By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 6 August 2018 at 10:12 am
MEDINA – The Medina community is again preparing to welcome the historic schooner Lois McClure to the canal basin, this time accompanied by the Corning Glass barge.
Medina Tourism Committee has planned a weekend of events to celebrate the boats’ visit Aug. 11 and 12, according to Kelly Kiebala, a member of the Medina Tourism Committee.
The Lois McClure first visited Medina in 2007 and has made several return visits since.
“They really like Medina,” said Jim Hancock, chairman of the Medina Tourism Committee.
The ships will be welcomed in opening ceremonies at 10:30 a.m. Aug. 11.
Photos by Ginny Kropf: The Lois McClure docks in Medina’s canal basin during its 2017 trip down the Erie Canal. The schooner is again traveling the canal this summer, accompanied by the Corning Glass barge. They will be docked in Medina Aug. 11 and 12.
New this year will be a wine tasting booth from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day by Leonard Oakes Winery.
A food truck is expected on site from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day, and Pedal and Paddle boats will be available in the canal basin.
More children’s activities are planned this year, including a bounce house, dunk tank and face painting, Kiebala said.
Two bands will entertain, Acoustically Sound from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday and Pocket Change from 3:30 to 6 p.m. Sunday.
The Kendall Lawn Chair Ladies also will perform on Saturday from 6:30 to 7 p.m.
Tours of the Lois McClure will be available from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day, as will glass blowing demonstrations on the Corning Glass barge. Reservations are required for the glass blowing demonstrations and may be made online at www.cmog.org. Some may also be available each day, Hancock said.
Another highlight will be food demonstrations and dancing from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday by Mariachi de Oro Mexican Restaurant.
“We are fortunate to have these boats visit on the weekend,” Hancock said. “It will make for a nice event, with the music, demonstrations and wine tasting.”
The schooner Lois McClure, accompanied by the Orleans County Sheriff’s boat, rounds the bend under the State Street bridge in Medina during its 2017 visit. The schooner will return Aug. 11 and 12 with the Corning Glass barge. Admission is free to both.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 August 2018 at 8:38 am
Shake on the Lake performs ‘Richard the Third’ on Tuesday and Wednesday
Photos by Tom Rivers: This signs directs people to the play which was performed behind the library by Johnson Creek last August. Last year, Shake on the Lake performed Romeo and Juliet. This year’s show in Richard the Third.
Shake on the Lake, which brings Shakespeare to rural towns in Western New York, is back in Orleans County this week.
The acting troupe, based in Wyoming County, performed Shakespeare in 2016 and 2017. This year the group has six cast members doing Richard the Third.
They are doing shows free to the public at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday in Lyndonville at Yates Community Library (the school auditorium will be the venue in case of rain) and then on Wednesday at the Oak Orchard Lighthouse in Point Breeze.
Shake on the Lake’s summer tour started on July 26 and continues until Aug. 11 with performances in Wyoming, Livingston, Genesee, Orleans, Monroe, Erie, Cattaraugus and Allegany counties.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 August 2018 at 7:38 am
Photos by Tom Rivers: Some sneakers hang from the Lyndonville Shoe Tree on Sunday evening. The Shoe Tree is actually a row of four ash trees at the corner of Foss and Lakeshore roads in Yates.
A heat advisory is in effect in Orleans County today from noon to 6 p.m. when heat index values will be in the mid to upper 90s, the National Weather Service said.
The advisory also includes Niagara, Monroe, Wayne, northern Cayuga, Oswego, Livingston and Ontario counties.
“The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity will combine to create a situation in which heat illnesses are possible,” the National Weather Service said. “Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun and check in on relatives and neighbors.”
Today’s high is forecast to be 91 degrees.
The Shoe Tree has been a craze since 1986 when the late Earl Baun helped a girlfriend get rid of about eight to 10 pairs of shoes. He threw them into the trees and thousands of shoes have been tossed into the trees or nailed to them since then.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 August 2018 at 12:12 pm
$8,800 in prizes up for grabs in derby, which continues until Aug. 19
The Orleans County Fishing Derby started on Saturday and several big salmon were reeled in and landed on the leaderboard.
A 26-pound, 3-ounce Chinook leads for the $4,000 grand prize. It was caught by Dane Ballard of Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland.
There are four divisions in the derby – Salmon, Rainbow Trout/Steelhead, Brown Trout, and Lake Trout.
The top prizes for each division include $500 for first, followed by $300 for second, $200 for third, $100 for fourth and $50 for fifth.
