By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 May 2025 at 9:20 am
Photos courtesy of Tim Archer
ALBION – Some Albion eighth-graders teamed with Clarendon Town Historian Melissa Ierlan to give two historic markers a facelift with fresh coats of paint.
The top photo shows Emmaline Gailie, Nicole Loney and Tatiana Morales with Ierlan and the marker for the First Academy between the Niagara and Genesee.
The marker is in Gaines on Ridge Road, one mile west of Route 279.
The students also teamed with Ierlan to give this marker for the Brick Pond fresh paint. This marker is on Route 98, south of Route 104. Ierlan has removed old, flaking paint from about 30 markers in Orleans County and given them new paint.
J.A. Lafler opened a brickyard here in the 1850s, producing drainage tile and bricks for local buildings. He patented a brick machine in 1863.
Lux Froman paints the pole black on the marker for the Brick Pond.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 May 2025 at 8:22 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Mount Albion Cemetery is in its budding and blossoming glory right now, with many colors on display in the historic cemetery along Route 31.
Mount Albion in 2022 became accredited as an arboretum through ArbNet and The Morton Arboretum. The cemetery covers about 100 acres and is home to more than 1,100 trees and an array of flowers and bushes.
There are 65 varieties of trees, ranging from alder to beech, butternut to basswood, oak to spruce, hemlock to dogwood, pine to cedar and chestnut, according to the listing by ArbNet and The Morton Arboretum.
“But what dominates the landscape is New York State’s official tree – the Sugar Maple,” the group stated. “It’s brilliant fall colors dance across the landscape like a kaleidoscope of calm.”
Many people enjoy walking and visiting the cemetery, especially in the fall. But right now might be the best time of the year to visit the cemetery.
The cemetery hosts tours in the summer. A spring-time tour highlighting the different types of trees would be much appreciated by the public as well.
File photo by Tom Rivers: Dave and Gail Miller, left, and Medina historian Todd Bensley look up close at the restored stained-glass window in the chapel at Boxwood Cemetery on May 18, 2024. The Friends of Boxwood Cemetery rededicated the chapel and invited the community to see a cleaned up chapel.
Press Release, Friends of Boxwood Cemetery
MEDINA – The Friends of Boxwood Cemetery are excited to announce their newest event, “A Day of Remembrance.”
The event will be held on Saturday, May 17, at 11 a.m., starting at the Boxwood Cemetery Chapel on North Gravel Road in Medina. It is a rain or shine event that is free and open to the public.
The idea is for people to bring mementos and/or stories of loved ones buried at Boxwood Cemetery. “The stories can be as simple as a cherished memory or the significance of the memento,” according to board member Todd Bensley.
Bensley is also the Village of Medina historian and has led several tours of the cemetery over the years.
“We are hoping to add to the rich history of Boxwood Cemetery by hearing from individuals with a personal connection to those buried at Boxwood,” he said.
The format will be a stroll around the cemetery with stops at the graves of those that people want to share a story about.
Bensley stressed that the event is open to the public and you do not have to have a story to tell to join in the walk. Anyone with an interest in local history or Boxwood Cemetery is welcome to attend.
Photos courtesy of Kendall Lions Club – (Left) Lions Club President Zina Cappotelli is shown accepting a proclamation from State Assemblyman Steve Hawley. (Right) Orleans County Legislator John Fitzak presented a citation to the Lions Club on behalf of the Legislature.
Article by Helen Unterborn, Kendall Lions Club member
KENDALL – The Kendall Lions on Saturday celebrated 50 years of service to the Kendall Community. Members, their families and guests gathered at the Hamlin VFW for dinner, a program and display honoring our members past and present.
State Assemblyman Steve Hawley and Orleans County Legislator John Fitzak both presented official citations recognizing the service of the Kendall Lions Club. The guest speakers were Korey K. Brown, Monroe County Undersheriff and Holly Dutcher, Executive Director of C.U.R.E. Childhood Cancer Association.
Monroe County Undersheriff Korey K. Brown Monroe County Undersheriff shares his family’s journey with childhood cancer, which has twice affected his grandson Joel.
Undersheriff Brown shared his family’s cancer journey with their grandson Joel and how he is giving back to C.U.R.E. in appreciation for their help and to raise awareness of childhood cancer. During September, Childhood Cancer Month, he completes a 5K every day to raise funding and awareness for C.U.R.E.
