Terry Weaver

RIDGEWAY — A big crowd is expected today for a benefit at the Ridgeway Fire Hall for Terry Weaver, who has a 30-year career in law enforcement.

Weaver, a sergeant at the Orleans County Jail, is fighting stage 4 lung cancer. He also has had two brain surgeries to remove a mass.

“My brother is the quiet one,” said his sister Kim Lockwood. “He worked his butt off and was always there to lend a hand to others when needed.”

The community has contributed 200 baskets to be raffled off today during the benefit. Lockwood said 360 spaghetti dinner tickets have already been sold for the dinner from 2 to 7 p.m.

In addition to the basket raffles, there are 11 “big ticket” items and a 50/50 raffle, she said.

The event will include performances by the bands Dave Viterna Group, The Who Dats and Eagle Creek.

Lockwood urged people to stop by. There is no cover charge.

“We want people to come in and love my brother up,” she said.

The firehall is located at 11392 Ridge Rd.

Pioneer settlers made education a priority in Orleans County

“Overlooked Orleans” – Vol. 5, No. 16

YATES – Studying the earliest history of Orleans County shows us that education was a foundational element on which our pioneer settlers invested a great deal of funds and effort.

The Yates Academy, Phipps Union Seminary and Albion Academy all represent prestigious institutions that produced prominent and influential attorneys, politicians, educators and philosophers. Perhaps one of the most notable products of one of these institutions was Ely S. Parker, the Native American from Indian Falls who attended the Yates Academy and later served as the Commissioner of Indian Affairs under President Grant.

This photograph shows Professor Charles G. Fairman, an important figure in the growth of the Yates Academy. Born on August 6, 1823 at Northfield, Massachusetts, Fairman was educated at the Townshend Academy in Vermont, the Black River Academy, the Hancock Literary & Scientific Institute of New Hampshire, and Waterville College (now Colby College). Shortly after his graduation from Waterville, he travelled to Orleans County to teach in the Yates Academy where his skills as an educator earned him an early promotion to the position of principal in 1853.

Although his tenure at the Yates Academy was a successful one, his abilities as an educator pulled him away to other institutions. After a short term as principal of the Medina Academy from 1863 to 1867, he headed the Nunda Academy for one year in 1867 before venturing westward to Illinois. Fairman was then offered a position as Chair of the Mathematics Department at Shurtleff College in 1868.

In all respects, Fairman was a prodigy, a genius when it came to the finer points of education. His tenure at Shurtleff was highlighted by his appointment to two prominent lecturing positions; the Edwards Professor of Mathematics & Natural Philosophy and the Hunter Lecturer on Chemistry, Geology & Mineralogy. Students would later recall Fairman’s passion for the subjects he was teaching, earning him a stellar reputation at the college. When Dr. Daniel Reed vacated the position of President of Shurtleff College, Fairman and Prof. Justus Bulkley were selected to split the duties pro tem. This arrangement lasted for three years until Rev. A. A. Kendrick was selected to fill the position.

Upon his death on February 14, 1895 at Upper Alton, Illinois, students gathered for chapel on a dreary winter day, Prof. Fairman’s regular seat draped in black cloth. After 20 years at Shurtleff, he had never missed a recitation; he was regarded for his accuracy of knowledge across disciplines and his rare teaching ability. The college began the process of finding a replacement, to which they were forced to hire two professors to fill his vacancy.

Prof. Fairman’s son, Charles E. Fairman, followed in his father’s footsteps, excelling as student at the Yates Academy, University of Rochester, and St. Louis Medical School. The young Fairman entered the University of Rochester at age 16 and upon his graduation in 1874, became the youngest student to ever earn a degree from that institution. After completing his medical studies, Dr. Fairman returned to Lyndonville to practice medicine, all before his 21st birthday.

BATAVIA – The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council announced it will be recognizing a Medina business with an arts awards.

Mariachi De Oro Mexican Grill on Maple Ridge Road will receive the “Supporter of the Year” award from Go Art! The arts organization last year started a new tradition of annual arts awards, which GO Art! calls the Genean Awards.

