Photos and information courtesy of Albion Elks Lodge #1006
ALBION – On Thursday the Albion Elks Lodge #1006 proudly conducted their Flag Day ceremony at their lodge to pay tribute to our national flag.
The ceremony was performed by the Lodge officers including Mike Jenks, Exalted Ruler; Richard Robb Sr., Leading Knight; Lynda Standish, Loyal Knight stand in; Sharon Pollock, Lecturing Knight; Allyn Phillips, Esquire; and Edee Hoffmeister, Chaplain.
Past State President Barry Griffith served as guest speaker for the ceremony. Music and PA system were provided by Bret Boring. Camille Jenks took the photos.
The ceremony was assisted by the Abion VFW honor guard, and Murray and Shelby Fire Departments hoisted a giant flag. Albion Fire Department and representatives of the Albion Police Department were also in attendance.
The VFW honor guard presented each flag of the United States and a 21-Gun Salute at the ending of the ceremony.
County Legislator John Fitzak was in attendance along with many Elks members, guests and members of the public. Albion Elks Riders supported the event by providing refreshments after the ceremony.
Albion Elks Lodge #1006 intends to make this an annual event.
GAINES – The Orleans County Historical Association has scheduled an ambitious monthly series of History Talks in celebration of the county’s bicentennial.
The programs are on Wednesdays and begin at 7 p.m. They are presented in a unique setting: the restored one-room cobblestone schoolhouse at 3286 Gaines Basin Rd., Albion. That school was built in 1832 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The schedule is as follows:
Dennis Upton portrays Joseph Ellicott, a major influencer in the development of Western New York.
• June 25: Dennis Upton will present a first person portrayal of Joseph Ellicott (1760-1826). The name Ellicott is familiar to us – Ellicott Creek, Ellicottville etc. but we never question how these placenames originated. As the person who surveyed the area and sold the land, Joseph Ellicott had a profound and lasting impact on the early development of Western New York. Ellicott was also instrumental in the development and routing of the Erie Canal.
• July 30: “The Haudenosaunee Confederacy” – Kae Woodruff Wilbert will discuss the history of the six Indigenous nations whose traditional lands encompass New York State.
• Aug. 27: Amy Machamer, owner of Hurd Orchards in Holley, will discuss “Orleans County Fruit Culture as Living History.”
• Sept. 24: Doug Miller, retired history teacher, will discuss how multiple religious ideas and beliefs developed and spread along the Erie Canal in the early 19th century in a talk titled “The Erie Canal & The Burned Over District; History is not Accidental.”
• Oct. 29: The county’s historic markers capture the stories of people, place and events of significance. Catherine Cooper, Orleans County historian, will present the newly reissued edition of the book, Historic Markers of Orleans County, which includes the markers added in the last 24 years.
There is no admission charge for these programs. Donations are gratefully accepted.
BATAVIA – This fall, Genesee Community College’s Business and Employee Skills Training (BEST) Center will offer hands-on training in two in-demand skilled trades: welding and plumbing.
Evening classes begin on Sept. 2 and are designed to accommodate the schedules of working adults.
“Students will be awarded an industry-recognized credential upon completion of the training,” according to Jennifer Wakefield, executive director of Workforce Development at The BEST Center. “We are proud to offer these short-term programs that open doors to long-term career opportunities.”
The Welding Fundamentals Program equips students with essential skills for immediate entry into the workforce. The curriculum covers a broad range of techniques including basic gas and arc welding, gas metal arc welding (MIG), shielded metal arc welding (SMAW/stick), gas tungsten arc welding (TIG) and flux-cored arc welding (FCAW). Students will also learn the principles of industrial safety, equipment setup and operation, and shop safety protocols.
Sal Bonafide
Welding instruction will be led by Sal Bonafide, a GCC instructor with over 15 years of industry experience. Bonafide is eager to begin working with a new cohort of welding students.
“Being able to work with students across different generations and disciplines is something I’ve always worked hard at,” Bonafide said. “I can’t wait to share my knowledge and experience with a new generation of welders.”
