‘These organs are a treasure. The reason for these concerts is to show the public what a treasure they are.’

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Maarit Vaga presents flowers to Aaron Grabowski after his performance at the organ in Holy Family Parish during the Cobblestone Society’s fifth annual organ concert on Sunday.

ALBION – The annual progressive organ concert on Sunday to benefit the Cobblestone Museum was strongly attended, according to director Doug Farley.

“This was our fifth annual concert and 75 people registered ahead, in addition to several walk-ins,” Farley said. “We are thrilled attendance continues to be strong.”

The event began at Christ Episcopal Church, where former Orleans County historian and Cobblestone Museum director Bill Lattin welcomed guests. He explained there used to be six pipe organs in Court House Square, but now are five after one was removed at the former United Methodist Church.

“These organs are a treasure,” Lattin said. “The reason for these concerts is to show the public what a treasure they are.”

Lattin also pointed out the stained glass windows and urged the audience to notice the architecture and stained glass in each of the churches, all of which are on the National Register of Historic Places.

Doug Farley, left, director of the Cobblestone Museum, welcomes the 75 guests who attended a progressive organ concert on Sunday. The first concert was at Christ Episcopal Church, where organist Darryl Smith, visible at right,  played the 1877 Steere & Turner pipe organ.

Farley added how fortunate they were to have four very talented organists in attendance – Darryl Smith, Aaron Grabowski and Gary Simboli, who were part of Sunday’s program, and Scott Schmidt, a local organist who has participated in the progressive concerts in previous years.

Albion native Darryl Smith, who played the 1877 Steere & Turner pipe organ at Christ Episcopal Church, said she has been playing organ since high school. Her first job was as organist and choir director at the First Baptist Church of Medina. A graduate of Houghton, Smith has served in positions of music or discipleship at Brick Presbyterian Church of Perry, Barre Center Presbyterian Church and Albion Free Methodist Church.

“I love this organ because its pipes are vintage to its time,” she said.

The instrument is unique in that it maintains its original mechanical linkage, known as tracker action, between the keyboard and pipes. Lattin displayed a giant lever which youth in earlier years had to pump behind the scenes. The organ was rebuilt in the 1980s.

The Erakare family sings at Christ Episcopal Church, accompanied by organist Darryl Smith. From left are Susan Walders (mother of Bradeen Walders-Erakare, who is married to Sebastian Erakare), Maarit Vaga and her husband Jan Erakare, their son Sebastian and his wife, Bradeen Walders-Erakare.

Attendees next moved into the dining room for a wine and cheese reception, before crossing the street to Holy Family Parish (St. Joseph’s Church), where Medina organist Aaron Grabowski entertained on what was originally an 1896 Garrett House tracker organ. The console was moved to the front of the loft during changes made to the key and stop action, converting it to electro-pneumatic action in 1939-40 by Teller’s Organ Co. of Erie, Pa. The original tracker slider chests were retained. Air reservoirs were re-leathered in 1976.

House sold his company to Viner and Sons in 1898, making this original instrument of two manuals and pedal with 16 speaking stops one of his last.

The organ is currently being maintained by Parsons Pipe Organ Co. of Canandaigua, where Grabowski is employed.

According to the concert’s program, it would be safe to say pipe organs are a big part of Aaron Grabowski’s life. During the week he works full-time as a tuning foreman and organ builder for Parsons, and on weekends, he is music director and organist at St. Mary’s Church in Medina.

Grabowski began formal organ lessons at the age of 16, and after graduating from high school, he enrolled at the University of Buffalo, where he received a bachelor’s degree in organ performance.

He was music director at St. Paul’s in Kenmore, where the Rev. Paul Whitney was serving before coming to Medina. It was due to Father Whitney that Grabowski came to Medina when the priest asked him to restore the organ at St. Mary’s. Upon seeing the charming hamlet of Medina, Grabowski suggested to his wife Gayle they should consider making Medina their new home. They purchased a Victorian home there in 2005, which they are restoring.

(Left) Darryl Smith sits at the 1877 Steere & Turner pipe organ at Christ Episcopal Church in Albion. She likes the organ because of its vintage pipes which she says are authentic to their time. (Right) Final organist in Sunday’s progressive organ concert was Gary Simboli, retired chorus and musical director at Albion Central School, shown here at the 1925 Moller Opus 4132 pipe organ at the First Baptist Church of Albion.

The third and final organ in the concert was at the First Baptist Church, next door to Holy Family Parish, where Gary Simboli demonstrated the 1925 Moller Opus 4132 pipe organ. Simboli is a graduate of Geneseo State College and is the award-winning instrumental music teacher (retired) from Albion High School.

The Moller organ replaced the church’s first pipe organ from 1883, and features two separate pipe chambers and pressure driven pneumatic action. It includes three manuals and 63 registers, producing a rich, romantic sound. The organ was rebuilt in the 1980s under the pastorate of the Rev. Bob Mowatt.

“This is an amazing instrument,” Simboli said. “I am not an organist. I had one lesson when I filled in for the regular organist. I like the different instrumentation of this beautiful organ.”

He was told because he had big hands he could play the organ, as he could reach the keys with his left fingers, which produced the sounds of the foot pedals.

