Photo by Matthew Ballard: Grave of William & Ruth Tanner – Tanner Cemetery, Albion, New York

“Overlooked Orleans” – Vol. 4, No. 22

I spent some time over Memorial Day weekend photographing historic markers and cemeteries as part of an ongoing inventory project I am working on. I was amazed at the beauty of our little burial grounds scattered throughout the county; there is definitely something to be said about the peacefulness of eternal rest and the aura that exists within the cemeteries.

Unfortunately, over the years many of our rural cemeteries have fallen victim to Mother Nature, or worse, vandals. In 2006, two cemeteries in Clarendon were attacked by mischievous kids who knocked over stones and smashed others with sledgehammers. In 2012, vandals were active at Beechwood Cemetery in Kendall, tipping over several dozen stones. A lack of respect and appreciation for our past often fuels this type of behavior.

I have received a number of inquiries over the past several months about some of the smaller cemeteries in our area including the Billings Farm Cemetery on Baker Road in Carlton and the Long Farm Cemetery on Rt. 31 in Albion near Transit Road. In the case of the latter, many of the graves are marked by fieldstones and masked by overgrowth and thickets. The question I most often hear is “why?” Why are these cemeteries allowed to fall into a state of disrepair? Time, money, and no descendants are often the reasons, but are these smaller grounds not just as important as our larger cemeteries?

I stumbled across an article written by Bill Lattin a number of years ago, an article drawn from one written by his father Cary Lattin in relation to the old Annis Cemetery on Rich’s Corners Road in Albion. In 1907, Sophia Harling Lattin visited the cemetery where her grandparents were buried, only to find that the grounds were overgrown with briars, locust, and myrtle. She found the condition to be quite shameful, overcome by disappointment that sacred ground should be allowed to fall into such a state of disrepair. Refusing to be deterred, she trudged through the thicket and gathered the names of the deceased from the tombstones in order to assemble a battalion of workers to clear the dense brush.

Upon the completion of this herculean task, the Town of Albion was encouraged to mow the cemetery from that point forward. Lattin paid $10 to have a wrought-iron gate and posts installed at the front of the cemetery, which still stands with a small wooden placard that reads “Annis Cemetery” (albeit in poor condition). Within this cemetery stands a small monument to the memory of Jonathan Rich, a member of Capt. Ebenezer Mason’s Company of Minute Men who responded to the Lexington Alarm on April 19, 1775; the quintessential Patriot.

Another example of community-driven efforts to resurrect the sacred space of our rural cemeteries is Tanner Cemetery, situated across the road from Mount Albion Cemetery. I am often asked about the origins of this particular burial ground given its close proximity to the much larger municipal cemetery. It appears that the cemetery, “established” in 1833 started as early as 1825 with the burial of Ruth Tanner, wife of William Tanner (1751-1831). The couple was interred on the farm owned by their son, Samuel Northrop Tanner, who is buried atop a hill east of the main gate in Mount Albion Cemetery. On numerous occasions, this cemetery became overgrown by weeds, vines, and small trees and on each occasion was cleared by volunteers. Over the years, stones were knocked over and broken with the occasional passerby leaning the stray markers against trees. Small unmarked rocks are situated throughout the burial ground, likely marking the graves of those who could not afford an etched stone.

Records indicate that William Tanner was paid 9 pounds in March of 1781 for service as a private with the 9th Regiment of Foot, U.S. Service with Col. Crary commanding. Those same records indicate that he was wounded during his service and carried a scar for the remainder of his life. Also buried on this site is Sgt. Jedidiah Phelps, a member of the Connecticut Militia and silversmith by trade. After his relocation to Barre in 1819 (then part of Genesee County), he played an active role in establishing the First Presbyterian Church at Albion.

File photo by Tom Rivers: Many community organizations participated last year’s June Fest parade, including the Holley-Kendall Marching Band.

HOLLEY – The local festival season is starting to ramp up with Holley’s June Fest on Saturday. The village will be bustling with activities from 9 a.m. until fireworks at night.

