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.

Provided photos

LYNDONVILLE – Ken Strickland, an investigator with the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, was among the speakers Friday during a career day at Lyndonville Central School.

Students in grades 6 through 8 met with many professionals in the community, and also students in the BOCES programs to learn about options for employment after graduation.

Allied health nursing student Kennedy Smelski discusses her program.

Ariel Strickland, an animal control officer with the Sheriff’s Officer, dscussed her job.

Cosmetology students also made a presentation.

Vern Fonda, a conservation officer with the state Department of Environmental Conservation, was a featured guest during the career day.

Wendy Wilson of LynOaken Farms in Lyndonville and the Leonard Oakes Estate Winery in Medina brought along apples as well as her insight.

Press Release, Niagara County Sheriff James R. Voutour

Daniel E. Wells

ROYALTON – Niagara County Sheriff James R. Voutour today announced the arrest of Daniel E. Wells, 29, of Royalton, on a charge of Criminally Negligent Homicide.

Wells is accused of not seeking timely medical care for his sister, Christyna Wells, 34, of Oakfield, who overdosed on November 10, 2017, causing her death. Wells drove his sister from the City of Niagara Falls, where she overdosed, to the 9400 block of Ridge Road in Royalton, before summoning medical assistance.

Wells was arraigned on Tuesday in Lockport Town Court by Justice Cheryl Antkowiak. He was released on his own recognizance. Wells has a return date of June 14 at 5 p.m. in Royalton Town Court.

He is currently being held on no bail at the Niagara County Jail on unrelated charges. The arrest is the result as a joint investigation by the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Bureau and the Niagara County Drug Task Force.

MEDINA – Classic cars and fresh produce will return to downtown Medina.

The Canal Basin has hosted the car shows for more than 20 years. A new season begins Friday from 5:30 to 8 p.m. and will continue weekly through late August. The car shows will be capped with a Super Cruise on Aug. 29 when a section of Main Street is blocked off and there is a performance by Elvis impersonator Terry Buchwald.

Terry Buchwald, an Elvis impersonator, performed at the Super Cruise on Aug. 23, 2017.

The weekly shows include music from DJ Hank Nevins. Dave Green is one of the coordinators of the car shows. He said Medina businesses are generous in sponsoring the events, donating for the DJ, to bring in Buchwald and for door prizes.

There are typically 80 to 100 cars for the Friday car shows, with the Super Cruise drawing more than 200.

Medina will also welcome the return of the Canal Village Farmers’ Market on Saturday. The market is open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 127 West Center St., across from the Medina Post Office.

The market operates under the auspices of the Orleans Renaissance Group and will continue each Saturday through October.

“The 2017-18 Winter Market was very well attended,” said Gail Miller, the market manager. “It’s made us very excited to begin what we feel is going to be our best summer market yet.”

Miller cited yet more new vendor offerings, the return of a Community Tent for community organizations, the Artisans Tent, the return of Canal Kids Activities and family related fun and games by the Medina FFA.

“We’ve also been able to secure the return of our crowd-favorite live music too,” said Miller. “Ernie Lawrence, Dark Road Duo and The Road to Azure will all be back, hopefully with other new groups.”

The vintage R&B/Blues of The Road to Azure will be featured opening day.

Miller also said there will be an expanded schedule of special guests, as well as various special events such as food prep demos and raffles.

“We’re also working on plans for a food tour that would encompass the market and downtown.” said Miller. “This project is in the very early planning stages, but will be a multi-opportunity event that people are really going to want to experience. The market, food and historic downtown are three things that naturally go together.”

Raspberries from Panek Farms were available at Canal Village Farmers’ Market in July 2015.

According to planners, participants would buy a ticket for the food tour at the market and begin their delectable journey with tastings from various vendors. The guided tour would proceed through Historic Downtown with a mix of history and tastings from Medina’s many culinary offerings.

“Again, the tour is in the planning stages, but we’re very excited about it,” Miller said. “We see it as a springboard for day trip Medina and hope to have it up and running soon. It’s going to be such a great year of Summer Saturdays at the market and throughout downtown.”

A full slate of vendors and offerings are slated for opening day. Market patrons will see regular weekly vendors Baker Farm, Herbalty Cottage, Human Farms, Kim’s Kitchen Bakery & More, McB’s Farm, Nice Farms, Renko Sausage, Roberts’ Farm Market, SK Herefords beef, Stone Hollow Farm & Carriage House Bakery, Stymus Farms along with other special guests/rotating vendors, including the award-winning 810 Meadworks.

The 2018 summer market will see the return of the “Community Tent” and “Artisan’s Tent.”

“Last year, the Community Tent provided a place for local non-profits and community-based organizations to raise awareness about their particular programs and offerings,” Miller said. Opening day will see Medina Memorial Hospital and Cornell Cooperative Extension with the hospital offering information on various health-related issues. Cornell Cooperative Extension will feature advice from Master Gardeners.

