Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – A tree stump is shown on Saturday just west of the Butts Road bridge in Albion. Mohawk Valley Materials from Utica is in Albion cutting down many trees on the State Canal Corp. right of way.

“The stumps will be processed during the next phase of the project,” said Steven Gosset, spokesman for the New York Power Authority, which oversees management of the Erie Canal. “Whether they are ground down or removed is still to be determined.”

Trees are stacked by the towpath in Albion near Butts Road on Saturday.

Several people have asked on the Orleans Hub Facebook page about the fate of the cut-down trees.

“Once cut down, the trees become the property of the contractor, who is obligated to remove the trees from the embankment after they are felled,” Gosset said.

Mohawk Valley Materials has been grinding down some of the trees.

The Utica company is removing trees on about 145 acres of canal land from Medina to Fairport. The company is being paid $2.6 million for the work.

Some of the trees are pictured with the Butts Road canal bridge in background on Saturday evening. The tree-cutting crews will be headed east this week towards Holley.

Photo by Tom Rivers: A quilt pattern on a barn is pictured in Kendall last week on Route 237. The barn is part of the Country Barn Quilt Trail in Kendall.

A flood watch has been issued for Orleans County and Western New York beginning at 4 p.m. today and continuing through Monday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service in Buffalo.

A slow moving cold front will bring another round of heavy rainfall late this afternoon through tonight. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 1.5 inches are expected. This will bring two-day rainfall totals into the 1.5 to 2.5 inch-range in many locations. This rain is falling on already saturated ground from wet weather over the past few weeks, the Weather Service said.

Excessive runoff from the heavy rainfall may result in flooding of low lying areas and also small streams and creeks. Drainage inlets clogged by leaves will increase the risk of street flooding. Some larger creeks and rivers will also see significant rises across Western New York, and some will likely reach minor flood stage, according to the Weather Service.

KNOWLESVILLE – Orleans County 4-Hers on Saturday morning participated in the annual Produced in New York silent cooking competition. Thirteen 4-Hers and one 4-H Cloverbud prepared recipes featuring items grown or produced in New York State.

Participants are judged on their demonstration skills as well as the taste and nutritional value of the finished product.

Deb Roberts of Medina, a former Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension Director, volunteered as one of the food judges. She commended participants for their skills and creativity. She noted that several participants raised or produced their own products for their recipes.  The 4-Hers are helping to promote agriculture and keep agriculture going in Orleans County, she told them.

Orleans County 4-H Cooking Club member Ella Dahlhaus participated in the Junior Division.  She said this is the second year she has participated in the Produced in New York Contest.  “I was nervous at first,” she said of the competition. Ella prepared Nana’s Spaghetti Sauce, which has been, “passed down for generations in my family,” Ella said.  “My grandma taught it to my mom and we tweaked it, adding mushrooms and using sausage patties.”  Ella took first place in her division. She is a student at Clifford Wise Intermediate School in Medina.

Matthew Mathes makes Easy Pumpkin Cake, Izzabella McCoy makes Old Fashioned Apple Crisp and Sarah Mathes makes Chocolate Zucchini Cake during the Junior Division of the cooking contest.

Participants are required to place ingredients in clear containers with labels on both front and back.

Makenzie McGrath of Medina prepares Pumpkin Spice Cheesecake Enchiladas.  Makenzie tied for third place in the Junior division.

Lillian Mathes of Barre prepared Apple Cinnamon Breakfast Bread Pudding. These are ready for baking and will be topped with a carmel sauce.

Emma Mathes of Barre adds pepper to her Irish Lamb Casserole. Emma said the casserole is even more tasty the day after it is made.

Press Release, GCC

BATAVIA – Genesee Community College has invited education leader from the counties of Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming to learn how GCC’s new, innovative success coaching program can help their students.

School board members, superintendents, high school principals, school counselors and Board of Education members from across the region have been invited to GCC’s Batavia Campus on Tuesday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for an Educators’ Forum. Together, they will have the opportunity to explore GCC’s new Student Success Center and the innovative student success coaching program that now occupies the new facility.