The festival took a year off in 2016 but returned last year, and is back again with more activities and volunteers.

When the festival didn’t happen in 2016, people realized how much they valued the event, said Krista Wiley, this year’s coordinator. She was among the new volunteers who stepped forward to help last year with the June Fest.

“It’s something we lost that people really enjoyed,” she said. “They see old classmates and neighbors. It’s a great thing. It maintains that small-town feel.”

The festival has some new twists this year, with wooden boats in the parade, fireworks at night, an expanded wine tasting area that includes beer and cider, as well as other additions including vintage tractors on display by the museum.

Wiley likes how the festival organizers are willing to try new things.

“It can be different each year,” she said. “People are accepting of that. We already have ideas for next year.”

Some highlights for Saturday’s June Fest:

• 5K race starting at 9 a.m. at elementary school

• Arts and crafts vendors from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on canal path

• Village-wide garage and yard sales from 9 a.m.to 4 p.m.

• Gray Wolf Karate for a demonstration at 9:30

• Parade starting at 11 a.m.

• Library book sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Wine tasting from noon to 4 p.m.

• Erie Canal Sal at museum at 1 p.m.

• St. Mary’s chicken barbecue

• Historical Society bake sale

• Expanded kids’ area with bounce house and games

Wiley said many volunteers have worked on the festival, which also has benefitted from the efforts of the Holley villages and school employees.

Elliott Parfitt died unexpectedly on May 27

Elliott Parffit

MEDINA – Elliott Parfitt left no doubt about his work ethic, his love for others and commitment to his family and to God, his pastor said today.

Parfitt, 28, died unexpectedly on May 27. That day he went to the hospital because he was having trouble breathing. About four hours after he was admitted, he died from aortic dissection.

“It was very unexpected, very sudden,” said Steven Pawley, pastor of the Antioch Anabaptist Church in Shelby Center.

Two days after Parfitt’s death, his wife Hannah gave birth to their second child, a daughter Rachel. The couple also has a son, Gideon, who is 1.

Parfitt was a leader at the church (which is located behind the fire hall.) He led the church as the song leader and played the cello, guitar and dulcimer.

“He was gifted singing and with playing instruments,” Pawley said. “He just really enjoyed that. He was a master of many things.”

Parfitt travelled on several mission trips to share the Gospel message, twice going to Romania, Honduras and Africa. He earned a private pilot license so that he could someday be a bush pilot for missionaries in remote places.

He ran his own business – All Things Fixed, LLC – and remodeled local homes, and also repaired tractors, farm trailers and personal automobiles.

He was one of eight siblings. His father, Ken Parfitt, was tragically killed on Dec. 15, 2010 after he was struck by a vehicle on I-390 near Avon. He was helping a motorist in distress.

Elliott was 21 when his father was killed. Elliott has been an active member of the Antioch Anabaptist Church for about nine years, the church pastor said.

The church welcomes the community to assist Elliott’s family during this difficult time. Hannah Parfitt is a private person who is used to helping others, Pawley said.

“Hannah’s faith in the Lord Jesus is both strong and inspiring,” Pawley said. “She doesn’t want to draw any attention to herself.”

The church didn’t want to do a high-profile GoFundMe page for Hannah and her children, but has instead created a web page with an address where people can send money to Hannah directly.

Click here for more information.

ALBION – Starting today Airbnb has finalized a new agreement with Orleans County, where the company will collect a 4 percent occupancy tax for rooms, cottages and houses that are rented in the county through Airbnb.

There are currently 33 Airbnb sites in Orleans, with many of them along Lake Ontario. Click here to see the sites in Orleans County listed through Airbnb.

Rather than have the individual sites send the occupancy tax to the county treasurer, Airbnb will take care of it.

“It doesn’t cost the county any money and really just brings us money,” said Kim DeFrank, the county treasurer.

Airbnb now collects and remits taxes to 21 counties statewide. Airbnb has remitted over $1.7 million in hotel and motel room taxes since reaching the first agreement with Tompkins County in July 2016. Airbnb remitted over $1 million in hotel and motel room tax revenue in 2017 alone, the company said.

