Provided photo: Front row, from left – Alexzandra Schlegel (Medina), Erin Dietz (Medina) and Shaniece Bailey (Lockport). Second row – Shamaria Howard (Medina), Joseph Gates (Medina), Mrs. Kronenberg, George Dueno (Lockport), Ms. Kronenberg, Kayla Stribling (Lockport) and Franco Eaton (Lockport). Back row – Jarrett Mason (Lockport).

Press Release, Orleans-Niagara BOCES

MEDINA – Students in Jessica Kronenberg’s VIP (Vocationally Individually Paced) Food Service Program at the Orleans Career and Technical Education Center are already shining in the workplace.

“I am so excited to tell everyone their accomplishments,” said Mrs. Kronenberg. “I think it a great power of example to motivate my other students who have yet to enter the workforce.  I want them to leave here with the confidence to pursue their goals.”

The Food Service Program is designed to meet the needs of students who require smaller learning environments to be successful and is geared for 11th and 12th graders, with the option of students being able to stay in the program until they are 21 years old.

“It is an exploratory course for students with an overview of food preparation, global and gourmet foods, commercial foods, food science and food service operations,” Mrs. Kronenberg said. “It also helps to prepare them for employment with teaching them job interviewing skills and how to work well with others.”

Jarrett Mason, an 11th grader, recently was made a manager at McDonald’s in Lockport.  “I help to train new crew members or assist crew members.  I have worked there for a year and I really like my job a lot.”

He said that Mrs. Kronenberg has really helped him with getting the promotion.

“This class has taught me a lot about customer service,” Jarrett said. “I really like helping out at the events at the school.”

One of her other students, George Dueno, is employed at the Fieldstone as a host, busser and dishwasher. He is working with a graduate from the Culinary Arts program at the Orleans Career and Technical Education Center, Dan Gunther. Chef Gunther graduated from James Atzrott’s program in 2010 and went to the Niagara Falls Culinary Institute (N.F.C.I.) after graduation. He is now the head chef at the Lockport restaurant.

Joseph Gates is a senior and works at Fitzgibbons Public House in Medina as a prep and line cook.

“This class has helped me with getting my job,” he said. “I will be attending D’Avolio Culinary Arts School in Buffalo this summer.”

One of the students, Shamaria Howard, also a senior, has been taking on the role of mentor to many of the students in the class.

Mrs. Kronenberg said she has other students who have pursued jobs other than food service and have been very successful as well.

“Alexandra has worked at Darien Lake for many years and Kayla has opened a Dollar Tree,” Kronenberg said. “I feel confident that all my students will be successful when they leave here.”

Provided photo

MEDINA – Members of the Sons of the American Legion in Medina on Wednesday evening placed 1,300 flags on veterans’ graves at four cemeteries in Medina, just ahead of the Memorial Day holiday.

Pictured, from left, includes: Gary Hill, Wayne Hale, Don Seitz, Dave Cook, Doug Higgs, Colin Zimmerman and Guy Eaton.

Photo by Tom Rivers: Tree stumps line the towpath in Albion after trees were cut down last fall. This photo was taken on Nov. 16.

ALBION – Representatives from the state Canal Corporation will be in Albion on June 6 to detail the next phases of “Embankment Maintenance” program.

A contractor late last year started cutting down trees near the Orleans-Niagara county line and headed east. The felled trees were removed but the stumps remain. The tree-clearing alarmed many local residents and elected officials who preferred a tree-lined towpath.

Canal Corporation officials said the tree roots threatened to integrity of the canal walls and made the system vulnerable to leaks.

The June 6 meeting will be from 6 to 8 p.m. at Hoag Library, 134 S. Main St.

During a meeting in Brockport in March, Canal Corp. officials told Brockport residents the state agency would hire arborists to consult with Brockport homeowners about appropriate property lines to provide privacy, with the Canal Corp. paying the cost.

The Canal Corp. also said it would do low-growing vegetation on the cleared embankment, and will work with Brockport to identify and develop several public access points along the canal path.

The tree stumps also will be removed and the banks will become grassy slopes that will be mowed, the Canal Corp. said.

Officials from Orleans County and its canal communities have been pushing for a public meeting in Orleans County to update the community about the next steps of the embankment maintenance.

Jazmond Brady

ALBION – An Albion man was charged on Wednesday after allegedly selling crack cocaine in Orleans County, the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force said today.

The Task Force and the Albion Police Department charged Jazmond Brady, 29, of 112 Beaver St. with two counts each of criminal sale and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, which are class B felonies.