Dawn Keppler of SK Herefords in Shelby cuts some beef for a sample of the farm’s meat in this photo from July 2015.

The Artisan Tent will have a very special local feature on opening day. Local musician and skilled craftsman, Aaron Grabowski, will be present with his blacksmith forge. Grabowski will demonstrate the forge and the making of hand-forged products of 18th century manor using his reproduction traveling blacksmith forge – all while clothed in 18th century garb. Grabowski was recently named a “Heritage Hero” for his local preservation work.

Chris Busch, president of the Renaissance Group, says the Canal Village Farmers’ Market is not just an opportunity for the public to shop for fresh-harvested local produce, but also to everything Historic Medina has to offer.

“Our goal at CVFM has been to do our part in making Downtown Medina absolutely alive on Saturday mornings,” Busch said.

The market is still interested in finding suitable artisans and musicians who might be interested in participating in the market. For additional information about visiting or participating in the 2018 Canal Village Farmers’ Market, visit them on Facebook or email Gail Miller at canalvillagemarket@gmail.com.

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent

ALBION – The Main Street Store celebrated its grand reopening Tuesday after being closed for six weeks for repairs

In early April, ice and snow accumulated under the shingles, then melted and flooded the entire store, said manager Michelle George.

The floor was ruined and damaged much of the merchandise.

With community support and funding from Orleans United Way and Women’s Foundation of Genesee Valley, a new roof was installed and the floor replaced.

“When we made the repairs, we took the opportunity to spruce up the entire store and rearrange the layout,” George said.

People tell her the Main Street Store is Orleans County ’s best kept-secret, something she really doesn’t want to hear. She wants everyone to know about the store.

“We are not a ‘second-hand’ store, we have all high-end merchandise,” George said. “Our clothing is clean, gently used and mostly brand names. We carefully scrutinize all merchandise and appliances and electronics are tested before we put them on the shelf for sale.”

Lynn Hawkins arranges clothing in the Main Street Store in Albion, which celebrated a grand re-opening on Tuesday. Hawkins job is to wash, dry and tag clothing for display.

All merchandise, including clothing, holiday decorations, furniture, appliances, electronics and gift items are donated. Donations are always needed and pickup can be arranged, or there is a drop-off spot at the store. Tax receipts are always available. Donation drop-off is available from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

In addition to being a quality retail store, the Main Street Store, established by Community Action of Orleans and Genesee, provides comprehensive job training, employment support services and education opportunities for residents of Orleans and Genesee counties.

Individuals can take advantage of a full range of services from resumes and job searches to job skills training, on-the-job work experience in the store, employment counseling and certificate courses in cooperation with Albion Central School .

The store also provides GED preparation, high school and college tutoring and personal income/expense planning. There is a “Dress for Success” program for people who work and need help with work clothes.

The community has free access to computers with online capability for those looking for jobs.

Proceeds from the sale of merchandise helps fund these services, George said.

Mary Melero is one of the employees in training, who was working during the re-opening sale.

“They are teaching me a lot, and I love working with Michelle,” Melero said.

Another employee in training is Melissa Williams, who sorts donations when they are received. She hopes her training there will lead to a job in retail or a factory.

The store is open from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Happy Hour is observed from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays, with 50 percent off.

Santa Claus House now has a dual purpose

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent

MEDINA – The Medina Tourism Committee just may have found the perfect location with the move Tuesday into the Santa Claus House at Rotary Park.

The move was celebrated with a dedication and ribbon cutting by Medina Mayor Mike Sidari, Tourism Committee Chair Jim Hancock, Tourism Committee member Kelly Kiebala, Orleans County Tourism Coordinator Dawn Borchert and a handful of volunteers.

The first Visitor’s Center in the village was located about 10 years ago in the Chamber of Commerce Office on North Main Street. When that office closed, a Visitor’s Center was set up in City Hall on the south end of Main Street by the police station.

“That was not easily accessible with steep stairs, nor was it convenient for c anal travelers,” Hancock said.

Medina Mayor Mike Sidari, left, and Medina Tourism Committee Chairman Jim Hancock show off the inside of the Santa Claus House in Rotary Park, which will now also double as a Visitor’s Center.

This spring a volunteer asked if it was possible to use the Santa House, which is on the four corners and much closer to the canal basin.

“We went to the village and they enthusiastically agreed,” Hancock said. “We hope we will get more traffic here. In fact, we already had our first visitor this morning – from Reykjavik , Iceland.”

Hancock thanked the village officials for their cooperation in making the move possible. The Fire Department helped with the move and the Department of Public Works erected new signs.

The Visitor’s Center is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, but Hancock would like to see it open on Saturdays if more volunteers stepped forward.