By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 January 2020 at 10:19 am
DeVante Boston lived 15 1/2 years with severe disabilities before his death at age 20 in 2017
David Ricks
ALBION – A former Medina man pleaded guilty this morning to manslaughter in the first degree.
David Ricks, 41, admitted in court today he picked up a 4-year-old boy, DeVante Boston, and threw him to the floor in May 2002 after an argument with the boy’s mother about disciplining the child. Ricks was 24 at the time and was the boyfriend of DeVante’s mother.
“I took him from his mother and threw him to the floor,” Ricks told Judge Matthew Murphy of Niagara County, who is handling the case.
DeVante was never the same after that. He would live 15 1/2 years in a vegetative state. He was left unable to walk or talk after the assault. He stayed in a healthcare facility in Buffalo and functioned at about a 6-month-old’s level.
DeVante died at age 20 on Oct. 27, 2017 and the Erie County Medical Examiner’s Office said DeVante’s death was caused by his injuries when he was 4.
Ricks was released from state prison this summer after serving nearly 17 years after being convicted of first-degree assault in 2003.
He has been in the Orleans County Jail since his release from prison. He is being held without bail.
As part of a plea agreement today, he will face up to 25 years for the charge of manslaughter in the first degree. The nearly 17 years in prison will count toward that sentence so Ricks could face up to 8 years more in prison.
He was arraigned in County Court on May 22 for second-degree murder, for causing the severe injuries that led to the death of DeVante. With that charge, Ricks faced 25 years to life in prison.
As part of the plea today, Ricks agreed to not appeal the sentence.
A delayed death provision allows for murder charges to be filed when a person assaulted dies after the perpetrator is convicted of a lesser crime. District Attorney Joe Cardone said it is used in court, typically in cases where a death wasn’t long after a conviction for an assault charge.
The DA said Ricks recklessly caused the injuries, forcing DeVante to be severely disabled the rest of his life. And those injuries ultimately led to DeVante’s premature death, Cardone said.
Ricks is scheduled to be sentenced at 9 a.m. on March 2.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 January 2020 at 4:57 pm
Provided photos
ALBION – Hoag Library on Tuesday hosted a Noon Year’s Eve Party that included a balloon drop.
More than 60 people attended and participated in activities such as crafts, face painting, dancing and games. Attendants enjoyed apple juice and cookies following the balloon drop.
Getting in on the horse racing action is as easy as turning on the TV.
Bombarded by messages such as “a dollar and a dream,” it’s no wonder that, according to the National Council on Problem Gambling, an estimated 2 million Americans are pathological gamblers and another 4 to 6 million people would be considered problem gamblers – those whose gambling affects their everyday lives.
In New York State, an Office of Addiction Services and Supports’ survey revealed that more than 700,000 adults struggle with a gambling problem. That’s 5 percent of the adult population.
“Just like an addiction to drugs or alcohol, they (problem gamblers) can’t stop,” said Tony Alisankus, BS, CASAC II SAP, who oversees a problem gambling treatment at Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse. “It’s a disease that changes the neurochemistry of the brain, similar to cocaine, amphetamines or opioids.”
Also known as compulsive gambling or gambling disorder, gambling addiction is an impulse-control illness. A compulsive gambler can’t control the impulse to gamble, despite the negative consequences for that person or his or her family.
Alisankus called it “the hidden disease” because people don’t want to address it.
“And it’s not just slot machines, horses or card games,” he said. “The compulsion can show up in stock trading, lottery tickets and online gambling.”
Gambling disorder (the current terminology per the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) is defined as persistent and recurrent problematic gambling behavior leading to clinically significant impairment or distress.
Some of the signs of gambling disorder are as follows:
• Need to gamble with increasing amounts of money in order to achieve the desired excitement;
• Has made repeated unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back or stop gambling;
• Often gambles when feeling distressed or anxious;
• Lies to conceal the extent of involvement with gambling;
• Relies on others to provide money to relieve desperate financial situations caused by gambling.
Gambling disorder can seriously affect a person’s personal well-being, employment situation and family life, Alisankus said. Fortunately, however, there is hope and help for the problem gambler.
“Like all addictions, gambling is a treatable disease,” said Alisankus, who has provided substance abuse counseling for more than 30 years and has recently attained certification in gambling disorders. “With treatment and follow-through, people can remain in remission.”
The program at GCASA offers various methods of evidence-based treatment, including Dialectal Behavior Therapy, Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (skills-based therapies for patients to find a better way to think and cope) and Motivational Interviewing.
It also offers treatment for family members affected by the loved one’s disorder, referrals to Gambler’s Anonymous, GAMANON and not-for-profit credit/financial counseling.
Alisankus said the initial step for the problem gambler in either Genesee or Orleans County – or for someone who may be at risk of escalating his or her gambling activities – is to call GCASA at 585-343-1124 to set up an assessment appointment (those take place on Mondays at 4 p.m. in Batavia).
Should a potential patient have transportation issues or can’t meet at that time, procedures are in place for a special appointment to be made – either in Batavia or at the Albion clinic.
From there, Alisankus will use standardized criteria to assess the patient’s level of gambling disorder, which could vary from mild to moderate to severe to persistent to episodic.
The program at GCASA is free to all those seeking help.
Additional support is available through the Western Problem Gambling Resource Center in Buffalo, which has a working relationship with GCASA.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 1 January 2020 at 11:38 am
Members at Medina post reflect on their military service
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Fred Heschke of Medina was in the Navy from 1961 to 1967, serving with an anti-submarine squadron off the coast of San Diego. His service included helping at officers’ training school and being an aviation ordinance man on an A4 Skyhawk.
MEDINA – The year 2019 was a very significant one for American Legions nationwide, as it marked the organization’s 100th anniversary.
Frank Berger of Medina, a dedicated veteran, shared an article in the September 2018 issue of American Legion Magazine, in which the history of the American Legion is documented. It tells about 20 non-career officers who were personally selected by Lt. Col. Theodore Roosevelt Jr., son of future president Theodore Roosevelt, and ordered by American Expeditionary Forces Commanding General John Pershing to report to a YMCA office in Paris on Feb. 15, 1919.
Their purpose was to address the declining morale among cold, wet, miserable troops awaiting passage home from World War I, the war that was supposed to end all wars.
Interestingly, nine of those 20 officers who formed the American Legion had trained at the Plattsburgh Training Camps in upstate New York.
The American Legion was chartered by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans’ organization. Its first national commander was Franklin D’Olier, who never trained at Plattsburgh, but did grant leave to employees of his mercantile business so they could attend.
A drive to recruit members ensued and by July 1, 1919, less than a thousand posts were formed. By Aug. 1, the number had more than doubled, and by Sept. 1, it had quadrupled. On Oct. 1, the number of Legion posts had grown to 5,670.
Frank Berger
Membership in the American Legion quickly grew to more than one million. Although membership has declined in recent years, numbers listed on an American Legion website indicate there are still nearly 2 million members in more than 12,000 posts throughout the United States, making it the largest wartime veterans service organization.
Berger provided additional information which indicated there are 3.35 million members nationwide, including the Legion, Legion Auxiliary and Sons of the American Legion.
Orleans County has four American Legion posts – the Sheret Post 35 in Albion (one of the earliest to be formed) with 81 current members; the Jewell-Buckman Post 529 in Holley with 143 members; and the Houseman-Tanner Post 1603 in Lyndonville with 41 members.
In Medina, American Legion Post 204 listed 79 members when it received its charter on Aug. 8, 1919, and was originally named the James P. Clark Post. There were 266 members when the name was changed to the Butts-Clark Post July 19, 1954, to honor 2nd lt. John E. Butts of Medina, who was killed during the Normandy Campaign in World War II.
The Butts-Clark post observed several historic events during its centennial year.
The first, on Memorial Day, was participating in the dedication of a World War I-era cannon at State Street Park after the cannon had undergone a complete restoration. This followed with a birthday cake at the Post on North Main Street, where many members had gathered.