Brady was arraigned in Albion Town Court by Town Justice Joseph Fuller and committed to the Orleans County Jail on $50,000 cash bail or $100,000 bond.

Provided photo: KeyBank employees in Albion who were part of the 28th Annual Neighbors Make the Difference Day include Connie Harrison, Nancy MacPhee, Amy Jewell, Megan Gentile, Brenda Gabrielson  and Jodi Zeppettella.

Press Release, Hospice of Orleans

ALBION – Hospice of Orleans, Inc. was pleased to welcome staff from Albion’s KeyBank location for KeyBank’s 28th Annual Neighbors Make the Difference Day. The volunteers arrived on Wednesday afternoon and spent time on campus cleaning windows on all three buildings, including the Martin-Linsin Residence.

Martin-Linsin is an 8-bed facility that provides a home away from home for those patients who cannot remain in their own residence due to complex medical needs; home situations where the caregiver works or another family member requires care; or perhaps the patient is relocating to be closer to family in this area.

“Hospice is fortunate to have a large volunteer base that works in many different capacities all throughout the year,” said Kellie Spychalski, CEO of Hospice of Orleans. “Projects such as window washing can be a considerable time investment for just one person and many hands make light work, so we are incredibly thankful to, once again, count on KeyBank’s help with this project.”

Orleans County Sheriff Randy Bower, who is the county’s Stop DWI coordinator, announced the law enforcement enforcement agencies in the county – Sheriff’s Office, State Police, and Albion, Holley and Medina Police Departments – will participate in the STOP- DWI Memorial Day Crackdown from May 25 to May 29.

This crackdown is one of many statewide enforcement initiatives promoted by the New York State STOP-DWI Association with additional funding from the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee and implemented by the STOP-DWI Foundation.

Memorial Day is one of the busiest travel holidays of the year and marks the official start of summer. Each year around Memorial Day there is also an increase in drinking and driving, which can prove deadly. In 2015, 311 people died on New York State highways due to Alcohol Impaired Driving. In New York State it is illegal to drive with a BAC of .08 or higher.

If you are impaired, the key to keeping yourself and others safe on the highway is to “Have A Plan,” Bower said, by planning for a safe way to get home by calling for a ride from a sober friend, family member, taxi, public transportation or Uber.

‘I was very motivated to challenge myself.’ – Sami Hollenbeck

ALBION – Sami Hollenbeck was a sophomore in high school when she took her first college course. Trigonometry was taught right at Albion High School.

She would take many other college-level classes at the high school – biology, pre-calculus, calculus, statistics, Spanish and Western Civilization.

Provided photo: Sami Hollenbeck is pictured with her parents, Dawn and Brian Hollenbeck, during Sunday’s commencement at GCC.

“They offer so many at Albion,” she said.

As her college credits were adding up, she set a goal in her junior year to graduate with a college degree – before she was done with high school.

On Sunday she graduated with 72 college credits from Genesee Community College, earning an associate’s degree in liberal arts and general studies. On June 22, she will graduate from high school.

“I was very motivated,” she said. “I wanted to challenge myself.”

That doesn’t mean it was easy.

“In my junior year when I had eight classes, it was very overwhelming,” she said. “But once I learned to block out my time it was a breeze. It can be done.”

Graduating from college before completing high school isn’t an unprecedented feat at Albion. Robert June earned a GCC degree in 2014, graduating a month before walking across the stage in the high school gym. Machaon Bonafede also earned his GCC degree about 20 years ago while he was still in high school.

Hollenbeck took many GCC classes in the summer and on-line, as well as at GCC’s Albion campus center. At times she was trying to manage eight classes of coursework, while also working 20 to 30 hours a week at the Albion Burger King.

“When she puts her mind to it, she’s going to do it,” said her mother, Dawn Hollenbeck, who is the assistant manager at the Burger King. Sami’s sister-in-law, Shelby Hollenbeck, is the site’s general manager.

Sami said Burger King has been flexible with her hours when she needed extra time to write a paper or study for an exam. She has worked at Burger King since she was 15, starting as a cashier.

Sami Hollenbeck has managed a busy workload in the classroom while working 20 to 30 hours a week at Burger King. She is pictured with her mother Dawn, who is the assistant manager of the Burger King in Albion.

“It has been a great first job,” she said. “It teaches responsibility. I really love this job. I get to talk with customers and make sure people are happy.”

