Provided photos

Four employees of Keeler Construction are working with the Town of Irondequoit this week. The employees wanted to honor 9/11 by putting a flag on the paver while they were at work on Wednesday, which was the 18^thanniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

The four employees from Keeler’s are, from left: Van Morgott (saluting), Justin Windnagle, Marc Smith (in the blue shirt) and Jason Bessel (sitting on top of the paver next to the flag).

Residents and the Activities staff at Orchard Rehabilitation & Nursing Center in Medina decided they wanted to honor our local first responders on 9/11.  To show their appreciation they baked brownies during their monthly cooking session and presented them to the Medina Fire Department. To honor the memory of those lost on 9/11, Orchard Rehabilitation & Nursing Center presented the Fire Department with a picture created by resident Gloria Ash.

Pictured, include, front row: Joel Erickson, Gloria Ash, Betty Clark and Frank Ranallo. Back row: ORNC administrator Martin MacKenzie, Brad Mahnke, Chris Seefeldt, activities director Jamie Murphy, Lieutenant Mike Young, Adam Fisher and Sergio DiCenso.

Press Release, Orleans County Department of History

ALBION – The torch-lit tours of historic downtown Albion scheduled for Friday and Saturday will gather at Tinsel, 160 N. Main Street, north of the Canal (instead of 34 E. Park Street). The tours will conclude at Courthouse Square.

Matthew Ballard, Orleans County Historian, will lead guests on a night-time tour of downtown Albion at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Come hear the stories of the disappearance of William Morgan, Nehemiah Ingersoll’s crafty plan to secure the county seat, the murder of Pierpont Dyer, Albert Warner’s theft of thousands from the First National Bank of Albion, the murder of Alice Wilson, and many more. Guests are encouraged to bring a flashlight and to wear comfortable shoes.

The tours are free and open to the public, no advanced registration is required. Tours will take place rain or shine (unless thunderstorms are forecasted), so bring an umbrella or jacket in case of inclement weather.

Tinsel will host food options for guests on both evenings and offer a special discount to tour participants. Guests are encouraged to take advantage of this fantastic opportunity to support local businesses and to grab a bite to eat before the tours: Dubby’s Wood Fired Pizza, on Friday, starting at 5 p.m.; The Chuck Wagon, on Saturday, starting at 5 p.m.

A special thank you to Tinsel, Dubby’s Wood Fired Pizza, The Chuck Wagon, and the Downtown Browsery for their support!

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Thaddeus Nauden of Waterport removed his hat for the Pledge of Allegiance during a Sept. 11 memorial observance this evening at the Courthouse Square.

Many local firefighters and law enforcement officers attended the service. They are standing near the Sept. 11 monument by the flag pole.

About 3,000 people were killed during the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks including 343 firefighters, 60 law enforcement officers, and eight EMTs.

The Honor Guard does a 21-gun salute at the service today.

Scott Schmidt speaks in front of the 9/11 monument which shows an outline of the World Trade Center towers.

Scott Schmidt, the Orleans County chief coroner, served as keynote speaker for the service. Schmidt is a member of the U.S. Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team and deployed to New York City on Sept. 11, 2001. He spent 20 days in NYC at the Twin Towers scene.

Schmidt recounted a timeline form that day. At 8:46 a.m., the North Tower was struck. At 9:03, a plane hit the South Tower. At 9:37, the Pentagon was struck. At 9:59 p.m., the South Tower fell. At 10:07 a.m., Flight 93 crashed in rural Shanksville, Pa. At 10:28 a.m., the North Tower collapsed.

Schmidt assisted in the recovery, removal and identification of the dead along with the office of the chief medical examiner’

Besides the nearly 3,000 killed that day, 6,969 U.S. military personnel have died in Global War on Terror, and 2,100 people have died as a result of illness post-Sept. 11, Schmidt shared.

There was community remembrance a few days after the 9/11 attacks, and more than 2,500 attended the event, filling East State Street in front of the Courthouse.

Schmidt recalled seeing photos people sent him from Orleans County, with American flags on display everywhere.

“Those are the actions of a unified people and of a country that supports our right to be a free nation,” Schmidt said.

The nation won’t forget the first responders who charged into the buildings, and the many others who responded to help in the days and weeks that followed.

