By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 January 2025 at 2:41 pm
Foundation directs $500K to 56 arts and cultural organizations in WNY
Photo by Tom Rivers: The Cobblestone Museum, a National Historic Landmark on Route 104 and Route 98 in Gaines, has been awarded funding from the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo.
GAINES – The Cobblestone Museum and Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council have been approved for $15,000 from the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo.
The Foundation today announced $500,000 to support 56 small to mid-sized arts organizations serving the eight counties of Western New York, plus Monroe County, through its competitive grants process.
The funding comes from the 2024 Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Arts & Culture Initiative. Since the establishment of the Arts & Culture Initiative in 2021 by the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, the Community Foundation has prioritized community feedback in the creation of this annual funding opportunity, the Foundation stated in a news release.
In 2024, an Advisory Committee was convened to further evolve this funding. That committee members synthesized data from the two previous grant years and drew heavily on their own experiences working in grassroots arts nonprofit organizations and as reviewers for grant processes outside of the Community Foundation.
The funding was awarded in two categories:
Category 1: Combined Capacity-Building and General Operating Funds for organizations with at least one full-time (or one FTE) staff member to help organizations build the solid foundation necessary to pursue an ambitious mission and vision.
Grantees include:
Alfred Box of Books Library – $15,000
BFM Arts, Inc. – $15,000
Buffalo Center for Arts and Technology – $13,000
Buffalo Institute for Contemporary Art – $15,000
Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus, Inc. – $14,000
Carousel Society of the Niagara Frontier – $15,000
Center for Exploratory and Perceptual Arts, Inc. – $15,000
Community Canvases – $14,000
Cordelia A. Greene Library – $15,000
Danceability, Inc. – $15,000
El Museo Francisco Oller Y Diego Rivera – $15,000
Fenton Historical Society of Jamestown, New York – $15,000
Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council – $15,000
Gowanda’s Historic Hollywood Theater, Ltd. – $15,000
Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center – $15,000
IndicatorArt Corporation – $15,000
KORP Foundation Inc. – $14,000
Lewiston Council on the Arts Inc – $15,000
Locust Street Neighborhood Art Classes, Inc. – $14,000
North Park Theatre of Buffalo, Inc. – $13,000
Pappy Martin Legacy Jazz Collective – $15,000
Shake on the Lake – $15,000
Sukanya Burman Dance Inc. – $15,000
The Cobblestone Society – $15,000
The Fountain Arts Center, Inc. – $15,000
The Theatre of Youth Company, Inc. – $15,000
West Falls Center for the Arts – $15,000
Western New York Minority Media Professionals Inc – $14,327
Category 2: General Operating Micro Grants up to $2,500 for organizations with less than one full-time staff member to execute immediate programming.
Grantees include:
American Scandinavian Heritage Foundation – $2,500 for Celebrating Scandinavian Folk Cultural Traditions at the Scandinavian Folk Festival
Arts Services Inc. – $2,500 for B.flo-Girls: Creating Connections for Women in Hip Hop
Buffalo Music Hall of Fame – $2,500 for Strengthen Our Foundation
Buffalo Niagara LGBTQ History Project Inc – $2,500 for General Support
Buffalo Society of Artists – $2,500 for Buffalo Society of Artists -Community Engagement Initiative
Canalside Radio Inc – $2,500 for Local Voices, Stronger Signals: LPFM Transmitter Project
Clann Na Cara Parents Organization INC d/b/a Buffalo Irish Dance Parents Organization – $2,500 for BIPDO General Operating Funds Application
Concordia Foundation, Inc. – $1,500 for New Website
Depew Community Action Team, Inc – $2,500 for Arts Education Collaboration with Lancaster Opera House
El Batey Inc. – $2,500 for El Batey Cultural Arts- Areyto: Taino Heritage Festival
El Museo Francisco Oller Y Diego Rivera – $2,500 for Nuestra Cultura: A WNY Multidisciplinary Arts Project
