MEDINA/BARRE – Two churches are serving meals today on election day.

The First Presbyterian Church in medina will again be serving a ham and scalloped potato dinner. Last year the meal was such a big hit, the church is doing it again this year.

The dinner will be available from 4 to 6 p.m. as a drive-thru only at the Senior Center on West Avenue. The Senior Center provides a convenient setup to pull up, hand in your ticket and pull forward to the next door and get your meal to go.

Pre-sale tickets are encouraged, but if not sold out, a limited number might be available at the door. Tickets are $15 and available by calling the church at 798-1264 or dinner chair Sue Martin at (585) 721-4723.

The meal will include ham and scalloped potatoes, green beans, applesauce, roll and butter and dessert.

 The West Barre Church for many years has served a turkey dinner on election day. The meals comes with sides and pie for dessert.

It is take-out only from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Tickets are pre-sale only and are $15 for adults and $7 for children. The church is located at 5377 Eagle Harbor Rd.

Orleans County residents go to the polls today with voting from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

There are positions up for election in each of the 10 towns as well as the seven Orleans County legislators and the county treasurer. There are 25,777 registered voters in the county.

Most of the polling sites are at town halls, although Albion votes at Hoag Library, part of Ridgeway uses the Volunteer Fire Company, and Carlton uses the Fire Company Rec Hall.

Here is a list of the polling sites:

• Albion – Districts 1 through 6 – Hoag Library, 134 South Main St.
• Barre – Districts 1 and 2 – Town Hall, 14317 West Barre Rd.
• Carlton – Districts 1 through 3 – Carlton Fire Co. Rec Hall, 1853 Oak Orchard Rd.
• Clarendon – Districts 1 through 3 – Town Hall, 16385 Church St.
• Gaines – Districts 1 through 4 – Town Hall, 14087 Ridge Rd.
• Kendall – Districts 1 through 3 – Town Hall, 1873 Kendall Rd.
• Murray – Districts 1 through 6 – Town Hall/Highway Garage, 3840 Fancher Rd.
• Ridgeway – Districts 1, 2, 3, 6, 7 – Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company, 11392 Ridge Rd.
• Ridgeway – Districts 4, 5 – Town Hall, 410 West Ave.
• Shelby – Districts 1 through 4 – Town Hall, 4062 Salt Works Rd.
• Yates – Districts 1 and 2 – Town Hall, 8 South Main St.

It was an intense thunderstorm this evening in Orleans County, which pelted the landscape with hail.

The top photo was sent in by Rebeccah Demaray of Waterport.

Demaray also sent in this photo of hail all over her porch.

Jacob Delamarter took this photo of the sky lit up by lightning.

Aaron Vosburgh had hail all over his yard in Albion.

ALBION – Orleans County had 425 registered voters cast ballots through nine days of early voting.

The general election is Tuesday and polls will be open in all 10 towns. But with early voting, there is one polling location at the Board of Elections office in Albion.

The totals included  54 on Oct. 25, 26 on Oct. 26, 58 on Oct. 27, 30 on Oct. 28, 48 on Oct. 29, 50 on Oct. 30, 66 on Oct. 31, 58 on Nov. 1 and 35 on Nov. 2.

The early voting total is down significantly from a year ago when 4,539 ballots were cast over the nine days. In 2024, the election featured the presidential race.

This time, the election is at the local levels and nearly all the positions are unopposed.

The only races among candidates on the ballot include:

Carlton Councilman – Marlene Seielstad, Democratic Party, and Ryan Woolston, Republican.

Clarendon Council members with three candidates for two positions – Cecelia Pacheco Stevens, Democratic Party, and Christopher Caufield and Fred Seeman, III, Republicans.

Shelby Councilman – John Pratt III, Republican, and Mark Wambach, Conservative.

There are some write-in campaigns as well. Jeremy Ross of Murray has been endorsed by Democratic Party as write-in candidate for County Legislator in District 4 against John Fitzak of Carlton, a Republican.

George and Iva McKenna are mounting a write-in campaign for Barre Town Board against Wesley Miller and David Allen, who have the Republican and “Future for Barre” lines.

In Murray, William D. “Bill” Bosley Jr., is seeking write-in votes to unseat Dirk Lammes Jr., a Republican, for highway superintendent.

The following proposal also is on the ballot: Amendment to Allow Olympic Sports Complex in Essex County on State Forest Preserve Land. This would allow skiing and related trail facilities on state forest preserve land. The site is 1,039 acres. Requires State to add 2,500 acres of new forest land in Adirondack Park.

A yes vote authorizes new ski trails and related facilities in the Adirondack forest preserve, while a no vote does not authorize this use.

File photos by Tom Rivers: The Elks Lodge in Albion dedicated this memorial for Jason Johnston on Aug. 17, 2019. The Albion Elks Riders have supported a memorial scholarship for Johnston that is given each year for an Albion senior who is pursuing a helping profession.

