Photo by Tom Rivers: The Albion Middle School is pictured last month after some snow. The school will host a session on social media and safe networking safety this Wednesday at 7 p.m.
ALBION – The school district will host a social media and safe networking program for parents and community on Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the Middle School Auditorium, 254 East Ave.
New York State Trooper John Campanella will be the guest speaker. He is the Troop A (Batavia) School and Community Outreach Coordinator and a former School Resource Officer.
All are invited to attend this informative and free program.
The presentation will include:
• Learn about various social media sites often used by teens
• Find out about how businesses target teens through social media
• Learn how metadata and geo coding are used and misused
• Discuss the legalities and consequences of sexting and cyber bullying
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that New York’s law allowing adoptees to receive a certified copy of their original, or pre-adoption, birth certificate when they turn 18 went into effect on Jan. 15. The new law helps ensure that all adult New York adoptees will have the same right to information about their birth and biological parents.
“Every person has the right to know where they come from, and this new law grants all New Yorkers the same unrestricted rights to their original birth records,” Governor Cuomo said. “After years of being denied this basic human right, adoptees will finally be able to obtain critical information about their origins, family histories and medical backgrounds.”
Starting on Jan. 15, the New York State Department of Health is ready to accept requests from adoptees 18 years old and older born in New York State, outside of New York City, who want to receive their birth certificate.
If the adoptee is deceased, direct line descendants, such as a child, grandchild or great-grandchild of the adoptee, may request a copy of the adoptee’s birth certificate. Also, a lawful representative of an adoptee or a lawful representative of a deceased adopted person’s direct line descendant may also apply for an original birth certificate.
Adoptees are encouraged to request their birth certificate by applying online, as this is the most efficient way to apply and will result in faster issuance of the birth certificate. (Click here to be directed to the state website.) Paper applications will also be accepted by mail and in person. All certificates will be issued via regular mail; no certificates will be issued in person or via email.
The Department of Health has birth records for all of New York State except New York City. Adoptees born in New York City must apply through the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 January 2020 at 8:54 am
Photos courtesy of Jules Hoepting
ALBION – This photo looks under the giant canvas over the Transit Road bridge in Albion, one of seven canal bridges in Orleans County receiving extensive upgrades.
The Transit Road bridge was closed to traffic in August. The state Department of Transportation also closed the Telegraph Road canal bridge in August for construction work.
The state is spending $10.7 million on the seven bridges in the county. The DOT said the work on these bridges will include installing high-strength galvanized steel to replace steel floor systems, low chords, gusset plates, and truss elements.
Bridge railing and guide rail on the bridge approaches also will be improved and each bridge will be repainted. The alignments and profiles of the bridges will not change.
The seven single-lane truss bridges were constructed between 1909 and 1914. They will all be repainted from green to black.
The DOT has completed work on the Densmore Road bridge in Albion and Bennetts Corners Road bridge in Murray.
As part of the $10.7 million bridge initiative in Orleans, the DOT also will work on three more bridges – Gaines Basin Road in the Town of Gaines, Bates Road in the Village of Medina, and Marshall Road in the Town of Ridgeway.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 January 2020 at 8:23 am
Photos by Peggy Barringer
BATAVIA – A Snowy Owl was spotted on Sunday in Batavia at the Genesee County Airport on East Saile Drive. Peggy Barringer of Albion has been on the lookout for a Snowy Owl and was thrilled to see one on Sunday.
She used a zoom lens and took these photos through a chain link fence.
The owls typically nest in the Arctic tundra and winter in Canada. But in recent winters they have migrated into the U.S. in search of food.
This owl appears to be a female. The males tend to be nearly all white while the females have darker markings except on their faces, which are always white.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 12 January 2020 at 3:07 pm
Shelby Volunteer Fire Company also swears in officers during annual meeting
SHELBY – Two members of the Shelby Volunteer Fire Company were honored Saturday night for 50 years of dedicated membership.
At left, Orleans County legislator Bill Eick, State Sen. Rob Ortt and Assemblyman Mike Norris line up to shake hands with Steve Seitz on his 50 years of membership in the Shelby Volunteer Fire Company.
Steve Seitz and Sidney “Buster” Watts each joined the fire company in 1970.
Seitz said he joined right out of school. His family had been members and he always liked coming to the fire hall and see the parades in which they participated. Besides, he and Buster grew up together.
