Press Release, Congresswoman Claudia Tenney

Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) today released the following statement underscoring the importance of maintaining the tax cuts introduced under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), commonly known as the Trump Tax Cuts.

In 2017, with Tenney’s strong support, Republicans enacted the TCJA which reduced taxes on middle-income families and small businesses and created nearly five million domestic jobs in just the two years after its passage. In 2022, Tenney supported the TCJA Permanency Act to make permanent the tax cuts for individuals and small businesses originally enacted as part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017.

However, these tax cuts are set to expire on December 31, 2025, which could mean significant tax increases for the 440,200 taxpayers in New York’s 24th District. The average taxpayer in NY-24 could face a 25% tax hike if the cuts are not extended. A family of four with a median income of $69,878 in NY-24 would experience a $1,373 tax increase, equivalent to about seven weeks’ worth of groceries for a typical family.

Impact on NY-24 by the numbers:

• 78,990 families would see their Child Tax Credit cut in half.
• 92% of taxpayers would see their Standard Deduction reduced by nearly 50%.
• 40,720 small businesses would pay an effective 43.4% tax rate if the 199A Qualified Business Income Deduction expires.
• 14,827 taxpayers would be affected by the return of the individual Alternative Minimum Tax.
• The current death tax exemption will be cut in half, affecting 6,804 family-owned farms in NY-24.

“Since its passage in 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act has delivered financially for families, small businesses, and hardworking Americans across the country,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “Millions of Americans have seen their tax burdens reduced, but if these cuts expire, hardworking families in our community could face a 25% tax hike. We must preserve the TCJA provisions that have provided much-needed relief to taxpayers in New York. As a strong advocate for pro-growth policies, I will continue working to ensure the benefits of the Trump Tax Cuts remain in place for future generations.”

Randall and characters will perform at Golden Hill on Oct. 13 during Christmas at Lighthouse fundraiser

Provided photo: Mike Randall, retired reporter from WKBW-TV, is pursuing a new career as a ventriloquist. He is pictured here with one of his favorite characters, Gordon the Groundhog. He will entertain visitors at noon Oct. 13 during Christmas at the Lighthouse at Golden Hill State Park.

BARKER – The annual Christmas at the Lighthouse at Golden Hill State Park, scheduled Oct. 13, will feature extra-special entertainment this year, with the appearance of retired WKBW-TV feature reporter Mike Randall.

Many are familiar with Randall as Mark Twain and Charles Dickens, and now we can laugh as he brings “Mike Randall and Friends” to Golden Hill State Park.

Randall has been in love with puppetry, making them and performing with them since he was a child.

“When I was 7 years old and in Kenmore Mercy Hospital for three months after a car accident, my grandmother gave me a bunch of puppets, and I was hooked,” Randall said. “I made hand puppets, marionettes and eventually tried to build a ventriloquist dummy, but that didn’t go so well. When I was 30 and got my first good-paying job on TV, I bought a professionally made dummy. My family thought I was nuts. It was carved out of wood and I started working on talking without moving my lips.”

He says he never met a puppet he didn’t like, and admits to not being a great ventriloquist. But, he says a lot of magic performing with puppets is in making the characters believable and fun.

“I have steered away from those wooden type dummies that are kind of scary and use soft animal type puppets,” Randall said. “Some I have made myself and some I have had professionally made.”

Randall has received rave reviews for his fun-filled, entertaining shows, as he travels to festivals and family events across the area. A popular family entertainer, Randall has appeared at Springville Dairy/Ag Festival,  Cattaraugus County Fair, M&T Plaza, Eastern Hills Mall Children’s Theatre Series, the Toy Festival in East Aurora, Lewiston’s Wildlife Festival at the NY Power Authority and Cuba Garlic Festival, as well as schools and libraries throughout Western New York.

As a weather-caster and award-winning feature reporter for 40 years at WKBW-TV, Randall has interviewed celebrities such as John Candy, Steve Allen, Red Skelton, Gregory Peck, Willie Nelson and Robert Goulet. He was inducted into the Buffalo Broadcasting Hall of Fame in 2017.

