By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 July 2019 at 8:38 am
MEDINA – A local business is tapping into a hot trend by opening an indoor axe throwing facility. 810 Meadworks had an open house on Sunday where people were welcome to try out 810 Axes.
Indoor axe throwing has become very popular at bars throughout the country. 810 Axes will be forming leagues in September and also welcomes people to give it a try.
“We thought it would be a fun thing to do in Medina,” said Tim Elliott, the axe range manager for 810 Meadworks.
Tim Elliott, left, and Josh Cogovan are focused on the target as they compete in axe throwing.
Elliott helped Bryan and Larissa DeGraw, owners of 810 Meadworks, turn a back room at 810 Meadworks into the axe throwing range. The site at 113 West Center St. is next to the Beegarten, 810’s performing arts venue that hosts concerts most Saturday evenings.
810 put in two lanes for axe throwing. Each lane has two boards with a bullseye worth 5 points. Other close throws are worth 1 to 4 points, depending on how close they are to the bullseye.
They also put a metal roof on the area and added fencing in each lane. Elliott said safety is a top priority for participants.
Orleans Hub editor Tom Rivers gave axe throwing a try on Sunday and took a few throws before getting close to the bullseye.
Participants need to stand 12 feet away. The center of the bullseye is 5 feet up from the ground.
Josh Cogovan, 37, of Middleport tried axe throwing on Sunday and was sticking bullseye after a few throws. He can see why people like the activity.
“It’s something different,” he said. It’s user-friendly. Just about anyone can do it.”
Mary Dooley of Waterport, a former nationally ranked lumberjack and axe thrower, met with the public on Sunday at 810 Axes to talk about the sport. 810 Axes is different from her competitions, where there is a longer distance to throw and it is based outdoors. Dooley competed in ESPN’s “Outdoor Games.” She holds six world records and is a two-time women’s overall champion.
She liked the energy at 810 Axes on Sunday.
“It’s an amazing thing,” Dooley said watching the young adults give axe throwing a try. “This new generation is more extreme and adventurous.”
She praised the DeGraws and Elliott for developing the facility in Medina and for wanting to bring a popular pastime to Medina.
“Why not be on that edge where it is new and exciting?” Dooley said. “You don’t have to be athletic to do it.”
When someone hits the bullseye, 810 Axes rings a bell.
810 Axes will soon have league signups available on the 810 Meadworks website. The axe throwing is a new addition to the meadery which is celebrating its five-year anniversary next month.
Teams for the leagues will require four people and must be co-ed with at least one woman. The cost is $20 per person for about an hour of axe-throwing to be in the league. The matches in the league consists of three sets of five throws for each team member. The most points a participant can get in one set is 25 (5 points each for five bullseyes).
The winner of each set during league play will get a free drink from 810 Meadworks. Elliott said there will be other pop-up tournaments and chances for the public to play.
Torch-lit tour of Downtown Albion set for September
Press Release, Orleans County Historian Matthew Ballard
Photo by Tom Rivers: Orleans County Historian Matt Ballard stops at the Pullman family grave at Mount Albion Cemetery during a tour of the cemetery in August 2016. James Lewis Pullman, father of sleeping car magnate George Pullman, is buried at Albion’s historic cemetery.
The Orleans County Department of History in partnership with the Orleans County Historical Association will host a series of cemetery and community tours in August and September.
• August 4th at 6 p.m. – Mt. Albion Cemetery, Albion
This “Movers and Shakers” tour will explore the gravesites of notable Orleans County residents including Roswell Burrows, John Proctor, Rufus Bullock, and Elizabeth Denio. Visitors will have the opportunity to stop at the Soldiers and Sailors Monument. The group will assemble at the cemetery chapel and depart at 6:05 p.m. – this tour includes large hills.
