Photos by Tom Rivers

GAINES – Nancy Sanger of SanGer-La Alpacas in Brockport uses spinning wheels to turn alpaca wool into yarn on Oct. 5 during an open house at the Cobblestone Museum that featured many artisans.

Sanger uses the wool to make hats and shawls.

Harold Clark of Rochester was outside the Cobblestone Universalist Church doing a chair-caning demonstration. Clark said it can take 24 hours to cane a chair using the bark of a vine from southeast Asia. The cane is very sturdy and lightweight, he said.

Larry Albanese backs up a 1922 Model T Touring that was on display in between the blacksmith shop and Vagg House.

Matt Holland, president of the Cobblestone Museum, also served as the blacksmith during the open house.

David Avery, left, of Greece and David Damico of Le Roy operated a 1929 letter press in the Print Shop.

The open house included butter making, old-fashioned games, and other live demonstrations including a saddle maker. The museum also served beef-on-weck meals.

ALBION – The Village of Albion is looking to spend up to $250,000 to acquire 35 acres next to Mount Albion Cemetery.

The Village Board wants to spend $7,000 per acre to Patricia Ann Nelson, which would be $245,000 total. The village also needs to pay $2,375 to Terra Pointe Land Surveying for that company’s services. The expense up to $250,000 would allow for other possible closing costs and expenses.

The village would pay for the land acquisition from its cemetery funds and wouldn’t affect the general budget. Albion has set a 6 p.m. public hearing on Oct. 23 in the Village Hall for the people to comment on using cemetery funds to expand Mount Albion by acquiring the farmland.

The cemetery opened in 1843 and has about 20,000 gravesites on about 80 acres. The cemetery does about 75 burials a year and sells about 50 to 60 gravesites annually.

The village was looking to buy 30 acres in the spring, when there was a vote by the board to pursue the land. The acquisition now will be 35 acres.

Mount Albion is on pace to run out of room in about 10-15 years for new burials, said Jason Zicari, Mount Albion’s superintendent the past 28 years.

He expects the 35 acres would be developed in phases, and may not be needed for at least a decade.

When Mount Albion was nearing capacity in 2001, it opened the new Deerfield section with about 1,200 gravesites. There are about 300 to 400 left there. Zicari also said there are undeveloped areas in the Mapleview section in the southwest corner and near the pump house in the front of the cemetery on the west side.

There are also many unclaimed graves sprinkled throughout the cemetery including in the older sections on the east side. Zicari said some families from many decades ago would buy many plots but didn’t always need all of them. Some people have preferred a plot in the older section where the spot may be high on a terrace or near a tree.

The land to be purchased is next to the southwest corner of the cemetery. Zicari said it should be fairly easy to expand, running paved paths by clearing out some of the hedges.

New class of honorees to be inducted on Thursday

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – The Medina Sandstone Hall of Fame has expanded to a second wall in the council chambers of City Hall.

Some of the Hall of Fame Committee members worked on moving some of the plaques and historic photos of quarry workers to the second wall on Thursday.

Reinhard Rogowski, right, on chair and Dave Miller are both committee members working on the display on the second wall with some assistance from Barb Hancock, wife of committee member Jim Hancock.

Jim Hancock shifts some of the plaques on the main wall of the Hall of Fame to make room for the Class of 2024, which will be announced on Thursday at 1:30 p.m. during a ceremony at City Hall. 600 Main St. Takeform in Medina makes the plaques and donates them to the Hall of Fame and also to the inductees to display.

There have been 39 inductees into the Hall of Fame since the first class in 2013.

The Hall of Fame also recently added a touch-screen kiosk, featuring videos, slideshows, maps, and a comprehensive building database with photos. Much of the information on the kiosk is available of the Medina Sandstone Society website. Click here for more information.

The committee members work on rearranging the plaques on the main wall for the new class to be inducted on Thursday. Four new members will be added to the Medina Sandstone Hall of Fame.

