MEDINA – Scott M. Schmidt, the chief coroner for Orleans County, has successfully passed the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI) Registry examination for professional death investigators receiving the designation of Diplomat.
A Registered Medicolegal Death Investigator (or D-ABMDI) is an individual who, according to ABMDI criteria, has demonstrated the professional knowledge, practical skills, and ethical conduct necessary to conduct a proper medicolegal death investigation as required by the publication Death Investigation: A Guide for the Scene Investigator, published by the National Institutes of Justice.
The ABMDI is a national, not-for-profit, independent, professional certification board that has been established to promote the highest standards of practice for medicolegal death investigators. Certification by the ABMDI requires that the applicant pass a 240-item objective National Board Examination to prove that he/she has attained the knowledge and has successfully demonstrated knowledge in performing over 300 skills necessary to conduct quality, comprehensive medicolegal death investigations.
The ABMDI was created in 1998 with support from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It was created by veteran, practicing medicolegal death investigators from throughout the United States who have been involved in the development of the National Guidelines for Death Investigation published by the National Institutes of Justice.
Schmidt is a funeral director with the Christopher Mitchell Funeral Homes, Inc. of Albion and Holley, the Merrill-Grinnell Funeral Homes of Albion and Holley, the Bates, Wallace and Heath Funeral Home of Middleport.
Schmidt has served Orleans County as Coroner since 1990. He was appointed chief coroner by the Orleans County Legislature in 1997 and is also a member of the United States Department of Health and Human Services National Disaster Medical System serving on the Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team. He has responded to four major mass fatality events as a DMORT member including the World Trade Center following the attacks on 9/11/2001.
In addition, Schmidt served as a subject matter expert on a State Emergency Management Working Group which developed Mass Fatality Plan Writing Guidance for Counties in New York State. There are only 59 D-AMBDI’s in New York State, Schmidt being one of them and the only Nationally Certified Death Medicolegal Death Investigator in Orleans County.
Schmidt lives in Medina with his wife Aleka, and his two daughters; Hayley and Danielle. He is the son of Bruce Schmidt, Town of Gaines Justice and former Orleans County Assistant District Attorney.
Photos by Tom Rivers: Main Street in Medina was closed off Aug. 4, 2016 for the first Farm-To-Table dinner, which included a five-course meal on Main Street.
MEDINA – Medina’s third annual Farm-to-Table Dinner will be held on Thursday, August 2, with 200 people sitting down for a five-course meal on Main Street.
The event is hosted by the Orleans Renaissance Group, as part of the annual activities of the Canal Village Farmers’ Market, a Medina enterprise also sponsored by ORG.
Last year due to rain the event had to be shifted to The Gallagher, a barn that has been transformed into an events center on North Gravel Road.
Organizers are looking forward to the event being back in the historic downtown. A section of Main Street will be blocked off for the dinner.
“It’s very exciting to be going into our third year,” said Chris Busch, president of the Orleans Renaissance Group. “While we knew it would be a sensational event, we never dreamed it would be as wildly popular as it has become. People never really stop talking about it.”
The event delivers not only an exquisite meal in a captivating setting, but also an opportunity to experience how farmers and local chefs capitalize on Orleans County’s number one industry: agriculture.
“The venue is magic,” said Cindy Robinson, president of the Medina Business Association and an ORG board member. “Enchanting, delightful – it’s not just any Main Street and it’s not just any event. It’s something very special and once you’ve experienced it, you understand how special it is.”
Last year’s dinner was moved to The Gallagher as thunderstorms threatened. Busch said the Medina community is “extremely fortunate” to have The Gallagher as an alternative site.
Due to the high demand for tickets, the event again will offer 200 seats and the table will stretch nearly the entire length of North Main Street.
This year’s event will feature a couple of new elements. In addition to a 200-seat table, guests will hear live music provided by The Road to Azure and Dark Road Duo. The ensembles are crowd-favorite regulars at the Canal Village Farmers’ Market.
Last year, 200 people gathered for dinner at The Gallagher, a barn that is an event center on North Gravel Road. The second annual Farm-To-Table Dinner was moved from Main Street to The Gallagher due to threats of rain.
