State Sen. Robert Ortt is criticizing Gov. Andrew Cuomo for a speech earlier today in Manhattan when he said, “We’re not going to make America great again. It was never that great.”

Cuomo was giving a speech, taking President Donald Trump to task over his comments and policies toward women. The governor was speaking about a need more women’s rights. He signed a bill to make sex trafficking in New York a felony.

But the governor has drawn more media attention when he addressed Trump’s slogan, “Make America Great Again,” saying Trump policies are moving the country backward.

“The simple point is all this comes down to this: We’re not going to make America great again. It was never that great,” Cuomo said.

He followed by saying, “We have not reached greatness. We will reach greatness when every American is fully engaged. We will reach greatness when discrimination and stereotyping against women — 51 percent of our population — is gone.”

Ortt is among the many Republican officials criticizing Cuomo’s comments.

“America has been and continues to be the greatest country humanity has ever seen,” Ortt said in statement. “Gov. Cuomo’s belief that our country has never been great is not only dishonest but also insulting. His choice of language reeks of political pandering and does a disservice to the men and women who not only risk their lives daily, but those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice and died under the belief that our country is the greatest the world has ever seen. Instead of trying to score political points with democratic socialists and outright communists, Gov. Cuomo should remember why his family, like mine, came to this country all those years ago – because it was and still is – the greatest country ever.”

Cuomo’s press secretary, Dani Lever, issued a statement this afternoon, offering more clarification to the governor’s comments.

“Jessica Proud, spokesperson for the Republican Party said, ‘America is & always has been the greatest.’ She should talk to President Trump who says make America great again – which obviously means he doesn’t think it is great now.

“Governor Cuomo disagrees with the President. The Governor believes America is great and that her full greatness will be fully realized when every man, woman, and child has full equality. America has not yet reached its maximum potential.

“When the President speaks about making America great again – going back in time – he ignores the pain so many endured and that we suffered from slavery, discrimination, segregation, sexism and marginalized women’s contributions. The Governor believes that when everyone is fully included and everyone is contributing to their maximum potential, that is when America will achieve maximum greatness.”

Former director asks Gaines for one-year moratorium on new projects in Historic District

GAINES – The Cobblestone Museum is stepping up its efforts to send a message to Gaines town officials and the developer for a new Dollar General that a new store shouldn’t be built in the historic district on Ridge Road, which includes several cobblestone buildings from the 1830s to 1850s.

The museum has already collected 300 petitions with people opposing construction of a new Dollar General across Route 104 from a cobblestone schoolhouse that was built in 1849. That schoolhouse is part of the museum’s campus that has been declared a National Historic Landmark by the U.S. Department of the Interior in 1993.

“Please help keep our Historic District intact! Say no to Dollar General in their request to build a store across the street from the National Historic Landmark Cobblestone Schoolhouse.” That is what a new on-line petition states from the Cobblestone Museum. (Click here to see the petition.)

Museum Director Doug Farley and Bill Lattin, the retired director, attended Monday’s Town Board meeting to state their opposition to the Dollar General in the historic district. Lattin, a former Gaines town supervisor, asked the board to consider a one-year moratorium on new construction in the historic district.

The state agency that works with communities to help preserve historic sites across New York last week sent a letter to the Town of Gaines asking that an alternative site for the store be found.

“It is our opinion that the construction of a generic retail building at this location will significantly alter the District 5 Schoolhouse’s visual environment and setting,” Sloane Bullough, Historic Sites Restoration Coordinator for the NYS Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, wrote on Aug. 9 to Michael Grabowski, chairman of the Gaines Zoning Board of Appeals which is reviewing the project.

“The introduction of a modern generic commercial store with its associated 45 space parking and service areas will greatly impact the historic character of the National Landmark school as well as the two other nearby Landmarked cobblestone buildings.”

Photo courtesy of John Heise

HOLLEY – Holley Rotary Club President Bob Miller welcomes Janne Grasshoff of Berlin, Germany to the club’s meeting on Monday.