“Success coaching gives area students one-to-one support as they begin their higher education journey,” said Richard Ensman, director of Development and External Affairs for GCC. “Our goal is always to ensure student success, but now through the new student success coaching initiative we are helping students transition from high school to college in a dynamic new way. In addition, we are helping them stay on track for a timely graduation.”

The student success coaching program was introduced at GCC in conjunction with the opening of the Student Success Center in order to bring together and effectively augment the various support services that are available to students. It is believed that GCC’s coaching program will serve as a nationwide model in higher education in the near future.

“There are several key areas that come together in our new Student Success Center,” said Dr. Shelitha Williams, associate vice president of Student Success. “Key functional areas are represented by the student success coaches and we maintain a common focus to engage students, that helps support student success. From the first stages of the enrollment process and any academic challenges to the financial obligations facing our students, our coaches are fully trained and here to help along each step of their GCC journey.”

The Educators’ Forum will provide an in-depth look at the facility and coaching model. After a brief lunch prepared by American Dining Creations, Dr. Williams will describe GCC’s coaching program and how it proactively engages students throughout their academic tenure at the College.

The Forum will conclude with student guided tours of the new Student Success Center as well as the new Richard C. Call Arena, which is also located at the Batavia Campus. Both of these facilities opened in earlier in 2017, and therefore have never before been showcased specifically to the educational leaders in our region.

“It is critical for the leaders and influencers in education throughout GLOW to know that GCC is not only dedicated to student success, but also how we are continuously finding innovations that help students secure the right pathway toward a life-long rewarding career, as well as being productive citizens in our community as well as the world,” Ensman added.

‘This is a scam, at no time would the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office ask anyone for a Green Dot card.’

Press Release, Chief Deputy Michael Mele

ALBION – The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a Green Dot card scam. A complaint was made to the Sheriff’s Office that an individual received a phone call stating they had missed a jury duty summons and that a warrant was issued for their arrest.

The caller then stated to avoid being arrested that the individual could go to the Dollar Store and buy a Green Dot card and give the caller the PIN number on the back of the card.

The phone number given had a voice message claiming to be the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department.

This is a scam, at no time would the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office ask anyone for a Green Dot card. Anyone who receives a call asking them to do so should hang up and contact the Sheriff’s Office at 585-589-5527.

ALBION – Canal Corp. officials say they know they trees being cut down along the fringe of the towpath is a shock for many in the community. The strip will look better than its immediate state when the trees are cut down, an official said Friday in Albion. The stumps will be removed and grass seed will be spread.

The tree removal is phase one of a vegetation management project.

The New York State Canal Corp. has hired Mohawk Valley Materials from Utica to remove vegetation on the Canal Corp. right of way.

The Canal Corp. will be taking down trees on 145 acres between Medina and Fairport. The contractor hired for the job won’t be touching any trees on privately owned land.

Trees are removed in Albion in the section near the Brown Street bridge.

The trees have roots that can burrow into the soil, going under the towpath and reaching the canal walls. That can make the canal vulnerable to leaks and weaken the walls, Canal Corp. officials said.

“Their removal will restore the integrity of the embankments and improve the Canal Corporation’s ability to properly manage their condition, keeping the communities that surround the canal safe from potential flooding due to structural failures,” the Canal Corp. states on its website. (Click here for the link to see more about the Vegetation Management Project.)

The tree-cutting crew is working its way east along the canal after starting in Medina last month.

The Canal Corp. posted this section of Frequently Asked Questions about the project:

Q: Why are we undertaking a vegetation management program?

A: Together with the New York Power Authority, the Canal Corporation is taking steps to strengthen and reinforce Erie Canal embankments in Monroe and Orleans counties. This work primarily involves removal of trees and other vegetation, which can weaken embankments through root structure growth. NYPA and the Canal Corporation are taking proactive, appropriate measures to ensure the embankments are restored to their design condition, free of vegetation and roots. This type of vegetation can provide pathways for seepage, which can potentially weaken embankments and result in failure, leading to flooding of lands surrounding the canal. Furthermore, the heavy vegetation prevents Canal employees and other inspectors from being able to thoroughly monitor the integrity of the Canal’s embankments.

Q: What is the scope of the project?