Dave Miller, Jim and Barb Hancock do the meticulous work of relocating the plaques of inductees from previous years.

Mitchell has worked as local funeral director for 40 years

ALBION – As a kid, David Mitchell often joined his father Rho at Christopher Mitchell Funeral Homes in Holley and Albion.

David would mow the lawn, washed cars and helped around the funeral homes. He grew up thinking he would pursue a career as a police officer. Mitchell thought that job was a great way to serve the community and help people.

But he realized following his father as a funeral director also met that goal of service. Mitchell was 21 and was doing a residency in Rochester to become a funeral director. Mitchell said he has always preferred to be a person in the background, making sure everything is in order and tended to, while also making sure a family’s needs are being met.

He was at a service when a family went out of their way to thank you for his attention to all the details.

“That was a moment when the light bulb went off, and confirmed that I do want to do this,” Mitchell during an interview last week in Albion.

He joined his father in 1984 at Christopher Mitchell, and has upgraded both the Albion and Holley sites. David’s son Josh joined the business in 2012, making it three generations of Mitchells in the funeral service.

David Mitchell was honored in November 2018 by the Cobblestone Museum with “The Pullman Award” in appreciation of Mitchell donating a couch made by George Pullman in the 1850s. Mitchell acquired the couch when he purchased the Merrill-Grinnell Funeral Home in Albion. Mitchell wanted the couch to stay in the community and be displayed for the public to enjoy. George Pullman was a furniture manufacturer in Albion before he moved to Chicago and developed the Pullman’s Palace Cars for the railroad industry.

Christopher Mitchell in recent years has expanded and acquired funeral homes in Middleport (Bates, Wallace & Heath Funeral Home) and Gasport (Sherrie Bream & Kenneth H. Sherrie Funeral Home). Last year Mitchell announced a partnership with Cooper Funeral Homes in Medina, with Cooper owner Jake Hebdon becoming a part owner with Christopher Mitchell.

Hebdon joins Josh Mitchell in ensuring local ownership and leadership of the funeral homes for many years to come. The business has been rebranded as Mitchell Family Cremations & Funerals.

David isn’t going anywhere, anytime soon. He remains the full-time leader of Christopher Mitchell. The Orleans County Chamber of Commerce will honor him with a “Lifetime Achievement Award” on Oct. 17 during the annual Chamber awards banquet.

Mitchell said he appreciates the award, and is grateful for a long career in his home community, working with so many families.

“Ninety-nine percent of this job is dealing with the living,” Mitchell said. “You treat them with the utmost respect and care. You treat each family the best you can as if they are your own.”

When he started in 1984, Christopher Mitchell was doing about 90 funerals a year. That is now about 400 a year at the five funeral homes.

Christopher Mitchell has eight full-time employees who Mitchell said are instrumental in the business’s success. He noted Paula Fuller has worked as funeral director with Christopher Mitchell for 30 years, and Scott Schmidt has been there for 26 years. Mitchell also said the late Lee Minier was a big contributor to Christopher Mitchell, helping it grow during his tenure from 1992 to 2007.

David’s father Rho passed away in 2015, and he was active in many community organizations. David has followed his father’s example serving with the Albion Lions Club, Holley Rotary Club and on the boards for several organizations. Christopher Mitchell also donates and sponsors numerous events and causes in the community.

‘The community has been good to us and I’d like to believe we’re good to the community,” Mitchell said.

Christopher Mitchell recently was recognized for the ninth year in a row with the National Funeral Directors Association Pursuit of Excellence Award, which is given to funeral homes that deliver extraordinary service while adhering to the highest ethical and professional standards. Mitchell said the recognition goes to the top 1 percent funeral homes out of more than 11,000.

Christopher Mitchell values traditional funeral services, and also embrace modern technology to serve families, including video tributes, live-streaming services, and jewelry or other mementos with fingerprints of loved ones.