Frank Berger is shown in his Navy uniform in the 1950s.
On Sept. 30, the Post was honored to welcome the family of Lt. James P. Clark, in observance of the 100th anniversary of Clark’s death while fighting in France during World War I.
Clark is one of two Medina veterans for whom the Medina American Legion Post was named. Both lost their lives fighting for their country.
Clark was a Medina resident who trained with Company F at the Medina Armory, along with his brothers Leslie and Seth. All three were at the Hindenburg Line in France on Sept. 27, 1918, where James was shot Sept. 29 and died.
Butts was one of five brothers to serve in World War II. He received the Medal of Honor posthumously for his actions above and beyond the call of duty during the Normandy Campaign.
Today the Butts-Clark American Legion Post has 170 members and continues to be active in community events.
Among the causes and organizations the Butts-Clark Post supports and/or participates in include sponsoring a pizza party in November at the VA Medical Center in Batavia (this was previously a picnic in June but was changed at their request); contributing with the 8th District American Legion to the Christmas fund at the Batavia VAMC; recognizing a Legionnaire of the Year; providing bingo games, snacks and canteen books at the VAMC; and sponsoring summer baseball for Cubs and Powder Puff leagues in the summer.
Tony Vicknair of Medina served with the Army in Vietnam.
Also, they sponsor an 11th grade student to American Legion Boys State and a student to American Legion Oratorical Contest; fire rifles at ceremonies at all veterans’ memorials, plus the county memorial on Veteran’s Day; place flags on veterans’ graves in May; fire rifles during observances at cemeteries, memorials in the area and participate in the Memorial Day parade; present American Legion Award certificates to two eighth-grade students; and provide a rifle squad and color guard for an average of 45 military funerals in the Medina area.
And, lastly, they send delegates to monthly county Legion members, the Eighth District American Legion six times a year and the State Department of New York American Legion Convention in July; ring bells at Christmas time for the Salvation Army; participate in Orleans County Joint Veterans Council meetings once a month; join with other county veterans’ organizations for a 9-11 ceremony in Albion; deliver up to 56 Christmas packages to shut-in veterans and those in nursing homes in December (this year the number was 75); provide an honor guard for Wreaths Across America ceremony in Boxwood Cemetery each December; participate in a Four Chaplains Service in February in Holley; and observe Flag Day June 14 with flag burning ceremonies with the Boy and Cub Scouts.
Gene Hart of Albion was a canine handler during his stint in the Army during the Vietnam era. He sits here with his dog during a gathering at the Butts-Clark American Legion Post.
Members of the Butts-Clark Post meet the first Tuesday of every month at a local restaurant and every other Tuesday at the post to have coffee and donuts.
Its members have varied military backgrounds.
Berger served in the Navy during the Korean War aboard the battleship Missouri and the heavy cruiser Macon in the Caribbean and the Mediterranean Sea.
Gene Hart of Albion was a truck driver at Fort Dix, until being sent overseas. He became a canine handler in the Army, serving from February 1967 to November 1968 in Vietnam. A member of the 24th Infantry, Hart said he patrolled the ammo dumps and missile sites with guard dogs.
“The German Shepherd dogs were all trained, and they trained us,” he said. “We could work 24 hours without sleep, but the dogs could only work four.”
Tony Vicknair of Medina was an Army veteran who served a year in Vietnam. He tells of driving a jeep north, almost to the Cambodian border, using infrared lighting and binoculars to scan for the Viet Cong. He saw the C-130, Puff the Magic Dragon, with gatling guns under its tail. As the plane banked, all he could see was tracers.
Randolph Wells of Medina served from 1973 to 1990 in various duties, including a supply warehouse clerk in Okinawa and working at a MARS radio station in Vietnam.
Randolph Wells of Medina served from August 1973 to 1990. He was sent to Okinawa where he was a supply warehouse clerk and served in emergency and reconnaissance. He also spent three months in Alaska putting up radio stations and emergency first aid tents. He was then sent to Honolulu, where he did the same thing, followed by Camp Pendleton and Vietnam, where he worked in a MARS radio station. He was part of the group which brought refugees back from Vietnam.
He loaded rockets on planes and served aboard the flattop aircraft carrier Oriskany. He spent nearly eight months aboard ship before his tour ended in 1967.
Peter Huth of Medina was an Army veteran from 1963 to 1966, serving in Germany with the Mounted Police.
Peter Huth is shown in his Mounted Police uniform.
“When I got drafted, everyone was sent to Vietnam, but I went to Frankfort, Germany,” Huth said. “We were the lucky ones. The day I was supposed to leave was the day President Kennedy was assassinated.”
Dave Morien of Medina was 25 years old when he went in the Marines, where he served from 1966 to 1968. He spent time in Quantico, Va., working as an office clerk for a major.
Glenn Whitmore of Gasport had an illustrious career with the Navy, serving from 1962 to 1966 as an aircraft handler on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier, USS Forrestel in the Atlantic in Europe. He moved planes as they landed and took them off and put them on the catapults.
He helped prepare the ship for Vietnam after it had been in drydock.
Glenn Whitmore of Gasport, commander of the Butts-Clark American Legion Post is shown on the deck of the USS Forrestel when he was invited to take a final cruise on the ship before it was decommissioned.
“I was very fortunate,” Whitmore said. “After I got off the ship, they had the biggest disaster since World War II. The ship blew up when a Zuni missile accidentally came from the bow of the ship and went down the stern to the aircraft armed and ready to take off. Senator John McCain was on the flight deck in one of those planes. He was lucky. He then transferred to the USS Oriskany. If I had been there, I’d be dead. One of my comrades was killed. I’m not sorry I went in the Navy. I did what I had to do.”
Whitmore was later honored when he was invited to go to the White House in October 2018, and laid a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington Cemetery.
“My heart was beating like a drum,” he said.
In 1992, Whitmore was one of 75 sailors who served on the Forrestel who were invited to go on a week-long cruise prior to its decommissioning. They sailed from Jacksonville to Pensacola, Fla. and Whitmore said it was a highlight of his life.
The ship was then taken to Brownsville, Texas, where it was dissembled and Whitmore received a piece of a bulkhead as a souvenir.
Jim Freas
Jim Freas of Medina was born in Philadelphia and joined the Marines in 1956, at age 18, right out of high school. After basic training at Camp Lejeune, he was sent to Henderson Hall in Arlington, Va. and then Okinawa with the Special Services Division. Next he went to Parris Island, S.C. and then Phoenix, Ariz., where he was a supply sergeant for recruiters.
In 1968, he was sent to Vietnam where he ran supplies between DaNang and Quang Tri.
Dave Higgins
What he remembers most is the night the commander of his guard got a call to bring a doctor to sick bay. There, on the floor lay a nine-foot, 400-pound tiger.
“The Green Berets on patrol said the tiger was following them and if it had attacked, it would have given away their position.”
Dave Higgins was drafted in 1968 and was an artillery truck driver. He did advance training at Fort Sills, Okla., and then went to Vietnam, where he said he was the “lamb.”
“I was the target in a convoy, driving ammunition and supplies,” Higgins said. “It was my job to draw fire from the enemy so they would show themselves and our helicopters could fire on them.”
When he returned from Vietnam, he went back to Fort Sills, where he was a training officer, teaching soldiers how to operate Howitzers.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 January 2020 at 10:05 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Mile 303, a bar on Main Street in Medina, hosted a New Year’s Eve party on Tuesday night that culminated with a ball drop. (Click here to see a video of the ball drop.)
The ball is perched above Main Street just before midnight.
A section of Main Street was blocked off to traffic beginning at 11:30 p.m.
Mile 303 released light-up balloons from the upper floor windows and handed out glow sticks. Prior to the ball drop, Mile 303 hosted a collaborative tasting dinner with Sourced Market & Eatery and Bent’s Opera House.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 31 December 2019 at 9:54 pm
Each year since the Orleans Hub started in 2013 we’ve honored a group of Outstanding Citizens who stood out the past year for extraordinary contributions to improve the community.