• August 11th at 6 p.m. – Mt. Albion Cemetery, Albion
A “Wealthy, Famous, and Eccentric” tour will take visitors on journey through Orleans County’s most interesting residents, including E. K. Hart, Hank Porter, Charlie Howard, and Lewis Sands. The group will assemble at the cemetery chapel and depart at 6:05 p.m. – this tour route is relatively flat.
• August 18th at 6 p.m. – Mt. Albion Cemetery, Albion
Through “Courage and Honor,” visitors will tour the gravesites of local veterans including Jesse Brooks, Andrew Hall, Ross Brown, William Collins, Virginia Sheret, and Charles Harris, a local Medal of Honor recipient. The group will assemble at the cemetery chapel and depart at 6:05 p.m. – this tour route is relatively flat.
• August 25th at 6 p.m. – Mt. Albion Cemetery, Albion
This concluding tour, “Pioneers and Politicians,” will take visitors to the gravesites of Albion’s most interesting pioneer and political figures; stops will include Ben Field, George Ough, Calvin and Juliette Beach, and a stop at the grave of Joseph Van Camp, whose home was the site of Orleans County’s most gruesome murder. The group will assemble at the cemetery chapel and depart at 6:05 p.m. – this tour route includes some larger hills.
• September 8th at 6 p.m. – Hillside Cemetery, Clarendon
Orleans County Historian Matthew Ballard and Clarendon Town Historian Melissa Ierlan will lead a tour of Hillside Cemetery as part of the Orleans County Heritage Festival. The group will meet at the cemetery chapel and depart at 6:05 p.m.
• September 13th & 14th at 8 p.m. – Murder & Mayhem: Torch-lit Tour of Downtown Albion
Matthew Ballard, Orleans County Historian, will lead guests on a nighttime tour of downtown Albion. 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, wear comfortable shoes, and pack an umbrella (just in case!).
The tour will meet at 34 E. Park Street in Albion (Central Hall) and will include a stop at the Downtown Browsery for free snacks. Visitors are encouraged to visit restaurants and shops downtown prior to the tour and should bring a flashlight.
All tours are free and open to the public, no advanced registration is required. Tours will take place rain or shine, so bring an umbrella or jacket in case of inclement weather. Additional information about upcoming events and notifications about changes or cancellations can be found on the Department of History’s Facebook page or the Historian’s website, www.orleansny.com/historian.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 July 2019 at 4:42 pm
Provided photos
ALBION – Students in grades 5 through 8 at Albion, Lyndonville and Medina sing in Thursday’s concert as part of the Summer Music Fest.
There were 209 students in the program, now in its sixth year. The three districts combine and run a music program for four days, to help students keep up with their music skills and connect with other students.
Jeanette Sheliga, a Medina music teacher, conducts the cadet band at the Albion Middle School Auditorium. Albion hosted the Summer Music Fest for the first time.
Music teachers at the three school districts have collaborated the past six years for the music fest, which started with 76 students the first year and set a new record with 209.
Amir Huzair of Lyndonville sings a solo, “This Is Me,” during the concert.
Lyndonville students are wearing orange, while Albion is in purple and Medina in blue.
This summer the program was expanded to include students going into the eighth grade.
Myles Kifner, Lyndonville’s new band teacher, made his debut with the school at the Summer Music Fest.
Three students play their clarinets, including, from left: Neveya Barnes (Albion), Teagan Balaban (Medina) and Jillian Robertson (Lyndonville).
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 July 2019 at 10:20 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
KNOWLESVILLE – Tamara Huzair, 17, of Lyndonville sings “Somebody to Love” by Queen during Saturday’s karaoke finals at the Orleans County 4-H Fair. Tamara won the $500 prize for first place.
She also won the championship in 2018 with a rendition of “Praying” by Kesha.
Three of Tamara’s siblings also qualified for the finals on Saturday. Salma won second place and Qasim was fourth, while their youngest brother Amir also performed.
The finals included the top three singers from qualifying rounds from Monday through Friday.
Anna Grillo, 10, of Albion energized the crowd with her performance of “Shallow” by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper.