The Plumbing Certificate Program prepares students for entry-level employment in the residential plumbing trade. The training includes a strong foundation in plumbing theory and hands-on instruction in areas such as safety procedures, tool and material use, pipe fitting, fixture installation, and system maintenance. Students will also complete the OSHA 10-Hour Construction Safety training.
Walter Szczesny
Instruction is provided by Walter Szczesny, a lifelong Batavia resident and Master Plumber who has owned and operated WTS Plumbing since 1993. Szczesny brings a lifetime of experience to share with his students.
“I am excited to take my 45 years of knowledge and experience in the plumbing industry and pass it on to the next generation of plumbers with the skills needed to succeed in the field,” he said.
The BEST Center at Genesee Community College is the recognized regional leader in workforce development, offering targeted seminars, workshops, and training programs to strengthen both individuals and businesses throughout the GLOW region. To learn more about BEST Center offerings, please visit our technical programs page.
For more information contact Executive Director of Workforce Development, Jennifer Gilbert Wakefield, at (585)345-6868, or via email: bestcenter@genesee.edu.
Photos courtesy of Katherine Kage: Scott Goetze and Steve Goodrich, both members of the Houseman-Tanner American Legion Post 1603, helped to retire flags on Saturday.
Press Release, Steve Goodrich, Commander of Houseman-Tanner Post 1603
LYNDONVILLE – On Saturday, Houseman-Tanner American Legion Post 1603 hosted a Flag Day Service and retired over 500 unserviceable flags with help from Lyndonville Fire Company.
Flags that were faded, worn or torn by US flag code and American Legion proclamation are to be retired by burning in a dignified, respectful manner.
Worn, faded and torn flags may be given to any Legion member at any time throughout the year. The post will ensure of their proper disposal.
Post members Bob Burtwell and Keith Rutherford sort flags.
Members of Houseman-Tanner wait as flags burn before adding more.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 June 2025 at 7:54 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Some of the Strawberry Festival Committee members are pictured with Orly the Ox on Saturday. From left include Mike Bonnewell, Tracy VanSkiver, Trevor Thaine and Marlene Seielstad. Orly served as grand marshal for the parade.
Becky Karls, coordinator of the committee leading the festival, said the weather was great both days with temperatures in the high 60s, low 70s.
She praised the committee for welcoming many popular returning vendors and for drawing in new ones.
“We heard lots of good feedback,” Karls said. “They liked that their were more food varieties and there were ranges. We heard so many people say it was so great and that it was amazing.”
Many of the craft and food vendors were cleared out of their inventory, she said.
The crowd was happy to see the many bands, floats and other participants in the parade. There were about 50 entries in all.
Jarred Saj walks with the Turtle in the parade on Saturday, to promote the Turtle Race. Tickets were $5 a turtle or 5 for $20. Saj set a new record by selling 480 of the 1,000 available tickets.
Assemblyman Steve Hawley served as emcee for the Turtle Race. Becky Karls, festival committee chairwoman, is in back at left. She led the planning committee for the second year.
With the Main Street bridge closed again this festival, the turtles had to be dumped into the canal from the Sheriff’s Marine Patrol boat. From left include sewer plant superintendent Aric Albright, County Legislator Skip Draper, ticket seller extraordinaire Jarred Saj, Emergency Management deputy director Scott Buffin, Albion Police Lt. Brandan Annable and County Legislator John Fitzak.
Tim Pencille is in a kayak and ready to corral the fastest turtles. It was a slow-moving race with the wind counter-acting the current in the canal. It took about 40 minutes for the turtles to “race” a short distance on the canal.
The top five turtles were: Bellucci from Medina in first, $500 prize; Joe Sidonio in second, $250; Dave Schubel in third, $125; Ed Houseknecht in fourth, $75; and Chris Bourke in fifth, $50. The winning tickets were all sold by Jarred Saj.
The Who Dats performed the final concert of the Strawberry Festival on Saturday. The band includes from left John Borello and Todd Graham, lead singer Lonnie Froman, and Eddie Hilfiker with Alex DeSmit on drums.
There was a nice collection of classic cars at a cruise-in on East State Street.
