By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 30 September 2024 at 9:48 pm
KNOWLESVILLE – The Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds will be brimming with activity of a haunted kind when the annual Scarecrow Festival returns on Oct. 12.
For nearly 20 years, children and their families have attended the event to build their own unique scarecrow.
The Scarecrow Festival is sponsored by Medina Lions and has taken place in various locations around the village, until finding a home at the fairgrounds. Early festivals were at the YMCA, Roberts Farm Market, Forrestel Farms and the Canal Basin, but the fairgrounds has turned out to be the ideal location, said Lions president Tom Robinson.
There is ample parking and plenty of room for children to build a scarecrow or romp in the straw. The cost per child is $12.
The first step for children is to choose one of the stakes which Lions provide in two sizes. Then they pick out a face which has been painted by Medina High School art students and continue to the clothing area. Here, they choose from skirts, pants, shirts, blouses, belts, scarves and hats, donated by the MAAC Thrift Shop.
After dressing and stuffing their scarecrow with straw, they proceed to the “surgeons,” who sew up the scarecrow.
A new event this year will be pumpkin decorating contest from 9 a.m. to noon by the Master Gardeners. There will be a prize for the best pumpkin.
In addition, there will be a kids’ pumpkin painting activity and a carving demonstration.
Robinson stressed that adults will be available in all areas of the building to assist children. Students from Job Corps will also be on hand to lend a hand.
A food stand will have hotdogs, chips and beverages available.
Robinson said all money raised is used by the Lions to support non-profits in the community.
Many families return year after year, he said. Some say they save their creation each year and add it to their Halloween display the next year.
Robinson has visited Medina, Lyndonville and Albion school districts, leaving information on the event for all students in kindergarten through sixth grade.
But all children, even adults, are welcome to take part.
The Scarecrow Festival and Community Yard Sale in June are the Lions two biggest fundraisers, Robinson said.
Provided photos: These students are pictured with the Cliffs of Moher on the west coast of Ireland. Pictured from left in back include Ahlyssa Miller, Jack Cecchini, Mason Eick, Adeline Castricone and Angel Mulchay. In front include Will Prest, Sawyer Kingsbury, Faith Baker-Austin, Morgan Zeiner, Liam Castricone, Nate Surdell, and Zach Lilley.
Press Release, Medina Central School
MEDINA – Todd Eick, the Medina Junior-Senior High School FFA advisor, had been hoping to take his students on an international trip for several years now. “I had been really exploring possibilities and then Covid hit and I had to let it go by the wayside,” he said.
This past summer his dream for himself and 13 students came to fruition.
“My daughter had just gone on a trip with Mrs. Peracciny, one of our Spanish teachers, to London, Rome and Paris and I was looking at the photos and thought why aren’t I doing this?”
Mr. Eick looked into different tours and found one focused on agriculture in Ireland. Ireland’s agriculture sector is a key driver of its economy and is characterized by a focus on livestock production and exports. There are roughly 135,000 farms in Ireland.
“For our first trip it was really perfect,” he said. “It is an English-speaking country and included farm tours, horticulture tours and aquaculture tours. It all fit.”
The FFA students were joined by a group of students from northern California bringing their total to 30 for the 10-day trip that went to Dublin, Kilkenny, Waterford, Galway, back to Dublin.
“These students came from a very rural section of the west coast and it took them three hours to get to the airport from their town,” Mr. Eick said. “It is much more rural than where we are from. It definitely added to the learning experience for my students hearing about their day-to-day lives.”
This photo shows the Medina and California students together. They spent 10 days visiting sites in Ireland. They are shown with the tour guide and driver.
The trip involved a lot of diversity for the students; everything from a pig farm, cattle farm, sheep farm, crop farms and oyster farms. They even observed the training of sheepdogs, which they all loved.
“I was very impressed with the farmers we interacted with and it was an amazing adventure for myself and the students,” Eick said. “They really got to experience farm life over there and the farmers were very energetic and very honest with the students about not only their livelihood, but their personal lives as well. One farmer shared with them his struggle with depression and how getting professional help really saved him. It was a great conversation for the students and I think made them aware that it is okay to talk about these issues. It was very impromptu and real and I think the students appreciated his honesty.”
