By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 December 2018 at 10:16 pm
ALBION — School officials wondered if there was a higher-than-normal rate of breast cancer among staff at the elementary school after several teachers have fought the disease in recent years.
Albion asked WorkFit Medical for its assessment. WorkFit provides medical services to the school district and other districts and businesses in Western New York.
In a Nov. 27 letter to Michael Bonnewell, the Albion school superintendent, WorkFit officials say the rate of breast cancer occurrence at the elementary school is actually lower than the national average.
At Albion Elementary it’s one in 19 women compared to the national average of one out of eight women getting breast cancer during their lifetime, according to the letter from C. Jay Ellie, MD, general director of WorkFit Medical, and Heather Hosking, director of occupational and comprehensive school health for WorkFit Medical.
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer for women other than skin cancer.
WorkFit cited many factors that can increase the risk of breast cancer, such as alcohol use, being overweight and physical inactivity.
But none of the risk factors are environmental exposures. WorkFit quoted from the American Cancer Society which says research hasn’t shown a correlation between breast cancer and substances found in some plastics, certain cosmetics and personal care products, pesticides and PCBs.
Early detection is very important with breast cancer, WorkFit said.
After several incidents of breast cancer among staff in recent years, Bonnewell asked WorkFit for its opinion.
The school complex wouldn’t be a factor because environmental exposures haven’t been a culprit in contracting the disease.
Margy Brown, the Board of Education president, thanked Bonnewell for his inquiry to WorkFit.
“It’s something we continue to monitor at the district and take very seriously,” she said at this evening’s Board of Education meeting.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 3 December 2018 at 9:11 pm
Lynn Creasey, president of Senior Citizens of Western Orleans, reads a comical version of ’Twas the Night Before Christmas to seniors at their annual Christmas luncheon today.
MEDINA – A visit by Medina High School’s A Capella Select Choir has been a holiday tradition at the Senior Center of Western Orleans for many years.
That tradition was repeated today during the Senior Center’s annual Christmas luncheon.
There was a new face in the crowd this year, however, a new director for the choir.
After 34 years as its leader, Medina High School graduate Lisa La Machia Roessler has retired.
The group’s new director is Jeremy Rath of Brockport, a former music teacher at Kendall Central School.
Rath said he met Roessler several times at county music functions, and when she suggested he apply for her job, he did.
“I am honored, scared and intimidated to follow in her footsteps,” Rath said. “It is such a treat to make music with these great musicians.”
The 25 members of the A Capella Select Choir make up about one-fourth of the award-winning A Capella Choir, Rath said.
The seniors’ Christmas celebration began with a comical reading of ’Twas the Night Before Christmas by Senior Center president Lynn Creasey, followed by lunch.
Director Jeremy Rath accompanies Medina’s A Capella Choir in singing Christmas songs at the Senior Center of Western Orleans. Their visit to the Senior Center has been a Christmas tradition for many years.
The choir arrived by bus and sang a variety of holiday tunes, including traditional carols, special arrangements, such as Biddy Bum, So This is Christmas, Carol of the Bells and a medley from “Charlie Brown’s Christmas.”
Ray Paull of Medina has been a member of A Capella going on three years and has been in the Select Choir each year, he said.
“I’ve come here to the Senior Center every year, and I really enjoy it,” he said.
In a new twist this year, after their performance, the choir took copies of sheet music to the seniors and sang with them.
The entire A Capella Choir will be featured in its annual Christmas concert at 7 p.m. Sunday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.
Alissa Blount turns the pages for director Jeremy Rath, as he plays a lively number at the Senior Center of Western Orleans.
After entertaining the seniors today at the Senior Center of Western Orleans, members of the A Capella Select Choir went into the audience and sang with the crowd.
ALBON – Albion students competed in the American Legion’s Oratorical contest on Nov. 28. Pictured from left include: American Legion Post # 35 Adjutant Gary Beefus, Joe Gehl (Board of Directors), Post Commander Wally Skrypnik, Phil Warne (Finance Officer), Avalina Hand (in front), Melissa Barnosky, Molly Wadhams, Ashlyn LeBaron and Conner Hollenbeck.
