Photos by Tom Rivers: Steve Jordan, a preservationist who focuses on restoring historic wooden windows, is leading a seminar at the Cobblestone Museum this week on window repair.

GAINES – It’s becoming a lost art, repairing windows that are more than a century old.

The Cobblestone Museum and the Landmark Society of Western New York are teaming this week to train more people in fixing old windows.

Steve Jordan, a window preservation specialist and author of The Window Sash Bible, is leading the historic wood window repair seminar. There is a four-day intensive seminar that started Tuesday and continues through Friday. Jordan and his students are removing windows from the Cobblestone Schoolhouse, originally built in 1849, and making window repairs as part of the seminar. There will also be a one-day introductory seminar on Saturday.

Jordan is teaching how to evaluate old windows, removing sashes from the window opening, remove putty, remove paint, remove glass, install new sash cords, weather strip old windows and other skills for preserving old windows.

Steve Jordan is leading in intensive window repair seminar this week at the Cobblestone Museum.

Erin Anheier, a Cobblestone Museum board member, suggested the seminar to the Landmark Society. She saw it as a way to repair windows at the Cobblestone Schoolhouse and educate more people in the task.

The Landmark Society each year presents a list of “Five to Revive,” which are typically sites in the Rochester region in need of preservation or they could be lost from disrepair.

The Landmark Society in October 2016 included “historic trades” to the Five to Revive, because the organization was concerned there weren’t enough trained professionals in carpentry, masonry, stained/decorative glass, painting, roof repair, metalwork, and window restoration with historic buildings.

Nearly 500 have now completed microenterprise training program

Kim Chester-Nguyen of North Chili explains the nursery/furniture wedge she designed to fellow graduates of the Microenterprise Assistance Program during a graduation program Tuesday night at Tillman’s Village Inn.

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent

ALBION – The latest class of graduates in Orleans Economic Development Agency’s Microenterprise Assistance Program brings the total of aspiring entrepreneurs to 485 individuals since the program started about two decades ago.

Ten of the spring class’s 11 participants shared their business plans and received diplomas Tuesday night at the Village Inn.

Diane Blanchard, director of the MAP, introduced guests, advisers and graduates.

Those lending support to the program were Jon Costello, a business mentor with SCORE; Richard Petitte with the Buffalo District of the Small Business Development Centers of NYS; Sam Campanella with the Small Business Development Corporation of New York; Karen Sawicz, board member and owner of Lake Country Pennysaver/Orleans Hub; Kathy Blackburn, president of the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce and owner of Meggie Moo’s in Medina; and Ken DeRoller, an Orleans County legislator.

Graduates and their proposed businesses were Jenelle Boyd of Lyndonville, whose tentative plan is to open a coffee house/café in the block which her uncle Robert Smith is renovating in Lyndonville; Richard Gallo and Michelle Hampton of Holley, expansion of a towing business; Kim Chester-Nguyen of North Chili, production of a nursery/furniture wedge; Kelly Furness of Waterport, flipping homes; Julie Hess of Lyndonville, the Wed Shed; Jake Olles of Albion, house inspection/property management for cottagers and snowbirds; Robert Owens of Albion, a hydroponics supply store; Adam Papaj of Medina, a multi-purpose sports training facility; Maurice Taylor, a consultant in workplace diversity; and John Brabon, nutrition meals.

Michelle Hampton and Richard Gallo of Holley took the class to further their plans of expanding a towing business in Orleans County.

Each graduate explained their business plan to the audience, what they expected their start-up costs to be, what they would need for operating revenue and what their projected profits would be.

Graduates of the class not only learn how to develop a business plan, but are eligible for low-interest loans.

Several were looking for assistance in expanding a current business, while others are first-time entrepreneurs.

An ambitious plan was unveiled by Adam Papaj of Medina, who wants to open a multi-purpose sports training facility. He would provide sports-specific training in a facility which would have bounce houses, an area for toddlers, a small restaurant with pizza and fast food, a cage for hitting training for baseball and training spaces for soccer and lacrosse. He would coordinate activities with special events happening in the area, such as Thomas the Train, Ale in Autumn and the Steampunk Festival. He is looking for financing to build or renovate an existing building.