The farmers did a great job engaging all 30 kids and making sure they experienced different things, Mr. Eick said.
“They learned a lot about the Irish culture and traditions as well,” he said.
One of Mr. Eick’s students, Morgan Zeiner, said the trip was a gift.
“My mom really wanted me to go and I have to say it was very cool,” Morgan said. “I loved learning about the history of Ireland and going to the farms was great. It was very hands-on and we milked cows, picked strawberries and helped to harvest oysters. We loved playing with the lambs. As we were walking through the cities and towns, I felt like I was walking through a museum. It was very historical and it was cool to learn about some of their laws too.”
One of those laws was about opening hedgerows where if they did that, they had to plant three times the amount elsewhere.
“The thought is to replace it with more than what you are removing,” Mr. Eick said. “They have a very sustainable agriculture mindset there. I wish we did things like that here.”
Mr. Eick said the trip was very successful in exposing the students to a different culture and expanding their worldview.
“In 2026, I plan on taking a group of students to Costa Rica and Panama and I am very excited about being able to offer them that experience of seeing the rainforest and volcanos and learning about the flora and fauna,” he said.
Press Release, State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt
LOCKPORT – Sportsmen will now be able to hunt big game by rifle in Niagara County with the signing of Senate Bill S.8382B by Governor Kathy Hochul.
The bill allows hunters to take deer and bear by rifle hunting throughout Niagara County except within the cities of Lockport, North Tonawanda and Niagara Falls. Any municipality that wishes to opt out has that option as well.
“Niagara County was one of only a few counties throughout the state where rifle hunting is prohibited – and I thank the Governor for signing this important bill allowing sportsmen to take big game by rifle,” said Senator Ortt. “I’d also like to thank our community partners, local electeds, and my state colleagues for working together to help bring this legislation to fruition. County residents requested their elected representatives to get this done, and I’m proud to say we delivered.”
“Despite being a largely rural county, Niagara County was excluded from the list of counties allowed to use rifles for big game hunting,” said Assemblyman Mike Norris. “As the representative of the eastern Niagara towns in the State Assembly, it was important to me this matter was addressed, and I would like to thank Senator Ortt and the governor for closing this loophole in state law in support of our local hunters and sportspersons.”
“The residents of Niagara County deserve the right to hunt big game by rifle just like many other counties in the state already do,” said Assemblyman Angelo Morinello. “This bill will allow more hunting opportunities for the residents and attract more sport hunting and fishing tourism to the county which can spur economic growth.”
“We appreciate Governor Hochul, Senator Ortt and Assemblymen Morinello and Norris getting this legislation done. Our Niagara County Gun Owners’ Rights Advisory was a huge proponent of this bill because it expands the hunting experience in our community and brings our regulations in line with the vast majority of counties in the state, including our neighbors in Orleans and Genesee,” said Niagara County Legislator Shawn Foti.
The bill went into effect once the Governor signed it, and simply amends existing conservation laws at no cost to taxpayers.
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) is teaming up with the Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline & Support Program as a part of its Breast Cancer Awareness Month campaign.
Since 1980, the program, a project of the Adelphi University School of Social Work, has provided New Yorkers with information and emotional support as they battle breast cancer.
The campaign encourages individuals to take care of their breast health in three ways: getting a mammogram, learning about breast cancer programs in their community and talking to someone who can help. This year’s motto is “When Survivors Unite, Hope Ignites.”
The hotline, which is staffed by volunteers who are breast cancer survivors, directs callers to resources and provides a listening ear. The program can be reached by phone at 800-877-8077 or online at breast-cancer.adelphi.edu.
“I’m proud to be partnering with the Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline & Support Program during Breast Cancer Awareness Month to spread awareness and increase support,” said Hawley. “Every year, more than 2 million women worldwide are diagnosed with breast cancer. This is why it is important to know the risk factors and get regular screenings. I encourage all residents of the 139th Assembly District to take advantage of these free resources as we continue to raise awareness this month.”
