Press Release, Public Health Departments in Orleans and Genesee counties
This week is National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW). As family and friends are gathering for the holidays, flu activity is increasing.
NIVW serves as a reminder it is not too late to get a flu vaccine. Paul Pettit, Public Health Director of Genesee and Orleans Counties wants to remind folks that when you get a flu vaccine, you are also protecting your loved ones and your community.
“Getting vaccinated isn’t just about keeping you healthy,” Pettit said. “It is also about helping to protect others around you who may be at risk of becoming very sick, such as babies, older adults, and pregnant women.”
The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and lungs. When someone with the flu coughs, sneezes, or talks, they spray tiny droplets. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby. People can also get the flu by touching a surface or object that has flu virus on it and then touch their own mouth, nose, or eyes. Influenza can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Although the majority of hospitalizations and deaths occur in people 65 years and older, healthy young children and adults can have severe disease or even die from the flu.
“To be protected against the flu, you have to get the vaccine every year,” explains Brenden Bedard, director of Community Health Services for Genesee and Orleans counties. “Because flu viruses are constantly changing, flu vaccines may be updated from one season to the next to protect against the viruses that research suggests may be most common during the upcoming flu season. For the best protection, everyone 6 months of age and older should get vaccinated annually.”
In addition to receiving the flu shot, it is also important to practice good health habits. The tips below will help you learn about ways you can protect yourself and others from germs this season.
• Stay home when you are sick. If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. This will help prevent spreading your illness to others.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing – or cough/sneeze into your elbow if no tissues are available. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Flu and other serious respiratory illnesses, like respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and whooping cough are spread by coughing, sneezing, or unclean hands.
• Wash your hands. Good hand washing takes 20 seconds. Sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice while you wash. Scrub with soap and water to remove germs. Always wash hands before eating, and after coughing, sneezing, spending time outside, touching animals, using the bathroom, or changing a baby’s diaper. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
• Practice other good health habits. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work or school, especially when someone is ill. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.
Flu seasons are unpredictable and can last late into the spring. As long as flu viruses are spreading and causing illness, vaccination should continue throughout the flu season in order to protect as many people as possible. It’s important to remember that it takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against influenza virus infection.
If you have not received your annual flu vaccine this year, now is the time!
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 December 2019 at 11:05 am
CLARENCE – Nate McMurray isn’t the only Democrat seeking the party’s support to run in the 27th Congressional District.
Melodie Baker
Melodie Baker, an education and health care policy expert, kicked off her campaign on Monday with an event at Clarence Town Park Club House.
Baker works as director of Education for the United Way of Buffalo & Erie County. She is also chairwoman of the Erie-Niagara Birth to 8 Coalition and co-chairwoman of RaisingNY.
The married mother of five children also runs a small policy firm that conducts research and evaluation for non-profit organizations and governments, including the New York State Department of Health.
“Real issues for real people start at home, at the kitchen table not in Washington,” Baker said in a news release. “The greatest concern in my district is how to make ends meet. Whether you are a Republican, Democrat, or independent you are working hard to achieve economic security and want to see your children do better than yourself.”
Baker earned her master’s degree in executive leadership from Daemen College, and received her advanced graduate certificate in applied statistical analysis from UB.
McMurray lost a close race to Chris Collins last November. Collins has since resigned and the seat is vacant. Gov. Andrew Cuomo hasn’t set a date for a special election but has said he would prefer it to be on April 28 during the state’s presidential primary.
McMurray has the endorsement of seven of eight county Democratic Party leaders in the district. Jeremy Zellner, the Erie County Democratic Party chairman, hasn’t made an endorsement yet and he has about half of the weighted vote in the district.
“Economic security is directly linked to wellness and health care,” Baker said in her news reelase. “People should not have to choose between paying their mortgage or health insurance. Prescription drug costs are at an all-time high while the price tag for a decent quality of life is literally killing us. That said, pie-in-the-sky proposals that won’t pass Congress and will turn off independent voters who are distrustful of government are not the solution. We need to build upon what’s working.”
Baker has proposed adding a public option to the Affordable Care Act to allow anyone to buy into Medicare while keeping the option for private insurance. She has also identified broadband as a digital equity issue crucial a crucial step in expanding infrastructure.