“We won’t forget the countless volunteers who cared for the injured, the dying, the dead, and the responders, as well as caring for each other,” Schmidt said. “We won’t forget the strength of America and of Americans.”

Don Snyder, a chaplain with the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, gave the opening and closing prayer. He thanked God for first responders who put their own lives in peril to help others.

He urged community members to consider volunteering with their fire departments.

Jim Hollinger of Albion plays Taps near the end of the service. He is a member of the Marine Corps League.

A resident salutes while Taps is played during the memorial service.

Photo by Tom Rivers: A duck enjoys the Oak Orchard Harbor recently at Point Breeze.

A flash flood watch is in effect for Orleans County from 10 tonight through Thursday at noon, the National Weather Service in Buffalo said.

The flash flood watch include Orleans, Genesee, Monroe, Niagara and northern Erie counties. A flash flood watch means the threat of flash flooding exists along rivers and creeks.

Multiple rounds of thunderstorms are expected overnight through Thursday morning over Western New York, the Weather Service said.

Portions of the area already received heavy rainfall on Wednesday morning, and additional localized rainfall of 1 to 2 inches can be expected through Thursday morning.

“If you are in the watch area you should monitor weather conditions closely,” the Weather Service said. “Be ready to move to higher ground if flooding is observed or a warning is issued.”

State Sen. Rob Ortt, R-North Tonawanda, and State Assemblyman Steve Hawley, R-Batavia, have both issued statement on the 18^thanniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people.

State Sen. Rob Ortt: “Today, we remember the thousands of lives that were stolen by radical Islamic terrorists, who were intent on destroying the idea of America. Eighteen years later, we still remember those who lost their lives on that infamous day, and the first responders and armed forces members we have lost since.

“What continues to live, however, is the idea of America, and the concept of freedom and democracy. I swore an oath to this nation, as a soldier, and as a senator, to protect our nation from enemies both foreign and domestic. I will continue to do so to the utmost of my ability because that is what we as Americans owe those who have lost their lives at the hands of our nation’s enemies.

“Together, we can continue to be the greatest country this world has ever seen, yet divided we shall certainly perish. Today, set aside your differences and remember we are all Americans, some by birth and others by choice, but Americans nonetheless. Love one another and remember that our greatest strength is our unity and our faith in each other. God bless.”

State Assemblyman Steve Hawley: “On a day just like today 18 years ago, our nation came under attack. Nearly 3,000 citizens, firefighters and police officers, began their mornings just like any other. On that day they tragically lost their lives.

“No one could imagine the events that transpired that September morning, and for a moment our freedom was compromised. An attack intended to break our spirits and devastate our nation, in our darkest hour faced with pure evil, Americans responded with bravery and courage. An effort to tear us apart only brought us closer together.

“Today we hold the ones we love a little tighter, we remember those we lost and we honor those who gave everything to protect our freedom.

The memory of September 11, 2001 will remain in our hearts forever, but the strength and resiliency that defines this country will always prevail in the face of darkness. We will never forget.”

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Patty Gawne, center, a teacher’s assistant at Lyndonville Central School, accepted a certificate of appreciation from OCALS’s president Nicole Goodrich, left, and secretary Pam Schuner at their annual banquet Tuesday night.

Austin Furness, a 10th-grade student at Albion Central School, gives his tutor Barb LaBelle of Medina a hug after being recognized as Student of the Year at OCALS’ annual banquet Tuesday night at Millville United Methodist Church.

Orleans County Adult Learning Services reported a very good year at their annual dinner meeting Tuesday at Millville United Methodist Church.

President Nicole Goodrich opened the meeting with a welcome and introduction of guests.

Treasurer Don Colquhoun reported the organization is holding to its budget very closely. Last year’s net income of $7,800 is very high for OCALS, he said, partly because the agency did not spend as much on staff salaries. He reported their allocation from United Way had been cut from $15,500 to $15,000. Other income included grants from the Lyndonville Area Foundation and two other United Ways outside Orleans County.

The following slate of officers was voted in for 2019-20: President, Nicole Goodrich; vice president, Don Colquhoun; secretary, Pam Schuner; treasurer, Don Colquhoun; and board members, Don Colquhoun and Mary Lee Knights.