Fractured Atlas – $2,500 for Sotto Voce Presents Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor
Genesee Symphony Orchestra – $2,500 for The Genesee Symphony Orchestra’s 78th Season
Greater Niagara Ballet Company – $2,500 for Nutcracker 2024
GWBN Inc. dba Gardens Buffalo Niagara – $2,500 for Administrative Infrastructure
Leon Historical Society – $2,500 for Leon’s Penny-Royal Race Track – From Horses to Stock Cars to NASCAR
Lucille Ball Little Theatre of Jamestown – $2,500 for Little Theatre of Jamestown Operating Support Micro Grant
Polish Arts Club of Buffalo – $2,500 for Polish Arts Club of Buffalo Eightieth Anniversary
Polish Genealogical Society of New York State – $2,500 for Dziennik dla Wszystkich Newspaper Digitization
Red Blazer Men’s Chorus – $2,500 for Building for the next 75 years in Western New York
Rock Autism – $2,500 for Rock Autism Multimedia Vocational Internships
Starry Night Theatre, Inc. – $2,500 for Restoring our Lobby to create a comfortable gathering place for all
Tonawandas’ Council on the Arts/Carnegie Art Center – $2,500 for Live on the Lawn Concert Series
Ukrainian Congress Committee of America – Buffalo, NY Branch – $2,500 for Ukrainian Saturday School Art, Theatre, Dance and Cultural Outreach
Virtuous Diamonds Foundation Inc – $2,500 for Mentoring, Movement, and Motivation
Vocalis Chamber Choir – $2,500 for Choral Connections and Community Sing Weekend
WAHI Studio, Inc. – $2,500 for General Operating Expenses
YITC Foundation Inc. – $2,500 for YITC Short Film
The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Arts & Culture Initiative was established at the Community Foundation to support arts and culture in the eight counties of Western New York, plus Monroe County, in recognition of the key role arts and culture organizations play in a thriving economy, the Foundation said.
Part of that announcement includes $500,000 in annual funding to be awarded primarily to support small to mid-sized arts and culture organizations in the nine counties.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 January 2025 at 12:21 pm
ALBION – A woman who was incarcerated at the Albion Correctional Facility was sentenced to more time in state prison today for allegedly assaulting a corrections officer.
Caitlyn Jacobs, 34, was charged with second-degree assault, which was reduced to attempted assault in the second degree as part of a plea agreement.
She was sentenced this morning to another 1 ½ to 3 years in state prison by Orleans County Court Judge Sanford Church.
Jacobs has been moved to the Bedford Hills Correctional Facility where she is finishing a 5-year sentence for criminal possession of a controlled substance in the second degree, and criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree. She was convicted of those charges in Cayuga County in October 2022.
In another case today, Judge Church sentenced Erika Poole, 44, of Medina to time already served and a conditional discharge to stay away from controlled substances for a year.
Poole pleaded guilty to criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree.
Poole admitted to having cocaine on Nov. 10, 2022. She has a credit of 92 days in jail and won’t need to do additional time. She also was ordered to pay $250 in court charges.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 January 2025 at 8:53 am
LYNDONVILLE – There is one position up for election on the Village Board. The election will be on March 18 with voting from noon to 9 p.m. at the Village Hall, 2 South Main St.
Potential candidates can pick up petitions from the village office. Those petitions need at least 27 signatures from registered voters in the village and must be turned in by Feb. 11.
The position up for election is a two-year term. Terry Stinson was in the spot until she stepped down as village trustee in August.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 January 2025 at 10:19 pm
Photos courtesy of Jenna Amering
BROCKPORT – The historic Morgan-Manning House on Main Street in Brockport has suffered extensive damage from a fire that has engulfed the building.
The Morgan-Manning house was built as a Victorian-era mansion in 1854. The Western Monroe Historical Society has owned the site since 1965 and made it available for the community.