The pieces Simboli chose featured the sounds of flute, chimes, trumpet, clarinet, oboe, harp and the full organ.

Aaron Grabowski sits at the organ in the loft of Holy Family Parish (St. Joseph’s Church) in Albion. The original 1896 Garret House tracker organ was converted to electro-pneumatic action in 1939-40 by Teller’s Organ Co. of Erie, Pa.

After the final concert, many concert-goers drove to the Tavern on the Ridge for supper. Among them were Joe and Linda Rak of Lyndonville, who said this was their first organ concert, but they would definitely consider it again.

“We like to do things in the community,” Linda said. “The music today was absolutely amazing. These churches were all so beautiful and in such close proximity. And the organists were so talented. It was a big learning experience to hear all the sounds an organ can make.”

One special attendee who Farley introduced was Carla Maul, who drove from Ellicottville.

“I love organ concerts and I Googled it, thinking I might find one in Buffalo,” Maul said.

She teaches a drum and bugle corps and plays brass. But she likes organ concerts for their individuality, she said.

“My favorite today was Aaron’s Cannanode,” Maul said.

Photo by Tom Rivers: This sign on Route 63 in Shelby notes the Iroquois Job Corps, a center with space for up to 225 students served by 104 full-time equivalent employees.

The data presented by the federal Department of Labor to justify “pausing” Job Corps centers around the country is deeply flawed, the National Job Corps Association said.

On Thursday, DOL Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer announced 99 Job Corps would be paused with programs suspended by the end of June, including at the local Iroquois Job Corps Center in Medina.

The DOL said the graduation rate nationwide at the centers is at 38.6 percent, with the average cost per student a year at $80,284. The average cost per graduate is $155,600, according to the DOL.

The program also doesn’t tend to be a pathway to a career. On average, participants earn $16,695 annually on average when they leave the program, the DOL said.

But the National Job Corps said the DOL skewed the data, using information from 2023 when centers were still impacted by Covid restrictions.

“Job Corps has transformed the lives of millions of Americans,” Donna Hay, president & CEO of the National Job Corps Association, said in response to the DOL decision. “We agree with Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins that Job Corps saves lives. This decision, based on a deeply flawed report, needlessly endangers the futures and the lives of thousands and potentially millions more young Americans.”

Job Corps is currently operating at about half of its capacity because the DOL hasn’t allowed centers to do their own background checks on students. Since the DOL took over that duty in March, students haven’t been admitted.

Allowing more students would drive down the per-student costs, Job Corps noted on its website in response to the DOL statements.

Job Corps is the nation’s largest residential career training and education program, serving people ages 16 to 24. The centers have a capacity for about 50,000 students but currently have about 25,000.

The students at the 99 centers need to be gone no later than the end of the month. Hay said more than 4,500 of those students were homeless before joining Job Corps and potentially face a perilous future. That figure amounts to 20 percent of current students but is as high as 50 percent at some campuses, she said.

Job Corps responded to many of what it said were false or misleading statements presented by the Department of Labor and widely reported in the media.

Graduation rate: The Job Corps graduation is historically closer to 60 percent, not the 38.6 percent from July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024.

“Like other schools and colleges, enrollment and graduates rates were depressed by Covid-19 policies,” Job Corps said. “Historically, Job Corps graduation rates have been above 60%.”

Job Corps said many students left the program because they were pushed to “college-ready” classes that did not align with their career goals.

Cost per student: The DOL said the cost per student for the program is less than $50,000. A report from the first Trump Administration put the cost at $34,301 per enrollee.

“The increase is due almost entirely to Covid-19 restrictions on the number of students Job Corps is allowed to serve, some of which are still in place,” Job Corps said.

The DOL said in its more recent report the Job Corps cost per student is more than what t costs to send a student to a four-year college. But Job Corps said a four-degree program can top $300,000 and only 49 percent of students in a four-year college program complete the degree on time.

Job Corps said that prior to Covid restrictions in 2020, the average cost per Job Corps graduate was $57,312.

Program failing to meet its mission: The DOL said Job Corps students are largely hired in minimum-wage positions, earning $16,695.

But Job Corps students placed in positions earned an average wage of $17.13 in 2023, more than twice the minimum wage of $7.25. Graduates earned annualized wages of more than $31,000, Job Corps said.

Incidents of violence: The DOL said there were 14,913 serious incident reports filed in 2023 at centers across the country.

“Per DOL’s reporting requirements, these ‘serious’ incidents include power outages and inclement weather, athletic injuries that require treatment, and adult students leaving campus without prior approval,” Job Corps said.

The National Job Corps Association urged people to contact their Congressional reps to help preserve the program before students are sent off campus in the next few days.

“ Job Corps plays a vital role in our economy,” the association said. “It strengthens local communities by preparing young people for the workforce, supplying local businesses with skilled, ready workers, and driving economic growth.

“Across the country, Job Corps graduates fill essential roles in healthcare, construction, IT, and more – industries where talent is urgently needed. Eliminating Job Corps would not only hurt individuals, it would undermine businesses and communities that rely on a pipeline of trained workers to thrive. For many reasons, Job Corps is needed now more than ever.”