Also, arriving guests will be treated to a complimentary Chef’s Course paired with award-winning Tiny Bubbles sparkling wine, courtesy of Schulze Vineyard & Winery of Burt. The dinner will deliver a sensational locally-sourced, five- course meal with Zambistro once again collaborating with local culinary colleagues.
Among those joining Zambistro will be Mariachi De Oro, Mile 303, Sourced Market & Eatery and the Shirt Factory. All ingredients used in the meal will be locally sourced and farm-fresh, provided almost entirely from the vendors at Canal Village Farmers’ Market.
“Each year we look for ways to surpass the previous year’s success,” Robinson said. “We’re very excited to have such a great team of chefs, the Main Street venue and great live music. It’s going to be incredible.”
Each course will feature pairings from Niagara Wine Trail wineries, including Leonard Oakes Estate Winery, Medina; Schulze Vineyard & Winery, Burt; Chateau Niagara Winery, Newfane; Freedom Run Winery, Lockport; Liten Buffel, Middleport and 810 Meadworks, Medina.
Following the dinner, “official after-party” location this year will be Fitzgibbons Public House on Main Street in Medina. Fitzgibbons is modeled after an authentic celtic pub.
“As you can imagine, making an event like this a reality requires a great deal of time, talent and treasure,” said Busch. “One of the hallmarks of Medina’s success is everyone working together to make good things happen and this dinner is no exception.”
Annual corporate sponsors of the Farm to Table Dinner include Zambistro, PridePak Inc. with Mr. Steve Carr, CEO; Takeform Architectural Graphics of Medina and LaBella Associates of Rochester.
Patrons of the Canal Village Farmers’ Market will have an opportunity to win two dinner tickets. Starting Saturday, July 7 and running through July 28, every $5 spent at the market earns a chance in a drawing for the tickets. The market runs every Saturday morning at 127 West Center Street in Medina’s downtown.
Limited tickets will go on sale July 6 at 10 a.m. They will be available online at www.medinaalive.com and at the English Rose Tea Shoppe (cash & check only), 527 Main St., Medina (585) 798-4410.
“If it is your intention to attend the dinner, my advice is don’t hesitate to buy your tickets,” Busch said. “This event will sell out very quickly, so don’t delay in securing your tickets.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 June 2018 at 10:44 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
BARRE – Day 2 of the Barre Bicentennial celebration was capped with fireworks tonight. This photo shows the Van LieShout dairy farm on Route 98 near East Barre Road with the Barre water tower in the back.
The fireworks were set off near the Barre Town Park and that’s where most people gathered to watch the display.
The Bicentennial celebration concludes Sunday with an 11 a.m. church service at Barre Town Park followed by a noon potluck lunch, where people are urged to bring dish to pass and a chair.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 June 2018 at 8:31 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
BARRE – The Town of Barre celebrated its Bicentennial with a parade at 11 a.m. today. There were more than 30 floats and other participants who started on East Barre Road, headed north on Route 98 and ended at the Barre Town Park.
The top photo shows Jesse Farwell, his wife Andrea and their daughter Holly riding a Farmall tractor from Hu-Lane Farms.
Barre Town Clerk Maureen Beach holds her granddaughter Madeline Bloom’s hand while walking in the parade down Route 98.
A processional, including many veterans in the military, make their way north on 98.
Dennis Mathes, right, gives his brother Kaden a ride in a miniature Model T. Dennis’s father, Charles Mathes, drove the mini Model T in the 1993 parade when Barre celebrated its 175th anniversary.
Homer Mathes, 11, is on a float for the 4-H Adventurers Club. The banner was on the back end of the float.
These parade participants are at the staging area for the parade on East Barre Road. Austin Kline has a McCormick Farmall Super A tractor from the 1950s.
Jason Spencer steps into a 1958 Chevy Biscayne. His wife Stephanie holds their daughter. The car was owned by Stephanie’s grandfather, Ed Beadle. Spencer was promoting his business, County Line Lock & Security.
