Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – A pep band of current students and alumni added to the fun atmosphere on Friday evening when Albion beat Depew, 35-0, during a game at homecoming. Albion is now 4-0 on the season.

Hannah Olles, 7, joins her mother, Marissa Olles, in the alumni stand, where purple beads, popcorn and Albion Purple Eagle merchandise were in demand.

The varsity team takes the field and heads through a balloon arch held up by the cheerleaders.

For more coverage of the game, click here to go to Local Sports.

“Overlooked Orleans” – Volume 4, Issue 38

The impact of Medina Sandstone extends beyond the beautiful structures that were built from the durable material. Since the initial discovery of the resource during the construction of the Erie Canal and the subsequent opening of the first quarry in Medina by John Ryan in 1837, the sandstone industry was a driving force behind a diverse population in Orleans County. English, Irish, German, French, Polish, and Italian quarrymen traveled to this region in search of employment in the quarries, which provided the necessary funds to bring family and friends to the United States.

This image shows men in a local quarry who paused to stand for a photographer. Scattered around the job site are a number of hammers and bars used for breaking and moving stone. The tools suggest that these men were responsible for dressing stone after it was extracted from the quarry.

Standing at the front of the picture is a face hammer, which was used to roughly dress stones in preparation for detail work; several of these are positioned throughout the photograph. Another man holds a large square, which would have assisted in the rough dressing of stones. Teams of horses were used to haul the stone out of the quarries for shipment by way of the Erie Canal or N.Y.C. Railroad.

On February 20, 1902 a new quarry syndicate was established in the area, uniting nearly 50 quarries sprawled throughout Orleans County. The Orleans County Quarry Company was incorporated with $2,000,000 in capital and employed over 1,200 men. Initial startup funds were directed towards operating the quarries, paying salaries, and most importantly, developing the infrastructure to support the refinement of stone, sale, and transportation across both railroad and the Erie Canal.

The newly established business situated its headquarters at Albion and immediately began the search for a general manager; meanwhile Edward Fancher was sent to New York City to begin peddling the products of the burgeoning company. Within months of incorporation, the “syndicate” signed on to several major six-figure contracts for paving stones in New York City, which would aid in securing a promotion for Fancher to a position of superintendent of the company. Unfortunately, the start of World War One halted production and interest in the building material waned.

At the conclusion of the war, quarries were offered to individuals on a royalty basis with John Lubomski of Albion serving as the executive secretary. Once employees for the business, groups of men bought into the new system and took over management of individual quarries in the Albion and Murray area. Those such as Pasquale DiLaura, James and Edward Ryan, the Monacelli brothers, Camille and Henry D’Orazio, and Mario and William D’Andrea all entered into agreements with the company to manage the very quarries they once toiled in.

The advent of the Great Depression marked an end to the golden age of the sandstone business in Orleans County as most quarries sold the stock they had and ceased the removal and cutting of stone from the quarries. At the conclusion of World War Two, new industries created a void in skilled labor for quarry work and new construction materials replaced the once valuable stone.

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Albion’s Brilliance Johnson looks to find a hole through a bevy of Depew defenders during the Purple Eagles Homecoming victory this evening.

A big three touchdown second quarter scoring burst keyed Albion to a 35-0 B2 Division Homecoming victory over Depew this evening.

The victory keeps Albion undefeated at 3-0 in the division and 4-0 overall and combined with Olean’s 14-13 overtime win over Medina/Lyndonville/Barker gives the Purple Eagles sole possession of the division lead.

A 6 yard touchdown run by Deyonci Farley just 53 seconds into the second quarter, which capped a 14 play, 78 yard drive, ignited that decisive uprising. A 17 yard run by quarterback Bryce Pritchard highlighted that marathon drive as Alex Rustay tacked on the first of his five extra point kicks.

The Purple Eagles made it 14-0 on a 6 yard touchdown run by Brilliance Johnson with 2:50 remaining in the quarter, a tally set up by Donamic Farley’s interception and return to the Depew 10 yard line.

The advantage jumped to 21-0 on a 40 yard touchdown pass from quarterback Thomas Furmanski to Nate Moore with just 30 seconds remaining in the half.

Moore also had a big 39 yard pass reception to the Depew 29 earlier in the quarter but a Wildcat interception at the goal line wiped out that opportunity. However, the Purple Eagles got the ball right back two plays later on Donamic Farley’s interception  which set up the TD that broke the contest wide open.

Pritchard and Johnson both had 1 yard touchdown runs in the second half to round out the Purple Eagles scoring.

