MURRAY – Firefighters worked for 35 minutes to extricate the driver of white pickup truck that hit a grain truck late this afternoon.

The driver of the truck, a volunteer firefighter with the Fancher-Hulberton-Murray Fire Company, hit a grain truck that was turning into Howard Farms on Route 31 near Hindsburg Road at about 5:35 p.m. The firefighter was on the way to the FHM fire hall to then go to Holley after a report of a stove fire. That Holley call was later cancelled.

The driver of the truck was taken to a hospital by Mercy Flight. Firefighters on the scene said the driver was in serious but stable condition.

State troopers have an accident reconstruction team on the site. Route 31 remains closed between Fancher and Hindsburg roads.

There were no other injuries in the accident. No additional information is available.

The roof of the truck was removed so the firefighter could be extricated from the wreck.

This grain truck was struck while turning on Route 31. A state trooper said the vehicle has significant damage to its undercarriage.

Many firefighters responded to the scene to assist in the extrication and cleanup.

The accident shut down the section of Route 31 between Fancher and Hindsburg roads.

Photos by Tom Rivers: The following were recognized on Saturday with awards for their support of the Cobblestone Society and Museum. Front row, from left: Susan Hurd Machamer, Gail Johnson and Maarit Vaga. Back row: Amy Machamer, Gerard Morrissey, Marty Taber, David Mitchell and Greg Lawrence. Jennifer Leonard, CEO and president of the Rochester Area Community Foundation, also was recognized.

GAINES – The Cobblestone Society and Museum held its annual meeting on Saturday and reported an increase in programming and revenue.

The museum this year had 35 events, with more to come including a Christmas tour of homes on Dec. 1.

Jim Bonafini, the board president, reported that revenue has been on the rise, from $65,000 in 2016, $79,000 in 2017 to $103,000 so far this year. That includes funds from visitors, memberships, donations and grants.

About 60 people attended the annual meeting for the society and museum on Saturday at Tillman’s Village Inn.

Members approved the following as officers for 2019:

President: Richard Remley

Executive Vice President: Toni Plummer

Vice President of Development: Erin Anheier

Secretary: Shirley Bright-Neeper

Treasurer: Jim Bonafini

Correspondence secretary: Grace Denniston

Membership Secretary: Gail Johnson

The following were also elected as trustees: (3-year terms) – Joyce Riley, Marty Taber, Pat O’Brien and Maarit Vaga; (2-year term) – Maura Pierce; (1-year terms) – Mike Thaine and Kevin Hamilton.

The society and museum also presented awards to several key supporters.

This year’s winners include:

David Mitchell in July donated a couch made by George Pullman in the 1850s to the Cobblestone Museum. He acquired the couch when he purchased the Merrill-Grinnell Funeral Home in Albion. Mitchell wanted the couch to stay in the community and be displayed for the public to enjoy. He was recognized with a Pullman Award on Saturday for the donation.

• Pullman Award – This is a new award given to recognize a generous donation that enhances the collection at the Cobblestone Museum. In July, David Mitchell donated a couch made by George Pullman, when he was a furniture manufacturer in Albion, before he moved to Chicago and developed the Pullman’s Palace Cars for the railroad industry.

Mitchell acquired the Merrill-Grinnell Funeral Homes in Albion and Holley. The Albion funeral home had a Pullman couch. Mitchell made that couch a stipulation of the sale of the funeral home. He then donated it to the museum.

• Community Partner of the Year – The Rochester Area Community Foundation which has provided $44,000 in grants the past two years for a series of building improvements on the three cobblestone buildings that are pre-1850.

A grant for $23,000 went towards restoring windows and some repointing on the Cobblestone Church, as well as work on the next-door Ward House, which was built around 1840. The stairs on the house have been crumbling and were fixed with the grant funds.

A grant for $21,000 this year is focused on the schoolhouse from 1849. The schoolhouse will soon get a new roof, repaired masonry and fresh paint on the window trim and soffits near the roof.

Jennifer Leonard, president and CEO of the Foundation, thanked the museum for its work to preserve the three cobblestone buildings on Route 104, which were built before 1850. Those three buildings were named a National Historic Landmark in 1993.