Kendall Community Band leads off series of 15 concerts

File photos by Tom Rivers: Savage Cabbage performed on the amphitheater stage at Bullard Park last July 31. The band has been playing locally since 1979 and includes cabbage farmers – Frank, John and Andrew Starowitz, as well as other musicians. Frank Starowitz, center, sings “Lick It Up” by Kiss. From left include Mike “Grinder” Moore, John Starowitz, Frank Starowitz and Mike “Thunder” Warren.

By Natalie Baron, Orleans Hub intern

ALBION – The Village of Albion kicks off a new summer concert series this Wednesday at Bullard Park.

The Kendall Community Band will begin the concert series, with the Albion Jazz Band and Carson and Sam playing the following Wednesday, June 11.

The concerts will take place every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m., except for the Independence Day Celebration Festival on July 3rd, which is on a Thursday. The bands will play at the park’s amphitheater.

In order to organize the concert series, John Grillo, the village’s recreation director and concert organizer, stated that he reaches out to bands around New York. He aims to include many local bands. He also varies which bands play each year, with just a couple of returners. He features a wide array of genres in the concerts, such as soul, country, rock and acoustic.

There is plenty for children and adults alike to do around Bullard Park. Grillo detailed how the park contains a children’s playground, a Splash Pad, two beautiful basketball courts, a picnic area with three pavilions, a walking trail, disc golf course, updated restrooms, and soccer, football and baseball fields.

The concerts will feature food vendors, the Albion Masons and Wild Flour Deli & Bakery, as well as a vendor that sells snow cones, Grillo said. The Albion Masons will be selling hot dogs, hamburgers, sausages, and drinks, and Wild Flour will be selling sweet treats, sandwiches and various pastries.

Those who are interested in being a vendor at the concerts can contact the Village Office at (585) 589-9176.

Other summer concert series tend to begin during late June or early July. On starting earlier, Grillo explained that he hopes to provide community members with the opportunity to get up and out of the house and enjoy themselves before then.

“As the director, I am very excited about this year’s lineup, and we hope that the community will take advantage of this free opportunity,” Grillo said. “I would like to thank the Village of Albion for their support. I would like to thank GO ART! for the grant received, and I would also like to thank George Bidleman of Orleans Ford Car Dealership for sponsoring the advertising.”

The concert lineup includes:

• June 4 – Kendall Community Band
• June 11 – Albion Jazz Band from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
• June 11 – Carson and Sam 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.
• June 18 – Salvatore
• June 25 – Feedback
• July 2 – Soul Street
• July 3 – (Thursday) Ryan and Company from 4 to 6 p.m.
• July 3 – (Thursday) 104 Country from 6 to 7:45 p.m.
• July 3 – (Thursday) The Who Dats from 7:45 to 9:45 p.m.
• July 9 – Side Doors
• July 16 – Savage Cabbage
• July 23 – Groove
• July 30 – The Dave Viterna Band
• August 6 – Sky Cats
• August 13 – Highway 31
• August 20 – Rain Date
• August 27 – Rain Date

Highway 31 performed at the amphitheater of Bullard Park of Aug. 21 last year. The band played ’90s music, contemporary country and some rock. The band members include Rich Nolan of Gasport as lead singer, and the guitar trio of Aaron Clark of Holley, Clinton LaPorte of Le Roy, and Clinton’s dad Tim LaPorte Sr. of Batavia. Timmy LaPorte of Elba, Tim’s son and Clinton’s brother, is the drummer for the band.

Skyven Technologies planned first-of-its-kind system at Western New York Energy

Photo by Tom Rivers: Western New York Energy has operated an ethanol plant at the corner of Bates Road and Maple Ridge Road in Medina since 2007. This photo was taken on Sunday.

MEDINA – A federal grant for $15 million would have helped build the first-of-its-kind industrial decarbonization system at Western New York Energy.

But that project, and 23 other clean energy and manufacturing innovation projects across the country, were cancelled last week by the Trump Administration.

Skyven Technologies was looking to build the industrial decarbonization system at the ethanol plant. The company said the nationally significant project uses electrified high-temperature steam production, calling it a critical need for decarbonizing U.S. manufacturing.

Skyven said its system would have reduced annual operating costs at the ethanol plant, cut carbon local emissions, and served as a replicable model for food, beverage and chemical manufacturers across the country.

“This groundbreaking project is a major step forward in reducing carbon emissions in the industrial space,” Skyven, a Texas-based company, announced in September. “Arcturus will cut 20,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions per year from WNYE’s facility, which is equivalent to removing 4,300 cars from the road annually. And this is just the beginning of what our cutting-edge technology can achieve.”

The project had already attracted major private investment and was expected to drive an additional $150 million to the Medina site, the company said. Skyven in September announced it had been approved for a federal grant for the project.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright on Friday announced that $3.7 billion in project grants were being cancelled by the Department of Energy.

After a thorough and individualized financial review of each award, the DOW found the projects “failed to advance the energy needs of the American people, were not economically viable and would not generate a positive return on investment of taxpayer dollars,” according to a press release from the DOE.

The grants were primarily targeted for carbon capture and sequestration, and decarbonization initiatives.