Photos by Ginny Kropf: (Left) Mark Keller of Potsdam, a member of Friends of the Lighthouse, stands next to a sled in the kitchen decorated for Christmas at the Lighthouse on Oct. 13. (Right) Golden Hill State Park employee Barb Larson walks up the new path recently completed to allow visitors a closer look at the lighthouse from the lake side.

Randall’s performance is scheduled at noon Oct. 13 at the lighthouse. It includes puppets, magic, comedy, ventriloquism, audience participation and tons of family fun.

Christmas at the Lighthouse is their biggest fundraiser of the year, said Barb Lawson, a park employee for the last 15 years. Meeting people from all over the world who want to learn about lighthouses is the best part of the job, she said.

Mark and Kim Keller of Potsdam have been a member of Friends of the Lighthouse since 2015, after visiting Golden Hill while touring lighthouses across the country and the Seaway Trail. They spend the last three weeks of every camping season at Golden Hill, to help out and decorate for Christmas at the Lighthouse.

Oct. 13’s event begins at 11 a.m. and runs until 4 p.m. In addition to Randall’s performance, features include a pulled pork dinner, chili, hotdogs, beverages, a basket raffle, free tours to the top of the lighthouse, a farmers’ market, wineries and vendors, one of whom is Mike Dreyfus of Medina.

Mike and Kathy Dreyfus first became familiar with the lighthouse when their daughter was married there in 2012. Since then they have continued to support Friends of the Lighthouse by Mike making and donating buttons and refrigerator magnets for sale in the gift shop and at Christmas at the Lighthouse.

For children, there will be face painting, kids’ tattoos and a visit from Santa.

Other entertainment will be provided by the Lock City Sound men’s glee club from Lockport.

Larson said another great feature is the ability to stay in the lighthouse during the camping season.

She also pointed out a new walkway between the lake and the lighthouse. Boulders have been added to reinforce the breakwall and a path with fence was built so visitors can get closer to the lake and see the lighthouse from back side.

As a special reminder, Larson also said next year will be the 150th anniversary of the lighthouse.

Golden Hill State Park is managed by Renee Campbell.

ALBION – An organization which exists to help people in challenging situations is being honored by the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce with their Community Service Award.

Community Action of Orleans and Genesee is under the leadership of Renee Hungerford, who the organization appreciates being recognized.

Renee Hungerford serves as executive director of Community Action of Orleans & Genesee.

“I feel privileged to lead an agency that makes such a positive difference for our community,” Hungerford said. “Our dedicated staff truly care about the people we assist and are focused on giving people the hope, support and services they need to become self-sufficient and overcome the ravages of poverty. We are grateful to the volunteers and donors who support our agency and make what we do possible. I am thrilled that our agency is being recognized by the Orleans Chamber of Commerce and has given us the opportunity to inform the community about the important work we do.”

Community Action began 60 years ago, and has continued to grow and add programs and services to help needy families, while focusing on helping them become independent and self-sufficient.

Programs include ACT (helping youth ACT responsibly), Stone Soup Success/Food Rx (educating to prepare healthy meals), Child Care Resource and Referral, Early Head Start and Head Start, Weatherization and Energy Services, Main Street Thrifts, Gifts and More store, a Credit Recovery Program for Albion seniors, Emergency Services, holiday meals and gifts and the Eastern Orleans Community Center, which provides daily meals, a clothing depot and food giveaway.

At the agency’s annual in-service day this summer, officials reported that during the previous year Community Action served 4,021 individuals, a 28% increase over the previous year and 75% more than 2021. In their goal to fight hunger, 1,541 individuals utilized one of their three food pantries, 914 individuals utilized a pop-up pantry distribution, 314 individuals received 5,405 prepared meals at the Eastern Orleans Community Center in Holley and 657 households received holiday meals.

In housing, another 311 individuals received assistance to avoid eviction and 129 individuals received assistance to avoid utility shut-off.

Head Start had 149 children enrolled, while 81 were in Early Head Start.