Adam Grillo, Anna’s father, captures per performance on video.
Salma Huzair, 20, performs “The House of the Rising Sun.” She won second place and $250.
Sheryl Thompson sings, “Faithfully” by Journey. She won the competition in 2017.
Nikiesha Renko of Kendall sings “Womanizer” by Britney Spears.
Noah Pilbeam of Medina sings “Like a Stone” by Audioslave
Marci Wolcott of Bergen performs “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” by Aretha Franklin. Wolcott said she appreciates the fair opening up karaoke to community members. “It’s nice that we have this opportunity where we don’t have to go to a bar,” she said.
Amir Huzair, 12, performs “Dance With Me Tonight” by Olly Murs. Several hundred people watched the finals at the OrleansHub.com stage at the Curtis Pavilion.
Qasim Huzair, 16, performs “Waving Through a Window” from the musical, Dear Evan Hansen.
The top five in karaoke include, from left: Tamara Huzair, first ($500); Salma Huzair, second ($250); William Grimble of Albion, third ($125), singing “Bridge Over Troubled Water” by Simon and Garfunkel; Qasim Huzair, fourth ($75); and Hannah Brewer of Albion, fifth ($50), singing “Screw Loose” from the musical, Cry-Baby.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 July 2019 at 9:13 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
KNOWLESVILLE – Andrew Jones of Kent enjoys conquering the grease pole with the Troll Diggers. He lingered at top after the team climbed it in 34.96 seconds, which earned the team the fourth straight grease pole championship.
The Troll Diggers include, in front: team captain Jeff Ebel and Lyssa Jones. Standing: Nathaniel Jenks, Alyssa Ebel, Isaiah Jenks, Zach Kimmel and Andrew Jones.
The Troll Diggers typically win the title in less than 20 seconds but took more time this year. The team was missing some of its key players from the past.
Jeff Ebel, the team captain, said the group loves being part of the popular event at the fair.
“The people love it,” he said. “You got to give them a show.”
Most of the Troll Diggers are from the Hamlin area.
The grease pole has been a tradition at the fair for about 40 years. A 20-foot tall utility pole is slathered in grease. It proves a difficult challenge to reach the top. Only two teams could do it all week.
The Grease Monkeys are lined up and ready to climb the grease pole in front of several hundred people on Saturday night. The championship capped the week-long fair.
Jakob Hering of Albion is the last man up for the Grease Monkeys, which finished second in the grease pole championship with a time of 39.92 seconds. Jacob Golding is just below Hering.
The Grease Monkeys competed in the grease pole climbing competition three days at the fair, getting better each time. The first night on Wednesday they didn’t get to the top. Friday they qualified for the finals. Brian Smith is the base for the team, followed by Colton Chappius, Jacob Golding and Jakob Hering. Some members of the Troll Diggers are spotters.
A new team called Phill’s Mom gave the grease pole a try on Saturday. The team includes front, from left: Dylan Moore, Levi Sugar and Matthias Swendsen. Back row: Donamic Farley, Tyler Conner and Simeon Sugar.
Simeon Sugar makes a move up for Phill’s Mom which was nearly at the top before they came sliding off the pole. Team members said the name of the team is an inside joke.
Adam Swan, one of the grease pole volunteers, makes sure the pole is coated in grease. State Assemblyman Steve Hawley also stopped by and took a turn applying the grease on the pole.
Matt Chen of Colorado climbs over Geoff Christian of Clarendon for the Udder Suckers, which competed in the grease pole for the seventh straight year. The team wasn’t able to get to the top on Saturday. Other team members include AJ Muszak of Florida, Brian Bidell of Pennsylvania and Theo Irwin of Medina. Most of the team members are cousins.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 July 2019 at 7:04 pm
Chantelle Kidney and Zack Blackburn first noticed each other at 4-H Senior Council Stand
Photos by Tom Rivers
KNOWLESVILLE – Zack Blackburn and Chantelle Kidney stopped at the Orleans County 4-H Fair today after their wedding. They made sure to get a photo with a steer.