One of the most gratifying things for Seitz was receiving the President’s Award three times.
“That showed I was really appreciated,” he said.
For Watts, belonging to the fire company was all about family and the respect he got as a firefighter. His father was a charter member of Shelby Volunteer Fire Company and growing up, Buster and his siblings spent most of their time at the fire hall with their parents. His mother was one of the original members of the Shelby Ladies Auxiliary.
During their 50 years of membership, both Seitz and Watts were active in the fire company.
Seitz was chairman of the fall gun raffle for 30 years. He works all through the year on discounts and raffle prizes to save the fire company money.
“The Fall Gun Raffle is always a big success due to Steve’s dedication every year,” said Tim Petry, president of the fire company. “Steve always lends a hand to all the chairman of our other events.”
Seitz volunteered to be the bride in a mock wedding the fire company had in the 1980s, and he also donates and cooks a variety of game at Shelby’s annual chicken barbecue.
Sidney “Buster” Watts is congratulated by Kenna Liddell, a representative of the Firefighters’ Association of the State of New York, on being honored as a 50-year member of the Shelby Volunteer Fire Company.
Watts has always supported the fire company and shown his appreciation for them. He served many years as president, vice president, secretary, bingo chairman and Nevada chairman. He was one of the starters of the Christmas party and served as an usher in the 1980s mock wedding.
Both Seitz and Watts received plaques from the fire company and certificates and/or proclamations from Orleans County Legislator Bill Eick, Shelby deputy supervisor Jeff Smith, Senator Rob Ortt, Assemblyman Mike Norris (who also represented Assemblyman Steve Hawley, whose district used to include Shelby) and Kenna Liddell from the Firefighters’ Association of the State of New York.
Pat Fuller, president of the Shelby Ladies Auxiliary, and chaplain Phil Keppler presided over a memorial service in honor of four members who died during the past year: Charlie Wilson, Kenneth Schaal, Anthony Satkowski and Robert Fuller.
Petry introduced master of ceremonies, Stefano Napolitano, chief of the city of Batavia Fire Department. Napolitano shared his reasons for becoming a firefighter, having joined the fire service 33 years ago in Herkimer County. He gave up a career as a mechanical/nuclear engineer after joining his local fire company as a volunteer. He became a fire inspector at the State Firefighters’ Academy, where he wrote curriculum.
He told the firefighters leadership was getting everyone to act in a way to achieve a common goal. He said leadership is a gift which can’t be bought. It can only be obtained in one way.
“You have to earn it,” he said.
Napolitano also stressed how important it is when a new firefighter comes up with a new idea.
“That’s very positive,” he said. “We’ve often heard someone say, ‘It was done this way for the last 50 years and we’re not going to change.’ If you have that attitude, you’re never going to get better.”
He urged all in the room to try and be a hero to somebody.
“Every day, do something nice for someone,” he said.
He added he was very blessed to lead 33 people in the city of Batavia Fire Department.
Newly installed officers of the Shelby Volunteer Fire Company are, from left, fire chief Jason Watts, deputy chief David Moden, assistant chief Scott Petry, firematic captain Zach Petry, firematic lieutenant Crystal Luckman and EMS captain Jeff Lyons.
All officers of the Shelby Volunteer Fire Company lined up for this photo after their 51st installation banquet Saturday night at Shelby Firemen’s Recreation Hall. Front row, kneeling from left, are EMS captain Jeff Lyons, secretary and EMT Tiffany Petry, sergeant-at-arms Vincent Viterna and lieutenant Crystal Luckman. Standing in front are steward Dawn Petry and assistant chief Scott Petry. Back row, from left, are chaplain Phil Keppler, assistant chaplain Karl Haist, president Tim Petry, vice president Gary Lamar, treasurer Kirk Myhill, chief Jason Watts, trustee Lee Hellert, captain Zachary Petry, deputy chief David Moden, trustee Marcus Watts and trustee Andy Benz.
Tim Fearby installed Shelby’s new officers. They are Executive Board members Tim Petry, president; Gary Lamar, vice president; Kirk Myhill, treasurer; Tiffany Petry, secretary; Vinny Viterna, sergeant-at-arms; Phil Keppler, chaplain; Karl Haist Jr., assistant chaplain; and Dawn Petry, steward.
Outgoing fire chief Andy Benz, right, pins the chief’s badge on Jason Watts, who is beginning his third term as Shelby fire chief.
