleship in Wilmington, NC and the nearby Churchville dam in Monroe County.
A.J. Hetzke, owner and general manager of IlluminFx Lighting Systems, programmed a show that will create the swirling green, purple and blue lights of the Aurora Borealis. He also programmed about a dozen other displays for holidays, including a orange-themed one for Halloween, green for St. Patrick’s Day, pink for Valentine’s and several others.
Hetzke said the lighting projects add “immeasurable value” to sites that are already much loved by their communities.
A.J. Hetzke (left), owner and general manager of IlluminFx Lighting Systems, hands off a string of 48 lights to go on the west parapet near the top of the 32-foot-high lighthouse. Museum volunteer John Vandemortel, right, installed the lights along strips of metal that were placed on the parapet on Wednesday. They are up in the top of the lighthouse which was built in 2010.
John Vandemortel, left, and Board VP Larry Albanese work on getting the lights secure at the top of the lighthouse.
Albanese said the light show should bring more attention to the lighthouse as well as Point Breeze.
“It’s an opportunity to bring people up here who haven’t been here before,” Albanese said.
David Giacherio, left, and Chris Manaseri dig one of the four holes for the corner lights. It was tough digging with a hard ground.
The lighthouse was built in 2010 as a replica of one from 1876. That original lighthouse toppled from a windstorm in 1914.
Manaseri said he is eager to see the light show.
“It will be vibrant and changeable,” he said. “It should mimic the effect of the auroras.”
The museum board plans to have the half hours shows nightly through the end of October. The board will consider feedback from the community. After the half-hour light shows, the building will be illumined all night with a low-level white light.
A.J. Hetzke of IlluminFx Lighting Systems meets with museum volunteers this afternoon in the main room of the lighthouse. They discussed their plan for installing lights and digital equipment. Clockwise from right of Hetzke include Larry Albanese, Gregg Squicciarini, John Vandemortel and Chris Manaseri.
David and Cheryl Giacherio work on getting another hole dug. Cheryl Giacherio pushed to get the lighthouse illumined after seeing photos of the lighthouse during a breath-taking Northern Lights display from May 10, 2024.
Cheryl Giacherio said the new light show will allow more people to feel the wonder of the Northern Lights, even if it’s recreated through the light show.
“Seeing the photos of the Northern Lights at the lighthouse was our inspiration,” she said. “We thought wouldn’t it be wonderful if everyone could see and experience it.”
The Oak Orchard Lighthouse is shown on May 10, 2024 during a dazzling display of the Northern Lights. The spectacle in the sky has inspired the lighthouse’s board of directors to pursue a light show on the structure.
Sept. 6 open house will discuss efforts to support cavity-nesting birds
Photo by Dan Rosentreter: These are examples of cavity-nesting birdhouses made by Dan Rosentreter.
Press Release, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Orleans County
KNOWLESVILLE – Cornell Cooperative Extension of Orleans County is partnering with AviNest to launch a hands-on conservation effort that protects native birds, restores local habitats, and gets the community involved—starting with a new Bluebird Trail at the fairgrounds.
Cavity-nesting birds like bluebirds, chickadees, and wrens are losing safe places to raise their young, but a local AviNest is stepping in to help.
AviNest, led by Medina business owner hobby conservationist Dan Rosentreter, is now part of Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension. Together, they’re expanding efforts to protect native bird species, restore habitat, and get the community involved in hands-on conservation work.
AviNest started with a simple idea: build and maintain safe nesting spaces for birds that need a little extra help. Today, Rosentreter maintains a network of 47 nest boxes across Medina, including in State Street Park, Pine Street Park, Lyons Park, Gulf Street Park and Boxwood Cemetery.
Now with support from CCE, AviNest is preparing to offer community classes and workshops covering topics like bird banding, nest box clean-outs, chickadee nest monitoring, invasive species management, working with 4-H youth, experimenting with new bird box designs, and eventually setting up a live-streaming bird box camera at the Orleans County Fairgrounds.
AviNest is also developing a new Bluebird Trail at the Fairgrounds and is currently seeking volunteers and donations to help bring the project to life.
