By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 July 2018 at 11:48 am
Photo courtesy of Ralph Smith: A US Coast Guard tug and barge has been on station since Monday afternoon about one-half mile offshore at Yates-Carlton border.
It is going to a be a hot Fourth of July in Orleans County, with temperatures reaching 90, according to the National Weather Service in Buffalo.
There won’t be much of a breeze, either.
The highs for the following few days include 89 on Thursday (with a chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon), 78 on Friday (with a chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2 p.m.), 76 on Saturday and 81 on Sunday.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 July 2018 at 10:43 am
Photos by Tom Rivers: This plaque at Hoag Library in Albion shows Maurice “Mo” Hoag and his wife, Courtenay. The couple has now donated $700,000 to the public library in Albion.
ALBION – Hoag Library’s biggest benefactors have boosted their giving to Albion’s public library.
Last week, Maurice “Mo” Hoag sent an email to Kevin Doherty, president of the library’s board of trustees. Hoag said to look out for a check coming soon. A cashier’s check arrived in the mail on Monday. It was for $250,000.
Mo and his wife, Courtenay, have now given $700,000 to the library that bears their name.
The couple first gave $25,000 towards the capital campaign for the new library, and increased it by $225,000. That $250,000 secured the naming rights to the new building, which opened in July 2012.
Since then the Hoags have sent $100,000 in 2015 and another $100,000 last year.
They make the donations in a low key manner, not seeking any fanfare, Doherty said.
Maurice Hoag has strong personal ties to the Albion area. He graduated from Albion High School in 1961 as valedictorian, as well as class president. He continued his education at Cornell where he earned a degree in chemical engineering and met his wife, Courtenay.
The couple currently lives in Maryland, but Maurice has maintained a relationship with Albion and Cornell classmates from the Albion area. The Hoags return to Albion yearly in August for an annual class picnic.
The Hoag Library opened in July 2012 on South Main Street in Albion.
The couple also pays for generous scholarships for Albion college students pursuing degrees in chemical engineering.
Doherty is driving to Warsaw this morning to deposit the check and have it reduce the mortgage through Steuben Trust.
The donation from the Hoags will bring the mortgage down to about $700,000, Doherty said. Rather than reduce the size of the annual payments, Doherty said the library’s board of trustees has decided to keep paying the same payments, which will allow the mortgage to get paid off sooner.
Doherty sent an email to library supporters on Monday, informing them of the latest gift from the Hoags.
He said the library has been busy with a summer reading program, and the air-conditioning in the building has been appreciated by the community during the current heat wave.
“But most of all, rest assured that the work you accomplished and the money that you gave, have created a premier institution in our little town that makes us proud,” Doherty said in his message to library donors.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 July 2018 at 7:14 am
GAINES – The Gaines Zoning Board of Appeals on Monday approved farm labor housing at two locations, although one site is for conditional approval.
Robin Root of Root Brothers Farms is applying for farm labor housing at 2325 Gaines Rd. He has eight laborers from Mexico coming in about three weeks. They will stay until mid-December on visas, working on the farm’s vegetable operations.
The house for the workers is in a residential-agriculture district. However, it isn’t included in an agricultural district, and that is one condition for farm labor housing, said Michael Grabowski, the ZBA chairman.
Root purchased the house in September and has applied to be in the ag district. There will be a public hearing July 25 in Albion by the Orleans County Legislature, to consider additions to the ag district. The Legislature is expected to vote on the additions on July 25 and then send the changes to the state for approval. Dan Strong, the Gaines code enforcement officer, said the state will likely certify additions in October.
That would be too late for Root to accommodate his work crew. Root has already upgraded the septic system and made other improvements to the property to get approval from the Health Department.
Grabowski and the ZBA decided to give him conditional approval for the labor housing. If the house isn’t included in the ag district, Root won’t be able to use it for farmworkers after this December, the ZBA determined.
Strong said there is no reason for the county or the state to deny the site in the Ag District.
“It will become part of his farm operation,” Strong told the board.
The ZBA also approved a house at 3125 Kenyonville Rd. for farm labor housing. Ken Haylett applied to have the house used for farmworkers. The house is already in the ag district.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 July 2018 at 6:35 am
GAINES – The Town of Gaines Zoning Board of Appeals said the town will consider a proposal from Ray Burke, owner of Raylin Development, to have a barn on Route 104 be used for events, including weddings, auctions and dances.