Dutcher then shared the work of C.U.R.E. And the resources and assistance they provide to families. This past February the proceeds of the Kendall Lions annual Chicken BBQ were designated for C.U.R.E., and a check for $6,500 was presented to the organization at the dinner on Saturday.
Kendall Lion President President Zina Cappotelli (middle) presents a check for $6,500 to Holly Dutcher, executive director C.U.R.E. Childhood Cancer and Monroe County Undersheriff Korey K. Brown, who is an active volunteer for the organization.
The Kendall Lions Club has been very active serving the Kendall community since it was chartered on January 28, 1975, under the leadership of charter president Ray Ernenwein. From early in our existence, the Kendall Lions Club has had an impact on the community in big and little ways.
The Lions Club played a significant role in creating the Kendall Medical Center and bringing Kendall its first doctor. As time went on, the Lions club helped the fire department purchase a new truck and a new ambulance. The club has also made important donations to our school by donating such things as vision testing machines, nebulizers and AEDs.
We were one of the original supporters of Camp Abilities, a week-long camp at Brockport College for visually impaired students. To this day we continue to cook a dinner for the campers annually.
For most of our existence, we invite parents to bring their Pre-K to 3rd grade students to come for a wagon ride to a Pumpkin Patch for a free pumpkin, donut and cup of cider. We also celebrate the accomplishments to each senior class at our Senior Breakfast at a local facility.
A banner marks the Kendall Lions Club’s 50th anniversary.
Each year, on Superbowl Saturday we have a Chicken BBQ with the proceeds going to a local family in serious need, to the school or to a non-profit organization.
In 2018, our community was stunned by the tragic deaths of a single mother and her son to carbon monoxide poisoning. The Kendall Lions responded by teaming with the Kendall Fire Department providing and installing free smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors to any community member who wanted them.
Most recently, our club raised the funds and provided AEDs to each of the churches in the Kendall Community.
In addition, we also play Bingo with the vets at the VA in Batavia twice a year. We have an emergency fund and a medical loan closet to support community members as needs arise. We sponsor an Environmental Cleanup Day and a Fourth Grade Forester Program on Arbor Day (we give each 4th grader a tree to bring home to plant). We give scholarships to graduating seniors, are the district’s hub for eye glass collections and offer free eye exams and glasses to students in need.
As you can see, for our entire existence, the Kendall Lions Club has proudly and tirelessly lived up to our motto, “We Serve.”
Lions Club members and guests celebrate the milestone anniversary for the service organization.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 May 2025 at 8:42 am
Lyndonville’s Newsies named ‘Production of the Year’ for small schools in Rochester region
Photos by Tom Rivers: Lyndonville is shown in a scene from Disney’s Newsies. The district won the top award for small schools in the Rochester region for its musical production.
Three school districts in Orleans County were big winners in the annual Stars of Tomorrow program that evaluates and recognizes school musicals in the Rochester region.
Albion, Lyndonville and medina were all recognized for “Excellence in Overall Production” by the Stars of Tomorrow with Lyndonville named the “Production of the Year” among small schools, which included many districts larger than Lyndonville.
The districts were recognized Friday night at the West Herr Auditorium in Rochester. There were 48 schools in Stars of Tomorrow this year, a record high for the Rochester Broadway Theatre League.
Trained evaluators, comprised of performing arts educators and professionals, travel to watch each district’s production. They then provided students and directors with feedback in a variety of categories.
Albion, Lyndonville and Medina all were named “Top 10” Productions of the Year for Small Schools with Lyndonville performing Disney’s Newsies, Albion with Cinderella, and Medina with Mamma Mia!
Mallory Kozody is Cinderella and Zachary Baron is Prince Christopher. They dance a waltz in Albion’s production of Cinderella.
Albion won the following awards:
Excellence in Overall Production
Excellence in Acting Ensemble
Excellence in Vocal Ensemble
Excellence in Dance Ensemble
Excellence in Production Crew
Excellence in Production Design
Excellence in Student Orchestra (50-74 percent students)
Achievement in a leading role: Mallory Kozody as Cinderella, Zachary Baron as Christopher, and Ella Trupo as Fairy Godmother.
Amir Huzair plays the lead role of Jack Kelly who leads the newsboys in a strike after the wealthy newspaper owners cut the slim profit margins to the boys.
Lyndonville was recognized with the following awards:
Production of the Year
Excellence in Overall Production
Excellence in Acting Ensemble
Excellence in Vocal Ensemble
Excellence in Dance Ensemble
Excellence in Production Crew
Excellence in Production Design
Excellence in Student Orchestra (50-74 percent students)
Achievement in a leading role: Amir Huzair as Jack Kelly, Noah Fox as Davey, Auston Bentley as Crutchie, and Sarah Corser as Katherine.