“What began as a personal hobby with birds has grown into something much bigger,” said Rosentreter. “Now it’s about building community, supporting local wildlife, and making a real impact.”
Photo by Dan Rosentreter, Hi-Res Wildlife Photography: An Eastern Bluebird arrives at a nest box.
In addition to leading AviNest, Dan is a director of the New York State Bluebird Society and a talented wildlife photographer. His photo of an Eastern Bluebird taken right here in Western New York reflects the heart of AviNest’s mission—giving birds a safe place to call home.
The AviNest Open House is happening on Sept. 6 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend, meet Dan, and learn more about how to support cavity-nesting birds in our region.
For questions, to get involved, or to donate, contact orleans@cornell.edu, call 585-798-4265. (Click here for more information to donate through PayPal).
Daniel Quatro of Albion took this photo of a starry night with an Erie Canal bridge. The photo, entitled “Star Trails,” won second place in the “Classic Canal” category of the annual Erie Canalway Photo Contest in 2024.
Press Release, Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor
WATERFORD – The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor is calling for entries for its annual Erie Canalway Photo Contest.
Amateur and professional photographers are invited to submit up to three images that capture the canals’ beauty, vibrancy, and character. Winning photos will be featured in the 2026 Erie Canalway Calendar. Entries must be submitted or postmarked by Aug. 29.
Images will be judged in four contest categories: On the Water, Along the Trail, Canal Celebrations & Communities, and Classic Canal. Judges will select first, second, and third place winning images in each category, as well as 12 honorable mentions.
Submitted images must be horizontal format and taken within the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, which spans 524 miles across the full expanse of upstate New York. It encompasses the Erie, Cayuga-Seneca, Oswego, and Champlain canals and their historic alignments, as well as more than 230 canal communities.
Jules Hoepting, formerly of Albion and now a Perry resident, received an honorable mention in 2024 for this winter scene of the Erie Canal in the Gaines Basin. Her photo is entitled, “Winter Sunset.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 August 2025 at 9:50 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: The yellow grass on the lawn of the Orleans County Courthouse in Albion is shown on Wednesday.
Orleans County isn’t officially in a drought, despite sparse rain in the past month and scorching temperatures.
The U.S. Drought Monitor every Thursday morning updates the intensity of drought around the country. Orleans has been listed as “abnormally dry” in recent weeks and continues at that designation.
No where in the state is considered to be in a drought, even at the moderate level. Click here to see the map.
However, the abnormally dry conditions spread in New York State, from 9.9 percent of the land mass in the state last week to 23.1 percent in today’s map.
In the U.S., there are drought conditions out west and southern Florida.
Map from U.S. Drought Monitor: The areas in yellow are considered abnormally dry. In WNY, the abnormally dry conditions include Orleans, Genesee, Wyoming, Monroe, Niagara and most of Erie counties.
Governor Hochul today released new data on the expected impact of President Trump’s trade war on New Yorkers’ wallets.
On the Aug. 7 tariff deadline, Trump is overseeing historic price hikes on everyday essentials, forcing families to spend an estimated $4,200 in additional federal taxes — all against the backdrop of a national affordability crisis.
“As Trump rings in his Aug. 7 tariff deadline, everyday New Yorkers know today is no cause for celebration,” Hochul said. “Consumers are bearing the brunt of his reckless and costly trade war, squeezing families’ wallets from the produce section to the back-to-school aisle.”
Here’s what New Yorkers are up against:
• New York State imported $160 billion of goods in 2024. Now, consumers face a new effective tariff rate of about 21 percent on most of these imported goods, according to DOB calculations.
• Consumers and businesses would need to pay nearly $33 billion in additional import taxes to continue buying the same amount of foreign goods with the tariffs rates announced as of July 30. This is nearly $4,200 in additional federal taxes per household in New York.
• New York imported $12.5 billion worth of computer and electronic products last year. A study by Yale university projects that prices for these products will go up by more than 18 percent because of tariffs.