Janne is Rotary’s new inbound exchange student. Miller presented her with a club golf shirt and a club hat.

Janne will spend the school year in Holley. She follows Lara Braun of Switzerland as a Rotary exchange student at Holley. Rotary has welcomed exchange students to Holley for many years, and the Holley Club also sends Holley students to study abroad in other countries for a year.

Photos by Tom Rivers: There isn’t an obvious sign on the storefront that says Mile 303. Look for this sign with the horse. Tim Hungerford, the owner, said he enjoys discovering bars and restaurants that aren’t always prominently marked.

MEDINA – A new restaurant in downtown Medina honors the community’s connection to the Erie Canal, while trying to “push the envelope” culturally with the food, alcohol and artwork.

Tim Hungerford opened Mile 303 on May 5 at 416 Main St. A long blue table is a sculpture designed to represent the canal. The sculpture also serves as the bar and the table tops.

Hungerford’s brother Brian, an architect in Chicago, designed the sculpture and Tim built it in a course of a year, using maple wood.

The wall facing the bar also includes a mural with a canal theme, featuring celestial horses pulling a canal boat. Even the name of the establishment, Mile 303, is connected to the canal. Medina’s mile marker by the lift bridge is 303. The canal runs 363 miles from Buffalo to Albany.

Hungerford and his wife, Teresa Misiti, bought the building five years ago and created a loft apartment for their family on the third floor. The second floor is used for their work offices.

Hungerford is a software developer and his wife has her doctorate degree and works as an environmental engineer. They have three daughters.

“We bought the building to be part of the effort to push Medina forward,” Hungerford said.

Tim Hungerford and his wife Teresa Misiti are pictured inside Mile 303 with their daughters, from left: Lou, Netta and Elsie.

As a kid Hungerford picked up cigarette butts and other trash at the Curry Building on Main Street, which is owned by his father, Roger Hungerford.

Tim has experienced his father’s commitment to Medina and Tim wants to make his own contributions to his hometown. Roger owns the Olde Pickle Factory and is working to turn the old high school into apartments and renovate the Bent’s Opera Hall. He also led the Sigma International company in Medina before selling it to Baxter in 2012.

Tim Hungerford was eager to leave Medina when he graduated at 18. After living in several major cities including New York City, Chicago and San Francisco, Hungerford wanted to come back home in 2013.

He and his wife, also a Medina native, were expecting their first child. They wanted to be close to family and contribute to downtown atmosphere and rebirth of Main Street, and bring some urban ethos.

They bought the building at 416 Main St., and set about a major transformation of the site.

Alex Shepherd of Kenmore created the mural. Hungerford said he has plans for two more murals.

The first floor at 416 Main St. had most previously been home to FastFitness, which moved to West Avenue across from the library in September 2013. The top floor hadn’t been occupied in about 70 years. The second floor hadn’t been used, except for storage, for about 30 years.

The building renovations were a major effort and involved filling 38 dumpsters holding 2 ½ tons. The items were all carried out by hand.

With Mile 303, they wanted to create a cultural experience, where customers are exposed to art while tasting “modern and fresh food on the lighter side.”

The walls have framed moss art which was created by a botanist, Elizabeth Thomas, of Buffalo. She has recently moved to Chicago.

Benjamin Pecoraro is the head chef and he prepares the meals in kitchen out in the open in front of customers. The menu has a strong focus on seasonal, organic, locally produced food and small batch artisanal spirits.

“It’s local-ingredients driven,” Hungerford said.

He has known Pecoraro for 20 years, with the two playing in bands together.

The bar side includes custom cocktails and beer from local craft to Genny Light. Leonard Oakes Estate Winery in Medina supplies white and red wine on tap, as well as cider, in addition to a bottled wine list.

Hungerford said the menu and beers will change frequently. The restaurant and bar is open Thursday though Sunday.

For more on Mile 303, click here.

Hungerford and Misiti also have plans to open a general store next door that he wants to be “a Viddler’s in a modern format,” Hungerford said referring to the popular store in East Aurora. The Medina site will have canned alcoholic products, gifts and other items.

