Photos courtesy of Lyndonville Lions Club: The Lyndonville Lions Club recognized the top 10 graduates in the Class of 2025 during the club’s meeting on Monday at the White Birch.

Press Release, Lyndonville Lions Club

LYNDONVILLE – The Lyndonville Lions Club continued its established tradition of recognizing the soon-to-be graduates from the Lyndonville Central School on June 9 at the White Birch Resort.

The Lions Club held a morning breakfast for the Class of 2025. During this event the administration from the school spoke to the senior class and wished them good luck and success in their future endeavors.

Special recognition was given to the top ten graduating seniors who were individually honored by Dr. Aaron Slack, the high school principal. He gave a short synopsis of each students’ achievements and their future plans after graduation.

Leo Club advisor Gina Marker highlighted the members of this group, some who have had six years of service in assisting the Lyndonville Lions with their community events.

David Godfrey, Lyndonville Lions Club vice president, speaks about attributes that can lead to success.

David Godfrey, Vice President of the Lyndonville Lions, gave the keynote address as he spoke to these young men and women about the “Definition of Success.” He stressed that success is measured in various ways and that it is personal achievement, self-satisfaction and a strong work ethic that are the building blocks to a successful future.

Colonel Rick Parsons

Former Club President Harold Suhr concluded the formal portion of the event by presenting $100 gift cards to each of the top ten graduates on behalf of the Lions Club. The group as a whole was asked three things by the Lyndonville Lions.

They were asked to enjoy this period of their life, to be thankful to those who helped get them to this point, and to be safe during this time. This final point was enforced since the National Transportation Agency data points to the next 100 days to be the most dangerous for high school seniors.

In further club activities, the Lions announced that posthumously it will honor Col. Rick Parsons at its annual July 4th parade. Mrs. Nancy Parsons will serve as the honorary grand marshal of the 51st Lyndonville Lions Club July 4th celebration. The parade is scheduled to kick off at noon and has multiple marching bands, parade floats and firetrucks that will participate in this event.

Those wishing to participate may contact Gwendolynlarge002@gmail.com for information and an application.

The Bleeding Hearts band will perform beginning at 7 p.m. on July 4 in Lyndonville.

The Lions are proud to announce their Fire Cracker Concert Series will open with Medina’s one-man band, Mike McCauley, performing at 4 p.m. and he will be followed by the award winning Bleeding Hearts band from Buffalo taking the stage at 7 p.m. The school grounds will again host a large craft show, Lions hot dog stand, chicken barbecue starting at 11:30 a.m., and the evening will be highlighted by the fireworks display expected to start at 10 p.m. Future announcements will be forthcoming from the club.

The Club would like to extend its deepest sympathies to the Hughes/Wolfe Family at this time with the passing of Mark Hughes. He was a fixture in the Lyndonville Lions Club and the community as a whole.

The Club would like to invite all to attend its 51st July 4 celebration. We hope everyone has a safe and healthy summer. We further ask that God will continue to bestow his merciful blessing on the people of this community and our nation.

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Local artist Carol Culhane and Orleans County Legislator John Fitzak look at the painting of the Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial in Rochester, which Culhane donated to the Holley Village Board on Tuesday night. Nine Holley men were killed in the war and are included in the memorial.

HOLLEY – The Holley Village Board received a special gift Tuesday night from local artist Carol Culhane.

A lifelong supporter of all veterans, Culhane has a special place in her heart for Vietnam War veterans, as her late husband and current husband Jerry both served in Vietnam.

A gifted and self-taught artist, Culhane has used her talent to benefit veterans, including painting the Vietnam Veterans’ memorial in in Highland Park, Rochester.

Prior to Tuesday’s Village Board meeting, Culhane presented Mayor Mark Bower with a painting of the memorial, which includes soldiers from Holley who were killed in the war.

Holley lost nine young men: John P. Davis, David D. Case, Ronnie P. Sisson, David P. States, Howard Bowen, Gary E. Bullock, Gary L. Stymus, George W. Fischer Jr. and Paul S. Mandracchia, all of whom are memorialized on bollards at the Rochester memorial.

“The nine boys lost is the most per capita from any village in the nation,” Culhane said.

Holley has a population of about 1,800.

“We are very pleased with the painting and glad we got to meet Carol,” Bower said. “I am honored on behalf of the village to be owner of this piece of art.”