The Orleans County Planning Board last week deemed a referral from Gaines incomplete about the project because the county board said Gaines needed to determine if Burke’s proposed uses were allowed in a Commercial Historic District.
Burke also owns Fairhaven Treasures. He acquired the barn next door at 14386-14398 Ridge Rd.
The town’s zoning doesn’t list Burke’s proposed uses as allowable in the Commercial Historic District. Michael Grabowski, the ZBA chairman, said during a meeting on Monday evening that other nearby businesses have similar uses as proposed by Burke.
There is a restaurant, kennel, gas station, antique shop and convenience store all close by to Burke’s barn, which is also across the road from the Cobblestone Museum, which hosts weddings at the Cobblestone Church.
Grabowski and the ZBA board deemed that Burke’s proposal was an acceptable use. That doesn’t mean he has site plan approval and a special use permit to operate the ventures out of the barn. His application still has to go before the County Planning Board for review, and then it comes back to the town.
The Planning Board doesn’t meet this month. It will look at Burke’s application in August now that the Gaines ZBA has said the proposed uses would be allowed in a Commercial Historic District.
Burke in his application said the barn would be available for the events on a seasonal basis because he uses it in the winter to store cars, boats and campers. He thinks using the site for events would fit in with the other nearby businesses.
“Our town is the center of the county at the crossroads of Route 104 and 98 and because of all the businesses on the Ridge we could become a destination for everyone travelling on these corridors,” he wrote in the application.
Provided photo: Orleans County Sheriff Randy Bower is pictured with the 11 children who attended camp last week. The Junior Wilson Sportsmen’s Club in Medina provided a donation so each child had two travel bags to pack for Sheriffs’ Camp.
Press Release, Sheriff Randy Bower
This past week 11 children from Orleans County attended the New York State Sheriffs’ Association Institute’s 2018 Summer Camp. The Sheriffs’ Summer Camp is designed to provide a solid recreational program combined with the development of a sense of good citizenship. This marks the 41st year of the camp’s operation.
The Sheriffs’ Summer Camp, which is located near Penn Yan in Yates County, is supported by the Sheriffs’ Association Institute’s Honorary Members through their contributions and annual dues. This year the camp will accommodate over 900 deserving boys and girls from across New York State.
“This is a great opportunity for our county youth and I personally thank Orleans County residents for donating and making this possible,” Sheriff Randy Bower said.
Throughout the week-long stay, the children observed special exhibits and demonstrations presented by Sheriffs’ Offices from across the State. Included in these presentations were D.A.R.E. presentations, boat and bike safety programs, law enforcement equipment and technical demonstrations and even a talent show just for fun.
Upon completion of their stay, all children were awarded a diploma for their participation in a program of “Good Citizenship and Law Enforcement Studies.”
MEDINA – Medina 1 softball coach CJ Castricone and the Medina 2 softball coach Jessica Demmer are pictured with their teams and volunteer umpire Joey D. Molisani last Wednesday when the players had a dress-up game at Butts Park.
The girls wore their favorite dresses and played a full game. The girls had a lot of fun and hope this becomes a tradition for years to come.
Ike Fuller Watts has a cousin from Webster whose daughters had a dress-up game. Watts suggested to the two Medina coaches and they agreed to give it a try.
The teams play in the Medina minors league with a few of their older sisters that play on the Medina majors team. The team captains were Sydney Watts and Janessa Lindsey.
At the end of the game each girl slid home in order to get a treat at Double Dips.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 July 2018 at 3:53 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Janeen Denero and her children – Colton Ferris and Aubree Flanagan – of Kendall were among the many who made birdhouses this morning at Hoag Library in Albion.
Jim Babcock Construction helped make birdhouses for 63 children and 43 adults. Most of the crowd had cleared out when Denero and her kids painted their birdhouses. The activity was part of the summer reading program at the library.
Aubree Flanagan, 6, works on the final painting details for her birdhouse. She helped her baby brother paint his birdhouse, too.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 July 2018 at 3:35 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The new 24-foot-long mural of Santa Claus in his sleigh over Albion was completed on Friday. The mural went up on Thursday at Waterman Park, a half block south of the Erie Canal.