“Our rural communities have gone too long without access to broadband,” Baker said. “Investing in broadband infrastructure will be an economic driver for small business improve education for the people who are not willing to move.”
Baker’s platform also includes prioritizing skilled-trade education, ensuring that college students can enter the workforce debt-free, and defending Medicare and Social Security benefits.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 December 2019 at 9:50 am
ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature and department heads have put together a proposed county budget for 2020 that just barely stays below the tax cap, while funding an additional $350,000 in costs to meet state mandates for new criminal justice programs.
If the state had fully funded those programs, the county’s budget would have had a tiny tax increase.
County officials went over the budget during a public hearing on Monday in the legislative chambers in the new addition to the County Administration Building.
Lynne Johnson, chairwoman of the Legislature, said state mandates strain the county budget.
Taxes will increase by 2.5 percent or $439,455 to $18,009,699 in 2020. (The county had some carryover from prior years that it can use to stay below the tax cap, which is usually about a 2 percent threshold.)
Although the tax levy – what the county collects in taxes –would increase by 2.5 percent, the proposed tax rate would decrease by 23 cents, from $10.10 to $9.87 per $1,000 of assessed property. That’s because of growth in the county’s tax base. Assessed values are up 4.93 percent or by $85.7 million – from $1.74 billion in 2019 to $1.82 billion in 2020.
The county’s costs for the new criminal justice statues for bail reform, Raise the Age and discovery laws are an estimated $350,000, with no state funding. The county will need to add four new positions – two in the District Attorney’s Office and two in Probation – to meet the new requirements that start Jan. 1.
The county could have covered those costs with the estimated $400,000 in new sales tax revenue on internet purchases. But the state instead is requiring the county to pay $290,000 to towns and villages in Aid and Incentives to Municipalities. AIM is a state program that the governor and State Legislature decided will be partially funded by counties through their sales tax.
“Nice guys finish last,” Chuck Nesbitt, the county’s chief administrative officer, said in his budget message on Monday.
Total spending in the budget increases 1.0 percent to $71,711,638, up from the $71,031,480 in 2019.
Nesbitt said the budget meets a goal of county officials in keeping staying within the property tax cap, while maintaining services provided by 430 full- and part-time employees. The budget keeps school resource officers at Kendall and Lyndonville school districts. (Those districts reimburse the county for providing officers at the schools, which started in 2018.)
The county budget also invests $3.85 million infrastructure with road maintenance and bridge and culvert work, Nesbitt said in a budget message.
The budget also includes a $150,000 increase in community college chargebacks.
The budget keeps the same level of funding in 2020 as 2019 for several agencies that provide services in the community: Cornell Cooperative Extension, $240,000; Orleans Economic Development Agency, $190,000; Soil & Water Conservation District, $92,500; four public libraries, $10,000 combined; Sportsmen’s Federation, $4,000; and Geneses-Orleans Regional Arts Council, $3,000.
The fee for solid waste and recycling service will be $212, which is the same as 2019. That cost is holding steady as the county transitioned to larger recycling totes this year, which are picked up every two weeks instead of weekly.
The budget also calls for 2 percent raises for the seven county legislators. Their pay will go from $18,133 to $18,496 for the chairwoman, $13,711 to $13,985 for the vice chairman, and $12,087 to $12,329 for the other five legislators.
A special meeting of the Orleans County Legislature to adopt the budget is scheduled for Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. at the Legislative Chambers, 14016 Route 31, West, Suite 200, Albion.
The 2020 budget is the 15th budget Nesbitt has worked on as the county’s CAO and budget officer. He is leaving after this month for a job in the private sector.
“I just want to say how much I’ve appreciated working with all of you,” Nesbitt told the county legislators and about 15 department heads at the budget hearing.
Lynne Johnson, the Legislature chairwoman, said Nesbitt leaves the county is a solid financial position.
She praised the department heads for submitting budget requests that were “reasonable and practical” and “not a Dear Santa letter.”
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today signed legislation (S.4777/A.2224) enacting the Nuisance Call Act, which closes a loophole in the Do Not Call Registry and requires live telemarketers to give consumers the option to be added to the seller’s do-not-call list. It also requires telemarketers to have a consumer’s written consent before sharing or selling their contact information.