(Left) Holley mayor Mark Bower holds the painting Carol Culhane donated to the village board Tuesday night. It will be loaned out to historical societies or the library for special occasions, but hang permanently in the village office in the former Holley High School. (Right) U.S. Army veteran Bill Moroz and Dan Mawn of the Murray-Holley Historical Society look at the painting of the Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial in Rochester, before artist Carol Culhane donated it prior to the Holley Village Board meeting Tuesday night.

Bower announced the painting will hang in a prominent spot in the village offices, near another framed tribute to the local casualties of the Vietnam War given to the village by an anonymous donor.

Bower said they will loan the painting out to local organizations, including Murray-Holley Historical Society, Clarendon Historical Society and the Holley Library for their special occasions.

In her presentation, Culhane urged everyone to visit the Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial in Highland Park. Approaching the park, visitors take what is known as the Veterans’ Walk, on which bricks in the ground are engraved with hundreds of veterans’ names from World War II and beyond. Just past that are flags flying from all branches of the military.

Culhane explained the idea for a memorial was spearheaded by Dr. Barry Culhane, a Vietnam era veteran who, as a medic, took care of napalm head wounds when soldiers arrived stateside.

“He wanted to create a memorial as a tribute to all heroes who fought in the Vietnam War and a place to honor the 280 service members from the Greater Rochester area, who lost their lives in Vietnam,” Carol Culhane said. “Some were also from Medina.”

Ground was broken for the memorial in 1992. The first of 3,401 trees was planted in 1994, and the memorial was dedicated on Sept. 8, 1996.

“The memorial serves as a place of tranquility, education and healing for veterans, their families and the wider community,” Culhane said. “The Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial aims to educate about the war and its effects, and to provide a space for remembrance and reflection.”

On the poster Culhane donated there are six of the nine from Holley – Case, Bowen, Davis, Mandracchia, Sisson and Stymus. Culhane was unable to find photos of the other three.

The concept of Culhane’s painting is the soldiers walking away to rest and peace in the next life. They are in uniform with all the gear they wore in battle. Helicopters are also portrayed, as they played a big part in the Vietnam War, not only providing support in battles, but transporting the wounded out of the battle area.

“There aren’t any words I can say to describe what you feel when walking down the path in the memorial, past each bollard,” Culhane said. “As you walk on the hallowed ground, stopping at each bollard to read the name, date of birth, date of death, branch of service and high school attended, it brings tears to your eyes, and a prayer in your heart that they are all resting in peace. In my generation and beyond, we were all, in one way or another, touched by the Vietnam War and the effects to our country.

“I have been in search of a home for this painting for a long time,” Culhane said. “I am eternally grateful to hand this painting off to the village of Holley to provide a place where people can stop and remember the local boys lost, as well as the 58,211 who gave their last true measure of devotion,” Culhane added.

After the presentation, the board meeting was delayed until 7 p.m. so those present could enjoy punch, cookies and conversation.

For those who would like to visit the Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial, it is located on a two-acre site in Highland Park, off South Avenue, near the Al Sigl Center Campus and Elmwood Avenue.

Trump administration wants to close 99 centers, including Iroquois, by end of June

Photo by Tom Rivers: A sign near Route 63 in Shelby directs people to the Iroquois Job Corps in Shelby, one of 99 in the country slated to shut down by June 30.

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer called on local elected officials in communities with Job Corps to press their Congressional representatives in the House to keep the Job Corps program.

Schumer urged a legal and public campaign to keep the job-training sites open for at-risk youths. The centers have a capacity to serve about 50,000 students nationwide but have only been about half full, with the Job Corps faulting the Department of Labor for not doing needed background checks to allow new students since March.

U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer speaks with reporters today through Zoom video conference.

“Across Upstate NY the Trump administration’s cruel order to shut down Job Corps centers has caused students and teachers to scramble, and if this goes through, it will be our small businesses and local economies paying the price,” Schumer said in a video conferencing call with reporters today. “We must save Job Corps across Upstate NY. We want to help young people get jobs, to get the training they need for successful careers, and eliminating these centers will hurt those students as well as local employers like small businesses and hospitals in getting the skilled workers they need.”

The National Job Corps Association has filed an injunction in federal court in Manhattan, saying the federal Department of Labor can’t dismantle Job Corps, a program established and funded by Congress. A court hearing is scheduled for June 17 to determine whether a preliminary injunction will be issued, Reuters reported.

Schumer referenced that lawsuit in his comments with reporters today. He believes putting pressure on members of Congress, especially Republicans, can ensure the program continues.