• New York imported $10.8 billion worth of apparel and accessories last year. The same study projects prices will go up by more than 37 percent on everyday items like shoes and clothes, which are predominantly produced outside the United States.
Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said, “The level of cruelty being imposed by the federal government is truly alarming. While we have worked tirelessly to make New York more affordable, our progress has been undermined by the reckless tariffs enacted by the Trump administration. It’s time for New York Republicans to step up and truly defend our state. Instead, they continue to align themselves with Trump’s disastrous economic agenda, leaving hardworking families in New York to shoulder the burden while vital services are stripped away.”
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 7 August 2025 at 8:47 am
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Residents of The Willows and their families enjoyed a picnic supper on Monday evening with a bounce house and ice cream truck, visible in the rear.
MEDINA – Residents and their invited guests enjoyed a picnic Monday night with a bounce house for young visitors, an ice cream truck, special bicycle rides and musical entertainment.
More than 100 RSVPs were received for the event, said administrator Jacquie Morgante. That is double last year’s attendance, she said.
Personal care aide Mary Ellen Donovan bends down to hug resident Joan Roberts at the Monday night picnic.
The 17 residents were allowed to invite family and friends, who enjoyed a buffet supper of chicken barbecue by Chiavetta’s, and baked beans and cheesy potatoes prepared by The Willows cook, Mary Schaal.
“Mary has been our head cook for more than a decade,” said Jordan Banaszak, administrative assistant. “Before that she worked in catering. She is an amazing cook and we are lucky to have her.”
A food truck was also on site, providing ice cream for dessert.
A bounce house was set up to entertain the younger visitors, while the adults were treated to bicycle rides by Susan Walders of Albion, who leads Cycling Without Age in Orleans County. She started the organization more than a year ago, and it is a popular attraction at senior events. Her special bicycle seats two, while she pedals from behind.
The first picnic was organized last year by Morgante.
“She has great ideas,” Banaszak said. “It was a hit last year, so we were excited to do it again this year, amped up with more activities for the kids and the ice cream truck. We had double the turnout from last year, so that was amazing. The Willows family is growing. Our residents have been looking forward to it all summer and they all have said how lovely it was. Even a couple of resident’s family members we’ve seen since the picnic commented how fun it was. And everyone loved the music and the dancing.”
Mary Lou Blount has been a resident for three months. Her husband Bob and daughters Roberta “Gilly” Keirn and Shawna Baldwin also joined her for the picnic. Baldwin said her mother is happy that they always have a lot of activities going on. Mary Lou likes the old-fashioned religious services with the old-time hymns, Baldwin said.
The evening’s entertainment was provided by Brian Beaudry of Nerds Gone Wild, who sang and played guitar.
Residents and guests also enjoyed lemonade and iced tea.
“We will continue to do the picnic annually and look forward to seeing it grow each year,” Banaszak said. “Our residents truly are our family, so having a family picnic just made sense.”
Bob Matthews and Joan Roberts, residents of The Willows, get a ride in a special bicycle pedaled by Susan Walders of Albion.
Mary Lou Blount, right, with her husband Bob is joined at The Willows’ picnic by her daughters Shawna Baldwin, left, and Roberta “Gilly” Keirn.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 August 2025 at 8:17 am
MEDINA – The Village of Medina has been awarded a $50,000 state grant to evaluate the current condition of the wastewater treatment plant to replace aging equipment.
The grant for Median was among $20 million in Clean Water grants announced by Gov. Kathy Hochul on Wednesday. The funding comes from two key programs that support clean water initiatives across the state: the Green Innovation Grant Program and Wastewater Infrastructure Engineering Planning Grants.
This funding provides critical support to communities working to affordably modernize water infrastructure, protect public health, and enhance resilience to extreme weather. The awards are announced during National Water Quality Month.
The study of Medina’s sewer plant also will include a report to recommend and prioritize improvements, including resiliency and cyber security enhancements. Implementation of this project will provide further water quality protection measures for Oak Orchard Creek, stated a press release from the governor.