The loss drops Depew to 0-4.

Albion’s Deyonci Farley finds a big hole to pick up good yardage.

Albion’s Donamic Farley registers a sack of Depew quarterback Joe Pagano.

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Zach Johnson hauls in a pass completion for the Mustangs as Huskies defender Icar Simon holds on. The action took place during the Mustangs overtime loss to the Huskies this evening at Vets Park.

Olean stayed alive in the B2 Division title race by edging past Medina/Lyndonville/Barker 14-13 in overtime this evening at Vets Park spoiling the Mustangs Homecoming celebration.

The Mustangs did take a 13-7 lead at the outset of the overtime period as quarterback Isaiah Rhim, with several Huskies tacklers grabbing on to him, connected with Rickie Pitts for a 16 yard touchdown pass. However, the attempt for the all important extra point kick was blocked.

Olean answered right back with a 1 yard touchdown run by Icar Simon to tie the game. The Huskies then claimed the victory as Max Linderman kicked the deciding extra point.

The victory boosts Olean’s B2 record to 3-1 while Medina/Lyndonville/Barker slips to 2-1.

The contest went into overtime when Olean missed a 30 yard field goal attempt on the final play of the fourth quarter.

The Mustangs defensive unit came up big three times in the second half stopping Huskies drives at the Mustangs 9, 5 and 13 yard lines. Justice Hughes had a big fourth down sack to stop the middle threat while the final one ended with the missed field goal.

The Huskies jumped out to a 7-0 first quarter lead on a 9 yard touchdown run by Alex Weakfall and an extra point kick by Linderman.

The Mustangs pulled even in the second quarter on a 6 yard touchdown pass from Rhim to Brian Fry and an extra point kick by Matt Hess.

An interception by Pitts at the Olean 22 set up that opportunity and Rhim hooked up with Zach Johnson for a 16 yard pass completion on the first snap setting the stage for the short TD pass play.

The Mustangs again drove deep into Huskies territory late in the second quarter as Rhim hooked up with Tyler Chinn for a 17 yard pickup and with Pitts for a 9 yard again.

However, a penalty wiped out a touchdown on the final play of the half.

The Mustangs were unable to mount a good offensive threat in the second half but the three big stops by the defense kept the Huskies off the scoreboard and set the stage for the decisive overtime period.

Mustangs running back William Braswell over over the tackle attempt of Alex Weakfall and Icar Simon.

Mustangs defender Justice Hughes celebrates a fourth quarter fourth down sack of Huskies quarterback Alex Weakfall.

Photo courtesy of Sue Starkweather Miller

ALBION – Albion celebrated a festive homecoming week this week with a pep rally and the crowning of the homecoming court. Pictured from left include: McKenna Boyer (Queen), Harrison Brown (King), Ryan Krenning (Prince), Alaina Fleming (Princess), Bailey Blanchard (Duke), Faith Woody (Duchess), Leah Pritchard (Lady) and Tyler Gibson (Lord).

Photo by Tom Rivers: The Oak Orchard Lighthouse at Point Breeze is pictured recently on a tranquil evening.

The National Weather Service is warning that strong storms are expected in Orleans County later this afternoon and evening.

A powerful cold front over Southern Ontario this afternoon will take aim on region this evening, the Weather Service said.

“Showers and thunderstorms will develop along and ahead of this front, with some thunderstorms producing damaging wind gusts in excess of 60 miles per hour,” the Weather Service said.

County chief administrative office officer will lead NYS Association of Counties

File Photo: Chuck Nesbitt, the Orleans County chief administrative officer, is pictured in June 2016 outside the Orleans County Clerk’s Building.

ROCHESTER – Next week county officials from across the state will meet in Rochester for the ‘fall seminar of the New York State Association of Counties.

One of the highlights of the meeting will be the swearing in of NYSAC’s new president for the upcoming year. Chuck Nesbitt, Orleans County’s chief administrative officer, will take the reins from MaryEllen Odell, the Putnam County Executive.

Nesbitt of Albion will be sworn in as NYSAC president at the Tuesday conference luncheon.

Nesbitt has been heavily involved in the organization in recent years as a member of the executive committee since 2016. He has been an at-large member of the NYSAC Board of Director since 2014. He was elected as the president of the NYS County Administrators’ Association in 2008.

NYSAC is a bipartisan municipal association serving all 62 counties of New York State including the City of New York. Organized in 1925, NYSAC’s mission is to represent, educate, advocate for, and serve member counties and the thousands of elected and appointed county officials who serve the public.

