Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – This dog carries a Santa during the Pets on Parade today at noon in Medina. This year there were about 30 dogs in the procession, the most since pets were welcomed in a parade leading Santa to downtown Medina.

Santa is joined by an elf in making his arrival in downtown Medina. He visited kids in the Santa House at Rotary Park after the parade.

Medina band students played holiday favorites from a trailer.

Connor Tobin and his mother Jessica Tobin from Spencerport pulled puppies in wagons that are at PAWS Animal Shelter. Those dogs aren’t quite old enough to be adopted yet. PAWS volunteers brought seven dogs for the parade.

Gary Watts of Medina helps his granddaughter Charlotte McGrath, 11, squeeze into a costume of a Minion. Gary’s wife Robin made the costume. It is a new character for Medina’s parade.

Jessica Marciano wears an Olaf costume. She walked in the parade with her daughter, Cadence, 4.

Katy Owczarczak, left, and her daughter Aurora Owczarczak walk their dogs in the pet parade. Katy is with Gabe, a German shepherd, and Aurora walks with Meredith, an English cream retriever.

Santa gets a nice reception when he arrives at Rotary Park.

Shawn Ramsey, owner of Canalside Tattoo on Main Street, is dressed as Santa. The tattoo business will be collecting toys until 8 p.m. today. Those toys will be distributed by Community Action of Orleans & Genesee and the Medina Area Association of Churches.

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Jacob Rissew, a senior at Medina, wore the Santa suit and got off to a fast start in this morning’s Home for the Holidays 5K.

There were 158 participants in the race, the most in its 11 years.

Rissew wore the Santa suit as part of a community service requirement for a high school class. He said it ended up being a fun time.

Debbie Tompkins welcomes the runners to the race. They started in the canal basin and headed down Route 31 to State Street Park. They went to Bates Road and got on the towpath before turning at the lift bridge and heading back to the finish line in front of the American Legion Post on North Main Street.

Tompkins organizes the race with Teresa Wilkins. They thought the bigger crowd of runners and walkers was due to the beneficiary of the race: PAWS Animal Shelter.

Martha Snyder, 24, of Medina competes in the 5K with her dog, Koda. They are in front of a mural created last year by Brandi Zavitz under the Glenwood Avenue canal bridge.

Aeddon Cayea, 24, of Medina was the first male finisher in a time of 18:59, while Taylor Heschke, 20, of Appleton was the first female to cross the finish line in a time of 19:38.

Madeline Mark, 14, of Medina and her father Adam Mark head to the finish line. Madeline was among the fastest females with a time of 23:42.

This group of friends dressed up in holiday characters for the 5K. From left include Robin Wehling of Medina in the Grinch costume, Beverly Woodard as an elf and Leslie Mischel with a Grinch sweater.

Jeremy Weakland of Barker carried an American flag for the entire race.

“I’m a vet,” he said. “I love the reaction when people see the flag. It inspires them.”

This runner in a Santa hat goes by the Big Apple sculpture created by Richard Bannister.

Click here to see a schedule of events during today’s Olde Time Christmas, including the Parade of Lights at 6 p.m.

MEDINA – The Medina VFW Post is displaying a wall poster made by the kindergarten class at Lyndonville. Pictured include Dave Berry, left, junior vice president of the Lincoln VFW Post, and Allan Kropf, a Korean War-era veteran.

These veterans are pictured at the VFW Post in medina with cards made by the eighth grade History Club at Medina. Pictured with the cards includes from left, Bob Coon, Mark Traxler, Allan Kropf, Rick Forder, Mike Harmer, Michael Owczarczak, Post Commander Pat Little, Greg Smith, Dan Anderson and Bill Beach.

Photo courtesy of Jackie Dunham: Community Action’s new CFO Tina Schleede, standing, confers with executive director Renee Hungerford, during her first week on the job.

ALBION – Community Action of Orleans and Genesee is ready to kick off the holiday season with expectations of a busy schedule and announcement of a new chief financial officer.

Tina Schleede assumed the new position last week, after the former CFO left unexpectedly, according to Renee Hungerford, executive director of CAOG.