“Every New Yorker deserves access to clean, safe water, and we’re making that happen by investing in smart, affordable infrastructure upgrades,” Governor Hochul said. “From planning to construction, we’re supporting communities every step of the way so families across the state can count on reliable water systems for years to come.”
Close to Orleans County, the City of Lockport in Niagara County was awarded $1.4 million for Phase 2 of a streetscape improvement project that will incorporate green infrastructure to reduce combined sewer overflows and improve water quality in the Erie Canal.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 August 2025 at 10:38 pm
Flotsam performs for 500 in Medina, headed east on Thursday to Brockport
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – The Flotsam River Circus performed from a ramshackle raft this evening to about 500 people in Medina. Many watched under umbrellas along the bank at the Canal Basin.
Flotsam will be performing at Erie Canal towns as part of the bicentennial celebration of the canal. The troupe of eight performers also will be performing at Hudson River communities in New York City as part of its tour which started Aug. 1-3 in Buffalo and ends in NYC on Sept. 14. On Thursday the group performs in Brockport at 6:30 p.m. at Harvester Park along the canal. Click here to see the full schedule.
Camille Swift, a Chicago-based circus artist, is among the performers for Flotsam.
Jason Webley (right), a musician based outside of Seattle, leads Flotsam. He performed today while wearing a fish costume.
“It’s a hard time for humans and a glorious time to be an invasive mutant fish,” he told the audience.
The floating circus started in 2019 and has performed in 13 states and traveled over 2,000 river miles. Last year Flotsam traveled the entire Ohio River from Pittsburgh to Paducah.
Webley said the group embraces being different.
“I think there should be more weird, amazing stuff in the world,” he said.
The troupe members this year include performers skilled as gymnasts, puppeteers, balance artists, hair suspension and aerial hoop, juggling, clowning, sword swallowing and playing music.
Webley played the accordion while singing and proclaiming during the show. Other members played the fiddle and trombone.
“Don’t eat the fish. All it takes is one bite for it to be a real long night,” Wembley told the audience.
Flotsam drew a big crowd to the Canal Basin to see an unusual performance from a floating circus. The show was slightly delayed and curtailed by the rain.
Danila Bim impressed the crowd with her fast spinning while suspended by her hair.
Some of the troupe members walked the plank and interacted with the crowd during the performance.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 August 2025 at 5:37 pm
File photo by Tom Rivers
HOLLEY – The Village of Holley will rededicate its canalway trail on Saturday. The path was originally dedicated in honor of Andrew Cuomo, who was secretary of the federal Housing and Development in 2000 when the trail opened. HUD provided a grant to help create the canal path and park.
The village will rededicate the trail as “Holley’s Erie Canal Pathway” at 11 a.m. on Saturday.
The celebration will be near the historical marker by the Murray-Holley Historical Society Depot Museum. The brief ceremony will include remarks followed by a reception on the porch of the museum.
Holley Mayor Mark Bower said the two sandstone signs will continue to bear Cuomo’s name. The signs are at each end of the path. Cuomo visited the canal park with his family not long after it opened.
The trail was dedicated for Cuomo on Aug. 9, 2000. At the time Cuomo was secretary of the federal Housing and Urban Development. In that role, he pushed through a $300 million “Canal Corridor Initiative” for canal communities to upgrade public spaces and also assist some businesses.
Holley used nearly $1 million to develop the canal trail and a canal park that also includes a gazebo, docks, a paved path, public bathrooms with showers, a playground, pond and other amenities.
Bower said the canal projects have proven to be a big draw for the village, bringing in visitors while also being frequently used by local residents.
“It’s becoming bigger all the time,” Bower said about the village’s canal amenities.
Holley also will soon add a new playground along the canal path this fall, and a new kayak launch next year.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 August 2025 at 4:47 pm
The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm warning at 4:38 p.m. for the Byron, Holley, Clarendon, Bergen and Barre Center areas. The warning is in effect until 5:45 p.m.
The thunderstorm could bring 60 mile-per-hour winds and quarter-size hail.
“Hail damage to vehicles is expected,” the Weather Service said. “Expect wind damage to roofs, siding and trees.”
