Provided photo
MEDINA – A massive blade for a wind turbine spent some time in Medina today at the former Ames parking lot. I don’t know why the blade, which looks like it’s 100 feet long, was in Medina or where it’s headed. The photo gives a perspective on the size of large-scale scale wind turbines.
Photo by Kristina Gabalski: Marge Dale, left, accepts a $2,000 check from the Holley Rotary Club. Rotarian Krista Wiley-Neale presented the money this morning.
HOLLEY – Marge Dale says she knows the goodness of the Holley community, but she never realized just how generous and caring her neighbors can be until now.
“We are so grateful for the outpouring of support,” Dale said Tuesday morning at the Holley Community Free Library where Holley Rotarian Krista Wiley-Neale presented her with a $2,000 gift check from the Holley Rotary.
Marge and her husband, Jim Dale, lost their home, all their possessions, and one of their dogs in a fire at their home on Fancher Road on Nov. 28.
“You never know what’s going to happen when you leave for work in the morning,” Marge Dale said.
The Dales are staying with family while the extent of their loss begins to sink in and they contemplate the overwhelming task of starting over. Additionally, Marge lost her dad just this past weekend.
Dale said the community has responded with clothes, household items, cash and more to help them get back on their feet.
Krista Wiley-Neale said the Holley Rotary voted Monday evening to make the donation to the Dales to help them recover. She said Rotary is always looking to help those in the community. The donation to the Dales is in advance of the Rotary’s February fundraising spaghetti dinner.
Those interested in helping the Dales can go to the Holley Rotary Facebook page for additional information or contact Early Sunrise Realty in Holley. There is also a GoFundMe set up. Click here for more information.
Photo by Tom Rivers: The fire on Nov. 28 spewed smoke on Fancher Road.
HOLLEY – The American Legion in Holley will lead a memorial program on Thursday on the 76th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor.
The program starts at 7:55 a.m. at the gazebo by the canal. Holley used to have the memorial each year for the Pearl Harbor attack.
“We decided we wanted to start it back up again,” said John Pera, commander of the post in Holley. “We want to make it an annual thing.”
The event will include a prayer, comments from Pera, the playing of Taps and a gun salute from the Honor Guard. The public is welcome to attend the program.
The surprise Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor brought the United States into World War II. In addition to 2,403 Americans killed at Pearl Harbor, another 1,178 were injured. It was the deadliest attack on American soil until the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
Provided photo: Lee Farley stands on a black pickup truck as it sinks in the Erie Canal on Aug. 17.
ALBION – A Niagara Falls man appeared in Orleans County Court on Monday, facing charges of driving while intoxicated, aggravated DWI and reckless driving after he drove into the Erie Canal in Medina on Aug.17.
Lee Farley was observed driving erratically on North Gravel Road from Ridge Road to the canal. He just missed hitting the lift bridge and utility poles by the canal. He took out a traffic sign and plunged into the canal with a black pickup truck.
He had the window down in the driver’s door and was able to get out. He was standing on the truck as it sank into the water.
Sara Sheldon, acting Orleans County Court judge, rejected a sentencing agreement in the case on Monday. Farley and his attorney, Johnny Destino, will be back in court on Dec. 18. Destino and District Attorney Joe Cardone will discuss a plea with a maximum sentence in the case and see if an agreement can be worked out.
(Editor’s note: An earlier version of this article said Judge Sheldon rejected a plea offer in the case, but she instead rejected a sentencing agreement.)
In two other cases on Monday, two women were sentenced for petit larceny for their roles in a truck break-in and the theft of $8,000 from that vehicle in Clarendon on Oct. 19, 2016.
Brionnah L. Raglan, 21, of Medina avoided jail and probation in the case. Sheldon sentenced Raglan to a conditional discharge. Raglan has paid $4,000 in restitution, even though she said she only received $20 in the theft.
Raglan told the judge she agreed to the restitution “to get it off my chest.” Raglan is working 60-65 hours a week at two jobs.
Jade Fayko, 21, of Holley also avoided jail, but was sentenced to three years of probation. She was ordered to pay $100 a month in restitution until she pays $2,666, or one third of the $8,000 that was taken.
A third defendant in the case, Devon Robinson of Rochester was previously sentenced to six months in jail for smashing the window of the truck and taking the money.
Robinson, 23, will also be on probation for five years after pleading guilty to fourth-degree grand larceny.