Keeler Construction featured a 1928 Ford dump truck. It is driven by Larry Hill, a 43-year employee of the company. The dump truck was bought by Henry Keeler in the 1940s and his son Jim Keeler had it restored. The dump truck had been in a barn for about 20 years. Keeler Construction, one of Barre’s longest-lasting businesses, worked to spruce up the vehicle for the Bicentennial parade.
Danny Shuler and other members of the West Barre United Methodist Church enjoy the parade.
Scouts for Troop 175 carry several flags. Michael Harris drives the golf cart in front with a flag in the 1818 style. Harris is joined by a German Shepherd named Harley. They were representing the Barre Deli.
The “Elder Barres” were also celebrated in the parade. They include Bernadine Ross, 98, and Beth Nesbitt, 97. They are escorted by First Lt. Chris Provenzano and his wife Morgan, who is Nesbitt’s granddaughter. Provenzano recently returned from a nine-month tour of duty in Iraq.
Barre firefighters marched in the parade, including from left: Jerry Bentley, Ben Flansburg, Chris Flansburg and Barry Flansburg.
County Historian Matt Ballard joined the fun. He had an unusual beard style in anticipation of a beard contest later this afternoon.
There were many riders from the Orleans County ATV Association in the parade.
These 4-H Adventurers dressed from yesteryear for the parade. They include, from left: Allison Mathes, Emma Mathes, Lilly Zambito, Lilly Mathes, Alice Mathes (club leader), Aubrey Bruning, Naomi Mathes, Taylor Mathes and Sarah Mathes.
Iva McKenna, front left, joins daughters Jenny and Kerri (and Kerri’s daughter) on the float for Country Lane Veterinary Services.
A second-floor window at the Barre Deli provided a nice vantage point for the parade.
Kurt Dudley drives a tractor to pull the float for the Town of Barre.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 June 2018 at 2:52 pm
‘This is to commemorate all residents from the Town of Barre who have served in the Armed Forces for the past two centuries. In memory of Fred Daniels by his family. June 30, 2018′ – plaque on new veterans’ memorial at Barre Town Hall
BARRE – Members of the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 20 out of the Rochester area, were present this morning to dedicate a new veterans’ memorial and flag pole at the Barre Town Hall.
The family of the late Fred Daniels donated the flag pole and plaque. The stone for the monument was donated by Keeler Construction.
Daniels was 75 when he passed away on Oct. 22, 2014. He served in the US Army from 1961-1964 and was a member of the Sheret Post #35 American Legion and Past Commander of the Strickland Post #4635 V.F.W. He also volunteered as a driver with the Joint Veterans Council, taking veterans to medical appointments.
Town Supervisor Sean Pogue welcomes the crowd to the dedication. Pogue was dressed in an 1800s-era suit as part of Barre’s bicentennial celebration.
The family of Fred Daniels is pictured with the memorial after the dedication. Fred’s wife, Adrienne, is third from left in the back row. She is also the town historian.
Charlie Nesbitt, a former state assemblyman, grew up in Barre and was later a helicopter pilot during the Vietnam War. Nesbitt today spoke about a childhood friend, Rick Engle, who was 19 when he was killed in Vietnam on Feb. 2, 1968. Engle played Little League for the Barre Cubs as a kid. He grew up on Old Route 98.
Nesbitt said Engle is a hero. He was caught in an ambush in Vietnam and was killed when he tried to save a friend who was out in the open.
“Where do we find such men?” Nesbitt said. “Look around. Right here. In this little piece of America.”
Gary Daniels is the brother-in-law of Fred Daniels. Gary noted that Nesbitt was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. Nesbitt was tasked with extracting a Special Forces unit out of Laos on November 14, 1968. While under enemy fire and with one chopper in the force crashing in the jungle, Nesbitt picked up the crew and left. However, it was soon discovered that one man, John Grimaldi, had been left behind. Though low on fuel, Nesbitt turned his helicopter around and successfully rescued Grimaldi under intense enemy fire.
Daniels said his late brother-in-law was dedicated to veterans, serving in the American Legion, VFW and with the Joint Veteran Council.