“We’re always out trying to learn new ideas and techniques,” David Mitchell said. “It’s all about connecting with the families.”

Photo and information form Medina Mustang Boosters

VICTOR – The Medina Mustang Marching Band competed on Saturday for the fifth time this season in Victor, where 13 bands performed in 6 classifications.

In SS1, East Irondequoit earned 1st place with a score of 86.35 and Medina in 2nd place at 81.60. Medina’s next competition is Oct.19 at Orchard Park and the championships are Oct. 27.

Photos courtesy of Ralph Wilson Park Conservancy

BUFFALO – A 266-foot-long bridge was set in place last weekend over the I-190 near the Niagara Street exit.

The bridge for pedestrians and cyclists links to the Ralph Wilson Park and provides an iconic structure in the city.

Construction crews installed the bridge overnight last Saturday into Sunday.

The bridge was installed overnight last Saturday. The bridge gives access to a 100-plus acre waterfront park. The park is expected to open in stages starting in late 2025 and early 2026

Photos by Tom Rivers

The bridge was made in Italy and was transported over about three weeks across the Erie Canal. The bridge was in four pieces on two barges for the trip.

This photo shows the bridge being moved on the canal near the Keitel Road on July 15.

Carver Companies from near Albany pushed a 195-foot-long barge with a tugboat.

The transport of the bridge drew lots of interest from the public and media throughout the journey on the canal.

A second barge with two sections of the bridge heads west near the curve in the canal in Gaines Basin on July 19.

This is close to the historical marker that notes this spot is the northernmost point on the Erie Canal.

Photos by Tom Rivers

KNOWLESVILLE – Shea Hill of Albion and her granddaughter Lily, 4, work on a scarecrow today at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds. They named their scarecrow “Sally.”

The scarecrow festival is an annual event put on the Medina Lion’s Club. The festival started at 10 a.m. and by noon about 170 scarecrows were made. The club expect to top 200 by the 3 p.m. end of the festival.

People paid $12 to make a scarecrow which included clothes, straw, and face on a pillowcase decorated by Medina art students.

Matt Kreutz, a member of the Medina Lions Club, served as one of the “surgeons” and tied the scarecrow together. Stephanie Corke of Barre made the scarecrow named “Wall-Eye” with her daughter, Lily.

Students in Jen Scott’s art classes at Medina High School painted many creative faces on hundreds of “scarecrow heads.”

Kim McAdoo of Medina and her son Mason Rodden, 5, worked together to make their scarecrow. McAdoo said she is getting her Halloween decorations ready and the scarecrow will help them celebrate the spooky holiday.

There was also a painting station set up by the Master Gardeners. From left include brothers Mason and Carson Bale of Medina, and their friends Evan and Cooper Kyle of Medina.

Many of the pumpkins were donated by Panek Farms.

The kids were able to paint on the pumpkins using acrylic paint pens.

Toni Bradshaw entered these pumpkins – Freddy Krueger at left and E.T. at right – in a pumpkin-carving contest. She won first place with E.T.

Richard Gudgel of Hilton did a pumpkin-carving demonstration as part of the day’s events.

Gavin Mosher, 11, of Holley won first place for best decorated pumpkins. He painted these pumpkins to look like doughnuts.

Anne Moyer of Lyndonville carved a pumpkin to look like a house, and decorated pumpkins to look like the Big Bad Wolf and the Three Little Pigs. She is shown with her daughters, Josie and Addison. They received second place for best carved pumpkin in a contest run by the Master Gardeners.

The Three Little Pigs are shown inside the pumpkin house created by Anne Moyer and her daughters.

Photos courtesy of Soil & Water Conservation District: Two Orleans County fruit farms will get frost fans to help prevent damage to their orchards during a spring frost.

ALBION – The Orleans County Soil & Warer Conservation District has been awarded a $361,311 state “Climate Resilient Farming Grant” to assist three farms.