Goodrich said OCALS was able to offer tutoring programs in Lyndonville’s After School program, Medina’s Reading program, Albion kindergarteners, Agri-Business Child Development centers in Holley and Newfane.

Barb Dunham, in charge of Community-Based Family Literacy, reported they served 18 students, with 38 tutors who contributed 6,171 hours. They had two tutors in Lyndonville’s reading program last year, and will have four this year. There were two at Job Corps last year, and they will have three this year.

Cindy Blosenhauer, in charge of School-Based Family Literacy, said they had two tutors at ABCD in Newfane and two at ABCD in Holley. She said she did more work in Lyndonville, including a recruitment event, to let people know about OCALS. A Read-a-Thon is currently going on.

Don Colquhoun said they still have no luck getting any business to participate in a workplace literacy program, in spite of offering it free on a trial basis. He said they will continue to market the program until a business is willing to give it a try.

Nicole Goodrich, left, president of OCALS, presented a plaque to Barb LaBelle of Medina as Tutor of the Year at OCALS annual banquet. At right, 11-year-old Hannah, who wants LaBelle to tutor her so she can go to college, gives her idol a hug.

Carolyn Wagner said her Personnel Committee has put together and employee handbook, which was approved by the board. They are doing formal job descriptions for both paid personnel and volunteer positions.

Certificates of Appreciation were presented to Hoag Library, Lee-Whedon Memorial Library, United Way of Orleans County, Lyndonville Foundation, Albion Central School District, Lyndonville Central School District, Medina Central School District, Millville United Methodist Church, Virginia Kropf, Farmworkers’ Coalition and Iroquois Job Corps.

Austin Furness, a 10th grade student at Albion Central School, was named Student of the Year.

His tutor, Barb LaBelle of Medina, was named Tutor of Year for her efforts.

“I was told they were looking for a tutor for Austin, a special needs student who could not put a math problem on paper and work it out,” LaBelle said. “Now he can actually put a problem on paper, solve it and check it on his computer. He passed his math test to be promoted to 11th grade. He’s a kid who shows up every week with a grin on his face.”

LaBelle added she just took him for a job interview and he got hired.

For her efforts, LaBelle was named “Tutor of the Year.”

“She has done an amazing job,” Goodrich said.

LaBelle was also assigned to tutor a family of seven from Syria.

“I’ve had my hands full, but I’ve had a whale of a time,” she said. “I’m in seventh heaven doing what I do.”

She has also taken a neighboring home-schooled child under her wing. Hannah, 11, wants to go to college to be a vet and has asked LaBelle to tutor her so she can go to college.

LaBelle has gone one step further. She has started a college fund for Hannah.

Final recognition of the evening was to Kevin and Terry Novak and Shane and Donna Seyler as key contributors. The women are daughters of OCALS’ founders Don and Rose Ruck of Byron, formerly of Albion.

Adrienne Daniels, a tutor with OCALS, accepts a certificate of appreciation on behalf of Albion Central School from OCALS’ president Nicole Goodrich, left, and secretary Pam Schuner.

Kevin Doherty, right, accepts a certificate of appreciation for Hoag Library from OCALS president Nicole Goodrich and secretary Pam Schuner at OCALS annual meeting. Doherty is president of Hoag Library’s Board of Trustees.

Provided photo: Nicole Goodrich, left, president of OCALS, presented a certificate of appreciation to Ginny Kropf with Orleans Hub, for her continued support of OCALS. Kropf also accepted a certificate of appreciation for United Way of Orleans County, which provides funding to OCALS.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Albion’s Kevin Hillman, shown here making a circus catch during last weekend’s win over Newfane and his Purple Eagle teammates will host Springville Friday in the B3 Division opener.

Albion and Medina/Lyndonville/Barker will begin Class B divisional football competition at home on Friday.

The Purple Eagles will host Springville in a B3 Division game while the Mustangs will entertain Iroquois in a B2 Division contest, both at 7 p.m.

Also at 7 Friday evening Roy-Hart will host Cleveland Hill in a C North Division game.

Albion will be looking to keep the momentum from a season opening 35-20 win over visiting Newfane last Friday, a contest which saw the Purple Eagles score two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to break away from a tight 21-20 contest.