Amy Machamer and Susan Hurd Machamer, owners of Hurd Orchards in Murray, have referred many customers to the Cobblestone Museum. Hurd Orchards also does an annual cobblestone luncheon with a speaker from the museum. A collection taken at the luncheon has been growing in recent years to help support the museum.

• Business Partner of the Year – Hurd Orchards for many years has promoted group tours for the museum. Hurd Orchards touts the museum in the community and with the farm’s customers. Hurd also has collected funds for the museum, a total that has been on the rise.

The late Betty Hurd was an early supporter of the museum and the Cobblestone Society more than a half century ago. She has instilled a love of history and the cobblestone buildings in her daughter Susan Hurd Machamer and granddaughter Amy Machamer.

• The Proctor Award is named for the founder of Childs who helped establish the Cobblestone Church. The award is given to someone who goes above and beyond to assist the museum in an extraordinary manner. The museum presented three Proctor Awards to recognize people for their efforts in 2018.

• Gail Johnson developed and coordinated a Membership Dinner and the Underwriting component, plus new initiatives for Development and Membership. That work resulted in about $40,000 for the museum. She has welcomed new donors to the museum. She also is a significant donor herself, offering the museum land, barns and monetary gifts. She also volunteered in many roles this past season.

• Maarit Vaga organized a Progressive Organ Concert on May 12 and also prepared the main dinner of French beef stew for 120 people which was served at Christ Episcopal Church. The concert and meal included three stops. The event was very popular with the participants. Vaga also wore the Cobble the Mouse costume in local parades to promote the museum.

• Gregory Lawrence of Clarendon has been working to digitize a collection of about 3,500 photographs of 700 cobblestone structures in New York State, images from Robert L. Roudabush between 1976 and 1980. The images and scans of maps from 21 counties will be available online through the Cobblestone Museum and the Landmark Society of Western New York.

Sue Bonafini, the museum’s assistant director, presents the volunteer of the year awards to Gerard Morrisey, left, and Marty Taber. She wrote a poem about how the two so frequently help with museum events.

• Volunteer of the Year (2 winners)

• Gerard Morrisey has been a dedicated volunteer as a docent, stepping in whenever he is needed, including the Ghost Walk on Oct. 6 when he portrayed Rufus Brown Bullock, the former Georgia governor who grew up in Albion and moved back to his hometown after his career.

• Marty Taber was one of the coordinators of the Ghost Walk, and wrote the script for the different characters highlighted on the tour. He also helps the museum by giving tours, working on landscaping, and with buildings and grounds projects.

Students recognized for competing in Empire Games for the Physically Challenged

Photos courtesy of Sue Starkweather Miller from the Albion Central School

ALBION – Albion Central School last week celebrated students who competed in the Empire Games for the Physically Challenged.

A special guest, retired NHL star Brian Gionta, attended the ceremony and presented the athletes with their awards. Gionta, a Rochester native, scored 291 goals in a 16-year career. He was also captain of the U.S. Olympic hockey team.

Gionta, top photo, is shown with Hayden, who is a big hockey fan.

The middle school band played musical selections as student athletes entered the elementary school gym to a cheering audience of over 1,000 students, staff, and family members. The elementary school chorus sang several musical selections. Students watched to a video presentation of the athletes participating in the Games at SUNY Brockport.

Morgan receives her medals from Brian Gionta.  Morgan was also recognized for reading a speech at the Brockport Games.

Gionta, a former captain for the Buffalo Sabres, distributed ribbons and medals to each student athlete.  After the ceremony he took numerous photos with the athletes and their buddies.

The Empire Games for the Physically Challenged took place on Oct. 12 at SUNY Brockport. School districts from all across the region participated in many events on the Brockport campus. Albion’s student athletes participated in the long jump, club throw, precision throw, distance kick, 40 meter race, 60 meter race, 100 meter race, slalom and the soft discus.

Each athlete had a high school “buddy” who attended the Games and assisted them through the day as they moved through their chosen events.

Hannah VanEpps was Analiah’s buddy during the Games. Every student had a special high school buddy to assist them and encourage them during competition.