In addition, Airbnb supports legislation currently under consideration in the New York State legislature (A7520/S7182) that would extend existing sales and hotel and motel room taxes to short-term rentals and authorize platforms like Airbnb to collect and remit such taxes statewide.

This would bring in close to $100 million in the first year alone, the company said. In addition, this bill would ensure that responsible New Yorkers can continue to share their home while addressing public safety concerns and targeting bad actors, including providing a 24/7 hotline for concerned neighbors and requiring that hosts carry a minimum of $250,000 in insurance.

“Airbnb is an economic mobilizer for everyone, from families sharing their home to make ends meet, to the small businesses benefitting from more guests shopping and eating locally – and now to Orleans County, which will join 20 other county governments statewide in receiving a new source of tax revenue from home sharing,” said Josh Meltzer, head of New York Public Policy for Airbnb. “We hope this latest agreement will also serve as yet another clear example of the economic potential of home sharing in every corner of the Empire State.”

By doing collecting and remitting the hotel and motel room tax in Orleans, Airbnb will make the process seamless for hosts while providing a valuable source of revenue to Orleans County, the company said.

“The taxes collected by Airbnb help strengthen and expand the advertising programs we use to attract even more tourists, increasing the revenues for our businesses and taxable sales for our county,” said Dawn L. Borchert, Orleans County Director of Tourism.

Provided photos: Jason Smith, superintendent for Lyndonville Central School, was honored as a distinguished citizen on Thursday by the Iroquois Trail Council of the Boy Scouts of America. The event was held at Batavia Downs.

BATAVIA – The Iroquois Trail Council of the Boy Scouts of America held its 43rd annual Boypower Dinner on Thursday and honored distinguished from five counties that are part of the council.

Jason Smith, the superintendent of schools for Lyndonville, was picked as the distinguished citizen for Orleans County. Smith actually lives in Batavia, Genesee County, with his wife Lori and their three children.

He is heavily involved in Orleans County. Smith started his career as a social studies teacher in Albion for six years. After a year as a dean of students at Albion, he worked as an assistant principal for three years. Then he was hired to work in Elba as a principal from 2004 to 2011. in December 2011, he started as Lyndonville’s school superintendent.

He was praised by the Boy Scouts for his leadership in character education and substance abuse education at Lyndonville. He has also forged strong partnerships between the school and its booster organizations, the Lion’s Club, GCC and the Yates Community Library, which have resulted in expanded opportunities for students.

The school has partnered with the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office and others to offer substance abuse prevention programs.

Smith has a strong rapport with the student body. He has regular lunch meetings with class officers and played in the pit orchestra for the recent school musical.

“He is highly motivated to provide every opportunity for the school to have a positive impact on students and the community by responding to the current educational needs, safety concerns, and having a high-quality staff,” according to the Iroquois Trail Council.

Smith also is active in community organizations, including the Lion’s Club, Lyndonville Area Foundation, Orleans United Way and GCASA. He plays the trombone in Mark Time Marchers Fireman’s Band and the Batavia Concert Band, and runs in many local 5K races.

Smith also is a eucharistic minister and faith formation teacher at Resurrection Parish in Batavia.

The local Boy Scouts honored the following on Thursday, from left: Wyoming County Distinguished Citizen Hans Kunze, Livingston County Distinguished Citizen Matt Gaynor, Orleans County Distinguished Citizen Jason Smith, Genesee County Distinguished Citizen Jay Gsell, and Niagara County Distinguished Citizens Rosemary and Jim Sansone.

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Roy-Hart catcher Noah Hardy, shown here waiting from a throw at home plate during this past Saturday’s Section VI Class B title win over Olean, and his Ram teammates will face Midlakes in the Far West Regional Saturday at Frontier Field in Rochester.