The five students participated in the annual event, which is coordinated by social studies teacher Rich Gannon.
Melissa Barnosky took first place with her oration entitled, “Civic Knowledge: The Key to our Vigilance.” Molly Wadhams placed second with her oration, “Freedom of Speech.” Avalina Hand spoke about “The Responsibilities of the American People.” Ashlyn LeBaron’s speech was entitled, “Religious Freedom through the Ages,” and Conner Hollenbeck delivered his speech, “How the Constitution Shaped our Nation.”
Melissa and Molly will continue on to the County level. They will deliver their speeches on Dec. 8 at noon in the Medina High School Auditorium. The event is free and open to the public.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 December 2018 at 3:58 pm
Dawn Borchert
ALBION – Orleans County has 1,150 campsites and wants to welcome more visitors to stay at those sites.
The Orleans County Legislature last week approved spending $5,500 for a three=page ad in a directory through the Campground Owners of New York.
The state “I Love New York” funds will pay for half of the ad, while three local campgrounds and the County Tourism Department share with the cost.
“Camping is a big industry and Orleans County is going to be part of it,” Dawn Borchert, the county’s tourism director, told county legislators last week.
A report last year from Tourism Economics said camping is a $1.2 billion industry in the state with 350 privately owned campgrounds with 30,000 campsites. There are also 16,000 campsites in state and municipal parks.
The campground report, based on 2015 data, counted 11,500 total jobs related to the campground industry in the state.
The campground directory includes 175,000 copies, Borchert said.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 3 December 2018 at 3:17 pm
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Kendall Coach Pam Barchet and tri-captains from left, Lizzie Sutphen, Hailee Mitchell and Brianna Wakefield are shown here accepting the state championship plaque.
Fresh from capturing a first ever state championship, the Kendall girls soccer team has now received a number of top Class D All-State honors.
Kendall mentor Pam Barchet, who guided the Lady Eagles to an 18-5 record, has been named state Class D Coach of the Year.
Lady Eagles junior midfielder Hailee Mitchell, who led the team in scoring with 30 goals, has been named state Class D Player of the Year.
Kendall’s Madison Jacob, left, and Holley’s Halee Passarell.
Mitchell and junior center defender Lizzie Sutphen have both been named to the Class D All-Sate first team .
In addition, Lady Eagles sophomore midfielder Madison Jacob has earned a spot on the second team and sophomore midfielder Brianna Wakefield has been named to the fourth team.
Kendall blanked Fort Ann 1-0 in the state championship game. In all, the Lady Eagles allowed a total of only 2 goals in seven postseason games including shutout victories in the Section V state qualifier (2-0 over Hinsdale), the Far West Regional (1-0 over North Collins) and the state semis (2-0 over Cincinnatus).
Holley sophomore midfielder Hailee Passarell has been named to the Class C fourth team. She led the Lady Hawks with 14 goals.
Federal agencies and the U.S. Postal Service will be closed on Wednesday for a day of mourning for former President George H.W. Bush, who died on Friday at age 94.
President Donald Trump issued the order for an official day of mourning. Trump also ordered the American flag to be lowered to half-staff on all public buildings, military bases and overseas embassies for 30 days.
“President Bush led a great American life, one that combined and personified two of our Nation’s greatest virtues: an entrepreneurial spirit and a commitment to public service. Our country will greatly miss his inspiring example,” Trump said in a statement.
“On the day he turned 18, 6 months after the attack on Pearl Harbor, George H.W. Bush volunteered for combat duty in the Second World War. The youngest aviator in United States naval history at the time, he flew 58 combat missions, including one in which, after taking enemy fire, he parachuted from his burning plane into the Pacific Ocean. After the war, he returned home and started a business. In his words, “the big thing” he learned from this endeavor was “the satisfaction of creating jobs.”
“The same unselfish spirit that motivated his business pursuits later inspired him to resume the public service he began as a young man. First, as a member of Congress, then as Ambassador to the United Nations, Chief of the United States Liaison Office in China, Director of Central Intelligence, Vice President, and finally President of the United States, George H.W. Bush guided our Nation through the Cold War, to its peaceful and victorious end, and into the decades of prosperity that have followed. Through sound judgment, practical wisdom, and steady leadership, President Bush made safer the second half of a tumultuous and dangerous century.