NYSAC has been an effective advocacy organization for counties, Nesbitt said, and the group values the opinions from counties of all sizes.

The conference next week will take place at the Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center and the Hyatt Regency Rochester, with an offsite special event planned for The Strong Museum.

Workshops at the conference will cover a range of issues, including the opioid crisis, drinking water safety, women in county government, climate resiliency, dispute resolution, sports gaming, and election cyber security.

As chief administrative officer in Orleans County, Nesbitt acts on behalf of the County Legislature and works closely with Orleans County Legislature Chairwoman Lynne Johnson to implement county policy and oversee the activities of all county departments. He also serves as the county’s budget officer.

The start time of this evening’s Olean at Medina varsity football game at Vets Park has been pushed back until 8 p.m. because of the threat of bad weather Athletic Director Eric Valley reports.

The Depew at Albion game is still scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Earl Schmidt, left, director of the Orleans County Veterans Service Agency, presents a plaque to Frank Berger of Medina for his dedication and work in support of local veterans. At right is Dave Kusmierczak of Medina, president of the Joint Veterans Council.

MEDINA – Earl Schmidt, director of the Orleans County Veterans Service Agency, announced a first time event for veterans and their families at the Council’s September meeting.

A veterans’ Peer to Peer Support event and picnic will take place Oct. 6 at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds. The program is funded from the state grant secured by Schmidt and the Orleans County Mental Health Department.

From noon to 3 p.m., all veterans and their families can enjoy fun, food and music.

The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office will be there doing children’s IDs, and there will be a bounce house for kids, donated by the Niagara Falls Air Force Base.

It has taken a year to receive the funds Schmidt applied for, he said.

The Peer to Peer Support Program was established in honor of a North Carolina veteran, Pfc. Joseph P. Dwyer. After returning home from Iraq, Dwyer suffered from post traumatic stress disorder and a traumatic brain injury. He received care from the VA, but had a hard time integrating into civilian life, eventually taking his own life.

The New York State Senate started a program to assist veterans in a non-clinical setting, putting them and their families together, peer-to-peer, and connecting them with community resources.

Orleans County ’s share of the grant to run this program is $52,500. Niagara County received $185,000, along with Erie and Monroe counties.

Schmidt’s wife Catherine, who has a background in running family support for military families, is helping to coordinate the volunteer program in Orleans County .

Reservations are needed for the Peer-to-Peer picnic and may be made by calling 589-3223.

Dave Kusmierczak, right, president of the Orleans County Veterans Service Agency, took time out from the September meeting to recognize James Andre for being the longest serving volunteer with the veterans’ van service, which he helped establish.

In other business, Phyllis Schrader, head of the volunteer van service, reported 172 veterans were transported in July and 186 in August. She asked if the Veterans Service Agency could provide a small tire pump for drivers to use, as frequently the tires on their transport vans have low pressure. The Agency voted to purchase one for the office.

In his monthly report, Schmidt said his office met with 677 personnel in July and 575 in August.

He talked about the progress on the National Veterans’ Cemetery which will be established in Pembroke. He said it had been put out to bids, but they all came in too high. It will be put out again, seeking bids from non-government contractors. He expects groundbreaking to be in the spring, with completion by the summer of 2020.

Schmidt also reported that after a year of deliberation, the Albion Village Board last week passed the real property exemption for Cold War veterans. There are still four municipalities in the county which have not passed the exemption, he said.

A Medina veteran, Frank Berger, was presented with a plaque in recognition of his longtime support of programs to benefit veterans. Schmidt purchased the plaque with his own money because he was appreciative of all Berger has done.

Veterans Service Agency president Dave Kusmierczak reported on the 9-11 ceremony, which this year was organized by Gary Befus of the American Legion in Albion.

Kusmierczak talked about the patriotic ceremony the Medina American Legion and VFW conducted at the Warrior House event Saturday in West Shelby. Schmidt said he has applied for funds for the Warrior House and his office will be partnering with them to make sure it never has to close.

Glen Whitmore from the Butts-Clark American Legion said the great-great-granddaughter of James Clark wants to have a get-together at the post.

Tim McGee with Albion Masons, who cooked breakfast for the meeting, said the pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Albion is hosting a special service for veterans on Nov. 11.

An Albion resident and Marine, Maxine Schening, announced she is trying to form a local chapter of the Women’s Marines Association. She is vice president of the Western New York Chapter, she said.