“While the previous administration failed to conduct a thorough financial review before signing away billions of taxpayer dollars, the Trump administration is doing our due diligence to ensure we are utilizing taxpayer dollars to strengthen our national security, bolster affordable, reliable energy sources and advance projects that generate the highest possible return on investment,” Wright said in a statement. “Today, we are acting in the best interest of the American people by cancelling these 24 awards.”

Photos by Tom Rivers: This group put on a benefit on Sunday at Dubby’s Tailgate for Gertie Montulli of Waterport. From left include Jodi Anstey, Bryan Dimon, Tyler Nunnery, Amy Gow, Gertie Montulli, Casey Horan (Montulli’s daughter), Tauhna Mickek and Byron Gow.

ALBION – Gertie Montulli has always been eager to give towards fundraisers in the community, and even organized benefits to support organizations and people in Albion and Orleans County.

On Sunday, she was on the receiving end, and she said it was overwhelming to see about 300 people turn out for a benefit to help her.

Gertie Montulli has gone through radiation and chemotherapy for stage 4 small cell lung cancer. She said the cancer has shrunk and she has a positive outlook on life.

Montulli, 60, has stage 4 small cell lung cancer. She completed radiation and now is in chemotherapy. The cancer isn’t operable because it’s close to her pulmonary artery.

Montulli is well known in the community. She ran a business, Sweet Treats by Gertie’s, where she sells popcorn in many different flavors. She also ran Gertie’s Groovy Garments, offering dresses, blouses, shirts, pants and other clothes for girls and younger women.

She also spearheaded an effort with monthly craft sales and basket raffles to raise money for charities and non-profit organizations in the county.

Montulli said the cancer diagnosis in march was very unexpected. She didn’t feel sick at all except for complications from hip surgery on Jan. 13. That hip surgery didn’t work out and she had to do it again on Feb. 27. On march 20, she fainted and was taken to the hospital. She was diagnosed with cancer.

“I cried all day the first day,” she said about the diagnosis.

But the next day she was determined to stay upbeat, and face the disease.

“I’m a happy person,” she said.

Montulli said she is very appreciative of the effort with the benefit on Sunday, with people and businesses donating 200 baskets and 75 gift certificates. About 300 people attended the benefit at Dubby’s Tailgate.

“I’m just overwhelmed by the amount of people,” she said.

Jodi Anstey was one of the main organizers for the event. She met Montulli at a craft show. Anstey was selling wreaths and Montulli had her popcorn for sale.

“She is a very giving person,” Anstey said. “She gives so much back to the community.”

Gertie Montulli is shown on July 19, 2024 at State Street Park in Medina where she was among the food vendors at Blue Thursdays. Sweet Treats by Gertie sells popcorn in 10 different flavors. Montulli said caramel is her top seller. She said she won’t be back selling popcorn at events this year.

Anstey said she expected people would show up for Gertie during the event o Sunday.

“She is very overwhelmed by all the love,” Anstey said.

Bryan Dimon of Medina also knows Montulli from craft shows. He sells Tupperware. He went to local businesses seeking donations. When people so the flyer with Montulli’s photo, they wanted to donate to the benefit and help her with her medical bills.

“She is one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet,” Dimon said. “There are so many people she’s helped.”

Jack Burris, director of the Hands 4 Hope ministry, attended the benefit. Hands 4 Hope received funds from one of the fundraisers run by Montulli a few years ago.

“She’s done a lot of good for a lot of people,” Burris said.

Bryan Dimon calls out the winning ticket numbers from a basket raffle on Sunday. There were about 200 gift baskets and 75 gift certificates up for raffle.

Photos by Tom Rivers: A group from Mississippi was in Albion this past week working on projects at the Canalside Community Church, the former United Methodist site at the corner of Platt and East State streets. The group is shown here in the fellowship hall next to a kitchen. The volunteers put a new hood on the stove, and installed a new partition at a wall at the kitchen and put in new lighting for the dining room.

ALBION – A group of missionaries from Liberty Baptist Church in Waynesboro, Mississippi made an 1,100-mile trek to Albion this past week to work on several projects at Canalside Community Church.

Canalside is in a historic building in need of repairs. It was originally used by the United Methodist Church. North Point Chapel became owner of the site and the name was changed to Canalside Community Church on Jan. 1 to better reflect its proximity to the Erie Canal. Church leaders also wanted “community” in the church name to reflect the mission that it is open and ready to serve everyone, not matter their backgrounds, in the Albion area.

Phillip Gandy, pastor of Liberty Baptist Church in Mississippi, led a group for the third straight year to the Albion church. Gandy sees progress in the building and also in the ministry. He wants to the see more people drawn to Canalside, the only church in Orleans County affiliated with the South Baptist Convention.

“We’ve tried to help get the church on better footing,” Gandy said.

The church brought a team of 17 people, from ages 15 to 79, to work on projects inside and outside of the church. They put in a new ceiling in one of the rooms, new lighting, new carpet, painted, installed a new hood on a stove in the kitchen, put in a new shower at the parsonage and did other landscaping and cleaning.

Eli McNeil, 15, sorts out microphones and other equipment for the sound system at Canalside Community Church on Saturday.