“Even with all he accomplished in service to our Nation, President Bush remained humble. He never believed that government — even when under his own leadership — could be the source of our Nation’s strength or its greatness. America, he rightly told us, is illuminated by “a thousand points of light,” “ethnic, religious, social, business, labor union, neighborhood, regional and other organizations, all of them varied, voluntary and unique” in which Americans serve Americans to build and maintain the greatest Nation on the face of the Earth. President Bush recognized that these communities of people are the true source of America’s strength and vitality.
“It is with great sadness that we mark the passing of one of America’s greatest points of light, the death of President George H.W. Bush.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 December 2018 at 12:49 pm
ALBION – Hoag Library recently has hired three librarians, all with their master’s degrees.
Teresa Gaylard started in September 2017 as the children’s librarian. She started working at the former Swan Library when she was 19. She came back to Albion after 12 years as a librarian at the Dayton Metro Library.
Hoag also has hired two reference librarians. Michael Magnuson started this past Sept. 4, following the retirement of Cheryl Mowatt. Elizabeth Archer Haibach also started as a reference librarian last week.
The new staff are all highly trained and committed to serving library users, said Betty Sue Miller, the library director.
Gaylard has already made a mark at the library, updating the collection, attracting bigger crowds to library programs and connecting with the community, Miller said.
“Teresa has brought a vast amount of experience,” Miller said. “She has revitalized the collection and brought it up to date.”
Gaylard, 36, joined Hoag to be closer to her family. Her mother, Susie Gaylard, was along-time employee at Swan Library.
Teresa worked at Swan from age 19 to 22. She helped run children’s programs and realized then she wanted to make it her career. Back then, before the Hoag Library opened in July 2012, Swan was cramped for space and parking spots.
Many of the library programs were held at the Pullman Memorial Universalist Church. Teresa would dress up as characters from some of the children’s books.
“It was fun to see the children get excited about the stories and characters,” she said. “That’s when I realized this is what I wanted to do.”
After Swan, she worked at the Drake Memorial Library at Brockport State College. She earned her master’s degree in library science and headed to work in Ohio at the Dayton Metro Library. She is grateful for the chance to come back to Albion doing a job she loves.
Gaylard runs four weekly story times, and she often will dress up as characters. She reads the stories, incorporates a dance and ends the stories by blowing bubbles. The routine has proven popular with young children, Miller said.
The story times are Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m., Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., and Thursdays at 6:30 p.m.
Gaylard led the reading program for seven weeks this summer and Hoag had its biggest turnout so far with 1,900 people reading books. Gaylard also motivated her co-workers to participate in the Albion Strawberry Festival with a dance with book carts to promote the summer reading program.
She has partnered with the library directors at the elementary and high schools for a “Popcorn and Paperbacks,” where students read books in the school and come to the Hoag for popcorn and a book discussion.
The library recently hired two reference librarians. Michael Magnuson started in September and Elizabeth Archer Haibach started last week.
The library also started a new program this year where children from birth to age 5 get a new book on their birthdays and at Christmas. An anonymous donor is funding the program which includes 62 children so far. Gaylard manages the program, including ordering the books. She welcomes more families to sign up for it.
Michael Magnuson, 31, started at Hoag on Sept. 4 after working as a reference librarian at the James Prendergast Library in Jamestown. He said Mowatt, his successor, built up a following in the community in her 33 years at the library.
“She set a very high bar,” Magnuson said. “I really can’t replace her.”
In addition to assisting patrons with research, Magnuson will help people use technology, whether iPads, electronic devices, smart phones or computers. He can help them to access online material with their electronic devices and computers.
Magnuson took the job in Albion partly because his fiance works at the Hamlin library. He is impressed to see how well used the Hoag Library is by local residents.
“This library gets a lot of love and support from the community,” he said.
Elizabeth Archer Haibach, 31, grew up in Albion. She worked the previous 6 ½ years for Agri-Business Child Development in Batavia as a program assistant.