Mariachi supports many cultural programs in the community. Last year Mariachi teamed with GO Art! in a Day of the Dead celebration in downtown Medina on Nov. 1. Several of Rosario family members, which own and work at Mariachi, were part of the Day of the Dead, dancing and preparing food for the community.

The event for the first time was moved from the Mariachi restaurant to downtown Medina. Moving it to the downtown was a way to include Main Street businesses and have more room to share food and the festive dances.

The Genean awards will be presented April 27 during GO Art!’s Spring Fling celebration at GO Art! headquarters on Main Street in Batavia. Click here for more information.

Other award winners include:

• Mighty St. Joe’s Alumni Drum and Bugle Corps as he “Organization of the Year.” Might St. Joe’s draws on members throughout Western New York, who have been performing at local parades and events for 29 years.

• Kathy White has been named “Individual Artist of the Year.” She is the musical director for the Harvester 56 Theater in Batavia.

The Mighty St. Joe’s Drum and Bugle Corps has performed in local parades for nearly 30 years. Here the band in shown on June 9, 2018 at the Albion Strawberry Festival.

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Lang Lilley, right, and Dennis Oberther carry a cross across Main Street in Medina just after noon today.

About 40 people participated in the annual “Pilgrimage to Golgotha” in downtown Medina, where local Christians carry the cross.

The group also sings hymns, reads Scriptures and prays at different stops in the downtown. The Medina Area Association of Churches and the Medina Clergy Fellowship organize the annual event.

Lang Lilley, a member of the Medina United Methodist Church at the Grove, carries the cross down Main Street.

It was raining hard at the start of the annual Good Friday walk.

Michael Stephenson, pastor of the First Baptist Church in Medina, shares a welcome message and opening prayer to start the cross walk. The walk began at Medina City Hall and then included stops at Rotary Park, the Canal Basin, Medina Historical Society, Cooper’s Funeral Home, First Baptist Church and First Presbyterian Church.

Dan Thurber, pastor of the Oak Orchard Assembly of God in Medina, reads the Scriptures from John 18: 15-27. The group then read “Beneath the Cross of Jesus.”

Michael Stephenson, pastor of First Baptist Church, takes a turn carrying the cross.

The group which included about 40 people heads down East Center Street towards the Canal Basin.

There will be Good Friday church services today at the Albion Free Methodist Church at 6 p.m. That service is led by Pastors Aligned for Community Transformation (PACT).

The Medina United Methodist Church at the Grove also will host a service at 7:30 p.m.

The Medina Area Association of Churches will lead a sunrise worship service on Easter this Sunday at 6:30 a.m. at Boxwood Cemetery.

HOLLEY – The Orleans County Youth Board will honor 17 youths for their community service and two adults for their work on behalf of children in Orleans County.

The Youth Board will sponsor its 37th annual Youth Recognition Dinner on May 16 at Hickory Ridge Golf and Country Club.

The following young people will be recognized for their outstanding service in the community and/or family: Harleigh Andrews, Madison Austin, Stephen Balka, Ryan Barrett, Alissa Blount, Morgan Davis, Damyan Famoly, Harley Felerski, Michael Gardner, Jessica Granchelli, Ritajane Isaacson, Matthew Kovaleski, Mason Kuhn, Joseph Manno, Marie Reynolds, Matthew Skehan and Callie Updike.

In addition to the youth awards, the Youth Board in honoring two adults for their service to youths in the community.

John Grillo, the retiring wrestling coach for Holley and Kendall, is receiving the Helen R. Brinsmaid Memorial Youth Worker Award. The Brinsmaid Award is given to an Orleans County youth-serving professional, in a paid position, whose work surpasses normal expectations. Grillo also works part-time as Albion’s recreation director.

Ken Spohr, a Boy Scout leader in Kendall, is receiving the Eileen Heye Adult Volunteer Award. That award is presented to an adult who serves the youth of Orleans County in a volunteer setting.