Blackburn, 23, was a member of the Beef Club seven years ago when Kidney, 21, showed sheep at the fair. They started dated on July 27, 2012. Three years ago they were engaged on July 27. Blackburn asked Kidney to marry him in the sheep barn.
The newly married Mr. and Mrs. Blackburn walk at the fairgrounds this afternoon. They are joined by their flower girls, Hollee Cook, left, and Mable Bruning, right.
The couple makes their way through the sheep barn. Maid of honor Emma Ambrose, another former 4-H’er, helps Kidney with her dress.
Chantelle Kidney walks into the 4-H Senior Council Stand. Blackburn and Kidney met at the fair while they were working in the 4-H Senior Council Stand, selling refreshments. Blackburn said he first noticed Kidney’s barn boots “and her cute little smile.”
Kidney works as an EMT for COVA in Albion, while Blackburn is a pipe layer for a company in Rochester. They are both active in the Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company.
The wedding party poses for a picture at the 4-H Senior Council Stand.
Mr. and Mrs. Blackburn saw their relationship start and blossom at the fair. Megan Blackburn, the groom’s sister, is at left.
They were married earlier in the afternoon in an outdoor ceremony on Fruit Avenue in Medina. After the wedding they headed to the fairgrounds just before 5 p.m.
Chantelle’s mother, Cindy Kidney, expected the fair would be part of the couple’s big day.
“I’m surprised they didn’t get married here,” she said.
Zack Blackburn wanted a wedding picture to include a steer. One of his groomsman, Paul Suraf, meets the big animal after Blackburn led it out of the barn.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 July 2019 at 12:51 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
KNOWLESVILLE – Jacob Golding of the Doughboys is close to the top of the grease pole on Friday at the Orleans County 4-H Fair.
The Doughboys started to slip and weren’t able to get another team member to the top. They battled for several minutes before toppling in front of a big crowd of several hundred people to cap the fair on Friday night.
Members of the Doughboys include, front, from left: Jacob Golding of Lyndonville and Ryan Lilley of Lyndonville. Back row: Brian Smith of Lyndonville, Brian Kroft of Albion, Ryan Westfall of Barre and Jeff Arnett of Shelby.
Brian Kroft is covered in grease as the Doughboys tried for several minutes to get to the top.
The Doughboys switched the order a few times to see if they could find the right combination.
Ryan Lilley served as the team captain. “We didn’t give up,” he said.
Ben Martin of Medina is at the base of the grease pole for the Greasy Heifers. He got a big gob of grease right in his face. The team tried again to climb the grease pole after an unsuccessful night on Wednesday. Martin was a new recruit for the team, which includes many current and former 4-H’ers from the Beef and Dairy clubs.
Ben Martin also tried to climb the pole. He is on top in the white shirt. Nicole Mrzywka of Holley is the next person looking to climb for the Greasy Heifers, but the team could keep a solid grip on the pole.
The Grease Monkeys were the lone team to get to the top on Friday and they qualified for the finals tonight at 10:30. Jacob Golding of Lyndonville joined the Grease Monkeys on Friday. He also climbed for the Doughboys. He was able to make it to the top for the Grease Monkeys.
Joseph Ambs is the base for the Grease Monkeys, with Colton Chappius the second man up, followed by Jakob Hering of Albion.
The Grease Monkeys didn’t get to the top on Wednesday when they only had four people. They added some members Friday and were successful.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 July 2019 at 11:53 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
KNOWLESVILLE – Rylie Lear leads a dairy animal in the livestock arena on Friday during the Grand Master Showman Competition. Rylie, 19, of Waterport won the competition, one of the prestigious at the fair, for the third straight year.
She qualified after winning the beef showmanship competition. The Grand Master Showman contest includes the top showman in nine different animals: horse Western, horse English, dairy goat, meat goat, sheep, swine, llama, dairy cattle and beef cattle.