MEDINA – United Way of Orleans County held its annual campaign kickoff Thursday night at Leonard Oakes Estate Winery.

While announcing an ambitious goal of $185,000, United Way ’s guests also heard success stories of people who have been helped because of the generosity of the community which supports the organization.

The theme of this year’s campaign is “Do whatever it takes,” and that’s what board president Jackie Gardner said they intend to do.

“The goal may be a challenge, but it is one we are up for,” Gardner said. “We are looking for a very successful campaign with the support of an amazing community.”

She said this evening always means so much.

“It’s when we get to meet all our partner agencies and show what they do,” she said.

Kaitlyn Delamarter, left, executive director of United Way of Orleans County, introduces Mary Lee Knights at the campaign kickoff Thursday night at Leonard Oakes Estate Winery. Knights is president of OCALS, one of a dozen local agencies funded by United Way. She shared a story of a Syrian man who was able to get a job because OCALS helped him learn to speak English.

Kaitlyn Delamarter, executive director of the local United Way, thanked the evening’s sponsors, which included OCALS, TakeForm, Jackie Gardner and the YMCA. Delamarter said it has been a privilege to work for an organization like United Way for the past year and to hear the stories of how United Way has been important in peoples’ lives.

Two speakers shared success stories made possible because of United Way support.

Provided photo: The board of United Way of Orleans County is shown at the 2019 campaign kickoff Thursday night at Leonard Oakes Estate Winery. Seated from left are director Kaitlyn Delamarter; secretary Virginia Kropf; president Jackie Gardner; and Carol D’Agostino. Standing are, from left, Jodi Gaines, Program and Policy chair; Ellen Eaton; treasurer Jerome Pawlak; Dave Cook, Board Development chair; Rebecca Mannella; Bill Hungerford, Strategic Planning chair; Cindy Perry; and Melinda Maedl, Marketing chair. Absent are vice president Jason Smith, Cathy Balys, Amit Mizra and Brad MacDonald.

Mary Lee Knights is president of Orleans County Adult Learning Services, a group of nearly all volunteers who started out helping people to read, but have branched out to provide tutoring to schools and the workplace.

OCALS, which recently celebrated its 12th anniversary, has been receiving grants from United Way almost from its beginning. Last year, for the first time, they employed a team teaching concept to help a Syrian family who couldn’t speak a word of English.

“We had gone into a local company to pitch our workplace literacy program when we learned the father had gotten a job there,” Knights said.

After helping him learn English, OCALS recently found out the man has been promoted.

The second story of success was shared by Sherry McMillan, who several years ago moved to Texas with her small child.

“I had a great life and a great job, and then I was diagnosed with cancer,” McMillan said. “I had to pack my bags and come home.”

She was unable to work as she struggled through chemo at Roswell Park Cancer Institute.

Then she learned of the job skills program provided by Community Action, a United Way -funded agency, at their Main Street Store in Albion.

She learned about retail, how to be organized and selling clothing.

“As the program went on, they worked around my chemo and other medical appointments,” McMillan said.

During her training, she met an at-risk kid whom she tutored in math and English.

“Because of the skills I learned in the program, I was able to research how to help him,” she said.

When the Main Street Store director Michelle George announced she wanted to become part-time, that provided a job opportunity for McMillan, who applied for and got the position.

“Without United Way and our generous donors, these stories would not be possible,” Delamarter said. “And there are so many more out there. We have a lot of new events coming into play this year and we are more than hopeful we can make our goal.”

Sharing their organization’s success stories at the campaign kickoff of United Way of Orleans County are Nyla Gaylord, executive director of Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern and Michelle George, director of Community Action’s Main Street Store. Chatting at right are Carol Cook, wife of board member Dave Cook of Lyndonville; and board member Cindy Perry of Waterport.

Courtesy of the Arc of Genesee Orleans

ELBA – The 14^th Annual Friends & Family 5K on Saturday in Elba raised $12,000 for the Arc of Genesee Orleans.

Some of the proceed will go toward the Mary Anne Graney Memorial scholarship program for high school seniors pursuing a career in special education, human services or related fields. The balance goes towards programs and services we provide to children and adults with disabilities across our two counties.

In 2018, $1,000 scholarships were awarded to Riley Seielstad (Albion), Hannah Duhow (Medina), Abigail Klos (Oakfield-Alabama) and Kathleen Dessert (LeRoy).

