The Orleans County Chamber of Commerce is seeking nominations for the annual business awards.
The categories include:
• Business of the Year – This award is presented to a business that has experienced significant overall achievements/success throughout the year.
• Lifetime Achievement – This award is presented to an individual with a long-term record of outstanding business achievements.
• Phoenix Award – This award is presented to an organization or business that has successfully adapted or re-used an existing facility.
• New Business of the Year – This award is presented to a business or organization that has opened in the past year.
• Community Service Award – This award is presented to a business, organization or individual that has provided meaningful contributions to the community in either professional or non-professional spheres.
• Agricultural Business of the Year – This award is presented to an agricultural business that has experienced significant overall achievements/success throughout the year.
• Businessperson of the Year – This award is presented to an individual who has had outstanding accomplishments within their own business/businesses and who has made notable contributions to our local business sector.
• Small Business of the Year – This award is presented to a small business that has experienced significant achievements/success throughout the year.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 July 2018 at 11:24 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
KNOWLESVILLE – Anna Grillo, 9, of Albion shows a dairy animal on Wednesday during the dairy competition at the Orleans County 4-H Fair. Anna’s Brown Swiss was named the grand champion in that breed.
Joe Cecchini of Medina shows the grand champion of all breeds with his Holstein he named “Strawberry.” Rylie Lear showed the reserve champion Holstein.
Elizabeth Jurs has the reserve champ of all breeds with her Jersey named “Katie.” Elizabeth’s cow was the grand champion Jersey with Justin Robinson showing the reserve champ.
Lillian Mathes of Barre shows the grand champion Ayrshire.
Justin Robinson, 18, of Albion and his cousin, Kasey Neal, 8, of Albion, show a mother and daughter pair.
Showmanship awards include:
• Elizabeth Jurs as master dairy showman (She advances to Friday’s grand master showman competition)
• John Igoe as reserve master showman with Kaitlin Bennett earning an honorable mention
Provided photo: Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) poses with veterans of the U.S. Air Force at a memorial honoring Air Force veterans during last year’s Patriot Trip to Washington D.C.
ALBION – Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) announced there is still room available to sign up for this year’s Patriot Trip to Washington D.C. from Sept. 20 to Sept. 23.
Veterans who have attended a previous year’s trip or live outside the 139th Assembly District are now welcome to sign up. Veterans who are first-time attendees to the trip will still receive first priority.
Hawley is a longtime supporter of veterans and has served on the Assembly Veterans’ Affairs Committee since 2006.
“The Patriot Trip is one of my favorite events throughout the year,” Hawley said. “This trip was inspired by Mike Paduchak, a World War Two veteran, who asked me to come together with local veterans and host a trip to Washington D.C. Through the experiences of my father, veterans I have met during previous year’s trips, and my own service in the military, I have gained a tremendous understanding and admiration for the sacrifices endured by our veterans. It is for these reasons that I continue the Patriot Trip each year and have solidified it as one of the staples of my service to our community.”
Attractions Hawley plans to visit this year on the trip include: White House, U.S. Capitol, WWII Memorial, Gettysburg, Korean War Memorial, Vietnam War Memorial, Iwo Jima – The Marine Corps Memorial, American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial, Air Force Memorial, 911 Memorial at the Pentagon, Arlington National Cemetery, including the Changing of the Guard, and Wreath Laying at the Tomb of the Unknowns.
If you or a veteran you know want more information about this year’s Patriot Trip XI, please call 585-589-5780 or email carneyj@nyassembly.gov. To view photos from previous years, click here.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 July 2018 at 9:29 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
KNOWLESVILLE – The Grease Pole climbing competition returned to the Orleans County 4-H Fair on Wednesday night with two teams attempting to climb the grease-slathered pole.
Justin Robinson, 18, of Albion is at the top in this photo of the Roadkill Chickens. Robinson and several other members of the dairy club wanted to try the challenge. They had just finished showing dairy animals.
It proved too difficult to get to the top for the Roadkill Chickens.