She works as a reference librarian at Hoag and also will handle social media, newsletters and some donor relations. Haibach, a Kendall resident, also is bilingual and will provide a stronger link to the Spanish-speaking population in the Albion area. The library serves many English as a Second Language students.
Haibach said she has reconnected with many of her Albion classmates and other familiar faces in the community during her first week at Hoag.
“I’ve seen so many people I went to high school with and I went to church with,” she said. “It’s nice to be home.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 December 2018 at 11:33 am
Provided photos: Jim Bonafini (left), president of the Cobblestone Society and Museum, was honored on Saturday by the Orleans County Historical Association for making the wooden sign for Beardsley Creek on Route 104 in Gaines. Bonafini accepts the “Friend of Orleans County Historical Association” award from Al Capurso, president of OCHA which organized a ceremony on July 28 for the sign unveiling.
GAINES – The Orleans County Historical Association held its annual meeting on Saturday and celebrated a busy year.
The group also picked a new president. Matt Ballard, the Orleans County historian, will succeed Al Capurso.
The outgoing president said it was an active year for the organization, especially with its efforts to preserve a former cobblestone schoolhouse on Gaines Basin Road.
“Progress has been made in the restoration of our 1832 Gaines Basin Schoolhouse,” Capurso said. “The electric service is in. The subfloor and ceiling are done. The exterior has restored trim and has been painted. The rubble wall has been secured. Last year the facade wall was repaired on all sides. Several pine trees have been planted and metal stakes placed marking the property line.”
Capurso praised Bill Lattin, retired county historian, for his “countless hours” of work in restoration, planting trees and providing technical assistance to workers at the schoolhouse.
John Flanagan also worked on the school for his Eagle Scout project, fixing the trim and painting at the site.
Capurso also noted that Dan Flanagan gave a 1830’s-period door for the schoolhouse. Rick Ebbs and Lattin restored the schoolhouse’s swing set and set up the schoolhouse’s privy. Ebbs also has kept the property neatly mowed, Capurso said.
Larry Albanese, president of The Oak Orchard Lighthouse Museum, served as guest speaker on Saturday during the annual meeting for the Orleans County Historical Association.
“The remaining major work is plastering the walls, refinishing the woodwork and laying the finished floor,” Capurso said. “We have applied for a Curtis Foundation Grant to assist with the plastering project. It takes vision, organization and money to conduct historical preservation of this magnitude. The result of doing nothing would have been another example of architecture destroyed and lost forever. OCHA should take pride in its courage and commitment to this project.”
For the second year the schoolhouse was on the Cobblestone Society’s Tour Of Homes during the Orleans County Heritage Festival. About 30-40 people took a tour of the schoolhouse.
Along with the DAR, the Cobblestone Society and Hoag Library, OCHA co-sponsored a reception and recognition on April 26 for author Melissa Ostrom. Macmillan published her book, “The Beloved Wild.” That historical work depicts the courage of pioneers, who were typically only teen-agers when they settled in WNY. Ostrom was presented with a pioneer log cabin model with an engraved plaque on behalf of OCHA and the history-minded community.
Capurso on Saturday also thanked the Cobblestone Society for allowing OCHA to meet in at the Cobblestone Society buildings, and to Director Doug Farley for loaning tables and chairs for events, and for updating the website. Helen Bilicki also was thanked for arranging some OCHA meetings at her residence.
OCHA also was represented with a float in two parades – the Holley June Fest and the Albion Strawberry Festival. Leroy Neeper was commended for pulling the float with his truck and loaning his flatbed trailer.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 3 December 2018 at 8:50 am
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Lyndonville’s Chase Stinson and his Tiger teammates will host the inaugural Fred Large Memorial Wrestling Tournament on Saturday.
The inaugural Lyndonville Fred Large Memorial Wrestling Tournament will highlight the upcoming week of local high school sports competition.
The tournament, which honors the memory of the Tigers long-time coach Fred Large, will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday with both varsity and JV competition on a total of six mats split between the two gyms.
A total of 10 teams are slated to compete in the varsity division including Holley, Medina, Akron, Byron-Bergen, Livonia, Pavilion, CSAT, Gow, Gilead and the host Tigers. In addition, Geneva, Greece and St. Joe’s will be entering wrestlers in the JV division.