In all the Purple Eagles got touchdowns from five different players as quarterback Thomas Furmanski ran for one TD and passed to Kevin Hillman for another, Deyonci Farley and Tyray White both ran for sores and Chris Shabazz returned a pass interception for another tally.

Springville will be looking to rebound from a 26-12 loss to East Aurora/Holland.

Albion holds a 5-3 lead in the all time series with Springville including a 28-14 win last fall. The first meeting in the series came in 1979 when the Purple Eagles trimmed the Griffins 13-12 in the inaugural Section VI championships at then Rich Stadium.

Medina/Lyndonville/Barker will also be looking to bounce back from a 28-0 loss at Lew-Port while Iroquois will be looking to keep the momentum from a 47-18 romp over Timon.

Chiefs quarterback Troy Klietz threw for 3 touchdown passes and running back Blake Owens rushed for 227 yards and 3 TDs in the win over Timon.

The Mustangs hold a 3-0 lead in the all-time series with the Chiefs as the two teams met as divisional foes in 1993, 1994 and 1996.

Roy-Hart is also looking to get on the winning track as the Rams bowed 47-0 to Wilson last week while Cleve Hill dropped a narrow 21-20 decision to Cheektowaga rival Maryvale.

Provided photos

MEDINA – The Medina Area Association of Churches and other local donors delivered 48 backpacks filled with school supplies to Oak Orchard Elementary School.

Pictured from left include: Amanda Pollard, treasurer for the Medina Area Association of Churches; Leanna Ohol, Medina Key Bank Branch manager; Vince Iorio, pastor of Calvary Tabernacle Assembly of God Church; and Julie Webber, principal of Oak Orchard Elementary School.

Medina churches and organizations also distributed food, clothing, backpacks and school supplies during a community outreach event on Aug. 24 at Butts Park.

That event was cosponsored by the 2ns Church of True Disciples of Jesus Christ (Segunda Iglesia Fieles Discipulos De Jesucristo), led by pastors Jovannie and Melissa Canales; and Calvary Tabernacle Assembly of God Church, led by Pastor Vincent Iorio.

There was face painting, children’s games and races, and three bounce houses.

Exhibitors included ABC Head Start, Fidelis, RTS Orleans, Medina Fire Department, United Way, Calvary Tabernacle Church/Stillwaters Counseling Center, and United Healthcare.

The worship bands from 2nd Disciples and Calvary sang during the event at Butts Park, which was attended by about 300 people.

Experts say low-frequency infrasound has debilitating effects on about 10% of population who live near turbines

WILLIAMSVILLE – Wind turbines aren’t the noise-free, idyllic structures that are typically presented to be, said several speakers at a forum Tuesday on the public health impacts of industrial wind turbines.

The turbines, which tower more than 400 feet high, not only change the looks a rural landscape, but they have shadow flicker and infrasound that effect the health of many residents near the turbines.

Infrasound, in particular, is a very real problem, where low-frequency sound waves hurt disrupt the sleep and have debilitating effects on about 10 percent of the population, said Dr. Jerry Punch, a certified audiologist for over 50 years. He works at Michigan State University.

“I’m not saying everyone will get sick, but some will complain of health effects,” Punch told about 100 people Tuesday during the forum organized by State Sen. Robert Ortt at Erie Community College’s North Campus. “There is enough scientific evidence that infrasound causes annoyance and health effects. If not sited properly, the impacts would occur in substantial proportion of the population.”

Apex Clean Energy is working on projects in Barre and Yates-Somerset. Other wind energy developers have completed projects in Western New York, and Ortt said he expects more will be coming after the State Legislature and Gov. Andrew Cuomo passed the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, with a goal of achieving a carbon-neutral economy by 2050.

State Sen. Robert Ortt speaks during a forum Tuesday at Erie County Community College’s North Campus. He is joined by panelists, from left: Assemblyman Mike Norris, R-Lockport; Rob Rand, member of INCE (Institute of Noise Control Engineers); Jerry Punch, Ph.D., audiologist; Gary Abraham, an environmental attorney; and Dan Stapleton, Niagara County Commissioner of Health.

