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.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 May 2018 at 12:08 pm
Provided photos: Andrew Niederhofer, Carlton fire chief, accepts the award on behalf of Carlton for the most fire training hours. He receives the award from Dale Banker (left), the county’s emergency management coordinator; Kathy Way from the state Office of Fire Prevention and Control; and Jerry Bentley, a deputy emergency management coordinator for the county (central battalion).
ALBION – The fire companies and firefighters with the most training hours in 2017-18 were recognized during Monday night’s joint meeting of the Orleans County Fire Advisory Board and Orleans County Fire Chiefs Association.
The Orleans County Office of Emergency Management along with state Office of Fire Prevention and Control presented the training awards for 2017- 2018 for Fire and EMS. The Barre Volunteer Fire Company led all of the departments with 831 EMS training hours. Carlton was tops in fire training hours with 559.
“I would like to personally congratulate all the award winners for their hard work and dedication to the emergency services and their home fire and EMS agencies,” said Dale Banker, the county’s emergency management coordinator. “They truly make our county a much better and safer place to live and work.”
The breakdown for training hours for each fire department includes: Albion, 177 fire and 103 EMS; Barre, 195 fire and 831 EMS; Carlton, 538 fire and 303.5 EMS; East Shelby, 57 fire and 368 EMS; Fancher-Hulberton-Murray, 159 fire and 29.5 EMS; Holley, 368 fire and 349.5 EMS; Kendall, 420 fire and 59 EMS; Lyndonville, 387 fire and 40 EMS; Medina, 173 fire and 10 EMS; Ridgeway, 266 fire and 604.5 EMS; Shelby, 369 fire and 44 EMS; and COVA, 223.5 EMS.
The following had 200 or more combined training hours in fire/EMS: Chantelle Kidney and Zachary Blackburn, both 276 with the Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company; Kara Bentley, 252 with Barre; and Andrew Cary, 211 with the Holley Fire Company.
Pictured from left include Dale Banker, Andrew Cary, Chantelle Kidney, Zachary Blackburn and Kara Bentley.
Wallace Snyder of the Lyndonville Fire Department accepts the award for leading the county with 147 fire training hours.
Kara Bentley of Barre led all firefighters with 223 EMS training hours.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 May 2018 at 10:16 am
Provided photo: Jonathan Doherty accepts an award on Saturday from Angela Christoforos of Channel 4 in Buffalo. She was emcee of a 20th anniversary celebration for People Inc.’s DisABILITY Museum in Buffalo.
ALBION – An Albion man who has pushed for more opportunities for people with disabilities was recognized on Saturday for his years of advocacy.
Jonathan Doherty was presented with the Chris Burke Award for Excellence in disABILITY Advocacy on Saturday during a 20th anniversary celebration for People Inc.’s DisABILITY Museum in Buffalo.
Doherty led the effort in 2010 to ban the R-word in Orleans County. The County Legislature formally passed a resolution in May 2010, telling local, state and federal governments to no longer use the word “retarded” in describing people with developmental disabilities.
The R-word is a “vicious slang” that is insulting and hurtful to people with developmental disabilities and their families, legislators said in their resolution in 2010.
Doherty was a founding member of Self Advocate All Stars in 2006. One of its early goals was to rail against official government use of the “R-word.”
Doherty and the Self Advocate All Stars march in parades, wash cars, present at County Legislature meetings and make other efforts to reach out to the community.
Doherty said the community and state have a long way to go to making the communities more accessible for people with disabilities. He is on a transportation committee and he said a goal is later public bus runs so people with disabilities could go shopping, go to the movies or attend other events after the bus runs typically end by dinner right now.
“The transportation issue we need to continue to work on,” he said today. “We want buses after 6 p.m. or else it’s $40 to $50 for a taxi.”
Doherty, 35, said he will continue to be an advocate.
“With self advocacy there are issues across New York State where they cut things and they don’t recognize that people with disabilities matter, too,” he said.
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 Orleans County. He also recently started dancing with Gotta Dance by Miss Amy.
He earned his Eagle Scout rank when he was 21 and is an assistant Scoutmaster. He wants to see more local Scouts earn their Eagle rank.