Jake Olles of Albion saw a need for the business he hopes to establish – monitoring and managing property for cottage owners and snowbirds.

His plan is to offer his services to open and close cottages for the season and inspect those properties and homes of snowbirds who go south for the winter.

With cell phone technology, he says he can inspect a property every two weeks, take pictures and send them to owners who can then determine if everything is in place. This would also be a check for broken pipes or power outages which could cause extensive damage if not discovered in a timely manner. He has a snowmobile to give him access to lake property when driveways are full of snow. He would also look for footprints in the snow, which might indicate someone had been trespassing on the property.

Jenelle Boyd of Lyndonville explains her business plan to fellow graduates of the Microenterprise Assistance Program. Her tentative plans are to open a coffee house/café in the block her uncle Robert Smith is renovating on Main Street in Lyndonville.

Kim Chesher-Nguyen’s business is the production of a wedge she designed to prevent items from falling down between the wall and a piece of furniture, especially in the nursery.

Julie Hess of Lyndonville hit on her business quite by accident after spending a lot of money buying items for her son’s wedding.

“I had so much stuff left I decided to rent it out,” Hess said. “It became clear there needed to be a resource for couples planning a wedding or special event where they could rent items at a reasonable price and not have to go out and buy them.”

Her Wed Shed offers tables, decorating, lighting and backdrops, among other things. She plans to keep up on trends in wedding planning and has opened a showroom in a chicken coop on their property.

She will set up decorations and tear them down, or the customer can do it themselves.

Her goal is to provide low-cost decorations to create the WOW factor.

Marcell Taylor, a former MAP graduate, told the class how much the program helped him get established. He now owns barber shops in Albion and Batavia.

“Every week I was excited about what I was going to learn at the next class,” Taylor said. “When you are in business for yourself, you speak a different language than the person who goes to work 9 to 5. People don’t understand the passion and drive an entrepreneur has. In this class, I met people I could relate to.”

He said was exited to hear all the ideas this latest class wants to get into.

“You are here with people who share your goals,” he said.

Ken DeRoller has been on the board of directors for the Orleans EDA since 2001 and has been an avid supporter of the microenterprise program. He was amazed at the ideas presented by graduates.

Photo by Tom Rivers: The tugboat DeWitt Clinton pushes a barge on the Erie Canal on Friday underneath the Main Street lift bridge in Albion.

The National Weather Service in Buffalo says there is a slight risk of strong to severe thunderstorms this afternoon and early this evening in Orleans County. The primary threat with any stronger storms will be damaging winds, the Weather Service said.

In addition, high waves are expected to lead to dangerous swimming conditions and a high swim risk along the Lake Ontario shoreline tonight.

The new few days will be sunny with highs of 74 on Thursday, 78 on Friday, 82 on Saturday and 88 on Friday, according to the Weather Service.

Photo by Tom Rivers: Ducks float down Johnson Creek during the duck race on July 4, 2017 in Lyndonville. This year there are 500 duck race tickets for $1 each and they are only available on July 4.

LYNDONVILLE – Hospice of Orleans has a new fundraiser on June 29, a Reverse Raffle with a $5,000 grand prize.

Hospice is putting more emphasis on the Reverse Raffle rather than its annual duck race at the Fourth of July in Lyndonville. However, the duck race will continue but it will be in a reduced form. Hospice typically sells about 2,000 tickets for the duck race, with staff and volunteers spending several weeks on the event.

The race this time is being limited to 500 ducks with tickets only available on July Fourth. Tickets will also be $1 and the prize for the “Duck for a Buck” race will be the split in a 50-50. The winner gets half of the amount of tickets sold, with Hospice getting the other half. The owner of the last duck to finish also will win a patriotic themed basket.

The ducks will “race” at 3 p.m. when they are dropped in Johnson Creek.

Hospice also is holding its first “Toast for Hospice Reverse Raffle.” That fundraiser also is capped at 500 tickets, which are $50 each. The tickets include admission for two people to Leonard Oakes Estate Winery for an event from 6 to 9 p.m. on June 29. There will be a complimentary wine glass, a glass of wine, food and live music.