Student athletes included:

• Asad Bacht
• Morgan Brower
• Hayden Button
• Dejeanna Conner
• Brook Drake
• Ethan Ferchen
• Analiah Figueroa-Fuentes
• Kaitlynn Figueroa-Fuentes
• Rebecca Fugate
• Nick Garcia
• Aubree Langmaid
• Keira Lemcke
• Tatiana Morales
• Misty Dawn Mullins
• David Musacchia
• Gabrielle Payne
• Adriana Pelligrino
• Emily Richardson
• Aliannah Snitzel

Adriana counts her medals.

Rebecca, Brook and Misty are all smiles as they pose for a photo with Brian Gionta. He spent time with the students after the ceremony and took numerous group photos.

Ethan and his uncle Greg Martillotta, middle school instrumental teacher, celebrate his accomplishment.

ALBION – The Orleans County Joseph P. Dwyer Peer-to-Peer Program coordinator has scheduled a special event to help make the holidays a little brighter for veterans who cannot be with their families.

Catherine Schmidt has contacted Adam Johnson, a local veteran and owner of 39 Problems at 43 North Main St. in Albion. Johnson has agreed to open his doors from 1 to 4 p.m. Nov. 18 for a project called “Letters From Home,” when the public is invited to stop in and write a card or letter to a serviceman.

Anybody who has served, or knows someone who has served overseas understands how much mail call means, especially during the holidays, Schmidt said.

“We need the public’s help,” she said. “Stop in for a few minutes or all afternoon and make one card or letter or dozens.”

The Peer-to-Peer Program will send the mail so they reach the servicemen and women before the holidays.

Catherine’s husband, Earl Schmidt, is director of Orleans Veterans’ Service Agency. He said cards shipped by Nov. 30 will reach servicemen oversees by Christmas.

Complimentary fountain drinks, coffee and cookies will be provided to all participants, sponsored by 39 Problems to say “thank you for supporting those who support us.”

People may bring their own cards, pens or crayons, but there will also be some on hand.

The Albion Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution have committed to writing 10 cards each, Earl said.

“By the way, younger letter writers and artists have a very special way of putting a smile on a veteran’s face half a world away, and we welcome them, too,” Mrs. Schmidt said.

There are also collection boxes for cards at the YMCA in Medina and at the Veterans’ Service Agency in Albion.

The Peer-to-Peer program is funded through a state grant, in which Schmidt’s office received $52,500. Some of the money was used during the summer to fund a picnic at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds for veterans and their families.

The next events to be funded by the grant will be a train ride Dec. 22 at Medina Railroad Museum and future trips to the Buffalo Naval Park and Seabees Memorial in North Tonawanda.

Greg Stanton, left, and Tony Vicknair served as Honor Guard for ceremonies Sunday throughout Medina to honor veterans.

MEDINA – Members of the American Legion and VFW in Medina know they have a service to perform each Memorial Day and Veterans Day.

That is to conduct a proper ceremony paying tribute to veterans living and deceased from the local area.

On Memorial Day, the veterans travel to cemeteries around Medina, placing flags on all veterans’ graves.

Each Veterans Day, however, they concentrate on ceremonies at each of the veterans’ memorials throughout the village.

This Veterans Day began with breakfast at the VFW for all participants, then loading up their rifles to begin their duties.

First stop was the Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial in front of the American Legion Post on North Main Street. With Jim Freas standing at attention, Dave Kusmierczak read a prayer. Then followed a gun salute and playing of Taps by Earl Schmidt, director of Orleans County Veterans’ Service Agency.

That ceremony was repeated at the Company F Memorial in front of the YMCA, the Korean Memorial on Park Avenue, the memorial tank in front of Oak Orchard School and the Butts-Clark Monument in Butt’s Park on South Main Street.

Another ceremony was performed for residents of Orchard Manor Nursing Home, and a final one at the VFW.

Participating veterans were Jim Freas, Dave Kusmierczak, Steve Johnson, Glenn Whitmore, Tony Vicknair, Fred Heschke, Bill Koneski, Dan Anderson, Steve Earl, Frank Berger, Dave Morien and Greg Stanton.

Veterans from the VFW and American Legion in Medina prepare to conduct a service Sunday morning at the memorial tank in front of Oak Orchard School.

At left, Dave Kusmierczak and Jim Freas salute in front of the Company F Memorial at the YMCA, while Earl Schmidt plays Taps. Greg Stanton and Tony Vicknair are the Honor Guard.