Orleans County Legislator Don Allport, in back by memorial, also spoke during the dedication. Allport is the nephew of Fred Daniels. Allport said he was fortunate to grow up in the “serenity” of Barre. He remembers sledding at Pine Hill and being a part of the Boy Scouts, Troop 175.
“I hope the youth growing up today enjoy what a fantastic place this is to grow up,” Allport said.
Three Scouts – Ethan Dunn, Ivan Barry and Aiden Rush – from Troop 175 raise the American flag on the new flagpole.
Earl Schmidt, director of the Orleans County Veterans Service Agency, thanked veterans for their service. He welcomed more volunteers for the van service. Adrienne Daniels volunteers helping make appointments for the drivers. Schmidt said more volunteers are needed as drivers and in the office.
Members of the Vietnam Veterans of America attended the dedication in Barre.
Keeler Construction donated the large stone for the memorial.
Contributed Photo – Medina’s Melanie Green took first place honors in the Western New York Jr. PGA championships held Friday at Fox Valley Golf Club to earn a spot to play in the 43rd national Girls Jr PGA Championship in Lexington Kentucky July 9-12. This is her 3rd year qualifying for this tournament. She shot a 143 total on rounds of 77 and 66.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 June 2018 at 8:05 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – The MAAC Clothing Depot, which goes back to at least 2005 at Calvary Tabernacle Assembly of God in Medina, had its last day at the church. Volunteers that run the depot will reopen the newly named MAAC Thrift Depot on July 9 at 536 Orient St., a former Bells supermarket.
A group of volunteers from several Medina churches started the depot about 40 years ago in a church basement. There are now about 40 volunteers running the effort.
“We’ve come a long way, but only with the help of the generous and caring people of the community of Medina,” said Sue Metzo, one of the long-time volunteers.
The clothing depot needed to leave Calvary, the former Medina High School, because the site was acquired by Roger Hungerford and Talis Equity to be converted into apartments.
The Depot has provided a way for residents to donate quality clothing and housewares, which are then purchased by customers, especially many in lower-income families, Metzo said.
The MAAC raises about $30,000 to $35,000 from the Clothing Depot each year and those funds are donated back to the community, assisting Scouts, church projects, senior citizens, high school scholarships, Hospice of Orleans and other organizations.
Provided photo
The former Bells site is owned by Matt Mundion. Metzo said the building will be a better location for displaying the used clothing, furniture and other items. The site has one big room. At Calvary, the MAAC used a larger room and then four smaller rooms.
The MAAC Thrift Depot will be open Monday from 9 a.m. to noon; Tuesday from 9 to noon & 5 to 7 p.m.; Thursday from 9 to noon; and Saturday from 10 to noon. The new “1/2 price day” will be the first Tuesday of the month.
The site on Orient Street will have drop-off windows/chutes that are available 24/7. The MAAC accepts good, clean clothing, shoes, and jewelry; clean household items in good condition, including small appliances, small furniture, books, toys, linens, DVDs, CDs and kitchen items.
“Donate wisely because we have to pay to get rid of unacceptable items,” Metzo said.
The MAAC asks that items not be left in bags or boxes outside. If they are too large for the chute/window, fit in smaller bags.
The MAAC cannot accept TVs, monitors, computers, video equipment, DVD/VHS players, bowling balls or typewriters.
“We want to thank everyone who has helped in any way, whether it was a gift of time and effort, or financial help,” Metzo said. “We are so appreciative.”
Anyone wishing to send a monetary gift can mail it to: MAAC, PO Box 253, Medina, NY 14103.
Will top 90 daily the next week, with Sunday near 100 degrees
Photo by Tom Rivers: Tractors are lined up in the Barre Town Park for the town’s 200th anniversary celebration which continues today and Sunday.
It’s going to be hot the next week in Orleans County and Western New York. Today is forecast to reach 93 and Sunday will reach 98. The heat indexes will top 100 on both days.
The National Weather Service in Buffalo has issued a heat advisory for Orleans and several WNY counties from noon today until noon on Sunday, and an excessive heat warning from noon Sunday to 10 p.m. on Monday.
“Consecutive days of dangerous heat and humidity will bring an increased risk for heat related illness,” The 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 highest heat index values will be from about noon through 8 p.m. each day.