During the in-service event, Hungerford shared their goals looking ahead. She said their agency will make major improvements in many areas going forward, while continuing to focus on helping people become self-sufficient.

ALBION – Two financial institutions in Orleans County have announced a merger to better serve the community.

The Albion School Employees Federal Credit Union’s merger with Cobblestone Country Federal Credit Union became effective Tuesday, according to CCFCU’s manager Christine Ranallo.

Christine Ranallo is manager of the Cobblestone Country Federal Credit Union.

She explained the reason for the merger was because the school’s credit union was very small, with 380 members and very limited services, while the CCFCU is much larger with 2,400 members and more services.

“We’re small, but we have most all the services the big banks have,” Ranallo said.

She said her credit union had discussed a merger with the credit union at school over the years, but the school employees weren’t ready at the time.

“Then about a year ago we approached them again and they thought it was a good idea,” Ranallo said.

The idea for a merger was first came up at the beginning of 2023 at CCFCU’s strategic planning session.

“The facilitator suggested a way to grow was to merge with another credit union, and the only logical choice was the Albion School Employees FCU,” Ranallo said.

The CCFCU exists because of a series of mergers throughout the years. Ranallo has compiled a timeline of events leading up to the current day.

The first to form was the Albion School Employees FCU on Jan. 1, 1963.

On May 10, 1965, the CCFCU had its beginning with the first meeting of the Lipton Federal Credit Union.

Then followed the Albion Correctional Facility Federal Credit Union on Oct. 17, 1974.

Next, the Orleans Municipal FCU was formed Sept. 11, 1979. A year later, on Oct. 14, 1980, the National Credit Union Association approved a name change to Central Orleans Federal Credit Union.

On Nov. 30, 1982, Albion Correctional Facility FCU merged with Central Orleans FCU.

The NCUA on Dec. 14, 1990 approved the merger of Orleans Municipal FCU with Central Orleans FCU.

The name was changed to Cobblestone Country Federal Credit Union in 2002 in anticipation of a change in the charter, Ranallo said.

In June 2005 a charter was applied for and received to change from a Central Orleans-focused FCU to one which included all of Orleans County, hence, the name Cobblestone Country FCU. Today, membership is open to anyone living, working, going to school or worshiping in Orleans County.

CCFCU operated next to COVA in the Arnold Gregory complex until June 2014, when it moved to 299 West Ave.

Like Ranallo, CCFCU employees are loyal and dedicated to serving their customers. Ranallo has been there for 25 years, having started as an accountant and moving up to manager in 2020. Audrey Christopher recently retired after 31 years, while Teresa Radka has been a loan officer for 30 years and three others have worked there five years each.

“When you come in here, you’re going to do business with the same person you did business with last month,” Ranallo said.

CCFCU offers savings and checking accounts, teen checking, Visa ATM cards, Share certificates and Christmas, Tax and Vacation Club accounts; a variety of loan products, including home equity loans; overdraft protection; direct deposit/payroll deduction; mobile deposit; 24/7 ATM; a drive-thru and much more.

There is access to a night deposit box and customers can buy stamps and money orders at the credit union.

CCFCU is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday and 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday. They are closed Wednesday.

Stormsong Hollow Minerals celebrates opening day on Main Street in Albion

Photos by Tom Rivers: Chris Atwell and Trish Marciszewski celebrate the opening of their business, Stormsong Hollow Minerals, in downtown Albion today. Marciszewski has been collecting minerals since she was a kid when she won a chance to go to the Herkimer Diamond Mines and found a diamond. She has turned her passion for minerals into a new business.

ALBION – Trish Marciszewski jokingly blames her earth science teacher Steve McKenna for her passion for minerals.

When she was a student at Albion, she won a contest and a chance to go to the Herkimer Mines. She went and was the only one to find a diamond that day.

It kicked off a passion and deep appreciation for minerals, and their many colors and textures.

“I’ve been on fire for it ever since,” Marciszewski said today at her business, Stormsong Hollow Minerals.