There will be prizes awarded with every 50^th ticket drawn, with several food and gift packages. The final ticket to be pulled will be the winner of the $5,000 grand prize.

“We have great prizes from all over our community,” said Brittany Dix, Hospice development manager.

Hospice has sold half of the tickets so far and is pushing for a sellout.

“It’s a nice night out and an opportunity to support our mission,” she said.

For more information on getting a ticket, call Hospice at (585) 589-0809 or click here.

HOLLEY – Village residents can hear directly today from the six candidates running for the Village Board.

The forum begins at 6 p.m. at the Holley Junior-Senior High School Auditorium. The event is sponsored by The Lake Country Pennysaver and Orleans Hub.

The event is set up as a forum and not a debate. Candidates will give opening and closing statements, and will respond to questions submitted by the audience.

Three incumbents are running in the June 19 election, including Mayor Brian Sorochty and two current village trustees – Connie Nenni and Kevin Lynch, the deputy mayor.

The other candidates include Shawn O’Mara for mayor and Alexa Downey and Robyn Schubmehl for village trustees.

The June 19 election will be from noon to 9 p.m. at the village office.

LYNDONVILLE – The Houseman-Tanner Post 1603 in Lyndonville will be holding a flag retirement ceremony Thursday at 6 p.m. at Lynhaven Cemetery, located behind the Presbyterian Church at 107 Main St. The location will be near the cannon next to the flagpole.

Anyone who has a worn or tattered flag is welcome to bring it to the ceremony where we will ensure it receives a dignified disposal, said Steve Goodrich, commander of the Houseman-Tanner Post. Thursday is also Flag Day.

Photo by Tom Rivers: Earl Schmidt, director of the Veterans Service Agency in Orleans County, rides in the Strawberry Festival Parade on Saturday. He was promoting a medical van transport service run by the Orleans County Joint Veterans Council.

ALBION – The director of the Veterans Service Agency in Orleans County has a new role to advocate for veterans.

Earl Schmidt on Memorial Day was sworn in as a member of the Veterans Affairs Commission for the state. He was recommended for the post by Assemblyman Steve Hawley, who administered the oath to Schmidt during a Memorial Day observance at Holley.

The Commission advises staff for the State Division of Veterans’ Affairs on policies, implementing programs and coordinating services for veterans.

“This is quite an honor,” said Schmidt, who has been the county’s director of the Veterans Service Agency since December 2015. “It will give us a voice in Albany. We need to do anything that is in the right path for veterans.”

Schmidt’s term on the Commission lasts until Dec. 31, 2019, when his tenure could be extended for the voluntary position.

Schmidt served 23 years in the U.S. Army and U.S. Army National Guard, including combat in both the Persian Gulf and Afghanistan. He retired as sergeant first class and reconnaissance platoon sergeant. He earned 17 medals including a Bronze Star.

A Ridgeway resident, he worked 3 ½ years as an accredited veterans’ service officer with the Niagara County Veterans Service Agency before coming to lead the office in Orleans County.

Volunteer will be at local libraries to help with application process

Andrew Szatkowski

Andrew Szatkowski knows personally the power of a week away at camp, a chance for fun and friends and a time to forget about challenges at home.

Szatkowski attended Camp Troutburg, a former Salvation Army camp in Kendall when he was a kid.

“I loved it,” he said. “I literally cried for weeks when I left. I missed the people. It was a Christian camp and we were shown love.”

Szatkowski wants to help other local kids have a similar experience. He has been trained by the Salvation Army to help people complete the application process for sending their kids to Long Point Camp in Penn Yan, a Salvation Army camp for children ages 6 to 12. (Click here for more on Long Point Camp.)

The camp used to accept application forms that were printed, but now it is an online application. That has proven to be a challenge for many Orleans County parents, who don’t have computers or Internet access, Szatkowski said.

He has arranged with local libraries to have application open houses. The libraries have Internet and resources to get the application done.