Janie Schutz, 22, of Waterport has put together a grease pole team the last three years. She is at the base of the pole for the Roadkill Chickens along with John Igoe, 19. Schutz is a student at Northwest Missouri State University. She shows her friends videos from the grease pole.
“At first they think it’s kind of weird but then they say they should do it at their fairs,” Schutz said.
One of her teams made it to the top of the pole previously.
“It’s a lot of fun.”
Rylie Lear tries to climb over Justin Robinson. Rylie, who is Janie Schitz’s sister, made her debut in the competition. “It’s slippery,” she said.
Matt Flanagan makes a push for the top for the Roadkill Chickens. They came up short in their quest. The teams have to grab a cannister at the top of the pole. They aren’t allowed to wear belts or have loose pockets – anything that they can grab hold of.
The Troll Diggers, the defending champs, qualified for the finals on Saturday night after winning on Wednesday. They made it to the top in 37 seconds. They have been competing in the grease pole for five years. The first year they failed the first three tries.
“It’s our tradition now,” said Andrew Jones, who is the top man for the Troll Diggers, followed by Isaiah Jenks and Jeff Ebel. Most of the team members are from the Hamlin area.
Barry Flansburg is the emcee for the competition.
There are qualifying rounds each night until the championship on Saturday. The grease pole has been a popular event at the fair since the 1970s.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 July 2018 at 8:18 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
KOWLESVILLE – Eating feats were on display Wednesday at the Orleans County 4-H Fair with pie- and donut-eating contests. The top photo shows Ivory Summers, 10, of Albion during the competition.
Three siblings from the Shaw family in Kendall all had top 3 performances. Brian Shaw won the 12- to 16-year-old category, while his brother Nate was second in the 8- to 11-year-olds and sister Teagan was third in the 5- to 8-year-olds.
Jaden Luxon, 7, of Medina and his cousin Nalanie Miller, 6, of Medina devoured cherry pies, with some of the filling on their faces.
James Trembley, 11, of Barre showed reckless abandon in trying to eat as much of the pie as possible in two minutes.
There was also a donut-eating competition that included local law enforcement officers, 4-H’ers and other community members. Jason Clark, left, of Kendall was the undisputed champion, devouring five donuts in two minutes.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 July 2018 at 7:43 am
Photos by Tom Rivers: The Greased Pole competition returned to the Orleans County 4-H Fair on Wednesday night. Elizabeth Jurs is at top of the Roadkill Chickens team which included several members who had just participated in the dairy show. They didn’t quite get to the top of the pole.
Visit our new Ag Education and Activities Areas in the Lartz Commercial Exhibit Building.
8 a.m. – Senior Council Stand Opens
8 a.m. – Western Horse Show and Ranch Division at Carlos Marcello Arena
Wednesday was the pie-eating contest. This trio includes from left: Sophie Kroening, 8, of Knowlesville, Jaden Luxon, 7, of Medina, and Nalanie Miller, 6, of Medina.
10 a.m. – Wildlife I.D. Contest. Log Cabin
12 p.m. – Leader’s Pie Stand Opens
12 p.m. – Calf Feeding and Care Demonstrations at Cattle Barn
2 p.m. – Dog Show Grooming and Handling/Showmanship, Classes 1-4 and C1. Show Arena
2 to 4 p.m. – Family and Consumer Science Knowledge Bowl at Trolley Building
2 p.m. – Agripuppets Entertainment Show at Agripuppets Stage
This group working the Senior Council Stand includes Scott Marciszewski, McKenzie Olmstead and David Farruggia.
2:30 p.m. – Hansen’s Spectacular Acrobatic Sensations at Lawn South of the Knights Building
3 – 10 p.m. – Midway Rides by Main Event Amusements $20 Unlimited Ride Wristband at Midway
3 – 8 p.m. – Red Cross of WNY Blood Drive. Education Center
4 p.m. – Agripuppets Entertainment Show at Agripuppets Stage
4:30 p.m. – Chicken BBQ Sponsored by Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension – No Presale at Curtis Pavilion
5 to 7 p.m. – Magic Joe and his Magic Anywhere! Strolling
Grady Panek, 5, of Albion shows his pedal power during the Small Fry Pedal Tractor Pull.