Registration and refreshments will begin at 6 p.m. The program and dinner will commence at 6:30 p.m. Seating is limited. If you are interested in attending the banquet, contact the Orleans County Youth Bureau at (585) 344-3960.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – This baby duck gets lots of attention from elementary students on Thursday during the annual Mini Farm Day at Albion High School. About 25 FFA members welcomed 560 elementary students to 13 different stations.

Sierra Kast, right, holds the duck while elementary students look in on baby chicks.

Aly Knaak holds her pet hedgehog which was popular with these third-graders.

The hedgehog was new to the Mini Farm this year. The menagerie of animals also included a peacock for the first time.

Mariah McDaniels holds a goat.

Emily Graham, left, and Bryne Dysard take questions from kids about the alpaca.

Levi Coughlin, a third grader, pets the baby duck.

These elementary students walk underneath a large sprayer. Panek Farms and Kast Farms both brought tractors and large farm equipment for the display.

Leah Pritchard introduces students to one of the baby chicks.

The kids enjoyed a close up view of the chicks and other animals.

These two pigs, both 2 months old, are being raised by the Krenning family. The pigs were tuckered out by early afternoon. Olivia Krenning was in the pen with them, taking questions from students.

Medina’s FFA also held its annual Animal Appreciation Day on Thursday, with the student body stopping by to meet a lot of creatures.

HARTLAND – A home on Ridge Road in the Town of Hartland is a total loss after a fire last night, the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office is reporting this morning.

Firefighters were dispatched at 1:41 a.m. to 7531 Ridge Rd. Patrols from the Sheriff’s Office and Middleport Police Department arrived to find the home fully involved in flames.

Fire companies from Gasport Chemical Hose, Wrights Corners Fire Department and Hartland Fire Department responded to the scene and extinguished the fire, the Sheriff’s Office said.

Two adults that live at the residence were not injured in the fire. The Red Cross is assisting the couple.

The cause of the fire is currently being investigated by the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Division as well as Niagara County Origin and Cause.

Photo courtesy of Phil Haight

KENDALL – A big Army tandem rotor helicopter landed in a field in Kendall tonight. The CH-47 “Chinook” didn’t crash but onlookers suspected there was a problem with the aircraft. Another helicopter briefly stopped by to transport some of the men from the scene.

It is at a field off Kenmore Road just east of Norway Road. The above photo was taken at 9:42 p.m.

Phil Haight, who took the photo, said he spoke with one of the men in the helicopter who was from Kendall. He knew there was a field nearby where the helicopter could land. A crew is expected in the morning to fix it.

(UPDATE 8:42 a.m.: Undersheriff Chris Bourke confirms the helicopter had mechanical issues and needed to make an unplanned landed. Bourke said a crew will be working on the helicopter this morning.)

Kendra Butler shared this photo of the helicopter.

Provided photos from Orleans County Sheriff’s Office: The Albion Correctional Facility held a graduation program on Wednesday for two dogs that completed a 14-week obedience and socialization program with inmates serving as the dogs’ handlers. Pictured, front row, from left: Princess, one of the dogs; Paula Werenczak, Team Princess handler; Susan Squires, Albion Correctional Facility superintendent; Penny, the other dog; Barbara Walker, Team Penny handler; and Carrie Reichenbach, Team Princess handler. Standing, from left: Jeff McKoy, NYS Department of Corrections of Community Supervision deputy commissioner; Christopher Bourke, Orleans County undersheriff; Kathleen Smith, Orleans County animal control officer; Dustin Meredith, Orleans County animal control officer; Daniel Martuscello, NYSDOCCS executive deputy commissioner; Patricia Ciulla, Albion Correctional Facility deputy superintendent for program services; Joseph Clem, Albion Correctional Facility psychologist II; Katie Kifner, Albion Correctional Facility offender rehabilitation coordinator; Yamisha Alamedaguzman, Team Penny handler; and Gloria Rodriguez, Team Penny handler.