“The courts have already put a pause on Trump’s initial attempts to kill Job Corps, and I will vehemently oppose his attempts to defund this program in the Senate because the people are on our side in saving Job Corps,” he said today.

There are five Job Corps centers in the state, including one in Orleans County in Shelby. The Iroquois Job Corps has a capacity for 225, but was down to 125 when the DOL announced the program was on pause. The site has about 100 employees. The center has an $8.9 million annual budget. Iroquois officials estimate the local center has a $17 million annual impact on the local economy.

Schumer said Job Corps is a much-needed job training program that launches people into careers in healthcare, construction, and other in-demand fields.

“For 60 years, the Iroquois Job Corps Center has trained hundreds of young adults annually to become the electricians, carpenters, medical assistants and more that our community needs,” Lynne Johnson, chairwoman of the Orleans County Legislature, said in a statement released by Schumer’s office. “The Center is also a vital employer, with 104 local workers, and has infused over 8.9 million dollars in federal funding into our region’s economy. Stopping student enrollments and threatening to close the Iroquois Job Corps Center not only risks the futures of over 12,000 students but also the workforce that drives our region’s economic growth. I’m proud to stand with Senator Schumer in calling for Job Corps student enrollments to resume immediately and keeping the Iroquois Job Corps Center open, so we can continue building a stronger, more prosperous community.”

On May 29, Department of Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer announced that 99 centers would go on “pause” due to what she said were low graduation rates and high incidents of violence. She said Job Corps is not cost-effective.

“Job Corps was created to help young adults build a pathway to a better life through education, training and community,” DOL Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer said in a statement. “However, a startling number of serious incident reports and our in-depth fiscal analysis reveal the program is no longer achieving the intended outcomes that students deserve.”

Schumer said the Job Corps have proven to do “great work” in empowering young people and preparing them for careers in the work force. The DOL skewed the statistics by using data from Covid when the centers faced restrictions in operating their programs, the National Job Corps Association said.

The move by the DOL would hurt every region of the state, Schumer said, highlighting Job Corps centers in Brooklyn, Glenmont near Albany, Iroquois in Medina, Cassadaga in Chautauqua County and Oneonta.

The DOL announcement, providing such short notice for students to leave, “created pure chaos” for those students, their families and the centers, Schumer said.

“It’s outrageous, and it’s probably illegal,” he said. “We will fight it every step of the way.”

Getting a few Republicans in the House to oppose the closing could keep Job Corps funded. The Iroquois center is in Claudia Tenney’s district while Cassadaga is in a distict served by Nick Langworthy.

“If we get 3 or 4 Republican congressman who say don’t cut the job corps, then they can’t cut it because they need those votes,” Schumer said.

Photos and information from Holley Central School

HOLLEY – Students in the Holley High School Geometry in Construction class tackled a project that is a bit different from the sheds, barns and tiny homes built by the class in previous years.

This year, they partnered with the Village of Holley to build two Gaga Ball pits for the Holley Fireman’s Field.

Gaga Ball is a variation of dodgeball where players stand inside a hexagonal pit and try hitting each other with a ball. If a player gets hit below the waist or knees, they’re out of the game and the last person standing wins.

The class is co-taught by geometry teacher Russ Albright, who retires at the end of this school year, and technology teacher Dylan Sharpe.

“I really wanted to do something for the Holley community, so I reached out to Holley Mayor Mark Bower,” Albright said. “He asked if Gaga Ball pits were something we could do. Once I figured out what they were and saw the direct connection to geometry, I realized this would be a perfect project for my final year.”

Geometry teacher Russ Albright assists students in making a Gaga Ball pit.

The Village and Holley Joint Youth Recreation purchased the materials for the class to build the two pits. Students worked on the project outside of their classroom at the high school. They will be installed by the Village at a later date.

“It has been a really fun build,” Albright said. “I have built houses, additions, replaced windows and doors and all other aspects of building and remodeling, but I have never done anything like this. Students really got into it when Mr. Sharpe and I told them what this year’s project was going to be.”

Holley was the first in the region to offer this class in the 2016-17 school year and laid the groundwork for many surrounding schools to implement programs of their own. Throughout the years, the classes have built two 16 X 20 tiny homes for Second Wind Cottages, a non-profit in Newfane, and four barns and two sheds for Homesteads for Hope, a non-profit in Spencerport.

Technology teacher Dylan Sharpe, left, worked with students on the project at the Firemen’s Field.