“This loophole is a license to annoy New Yorkers that telemarketers have taken advantage of for far too long,” Governor Cuomo said. “With these new protections, we can help ensure New Yorkers receive fewer unwanted calls and their privacy is protected once and for all.”
In 2001, the Do Not Call Law took effect, which allowed New York consumers to opt out of receiving pre-recorded or “robocalls.” However, since the establishment of the national Do Not Call Registry, consumers have seen an increase in live telemarketing calls, requiring this change in the state law.
Senator Todd Kaminsky said, “People live busy lives, and the last thing that they need to deal with are disruptive calls from telemarketers. Over the last few years, the amount of nuisance calls has increased drastically, and this bill would curb these bothersome calls.”
Assembly Member Amy Paulin said, “I am grateful to the Governor for his leadership in providing consumers with more tools to combat this out-of-control surge of annoying telemarketing calls we’re all experiencing. I’ve heard from so many New Yorkers who are at their wits’ end. I get these calls myself all the time, and I know how frustrating they can be. With this bill becoming law, our residents can finally get themselves off some of these telemarketing lists and can prevent their contact information from being shared moving forward.”
Press Release, Roland Nenni, police chief for Albion and Holley police departments
The Albion Police Department is pleased to announce being awarded the 2019 Community Traffic Safety Platinum Award by the America Automobile Association.
The nationally recognized AAA Platinum Community Traffic Safety Award is the highest award AAA can bestow on any Police Department. It’s awarded to Law Enforcement Agencies that have developed and maintained traffic safety initiatives in their communities and who have shown success in those initiatives.
The Albion Police Department has used programs such as Buckle Up New York, Selective Traffic Enforcement Program, Stop DWI , Pedestrian Crossing Safety and Awareness, Targeted School Zone Patrols and the Child Passenger Safety Seat Program to enforce vehicle and traffic laws as well as to educate and assist motorist.
Throughout 2019 the Albion Police Department conducted several targeted details that focused on specific areas of safety for both motorists and pedestrians. These details were done in non-traditional ways to increase their effectiveness. Several more details are planned using techniques that have never been done in our area and will increase awareness and effectiveness with the end goal of making our community safer.
This is the ninth consecutive year that the Albion Police Department has received the Community Traffic Safety Platinum Award.
The Albion Police Department is dedicated to making our highways and streets safer for all who use them. Throughout the holiday season we will continue our efforts by adding more patrols and details and we urge motorist to make responsible decisions.
The Holley Police Department under the Albion Police Leadership was awarded the Bronze Award for their efforts in traffic safety.
Kathy Hodgins of Medina has accepted the new position of Chief Clinical Officer for the Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse.
The appointment of Hodgins to the high-level supervisory post was announced by John Bennett, the agency’s executive director.
“We are excited about Kathy taking on this vitally-important role at GCASA,” Bennett said. “She will work closely with all of the clinic directors, medical director and medical staff to ensure the care for patients is seamless across our systems.”
Under the direct supervision of the executive director, Hodgins, a 19-year employee at GCASA, will oversee the development and monitoring of the existing and future quality systems of the Clinical Services operation.
Hodgins has extensive experience in the substance abuse treatment field, beginning her career as a chemical dependency counselor at GCASA in 2002.
In 2006, she became the agency’s assistant director of forensics and satellite services, facilitating services to Orleans County Drug Court and Albion Correction Facility’s work release program, and three years later, moved up to the assistant director of treatment, managing daily outpatient treatment operations and supervision of clinical staff.
In 2012, Hodgins was promoted to director of treatment services in Orleans County, managing and supervising programs and staff at the outpatient center, and in 2018, she took on the dual role as senior service director in Genesee and Orleans counties. Her responsibilities expanded to include not only the outpatient services in both counties, but also management of the Opioid Treatment Program at GCASA’s Batavia campus.
A licensed social worker and credentialed alcohol and substance abuse counselor, Hodgins also is an adjunct instructor at Genesee Community College, where she implements lesson plans on the use, misuse and abuse of drugs and alcohol, and supports the Royal Employer Assistance Program as a counselor.
She received her master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Buffalo after earning a bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Brockport State College and an associate’s degree in Human Services from Genesee Community College.