WATERPORT – The community donated numerous shirts, pants and other clothing items during an Oct. 29 fundraiser for a town in Puerto Rico.
Those clothing items were packaged in 20 boxes and on Monday they were picked up by a truck and driver from Mobile Air Transport. The boxes were flown from Rochester to JFK in New York City and then to San Juan, Puerto Rico.
From there, they will reach their final destination in the town of Moca in western Puerto Rico. The company, REI, is shipping the boxes at cost – $50 each.
Orchestrating the shipment of the boxes has been a hurdle in a local effort to assist a town that remains without electricity after Hurricane Maria hit the island in September.
The Carlton United Methodist Church hosted a fundraiser on Oct. 29 for a community in Puerto Rico, home of Betty Garcia Mathewson’s relatives. Garcia Mathewson lives in Albion and attends a yoga class led by Pat Haines. Haines also attends the Carlton United Methodst Church.
The church and yoga class put on the fundraiser that has raised $5,500. That money has paid for 80 solar powered emergency lights and 20 water filtration systems and extra filters, the $1,000 needed to ship the boxes of clothes, and $1,500 that was sent to a church to provide a Thanksgiving meal for the Moca community.
“It’s really impacting peoples’ lives,” Haines said this morning. “We far exceeded my expectations. It’s amazing what small group can do.”
The Centro Cristiano Nueva Vision – the New Vision Christian Center in Moca – is the distribution point for the donations. Garcia Mathewson’s cousin is a leader in that congregation.
People are still welcome to send checks to the Carlton United Methodist Church, 1196 Archbald Road, Waterport, NY 14571. If someone sends a check to the church, they should note “PR Fundraiser.” The church will then wire the funds to the New Vision Christian Center in Moca. Donors also are welcome to sponsor a box for $50.
ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature on Monday unanimously adopted a $69.8 million county budget for 2018 that increases taxes by 2.5 percent.
The tax rate will increase by 19 cents or 1.9 percent to $10.05 per $1,000 of assessed property.
The budget is just barely below the state-imposed tax cap due to carryover the county had in recent years when the budgets were below the tax cap.
The Legislature and county department heads had to work to trim the budget to get under the tax cap. Four full-time positions were eliminated.
The budget increases taxes by $421,913 to $17,150,323 in 2018. Three factors are the main culprits for the increase: $273,618 more in expenses at the jail, the loss of Seneca Gaming Pact revenue at $230,000 and an additional $202,845 in Medicaid spending.
“We struggled to get under the allowable growth because of the loss of revenue from the Senecas and with the increased costs in the jail and with Medicaid,” Chuck Nesbitt, the county’s chief administrative officer, said during a public hearing on Monday at the County Courthouse.
The county faces added expenses at the jail partly due to state regulations against isolating or segregating some inmates, Nesbitt said.
The Senecas and the state are in a dispute other sharing revenue from the Seneca casinos with the state and local governments. The issue could be resolved soon, or it may be under contention for years.
“We’re hoping it’s coming back,” Nesbitt said about the funds. “But it’s iffy.”
The county will also be spending $96,234 more for animal control next year as the county assumes the financial and legal responsibility for the service throughout Orleans. The county will add an animal control vehicle and staff.
The budget also includes $4,523,550 for infrastructure, including culverts and bridges. Most of those costs will be funded by the state and federal government.
A projected growth in sales tax revenue helped contain the tax increase. The county is budgeting for $610,000 more in sales tax.
The budget keeps contributions to some agencies flat, while giving some an increase. The funded agencies include:
• Libraries, stay at $10,000
• Orleans Economic Development Agency, from $170,000 to $180,000
• Sportsman’s Federation, stays at $1,000
• Soil and Water Conservation District, from $80,000 to $92,500
• Cooperative Extension, stays at $240,000
• GO Art!, stays at $3,000
• The Cobblestone Museum, which sought a $7,500 county contribution, is out of the budget as a line item. However, the Legislature approved $3,000 for the museum from the county’s contingency account.
The fee for solid waste and recycling service will be $212 in 2018, which is up $5.
ALBION – An Albion man who sexually abused a 14-year-old disabled girl about two decades ago will be released from state prison next month.
James Powless, 63, has been in prison for the past 17 ½ years. He is currently an inmate at the Wyoming Correctional Facility in Attica. He will be released on Jan. 19 after serving most of a 20-year sentence for first-degree sodomoy.