The group brought a church bus and traveled over two days to get to Albion. They stayed in two Airbnbs. They raised over $12,000 from the Liberty congregation to make the trip and pay for materials and expenses for the work.

Gandy said the church is a small town with fewer people than Albion. Liberty Baptist also took on projects last year in Knoxville, Tenn. and in the country of Chile. Gandy speaks Spanish as well as English.

“It’s just the satisfaction of helping people,” Gandy said.

Liberty has talented people for building repairs and others with a willingness to be of service, Gandy said.

Eli McNeil, 15, was back in Albion with Liberty. He was on the first trip two years ago. He said he loved being able to visit Niagara Falls with the group, and help around the church in Albion.

“I like going to the different states, and seeing all the different landscapes,” he said.

Sierra Stewart, 16, vacuums the stage area at Canalside Community Church. She has been on all three of the Liberty Baptist mission trips to Albion.

She did a lot of painting and yard work this week. She appreciated the chance to go to Niagara Falls and also try chicken wings at the famous Anchor Bar in Buffalo.

Ben Curfman, pastor of the church, appreciates the efforts from the mission groups. Another team from Georgia will be up in Albion during the Starwberry Festival on June 13-14 for outreach programs.

Curfman said Liberty Baptist has speeded up the work in the church, and made the site more accessible for ministry programs. He looks forward to making the fellowship hall available for community functions and meals for the Canalside congregation.

“They have been able to accomplish a lot of things that would have taken us years,” Curfman said.

Ben Curfman, pastor of Canalside Community Church, stands in a room by the fellowship hall that received a new floor, including joists, last year. This year Liberty Baptist put in a new ceiling and lighting.

The group from Mississippi also shares an optimistic attitude about Albion. Curfman said there is often too much pessimism in the community.

“They bring in a hopeful mindset,” she said. “We want to perpetuate that mindset.”

Liberty Baptist attended this morning’s service eat 10:30 a.m. before heading back home.

Gandy said the group may be back next year.

“We got to pray about it,” he said.

Front row, from left: Charles D’Amico, Mike Donatelli, Isodore DiLodovico, Casper Pilato, Pete Johnson, missing name, Sam DeLuca and Allen Briggs. Back row: Fortunato Sidari, Frank N. Monacelli, Joe Donatelli, Tony Acri, Horace Monacelli, Ralph DiGiiulio and Victor Penasack.

By Catherine Cooper, Orleans County Historian

“Illuminating Orleans” – Volume 5, No. 20

Two bands, both of Italian descent, provided musical entertainment locally through the 1940s.

Brothers Mike and Joe Donatelli of Albion organized the Donatelli Band (or Donatelli’s Band) in 1912. Mike directed the band for over 25 years. The brothers operated a barber shop over what was then Landauer’s Store. The band played at weddings, local events and concerts, at the annual County Fair in Albion and on July 4th at Lakeside Park.

In the 1920s and 1930s, they entertained many music lovers who attended concerts hosted by the Sheret Post and the American Legion Post in Albion. Baritone, Fortunato Sidari was especially popular with audiences.

In Medina, the popular Coppa Family Band and Orchestra was formed in the late 1920s.

Joseph Coppa, the father, operated a shoe repair business on Main Street in Medina, but music was his true passion. He sold musical instruments at the store and also taught music.

He also provided musical instruction to his children and was an exacting taskmaster, as his son, Andy, recalled in an Oral History interview. Each of the Coppa children played in the family band: Andy, drums; Christine, piano; Mary, saxophone; Margaret, violin. Victoria, who played the trumpet, sadly died of tuberculosis at the age of 23 in 1943.

The Coppa Family Band played at carnivals and social events, old-time dances and square dances for which they were paid $5 to $7 per night. Andy recalled playing at Leo Foss’ Chicken Coop and Robinson’s Barn, where the dance was held in the hay loft, above the cow house. But the rustic venues did not seem to detract from the enjoyment, Andy recalled:

“Oh! Everybody had a grand time there. People brought box lunches and mixed them up, Whoever you danced with, you sat with and mingled and everybody had a grand time.”

Provided photos: (Left) Dubby’s Wood Fired Pizza sets up for business last summer at Medina’s Canal Village Farmers’ Market. The market opens in its summer location at West Avenue and West Center Street on Saturday. (Right) The kids’ tent at Medina’s Canal Village Farmers’ Market had lots of fun activities at last year’s Faery Festival.

MEDINA – The Canal Village Farmers’ Market will kick off the 10th season with opening day at 9 a.m. Saturday (June 7) at their summer location on the corner of West Avenue and West Center Street.

“It’s always exciting to open the summer season, and with 2025 being our 10-year anniversary, we have a few special things planned to celebrate, which we will announce later,” said Gail Miller, manager of the market. “As always, we’ll have regular and rotating vendors, food trucks, kids’ scavenger hunts, crafters, community groups and some new vendors this year, too.”

In addition to the weekly anchor food truck El Gran Burrito, other food trucks will be rotating in and out throughout the season, including crowd favorites, Dubby’s Wood Fired Pizza and NOLA “New Orleans Style” Snocones.

Miller said the market is planning a big year for kids’ activities, too.