Photo courtesy of Ingrid LaMont
Artist Stacey Kirby Steward, an Albion native who now lives in Spencerport, was back on Friday to add her signature and paint on over the bolt used to hold the mural on a metal frame.
The mural highlights the Courthouse Square, downtown and the Erie Canal, which are all nationally recognized historic districts and landmarks.
The Albion Rotary Club coordinated the project and wanted to highlight the historic districts and small town charm on main Street.
The mural also honors Charles Howard, who ran a Santa Claus School in Albion from 1937 to 1966. Howard also created Christmas Park in Albion, and served as the Macy’s Thanksgiving Santa in New York City for nearly 20 years.
Howard remains a revered figure among people who play Santa Claus. Albion hosted a Santa Claus conference in 2010 and 2015. The Rotary Club is hopeful the mural will provide an extra incentive for the Santas to return.
These reindeer fly past the First Presbyterian Church and its 175-foot spire, making it the tallest building in Orleans County.
Steward added Christmas lights to some of the Main Street storefronts.
The Erie Canal is at the far right of the mural. The canal is a National Historic Landmark that opened in 1825.
Kirby Steward included six people in the mural, who are family who have been supportive in her artistic pursuits.
She also included the “Believe” sign which was added by the Albion Betterment Committee in November 2016. The 10-foot-long sign is on the Gurney’s Olde Coach Inn at 35 North Main St.
The Betterment Committee is raising funds to have a bronze statue at Waterman Park in honor of Charles Howard.
Photo by Tom Rivers: Skip Stratton drives a tractor in Saturday’s Barre Bicentennial Parade when temperatures topped 90.
Press Release, National Grid
Due to high energy demand caused by this week’s extreme heat and humidity, National Grid is asking upstate New York customers to reduce unnecessary electricity usage for the remainder of the week. Electricity supply to the area is adequate, but continued heavy demand and high temperatures could pose a threat to network reliability.
The company recommends a few simple customer actions to help reduce demand on utility equipment and maintain system reliability. These small actions, combined with those of your neighbors, can make a big difference – and they can help you better manage your energy bill.
• Draw blinds, shades, drapes to prevent the sun from making your home too hot.
• Slightly increase air conditioner settings, change filter, use fans – The lower your air conditioner temperature, the more costly it is to operate. For example, a 75-degree setting will cost about 18 percent more than a 78-degree setting. Set the thermostat as high as comfort will permit. In addition, check your window air conditioner filter and replace or clean it if necessary. If your home has central air conditioning, check the condition of the furnace filter and replace it if dirty. Using fans instead of air conditioning also reduces energy usage.
• Consider a programmable thermostat – You could save up to $180 annually by adjusting cooling temperatures when rooms are unoccupied.
• Turn off lights when they are not needed.
• Delay the use of hot water appliances like dish washers and washing machines.
• Unplug electronics – Even though your electronics, like televisions and computers, are turned
off they may still draw electricity. Unplug any unnecessary electronics and chargers. In addition, using an advanced power strip on your entertainment system reduces phantom load energy use and can save you up to $60 annually.
• Turn off your pool pump – Pool pumps are one of the largest consumers of household energy—second only to the air conditioning unit.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 July 2018 at 12:04 pm
ALBION – Four people were sentenced in Orleans County Court last Thursday by Charles Zambito, a Genesee County Court judge who is handling some cases in Orleans.
Rodney L. Scales, 30, of Garson Street in Rochester was sentenced to 3 ½ years in state prison, plus 3 years of post-release supervision.
He was arrested on Jan. 3 after police seized a quantity of crack cocaine that was packaged for sale. Scales was the driver of the vehicle and faced drug possession and sale charges.
He pleaded guilty to attempted criminal possession of a controlled substance. He is a second felony offender.
• A Waterport woman was sentenced to 2 to 4 years in state prison for third-degree burglary. Mary Golding, 53, was sentenced after she failed to complete a drug diversion program. If she had been successful in the program, the felony charge would have been dismissed and she would have avoided incarceration.
She admitted in a previous court appearance to going into a building on North Liberty Street in Albion without permission.
• A Waterport man was sentenced to three years of probation for aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the second degree and misdemeanor driving while intoxicated.
Frederick Lockwood Jr., 54, was arrested on Dec. 31. As part of his sentence, he also has to complete 100 hours of community service.