Press Release, Orleans County Sheriff’s Office

Penny

ALBION – The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office is pleased to announce that on April 17, two dogs from the Orleans County Sheriff’s Animal Shelter graduated from the Canine Training Program at the Albion Correctional Facility.

Undersheriff Christopher Bourke reports that the partnership between agencies has had a positive effect on everyone involved. Two teams, consisting of three handlers each, work as a team to live with, train and care for each of the dogs in the facility program for approximately 14 weeks.

Princess

One of the results of this amazing program is the benefit to the shelter dog. Penny and Princess have learned through obedience training and living in the facility to socialize with people and other dogs along with receiving love and attention.

This program allows them to become excellent candidates for adoption from our shelter. The second benefit of the program is the positive effect on the inmates participating. The handlers learn new skills in handling and caring for animals. As they work through the program, they can see the results of their hard work, love and dedication as the dog makes progress.

After meeting the handlers, you can see the positive effect this program has had on them. Many of the handlers and staff were teary eyed as the dogs were preparing to return to the shelter for adoption.

“We feel this is a win-win situation,” Undersheriff Bourke said. “The handlers and the dogs are getting a second chance in life and we at the Sheriff’s Office are proud to be a part of his program.”

Photo and information courtesy of Albion Central School

ALBION – The elementary school band room today was filled with students, teachers and family members as they watched the top fourth grade spellers compete in the annual spelling bee.

The bee lasted for almost an hour as spellers went several rounds before whittling down to the final four.

The top spellers were, from left: Ava Woolston, Meadow Smith, Lily Brigham and Erika Hess (alternate).

They received a dictionary compliments of the Albion Elementary School PTA.  The winners will move on to the Niagara Region PTA Spelling Bee. It will take place at 10 a.m. on May 18 at the Lyndonville Central School District. The community is invited to attend.

ALBION – A former Orleans Correctional Facility inmate was sentenced to 1 ½ to 3 years in state prison today for attempted assault in the second degree.

Freddy Rosario, 23, has been moved to Midstate Correctional Facility in Marcy. He admitted in a previous court appearance to punching a corrections officer in the face and causing other injuries.

Rosario was in the visiting area at Orleans Correctional on Jan. 21, 2018. He said “one thing led to another” and he punched an officer in the face.

As part of a plea deal he was given a reduced sentence from would could have been a maximum of 2 to 4 years in prison if he went to trial and was convicted by a jury.

In other cases in Orleans County Court today:

• Jeremy Hodge, 33, of Albion pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated and could face a maximum of 1 to 3 years in state prison when he is sentenced on June 27.

He was charged in Clarendon on Jan. 1 and registered a Blood Alcohol Content of 0.30 percent, nearly four times the legal limit. He has a previous misdemeanor DWI in 2014.

Hodge said in court today he drank a 12-pack of beer during the day before his arrest on Jan. 1.

• Stacy Moss Jr., 29, appeared in court after being wanted on a warrant since November. Moss is a diversion program where a felony charge would be reduced to a misdemeanor if he successfully completes the program.

District Attorney Joe Cardone asked that Moss be terminated from the program because he hasn’t been going to a drug treatment program or showing up for court appearances.

Moss said he was aware there was a warrant issued for him. He said he didn’t want to turn himself in because he didn’t want to miss his son’s birth in December.

Judge Sanford Church asked why Moss didn’t come in since then.

“I don’t know,” Moss responded.

The judge is holding Moss without bail until another court appearance next Thursday.

Photos by Cheryl Wertman

LYNDONVILLE – Construction has started on expanding the parking lot behind Lyndonville Central School. This work is part of a $10.7 million capitol project which includes a new roof, air-conditioning in 95 percent of the school campus, upgraded kitchen and dining area, major improvements to the locker rooms, and conversion of the elementary school library into two classrooms.

The parking lot will be expanded and the soccer field will also get new drainage and other improvements.

The expanded parking lot will allow for more efficient pickup and drop off of students.

Hoag Library posted this copy of the letter written in May 1784 from George Washington to Jacob Morris, who delivered a package for the general to Marquis de Lafayette, a French military officer who fought with Washington in the American Revolutionary War.