Veterans from the VFW and American Legion in Medina celebrated Veterans Day by conducting services at all the veterans’ memorials in Medina, as well as Orchard Manor Nursing Home. Here they are lined up in front of the American Legion for a prayer, gun salute and playing of Taps.

MEDINA – For a first-time event, co-organizers Jen Thom and Sarah Levandowski-Surdel are pretty happy about the success of the Veterans’ Day 5K they planned.

Jenn Thom, whose husband Doug is a veteran, is also founder of Operation Honor, which sponsored the race with proceeds going to the Warrior House on Salt Works Road.

Thom said she and her husband have lost friends who are veterans and know there could be more assistance for veterans in Orleans County.

Earl Schmidt, director of the Orleans County Veteran’s Service Council, stands with Sarah Levandowski-Surdel and Jenn Thom, co-organizers of the first Veterans’ Day 5K run, prior to the start of the race on Sunday morning. The event was sponsored by Operation Honor, a 501 3c organization founded by Thom to raise money to help local veterans.

Orleans County Joint Veterans Agency director Earl Schmidt said his office does a good job in dealing with local, state and federal veterans’ benefits, but things like donating to the Warrior House or helping a vet with a utility bill is something they can’t do.

Corinne Hill of Medina, a student at Medina High School, was the first female to cross the finish line in Medina’s first Veterans’ Day 5K race.

“The more services we can provide for veterans, the better,” Schmidt said. “Jenn is doing something that’s never been done in Orleans County before.”

When all the receipts were tallied, Thom reported they had raised $2,500 for the Warrior House. In addition, $500 in Carhartt gift cards, which were donated by the New York State Corrections Officers and Police Benevolent Association, were given to the Warrior House for veterans to buy outdoor goods.

The Warrior House’s owner Pete Zeliff Jr. wants to donate a vehicle to a veteran in need and is looking for referrals of deserving veterans.

Anyone who knows of a veteran who needs a vehicle and can’t afford one can call (585) 590-0278 or log on to the Warrior House’s website at www.warriorhouseofwny.com.

Thom said 51 runners and walkers participated in Sunday’s race and she is ecstatic at the turnout and the money they raised.

The first male to cross the finish line was Jay Heideman, 14, a ninth-grader at Royalton-Hartland School, with a time of 21:23.

The first female was Corinne Hill of Medina with a time of 25:07.

Both teens are members of the cross country teams at their schools.

Christian Held of Middleport decided to run the race in observance of the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I. The cross country coach at Medina High School, Held said the war ended in the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.

Thom already knows who next year’s race will benefit. She has promised profits will go to the Orleans Joint Veterans’ Agency’s van service, which provides free transportation to veterans for medical appointments.

Jay Heideman, 14, held off a challenge by Rich Hartway to win the first Veterans’ Day 5K race sponsored by Operation Honor to support veterans. Jay crossed the finish line in 21 minutes and 23 seconds.

Jenn Thom, left, and Sarah-Levandowski-Surdel, right, present American flags to the winners of the first Veterans’ Day 5K race Sunday at Junior Wilson’s Sportsmen’s Club. Jay Heideman from Roy-Hart was the first male to cross the finish line and Corinne Hill of Medina was female winner.

Photos by Tom Rivers

KENDALL – A throng of Kendall community members welcomes home the 2018 Class D state girls soccer champions just before 5 p.m. today at the Kendall Junior-Senior High School.

The Kendall girls won the first team state title in the school’s history today, after defeating Fort Ann 1-0 in a game at Tompkins Cortland Community College.

Many fire trucks from Kendall, Holley, Fancher-Hulberton-Murray and Hamlin escorted the team back to the school. The caravan of fire trucks met the team on Route 104 at Redman Road and led them back to the school with detours to Morton and some of the side roads, to extend the trip.

Kendall was going to escort the team back with a fire truck, even if they lost in the semi-finals on Saturday. After winning that game and then taking the championship today, the other neighboring departments joined in the celebration brigade.

“It’s a great way to celebrate the girls,” said Mike Kludt, one of the Kendall fire commissioners.

Fire Chief Mike Schultz put out the call to the volunteer firefighters, “and there was no shortage of drivers,” Kludt said.

Nick Schicker, a member of the fire police for the Kendall FD, helped with traffic control. He has been following the team, which is powered by many underclassmen.