Today there was a hearing to determine what level sex offender Powless will be on the Sex Offender Registration Act. Sara Sheldon, the acting Orleans County Court Judge, assessed Powless as a level 3 offender, the highest risk possible. He will also be a registered sex offender the rest of his life.
Powless declined to attend the hearing. The judge, in giving him the highest risk level, noted that Powless made video recordings of himself raping a girl on multiple occasions. Powless also has a history of alcohol abuse and has attended a substance abuse support group. The judge said Powless has accepted responsibility for the crime.
His address after he is released from prison isn’t known at this time.
ALBION – A Geneseo woman who was charged with four DWIs in three months was sentenced to state prison today in Orleans County Court.
Sharon Davis, 54, was charged with driving while intoxicated on April 21 in Barre when she registered a 0.26 percent Blood Alcohol Content.
She pleaded guilty on Aug. 28 to felony DWI in Orleans County. She faced a maximum sentence of 2 1/3 to 7 years in state prison. The plea includes a second DWI in Batavia on May 15. The sentences for the DWIs in Orleans and Genesee are together, but Davis will be prosecuted separately for the two more recent DWIs in Livingston County.
Sara Sheldon, the acting County Court judge, sentenced Davis to 1 1/3 to 4 years in prison. Her attorney, Christian Kennedy, asked for local jail and five years of probation.
Kennedy said Davis has already spent about six months in jail. He said Davis turned to alcohol to cope with the recent deaths of her mother and a friend.
“She has an alcohol problem,” Kennedy said. “Throwing her into state prison won’t address that.”
Davis spoke during sentencing and said she is taking responsibility for the crime.
The judge said Davis is unlikely to get a driver’s license again. But that doesn’t mean the public can be guaranteed she won’t drive.
Davis has six DWIs altogether, including two cases that are pending in Livingston County. The judge in Livingston may add additional prison time for Davis, have the sentences run at the same time, or consider some local jail or probation for Davis.
Of the four recent DWIs all were with BACs at 0.18 percent or higher, more than twice the legal limit. (Davis also has two other prior DWIs in 2007 in Livingston County and 2008 in Monroe County.)
“I’m putting you in state prison,” Sheldon told Davis. “I can’t have you on the road because you might kill somebody. I hope to God you don’t kill someone or then you’ll be in here on a manslaughter charge.”
Press Release, Albion Police Chief Roland Nenni
ALBION – The Albion Police Department Benevolent Association is hosting a “Coffee With A Cop” event on Saturday in conjunction with the Village of Albion Hometown Holidays.
Thanks to the donations from the Albion Dunkin Donuts, which donated the doughnuts and coffee for the event, the public is asked to come meet members of the Albion Police Department and enjoy free coffee and doughnut.
The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Albion Village Office located at 35 East Bank St.
The Hometown Holiday taking place in the Village will also include many other activities for the whole family to enjoy.
The Albion Police Department Benevolent Association, which is the union that represents the members of the Albion Police Department, is committed to serve the citizens of the Village of Albion. This is a great opportunity to meet your local Police Officers and speak with them on an informal basis and get to know them on a personal level.
Doughnuts are a stigma that police officers try to avoid, but in this case we will enjoy it for the spirt of the Holiday Season.
Editor’s Note: Saturday’s Hometown Holiday also includes plenty of opportunities in downtown Albion for shopping, events and family fun.
The Albion Merchants’ Association will have its annual Reindeer Raffle, a selfie photo station, coloring contest, cookie decorating, crafts and cookies with Mrs. Claus, letters to Santa, face painting, make-your-own earrings, a holiday bingo scavenger hunt, a new fun game – “What’s in your bag?” and ornaments with Brushstrokes. Santa will also be stopping by at the end of the day at the former Swan Library.
File photo by Tom Rivers: A car is pictured during a snowstorm in February 2015 on East State Street in Albion.
Press Release, State Police and AAA Western and Central NY
In preparation for the first real snowfall for this season, the State Police and AAA Western and Central NY encourage motorists to exercise due care over the next few days.
The State Police will be out across the region checking all major routes of travel to ensure that motorists are as safe as possible. The State Police need your assistance to make this possible.
Motorists traveling in areas impacted by the snow are asked to leave with extra time to make a slow and careful drive to your destination. Take into consideration snow accumulation on the roads, the current snowfall rate, the wind, and visibility. Use your best judgment to determine if driving is prudent.