Having successfully cleared four hurdles at the sectional level, Roy-Hart is now set to begin a history making first trip to the state baseball playoffs as the Rams face Midlakes in the Class B Far West Regional at 2 p.m. Saturday at Frontier Field in Rochester.

Roy-Hart advanced by first capturing its first ever sectional title by edging Medina 4-2 for the Class B2 crown and then outlasting B1 champ Olean 12-9 for the overall Section VI Class B championship.

Roy-Hart’s Mike Huntington makes a catch in right field.

Midlakes gained its berth by defeating Newark 15-1 for the Section V Class B title.

Roy-Hart brings an 18-2 record into the regionals while Midlakes is 18-5.

“A big key is we’re playing as a team. They just love to play baseball,” said Rams Coach Mike Tarnowski. “Our goal is to win every pitch, every at bat, every inning and they embrace that. It’s pretty special to have a team like this.”

It’s been a steady climb up the ladder of success over the past three years for Roy-Hart beginning in 2016 when the Rams captured their first Niagara-Orleans League title since 1953. The Rams repeated as N-O champs and advanced to the Section VI Class B2 finals in 2017 and now have three-peated as N-O champs and captured their first sectional diamond crown this spring.

Roy-Hart’s lineup includes senior shortstop Al Xapsos who is hitting .443 with 20 RBIs, senior pitcher/outfielder Jake Bruning (.438, 18 RBI), junior first baseman/pitcher Charlie Bruning (.432, 14 RBI), senior third baseman/pitcher Ben Schwab (.414 28 RBI), eighth grader outfielder Gavyn Boyle (.403, 20 RBI), junior second baseman Charlie Brigham (.338, 17 RBI). junior third baseman/outfielder/pitcher Walker Samanka (.325, 13 RBI), freshman catcher Noah Hardy, sophomore outfielder Mike Huntington, senior designated hitter/outfielder Andrew Srock and junior designated hitter/infielder Karson Grover.

“It’s a great mix between our vets and our younger guys,” said Tarnowski. “We’ve been tested and we know we’ll see the other team’s best.”

The victor of Saturday’s game advances to the state semifinals in Binghamton on June 8.

ALBION – The point system for determining whether a sex offender should be level 2 or 3 says a Medina man should be at the lower level of 2.

However, Patrick Sewar, 26, had multiple victims who were children, and that prompted a Genesee County judge to deem Sewar a Level 3 offender on Wednesday.

Sewar was convicted of sex abuse charges in both Orleans and Genesee counties. He will be released next month from the Wyoming Correctional Facility after serving four years of a five-year prison sentence.

As part of his impending release, Sewar is evaluated through the Sex Offender Registration Act to determine his level.

The state Board of Examiners suggested that Sewar be a Level 2 offender based on a point system. Joanne Best, the public defender in Orleans County, asked County Court Judge Sanford Church on Thursday to have Sewar be a Level 2 offender. Sewar while in prison learned strategies to fight his sexual urges.

District Attorney Joe Cardone asked for the Level 3, saying Sewar used sex as a coping mechanism and displayed “escalating behavior.” One of the victims was subjected to years of abuse by Sewar, Cardone said.

However, in that case Sewar’s conviction was a misdemeanor because several years elapsed from when the abuse occurred and when he was charged. He was also 15 at the time when he sexually assaulted a 6-year-old child in 2006. He was sentenced to 90 days in jail and determined to be a Level 2 offender.

It wasn’t long after the misdemeanor conviction that Sewar was charged in Genesee County and accused of molesting a child under 11 at Darien in July 2013.

Sewar’s actions in the cases all fall below a Level 3 offender, Best said. She urged the judge to follow the point system in determining the levels.

“To say somehow the formula is incorrect and there should be a departure I don’t believe that is appropriate in this case,” Best told Judge Church.

A Level 2 offender has a moderate risk of reoffending while a Level 3 is considered to be a high risk. The higher the level, the more monitoring and more information that has to be provided to the community about the sex offender, although both Level 2 and Level 3 offenders are listed on a website.

Sewar said he plans to live at the Holley Hotel when he is released from prison and wants to get a job.