ALBION – Thursday, October 10th will be the 10th annual Family Game Night in Orleans County.
This event is sponsored by the Orleans County Youth Bureau and the County Legislative Office. The event will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Dubby’s Tailgate located at 165 South Platt St. in Albion.
This event will feature pizza, games to play, displays to visit and a new board game for every family. The booths will provide information on a wide array of services for youth and families that are available in Orleans County.
The event this year is free for all families. We will also have a couple drawings throughout the night. Supporters of the evening are Dubby’s Tailgate, Subway, Medina Railroad Museum, Evan’s ACE Hardware & Building Supplies and Singelyn Enterprises – McDonald’s of Albion.
To register, or for more information, please contact the Legislative Office at 585-589-7053.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 September 2024 at 10:43 am
ALBION – Orleans County will be debuting new voting machines in the upcoming presidential election.
The new optical-scan machines will be better able to detect markings on the ballot. Voters will be able to use a ballpoint pen, instead of a marker, said Mike Mele, one of the county’s election commissioners.
The machines will also be equipped with technology for people to vote who are blind or hard of hearing. There are 15 new machines for people without disabilities and 13 with technology to assist people with disabilities, including braille, headphones for people to hear the ballot read to them, and “sip and puff” device technology for people who are quadriplegics.
The county purchased the current optical-scan machines in 2009, replacing the old mechanical lever machines, technology that had been used for about a century.
When the county made the switch to the optical scan machines, they were expected to last about a decade, said Janice Grabowski, the county’ election commissioner. The county used them for about five additional years beyond the initial expectation.
The machines have been tested out as part of training for elections inspectors. This question asks, “What is your favorite sports team?” The ballot was flagged because there were two answers on the ballot. The voter will be given the option of a new ballot or that line won’t be counted if that happens in the actual election.
The County Legislature in March authorized spending $238,972.50 for the new machines from Clear Ballot Group of Boston, MA. The new machines are compatible with the Election Management System used by the county.
The Board of Elections has set aside money in its budget in recent years towards the replacement cost of the machines, Grabowski said. The county also is using $5,607 in HAVA (Help America Vote Act) grant monies and $11,878 in TIER (Technology Innovation and Elections Resource) grant funds towards the purchase, leaving the remaining $221,487 as the county cost.
There are 11 polling sites in the county and each site will have a regular voting machine and one for people with disabilities. The BOE also will have six more in case there are any breakdowns with the 22 at the voting sites.
The machines are much faster to program with the ballots for the county’s voting technicians, about 6 hours per voting district compared to 12-14 hours before. Voting technicians Scott Bennett and Kevin Urbanik said that programming time should be reduced further as they become more experienced with the software.
File photo by Tom Rivers: A voter casts a ballot at Hoag Library on June 23, 2020 on one of the voting machines that has been replaced after about 15 years.
The county also will be introducing ballots on demand which Mele said will significantly reduce the costs of printing ballots. The county has been printed 110 percent of the ballots for about 25,000 registered voters. Those ballots are 48 to 56 cents each.
With print on demand, the ballot cost is about 20 cents each and the county only needs t print what is needed.
The upcoming election will have another change: people will sign in to vote on an iPad rather than the printed election books with the roll of registered voters. That also means people don’t have to go to their specifics voting district to sign in because the iPad will have all the names of registered voters in that town.
That is allowing the county to reduce the total number of election inspectors from 104 to about 70. The election inspectors are paid $260 for working elections, on days that start at 5:30 a.m. and go until past 9 p.m.
The county will continue to have inspectors from both the Republican and Democratic parties. Mele and Grabowski also stressed the county’s voting machines are not hooked into the internet and there is no chance for any outside interference.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 September 2024 at 9:54 am
ALBION – Orleans County Court Judge Sanford Church ruled last week that statements made by Noah Magee to State Police are admissible as his case heads to trial.
Magee has been charged with second-degree murder in a fatal Barre crash on Feb. 8.