The Weather Service urges people to drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun and check up on relatives and neighbors.
The state Department of Environmental Conservation has also issued an air quality alert from 11 a.m. today until 11 p.m. Sunday.
Air quality levels in outdoor air are predicted to be greater than an air quality index value of 100 for ozone, the DEC said. The air quality index was created as an easy way to correlate levels of different pollutants to one scale. The higher the AQI value, the greater the health concern.
When pollution levels are elevated, the state Department of Health recommends that individuals consider limiting strenuous outdoor physical activity to reduce the risk of adverse health effects. People who may be especially sensitive to the effects of elevated levels of pollutants include the very young and those with pre-existing respiratory problems such as asthma or heart disease. Those with symptoms should consider consulting their personal physician.
The heat wave continues through the week with high temperatures forecast at 96 on Monday, 92 on Tuesday, 91 on Wednesday (July 4th), 92 on Thursday and 90 on Friday.
By Matthew Ballard, Orleans County Historian Posted 30 June 2018 at 6:38 am
“Overlooked Orleans” – Vol. 4, No. 26
Henry “Hank” Lyon Porter, a native of Albion, illustrates an insignia for the 108th Observation Squadron during World War Two as his boss, Walt Disney, observes.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, released in December of 1937, is perhaps one of the most iconic animated cartoons ever produced by Walt Disney. As the first full-length animated cartoon, Snow White is one of Disney’s more recognizable characters even today. So, would you believe that this artistic masterpiece was made possible, in part, thanks to a man from Orleans County?
Henry Lyon Porter was born in 1901 in the Village of Albion to Wells H. Porter, a piano tuner, and Nellie Lyon. Porter spent his early childhood in the vicinity of West and West Bank streets and graduated from Albion High School in 1918. At the age of seven, his mother died of cancer leaving his father to care for him; Ella Jackson, the family’s housekeeper, helped raised Henry and his younger brother Allen. Porter was left-handed, and his artistic talents quickly surfaced as a young man, so it is no surprise that he was an illustrator for the Chevron and illustrated the cover for the 1920 Albion High School Yearbook; the cover shows a distressed graduate contemplating the various paths into the professional world. He was also proficient as a pianist.
After completing his studies at Albion, he left for Chicago where he enrolled at the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts. Although his early professional career seems disjointed, he spent some time working for the Knickerbocker Press in Albany as an illustrator and later operated his own commercial artist business in Buffalo for nearly eight years. At some point Porter was given an opportunity to enter the New York School for Walt Disney Animators, which he graduated from in 1936. He quickly picked up and relocated to the Los Angeles studio of Walt Disney to begin his work as an illustrator.
The company was amidst the production of the largest animated undertaking in the history of film to date; Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. In earlier years, cartoons were often “shorts” that appeared in advance of longer feature films. Disney pushed the envelope, seeking to further expand the impact of animation. To produce such a film was no small task. Illustrations were produced by hand; thousands upon thousands of cartoon images were drawn by dozens of artists to produce the smooth flow of the film.
Despite his rather “late” arrival on the project, Porter found himself in the middle of production efforts. In a letter he wrote home to his father in December of 1937 and later appeared in local papers, he described the painstaking work that went into the detailed illustrations. In this letter, he encouraged the readers to watch for the scenes that he penned. Where the dwarfs exit the mine with shovels, singing “Heigh-Ho, Heigh-Ho, it’s home from work we go,” they suddenly stop short and pile up onto one another; Porter was responsible for this scene. He also notes that the scene in which the dwarfs force Grumpy to take a bath in a watering trough was “a loo-loo of a scene, was it tough! I worked six months on it.” He also worked on a scene where Dopey gets soap in his mouth and blows bubbles. Perhaps the most remarkable part of this whole movie was the fact that it took illustrators months to produce these scenes, ultimately requiring three years to produce in full.