Press release, GLOW YMCA

Erik Fix

BATAVIA – The GLOW YMCA is pleased to announce the appointment of Erik Fix as its new President and Chief Executive Officer, effective July 7.

A seasoned leader with over 30 years of experience in nonprofit management, civic administration and community development, Fix also brings a longstanding personal and professional connection to the YMCA mission.

A lifelong resident of Genesee County, Fix most recently served as assistant city manager for the City of Batavia, where he oversaw key municipal departments including Human Resources, IT and Grant Administration. He also played a critical role in managing the city’s $33 million budget and advancing long-term strategic planning initiatives.

Fix’s career includes impactful leadership roles such as president of the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce and regional director of the United Way of Genesee County. His connection to the YMCA spans 16 years in a variety of roles earlier in his career with the GLOW YMCA. The GLOW Y has sites in Medina, Batavia and Warsaw.

“The YMCA shaped who I am—as a leader and as a person,” Fix said. “Returning to the GLOW Y feels like coming home. I look forward to collaborating with staff, the board, and our partners to lead with purpose, grow our reach, and serve every corner of our four-county region.”

Dean Bellack of Medina, chairman of the GLOW YMCA Board of Directors, praised Fix’s appointment:

“We were looking for a leader with vision, heart, and a deep understanding of our communities. Erik brings those qualities and more.”

Jocelyn Sikorski, chairwoman of the CEO Search Committee, added:

“From his first day of interviews, Erik stood out as someone with the leadership mindset, YMCA knowledge, and local commitment to build on our momentum and take the Y to new heights.”

As CEO, Fix will begin his tenure by conducting listening sessions across the GLOW region, engaging directly with staff, board members, and community stakeholders. He will also focus on key strategic initiatives, including the GLOW Healthy Living Campus, the ongoing capital campaign, and strategies for membership growth and program expansion.

LYNDONVILLE – Cheyenne Button sent in this photo of the sunset last evening looking out at Lake Ontario from the Shadigee. There was also a full Strawberry Moon last night.

The forecast for the coming days includes mostly sunny with a high of 78 today, followed by a partly sunny and high of 72 on Thursday, according to the National Weather Service in Buffalo.

Friday is forecast to be partly sunny with a high near 68, followed by showers on Saturday with a high near 68.

It will be partly sunny with a high near 70 on Sunday, and a mostly cloudy Monday with a high near 76, according to the Weather Service.

Press Release, New York Army National Guard

Photo from National Guard: Soldiers of the 42nd Infantry Division Band march in the 2018 St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The band will be part of the Army Birthday Parade on June 14.

The New York Army National Guard’s 42nd Infantry Division will have 436 soldiers among the 6,700 troops taking part in the Army’s 250th anniversary parade in Washington D.C. on Saturday.

The division is responsible for soldiers across the northeast but is headquartered in Troy. The soldiers left for Washington D.C. this morning and will return June 15.

The contingent will be led by Major General Jack James, the commander of the 42nd Infantry Division, and a color guard.

Eleven of the Army’s 19 divisions will be represented by marching contingents. The 42nd Infantry Division is the only one of the eight Army National Guard divisions sending a contingent to the parade.

The marchers are coming from the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, a part of the 42nd Infantry Division, with elements located across the state. The soldiers come from units based in Niagara Falls, Buffalo, Syracuse, Utica, New York City and the Hudson Valley.

Thirty Soldiers from the Massachusetts Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 182nd Infantry Regiment, which is assigned to the 27th Brigade, are also part of the contingent.

Another 30 soldiers from the 42nd Infantry Division Band, which is headquartered at Camp Smith Training Site near Peekskill, are also marching.

The headquarters elements of the 42nd Infantry Division are currently training for a deployment to the Middle East at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania.

The marching units will be divided up to represent different periods of the Army’s history. The 42nd Infantry Division contingent, along with marchers from the active Army’s 4th Infantry Division, will represent World War I.

Soldiers in World War I uniforms will march in front of the two division contingents.

“The 42nd Infantry Division is honored to represent the entire U.S. Army in WW I at the Army’s 250th birthday parade,” James said. “The legacy forged by Rainbow Division Soldiers on battlefields across France marked the 42d ID as one of the premier Divisions of the American Expeditionary Force. We are honored to represent our predecessors, and all brave Americans who fought in that conflict 100 years ago.”

The 42nd was created during World War I by taking National Guard units from 26 states and creating a special division which could go quickly to France in the fall of 1917. The division was organized in Garden City, Long Island and nicknamed “The Rainbow Division.”