Police say Magee, 19, of Brockport was driving a pickup truck the wrong way on McNamar Road on Feb. 8 when he hit Roger Kingdollar who was riding a dirt bike. Kingdollar, 24, died from the collision.
Magee’s lawyer Paul Vacca Jr. asked that the statements from Magee, made over a five-hour time line, not be admissible.
Church said the statements to Investigator Steven Papponetti were made voluntarily and after Magee was given a Miranda warning that he had the right to remain silent, that any statement he makes may be used as evidence against him, and that he has a right to the presence of an attorney.
Papponetti, during a Huntley hearing last week, said Magee was cooperative at the scene, during a ride to Medina Memorial Hospital for a blood drive, and then at the interview room at the State Police barracks in Albion. (The blood draw showed no signs of alcohol or impairment from drugs, Papponetti said.)
Papponetti said Magee said told the investigator he made a wide turn from Angevine to McNamar Road at about 4:05 p.m. Magee said he tried to overcorrect and the vehicle swerved towards Kingdollar, which the handlebar catching the front fender on the driver’s side of a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado.
Magee said he left the scene because he was scared someone told him they were going to kill him, Papponetti said in testimony. Kingdollar was operating a dirt bike while on a ride with two friends on four-wheelers.
Magee’s sister brought Magee back to the scene. Papponetti took him by state police vehicle to Medina Memorial and the State Police barracks. While in the police vhicle, Papponetti said he and Magee discussed “normal life stuff,” including some of Magee’s hobbies and what he likes to do in his free time.
Magee wasn’t under arrest when he went to the State Police barracks. Vacca asked Papponetti when the determination was made to charge him with a crime.
“Wouldn’t you say this was an automobile accident and not a murder?” Vacca asked Papponetti during the hearing. “I’m still puzzled how you could charge him with this horrendous crime.”
District Attorney Joe Cardone said a video from a neighboring house was a factor in the charges, which initially were reckless endangerment 1st degree (D felony), leaving the scene of a fatal motor vehicle accident (D felony) and other vehicle and traffic infractions.
The charge was elevated on June 12 to second-degree murder when Magee was arraigned in County Court.
Magee also gave police consent to search his cell phone on Feb. 8, and then recanted that permission. Papponetti said the phone was never searched by police. Papponetti said police wanted to check it to see if it would indicate why he left the scene or if he was on his phone during the collision.
A trial in the case is scheduled to start on Nov. 13 with juror selection to start that morning.
Press Release, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments
KNOWLESVILLE – The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health) are offering their final 2024 free drive-thru rabies vaccination clinics in October. Funding for the rabies clinics are provided by the New York State Department of Health.
Vaccinations are free for dogs, cats and ferrets. Animals must be at least 3 months old. Each animal must be leashed or crated and accompanied by an adult who can control the animal. Limit 4 pets per car maximum.
The Genesee County Rabies Vaccination Clinic will be held on Thursday, Oct. 10, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Genesee County Fairgrounds (5056 East Main Street, Batavia)
The Orleans County Rabies Vaccination Clinic will be held on Saturday, Oct. 19, from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at the Orleans County Fairgrounds (12690 State Route 31, Albion)
“We encourage all Genesee and Orleans County residents to take advantage of our last rabies immunization clinics of 2024 and ensure their pets are protected against rabies,” stated Paul Pettit, Public Health Director for GO Health. “Rabies continues to be a serious public health concern in both counties and is a preventable viral disease.”
To prevent the spread of rabies, the health department reminds residents to take the following precautions:
Keep your pets up-to-date on their rabies vaccinations.
Obey leash laws. Keep your pets under direct supervision and on a leash so they do not come in contact with wild or stray animals. If an animal bites your pet, seek veterinary assistance for the animal immediately and contact the health department.
Avoid contact with wild or stray animals. Do not handle, feed, touch, or attract wildlife (raccoons, skunks, bats, bunnies, rabbits, and foxes) or stray dogs and cats.
Never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home.
Prevent bats from entering living quarters. If you find a bat in your home, safely capture it and call the health department. Do not release it! For a video on how to safety capture a bat, click here.