• A Rochester man also pleaded guilty to attempted criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree.
Jahquan E. Coleman, 25, of Selye Terrace faces up to 4 years in state prison when he is sentenced on Sept. 6. He admitted to selling cocaine in Albion on Aug. 30.
• In a case before Judge Sanford Church, an Albion man pleaded guilty to attempted criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree.
Demetrius Bennett, 39, was charged in January with criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree, menacing in the second degree, and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth and seventh degree. He was arrested after he allegedly threatened a man on Washington Street in Albion.
As part of plea deal, Bennett admitted to having cocaine in his possession. He will face up to a year in the county jail when he is sentenced.
ALBION – If returning to Albion for a show was traumatic for Josie Waverly, she sure didn’t show it.
The Country/Western star from Hilton put on her first show in Albion on Saturday night since being seriously injured in an automobile accident December 2016 when she was route to do a benefit concert.
Waverly, who recently signed Amy Sidari as her publicist, performed to a sold-out crowd at the Cabaret at Studio B.
Amy Sidari, owner of the Cabaret at Studio B, and Josie Waverly of Hilton share some antics about their recent trip to New Jersey, where Waverly sold out a 450-seat venue four days in a row. Sidari has taken on a new role as Waverly’s publicist.
The evening was also special, as it marked her official debut with Kelly Reilly of Irondequoit singing harmony.
“I have been looking for a long time for someone to sing harmony,” Waverly said. “I’m so fortunate I found her.”
Waverly also introduced Dave “Tank” Taney of Hilton, a drummer whose rendition of “Hot Rod Lincoln” had the crowd stomping their feet and cheering.
Waverly said she and Sidari just returned from New Jersey, where Waverly’s show sold out at a 450-seat venue for four days. Waverly said she had also just received a call inviting her and the band back next year.
The evening became emotional when near the end, Waverly choked up in the middle of a song and stopped the band. She said she felt the urge to sing something different which she wanted to dedicate to Sidari. Her rendition of “How Great Thou Art” brought the room to its feet.
Sidari and Waverly are both looking forward to the day expansion begins on the Cabaret at Studio B, which will at least double its space.
Sidari announced the stars of several upcoming shows at the Cabaret, including a variety show featuring local talent and Albion High School student Riley Seielstad, accompanied by Albion music teacher Gary Simboli.
Topping it off will be a return appearance of nationally acclaimed jazz singer Erin Boheme, who will be at the Cabaret for two shows in August. Boheme is the singer who performed at the inauguration of President Donald Trump.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 July 2018 at 8:20 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – A new interpretive panel was installed on Friday by the Erie Canal. The Albion Department of Public Works added the panel, which was created by seventh-grade students at Albion who are in a service-learning class taught by Tim Archer.
The students worked with County Historian Matt Ballard in researching and designing the panel which is located between the Main Street and Ingersoll Street lift bridges.
The panel highlights how the Erie Canal opened up the world to our region’s farmers. “Agricultural products and raw materials were distributed to distant locations, beyond the reach of horse and buggy,” the panel states.
“Lower costs and decreased shipping times were boon to local producers. An abundant supply of crops like wheat and apples were shipped to eager consumers in places thought unreachable before the Canal’s construction.”
Medina sandstone quarries were developed near the canal and the stone was shipped to create curbs, roads, and many buildings, including many of the most prestigious churches and public buildings in canal cities in Upstate New York. The quarries brought thousands of skilled immigrants to the community to work at cutting stone.
“The Erie Canal brought great wealth to the ‘Niagara Frontier,’ making Albion a progressive town for its time,” according to the panel. “Commerce grew and entrepreneurs prospered as Canal traffic provided a means to both export and import valuable commodities. The local populace reaped the benefits.
“Commercial buildings sprang up along the towpath as goods were transported up and down the ‘express waterway.’ The increased population spawned the need for schools, hotels, blacksmith shops and general stores, as well as jewelers, hatters, newspaper printers and druggists.”
The panel also highlights a tragic event on the canal in Albion. On Sept. 28, 1859, 15 people were killed, including 11 teen-agers or younger, when a bridge collapsed on Main Street when 250 people crammed on it to watch a tightrope walker.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 July 2018 at 7:39 am
Excessive heat warning cancelled
Photos by Tom Rivers: Doug and Ruth Lake were out in kayaks on Sunday evening on the Erie Canal in Albion, just east of the Ingersoll Street lift bridge. The Lakes have several kayaks that they enjoy sharing with their grandchildren.