This shows part of the mural inside Mile 303. Hungerford believes art projects can add to Medina’s quality of life and entice more visitors to the community.

Photos by Tom Rivers

(Editor’s Note: This story was updated with the start date for paving to be Aug. 27, not in September as was reported earlier.)

ALBION – The state Department of Transportation has removed the pavement on Route 31 in the Village of Albion as part of a milling project. The DOT reached Walmart on Tuesday, just past the village line. The state last week starting removing the pavement in a project that goes from Butts Road to Walmart.

Keeler Construction will repave the road beginning on Aug. 27.

The project has slowed down and delayed traffic.

Hawley invites colleague from Albany to see local agriculture, downtown business district

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Mayor Mike Sidari of Medina, right, gives Assemblyman Michael Benedetto (left), a Democrat from the Bronx, a tour of Main Street in Medina this afternoon along with Assemblyman Steve Hawley, a Republican from Batavia.

Hawley invited Benedetto to see some of the 139^th Assembly District, which includes most of Orleans, all of Genesee and a portion of western Monroe.

Hawley and Benedetto say they are good friends who got to know each other on the Veterans’ Committee in the Assembly. Benedetto was the committee chairman with Hawley the ranking member.

“This brings about a more upstate-downstate respect for each other,” Hawley said about welcoming a downstate Democrat to the local community for a tour. “We treat each other with respect whether we agree or disagree.”

Today was the first time Benedetto has been in Orleans County. He has been to Western New York before, visiting Niagara Falls and Buffalo. Before seeing downtown Medina, Hawley showed him the Green Harbor Campgrounds & Marina in Lyndonville, LynOaken Farms in Lyndonville, and Torrey Farms in Yates. They had lunch at Avanti’s in Medina.

Hawley will go to the Bronx to see Benedetto’s district. This is the fourth Assembly member Hawley has hosted from the other side of the state.

Benedetto said he was grateful for the chance to meet some of the local farmers and business owners.

“You find out we’re all people and we’re more alike than different,” he said.

Assemblyman Michael Benedetto, Assemblyman Steve Hawley, and Medina Mayor Mike Sidari are pictured in downtown Medina. Sidari told the two Assembly members there are 95 businesses in the downtown business district with near full occupancy in the downtown.

“This is America,” Hawley said in showing Benedetto around Medina. “This is an American Main Street. It’s gorgeous.”

During the tour of Green Harbor Campgrounds & Harbor, Hawley highlighted the impact from last year’s flooding on Lake Ontario and the difficulty some business owners are having in accessing state funding that was intended to help homeowners and businesses recover from the damage.

At LynOaken and Torrey Farms, Benedetto was shown some of the latest trends and investments in agriculture, including a rotary milking parlor at Torrey’s dairy farm on Route 18 in Yates.

After lunch at Avanti’s, Benedetto and Hawley were scheduled to go to Genesee County to see Z&M (Landpro Equipment) in Oakfield, Genesee Community College in Batavia, Chapin Manufacturing in Batavia, Batavia Downs and then have dinner at Fortunes restaurant at the Downs.

‘The opioid epidemic was manufactured by unscrupulous distributors who developed a $400 billion industry pumping human misery into our communities.’ – Gov. Andrew Cuomo

Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and Attorney General Barbara D. Underwood today announced a lawsuit against Purdue Pharma L.P., Purdue Pharma Inc., and Pursue Frederick Company, Inc., alleging a decades-long and continuing pattern of persistent deceptive and illegal conduct, whereby Purdue’s misled prescribers and patients about the risks of its opioids, including OxyContin, intentionally understating the risks and overstating the benefits of these powerful and dangerous drugs.

