MEDINA – The Medina Historical Society will present a special program at its first meeting of the year, at 7 p.m. Monday at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library.

Board members will do a reading from the book Pioneer History of Orleans County, which has recently been reprinted. Copies of the book will be available to purchase. The book was written by Arad Thomas and originally published in 1871. It tells of the towns in Orleans County and the arduous journeys of the pioneers, said Historical Society president Reinhard Rogowski.

The evening’s program is organized by Orleans County Historian Catherine Cooper.

The Historical Society invites anyone to attend and consider joining the society. A family membership will entitle the purchaser to receive a free copy of Georgia Thomas’ book of maple syrup recipes.

The state is upping the pressure on striking corrections officers to end their work stoppage and return to work.

The Department of Corrections and Community Supervision said that COs who refuse to show up for their shifts will be considered absent without leave (AWOL) and will be docked pay every day on strike. They also will lose their health insurance.

Corrections officers have been on strike for nearly a week. The work stoppage started on Monday at the Elmira and Collins prisons, and by Tuesday had spread to more than 20 prisons including Albion and Orleans. The strike is now at 38 of the 42 prisons in the state. Because of the Taylor Law, corrections officers can’t legally go on strike.

A mediator will meet beginning Monday with representatives from the state and the union representing corrections officers. Corrections officers want the HALT Act rescinded, saying that law from 2022 has made prisons less safe for officers and incarcerated people. COs also say the prisons are understaffed.

Gov. Kathy Hochul issued an executive order for the National Guard to help with the staffing shortfall during the strike. National Guard members have been at the two prisons in Albion since Thursday.

The Watertown Daily Times also is reporting Hochul is seeking permission to close five state prisons in the next fiscal year with only 90 days notice, rather than a full year’s notice.

Press Release, Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council

The Genesee Orleans Regional Arts Council (GO Art!) is thrilled to announce the opening of three new art exhibitions at 201 East Main St., Batavia.

There was an opening reception on Thursday to experience the diverse artistic expressions of Lorie Longhany and Bryan Wright and an engaging multi-artist show featuring artists of African heritage in honor of Black History Month.

Dive into the creativity of two remarkable local artists: multimedia artist Bryan Wright and painter Lorie Longhany.

Wright, drawing inspiration from his deep connection with the ocean and waters, presents another coastal-themed exhibition. His works, crafted with skills honed in graphic design and basic metal fabricating, encapsulate the mystery and intrigue of coastal elements found through his explorations.

Bryan Wright created “Angler Fish” which is part of a coastal-themed exhibition.

Longhany, a self-taught artist with a versatile palette of pen, acrylic, and watercolor, showcases a collection of artworks that resonates with the themes of solitude, contentment, and nostalgia. Her pieces range from medium and small paintings to bookmarks, but her very small pieces are affectionately referred to as her “happy paintings.”

Jackson’s Showcase of African Heritage through Arts and Crafts is the third exhibition with a special focus on Jamaican arts and crafts alongside select pieces from Africa. This multi-artist show not only highlights the rich cultural heritage and artistic vibrancy of African and Jamaican artists but also contributes to the celebration of Black History Month at GO ART!

We are pleased to bring these three distinct exhibitions under one roof, offering the public an opportunity to embark on this unique artistic engagement. From the reflective and personal works of Lorie Longhany and the coastal-themed creations by Bryan Wright to the rich tapestry of African heritage presented in the multi-artist exhibition, there’s an abundance of beauty and creativity to consume.

For more information, please contact GO ART! at (585) 343-9313 or check the website (click here).

Press Release, State Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt

SANBORN – New York State Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt on Friday hosted a roundtable discussion with Western New York manufacturers and businesses.

Among the top concerns raised by those in attendance was the increased cost of doing business because of New York’s detrimental Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA).