Judge Church said he will review the case and make a decision by late June.

In other cases in County Court on Thursday:

• A Medina resident is being held without bail while awaiting sentencing for criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree. Patrick Casanova, 24, was to be sentenced on June 21 but that has been moved back to Aug. 2.

The probation department wasn’t able to work on a presentencing report because Casanova failed to go to appointments with the probation staff.

His attorney, Public Defender Joanne Best, said Casanova wasn’t living at the Niagara Falls address where mail was sent by probation. He also has lived on North Main Street in Medina. Casanova couldn’t be reached by phone because his phone is being held by the Medina Police Department.

He faces the weapons charge after allegedly discharging a gun on Dec. 10, 2017 at O’Brien’s Tavern on Main Street. Casanova wasn’t targeting anyone when he fired the gun into the ceiling, police said.

Casanova has been incarcerated since May 13 when he allegedly was involved in a knife fight on Church Street in Medina with his brother, Cardone told the court. When Casanova was taken into custody by police, he allegedly kicked the window in the police car, causing damage, Cardone said. Casanova hasn’t been charged for the latest incident in Medina.

Judge Church told Casanova to go to any appointments and cooperate with the probation department before the sentencing on Aug. 2.

• A Kendall man admitted violating conditions of his probation and could be sentenced to 1 to 3 years in state prison as part of a plea deal. Steven Gregory, 27, of Kendall Road is on probation after being convicted of driving while ability impaired by drugs in Livingston County in 2017.

On March 6, he was charged with driving while intoxicated in the Town of Greece with a Blood Alcohol Content of 0.17 percent, more than double the legal amount. Gregory also was found to have violated terms of his probation by driving without a license, driving without an interlock ignition device and consuming vodka.

Judge Church found Gregory committed substantial violations to his probation. Gregory will be sentenced on July 9 and will face a maximum of 1 to 3 years in prison.

• The judge set bail at $25,000 for an inmate at the Albion Correctional Facility facing charges of promoting prison contraband in the first degree.

Amanda Steurrys allegedly had suboxone mailed in a greeting card to prison. She was charged on April 2. She is currently serving a 1 to 3 year sentence for criminal contempt in the first degree. She is from Wayne County.

Photos courtesy of Chris Chester

KENT – What appears to be a Little Blue Heron is pictured at the end of Bills Road in Kent on May 2. Chris Chester took this photo and the one below of what he is certain is a Little Blue Heron, which breeds in the Gulf states and is not often seen this far north.

“By contrast we see Great Blue Herons here (over Marsh Creek) every day,” Chester said. “The bird spent the day on a low area of our property that was under about a foot of water. It left around dusk and has not returned.”

He e-mailed the Cornell Lab of Ornithology back in early May with hopes the group could confirm the identification, but has yet to hear back from Cornell.

Chester watched the heron catch large frogs. For more on the Little Blue Heron, click here.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The Orleans Correctional Facility dedicated a new memorial today in honor of 13 employees who died while they were active employees at the medium-security men’s prison. This photo shows the honor guard from the neighboring Albion Correctional Facility, retiring the colors at the conclusion of today’s service at the prison on Gaines Basin Road.

The employees’ union and the Employee Benefit Fund Committee provided the funding for the memorial. The monument reads: “We dedicate this memorial to all security staff from Orleans Correctional Facility Council 82 who have died while in faithful service. You will always be remembered in our hearts.”

There are granite blocks with the names of the honored employees, including David Stanton. He was 34 when he was killed in a motorcycle accident about 31 years ago.

His brother Greg Stanton of Medina appreciates the new memorial.

“I think it’s really nice they did this,” he said.