The division’s first chief of staff, Douglas MacArthur-who later commanded American forces in World War II-said the division would “stretch across the country like a rainbow.”

The Army traces its birthday back to June 14, 1775. On that day the Continental Congress voted to enlist soldiers into a force serving all the colonies. Previously, each colony had raised its own troops when required.

The soldiers moved from locations across New York and Massachusetts to Washington. They are being housed in an empty Department of Agriculture office building and an unused General Services Administration warehouse.

The 500 New York National Guard Soldiers and Airmen who helped at the Presidential Inauguration in January stayed in these buildings then.

The cost for the New York National Guard to send soldiers to the parade is being covered by the Army.

The soldiers will receive MREs for breakfast and lunch and a hot meal for dinner along with per-diem of about $69.

The parade will include 28 M1A2 Abrams tanks, 28 M3 Bradley Infantry Fighting vehicles, 28 Stryker wheeled infantry vehicles, and four M109A6 Paladin self-propelled howitzers.

The parade will march on Constitution Avenue along the Mall past the White House. Flyovers from historic aircraft and Army helicopters will be part of the event.

Photos from Roy-Hart Central School: Roy-Hart Middle School students learn about agriculture in multiple ways, including hands-on learning and agriculturally themed literature.

Press Release, Roy-Hart Central School

MIDDLEPORT – Royalton-Hartland Middle School is thriving—thanks in large part to the support of Cornell University’s New York Agriculture in the Classroom (NYAITC).

With the help of this statewide initiative, students are not only learning about agriculture—they’re living it.

This year, science teacher and Middle School Green Team Club Advisor Susan McLaughlin was selected to present her student-led project – “We Need Farms: You Get an Acre!” – at the National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference in Minnesota. While McLaughlin is not an agriculture teacher by title, she has become a powerful advocate for agricultural literacy through the many programs and resources NYAITC offers.

“NYAITC has transformed how we teach agriculture at our school,” McLaughlin said. “It’s not just an add-on. It’s part of our curriculum, our cafeteria, and our community.”

Among the school’s achievements this year:

• Second place in the statewide Schoolyard Sugaring Maple Contest in the Middle School Division, where students collected over 45 gallons of sap from their backyard and boiled it into a gallon of maple syrup for the cafeteria. NYAITC provided the supplies at no cost.
• Participation in classroom competitions like the Mac and Cheese Challenge and Ice Cream Challenge, with creative student-made entries including: “What Up Mac?” — a carrot-based macaroni and cheese; “Maple Swirl” — made with maple sugar, RH maple syrup, and RH maple caramel; and “Deep Dirt” — chocolate custard ice cream with brownie chunks, green sprinkles, and a gummy worm on top.

In addition to contests, Royalton-Hartland Middle School secured two NYAITC grants and a scholarship:

• The Grow with Us Grant funded the cultivation of Swiss chard and romaine lettuce, harvested for school lunches via three aeroponic grow towers. It also provided supplies for the Trout in the Classroom project, where students raised and released 100 brook trout while learning about ecosystems and the fish industry.
• The Agricultural Literacy Grant supported a place-based learning experience tied to agriculturally themed literature. Students visited Season of Alpacas, a hobby farm in Lockport, and participated in a reading of Lincoln Clears a Path by local children’s author Peggy Thomas—held in a real Lincoln Log Cabin. Each student received a signed hardcover copy of Thomas’s book.

McLaughlin also received a scholarship to attend and present at the National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference, inspired by lesson plans from the National Agriculture Literacy Curriculum Matrix, a free online resource filled with ready-to-use agricultural lessons.

“These opportunities are available to every school in New York State,” McLaughlin emphasized. “All you need is a plan and a willingness to try.”

With global food needs expected to rise dramatically by 2050, agricultural education is more important than ever. Thanks to NYAITC, Royalton-Hartland Middle School is not just preparing students for the future—they’re helping them grow it.

Provided photos

ALBION – The VFW Strickland Post 4635 Albion recognized recipients of $500 scholarships on Tuesday evening.

In photo at left, Kelli Dingle was accompanied by her parents Michael and Brenda. She is a $500 recipient for her essay on what the United States Flag means.

Oliver Beach was accompanied by his parents, Michael and Jamie Beach. Oliver received the $500 Industrial Arts scholarship.

Joining them are Post Commander Mike Donahue, far left,  and member Joe Marvin, far right.

The Post raised funds from a recent raffle to increase its support of Albion High School from one $200 scholarship to two $500 scholarships.