Ortt said the state will be pushing wind energy, solar and other renewable energy to meet those targets. Western New York and upstate will see more renewable energy projects because of the state’s carbon-neutral goals, Ortt said.

“If you live in a rural community you will see more of these kind of projects,” he told the crowd.

He said developers will likely pick poorer, rural communities.

“You don’t see turbines in affluent areas,” he said.

State officials need to consider the harm on some residents’ mental and physical health with siting projects, Ortt said.

“These are impacts we need to discuss because of the energy goals,” Ortt said. “We’re going to see more of these type of projects. At some point this will effect a lot of people not just in Western New York, but in Upstate New York.”

Linda Makson lives in Orangeville, Wyoming County, where Invenergy has had a turbine project since 2014.

Linda Makson of Orangeville said her house is surrounded by wind turbines.

“Every single window I look out I see one,” she said at the forum.

She and her husband Paul have lived in Orangeville since 1973. It was peaceful, but that changed with the turbine project, including during construction with “an incessant beep, beep, beep” from construction vehicles, and the dust in the air, she said.

The shadow flicker from the turbines, which bothers her about a half hour each day, “is nauseating. The flicker makes me feel sick.”

The flicker is short term, while the noise is far more frequent, and the turbines also have blinking red lights at night.

“We have lost vistas,” she said about the visual impact. “We expect to see the beauty of the land.”

Makson said she suffers headaches and stress from the noise, which disrupts her sleep.

Headaches and continued stress and noise

“The noise can be heard in my house even with the doors and windows closed,” she said. “There are days the turbines just roar.”

Lynn Bedford of Chautauqua County said living near wind turbines “is a form of torture.”

Lynn Bedford has seven 500-foot-tall turbines near her home in Arkwright Hills, Chautauqua County. EDP Renewables of North America started operating the 78.4 megawatt wind energy project in Arkwright, which is near Fredonia, last year.

Bedford said one of the turbines is within 1,000 feet of her home. EDP has 36 turbine sin Arkwright and they became operational last September.

“Within 24 hours my ears began to ring, it hasn’t stopped,” Bedford said. “It has affected my sleep habits. I became a victim of an uncontrollable circumstance.”

Bedford said she has become an emotional roller-coaster since the project started. She also has begun to lose vision in an eye and her heart pounds.

“The sleep deprivation has been the worst,” she said at the forum. “Some days I feel like I’m going to lose my mind. My human body is being attacked by something called infrasound. Infrasound is a weapon of war.”

Bedford has 29 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. She is determined to fight the wind turbine project.

“In Arkwright it’s a form of torture,” she said about living by turbines. “This is actually a crime against humanity. Something must be done about it. I pray someone will put an end to this wind turbine nightmare.”

Dan Stapleton, Niagara County Commissioner of Health, has concerns with large-scale wind turbines.

Dan Stapleton, the Niagara County Commissioner of Health, also is president of a statewide association of health officials (New York State Association of County Health Officials) and a member of the Western New York Health Alliance. Those groups have all passed formal resolutions seeking for full environmental impact studies with turbine projects, including the impacts on human health.

“I don’t call them wind farms,” Stapleton said. “I call them industrial wind turbines.”

He said he and health officials aren’t against renewable energy projects, they just want detailed health impact studies.

“It shouldn’t be incumbent on the residents to prove it’s unsafe,” he said. “It should be incumbent on the developers to prove it is safe.”

The Health Department works every day with people suffering from chronic disease. Stapleton said sleep deprivation – either not enough sleep or not enough quality sleep – has an impact on human health.

“We’re talking about a large-scale project,” he said. “It is imperative to fully research and assess health implications that could put residents at risk from large industrial wind turbines.”

Dr. Jerry Punch, an audiologist, said turbine noise is more harmful to some people than hearing aircraft and rail traffic.

Jerry Punch, Ph.D., has worked as an audiologist for more than 50 years. He said about 10 percent of the population near large-scale wind turbines will suffer “annoyance” and sleep disruption from turbine noise.

The low-frequency infrasound can’t be heard, but it is felt by about 10 percent of the population near turbines, he said.

For them, the infrasound can be debilitating. He has met families in Michigan who had to leave their homes at night to sleep in motels. One family who fled their homes had turbines within 1,300 to 2,000 feet of their house.