Photo by Tom Rivers: Jonathan Doherty is active in the Albion community, volunteering with many causes. He also performed during the May 5 dance recital for Gotta Dance by Miss Amy in Albion.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 May 2018 at 8:40 am
23 students in 2018 graduating with GPAs at 90 or above
Photos by Tom Rivers: Kaitlin Zwifka receives her honor cords on Monday from her parents, Teresa and Marty Zwifka. Kaitlin is one of 23 students in the Albion Class of 2018 graduating with grade point averages at 90 percent or higher. Those students were recognized during an Academic Honors Convocation Dinner at Hickory Ridge Golf and Country Club in Holley.
Gricelda Maldonado goes through a receiving line of well-wishers, including Board of Education member Wayne Wadhams.
The honors students at Albion heard from a recent Albion graduate who has stayed active in the local community while working as a state trooper. Steven Papponetti, Class of 2011, was guest speaker for Monday’s event.
He spoke of the importance of setting short- and long-term goals, and embracing assignments with a passion, whether it’s writing an essay, doing homework and taking needed training to improve your skills.
Papponetti said he had stumbles on his career path, but didn’t let disappointments deter him.
Students, as they move on to college or other stages in life, should surround themselves with good friends, Papponetti said. He urged the honor grads to be involved in clubs in college. That will give them a network of support and friends who will be like a family.
Papponetti was a swimmer at Albion and played on the golf team. A favorite memory from school was the loud cheering during the home swim meets.
Albion firefighters Steven Papponetti, left, and Jim Peruzzini use a Hurst tool to cut a door in a car that was T-boned at the intersection of Route 31 and Butts Road on March 25. Papponetti has stayed an active volunteer with the Albion Fire Department while working full-time as a state trooper.
While a student at Albion, Papponetti participated in the Workplace Internship Program, interning at the Medina Fire Department and the Albion Police Department. He was also involved in the Albion Fire Department’s Explorer program and in 2009 was named Explorer of the Year.
He attended Hilbert College and participated in the Leadership Program his freshman through senior years. He graduated with honors and earned his Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science/Crime Scene Investigation. He attended the Law Enforcement Training Academy in 2015 and the New York State Police Academy in 2016.
He worked as a police officer for the Holley and Brockport police departments, with his ultimate goal to be a state trooper. Papponetti became a trooper on April 5, 2016. He wants to become an investigator and a K9 officer for the State Police.
He continues to be a volunteer firefighter and is currently a 1st Lieutenant in the Albion Fire Department. Three times he has been named Albion’s Firefighter of the Year.
He ended his speech with a quote from Theodore Roosevelt: “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”
Margy Brown, Albion Board of Education president, said Papponetti is an “excellent example of our district motto of ‘Achievement, Character and Success for Life.'”
Allison Graham is congratulated by her mother, Staci.
The honor grads include Richard Daniels (valedictorian), Tyler Kast (salutatorian), Hailey Bader, Elisabeth Baker, Victor Benjovsky, Emily Caldwell, Garrett Derisley, Natalie DiCureia, Nathan Fearby, Josiah Finzer, Emma Fox, Allison Graham, Sara Hillman, Emma Lonnen, Gricelda Maldonado, Alana Petronio, Caleb Pettit, Justin Robinson, Riley Seielstad, Nathanael Smith, Samantha Vanacore, Noah Wadhams and Kaitlin Zwifka.
ALBION – The Albion High School Purple Eagles Marching Band took first place at the Seneca Falls Pageant of Bands this weekend. Albion’s score of 94.75 secured first place in Open Class, and proved to be the high parade score in the entire competition, regardless of division.
The Purple Eagles’ competition program this season is entitled, “We Will Rock You”, and features music by the rock band Queen. Riley Seielstad and Arella Ives are the drum majors, Mykailah Roberts and Julie Ives are the Guard Captains, and Justin Robinson is trumpet soloist.
Last week, the Purple Eagles represented the Albion community in the televised Rochester Lilac Festival Parade. Next week, the band will participate in Albion’s Memorial Day parade and ceremony, then compete in Nunda the following weekend.
Color Guard Captains and Drum Majors collect trophies for the Purple Eagles during the awards presentation at the Seneca Falls Pageant of Bands. From left: Julie Ives, Mykailah Roberts, Arella Ives and Riley Seielstad.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 May 2018 at 6:09 pm
5-seat outhouse called ‘a real architectural jewel’
Photos by Tom Rivers: Bill Lattin, who is retired as Orleans County historian and also is the former director of the Cobblestone Museum, led a tour of the outhouses at the museum last Friday.