No fish have been entered yet for three of the divisions.
Only salmon have fish on the leaderboard and they include 1st, 24 pounds, 13 ounces by Tom Riley of West Henrietta; 2nd, 24 pounds, 3 ounces by Gary Bloom of Albion; 3rd, 22 pounds, 10 ounces by Sheila Frank of Rochester; 4th, 22 pounds, 9 ounces by David Bonnell of Rochester; and 5th, 22 pounds, 9 ounces by Mike Schaeffer of Sligo, Pa.
Gary Bloom also is in the lead for the $200 bonus prize for biggest fish caught by an Orleans County resident.
The derby continues until Aug. 19. The Albion Rotary Club sponsors the annual event.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 August 2018 at 8:52 am
HOLLEY – A major transformation of a historic downtown building will celebrate a grand opening on Monday with the new Holley Falls Bar & Grill.
Dan and Monica Seeler have been working on the project the past five years. They have given the former Tagg’s Tavern a major overhaul.
“No one can believe it’s the same place,” Mr. Seeler said Saturday during a tour.
He owns Seeler Contracting and has been working on building projects for 45 years, since he was 16.
He and his wife are grateful to have the project complete, and they look forward to the new business drawing people to Holley, to see the waterfalls just down the street from Frisbee Terrace in the Public Square.
Dan and Monica Seeler wanted to create a destination restaurant for Holley.
“It’s been a team effort,” Mr. Seeler said on Saturday during a soft opening for the restaurant, which was open to some of his friends, suppliers and contractors who worked on the project, which includes five upstairs apartments.
Mr. Seeler said it has been a long journey, but he enjoyed the steady progress and giving a new purpose to the site.
“It’s been fun every little step, but I’m relieved because we’re done,” he said.
The Seelers’ sons, Jesse and Sean, also were critical in the construction and will be with the operation of the restaurant and bar.
The Seelers like how the building looks out on the Public Square, offering a great view of a quaint small town with its historic downtown, large American flag in the Public Square and a landmark former church building.
There are 135 seats, with 85 in the dining room and 50 in the bar.
The building used to have a wooden exterior when it was Tagg’s Tavern. The wood was removed to reveal cast iron columns in front. The Seelers needed to rebuild walls, paint them and make numerous other improvements for one of the most prominent buildings in Holley. They also added an awning.
Mr. Seeler led the construction efforts and his wife shaped the look of the restaurant and bar.
“Dan had the vision,” Mrs. Seeler said. “He does this for a living.”
The couple visited many restaurants in the region, and noted many popular establishments are in small towns, including the Red Osier in Stafford and Farmer’s Creekside Tavern & Inn in Le Roy.
The Seelers want to serve the Holley community, but they expect the new restaurant will draw well beyond the local community.
Mrs. Seeler wanted to create an upscale dining experience where everyone would feel welcome. She also wanted to celebrate the beauty of the Holley Waterfalls.
Retired Holley art teacher Tony Barry created a painting of the Holley Waterfalls that hangs prominently in the dining room.
Giant photographs by Kim Miller of the waterfalls, walking trails and canal system in Holley are mounted on the walls.
The community has watched the improvements at the building the past five years, and residents have been eager for the business to open.
“It’s all of the little details,” Mrs. Seeler said. “It’s all the details and they take time.”
The Seelers have hired 32 people and then will add to the staff. They said the staff is hard-working and committed to making the new business a success. The Seelers have sensed the pride of the employees in getting the new business ready.
Beth Miller, 29, of Holley is the head chef. She holds a Crème Brulee dessert. The Holley graduate developed the menu at Holley Falls. She makes the meals and desserts from scratch.
She earned a culinary degree at Paul Smith’s College and worked five years as a pastry chef at an upscale lodge in Lake Placid. Most recently she was the head chef for a brewing company in the Town of Greece.
“This is an amazing opportunity,” she said about working for the Seelers. “You don’t get an opportunity like this everyday to open a restaurant from the very beginning.”
Nickie Poler is the front of the house manager. The restaurant has tablets where waiters and waitresses enter orders at the customers’ tables, and those orders are sent directly to the kitchen and bar, before the waiters and waitresses have left the table.
Poler said it will speed up service and decrease mistakes in ordering.
Holley Falls will be open for dinners from 4 to 9 p.m., with the bar menu available from 9 p.m. to midnight.