Keep the following tips in mind:
Get the latest weather forecast before leaving with your local weather apps, monitor radio or TV stations.
Always clean your windows and mirrors fully of any snow and ice before driving.
Keep a full tank of gas
Fluid levels are sufficient (windshield washer fluid, ant-freeze)
Spare tire is sufficient and you have the jack and wheel wrench
Use headlights at all times to increase your visibility to others. Remember, if your windshield wipers are in use due to weather, then your headlights must be on.
Drive prudently. If the conditions are adverse, you should decrease your speed accordingly.
Brake early
Do NOT use cruise control. This decreases your reaction time to apply braking.
Look out for events farther down the road. Creating more time to react can make a difference.
Be aware of maintenance vehicles and emergency vehicles. Give them room to work.
If you do not absolutely have to go out on the roads, then don’t.
AAA Basic Winter Driving Tips:
About 46 percent of crashes involving bad weather take place in the winter, making this the worst time of year for driving in treacherous conditions.
Top three winter driving tips: go slow, increase space between yourself and other vehicles, and brake smoothly – don’t brake and turn at the same time. Instead brake, then turn.
Obey all travel bans issued by authorities.
“As we get our first dose of winter weather, motorists should prepare their cars and pack an emergency roadside kit complete with a cell phone charger or power bank. It’s important to use winter driving skills as slick roads create dangerous situations,” said Elizabeth Carey, public relations director at AAA WCNY. “During storm conditions, AAA will prioritize emergencies when responding to service calls. We urge all drivers to obey all travel advisories and use caution when traveling.”
If you do go out, is your vehicle prepared?
Is your trunk supplied to help you to be safe in case you are stopped or stranded in an area without assistance readily available:
Gloves, blankets, warmers, tool kit, first-aid kit, non-perishable foods, water, working flashlight and batteries, cell phone charger, etc.
Shovel, ice scraper, de-icer, snow brush, rock salt or cat litter, tow chain or cable, jumper cables or battery charger, etc.
If you are involved in a collision or leave the roadway:
If you drive off the roadway and are stuck in a snow bank or ditch, stay in your vehicle and call 911. Do not exit your vehicle unless it is an absolute emergency. You put yourself at risk of being struck by another vehicle.
Roll your windows down a few inches or turn your vehicle off if you are stranded in snow for a period of time with your vehicle running. Covered mufflers can cause serious physical injury or death due to inhalation of carbon monoxide.
If you should become stranded on the Thruway or any roadway, know your location by being aware of your direction and mile post marker. This will help emergency personnel reach your location as quick as possible.
Follow the New York State Police’s Twitter page @nyspolice for up to the minute information on road closures and weather alerts.
The Thruway Authority provides a wide variety of information for travelers including current traffic conditions, accidents, and lane closures. Visit www.thruway.ny.gov for more information.
Slow down. Be prepared. Be safe.
ALBION – Several long-time United Methodists attended a church service on Sunday at the former home of the congregation. The United Methodists moved out of the building two years ago, fearing the building was unsteady and unsafe.
Mike Outten, pastor of North Point Chapel, delivers the sermon on Sunday.
They have since been sharing a building, Christ Church, which is owned by the Episcopalians.
A new church, North Point Chapel, bought the United Methodist site and discovered that the building is structurally sound. Engineers who said the building was in danger of collapse missed two support steel beams in the attic. Those beams were buried in insulation. The beams mean a million-dollar repair isn’t needed after all. The Village of Albion gave North Point a certificate of occupancy to reopen the sanctuary.
United Methodists are happy the building has been spared and is being reused as a church. But there is a sting in knowing they left the site when they didn’t need to go.
“It was heart-breaking,” Cheryl Karcz, a long-time attendee, said about the church leaving the site and putting it up for sale.
Karcz started attending the church with her family about 15 years ago. The church served as a meeting place for her sons’ Boy Scout troop. Some United Methodists attended the church for multi-generations, Karcz said.
The daunting burden of fixing the building “pulled the life out of the church,” she said.
The church’s worship band leads about 75 people in singing on Sunday. Most of the songs were contemporary Christian worship music and well as a traditional hymn, “How Great Thou Art.”