Her civic involvement includes Leadership Orleans, Orleans Recovery Hope Begins Here and WNY Chemical Dependency Consortium.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 December 2019 at 11:56 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Calvin Smith, who played Joseph in Albion’s 2006 production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, returned to the Middle School Auditorium on Saturday to sing, “Close Every Door.”
Smith, a Free Methodist pastor in Belfast, was among about 30 alumni who performed in the concert, which was a celebration of the theater program at Albion the past 40 years.
Mike Thaine, Albion’s high school band teacher, leads a camel across the stage. Thaine, an Albion graduate, was in makeup to reprise his role as a narrator from the musical, 2 by 5, which was performed by Albion in 1986.
The camel was part of the four Joseph productions by Albion – in 1987, 1997, 2006 and 2016. Cast members from all four shows closed the program on Saturday with a Joseph mega-mix remix. That included dancers Valerie (Basinait) Pettit, Andrea (Blake) Brown, Victoria (Taber) Flugel, Tina (Cole) Applegate, Erin Cebula, Ali (Ostrowski) Allamon, Kailey Winans, Justin Barleben and Isaiah Cornick.
Thaine’s son, Kyle, was Joseph in the 2016 musical. Kyle performed “Any Dream Will Do” from the musical on Saturday.
Thaine’s wife, Susan (Collins) Thaine, sang “Ribbons Down My Back” from Hello, Dolly! in 1985
Nancy (Williams) Lowery starred as Cinderella when Albion performed that show in 1978. Lowery made a special appearance to start Saturday’s alumni theater concert. About 250 people attended the 2 ½ hour event.
Jackie Madejski sings “Neverland” from Peter Pan. She had the lead role in the musical in 2011. She is among the many Albion performers who were recognized by the Stars of Tomorrow, an annual awards program by the Rochester Broadway Theater League.
Matt (Mooney) Galantowicz sings “Stranded at the Drive In” from Grease. Albion performed the show in 1991. The show on Saturday included a representative costume from each show, including a Rydell High School sweater from Grease.
Karen (Kenney) Conn sings “Poor Sweet Baby” from Snoopy, originally performed by Albion in 1985. Conn is a music teacher at Albion.
Carrie (Miller) Kozody, a middle school music teacher at Albion, sang “New York, New York” from 2 by 5.
Megan (Neal) Zambito, another Albion music teacher, sang “Freddy My Love” from Grease.
Gwen (Martillotta) Ferchen, an accompanist for the music program, also was in the Grease cast in 1991 and sang, “There are Worse Things I could Do.”
Shannon Vanderlaan sings “Memory” from Cats. She starred in the musical for Albion in 2010. Vanderlaan is Karen Conn’s daughter.
Marsha (Bolton) Rivers reprises her role as Ado Annie from Oklahoma! in 1992. She is singing, “I Can’t Say No.”
Erin Moody returned to stage to sing, “Oh is There Not One Maiden Here” from the Pirates of Penzance in 1995. Mike Plain, another cast member from the Pirates of Penzance, sang, “When a Felon’s Not Engaged in His Employment.”
Doug Egling records his daughter, Ondeya (Egling) Campbell, singing, “More I Cannot Wish You” from Guys and Dolls. She originally starred in that show for Albion in 2002.
Lisa Berray was back singing “Hello, Dolly” from that musical. She had the lead role in 1998.
Matt Pettit, one of Berray’s castmates, sang, “It Takes a Woman” from Hello, Dolly!
William Grimble, who was the Beast in Beauty and the Beast, sings “If I Can’t Love Her.” He was in the 2013 cast. Albion also performed Beauty and the Beast in 2005.
Katie Taber, who was Belle in 2005, returned to sing, “Home.”
Lydia Erakare, who was Belle in 2013, sang, “Beauty and the Beast” on Saturday.
Tina (Coville) Bauder, right, and her sister, Gloria (Coville) Lear, perform “Wall Flower” from 2 by 5, which they performed in 1986.
Other performers on Saturday included:
Gary Simboli, the high school musical director, sang, “Happiness” from You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown. Simboli had the lead role in the musical in 1981.
Lance Anderson – “On the Street Where You Live” from My Fair Lady in 1983.
Joshua Smith and Justin Barleben – “No More” from Into the Woods in 2007.
Kailey Winans – “Days of Plenty” from Little Women in 2008.