Two of the grants will go towards frost fans, while the other grant will help a farm in Kendall remove numerous ash trees along a waterway at the farm and establish a riparian buffer. The farm will replant the area with healthy, native trees, said Katie Sommerfeldt, the Soil & Water district manager.

The grant to replace a series of smudge pots with frost fans will help two farms, one in Gaines and one in Carlton, prevent frost damage to their orchards which can devastate crops, Sommerfeldt said.

The frost fans have automatic weather stations. They will blow warmer air from above through an orchard to fight a freeze in the spring when fruit buds are vulnerable to frost.

Farms now set up numerous smudge pots and power them with diesel fuel. It’s very labor-intensive, often needed manpower throughout a chilly night.

The frost fans will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and require far less manpower, Sommerfeldt said.

Many of the local fruit farms have been using smudge pots to try to warm up chilly orchards, a labor intensive effort.

Photo courtesy of Orleans County SWCD: Shoreline volunteers pick out trash from Glenwood Lake in Ridgeway.

ALBION – Volunteers collected nearly 400 pounds of trash on Sept. 14 during the 23^rd annual shoreline cleanup in Orleans County.

The Orleans County Soil & Water Conservation District leads the effort in connection with the American Littoral Society’s International Coastal Cleanup.

These events are held around the United States with volunteers cleaning up their local waterways and reporting their findings back to the society. The Littoral Society asks for specifics including trash items found and total weight, the data creates statistical analysis and trends in discarded trash for our population.

The volunteers gathered at 9 a.m. in Bullard Park in Albion and divided up the waterways that include the Canal Wide Waters, Glenwood Lake, the Waterport Dam and Point Breeze.

“Although this year’s crew was small, we managed to collect almost 400 pounds of trash, with quite a few tires contributing to the total weight this collection,” said Katie Sommerfeldt, the Soil & Water district manager. “Thank you all to who participated, you play an essential role in the preservation of our shorelines and we couldn’t do it without you.”

CLARENDON – The Clarendon Historical Society Museum has taken on a new role as home to a respite program the second and fourth Thursdays of each month.

Opening day was Thursday and several seniors were brought to the program to enjoy lunch, games and camaraderie.

Respite programs became a reality in Orleans County nearly two years ago when Matt Holland, who was then a grant writer hired by United Way of Orleans County, wrote a $290,000 grant in cooperation with Community Action. Holland received input from Nyla Gaylord, also a grant writer and currently director of United Way of Orleans County.

After being funded, the program was slow to get up and running, due to difficulty in finding help to run it. Gaylord, however, was able to get the three-year grant extended a year and Dana Jessmer was hired as project coordinator.

Currently, Kate Cudzillo is coordinator of the Clarendon respite site, while Samantha Koons runs a similar program, funded by the Alzheimer’s Association, at the Albion Nutrifaire site at 16 East Academy St.

(Left) Stephanie Koons helps a senior named Buelah do a word search puzzle on the first day of a respite program at the Clarendon Historical Society Museum. (Right) Kate Cudzilo, right, welcomes Cindy Gregoire and her daughter Cathy to the opening day of a respite program at the Clarendon Historical Society Museum on Thursday. Cindy’s son Tim, a contractor, built the building which houses the respite program.

Cathy Gregoire brought her mother, Cindy, who wanted to get out and meet people.

Several more people came in the afternoon, including Grace Kent, who volunteered to help.

“Everyone had a great time,” Gaylord said. “It was a success and more people from the Clarendon/Holley area are being encouraged to come by with friends and relatives. The word is getting out.”

She said the Holley school district will be sending students to help. Volunteers and guests are always welcome, Gaylord added.

“At the end, a caregiver told me how lonely and isolated she felt and how much the respite benefitted them both,” Gaylord said. “That is exactly why the program is in Clarendon – to provide a setting where both caregivers and their loved ones can get support and re-establish social connections in their community. I think of it as a community living room.”