Szatkowski will be at the following local libraries from 4 to 7 p.m.: Lee-Whedon Memorial Library in Medina on Thursday; Hoag Library in Albion on June 18; Yates Community Library in Lyndonville on June 19; and Community Free Library in Holley on June 25.

The camp is free, and transportation will likely be available through Community Action of Orleans Genesee.

There used to be about 15 children from Orleans County who attended the camp for a week each summer, but that number was down to four last year with the new online application process, said Michelle Figueroa, case manager for emergency services for Community Action.

Parents and guardians need to print out a Salvation Army medical form and have a doctor sign it as part of the application.

They also need to provide medical and dental insurance cards, and proof of address, which could be a utility bill. (Click here to enroll.)

Szatkowski is determined to help families get through the paperwork and submit it all online. He is concerned about local children in poverty or who have families that are affected by the drug epidemic. Those kids need a break from stressful conditions, he said.

The Orleans County kids would be part of camp on July 26-31, which has an Avenger’s theme for the week.

“This is a great environment for the kids, from the physical to the spiritual to the creative,” he said.

Figueroa also said the camp is an uplifting experience for children in Orleans County.

“The big benefit is the children learn their social skills, communication skills – they have fun,” she said. “They’re able to get out of their environment and be placed in an environment where they can do all kinds of things. They can go camping, singing and do arts and crafts. The kids absolutely love it. They seem refreshed.”

Szatkowski said people interested in applying can attend the session at the libraries or email him at aszat74@yahoo.com or call him at 585-205-0581.

Press Release, GCC

The Spring of 2018 Instructors and Students of the Semester for both the Albion and Medina Campus Centers of Genesee Community College have been named. Nominations from fellow teachers, students and colleagues were collected at each campus center during the semester. The selection committee, led by James Simon – Associate Dean of the Campus Centers in Albion and Medina – reviewed each nomination and selected the winning instructors and students.

Albion Campus Center

Peggy Feary-Pray

Peggy Feary-Pray has been selected as the Spring 2018 Instructor of the Semester at GCC’s Albion Campus Center. She taught classes in Human Relations and Human Services in GCC’s Albion Campus Center this semester.

In a nomination, one of her students expressed appreciation that Ms. Feary-Pray took an interest in her and gave her opportunities to grow within her field of study stating, “She develops and creates hands-on activities that generate group discussions and realistic role-plays.”

In the course of her career she has been a clinical therapist, foster care caseworker and rape crisis coordinator. Reflecting on her varied career path, Peggy said, “I would change nothing…I am always amazed by the twists my career has taken.”

Her sage advice for new instructors: “Be prepared with more than you need for class, and make your students use their brains. You might be surprised by what they say.” She added, “Rise to the challenge, you might surprise yourself!”

Peggy shared that her most rewarding experience has been seeing her students’ ability to write a great paragraph response at the end of the semester!

Peggy graduated from Alexander Central School and continued her education at SUNY College at Brockport and University at Albany. She holds Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Welfare degrees. She lives in Corfu with her husband, three children, dog and two cats. When she isn’t in the classroom, Peggy enjoys camping and playing her flute. She is active in her community, serving on the Missions and Ministry Committee at Alexander UMC.

Summer Moore is pictured with Jim Simon, dean of the campus centers in Albion and Medina.

Summer Moore was named Spring 2018 Student of the Semester at the Albion Campus Center. An Albion native, Summer attends classes at GCC part time in pursuit of her Criminal Justice AAS degree with a concentration in Corrections Counseling.

Summer says that what she loves most about college is meeting new people and learning new things. She believes that one of her strengths as a student is her dedication to working hard and making herself accountable for her own efforts. Agreeing, her instructor said “Summer has clearly worked hard, and as a result, her writing has consistently improved throughout the semester.”

Summer offered some words of wisdom to new college students, “things may seem scary and overwhelming at first, but it gets better as long as you try!” She cites her parents as the major influences in her life, saying that they’ve always pushed her to try her hardest, and they never gave up on her.

Upon graduation from GCC, Summer plans to look for a good job that will allow her to live near a beach in Virginia. When she isn’t studying, Summer enjoys drawing, listening to music and walking nature trails. Summer resides in Albion.