“Lots of fun activities are planned for kids,” Miller said. “In addition to the weekly market Scavenger Hunt and Prizes, we’ll have other fun games and crafts each week, along with our free book cart. And we’re excited to bring back the Zucchini races – bigger and better than ever – on July 19, 26 and Aug. 2.”

Another spectacular day is planned as the market participates in Medina’s Enchanted Faery Festival June 21. Participating kids will be able to make a faery wand and other crafts, and there will be a faery backdrop for photo ops, Miller said. In addition, every participant will receive a very cool light-up faery lantern (while supplies last).

“Later this summer, our favorite market pup, Winston the Labradoodle therapy dog, will also be visiting,” Miller said.

Products and activities for each Saturday are listed every week on the market’s Facebook page and, new this year, on Instragram=Canal Village Farmers Market. Customers are encouraged to follow the market on Instagram and like/follow their Facebook page for up-to-date information on vendors, food trucks and general activities.

The market will again have multiple options for making sales transactions, including cash, credit via Square, PayPal and Venmo; and also senior coupons, WIC, SNAP and Fresh Connect Checks. Double Up Food Bucks to SNAP recipients will soon be available.

The Canal Village Farmers’ Market is operated by the Orleans Renaissance Group, a 501©3 arts, culture and preservation organization in Medina. This year’s market sponsors include Takeform (general operations) and Medina Lumber and Hardware (live music).

“We are so incredibly grateful for our sponsorship support from Takeform and Medina Lumber and Hardware,” Miller said. “Their support is huge and makes an enormous difference in our ability to operate a great market for the community. Sponsorships make live music possible, and we have a full slate of great local musicians this year, starting with Steve Novak, who will be playing from 10 a.m. to noon on opening day.”

Other scheduled musicians include local music legend Rob Robinson, Dave Stockton, Barry DiGregorio and Zach Busch, Holley Band director and son of ORG’s president Chris Busch.

Located in downtown Medina, across from the Post Office, the market is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Saturday. Market manager Gail Miller can be reached at canalvillagemarket@gmail.com or via Facebook Messenger with questions or vendor/food truck inquiries.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Laura Bentley, center, chats with a Bentley Brothers customer during today’s 100^th anniversary celebration for the business.

The annual customer appreciation day was turned into a bigger event with live music, food at the Fairhaven Inn & Events center, and a chance to win many prizes, including $25,000 off a Kubota tractor.

Bill Pileggi and Jimmy Aina performed in the morning, followed by Savage Cabbage in the afternoon.

Laura is the fourth generation to own the business, which has sites in Albion and Brockport. It was started in 1925 in Barre by her great-grandfather, Allen Bentley.

About 400 people attended the event today, where Bentley Brothers had many of its products and equipment on sale.

A lineup of Kubota tractors, zero-turn lawn mowers and other equipment were available for people to see at today’s celebration.

Bentley Brothers have been selling Kubota equipment since 1980.

Bentley also carries the following brands: Land Pride, Ariens, Gravely, Scag, Stihl, Echo, Terrain King, Brillion, Kubota Generators, Bush Hog, Stinger and Wallenstein.

The big party and event today was held at Fairhaven Inn & Events, which is also owned by Laura Bentley.

She joined her family at Bentley Brothers 20 years ago and also runs other local businesses in the community.

She said she is grateful for the customers, employees and her family members who have put so much into Bentley Brothers the past century.

Photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Several service organizations have joined forces today in fundraiser for a new concessions stand at Bullard Park.

There will be a beef on weck dinner today from 2 to 8 p.m. at Albion Elks Lodge with tickets at $15.

Pictured form left include Brett Boring from the Elks Lodge; Dan Conrad from the Exempts Club; Richard Robb, the Elks leading knight and president of the Elks Riders; Ron Albertson of the Lions Club; Geno Allport, president of Albion Youth Sports Athletic Program; Jeff Holler of the Masonic Lodge; and D.J. Moore of AYSAP.

The American Legion, Albion Merchants Association and  Royal Body Shop Ministries also contributed to today’s dinner and fundraising event, which also includes a basket raffle.

Confection Connection and Pretty Sweet Bakery each made 150 chocolate chip cookies as the desserts for the dinner.

Dan Conrad, one of the coordinators for the event, said it was nice to see so many organizations come together for the new concessions stand.

The Albion Youth Sports Athletic Program (AYSAP) is pushing for a two-story building with concessions and storage in the first floor and a second-floor for a press box.

Geno Allport, AYSAP president, said the building is likely $20,000 to $30,000. The concessions stand would be available to be used by other organizations doing events at Bullard, he said.

Former Albion mayor says assisting veterans on Patriot Trips was best part of the job with Hawley

Photos by Tom Rivers: Eileen Banker is shown outside the office for Assemblyman Steve Hawley at 121 North Main St., Albion, on Friday, her last day on the job. Banker, a former Albion mayor, has retired.

ALBION – Eileen Banker remembers the time not too long ago when she was petrified to speak in public and was much more comfortable in the background, instead of up front speaking to crowds of people.

But Banker has found herself often with a microphone, and often part of the local leadership circles. Banker served a four-year term as Albion mayor until 2022, and was on the Village Board for eight years before that.