Medina performed Mamma Mia! with Madelyn Elliott as Donna, center, joined by Rosie (Lyla Page) and Tanya (Arianna Lake). The three are singing, “Dancing Queen.” The musical includes songs by ABBA.
Medina won the following honors:
Excellence in Overall Production
Excellence in Vocal Ensemble
Excellence in Dance Ensemble
Excellence in Production Crew
Excellence in Production Design
Achievement in a leading role: Lyla Page as Rosie, Madelyn Elliott as Donna, Ava Blount as Sophie, Arianna Lake as Tanya, and Jackson McGrath as Sky.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 May 2025 at 8:11 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Peter Stritzinger, 13, places flags on veterans’ graves this morning at Mount Albion Cemetery.
Stritzinger and other Scouts in Troop 164 and Pack 164 set flags on more than 1,300 flags at Mount Albion and St. Joseph’s Cemetery.
The Scouts for decades have teamed with the American Legion and VFW to have the flags at veterans’ graves before Memorial Day.
Leo Gotte, 12, of Troop 164 and his mother, Megan Gotte, place flags where veterans are buried at Mount Albion.
Jack Breuilly, 13, (left) and Colson Braley, 14, carry flags while looking for veterans’ graves at Mount Albion.
Jay Baron, 5, teams with his father Jeff Baron to put flags at veterans’ markers. Jeff is the dean leader for Pack 164 which allows Scouts as young as 5. Jeff remembers putting flags at the cemetery before Memorial Day when he was a kid and a Boy Scout.
Colton Durow, 14, finds a veteran’s grave to place a flag. Mount Albion has many varieties of trees in bloom right now.
This year the Memorial Day parade begins on May 26 at 10 a.m. at the corner of Park Street and South Main Street and proceeds to the Middle School where there will be a service at 11 a.m. in front of the school.
People and organizations interested in being the parade should contact Phil Warne of the Legion at (585) 589-5701. He is co-chairman of the parade with Matt Passarell from the VFW.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 10 May 2025 at 7:18 pm
Provided photos: Shown with 30 bags of fire safety products presented by United Way to Orleans County Office for the Aging on Friday are, from left, Nyla Gaylord, executive director of United Way; Samantha Koons, Aging Services specialist at Orleans County OFA; and Meghan Bevins, assistant director of the OFA.
Volunteers at United Way’s Day of Caring on Friday packed 45 bags containing fire protection and prevention items purchased with a grant from Heritage Wind. From left are Kathleen Bates with the Orleans County Office for the Aging; and volunteers from Takeform, Ellen Eaton and Jim Waters.
ALBION – A recent string of house fires in Orleans County has prompted United Way of Orleans County to apply for (and receive) a $3,000 grant from Heritage Wind to purchase fire extinguishers and smoke detectors.
“We wanted to make sure the most vulnerable segment of the population – the aging and disabled – are protected,” said Nyla Gaylord, executive director of United Way of Orleans County. “Office for the Aging staff have voiced concerns that many older adults are lacking basic fire protection products, such as fire extinguishers and smoke detectors, because they can’t easily afford them.”
On Friday, during United Way’s annual Day of Caring, Gaylord and volunteers from Takeform delivered 30 of 45 bags with fire protection and prevention items to the Office for the Aging.
Ellen Eaton, Human Resources director at Takeform, and Jim Waters unpacked 10 boxes of products and organized and assembled the bags, Gaylord said.
Each bag contained a smoke alarm, a CO2 alarm, a fire extinguisher and a fire extinguishing blanket. The remaining bags will be donated to Adult Protective workers.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 10 May 2025 at 8:17 am
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Nyla Gaylord, director of United Way of Orleans County, welcomes volunteers for annual Day of Caring Friday morning at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds.
KNOWLESVILLE – A group of nearly three dozen volunteers stepped up on Friday to offer their services to eight charitable causes for the annual Day of Caring, sponsored by United Way of Orleans County.
United Way’s executive director Nyla Gaylord welcomed the volunteers at the Orleans County Fairgrounds, who were treated to breakfast pizza, coffee and donuts before embarking on their day’s assignments.
“Your volunteering today is another way to enhance your donations to United Way,” Gaylord told the volunteers gathered at the fairgrounds. “Every dollar we raise goes to help make our community better.”