Trustees installed are Andy Benz, one year; Lee Hellert, two years; and Marcus Watts, one year.
New firematic officers are Jason Watts, chief; David Moden, deputy chief; Scott Petry, assistant chief; Zach Petry, firematic captain; Crystal Luckman, firematic lieutenant; and Jeff Lyons, EMS captain.
Members of the Ladies Auxiliary were installed by Tracy Hendricks. They are Patricia Fuller, president; Elaine Watts, vice president; Robin Watts, secretary; Lori Myhill, treasurer; Brianna Wheeler, sergeant-at-arms; Stacy Benz, chaplain; Rosemary Pray, three-year trustee; Delores Wolters, two-year trustee; and Sharon Wright, one-year trustee.
Chief Jason Watts installed new Junior Firefighter officers. They are Alex Benz, president; Degan Bragg, vice president; Maddison Simpson, secretary; and Frankie DiCureia, sergeant-at-arms.
The awards ceremony began with president Tim Petry announcing the winner of his President’s Award.
“Every year it is really tough to pick a winner,” he said. “But this year was easy.”
In an unprecedented move, he named members of the entire fire company as the recipients of his award.
“During this past year, this fire company has become even more of a family,” Petry said. “That’s why I’m presenting my award to the complete fire company.”
For his award, he had a wooden plaque made with symbols of the fire company. Incoming chief Jason Watts accepted the award for the department.
Watts is beginning his third term as fire chief. Five years ago, Watts said he turned the position over to Andy Benz, and now Benz has turned it over to him.
Tim Petry, left, president of Shelby Volunteer Fire Company, holds a check for $10,000 which had just been presented to him and outgoing chief Andy Benz Saturday night by Pat Fuller, president of the Shelby Ladies Auxiliary.
Benz completed his term by choosing Zach Petry as recipient of the Chief’s Award. He said Petry has really matured during the last year and he is going to make a fine officer.
Benz announced the Shelby Volunteer Fire Company responded to 197 calls during 2019, most of which were EMS. They have one new EMT, Josh McKeehen; one new certified first responder, Nick Brown; and Joe and Lori Kyle were both re-certified as EMTs.
Shelby was awarded the most EMS training hours in the county, with 789.
Three new firefighters, John Palmer, Jenna Prince and Trevor Fox completed the Firefighter Officer I class taught by Napolitano.
In his farewell speech, Benz urged all new firefighters to take all the training they can.
“Be a leader and learn how to speak, not only to fellow firefighters but to members of the community, especially law enforcement,” he said. “Take new members under your wing and teach them all you can.”
Members of Shelby Volunteer Fire Company’s Junior Firefighters line up behind president Alex Benz, who announces the Junior Firefighters had raised money to purchase three new lights for the company’s fire trucks.
Alex Benz and his Junior Firefighters do fundraising each year, and this year they raised enough money to purchase three sets of lights for Shelby’s fire trucks.
Pat Fuller said the Auxiliary had a very busy year. She presented Auxiliary secretary Elaine Watts with a gift certificate for her hard work as purchasing agent for the department.
Then Fuller explained how the firemen work side-by-side to help the Auxiliary any way they can. As a result of their fundraising efforts, the Auxiliary was able to present president Tim Petry and outgoing chief Andy Benz with a check for $10,000.
Recognition was given to Rusty Hoffmeister for his work in developing the new parking lot on the corner of South Gravel Road and Allegany Road. The fire company is also going to be looking at remodeling their building next door, Petry said.
Three men who are not even members of the fire company were acknowledged for their efforts in selling raffle tickets for Shelby’s events. Buddy Watson, Bob Clark and Gary Brien all step up to sell an enormous number of tickets each year.
Petry also commended Shelby and three other local fire companies who joined to sponsor a boot drive to benefit the Make-a-Wish Foundation. On Sept. 7, Shelby, East Shelby, Lyndonville and Ridgeway raised $7,152.15 in two and one-half hours.
Final recognitions were paid to Mike Fuller, who served 44 years in the Shelby Highway Department and was a strong supporter of the fire company; and to Junior Wilson’s Sportsmen’s Club.
Junior Wilson donates generously to the fire company, without even being asked, Petry said.
The evening concluded with gag gifts being presented to Howard Watts, Andy Benz and Stefano Napolitano.