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Mike Smith and his wife Faith pose by the bulletin board listing the menu for the Koinonia Kitchen’s third anniversary at Harvest Christian Fellowship in Albion on Thursday.

ALBION – Feeding a community might be a daunting task for most people, but for Mike and Faith Smith of Albion, it is a way of life.

The Smiths have been running a soup kitchen for 17 years, the first 14 at Christ Episcopal Church in Albion, where they served 100 or more every Friday night. Often they cooked the meals themselves, with organizations and churches also preparing and serving the meals on many of the Fridays. Often the Smiths used their own money to buy food so that no one would go hungry.

When circumstances forced them to step back at Christ Episcopal, they were lucky enough to be invited to use the kitchen at Harvest Christian Fellowship on East Avenue in Albion.

Last Thursday they celebrated the third anniversary serving meals at the kitchen they call Koinonia Kitchen. During that time, they have served 100,240 meals and expanded their ministry to delivering meals to every town and village in Orleans County – 53 per week in all.

“We are not just a kitchen that offers free food,” Faith said. “We are a ministry that cares about you and your needs. We offer fellowship and compassion, along with love of Jesus for each and every person who crosses our path. We couldn’t have done any of this without God and the help and support of the entire community, the businesses and the many, many volunteers. We have helped thousands over the years and will continue to help those in need.”

(Left) Kevin Howard from Albion Lions Club and Ann McElwee from Medina Lions serve dinners Thursday on the third anniversary of Koinonia Kitchen’s location at Harvest Christian Fellowship in Albion. (Center) Barb Navarra brings her friend Ace Caldwell to Koinonia Kitchen for a meal every Thursday. They not only do they like the food, but look forward to seeing people in the community. (Right) A.J. Scheuerman of Albion is one of eight people who deliver meals from Koinonia Kitchen to 53 individuals in Orleans County every week.

During Thursday’s meal which celebrated Koinonia Kitchen’s third anniversary at the church, the Smiths announced they had finally qualified to receive food from Foodlink, allowing them to start Orleans Koinonia Pantry, which will be up and running in July.

The pantry will open as a “choice” pantry, with a Koinonia board member on hand to do intake on everyone who comes for food, to verify household size, residency in Orleans County and food items needed. The pantry will be located on the east side of Harvest church’s office. Opening dates and times will be announced soon.

Koinonia Kitchen continues to solicit volunteers, groups and organizations to come in and cook and serve a meal on a Thursday. They already have the Lions clubs in Medina and Albion, who provide the food and cook it one Thursday a month.

Jovannie Canales and his wife Melisa are lead pastors at the church, who praise the ministry.

“It’s a lot of work, but it’s so gratifying,” Jovannie said.

“It’s not an easy job, but you have to love what you’re doing,” Melisa said.

“There are a lot of hungry people,” Jovannie said. “We’re not only feeding them, but we’re bringing the community together. We’re fulfilling a multiple purpose as we serve.”

One person who looks forward to coming to Koinonia Kitchen every week is Ace Caldwell, whose friend Barb Navarra brings him for a meal since his wife passed away. He not only likes the food, but the opportunity to get together with other people once a week.

Delivering meals to people who can’t get to the kitchen is a service provided by eight delivery people. One is A.J. Scheuerman, who said there is something rewarding about giving back to his community. He said most of the meals go to seniors.

Anyone interested in volunteering, donating food or preparing a meal can e-mail Faith at okkitchen2022@gmail.com for details.

“Koinonia Kitchen is what I live for,” Faith said. “I’m all about helping people who need a little extra.”

Students also decorated comfort bags for people battling cancer

Photo and press release from Albion Central School

ALBION – Students and staff at Albion Elementary School spent this spring collecting money and creating comfort bags for the Knights Kaderli Memorial Fund.

Members of the Student Leadership Council recently presented Melissa Knights Bertrand a check for $1,000 on behalf of Albion Elementary. The donated funds will help cancer patients and their families, residing in Orleans County, with the costs of medical bills, food, transportation and living expenses.

Additionally, the students also donated comfort bags that patients will receive when they go for their cancer treatments. The group purchased the small tote bags and the members decorated them with positive messages and/or drawings before filling them with “goodies” including travel-sized bottles of hand sanitizer and lotion, fuzzy socks, lap blankets, lip balm, tissues and decks of cards/ puzzles just to name a few.

During this annual initiative, students diligently collect spare change from family, friends, and staff to not only help local cancer patients but also learn the importance of empathy, teamwork and community service.