Eric Deiboldt – “Now I’ve Seen You” from Honk! in 2002.
Rebekah (Degnan) Smith and Kathleen (Adduci) Barleben – “Some Things are Meant to Be” from Little Women in 2008.
Gary Simboli, the high school musical director since 1985, and Kathy Winans, the assistant director since 1987, thanked the Albion students, school district and community for supporting the theater program. Simboli and Winans were given a standing ovation for their devotion to the students and the theater program for more than three decades.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 December 2019 at 10:33 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: A historical marker stands out at Courthouse Square in Albion this morning after a snow fall last night and this morning. The marker notes the front lawn for the County Courthouse and County Clerks Building was a homestead with a log cabin site, built by Mr. and Mrs. William McAllister in 1811. Mr. McAllister moved away after his wife’s death in 1812, the marker states.
A winter weather advisory ends at 11 a.m. today, following snow and ice since Sunday.
Today is forecast for a high of 32, followed by a mostly sunny Tuesday with a high of 34.
Wednesday is forecast for a high of 35, followed by a high of 31 on Thursday.
Motorists travel on Main Street in Albion this morning at about 9 a.m.
Ice hangs on a snow-splattered sign on West Park Street with St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in the background.
These mail collection boxes were hit with snow in front of the U.S. Post Office in Albion.
Snow clings to the Orleans County Courthouse and the trees on the courthouse lawn.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 December 2019 at 8:49 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: Garbage and recycling on Lakeside Park Road in Carlton hasn’t been picked up the past two weeks. The service is to resume this week.
CARLTON – Modern Disposal has told county officials the company plans to resume garbage pickup on fire lanes this week.
The company didn’t pick up garbage the past two weeks after notifying town officials in Yates, Carlton and Kendall it had safety concerns with employees bringing the big garbage trucks on the narrow roads, which are privately owned.
“Modern will resume service to all residents along Fire Lanes including Sunset Island and Park Ave Extension, the two most critical areas of the Fire Lanes issues,” Joe Hickman, Strategic/Municipal Sales Manager for Modern, said in an email to county officials. “To continue service in these areas, Modern will deploy smaller collection vehicles (collection bodies on a 1 ton chassis platform) which provides our driver improved maneuverability and visibility than that of tradition refuse and recycling collection vehicles.”
The county manages the garbage and recycling contract with Modern. The contract will need to be modified to reflect the company’s increased costs with using smaller trucks for the service, Hickman said in his email.
“Modern recognizes that Fire Lanes are private property maintained by residents and private contractors,” Hickman said. “If the conditions of any Fire Lane become compromised due to weather or other factors, Modern’s drivers will decide on a ‘go or no go’ to service.”
Any “no go” situations will be reported to Modern’s Customer Service Department who will share the information to both county and town officials, Hickman said.
Modern will meet with town and county officials on Dec. 9, with a goal to have an agreement that satisfies all parties’ concerns and requirements. Hickman said the goal is to have a new program serving residents on the fire lanes by March 1.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 1 December 2019 at 6:12 pm
Medina Railroad Museum named Grand Champion
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – The winning floats have been announced from Saturday’s Parade of Lights. The Medina Railroad Museum was named grand champion of the 11th annual parade, which had about 45 participants.
The Railroad Museum is a first-time grand champion.
The top photo shows the museum’s float in the staging area at the Olde Pickle Factory.
This photo shows the float on the parade route on Main Street.
Parade chairman Jim Hancock announced the other winners in the Parade of Lights.
Several Best-in-Class awards were given as follows:
Not-for-profit – Knights-Kaderli Memorial Fund
Service Club – Little Bits 4-H Club from Gasport
Religious – Grace Baptist Church in Medina
Other – Holley School’s First Responders Club
Bob Freida, a Clarendon firefighter, leads the Holley School’s First Respnders Club, which includes teens from the Holley school district.
The Holley School’s First Responders Club are dressed in turnout gear whole carrying a ladder down the parade route.
Business – For the first time there were two winners, Zambito Realtors and Velocitii. They tied in this category. This photo shows Zambito’s float.
Velocitii, which is based in Medina, made this float, which included letting out smoke from the chimney.