He is speaking in front of an outhouse from 1830, which is the oldest building at the museum. This one was built in the Federal style of architecture and is unusual with the horizontal panels to construct the door. This outhouse was originally located at the first bank in Orleans County, which was located at the corner of routes 279 and 104.
There were about 25 people on the tour and they took many photos of the outhouses including this “five-seater” by Farmer’s Hall.
“This is one of the finest examples of Greek Revival architecture locally,” Lattin said. “It’s a real architectural jewel.”
The outhouse didn’t have five seats so a family could go to the bathroom together, Lattin said. The five seats were there to spread out the human waste.
“If it was only one hole you’d have a stalagmite,” he said.
Lattin discusses this outhouse that is placed by Proctor Brook and the Harness Shop. The tour highlighted historic outhouses, indoor commodes, and chamber pots.
Lattin said most outhouses had buckets of quick lime which were thrown in the privy holes “as a way of sweetening the smell.”
Photo by Tom Rivers: Genesee Community College is shown at the main campus in Batavia in this photo from Feb. 13.
Press Release, Genesee Community College
BATAVIA – In continuing its long-running mission of making a college degree both affordable and accessible, Genesee Community College’s Board of Trustees approved a very modest tuition increase of $50 per semester.
This will make GCC’s 2018-2019 full-time student tuition $4,150 for a full year of study for New York State residents. For part-time students, the cost per credit hour will increase to $170 per credit for New York State residents. The Board will continue to review the college’s overall operating budget in the coming weeks while waiting as the Genesee County Legislature reviews the County Budget which includes an appropriation for GCC.
In other business last week, the Board of Trustees:
• Approved the 2018-2023 “Framing Our Future” five-year Strategic Plan which included revisions to both the College’s Mission and Vision Statements, and the development of five Strategic Priorities and related Core Objectives. This document will guide all facets of the institution throughout the coming five years from budget requests to decisions on new structural and curricular changes.
“This plan will guide everything we do,” President James M. Sunser stated. In the coming weeks, the Strategic Plan will be become an integral new page on the college’s website but a PDF of the plan is available by clicking here.
• Approved the granting of 583 academic degrees or certificates to Genesee Community College students who will complete their studies this spring or have completed in the previous 2018-2019 academic year. The award of each degree or certificate is subject to the students’ satisfactorily completing all of the course requirements. The college will award 13 Associate in Arts (A.A.) degrees; 269 Associate in Science (A.S.) degrees; 277 Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degrees; and 24 certificates.
• Approved the promotion of nine faculty members, upon the recommendation of the Board’s Personnel Committee. Faculty members promoted from associate professor to full professor include: Maryanne Arena, Heather Jones and Candice Vacin; faculty members promoted from assistant professor to associate professor include: Dr. Carolyn Caccamisse, Cynthia Hagelberger, Dr. Teresa Sukiennicki, JoNelle Toriseva and Joseph Ziolkowski; and instructor Dr. David Johnson has been promoted to assistant professor.
• Approved three “Resolutions of Appreciation” for three distinguished members of the College community who are either retiring or graduating. Dr. Virginia (Ginny) M. Taylor, who served GCC with distinction for 19 years in the Office of Student and Enrollment Services with the most recent title of vice president, will be retiring this summer. In addition, Kevin P. Hamilton, who served as the vice president of Finance and Operations for the past ten years, is also retiring from GCC this summer. And finally, Benjamin B. Martis, the student representative on the Board of Trustees will be graduating this weekend and transferring to SUNY Fredonia.
• Appointed more than 420 business and professional leaders to 25 GCC community advisory committees. These committees provide guidance to college administrators and faculty members about curriculum, internship opportunities, and workforce needs and trends. Advisory committees include: Accelerated College Enrollment (ACE); Albion and Medina Campus Centers; Business; Criminal Justice; Dansville Campus Center; Digital Art; Fashion Business; Food Processing Technology; Health and Physical Education; Human Services; Information Technology; Lima Campus Center; Nursing; Office Technology; Paralegal; Perkins Grant; Physical Therapist Assistant; Polysomnographic Technology; The BEST Center-Precision Agriculture; Respiratory Care; Teaching Assistant; Theatre Technology; Tourism and Hospitality Management; Veterinary Technology; and Wyoming County Campus Centers.