“We are continually impressed by our students’ determination and dedication to this campaign,” said Angela Conway, Elementary School Principal. “They are excellent examples of what it means to S.O.A.R and we are so proud of all they have accomplished.”

‘I can no longer work for an administration that doesn’t fully support a vision that aligns with mine.’ – Fire Chief Matt Jackson

File photos: Fire Chief Matt Jackson led tours of the Medina fire hall on March 12, 2023. He shows photos that highlight concerns in the fire hall and on the ladder truck.

MEDINA – The Medina Fire Department will soon be without its fire chief, a second long-time leader in the department, and two other firefighters.

The Medina Village Board on Monday accepted the resignations of Fire Chief Matt Jackson and two firefighters, Tiffany Petry and Dylan Schreader. Captain Jonathan Higgins also submitted a letter that he will be retiring after 18 ½ years with the Medina FD, including the past 11 years as a captain.

Jackson has been with the department for 19 years, including the past 5 ½ as the fire chief. The department has lost several new firefighters to lateral transfers where the pay is far more in neighboring counties.

But Jackson cited a strained relationship with some of the board members and reluctance by some on the board to move forward with needed infrastructure upgrades.

Jackson, in a letter dated May 21, said he will be formally resigning as fire chief on July 12.

Jackson said the past year has been “a constant battle” with some of the board members “to ensure adequate equipment and a safe work environment for our team.”

Jackson said the budget approved by the board on April 28 left the fire department too short on funds. The budget also reduced the fire department paid staff from 20 to 16.

“I cannot balance the budget this board has adopted while maintaining a safe and effective response for the department, the Village and the adjacent communities we serve, and I will not compromise my reputation, integrity or character at the cost of their health and wellness,” Jackson wrote in the resignation letter.

The work environment with the board “has remained consistently negative,” he said. Jackson has tried to adapt and engage constructively with board members, but he said he can no longer perform at the highest level in the current circumstances, nor does he see a positive path forward with the village.

“I can no longer work for an administration that doesn’t fully support a vision that aligns with mine,” he wrote.

Jackson said the decision to resign wasn’t made lightly because he values the hard work of the firefighters in the department.

He said he is committed to a smooth transition of his responsibilities.

“We have built an amazing team and an outstanding leadership cadre, and I am confident this transition will take place with minimal interruption.”

Pictured from left include Medina Fire Department Captain Jonathan Higgins, and firefighters Dylan Schreader and Tiffany Petry. The photos show Higgins and Schreader assisting youth during fire department open houses.

The board has other positions to fill in the fire department besides the fire chief.

Jonathan Higgins, a captain with the Medina FD since 2013 and firefighter with Medina for 18 1/2 years, sent a letter to the board that he will be retiring on Aug. 6 with his last day at work on July 8.

“It has been an honor working with a very dedicated and talented group of firefighters over the years,” Higgins wrote in his letter.

He also commended the village employees in the Police Department, DPW, and Clerk’s Office.

“Working with this group of individuals definitely made things much easier to provide a great service to the residents of Medina,” Higgins wrote. “I also want to thank all our neighboring fire departments for their assistance over the years. I appreciate all the opportunities that have been provided to me while being able to serve this great community.”

Tiffany Petry resigned as a firefighter, sending in a  letter June 6. Her final day with the Medina FD will be June 20.

“I would like to thank you for the opportunity to have worked in this position the last 18 months. I have learned a great deal from my Officers and fellow Firefighters during my time with the Medina Fire Department.”

Petry shared with village officials that she was made sick by fumes from the ladder truck, and that carbon monoxide exposure should be a major concern for the board.

Dylan Schreader, a firefighter/EMT with Medina, also announced his resignation, effective June 22. He is joining the City of Tonawanda Fire Department. He said it is a new opportunity that aligns with his career goals.

“While I am excited about this new chapter, I will greatly miss the camaraderie, experiences and invaluable lessons learned during my time serving with the Village of Medina Fire Department,” he wrote in his letter. “I am deeply grateful for the support, mentorship and friendships I have developed here. Thank you for the opportunities provided to me, and for the chance to serve alongside such dedicated professionals.”

Mayor Marguerite Sherman said the village will put a call to civil service to try to fill the openings in the fire department.

Jackson was able to get the board to move forward with replacing a ladder truck but the board has yet to reach a decision on an addition to the fire hall. Some of the board members also have tried to rescind the fire truck purchase and see if Medina could get out of buying that truck for close to $1.7 million. The truck is due to arrive in December but the current fire hall isn’t big enough for it.