Orleans County is fortunate to have so many citizens who give of themselves without seeking any fanfare.
4 Boy Scouts lead effort to build war memorial in Kendall
Photo by Tom Rivers: These four Boy Scouts – Jayden Pieniaszek, Noah Rath, Brian Shaw and Ryan Barrett – join local veterans for a group photo on Sept. 29 at the new Kendall War Memorial, which the Scouts worked on together for their Eagle Scout community service project.
Four Boy Scouts in Kendall teamed to build a war memorial in Kendall. Each Scout took a different phase of the memorial as part of their Eagle Scout service project.
The memorial was dedicated on Sept. 29 with about 500 people attending the ceremony. It culminated a year-long effort by the four scouts – Jayden Pieniaszek, Noah Rath, Brian Shaw and Ryan Barrett.
The Scouts first presented the plan to the Kendall Board of Education in the fall on 2018. The plan quickly gained momentum in the community and was complete within a year of that initial meeting.
The Scouts thank the community for supporting the project. The Scouts include, from left: Jayden Pieniaszek, Noah Rath, Brian Shaw and Ryan Barrett.
Ryan Barrett led the first phase, which included putting in the foundation for the wall, a stone memorial and three flag poles. Two of the poles are 30 feet high and one for the American flag is 35 feet.
Jayden Pieniaszek led the second phase which includes construction of the brick wall, which is 39 feet long, 3 ½ feet wide and 4 feet tall.
Noah Rath headed up phase three which includes the medallions for each five branches of military. Rath also had the electricity set up so the memorial and sidewalk can be lighted up at night.
Brian Shaw coordinated phase four which includes final grading and planting of cedar trees behind the memorial, which provides a buffer for the neighbors and also enhances the site. Shaw also led the work for the plaques on the memorial for the different wars where Kendall soldiers served.
The four scouts were praised for their work in creating an enduring memorial that is a new focal point for the town.
“This remarkable memorial would not be possible without these four Eagle Scouts,” Town Supervisor Tony Cammarata said during the dedication service on Sept. 29. “Because of them we can, from today and going forward, have a lasting tribute to all those who have served. From the soldiers that shivered and starved through the winter at Valley Forge to the doughboys crouched in the muddy trenches of France to the platoon who patrolled the hazy jungles of Vietnam and the young man or woman patrolling the mountains of Afghanistan, we remember and never forget them.”
Kendall Scoutmaster proves excellent motivator for scouts
Photo by Tom Rivers: Ken Spohr, Kendall Scoutmaster, stands next to State Sen. Robert Ortt and salutes while the flags were raised during a Sept. 29 dedication for a war memorial. The project was led by four scouts in Troop 94 where Spohr is the scoutmaster.
It was an ambitious project: build a war memorial for the Kendall community and coordinate different phases of the project by four Boy Scouts.
Ken Spohr was up for the challenge. He offered guidance to the Scouts, but let them lead each phase, their community service project to become an Eagle Scout.
Ryan Barrett, Jayden Pieniazek, Noah Rath and Brian Shaw were able to turn an idea into a completed war memorial within a year. The project was dedicated on Sept. 29 with about 500 people at the ceremony.
“Ken is definitely one of the most outstanding people I’ve met,” said Ryan Barrett, one of the Scouts who worked on the project. “He is the anchor of our group. He is the light that shines on our path.”
Spohr tracked the donations and expenses for the project. He drove the Scouts to community presentations, as well as one in Albany at the State Capital.
He also has many connections with businesses and organizations, and he was able to point the scouts to people who could handle the masonry, and other work with the memorial.
When the four Scouts presented their plan for an ambitious memorial, Spohr didn’t flinch. He was a calm influence and constant encourager.
“His commitment to this project and all of us boys is incredible,” Barrett said. “He has been the unspoken hero behind this project.”
Spohr also motivates the troop for other community service projects, including a food drive for the local food pantry. He also recently agreed to take many pies in the face during a fundraiser for the troop.
“He does it all to ensure the future of Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts in Kendall is secure,” Barrett said.
Bellavia, after receiving Medal of Honor, becomes ambassador for Orleans County
Official White House photo by Shealah Craighead: President Donald J. Trump presents the Medal of Honor to U.S. Army Staff Sgt. David Bellavia on June 25 in the East Room of the White House. Bellavia is a Lyndonville graduate and continues to live locally. He is the first living veteran from the Iraq War to receive the nation’s highest military medal.
David Bellavia received the Medal of Honor on June 25 in a ceremony at the White House. He is the first living veteran of the Iraq War to receive the nation’s highest military honor.
Bellavia, 44, has been in high demand since then, traveling the country to give speeches about his service, and his acts of valor on Nov. 10, 2004 in Fallujah, Iraq. That day, his 29th birthday, he led an infantry squad clearing houses of insurgents, saving the lives of the members of his unit.
Bellavia praised his experience in the Army. He encourages people to enlist and serve. He said military service brings together people of varying backgrounds, beliefs and skin color, uniting them in a common goal.
In his message, Bellavia speaks of his upbringing in Lyndonville, where he played on the soccer, basketball and baseball teams, and performed in the school musicals and with the band. He has become an ambassador for the county and small-town America.
David Bellavia shows the Medal of Honor to Lyndonville fourth-grader Christopher Atkins. Elementary students lined the hallway for Bellavia when he visited the school on Nov. 21.
Bellavia also has given several speeches in Orleans County since October, receiving a standing ovation each time. He spoke at his alma mater on Nov. 21 and told the student body they live in the greatest small town in the world, a place where people are engaged in service to others.
At Lyndonville, they can be in multiple school activities – several sports, the band, the musical and more. They know their classmates and the kids in the grade levels above them and below them.
It’s a great place, but Bellavia didn’t realize that when he was in school.
“I spent my childhood just wanting to get out of here,” he told the students. “You get out in the world and you realize I have the best hometown in the world.”
Bellavia, in his local appearances, gives everyone a chance to hold the Medal of Honor. He said he feels like the community raised him and shaped him.
Bellavia enlisted in the U.S. Army as an infantryman in 1999 and worked about two years in recruiting for the Army while his infant son received medical care in Syracuse. Bellavia, during a June 11 news conference, said he appreciated that compassion from the Army.
In 2001, Bellavia had a decision to make. He could change his military occupational specialty, submit a hardship discharge, or remain as an infantryman. He chose to stay in the infantry after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Bellavia’s unit in 2003 deployed to Kosovo for nine months and then was sent directly to Iraq to support Operation Iraqi Freedom. From February 2004 to February 2005, Bellavia and the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment, were stationed in the Diyala Province along the Iranian border. His task force took part in the battles for Najaf, Mosul, Baqubah, Muqdadiyah and Fallujah.
“I’m forever grateful to the United States Army,” Bellavia told reporters at the Army Recruiting Station in Cheektowaga. “They gave my life purpose and direction. They gave my life meaning and value. I’m a better human being because of my service and I think most of the people I served with can tell you the same thing. I encourage any man or woman that wants to become an individual in their community to serve the United States military.”
Ridgeway woman led effort for banners of Hometown Heroes in Medina
Photo by Tom Rivers: Mary Woodruff, organizer of the Hometown Heroes, is shown on May 19 with a banner of her brother-in-law, the late John McElwain, a local electrician who was very active in the Medina Lions Club. The YMCA hosted a reception for families and sponsors of the banners to see them before they were displayed in downtown Medina before Memorial Day.
Downtown Medina has been enjoying a renaissance with new businesses and millions of dollars of private investment in recent years. In 2019, the downtown became a display for Hometown Heroes, with 38 banners of soldiers from the community, going back to World War II.
Mary Woodruff saw a similar effort in the Alfred community. Her father-in-law, Burr Woodruff, was one of the soldiers honored in Alfred. She thought the display was reminder of the sacrifices of soldiers and families from Small Town, America.