5:30 to 8:30 p.m. – BalloonMania! Free Entertainment at Lartz Building
6 p.m. – Sheep Show (Costume class at end) at Knight’s Building
6 p.m. – Registration for Small Fry Pedal Tractor Pull ends at Fair Office
6 p.m. – Agripuppets Entertainment Show at Agripuppets Stage
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 July 2018 at 11:46 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers: A butterfly is pictured Wednesday in Albion are East Park Street.
The National Weather Service in Buffalo has issued a hazardous weather outlook for Orleans County and much of Western New York on Thursday.
Scattered thunderstorms will develop off the lake and breeze inland from Lake Erie on Thursday afternoon, before thunderstorms move into the Niagara Frontier from Canada Thursday evening. A few of these storms will be capable of producing isolated damaging wind gusts and locally heavy rainfall, the Weather Service said
Thursday is forecast for a high of 84, followed by a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms on Friday with a high of 79.
Saturday there is a chance for showers with a high of 76, followed by a high near 80 on Sunday.
CLARENDON — The man killed Tuesday night in a motor vehicle accident in Clarendon has been identified as Matthew Gardner, 25, of Hamlin.
He was driving a 2013 Chevrolet pickup truck eastbound on Route 31A when a 1994 Ford flatbed truck pulled into the intersection at Fancher Road, Chief Deputy Michael Mele said.
The 1994 Ford was driven by Kevin Lupiani, 40, of Medina, who failed to stop for a stop sign, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Both vehicles came to a rest in a cornfield on the southeast side of the intersection at about 10:30 p.m. Lupiani was taken to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester by Monroe Ambulance.
Gardner was taken to Strong West in Brockport and was pronounced dead.
The accident is under investigation by the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 July 2018 at 12:34 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
BATAVIA – Ken Ireland is hugged by his daughter Paige during a retirement ceremony today in Batavia, at the Troop A headquarters for the State Police.
Ireland worked 31 years as a state trooper, including the past 29 years based out of Albion. The native of Alexander, Genesee County, spent his first two years as a trooper working near Syracuse.
“It’s bittersweet,” Ireland said this morning about his retirement. “I’m excited to get through 31 years and to come home safe. But I’ll miss the people.”
Ireland is shown with Captain Daniel Lyons after Ireland turned in his badge, No. 4351.
Ireland joined the State Police in September 1987, at a starting salary of $19,073.
“When you come on to this job, you don’t do it for the money,” Lyons said. “It’s something inside of you.”
Ireland taught defensive tactics for the State Police Academy for 10 years. He was sent to New York City immediately after the 9-11 attacks in 2001. In 1998, he was involved in a shootout in Kendall.
Michael Notto, sergeant and station commander in Albion, said Ireland is well known among troopers and also community members.
“It’s not just about writing tickets,” Notto said. “It’s about being in the community and Ken was outstanding about that.”
State troopers and members of the State Police PBA thank Ireland for his years of service.
Ireland, center, said he will miss the camaraderie with his co-workers.
Provided photos: Bruce Reckahn, left, and his wife, Sara, at right are pictured with Catherine Buzanski, Reckahn’s sister, at the Reckahns’ new restaurant, Comfort & Floyd.
Medina native Bruce Reckahn has opened a restaurant in Philadelphia with his wife, Sara. Reckahn’s friend, Kathy Ridenour, visited the restaurant, Comfort & Floyd, this past weekend in sent in these photos to the Orleans Hub.
“Bruce and Sara have both worked in the restaurant industry for years and this is their opportunity to shine,” said Ridenour, a Medina native. “The restaurant is nestled in a quaint corner location on South 11th Street in Philly. While, it doesn’t have the auspicious corner rivalry as the steak spots Pat and Geno’s, it does have awesome character.”
Reckahn, the son of Jeannie Reckahn, named the restaurant – Comfort and Floyd – for family, his Aunt Comfort and Uncle Floyd.