A simple Google search of “Hank Porter” reveals pages upon pages of auctions for pencil drawings and paintings produced by Porter over the years. Despite his prolific career with Disney, he was overshadowed by his boss and lost his identity as did many of Disney’s illustrators. What we know of his work was passed down by family and some interesting publications about his work during World War Two. During the war, commanding officers submitted requests for illustrated insignias produced by Disney’s company. In this particular photograph, Walt Disney watches as Porter drafts an emblem for the 108th Observation Squadron, depicting a “sharp-eyed eagle” to be displayed on the squadron’s aircraft. Several of these illustrations along with an image of Porter with Roy Williams appeared in the May 26, 1941 issue of Life magazine.
Porter was one of two Disney artists selected to draft these insignias, all produced at no charge to the U.S. military. Porter quickly became Disney’s most dependable illustrator, his boss often calling him “the one-man art department.” He illustrated hundreds of these insignias that appeared on trucks, tanks, ships, and planes across the world. Even more significant than these contributions are the other notable accomplishments that we are aware of. Porter is credited with the redesign of Donald Duck. It is also believed that Porter was responsible for crafting the iconic “looping D” that adorns Disney’s signature. During the 1930s and 1940s, Porter was one of a few illustrators authorized to reproduce Disney’s signature for autographs. So many of those signatures passed around by Walt Disney were the handiwork of Porter.
Unfortunately, Porter’s career was cut short with his untimely death on October 7, 1951. His body was returned to Albion and was interred at Mt. Albion Cemetery.
Pettit and Bedard look to further transform Orleans and Genesee health departments
Press Release, Orleans and Genesee County Health Departments
Paul Pettit, Public Health Director for the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments, will work to transform the role of public health in Genesee and Orleans Counties as part of the third cohort of The Kresge Foundation’s Emerging Leaders in Public Health initiative.
Kresge’s Emerging Leaders in Public Health was designed to provide public health leaders of county and local health departments to build additional knowledge and skills the challenges public health professionals face in their communities. The initiative is designed to develop local public health leaders in pairs and each pair includes the health officer and a future leader from the public health agency.
As a team, Paul Pettit and Brenden Bedard, Deputy Director / Director of Community Health Services for Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments, will be asked to challenge and support each other while building skills and competencies together.
“Public health leaders are valuable assets to our communities,” said Dr. Phyllis Meadows, senior advisor to The Kresge Foundation’s Health Program and the Emerging Leaders in Public Health lead. “Leaders in this program will have the opportunity to create meaningful and lasting change in their agencies that will positively impact those they serve.”
During the program, Pettit and Bedard will participate in an action-oriented program focused on the design and implementation of a transformative concept that shifts or expands the capacity of their local department.
They will also receive a grant up to $125,000 as well as coaching and technical assistance to evolve their ideas into action.
“We are excited to be a part of this national program,” stated Pettit. “Our project will be based on the development of a comprehensive telehealth program in Genesee and Orleans Counties to address our provider capacity and access issues.”
Pettit and Bedard join 19 other teams from across the country selected to participate in the third cohort of Emerging Leaders in Public Health. Collectively, the 20 health departments represented by cohort leaders serve nearly 10 million community members in communities across the country.
“This is a unique opportunity for our two rural counties to be on a national platform,” stated Bedard. “Not only will we be working on our project but have the opportunity to share strengths and challenges with other local health departments across the nation.”
The team will also join a growing community of public health leaders supported by The Kresge Foundation. Since 2015, 64 public health leaders have been trained through Emerging Leaders in Public Health. With the addition of Cohort III, Kresge meets its goal of providing leadership development and resources to more than 100 local, public health leaders across the country so that they can approach public health in a new way.
About The Kresge Foundation
The Kresge Foundation was founded in 1924 to promote human progress. Today, Kresge fulfills that mission by building and strengthening pathways to opportunity for low-income people in America’s cities, seeking to dismantle structural and systemic barriers to equality and justice. Using a full array of grant, loan, and other investment tools, Kresge invests more than $160 million annually to foster economic and social change. For more information visit kresge.org.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 June 2018 at 3:57 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
BARRE – Tractors are lined up along the driveway to the Barre Town Park on Route 98. The park is hosting concerts, crafters, food vendors and other entertainment today.