“I want people to feel patriotism and restore pride in the USA,” she said. “When you see a vet, say thank you.”
She did the research and pushed for Hometown Heroes’ banners in Medina. She convinced the Medina Village Board to back the effort, and lined up support from Ridgeway and Shelby town offices as well.
She had a short window to get the local approvals, and then send the information and photos to the company that made the banners. In all, there were 38 banners the first year. Woodruff is planning to add more in the following years.
“I was extremely pleased,” she said when saw the banners after they were delivered in May. “I had goosebumps.”
The banners are $200 and the families or sponsors can keep them after about three years. Before they were displayed in the downtown on village-owned poles, there was a reception with all the banners in the Orleans County YMCA, which is a former armory where many of the local soldiers trained.
Many of the families were moved to tears seeing the faces of grandfathers, fathers, brothers and friends on the double-sided banners that are 5 feet tall by 2 ½ feet wide.
Woodruff, a retired social studies and math teacher at Roy-Hart, also is a member of the Ridgeway Town Board.
Joe Cardone, the Orleans County district attorney, thanked Woodruff for organizing the banners of the Hometown Heroes. He attended the reception on May 19. His father, the late Vincent Cardone, served in the Army during World War II and is on one of the banners.
“It’s not every day you can look into our past and see the faces of the people who contributed so much to our community and country,” Cardone said.
Clarendon firefighter committed to training new generation in fire service
Photo by Tom Rivers: Clarendon Assistant Fire Chief Bob Freida is one of the mentors of a First Responders Youth Group that is a combined effort of the Clarendon, Holley and Fancher-Hulberton-Murray fire departments. Freida is pictured with three of the youth group members, from left: Nate Smith, 13; Teanna Church, 13; and Homer Mathes, 12.
Bob Freida has been involved in the volunteer fire service since he was 16, starting as an explorer with the Clarendon Volunteer Fire Company. Freida, now 50, worries about the declining number of firefighters and the increasing demands on those volunteers, particularly with EMS calls at all hours of the day.
Seven years ago when he was fire chief at Clarendon, he teamed with the leaders of the Holley and Fancher-Hulberton-Murray fire departments to start a First Responders Youth Group where students would learn some of the basics of firefighting and could be connected to their local fire department. The program is run as an activity through the Holley Central School.
Freida has stayed an active mentor in the program, which meets every Monday evening. Some of the youth group members have become adults and joined their local departments. One member, Dalton Major, is in college and wants to become a career firefighter.
The youth group has maintained a steady core of about 10 to 15 students. Freida has been a constant, a dependable mentor for the group. He teaches them teamwork and some firefighting skills. He also will join the students in parades and on trips, including one to New York City to see the Sept. 11 memorial site.
“I love doing it,” Freida said about his role with the youth group. “I want them to be kids and have fun. At the same time there needs to be some professionalism.” Freida has struck the right balance. The past two Mondays the students were on break and there wasn’t a schedule youth group meeting. But the students insisted on a meeting, and Freida obliged.
Bob Freida and the First Responders Youth Group participated in four local parades during the holiday season, including this one from Medina. Freida said he tries to give the students interesting activities, including a trip to New York City to see the memorial from the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
Freida also was among the fire officials who wanted to find a solution to improved response time to fire calls during the day on Wednesdays, which tend to have the highest call volume during the week. Nearly every Wednesday this year, Freida has been at either the Holley or Clarendon fire hall from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., ready to jump in a fire truck for a call.
He also led a committee the past 2 ½ years to upgrade two Clarendon fire trucks. A new squad truck arrived in November. That will be Clarendon’s primary EMS vehicle. A new combination pumper-rescue truck is due to be delivered in January.
Freida ran for town highway superintendent in November. He didn’t win. The next day after the election he was back at the fire hall to volunteer for a 10-hour shift. He hasn’t let the election defeat sap his enthusiasm for community service.
Dave Smith of Holley has a son, Nate Smith, in the youth group. Dave, a past fire chief at FHM, said Freida is committed to developing a new generation of firefighters and maintaining quality service to the residents.
“He puts a lot of time and sweat into this building and these kids,” Smith said Monday during the youth group meeting at the Clarendon fire hall. “We couldn’t do it without him.”
A generous gift ensures Lyndonville veterans will forever have wreaths on graves during holidays
Photo by Tom Rivers: Steve Goodrich, commander of the American Legion in Lyndonville, and Anna Stelianou are pictured earlier this month at the grave of her parents, Ary and Konstantina, who emigrated to Lyndonville from Greece after WWI. Anna Stelianou provided the funding for an endowment to pay for about 400 wreaths to be set at veterans’ graves each year in Lyndonville.
Anna Stelianou wanted to do something to honor veterans – every one of them in Lyndonville. She read about the Wreaths Across America program. Medina has been doing that at Boxwood Cemetery since 2013. Each year, a wreath at $15 each can be set on a veteran’s grave in December.
Stelianou liked the idea. She saw Steve Goodrich, commander of the American Legion in Lyndonville, while they were each pumping gas. She told him about an idea. She wanted to purchase a wreath for every veteran’s grave in Lyndonville. That adds up to 402.
Goodrich said that would be a nice tribute. He thought Stelianou was making a one- or two-year commitment. The annual cost is about $6,000.
Stelianou said she wanted to do it – forever. Goodrich and Stelianou then met with the Lyndonville Area Foundation and she gave the funding. The anticipated interest on the donation is enough for an endowment to pay for the wreaths for long into the future.
Stelianou said she is doing it in appreciation for the community’s kindness to her parents, Ary and Konstantina. They emigrated to Lyndonville from Greece after WWI. Stelianou also donated the money for the program in honor of her five brothers who served in WWII and the Korean War.
Stelianou said the community looked after her parents and their children, especially during the lean years of the Great Depression. Farmers in particular made sure the family had enough food to eat.
The Stelianou couple ran a small store on Main Street serving lunches, candy and ice cream. Anna Stelianou said the Lyndonville community welcomed her parents and helped them achieve the American dream.
With the funding available for the wreaths, Goodrich worked with Wreaths Across America to arrange for the delivery and the placement of the wreaths. He had identified all the veterans’ graves about five years ago. At the time, he was researching the veterans’ graves for when the Legion organizes placing American flags on each veteran’s grave just before Memorial Day. He was prompted to research the grave sites after a discussion with Peter Stelianou, Anna’s brother and a long-time Legion member. Peter served in World War II. He was 94 when he passed away on Nov. 8, 2018.
Orleans Hub wants to recognize both Anna Stelianou and Steve Goodrich for making the wreaths possible in Lyndonville.
Gooodrich and Stelianou are both pleased to see the wreaths at six Lyndonville cemeteries. They stand out in the snow, and are a physical reminder that a local resident served the country in the military.
“For me, every single one of them is hallowed ground,” Goodrich said about the 402 veterans at Lyndonville cemeteries. “People like to put down the small towns, but this is the history of our country. They went out and did amazing things. You can see it right here.”
Albion man promotes participation in the great outdoors
Provided photo: Dan Conrad is pictured with his daughter Ryleigh. Conrad started DC Outdoors, and has helped connect many community members to fishing and hunting.
Dan Conrad said he just wanted to create a forum where hunters and fishermen could encourage each other and share some tips. He started a Facebook page, DC Outdoors in October 2018.
That group quickly gained members and created a community of people who enjoy the outdoors. It now has 2,500 members and counting.
“I just wanted a nice family-oriented page,” Conrad said. “I thought it could be a place where people could post pictures of deer and fish.”
Conrad noticed the strong camaraderie in the group and decided the members could do more than post on social media. DC Outdoors on July 13 held its first fishing derby, with 60 kids participating. DC Outdoors members served as mentors and provided the equipment. Charlie Miller and Joe Rotoli were the leaders of that effort, Conrad said. DC Outdoors also lined up prizes and food that were donated by businesses and the community.