Provided photo: Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) poses with veterans of the U.S. Air Force at a memorial honoring Air Force veterans during last year’s Patriot Trip to Washington D.C.
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) today announced that his 11th annual Patriot Trip to Washington D.C. will take place Sept. 20-23.
Over 100 veterans and their family members participated in the 2017 trip, which included stories of valiant service members and valuable time spent together reflecting on the courage and dedication exhibited by our nation’s veterans. Hawley is a longtime supporter of veterans and has served on the Assembly Veterans’ Affairs Committee since 2006.
Only veterans who have never been on the trip before may sign up now. After Aug. 1, veterans who have been on the trip before and those living outside of the 139th Assembly District may apply. The approximate cost of the trip is $400, which includes meals, transportation and admission to the memorials.
“The Patriot Trip is one of my favorite events throughout the year,” Hawley said. “This trip was inspired by Mike Paduchak, a World War Two veteran, who asked me to come together with local veterans and host a trip to Washington D.C. Through the experiences of my father, veterans I have met during previous year’s trips, and my own service in the military, I have gained a tremendous understanding and admiration for the sacrifices endured by our veterans. It is for these reasons that I continue the Patriot Trip each year and have solidified it as one of the staples of my service to our community.”
Attractions Hawley plans to visit this year on the trip include: White House, U.S. Capitol, WWII Memorial, Gettysburg, Korean War Memorial, Vietnam War Memorial, Iwo Jima – The Marine Corps Memorial, American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial, Air Force Memorial, 911 Memorial at the Pentagon, Arlington National Cemetery, including the Changing of the Guard, and Wreath Laying at the Tomb of the Unknowns.
If you or a veteran you know want more information about this year’s Patriot Trip XI, please call 585-589-5780 or email carneyj@nyassembly.gov. To view photos from previous years, click here.
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo last week announced an aggressive Lyme and tick-borne disease control plan to control tick populations on public lands, increase public awareness and access to available data, and create a working group to participate in a Lyme disease summit this summer.
To implement this plan, the Governor has directed the Department of Health, Department of Environmental Conservation, and the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation to collaborate in order to target priority counties and public lands with the highest risk of tick exposure and Lyme disease. Tick season has started in many areas of the state and will continue through November.
“Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses are a major threat to the health and wellbeing of New Yorkers, and we are taking aggressive actions to help stop the spread of these disease,” Governor Cuomo said. “With this control plan, New York is making a major commitment to research, awareness, and prevention of this public health crisis to keep New Yorkers safe and free of these preventable diseases.”
Tick Control Methods
Tick control methods will include strategic application of eco-friendly tick control treatments on parkland in the Hudson Valley, Capital Region, and Southern Tier where the public is at the highest risk of tick exposure and Lyme disease. Additionally, the state will expand the use of 4-Poster “tickicide” deer treatment feeding stations that help to control ticks spread by white-tailed deer. While the deer feed on corn at the station, treated rollers brush insecticide against the animal’s neck, head, and ears where many adult ticks tend to feed. The stations are already successfully in use in certain areas on Long Island, including Robert Moses State Park and Connetquot River State Park.
Due to rodents also being largely responsible for infecting ticks with Lyme disease, the state will expand use of commercial products to combat the spread of illness by rodents. This includes the deployment of tubes filled with permethrin-treated cotton balls which mice use for nesting material, which kills the ticks in their early larval stage when they attach to mice. The state will also expand its usage of the Tick Control System, a small box that attracts rodents. When an animal enters the box, it receives a low dose of fipronil, which is the active ingredient in many treatments used to eliminate ticks on dogs and cats. The state will also conduct aggressive routine maintenance of vegetation areas at these parks to minimize potential exposure of visitors to ticks.
Expanded Education and Outreach
Beginning immediately, participating agencies will develop a campaign focused on deploying information about tick-borne disease and prevention, specifically targeting high-risk groups such as hunters and hikers. DEC will expand its website to include a tick-borne disease page featuring information relevant to anglers, hunters, trappers, hikers, and those who enjoy outdoor recreation in New York. This page will also be linked with DOH’s website.