The band Big Logic & The Truth Serum was a new performer at the festival. They are from Rochester and include former Holley resident Justin Gurnsey on lead vocals and guitar. He is facing the camera. He was invited to be in the festival by Bill Pilleggi, one of the committee members and a retired principal at Holley.
Other band members include Jesse Bertholf, Andrew Strzepek, Will Dorfner, Lucas Saladin, Neil Pierce and Zach Pelton.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 June 2025 at 10:40 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Cassie Brown plays the flute for the Albion Marching Band during today’s parade in the Albion Strawberry Festival. Brown and the other seniors all had a tear painted on their face to symbolize their final marching band performance.
The Albion band was among several in today’s parade.
The Albion banner is carried by Adeline Pask, age 10; Nora Fazliu, 11; and Sadie Pask, 10.
Mallory Ashbery, one of the drum majors, walks backwards while directing the Albion band. The Albion Marching Band performed to music by the band Chicago.
Julia Graham, front, and Mackenzie Cook are both members of Albion’s color guard.
Zach Busch is the director of the Holley-Kendall Marching Band which has seen steady growth in the band since the two schools formed the group in 2017.
The Holley-Kendall Marching Band performs a show, “Nightmare on Main Street.”
DownBeat Percussion brought high-energy drummers to the parade. This group performs at Buffalo Bills home games.
The Pembroke Marching Band featured a big group of musicians.
The Rochester Scottish Pipes and Drums have been perennial performers at the Albion parade.
Mighty St. Joe’s Alumni Drum & Bugle Corps also have played in the Albion parade for many years.
The Batavia Blue Devil Marching Band makes their way down the parade route, which started at Albion Central School and headed down Route 31 before turning onto Main Street.
The Mark Time Marchers also performed in the parade.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 June 2025 at 5:26 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Today’s 37th annual Strawberry Festival Parade for the first time include the mini-cars from the Damascus Shriners from Webster. There were eight mini-cars in the parade and the drivers zipped around in circles to the thrill of the crowd.
The cars line up after their spectacle on the street and the crowd gave them a big applause.
Orly the Ox served as grand marshal for the parade. Orly is the county’s mascot during this year’s bicentennial celebration of the county.
Orly was driven by Brad Shelp in a 1954 Bell Air convertible. Behind the grand marshal are royalty members from the middle school, Alexis Neff and Mason Rotthoff.
Fire trucks from the Albion Joint Fire District and other emergency response vehicles make their way down Main Street in the 37th annual Albion Strawberry Festival Parade.
Jeremy Neal drives a tractor, “Little Tex,” named in honor of his late son Byron, who passed away from cancer at age 8 on April 14, 2023. Jeremy’s wife Tina and their friend Adele Mathes were part of the display for the CURE Foundation to raise funds and awareness for childhood cancer.
Ryan Lasal, director of Community & Family Program Innovation at Community Action, served as emcee for the parade. He shared details of the marching bands, including the Mark Time Marchers in photo, as well as other floats and participants. There were nearly 50 different entries in the parade.
Amy Sidari, who has retired as owner of Gotta Dance by Miss Amy, joined many of her dancers on the parade route. New owner, Danielle Schmidt, also danced with the group on Main Street.
Sheryl Watts, owner and artistic designer of Air Raising Events, made a butterfly out of balloons. Watts in previous parades has made other characters, including a strawberry and a purple eagle.
Members and supporters of Arc GLOW and the Self Advocate All-Stars marched in the parade, and some carried signs including this one, “Be Kind, For Everyone You Meet is Fighting A Battle.”
Natasha Wasuck wore an inflatable reindeer costume while walking in the parade with her husband, John Hernandez, and their daughter, Ephy. They are members of the Albion Betterment Committee which has tried t promote Albion’s heritage as the home of the first Santa School. The family also owns The Lockstone and Tinsel.
The Albion FFA tossed candy and greeted people from their float.
Kids go over to see veterans who were handing out flags. Honor Guard member Matt Passarell is at front right.
Mike Donahue, right, and James Hollinger handed out flags to children along the parade route. They were also promoting a medical transportation service for veterans run by the Orleans County Joint Veterans Council.