Stormsong has many different minerals available, including Chalcopyrite “Peacock Ore” from Zacatecas, Mexico at left, and Amethyst from Veracruz, Mexico at right.

She celebrated opening day today for the business at 49 North Main St. Marciszewski, a former public safety dispatcher for the county for 10 years, outgrew the space at her garage and home. The business has grown since she started a TikTok page last November. She has 2,100 followers on TikTok for stormhollowminerals with live shows every Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Marciszewski runs the business with Chris Atwell, who worked as a local EMT for 16 years. The TikTok customers will order some of the minerals in the videos and they are packaged and shipped by Marciszewski and Atwell.

They also have attended many local shows to build up the business. The demand has grown, overwhelming their home. They welcomed the chance to move the business to Main Street in Albion, where there is more space and gives them a chance to give the downtown district a boost.

“There’s a lot of really good businesses down here working hard to make it work,” she said.

Village of Albion Deputy Mayor Joyce Riley, right, presents a certificate of recognition to Chris Atwell and Trish Marciszewski during opening day for Stormsong Hollow Minerals.

Marciszewski said McKenna, her former earth science teacher, shared a love for minerals. He said each crystal or mineral is born in a storm within the earth.

Marciszewski said she has been passionate about minerals for the past 34 years.

“I’m just fascinated by science and that the earth makes these things,” she said.

None of the Crystal Buddies are exactly alike.

Marciszewski has amassed her own collection, and loves to help other people discover minerals. She said the popularity has grown as people embrace minerals for healing properties,  energy, good luck or simply to beautify a mantel.

Stormsong Hollow sells crystals and minerals in raw and polished forms. They are available in necklaces, pendants and bracelets, and as “Crystal Buddies.” Those buddies have faces, with eyes of Obsidian volcanic glass.

Storm Hollow has relationships with suppliers all over the world. The minerals have cards telling where they are from. Marciszewski and Atwell work with suppliers and miners all over the United States, and from China, Japan, Mexico, Morocco, France, Peru, Russia, Bolivia, India, South Africa, Egypt and other countries.

Marciszewski said mineral collecting used to be primarily for science buffs, but it has become far more mainstream. The internet has helped people learn about minerals. Storm Hollow is happy to help connect them to their favorites.

Storm Hollow is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays.

Furious Robinson, Trish Marciszewski’s son, holds some of the Crystal Buddies for $10 that are very popular with customers.

Friendly competition for ‘Best Decorated’ and ‘Best Carved’ pumpkins

Contributed by Katie Oakes, Orleans County CCE Master Gardener Coordinator

KNOWLESVILLE – Master Gardeners will once again offer a fun pumpkin-themed event to coincide with the popular annual Lion’s Club Scarecrow Festival fundraiser on Saturday, October 12. The event is called “Pumpkinpalooza” and is free to the public.

The idea started last year with Master Gardeners Lisa Lancaster and Erica Joan Wanecski brainstorming ways for the public to showcase their pumpkin creations.

This pumpkin was the winner of the “Best Carved” category from Pumpkinpalooza 2023.

“This came out of a love for autumn, and wanting new ways to celebrate it,” Lancaster said. “We started thinking about the Scarecrow Fest and wondered if we could tie in a pumpkin centered event to the existing festival since the themes were so similar.”

The original Pumpkinpalooza event last year included a “Biggest Pumpkin” competition, but logistics of getting extra-large pumpkins to the event proved difficult.

This year’s event will host a friendly competition with prizes awarded for “Best Decorated” and “Best Carved” pumpkins. Anyone in the community can enter as many pumpkins as they’d like. Pumpkin entries can be dropped off at the Lartz Building of the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds on Oct. 12 between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m., and Master Gardener Volunteers will select a winner in each category by noon. Winners need not be present to win, however, all pumpkins must be collected at the end of the event at 3 p.m. that day.