ALBION – Hoag Library continues to sift through historical files, finding treasures. On Tuesday, local history librarian Dee Robinson found a letter from George Washington.

It was written in May 1784, about five years before he started serving as the first president of the United States. The letter from Washington was written to Jacob Morris, thanking him for taking care of a gift package sent to Marquis de Lafayette, a French aristocrat and military officer who fought in the American Revolutionary War. He led American troops in several battles, including Yorktown.

The letter acknowledges correspondence from Morris in regard to the package of Lafayette, and Washington offers to pay the cost of the delivery, and also extends his compliments to Mrs. Morris. Jacob Morris was the son of Lewis Morris, who signed the Declaration of Independence.

The Journal-Register in Medina on April 19, 1967 wrote about the letter from Washington, which was being put on display briefly at Swan Library. The Journal-Register reported then that a family in Westchester County owned the letter for about 90 years. Thomas Bell then owned it and presented it to Noah Davis, a justice for the State Supreme Court who was from Albion. (Davis was the judge in the trial that brought down New York City Tammany Hall ringmaster William M. “Boss” Tweed. Judge Davis presided over Tweed’s trials on charges of conspiracy, perjury and larceny.)

After his death, Davis’s wife sent the letter to Emma Swan, the founder of the library with her husband William. Mrs. Swan gave the letter to the library. According the JR article, the letter’s authenticity was established by the Historical Society of New York City and by the Astor Library.

The article from 1967 reports the Washington letter is ordinarily kept in bank vault and only seen by a few people.

Robinson last month was searching through library files and found a 1903 letter from Susan B. Anthony, written to the then Swan Library. (The new Hoag Library opened in July 2012.) Anthony, the women’s rights activist, was a pivotal leader for women’s suffrage. She wrote to the library to encourage Swan to buy four volumes of the History of Woman Suffrage and also two volumes about the Life and Work of Susan B. Anthony.

The library has been in the news recently for a public discussion about what to do with a Civil War flag for a Colored Troops regiment. That flag had largely been kept out of public view for a century. The flag is deteriorating. The library’s board voted on March 13 to have the flag sold through an auctioneer in Dallas, Texas. The flag hasn’t been sent away yet and will stay with the library through at least April. It has been brought out for Civil War programs this month.

Public domain: This painting from 1906 by John Ward Dunmore shows George Washington and Marquis de Lafayette during winter at Valley Forge.

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – The bronze statue of a soldier, resembling a doughboy from pre-World War II, was mounted atop a monument today in front of the Orleans County YMCA. Cody Dix of the Medina DPW is at right.

That building has been a Y for more than three decades. But for 76 years it was the Medina Armory, a site used to train soldiers for battle.

The new statue looks to be right at home by the former Armory.

The statue is taken out of the YMCA, where it spent the winter inside. The statue was finished in November and made its public debut in the Parade of Lights on Nov. 24.

The Armory opened in 1901. In 1977, it was closed by the National Guard.

Bill Menz trained at the building in 1953, when he joined Company C of the 174th Armored Infantry. He was promoted to corporal before transferring to active duty in 1956 to the US Army National Guard. He would come back to Medina and work about 40 years in construction as a plasterer/mason.

The Menz family is pictured with the statue and monument after the installation today. Pictured include Menz’s wife Betty, second from left, and their four children, from left: Timothy Menz, Mary Beth Germano, granddaughter Alyssa Germano, Lynne Menz (in back) and Tam Menz.

When the Armory closed, Bill Menz was on the committee that helped it find a new use as a YMCA. Menz, who died at age 86 on July 16 last year, wanted the community to know the building’s historical role in preparing soldiers to fight on behalf of the country. He teamed with his friend John Fuller to create a sandstone monument in front of the Y that listed 550 soldiers who trained at the Armory and were then deployed in wars. Menz and Fuller cut the stone and built the monument.