Medina Campus Center

Amy Crockford

The selection committee has named Amy Crockford as the Spring 2018 Instructor of the Semester at the Medina Campus Center. Amy joined Genesee Community College as an adjunct instructor of American Sign Language (ASL) and Deaf Culture in 2017. In addition to Medina, she currently teaches at GCC’s Batavia campus, The SUNY College at Brockport, Buffalo State College and Erie Community College.

Amy has her BS degree in Communications from Rochester Institute of Technology and her MS degree in Student Affairs Administration from the University at Buffalo.

Students who nominated Amy this semester collectively shared that she makes learning ASL enjoyable and relatable. One student stated that if it were not for Amy’s class, the student would have dropped out of school. Amy recalls her most rewarding teaching experience – receiving a nomination for the Presidential Academic Excellence in Teaching Award. She added that GCC’s Medina Campus Center staff have been wonderful assets to her and the college by encouraging students.

When asked for one piece of advice to a new instructor, Amy said, “Be patient with your students and it will be reflected in their work, class participation and eagerness to learn.

Married and raising two sons, Amy finds time to be an active Scout mom in Akron Cub Scouts Pack 531 and Boy Scout Troop 559. She also belongs to Deaf Access Services, The American Sign Language Teacher’s Association and the American Sign Language National Honor Society. The Crockford family resides in Lockport.

Dustin Wells

Dustin Wells of Medina has been named the Spring 2018 Student of the Semester at the Medina Campus Center. Dustin will earn his Liberal Arts & Science: General Studies AS degree and graduate from GCC in the Fall 2018. He plans to transfer to a four-year institution to play collegiate baseball and to pursue a degree in architecture.

One of the nominations stated that “Dustin regularly demonstrates not only effort, but also insight and excellence. Dustin stands out. Many people are happy with doing what is required, but few challenge themselves to be the best that they can personally be, as he does.”

Dustin was quick to cite his mother and father as the major influences in his life and education. He said his mother always strives for success in college and life and his father works hard and stays focused – no matter what. Dustin wanted new students to know that, “College is much easier if you don’t procrastinate and actually study.”

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Lyndonville Central School Superintendent Jason Smith presents a check for $1,000 to second-grade teacher Shannon Arlington after she was named “Educator of the Year” during a Board of Education meeting Monday night. The money can be used for a school project she chooses. Last year’s Educator of the Year winner John Bailey used his money to purchase a composition for the band, which will premiered at a concert on Thursday.

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent

LYNDONVILLE – In 2016, the Lyndonville Central School District board of education established an Educator of the Year award to recognize teachers who go above and beyond.

On Monday night during the Board of Education meeting, the award was presented to second-grade teacher Shannon Arlington.

Superintendent Jason Smith said the nomination process for the award begins in the fall, and five nominations were received this year. A committee which includes two student representatives reviews all applications.

Arlington graduated from Medina High School and received degrees from Genesee Community College and Brockport State College.

She was nominated for the award by third-grader Shannon Withey Jr. and a parent, Kristin Fonda. Support letters were received from community member Bonnie Water, retired colleague Craig Paas and student Logan Fonda.

Kristin Fonda said students of Arlington’s take great strides forward in their education.

“She is dedicated to giving each student the time and attention they need to succeed,” Fonda said.

Fonda explained this year Arlington helped to implement a new procedure for the ARC reading program, grouping students together based on their reading skill level, including those students in the same grade but in different classrooms.

“Communication with parents at home is so important in keeping the school-home connection, and Shannon excels in this area as well,” Fonda wrote. “She sends home weekly updates, which include what the students have learned, will learn and what we should be chatting about at home. When she corrects a paper or test, it’s more than a number and a sticker. She has written an encouraging message on the paper, too, or a constructive comment about what might make the paragraph better.”

Arlington is very involved as both a teacher and a parent. She has started work on getting her National Board Certification, an optional program which requires dedication and many hours of hard work. Teachers who are board certified are recognized as experts in their field and are often sought out to take on leadership positions in their schools and districts.