Shelby Volunteer Fire Company poses with members of three other fire companies who joined them on Sept. 7 to conduct a boot drive to benefit the Make-a-Wish Foundation. Those who participated with Shelby were East Shelby, Lyndonville and Ridgeway, who raised $7,152 in 2 1/2 hours.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 12 January 2020 at 12:16 pm
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Albion’s Bailey Blanchard and his Purple Eagles teammates will host Newfane Tuesday in a key contest for the Niagara-Orleans League lead.
First place will be at stake when Albion hosts Newfane at 7 p.m. Tuesday in a key mid season Niagara-Orleans League boys basketball clash of unbeatens.
The Purple Eagles and Panthers both bring 5-0 N-O records into the key contest which marks the halfway point of the league campaign.
The Albion offense has been to date led by the senior duo of Deyonci Farley and Kevin Hillman who are both averaging 14 points per game.
Newfane is led by Garrett Srock who is averaging 16.8 points and 10.6 rebounds per game. The Panthers are also getting 10 points per outing from both Josh Everett and Sam Capen.
Albion will also host the annual N-O All-League wrestling Tournament on Saturday. Defending champion Newfane currently tops the standings at 4-0 with Albion at 3-1.
Interestingly, the final dual meets of the N-O wrestling season will all be held at Akron on Wednesday with Albion vs. Medina, Roy-Hart/Barker vs. Wilson and Newfane vs. Akron.
Weekly Schedule Monday Boys Basketball: Pembroke at Kendall, 7 p.m.
Tuesday Boys Basketball: Medina at Wilson, 6 p.m.; Newfane at Albion, Barker at Roy-Hart, 7 p.m. Girls Basketball: Roy-Hart at Barker ,6 p.m.; Albion at Newfane, 6:30 p.m.; Lyndonville at Alexander, Kendall at Holley, 7 p.m. Swimming: Roy-Hart at Albion, Barker at Newfane, Medina at Akron, 4:30 p.m. Wrestling: Holley-Kendall at Lyndonville, 6 p.m.
Wednesday Boys Basketball: Alexander at Lyndonvlle, Holley at Kendall, 7 p.m. Girls Basketball: Medina at Wilson, 6 p.m. Wrestling, Albion vs. Medina, Roy-Hart/Barker vs. Wilson and Newfane vs. Akron all at Akron at 6 p.m.
Thursday Boys Basketball: Akron at Wilson, 6 p.m.; Barker at Medina, 6:30 p.m.; Roy-Hart at Albion, 7 p.m. Girls Basketball: Byron-Bergen at Lyndonville, Notre Dame at Holley, 7 p.m. Swimming: Barker at Albion, Akron at Roy-Hart, Newfane at Medina, 4:30 p.m. Wrestling: Pavilion at Lyndonville, Newfane at Holley–Kendall, 6 p.m.
Friday Boys Basketball: Lyndonville at Byron-Bergen, Holley at Notre Dame, 7 p.m. Girls Basketball: Barker at Medina, Wilson at Akron, 6:30 p.m.; Albion at Roy-Hart, 7 p.m. Wrestling: Roy-Hart/Barker at Lyndonville, 6 p.m.
Saturday Girls Basketball: YWCP at Kendall, 1 p.m. Wrestling: N-O All-League Tournament at Albion, Holley-Kendall at Cal-Mum Tournament
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 January 2020 at 9:19 am
High winds took down a few trees and wires this morning, causing some damage and power outages, but nearly as much as in Genesee County.
At 9 this morning, about 50 National Grid customers in Orleans County were without power. In Batavia, in Genesee County, about 4,000 are without electricity.
The outages in Orleans include 30 in Carlton on East Kent Road, with restoration expected by 4 p.m. There are also 19 National Grid customers without power in Clarendon on Jackson Road, with estimated restoration at 9:30.
A high wind warning remains in effect in Orleans and Western New York until 11 a.m.
Your Sunday Morning Positive Perk! What a more notable and special way to end a decade then by showing the goodness in all of us. The last couple weeks of 2019 I created The Wreath of Positivity and invited people to place tags of positive thoughts and encouragement on it. Each placement of a tag made the Wreath’s “Heartbeat” strong with Positivity.