During the fishing derby, Conrad and the DC Outdoors members noticed a lot of trash at Point Breeze. So the group had a trash pickup in August, filling 8 garbage bags.
Conrad and the group have also collected Christmas presents that were given out by the Hands 4 Hope ministry, where Conrad is a volunteer. Conrad even wore the Santa suit to help collect the presents as part of a fundraiser at Oak Orchard Lanes in Albion.
Conrad, 37, said he enjoys community service. This year he joined the Albion Lions Club and the Hoag Library board of trustees. He also volunteers at the Warrior House in Shelby, taking veterans out hunting. He also started a new job as a UPS driver.
“It makes me feel good,” he said about volunteering.
Benefactor pays to have World War I cannon restored at Medina park
Photos by Tom Rivers: A World War I cannon is unloaded on May 1 after being restored over 14 months at Altoona, Pa.
The World War I cannon at State Street Park was rotting away. The paint flaking off and the metal corroding.
Local veterans and community members were alarmed about the deteriorating condition. They thought it sent a disrespectful message to veterans, to have a prominent display in shabby condition.
George Bidleman
But it would be a big price tag to restore the cannon – $40,000. Local veterans in 2018 began an appeal. They expected it would take years to come up with the money.
They went to George Bidleman, owner of Orleans Ford in Medina. They hoped for a contribution. Bidleman thanked the group for their service to their country, and for their continued involvement in the community with the American Legion and VFW.
Bidleman told them he would pay the entire restoration cost. They didn’t need to do a collection effort that would take years.
The cannon was hauled away in March 2018 and returned to Medina on May 1, in time to be rededicated for Memorial Day. Seed Artillery Reproduction and Restoration, in Altoona, Pa. The company completely stripped and disassembled the cannon, and needed to fabricate some new parts. The big 15,000-pound gun was reassembled and painted with historic accuracy.
“It’s absolutely stunning,” Bidleman said when the cannon returned on May 1. “It’s beautiful.”
Bidleman is notoriously low key and doesn’t want publicity for his good works. He serves on the United Way board and he and his employees support that organization.
He has expanded his car business to include the Chevrolet Buick GMC dealership in Albion with Sam LaNasa.
George Bidleman, left, watches the cannon be delivered to its spot in front of State Street Park on May 1.
The B.L. 60 Pounder British field gun has been a fixture at State Street Park since 1935. There are only 10 of the cannons like this remaining, with five in Europe and five in the United States, said Jim Freas, a past commander of the Butts-Clark Post for the American Legion in Medina.
“We have one of them,” Freas said. “It’s priceless.”
Glenn Whitmore, commander of the American Legion Post in Medina, said Bidleman’s donation was a big relief to the veterans’ organizations.
“When George stepped forward we couldn’t believe it,” Whitmore said. “His heart is bigger than he is.”
Orleans Hub will have an awards celebration in early 2020 for the Outstanding Citizens.
HARTLAND – A man was killed in a head-on collision Monday night in Hartland, the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office is reporting today.
Thomas F. Wagner, 58, of Hartland was killed in the accident, which occurred at 7:34 p.m. at 8449 Seaman Rd. The Town of Somerset Police along with the Village of Middleport Police were the primary responding agencies. The Niagara County Sheriff’s Office Accident Investigation Unit was requested to assist with the investigation.
Preliminary investigation revealed that a 2013 Chevrolet Cruz was traveling eastbound when a collision occurred with a 2007 Nissan Sentra, traveling westbound. Wagner was the driver of 2007 Nissan. He was transported to Eastern Niagara Hospital in Lockport where he was pronounced dead following the accident, the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office reported..
The driver of the 2013 Chevrolet was transported to Erie County Medical Center for an arm fracture and related injuries. There were no other passengers in either of the vehicles involved.
The investigation is continuing at this time, the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 31 December 2019 at 3:05 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers: Murray Town Supervisor Robert Miller, left, congratulates Jeff Martin for his 34 years of service as town attorney. Today is Martin’s last day in the role. Miller also is ending a two-year term as town supervisor. He will be joining the board of commissioners for the Fancher-Hulberton-Murray Fire District.
MURRAY – The Town of Murray praised Jeff Martin today for his 34 years of service as the town’s attorney.
Martin is stepping down from the position. He is the longest-tenured town attorney in the county.
Martin said his law practice has become busier. He wants to devote more time to his private practice and also be freed up from the monthly Town Board meetings which are the second Tuesday evenings. Over the years, he also has attended numerous other special meetings for the town.
Martin wants to have more time with his family, including his wife Clara, who has retired as the secretary for Sheriff Randy Bower. She previously worked as the deputy elections commissioner for the county.
“It’s been a long run,” Martin told the Town Board during a year-end meeting at noon today. “I’ve worked with a lot of great people on various boards over the years.”
Martin was 30 when he was appointed to the position. He was asked by James Piedimonte, the late town supervisor, to consider the job.
“I appreciated his vote of confidence,” Martin said. “There was a lot of learning on the job.”
Martin helped the town construct about 15 water districts during his tenure. They all needed to be legally formed and constructed with a financial plan in place for covering the debt service of the districts.
For many years, Martin served as the town attorney while his father was on the Town Board. The late Richard “Pep” Martin was a town councilman from 1965 to 2000. He was a Holley science teacher and driver training educator.
Martin said he wanted to be an attorney since he was 10. He said the late Robert Heath was an inspiration for how to serve in the position in a small town. Heath would give Martin his first job as an attorney.
“I had a lot of respect and admiration for him,” Martin said.
Murray Town Clerk Cindy Oliver reads the oath of office today to Lloyd Christ, left, and Neal Valentine, who were elected to new four-year terms in November. Those new terms start on Jan. 1. Town Board members Mike Mele, far left, and Paul Hendel, right, also attended the town’s year-end meeting. Jeff Martin is seated next to Oliver.
Paul Hendel, a Murray town councilman for 10 years, said Martin has been very dedicated to Murray, at a low cost. Martin charges a $3,300 annual retainer, which includes attending the town meetings. Any work outside the meetings is at an hourly rate.
“He’s never charged close to what he should have,” Hendel said. “He has a legacy here that will be hard to replace. Whoever comes in doesn’t have the history that Jeff has. He has the history of the town that he can draw upon to help make the future better.”
Martin previously worked as the town attorney for Gaines and Clarendon. He said he expects he will continue as the school attorney for Holley. He has been Holley’s school attorney for 37 years.
Robert Miller, the town supervisor, thanked Martin for his many years of service to Murray.
“I appreciate the guidance and assistance Jeff has offered us over the years,” Miller said. “And he did it at an almost pro bono rate.”
Miller was also commended by the Town Board for his service to the town. Miller was town supervisor the past two years. He lost a close election to Joe Sidonio, who starts in the job on Jan. 1.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 31 December 2019 at 8:45 am
Hourly rate increases from $11.10 to $11.80 in Orleans County
A higher minimum wage takes effect today, with the minimum hourly rate increasing from $11.10 to $11.80 in Orleans County and for most of upstate. A year from now, it will go to $12.50 an hour in Orleans and most of upstate. In New York City, the wage goes to $15 an hour, starting today.
“With this monumental increase in the minimum wage, New York is continuing to lead the way to restoring economic justice for working families,” Governor Cuomo said in a news release. “In 2016 we set an example for the rest of the nation to follow by raising the minimum wage to $15, and this year we are continuing to move forward with this successful plan that is bringing real change for New York’s families and paying dividends across the entire state.”
The New York State Department of Labor has established a hotline (1-888-4-NYSDOL) where minimum wage workers can call to report any employers who do not comply with the phase-in schedule.
In Orleans County, the minimum wage has increased from $9.70 an hour on Dec. 31, 2016 to $10.40 on Dec. 31, 2017, to $11.10 on Dec. 31, 2018 to $11.80 today. It makes another jump to $12.50 on Dec. 31, 2020.