But it wasn’t done. Menz wanted a bronze statue of a soldier on top. He pushed for nearly a decade to raise the $65,000 for the statue. He was able to see it in pieces at the foundry before his death. His daughter, Lynne Menz, included some of her father’s ashes underneath the statue’s base, just before it was mounted today.

Mary Beth Germano, center, is one of Menz’s four children. She takes a photo of the statue being moved out of the former Armory, down Pearl Street and to the front lawn of the building.

Germano thanked the local residents and many veterans’ organizations for supporting the project with donations.

“It’s emotional seeing it,” she said after the installation this morning. “It’s a great community effort.”

Her father was unwavering in pushing the project in the community.

“When he had his mind set on something, it was full-speed ahead,” Germano said.

Ben Lacy, right, of the Medina DPW was off from work today but wanted to help with the statue installation. Lacy grew up next door to Menz. Lacy said he admired Menz’s determination in working on the monument and memorial for the local soldiers.

“Bill was dedicated to get this done and I wanted to help today to get this up and done,” Lacy said.

The statue was created by sculptor Brian Porter and the University of Buffalo’s foundry director Chris Serano.

Mayor Michael Sidari was among the onlookers watching the statue installation today. He said the statue is great addition to Medina.

“It’s a great tribute to the members that served our country out of the Armory,” Sidari said. “Many came back and many did not. Those that did continued to serve their community.”

Medina next month will also welcome the return of a World War I cannon. It had been a fixture at State Street Park for about 80 years. It has been gone since March 2018 while the cannon has been refurbished in Altoona, Pa. at Seed Artillery Reproduction and Restoration. It is coming back to Medina on May 1 and will be rededicated on Memorial Day.

The statue is expected to be formally dedicated during a ceremony in September. That will give time for landscaping work and some changes to be made to the plaques on the monument. Some lights may also be added to the site.

For more on the statue and monument, click here.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The Orleans Correctional Facility celebrated the third graduation today for a canine training program. Five dogs – Danielle, Jared, Champ, Conrad and Spot – completed the 12-week program. Nine inmates served as handlers for the dogs, which stayed in one of the dorms.

The top photo shows Conrad, one of the dogs, showing his skills. The dogs and inmates are all screened to participate in the program.

The animals are rescue dogs from a shelter in Tennessee, which then sends them to the Genesee County Animal Shelter in Batavia.

Tom Ryan, a dog trainer from Batavia, visited the Orleans prison once or twice a week to teach obedience classes. He praised the handlers for their commitment to the animals, teaching the dogs socialization and obedience.

R. Monroe (center), an inmate at the Orleans Correctional Facility, worked with Champ during the program. Champ is a friendly dog that greets the corrections officers and other staff. Three of the five dogs at today’s graduation have already been adopted by their “forever families.”

One of the dogs settles on an inmate’s lap during the graduation program this afternoon at the prison. R. Allen, left, spoke during the ceremony.

“We’ve put everything we have into it,” Allen told the crowd. “We’ve given it our all every day.”

Allen said the program taught the inmates “humility.”

“It makes you feel great to give back,” he said. “Over the years I’ve just taken, taken and taken.”

He said the dogs filled a void in the dorm for the inmates.

“Waking up in the morning that dog is there for you,” he said.

R. Paro tries to get Danielle to sit and stay while demonstrating some of the skills the dog has learned.

The first canine class graduated on Oct. 10 with three dogs. The second class had six dogs and five completed the program today. A new group of dogs is expected in early May.

The Albion Correctional Facility, a women’s prison, also had a graduation today for two dogs that were the first to complete the program at that facility. The Albion Correctional Facility has a partnership with the Orleans County Animal Shelter for training dogs.

Karen Crowley, the OCF superintendent, pushed to have the program in the local men’s prison. She visited other prisons with similar programs and found the dogs improved the culture in a prison, with better-behaved inmates. The inmates also proved to be attentive and dedicated to helping train the dogs.

She praised the inmates for their dedication.

“You’ve all grown so much,” she said during the graduation program.

The dogs stay under control during today’s canine graduation program at the Orleans Correctional Facility.