Call your local animal control agency to remove any stray animals from your neighborhood or if you see an animal showing signs of rabies. Signs of rabies in animals may include aggression, excessive drool or saliva, confusion, hair loss, and loss of movement or function.
For more information about GO Health Programs and services, visit GOHealthNY.org or contact your local health department at:
HOLLEY – The Holley High School Class of 1974 celebrated its 50th class reunion last month.
The top photo shows classmates gathered at Bill Gray’s in Brockport on Friday, Aug. 2.
The class the following day toured the old high school, which is now senior apartments and the Village of Holley offices. The class then went to Red, White and Moo for ice cream followed by a visit to Holley Falls.
The reunion concluded with a dinner at the Holley VFW.
Photo and information courtesy of Medina Band Boosters
OSWEGO – The Medina Mustang Band travelled to Oswego on Saturday for their third competition of the fall field band season.
Seven bands competed with Medina in Small School 1 division against Phoenix and New Hartford. Medina placed third with a score of 77.250. Phoenix was first with a score of 81.650, with New Hartford second with a score of 81.500.
Next Saturday the Medina band competes closer to home in Webster.
Press Release, Jeff Gifaldi, chief deputy of Orleans County Sheriff’s Department
ALBION – A 14-year-old student at Albion Central School was charged today with making a terrorist threat against the school district.
The arrest took place following an investigation that began after a complaint was made to local authorities. The investigation determined that the threat was made via a Snapchat post during a conversation with peers over a week ago.
Deputies and investigators with the Sheriff’s Office worked swiftly to assess the situation, interview witnesses and gather evidence.
The student was taken into custody without incident and is facing the charge of Making a Terroristic Threat, section 490.25 of the NYS Penal Law, a Class D Felony. The Sheriff’s Office has been in contact with the Albion School District Administration to ensure that appropriate measures are in place to maintain a safe learning environment.
While this incident is concerning, the Sheriff’s Office wants to reassure the community that swift action was taken to address the situation, and we encourage parents and guardians to have open discussions with their children about the seriousness of threats and the importance of reporting any concerning behavior.
Due to the restrictions of NYS law, the juvenile was released to the custody of the parents on an appearance ticket.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 29 September 2024 at 4:03 pm
MEDINA – A few clouds and an occasional drop of rain couldn’t dampen the spirits of the 750 visitors who participated in Ale in Autumn on Saturday.
As is traditional, registration times were staggered at 1, 2 and 3 o’clock to prevent crowding in the stores. Twenty-two shops and organizations downtown took park in the event, including the American Legion, Medina Historical Society, Canal Village Farmers Market, Medina Railroad Museum, Walsh House and Canalside Tattoo in their new location on West Avenue.
Guests met at Medina Senior Center to show proof of age, pick up their glass, receive a free bag of goodies and purchase tickets for the raffle baskets in each store.
Each business poured a different ale or cider, and no one appeared get a taste they didn’t like.
(Left) Lindsay and Rick Siejak of Lockport came out in fashion for Medina Area Partnership’s annual Ale in Autumn Saturday. They bought the lederhosen and traditional German dress while visiting Munich with her parents this summer. (Right) Adrianna Noone of Rochester was one of the buskers entertaining on the streets of Medina during Ale in Autumn Saturday. She is across the street from Key Bank.
At the English Rose Tea Shoppe, Graham Huwyler and Kim Houston sampled Black Widow Cider, a mix of blackberry and apple. It was very good, Houston said. They also liked the flavored teas store owner Cindy Robinson had available.
Nick Boyle said he and his friends started the day before they left home by toasting to all their old friends and the new ones they would meet.
“This event is a great way to see our old friends and meet new people, too,” he said. “We also enjoy the shops.”
Four friends who work at the Roy-Hart Learning Center in Gasport met a former employee at Medina Senior Center on Saturday to enjoy Ale in Autumn. From left are Shatel Peters, Colleen Sandolfini, Robin Boyle, Tina Dunham and Jennifer Dunham.