On the basketball court the Lyndonville boys will face a couple of local teams on the road as the Tigers visit Albion on Wednesday and Kendall on Friday.
Weekly Schedule Today Boys Basketball: Medina at Kenmore East, 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday Boys Basketball: Roy-Hart at CCA, ; Barker at Elba, 6:30 p.m. Girls Basketball: Elba at Medina, 6:30 p.m.; Barker at Lyndonville, Alexander at Kendall, Albion at Notre Dame, 7 p.m.
Wednesday Boys Basketball: Lyndonville at Albion, Kendall at Notre Dame, 7 p.m. Girls Basketball: Alexander at Holley, 7 p.m. Wrestling: Akron at Medina, Albion at Wilson, Roy-Hart/Barker at Newfane, 6 p.m.
Thursday Girls Basketball: Nardin at Medina, 6:30 p.m. Wrestling: Holley-Kendall at Brighton, 6 p.m.
Friday Boys Basketball: Medina vs. Grand Island at Niagara Falls High School, 6:30 p.m.; Lyndonville at Kendall, Alexander at Holley, 7 p.m.; Roy-Hart at Southwestern, 7:30 p.m. Swimming: Alexander at Albion, Pembroke at Roy-Hart, Attica at Barker, Wheatland-Chili at Medina, 4:30 p.m.
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Chris Collins (NY-27) praised President Trump and his administration for officially signing a new United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
USMCA will make significant changes to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) that will put the United States on more equal footing with the other nations. Specifically with regard to the dairy industry, Canada’s pricing program has created an unfair playing field and has essentially eliminated U.S. exports of certain dairy products, harming Western New York’s dairy industry.
“President Trump promised better trade deals and he has delivered replacing NAFTA which has caused our region to hemorrhage good paying manufacturing jobs for some time now,” said Collins. “Not only will this new treaty help with manufacturing, but it protects American farmers from burdensome tariffs and regulations.”
Collins has led the fight to end Canada’s unfair Class 7 pricing program, which has severely impacted New York dairy farmers. Under USMCA, Canada has agreed to eliminate this program in order to level the playing field between the U.S. and Canada while allowing our dairy producers the ability to expand sales overseas.
“With this barrier being struck down, Western New York dairy farmers are now able to compete fairly in Canada, and I thank the president for working to ensure NY-27 farmers are treated fairly,” added Collins.
Outside of the dairy industry, the new trade agreement will increase the production of American goods and services. The agreement requires that 75 percent of auto content be produced in North America and makes critical reforms that will boost autoworkers’ wages. Additionally, the USMCA includes strong labor provisions that prioritize and protect American manufacturing jobs.
Furthermore, the agreement provides strong protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights. This includes 10 years of data protection for biologic drugs and a large scope of products eligible for protection. These reforms are critical to driving innovation, creating economic growth, and supporting American jobs.
Collins added: “By signing the USMCA, President Trump has fulfilled yet another campaign promise for the American people. Our country has been rightfully restored to a leader on the world stage, and I will continue to work with the White House and Republicans in Congress to uphold and advance the Make America Great Again agenda.”
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has directed that flags on all state government buildings be flown at half-staff in honor of President George H. W. Bush from Tuesday, Dec. 4, until interment.
“President George H. W. Bush was a statesman and patriot who dedicated his life to serving his country,” Cuomo said. “In World War II, he answered the call of duty and became a decorated Navy pilot, and in the decades that followed, he helped to shape the largely peaceful world that we have enjoyed since 1945. His greatest legacy may be the successful end of the Cold War, which occurred on his watch. His leadership was an important factor in the three decades of stability Europe has enjoyed since the fall of the Iron Curtain.
“He was also a great unifier of Americans at home, always willing to put country before party. President Bush showed the compassion, decency and good humor that is often lacking in our politics today. He understood that our values, no less than wealth and power, are the source of America’s stature in the world
“On behalf of the New York Family, we are forever grateful for his service, mourn his passing and will keep his family in our prayers.”
ALBION – Matthew Mooney, a 1993 Albion graduate, sings, “Thankful,” during today’s Christmas in the Neighborhood concert at the First Presbyterian Church of Albion.
