This is the cover of Trifles trivia game, left, and the playing board from the game, right.
By Catherine Cooper, Orleans County Historian
“Illuminating Orleans” – Volume 5, Number 23
HOLLEY – Where is Garrand’s Quarry?
Name the postmaster of Holley in 1985?
What was the reason for the formation of the Holley School Boosters?
These Holley area questions are from a trivia game recently brought to our attention by Melissa Ierlan, Town of Clarendon Historian. Marketed under the name “Trifles: a Unique Educational Trivia Game Customized for Your Community,” this board game was marketed in the mid-1980s as a fundraiser for the Holley Sports Boosters and the Holley Music Boosters.
Designed to be played by two or more players, the box contains a sturdy board, a rules sheet, tokens, dice, discs, a box of question and answer cards, and a set of category questions and answers.
The names of contributing local businesses appear on square tiles on the perimeter of the board. Players who answer General Knowledge trivia questions correctly can place colored discs on the tiles.
A player who has three or more discs on each of the four sides of the board or six discs on any one side of the board qualifies to enter the circle. The Master Position is at the end where the player must answer correctly a question from the Etc. category to be the winner.
The General Knowledge questions are wide-ranging and varied, while the “Etc.” questions are locally oriented.
Trifles was manufactured by Henco in Selmer, TN and was the creation of Tom Hendrix, a versatile entrepreneur who had honed his salesmanship skills as a door-to door Bible salesman. He and his wife, Sherry, started Henco with a $3,500 loan, in a small building in Selmer. The company went national, with nearly 1,000 employees on the payroll in its heyday of helping schools raise money through selling items that Henco manufactured.
Regardless of how much money was raised by sales at the time, this game is a gem forty years later. Kudos to whoever prepared the questions and answers for the “Etc.” category back then. They are now a rich resource of Holley/Murray/Clarendon area facts, and would be perfect for family get-togethers and campfire conversations.
The list of the local businesses, farmers, and professionals who subscribed captures the essence of Holley at that point in time. How many of them do you remember?
A quick eBay search indicates that the resale value of the game is only about $25, but its local significance will only increase the passage of time.
Holley area sponsors of the Trifles trivia game from 1984-85 incude:
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 23 June 2025 at 8:38 am
File photo by Tom Rivers: Flags fly around the Cobblestone School House in this photo from a previous year’s patriotic service celebrating July 4. This year’s service is July 6.
CHILDS – The Cobblestone Museum will celebrate Independence Day with their annual patriotic service, scheduled this year at 11 a.m. July 6 in the historic Cobblestone Church.
This will be the 53rd annual patriotic service, said Sue Bonafini, assistant director of the Cobblestone Museum.
She invites guests to attend the event, which will feature several local musicians, a demonstration by former Cobblestone Museum director and Orleans County Historian Bill Lattin and dramatic readings by the museum’s three summer interns.
Musical offerings will include local pianist Raymond Santoro, who will provide piano and organ solos and accompany some patriotic hymns to be sung by the guests attending.
Musician Susan Walders has prepared some flute solos and will help lead guests in several inspirational songs.
Next, local singer Maarit Vaga will also share her musical talent.
Phoebe Kirby, daughter of Justin and Adrienne Kirby and Lattin’s granddaughter, has prepared a guitar solo.
Next, Lattin will demonstrate an interesting item from his personal collection – a historic roller organ. This is a type of mechanical musical instrument, often referred to as a barrel organ or crank organ. These instruments were manufactured primarily from the late 1860s through the mid-1920s, similar in style to organ grinder instruments, Bonafini said.
Offerings from the museum’s three summer interns – Tess Anderson, Collin Capurso and Tom Secrest – include dramatic readings of several short quotes from more than a dozen famous Americans, such as George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Paine, Clarence Darrow and others.
Topping this all off will be the Museum’s collection of Staffordshire Early Americana plates, showing more than three dozen scenes from early American history.
A potluck picnic on the museum grounds will follow the service at noon. The museum will provide hot dogs and lemonade. Guests should bring their own lawn chair and a dish to pass. A free will offering is always welcome. The Kendall Lions Club is providing a tent for the lawn.
Several students from Orleans County have made the Dean’s List at colleges and universities.
• At Buffalo State University, Nicolina Creasey of Albion, Brionna Raiser-Russell of Knowlesville and Madison Williams of Medina made the spring Dean’s List. To make the list, students need to have completed at least 12 credit hours and who have attained a GPA of 3.5 or higher.
• Leah Kania of Albion is majoring in voice performance at Baldwin Wallace University at in Berea, Ohio, which is near Cleveland. The Dean’s List recognizes students who earn a grade point average of 3.8 or higher while enrolled in 12 or more graded hours during the semester.
• Kylie Towne, a tourism/event and meeting management major from Holley, is among the more than 1,660 students named to Niagara University’s Dean’s List. To qualify, students must be registered for 12 credit-bearing hours during the semester and earn a GPA of 3.25 or higher.
• Alexa Adams of Paul Smith’s College has been named to the Spring 2025 Dean’s List. The college is located in the Adirondack Park. (Adams also graduated from Paul Smith’s College in May, earning a BS in Integrative Studies.)