Nyla Gaylord, left, director of United Way of Orleans County, who helped write the grant which financed the respite program, chats with Cathy and Cindy Gregoire and Samantha Koons at right.

Several other sites originally offered respite, but didn’t pan out. Christ Episcopal Church at 26 South Main St. in Albion and the Clarendon Historical Society will serve as the respite sites. Caregivers are encouraged to take advantage of one or several of these sites to provide much needed respite for themselves and meaningful activity for their loved one.

Another respite site at the Nutrifaire site at 16 East Academy St., Albion, is for loved ones with Alzheimer’s or dementia and is funded by the Alzheimer’s Association. It takes place the first and third Wednesday of the month, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It includes exercise, crafts, games and a nutritional lunch for the loved one, at no charge, but caregivers must pre-register by Monday of the date they plan to attend by calling Koons at 589-2863.

Respite at the Christ Episcopal Church is the first and third Thursdays of the month, from 1 to 4 p.m. Only the Park Street entrance should be used.

At the Clarendon Historical Society, their respite program is available from 1 to 4 p.m. the second and fourth Thursdays. They are located at 16426 Fourth Section Rd. (Route 31A), Clarendon.

All respite sites are free to Orleans County residents.

Those wishing more information on respite sites or wanting to volunteer should call (585) 209-9151 or (585) 209-3416; or e-mail Caregiversrevitalize@gmail.com.

Medina native Adam Wakefield will debut his first book at 1 p.m. Oct. 19 at Author’s Note, 519 Main St.

MEDINA – A Medina native with a career in marketing is testing the waters as a first-time novelist.

Adam Wakefield grew up in Medina, a son of Mike Wakefield and Jackie Lundgard and grandson of the late Donald “Doc” and Janet Wakefield. He graduated from Medina High School in 2001, plays drums and considers himself a local history buff.

He has always been a horror enthusiast and admirer, and always wanted to write books.

Encouraged by his wife Megg, Wakefield wrote his first book, The Usher, which he will debut and sign copies at 1 p.m. Oct. 19 at Author’s Note, Medina’s independent book store.

The Usher is a cosmic horror set in nostalgic small-town America. While carding for his grandparents, Wakefield said he was inspired by stories his grandma told him about the theater in Medina.

“There has never been a better time than now to write a horror book,” Wakefield said. “There is a big appetite for it now. People like to be scared.”

He took seven years to write his first book, often getting up at 5 a.m. to write before going to work. His second book is in the works and on schedule to be completed in seven months total.

 “The next book is going to be very different,” he said.

The Usher appears at first to reminisce about an affectionate view of the Americana of yesteryear, but soon introduces a supernatural and thrilling twist. The novel follows the main character John Bradford, a lost soul at the end of his rope struggling to find his place in the world. Amidst his difficulties, a chance encounter with an impossible visitor from the past changes everything and sets John on a journey to save everyone dear to him.

“Inspired by Wakefield’s upbringing in Western New York and his personal experiences, this love letter to a bygone era blends cosmic horror with nightmarish sense of paranoid psychedelia and existentialism,” said Author’s Note owner and best-selling author Julie Berry. “A haunting tale of small-town America addiction and redemption, Wakefield’s debut is a twisting, dreamlike quest to set the wrong things right.”

The Usher is perfect for lovers of horror, fans of comebacks against insurmountable odds and Western New York locals who want to see their home brought to life on the page, Berry added.

The Saturday afternoon event at Author’s Note is free and open the public. Pre-ordering copies is recommended. For those unable to attend, signed books can be ordered at www.authorsnote.com.

Provided photos: Heidi Wyant of Albion was named Arc GLOW’s “Employee of the Year” and Nathan Johnidas of Albion was named the “Self-Advocate of the Year.”