“When Albany Democrats pass legislation to fight climate change, they do it first and foremost to please their donors and activists, and they do it with absolutely no care for how their out-of-touch laws will impact the bottom line of New York businesses,” Ortt said. “What we heard is that between CLCPA, red tape, and overburdening mandates, regulations, and taxes, New York has made it more challenging than ever to sustain a successful manufacturing business.

“My conference has introduced multiple pieces of legislation to repeal devastating policies and support our businesses, but if Albany Democrats keep ignoring us and the needs of our business owners, we’re going to continue seeing record outmigration and the loss of our most important asset – our people,” Ortt said.

Members of the senate and Assembly GOP have long stood with small businesses and manufacturers. Efforts to assist them are highlighted in the Liberate NY Agenda that include revisions to the CLCPA, reducing taxes for small businesses, reducing bureaucratic red tape, and creating lasting affordable clean energy for New York that utilizes all available resources.

“Current government bureaucracy and red tape, high taxes and regulations already make the business climate in New York State challenging enough,” said Assemblyman Angello Morinello of Niagara Falls. “Radical green energy policies and proposals create a situation where energy companies have no choice but to drastically increase their infrastructure and production, which will lead to large increases in rates. Manufacturing industries operate on very small margins to begin with. Increasing energy costs will either force these companies to relocate to cheaper states, or put them out of business completely.”

Jerry Shaffer, Rich McAdoo among leaders of new organization

Photo by JR Stein: Medina natives Rich McAdoo, left, and Jerry Shaffer are shown at a press conference on Jan. 31 in Clearwater, Fla. to highlight the Red Star Foundation. The organization has created a Red Star banner and a pin to recognize the service of a veteran or first responder who died of suicide.

A new organization, the Red Star Foundation, is honoring the service of veterans and first responders who die by suicide, and trying to offer support for the loved ones left behind.

Medina native Jerry Shaffer is co-founder and president of the Red Star Foundation and another Medina native, Rich McAdoo, is on the organization’s board as secretary. McAdoo, a Lockport resident, is a Ridgeway volunteer firefighter.

An average of 17.5 veterans die each day by suicide. Shaffer said the number is likely higher, 30 to 50, because many suicides are unreported or unconfirmed.

“Suicide is the biggest issue we have in the veterans community,” he said.

The VA reports there were 6,407 suicides by veterans in 2022 with 6,136 by men and 271 by women.

Photo by Kevin Crowsyn: Jerry Shaffer, a 1989 Medina graduate, speaks during a press conference on Jan. 31 in Clearwater, Fla.

Since 2001, about 150,000 veterans have died by suicide, Shaffer said. That is far more than have died in combat.

Suicide has a stigma, he said, and the loved ones of those who die by suicide often don’t get the support they should.

“We want to recognize their loss,” Shaffer said. “They should feel pride for their son’s and daughter’s service.”

The Red Star Foundation has a banner and a pin with a red star as the focus to be given to loved ones in a design similar to the banners for Gold Star and Blue Star families. Blue Star families have a loved one on active duty. A Gold Star family had a loved one killed in active duty.

The Red Star banners honor the service of veterans or first responders, and Shaffer said he believes the banner can reduce the stigma of suicide. He wants to help build a network of support among the families who have endured such a loss.

Many veterans suffer from depression and many have a post-traumatic stress disorder. When they leave active duty, their chances of suicide increase 50 percent, Shaffer said, because many feel a loss of a sense of identity and purpose, and a loss of their military community when they are no longer on active duty.

Shaffer, a 1989 Medina grad, is a former Marine. He enlisted right out of high school. He pushed the start the Red Star Foundation, which is an official 501c3 organization. It launched in July and right now is focused on a chapter in Tampa and Clearwater, Florida.

Shaffer would like to see chapters around the country, including in Medina where there already is an active group led by Ike Watts highlighting veterans’ suicide, and trying to provide a network of support for families.

“We’re at ground zero of the fight,” Shaffer said about veterans’ and first responders’ suicides. “We believe the Red Star Foundation is game-changing.”