On Sunday, Karcz sat in a pew and was impressed with North Point, which is a Baptist congregation. The church has repainted the sanctuary, removed the wooden support beams, and reconfigured the pulpit by enlarging the platform for a worship band.
“I’m glad it didn’t end up being bulldozed,” she said about the building, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Sarah Outten, 14, leads in the singing on Sunday. She is the daughter of the church pastor.
Her son David Karcz works with Babcock Construction.
“It’s great to see the building repurposed and saved,” David Karcz said. “There are so many buildings and barns that have fallen down. The biggest thing is someone is still using this building.”
Gail Ebbs also returned to the church with her daughter Renee, their first time back in about two years. They had been regular attendees at the church for about 25 years.
They entered the building and noted the steps still squeaked leading to the sanctuary. They missed many of the familiar faces from over the years. But they noticed North Point has drawn several young families.
“It’s nice to see life in this building again,” Ebbs said. “They have young families and young people. That’s what we need: young people believing in God.”
Ebbs said “it hurts” to be back in the church after the years-long anguish over the building.
“It’s a shame,” she said.
North Point celebrated the reopening of the sanctuary on Sunday.
Mike Outten, pastor of North Point, reflected on the legacy of the United Methodist congregation in Albion. The United Methodists founded a church society in Albion in 1830, built a church in 1860 and a did a significant reconstruction in 1914.
“In the 1800s, the United Methodists were on fire for God,” Outten said on Sunday at the sanctuary of the church.
Mike Outten preaches on Sunday. The church added two display screens for songs and other church announcements.
North Point started about two years ago as a Bible study. It then held services at the Arnold Gregory Office Complex. In April, it acquired the United Methodist Church building and a neighboring building for only $38,000. The properties had been on the market for more than a year and drew little interest.
Outten owned his own construction company. He thought the church was solid. However, he believed the engineering reports were accurate. He didn’t think it needed a million-dollar repair. He thought running rods in the roof, helping to hold the building together and support the roof, would take care of the problem.
Mike Outten and the worship team welcome people to the church on Sunday.
Outten was prepared to have steel cables run up high through the sanctuary, tying them together with a turnbuckle. It would have detracted from the beauty of the sanctuary, but would have provided the needed structural support.
When Outten and his son, who now runs the construction business, made a test hole in the ceiling in late September, they discovered the two steel rods, supporting the roof and walls. That meant a big repair wasn’t needed.
Outten has welcomed the United Methodists to return to their building and be part of the North Point ministry.
“I want nothing more than North Point Chapel to be a shining light in the community,” he said.
North Point has its Sunday services at 10:30 a.m. It also holds “Celebrate Recovery” meetings on Mondays at 6:30 p.m. It is looking to start a Kids’ Club on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. beginning in January and a Friday evening teen ministry in 2018, as well as new Life Groups with Bible study and fellowship. For more on North Point, click here.
Photo by Tom Rivers: The “North Pole” is pictured at Rotary Park in Medina.
A winter storm watch has been issued for Orleans and Niagara counties for Wednesday from 3 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The National Weather Service in Buffalo said heavy lake-effect snow is possible and there could be snow accumulations of 6 to 10 inches.
“Plan on difficult travel conditions, including during the morning commute on Wednesday,” according to an advisory from the Weather Service.
Southern Niagara and southern and central Orleans are expected to see the greatest snow amounts.
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The Women’s Select Choir, led by High School Chorus Director Gary Simboli, sings “We Wish You the Merriest” during today’s community Christmas concert at the First Presbyterian Church.
There were several groups and musicians that performed including the The Joyful Good Shepherd Ringers (Bell Choir from the United Methodist Church, directed by Marie Follett); local trio Crandall, Wood & Main (Dean Theodorakos, Joel Allen and Doug Syck); guitarist Bill Pileggi; vocalist Alec Sherman; and Dale Smalley at the organ and piano.
In addition, the high school Trombone Choir, Brass Ensemble, Sax Ensemble, Clarinet Choir, Flute Choir and Men’s Select Choir all performed Christmas music.
The Women’s Select Choir sings its song as part of concert, where proceeds benefit the Albion High School Alumni Foundation for scholarships to local graduates.