The $15 minimum wage legislation (for New York City) was passed as part of the 2016-17 state budget.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 December 2019 at 9:58 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers: Shyller Elusma is tackled by his kids, Amara and Jenady, when he surprised them and his son Jeremiah at Kendall Elementary School on Oct. 28. Elusma, 27, was home on leave for about a week. He is stationed at Fort Riley in Kansas. He hadn’t been home since Christmas 2018. A video of their reunion was popular on the Orleans Hub’s YouTube channel.
Orleans Hub started to regularly post videos of sporting and news events this fall. We’ve had more than 27,000 views with our videos since early October.
Cheryl Wertman records many videos from local high school sporting competitions, in addition to taking photos. Her husband Mike Wertman is the sports editor and he writes the details from the games in a daily sports report.
Tom Rivers, the Orleans Hub editor, has recorded most of the news videos.
Cheryl Wertman took videos of Medina’s Parade of Lights while Tom Rivers focused on photos of the big parade. A 38 minute, 47 second video from the parade on Nov. 30 has nearly 7,800 views, making it by far the most popular video on the Orleans Hub.
You’re here checking the site, so you know: Orleans Hub is a vital resource for our community. Day in and day out, we share information and insights that matter to those who live and work in the towns, villages and hamlets of our county. Local advertisers help make the Hub possible, and so can you.
Donate today to keep Orleans Hub healthy and accessible to all. Thank you!
The U.S. Census Bureau today released population data from all 50 states that shows 10 states shrunk in population from 2018 to 2019, with New York experiencing the biggest loss.
The nation’s population was 328,239,523 in 2019, growing by 0.5% between 2018 and 2019, or 1,552,022 people.
The 10 states that lost population were New York (-76,790; -0.4%), Illinois (-51,250; -0.4%), West Virginia (-12,144; -0.7%), Louisiana (-10,896; -0.2%), Connecticut (-6,233; -0.2%), Mississippi (-4,871; -0.2%), Hawaii (-4,721; -0.3%), New Jersey (-3,835; 0.0%), Alaska (-3,594; -0.5%), and Vermont (-369 ; -0.1%).
Texas had the biggest population increase with 367,215 during the year, followed by Florida which added 233,420 people.
As a percentage of growth, Idaho led with a 2.1 percent growth, followed by Nevada, Arizona and Utah, all at 1.7 percent.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 December 2019 at 1:52 pm
Provided photo: Gordmans will be converting Peebles stores to look like the store in this photo.
ALBION – The Peebles store at the Route 31 plaza in Albion will be changing over to a Gordmans, another retailer with designer name brand apparel, home decor, gifts, fragrances, clothing and other items.
The change will happen on Feb. 18, Gordmans said in a news release.
Gordmans and Peebles are both owned by Stage Stores. Stage bought Gordmans in April 2017.
Peebles uses 16,240 square feet of the Route 31 plaza, which also includes Save-A-Lot and the Dollar Tree. Peebles opened in the Albion plaza in 2007.
Gordmans is changing over 13 Peebles in upstate New York. The apparel and home décor retailer is hiring at the 13 stores.
All of the sites, including the Albion store, will host a job fair on Jan. 7 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Walk-in applicants are welcome. Candidates are encouraged to first apply online at gordmans.com/careers.
Photo by Tom Rivers: Lake Ontario is pictured at the Green Harbor Campground in Carlton on May 16. The high waters and crashing waves caused damage along the southshore this year.
Press Release, International Lake Ontario – St. Lawrence River Board
Outflows will be increased substantially in the coming days as efforts to remove water from Lake Ontario continue.
Starting tomorrow, following the end of navigation season, outflows will be increased as much as possible until ice formation resumes on the St. Lawrence River. A flow increase from 8,850 m3/s (312,500 cfs) to over 10,000 m3/s (353,000 cfs) may be possible in the coming days, with the exact amount depending on ice and water level conditions in the St. Lawrence River.
Water levels downstream of the Moses-Saunders Dam, including around the Montreal area, are expected to rise, but will be monitored closely to ensure they are maintained below flood levels.
Lake Ontario outflows were first set to record-rates in June as water levels of Lake Ontario reached a new daily record-high of 75.92 m (249.08 ft). This followed an unprecedented spring that saw record water levels and flows occurring across the Great Lakes and Ottawa River basins.
High outflows from Lake Ontario continued through the summer, fall and early winter, resulting in more water released from Lake Ontario during the last seven months of 2019 than in any year since the start of records in 1900.
The average outflow from June through December was 9,560 m3/s (337,600 cfs), the highest flow ever released over this period, and equivalent to removing nearly 9.1 m (30 ft) of water from Lake Ontario during this time.
However, with all of the Great Lakes seeing record or near-record water levels in 2019, inflows to Lake Ontario have also remained high during that time. Lake Ontario’s level was 75.00 m (246.06 ft) yesterday and remains well-above seasonal averages. High inflows are expected to continue into 2020.
The International Lake Ontario – St. Lawrence River Board, under authority granted to it by the International Joint Commission, will continue to deviate from Plan 2014 and will look for any and all opportunities to remove additional water from Lake Ontario prior to the spring.
The first of these opportunities is expected at the start of January. Over the past several weeks, outflows were set at 200 m3/s (7,100 cfs) above the Plan 2014 maximum L-limit, which is the highest outflow that can be released from Lake Ontario, while still ensuring safe navigation through the St. Lawrence River. However, with the St. Lawrence Seaway season set to end on Dec. 31, this constraint will no longer apply.
Ice conditions are also no longer a constraint. Flows were temporarily reduced on Dec. 20 following a brief cold spell that resulted in temporary ice formation in the Beauharnois Canal. Mild temperatures followed, causing the ice cover to deteriorate and allowing outflows to again be rapidly increased. Ice formation will likely resume during the next cold spell, but the timing is uncertain.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 December 2019 at 9:30 am
Community loves to celebrate, and comes together during tragedy
Each year I pick some of favorite “people pictures” and other images that helped tell the stories from the news events in the past year.
Andrea Grant and other members of the Magic of Scout House put on a high-energy show on March 9 at Medina, when 14 winterguard groups performed during Medina’s annual show, “Colorburst.”
Magic of Scout House is based in Kitchener, Ontario, and did a tribute to “Women Who Rock,” which included some of the most iconic rock songs by women.
It was a tough start to 2019 for the Village of Albion Department of Public Works. The DPW employees are shown in freezing temperatures on Jan. 1 digging under Main Street, just north of the Erie Canal, to get to a broken water main.
The village was alerted to a water problem at about 1 a.m. on New Year’s Eve when the Clover Hill Adult Residence on South Main Street called in to say it didn’t have water. The DPW located the leak on a main water line that feeds much of the village and the Barre water tank.
Ted Lewis, president of the Lyndonville Board of Education, uses a sledgehammer to break into a wall above the elementary school library on Jan. 2 during a ground-breaking for a $10.7 million capital project. The district created two new classrooms above the library as part of the project that also included air-conditioning, an improved and expanded parking lot, and upgrades to the locker rooms.
Lyndonville also put on a section of a new roof put on in 2017 and added new LED lights in the gym with the capitol project.
Garland Miller, 93, of Albion is shown in his living room last January making progress on a 40,320-piece puzzle that includes 10 scenes from famous Disney films. This puzzle includes Mickey Mouse in the movie, Fantasia.
Miller is called a puzzle master by his family. He has done numerous puzzles with 500, 750, 1,000, 2,500 pieces and more.
In 2017, he finished his most ambitious puzzle with 9,000 pieces. After Miller was done with that puzzle, he declared he was ready for a bigger challenge. His family found the world’s largest puzzle, the one with 40,320 pieces. It could take more than 2 years to finish.
Isaac Coppini, a tuba player from Albion, performs with the senior high band during the All-County Music Festival at Medina High School on Feb. 2. There were about 75 students in the band from Albion, Holley, Kendall, Lyndonville and Medina.