Rylie just finished her freshman year at SUNY Cobleskill, where she is majoring in agricultural business. She is considering a career as a nutritionist in the livestock industry.
“It’s fun to share my passion for livestock with the public,” Rylie said after the competition.
She said it takes a lot of work each year getting animals ready for the fair. She said one key to showing is building trust with the animals.
Melissa Keller, one of the judges, said Rylie stood out in the competition.
“She has a general knowledge of all the species,” Keller said. “She is calm in all situations.”
Nicole Mrzywka, 18, of Holley gets ready to lead a dairy animal into the show ring. Nicole finished as the reserve master showman for the fourth straight year. She and Rylie are cousins.
The master showmen pose for the cameras Friday after the 2 1/2 hour competition to determine the grand master showman. Each person qualified for Friday’s event by either winning the master showman for an animal or being reserve champion. The group and what breed they qualified for includes, from left: Gabby Uderitz (English Horse), Allison Merle (Llama), Kaitlin Bennett (Dairy), Kaylee Nesbitt (Western Horse), Rylie Lear (Beef Cattle), Nicole Mrzywka (Dairy Goat), Ruth Kuipers (Swine), Amelia Paramore (Meat Goat) and Emma Mathes (Sheep).
Amelia Paratore, 9, of Barre keeps her eyes on the judge while showing a dairy animal.
Emma Mathes, 17, of Barre shows a dairy cow during the competition.
Melissa Keller, one of the judges for the Grand Master Showman Competition, watches some of the nine participants show meat goats. From left are 4-H’ers Gabby Uderitz, Kaitlin Bennett, Emma Mathes, Kaylee Nesbitt and Nicole Mrzywka.
Kaitlin Bennett, 10, of Barre leads a llama during the competition. She said the sheep and goats were the toughest to show. The sheep don’t have a halter to hang on to, and the goats “like to jump.”
The master showmen lead llamas in the show ring in front of judge Elizabeth Bentley and Barb Kurzowski, the llama superintendent.
Ruth Kuipers, 9, of Byron is in her element with the portion of the competition that included pigs. Ruth qualified for her swine showmanship skills.
The pigs were challenge to keep under control during the competition. Allison Merle is at center right with Kaylee Nesbitt behind her.
Gabby Uderitz, 17, of Albion is out of her comfort zone showing a dairy animal during the Grand Master Showman Competition. She qualified after winning the English Horse competition.
“It was an honor,” she said about being in the competition. “But it was really hard.”
She said the dairy and beef animals were the toughest to show because of their size. Sometimes they didn’t want to move.
Kaylee Nesbitt, 16, of Lyndonville keeps a steer under control.
Visit the new Ag Education and Activities areas in the Lartz Commercial Exhibit Building.
8 a.m. – Senior Council Stand opens
8 a.m. – Gymkhana Horse Show. Carlos Marcello Arena
10 a.m. – All buildings open
10:30 a.m. – Cat Show. Show Arena
Kaitlin Bennett, 10, of Barre shows a steer while seven other 4-H’ers show beef animals in Friday’s grand master showman competition. The contest includes eight breeds of animals that eight 4-H’er showed in the competition. Kaitlin qualified after being named reserve showman in the dairy competition on Thursday.
This team of cousins won a competition Friday at the fair where they built blades for a wind turbine. Their team had the fastest time for a turbine to pull a toy car with a string. The team includes Allison Mathes, Lillian Mathes, Sarah Mathes and Taylor Soule, all of Barre. The competition was sponsored and organized by Apex Clean Energy. There were 22 participants in the competition on Thursday and Friday.