Parent Kristin Fonda and third-grader Shannon Withey nominated second-grade teacher Shannon Arlington for Lyndonville’s “Educator of the Year” award. They stand with her as the award was presented by School Superintendent Jason Smith during a board meeting Monday night.

Shannon Withey Jr. is a former student of Arlington ’s, who wrote in his nomination that Mrs. Arlington is one of the kindest teachers in the world.

“She is funny sometimes and will help you if you need help,” he said.

Paas wrote that Arlington truly shines in the day-to-day interaction she has with her students.

“She truly invests herself in all of her students, striving to assure their success academically, socially and as being productive members of the community,” Paas said. “Shannon is a master at observing the strengths and weaknesses of her students and then individualizing instruction for those students in order to enrich or remediate as their needs apply. The students who have been fortunate enough to be in her classroom come to school each day, not only excited about learning, but also excited about being in a classroom in which their ideas, interests and feelings are valued.”

As part of her award, Arlington was presented with a check for $1,000, which she plans to use to bring a noted author to the school.

“I feel that providing such an experience would allow students to make new rich connections to text and perhaps encourage more of a love for reading,” she said.

She recalled how author and illustrator Patience Brewster came to her elementary school and she always remembered how that was an amazing day of learning.

Arlington shared how as a child she loved and looked forward to the start of school. She has never forgotten the teachers who inspired her, from her first-grade teacher Mrs. Harmon to Mrs. Figurilli, who was her third-grade teacher during a very difficult time in her life. She was dealing with the divorce of her parents and her brother was killed in a car accident, but Mrs. Figurilli was her main support and source of constancy. Then there was her junior high Spanish teacher Mrs. Biano who always had time to talk; Mrs. Slack, who encouraged her love of literature; and Mr. Maioriana, her junior high principal, who always had a smile on his face and somehow knew every student’s name.

“He always told me, ‘Kid, you can always do more than what you believe you can,’” Arlington said.

She added she has always enjoyed working the children from her days as a little girl playing school with her friends or babysitting.

“As an educator, I believe I must always be willing to learn new things myself in order to be the best teacher I can be for my students,” she said. “I believe educators who provide a predictable, structured, safe and caring environment help all students, but especially those students who may have no structure at home.”

Rose Stephens, a retiring bus driver at Lyndonville Central School after 23 years, received a clock and flowers at Monday’s board of education meeting from Superintendent Jason Smith.

Two employees were recognized on the occasion of their retirement, school bus driver Rose Stephens and kindergarten teacher Robin Boyle.

Stephens has served 23 years as bus driver, and was commended for her history of positive evaluations and for being more than “just a bus driver.”

Smith said Stephens has been a surrogate parent, counselor, a listening ear and a cheerleader to her students, and she will be missed.

Robin Boyle receives a plaque from Lyndonville Central School Superintendent Jason Smith on the occasion of her retirement after spending 16 years in Lyndonville as a kindergarten teacher.

Boyle has been a kindergarten teacher for 30 years, 14 at Brockport and 16 in Lyndonville, her alma mater.

Smith called Boyle a highly successful teacher. He said he had visited her room often and kids were always engaged.

“She is so proud of the progress they make, especially with their Steps in the American Reading program,” Smith said. “Her warmth, caring and compassion are the hallmarks of her teaching career.”

Boyle said she hated to leave Brockport, but once she started at Lyndonville it became very apparent to her this was where she was supposed to be.

“I spent my whole childhood here and eventually moved back to live in my childhood home,” Boyle said. “I have worked under several superintendents and principals, and pride myself on my rapport with the students and their families. When you are a kindergarten teacher, for some you are the child’s first experience to school.”

She shared her thrill at having the school gymnasium dedicated to her father, and said it says a lot that many of the teachers, bus drivers, custodians and cafeteria staff are Lyndonville alumni.

HOLLEY – A local teen-ager is leading an effort  to create a pollinator meadow where bees will be encouraged to flourish.

Amelia Sidonio, 15, and a group of local 4-Hers spread wildflower seed on Thursday for the new meadow which is about a half mile from Hurd Orchards, which is owned by Amelia’s family.