Rick and Lindsay Siejak of Lockport turned heads when they showed up in traditional lederhosen and dress, which they purchased in Munich this summer when they took her parents to Germany. They met their best friends from Medina, Matt and Lauren Backlas, to do Ale in Autumn.
“We love walking around Main Street in Medina,” Lindsay said. “It is wonderful so many businesses participate.”
Robinson doesn’t remember how long ago they started Ale in Autumn.
“We got the idea for Wine About Winter in February and were looking for a fall event,” she said. “It was Kelly Kiebala who came up with the idea.”
The event has grown in popularity and been a continuous sellout.
Glasses for the event were sponsored by Walsh House, C&H PC and Bogan and Tuttle Funeral Home.
Upcoming events sponsored by Medina Area Partnership include Beggar’s Night on Oct. 25, Moonlight Madness on Nov. 21, Old Tyme Christmas and Parade of Lights on Nov. 30 and holiday open houses Dec. 5 and 8.
The popular Wine About Winter is scheduled for Feb. 1, following the same format as Ale in Autumn.
(Left) Patty Balcerzak pours Black Widow cider for Alyssa Hancock of Webster at The English Rose Tea Shoppe during Ale in Autumn Saturday. (Right) Virginia Klotzbach, left, and Chris Parone poured ale for guests at the Butts-Clark American Legion. Here, they pour Mary Guzik, center, a glass of Young Lion from a brewery in Walworth.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 29 September 2024 at 3:23 pm
MEDINA – With a new building and a new pastor, Kevin Lawson said it was only fitting the church should have a new name.
The church on Maple Ridge Road, known as Calvary Tabernacle, is now The Vine.
Pastor Kevin Lawson is shown with a sign in his church’s lobby, which indicates the new name, The Vine, was taken from the Book of John, Chapter 15, Verse 5.
“We wanted it to be easier for people to understand and make it more inviting to the public,” said Pastor Lawson. “The name was 35 years old and didn’t resonate with people anymore. We are not changing our belief and our preaching. We are working very hard at being an outward church in the community.”
He explained “The Vine” is talked about in the Book of John, Chapter 15, Verse 5, where it tells about Jesus being the vine and the people the branches.
“If people stay connected to him, we will bear much fruit,” Pastor Lawson explained. “That is a simple explanation of how we can connect people with Him.”
He said the church is working at doing more community outreach. He has met with the school on how they can help some kids and their families.
The church already has a big outreach ministry with their food pantry, which is open from 9 a.m. to noon Tuesday and Thursday.
“With the way the economy is and rising prices, we are on course to serve 1,000 families this year,” Pastor Lawson said. “That is a 25% increase.”
The pastor said everything is changing there. The church is growing, and attendance has doubled since opening in the new building in 2021.
“We have things for people of all ages to get involved in,” he said.
Family Night is at 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays, with adult Bible study and activities for all kids.
Sunday morning starts with coffee hour at 9:30 a.m., followed by worship at 10:30 a.m.
One of the exciting new things, the pastor explained, is a new website and app which can be downloaded. All social media platforms have been upgraded.
When the congregation voted on the name change, Pastor Lawson said there was 98% approval.
He invites the public to come in person, and also to check out their website.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 29 September 2024 at 11:31 am
MEDINA – Medina Fire Department held its annual Open House from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, a week earlier than in previous years.
“We usually hold it the first Sunday in October to kick off Fire Prevention Week and Month,” said fire chief Matt Jackson.
Medina firefighter Dylan Schrader lets Elaine Kyle, 10, hold an axe from one of the fire trucks on display.
The event featured tours of the fire station, all the trucks on display outside, a bounce house for kids, the county’s Fire Safety Trailer, a spray house where children could spray water to put out a simulated fire and Dubby’s Wood Fire Pizza on site.
In the morning, the firefighters had the annual memorial service to honor those who had passed away during the year.
“We were very fortunate we didn’t have to add any names this year,” Jackson said.
Jackson said Dustin Pahura, firefighter, set up the activities for children.
“We put a lot of effort into making this event happen,” he said.