Dawn Hollenbeck is amazed her daughter could keep up with the coursework, while working her job at Burger King and also being so connected with her classmates. Sami was picked as the homecoming queen in the fall.

Hollenbeck also took five internships through the high school internship program. Two of those internship were with special education teachers in the middle school. Those experiences confirmed her career goal to work as a special education teacher. She will transfer this fall to The College at Brockport to work on her teaching degree.

Sami, 18, has 13 siblings, including eight younger brothers and sisters.

“I can’t wait to be a teacher,” she said. “I’ve been around younger children my entire life.”

Her father, Brian Hollenbeck, said Sami is dedicated to her family.

“She is a wonderful role model to her siblings,” he said. “She is very humble and a heart as big as her mind.”

Sami urges other high schoolers to take college-level classes while in high school. They get a step closer to a college degree, and the courses are typically at a deep discount.

“It’s insane the opportunities that are out there,” she said. “I feel like more students would do this if they knew about it.”

Photo by Tom Rivers: Local veterans are pictured during Memorial Day last year, headed down Park Avenue in Medina. This year’s parade starts at 11 a.m.

Five events are planned for Memorial Day in Orleans County. The schedule includes:

• Albion – The parade starts near the Orleans County Court House on Main Street at 10 a.m. and proceeds to the Albion Middle School front lawn where there will be a service near the Vietnam Memorial.

• Holley – Participants will form up at the American Legion Post at 10:30 a.m. with the parade starting at 11 and ending at the Hillside Cemetery.

• Lyndonville – The parade will start at 9 a.m. at the Catholic Church on Lake Avenue and end near the library on Main Street.  A ceremony will be held there. The Yates Community Library has arranged to have many flags in the school front yard.

• Medina – The parade will start at 11 a.m. at the Olde Pickle Factory building and proceed to the State Street Park where a ceremony will be held at about noon.

• Kendall – The town has its Memorial Day observance on May 30. Kendall alternates the location among three cemeteries. This year Memorial Day will be observed at Greenwood Cemetery on Roosevelt Highway (Route 18). The ceremony starts at 7 p.m.

Photos by Tom Rivers: Sixth-graders from Medina meet a merlin, a small falcon that is held by Daena Ford, president of Braddock Bay Raptor Research in Rochester.

This was one of 13 stations during Conservation Field Days at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds in Knowlesville. Sixth-graders from Albion, Holley and Kendall visited the fairgrounds for Conservation Field Days on Tuesday. Today, students from Medina and Kendall are learning about earth-friendly topics. This is the 50^th annual Conservation Field Days.

Daena Ford, president of Braddock Bay Raptor Research in Rochester, holds the merlin. She discussed birds of prey, their habitats and ecosystems. This is the first time Braddock Bay has been at Conservation Field Days in about a decade.

Amy Jessmer, an intern for the Orleans County Soil & Water Conservation District, shows students a model that demonstrates how water flows through a watershed. She discussed how our daily lives affect water quality and what we can do to protect our water resources.

Two marine patrol deputies for Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, Bob Barrus (center) and Bill Larkin, right, discussed boater safety. They are joined by Vern Fonda, a conservation officer for the state Department of Environmental Conservation.

Vern Fonda, the conservation officer, showed students how to toss a rescue throw bag. Fonda and marine patrol deputies discussed boater and water safety, using life jackets and the “buddy system.”

Scott Dean of the NYS Public Service Commission discusses renewable energy and ways to conserve power.

Meaghan Boice-Green of the Department of Environmental Conservation told students how critical birds and butterflies are to our ecosystem, yet they face many challenges to survive.

Other stations included Orleans County master gardeners discussing composting, Orleans County Health Department educating about rabies, and the Gregoire family in Murray highlighting hunting and trapping for wildlife management.

Students were also encouraged to turn off the computer games and play with a dog. The different sixth grade classes also competed in an eco-game show. Students also learned about climate monitoring, and there was a station about bugs, showing how some insects are beneficial and others are pests.

Photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Zach Moore and his classmates in the Albion AP Biology class this morning helped plant flowers in 17 planters that soon will be set in downtown Albion.

The students are in Sandy Climenhaga’s class. The bio students learn about flowers as part of their class. They study photosynthesis and dissect flowers to learn about plants.

“They are active students who really care about their community,” Climenhaga said.

Her students have been helping plant and water flowers for the downtown the past six years.

The group includes, front to back: Hannah VanEpps, Sandy Climenhaga, Kaykyn Holman, Albion Merchants Association President Lisa Stratton (standing at right), Conner Hollenbeck, Isabella Gibbs, Garrett Derisley, Zach Moore and Nate Fearby.