In addition, DEC will coordinate with 1,600 sporting license issuing agents across the state to distribute information and material on ticks and tick-borne diseases, and will utilize agencies’ mailing lists and electronic newsletters to keep thousands of outdoor enthusiasts informed. OPRHP will also distribute information and materials to hunters through their hunting permit program and make information available to visitors, and will continue to post metal tick warning signs on state lands and parks.
Expanded Data Access
DOH will post current and retrospective tick collection and testing results to Health Data NY, opening up the data to the public. This information was previously only shared with local health departments and state park managers to aid in their education and prevention campaigns. Given the considerable interest in this information from providers, researchers and advocates, the Department will now make this information more readily available to the general public.
Research and Evaluation
Tick-borne diseases, particularly Lyme disease, are among the fastest growing infectious diseases in the United States. However, diagnosing Lyme disease can be particularly difficult. Patients with Lyme disease can present a number of possible symptoms, which can wane over time, and be easily confused with hundreds of other diseases. The Governor has directed the Department of Health to pursue private research partnerships to develop a better diagnostic test, which can ultimately lead to more effective treatments.
Working Group and Summit
Governor Cuomo has directed the Department of Health to establish a new working group on Lyme and other tick-borne diseases comprised of representatives from professional organizations, academic institutions, and local health departments. The working group will join participating state agencies at a one-day summit, to be held this summer, to review New York State’s current initiatives and make policy recommendations on actions that New York State can take in the next one to three years to advance prevention, diagnostics, and other best practices.
New York State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker said, “These new initiatives complement the Department’s renowned research efforts and aggressive actions to better inform and better protect New Yorkers from tick-borne illnesses. I commend Governor Cuomo for this commitment and for instituting bold new control measures to help limit the spread of these diseases and protect public health.”
Tick Prevention Tips
• While hiking, working, or spending time in wooded areas: Wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts to protect against ticks other biting insects
• Check for ticks every two to three hours while outdoors and brush off any ticks before they attach.
• Perform a full body check multiple times during the day, as well as at the end of the day to ensure that no ticks are attached.
• Consider use of repellents containing DEET, picaridin, or IR3535, following label instructions
Colton Smith of Lyndonville wins 1st for 4th graders
LYNDONVILLE – The 2018 Niagara Region PTA Spelling Bee for 4th and 5th graders was hosted at Lyndonville Central School on Saturday with 13 schools sending their top spellers in fourth and fifth grades.
Lyndonville will be the host in 2019. The previous two years it was at Huth Road Elementary in Grand Island.
The event took place at 10 a.m. for 4th graders and 12:45 p.m. for 5th graders. Rounds of spellers worked through novice, master and challenge words.
Dr. Elissa G. Smith, PreK through 6 principal at Lyndonville, welcomes the region’s top spellers to a competition on Saturday at Lyndonville.
There were spellers from 13 schools, including Albion, Medina and Lyndonville in Orleans County. Each school was able to send their top 3 spellers from their individual school bees to the regional bee. The participants included 39 fourth-graders and 30 fifth-graders.
Examples of words spelled: grieved, opaque, handkerchief, kinetic, lieutenant, maneuver, extraterrestrial, subterranean, explanatory.
The Bee was filmed by LCTV (Lockport Local Station), and it can be viewed online at LCTV.net
First through third place winners received a trophy and cash prizes ($75 for 1st, $50 for 2nd, and $25 for 3rd).
5th grade winners include, from left: Giana Caruana, Huth Road Elementary (Grand Island), first; Madison Harris, Starpoint Elementary, second; and Brandon Aldridge, Newfane Elementary, third.
LYNDONVILLE – A spring luncheon event has become a tradition at the Lyndonville United Methodist Church, and this year’s drew inspiration from the past.
Organized by Ruth Hedges, the spring fling on Saturday paid tribute to the Wonderful World of Weddings, and featured a fashion show of gowns worn by brides at their weddings dating as far back as 1870.
Hedges got the idea after doing one with town of Shelby historian Alice Zacher when she attended the Millville United Methodist Church about 10 years ago.
“It was a huge success,” Hedges said.
Men of the Lyndonville church served the luncheon Saturday, which included a bridal cake shaped from cupcakes from Case-Nic Cookies.
Guest speaker was Georgia Thomas, who shared the “History of Weddings,” and how many wedding traditions originated.
Marilyn Kenyon stands next to Haley Shafer, who is modeling the wedding gown Kenyon wore at her 1951 wedding at the Lyndonville United Methodist Church.