Wind turbine noise has unique characteristics, he said.

“What we can’t hear can hurt us,” he said. “Infrasound is below threshold of audibility. Even though you can’t hear it can be perceived.”

The turbines are more operational at night-time, when it is quieter in a house. And turbines tend to be sited in quiet, rural areas.

Some people will suffer migraines, reduced quality of life, vomiting, extreme headaches, and changes in heart rate, he said.

He advocates for bigger setbacks. Some communities only account for the size of the turbines and blade throw, if a blade broke off. But Punch said the noise impacts need to be considered, with the turbines pushed farther away from people.

He said some experts suggest minimum distances of 0.5 to 2.5 miles, while many researchers suggest minimum of 1.25 miles.

Robert Rand said people suffering from wind turbine noise shouldn’t be discounted.

Robert Rand, owner of Rand Acoustics in Maine, has worked as a noise consultant for nearly 40 years. He visited a wind turbine project and suffered with headaches and poor balance for seven weeks after that.

“I’m in that 10 percent of the population that is immediately susceptible,” Rand said. “I could not live near a wind farm.”

He said there is an impression that turbines don’t make noise, but they do, and that noise is difficult for some people to bear.

The turbines have a pulsating low-frequency noise. It isn’t steady. About every second the turbines will have a leak noise noise while the blades are spinning. That pulsating can trigger a feeling like motion sickness for some people, Rand said.

“Distance is the only reliable noise control option,” he said. “In most places there isn’t enough distance to avoid impacts.”

The noise can feel like a “thumping” at nighttime, disturbing sleep for some residents, he said.

“There is some suggestion that people are making this up,” Rand said. “I can tell you from my direct experience people aren’t making this up.”

Rand said he is concerned as developers propose larger turbines topping 600 feet in what are very quiet, rural areas.

“As they’ve gotten larger the problem has gotten exacerbated,” Rand said. “It’s gotten worst.”

Gary Abraham, an environmental attorney, urges towns to pass wind energy laws that protect the health of residents.

Gary Abraham, an environmental attorney, has worked with municipalities to draft local ordinances with setbacks to better protect residents from noise, shadow flicker and other intrusiveness negative effects from turbines.

Although the state has created a Siting Board to review energy projects with more than 25 megawatts, Abraham said local ordinances still are considered in siting projects.

He said noise is a big impact from turbines, especially with the pulsations every second when the turbines are spinning.

He wants the Siting Board to consider the noise impacts at night.

“It’s not a constant hum,” he said. “You’re getting a noise event every second with the pulsations from wind turbines.”

Photo by Tom Rivers: This flag at Erie Community College’s North Campus in Williamsville was at half-staff on Tuesday.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced that flags on state government buildings will be flown at half-staff today, on September 11 in remembrance of the nearly 3,000 men, women and children who lost their lives in the 2001 terrorist attacks.

“On September 11, 2001, New York suffered the deadliest terror attack this nation has ever seen. But this horrific tragedy did not tear us apart; instead our state and the entire country united and emerged from our darkest hour as one in the name of freedom and democracy.

“We saw the best and the worst in humanity in that moment, and we will never forget those who lost their lives, including the selfless heroes who ran toward danger to help others. On behalf of the New York family, we honor the memories of these men and women, and we are eternally grateful for their sacrifice.”

President Donald Trump also directed all American and state flags at all public and state buildings be lowered to half-staff until sunset today.

President Trump further calls upon Americans “to participate in community service in honor of those our Nation lost. This observance will include a moment of silence beginning at 7:46 a.m. to honor the innocent victims who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11.”

In Orleans County, there will be a memorial observance at 6 p.m. at the 9/11 monument by the County Courthouse.

File photo by Tom Rivers: Local veterans were part of the memorial ceremony on Sept. 11, 2015 outside the Orleans County Courthouse by the 9-11 memorial.

ALBION – There will be a Sept. 11 memorial observance at 6 p.m. on Wednesday by the 9-11 monument near the Orleans County Courthouse.

The service is being put together by Scott Schmidt, the Orleans County chief coroner, and Dale Banker, the Emergency Management Office director for the county. They stepped up to plan the service when none was scheduled for the 18^th anniversary of the terrorist attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people.