Lancaster is the chairperson for the Master Gardener event, and she and the other MG Volunteers on the Pumpkinpalooza Committee wanted to enhance their event this year to include other fun activities beyond the competitions. So, new to Pumpkinpalooza this year, there will be a pumpkin carving demonstration ongoing throughout the event, free pumpkin painting for the first 30 children (while supplies last), and pumpkin-based food recipes available for people to take home. There is no pre-registration required for the Pumpkinpalooza event, and Master Gardeners are hoping that the free event will draw more people to the already popular Scarecrow Fest.

“We really just wanted to expand what the Scarecrow Festival was offering,” Wanecski said. “We are hoping that the Pumpkinpalooza activities will appeal to people who might want something new and different in addition to the traditional activities offered at the Scarecrow Fest.”

The Scarecrow Festival and Pumpkinpalooza events will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 12 at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds, 12690 State Rt 31 in Albion.  For questions about Pumpkinpalooza or other Master Gardener events, call 585-798-4265 ext. 125 or email klo54@cornell.edu.

Press Release, Office for the Aging in Orleans County

ALBION – The Orleans County Office for the Aging today announced it will be hosting several events for Medicare beneficiaries during the fall Annual Open Enrollment period which runs from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7.

Open enrollment is the time for Medicare beneficiaries to review plan information and make educated decisions on what they want their coverage to be starting Jan. 1, 2025.

OFA will be hosting two Medicare Vendor Fairs at the Hoag Library.  Representatives from Medicare Advantage Plans will be present to assist people in understanding changes in current plans and discuss any new plans for 2025. They can also help those interested enroll in a plan. Health insurance counselors from OFA will be available to answer questions, screen for possible benefits and provide unbiased information unrelated to any particular plan.

The events at Hoag Library will be held on Friday, October 18 and Friday, November 22 from 10 a.m. to noon. Hoag Library is located at 134 South Main St. in Albion. Attendees should bring their original Medicare Care and a list of both their prescription drugs and medical providers.

“Seniors are bombarded with information and solicitations for their healthcare insurance needs and with so many choices and potential program changes, it can get overwhelmingly very quickly,” said Melissa Blanar, Director of Orleans County OFA.  “The goal of these meetings is to really help people understand their choices and spend time answering questions so they can make the decisions that are right for them.”

In addition to the Medicare Vendor Fair, OFA will also be hosting two “comparison meetings” on October 23 and November 19 from 2 to 3 p.m. in Conference Room C of the Orleans County Administration Building in Albion. People can meet with an OFA health insurance counselor to review Medicare updates and get help in making their own comparisons between the different Medicare plans.

Those interested in attending any of these events are asked to register in advance by calling OFA at 585-589-3191.

ALBION – A Carlton man was sentenced this morning to a year of weekends in the county jail plus five years of probation.

Benjamin T. Hayes, 26, was sentenced for two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree.

He was charged by state police on Nov. 2, 2023 with numerous felony firearms charges. Hayes at the time was working in the county’s IT Department.

He was found to be in possession of numerous illegal weapons including a privately manufactured ghost gun, 3-D printed pistol receivers, pistols, unregistered SAFE Act rifles, high-capacity magazines, body armor, ammunition and electronics involved in private manufacturing of gun parts.

He was sentenced this morning by County Court Judge Sanford Church.

In other cases in court today:

• Edward Dunn, 38, of Middleport was sentenced to 2 ½ to 5 years in state prison for third-degree burglary.

Dunn, who was convicted of a previous felony of second degree assault, acknowledged in court he went to a laundromat in Lyndonville on March 13, and entered a room that is off limits to the public. Dunn said he broke into the room with the change machine to get that money, knowing it wasn’t open to the public.

As part of the sentencing today, he has to pay $980 in restitution.

Dunn  apologized for his actions and said he takes full responsibility.

Joanne Best, the public defender, said Dunn has struggled with substance abuse and would benefit from treatment.

• Anthony A. Maisano, 36, of Lockport pleaded guilty to felony driving while intoxicated and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the first degree.

Maisano admitted to drinking alcohol on Nov. 2, 2023, when he was stopped in Orleans County and registered a 0.21 BAC.

He faces 1 to 3 years in state prison when he is sentenced on Jan. 8.