Editor’s Note: This article was corrected from an earlier version that said Route 98 in Albion would be dedicated in honor of Jason Johnston. 

ALBION – A part of Route 31A in Albion, from Route 98 to Powerline Road, will be dedicated on Wednesday for Spc. Jason Johnston, who was 24 was killed by a roadside bomb in the war in Afghanistan on Dec. 26, 2009.

Assemblyman Steve Hawley said there will be a dedication event at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the intersection of Route 98 and Route 31A.

Hawley said State Senate Minority Leader Robert Ortt and other elected officials will be there for the highway dedication for Army Specialist Jason Johnston, who was born and raised in Albion.

Johnston enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2006. His family always said Johnston had an eagerness to serve in the military and then attend Syracuse University after his term in the Army was completed, Hawley said.

Johnston was killed in action on Dec. 26, 2009, when his unit was bombed in Arghandab, Afghanistan.

“I’m honored to take part in this dedication honoring Army Specialist Jason Johnston, a hometown hero who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation,” Hawley said. “His courage, commitment and love for his community and country embody the very best of Albion and Western New York. May this highway stand as a lasting reminder of his service and the gratitude we all owe to those who defend our freedom.”

The American Legion Sheret Post in Albion also unveiled a memorial bench in Johnston’s honor on Aug. 14, 2021. Johnston is the only Orleans County resident killed in combat during the War on Terror in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Photo by Tom Rivers: This photo from Aug. 17 was taken from the Ingersoll Street lift bridge looking west towards the Main Street bridge. The Main Street bridge reopened on Sept. 19 following a nearly three-year construction project.

ALBION – The Main Street lift bridge in Albion is closing for 4 hours tonight to replace gate arms, the state Department of Transportation said today.

The DOT is advising motorists that the lift bridge will be closed to traffic from 2 a.m. until  6 a.m. on Tuesday, November 4.

Motorists should anticipate travel delays during this time and are advised to seek alternate routes. Construction activities are weather dependent and subject to change based on conditions, the DOT said.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Cyndi Stumer (center), deputy commissioner for the Orleans County Department of Social Services, accepts a proclamation from the County Legislature last week that declared November as “National Adoption Awareness Month.”

She is shown with Elizabeth Boring, foster care caseworker, and Legislator Fred Miller.

“Adoptive and foster care families open their hearts and homes, demonstrate great compassion and provide hope and love to children,” the proclamation states. “National Adoption Awareness Month helps to raise public awareness of the fact that there are children available who are waiting for caring families.”

Stumer said there are local children in foster care awaiting adoption.

“It is the desire of this Legislature and Orleans County Department of Social Services that all children awaiting adoption in Orleans County and beyond find permanent and loving homes,” the proclamation concludes.

For more information, click here to be directed to the Orleans County DSS.

Photo and information courtesy of Albion Central School

ALBION – The Albion High School National Honor Society inducted 21 new members into its ranks this school year. The ceremony was held in the middle school auditorium on the evening of Oct. 30.

The Albion NHS 2025-26 inductees (listed alphabetically): Olivia Andrews, Lily Brigham, Adam Burgio, Maddison Button, Dejeanna Conner, Shayla Cruz, Brooke Doty, Yaritza Fernandez Perez, Heidi Franco-Lopez, Loralei Gailie, Anna Grillo, Logan Kast, Jillian LeBaron, Nicholas Luft, Jaxon Lynch, Madison Muckle, Bradley Pierce, Carley Smith, Jackson Snook, Mason Snook and Ava Woolston.

Current members (listed alphabetically): Neveya Barnes, Nisi Beltran Roblero, Kaitlin Bennett, Elliot Beyrle, Julia Button, Lindsay Crawford, Kaiden Froman, Aubrey Gannon, Xzavier Gerow, Justin Kania, Hanna Kumalac, Nathaniel Miesner, Gideon Pask, William Plummer, Alondra Santana Gonzalez and Joshua Zayac.

NHS is built upon four pillars; scholarship, service, leadership and character. In order to be eligible, inductees must exhibit all four qualities, be recommended by a faculty member and maintain a cumulative grade point average of 90% or higher.

Current members led the ceremony and guided inductees through the NHS Pledge. After the inductees took the oath, they each accepted their membership pin and signed their names within the book that holds the names of all Albion members before them.

The ceremony included recognition of outstanding high school staff members, decided on by current NHS members. Four faculty members were chosen for exemplifying the four NHS pillars. Caton Conde received recognition for embodying scholarship, Mike Jones for service, Bridgette Varin for leadership and Kyle Syck for character.

Richard Gannon was honored with the Albion NHS Excellence in Teaching Award for his profound influence on his students. Gannon, who has taught history at Albion High School for 29 years, served as the guest speaker at the ceremony.