He said the kids enjoyed the spray house and bounce house the most. Children who wanted a small plastic helmet were given one to take home.
Pahura said he liked seeing the kids having fun on the bounce house and trying to spray water from the big hose.
Matthew and Jessica Weit of Clarendon came with their three children, Robby, 8; Amelia, 4; and Andy, 2. The children all love fire trucks and wore tee shirts with fire trucks on them. The family has traveled out west to visit fire companies.
Jessica said her brother-in-law Dustin Meredith, a police officer, texted her Saturday morning about the open house.
“I told the family I guess we are going to the fire department open house today,” she said. “The kids just love fire trucks.”
Siblings Robby, 8; Andy 2; and Amelia Weit, 4, loved looking at all the firefighting apparatus at Medina Fire Department’s Open House.
POINT BREEZE – “The air seemed foreboding that day. A northeast wind had sprung up the previous day and had increased in intensity and reached gale force proportions by nightfall.
“During the night, the mounting fury of the wind whipped the lake into a frenzy, the beach disappeared and enormous waves crashed against the banks with a deafening roar and hurled tons of water far back on the land.
“As a snarling tiger tears the flesh from its victims with wicked claw and tooth, so the hideous roaring monster into which the usually beautiful lake had changed, attacked the helpless land and with gleaming white fangs and horrible wet arms with vicious claws tore away great chunks of earth and trees.
“The storm struck with particular venom at the place where the shoreline starts to turn out in the little point which suggested the name, Point Breeze. Here the main road turns abruptly west toward the creek. The water hurled out by the waves flowed down the road in a veritable river making its way into the creek at the edge of the Selheimer (Saw Mill) dock.
“Mr. Lewis Roger, who owned the Point Breeze hotel, feared that the lake would tear out a channel to the creek and that his property would become an island.
“The storm continued the next day; waves broke over the lake road in some places with such force that it was hardly safe to travel that way. A steady cold rain fell which chilled one to the very marrow of one’s bones.
“Inland, however, the wind was less violent.”
This dramatic account of an 1880s storm on Lake Ontario was written by Miss Helen E. Allen, Town of Carlton Historian. It was published in the Albion Advertiser, Sept. 16, 1948.
Writing in the Albion Advertiser in 1947, Helen Allen wrote poetically about the lake’s ever-changing symphony of sound and color:
“There were days when vision ended a few feet away in one white swirl of snow. Sometimes water, misty air and sky were all one indistinguishable grey.
“On other days, fleecy white clouds drifting in the azure sky above the blue-green lake became a blaze of glorious color as the setting sun sent a shining path of gold across the water. Then slowly the bright shades of yellow, reds and purple would fade into one soft afterglow, then darkness and the twinkling stars above and the beam of light from the lighthouse.
“Dark days came too, when lake and sky seemed almost black and the waves flung themselves with a roar, like angry beasts with gleaming white fangs upon the shores. But however fierce and menacing it might be, one always knew that there would come a day when the lake would again be serene and calm.
“Lake Ontario, always changing, ever the same, reminding one of the Eternal God.”
A life-long Carton resident, Helen Elizabeth Allen was born in 1894, the daughter of Albert and Lucy (Boughton) Allen. The family resided on the east side of Oak Orchard Creek, just north of the Two Bridges. Helen assisted her parents in the operation of the family chicken farm for many years.
As historian, Miss Allen made a point of speaking to older residents and gathering their tales. They recounted stories about their grandparents who would have been among the early population of the locality. Gifford D. Fowler, for example, recalled going fishing with his grandfather about 1868 when one of the piers at Oak Orchard Harbor was being built.
Miss Allen contributed vicinity news from the Two Bridges as well as articles on local history to the Albion Advertiser and the Orleans Republican-American newspapers for over fifty years.
In 1972, she completed an exhaustive study of the religious societies and churches formed in Orleans County. An active member of the Orleans County Chapter of the D.A.R., Helen was a charter member of the Cobblestone Society.
She passed away on March 15, 1979 and is buried in Mt. Albion Cemetery.