• Daisy Perez Reyes and Shelly Reyes, both of Albion, earned Dean’s List honors for the spring at SUNY Oneonta in Central New York semester. To qualify for the Dean’s List, a student must earn a grade-point average of 3.5 or higher while carrying a course load of 12 hours or more.
• Emma Roush of Medina, a senior Psychology major at Grove City College, has been named to the Dean’s List with Distinction for the spring 2025 semester. The Dean’s List with Distinction includes a GPA of 3.60 to 3.84.
• Several from Orleans made the Dean’s List at Nazareth University in Rochester including Joseph Nettles of Holley, Hailey Crawford of Albion, Tyana Burroughs of Kendall, Raine Baker of Lyndonville, and Kailie Regan of Holley. They all attained GPAs of at least 3.5 or above.
• Lillian Isabella Wilson of Medina has been named to Clarkson University’s Dean’s List. Wilson is a junior majoring in chemistry. Dean’s List students must achieve a minimum 3.25 grade-point average and also carry at least 14 credit hours.
(Editor’s Note: These are from colleges and universities that sent in the local students on the Dean’s List. Not all schools send in the news to the Orleans Hub.)
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 22 June 2025 at 2:31 pm
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Ricky and Katrina Standish stand near the banks of Lake Alice on family-owned property, of which they have become managers. Katrina recently graduated from the Spring 2025 Microenterprise Assistance Program, which she took to help them run a business.
ALBION – The Spring 2025 Microenterprise Assistance Program class recently graduated 11 aspiring business entrepreneurs, whose prospective new businesses are very diverse, according to MAP director Matt Holland.
“We had an excellent group of businesses this year, from a wide variety of backgrounds and stages of business,” Holland said.
This included agriculture, retail, food service, property rental and maintenance – some of which are concept, startup or have been open for more than two years.
“I believe this diversity benefitted group discussions and collaboration,” Holland said. “All of them were enthusiastic and worked hard drafting their business plans. I look forward to seeing what the future holds for their businesses.”
Holland took over leadership of MAP when Diane Blanchard retired in 2023. He said MAP is education and he has always enjoyed education.
“Most importantly, because small businesses are the backbone of a small town area,” he said.
Jeremy Bow of Kent signed up for the Microenterprise Assistance Program to take advantage of the resources they offer. He has started a new business, JB’s Stump Grinding.
They didn’t restart the MAP program until 2024, Holland said.
“We took a step back to see if any changes had to be made and what we could do to get small business centers involved – with the EDA,” he said. “Small business centers bring great programming to the class.”
The Microenterprise Assistance Program has graduated 569 individuals to date. Two graduations are held a year, always with a similar curriculum, Holland said. They teach the basics a business person should know, including legal, marketing, financials, bookkeeping and pricing.
“We always have an entrepreneur come in and tell the class what it’s like to be in business,” Holland said.
One such businessman was Kyle Brent, who just built a new modern building for his business, KJ Motorsports in Middleport. The class was very impressed with his story, starting his business in his home, right out of high school.
“Sometimes a person takes the class and realizes they don’t want to be in business,” Holland said.
The newest graduates and their businesses are Ellen Blanc, Paws Only Grooming; Jeremy Bow, JB;s Stump Grinding; McKenna Christ, The Grove 1848; Megan Davenport, GH Grooming and Spa; Duane DeRoller, Liberty Meadows; Emma Drisdom – Emma’s Nail Room; Shawn Malark, North Star Ammo and Defense; Deborah Mannix – Seasonal Retail; Katie and Christopher Oakes – LynOaken Upick LLC; Alicia Sargent, Medicare Advocacy Center; and Ricky and Katrina Standish, RKScapes (rental property, landscaping and property management).
Two of the recent graduates shared their stories of becoming entrepreneurs.
Graduate Katrina Standish and her husband Ricky both have full-time jobs at Community Action of Orleans and Genesee, but recently took over management of property her father owns, mostly on the banks of Lake Alice. Katrina registered for the class, but Ricky came along also.
“The class helped us understand a business plan,” Katrina said.
“They also hook you up with an attorney, who connected us with the Small Business Legal Clinic at the WNY Law Center,” Ricky said.
The couple plan to expand their rental holdings to include Amish shed cabins, accessible to the water for fishermen, as well as a fire pit, canoe and kayak rentals and golf cart rentals. This is something Katrina has always dreamed of, she said.
“I think MAP was a great opportunity for us,” Katrina added.
Jeremy Bow is also employed full-time, but decided to start a side business after discovering how expensive it would be to hire someone to grind up a bunch of stumps in his yard.
“I picked up a stump grinder to do my yard, and then started helping my friends,” Bow said. “At first I thought I’d take care of my stumps, then go help my friends and sell the grinder. But, last fall I decided to get an LLC form and insurance.”
He enrolled in the MAP class, something he said he wishes he had done sooner.
“MAP showed us a lot of resources out there I didn’t know existed,” Bow said. “I also met a lot of class members in all phase of business. Some don’t have a business yet, just a business concept. We shared ideas with some who are fully established and some whose business is still in the works.”