In his remarks, he congratulated inductees and encouraged members to try new things, even if it might make them a little afraid or uncomfortable. “Be willing to deviate from your original plan,” he said. “You never know how rewarding or educational it can be.”

MEDINA – Medina’s Canal Village Farmer’s Market has found a new home for the winter – in the basement of the former NAPA building on North Main Street.

Previously, the market occupied the first floor of the building, but that is now home to the Triennial Hub, according to Chris Busch, president of Orleans Renaissance Group, which sponsors the market.

The market’s new location from now through spring is in the lower, rear section of the building, with storefront access in the canal basin. Hours will be 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays.

The NAPA building had previously been owned by Craig Lacy and his family since 1925. He recently sold the building to Samantha Rae Hughes of Hughes Martin, LLC of Lockport, who is in the process of redeveloping the site.

“The new owner has been great to us,” said Gail Miller, manager of the market. “The Canal Village Winter Farmer’s Market will actually be located Canalside this year. We are incredibly grateful to Samantha for allowing us to use this beautiful space for the winter. Without it, there’d be no winter market.”

In years past, the canal basin space was occupied by Bob’s Electronics, but has sat empty for several years, according to Busch.

“We’re very excited to embrace the new spot,” Miller said. “There’s plenty of parking in the basin and plenty of room for our vendors, too.”

Plans are currently underway to redevelop the current summer market site at 127 West Center St. into an entirely new facility, on the site where once existed a Shell gas station, circa 1964, and later a drive-thru bank. The summer market operates there from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays from June through October.

In 2024, a successful grant of $4.5 million was awarded by New York State to the village of Medina, including $725,000 for an exciting and transformative redevelopment of the entire market site. The project will feature a new addition to the existing structure, affording more interior, year-round operating space, along with an entire redevelopment of this pivotal location in downtown Medina.

It will be the first truly impactful development on-site in more than 60 years, according to Busch.

To date, $750,000 has been secured toward the goal of $1.2 million to fully complete this transformative project as envisioned.

To that end, ORG continues to pursue every avenue of additional funding via grants, charitable foundations and private contributions, according to information provided by Busch.

Once completed, the new facility will provide the market with year-round conditioned space and the ability for expanded hours and offerings.

“We’re very lucky to have Canal Village Farmer’s Market year-round, but it takes generous volunteers and benefactors who believe in its importance to the community,” Busch said.

In addition to a dedicated core of volunteers, Busch said the market also benefits from generous community sponsorship from Takeform, Medina Lumber and Hardware and Maureen Sanderson, who lend financial support to the operation.

The market has operated at its summer site on West Center Street and West Avenue since 2015.

“It’s a great spot for a festive, open-air summer market, but the current facilities are tired,” Busch said. “We need our customers to hang in there and support us while we get through this project. Once the new facility is complete, it will be a game-changer, not only for the market, but for the site, downtown and the community. We envision a bigger, better, expanded market, along with a site that can support great community activities. It will be a hub for downtown.”

A start date for construction has not yet been set, but according to Busch,’ “It will be sooner, rather than later.”

Vendors at the newly-located winter market will include Human Farms and Greenhouse (assorted vegetables, spice blends and BBQ sauces), Stone Hollow Farms (fresh bread), Baker Farms (local meats, eggs and garlic), LockRidge Apiary (local honey and honey products), Bower Family Farms and Greenhouse (microgreens, pumpkins, mums and apples) and MBHERR (dog paw creams and moisturizers and seasonal crafts).

The winter market will also continue the Kid’s Tent, featuring crafts and a scavenger hunt with prizes.

Community groups continue to be invited to frequent the “Community Table,” a space for non-profits and groups to connect with the public.

Additionally, the market will serve as a canned/non-perishable food drop-off center for the Medina Emergency Food Pantry. No food will be distributed at the market, but can be obtained at the Emergency Food Pantry located at St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church at 1355 West Ave., from 10 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

“Shoppers are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to help others in need,” Miller said. “People really require our help right now. Circumstances are especially difficult and the market is happy to be able to provide a collection site.”

Donations must be suitable for consumption, Busch said. No expired or damaged items will be accepted, or no broken boxes/bags.

Additional information about the market or any of its features is available by e-mailing Miller at canalvillagemarket@gmail.com or via FB Message.

Kimberly Stawicki sent in this photo from this morning from Marshall Road in Medina showing the Erie Canal at sunrise.

A wind advisory has been issued today for Orleans County from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. with southwest winds from 20 to 30 miles per hour with gusts up to 50 mph. The advisory also includes Niagara, Erie, Genesee, Chautauqua and Jefferson counties.

“The strongest gusts expected along the shoreline of Lakes Erie and Ontario, and then downwind of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario,” said the National Weather Service in Buffalo.