After a couple months, the Seelers said the Holley Falls will likely open for lunches from Thursdays through Sundays.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 August 2018 at 9:54 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Several bands and musicians performed for 11 hours at Bullard Park today in the fifth annual Rock the Park fundraiser. The top photo shows the Rock Soulgers performing “Double Vision” by Foreigner. The band members pictured include, from left, lead singer Calvin Nichols, Chris Konieczny and Mike Wisto, both on guitar and vocals.
The Rock the Park Committee rented a large tent for the bands to perform at the park. In addition to Rock Soulgers, the bands included the Eagle Creek Band, Shotgun Pauly, Zero with special guest Jonathan Doherty and 7th Heaven Rocks.
Calvin Nichols didn’t hold back in singing some classic rock songs for the Rock Soulgers. The bands donated their time for today’s benefit.
The Eagle Creek Band started the music under the big tent at 3 p.m. Prior to the bands, there were several acoustic acts at the park, including Lonesome Road, Burial Harbor, Chris Moore, Dylan DeSmit, Al Capurso, Joel Russlett, Jon Strobele and PD3.
Rock the Park was expanded this time and included several crafters and food vendors.
Jim Navarra gave people rides in wagon around the park. He also performed a cowboy show.
Mike Wisto, guitarist for Rock Soulgers, gave a high-energy performance.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 August 2018 at 3:48 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The Marti’s on Main art gallery in Albion had an opening reception on Friday for a new art show featuring five artists, including Rebecca Maynard of Brockport, pictured above.
Maynard started taking painting seriously about five years ago after many years of “doodling,” she said.
Maynard worked nine years as the care management director for the Orleans County Mental Health Department. She now works for Mental Health in Monroe County.
“I started painting, I got addicted and I couldn’t stop,” she said. “It’s good for my head. It’s a form of meditation.”
Some of her paintings have been featured in art shows, including one of a mouse that was picked for a national show at Old Forge last summer.
Marti’s will be displaying 16 of Maynard’s paintings this month, including this one of a dog retrieving a tennis ball.
“It’s been an incredible adventure,” Maynard said about her artistic pursuits. “I love every minute of it.”
She has taken some art classes and also learned by watching YouTube videos.
Connie Mosher of Albion is pictured with some of her paintings.
Mosher painted these images of Letchworth, showing the previous bridge at top and the new bridge at bottom.
Kim Martillotta Muscarella, owner of the gallery, is pictured with her 14-year-old granddaughter Lily Zambito, who has seven paintings in the art show, including untitled at top and “Pink Sunset” at bottom.
Jan Kisiel has paintings and kumihimo jewelry in the art show.
Chris VerSteeg of Kendall won the blue ribbon for best of show for this painting of her kitten during a recent show at A Different Path Gallery in Brockport. She entitled this portrait, “Determination.” VerSteeg has several other paintings on display at Marti’s.
The gallery is at 229 North Main St. People are welcome to stop by and see if the gallery is open.
Photos courtesy of Emily Pellicano, Simply Em Productions: The 220 participants at the Farm-To-Table dinner on Thursday evening enjoy a six-course meal on a closed-off section of Main Street.
MEDINA – “Epic.” “Magical.”
Words like these were used again and again to describe the experience diners had at Medina’s third Farm to Table Dinner on Thursday evening.
A record crowd of 220 from Rochester to Buffalo and beyond gathered on Medina’s Main Street, in the heart of the village’s Downtown Historic District.
The annual gala affair is hosted by the Orleans Renaissance Group, Inc., a Medina area 501(c)(3) arts and cultural organization, as a fund-raiser for the local Canal Village Farmers’ Market.
The market, sponsored by ORG, is managed by Gail Miller and is open Saturdays through October at 127 West Center St.
At the helm of the dinners is Michael Zambito, owner and chef at Medina’s renown Zambistro restaurant. The first dinner occurred in 2016 with Chef Zambito preparing a five-course gourmet meal for 137 guests. The 2017 dinner saw a collaboration between Zambistro and local Mexican restaurant, Mariachi de Oro, and an expansion to accommodate 200 patrons.
This year, Zambistro and Mariachi were joined by chefs from Sourced Market & Eatery, Mile 303 and the Shirt Factory, all of Medina, for a full six-course dinner and over 200 people.
All of the ingredients used in the meal were locally sourced and farm-fresh, provided almost entirely from the vendors at Canal Village Farmers’ Market. Proceeds from the dinner go to the market.
At 4 p.m., Medina’s Main Street was closed off and the transformation began in earnest. Chefs and staff from all five restaurants descended on the place, working with volunteers from the Canal Village Farmers’ Market to remake the historic district into a sensational dinner venue.