The Village of Albion, Town of Albion and area businesses all shared in buying the flowers. Lisa Stratton, president of the Merchants Association, coordinated the effort. She said the flowers should be out on Main Street, along with hanging baskets, in time for Memorial Day weekend.

Conner Hollenbeck plants some of the flowers this morning.

Kaylyn Holman, right, fills a planter with a planting mix.

BARRE — The Town of Barre will dedicate a new flagpole and monument for veterans at 9:30 a.m. on June 30 at the Barre Town Hall.

The family of the late Fred Daniels is donating the flagpole and plaque. The stone for the monument is being donated by Keeler Construction.

Mr. Daniels was 75 when he passed away on Oct. 22, 2014. He was a member of the Honor Guard in Orleans County for many years, and a member of the American Legion in Albion and the VFW. He also served on the Orleans County Joint Veterans Council.

Adrienne Daniels, wife of Fred Daniels, is Barre’s town historian. She welcomes the community and the Honor Guard to attend the dedication program. Don Allport, an Orleans County legislator, is Fred’s nephew. He will speak at the dedication.

A parade will follow the service. The Orleans Veterans Van Service will have vehicles available to transport veterans who want to be in the parade.

The dedication on June 30 is part of the town’s 200th anniversary celebration.

Press Release, Orleans Community Health Foundation

MEDINA – The Orleans Community Health Foundation is seeking individuals who live or work in Orleans County to serve on the Board of Directors. In order to share more information about the Foundation and the Board’s responsibilities, we are holding a meet and greet for candidates on June 6.

The OCHF Board is looking for eager and committed community members to serve as directors. The meet and greet starts at 6:30 p.m. at The Shirt Factory Café. The event offers an opportunity for folks to learn more about OCHF and how they can serve the organization and Orleans Community Health, said Angela DiRosa, OCHF executive director.

“We’re excited for new healthcare services and opportunities through our partnership with Rochester Regional Health,” DiRosa said. “These opportunities will most likely come with the need for facility renovations and technology upgrades so we need the community’s support more than ever. We are looking for neighbors who can bring a fresh perspective and energy to drive our mission to raise funds to support the quality healthcare services provided by Orleans Community Health to the communities it serves.”

If you’re interested in attending the meet and greet, or if you cannot attend and would like more information about the OCHF Board of Directors, please call the office at (585) 798-8061.

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s Brian Fry slides into third base with a triple as Wilson third baseman Tom Baia awaits the throw. The action took place during the Mustangs 3-2 semifinal win over the Lakemen this afternoon at Vets Park.

Medina and Roy-Hart both scored exciting one run semifinal round victories this evening to set up an all Niagara-Orleans League matchup for the Section VI Class B2 baseball championship.

No. 4 seed Medina survived a big seventh inning scare to edge past No. 8 Wilson 3-2  at Vets Park while No. 2 Roy-Hart pushed across a run in the bottom of the ninth inning up nip No. 3 Southwestern 7-6 at Gasport.

AJ Seefelt, right, whose home run provided the margin of victory, gets set to celebrate with teammates Alex Allis, left, Chris Goyette and Brett Riemer (7).

The B2 championship game is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday at Gowanda.

Medina 3, Wilson 2
Wilson got the bases loaded to open the top of the seventh on an error, a single by Jackson Rotella and an intentional walk. However, Medina pitcher Chris Goyette  worked his way out of the jam with two clutch strikeouts and a groundout to Trevor Luthart at first to preset e the narrow victory and advance the Mustangs to the finals for the first time since 2005.

The margin of victory for the Mustangs came on a home run by AJ Seefeldt with one out in the fifth inning which snapped a 2-2 tie.

Medina’s Matt Saj is safe at second base as Wilson’s Jackson Rotella waits for the throw.

Medina had rallied from an early 2-0 deficit to knot the contest by tallying twice in the fourth inning without the benefit of a hit. Three walks loaded the bases setting up the threat as a fielders choice play off the bat of Matt Saj and an error plated the two runs.

Wilson had grabbed an early 2-0 lead by scoring once in the first on a wild pitch with the bases loaded and once in the second on a home run by John Bender.

The damage could have been much worse for Medina in the first inning but the Mustangs were able to capitalize on a Wilson base running mistake to turn an infield fly ball call into an unassisted double play by Alex Allis at third base.