3 p.m. – Small Fry Pedal Tractor Pull – Championship run of all first place finishers from throughout the week Pedal Tractor Course: Fair Office
4 p.m. – Awards Ceremony and Crowning of the Fair Royalty. Curtis Pavilion
4:30 p.m. – Lew-E the Clown. Clown Stage
5 p.m. – Circus Incredible. Lawn South of the Knights Building
6 – 7 p.m. – AITC Youth Ag Education Terrific Tractors: Poems and Games. Trolley Building
6 – 10 p.m. – Main Event Amusements $20 Unlimited Ride Wristband (Tickets purchased this block good 6-10 only) Midway
6:30 p.m. – Lew-E the Clown. Clown Stage
Zachary Neal, 14, of Albion entertained fair-goers with a contraption he made that allows him to play multiple musical instruments at once. He walked around playing “Oh! Susanna” and played a ukulele, melodica, harmonica, drums, symbols, a horn and tambourine.
6:30 p.m. – Market Auction Preview and Reception. Show Arena
7 p.m. – Circus Incredible. Lawn South of the Knights Building
7 p.m. – Orleans County 4-H Market Auction. Show Arena
8:30 p.m. – Lew-E the Clown. Clown Stage
9 p.m. – Circus Incredible. Lawn South of the Knights Building
9 p.m. – Orleans County 4-H Fair $1,000 Karaoke Challenge Finals. (No qualifying round). OrleansHub.com Stage
9 p.m. – 4-H Dairy Cow Bingo. Cattle Building
10 p.m. – Buildings Close
10 p.m. – Greased Pole Climbing Contest (Teams must pre-register at the Fair Office) Greased Pole
10:30 p.m. – Greased Pole Climbing Championship. Greased Pole
Justin Robinson, 19, of Albion hangs on the grease pole while a teammate in the Greasy Heifers climbs on his shoulders. The Greasy Heifers battled but couldn’t quite get to the top.
By Matthew Ballard, Orleans County Historian Posted 27 July 2019 at 8:11 am
“Overlooked Orleans” – Vol. 5, No. 29
ALBION – Taken sometime around 1935, the focus of this particular photograph is the Allen Grill located at 38 East Bank Street in Albion (now 28 East Bank Street). Owned and operated by Franklin R. Allen, his family operated a hotel on West State Street prior to him opening this business in downtown Albion. Allen was active with numerous local civil and fraternal groups including the Elks Lodge, Knights of Columbus Council #1330, and the American Legion Sheret Post.
Several other businesses are visible in this image, including Austin Meland’s IGA store. Situated in the old Orleans Hotel block, Meland purchased the building in 1929 at a cost of approximately $20,000. Meland was known throughout the area for operating butcher shops in Medina, Albion, and Brockport.
The purchase of this building expanded his interests into the hotel and coffee businesses. To the right of the Allen Grill was the Larkin grocery store operated by Clarence Lewis. Danahy-Faxon purchased the Larkin chain two years after this photograph was taken. On the far right is a sign in the second story window that reads “Cook Signs.” Frank Depczynski operated this business as Dep’s Sign Service until Ray Cook took ownership.
Readers will notice the sandstone pavers lining East Bank Street including the nicely carved sandstone curbing pulled from local quarries. A sign is situated on the sidewalk facing the street, which reads “Park parallel to curb.” Advertisements fill the window of Meland’s IGA displaying the prices of various goods; Red “A” Coffee for 17 cents, 25 cent haddock fillets, 19 cent cans of cut corn, and pot roast for 17 cents per pound.
A large poster advertises a picture contest for kids where winners have the choice of a new bicycle, radio, or $100 cash. Hanging in the window of the Allen Grill is the business’s liquor license and neon signs for Standard and Genesee beers on tap. Aside from the stacks of canned foods in the window of the Larkin store, a Bell telephone sign lets the occasional passerby that a public telephone is available inside.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 July 2019 at 2:09 pm
ALBION – The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office is applying for a grant to cover the costs of 11 defibrillators for all the patrol cars.
The Sheriff’s Office is applying to the Greater Rochester Health Foundation for $11,627, which would buy portable automated external defibrillators for patrol vehicles and marine units, providing immediate assistance during cardiac emergencies.