Robert Batt, front, executive director of Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension, loads gardening supplies in his vehicle for volunteers Steve Stringham and Aiden Cherry from Arc GLOW on Friday at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds.
As in past years, the majority of volunteers came from Baxter Healthcare, Velociti and Takeform, along with Orleans Mental Health, The Arc and Connie Brunnette.
After breakfast and a thank you from Gaylord, the volunteers embarked on their assignments, which included mulching and weeding at Arc Glow; garden projects at Cornell Cooperative Extension; making Christmas ornaments for GO Art! at Cooperative Extension’s Education building; painting and cleanup at Camp Rainbow; card making and gardening at Hospice of Orleans County, creek bank cleanup and bushwhacking for Boy Scouts of America; planting bushes and plants at P’Raising Kids; staining a fence at Care Net; and sorting and delivering fire extinguishers to the Office for the Aging.
Cousins Miranda Reamer and Anna Kurman from Velociti wait for breakfast pizza before embarking on their volunteer assignments at Day of Caring. The two also volunteered last year and came back to help again.
After enjoying breakfast pizza, volunteers were sent off with snacks and a bottle of water.
Cousins Miranda Reamer and Anna Kurman, both employees of Velociti, said they had volunteered last year and came back again because they enjoyed helping people. Last year they did landscaping at a doctor’s office in Medina, and this year they were going to Hospice to make greeting cards and do landscaping.
“We volunteered because this is a nice way to get out and give back to our community,” Kurman said.
“We work from home, so this is a great opportunity to get out in the air,” Reamer said.
Karen Krug, who volunteered from Orleans Mental Health with Melinda Rhim and Jessica Kincaid, said she volunteers because she knows the work United Way does in the county.
“Giving has to come from all avenues,” Krug said. “It’s this kind of stuff you show up for, and it’s very fulfilling.”
Krug said Rhim had requested they be assigned to Camp Rainbow, where they were going to paint and do cleanup.
“It’s nice to go back to the same location, because now we know what to do,” Krug said.
Rhim said she has been volunteering for Day of Caring for many years.
“I was on the board of United Way for 10 years and have done all kinds of projects for them,” Rhim said. “This is our third year at Camp Rainbow. I feel it’s a hidden gem. We feel the gratitude when we’re getting it ready for the kids.”
Ryin Moriarity, an employee from Baxter, said this was her second year volunteering. They were going to the YMCA in Medina.
“They need a lot of landscaping and we have a large group and wanted to stick together,” Moriarity said.
Jodi Fisher, program director and State-Wide Community Regrant coordinator at Go Art!, came to Day of Caring at Cooperative Extension to paint light bulbs for Christmas ornaments, which are sold as a fundraiser.
Gaylord shared news of a $3,000 grant United Way received from Heritage Wind to buy fire extinguishers and smoke alarms. She said this was a result of the frequency of house fires in the area, and United Way wanted to make sure the most vulnerable (aging and disabled) were protected. Volunteers assisted in delivering them to the Office for the Aging later in the morning.
At the fairgrounds, Cooperative Extension director Robert Batt loaded gardening tools for volunteers Steve Stringham and Aiden Cherry from The Arc, who were going to do gardening projects.
“We are doing a hedge row garden and the Master Gardeners need some help getting it prepped today,” Batt said.
Volunteers lined up Friday morning to get their assignments for Day of Caring. Thirty-four volunteers from local businesses donated their time on Friday to help charitable causes.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 May 2025 at 4:59 pm
File photo by Tom Rivers: A canal boat named Canandaigua takes a leisurely trip on the Erie Canal in this photo from Sept. 23, 2015. The photo was taken from the Presbyterian Road canal bridge in Albion.
The Canal Corporation was planning a big celebration on May 16 in honor of the 200th anniversary of the historic waterway’s opening day of the season.
But “relentless rain” affected eastern and central New York will delay the opening of the canal at Lyons heading east. That has made the water levels higher than usual.
The Erie Canal will open as scheduled in Orleans County and the western end.
Here is the statement from the Canal Corporation about the opening of the season:
The New York State Canal Corporation today announced that the New York State Canal system will open in phases beginning Friday, May 16th due to severe weather that has necessitated a delay in the opening schedule for the Canal system.
Specifically, significant rainfall has created high flows and unsafe conditions along the Eastern and Central Erie Canal, Champlain Canal, and Oswego Canal.