Specifically, the complaint alleges that Purdue persistently made – directly and through third party groups – numerous misrepresentations about its products, including concealing the link between long-term use of opioids and abuse and addiction, masking the signs of addiction by referring to them as “pseudoaddiction,” falsely claiming that withdrawal from its products can be easily managed, overstating the risks of alternative pain relief therapies as compared to opioids, and misrepresenting the extent to which opioids improve body function. These representations were part of Purdue’s concerted effort to increase sales of its opioid products and directly affected prescribing, public opinion, and consumption of those products, Cuomo said.

“The opioid epidemic was manufactured by unscrupulous distributors who developed a $400 billion industry pumping human misery into our communities,” Cuomo said. “In this year’s State of the State, I pledged that we will hold these companies responsible for their reprehensible actions. This lawsuit sends a clear message all these who mislead the public to increase their profit margins that we will hold you accountable for your actions.”

“Our investigation found a pattern of deception and reckless disregard for New Yorkers’ health and wellbeing – as Purdue lined its own pockets by deliberately exploiting our communities and fueling an opioid epidemic that’s destroyed families across the state,” said Attorney General Underwood. “We’re now holding Purdue to account for this reprehensible and illegal conduct. Our work won’t stop with this lawsuit: our office will continue to lead the multistate investigation of opioid manufacturers and distributors across the country.”

As alleged in the Attorney General’s complaint, Purdue continued to engage in deceptive marketing of its opioid products even after pleading guilty to criminal conduct in 2007 and pledging to correct its misleading marketing, and after entering into an Assurance of Discontinuance with the New York Attorney General in 2015.

Purdue’s conduct contributed to the over-prescription and overuse of Purdue’s opioid products, including the opioid epidemic impacting communities across New York. In New York alone, there were 3,086 deaths from overdoses involving opioids in 2016; 2,399 of those deaths were the result of opioid painkillers, including those sold by Purdue.

The lawsuit seeks an order requiring Purdue to “abate the public nuisance and pay all costs of abatement.” The lawsuit also seeks an order prohibiting Purdue from engaging in deceptive, fraudulent, and unlawful practices; requiring Purdue to disgorge money obtained as a result of the violations of the law alleged in the complaint; and directing Purdue to pay civil penalties and damages to the state.

Today’s lawsuit stems from Attorney General Underwood’s ongoing investigation into whether opioid manufacturers and distributors engaged in unlawful practices in the marketing and distribution of prescription opioids. New York is joined by a bipartisan coalition of Attorneys General in that national, multistate investigation.

Photos by Tom Rivers

POINT BREEZE – Neil and Joanne Johnson of Albion welcomed visitors to the Oak Orchard Lighthouse at Point Breeze on Sunday afternoon to see the small museum and gift shop.

The Albion couple volunteers for about three hours on Sundays at the lighthouse and typically greets about 20-25 people.

“We like lighthouses and we like meeting people,” said Mr. Johnson, who is the Albion village historian. “It’s the best job you can have. You meet a lot of nice people.”

The Oak Orchard Lighthouse Museum is open during the summer on Fridays from 6 to 8 p.m., Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m., and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m.

The Oak Orchard Lighthouse is pictured on Nov. 14, 2016 during the “Supermoon.” This was brightest and largest the moon has appeared since 1948, according to NASA. There won’t be another supermoon like this until 2034, NASA said.

Volunteers with the Oak Orchard Lighthouse Committee pushed to build the lighthouse, which is a replica of a structure built in 1871 at Point Breeze. The original was toppled in a windstorm in 1916.

The new 35-foot structure was built in 2010 with community donations and a state grant. The Oak Orchard Lighthouse has become an iconic symbol for the county and the Point. It is featured in many of the county’s tourism promotions.

Photo from Orleans County Department of History: This photo shows the original Oak Orchard Lighthouse, which was built in 1871 on the pier on the west side of the Oak Orchard River.

This picture, taken around 1900, shows people standing along the piers that extended about 1,600 feet out onto Lake Ontario.

The Point Breeze Lighthouse was accompanied by a light-keeper’s home located on the western shore of the river.

During a storm in 1914, the lighthouse was severely damaged and with no available funding to provide necessary repairs to the lighthouse, it remained in place to suffer the continued effects of Lake Ontario, County Historian Matthew Ballard wrote in his “Overlooked Orleans” column in the Orleans Hub.