A: The work will take place in phases. First, any required environmental protection measures will be installed. Next, smaller brush will be cleared, followed by the cutting of trees. Brush and trees will be removed from the site of work or may be chipped on site. Eventually the tree stumps will be excavated and removed and the affected area will be regraded. As the work progresses, all disturbed areas will be restored by establishing a grass surface that the Canal Corporation will maintain.

Sections of the towpath are closed while the contractors take down trees. This spot is just west of Main Street in Albion.

Q: What impacts will this project have on your property?

A: The Canal Corporation has taken care to assure the work is being done exclusively on property it owns to ensure your land remains undisturbed. Please contact us regarding any potentially impacted permitted structures on Canal lands at 518-449-6026. Canal personnel will be happy to come to your property to do an assessment and help you determine whether the structure(s) in question should be temporarily moved.

About the New York State Canal Corporation

New York’s canal system includes four historic canals: the Erie, Champlain, Oswego and Cayuga-Seneca. Spanning 524 miles, the waterway links the Hudson River with the Great Lakes, the Finger Lakes and Lake Champlain. The canals form the backbone of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor and connect hundreds of unique and historic communities. In 2017, New York is celebrating the bicentennial for the start of the Erie Canal’s construction.

Trees are cleared out on the north side of the canal between Main and Ingersoll streets in Albion on Friday.

Photo by Tom Rivers

HOLLEY – The clock at a former church at the Public Square in Holley is pictured on Friday.

Daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. Sunday morning, meaning it is time to turn clocks back one hour either before bed or first thing in the morning.

This is also a good time for residents to check and make sure their are working smoke alarms on every level of homes, including inside and outside bedrooms.

It’s also an opportunity to make sure all households are prepared for home fires and other emergencies. The American Red Cross urges residents to Create and practice a fire escape plan. Make sure everyone in the family knows how to get out of every room and how to get out of the home in less than two minutes. Select a location outside for everyone to meet.

The Red Cross also advises to keep disaster supplies in an easy-to-carry bag to use at home or carry in case ordered to evacuate.

“Overlooked Orleans” – Volume 3, Issue 45

No building served a more important function to society on the frontier of Western New York than the barn. This structure was essential to the operation of infant communities across the United States and we find numerous examples throughout local history of the significance of the barn.

In Barre, the First Congregational Church (later the First Presbyterian Church of Albion) was organized in the barn of Joseph Hart and the barn of Ezra Spicer at Kendall was the focal point of Methodist revivals during the Second Great Awakening. The first town meeting for Murray was held in the barn of Johnson Bedell outside of Brockport and the small village of Hulberton utilized a barn south of the Erie Canal for a school until a framed building could be constructed in 1828.

Barn raising, or “raising bee,” was an important piece of rural life in the 18th century. At a time when cash was nearly non-existent and rarely exchanged between pioneers, this form of reciprocal labor involved the collection of capital in the form of favors that ensured the success of small, self-sustaining farmers. Throughout the 19th century, during times when neighbors were few and far between, the opportunity to participate in a barn raising was a prime occasion for families to engage in community building and fellowship. In the years of early settlement in Orleans County, in the absence of an abundance of able-bodied men, farmers relied upon volunteers from outside of the region; Seymour Murdock’s barn raising in Ridgeway took place under the assistance of U.S. troops serving with Gen. George Izard during the War of 1812.

Preparatory work was required before a barn raising could take place. The farmer would start by seeking out the assistance of a contractor or builder who could draft plans for the barn, providing dimensions for the proposed structure. Then the necessary building materials were acquired, the ground leveled, the foundation constructed, and the timbers assembled to form a frame.

Clarence Steele, in his 1978 oral history, recalled the process for raising the framed walls. Men used large pike poles to push and hold up the frames while a carpenter or joiner scaled the walls to fasten them together; the ends were put up first followed by the sides. Men from across the town were invited to participate in this community building activity. The more experienced men, those who participated in numerous barn raisings, were expected to take on leadership roles in the process.

The construction of barns was a community event, involving women and children in addition to men. While the men completed the work necessary to assemble the barn’s framework, women were working diligently to prepare food for the workers. The significance of this role was reflected in a Holley Standard article published in 1889, noting that men participating in a recent barn raising at Clarendon received no food or drink, nor even a thank you, for their hard work; they were far from happy with this outcome.