At 6 p.m., arriving guests were welcomed a glass of award winning Tiny Bubbles sparkling wine from Schulze Vineyards, a Chef’s Course prepared by Zambistro – a Roasted Corn Hush Puppy with Lobster, Italian rice, corn meal, and poblano cream. Diners found arrayed before them an impressive table, stretching nearly 200 feet along the thoroughfare, set with simple elegance.
The Main Street Historic District, listed on both the National and NYS Registers of Historic Places, provided a stunning backdrop of magnificently preserved 19th century architecture in the soft light of the evening sun.
The desserts were prepared by the Shirt Factory.
As the evening progressed, words like “magical,” “captivating,” “dazzling” and “gorgeous” were heard as patrons dined on gourmet courses such as Chile Verde Empanada- pork shoulder, green tomatillos, red tomatoes, garlic and wild verdolago plant, and Chicken Three Ways- egg pasta, chicken thigh tortellini, sous vide chicken breast, anise beurre blanc and carrot dust.
Each course was paired with some of the finest award-winning wines and mead from the Niagara Wine Trail from Schulze Vineyards, Leonard Oakes Estate Winery, Liten Buffel, Chateau Niagara and 810 Meadworks. Staff from the wineries poured for the guests and explained the pairings.
As twilight began to fall on the scene, dessert provided by the Shirt Factory was served. Summer Berry Chocolate Cake is a layered chocolate cake with mixed summer berry buttercream with chocolate ganache, paired with Raspberry Mead from 810 Meadworks. While guests savored their last delicious bites, a standing ovation was given for the chefs, servers, wineries and volunteers who executed a flawless evening.
Guests dispersed with smiles on their faces, joining the after party at Fitzgibbons Celtic Pub and Mile 303, already looking forward to next years’ dinner.
Corporate sponsorship of the event was generously provided by Pride Pak, a recent addition to Medina’s corporate community. The company operates a new state-of-the-art 64,000 square foot, fresh vegetable processing facility on NYS Rte. 31A.
“We are immensely grateful for Pride Pak’s continuing commitment, not only to Medina but to this great community event. They were our first sponsor in 2016,” said Chris Busch, ORG President. “Without CEO Steve Karr and the Pride Pak team, this event would’ve gotten off the ground three years ago.”
Also providing sponsorship was Takeform Architectural Graphics. Also located on Rte. 31A, they are designers and manufacturers of architectural signage & graphics for interior & exterior environments. “Bill Hungerford and Takeform are well known for their dedication to our community and we’re grateful for their support.”
Additional sponsorship was also provided by LaBella Associates of Rochester, NY
Tickets for the event were $100 each and sold out within 30 minutes after going on sale.
Brockport resident and blogger, Lori Skoog, has attended all three dinners. Writing in her blog, The Skoog Farm Journal, she states, “If you plan on going next year, do not hesitate to get your tickets the minute they are available. This year they were sold out in a heartbeat!”
Historic Main Street provided an elegant backdrop for the event.
Photo courtesy of Melissa Ierlan: A rainbow appears over a barn Friday evening in Clarendon at the corner of Boots and Merrill Road.
Today’s hot and humid day with a high of 86 will be followed by even more heat on Sunday and Monday, according to the National Weather Service in Buffalo.
Sunday and Monday are both forecast to hit highs of 91.
Apparent temperatures may approach heat advisory criteria of 95 degrees for a few hours both Sunday and Monday afternoons. The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity can increase the risk of heat illnesses, especially for sensitive groups, the National Weather Service said.
Tuesday is forecast for a high of 85, followed by 81 on Wednesday, 82 on Thursday and 82 on Friday.
By Matthew Ballard, Orleans County Historian Posted 4 August 2018 at 6:51 am
“Overlooked Orleans” – Vol. 4, No. 31
Roy D. S. Bruner
On occasion I discover a photograph and set it aside for sorting, only to have it resurface several months later. The faces stare at me as if I know each person’s identity, their names, their characteristics, and personality. At times it becomes maddening when faces are recognized, and names not recalled; in reality, many photographs go unidentified.
This studio portrait taken by Francis Burnette shows a rather young Roy D. S. Bruner of Albion, NY. Inscribed on the reverse are dates, “Born March 12, 1873, Died Nov. 5, 1888.” The other markings, “Class of ’89, L. A. Achilles,” indicate that the photograph is part of a collection of images once belonging to Lillian Achilles of Albion. So, what can be said about this dapper young gentleman, with his brush-cut hair, rimless spectacles, and stand-up collar?