Schmidt is a member of the U.S. Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team. He left for New York City on Sept. 11, 2001 to help collect and identify remains. He was there for 20 days, interviewing family members and helping to carefully catalog human remains.

The service on Wednesday includes an opening prayer by Don Snyder, chaplain for the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department.

Banker will also speak about the community’s appreciation for first responders, while Schmidt gives the memorial address, sharing some of his experiences in New York City after the World Trade Center towers were toppled.

The Honor Guard also is expected to be at the service.

Todd and Faith Ann Vanderwalker win the Family Class

Todd Vanderwalker, 38, and his daughter Faith Ann, 16, competed in the 90-Mile Adirondack Canoe Classic this past weekend starting in Old Forge and ending in Saranac Lake. It was a three-day, 90-mile race with 5 miles of portages.

Todd and Faith Ann hold the trophy and plaques after winning the C-2 Family Class in the 90-mile Adirondack Canoe Classic.

This was the 37th year for the Canoe Classic with 250 teams ranging from single-person canoes and kayaks to 10-person war canoes, competing in various classes or in open touring, which is a non-competitive “in it to finish”class.

Vanderwalker remembered hearing of the race from his father, Dan, who competed in the first couple events, winning first place in his class. While in Tupper Lake with his son in July, Todd, saw a sign for the competition and decided that he wanted to give it a try. Faith Ann agreed to compete with her father in the C-2 Family Class.

The Vanderwalkers named their team, FAD racing, which stands for Father And Daughter, as well as Faith Ann and Dad.

Training started in the Erie Canal as they only had six weeks to train. Faith Ann had to learn how to be in the stern steering which was a totally new position for her. The hope was they would complete the 90 miles but without much race training or experience they didn’t know what to expect.

It was a grueling three days with lots of blisters, lots of memories, and in the end a first place finish for their class.

Todd and Faith Ann crossed the line on day 3 with an overall time of 16 hours 48 minutes and 9 seconds. The time for the second place finishers in their class was 16:57:57 and the third place team crossed the line with a time of 21:45:13.

Not only did Todd and Faith Ann take first place for their class they also won “The Reynolds Cup.” This award is selected by event organizers and presented in memory of Dick Reynolds who loved paddling the 90, especially with his daughter Holly. It is awarded to a parent/child team that plays hard, plays fair, and has fun together on and off the water, which definitely describes this outdoor loving duo who is also working on hiking the 46 High Peaks together.

Each crew that races needs a Pit Crew that will get to the start and meet them at the finish of each day as well as get to the portages to cheer them on make sure their hydration is good and get them anything they need.

Todd’s wife Alicia, son David, and father Dan served as the pit crew and were honored to be there to celebrate this accomplishment with them.

Photos courtesy of Mindy Warne of MAWS Photography

WATERPORT – This weekend the Albion Class of 1969 celebrated 50 years since graduation.  Friday was a great evening, courtesy of Joe & Debbie Martillotta, with music by Mike McCauley.  On Saturday we had a tour of the school graciously led by Superintendent Michael Bonnewell, followed by an evening at the St. Mary’s Archer’s Club in Waterport.

Sitting from left: Ross Thompson, Rita (Long) Carlton, Bonnie (Hudson) Bowman, Davette (Pawlaczyk) Sanborn, Marcia (Piatek) Goff, Mark Chamberlain (teacher), Hugh Dudley (teacher), Dave Ragusa (teacher/coach), Patricia (Kirby) Macey, Darlene Benton, Sherry (Peters) Bernreuther, Neal Muscarella and  Kim (Eddy) Remley.

Standing from left: Mona Fitzwater, Jeanette Riley, Karen (Furmanski) Lawrence, Larry Williams, Judy Ward, Linda (Williams) Kabelac, Sue (Davis) Arnesen, Terry Schmackpfeffer, Brenda (Brown) Mufford, Pam (Kast) Dovidio,  Jim Theodorakos, Sharon (Chattin) Dent, John Leddon, Jeanne (Scharping) Nenni, Joanne Miceli, Jesse Babcock, Susan (Nenni) Ernst, William Wittman, Kevin Christy, Dianne (Stackwick) Eddy, Linda (Andrews) Christopher, Dana Gavenda, Debbie (Snowdon) Cook, Richard Cook, John Knight, Cynthia Roberts, Frank Sidari, Joe Martillotta, Mark Hudson, Connie (Quarantello) Ragusa, Jim Dragon, Suzanne (Swiercznski) Swindon, Sam Martillotta and Linda (Bailey) Chrzan.