Barre is celebrating the town’s bicentennial with a series of events today through Sunday.
There is a quilt show at the West Barre United Methodist Church with 22 quilts.
“Some of them have very unique stories,” said quilt show organizer Judy Durrant. “The quilts are something that goes along with our history.”
Marge Davis made a quilt with a Raggedy Ann and Andy.
The West Barre Church also has a display about the one-room schoolhouses in Barre, including this desk from a school on Hemlock Ridge Road and Eagle Harbor Road. That school closed in 1957.
The Old Hippies performed this afternoon at the Barre Town Park.
Here is the schedule for the rest of today:
12-5 – West Barre Quilt Show, West Barre United Methodist Church, Eagle Harbor Rd.
2 p.m. – Festival Opens
2 to 5 – Crafters
2 to 8 – Food
2:30 to 4:30 – Music, Old Hippies
5 – Pull-in Tractor Show
5 to 7 – Music, The Remediators
7 to 9 – Music, Kelly’s Old Timers
9 – Park Closes
Saturday, June 30
9:30 a.m. – Veterans Memorial Dedication at the Town Hall, West Barre Rd.
10-5 – Orleans County Genealogist Hollist Canham will be at Town Hall
11 – Parade
12 (noon) – Opening Ceremony at Town Park, National Anthem, Flag Raising, Skydiving
12 to 9 – Events open at Town Park: Crafters, Pie Sale, Food, Petting Zoo, Farm Market, Games, Photo Contest Display, Youth Group Activities (Rock Painting etc.)
12 to 2 p.m. – Music, Kendall Community Band
12 to 5 – Quilt Show West Barre United Methodist Church, Eagle Harbor Rd.
Events open: Pine Hill Airport – Activities, Food
Self Guided Historical Driving Tours – Maps available at Information Booth
1 to 5 p.m. – Youth (12 and up) Obstacle Course-North side of baseball diamond
1 to 5 p.m. – Tug-of-War. Form your team now (Young vs Old, Family vs Family, Country vs Townie, Girls vs Boys, Beards vs Non-Beards, etc.) Sign up for a time slot at park.
1:30 to 2 p.m. – Kids Trike Race
2 to 2:30 – Kids Dump Truck Race
2:30 to 3 p.m. – Kids Pedal Tractors
2:30 to 4:30 p.m. – Music, Ghost Riders
3 to 3:30 p.m. – Kids Stick Horse Races
4 to 7 p.m. – Chicken BBQ, Barre Center Presbyterian Church-presold tickets only
4:30 p.m. – Upcycle Auction
5 p.m. – Cruise-In Car Show
5 to 7 p.m. – Music, Old Time Hoedown
5:30 p.m. – Beard Contest Judging
6 p.m. – Caller Margaret Mathews Community Square Dance with Old Time Hoedown providing the music. You don’t need any experience. Each dance is taught by the caller
7:30 to 9:30 p.m. – Music, Tom Keefer & Celtic Cross
9:30 p.m. – Fireworks
10 p.m. – Park Closes
Sunday, July 1
11 a.m. – Church service at Barre Town Park
12 (noon) – Potluck Lunch-Bring a dish to pass and a chair.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 June 2018 at 1:39 pm
ALBION – The Orleans County Planning Board gave its support on Thursday for a proposed 40-unit housing project in the Village of Albion on Liberty Street.
The Planning Board recommended the village approve the site plan for the project and also three variances.
DePaul Properties of Rochester is proposing to demolish three unoccupied houses on Liberty Street, between the railroad tracks and Beaver Street.
DePaul needs variances for the project. It is proposing 50 parking spaces, when the village code requires 80 (two parking spots for each unit). DePaul is seeking a 5-foot rear setback when the village code requires 25 feet. DePaul also wants a fence to be 10 feet high for a sound wall on the south side of the property, instead of the 7 feet required by the village code.
DePaul anticipates the 50 spaces will be adequate based on the demand at its other apartment buildings. DePaul serves low-income individuals, veterans, and people with disabilities.
With the rear setback, DePaul will plant a row of evergreen trees for additional screening. DePaul also wants the taller sound wall to mitigate noise from the neighboring rail line.