The brief story of Roy Bruner starts with his father, Henry A. Bruner, who was born October 23, 1823 at Danville, Pennsylvania. As a child his parents relocated to Yates County, New York where both passed, leaving the young man a poor orphan. He was forced to learn the trade of harness making in order to support him financially but was fortunate enough to attend a select school and several public schools in the Penn Yan area. Upon the completion of his schooling, he taught in a one-room schoolhouse for several years before finishing his education at the State Normal School in Albany in 1847. It was his reputation in this endeavor that earned him an appointment as the first school commissioner in Yates County in 1856.
In 1861, Bruner relocated to Albion and purchased a home on the northeast corner of Main Street and Bailey Street (now Rt. 31), currently the site of Advance Auto Parts. It was in January of that year that he acquired the Orleans American newspaper with his brother David S. Bruner, purchasing the business from S. A. Andrews. A successful and respected businessman who found himself influential in Republican politics, Bruner and his wife Jerusha attempted to raise a small family with the birth of their daughter Eliza in 1859 and daughter Etta in 1861. Unfortunately, Etta’s life was cut short at the age of 1 on November 6, 1862 and just over two years later Jerusha passed away at Elmira, New York on February 1, 1865.
The widower remarried the following year to Sarah Standart Smith in September of 1866 and the couple welcomed a healthy baby boy, Henry Jr., on October 9, 1867. This small glimmer of happiness was quickly dashed by the passing of Henry’s brother and business partner on July 9, 1868; David’s death dissolved the partnership and Henry became sole owner of the Orleans American.
It appears as though very little information exists to provide a thorough account of the lives of Henry’s two sons. What is known is that the two boys were stricken with typhoid fever at some point during the summer or early fall of 1888. At that time, Henry was a student at the Deaf & Mute Asylum in Rochester and was staying with his parents during his illness. Roy, who was fifteen years old at the time, also contracted the illness that produced a fever, fatigue, cough, diarrhea, and intestinal bleeding. On October 26, 1888, Henry Jr. succumbed to the illness followed by his brother Roy on November 5, 1888. The loss of two sons was devastating to the family, particularly Sarah Bruner who had lost her only children.
Funeral services for the young man were held in the Baptist Church and officiated by Dr. A. C. Osburn of Albion. One can imagine the sorrow felt by his fellow pupils in the Albion High School as the students neared graduation.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 August 2018 at 8:38 pm
ALBION – Bullard Park will be rocking on Saturday for the fifth annual music festival at Bullard.
Rock the Park features five bands playing from 3 to 10 p.m. There will also be eight acoustical acts, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with two acts performing the same time, one under a pavilion by the playground and another near the entrance of the park.
In between the two acts will be crafters and other vendors. There will also be a farmers’ market stand, hayrides for children and a cowboy show and face painting.
“We’re trying to make it a great one-day event for the community,” said John Grillo, one of the organizers and the director of the Albion Recreation Committee.
He has led the recreation program in Albion for more than 40 years. Grillo is pleased with upgrades planned for the park, including a spray park/splash pad, amphitheater, and walking/jogging trail. Long-term he would like to see a cabin that could hold 50 people and be used for indoor activities at the parks, especially when it’s raining.
Dale Brooks of the Albion Lions Club sets up lights at Bullard Park. The Lions Club is a key sponsor of the music festival on Saturday. Bernie Baldwin is at right.
Grillo sees Bullard as an unrealized asset for the community. The amphitheater, which could be complete this fall, could be used for concerts, movies, and other events. Families could attend concerts and children could use the playground close by while their parents listen to music or take a lap on the trail.
The Rock the Park organizers also think bigger nationally known musicians would perform in Albion, with Bullard known as a mini Art Park.
Zack Burgess said local musicians would also embrace the opportunity to play at Bullard. They already have stepped up to play at Rock the Park.
“There are a ton of god musicians in Albion and the surrounding towns,” he said.
Th headliner for Rock the Park on Saturday is 7th Heaven, a band that plays in the Rochester area but includes several former local residents, including Albion native Mike Giarrizzo. He stopped by Bullard today after a round of golf.
Giarrizzo and 7th Heaven last played in Albion about seven years ago. The band has wanted to play at Rock the Park but its schedule didn’t allow until this time. Giarrizzo lives in Churchville and is recently retired from General Motors. He plays lead guitar for the band.
“I’ve been wanting to do this but we were booked,” he said. “I love being back in Albion.”