Fire Company – The Shelby Fire Company’s float included a tribute to the 343 firefighters who died in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
Four special awards were given in the following categories:
Littlest Elf for the float which best incorporated youth and adults – A.J’s Play Date in Medina
Star Award for the float which the judges thought was most creative – Watson Enterprises
Community Spirit Award – Orleans County Christian School
Santa’s Pick – Given to the float which the judges thought Santa would like. Winner was Red Rose Landscaping from Tonawanda.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 December 2019 at 2:12 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Icicles hang on a bench by the Erie Canal in Albion near the fire hall around noon today.
The National Weather Service in Buffalo has extended a winter weather advisory until 11 a.m. on Monday for Orleans, Niagara, Genesee and northern Erie counties.
Total snow accumulations of up to 2 inches and ice accumulations of up to one quarter of an inch are expected. The Weather Service warns of very poor travel conditions. Some power outages and tree damage is possible due to ice accumulation.
Icicles seem to be everywhere, even on the historical marker in downtown Albion at Waterman Park with the Santa mural in the background.
This is sign on East Bank Street, notifying there is a weight limit of 6 tons for trucks.
A “sold” sign is getting buried in ice on the sidewalk on East State Street.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 December 2019 at 11:58 am
ALBION – Due to the weather, the Community Christmas Concert has been postponed. It was planned for 3 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Albion.
It has been rescheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15, at the Presbyterian Church. The concert features musicians from Albion High School and others in the community.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 1 December 2019 at 10:38 am
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Medina Mayor Mike Sidari, Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul, Parade of Lights grand marshal Jackie DeHollander and parade chairman Jim Hancock pose for a quick picture before Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul gave the command to light the giant Christmas tree in Rotary Park on Saturday evening.
MEDINA – Being asked to be grand marshal in Saturday’s Parade of Lights was an honor, but very emotional, said Jackie DeHollander, as she waited in the Santa house in Rotary Park for the parade to begin.
Jackie spent many hours in the Santa house with her late husband Shelly as Santa and Mrs. Claus. Shelly, who died two years ago of lung cancer, had been Medina’s Santa for 50 years. Jackie was with him for 20 of those years.
“He loved the children,” Jackie said. “He once met a man with brain cancer and he went to his house and took him some books.”
Jackie DeHollander, grand marshal of Medina’s Parade of Lights on Saturday, stands by a figurine of the Kneeling Santa which she donated to Rotary Park in honor of her late husband, Shelly DeHollander, who was Medina’s Santa Claus for 50 years.
Jackie said she was apprehensive the first time Shelly wanted her to put on Mrs. Claus’ dress.
“I knew it wouldn’t fit, but it did fit perfectly,” she said. “Once I started, I loved it, and now I really miss it.”
Shelly was all about the true meaning of Christmas, and after his death Jackie donated a figurine in Rotary Park of Santa kneeling over the Baby Jesus in the Manger. The story is that Santa was sad because people had forgotten about Baby Jesus and the true meaning of Christmas.
“I know Shelly would have wanted me to do it,” Jackie said.
The giant Christmas tree in Rotary Park is aglow after Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul gave the command to light the tree at 5:30 p.m., kicking off the fireworks and Parade of Lights.
At 5:30 p.m., the giant Christmas tree in Rotary Park was lit in a ceremony led by Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul.
Parade chairman Jim Hancock said he received a call from Hochul’s office saying she wanted to come to Medina for the Parade of Lights.
After remarks from Medina Mayor Mike Sidari, Hochul introduced Jackie and then gave the command to light the tree.
Hochul was checking out Creekside Florist as she waited to light the tree. She said she has been to Medina several times before and loves Medina. She arrived early and spent time in Medina, checking out the shops and Christmas specials, Hancock said.
Click here to see a video of the fireworks after the tree lighting.
The band Prime Time Brass from Rochester rehearses Christmas songs behind Rotary Park before playing in the park prior to the Christmas tree lighting ceremony.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 December 2019 at 9:32 am
LYNDONVILLE – Several local churches have cancelled services this morning due to the icy road conditions.
The following have notified the Orleans Hub of services being cancelled: Lyndonville United Methodist Church, Holley Presbyterian Church and Lyndonville Presbyterian Church, and the United Methodist Church of the Abundant Harvest.
If any other services are cancelled today, please send a message to news@orleanshub.com with a name and contact number for verification.