I dedicate this Post to the tags created by our community and even two from abroad! The messages were those of inspirations, dreams and gratitude. As promised, here they are for all to read and gain a boost of positive encouragement! Each individual post is separated by an asterisk:
*Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway…John Wayne *Fear is something in your head. Clear your mind. Watch success. *Worry takes away your joy for today! Just breathe. *Enjoy spending time with our families. *If your ship doesn’t come in-swim out to it…Jonathan Winters
*Be a good catch, show your true colors, cherish clean water, don’t be lured by shiny objects. Don’t give up without a fight *It’s better to give than to receive *Make an appointment with yourself (like you would for a Dr.) and keep it! This is great for exercise, rest…whatever! We all need healthy time!
*Happiness isn’t getting what you want, it’s wanting what you’ve got. *Spread kindness, start with a smile. *To speak kindly does not hurt the tongue. Always be kind. *Dogs have lots of friends because they wag their tails and not their tongues. *Love is all you need…John Lennon *Dream Big *Since it is 2020, we all need better vision
*John 14:6: I am the way and the truth and the life. Be the light. *You can keep going long after you think you can’t! *Great peace can be found in standing still *”Hope” provides miracles! *Do not be afraid to grow slowly 🙂 *Dream/wish Main Street Albion becomes filled with shoppers
*The best part of life is sharing it with the one you love *Be A Friend. *The amazing musical talent in this community *Turn your frown upside down. A smile is the best gift you can share, without giving it away *I love spending time with my family including my Aunt Debbie who could be my sister xoxo
Ok, so I think my niece Monica wrote that last one, which I love 🙂 Thank you to everyone who was kind enough to participate and prove that there is much kindness, thoughtfulness and promise within us. Hopefully the warmth from the “Heartbeat” of the Wreath of Positivity touched you in some way.
Happy Perks to Everyone! To view My Blog live online and share any of your words of encouragement just go to https://www.positiveperksposts.com were you can also Join in, Like and Share Your Comments.
Truly,
Debbie Burgoon London
Your Sassy Small Town Missus from Albion
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 January 2020 at 6:22 pm
LYNDONVILLE – The third class for Leadership Orleans started this past week with a two-day retreat at the White Birch Golf Course.
The program started in 2018. Each year about 25 community members participate in the program. They meet monthly and will typically spend a full day examining an aspect of the county, and hearing from leaders in different industries, businesses, human services, education and other sectors of the community.
Participants pay a tuition for the program, which also receives $16,000 in funding from the county, as well as many sponsors.
The two-day retreat included several ice breakers to help the class get better acquainted, a personality profile awareness, and discussion about servant leadership.
In coming months the class will have days focused on legislative affairs in February, an adventure leadership day in March, community health in April, education in May, business and culture in June, tourism and recreation in July, agribusiness in August, economic and workforce development in September, simulated society in October, volunteerism in November, and a closing retreat and graduation in December.
Skip Helfrich is the director of Leadership Orleans. He is shown going over a personality profile awareness during the opening retreat for Leadership Orleans at the White Birch Golf Course.
The 2020 class includes:
Dean Bellack, Executive Director, United Way of Orleans County
Jennifer Buondonno, Teller Supervisor/CSR, Tompkins Bank of Castile
Melissa Cotter, Director of Vocational Services, Arc of Genesee Orleans
Kenneth DeRoller, County legislator and board member for the County of Orleans Industrial Development Agency
Danielle Figura, Clinic Coordinator, Orleans County Mental Health
Kristina Gabalski, 4-H Program Coordinator, Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension
Jackie Gardner, Vice President of Client Relations, CRFS – Claims Recovery Financial Services
ALBION – The Lake Country Pennysaver is not among the five Pennysaver publications that closed at the end of the year in Western New York.
The Pennysavers that closed are owned by RW Publications. It published WNY Pennysavers in the following locations: Akron/Corfu, East Aurora/Elma, Hamburg, Orchard Park and West Seneca.
The local Lake Country Pennysaver has a circulation of about 20,000 weekly copies throughout Orleans County, Elba in Genesee County, and Middleport and Barker in Niagara County.
The Pennysaver is owned by Karen Sawicz, who also is owner and publisher of OrleansHub.com. She said having both the print and online publications has worked well, helping both publications.
The Lake Country Pennysaver has been family and locally owned since 1960. The Pennysaver has an office at 170 North Main Street, Albion, N.Y.
“Our dedication has always been, and will continue to be, to the communities of Orleans County, northern Genesee County and eastern Niagara County,” Sawicz said.