The junior high chorus and elementary band also performed. There were nearly 300 students involved in the All-County Music Festival, which was organized by the Orleans County Music Educators’ Association.
It was a tough day to be outside on Feb. 6 with roads, sidewalks and driveways covered in ice. Even the Ronald McDonald statue outside the Albion McDonald’s was coated in ice with some long icicles.
Firefighters on Feb. 11 responded to a house on fire at Bates Road in Ridgeway. Firefighters from the western battalion – Ridgeway, Lyndonville, Shelby, East Shelby and Medina – all responded to the scene.
Riki Lake models a wedding gown on Feb. 17 during the Blissett’s Specialty Shop Wedding & Prom Showcase at the Medina United Church, which uses the former Apple Grove Inn for its church.
The church sanctuary was turned into a venue for a fashion show, featuring wedding gowns, and prom and bridesmaid dresses, as well as tuxedos. The two young men in tuxedos are Ricky Pitts, left, and William Braswell. They wore tuxedos provided by Daniel’s Men’s Apparel in downtown Medina.
Paige Martin of Medina holds a photo of a loved one, her late grandmother Shelia Frasier, at the end of the winterguard performance on March 9 in Medina.
Medina performed a show, “I Can Only Imagine.” Many people experience the loss of a loved one and this show was intended to take people on a journey that can bring back fond memories of that special person.
Layna Viloria, center, portrayed Deloris Van Cartier in Sister Act, which was performed March 22-24 at Lyndonville Central School’s Auditorium. Deloris is a nightclub singer who is sent to a convent in hiding after she witnesses someone being killed.
She takes over the choir and the nuns respond to her high-energy style. She is shown singing, “Raise Your Voice” with Sawyer Wilson, a dancing custodian, and Alissa Klinetob (left), who plays Sister Mary Patrick.
The musical was performed for the first time by a school in Orleans County.
Dave Agness of Honeoye Falls helps a team of volunteers and the state Department of Environmental Conservation release 10,000 steelhead into pens on April 8 at the Oak Orchard River. The DEC also brought along 90,200 Chinook salmon.
Charter boat captains and other volunteers have been raising fish in pens in the Oak Orchard River since 1998. This was the first pen-rearing project on the south shore of the lake. Now there are many.
Gil Cain is congratulated by his niece Sonya Flynn of Ridgeway after he was named Hospice’s “Volunteer of the Year.” He was recognized during the organization’s annual meeting on April 11. Cain set a new record for Hospice by volunteering 540 hours over the year.
He frequently serves lunch at the Martin-Linsin residence, and comes back and helps serve dinner.
Samuel Conde, 1, of Albion is a little apprehensive around the Easter Bunny on April 14 during an Easter egg hunting event at The Gallagher in Medina. More than 100 children came out for the egg hunt, despite the rain. Jenna and Martin Bruning, owners of The Gallagher, hid 3,000 eggs on the property.
Terry Weaver and his sister Kim Lockwood are in good spirits during a benefit on April 20 in Weaver’s honor at the Ridgeway Fire Hall.
About 500 people attended the benefit for Weaver, a US Air Force veteran who worked 30 years in corrections, including as a sergeant at the Orleans County Jail. He is fighting stage 4 lung cancer and had a brain tumor removed in January.
Evan Valentine returned to Holley Junior-Senior High School on April 22 for the first time since being diagnosed with leukemia on Oct. 19, 2018. Evan, 16, completed four rounds of chemotherapy. He was greeted by Susan Cory, the school principal, and about 450 of his classmates in grades 7-12.
Cory gives Evan a hug. “It’s been a long time and we’ve missed him,” she said. Many of the teachers and students wore orange “Evan Strong” shirts to celebrate Evan’s return.
Evan received a standing ovation from students and teachers that morning. He endured five months in the hospital for his chemo and recovery.
“I just want to say thank you to the community,” he said.
Local veterans including Earl Schmidt (left), the County’s Veterans Service Agency director, push a cannon in place at State Street Park in Medina on May 1. The World War I cannon returned to Medina following more than a year of restoration work by Seed Artillery Reproduction and Restoration, in Altoona, Pa.
The B.L. 60 Pounder British field gun has been a fixture at State Street Park since 1935. It was hauled away on March 12, 2018 for its restoration work. George Bidleman, owner of Orleans Ford, paid the $40,000 restoration cost.
Joe Gacy applies lots of pressure on Kevin Bennett during their wrestling match on May 4 during the “Fairground Fallout: Return of the Empire.” This was the second straight year Empire State Wrestling held an event at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds. About 200 people attended the event that was a fundraiser for the East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company.
Mike Walsh walks by the AquaDam that was put in his yard on May 10 by the State Office of Fire Prevention and Control. Walsh has lived at Oak Orchard on the Lake in Carlton the past 22 years. Lake Ontario was steadily rising this spring and the waves crashed over a new breakwall that was put in for him and his neighbors last year. Lakeshore property owners had to contend with high lake levels again in 2019, following flooding in 2017.
Keeler Construction on May 15 is shown new pavement on Route 31 in Holley. This photo is on the west side of the village, looking down from the railroad overpass. The state Department of Transportation hired Keeler for the job, which includes milling and repaving Route 31.
Brian Wogernese, President/CEO Cobblestone Suites, on May 16 hugs Gabrielle Barone, vice president of business development for the Orleans Economic Development Agency. Barone worked for five years to bring a hotel to Medina. Todd “Booka” Hanes, right, is a managing partner with the Medina Hospitality Group, which owns a 58-room hotel to be constructed on Maple Ridge Road.
The company held a ground-breaking celebration at the Zambistro restaurant on Main Street. The Medina hotel is the first in New York for Cobblestone Suites, which is now in 26 states with a focus on small towns.
Chris Bourke, undersheriff of the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, stands at attention on May 27 during a rededication ceremony for a World War I cannon. The cannon was rededicated at State Street Park after being restored. Michael Mele, the chief deputy, is at right. Bourke would be elected sheriff in November and starts on Jan. 1. Mele will be the new undersheriff.
Jessy Cruz of Albion checks his phone before getting the full costume on as The Turtle in the 33rd annual Strawberry Festival Parade on June 8. Albion High School served as a staging area for many of the parade participants.
Stan Dudek, retired chief administrative officer in Orleans County, gives Lynne Johnson positive feedback about a new addition to the County Administration Building. The county held an open house on June 11 for the $10 million project.
The 23,000-square-foot addition will provide offices for about 50 county employees, as well as other meeting rooms and the Legislature’s chambers.
These Holley students hold hands and wave American flags on June 14. More than 500 elementary students walked from the elementary school to the Historical Society depot just past the Public Square. Students sang patriotic songs and the elementary school band also performed the “Star Spangled Banner,” “America the Beautiful,” and “My Country ’Tis of Thee.”
There were about 500 people at a vigil in Albion on June 21 at Bullard Park, three days after Brennan Moody was killed in a car accident and one of his friends, Sean Weis, was seriously injured. Two other members of the Class of 2019 also had minor physical injuries in the accident.
The loss of Brennan Moody was devastating to the community. Brennan, 17, had many friends at school. He was very active in the music program with the band, chorus and musicals.
Liam Leader of the St. Mary’s youth baseball team holds up a baseball he retrieved on June 27 from the weeds in the outfield at Sandstone Park in Albion. One of his teammates, Mason Giattino (who is behind Liam), hit a long home run earlier in the game. Liam gave it to Mason as a souvenir. St. Mary’s enjoyed a winning season in 2019.
During the July 4th Lyndonville parade the local organization, Orleans – Recovery Hope Begins Here, carried portraits of people who have died from drug addiction. Tami Ashton, right, and her mother Linda Fisk both carried the photo of Tami’s daughter, Christina, who died of an overdose at age 34 on June 27, 2016. Christina’s daughter, Hayley Farewell, carried the banner for Orleans – Recovery Hope Begins Here during the Lyndonville parade.