The concert concluded with an audience sing-along of “It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas.” Kim Remley and Doreen Wilson, right, both presented traditional readings, with Remley reading “Christmas Past” by Carice Williams, “Christmas Pie” by George Wither and “Christmas is a Holiday for Friends” by Nicholas Gordon. Wilson read “My Christmas Wish” by Cynthia Holt Cummings and “Merry Christmas from Heaven” by John Mooney. Jan-Mikael Erakare also read “The Boy Who Laughed at Santa Claus” by Ogden Nash.
KNOWLESVILLE – Santa visits the Beef & Dairy Club table on Saturday during the Orleans County 4-H Holiday Faire at the Trolley Building on the 4-H Fairgrounds in Knowlesville.
4-H projects with holiday themes were featured as well as 4-H Club tables, games, crafts, food, fundraisers and Santa Claus.
Members of the Kendall Elementary School 4-H Club offered a cookie decorating activity…..
These mason jar snowman lanterns were offered as a fundraiser by members of the Rabble Rousers 4-H Club.
4-H projects filled the Trolley Building.
Rosie the Guinea pig, owned by Megan Hardner of Lyndonville, snuggles into a sleigh just her size at the Rabbit Raisers table.
Holiday Faire project classes include handmade gifts, door decorations, tree ornaments, toys and holiday cards.
Lena Grillo of Albion, Kaitlin Bennet of Barre, and Anna Grillo of Albion help serve up the always popular peppermint milkshakes at the Beef and Dairy Club table.
Photos by Kristina Gabalski
HOLLEY – The Village of Holley celebrated a tree-lighting on Saturday night with the lights on the tree blue in honor of police and emergency responders in the Village of Holley.
A crowd gathered around the tree during an expanded “Night of Lights” celebration at Holley. Holley expanded the event from a parade and tree lighting to include multiple events in the Public Square beginning at 4 p.m.
The parade route went down Rt. 237 from the Elementary School to Wright Street and the Public Square. Mild, calm weather made for a pleasant evening for a holiday parade. This truck is from the Fancher-Hulberton-Murray Volunteer Fire Company.
Holley Central School JV and Varsity Cheerleaders took first place in the parade with their “Ronald McDonald House” Christmas float. Peter Gewertz’s organ grinder float came in second place, and J&J Electric came in third place with an “Elfland” float.
A pumper truck from the Brockport Fire Department joined the parade.
The Holley Municipal Electric Department rounded out the parade with Santa at the back of the truck.
Santa heads towards the Public Square for the Memory Bulb and Tree Lighting ceremony.
Mayor Brian Sorochty was master of ceremonies for the tree lighting in the Public Square. Sorochty read a long list of names for the Memory Bulb ceremony. The tradition began in 1982 with community members purchasing “memory bulbs” in honor of deceased loved ones. All names are read before the tree is lit.
Additionally, the village began a new tradition this year, by selecting its first Village of Holley Citizen of the Year. Dr. Krista Wiley-Neale, owner of Wiley’s Ark Animal Care, was chosen for her efforts on behalf of the community including participation on the Village of Holley Development Corporation Board and the committee which organizes community events such as the Holley Night of Lights and June Fest. Wiley-Neale said she was very moved to receive the recognition and was given the honor of lighting the tree.
Mayor Sorochty announced that this year, the Holley tree is being lit in all blue lights in honor of police and emergency services personnel and the sacrifices they make in serving their community. Members of the police and fire departments were present for the tree lighting ceremony and Police Chief Roland Nenni, third from left, thanked Sorochty for the recognition from the community.
Marilyn Meade-Slentz samples wine from Leonard Oakes Winery at Dr. Daniel Schiavone’s dental office. Businesses in the Public Square hosted local wineries and crafts people beginning at 4 p.m. on Saturday.
Meade-Slentz, who lives in Holley, called the expanded Night of Lights event, “wonderful, I’m so excited they are doing this here.”
The Holley Community Free Library also hosted its annual community holiday party during the Night of Lights. Participants enjoyed signing carols, refreshments, holiday movies and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. Here, 8-year old Desire`e Lashae visits with Santa.
Library Director Sandra Shaw said the library was a popular spot for families during the event. “It’s working well,” she said of the Night of Lights. She said the library celebration is the library’s, “gift back to the community,” during the holidays.
The Hat and Mitten tree is shown at the library. Donations for the tree will be taken to ABCD Grace’s Place Migrant Center and Monroe 2 BOCES, library director Sandra Shaw said.
Following the parade, community members gathered at the Fire Hall for performances by student musical groups from Holley Central Schools as well as refreshments.