The Albion and Holley police departments last year used an $11,700 grant to buy 11 defibrillators. The Greater Rochester Health Foundation paid for those defibrillators for patrol cars, as well as one for the police stations.
Roland Nenni, police chief for both departments, said the Albion and Holley officers go to EMS and fire calls, often the first on the scene. Nenni said the officers often have been the first to respond when someone is in cardiac arrest. Having the defibrillators will increase the chances of saving people having a heart attack. Without a defibrillator, officers can only provide CPR for someone in cardiac arrest.
The Sheriff’s Office last year used a $3,000 grant from the Walmart Foundation to buy two defibrillators, one each at the Public Safety Building and the Animal Shelter. Those units have metal boxes and training instructions.
This year, the Sheriff’s Office applied to the Walmart Foundation to start a “Shop with a Cop” program during the holiday season.
The County Legislature on Wednesday accepted the $3,000 grant from Walmart. Sheriff Randy Bower said he expects the Sheriff’s Office will work with the Department of Social Services to pick children for the program, where law enforcement will join children in selecting toys at Walmart.
Bower said many law enforcement agencies run “Shop with a Cop” programs, and the efforts help build positive relationships between law enforcement officers and local families.
Provided photo: Chris and Pat Haines sit on a bench dedicated to Chris’s aunt and uncle.
Courtesy of Frank Panczyszyn, member of Oak Orchard Neighborhood Association
CARLTON – The Oak Orchard Neighborhood Association dedicated a special concrete park bench at the Orleans County Marine Park near Point Breeze in memory of a special couple, the late Joey and Gene Haines.
They were longtime residents of Orleans County, deeply involved in the community, and were charter members of OONA 11 years ago. Gene and Joey purchased the former Barbary Coast restaurant at Point Breeze, making it their home, as well as a gathering place for many charitable community functions, including fundraisers for the Oak Orchard Lighthouse. Their home also served as a meeting place for the Oak Orchard Neighborhood Association.
Joey and Gene were very special people who gave selflessly of themselves to a wide variety of passions, all within the community and the county they loved. As each passed on, donations were made to OONA in their honor. OONA decided to use these donations for this memorial bench, a fitting memory to the Haines couple. The bench is in the location where Joey and Gene were seen at OONA concerts over the years, handing out life jackets to children going down to the marina docks.
The dedication was made on Tuesday at OONA’s Summer Concert in the Park series. Among the 300 people in attendance were Chris and Pat Haines, who now reside in Savannah, Georgia. They had been long-time residents of Orleans County. Chris is the nephew of Gene Haines. The bench will now be a lasting memory to Joey and Gene Haines.
Photo by Tom Rivers: The railroad tracks are shown in Murray near Hindsburg Road in this photo from early November 2016.
Press Release, Congressman Chris Collins
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Chris Collins announced today that the Northern Border Regional Commission’s State & Infrastructure Investment Grant has allocated $480,000 to the Orleans Economic Development Agency.
This grant will provide funding for engineering work and construction improvements to nine railroad bridges and culverts on the Falls Road Railroad in Orleans and Niagara counties. This grant will help and retain 225+ jobs in the surrounding region.
“This grant will help make rail more efficient for those who use our railways in Western New York,” said Congressman Collins. “Supporting local governments with the cost of maintaining, repairing and building critical infrastructure is an appropriate use of federal tax dollars.”
The Congressman’s office remains available to assist any local government pursuing a federal grant.
(Editor’s note: The Falls Road Railroad, which goes from Lockport to Brockport, is owned by Genesee Valley Transportation in Batavia.)
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 26 July 2019 at 9:22 am
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – The renovation and improvement work on the Medina School District’s athletic facilities is continuing with the resurfacing of the track behind the Wise Middle School. Here a work crew puts down a layer of asphalt.
Here two rollers work to smooth out the track surface. The district’s sports facilities project has over the past couple of years also included the complete renovation of Vets Park including new turf, scoreboard and grandstand and the rebuilding of the JV baseball field.