The opening schedule is as follows –
Friday, May 16th –
Erie Canal Lock E-28A (Lyons) will be operational through Locks E-34/35 (Lockport)
Boaters should be aware of floating debris generated by recent heavy rainfall and proceed with caution, at a “No Wake” speed, as some debris may be hard to see. Some buoys (Aids to Navigation) may be off station and are being relocated by Canal forces.
As conditions safely permit, additional openings of the Canal system will be announced in subsequent Notice to Mariners.
The Canal Corporation appreciates the patience of mariners and the public while crews work to prepare the waterway for navigation once conditions are safe.
Upon opening, all locks and lift bridges will operate from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily with some locks and lift bridges operating until 9:00 p.m. Mariners are advised to check the Canal Corporation’s Notice to Mariners for the latest information.
There are no tolls or fees for recreational use of the Canal system this year.
As part of the Erie Canal’s Bicentennial commemoration, the Canal Corporation is extending this year’s navigation season. The Canal system will remain open for both recreational and commercial vessels until Monday, November 3, 2025, at 6:00 pm.
Provided photo: Jarred Saj accepts the Volunteer of the Year award from Brittany Dix, Hospice’s community outreach specialist.
ALBION – Hospice of Orleans hosted our Annual Volunteer Luncheon on April 28 at Risen Cafe to recognize and celebrate all of our volunteers and the ways that they contribute to our mission throughout the year.
Jarred Saj was awarded the Volunteer of the Year Award. While many know that Jarred is a fantastic ticket-seller, they may not know that Jarred is someone who consistently reaches out to inquire about ways that he might be helpful.
He engages in each of our events in some way and is always asking “How can I help?” and finding out what is next. Jarred has a full calendar and is always sure to prioritize Hospice of Orleans when we need him.
He has already signed up to volunteer for our golf tournament in August and would love to see folks there!
Kelli Elyse Dingle will travel to DC to see her artwork in US Capitol
Press Release, Congresswoman Claudia Tenney
Kelli Elyse Dingle’s “Fried Eggs” won the Congressional Art Contest for the 24th district. Dingle is a senior at Albion and also a student at the Orleans/Niagara BOCES.
WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) today named Kelli Elyse Dingle’s “Fried Eggs” as the winner of the 2025 Congressional Art Competition.
As the winner of the Congressional Art Competition, Kelli Elyse Dingle, a 12th-grade student from Orleans/Niagara BOCES, will be flown to Washington, DC to see her artwork displayed in the halls of the United States Capitol.
This year, Tenney’s office received 30 submissions from 12 different schools for the Congressional Art Contest. Additional awardees include Graciana Allen of Red Creek Central School, second place; Ayden Kaufman of Orleans/Niagara BOCES, third place; Phung Cao of Mynderse Academy, honorable mention; and Kaitlyn Dougherty of Red Creek Central School, honorable mention.
“Congratulations to Kelli Elyse Dingle for being named NY-24’s Congressional Art Competition winner!” Tenney said. “With so many incredible submissions, this is a truly impressive accomplishment.
“I look forward to welcoming Kelli to the Capitol and seeing her artwork, ‘Fried Eggs,’ displayed in the halls of Congress. I want to thank all who participated in this year’s competition and encourage visitors to stop by our DC office to view ‘Fried Eggs’ hanging in the historic halls of Congress, if you are visiting our nation’s Capital.”
Photo courtesy of Kendall Central School: Superintendent Nick Picardo, left, and Karen Jones, right, congratulate Cindy Tinkous on being “employee of the year” among Kendall bus drivers.
KENDALL – Cindy Tinkous, a Kendall school bus driver, received the Rochester Area Transportation Supervisors Association 2025 Professional Pupil Transportation Employee of the Year recognition.
The Rochester Area Transportation Supervisors Association (RATSA) annually awards exceptional employees from area school districts to receive the Professional Pupil Transportation Employee of the Year award.
Nominees are chosen based on merits such as having good attendance, being accident-free, having a friendly disposition, and readily accepting and exceeding responsibilities. They are also expected to relate well with fellow workers, parents and children.
Tinkous was recognized at a ceremony that took place on Thursday alongside transportation honorees from a number of area school districts.
“Cindy has been employed at Kendall for over 20 years and is an invaluable asset to the pupil transportation department as a long-time driver,” said Director of Transportation Karen Jones. “She has been a mentor to all drivers and loves all of her students on the bus. Cindy is the matriarch of the Kendall Bus Garage family and will be retiring in July. She will be greatly missed by all.”