For any advertising, printing or distribution needs, contact one of the Lake Country and Orleans Hub sales representatives at 585-589-5641, or email them:
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 January 2020 at 9:31 am
Ronald P. Mannella has worked as Orleans director past 2 years
ALBION – Orleans and Genesee counties will expand their shared services in the Health Department, with the counties having the same Weights and Measures director.
Ronald P. Mannella
Ronald P. Mannella has served in the role in Orleans County the past two years. Genesee County’s director recently left the post to take a job with the state. The two counties have crafted an arrangement where Mannella would head the department in both counties, with Genesee paying 60 percent of the costs and Orleans, 40 percent. Mannella’s weekly hours will increase from 35 to 40 due to the increased workload.
The arrangement offers significant cost savings for both counties, by each not having to pay the full costs for a director.
“We’re confident with Ron and his abilities,” said Paul Pettit, the public health director for the two counties.
The Orleans County Legislature approved the 5-year agreement last month and Genesee is expected to approve it next week.
The two counties first shared a public health director, Pettit, beginning 8 years ago. They have added more shared administrative staff since then, and also have a shared Board of Health.
Although they share some positions, the two counties still have independent public health departments.
Weights and Measures used to be a standalone department, but was moved under public health in each county about two years ago following the retirements of long-time Weights and Measures directors – Craig Lape in Orleans County and Don Luxon in Genesee.
Moving Weights and Measures to the health department provided the director, the only employee in the department, with administrative and support staff in the health department, Pettit said.
Weights and Measures checks weights, distances and volumes of products that are sold to consumers. Orleans County each year does annual inspections of scales and meters, ensuring fairness for consumers and also businesses. (The county seal from Weight and Measures is prominent on gas pumps in the county, for example.)
“The whole goal is to provide consumer protection, to make sure you’re getting what you paid for,” Pettit said. “It also benefits businesses to make sure they’re not giving away too much product.”
By Matthew Ballard, Orleans County Historian Posted 11 January 2020 at 8:43 am
“Overlooked Orleans” – Vol. 6, No. 2
Although society laments the apparent death of objective journalism, bias in the media is far from a new phenomenon. In fact, the concept of nonpartisan news is just over a century old as journalism developed as a profession at the turn of the 20th century. Newspapers of the early 19th century provided political parties with official “organs” that disseminated platform-based editorials and spewed vitriol about rival candidates.
The history of newspapers in Orleans County is a lengthy one, but a story that originates in the early 1820s. Attributed as the first published newspaper in Orleans County, Batavia-native Seymour Tracy produced the short-lived Gazette in Gaines. Tracy, known locally as “One-Legged Tracy,” was recognized throughout Batavia for his intemperate habits leading fellow printers to attribute that behavior to the sudden failure of his paper. John Fisk, who worked with Tracy, picked up the loose ends and continued the newspaper as the Orleans Whig in 1827.
Other evidence suggests that Tracy published his first issue of The Gazette around 1824, which would make it the second paper published in Orleans County. The first, then, is attributed to Benjamin Franklin Cowdery who established the Newport Patriot in 1823. Born on May 26, 1790 at New Marlborough, Massachusetts, fellow printers regarded Cowdery as an “itinerant printer” due to his frequent movements across the wilderness of Western New York. His earliest newspaper publications included the Hamilton Recorder at Olean in 1819 and the Angelica Republican in 1820. According to published histories regarding the printing industry in Western New York, Cowdery was responsible for publishing at least eight different newspapers prior to 1830. This, in the mind of fellow printers, suggested that Cowdery was ill-equipped to speak on behalf of the profession.
Instead, Cowdery’s rapid establishment and sale of printing enterprises represents the volatility of newspaper publication on the frontier. As Cowdery learned in Olean, the number of paid subscribers was insufficient to support the ongoing operation of the paper. It is likely that he faced a similar realization in Albion leading to the sale of the Newport Patriot to Timothy Clapp Strong in February of 1825. The subsequent change of the paper’s name to The Orleans Advocate provided Strong with a fresh start for the newspaper in the burgeoning Canal town.
The disappearance of William Morgan in 1826 gave Strong, a long-standing Freemason, the opportunity to disavow the organization and rename his newspaper The Orleans Advocate & Anti-Masonic Telegraph in early 1828. The name was quickly shortened to The Orleans Anti-Masonic Telegraph in February of that year and by July 4, 1828, Strong’s name appears as a signer of the “Declaration of Independence” signed at the Convention of Seceding Masons held at LeRoy. The name change provides the first direct insight into the political leanings of the publication, but local pressure against the paper’s name must have been immense as Strong once again changed the name to The Orleans Telegraph in late 1828. The Republican leanings of the Telegraph led then Village of Albion president, Alexis Ward, to seek out Cephas McConnell to publish a Democratic-leaning paper.