The past 19 years she has worked for Assemblyman Steve Hawley, including 18 years as his chief of staff. She retired on Friday.

Banker, 62, enjoyed the work, especially helping constituents resolve problems with a number of state agencies. She liked working with the local government leaders, pushing through projects and tackling long-festering problems with infrastructure or more simple ones like a proliferation of potholes after the winter.

Banker said her greatest joy has been being part of annual Patriot Trips that Hawley leads in September, taking veterans on 15 trips so far to see war memorials and landmarks in the nation’s capital.

Hawley praised Banker for her deep roots in the community, along with her steadfast advocacy.

“Eileen Banker is a model of what public service should look like,” said Hawley. “From being my chief of staff, to serving as the mayor of Albion and a former village trustee, her dedication to this community is unmatched. I’m thankful for her years of service to this district and its constituents, and I offer her the utmost congratulations on her well-earned retirement.”

Banker said she looks forward to more time with her family, including husband Dale, who is retired as the Orleans County emergency management coordinator and has been a volunteer firefighter for nearly 50 years.

With Banker’s retirement, Hawley promoted former executive assistant Jayleen Carney as the new chief of staff. Jacki Tarricone is Hawley’s new executive assistant.

“I couldn’t be prouder of my staff as they continue to serve the people of Western New York,” Hawley said. “Jayleen has been an amazing asset to our team, putting in countless hours to keep our office running in good shape and planning events such as our annual Patriot Trip. I’m also proud to bring Jacki Tarricone on board to continue our mission of providing meaningful results for the residents of the 139th Assembly District. Our offices are open and available to hear your concerns and address your needs.”

Banker was in her late 30s when she decided to go to college. She took a buyout from Washington Mutual, a company based in Seattle that took over the former Dime Bank.

Banker had worked at the site for about 15 years, including Dime’s predecessor, Anchor Savings Bank. She was ready for a new challenge. She enrolled at Genesee Community College and took her studies very seriously. She was on the Dean’s List and earned her associate’s degree.

Her first job with her college degree was at Batavia Downs, working as the human resources manager for the new casino. She did that for a year when the position opened at Hawley’s office. It was in Albion, her hometown, and would spare her the everyday drive back and forth on Route 98 to Batavia.

Eileen Banker, third from right, joins local officials in a ribbon-cutting celebration on Sept. 24, 2022 for a new pavilion and other upgrades at the Yates Town Park. Banker attended many celebrations on behalf of Assemblyman Hawley in the past 19 years.

Banker gave the following interview on Friday with the Orleans Hub at Hawley’s district office:

Question: What are some of the things call the district office about?

Answer: It can be hard for people to navigate through different state departments. We have a lot of good liaisons for each one of the departments. When people call us with an issue, whether it’s the Department of Labor, the Department of Taxation and Finance, we have really good liaisons we can contact. We can’t help make a decision go in their direction but we can get somebody who can help them navigate through what they need to get as far as answers whether it be a positive or negative.

Question: I can see where the Average Joe would not no where to turn, even if it’s whether you call village, town, county or state.

Answer: It’s difficult. People have issues. A perfect example is a road. They might not know if it’s town road, village road, a state road. When you’re doing this job enough, you kind of know the roads – which one is a route, which one is a road, which one is a street. You know if it’s a county, state or village road.

We’re able to navigate them to who they need to talk with.

Question: Now people would call about a pothole?

Answer: It could be a pothole, a drainage issue, we get all sorts of questions, animal issues, deer issues. Some things we can help them with and some things we can’t. If it’s not a state issue we can get them to the right people who could help them.

Question: The formal resolutions or proclamations, is that a big part of the job, putting those together, whether the county’s bicentennial or an Eagle Scout?

Answer: Citations and proclamations, we do a lot of those. The large proclamations are done in Albany, but we got a lot of the information for the staff in Albany to get the proclamations done. Jayleen (Hawley’s new chief of staff) does most of the citations. She is very good at that.

I done some of the ones for teen of the week and 100^th birthdays.

Question: I’m surprised too when I see people will have an Orleans Hub story mailed to them from Hawley’s office.

Answer: Anything we see in the newspaper. We constantly look for articles where people are getting congratulations, or any new businesses or things like that. We are constantly sending things out congratulating people, letting them know we see it. Steve writes little notes on them, saying good job.

Question: I know you go to a lot of things and you being there definitely makes it feel bigger, whether it’s you or Steve. When I’m at some events and Steve or Rob (Ortt) can’t be there in person it can feel like a letdown to the people.

Answer: Unfortunately, they’re in Albany from January through June.

Question: I’m not faulting them. But it’s nice that you’ve been here a long time and it’s not a revolving door of staff people. I think you’ve been a good ambassador for Steve. Many see you as the next-best-thing if Steve can’t make it.

Answer: I’ve met a lot of people that way over the years. It’s been 19 years. You meet a lot of people, the department heads, the town supervisors, the clerks. You know them on a first-name basis. And we talk to them a lot. There are a lot of issues. There are things we can help them with and its good to have that relationship with the towns, the villages and the counties.

Question: With you being on the Village Board and then Albion mayor was that a way to have a more direct involvement?