Today is forecast to reach 53 degrees with showers in the forecast. Tuesday is forecast to be sunny with a high of 55 followed by a high of 55 on Wednesday with showers.

Provided photos: Ava Pouch meets with Katlyn Moore, the county’s animal control officer.

Press Release, Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke

Ava Pouch hands off donations for the Orleans County Animal Shelter.

ALBION – Ava Pouch, a 10th-grade student at Caledonia-Mumford, recently completed a meaningful community service project in support of the Orleans County Animal Shelter.

With the guidance of her parents, Steve and Samantha Chalker (a Clarendon native), Ava partnered with Clarendon Historian Melissa Ierlan to develop the project as part of her National Honor Society service requirements.

After coordinating with Animal Control Officer Katlyn Moore, Ava created and distributed a donation flyer asking for both monetary and supply contributions. Thanks to her efforts and the generosity of the community, she collected $300 in cash along with a variety of essential items for the shelter.

On October 25, Ava delivered the donations to Animal Control Officer Moore at the shelter. Sheriff Chris Bourke extends his sincere gratitude to Ava, her parents, Melissa Ierlan, and everyone who contributed to this thoughtful and impactful initiative.

Photo courtesy of Tim Archer, Albion Central School

ROCHESTER – Members of the Albion High School Interact Club spent Wednesday morning at the Foodlink warehouse in Rochester sorting food supplies for eventual distribution to programs and “food-insecure” families throughout Western New York.

The students sorted through six pallets of canned goods – over 5,400 pounds of food that will provide 4,500 individual meals. Pictured from left are Hannah Olles, Aubrey Bruning, Adele Mathes, Nisi Beltran, Hanna Kumalac, Heidi Franco, Julia Graham, Brooke Doty and Lillian Fisher.

Photographs courtesy of Tom Wenhold: A quince tree in full glory on Route 18 in the Town of Yates.

By Catherine Cooper, Orleans County Historian

“Illuminating Orleans” – Volume 5, No. 38

How was your quince harvest this year? Did you make a quince pie or a batch of quince marmalade?

Quince trees were cultivated in Orleans County orchards for many years but have become less common.

The October 6, 1847, Orleans Republican carried an ad from the N. Spicer & Son Nursery at Kendall Corners advertising quince trees for sale.

A fruit orchard “near the Knowlesville depot” which was offered for sale in March 1875, included a quince orchard of 100 trees.

The quince crop of 1883 was unusually large. About 4,000 barrels shipped from Albion at $3.50 per barrel.

In the 1970s, the Brown farm in Waterport grew 55 acres of quince, “the largest acreage of quince on one farm in the U.S.” according to a Journal-Register article.

A ripening quince in sunlight.

A quince resembles a cross between an apple and a pear and emits a lemony aroma. The fruit is hard even when ripe and cannot be eaten out of hand when picked, but must be stewed, candied or jellied to make it palatable. It turns a lovely rosy hue when cooked. It has a high pectin content and was used to make jelly and marmalade. It is high in Vitamin C and antioxidants.

Here is a recipe for a Quince Pie from the “Queen of the Household” cookbook published in 1891: Pare, slice and stew 6 quinces till soft, then press through a sieve. Add to this 1-pint milk and 4 well beaten eggs. Sweeten to taste. Bake in a bottom crust ¾ hour in a moderate oven.

Another recipe in the book is for “Quince Cheese,” which is quince marmalade boiled down very thick. “It will turn out as firm as cheese and can be cut into slices.” No doubt this was the origin of the “slices of quince” mentioned in that wonderful nonsense poem by Edward Lear, “The Owl and the Pussycat.”

“They dined on mince and slices of quince

  Which they ate with a runcible spoon.”

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – State Assemblyman Steve Hawley presented a proclamation celebrating the first 200 years of the Erie Canal. Hawley attended Tuesday’s Orleans County legislature meeting and presented the proclamation to County Historian Catherine Cooper, second from right, Tourism Direct Dawn Borchert and County Legislator Ed Morgan.

The Erie Canal opened on Oct. 26, 1825 when Gov. DeWitt Clinton departed Buffalo leading a flotilla of boats across the canal to New York City. They reached that destination on Nov. 4, 1825.

The canal, brought new commerce, settlers and opportunity to New York tate, including Orleans County, Hawley said.

The waterway has played a critical role in connecting people and places across the state, and led to many thriving hamlets and villages.

Hawley noted the canal continues to have an economic, cultural and toruism role in the state. Orleans County also has seven of the 16 lift bridges on the canal, the most of any county.

County Historian Catherine Cooper also spoke during the presentation and noted Orleans County also is observing its bicentennial this year. She said there have been many events and efforts in the past year to highlight the county’s 200^th anniversary.