• Joshua Ausman, 39, of Clarendon was arraigned for third-degree grand larceny for allegedly taking $4,976 without permission from another person from April 1 to May 17.

Community asked to do survey on Health Department’s lead prevention efforts

Press Release, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments

Did you know that the only way to find out if your child has lead poisoning is by testing their blood?

“Signs of lead poisoning are often hard to see, so testing is very important,” said Darren Brodie, Environmental Health Director of the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health). “Children should be tested for lead at ages 1 & 2, or more often if your doctor thinks it is needed.”

The Genesee County Health Department has a grant to prevent childhood lead poisoning in the Genesee, Livingston, Orleans, and Wyoming Counties (GLOW) area. One of the main goals of the grant is to encourage parents and guardians to get their children tested for lead at ages 1 & 2.

In 2024, the GLOW Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (CLPPP) used different ways to teach people about the dangers of lead poisoning. They put up educational billboards, bus ads, signs, and flyers to encourage lead testing. Program staff were on the radio and went to local events to educate residents directly. At two of these events, they provided free lead testing for kids 6 years and under.

We want to know what you think about our efforts this year to help us plan for the future.  Please take a short two-minute survey. (Click here for the survey): If you complete the survey, you can choose to give your address and you will get a coupon for a free dairy product.

For questions or more information, contact the Genesee County Health Department at 585-344-2580 ext. 5555 or Health.GOlead@geneseeny.gov.  You can also visit GOHealthNY.org.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The dome of the Orleans County Courthouse is being illumined in purple at night for the first half of October for domestic violence awareness month.

Orleans County Department of Social Services had 294 cases reported to the Domestic Violence Unit in 2023, and 196 from Jan. 1 to Sept. 1 in 2024. However, 90 percent of domestic violence goes unreported.

County legislators issued a proclamation about Domestic Violence Awareness Month, noting, “Domestic violence is a pattern of coercive behavior that may include physical, emotional, psychological, economic, or sexual abuse, perpetrated by an intimate partner over another, to establish and maintain power and control.”

Domestic violence is the major cause of injury to women, resulting in more injuries to women than auto accidents, muggings and rapes combined, legislators said.

Chamber’s Business of the Year moved to bigger location, maintains focus on customer service

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Tom Laine, owner of Frontier Heating and AC Service, stands by one of their trucks at the base at 14530 East Lee Rd. The business has been named “Business of the Year” by the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce. Frontier will be recognized at the awards dinner Oct. 17 at White Birch Golf Course in Lyndonville.                      

ALBION – The owner of Frontier Heating and Air Conditioning Service is honored to be named Business of the Year by the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce.

“I was elated with the news,” said Tom Laine. “It’s nice to be recognized for the good work we’ve done over the years.”

Laine founded Frontier Heating and A/C Service in 1991 in his garage in Albion, after working for 11 years for other contractors, he said.

“We did business there until 1995, when my wife Lora (Lori)  and I purchased 115 East Bank St., where we did business for 27 years,” Laine said.

In March 2023, Laine moved his business to a new, bigger location at 14530 East Lee Rd. The new 12,000 square foot facility is more convenient for them to better serve their customers, he said. They have ample parking with a showroom to display the products they sell.

It’s a challenge to keep on the cutting edge of technology, Laine said.

The worst part of his business is “around the clock” service, but Laine knows it is important to his customers to have emergency service available at any time.

This facility at 14530 East Lee Rd. is the home of Frontier Heating and AC Service, the Orleans County Chamber’s Business of the Year.

They service all brands and sell Amana and Mitsubishi equipment, as well as boilers, water heaters, air conditioning units and heat pumps. In addition they install Generac and Honeywell generators, and  deal with all types of fuel, including natural gas, fuel oil, electricity and propane.

Laine, who will be 67 this year, is gradually letting his son Raymond and son-in-law Rex Harvey have more responsibility.

“I keep going, because I know the day will come when I can’t,” he said.

Frontier Heating employs 15 to 20 people at any given time, nearly all Orleans County residents. Over the years, their service area has expanded to include Orleans, Monroe, Genesee, Niagara and Erie counties.