“Tina is very invested in the community and a great fit for our agency,” Hungerford said.

Schleede is an Orleans County native, born in Albion, raised in Lyndonville and living in Waterport with husband Scott. They have three children.

She is a graduate of RIT with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. Previously she has been manager of Brown’s Berry Patch, an employee of CRFS for 15 years, general manager of Bald Eagle and Lure’s Restaurant during the pandemic and lastly, employed at Harris Seed.

“After 30 years in the corporate world, I decided to give non-profits a go,” Schleede said. “I’m hoping to make a difference, not just make a living.”

Schleede is familiar with Community Action, having done volunteer work there with her Girl Scout troop.

“I saw the job posted and thought this was a chance to work with a strong team of women,” Schleede said. “How could I resist.”

Schleede and Hungerford said they have exciting things in the works, including a whole new accounting system.

“We are trying to be more effective and efficient,” Hungerford said. “We are putting controls in place to make sure our resources go toward the greatest need.”

With the holidays approaching, Community Action is anticipating one of the busiest seasons ever. They distributed about 150 Thanksgiving meals. Food boxes contained turkey, potatoes, apples, carrots, squash, green beans, corn, eggs, stuffing, gravy, butter, cranberry sauce, Chex mix and brownie mix, according to Jeanette Worsley, case manager and health coach.

“Since Covid, the need for food is unprecedented,” Hungerford said. “Our outdoor refrigerators are in high demand.

Community Action maintains refrigerators at their main building on East State Street and the Main Street Corner Thrift, Gifts and More store on Main Street and at the headquarters on Clinton Street Road in Batavia. They are filled with foods such as fresh produce, milk and snacks.

John Pratt in losing effort had one of highest write-in tallies in recent memory

SHELBY – John Pratt, a current Shelby Town Board member, attempted a rare election phenomenon in Orleans County: winning as a write-in candidate in a contested race.

Pratt lost in his bid for a four-term as a town councilman, but his 422 write-in votes are the most for a write-in candidate in recent memory.

Pratt was outpolled by Linda Limina, 787 votes; and Jeff Schiffer, 532 votes.

Warren Kruger also mounted a write-in campaign in Kendall for highway superintendent and received 84 votes to Eric Maxon’s 432. Kruger has been the highway superintend for more than 30 years. He lost a Republican Primary to Maxon, and made a late bid as a write-in candidate.

Pratt didn’t get the Republican endorsement for re-election. He decided about five weeks before the election to run a write-in campaign. He knew the chances weren’t good.

“I knew it was going to be an uphill battle,” he said today. “Everybody said I did phenomenal. I went out and hit it hard.”

Pratt got a list of 1,500 active voters in Shelby and knocked on their doors. He went campaigning every day for three weeks leading up tot election, often joined by his wife Sharlene. Pratt took out ads, sent a mailer to residents explaining his position on the issues and advised them how to fill out a write-in vote. He also sent in letters to the editor.

In the end, it wasn’t enough to win.

Pratt said he will stay active at Town Board meetings, but will be out in the audience.

In recent local elections, two candidates were elected by write-in in Medina for the Village Board in March 2014. Marguerite Sherman and Michael Sidari were elected trustees. Sherman had 229 votes and Sidari 207 to win over candidates with names printed on the ballot: incumbents David Barhite, 175; and Patricia Crowley, 171.

Sidair would later go on to be elected mayor. Sherman also remains on the board today.

The biggest write-in victory may have been in November 2015 when Jim Simon pulled off an upset for Yates town supervisor, defeating incumbent John Belson.

Simon, with backing from the Save Ontario Shores citizens group, forced a GOP primary on Sept. 10, 2015, but lost to Belson, 153-146. The race was so close it went to the absentee ballots, with Belson winning.

In a rematch in November, Belson was ahead by 14 votes, 352 to 338 for Simon after the polls closed. But there were 86 absentees.

When those absentees were counted, Simon was victor with the final tally, 393 to 379.

Simon has won re-election every two years since then, and Belson has gone on to be Lyndonville mayor.

Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office

Governor Kathy Hochul today signed legislation S.7424/A.366A requiring camps and youth sports programs to establish automated external defibrillator, or AED, implementation plans and to have at least one person trained to properly use the AED at camps, games and practice.

“We all remember the terrifying moment when Damar Hamlin was injured, but young athletes at schools and camps could be exposed to similar risks,” Governor Hochul said. “By requiring camps and youth sports programs to establish an AED implementation plan, kids will be safer and teams will be prepared. I want every parent in New York to know: we’re doing everything we can to keep your kids safe.”

Legislation S.7424/A.366A, pursuant to changes agreed to with the Legislature, will require camps and youth sports programs with five or more teams participating to establish an AED implementation plan. Such plans will detail how AEDs will be made available or reasonably accessible at every camp, game or practice.

The AED implementation plans will also detail how the camps and programs will ensure that when practicable at least one employee, volunteer, coach, umpire or other qualified adult who has successfully completed a training course in the operation of an AED is present.

Buffalo Bills Safety Damar Hamlin said, “Growing up, in all the years that I played football, I don’t remember thinking about where an AED was located or who was trained to use one. I think that many people have had the same experience. My journey has shown us that no one expects cardiac arrest to happen – and we all need to be prepared. By requiring that at least one person is trained to properly use an AED at every sports event, camp and practice, this new law will help protect tens of thousands of kids in New York State – and is a really important step in saving lives.”

State Senator Shelley B. Mayer said, “I am pleased that New York State will now require camps and many youth sport programs and leagues to develop a plan for AED access at all of their practices, games, and other events. More than 7,000 children experience cardiac emergencies each year, and too often an AED is not available. This legislation will make these programs safer and provide parents and young athletes with peace of mind.”

Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office

File photo: Kathy Hochul, when she was the state’s lieutenant governor, stopped at Case-Nic Cookies on Nov. 26, 2016 for Small Business Saturday. She bought a snack and chatted with store owner Mary Lou Tuohey. Medina Mayor Mike Sidari is in back.

Governor Kathy Hochul is encouraging New Yorkers to support local and regional small businesses during the holiday season – especially this Saturday for “Small Business Saturday,” which celebrates the dedication and spirit of the state’s small business owners.

Small businesses represent 98 percent of all New York State businesses, and support 40 percent of the private sector workforce. By shopping locally, New Yorkers invest revenue and tax dollars back into their communities, support jobs, and further promote regional economic growth.

“As the daughter of a small business owner, I know it takes hard work and perseverance to start and grow a business,” Governor Hochul said. “Since the beginning of my administration, we have made historic investments in New York’s small businesses, which provide jobs, boost local economies, and have a huge impact on communities across the state. This Small Business Saturday and every day, I encourage New Yorkers to shop locally.”

How to Support Small Businesses Every Day

• Shop local – Make efforts to shop at small, local stores in your community. By shopping small, you are stimulating your local economy since small business owners tend to purchase supplies and goods nearby.
• Purchase gift cards – Most small businesses, from your favorite restaurant, bar or coffee shop, your neighborhood specialty retailer, or your local hair salon, offer gift cards or gift certificates. By purchasing gift cards, it will inject needed investment into these businesses well past the holiday season.
• Head to your local farmer’s market – Many outdoor farmer’s markets may head indoors this time of year, but there are still many one of a kind, unique offerings. From hand-made crafts to seasonal greenery – your local farmer’s market is a great place to support local small businesses.
• Visit or order take out or delivery from your local bar or restaurant – Don’t forget to tip well. Restaurant workers were hit among the hardest by the pandemic. Many restaurants are still offering curbside delivery.
• Give positive reviews – If you have found a great product, meal, or service or even a great promotion or sale, let your friends and family know. Don’t forget to leave a great review on your social media feed. The best advertising is word-of-mouth.
• If you have to make a return, take a store credit over a refund if you can – This keeps the money within the small business and every little bit helps.

Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “Small businesses are vital to our local economies; they are owned by our neighbors and friends and reinvest back into our communities. As we look ahead to Small Business Saturday, please remember to support your locally-owned businesses this weekend and all throughout the holiday season.”