Information courtesy of Arc GLOW

BATAVIA — The Arc GLOW, a four-county organization serving people with disabilities, held its second annual awards banquet and annual meeting on Wednesday. Two of the award winners are from Orleans County.

Heidi Wyant, the Arc GLOW transportation director, was named “Employee of the Year.”

Wyant has been with the agency for almost three years, coming to Arc GLOW from Community Action of Orleans Transportation. So, although she has only been with the agency since 2021, her impact has been felt by the people we serve for over 30 years since CATS had a long-standing partnership with Arc of Orleans and later Arc of Genesee Orleans, Arc GLOW officials said.

“The impact that Heidi has on the agency is far more in depth than most people realize,” said John Prospero, vice president of transportation.

Wyant supervises over 30 employees, is responsible for the transportation of over 200 adults and children, all with some type of special need, on more than 25 bus routes.

“In addition, Heidi is responsible for managing our northern vehicle fleet of about 100 vehicles—which entails everything from fleet maintenance to fuel and oh by the way now is done in a NYSDOT certified facility,” Prospero  said. “And here is one other tidbit that I am guessing most of you do not realize—Heidi’s operation transports people throughout seven counites. In the three years that Heidi and I have worked together, she has brought in new business, recruited drivers and literally doubled the number of bus routes and the people we serve.”

Nate Johnidas of Albion was named “Self-Advocate of the Year.” Johnidas was voted president of the Self-Advocacy All-Stars. As president, he led the group in preparing for the annual talent show and reached out to community members to invite them to speak at the 3rd Annual Jonathan Doherty and Gladys Hopper Self-Advocacy Day.

“This year was a big one for him,” said Jill Pegelow, vice president of self-direction and community services. “Nate set many goals for himself this past year regarding his desire to be more independent. In an effort to facilitate this, Nate took the appropriate measures to become his own guardian and representative payee. His self-advocacy efforts paid off and he was successful in reaching these goals and now resides his own apartment in the community. Nate continues to work with staff and natural supports to maintain his independence in his new apartment.”

Other award recipients include:

• Community Services and Self-Direction Person of the Year – Brittany Murphy
• KidStart Employee of the Year – Margaret Putman
• Supported Employment Person of the Year – Elizabeth Padilla
• Pre-Vocational Person of the Year – Tammy Reimels
• Day Habilitation Person of the Year – James Gibbs
• Residential Person of the Year – Monica Mineo
• Direct Support Professional Person of the Year – Heather Taft
• Friend of Arc GLOW – Hoffman Hanafin & Associates
• Business Partner of the Year – Aunt Cookie’s Sub Shop
• Volunteers of the Year – Kevin and Dawn Fisher

Over 300 staff, individuals, family members and community members came to the Batavia Downs to honor the 12 award recipients. Congresswoman Claudia Tenney and representatives from Senator George Borello and Assemblyman Steve Hawley’s office were also in attendance.

“October first marked our official three-year anniversary as Arc GLOW; we have accomplished so much as one agency,” said Martin Miskell, CEO.

Additionally this year, Arc GLOW launched Genesee IGNITE in partnership with Genesee Community College. This, and the LIVES program through SUNY Geneseo which celebrated 15 years in April, are Arc GLOW’s inclusive higher education and college experience programs.

Two other agency milestones which were celebrated this year were Hilltop in August which celebrated 50 years and Finders Keepers Thrift Shop which celebrated 15 years in June.

Over 137 Arc GLOW staff also celebrated longevity milestones ranging from five to 40 years of service in 2024.

“We completed our first phase of the strategic plan to examine where we are, where we want to go, and how we are going to get there. Our first major initiative resulted in a Brand Marketing Plan, and we will be working with Causewaves to guide us through,” Miskell said.