June weddings go back in antiquity, she said.
“It was warm in June, and back then they only took a bath once a year, so people got married in June when they smelled good,” she said.
The wedding band, a circle of gold, represents never-ending love and is worn on the third finger of the left hand because it was said a vein runs up that finger to the heart.
Early bridal bouquets were made from field flowers and herbs, and every bride had rosemary and a sprig of myrtle in her bouquet. Rosemary signified remembrance, while myrtle is the flower of love and marriage, dating back to Greek mythology. All royal bouquets had a sprig of myrtle.
The “something old” each bride must carry was meant to be something from the bride’s past, while “something new” was meant to signify a happy future. “Something borrowed” had to be from a happily married couple, and “something blue” ensured fertility and love.
Through the decades, brides and grooms have tied the knot in hot air balloons and airplanes, on television and even by telegraph in a transatlantic wedding between Stockholm, Sweden and Detroit.
Special music was provided at the luncheon by Darrel Oakes of Lyndonville, who sang “I Love You Truly.” He also sang the song at Hedges first wedding to James Valentine in 1960.
It was a challenge to find models who could fit in the bridal gowns worn decades ago, and only Carla Woodworth was able to fit in the gown she wore when she married Terry Woodworth in 1975.
Hedges’ granddaughter Bridget Boland of Albany came to visit so she could model her grandmother’s gown. She had purchased it from a lady in Lockport for $25.
Haley Shafer modeled the gown worn by Marilyn Cook when she married Roger Kenyon in the Lyndonville Methodist Church in 1951.
“My sister and I took the bus to Sattlers at 998 Broadway to shop for my gown,” Marilyn Kenyon said. “They were remodeling and their bridal gowns were on sale. The clerk asked me what I was looking for and I told her I wanted a mandarin collar and pointed sleeves. It was the first and only dress I tried on. The headpiece cost more than the dress.”
Caelen Crowley was a perfect fit for her grandmother Charlotte Owen Crowley Bruning’s wedding dress.
The Rev. Beth Malone, pastor of the Lyndonville United Methodist Church, was married by her mom to Darren Malone in 1988 in Geneseo. Her gown, which she said she bought at an end-of-year sale, was modeled by Karen Brown.
Boland modeled two gowns – her grandmother’s and the gown worn by Christine Pask of Millville when she married Ed Urbanik of Lyndonville in 1985 at the Millville United Methodist Church.
Perhaps Laura Campbell had one of the most unique weddings. She and her husband were married in 2002 on 97 Rock in a promotion which included 97 couples. Rebecca Strickland modeled Campbell’s gown, which she purchased on sale at Blissett’s in Medina for $99.
Several bridal gowns and accessories were on display in the church sanctuary during the fashion show. One was Georgia Thomas’ which she wore at her December 1964 wedding to Terry Thomas of Medina. It was peau de soire with a silk organic overlay and court train.
Georgia also brought a c.1870 gray gown from the Medina Historical Society’s collection, with gloves and high button shoes.
Two other gowns on display were the one Wanda Oakes wore at her wedding to James Oakes and the one her mother-in-law Eloise Oakes’ worn at her wedding to Leonard Oakes. Wanda and James were married Dec. 22, 1950, while Eloise and Leonard were married Dec. 21, 1926. Eloise’s gown was muslin, while Wanda’s was candlelight satin.
Wanda said their colors and flowers were unusual, as they were married so close to Christmas. Her bridesmaids wore red and green velvet, and her flowers were poinsettias.
Alexis Strickland brought a beige muslin gown worn by her grandmother in 1919 and her grandfather’s wedding shirt to display.
Hedges said they are already planning on next year’s ladies’ spring luncheon. It will be a Kentucky Derby tea party, and ladies are encouraged to start thinking about the hat they will wear.
Press Release, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments
Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments were recently notified each county would receive $30,500 in New York State Department of Health’s ongoing Local Health Department Performance Incentive Initiative.
This is the fourth year of the program which NYSDOH chose to focus on improving performance in chronic disease prevention for the fall 2016 to June 2017 timeframe.
Although chronic disease has surpassed communicable disease as the leading cause of death and disability in the United States, public health activities to prevent chronic disease may be less established for some local health departments.