Photos by Tom Rivers: The Metz family in Medina won the grand prize in Medina’s Parade of Lights last year, the second straight year the family took the top prize in the parade. The Metz float had 15,000 lights and tried to depict National Lampoon’s Vacation including “Cousin Eddie” from the movie.

MEDINA – The 15^th annual Medina Parade of Lights will have more than 40 entries including 18 first-time participants, said Jim Hancock, parade chairman.

“The will probably be our biggest parade ever,” Hancock. “We got them from all over – Gasport, Middleport, Webster, Wheatfield and Oakfield. I’m just amazed. It’s going to be really great.”

The parade starts at 6 p.m. on Saturday at the Olde Pickle Factory on Park Avenue and works it way to downtown Medina.

Before the parade, the community Christmas tree will be lighted at 5:30 by parade grand marshal Todd Bensley. There will be fireworks at 5:45.

Prime Time Brass will perform in the downtown at the four corners while the crowd waits for the floats to arrive.

“It will be great parade this year,” Hancock said. “It’s going to be something.”

He thanked Assembly Steve Hawley for being the emcee for 12 years, and the Medina Department of Public Works, the Fire Department and the Police Department for all of their work to make the event a success.

The Medina Fire Department heads down Main Street with the a big crowd gathered to watch the annual parade last year on Nov. 26, 2022.

The parade is part of Medina’s Olde Tyme Christmas celebration. The activities begin at 9 a.m. with a 5K where many of the runners typically wear costumes of Christmas characters.

There is another parade at 11:30 a.m. and that “Pets on Parades” also has its biggest turnout for entries. Hancock said. That route starts at the Medina Historical Society and Ridgeway Town Hall on West Avenue and heads down Pearl Street and then to main Street in the downtown.

Santa will be at the end of that parade and will be in downtown Medina around noon.

Many of the businesses and organizations will be hosting events during the day. Click here to see the full schedule of activities.

There will also be the 7^th annual Parade of Lights Toy Drive from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Canalside Tattoo Company, at 540 Main St.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The kitchen inside the Harvest Christian Fellowship church was busy this afternoon when 630 Thanksgiving meals were served at the Orleans Koinonia Kitchen. Pictured from left include Mary Delamarter and Rick Huntington of Harvest Christian Fellowship, and Javonnie & Melisa Canales of the Oasis Church in Medina.

Faith Smith, leader of the Orleans Koinonia Kitchen, is thrilled to have more than 30 volunteers helping to serve the Thanksgiving meals for free today. The 630 that were served today is up from the 350 a year ago on Thanksgiving.

Smith personally delivered 85 meals to senior citizens and other people in the community.

“Nobody should have to be alone or go hungry,” Smith said.

Another church in Albion, the Royal Body Shop Outreach Ministries, served about 200 Thanksgiving meals from Renovation Masonic Lodge. That is up from 182 a year ago.

The meals were all available at no charge.

The Risen Café prepared the desserts – apple and pumpkin cake at Harvest Christian Fellowship. A line of volunteers is ready to serve the meals which were available to eat-in, for take-out or to have delivered.

Matt and Sharon Sugar of Harvest Christian Fellowship have to-go bags ready with Thanksgiving meals.

There were 40 turkeys cooked for today’s meals at the OK Kitchen.

Debbie Coon serves coffee to Janice Callahan of Albion. Callahan said she appreciated the church welcoming so many from the community for Thanksgiving.

“There’s a lot of good people here,” Callahan said. “They are very loving. We are all friends here.”

Mark Hartleden said he has been coming to the kitchen for about a decade.

“It’s delicious, it’s stupendous,” he said. “They are bringing people together.”

Alicia Rich and Debbie Thies work together in the kitchen.

Photos and information courtesy of Albion Central School:

ALBION – Albion Middle and High School students have made 50 ponchos and over 100 seatbelt covers for patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment at Pluta Cancer Center this fall.