Comfort & Floyd serves breakfast and brunch.
“Bruce and Sara serve up breakfast / brunch to a small but packed house filled with charm, wit, and the smell of sweet success,” Ridenour said. “We were ravenous and ordered almost everything for breakfast. My meal was a huge portion, fluffy eggs, delicious home fries. Getting hungry just thinking. You won’t walk away hungry.”
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced an additional $5 million is available to continue the support of critical improvement projects at New York’s animal shelters. This is the second round of funding for the New York State Companion Animal Capital Fund, which will allow eligible organizations to make significant updates to their facilities to enhance animal care and health. A total of $10 million has been dedicated to the program since 2017.
“We are proud to provide animal shelters with additional funding to ensure pets across New York receive the care they need,” Governor Cuomo said. “This funding will build on the $5 million awarded last year to shelters across the state, giving them the resources and tools they need to continue their important work of finding these pets a loving home in the Empire State.”
Administered by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, the Companion Animal Capital Fund is available to non-profit and municipal animal shelters, humane societies, and societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals. The goal of the program is to help these organizations continue to provide sheltering services to local communities and promote better care for the animals.
According to the New York State Animal Protection Federation, more than 150,000 animals are brought to these facilities each year and many are adopted by New York families. The Companion Animal Capital Fund will provide competitive matching grants to offset the costs associated with capital projects at these shelters, such as renovating dog kennels or building more efficient shelters to reduce the cost of operation. Funds can be used to construct, renovate, rehab, or acquire buildings or equipment needed to house, treat, and care for sheltered dogs and cats.
The Companion Animal Capital Fund is the first state-funded program in the nation to support critical improvement projects at New York shelters. Earlier this year, the Governor announced that more than one dozen animal shelters and humane societies in eight regions across the state were awarded nearly $5 million in funding through the first round of the New York State Companion Animal Capital Fund.
“The first round of this program last year showed a great need for funding to allow shelters to make facility upgrades,” said State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball. “We are happy to be able to extend our reach and provide additional funding to animal care organizations so that they can better provide for these pets and ensure they are being afforded the best opportunity to be placed with a family in a forever home.”
Eligible organizations that serve a single municipality with a population of less than two million people may apply for grants of $50,000 to $200,000. The awarded funding may not exceed 50 percent of the proposed project cost and applicants are required to match 50 percent of the grant total.
Eligible organizations serving two or more municipalities, or one municipality with a population of more than two million individuals, may apply for grants of $100,000 to $500,000. For these grants, the awarded funding may not exceed 75 percent of the proposed project cost and applicants are required to match 25 percent of the grant.
All applicants must apply through Grants Gateway (click here) by November 7, 2018 at 4 p.m. More details on eligibility and the application process are available on the Current Funding Opportunities page at www.agriculture.ny.gov/RFPS. For questions, contact Alexandra Chiusano at Alexandra.Chiusano@agriculture.ny.gov.
KNOWLESVILLE – Fairgoers will notice a lot of changes at this year’s Orleans County 4-H Fair.
During the opening ceremonies Monday night, fair manager Marty Zwifka said people might notice a lot of open spaces, and there was a reason for that.
On Tuesday, Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension director Robert Batt explained the remark.
“When we built the new stage and tore down the old one, it freed up a lot space, giving us room to lay things out differently,” Batt said.
At their post at the information window at the Orleans County 4-H Fair are Sarah Ebbs, 4-H administrative assistant; and Aeddon Cayea, fair king and summer assistant.
A lot of other changes are in the works, as well. They anticipate a new show building will be ready for next year’s fair, south of the current show area.
“This will open up space for the dogs to be exhibited with the horses and the horses will have an indoor arena space,” Batt said. “All the goats and sheep will be moved across the creek.”
Money for the improvements will come from a $96,000 grant which was part of Governor Cuomo’s New York State Fair Infrastructure Program.
The fair is also excited about two new entertainment acts, Agripuppets Entertainment Show and Hansen’s Spectacular Acrobatic Sensations.