“Finally, a storm on December 28, 1916 delivered the final blow and swept the entire structure and a portion of the pier into the lake,” Ballard said.

High School barbershop quartet, The Billies, will open for Erin Boheme

ALBION – Amy Sidari has a hard time containing her excitement when she talks about her luck in booking a nationally acclaimed jazz singer at her Cabaret at Studio B.

Erin Boheme’s first visit to Albion last year was the result of a chance conversation between Sidari and Albion High School music director Gary Simboli.

Sidari had asked Simboli about ideas for a new kind of entertainment at her Cabaret. They had never had jazz, and Simboli suggested having Dave Mancini and his trio, but warned Sidari that Mancini was not easy to reach.

Sidari did contact him but was told he was very busy composing. She asked if he would consider it at a different time, but his answer was the same.

“Then he told me he had the name of an agent in Chicago and if that agent could secure Erin Boheme, Dave would come and play,” Sidari said. “I made contact with Erin and we hit it off immediately.”

Boheme’s record producer is Michael Buble, and she was chosen to sing at President Trump’s inauguration.

Dave Mancini will be back in Albion performing with Boheme on Aug. 25-26.

Sidari was quick to point out to Boheme that she was trying to bring top notch entertainment to Orleans County, but wouldn’t be able to charge top dollar because it wasn’t an affluent community.

Boheme said she had a very good feeling about their conversation and they would make it work for both of them.

Boheme and the Mancini Trio performed to a full house last Aug. 26. They will be back for two shows this time, on Aug. 25-26.

Boheme stayed at the Sidari home during her visit and partied with the local community at Tillman’s Historic Village Inn after her performance. She knew immediately she would be back to Albion.

Boheme is a native of Oshkosh, Wis. She has liked to sing since she was a little girl. Her school offered a jazz choir as an extracurricular activity, and students had to audition to get into it. Boheme was the first freshman to be selected for the choir.

She got her first big break at 17 when she appeared on Star Search, the forerunner of America’s Got Talent. She tied with another singer, but the three judges chose the other contestant as the winner. Boheme doesn’t consider she lost, because producer of the show was the man who would later become her husband.

Boheme has always liked jazz, and said she grew up listening to Sinatra. But she also loves R&B and blues.

She said being asked to sing at the President’s inauguration was due to a polarizing situation.

“Other singers had been asked, but were threatened and backed out,” Boheme said in a phone call. “Regardless of which side of the political fence you sit on, this was a great way to honor my country and to take part in history.”

She is also fortunate to have Michael Buble as her producer. Her second album which he helped produce sold out. Many of the songs were recorded at Buble’s home in Vancouver, and his touring band accompanied her, she said.

Boheme said she is always excited to perform with Dave Mancini. She considers jazz a “living, breathing thing.”

Sidari agreed Mancini is an amazing musician.

“Then you add Erin to it and you’ve got something dynamic on that stage,” she said. “What an experience for me to bring them here. It’s a moment in time.”

Boheme said Sidari has a “beautiful heart and has created a beautiful environment” with her Cabaret.

“It is a real honor for us to be able to come into that,” Boheme said.

Provided photo: A barbershop quartet from Albion High School will open for Boheme at both Cabaret concerts. The quartet is called “The Billies” and includes Nate Grammatico, Evan VanAmeron, Jacob Ettinger and Enoch Martin. 

Sidari will also welcome Boheme and her agent Barb Bailey into her home during their stay in Albion.

“Barb and I have also become friends, and will meet for the first time,” Sidari said.

Boheme said Sidari’s home is one of her favorite places to stay in all her travels.

Having grown up in Oshkosh, home of the world’s biggest warbird show, Boheme said she looks forward to sharing airshow stories with Sidari’s dad, Ace Caldwell, a pilot and member of Pine Hill Airport.