“To pull that off at that young age is impressive,” Schicker said.

The team joins for a cheer in the school cafeteria, where a large crowd celebrated the state title.

Pam Barchet, the Kendall coach, joins the team in thanking the community for their support. About 200 Kendall fans attended the games for the state tournament, wearing Kendall blue and cheering on the team with pom poms and cow bells.

“There was a whole sea of blue in the stands and that really pushed us to make you proud,” she said told the community gathered in the school cafeteria, where a celebration cake was consumed.

Nick Picardo, the school’s athletic director, is next to Barchet. He noted the state championship was the first team title for Kendall. He said the championship will inspire more teams to strive for excellence.

“This is the beginning of a resurrection for Kendall sports,” he said.

Roosevelt Bouie, in back behind Barchet, hustled home to Kendall to welcome the team back. Bouie works as a TV analyst covering Syracuse University basketball games. Bouie is a former Syracuse star. The 1976 Kendall graduate also played on four Sectional winning teams for Kendall. Those teams might have won the state title but the season stopped at Sectionals when he played.

Bouie said he still remembers the fire trucks welcoming home the Sectional champs in the 1970s.

“In Kendall the whole town comes out to support you,” he said.

He had to hurry this afternoon to get back to Kendall to be part of the homecoming for the new state champs today. The team arrived about 4:45 p.m.

“This is Kendall, where it all started for me,” said Bouie, holding a blue cow bell to show the team his support.

The bus carrying the team pulls into the main entrance at Kendall with many fire trucks following.

“It was just amazing,” Julie Coble, one of the team’s players, said about the fire truck escort and the cheering crowd that awaited at the school.

The players step off the bus and are basked in praise from the crowd.

Carol D’Agostino, right, takes a video of the team getting off the bus with the crowd giving them an enthusiastic welcome. D’Agostino had tears watching the team and community at the welcome home celebration.

She said about 200 Kendall community members attended each of the weekend games, with the Kendall crowd outnumbering the fans for the other team for the championship. Kendall also sent a spectator bus for both games on the weekend.

She praised the four fire departments for welcoming home the team.

“This is a big deal for our community,” D’Agostino said about the win.

The awards for the team are proudly displayed for winning the Genesee Region League, Regional Champions for Class D, Sectionals and the State Championship.

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Kendall players and coaches proudly celebrate with their medals and championship plaque after nipping Fort Ann 1-0 for the state Class D soccer championship this morning at Tompkins Cortland Community College.

One lone goal proved to be just enough to earn Kendall its first state soccer championship as the Lady Eagles downed Fort Ann (Section II) 1-0 for the state Class D title this morning at Tompkins Cortland Community College.

Hailee Mitchell’s milestone 30th goal of the season with 17:59 remaining in the second half provided the margin of victory for Kendall which controlled play throughout the game.

“It’s awesome, just awesome,” exclaimed a jubilant Kendall Coach Pam Barchet. “We really jelled at the right time. These girls all have the same goal and they all work together to achieve it.”

Kendall captains Lizzie Sutphen, Hailee Mitchell and Brianna Wakefield and Coach Pam Barchet hold the state championship plaque high.

Kendall set it’s tone for controlling play from the outset getting 6 shots and 4 corners in the first 20 minutes.

The Lady Eagles in fact did everything but get the ball in the net in the opening half outshooting the Cardinals 12-5.

That trend continued in the second half as Kendall, utilizing a patient passing game, upped its shots advantage to 21-5 in the second half before Mitchell worked her away in front of the Cardinals net in traffic and connected on a shot from some  25 yards out for the only tally the Lady Eagles would need.

Kendall goalie Katherine Pearson and her defensive mates including Lizzie Sutphen, T’Mia Kitchings, Julie Coble and Olivia Reed did the rest in registering the shutout. Pearson’s biggest tests were in making a pair of saves early in the first half.

The shutout was the fifth in seven postseason games for the Lady Eagles defensive unit which allowed a total of only two goals during that pressure stretch.

Kendall, which finishes the season at 18-5, advanced to the title round by defeating Cincinnatus (Section III) 2-0 in the semifinals on Saturday while Fort Ann nipped Parishville-Hopkinton (Section X) 2-1 in overtime in the other semi.