Regardless of their “reward” for participating in the project, an invitation to participate in a barn raising was a privilege. The Holley Standard noted in 1899 that “a number from [Holley] were fortunate enough to get an invitation to the barn raising on the Salisbury farm this week.” In 1892, William Clark invited over 100 men to assist with his barn raising at Clarendon and just over two decades later, a barn raising at the farm of Mr. Kelley at East Albion attracted around 50 men. The decrease in the number of men utilized in raising Mr. Kelley’s barn is, in part, an indicator of the phasing out of this age-old tradition.

Of course, raising large timbers to construct a barn was far from a safe task. In July of 1880, David Hills of Oak Orchard was killed by falling timbers while raising a barn north of Medina. Several decades later, Fred Fulton was injured in a similar fashion on the farm of Varnum Ludington. Mr. Fulton’s attempt to sue the Ludingtons in 1911 likely demonstrates a violation of the unspoken code of volunteer labor shared between neighbors.

This photograph, simply marked as “Murphy’s Barn Raising,” illustrates the role that the barn raising played in local society. Standing along the top beams are carpenters, wearing aprons and holding hammers necessary to join the framed sections. The pike poles used to hoist the framework are still propped up along the walls. One will notice the variety of outfits present for this event as the women are dressed in fine clothing, with some men standing close by in suits. The men who came to work are differentiated by their lack of jackets or presence of overalls and suspenders. Also noticeable are the six young men lined up on the left, dressed to help with the project. Without any additional identifying information, the man standing on the right is likely the farmer or the contractor supervising the construction.

Press Release, Orleans-Niagara BOCES

MEDINA – Dessert Café chef Autumn Kuhn recently stopped into James Atzrott’s Culinary Arts class at the Orleans Career and Technical Education Center to talk sweets and careers with his students.

She stressed to the class how important it is in this field to have a good work ethic and then showed off some amazing desserts that she makes at the restaurant.

It was a yummy and informative lesson for the students!

Photo Caption: Chef Autumn Kuhn is pictured with Ben Lennox (Albion), Corbin Manning (Albion), Zachary Richbart (Barker), Jalena Speer (Lockport), Naomi Mathes (Albion), Marie Reynolds (Albion), Jacob McKernan (Roy Hart), Alyssa Ziehm (Newfane), David Baier (Roy Hart), John De Puy (Albion), Alyssa House (Lockport), Jordan Jackson, Corey Joseph, and Julien Foster (all Lockport).

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The Albion Rotary Club presented a check for $2,868 to PAWS Animal Shelter on Thursday. Morgan Tinkous, center, is director of the shelter on Gaines Basin Road.

She is joined by Albion Rotarians Tammy Yaskulski, left, and Deb Boyer, who organized  the 2^nd Annual Albion Rotary Club Masquerade Ball on Oct. 14.

Tammy Yaskulski, second from right, announces some of the finalists for best costume and Deb Boyer. The Masquerade Ball had a Roaring ’20s theme. The Albion Rotary Club started in 1922 and is marking its 95^th anniversary this year.

The event was held at the White Birch Golf Course in Lyndonville.

Lori Laine won an award for her costume.

Julie Berry visits Medina students, Lee-Whedon Memorial Library to discuss ‘The Emperor’s Ostrich’

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Julie Berry, a Medina native, returned to her hometown on Thursday to discuss her latest children’s book, “The Emperor’s Ostrich.”

She met with Medina middle school and high school students to discuss her books and share tips on writing earlier n the day before doing a book reading and discussion at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library on Thursday evening. (She is pictured at Lee-Whedon reading from her latest book in the top photo.)

Berry, a 1991 Medina graduate, now lives in Los Angeles. She said she is grateful to have grown up in a small town with a demanding school district and supportive community. She said her teachers prepared her for academic rigor, and she felt the love and support of the community as a student.

“I was so fortunate to grow up here and have a childhood where I had the peacefulness of the countryside,” she said at Lee-Whedon.

Medina offered her a “world-class education” from teachers who were “phenomenal, deeply committed educators.”

Julie Berry signs copies of her books at Lee-Whedon. She is an award-winning author of youth adult literature. “The Passion of Dolssa” is a 2017 Michael L. Printz Honor title, a New York Times Notable Book and a Finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize.