The following are recognized at the memorial: C.O. David Stanton, who died on April 13, 1987; C.O. Ricky Smith, Feb. 24, 1988; C.O. David Garrow, Aug. 19, 1992; C.O. Craig Nebelecky, June 1, 1993; C.O. Randy Wendt, Oct. 25, 1993; C.O. Patrick Moran, Feb. 10, 1996; C.O. Joel Eisenstein, Sept. 14, 1998; C.O. James Crowley, Aug. 25, 2001; KBS Bonnie Costich, May 4, 2002; S.C. II Cora Persons, Jan. 28, 2008; C.O. Kenneth Bulls, Dec. 22, 2011; C.O. Duane Catanesi, Jan. 1, 2014; C.O. Josef Young, Jan. 24, 2015; and C.O. Michael Duffy, Nov. 22, 2016.

Warren Cornelius, an employee at Orleans Correctional, rang a bell when each name was read.

Family and friends of those recognized at the memorial look over the granite blocks and the monument.

Karen Crowley, superintendent of Orleans Correctional Facility, listens to the Emerald Society Pipe Band. She also welcomed the crowd for the memorial dedication.

“They will never be forgotten,” she said about the employees who are recognized at the memorial.

Corrections officers and staff at the prison stand at attention while the pipe band played “Taps.”

NYS Corrections Emerald Society Pipe Band, left, performed during the dedication.

Two corrections officers carry a wreath that was placed at the memorial

Lonnie Froman, a retired corrections officer and singer for the Who Dats band, sang the national anthem.

There was a 21-gun salute from the Attica Honor Guard.

The honor guards from the Albion and Attica correctional facilities both attended the dedication ceremony.

Photo by Tom Rivers: The Albion Department of Public Works last week put up 30 new banners that promote the Albion Strawberry Festival on June 8-9.

The Albion Betterment Committee took the lead in finding sponsors for the banners, which were made by Digital Ink Arts in Albion.

For more information on the festival, click here.

Photo by Tom Rivers: Blossoms at an Albion fruit orchard are pictured on May 9.

Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced nearly $38 million is now available through the Farmland Protection Implementation Grant program to help farmers across New York protect valuable and at-risk farmland. Since Governor Cuomo took office, the state has reinvigorated the program and committed historic investments, including doubling the funding in this latest round from last year – marking the highest level of ever offered through the program.

“By investing in the sustainability and growth of New York’s farmland, we are protecting an important economic driver for communities across the state while providing opportunities for our agriculture industry to grow,” Governor Cuomo said. “This unprecedented $38 million commitment to land preservation will ensure New York’s vast farmland is used for agricultural purposes and remains protected for generations.””

Municipalities, counties, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and land trusts are eligible to apply for individual grants of up to $2 million to help offset the costs of conservation easement projects that protect viable agricultural land from being converted to non-agricultural use. The Farmland Protection Implementation Grant program is funded through New York State’s Environmental Protection Fund, which was included in the State Budget at $300 million for the third consecutive year. The application deadline is August 31, 2018 and the Request for Proposals is available by clicking here.

Since the governor took office in 2011, the state has invested more than $62 million in 82 farmland protection projects statewide. This funding opportunity continues the state’s commitment to provide financial and technical assistance for farmland protection on a predictable two-year cycle. The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets’ previous streamlining measures have resulted in significant reductions in the overall time needed to complete projects.

This year, to explore additional tools in preserving land for agricultural production, the state has included preemptive purchase rights as an eligible cost that may be partially covered through the grant program. This is the first time state financial assistance may be used toward this eligible project cost.

The Department has established certain criteria to guide the use of this unique easement provision in awarded projects. Preemptive purchase rights encourage agricultural land to remain in active production and to be sold to other farmers at its agricultural value. Certain requirements must be met in order for eligible applicants to use grant funding for these purchase rights, which will also provide a potential avenue for new and beginning farmers in acquiring land.

New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, “The Department has made great strides in improving regional collaboration on its farmland preservation programs and ensuring we move the Farmland Protection program forward.  We are pleased to make available nearly double the funding this year than we have in previous years and are committed to preserving our land base, which not only retains the state’s farmland for our future New York farmers but also helps protects our environment.”

Photo by Tom Rivers: Earl Schmidt, director of the veterans Service Agency in Orleans County, discusses the new veteran peer-to-peer support program on Wednesday with county legislators.