Firefighters were dispatched just before 7 p.m. to 151 Main St. Smoke and flames have poured out from windows and the top of the building.
Clarendon and Murray firefighters from Orleans County have joined many departments from Monroe County in trying to bring the fire under control tonight.
There has been a partial collapse on the south side of the brick building.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 January 2025 at 9:53 pm
Governor’s agenda gets praise and criticism
Photo by Darren McGee/ Office of Governor Kathy Hochul: Gov. Kathy Hochul delivers 2025 State of the State Address in the Kitty Carlisle Theatre in Albany.
Gov. Kathy Hochul today unveiled numerous proposals that she said would make the state more affordable and safer.
She wants to cut taxes for more than 8.3 million middle class residents, send inflation rebate checks and expand the child tax credit.
“Families shouldn’t have to worry about whether or not they can afford to put food on the table because of the rising cost of groceries,” Hochul said. “Making New York more affordable has been one of my top priorities and to continue this commitment, I am proposing a substantial tax cut for middle class New Yorkers to lighten the burdens of inflation.”
The child tax credit would increase to $1,000 for kids ages 0-3, and $500 for children ages 4-16.
She launched “unplug and play” to help young people off their phones and be more active.
She said she would tackle the housing crisis by taking on corporate forces that raise home prices and rents.
To build the workforce of tomorrow, Hochul called for the state to offer free SUNY and CUNY community college for adult students pursuing in-demand careers.
The 126-page “State of the State” book is available by clicking here. It details many of Hochul’s proposals.
Assemblyman Steve Hawley of Batavia issued this statement:
“New York leads the nation in outmigration, yet today we heard more false promises from Gov. Hochul. She cannot tell our residents she cares about fixing the affordability crisis while raising taxes even higher with additional government handouts. Our great state remains unsafe with pro-criminal policies, yet she supports bail reform and fails to admit it is the treacherous policy that led us to this public safety disaster we are facing daily. It’s time she walks the walk and acts on what she promises.”
State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt posted this response on social media to Hochul’s State of the State: “If we could fix the affordability crisis by spending MORE, New York would be the most affordable state in America.”
Greater Rochester Chamber President & CEO Bob Duffy issued the following statement in response to Governor Hochul’s 2025 State of the State address:
“Governor Hochul’s State of the State today outlined her vision to enhance the quality of life for hard working New Yorkers — and on issues Greater Rochester Chamber is supportive of. Investments in economic development, childcare, public safety, mitigating the benefits cliff, and tax cuts are deeply important to our members across the Finger Lakes Region.”
“Greater Rochester Chamber looks forward to working with Governor Hochul and our partners in the Legislature to reduce barriers to economic growth in our communities. We will advocate tirelessly over the coming months to ensure that our region has a seat at the table in crucial conversations on the issues that matter to our members.”
New York State Association of Counties Executive Director Stephen Acquario issued this response:
“Counties commend Governor Hochul for her clear focus on tackling New York’s affordability crisis. The Governor’s proposals to provide tax relief, support New York’s community colleges, invest in childcare, and ensure no public-school student goes hungry are positive steps at the state level, but fully addressing this crisis will also require action to improve affordability at the local level by reducing state-mandated costs that drive up local taxes, protecting the county Medicaid cap, and making local infrastructure investments that will empower communities to increase housing opportunities.”
NYS United Teachers President Melinda Person issued this statement:
“Gov. Hochul’s address today was a welcome declaration that she is focused on making New York more affordable for working families. NYSUT shares her vision to strengthen our schools and communities through transformative policies like distraction-free learning environments, new pathways connecting kids to high-demand careers and free school meals for every student in the state.