“All the Truth That’s In Me”  and “The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place” have also been recognized with prestigious awards.

“The Emperor’s Ostrich” was released in June from Roaring Brook Press. Berry said it is “light and fluffy” compared to some of her more recent works.

Julie Berry signs books for fans at Lee-Whedon, including Mila Molina of Medina, second from left.

Berry will be at Albion Central School today, leading writing workshops for students.

Berry is one of 46 authors who will be at Monroe Community College in Rochester on Saturday for the 20^th annual Rochester Children’s Book Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Berry discusses her latest book at Lee-Whedon. She has made several local appearances in recent years when she has a new book out.

Berry is working on a new book set during World War I. She also has written a Christmas picture book. Those two books are expected to be released in 2019.

For more on Julie Berry, click here.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The high school drama program at Albion will be performing “Getting to Know…Once Upon a Mattress” today at 7 p.m. and on Saturday at noon and 7 p.m. Shows are at the Middle School Auditorium. Tickets are available at the door.

Riley Seielstad, left, plays Princess Winnifred and Victor Benjovsky is Prince Dauntless in the show that touches on the story of “The Princess and the Pea.”

The show “is a great farce,” said Gary Simboli, the director. There is a cast of 30 students with many catchy songs and funny moments.

“Your sides will hurt from laughing,” Simboli said.

Enoch Martin plays Sir Harry and Kate Krieger is Lady Larken.

The set includes a bed with 20 mattresses. Queen Aggravain (Hannah Van Epps) puts a pea under a mattress and that pea keeps Princess Winnifred up all night.

Chase Froman is Sir Harold and Sophia Zambito is Lady Beatrice.

The show is set in a medieval kingdom ruled by the devious Queen Aggravain.

Zach Moore plays the mute King Sextimus the Silent. King Sextimus suffers from a curse that can only be reversed “when the mouse devours the hawk.” The King would later discover his voice. Emma Tower is the Jester, center, and Molly Wadhams is the Minstrel.

Kate Krieger is Lady Larken, right, and Riley Seielstad has fun as the zany Princess Winnifred.

Victor Benjovsky is Prince Dauntless who professes his love for “Fred” – Princess Winnifred.

Riley Seielstad is high energy as Princess Winnifred.

Courtesy of Brian Kozody, brother of Jennifer (Kozody) Holbrook

Jennifer Holbrook

MEDINA – The Medina Class of 1980 are keeping the memory of one of their classmates alive through a newly formed scholarship. The first Jennifer (Kozody) Holbrook Memorial Scholarship will be awarded in the spring of 2018 to a Medina graduate who is seeking higher education while conquering obstacles.

The brainchild of Kathy Ridenour, she along with classmates Debbie (Cook) Morse and Angela (VandenBosch) Waldriff wanted to keep the memory of Jennifer alive by raising money for the scholarship honoring a woman who, despite facing serious medical challenges, always kept an optimistic attitude and smile on her face.

Jennifer was first diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease in 1979 at the end of her junior year in high school. She immediately had a splenectomy and for almost a year, she received radiation treatments. Despite her weakened state, she continued a full active high school workload. In addition to being an “A” student, Jennifer, the class vice-president, was active in the Mustang Band, the acapella choir, cheerleading, daisy chain as well as other school organizations. She also was first runner-up for homecoming queen and was the 1980 winner of the Orleans County Junior Miss pageant.

Following a brief respite, the cancer returned during her freshmen year at college at Clarion State University in Pennsylvania. This time, she received chemotherapy for a year which caused her hair to fall out and further weakening her, but again, this did not deter her. She continued her education and graduated on time.

Eventually Jennifer received a clean bill of health but her immune system was compromised due to the treatments she received over the years. She continued her education and received her master’s degree from Nazareth College and taught in the Rochester area for 25 years as a Speech Language Pathologist working mostly with children with special needs.

In 2010, Jennifer contracted meningitis, was rushed to the hospital and was given last rites. Once again, she made a miraculous recovery. Her life would take another turn a few years later as her husband, Randy, was diagnosed with cancer. He passed away last year following a two-year battle with the disease. His final weeks were at home with Jennifer providing his primary care.