The newspaper changed names to The American Standard and eventually became The Orleans American in 1833. Strong sold out to John Denio and moved to Geneva in order to attempt the establishment of another newspaper. In 1839, a newspaper article from the Wayne Sentinel highlighted Strong’s new venture. The article opened by referencing Strong’s unofficial title of “Iscariot, from whence obtained we do not know,” continuing, “We predict he will not meet with better success there, than in other places in which he has figured as a champion of anti-masonry…Timothy will find but few that will follow him as a political guide.” The nickname, derived from Judas Iscariot, is likely attributed to his betrayal of the Freemasons. By the mid-1830s, anti-masonry had melded into the Whig Party and the publication of such papers was viewed as obsolete.
This masthead, from the Orleans American, reveals the limited amount of advertising matter in local papers during the early nineteenth century. The two largest advertisements relate to the dry goods business of Roswell and Lorenzo Burrows. Aside from legal announcements and advertisements, there are no articles concerning local matters in this early issue. The majority of the content consists of serialized literature, poetry, and state or national news. Printers often avoided publishing content that subscribers could get by word of mouth.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 January 2020 at 3:30 pm
Karen Russo took this photo on Monday of the American flag in front of Albion High School.
The National Weather Service in Buffalo has issued a flood watch and high wind watch for Orleans County and Western New York.
The flood watch is in effect from Saturday afternoon to Sunday afternoon when rain will be widespread and heavy later Saturday afternoon through Saturday night.
Total rainfall amounts may reach 1.5 to 2.5 inches, with the greatest amounts expected across the Niagara Frontier, the Weather Service said.
“Heavy rain falling on nearly saturated ground will result in excessive runoff,” the Weather Service said. “This may result in flooding of low lying areas and urban areas. Flooding is also possible on some larger rivers as well, including the Buffalo area creeks.”
There is also a high wind watch from late Saturday night through Sunday afternoon with southwest winds from 25 to 35 miles per hour with gusts up to 60 mph.
“Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines,” the Weather Service said. “Scattered power outages are possible. Shallow rooted trees may be uprooted due to the very wet ground. Minor property damage is possible. Travel could be difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles.”
Photo by Tom Rivers: About 1,000 toy turtles float down the Erie Canal in Albion during the Amazing Turtle Race in June 2015, an event which is part of the annual Albion Strawberry Festival.
Press Release, Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor
WATERFORD – The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, in partnership with the NYS Canal Corporation, is offering competitive sponsorships up to $500 for events or festivals taking place in the National Heritage Corridor from May through November 2020.
Applications are due by Feb. 20. Qualifying events must promote or celebrate the distinctive historic, cultural, scenic, or recreational resources of the canal corridor. Eligible applicants include municipalities and nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations.
Events that celebrate the bicentennial period (1817-1825), encourage use of the New York State Canalway Water Trail, or participation in the Canalway Challenge or inclusive recreation for people with accessibility needs will be given priority consideration.
About the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor
The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor preserves New York’s extraordinary canal heritage, promotes the Corridor as a world-class tourism destination, and fosters vibrant communities connected by more than 500 miles of waterway. It achieves its mission in partnership with the National Park Service, New York State agencies, non-profit organizations, local residents, and more than 200 communities across the full expanse of upstate New York. www.eriecanalway.org
About the New York State Canal Corporation
The New York State Canal Corporation, a subsidiary of the New York Power Authority, oversees the operation and promotion of the New York State Canal System. The Canal Corporation’s mission is to operate and maintain a premier waterway and trail system that honors the historic legacy of the Erie Canal and offers unique recreational and tourism opportunities, while also promoting sustainable economic development throughout the canal corridor. For more information on the New York State Canal System and the Canal Corporation, please visit www.canals.ny.gov.
Your Sunday Morning Positive Perk! What a more notable and special way to end a decade then by showing the goodness in all of us. The last couple weeks of 2019 I created The Wreath of Positivity and invited people to place tags of positive thoughts and encouragement on it. Each placement of a tag made the Wreath’s “Heartbeat” strong with Positivity.