In the coming year, Miskell said Arc GLOW aims to:

• Look to expand the variety of our programming to meet every interest and ability.
• Roll out the Brand Marketing Plan to include a new mission and vision statement.
• Advocate for more funding and grants.
• Continue to make renovations to Arc GLOW homes and sites to accommodate the needs of the individuals it serves.
• Increase staff retention and recruitment to be the employer of choice.
• Increase community awareness in Arc GLOW.

Three Arc GLOW Board of Directors were recognized for their service: John Haugh, Susan Maha and Michelle Mahler.

Additionally, Arc GLOW recognized the Tuohey family of Medina and their commitment to Arc GLOW. Mary Lou Tuohey announced she will be retiring from her family business Case-Nic Cookies at the end of 2024.

“The Tuohey family is the true definition of a community friend and supporter of Arc GLOW’s mission and vision,” said Englert. “The Tuohey family always can be found volunteering at Arc events or organizing fundraisers to benefit Arc GLOWs programs and other communities. Mary Lou constantly provides cookies for our fundraisers and events, and her daughter, Nicole, heads her own fundraisers. Her Have a Heart Campaign raised over $2,300 this year that benefited many programs within the agency.”

Provided photo: Albion resident Cheryl Kast, a physician assistant with the Albion Healthcare Center, examines a young patient at the facility.

ALBION – A physician assistant with the Albion Healthcare Center has been awarded the prestigious United Hero Award from United Healthcare.

Cheryl Kast is recipient of the award which recognizes healthcare professionals who demonstrate exceptional commitment to developing outstanding patient experiences, according to Scott Robinson, director of Marketing at Orleans Community Health.

“Cheryl has consistently exceeded performance targets in three critical areas of patient experience surveys,” Robinson said.

She achieved 92% in getting needed care; 88% in care coordination; and 95% in provider-patient conversations.

These impressive achievements highlight Kast’s dedication to ensuring that her patients receive the highest quality of care and support, Robinson said. Her ability to connect with patients and effectively coordinate their care exemplifies what the primary care team at the Albion Healthcare Center strive to achieve.

“We are incredibly proud of Cheryl for this well-deserved recognition,” Robinson said. “Her commitment to patient care not only reflects her professionalism, but also sets a standard for excellence within our team.”

More information about Kast and the rest of the primary care team at the Albion Healthcare Center is available by calling (585) 589-CARE.

The winners have been announced in the annual Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor photo contest and two scenes in Orleans County are among the honored images.

Daniel Quatro of Albion won second place in the “Classic Canal” category while Jules Hoepting received an honorable mention.

In the 19th annual Erie Canalway Photo Contest, judges select first, second, and third place winners in four contest categories as well as 12 honorable mentions from a field of 329 entries.

Winning photos may be viewed at www.eriecanalway.org/gallery/photo-contests.

Jules Hoepting, formerly of Albion and now a Perry resident, received an honorable mention for this winter scene of the the Erie Canal in the Gaines Basin. Her photo is entitled, “Winter Sunset.”

“These exceptional images are a perfect invitation to visit the Canalway Corridor and discover the richness of its history, recreational offerings, and communities,” said Bob Radliff, Executive Director of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor. “We congratulate the winners and appreciate everyone who entered and shared the places and activities they love along New York’s extraordinary canals.”

Winning images can be viewed online and will be featured in the 2025 Erie Canalway Bicentennial calendar. The popular calendar will be available at no cost at libraries, visitor centers, and by request beginning in December. Funding support for the calendar is provided by the National Park Service and NYS Canal Corporation.

 “Year after year the stunning images contained throughout the calendar never cease to amaze me and Canal and history enthusiasts across New York State, as they showcase the diversity of the Erie Canal’s landscape, architecture, history, flora and fauna,” said Canal Corporation Director Brian U. Stratton. “As we approach our bicentennial year, this year’s calendar is arguably the most important and exciting edition yet, and I can’t wait for you to see it.”

Sarah Woodhams of Pittsford won first place in “Canal Communities” with this photo of the Fairport Lift Bridge.