The 2016 Performance Incentive initiative encouraged LHDs to strengthen those efforts and meet related standards established by the Public Health Accreditation Board. In addition to improving chronic disease prevention activities, this year’s Incentive Program exposed LHDs to the process of submitting documentation for full PHAB accreditation.
This incentive program is voluntary and 41 local health departments participated, completing the initiative by submitting all the required documentation during the performance period.
All participating counties received a $5,000 base award and a total of 20 LHDs received a base award and additional incentive award based on the scoring of their submission. The incentive awards ranged from $25,500 to $60,500 based on county population size. Of the 17 small counties that participated, eight were awarded the full incentive funding which included Genesee and Orleans counties.
“I am pleased with the efforts the staff in both counties put forth while participating in the Incentive Program and to be recognized by receiving the maximum award,” said Paul Pettit, director of Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments. “It also gave our staff an opportunity to see the process used to eventually apply for national accreditation in the future.
Pettit said the health departments in Genesee and Orleans are looking at options for spending the grant.
“All funds are to be spent to support costs associated with Article 6 eligible services / state aid-eligible,” he said. “These funds will help support several different public health projects over the next year.”
ALBION – Orleans County Sheriff Randy Bower announced the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office will partner with law enforcement throughout the state, and the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee to participate in the Click It or Ticket Campaign from today through June 3.
Click It or Ticket (CIOT) is a statewide enforcement campaign designed to save lives and reduce the severity of injuries by increasing safety restraint use. The Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC) has set a strategic goal to increase the observed statewide seat belt use rate and to decrease unrestrained occupant fatalities in passenger vehicles. The strategies identified for accomplishing these goals include high visibility enforcement, public information and education.
This campaign is in collaboration with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administrations National Click it or Ticket: Seatbelts Save Lives.
(The Albion Police Department will also have stepped up seatbelt enforcement during the two weeks.)
Provided photos: Jack Hill is joined by his parents, Mindy and Mike Hill, during a celebration Sunday when Jack became an Eagle Scout. Mike Hill is the Scoutmaster of Troop 35 in Medina.
MEDINA – Medina High School senior Jack Hill of Troop 35 has earned the rank of Eagle Scout. His Court of Honor was held on Sunday at the Scout Cabin at Blackburn’s Pond.
Special guests in attendance included Frank Berger, representing Orleans District of the Iroquois Trail Council and the American Legion Post of Medina and Ross Annable, Hartland Town Supervisor. Pack 35 Cubmaster, John Dieter, was the emcee for the ceremony, along with Scoutmaster Mike Hill.
Hill, the son of Mike and Mindy Hill, completed an Eagle Scout project by building a GaGa ball pit for the Town of Hartland park. GaGa ball is played in an octagon enclosure known as “the pit” using a lightweight bouncy ball. The game is believed to have originated in Israel and is similar to dodgeball. Hill played the game at many Scout camps and was excited to build a pit in this area for local children to enjoy.
Hill’s project was completed with the generous support of the Town of Hartland, Donald Payne, Pat and Duane Payne, Dr. Kaplansky, Randy and Diane Hill, Niagara Implement, Janice Hill, Ridge Animal Hospital, Darrell’s Place, Seaman Norris Attorneys, Ross Annable, Wayne Rhinehart, Marc Silsby Insurance, Jack and Carolyn Hill, Drum Oil, Cornerstone Community Credit Union, Harris Farms, Pony’s, Sigma Motors, and his parents.
Hill joined Scouting in first grade. As a Boy Scout, Hill has participated in many local camping and service activities. He has also traveled to the mountains of West Virginia for the 2013 National Boy Scout Jamboree and to Algonquin Provincial Park in Canada for a 65-mile canoe trip.
In addition to required merit badges, Hill earned elective merit badges in engineering, wilderness survival, electricity, small boat sailing, canoeing, swimming, cooking, fishing, chess and rifle.
Hill will attend Rochester Institute of Technology in the fall as a Mechanical Engineering Major and member of the Honors Program.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 May 2018 at 10:45 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
CARLTON – Firefighters look over the scene where a small barn was quickly devoured by flames on Route 18 tonight.
The barn was on the north side of the road between Harris Road and Church Street on the western side of Calrton. Firefighters were dispatched to the scene at 9:11 p.m. but the building was down to the ground when firefighters arrived.
Orleans County fire investigators and the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office is at the scene trying to determine a cause. No other information is available.