He was impressed with how much they learned – about the paperwork involved, how to motivate employees and the importance of taking good care of your employees.
“Some questions brought up were things I’d never thought of,” Bow said. “There are so many things you don’t know. They don’t make it easy to start a business, but MAP covered a lot of the bases and showed us where help is available. It’s a very good program.”
Bow said he hopes by being affordable and doing a good job, his new business will be successful. His goal is to buy a dump trailer and mini skid-steer so he can clean up after a job.
He wants no dissatisfied customers, he said.
Applications for the next MAP class will be accepted beginning July 15. The fall class will begin the first Thursday in September.
WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) today reintroduced the Protecting Gun Owners in Bankruptcy Act, reaffirming her commitment to defending the Second Amendment rights of all Americans, regardless of their financial status.
Additional cosponsors of this legislation include Representatives Mike Collins (GA-10), Burgess Owens (UT-4), and Randy Weber (TX-14).
The bill ensures that up to $3,000 worth of firearms are exempt from bankruptcy proceedings, recognizing them as essential property. Current federal law exempts a certain value of property from bankruptcy proceedings that allow the debtor to maintain a basic standard of living, such as musical instruments, jewelry and a television. However, federal law fails to provide a specific exemption for firearms, a constitutionally guaranteed right that allows individuals to defend themselves.
“The Second Amendment is a Constitutional right for all Americans, regardless of their financial situation,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “No American should ever be forced to forfeit their right to self-defense because they’re going through financial hardship. This legislation ensures that the Constitutional right to own a firearm is protected, no matter the financial situation.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 June 2025 at 8:57 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
BARRE – Jacob Rowland and his sister Hannah, center, dance the Virginia Reel on Saturday evening during square dance at the Barre Town Park.
The Barre Betterment Committee and Go Art! teamed to offer the event, which also included food and a basket raffle.
The Orleans County String Band has performed at the square dance in Barre since 2018. They performed Appalachian string band music.
The members include Margaret Mathews as caller and teacher, Kathy Vandemortel of Point Breeze on the fiddle, Laurence Sugarman on the claw hammer banjo, and Laurie Hunt on bass.
Orly the Ox joined the dancers in the Virginia Reel. Orly is the Orleans County bicentennial mascot during this year of celebrating the county’s 200th anniversary.
Betsy and Wes Miller, center, joined in dancing the Virginia Reel.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 June 2025 at 8:38 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – These three were dressed up as faeries on Saturday for Medina’s “Enchanted Faery Festival.” Pictured form left include Natasha Abdurrafi of Medina, and sisters Amelia and Daisy Marr of Albion.
The Medina Area Partnership organizes the event which usually brings in about 75 to 100 kids dressed as kings, queens, princes and princesses.
Ann Fisher-Bale, one of the festival volunteers, distributes fairy dust at Rotary Park. Her son, Mason Bale, is next to her.
The event included a scavenger hunt. There were 12 faeries and 10 faery houses hidden in windows in downtown shops. There also was a parade.
Haylee Ferrington is dressed as a dragon mother faery while she does face-painting on Morgan Eaton of Rochester.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 June 2025 at 7:14 pm
Kendra Wilston
ALBION – The Albion Police Department is asking for the public’s help in locating a 14-year-old girl who has been reported as missing.
Kendra Wilston is a white female, at 5 feet, 6 inches and about 105 pounds. She has black hair and blue eyes.
Her family told the Albion PD she ran away from home on Friday at about 6 p.m. and hasn’t come back.
Kendra was last seen wearing a black sweatshirt with white writing, black pants and purple slippers. It is possible for Kendra to be in the Lockport area.
Anyone with any information regarding Kendra Wilston’s whereabouts is urged to contact APD at (585) 589-5627, or through the Orleans County Sheriff’s Dispatch at (585) 589-5527 or 911.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 June 2025 at 2:54 pm
Provided photos
RIDGEWAY – Sawyer Hahn of Lockport is shown with a fishing pole that was left behind on Tuesday at Glenwood Lake. Hahn is offering a $50 reward if someone can return the pole.
“That pole means everything to me and is irreplaceable,” Hahn said. “It was passed down from my father to me many years ago and I would have liked to hold onto it as a keepsake.”
The reel is red and the pole is yellow, with some duct tape at the top after the tip snapped off.
Hahn, 21, said many big fish have been caught with the pole, including many trout and bass.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 June 2025 at 8:33 am
Orleans facing three straight days with highs topping 90 degrees
Photo by Marsha Rivers: A tugboat is tied up along the Erie Canal in Albion on Friday evening.
A heat advisory starts today at noon and continues through 6 p.m. on Tuesday for Orleans County and all of Western New York.
In Orleans County, the high temperature today is forecast for 87, followed by three days in the 90s – with 91 on Sunday, 93 on Monday and 91 on Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service in Buffalo.
Heat index values in the upper 90s are expected, with the highest heat index values expected Monday, the Weather Service said.
“Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat-related illnesses to occur,” the Weather Service said. “Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors.”
On Wednesday the high is forecast for 81, followed by 81 on Thursday and 84 on Friday.
HOLLEY – Where is Garrand’s Quarry?