Bayer, which has an agricultural products division, provided a $2,500 grant for the project. Bayer is paying for pollinator meadows in all 50 states, part of an effort to encourage native bee populations.

Amelia Sidonio distributes seeds to Grace Gregoire, Sadie Gregoire and Luke Gregoire prior to planting.

The colony collapse disorder and other diseases have decimated the honey bee population, making the fruit industry vulnerable because bees are needed to pollinate crops for them to grow. The new meadows will provide pollen for native bees and honey bees.

“I’m just really happy to have the opportunity to work with Bayer and start the movement of wildflower plantings,” Amelia said.

She is a sophomore at the Harley School in Rochester. She has been involved with the Orleans County 4-H program since she was 5, starting as a Cloverbud with the rabbit program.

During a 4-H public presentation, she researched the crisis with the declining bee population and presented that report. She wanted to do something to help bees, and learned about the funding opportunity through Bayer.

Her mother, Amy Machamer, was honored in 2016 by Bayer with a farming innovation award. Machamer was recognized by Bayer welcoming the public on their farm to learn about agriculture. Hurd Orchards hosts luncheons and dinners that teach about growing fruit. Machamer also teaches people how to prepare dishes with ingredients grown from the Hurd farm.

A 4-Her holds a handful of seed. Wildflower seed planted included red poppies, yarrow, milkweed, oxeye and painted daisies.

The first pollinator meadow is about a half mile from the market at Hurd Orchards. Machamer and her daughter want to add another meadow closer to the market. That was the plan last year but it was too rainy to get the meadow started.

A group of Orleans County 4-Hers met in a small field on Hurd Road in Murray on Thursday to plant a pollinator meadow. Amelia reached out to her 4-H friends who filled pails with wildflower seeds and scattered the seed in the newly tilled meadow.

“It’s important to get the community involved,” Amelia said. “It’s good to connect to different kinds of agriculture.”

Orleans County 4-Hers are pictured after the planting. They are, from left: Luke Gregoire, John Gabalski, Amelia Sidonio, Grace Gregoire, Joan-Marie Gabalski and Sadie Gregoire.

She wants to raise more public awareness of the issue affecting bees. She said the wildflowers also have the added benefit of beautifying the countryside.

The plants will germinate this year and some may flower. Next year the planting will really take hold and provide blooms for many years to come.

“That field will be absolutely gorgeous,” Machamer said. “It will be really pretty. It will be really beautiful. It will provide beauty and a pollinator meadow, and raise consciousness.”

For more on the Bayer program to help bees, click here.

Provided photos: The spring Holley trap shooting team includes, front row, from left: Coach Jaime Almeter, Coach Ted Major, Kyle Surowy,  Rayelle Bonacci, Evan Press, Joe Silpoch, Jakob  Silpoch, Coach John Waldron, Coach Doug Baker and Coach Butch Moy. Back row: Hunter Cleveland, Triston McFadden, Alexis Clemens, Kelsie Johnstone, Brandon Dillenbeck, Alexis Penna and Max Hollister.

HOLLEY – The Holley trap team just finished its third season in the NYS High School Clay Target League. Holley was third in its conference out of six teams in the Spring 2018.  Holley also competed in Spring 2017 and Fall 2017.

The schools are broken into conferences based on the size of the trap team. Holley with its 17 members competed in Class 1A in Conference 4. Kendall also had a team this spring for the first time and came in seventh out of seven teams in Conference 1.

The team for the first time was able to give a $500 scholarship. Steve Markle, a supporter of the program, donated the $500. He presents the scholarship last week to Brandon Dillenbeck for his high shooting and academic success.

Markle took up trap shooting himself two years ago at the Holley Rod & Gun Club, where the team practices and holds many of its matches. Markle said the sport teaches discipline and focus.

He said his two daughters were fortunate to get scholarships when they graduated from high school.

“I was looking for a way to give back,” Markle said. “I wanted to know what I could do to help the team out.”

Provided photos

LYNDONVILLE – Megan Dix’s family attended the dedication for the school yearbook at today’s Awards Ceremony at Lyndonville Central School.