Gilligan’s Galley at Point Breeze made a festive float for the parade.
Kerry Panek, driving the Gator, was joined by many of her family members in celebrating 40 years of strawberries at Panek’s Pickin’ Patch in Albion.
The Town and Country Quilt Shop participated in the parade. From left include quilt shop owner Tara Thom, Debbie Thies, Brenda Radzinski, Hayley Rimmer and Carrie Standish.
The quilters also displayed the Bicentennial Quilt that Town and Country Quilt Shop members made for Orleans County’s 200th birthday this year.
Keira Zambito, left, and Julia Button served as festival royalty from the high school.
Santa and Mrs. Claus made an appearance in the parade to promote the lighted parade in Albion later in December.
Many of the tee ball players and their families and coaches tossed out candy to eager parade spectators.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 June 2025 at 1:37 pm
ALBION – Today is the first day of early voting for Republican primaries in three towns: Barre, Shelby and Yates.
Early voting continues each day until Sunday, June 22. The polling location is at the Board of Elections Office, 14016 State Route 31 in Albion.
The primaries include:
Barre: Two candidates for the town supervisor position – Scott Burnside and Stephen Coville II. Four candidates for two positions as town council member: George McKenna Jr., Wesley Miller, David Allen and Iva McKenna.
Shelby: Two candidates for town supervisor: James Heminway and Scott Wengewicz. Four candidates for two spots as town council member: Vassilios Bitsas, Lawrence Waters Sr., Edward Zelazny and Michael Moriarty.
Yates: Three candidates for two Town Board seats: Harold Suhr, William Jurinich and Terry Chaffee Jr.
Early voting dates and hours include:
Saturday, June 14 – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday, June 15 – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Monday, June 16 – 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tuesday, June 17 – 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Wednesday, June 18 – 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Thursday, June 19 – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Friday, June 20 – 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday, June 21 – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday, June 22 – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Primary voting will also be June 24 with polling locations at the three towns.
ALBION – As part of its ongoing discussion about significant matters that face us as Americans, the Community Coalition for Justice brings you a presentation entitled the “Russian War In Ukraine.”
It will be held on Wednesday, June 18, at the Pullman Memorial Universalist Church at 10 East Park Street (corner of Main and Park Streets) in Albion. The presentation begins at 6 p.m.
The main speaker is Dr. Steven J. Jurek, chairman of SUNY Brockport’s Political Science and International Studies Department.
About the war in Ukraine, Dr. Jurek has said:
“The democratization process is heavily influenced by both domestic and international factors. Ukraine is no exception; history, economic, politics, culture and religion are all relevant in how Ukraine has struggled to consolidate democracy in the post-Soviet era and subsequently, the Russian war in Ukraine. Putin’s perception that any westward turn by Ukrainians exposes the fragility of Russian regional hegemony and in turn, threatens his own stranglehold on power in Russia helps us explain events for the last several decades in Eastern Europe and in particular the war of aggression against Ukraine.”
There will be a Question & Answer period and light refreshments. This a free event and all are welcome. There is easy disabled access.
The Community Coalition for Justice is a collaboration of people from the Albion Betterment Committee, the Social Justice Committee, People Embracing Diversity and the Pullman Memorial Universalist Church.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 June 2025 at 7:55 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
HOLLEY – Elementary students at Holley Central School enjoyed their parade this morning from the school down North Main Street, down Route 31 through the Pubic Square and ending at the Murray-Holley Historical Society depot museum.
The parade has been an annual tradition in Holley since 1957.
Holley Police Chief Robert Barton joined the students in the parade. “Good Citizens” from each grade level also were recognized at the Flag Day celebration.
A student gives a high-five to Orly the Ox, the Orleans County bicentennial mascot.
The procession included about 500 students, and many of them were joined by their parents for the walk in the village to the celebration at the museum.
The Safety Pup rode with the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office. Safety Pup is a nationally recognized mascot of National Child Safety Council. Many police and sheriff departments around the country embrace the Safety Pup as a mascot to promote safety.