“Our goal was to open peoples’ eyes,” Tami Ashton said. “That’s the message that it can affect anybody. It crosses all races, income levels. Addiction does not discriminate.”
The group carried the photos of about 30 people who have died from addiction, including 14 in Orleans County.
Jonah Fisher, 2 ½, plays the “mouse” during a game on July 8 at Hoag Library. He ran underneath a big parachute where there was another kid who was the “cat” trying to find him. The game was part of a field day and “Water Wars” event outside Hoag Library as part of the summer reading program.
The Holley Presbyterian Church celebrating its 200thanniversary on July 14. The Rev. Deb Swift, pastor of the South Presbyterian Church in Rochester, leads the group in a prayer. She also gave the sermon, “Ride Loose in the Saddle,” during the bicentennial celebration. Swift said churches should be riding on the back of the Holy Spirit.
“Trust we’re on a ride and we might get jostled around a little bit, but we need to hold on to the reins,” she told about 75 people at the service.
Swift praised the courage and vision of the pioneers who established the congregation for the Holley community 200 years ago, back when the community was known as Saltport and the Erie Canal hadn’t opened yet. The canal was complete in 1825.
Bruce Landis, a professional photographer from Albion, is up high in a lift during the fireworks display at the Orleans County 4-H Fair in Knowlesville on July 26.
Zack Blackburn and Chantelle Kidney stopped at the Orleans County 4-H Fair today after their wedding on July 27. They made sure to get a photo with a steer.
The couple met at the fair. They started dated on July 27, 2012. Blackburn, 23, was a member of the Beef Club seven years ago when Kidney, 21, showed sheep at the fair. Three years ago they were engaged on July 27. Blackburn asked Kidney to marry him in the sheep barn.
Michael Giarrizzo, left, plays guitar and sings for 7th Heaven, which closed out the Rock the Park festival at Bullard Park on Aug. 3. Terry K., right, is the lead singer. The band delighted the crowd with music by AC/DC, Billy Idol, Def Leppard, Aerosmith, Don Henley and others.
Five bands played under the big beer tent from 3 to 11 p.m. 7th Heaven started with “Rebel Yell” by Billy Idol, “Hysteria” and “Armageddon It” by Def Leppard, and “It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock ‘n’ Roll)” by AC/DC.
In 2020 a new amphitheater will available for concerts at the park.
Savanity Davis speaks during a memorial gathering on Aug. 9 in Albion for her younger brother, Jaquan Ford of Rochester. He was killed in a motorcycle crash on Aug. 2 at the intersection of Brown Road and East Bacon Road.
Savanity Davis thanked the group of about 100 motorcyclists for supporting the family during their loss. Davis said her brother, 28, was quiet and served as a “connecter” for the family. “Together we have lost someone who has left a very large footprint,” she told the group.
Madeline Lewis, center right, plays the baritone for the Medina Mustang Band on Sept. 21 during the Fall Festival of Bands at Vets Park. Medina hosted nine bands and 1,000 spectators for the event. The Mustangs would win the 2019 state championship on Oct. 27 in Syracuse. Medina won the Small Schools 1 Division.
Alanna Holman, an Albion cross country runner, competes in an Oct. 8 race in Albion. Part of the course is through a soybean field. Alanna was a first-team all-league runner for Albion for the third straight year.
About 250 people attended a candlelight walk on Oct. 20 in honor of Brooke Allen, 21, and Ricky Forder, 20, two recent Lyndonville graduates who were killed in a car accident on Oct. 10 on their way to work at Lake Ridge Fruit, an apple packing facility on Route 104 in Gaines.
The walk began at the school on Housel Avenue and then proceeded to the baseball field on Lake Ave. Many brought their own candles and balloons.
“It ripples through the whole community,” one of the mourners said of the tragic deaths.
Conner Cuzzacrea of Newfane just edges his twin brother Andrew during the Niagara-Orleans League race on Oct. 26 at Lakeside Beach State Park in Carlton. The brothers were 6th and 7th overall, which earned them both a spot as first-team all-league. The Newfane girls and boys teams both defended their titles as league champs.
Shelby and East Shelby firefighters responded to this truck accident Nov. 11. A tractor trailer from Grand Island hit a guard rail and slid off Route 31A, just west of Townline Road near Barre. Road conditions were slick due to the freezing temperatures and falling snow.
Georgia Thomas is shown at the front door of the Medina Historical Society. She decorated the museum with 300 stuffed animals, including about 250 of her own. She had the stuffed animals positioned throughout the museum, where they appear to be interacting with exhibits. Thomas brought in the stuffed animals for a Nov. 30 event that welcomed children and families to the Historical Society on West Avenue.
Weston Burgio, 5, of Albion stepped up to meet Santa Claus on Dec. 2 at Hoag Library in Albion.
Erik Goodrich, right, sings while Josh Jones dances to “Step By Step” by the New Kids on the Block during the fourth annual talent show on Dec. 6 for the Arc of Genesee Orleans. There were about 25 acts from Genesee and Orleans counties in the talent show, which was held at the Medina Theatre.
BATAVIA – Officials at Genesee Community College are delighted to introduce two new administrators, both coming to GCC after dynamic terms of service at the State University of New York at Geneseo.
Justin Johnston
Justin Johnston, Vice President of Development and External Affairs, and Miguel Baique, Director of Student Engagement and Inclusion, recently started with GCC.
In his new role at GCC, Johnston oversees the efforts of multiple offices and personnel who work under the Office of External Affairs umbrella including Development, the GCC Foundation, Marketing Communications, Alumni Services and Grant Services. Together, this encompasses approximately 12 College or Foundation employees with many different areas of expertise and responsibility, from philanthropy and fundraising to public relations, advertising, social media, and an array of vibrant grant opportunities.
At SUNY Geneseo, Johnston served as the interim vice president for College Advancement and the executive director of the Geneseo Foundation, Inc. His career has centered on philanthropy for nearly a decade involving fundraising campaigns, operations and analysis, and he is vice chair of the Community Services for Every1 foundation board of directors.
Throughout his tenure, Johnston focused on delivering the results to best serve the needs of constituents. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in history and government from Daemen College, his Master’s degree in College Student Personnel Administration from Canisius College, and he is currently working toward a doctorate in Higher Education Administration at the University of Buffalo. He lives in Williamsville with his wife Danielle, and their two young daughters.
Miguel Baique
Miguel Baique, from Queens, NY, joined GCC in a newly created position, the Director of Student Engagement and Inclusion which oversees many different types of student activities that happen inside the Wolcott Jay Humphrey Student Union and across campus.
He will be working closely with various student-centered departments, advising GCC’s Campus Activities Board, Student Government Association, and supporting more than 40 student clubs which provide a wealth of social and cultural programming events, activities and important extracurricular opportunities. These include but are not limited to Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society to the Computer Repair Club, Creative Writing to CineMagic, Global Education to the New Age Circle, as well as numerous student clubs associated with specific academic interests and careers.
Baique came to GCC after serving as the assistant program director for the Ronald E. McNair Post-baccalaureate Achievement Program-one of eight federal TRIO programs. Prior to that position he was an area director for Residential Life at Nazareth College. Throughout his experience in higher education, his focus has always been developing programs that improve student retention and enhance diversity, equity and inclusion.
Baique earned his dual Bachelor’s degrees in Sociology and Communication (emphasis in critical and intercultural studies) from SUNY Geneseo, and a Master’s degree in Public Administration (emphasis in Health Care Management) from The SUNY College at Brockport. He is currently working toward a doctorate in Higher Education Administration at the University of Rochester.
“With strong teams in both of these important areas of Genesee Community College, I believe these two new leaders will be a huge asset and are in a great position to further support student success which is the core of our mission,” said James M. Sunser, Ed.D., GCC President. “We are excited about the Spring 2020 semester with these new faces who bring great experience and enthusiasm.”