This group played on the Albion varsity football team as seniors. They include, from left: Jim Theodorakos, Frank Sidari, John Leddon, Richard Cook, Coach Dave Ragusa, Joe Martillotta and Mark Hudson.

The reunion committee includes, from left: Linda (Bailey) Chrzan, Judy Ward, Joe Martillotta, Cindy Roberts, Jim Dragon, Kim (Eddy) Remley, Darlene Benton and Ross Thompson.

Provided photo: Coby Albone built a gaga pit for the Sweden/Clarkson Community Center.

BROCKPORT – Coby Albone of Medina has built a gaga pit for the Sweden/Clarkson Community Center in Brockport.

Coby is a College at Brockport student majoring in physical and health education with a concentration in adapted physical education. In lieu of a thesis paper, Coby chose to construction a gaga pit for the community center.

The gaga pit consists of flat walls about hip high. A ball, similar to a foam dodgeball or rubber kickball, is batted between players with their hands. The goal is to avoid being hit by the ball and be the last person standing.

Coby chose the project because it is a creative and unique game that incorporates many different skills.

“We’re very grateful to be the recipient of Coby’s hard work,” said Sweden/Clarkson Community Center Director Jill Wisnowski. “Our summer camp kids love it and we’ll be incorporating the gaga pit into our fall programming.”

Albone has done other community projects before. He is an Eagle Scout. As part of the requirements for the rank, he wanted to help the environment in and around the lakes of Orleans County.

He engineered and installed Recycling Tubes for unwanted and cut off fishing line at 15 different fishing spots in and around the lakes of the area. His goal with that project was to prevent the tangled fishing line from being discarded along the shores and in the lakes of the popular fishing areas to prevent harm to fish and wildlife.

District will bring in technology specialist to consider some options

ALBION – The school district will bring in a technology specialist to help pinpoint projects that would be funded through the $2.2 million approved for Albion five years ago through the Smart Schools Bond Act, a $2 billion fund approved for school districts state-wide.

Other districts in Orleans County have used Smart Schools funding for laptops for students, server upgrades, high-definition security cameras, expanded wireless internet access and other improvements.

Albion already had an upgraded computer system, well beyond the expectations for a school district when the Smarts Schools funding was approved, said Michael Bonnewell, the district superintendent.

The district has expanded wireless access on campus, and in July purchased 540 new Chromebook laptops for students. The district spent $119,700 for the Chromebooks, which also includes 18 charging carts.

Instead of using the Smart Schools funding, Albion used its own district dollars.

Bonnewell said the Smarts Schools funds often comes with a year delay from when districts apply to draw down on their allocation. If a new version of technology comes out or a updated laptop, districts then have to modify their technology plan submitted to the state to access the funds.

The district in 2017 formed a technology committee with teachers and administrators to try to prioritize how to spend the Smart School money. That group hasn’t reached a conclusion because Albion already meets many state objectives with the funds.

Other criteria for the money aren’t applicable at Albion, such as replacing a temporary classroom with a permanent one. Albion replaced temporary classrooms in the elementary school with a capital project more than a decade ago.

The state also allows Smarts Schools funding to boost community connectivity, and some schools have done that to add high-speed internet at a local library. In Albion, Hoag Library already has high-speed internet.

The district has brought in Archi-Technology Services which works with many school districts at utilizing technology. Bonnewell said Archi-Technology will meet with school officials and technology committee to consider some options for the funding.

Linda Weller, a Board of Education member, urged the district to identify projects with the funds.

“This district is techno-phobic,” she said at Monday’s Board of Education meeting.

“The district is not techno-phobic,” Bonnewell responded.

Elissa Nesbitt, another board member, wants to see Albion utilize the Smarts Schools funding.

“This is a really big opportunity,” she said. “We need to think big. This could be a systemic change.”