ALBION – A state grant will fund a new veteran peer-to-peer support program in Orleans County.

The county has accepted a grant for $52,500 from the State Senate, annual funding for the next two years with a chance for renewing the program after that, said Earl Schmidt, director of the Veterans Service Agency in Orleans County.

Rather than add paid personnel to run the program, Schmidt wants to have the program be volunteer-driven so the grant funds can go for their intended purpose of funding activities and programs for veterans.

Schmidt said the peer support program will function in a similar way as the medical van service run by the Joint Veterans Council. With that program a team of volunteers makes sure there are volunteer drivers to take veterans to appointments.

Schmidt’s wife, Catherine, will be the unpaid leader of the Orleans County PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Veterans Peer Support Program. The effort is supported by the county’s Department of Mental Health and the Veterans Service Agency.

‘The program draws its inspiration from the camaraderie that comes from a shared experience of life in the military,” Earl Schmidt told county legislators on Wednesday.

Orleans is the 23^rd county out of 62 in New York to receive state funding for the program, which is focused on assisting veterans who have suffered post-traumatic stress disorder or a traumatic brain injury.

“The goals of the program include helping returning veterans adjust to civilian life, pursue outreach and education, to provide peer support, encourage a connection among family, friends and the community,” he said.

The outreach and support should reduce isolation and suicides for veterans, Schmidt said.

Mrs. Schmidt will serve as volunteer coordinator of the Dwyer program. She is a Blue Star mother with a child in active duty and a past Blue Star wife. She is a past president of Army Family Support.

Other members of the committee organizing the program include: Lori Grube, a Blue Star mother who worked as a county dispatcher and is now secretary of the Emergency Management Office; Frank Panczyszyn, a Vietnam War veteran and volunteer driver for veterans for their medical appointments; Tracey Panczyszyn, a volunteer with the medical van service; and Nancy Traxler, a veterans service officer for the county, a combat veteran and a Blue Star mother and wife.

Mr. Schmidt said additional committee members will be added. He expects the service will begin in September.

“The volunteers in the community have really stepped up to take care of the veterans,” he said.

Mrs. Schmidt said the activities to connect veterans will include many coffee hours and picnics. They may go kayaking or do other activities. She wants to keep the program within the county, which has the added benefit of supporting local businesses.

“There will be many social events in a non-clinical environment,” she said. “It will be used for veterans and their families.”

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature on Wednesday presented two Special Recognition Awards. Danielle Figura, second from left, was recognized for winning an award on May 24 from the Mental Health Association of Genesee & Orleans Counties. Figura, clinic coordinator for the Orleans County Mental Health Department, receives the Special Recognition Award from County Legislator Skip Draper, left, and Marc O’Brien, director of the Orleans County Mental Health Department. Kim DeFrank, the county treasurer, is at right.

Figura was recognized last week at the Mental Health Association with the Constance E. Miller Commitment to Excellence. She has implemented numerous programs in Orleans County, including expanded mental health services at the five local school districts, the Orleans County Jail, the Genesee-Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, and Oak Orchard Health.

“Your dedication to serving the needs of those with mental health issues has well exceeded all expectations and had a profound effect on the residents of Orleans County, and beyond,” Draper said.

Jonathan Doherty, center, of Albion also was commended by the Legislature. He receives his Special Recognition Award from legislators Don Allport, left, and Skip Draper.

Doherty on May 19 was presented with the Chris Burke Award for Excellence in disABILITY Advocacy. He received that award during a 20th anniversary celebration for People Inc.’s DisABILITY Museum in Buffalo.

Doherty has been a leader of the Self Advocate All Stars in Orleans County since the group formed in 2006. The All Stars strive to promote awareness and acceptance in the community for people with disabilities.

Doherty is an active community member, volunteering with the Strawberry Festival Committee, Boy Scout Troop 164, the Albion Alumni Foundation, the Eastman at Albion Concert Series, and numerous events for The Arc of Genesee Orleans. He earned his Eagle Scout rank when he was 21 and is an assistant Scoutmaster.