The Village of Albion Planning Board has the final vote on the site plan with the Zoning Board of Appeals to vote on the variances.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 June 2018 at 9:32 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
GAINES – Karen Sawicz, right, was sworn in as the new president of the Albion Rotary Club on Thursday night by Tracy Ford, assistant district governor for Rotary District 7090, which includes about 70 clubs in Western New York and southern Ontario, Canada.
This will be the third time Sawicz will be president of the Albion Rotary Club. She is the owner and publisher of The Lake Country Pennysaver and Orleans Hub.
Mike Bonnewell, right, receives a plaque and president’s pin from Rotarian Ed Fancher after Bonnewell served the past year as the Rotary president. Bonnewell is the superintendent of Albion Central School. He also was named a Paul Harris Fellow and the club donated $1,000 in his name to the Rotary Foundation for its humanitarian work.
Members of the board of directors take their oath of office including, from left: Mary Anne Braunbach, Heidi Truschel, Doug Farley, Deb Boyer and Mike Bonnewell. Dick Remley, Bruce Landis and Becky Karls are also on the board. Tracy Ford administered the oath.
The Rotary Club on Thursday was pleased to see a large Santa mural installed on Main Street in Albion. The club had been working on that project for about two years. Sawicz said she wants to see the Rotary Club continue its efforts to help downtown Albion.
The club is the lead sponsor of the annual Strawberry Festival the second Friday and Saturday in June. Rotary has a golf tournament on July 19 and runs the Orleans County Fishing Derby from Aug. 4 to Aug. 19 with more than $8,000 in prizes will be available.
The club also gives out three scholarships each year to high school graduating seniors and serves a St. Patrick’s ham dinner to benefit a youth service program through the Interact Club at the school.
The club also is gearing up for its 100th anniversary in 2022.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 June 2018 at 7:50 am
RIDGEWAY – Keeler Construction of Albion is expected to start construction in about three weeks on the replacement of the Portage Road bridge in the Town of Ridgeway.
The Orleans County Legislature on May 30 accepted Keeler’s bid of $588,821 to replace the bridge. The project should be complete by November, said Jerry Gray, the county’s highway superintendent.
The total project costs with engineering, inspection and other expenses is estimated at $869,000. This is a Bridge NY project with the county paying 5 percent of the costs or $43,450.
The county also expects to soon seek bids to replace a culvert on South Holley Road in Clarendon, a construction project that could extend into the spring, Gray said.
The county also is working to replace a bridge on the Monroe-Orleans Countyline Road near the golf course. The county is waiting on state approval for the project, which Gray said will probably get started next spring.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 June 2018 at 7:23 am
Ken DeRoller
KENDALL – Orleans County Legislator Ken DeRoller of Kendall has been appointed by the governor to serve on the state’s Canal Recreationway Commission.
He was notified by letter on June 19 from Melissa DeRosa, secretary to the governor. DeRoller will serve the remainder of a term that lasts until March 23, 2019.
DeRoller told the other county legislators on Wednesday that serving on the commission gives him a chance to speak up for the canal communities in Orleans County.
He is pleased with recent state commitments to repair canal bridges. However, he said the canal is an underdeveloped asset in Orleans. He wants to see the local communities better capitalize on the canal, drawing more tourists and economic activity.
The Recreationway Commission was created by the New York State Legislature in 1992 and has 24 members. There are 14 voting members including ten other members who work together trying to promote canal use, development, preservation and enhancement.
DeRoller believes the canal communities will be better positioned to utilize the canal after two waterfront plans are developed. The Village of Medina is working on a waterfront development plan while the rest of the canal communities – towns of Shelby and Ridgeway, Gaines, Albion and Murray, as well as villages of Albion and Holley – are developing a canal waterfront plan.
State funding is covering most of the costs for those plans for about 25 miles of waterfront in Orleans along the canal.
The waterfront revitalization plans will include public input to identify assets along the canal and identify projects and strategies to enhance the canal waterfront.
DeRoller said serving on the Recreationway Commission gets him “in the room” with state officials to advocate for the county, and see successes in other communities.