“As part of her address, the governor made several proposals that align with NYSUT’s legislative goals for 2025. These include: funding for universal school meals, a commitment to distraction-free learning environments, expanding media literacy to combat misinformation, tuition-free pathways for students to enter high-demand occupations, expanded mental health resources in schools, funding our world-class facilities at SUNY and CUNY, and supporting our students through early childhood and family tax credits.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 January 2025 at 5:46 pm
MEDINA – Last year was a transition year for the cruise-in events in Medina, with a shift from the Canal Basin to the Senior Center parking lot.
Rollin Hellner, who helped coordinate the events and covered the insurance cost, has a schedule prepared for 2025 that continues the cruise-ins at the Senior Center, and adds live music at two of the events at the Senior Center.
Rollin Hellner, coordinator of the car show cruise-ins in Medina, goes over the schedule and his plans for the event in 2025. He is speaking with the Medina Village Board on Monday evening. The schedule would be most Friday evenings from May 30 to Aug. 22.
Hellner went over the schedule during Monday’s Village Board meeting. He needs the board’s permission to allow use of the parking lot. The board said it will vote on the issue during the Jan. 27 business meeting for the board.
Mayor Marguerite Sherman thanked Hellner for his efforts in leading the events.
“It went well last year,” Sherman said. “We’re excited for everything you’re putting into it.”
Hellner presented a schedule for car shows this year, going most Friday evenings from May 30 to Aug. 22. The Super Cruise on Main Street would be on Wednesday, Aug. 27, and again will feature Elvis impersonator Terry Buchwald.
The car events aren’t all on Fridays. The July 4 show will be the following day on Saturday, July 5.
The show at the Orleans County 4-H Fair is usually on a Friday but this year will be on a Saturday, July 26.
There are different themes for each cruise-in, including trucks, Corvettes, Mustangs, Hot Rods, “Bike Night,” British and Foreign Night, Camaros, Mopars, vans, ’50s, ’60s and ’70s, with the car show culminating with the Super Cruise on Aug. 27.
The car shows averaged about 50 per event last year at the Senior Center with about 250 for the Super Cruise. The shows will be from 5:30 to 8 p.m.
“It was a good response and we’re looking forward to doing it again,” Heller told the Village Board.
He owns The Walsh across from the Senior Center. He is planning for deejays and live music in 2025, and is working out the best spot for a stage for the musicians. That performance stage will either be at the parking lot or at The Walsh.
Highway 31 will perform June 6, with Ken Ryan and the Professionals on July 5 when the car show is at the Senior Center parking lot. A band will be at the fair on July 26 and Elvis will conclude the cruise-ins on Aug. 27.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 January 2025 at 2:47 pm
The University at Buffalo has named 4,330 students to the fall 2024 Dean’s List including several from Orleans County.
To qualify for the Dean’s List, full-time undergraduate students must demonstrate academic excellence by earning a grade point average of at least 3.600 while completing a minimum of 15 or more UB credit hours, of which 12 are graded (A-F) credits.
The following from Orleans County are on the fall Dean’s List:
Amaya Cancino of Holley
Allison Lyndaker of Holley
Jylees Bermudez of Albion
S’koi Sanders of Albion
Brookelyn Nawotka of Medina
Jaxon Phillips of Medina
Hilda Santiago Bautista of Medina
Daniel Barry of Lyndonville
Nathan Dillenbeck of Lyndonville, New York.
Jaklin Mofardin of Lyndonville, New York.
Nazareth University in Rochester also announced Orleans County students on the Dean’s List with a GPA or at least 3.5.
The following from Orleans County made the list:
Joseph Nettles of Holley
Hailey Crawford of Albion
Tyana Burroughs of Kendall
Raine Baker of Lyndonville
Jacksonville State University in Alabama announced that Seagan Majchrzak of Medina made the Dean’s List for the fall with a GPA between 3.5-3.99.
WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) today announced the launch of the 2025 Congressional Art Competition. The Congressional Art Competition is open to high school students who reside in New York’s 24th Congressional District, which includes Orleans and about a dozen other counties.