Hailee Mitchell who scored the lone goal for the Lady Eagles, works to get control of the ball here against Fort Ann’s Kayla Bailey.

Kendall’s Grace Robinson tries to get the ball past Fort Ann goalie Faith Lehoisky.

Katherine Pearson goes high to make one of the few stops she had to make in goal for Kendall.

Provided photos

MEDINA – The Honor Guard visited veterans this morning for Veterans Day at the Orchard Rehabilitation and Nursing Center.

Members of American Legion and VFW in Albion and Medina visited the nursing home on Bates Road today to perform a gun salute in the courtyard in observance of Veterans Day.

Taps was then played, followed by all the veterans reciting the Pledge of Allegiance together.

Resident Frank Ranallo greets fellow veteran Frank Berger from Medina Butts-Clark Post 204.

Veterans were given buttons to wear that said, “United States Veteran” donated by The Print Shop. The Medina Dunkin’ Donuts also donated donuts for coffee hour after the ceremony.

Press Release, State Sen. Robert Ortt

Recently, Senator Rob Ortt (R,C,I,Ref-North Tonawanda) was awarded the National Alliance on Mental Illness – New York State (NAMI-NYS) Max Gabriel Award in recognition for his efforts to raise mental health awareness and provide mental health peer services to veterans.

Named after Max Gabriel, a decorated Vietnam Veteran from the Buffalo area who was the first chair the NAMI-NYS Veterans Committee, the award is presented each year to a veteran who has demonstrated outstanding commitment to the mental health needs of other veterans.

“Being chosen as the recipient of the Max Gabriel Award is an enormous honor and one that I hold very dear,” said Ortt. “Mental health care for veterans is a life or death issue these days and the exponentially increased suicide rates we see among our ex-service members highlights the need for increased concentration and care. Many of the soldiers who returned from overseas came home changed forever. It’s our duty to make sure we do everything possible to help those soldiers reacclimate when returning home.

NAMI-NYS is New York State’s chapter of the nation’s largest grassroots organization, which focuses on improving the lives of people living with mental illness and their families. Thanks to efforts by legislators like Sen. Ortt, programs such as The Joseph P. Dwyer Veterans Peer Support Program have provided vital mental health services to veterans, increased awareness of mental health have focused attention on the mental health of veterans and their families.

Photo by Tom Rivers

GAINES – The Albion Rotary Club on Thursday presented $7,900 to the Leadership Orleans program. Skip Helfrich (left), Leadership Orleans director and an Albion Rotarian, accepts a check from Charlie Nesbitt, an Albion Rotarian and member of the committee that planned a July 19 golf tournament.

Some of the proceeds from the tournament were directed to Leadership Orleans, a new leadership program that started in January with 25 people is nearing the conclusion for its first year, with a new class of about 25 to start in two months.

The debut class comes from a cross section of the community, including law enforcement, government department heads, farm owners, agency directors and other business leaders. The program picked residents who have demonstrated leadership abilities, interest in community affairs, and a commitment to Orleans County’s future.

Each month the group learned about a different sector of the community, including government, arts and culture, volunteerism and non-profit organizations, community health, tourism and recreation, agribusiness, economic & workforce development, and education.

Some of the July 19 golf tournament proceeds also went to the Leon Sidari Memorial Fund, which was established as a non-profit organization in memory of Leon Sidari, who was 4 ½ when he died on Christmas, two days after getting the flu. Leon’s Fund pays for flu vaccinations and an awareness campaign about the importance of getting vaccinated.

Leon is the son of Albion natives Laura (Lyman) Sidari and Tony Sidari. Leon’s grandfather is Nathan Lyman, who was a long-time member of the Albion Rotary Club.

Press Release, State Assemblyman Steve Hawley

As we approach our nation’s observance of Veterans Day this Monday, Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) is urging his constituents and all New Yorkers to set time aside this weekend and thank a veteran or current service member for their dedication and sacrifice to preserving our way of life.

Hawley, the son of a veteran, served seven years in the Ohio Army National Guard and U.S. Army Reserves and reached the rank of 1st Lieutenant. He has served on the Assembly’s Veterans’ Affairs Committee for over a decade.