The heat and humidity took a toll on even the most experienced runners during the race on Saturday. There were 187 registered for the event’s 5K, with 161 completing the course with an official time. An additional 115 people participated in the fun walk, an abbreviated route.

“We were ready with over 25 cases of water,” said Race Director Sandy Konfederath. “For the middle of September – this was our hottest 5K in the decade our race has been in Elba.”

Brandon Rebert of Oakfield was the first male finisher with a time of 19:03, and Elizabeth Bender of North Chili led the women with a time of 19:47.

First and second place prizes were awarded in eight age groups for the 5K.

• Age 12 and under (F) – Zoe Naim, Amherst, 44:22, (no 2nd place in this age group); (M) Anthony Abbatiello, Batavia, 26:44 and Chase Cummings, LeRoy, 36:48.

• 13 to 18 –  (F) Grace Graney, Buffalo, 29:14 and Corey Miller Williams, Batavia, 45:14; (M) Rodney Egli, Newark, 21:50 and Bryson Tobolski, Oakfield, 22:22.

• 19 to 29 – (F) Kimberly Mills, Oakfield, 22:27 and Kerry Mills, Basom, 24:20; (M) Justin Bender, North Chili, 19:55 and Justin Di Falco, LeRoy, 22:00.

• 30 to 39 – (F) Brittany Janicki, Cheektowaga, 24:11 and Amanda Bisig, Bergen, 27:22; (M) Andrew LaForce, Batavia, 21:52 and Kevin Andrews, LeRoy, 28:21.

• 40 to 49 – (F) Julie Tobolski, Oakfield, 27:54 and Jill Carter, Alden, 28:18; (M) James Moulds, Aurora Ontario, 22:59 and Dan Smith, LeRoy, 23:07.

• 50 to 59 – (F) Jill Graney, Buffalo, 23:50 and Lisa VanDeMark, Brockport, 29:12; (M) Allen Dise, Albion (2nd overall), 19:24 and Kevin Sheehan, Victor, 20:06.

• 60 to 69 – (F) Kathleen Donhauser, Williamsville, 29:31 and Toni Mills, Basom, 31:52; (M) Bruce Carter, Alden, 24:18 and Jeffrey Scott, Batavia, 24:22.

• 70 and over – (F) Joan Roberts, Yorkshire, 1:02:34 and Betsy Dexheimer, Batavia, 1:02:59 (M) Sid Bolton, Albion, 34:19 and Ed Russell, East Amherst, 35:08.

Runners, representing all areas of Western New York were joined by out-of-state runners from Texas, Virginia, New Mexico and Ohio.

Title sponsor of the Friends & Family 5K is Webster Szanyi LLP; health & wellness sponsor, MVP Health Care; corporate sponsor, Parkview Health Services; media sponsor, WBTA; T-shirt sponsor, Genesee Valley Penny Saver and Awards Sponsor, Case-Nic Cookies of Medina.

Eighty area businesses and families supported the 5K as donors and community cares, bluebonnet, blue spruce, neighbor-to-neighbor and friends & family sponsors.  Food and party sponsors included: T. F. Brown’s, Center Street Smokehouse, Tops Friendly Markets, Ficarella’s Pizza, Upstate Farms, Crickler Vending and Tim Hortons.  Post party music was provided by the Buffalo Road Show featuring Babe and Jimmy Catino.

A dozen local farmers and growers donated everything from apples, tomatoes and peppers to, eggplant and onions for the Taste of the Country Display so event participants could take a little bit of the country home with them.

Arc of Genesee Orleans would like to thank chairman Charles Graney, event volunteers, Elba Highway Superintendent Mark Yungfleisch, the Elba Town Board, Elba Fire Police, Mercy EMS and the Genesee County Sheriff’s Department for their support and assistance with this event.

In 2017, the Friends & Family 5K combined forces with the former 5K in Medina held in memory of Arc staff member Terri Carr Krieger. Terri was a long-time employee of the Arc, who lost her battle with cancer in 1997.

Katherine Sanchez, murdered in 2011, was sister and daughter of victims

Rosa Lee Maldonado is pictured during graduation in June 2017 with her mother Rosa Aminta Maldonado.

ALBION – The teen-age girl and her mother who were stabbed to death Tuesday night in Alabama is the latest tragedy endured by the Maldonado family of Albion.

In January 2011, Katherine Sanchez was sexually assaulted and strangled by her brother-in-law, Carlos Cardenas. Katherine was 15 at the time. Her body was found buried in an apple orchard about a month after she was killed and initially thought to be missing.