The heat wave continues today with a high of 91 degrees for Orleans County. That has prompted the National Weather Service to issue a heat advisory for Orleans County until 10 p.m. today. The excessive heat warning has been cancelled. Previously, the forecast for today showed a high temperature of 96.
The latest forecast shows it won’t be that hot, but the heat index could still reach 100.
“Consecutive days of dangerous heat and humidity will bring an increased risk for heat related illness,” the National Weather Service said. “The elderly, very young, pregnant, and those with heart and respiratory conditions that don’t have access to air conditioning are especially at risk during long lasting heat waves.”
The Weather Service urges people to drink plenty of fluids, try to stay out of the sun and check in on elderly residents.
The high temperatures for the rest of the week include 88 on Tuesday, 90 on Wednesday (July 4), 89 on Thursday, 82 on Friday, 77 on Saturday and 81 on Sunday.
A houseboat, Harriet H. Wiles, is pulled out in Albion on Sunday evening between the Main and Ingersoll lift bridges. The Harriet H. Wiles is owned by the Mid-Lakes Navigation Company in Skaneateles. Mid-Lakes is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. The business was founded in 1968. In the mid-1980s, Mid-Lakes began building rental canalboats patterned after the traditional English narrowboats that are available for charter.
MEDINA – Fourteen teams of golfers were all lined up ready for the start of United Way of Orleans County ’s annual golf tournament on June 22 at Shelridge Country Club.
Kaitlyn Delamarter, director of United Way of Orleans County, holds a thank you sign in preparation for United Way’s annual golf tournament at Shelridge Country Club in Medina.
Kevin Foley, left, plant manager at Baxter Healthcare, takes a conference call while waiting for his partner Dennis Cehulik to take his shot during the golf tournament to benefit the United Way of Orleans County.
Golfers, including David Kast (second from right), place raffle tickets in the drawing for a variety of items donated by local businesses and organizations.
Ellen Eaton, a member of United Way of Orleans County ’s board of directors, instructs volunteer Alvaro Ferreira from the Boy Scouts about his duties selling 50/50 tickets on the 17th hole.
From left, United Way of Orleans County’s director Kaitlyn Delamarter, volunteer Melinda Maedl and bookkeeper Patrice Beadle register golfer Dennis Cehulik, who played with a team from Baxter Healthcare.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 July 2018 at 2:35 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – A crowd of 250 people attended a new fundraiser on Friday evening for Hospice of Orleans. The Reverse Raffle included a grand prize of $5,000.
Kellie Spychalski, executive director of Hospice, thanks the Hospice supporters for attending the event at Leonard Oakes Estate Winery.
Doug Syck, left, and Joel Allen, right, are members of the Crandall Wood and Main Band which also includes former Albion Mayor Dean Theodorakos.
Crandall Wood and Main are the names of the roads where the three members live, although Theodorakos has moved from Main Street in Albion.
Hospice provides care and comfort to patients facing advanced illnesses. Spychalski joined the organization as CEO last year after leading the Niagara County, Opportunities Unlimited. Prior to that, Spychalski worked 21 years for the Arc of Orleans, including two years as executive director.
“Everyday is a gift to work at Hospice because we know what we do means so much to so many people,” she told the crowd on Friday.
Joel Allen sings with the Crandall Wood and Main on Friday.
Jarred Saj was recognized for selling the most tickets for the benefit on Friday. Spychalski also said Saj was the best dressed for the event.
Terah Slack thanked Hospice for its care of her grandmother. Slack especially noted the work of Brittany Dix, a music therapist who is also Hospice’s development director. While dementia took away Slack’s grandmother’s ability to recognize many family and friends, she would tap her feet and snap her fingers to music by Dix.
“The music really connected with her,” Slack said.
Slack’s mother Pam Canham, a Hospice volunteer for more than 30 years, said the music therapy is another example of the many services provided by Hospice.
“People might not realize the extra things Hospice does,” she said.
Brittany Dix, a music therapist, agreed to sing one song at the Hospice benefit after Slack gave a testimonial about the impact of Dix’s work. Dix sang, “Folsom Prison Blues,” which was made famous by Johnny Cash.