Laine is proud of how his business has grown over the years.

“When I started, my wife delivered mail and would speak to her customers daily, giving out my business card,” Laine said. “That’s where I got my first lead for a furnace.”

Today Laine boasts a customer base of 7,000.

“I’m happy to say we still have that first client,” he said.

He says his job is making sure each and every customer has a good experience and is 100 percent satisfied.

“We’re looking for customers for life, and we’re not happy until you’re happy,” he said.

Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office

Governor Kathy Hochul today signed legislation to fight the addictive effects of gambling. Legislation S1550/A1118 requires all advertisements for gambling and sports betting to include warnings about the potential harmful and addictive effects of gambling.

The previous law states that each advertisement must clearly and conspicuously post a problem gambling hotline number. Legislation S1550/A1118 builds off the previous bill to clarify that mobile sports wagering advertisements are subject to the same conditions that apply to other gaming-related advertisements.

“Protecting New Yorkers from the dangerous and addictive effects of problem gambling and sports betting is vitally important for the prosperity of our great State,” Governor Hochul said. “I want New Yorkers to be able to safely enjoy the activities they love, while proceeding with caution when necessary. I’m confident that with the signing of this new bill, New Yorkers will have easier access to the safety resources they need to better protect themselves from the grips of addiction.”

Legislation S1550/A1118 Requires all advertisements for gambling and sports betting to include warnings about potential harmful and addictive effects of gambling; and requires the State Gaming Commission to cooperate with the Commissioner of Addiction Services and Supports to ensure that all advertisements for gaming activity provide a problem gambling hotline number.

New York State Gaming Commission Chair Brian O’Dwyer said, “New York State recognizes the importance of responsible gaming practices and has strong safeguards in place to protect and educate bettors. While the Gaming Commission already requires sports wagering operators to include problem gambling messaging on all advertisements, we are encouraged that this common-sense measure has been codified into state law. By signing this bill, Governor Hochul continues to deliver smart and responsible gaming policies that help support our State.”

Problem gambling is often referred to as a hidden addiction since there are often no outward physical signs. It can result in financial, emotional, social, occupational and physical harm and devastating consequences for individuals, as well as their families and friends.

New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports Commissioner Dr. Chinazo Cunningham said, “More people than ever are able to access gambling, so as these opportunities increase, it is important that we continue our efforts to educate New Yorkers about the risks associated with problem gambling and where they can find help and support. With the signing of this bill, Governor Hochul is taking further important steps to safeguard New Yorkers and ensure that they can continue to gamble responsibly, while ensuring they can also readily access vital resources if needed.”

Press Release, Greater Albion Community Recreation and Events, Inc.

ALBION – Greater Albion Community Recreation and Events, Inc., is putting a call out to all members of the community to participate in a music video on Oct. 12 to help promote Bullard Park.

Anyone and everyone is invited – the more the merrier! People should meet at noon at the base of the sledding hill.

Participants are encouraged to dress in accordance with their interests and/or hobbies – jerseys, costumes, etc. are encouraged. We ask that no political or religious items be brought to the shoot.

A simple dance (the original Santa dance taught to Charles Howard for the Macy’s parade) will be taught that participants will perform, then a fun, freestyle moment will allow all to have some fun.

We ask all participants to fill out a waiver for video usage. Participants under the age of 18 must have the waiver completed by a consenting adult. Waivers are available online and will be available the day of the event.

The Greater Albion Community Recreation and Events, Inc. “G-ACRE” has a mission to create and provide for recreational activities, support volunteerism, and improve the quality of life in the greater Albion community.

George Lacey is shown on the roomy deck of his new store overlooking his slips and the Oak Orchard River at The Bridges.

WATERPORT – George Lacey has always considered Captain’s Cove a hidden gem.

And now everyone else will know it, too.

Captain’s Cove was recently chosen by the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce as a “Hidden Gem” with an influential role in promoting local tourism. Captain’s Cove will be recognized with other winners at the awards dinner Oct. 17 at White Birch Golf Course in Lyndonville.