The Red Star Foundation seeks to offer:

• Grief and bereavement support, and peer-to-peer networking
• Public awareness campaigns about the impact of suicides among veterans, military personnel and first responders
• Advocacy for better for better mental health care and suicide prevention programs
• Survivor advocacy training to empower families to become voices for change.
• Educational workshops to provide insight into mental health challenges and how to support others.

For more information on the Red Star Foundation, click here.

Photo by Tom Rivers: A buggy heads down Foss Road in Yates last week, heading north after passing the Shoe Tree.

After a week of brutal cold, snow and some fierce wind, the week of weather looks much easier this coming week.

The National Weather Service in Buffalo has forecast a high of 31 today in Orleans County followed by highs of 33 on Sunday and 46 on Monday.

The highs are then 41 on Tuesday, 39 on Wednesday, 38 on Thursday and 32 on Friday.

Elaine Ryan of Holley sent in this photo she took of a deer in her backyard on Telegraph Road on Tuesday.

Seeks special coins to honor Erie Canal’s 200^th anniversary

Press Release, Congresswoman Claudia Tenney

OSWEGO – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) today reintroduced the Erie Canal Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Act to design and produce a series of commemorative coins to honor the Erie Canal’s bicentennial and its monumental impact on our country.

Specifically, this bill instructs the U.S. Treasury Secretary to design and produce a commemorative $5 gold coin, a $1 silver coin, and a half-dollar coin to honor the canal’s bicentennial. This coin will celebrate the monumental impacts the Erie Canal has had on New York and our nation’s economic success.

All proceeds of the coin will benefit the Erie Canalway Heritage Fund, which is the official nonprofit 501(c)(3) partner for the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor.

“The Erie Canal was a critical component to our nation’s rise to power,” Tenney said. “At the epicenter of the Industrial Revolution, it helped spur the spirit of innovation, hard work, and perseverance that made our country what it is today. I am honored to introduce this legislation to celebrate the Erie Canal’s historic bicentennial and recognize the profound impact it has had on our region and country’s history.”

The mediator trying to resolve a strike among corrections officers at state prisons has moved up the meetings to negotiate by a day.

The talks were scheduled to be Tuesday through Thursday but will now start on Monday, said Martin F. Scheinman Esq., the mediator.

He will be leading meetings between the New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association (the union for corrections officers) and representatives from Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, including Daniel Martuscello, the DOCCS commissioner; and representatives from the state Office of Employee Relations.

“At the initial meeting today, February 21, 2025, NYSCOPBA pressed for formal mediation to start more quickly,” Scheinman said in a statement. “Based upon NYSCOPBA’s arguments, I suggested it was a good idea to begin earlier and the Commissioner of DOCCS; and his Chief of Staff, and the Director of OER, readily agreed. Therefore, the formal mediation will begin Monday, February 24, 2025.”

Corrections officers went on strike on Monday at Elmira and Collins prisons, and by Tuesday that had spread to more than 20 prisons, including Albion and Orleans. More than 30 of the state’s 42 prisons have COs on strike.

Gov. Kathy Hochul issued an executive order and deployed the National Guard to help staff the prisons during the strike.

‘To Live or Diet’ began as college project for Gary Simboli and highlights challenges with weight

Photos by Tom Rivers: Sarah Hill portrays Sasha and sings “The Postpartum Blues” in a new musical, “To Live or Diet,” by Gary Simboli. The show has three performances – tonight, Saturday and Sunday in the fellowship hall at the First Presbyterian Church of Albion.

ALBION – It was about 40 years ago when Gary Simboli needed to complete a senior project as a music major at SUNY Geneseo.

Simboli didn’t want to do a senior voice or piano recital, or write a paper on music theory.

His professor gave Simboli a chance to do what he loves in music: create a musical. Simboli wrote the songs, music and dialogue for “To Live or Diet,” which featured his and many of his friends’ weight-loss journeys.