“Military service runs deep in my family and Veterans Day will always hold a special place in my heart,” Hawley said. “Whether it be my annual Patriot Trip to Washington D.C. to give back to local veterans or my efforts in Albany fighting for various tax credits, healthcare and education options available to our veterans, protecting those who have risked their lives to protect us will remain one of my top priorities. I encourage all my constituents and New Yorkers alike to take time this weekend to thank a veteran for their service and pray for those who are still fighting overseas.”

Hawley has sponsored several pieces of legislation to make the “Campaign Service Medal” more inclusive, help veterans start small businesses, and remove admission fees for veterans to state parks. Hawley also played a pivotal role in ushering in the Veterans Buy-back Bill that allows vets to purchase up to three years of military service back from the state in exchange for a credit toward their public pension.

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – With snowflakes coming down, Kendall’s Hailee Mitchell scores the first goal sparking the Lady Eagles to a stat Class D semifinal victory over Cincinnatus this afternoon at Homer High School near Cortland. The Cincinnatus defender is Montana Wolf.

Taking charge from the outset with goal in the first nine minutes, Kendall went on to blank Cincinnatus (Section III) 2-0 in the state Class D girls soccer semifinals this afternoon at Homer High School near Cortland.

The victory propels Kendall into the state championship game for the first time in program history as the Lady Eagles will take on Fort Ann in the title contest at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at Thompkins Cortland Community College.

“I’m just so proud of the girls. They’ve made school history,” said Kendall Coach Pam Barchet. “The girls really came out strong and we really dominated with our speed. With that speed we were really able to work through their defense.”

Mitchell blasts in a big insurance goal for Kendall against Cincinnatus defender Kyla Sustad.

Kendall grabbed a quick 1-0 lead at the 31:55 mark when Hallee Mitchell found the Cincinnatus net with a low line drive shot that found its way through traffic.

“Getting that early goal really helped,” said Barchet. “That got the wind in our sails and set the tone.”

Continuting to put steady pressure on throughout the opening half, Kendall doubled its lead when Mitchell scored her team meaning 29th goal of the season on a hard high shot from 25 yards out with 4:19 to go before the half. The tally came off the Lady Eagles third corner kick opportunity of the half.

Kendall again kept up steady pressure throughout the second half and nearly scored again but had a shot rattle off the cross bar midway through the half.

Katherine Pearson made fives saves in goal for the Lady Eagles including one key diving stop 12 minutes into the first half.

Kendall now takes a 17-5 record into Sunday’s championship game against Fort Ann (Section II) nipped Parishville-Hopkinton 2-1 in overtime in the other semi.

Kendall advanced to the state semis by edging North Collins (Section VI) 1-0 in the Far Wet Regional while Cincinnatus nipped Downsville (Section IV) 1-0 in the Central Regional.

The loss was the first of the season for Cincinnatus which finishes at 19-1-1.

Kendall’s Olivia Reed advances the ball up field against Cincinnatus defender Montana Wolf.

The Lady Eagles had a very large crowd of enthusiastic rooters on hand.

$17 million project to be complete by spring 2020

Photos by Tom Rivers

HOLLEY — The Holley community saw a welcome sight this week at the old Holley High School. A fence went around the building on Wright Street and contractors could be seen working on windows.

A sign out front on Route 31 also says the project will be done in the spring 2020.

The community has worried about the building for more than two decades since its last occupant, Liftec Manufacturing, went bankrupt.

Home Leasing LLC, a Rochester company, is leading the renovation of the former Holley High School, and will turn the site into a mixed-use facility that will include 41 apartments for seniors age 55 and up. The existing school auditorium will be renovated to be used by the Village of Holley as meeting space and administrative offices.

The ceremony to celebrate the start of construction of the old Holley High School on Dec. 11. The Holley community and graduates of the old school are welcome to attend the “Preservation Celebration” at 2 p.m. People interested in attending are urged to RSVP at maloriele@homeleasing.net.

The site will be known as Holley Gardens. The former school is in the heart of the Village of Holley and residents will have easy access to local small businesses and amenities.

Home Leasing LLC has been working on the $17 million renovation for several years, lining up financing, including some state assistance. Home Leasing is working along with Edgemere Development, Glasow Simmons Architecture L.L.P. and Marathon Engineering – all Rochester-based firms – on the project.