Lacey, 62, has been in business since he was 17, said the Niagara Falls native. In 1980, he started Lacey Heavy Equipment Repair in Lockport.

In 2015, he had the opportunity to buy Captain’s Cove on the Oak Orchard River at The Bridges, and he made the decision to sell the successful business in Lockport and put all his efforts into making Captain’s Cove “what it used to be.”

“I still see potential here,” Lacey said, referring to the Point Breeze area. “People come here from all over the country. Our fishing is second to none, not even Alaska.”

He has overcome several hurdles in achieving his goal for Captain’s Cove. Three weeks after he purchased it, his wife died by suicide. In 2017 the business flooded during a year of historic high water. Lacey responded to the flood by buying new floating docks, raising the parking lot and marina five feet and putting in new utilities.

He tore the original fishing store down and moved into a rental house on the hill above. In 2019, he was flooded again.

He recently put up a new, modern building for his new store, with improved parking on the upper level. He started in 2022, and it is almost complete, Lacey said. All the wood in the new building came from the trees up on the hill. He said Mike Elam of Albion planted those trees when his family owned the property in the 1950s.

He just got his beer license for the new store, and has groceries, any fishing tackle a person would need, live bait and hunting licenses.

The property also includes a 14-unit motel and 32 slips. They rent pontoons, fishing boats, kayaks and canoes. He has refrigerators available for fisherman to store their catch.

George Lacey sits by the counter in his newly constructed building on the Oak Orchard River.

The entire west wall of the new building facing the river is getting a new look. Mural artist Michelle Cryer of Clarendon is painting the wall, showing the lake and the Oak Orchard Lighthouse.

Samantha Tillman manages the business, and Lacey said she is a top-notch business person, just like her dad Mark.

He credits his employees for the Chamber’s recognition.

“All my people are the best,” he said. “They only call me when something needs to be fixed. It’s the people who work here who want it to grow and made it what it is. It’s a fun place.”

He said they try to do as much as they can to promote the county, and he praised Lynne Menz and Dawn Borchert for their efforts in promoting the area as a tourists’ destination.

Captain’s Cove opens in the spring on April 1 and this year is staying open two weeks longer than usual, until the end of November.

KNOWLESVILLE – The Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds will be brimming with activity of a haunted kind when the annual Scarecrow Festival returns on Oct. 12.

For nearly 20 years, children and their families have attended the event to build their own unique scarecrow.

The Scarecrow Festival is sponsored by Medina Lions and has taken place in various locations around the village, until finding a home at the fairgrounds. Early festivals were at the YMCA, Roberts Farm Market, Forrestel Farms and the Canal Basin, but the fairgrounds has turned out to be the ideal location, said Lions president Tom Robinson.

There is ample parking and plenty of room for children to build a scarecrow or romp in the straw. The cost per child is $12.

The first step for children is to choose one of the stakes which Lions provide in two sizes. Then they pick out a face which has been painted by Medina High School art students and continue to the clothing area. Here, they choose from skirts, pants, shirts, blouses, belts, scarves and hats, donated by the MAAC Thrift Shop.

After dressing and stuffing their scarecrow with straw, they proceed to the “surgeons,” who sew up the scarecrow.

A new event this year will be pumpkin decorating contest from 9 a.m. to noon by the Master Gardeners. There will be a prize for the best pumpkin.

In addition, there will be a kids’ pumpkin painting activity and a carving demonstration.

Robinson stressed that adults will be available in all areas of the building to assist children. Students from Job Corps will also be on hand to lend a hand.

A food stand will have hotdogs, chips and beverages available.

Robinson said all money raised is used by the Lions to support non-profits in the community.

Many families return year after year, he said. Some say they save their creation each year and add it to their Halloween display the next year.

Robinson has visited Medina, Lyndonville and Albion school districts, leaving information on the event for all students in kindergarten through sixth grade.

But all children, even adults, are welcome to take part.

The Scarecrow Festival and Community Yard Sale in June are the Lions two biggest fundraisers, Robinson said.