The entertainers this year will attend a picnic on Saturday, given by Jim Salmon, host of the Home Repair Clinic on WHAM 1180.

“I’m excited to be coming back to Albion,” said Boheme, who also has family in Ithaca. “Albion is such a beautiful town.”

Boheme has also agreed to sing during the 10 a.m. church service on Aug. 26 at the Albion First Baptist, the corner of Liberty and West Park Street.

Tickets for the Cabaret concerts with Boheme are $25. Call Sidari at (585) 354-2320 or click here for more information.

Provided photo

MEDINA – Members from Medina High School’s Class of 1973 celebrated their 45th reunion Saturday evening at the Knights of Columbus in Medina.

Nearly 60 class members attended with some travelling from Maryland, Virginia, Kentucky, Florida, Ohio, Rhode Island and Michigan, as well as many from all over New York state.  A good time was had by all and everyone is looking forward to the next gathering.

Constructing ‘generic modern store’ across from historic schoolhouse would ‘significantly alter’ visual environment and setting

GAINES – The state agency that works with communities to help preserve historic sites across New York is asking the Town of Gaines and the developer of a proposed Dollar General to find an alternative site for the store so it isn’t in a historic district.

Dollar General wants to build a new store directly across from the District 5 Schoolhouse, a cobblestone building that was built in 1849. That schoolhouse, and the nearby Ward House and Universalist Church were named National Historic Landmarks in 1993.

“This designation is the highest recognition that the United State Department of Interior can bestow on a property or district in our country,” Sloane Bullough, Historic Sites Restoration Coordinator for the NYS Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, wrote on Aug. 9 to Michael Grabowski, chairman of the Gaines Zoning Board of Appeals which is reviewing the project. (Click here to see the letter.)

There are only 262 sites in New York that have been designated as National Historic Landmarks and less than 3,000 nationwide, Bullough said.

“Landmark designation recognizes the exemplary historic or architectural significant a property may have in the history of the nation,” she said in her letter. “The schoolhouse, which was constructed in 1849, is an exceptional example of both the Greek Revival Style and the unique cobblestone method of construction, which is almost exclusively found in the central-eastern part of New York.”

NYS Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation urges the town and developer to find an alternative site away from the historic district for the new store.

“It is our opinion that the construction of a generic retail building at this location will significantly alter the District 5 Schoolhouse’s visual environment and setting,” Bullough said. “The introduction of a modern generic commercial store with its associated 45 space parking and service areas will greatly impact the historic character of the National Landmark school as well as the two other nearby Landmarked cobblestone buildings.”

If no alternative can be found, Bullough said the site should be redesigned to have less of a visual impact. That could include having the parking lot on the side of the building instead of in front with the number of parking spaces pared down to the minimum.

“A side parking lot could be visually screened to lessen the project’s visual impact from the schoolhouse and the overflow parking in the rear for employees and customers could be installed to reduce the size of the parking lot that is visible from the street,” she wrote in her letter to the town.

State Parks would also like to see “a strong vegetative buffer be planted to visually screen the parking lot and building from the road.”

The buffer could include mixture of deciduous and coniferous indigenous trees and shrubs.

The trees should be planted in a staggered pattern and not in rows, she said.

“We understand that the developer and the Town of Gaines have already negotiated a low-lying sign, which is a good beginning for minimizing impact to the historic school and adjacent properties,” Bullough said.

The Cobblestone Museum is opposing the project, saying it would hurt the character of the historic district. So far 250 people have signed petitions at the museum, opposing the store across from the schoolhouse.

Eight municipal historians have also written to oppose the location of the Dollar General. Click here to see their letter to the editor – “Historians in Orleans County say a Dollar General would destroy tenor of historic Gaines” – that was published July 11.

MEDINA – Fair weather and two historic boats are credited with bringing a crowd of people to Medina’s canal basin this weekend.

Events began with the arrival on Thursday of the schooner Lois McClure and the Corning Glass Museum Barge. The two boats have been traveling together this summer to ports along the canal from Brooklyn to Buffalo in celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Erie Canal.