Since 1982, the Congressional Art Competition has been held each spring to celebrate the talents of young artists across the country. Rep. Tenney welcomes students from the 24th Congressional District to take part in this tradition. Submissions will be evaluated by a panel of experts from NY-24, and the winning artwork will be displayed in the United States Capitol for one year.
In 2024, Tenney’s office received over 30 submissions from high schoolers across New York’s 24th Congressional District.
Mixed Media: use of more than two mediums such as pencil, ink, watercolor
Computer-generated art
Photographs
All submissions must be delivered to one of Tenney’s district offices from April 14 to April 18. All necessary paperwork must be attached to the students’ artwork.
Please set up a time to drop off artwork at one of the following locations:
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 January 2025 at 10:09 am
MEDINA – Two trustee positions are up for election in the Village of Medina. The spots are for two-year terms that are currently filled by Jess Marciano and Diana Baker.
Village residents can circulate petitions that need to be signed by at least 100 registered voters in Medina. Those petitions can be picked up at the village clerk’s office and must be turned in the week of Feb. 6-11.
The Village Board on Monday set the election for March 18 with voting from noon to 9 p.m. at the Senior Center on West Avenue.
The winners in the election will start their terms on April 1.
The board on Monday also named the election inspectors for the election. Judy Szulis, Norma Huth, Linda Deyle and Mary Ann Ander will be the election inspectors with Szulis as the chairwoman. Szulis will be paid $18 an hour while the other three inspectors are to be paid $17 an hour.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 January 2025 at 8:37 am
MEDINA – The Medina Village Board approved a 3-year contract with the union representing employees in the Department of Public Works. The 12 members of the union will receive 3 percent annual raises, and longevity bonuses will be boosted by another $100.
The agreement is effective from June 1, 2024 to May 31, 2027.
The longevity bonuses starts after seven years of service, and has been $825. It will now be at $925. The bonus increases each year after seven years.
Village Trustee Jess Marciano was on the negotiating committee, talking with the DPW union.
“It was a give and take,” she said at Monday’s board meeting.
The contract doesn’t include the DPW superintendent, Jason Watts.
The board on Monday also appointed a new mechanic in the DPW. Daniel O’Connor will start on Feb. 3.
The board accepted the resignation of Dustin Wells as a motor equipment operator. The village is accepting applications to fill that vacancy until Jan. 27.
Village board members also voted to give Police Chief Todd Draper permission to call for the Civil Service list so he can fill three vacancies in the Police Department.
Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties and hospitals working together to gather responses
Press Release, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments
The Genesee, Orleans, and Wyoming (GOW) County health departments and hospitals are working together with community partners to gather information from residents to help with public health planning for the next six years.
This information will help inform and guide the development of documents called the Community Health Assessment (CHA), Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP), and the Community Services Plan (CSP). This process is part of the New York State Prevention Agenda, a plan for state and local action to improve the health and well-being of New Yorkers.
“The health departments are working to identify the health challenges, service gaps, and other factors that may impact the communities’ health status,” stated Paul Pettit, public health director for the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health). “The input from our residents will help to identify community health needs, which will play a crucial role in developing the upcoming plan.”
In 2022, the community survey and conversations helped inform some of the initiatives that local health departments, hospitals and partners focused on:
Promote Well-Being and Prevent Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders
Prevent opioid overdose deaths
Prevent and address adverse childhood experiences
Prevent Chronic Diseases
Prevent initiation of tobacco use
Increase cancer screening rates
Improve self-management skills for individuals with chronic diseases
To assess the health status of our communities, we are inviting community members to participate in an anonymous survey. The survey can be completed online and will take approximately 15 minutes to complete. Paper copies of the survey will also be available at many locations in each county. You can access the survey by visiting the following links:
The health departments are arranging Community Conversations with interested groups to gather insights into the most pressing health concerns or issues in their community. These conversations aim to gather ideas on how to address the identified health concerns.