After the parade, Orly the Ox met Safety Pup. They are joined by Chief Deputy Jim DeFilipps, left, and Sheriff Chris Bourke.
Lots of red, white and blue were on display as students walked from school to museum.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 June 2025 at 5:16 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The Albion Strawberry Festival kicked off today for the 37th time offering many options for food and fun, including these people on a trackless train ride.
Bands today include Sky Cats from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at food court west; the Kendall Community Band from 5 to 7 p.m. at the courthouse; Salvatore Rocks from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at food court east; and Steve Novak, an acoustic soloist from 7 to 9 p.m. at Martin’s on Main.
Saturday will be a full day of events starting with a 5k/8k at 8 a.m., parade at 10 a.m., cruise-in from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., turtle race at 2 p.m., and other live music and entertainment until 8:30 p.m.
There are about 30 food vendors at the festival. It is the big turnout out for food vendors in the festival’s history, and some needed to be located on Main Street, north of Bank Street.
Chad Pike of the Tavern on the Ridge is among about 30 food vendors. He is shown at the grill with marinated chicken and kielbasa kabobs and beef on weck wraps. This is Pike’s first time as food vendor at the Strawberry Festival.
He said he wanted to be part of the festival that means so much to Albion and the Orleans County community.
Buffie Edick of Kent is one of 70 arts and crafts vendors. She makes crocheted stuffies with her business, Buffie’s Loveys.
“I love the festival,” she said. “The whole town comes out and the other vendors are so friendly.”
Edick said she expects her turtle stuffies will be her best sellers, as well as the crocheted strawberries.
She praised the festival committee for putting on a well-organized event.
Jeff Andrews, left, and Dave Allen are making strawberry sundaes and shortcake in the Music Boosters booth by the Presbyterian Church.
Doug Farley, left, and Dick Remley are selling turtle tickets for the big race at 2 p.m. on Saturday on the Erie Canal. About 1,000 turtles will race. The turtles are numbered and the ticket holders of the five winning turtles will win money.
The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center in Albion brought 10 residents to the festival and they were joined by family and staff. The residents made their own Strawberry Festival shirts to wear at the event.
Provided photo: Pictured from left include Suzanne Fischer-Huettner, managing director of Rochester Business Journal; Karen Kinter, CEO of Oak Orchard Health; and Ben Jacobs, editor of RBJ.
BROCKPORT – The Women of Excellence awards recognize high-achieving women for their career accomplishments, including professional experience, community involvement, leadership, and sustained commitment to mentoring.
Karen Kinter of Albion, CEO of Oak Orchard Health, is among this year’s class, which features 50 women from a variety of industries. The Women of Excellence were honored at an awards celebration on May 8 at the Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center.
The honorees were selected by a panel of judges comprised of previous years’ Circle of Excellence and Women of Excellence honorees and the Rochester Business Journal’s editorial team.
“The 2025 Women of Excellence are outstanding leaders who inspire innovation, celebrate success and support the next generation of leaders. They open doors and create positive change, sharing their success with their professional network and the community around them,” said Suzanne Fischer-Huettner, managing director of BridgeTower Media/Rochester Business Journal. “The Circle of Excellence honorees are trailblazers and change makers who aren’t afraid to face adversity and stand up for their beliefs. They know the value of helping other women see something special in themselves, something they might not have known was there. We at the Rochester Business Journal are pleased to honor these transformational leaders.”
Under Kinter’s leadership, Oak Orchard Health has undertaken several major initiatives to improve care delivery for patients.
“I’m honored to be selected among this group of leaders for the Women of Excellence award,” Kinter said. “Leading an organization that positively impacts numerous lives across a vast geographic area is incredibly fulfilling. We provide medical, dental, and behavioral health services to everyone.”
Oak Orchard Health is a non-profit federally qualified health center with 34,000 patients at nine locations.
With more than 20 years of health care experience, Kinter previously served as vice president of specialty revenue program and CEO of Regional Health Services for Rochester Regional Health. She holds an MBA from the University of Rochester’s Simon School of Business.
GAINES – The Orleans County Historical Association has scheduled an ambitious monthly series of History Talks in celebration of the county’s bicentennial.