Both boats drew a multitude of visitors Saturday and Sunday.

Glass blower Helen Tegeler shows two apples she created on the Corning Glass Museum barge as a gift to the village of Medina.

The crew of the Lois McClure, a replica of an 1800s’ schooner, welcomed visitors aboard to see how crew members would have lived on such a boat.

On the Corning Glass Museum barge, visitors watched a half-hour demonstration on glass blowing, while announcer Stephanie Perry explained the process.

One of the visitors was Sally Prakapas of Michigan, who saw the Corning glass demonstration on a cruise ship.

“In fact, glass blower Helen Tegeler was working on the ship and told us they were going to be in Medina,” Prakapas said. “I owed a grandson a vacation, so we decided to go to Corning and stop in Medina on the way to see the glass barge again.”

Prakapas arrived in Medina on Saturday and the first thing she did was visit the Culvert, she said.

“That was pretty awesome,” she said. “This is a beautiful town and I plan to come back and bring my husband.”

Alaina Wilson, who started the fundraising to build a dog park in Medina, takes a turn in the dunk tank, which was set up in Medina’s canal basin over the weekend to raise money. The $500 earned in three hours on Saturday far exceeded her expectations, she said.

Another highlight of the weekend was a dunk tank, featuring local politicians and notables, including the captains of the Lois McClure and the Corning Glass Museum Barge. Money raised will help build a dog park in Medina. Leonard Oakes provided wine tastings each day and a food truck served up barbecue.

Two local favorite bands entertained each afternoon, and crews of both boats said visitors to their vessels was a record.

Dawn Borchet with Orleans County Tourism said T-shirts they were selling were very popular, with the words “Barge into Medina. Get that Erie feeling.”

The Lois McClure and glass barge will continue their journey, heading down Seneca Lake to Watkins Glen, Stephanie Perry said.

Dawn Borchers, director of the Orleans County Tourism Department, displays one of the T-shirts they sold in Medina’s Canal Basin during the visit of the schooner Lois McClure and the Corning Glass Museum barge.

Photo courtesy of Ted Swiercznski

ALBION – The Albion High School class of 1950 met Aug. 4 for a reunion at Tillman’s Village Inn in Childs.

Seated, from left: Larry Vagg, Pat Peruzzini, Wanda Corwin Hollenbeck and Shirley Furness.

Row 2: Pete Nesbitt, Carol Rowcliffe, Lois Call, Bob Nickerson, Mary Ann Tillman, Edith Kujawa and Dorothy Neal.

Row 3: Ted Swiercznski and Brad Shelp.

Back row: Ken Rush and Dave Sturgess.

Deputies responded to 52 auto accidents last month, about 1,000 total calls

Press Release, Sheriff Randy Bower

Provided photo: Janet Koehler, center, retired after 20-plus years as a corrections officer in the Orleans County Jail. She is shown with Sheriff Randy Bower and Jail Superintendent Scott Wilson.

ALBION – In the month of July, the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department 911 Dispatch Center processed 2667 police incidents, including 912 events for Sheriff’s Road Patrol, 210 for the New York State Police and 1545 calls for the Village police agencies of Lyndonville, Medina, Albion, and Holley.  There were 616 Fire/EMS related calls dispatched countywide with 434 of those emergency medical in nature and a total of 9 drug overdoses.

Sheriff’s Dept. Road Patrol Deputies handled 52 automobile accidents, including 9 with injury and 17 car-deer collisions.  Road patrol also made 57 service attempts and served 32 subpoenas, civil, or court papers.

The Sheriff K-9 unit handled 4 incidents.  The Marine Patrol handled 28 calls for service including boaters in distress, reckless operation, and marine vessel inspections on Lake Ontario, Lake Alice, as well as the Erie Canal and Glenwood Lake.

The Orleans County Jail processed in 63 inmates (45 male and 18 female) with 7 incarcerated females boarded for other jurisdictions.