Town holds its Memorial Day observance on May 30, which was the official date of the holiday from 1868 to 1970

Photos by Tom Rivers: Boy Scouts and veterans hold a large American flag during a Memorial Day observance at Greenwood Cemetery this evening. The flag would then be folded 13 times, with the meaning of each fold read by Marietta Schuth. Brian Shaw, a Boy Scout in Troop 94, is in back center, holding the flag.

John Patt of Troop 94 carries the American flag on Route 18. The processional started at Kendall Elementary School and ended at Greenwood Cemetery.

Sarah Kelly plays the flute in the combined Holley and Kendall marching band.

Town Supervisor Tony Cammarata said Memorial Day should be a time to reflect on the sacrifice of soldiers. “If it wasn’t for these brave individuals, our lives and our way of life would definitely have been different,” he said.

Kendall holds its Memorial Day observance on May 30, which was the official day for the holiday until it was changed to be the last Monday in May. Kendall has decided to continue to hold its Memorial Day ceremony on May 30. Memorial Day used to be known as Decoration Day. The holiday was celebrated on May 30 from 1868 to 1970.

A Civil War cannon is at Greenwood Cemetery on Route 18, across from the new Dollar General store. Kendall rotates the Memorial Day service at three cemeteries.

Daniel Lauritzson, director of the chorus at Kendall, leads the group which sang, “Anthem.”

Kendall High School students Michela Hanlon and Allen Tonas read names from the “Roll of Honored Dead,” local veterans who are buried in Kendall cemeteries.

Members of the Kendall Fire Department salute the flag while the Kendall school band played the national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

This is the same scene with the salute during the national anthem except the focus is on the flute player.

David Warren, a member of the Kendall Community Band, plays “Taps” with his trumpet near the end of the Memorial Day service at Greenwood Cemetery. The Community Band also played, “God Bless America” and “Armed Forces Salute.”

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s Christian Silversmith works to get away from Akron defender Weylon Abrams during the Mustangs loss to the Tigers in the Section VI Class D championship game this afternoon at Williamsville North.

Jumping out to a four goal first quarter lead, top seeded defending champion Akron was never headed in rolling to a 15-3 victory over No. 2 Medina in the Section VI Class D lacrosse championship game this afternoon at Williamsville North.

Owen Hill and Donovan Nephew each scored 4 goals, Kaleb Delaney 3 and Nelson Logan 2 to spearhead the Akron attack on the sizzling 90 degree plus afternoon.

Akron’s Donovan Nephew fires a shot on goal as Bobby Geiger defends for Medina. Akron’s Dylan Nicometi watches the shot.

Mason Lewis, Brendan Luthart and Zach Blount each scored a goal for Medina which had dropped a pair of narrow overtime decisions (15-14, 20-19) to Akron during the regular season.

Akron jumped out to a lighting quick 2-0 lead at the outset on goals by Nephew and Hill.

Medina though answered right back with tallies by Lewis and Luthart just 27 seconds apart to quickly knot the score at 2-2 before the contest was three minutes old.

However, Akron answered the challenge with consecutive goals by Nephew, Delaney and a pair by Logan to regain the lead for good at 6-2 at the end of the period.

Medina did cut the deficit a bit to 6-3 on Blount’s goal with 4:52 to go in the second quarter but the Mustangs could not find the net again.

The Tigers answered with a burst of three goals over the next two minutes by Weylon Abrams, Hill and Millard Young, to extend the lead to 9-3 at the half.

Akron maintained a commanding 11-3 lead at the three-quarter mark after third period tallies by Logan and Nephew.

The Tigers then capped off the win and a return trip to the state playoffs by outscoring the Mustangs 4-0 in the final stanza, including 2 by Hill.

Akron will next face the Section V Class D champion Penn Yan in the Far West Regional on Saturday at Buffalo’s All High Stadium.

Medina’s Brendan Luthart looks to work the ball up field against Akron defender Keenan Ninham.