Admission for Rock the Park is free, except for a $5 charge to enter the beer tent.
Albion Department of Public Works employees help get the site ready for the concert. The bands will play under a large tent. Scott Bradshaw, front, and DPW Superintendent Jay Pahura set up the temporary fencing.
The schedule for Saturday includes:
9 a.m. – Craft and Artisan vendors open
11 a. m – Acoustic acts begin
Pavilion Stage:
11 a.m. – Lonesome Road
Noon – Burial Harbor
1 p.m. – Chris Moore
2 p.m. – Dylan DeSmit
Acoustic Tent Stage:
11 a.m. – Al Capurso
Noon – Joel Russlett
1 p.m.– Jon Strobele
2 p.m. – PD3
Beer Tent Stage:
3 p.m. – Eagle Creek Band
4:10 p.m. – Shotgun Pauly
5:20 p.m. – Zero with special guest Jonathan Doherty
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 August 2018 at 1:08 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers: The farm fields and grass in Orleans County are greener after some recent rains. This photo shows a historical marker in Gaines, just west of the Gaines Basin Road bridge, which is the northernmost point on the canal. The sign was recently repainted by students in Tim Archer’s seventh grade service learning class at Albion, with Melissa Ierlan of Clarendon doing the lettering.
Orleans County farmers breathed a big sigh of relief with about an inch of rain two weeks ago, followed by another sizable rainfall.
But there hasn’t been much rain since. Orleans County, in fact, remains in a moderate drought, according to The National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
“The rain we got was very, very beneficial, said Larry Meyer, director of the Farm Service Agency in Orleans and Monroe counties.
The rain helped corn to grow and pollinate, and many farmers planted cabbage, cucumbers and green beans in last two weeks.
But with another dry spell, the groundwater is starting to get used up.
“We haven’t had the rain to make everything look real healthy,” Meyer said. “It’s been raining to the south of us. But our section in Niagara, Orleans and part of Monroe, it’s been skipping us.”
State-wide, New York is in better shape now than last week. As of Tuesday, 40.7 percent of NY was considered abnormally dry (down from 72.5 percent on July 24). The percentage considered in moderate drought didn’t change much, from 20.23 percent on July 24 to 20.08 percent on July 31, according to the Drought Monitor.
In Western New York, the area with moderate drought includes all of Orleans, most of Niagara and some of the western end of Monroe County.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 August 2018 at 9:13 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: Scott Caraboolad, center, and his motorbike stunt team perform in early October last year on East State Street in Albion, in front of about 300 people by the Orleans County Courthouse. Ride 4 Life will return Sept. 13-15.
A group of local pastors took a chance last year in welcoming a group of motorcycle stunt riders to the county for shows at local schools, as well as community performances in Albion and Medina and a big event at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds.
The stunt riders impress with their acrobatics on the motorcycles. They also brought a message of overcoming addiction.
Scott Caraboolad, the lead rider, also shared about his Christian faith during the community performances in Albion and Medina, as well as the “Hopefest” at the Fairgrounds, which was attended by about 1,500 attended.
Tim Lindsay, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship, didn’t know what to expect with the motorcycle riders. They won him over with their sincerity in their message, and their ability to captivate a crowd with the wheelies and other tricks they do on the motorcycles.
File photo: Scott Caraboolad speaks to Holley students after a stunt show last October.
Lindsay is a member of Pastors Aligned for Community Transformation, which includes pastors from about a dozen local churches. They worked to bring in Ride 4 Life last year and will have Caraboolad and his team back from Sept. 13-15.
PACT worked with other local agencies to welcome the motorcycle riders. PACT has been part of forums on the opioid addiction in Orleans County and has urged people to become coaches in assisting people through recovery.
“Our goal is to keep people who are vulnerable to drug addiction from going down that path,” Lindsay told the Albion Rotary Club on Thursday. “People who are in drug addiction we want to give them some hope and connect them to resources.”
Ride 4 Life will perform stunt shows at some of the local schools and share a message about making good choices. The stunt riders will also be featured during a 6 p.m. show on Sept. 13 in Medina’s Canal Basin, 6 p.m. on Sept. 14 in Albion on East State Street in front of the courthouse, and during “Hopefest” from noon to 6 p.m. on Sept. 15 at the fairgrounds.
The Hopefest will also include a classic car cruise-in with free admission. For information about the car show, call 585-590-0777.
Lindsay said PACT has a long-term goal of developing a community care center in the county for people fighting addiction.