The Sheriff’s Animal Control Division handled 115 incidents including 35 stray dogs, 4 dog bite complaints, 17 neighbor dog problems, 2 domestic animals struck by vehicles, and several other miscellaneous animal calls. In addition, 14 animals were taken to the county animal shelter on voluntary surrenders.

And a special thanks to Janet Koehler on her retirement and for her 20 plus years of service as a Corrections Officer at the Orleans County Jail. Congratulations Janet for your dedicated and loyal service to this department and to our community. Travel, relax and enjoy life!

‘It is just like a gym membership, where you use the gym equipment at your schedule for a monthly fee. A sewing lounge works the same, but with sewing equipment and machines.’ –  Donna Bryant

MEDINA – Donna Bryant may have three PhDs, but the thing which makes her happiest is a needle and thread.

Bryant, the former Donna Piedmont of Middleport, has retired from her high profile professions to indulge in her first love – sewing.

She recently set up shop at 422 Main St., former site of Creekside Floral. Her new business – The Atelier – is a unique concept called a sewing lounge. She says it’s like bringing a little bit of Paris to Medina.

Bryant’s love for fashion and sewing comes from her mother Irene, who was a pattern drafter at the former Newell Shirt Factory in Medina. She is dedicating The Atelier to her mother.

She originally wanted to open her sewing lounge in the Newell building, she said.

Middleport native Donna Bryant, currently of Medina, points out the amenities in her new store in Medina, a sewing lounge called The Atelier.

Bryant graduated from Royalton-Hartland High School, Buffalo State College and the University of Buffalo. She has PhDs in psychology, metaphysics and divinity with interfaith ministries. She studied at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City and the exclusive Worcheska School of Custom Dressmaking in Buffalo.

“You need to keep learning,” she said.

As an accomplished seamstress, she has had clients for 45 years. She said there’s a lot more to clothing than people think.

Her extensive background in design and dressmaking included developing the fashion design and interior decorating program at BOCES Vocational Center, from which she retired after 30 years. She was also an adjunct professor at Genesee Community College for 15 years.

Bryant said sewing lounges currently exist only in big cities.

She explained the concept, saying a sewing lounge is a place with a variety of sewing machines, steaming and pressing equipment, cutting tables, dress forms and a photography station.

“It is just like a gym membership, where you use the gym equipment at your schedule for a monthly fee,” she said. “A sewing lounge works the same, but with sewing equipment and machines.”

A membership costs $35 for three months, and Bryant will be at her store from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Monday and Tuesday to accept registrations. People may also register by calling (716) 628-0568.

Her official opening is scheduled for Sept. 11.

Member work on their own projects which they bring in. Some assistance will be available.

Benefits of buying a membership are 10 percent off all sewing classes; sharing ideas and meeting others with similar interests; a wide variety of machines and equipment available for use; an atmosphere with limited distractions; and a creative environment and a place to participate in special events.

Bryant also said The Atelier is like a modern day Starbucks, with coffee and tea available – but at no charge.

The sewing lounge is not the time for people wanting to learn to sew – that can be accomplished through special sewing classes, Bryant said.

A variety of classes will be offered, including apparel construction, altered couture and handbags. Professional dressmaking classes will include flat pattern dressmaking, draping for dressmaking and pattern drafting. Sewing for the Home will teach pillows, table setting, slip covers, curtains and more.

Knitters of any level are welcome to join a knitters’ circle from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday evenings. They may bring their own projects and refreshments will be provided.

There will also be a quilting class and a two-hour workshop to become familiar with your own machine.

A class called Project Runway (one for adults and one for teenagers) runs for 20 weeks and will end in a fashion show in May. Projects will be judged by professionals, Bryant said.

Because of Orleans County’s connection to Macy’s famed Santa Claus, Charles W. Howard, Bryant plans to make Santa suits. She is also expecting to unveil five lines of her own clothing.

Bryant and her husband Dr. Clark Bryant currently live in Medina. She has a daughter, Janelle Harvey, who is a home economics teacher at Wilson, and a son, Wesley Salen, who lives in South Carolina.