Katherine was the sister of Rosa Lee Maldonado, 19, and the daughter of Rosa Aminta Maldonado, 44.

The Maldonados were both killed by a family member in Lester, Alabama. The Limestone County Sheriff’s Office said the perpetrator of the crime, age 15, was the sister of Rosa Lee Maldonado and the daughter of Rosa Aminta Maldonado.

The 15-year-old was discovered by law enforcement at 1 a.m. Wednesday with self-inflicted stab wounds and is being treated for her injuries at a hospital in Huntsville. She will likely face charges when she recovers from her injuries, police said.

There were several news media outlets in Albion today, reporting on the story.

The school district has grief counselors available for students, as well as alumni who knew Rosa Lee Maldonado, who graduated in 2017.

Graduates who wish to contact counselors at the school should call the high school office at (585) 589-2040.

Rosa Lee Maldonado posted this tribute on Facebook to her sister, Katherine Sanchez, on Feb.8, 2017 when Katherine would have been 22.

ALBION – The Orleans County Democratic Party Committee met on Wednesday evening at Hoag Library and re-elected its leadership team, including Jeanne Crane as chairwoman.

Crane has been active in the local Democratic Party leadership for the past 40 years.

“I am a people-person and I love to travel so this has taken me to many conventions such as a delegate for Obama’s second term and at Hillary’s nomination for President,” Crane said today. “I enjoy the interaction with fellow Democrats across the state and have made many long lasting friendships.”

Crane also serves as a board member for the Democratic Rural Conference. She credited the late Teresa Martillotta for being her mentor.

Other party leaders re-elected include Darlene Rich, vice chairwoman; Jeff Lewis, vice chairman; Agnes Recco, secretary; Sandra Walter, treasurer; Jeanne Crane and Ted Swiercznski, State Committee members from the 139^th Assembly District; Darlene Rich, State Committee member from 144^th Assembly District; and Jason Dragon, webmaster.

“We are constantly trying to energize the Democrats in Orleans by encouraging participation on our committee and running for local and state offices,” Crane said. “We feel the energy going forward with Nate McMurray running for the 27th Congressional District. It won’t be easy, but we are encouraged.”

Provided photo

BATAVIA – State Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R-Batavia) and Jim Freas of Medina are pictured this morning. They joined about 100 people on the 11^th annual Patriot Trip which is organized by Hawley’s office.

The 4-day trip will include stops at the memorials for WWII, U.S. Naval Academy, Gettysburg, Korean War, Vietnam, Iwo Jima, Air Force and September 11, 2001, as well as a host of other famous sites and monuments in and around the Washington D.C. area.

“Each of us owes our local veterans a tremendous debt of gratitude for their service and sacrifice to defend the values and freedoms we hold dear,” Hawley said. “I am so grateful to be able to share the unforgettable experience of visiting our nation’s capital with these brave men and women each year on our Patriot Trip, and look forward to continuing this tradition for many years to come.”

MEDINA – There will be a ribbon-cutting celebration at 9 a.m. Oct. 1 for the merger of Medina Savings & Loan and Generations Bank.

The ribbon cutting will be at the Medina Savings & Loan site at 11182 Maple Ridge Rd.

The two banking organizations on March 5 announced they would be merging.

Medina Savings & Loan has roots in Medina since 1888. With the merger, Generations Bank will be the surviving entity.

Seneca-Cayuga Bancorp is the holding company for Generations Bank. The merger is expected to increase Seneca-Cayuga’s consolidated assets from $291 million at December 31, 2017 to $344 million.

Medina’s existing branch offices – Maple Ridge Road in Medina and inside the Wal-Mart on Route 31 in Albion – will become branch offices of Generations Bank and are expected to operate under the name “MSL, a division of Generations Bank” for at least two years after completion of the merger, according to an announcement from the banks in March.

Additionally, two members of Medina’s board of directors will become members of the boards of directors of Generations Bank, Seneca-Cayuga and The Seneca Falls Savings Bank, MHC, the mutual holding company of Generations Bank and the 56.9% majority shareholder of Seneca-Cayuga.

Under the terms of the merger agreement, depositors of Medina will become depositors of Generations Bank and members of the MHC, and will have the same rights and privileges in the MHC, as if their accounts had been established in Generations Bank on the date established at Medina.

As part of the transaction, Seneca-Cayuga will issue shares of its common stock to the MHC in an amount equal to the fair value of Medina as determined by a third-party appraisal. These shares are expected to be issued concurrent with the completion of the merger.