The 2018 senior class unanimously selected Megan Dix for the dedication. Dix was 33 when she fatally shot last Aug. 25 while taking her lunch break at a small parking lot near Lowe’s, where she worked in Brockport.

Megan is the youngest of eight siblings. She and her husband, Chris, have an 8-year-old son, CJ, who is a student at Lyndonville.

Megan was a 2002 graduate from Lyndonville Central School. Her husband graduated in 2003.

The dedication page in the yearbook shows Megan with her husband Chris and their son, CJ.

Here is the written dedication in the yearbook:

On September 2nd, 1983 the world welcomed a beautiful baby girl, Megan Eleen Duncanson. As Megan grew she became an active member of the Lyndonville Central School. She had much love and pride for Lyndonville. Participating in many extracurriculars such as Soccer, Cheerleading, Softball, Band, Chorus, Yearbook, Prom Committee and Varsity Club to name a few of the many activities Megan enjoyed, throughout her youth and high school career.

While in high school Megan also met her future husband Christopher Dix. On August 19th 2002, Christopher asked Megan to be his girlfriend and the rest was history. The two high school sweethearts were inseparable and created a lifetime of memories together. Memories such as; graduation, Megan in 2002 and Christopher in 2003 both from Lyndonville. The two created a life with the birth of their son, C.J. on July 22nd, 2009 and became husband and wife on June 19th, 2010.

Megan enjoyed spending time with family and friends every chance she was given. A creative spirit, Megan also enjoyed adult coloring books, needlepoint, crocheting and was an avid reader. Her husband Christopher described Megan as perfect in every sense of the word. She strived to make everyone happy and always put others first. Megan truly was a darling daughter, caring mother, loving wife and compassionate friend. The world lost a beautiful person but gained an amazing angel.

ALBION – A Medina man was sentenced to 4 ½ years in state prison and 5 years of post-release supervision after he pled guilty to attempted burglary in the second-degree.

Jerry Gray, 45, was arrested on July 26 and charged with eight counts of grand larceny in the fourth degree, burglary in the second degree, petit larceny and criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth degree.

District Attorney Joe Cardone said Gray entered the house of an elderly couple during the night and took a television, purse and other belongings.

He accepted a plea deal for attempted burglary in the second degree. Gray has five prior felonies, five failures to appear in court and has had his probation and parole revoked. Because he has prior felonies, the prison maximum was up to 5 years.

His attorney, Jon Ross Wilson, said Gray’s criminal history has been driven by drug and mental health issues. Gray had a drug relapse and stole items to buy drugs, Wilson said.

Gray apologized for the crime and said he takes responsibility for it and looks forward to getting help in prison. While in the county jail he completed a drug treatment program through the Genesee-Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse.

Judge Sara Sheldon gave Gray a slight break in the sentence at 4 ½ years.

In other cases in County Court today:

• Judge Sheldon said a trial will start on June 18 for the case involving Gerardo Quiros, 31, of Medina. He allegedly held a woman against her will for several weeks, while physically and sexually assaulting her.

Quiros is facing 24 counts, including seven counts of first-degree rape, 10 counts of criminal sexual act in the first degree, one count of third-degree assault, one count of both criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third and fifth degrees, two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, criminal mischief in the fourth degree, and unlawful possession of marijuana.

Quiros remains in the county jail after his bail was revoked in January by Judge Sheldon. Jurors will be picked on Monday, Sheldon said.

• Jason Schmeer, 37, of Brockport was to be sentenced for fourth-degree grand larceny for taking a credit card. He has agreed to pay $485 in restitution. However, he failed to appear during sentencing. Judge Sheldon issued a warrant for his arrest.

He faces a split sentenced of up to six months in jail and five years of probation when he is sentenced.

• The judge set bail at $50,000 cash and $250,000 bond for Robert Tetrault, 37, of Albion. He faces charges of predatory sexual assault against a child after he allegedly had sexual intercourse and committed another sex act against a child.

Tetrault allegedly committed the crimes against a child, ages 9 to 10, from January to July 2012.