On July 6^th Jennifer went into the hospital for a routine procedure. During that operation, surgeons discovered other abnormalities which needed to be addressed. During the next 40 days, Jennifer remained her optimistic self, greeting all visitors with smiles and the warmth that she exuded her whole life. She passed away on August 15^th.

“Jennifer was a teacher, a friend, a woman of great faith, a bright light to all who knew her. Never did she give in, lose hope, complain or stop smiling through her life’s journey,” Morse said. “It seems befitting someone of this much character, joy and determination would be the first to encourage a student to chase their dreams no matter what comes their way. I’m sure Jennifer would be very humbled by a scholarship in her memory, but more so happy to see a young mind given a helping hand to reach their goals.”

The committee is hoping that this scholarship will become an annual award for future Medina graduating classes. Any person or organization wishing to contribute to the scholarship may do so by sending donations to: Jennifer Kozody Holbrook Scholarship, C/O Medina Central Schools, 1 Mustang Drive, Medina, NY 14103; Attention Christine Griffin.

Checks may be made to the Medina Central School District and it is required that Jennifer Kozody Holbrook Scholarship be placed in the “for” line.

ALBION – Many Albion residents reacted with shock on social media today as trees along the Erie Canal were cut down. The top photo shows a section of the canal by the Bowman’s bridge, west of Main Street, where trees were taken down.

The New York State Canal Corp. has hired Mohawk Valley Materials from Utica to remove vegetation on the Canal Corp. right of way.

The company started in Medina last month and is working its way east with a goal to make it to Fairport in December.

Flint Zigler and his daughter Scarlett are the two cyclists in the photo. They are from York, Pa. Mr. Zigler home schools his daughter. They have been studying the Erie Canal. They wanted to see it in person.

Flint and Scarlett Zigler ride their bikes past stacks of trees on the towpath in Albion.

They started riding their bikes from Lockport today and were disappointed to see so many big trees cut down along the towpath.

“It’s kind of sad,” Mr. Zigler said this afternoon. “These are massive trees they are taking out.”

The Canal Corp. discussed the tree-clearing plan on Sept. 25 during a meeting in Medina at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library. The Canal Corp. will be taking down trees on 140 acres between Medina and Fairport. The contractor hired for the job won’t be touching any trees on privately owned land.

The trees have roots that can burrow into the soil, going under the towpath and reaching the canal walls. That can make the canal vulnerable to leaks and weaken the walls, Canal Corp. officials said.

Orleans Hub has received two letters to the editor about the tree-clearing.

“Tearing down trees along the towpath of the Erie Canal is an absolute disgrace and should have been the last option, not the first option because it’s the cheapest!” Stephanie Thurston of Albion write today. “We live right on the canal and the beauty of the trees across from our house is now gone. Devastated!”

Elizabeth and Michael Leone sent in a letter on Oct. 25, after seeing numerous trees cut down in Medina.

“The Erie Canal towpath has always been a place of beauty and tranquility,” they wrote. “It is a place to escape, walk, ride bicycles and enjoy nature. We have lost something with the rapid execution of the tree line and foliage along the towpath, which gave home to wildlife, and a break from the harsh winds of fall and winter.”

The couple said they understood the rationale for removing the trees. However, “the ruthless nature that the Canal Corp. has used in clearing this scenic walkway is unforgivable. It has been particularly harsh for residents living on the north side of the canal, where all privacy is lost.”

Press Release, Orleans County Sheriff Randy Bower

ALBION – This past Saturday the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office once again participated in the National Prescription Take-Back Event that was sponsored by the Federal Drug Enforcement Administration.

The collection event yielded over 773 pounds of unused medication and sharps. All of the collected medications were transported by the Sheriff’s Office to a designated incineration facility for destruction.

The prescription take-back event has been very successful in Orleans County and to date the Sheriff’s Office has collected over 5,600 pounds of unused medications and sharps. The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office will continue to support future collection events with the purpose of safely disposing unused medications and to reduce the potential for criminal diversion.

In addition, The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Medina and Holley Fire Departments for supporting this initiative by allowing the sheriff’s office to use their facilities as collection locations. We would further like to thank the Drug Free Communities Coalition for providing volunteers at each collection site and the Orleans County Public Health Department for assisting with advertising the event.