“Our hope is people in our communities will share their ideas on health and wellness, including obstacles they face,” stated Laura Paolucci, Wyoming County Health Department public health administrator. “The more people who participate, the more inclusive these action plans can be.”
To participate in a community conversation, obtain copies of the survey or if you have any questions, please contact your local health department:
Genesee County Health Department at: 585-344-2580 ext. 5555, visit their website at GOHealthNY.org or visit Facebook, Instagram and X at GOHealthNY.
Orleans County Health Department at: 585-589-3278, visit their website at GOHealthNY.org or visit Facebook, Instagram and X at GOHealthNY.
Wyoming County Health Department at: 585-789-8890, visit their website or Facebook.
Photo courtesy of State Sen. Rob Ortt’s Office: Rob Ortt, leader of the State Senate Republican conference, speaks during a press conference today in Albany.
Press Release, State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt
ALBANY – Today the New York State Senate Republican Conference unveiled “Liberate New York,” a comprehensive legislative agenda of policy goals for 2025 to combat the Democrat establishment in New York State.
This packet’s priority is the everyday, hardworking New Yorker – the New Yorkers left behind by radical, progressive Democrats in Albany.
Extreme policies enacted as a result of the Democrat establishment have had a direct effect on the quality of life and opportunity across this state. Which is why New York leads the country in outmigration since 2020. The current majority has continually proven its misplaced priorities on the issues, ineptitude to understand the needs of New Yorkers and inability to lead. Senate Republicans are offering a plan based on common sense that will deliver a better New York, one its people want and deserve.
“From endless taxes, migrant spending and out-of-touch energy mandates to name a few Democrat driven policies driving this state into the ground,” said Rob Ortt, State Senate Republican Leader. “Throughout these failures one theme is clear– their willingness to prioritize their political agendas over the everyday hardworking New Yorker. Streets lined with crime, knifings in broad daylight in the middle of Manhattan, illegal migrant gangs terrorizing neighborhoods. Yet the focus is shifted to new taxes on New Yorkers already seeing their dollar stretched thin, like congestion pricing, and unfunded mandates that will further exacerbate the affordability and housing crisis. Farms in our rural communities have been dwindling because of state mandates increasing regulatory costs jeopardizing production.”
“Liberate New York” is a comprehensive legislative agenda for 2025 outlining a plan to fight for New Yorkers against the active destruction of our state from radical democrats in Albany. This agenda prioritizes improving affordability, improving public safety, and building a stronger New York:
Provide Affordability and Economic Opportunity
Create a Safer, Healthier New York
End the Migrant Crisis
Protect Students and Defend Parental Rights
Call For Government Accountability
More details of the New York State Senate Republicans’ “Liberate New York,” 2025 legislative agenda will be unveiled in the coming weeks. To read more, click here.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 January 2025 at 3:53 pm
KENDALL – Kendall and Hamlin are both looking for euchre card players for a tournament pitting the two towns over three Wednesdays – Jan. 22, Jan. 29 and Feb. 5.
Kendall and Hamlin have battled in euchre for about 70 years. The losing team has to buy the winners a fish fry dinner at the Grove 1848 in Kendall.
The first game will start 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 22 at the Kendall Fire Hall. The game then goes to Hamlin on Jan. 29 and back to Kendall for the finale on Feb. 5. It cost $10 to enter and that includes food and refreshments.
Players can just show up, said John Becker of Kendall. There are usually about 60 players each night.
The tournament is open to residents in both towns. If one town has more players than the other, some of those players might play for the rival town to even out the players.
After the three days of card playing, the scores will be tabulated to determine the winner.
The event isn’t a fundraiser, but Becker said donations are made to the fire departments in both Kendall and Hamlin.
The Genesee, Orleans, and Wyoming (GOW) County health departments and hospitals are working together with community partners to gather information from residents to help with public health planning for the next six years.