“We have been on a waiting list for seven years to get them,” Batt said.
“We got lucky this year, as this is the Hansen’s last season on the road,” said Brandon Johnson, who is in charge of fair entertainment.
Both acts perform several shows each day of the fair.
Batt said attendance on opening night was pretty impressive.
“We had more people than last year, in spite of the rain,” he said.
Wednesday is Senior Citizens’ day at the fair, with free coffee for seniors from 1 to 4 p.m. and lunch in the pavilion, with entertainment by David Marchione.
Also new this year is having the pie eating contest on Wednesday night. It was changed from Thursday to free up the stage for other entertainment and to provide more excitement on Wednesday. The donut eating contest will also take place Wednesday evening.
Photos by Tom Rivers: The giant pie tie, used to make the World’s Largest Apple Pie, is near some of the food vendors at the fair.
Special Events Senior Citizen Coffee, free coffee for senior citizens from 1-4 p.m., compliments of the Orleans County 4-H Senior Council.
Visit our new Ag Education and Activities Areas in the Lartz Commercial Exhibit Building.
8 a.m. – Senior Council Stand Opens
8 a.m. – English Dressage Horse Show at Carlos Marcello Arena
9 a.m. – Poultry Show at Wachob Pavilion
10 a.m. – $7 Admission per car starts
10 a.m. – All buildings open
10 a.m. – Goat Show (Dairy, Companion and Pack) at Knights Building
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Nutrifare Senior Luncheon with the sing-along music of David Marchione (Food will be served at 12 pm with ticket). Curtis Pavilion
12 p.m. – Leader’s Pie Stand Opens
12 p.m. – Calf Feeding and Care Demonstrations at Cattle Barn
1:30 to 3 p.m. – Bread & Butter Making Demo and Tasting at Trolley Building
Emma Mathes, 16, of Barre models a fully lined and piped Navy blue tailored cotton spandex blazer. It took her 10 hours to make the blazer. She was part of the Clothing Revue on Monday on the new stage at the Curtis Pavilion.
2 p.m. – Meat Goat Show. Knight’s Building
2:30 p.m. – Llama and Alpaca Meet and Greet at Show Arena
3 – 10 p.m. – Main Event Amusements $20 Unlimited Rides Wristband at Midway
3 p.m. – Dog Knowledge Bowl at Talis Equity Stage
3 p.m. – Fair Official Meeting at Fair Office
4 p.m. – Dairy Cattle Show at Show Arena
4 p.m. – Agripuppets Entertainment Show at Agripuppets Stage
CLARENDON — The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a two-car fatal motor vehicle accident in the Town of Clarendon on Tuesday night.
At approximately 10:35 p.m., a call came to the Orleans County 911 dispatch center reporting a rollover accident at the intersection of Route 31A and Fancher Road.
After a preliminary investigation, it appears that a 1994 Ford flatbed truck operated by Kevin Lupiani, 40, of Medina failed to stop at a stop sign at the intersection and struck a 2013 Chevrolet pickup truck that was traveling eastbound on Route 31A.
Both vehicles came to rest in a corn field on the south east side of the intersection. Lupiani was taken to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester by Monroe Ambulance and is in stable condition.
The driver of the pickup truck was taken to Strong West in Brockport where he was pronounced dead. The name of the deceased is being withheld until notification of the family is complete.
In both vehicles, the driver was the sole occupant. The accident remains under investigation by the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office.
MEDINA – Sherry Tuohey of Medina admires the star-shaped garden of Steve and Ruth Shewan in West Shelby during the Garden Tour of Homes on Saturday, sponsored by the Cobblestone Society.
Each point in the star features flowers of a different color. The tour continued with lunch at Sourced Market and Eatery in Millville, a visit to view the day lilies at Cottage Gardens on East Shelby Road and a final stop at Navarra’s Farm Market and Greenhouses in Eagle Harbor for a “make and take” garden class.
The tour also included a stop in Gaines and Lyndonville. Sue Starkweather Miller served as tour guide.