This is the second year Mrs. Shari Berg and Mrs. Kathy Winans’ classes have created ponchos and seatbelt covers for patients. According to Berg, the project was inspired by Kim Toombs, a substitute teacher in the district who makes and donates these items year-round.

Dejeanna C., a high schooler in Mrs. Winans’ class, said that making the seatbelt coverings is her favorite part “because it is soft and [she] likes the fabric.”

As a cancer survivor, Toombs said that, when she went through treatment, having something like a poncho or seatbelt cover to help keep her comfortable helped a lot.

“Some patients have ports for their treatment,” Toombs explained. “The seatbelt coverings help make riding in the car more comfortable.”

Since January 2023, she has made 360 ponchos for patients, not including the ponchos she helped ACS students make.

“I keep track of the number of ponchos I make each year and it’s more than I’ve done in the past,” Toombs said. “The sad reality is that, while I am increasing the number of ponchos I am making this year, the [Pluta Cancer] center told me the average age of patients receiving treatment is declining.”

According to Toombs, on average, more than one person starts treatment at the Pluta Cancer Center per day.

All of the funds for the fabric and materials for the projects was provided by the staff members at Albion Middle School. Each Friday, staff members donate to a cause in order to “dress down.” This fall, members chose to donate to Mrs. Berg’s and Mrs. Winans’ students and help make a difference in the greater Albion community.

Originally, the goal was for students to make 31 ponchos. With at least one new patient receiving treatment daily, on average, that would cover one month of patients at the center.

“I love doing this [making a difference],” Kayla S. said. “Cutting out [the pattern] is fun and easy. I’m good at it and it’s easy to help.”

The students are still working to finish the seatbelt coverings and have plans to use “literally every scrap of material from this project to give back to others,” according to Berg.

“The scraps of fabric have been saved and we have been connected to a lady who uses the scraps to make dog beds that she donates to local shelters,” Berg explained. “We will be using the bigger scraps to make dog toys for Paws Animal Shelter!”

The best part, according to Emily L., a student in Mrs. Berg’s class, has been “working with [her] friends and helping others by making them comfortable.”

Photo courtesy of Lori Laine

ALBION – An Honor Tree Garden is now on display by the Orleans County Courthouse. Lori Laine pushed for the trees to be displayed and received permission last week from the Orleans County Legislature.

The trees will add to the Christmas atmosphere in Albion and also recognize organizations that serve the community. So far, the trees are in honor of Hospice of Orleans County, Pathstone, GLOW Arc, Donate Life, the Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern, UConnectCare Behavioral Health Services (formerly GCASA), Orleans Koinonia Kitchen, The Villages of Orleans, and Albion youth football and cheerleading – the Albion Youth Sports and Athletic Program (AYSAP).

Laine said the effort is part of a push for Albion to celebrate its Santa lineage as the home to a Santa School from 1937 to 1966 and also Christmas Park.

Volunteers working on the “Bring Christmas Back to Albion” committee are planning other new projects, including decorating lampposts, and caroling once a week during December in the community. The group will meet at 7 p.m. on Monday at Hoag Library.

“There are many ideas, many projects already being worked on for next year!” Laine said.

The unemployment rate in Orleans County was at 3.5 percent in October, which is up from the 2.9 percent in October 2022.

However, there are more people employed in the county, 16,600 last month compared to 16,500 in October 2022. The unemployment rate is up because there are more people on unemployment, from 500 to 600 (numbers are rounded to nearest hundred in the state Department of Labor report.)

The 3.5 percent in October is up from the 3.2 percent in September for the county.

The rates for WNY counties for October include:

• Orleans, 3.5 percent
• Genesee, 3.0 percent
• Wyoming, 3.3 percent
• Livingston, 3.2 percent
• Allegany, 3.6 percent
• Chautauqua, 3.7 percent
• Cattaraugus, 3.8 percent
• Erie, 3.8 percent
• Monroe, 3.7 percent
• Niagara, 3.9 percent

Nationally the unemployment rate increased from 3.4 percent in October 2022 to 3.6 percent last month. Statewide it changed from 3.7 to 4.4 percent during those 12 months.