The Mustangs defense also turned another double play in the third inning from Seefeldt at second to Luthart at first to wipe out a Lakemen scoring threat.

Wilson, which split a pair of games with Medina during the N-O season, also left the bases loaded in both the first and fourth innings and left a runner stranded at third in the fifth.

Goyette went the distance on the mound for the Mustangs giving up 9 hits and striking out 6.

Roy-Hart 7, Southwestern 6 (9)
Pinch hitter Karson Grover banged out a one out RBI single in the bottom of the ninth inning to earn Roy-Hart a return trip to the B2 finals.  A single by Charlie Brigham and a double by Walker Samanka put runners at second and third setting up the threat for the Rams.

Karson Grover bangs out the game winning hit for Roy-Hart in the ninth inning of the Rams 7-6 win over Southwestern at Gasport.

Jake Bruning picked up the win on the mound for Roy-Hart allowing 4 hits and striking out 7 over the final four innings.

Roy-Hart also got off to a fast start grabbing a quick 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning on a two-run single by Ben Schwab and an RBI single by Gavyn Boyle. A triple by Al Xapsos ignited that uprising.

Southwestern though battled back to take a 5-3 lead by scoring two unearned runs in the third and then three more tallies in the fifth on a two-run triple by Cole Snyder and a fielders choice play.

However, the Rams answered the challenge by scoring three times in the sixth on RBI singles by Jake Bruning and Schwab and an error to regain what proved to be a brief 6-5 lead.

The Trojans wasted little time in retying the contest at 6-6 by plating a run in the top of the seventh on a two out single by Aidan Kennedy. A double by Snyder set up the threat.

Roy-Hart did get a runner up third in the home half of the seventh after a single by Brigham and a sacrifice bunt by Samanaka but could not capitalize as Snyder registered a clutch inning ending strikeout for the Trojans.

Jake Bruning quickly put the Trojans down in order in the top of the eighth on three strikeouts.

Roy-Hart got two runners aboard in the bottom of the eighth on a walk and a hit batter. The Rams though again couldn’t capitalize as Snyder got out of trouble with a strikeout and a groundout back to the mound.

Southwestern did get a runner aboard in the top of the ninth but Jake Bruning picked him off and then ended the inning with a strikeout.

That set the stage for Roy-Hart’s decisive rally in the home half of the ninth as hits by Brigham and Samanaka set up Carson’s clutch pinch hit game winning single.

Roy-Hart’s Charlie Bruning scores the tying run in the sixth inning between Southwestern catcher Brian Burns and pitcher Mitchell Pascarella.

Photos by Tom Rivers: Stacey Kirby Steward, an Albion native, is nearly done with a 24-foot-long mural of Santa in a sleigh flying over Courthouse Square and downtown Albion.

She is putting the finishing touches on the mural, which is currently inside the Albion fire hall.

The mural will be mounted on a frame and likely installed next month in Waterman Park, which is about a half block south of the Erie Canal.

The Albion Rotary Club is leading the project, with assistance from a grant from Rotary District 7090 as well as many community donations. The mural honors Albion’s history as home to the Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School from 1937 to 1966. Howard also ran Christmas Park in Albion. Mr. Howard passed away in 1966. The Santa School continues in his name in Midland, Michigan.

Steward has painted many Erie Canal-themed murals in Orleans, Niagara and Monroe counties. Some of her work promoting family life is also inside the Lyceum of Holy Family Parish in Albion.

Steward gave the courthouse some Christmas lights. The courthouse used to be decorated for the holidays with lights.

Some final additions include wreaths on Main Street light poles and decorated storefronts.

Provided photo: State Sen. Rob Ortt (R-North Tonawanda) welcomed local 4-H’ers William Gregoire and Jacques Gregoire, left, of Murray to Albany for a day of recognition today. They are joined by their mother, Kellie, and also Melanie Morgan and Ashley Randell of Niagara County.

The four 4-H’ers from the 62nd Senate District were in Albany for “Capital Days.” The 4-H’ers toured the State Capitol, met with state legislators and also networked with 4-H’ers around the state. The 4-H’ers arrived in Albany on Sunday evening and headed home today.

“For over a century, the 4-H Program has been connecting children with ways that they can make a positive influence in their community,” said Sen. Rob Ortt. “Not only are these children making an immediate positive impact on where they live, but they are learning skills they can take with them wherever they choose to live in the future. I was thrilled that these four outstanding young adults were able to make the trip to Albany to visit with me, and it was my pleasure to recognize them for the achievements they all have reached with 4-H.”