The Medina ladder truck from 1996 is shown in March 2023 when the fire department had an open house showing the tight quarters at the fire hall, especially for the ladder truck which only has 2 inches of clearance in pulling in and out of the fire hall. The ladder truck was recently taken out of service due to disrepair.

Jackson and the fire department suggested a two-bay addition and additional work on the current building which is cramped with eroding floors, cracking walls and other deficiencies. But the price tag for an addition and work on the current building would likely top $4.5 million, an engineering firm said.

The board scaled the project down to just a one-bay addition at about $1.4 million, but no final decision has been made.

Mayor Sherman said she expects she can soon announce a temporary spot for the new truck.

The board on Monday noted the current ladder truck has been taken out of service after an inspection on May 28 from Sam’s Apparatus Maintenance showed many problems with multiple exhaust leaks, a crack on right side of windshield, the need for new muffler, and left rear brake shoes are contaminated with gas and oil and will need to be replaced.

The truck also has worn tires, leaking oil, a non-functioning backup alarm, and other valve leaks.

Board members said they inquired about canceling the order for the new truck and said the village would face a $340,000 fee for that, and would be without a new truck. The village would still need to replace the 29-year-old truck. Putting in a new order for a ladder truck, waiting for an addition to be built, would likely put a nee truck at about $2.2 million in today’s pricing. That’s about $500,000 more than Medina’s contract from March 2023, and Medina might have to wait four years for the delivery with a new contract.

Sherman said having no ladder truck in service for an extended period could also affect the village’s ISO ratings and push up property insurance costs for building owners.

“Unfortunately there is no easy answer to this,” said Trustee Debbie Padoleski. She has spoken out many times about the escalating taxes in the village.

Trustee Mark Prawel said the village should still keep the old truck maintained and in service. The village mechanic will try to put together an estimated cost to get the 1996 ladder truck back in service. Board members said it may be cost prohibitive to sink a lot of money into the old ladder truck.

Sherman said there may be other financing options for paying for the new truck, including leasing that could make it more affordable for the village. She said she continues to explore options for the village.

She said she continues to seek state and federal assistance, especially with the addition, and remains hopeful the County Legislature will unfreeze the local sales tax share with towns and villages. The 10 towns and four villages haven’t seen an increase in the sales tax revenue since 2001. Collectively the 14 municipalities share $1,366,671 with Medina getting $159,630 in 2025. The county keeps about 95 percent of the local sales tax which totals about $24 million locally.

Trustee Scott Bielski said neighboring towns who rely on the village for mutual aid should be asked to help the village bear the costs of the services, especially with Medina FD going outside the village on many calls.

“We should ask for more assistance from the towns,” he said. “Do they want us showing up in a pickup truck?”

Photos courtesy of Oak Orchard Health: The Behavior Health Team, shown with OOH CEO Karen Kinter (right), gave away stress balls and shared about the services at Oak Orchard.

Press Release, Oak Orchard Community Health

Dr. James Goetz and Oak Orchard Health CEO Karen Kinter meet two kids at the health fair. The Brockport health center is named in honor of Dr. Goetz, a long-time pediatrician.

BROCKPORT – Despite the rain, the Community Health Fair at Oak Orchard Health on May 31 in Brockport was fun for all, especially for kids and their families.

The fair was a convenient way for people to get valuable information, free screenings, and giveaways. One of the most popular was the dental screenings with Dr. Rachel Nozzi and the OOH hygienists.

Though we moved the tables and Kid Zone indoors, the Kiwanis Club of Brockport weathered the storm and served pancakes outdoors throughout the morning. Oak Orchard Health was available for blood pressure screenings, blood glucose checks, vision screenings, and provided information on healthy eating, WIC, and behavioral health. If you had questions about the OOH Patient Portal, we were there to answer them.

Thank you to UR Medicine, UR Dermatology, and URMobilEyes. They provided health screenings, including mammograms, skin cancer checks, and eye exams. The Wilmot Cancer Center table got plenty of interest on this important topic.

Fidelis Care Health Insurance was there to provide valuable information – and give away stress balls, pens, and so much more. The Brockport Community Connection was also on hand to connect residents with services, including emergency assistance.

Thank you to the Greater Rochester Health Foundation that sponsored the fair and to everyone who participated in the event.

Oak Orchard volunteers were eager participants, assisting people at the health fair.