Simboli would go on to direct Albion school musicals for 35 years, and led the choir in the high school. In his retirement he has been active with the Lake Plains Players, a community theater group. He fulfilled a dream performing the lead role of Max Bialystock in The Producers in November 2023 and has been a part of other productions.

Simboli has kept “To Live or Diet” on the back burner for years. He wanted to expand on it.

“During this almost 40-year journey I have learned that struggles with weight and body image, from both sides of the spectrum, are similar to almost all of us,” he writes in the show’s program. “It is a universal concern sometimes bordering on obsession.”

Simboli said the Lake Plains Players’ mission statement fits with the message of the show with inclusivity, community and support.

“Some of it is hilarious,” Simboli said about the show. “Some of it is very raw and personal. It is all based on truth.”

The musical is set in a fitness class, “Look Good! Feel Great!!” Mollie Radzinski portrays the fitness instructor, Monica. The group sings “I Like Myself Again” as they have success dropping some pounds.

Simboli has teamed with the LPP to do that with a 90-minute show. He has added seven more songs to the original production and now there are 22 original songs altogether. Simboli wrote most of the lyrics but others also contributed including his wife Laura Simboli, and Hannah Dean, Shirley Goodman and Stephanie Stern Protz.

A cast of 10 is performing the musical revue today and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Albion, where Simboli is the church organist on Sundays.

The show will be performed in the fellowship hall with about 100 seats. Click here for more information on tickets. (Saturday’s show is already sold out.)

Gabrielle Montgomery, president of Lake Plains Players, said the show has an empowering message for everyone, whether or not they struggle with their weight. It’s about loving yourself and others.

“It’s very relatable,” she said about the message of the show. “Seeing yourself (and your struggles) on stage is validating.”

Erin Moody plays Erik who has success losing weight but takes too many diet pills. He sings, “A Tribute to Dexatrim.” Erik starts feeling neurotic and acts disoriented as he takes too many pills.

Matthew Pettit, in back, also is in the show and makes his debut with the Lake Plains Players.

Michael Flanagan plays Mr. Binge who is always lurking in the show near the characters, especially as they have success losing weight. He teases them with an abundance of snacks and urges them to indulge. “Don’t try to fight it, just bite it,” he sings.

Evan Steier plays Eddie and Morgan “Mo” Mill is Melanie. They sing, “I Never Thought I’d Fall in Love.”

Steier also sings a “Skinny Guy’s Lament” about feeling overlooked for not being too muscular and bulky.

Matthew Pettit as Mark is swayed by Mr. Binge to give into his food cravings after a successful workout. Pettit sings, “I’ll Start Again Tomorrow.”

“As my hunger grows, my willpower goes,” Pettit sings.

Susan Thaine plays Sophie and sings “My Mirror.”

Provided photo: Valerie Wells is shown with a banner for Harry Cooper, who was killed in World War II.

LYNDONVILLE – Applications are being accepted for new “Hometown Hero” banners in Lyndonville.

This will be the fourth year for the banners. It started in 2022 with 101 banners, followed by 34 more in 2023 and 14 more in 2024.

The banners are displayed from around Memorial Day to just after Veterans Day. They are on a three-year cycle. After three years they are given back to the families.

The cost for a banner is $200. Valerie Wells has been coordinator of the project in Lyndonville. Applications are open until March 31. Applicants can contact her at (585) 339-8500 or vwells022@gmail.com.

The money for the banners goes through the Lyndonville Area Foundation. The Lyndonville DPW and Town of Yates Highway Department hang the banners on utility poles on South Main Street, Lake Avenue, Maple Avenue, North Main Street and North Lyndonville Road.

Wells said the banners have promoted patriotism in the community and recognized veterans for their service. She said she comes from a family where many have served in the military, including her father, husband and father-in-law along and cousins and uncles. Her husband Jim Wells is commander of the Butts-Clark American Legion Post 204 in Medina.

Photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature has declared March as “Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.” County Legislator Fred Miller on Thursday presented a proclamation to Arc GLOW members.

From left include board members Marlene Hill and Joe Barchet, Legislator Miller, and Lisa Bors, vice president of public relations and development for Arc GLOW.

The former Arc of Genesee Orleans and Arc of Livingston-Wyoming merged in 2021 to form the new Arc GLOW. This is the first four-county chapter of The Arc New York. This follows the merger in 2016 of the former Arc of Orleans and Genesee Arc.

In Orleans County, Arc GLOW has three homes for individuals with disabilities, operates Orleans Enterprises Work Center in Albion, day habilitation programs, Meals on Wheels/Nutrifare in Albion and Camp Rainbow in Ridgeway. Several programs and departments also share space with the finance department on Caroline Street in Albion, Arc GLOW officials said.

The original ARC of Orleans County formed about 60 years ago.

“March is designated as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month to highlight the abilities and achievements of people with developmental disabilities, while raising awareness of the challenges they face,” according to the proclamation form the County Legislature. “People with developmental disabilities are an essential part of our community, bringing unique talents, perspectives, and strength to Orleans County.”

GASPORT – The Hartland Bible Church has stepped up to fill a need by opening a before- and after-school program.

The Roy-Hart school district was able to run the program with a grant during the Covid pandemic. When the grant ran out, the district announced last spring it would not be running the program when school year started in September.

From left, Pastor John Goodwin at Hartland Bible Church, Sue Cheasty of Gasport and Debbie Smith of Medina pose in the hallway of the church’s children’s wing. The church has recently taken over a before- and after-school program after Gasport school dropped it. Smith is director of the program and Cheasty a teacher.

“You could see immediately the frustration for parents of not having a place for their kids, and the financial burden it would be,” said John Goodwin, pastor of Hartland Bible Church. “As we are located next to the school, we had done programs with them in the past. The biggest hurdle now would be funding. Our biggest challenge was we would have to pay staff, but we got creative. We started a School Fund and applied for grants and got some gifts from local businessmen and individuals who wanted to help provide a safe place for kids. And they wanted it to be free of charge.”

It took nine months to put all the pieces together to meet all the standards for a licensed day care facility and get certified by the state, Pastor Goodwin said. They had hoped to be open when school started in September, but they had to do updates to their facility.

They call their program Treehouse. It opened Jan. 13.

Treehouse accepts students in K-4th grade, and seven families have registered their children, with room for more, the pastor said.

Debbie Smith of Medina, director of Treehouse, has been a part-time employee of the church for 6 ½ years. She has been involved in youth ministry at the church, and formerly worked in after-school childcare in Canandaigua.

Sue Cheasty is a member of the church who was previously employed full time at the school bus garage.

They are required to have one adult for every 10 children and will hire more people as registration picks up.

Doors open at 7 a.m. and the bus picks children up at 8:50 a.m. Afternoon drop-offs are at 3:30 p.m. Treehouse closes at 5:30 p.m.

Children receive a snack, play games, draw and color, have gym time, free play time and a short Bible time.

Debbie Smith points to some of the drawings done by children in K-4th grade who attend the new before- and after-school program at Hartland Bible Church.

“The church does not make any money from the program, but we realized there was a need for it,” Pastor Goodwin said. “We desire to keep the money in the pockets of these parents, understanding that times are tight. Our program is 100% scholarship-based, which means we are able to offer free childcare to parents. We also wanted to create a safe place for children to be, as there is a deficiency in childcare in our area.”

He stressed all money for Treehouse is kept in a separate account. They will continue to pursue grants and appreciate any donations.

“We are able to be generous because the community has been generous to us,” the pastor said.

From left, Pastor John Goodwin, Sue Cheasty and Debbie Smith demonstrate playing gaga ball in Hartland Bible Church’s gymnasium, where children in the new Treehouse program spend time before and after school.