The concert included many Albion students, teachers and alumni. The concert is a benefit for the Albion Alumni Association which distributes about $87,000 annually in scholarships.
Mooney is active in the Buffalo theater scene and is founder and artistic director of Buffalo Chrysalis Theatre.
The crowd at the church is welcomed by Charlie Nesbitt, left, and Susan Thaine, pastor of the Presbyterian church and the concert organizer.
The Billies, a men’s a cappella vocal quartet of Albion High School seniors, sings, “Carol of the Bells.” From left includes: Evan Van Ameron, Jacob Ettinger, Enoch Martin and Nate Grammatico.
Santa went around the sanctuary shaking hands and wishing people a Merry Christmas. That was just before the crowd did a holiday singalong led by Alec Sherman.
Joseph Condoluci, a 2012 Albion grad, plays, “All I want for Christmas is You.” He works as a substitute teacher and with the Albion Marching Band.
Lance Anderson, a 1983 Albion graduate, sings, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” He is a private voice teacher and is very active with the local community theater group, the Lake Plains Players.
The Gramm Crackers performed “Funky Old Saint Nick.” The group includes from left Greg Martillotta, middle school band teacher; Nate Grammatico, an Albion High School senior; Michael Grammatico, retired Albion music teacher and Nate’s grandfather; and Mike Thaine, high school band teacher. Martillotta and Thaine are both Albion graduates.
Other performers included: Angela Tarricone, AHS Trombone Choir, Shannon Vanderlaan, Scott Schmidt, Anna Atwater, Maarit Vaga, Aleka Schmidt, The Kingsmen, AHS Combined Select Choir, Lindsay Almeter, Sue Thaine and Gary Simboli.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 December 2018 at 6:13 pm
Provided photo
SHELBY – Some members of the Metro 10 race committee presented a check for $4,018 to the Warrior House, the largest donation from the Metro 10 since it started in 2015.
Pictured from left include Peter Zeliff, founder of the Warrior House; race director Thom Jennings and Warrior House volunteer; and race committee members Erin Smith and Wayne Litchfield.
Metro 10 hosted about 300 participants in Albion for the fourth annual race on Aug. 18, pitting runners from Rochester and Buffalo. This year’s event also included a biking component for the first time.
The race has now donated over $7,000 to the Warrior House in the past three years.
The Warrior House is a hunting retreat in West Shelby for wounded veterans. Zeliff donates use of a farmhouse and property on Salt Works Road for veterans. The site hosted six veterans this past weekend for a deer hunt.
ALBION – Today the temperatures are in the high 50s. On Wednesday it was below freezing with a few inches of snow on the ground. That snow is now mostly gone. The top photo shows snow-covered steps on the Ingersoll Street lift bridge in Albion on Wednesday.
Monday the high temperature will be 43 in Orleans County but will fall throughout the day to an overnight low of 27, according to the National Weather Service in Buffalo.
Tuesday will reach 31 with a chance of snow showers overnight.
Wednesday will get up to 34, with 36 on Thursday and likely snow showers, according to the Weather Service.
LYNDONVILLE – The Village of Lyndonville on Saturday turned on the power for 75 Christmas trees that have been decorated by the community.
This is the sixth annual Christmas celebration in Lyndonville with the trees at Veterans Park. Each year the number of trees has grown. It started with 26 in 2013. Last year there were 68.
Santa arrives by horse-drawn sleigh.
The fire department also served as an escort for Santa down Main Street. Santa was given a ride to Veterans Memorial Park. Then he flipped the switch to turn on the lights at the park. He then went inside the Village hall to meet with children and their families.
A youngster enjoys one of the new Christmas-themed cutouts at the park.
A tree is pictured through the Santa cutout.
Community organizations and residents pay $30 to decorate a tree. The trees will be displayed until early January.
There were activities throughout the day beginning at 8 a.m. A petting zoo, including these goats, was new to the festival.
Jennifer Neroni-Trupo, director of the Lyndonville High School chorus, joins her students in singing Christmas carols outside the Yates Community Library.
Ellie Barry, 11, of Lyndonville peeks through one of the three new cutouts made by Stanton Signs.