Answer: Yes, and you see how things work. You can’t fix everything. You think you can, and you get on the Village Board to fix things. But with the layers of government it’s difficult to fix things. Even at the state levels, it’s difficult to fix things and you still have to go through layers.

I still get very frustrated watching session, even as of yesterday. Watching the debates on the floor and what they’re voting on, I think some of it is very menial with what they should really be concentrating on. It’s just crazy. Some of the things I won’t miss in this job is Albany, I believe, can be very dysfunctional.

What’s important to them is not important to us.

Question: Now something like Medina’s bed tax would that process have started with a phone call to this office?

Answer: Yes.

Question: And I know there is some issue now, where the village had to revote on it and Albany needs to redo it. Just that local tax has been a five-year saga.

Answer: Any little thing that is wrong with the resolution and you have to do the whole thing all over again. It’s got to be perfect or it will get kicked out my the majority. They’ve only got a few weeks left.

All that legislation, which is home-rule legislation, is usually done from now to the end of June. From January until now, no of the home-rule legislation is done. Now they have to make sure everything is right if they are going to get it to the floor and get it voted on.

Question: Have you changed a lot the past two decades or so since you went to college and worked this job and been in local government?

Answer: Oh yeah, I’ve learned a lot about government and what is important to constituents in this area.

Question: It seems you might have been a less-confident person in your late 30s and now you’re leaving a much stronger person.

Answer: That’s true. It’s funny when I was younger you would not have gotten me to speak in front of people. I would not have done that, even when I worked at the bank I wouldn’t have done that.

When I went to GCC I had to take a public speaking class. That certainly helped me. Working for Steve, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to stand up and speak on behalf of Steve, and being on the Village Board.

Question: I think most people would say when you were on board you weren’t a pushover and would throw down the hammer when needed.

Answer: You don’t want to be a really gruff person but you don’t want people to walk on you either.

You don’t want to look like you don’t know what you’re doing, but you want to be open-minded. I don’t think you do people a favor when you say you can do something when really you can’t. I don’t think that’s right. To me that’s just being a politician. I’ve always been a straightforward person. Some people don’t like that.

Question: What will you miss the most about this job?

Answer: What I will miss the most, and I’m going to get teary-eyed (voice cracks), is the Patriot Trip. I have met the best people on this Patriot Trip. I have heard the most grueling stories.

We have had veterans open up who have never opened up to their families before. I’ve made great friends with these veterans. It’s been an honor to meet them and to take them to the different monuments and to see how they react to these monuments.

Photo courtesy of Assemblyman Steve Hawley’s Office: The 79 people on the Patriot Trip visited the World War II Memorial in September 2022.

Photo courtesy of DEC: A historical marker notes the fish hatchery at Caledonia.

Press Release, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton on Friday announced the launch of a nation-leading $100 million freshwater fish hatchery modernization plan.

The funding supports the first of three phases of modernization projects for 12 hatcheries operated by DEC across the State. The hatcheries are integral to effective fisheries management and conservation, and contribute up to $5 billion in economic benefits provided by New York’s recreational freshwater fishing industry.

“DEC’s fish hatchery system serves as the backbone for the management and restoration of our freshwater fisheries,” Commissioner Lefton said. “With the $100 million announced today, DEC and Governor Kathy Hochul are recognizing the incredible contributions these facilities provide to sustain New York’s world-class destination fisheries and boost local economies statewide. Today’s launch of the hatchery modernization plan will further strengthen New York State’s commitment to the angling community and the continued stewardship of our fisheries resources far into the future.”

First established in 1864, New York’s fish hatchery system is the oldest in North America. DEC operates 12 hatcheries that annually produce up to 850,000 pounds of fish that are stocked into more than 1,200 waterbodies for recreational and restoration purposes.

The average age of DEC’s hatcheries is 93 years and the integrity of many buildings, water supply assets, and fish-rearing structures are at risk. In recent years some of the most crucial needs have been addressed with a steady flow of DEC capital funding, but more extensive work is needed to sustain and improve operations to truly modernize the hatchery system for the future.

The historic $4.2 billion Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022 dedicated up to $75 million for hatchery improvements as part of the $650 million specified for improving access to and protecting nature.

This funding, combined with funding from New York Works and other capital funds, provides a solid foundation for creating a modern hatchery system that is technologically advanced, more efficient, adaptable, and environmentally responsible.

DEC will use Bond Act monies and capital funds to leverage other State and federal funding to modernize the hatchery system in multiple phases over the next 10 years. Improvements center on employing contemporary culture technologies to maximize fish production and ensuring greater sustainability by using the best technology available to reduce energy use and minimize the facilities’ carbon footprint.

DEC will implement its modernization plan in three phases, with Phase 1 beginning immediately. Highlights of Phase 1 include:

• Covering the rearing ponds to exclude predators, reduce sunlight, and provide a surface for a photovoltaic system at the Caledonia Hatchery;
• Refurbishing ponds at the South Otselic Hatchery for increased walleye production;
• Overhauling the water supply system at the Salmon River Hatchery;
• Building a new hatch house at Chateaugay Hatchery; and
• Replacing the existing hatchery at Randolph with a brand-new facility.

“This plan not only ensures the continued health and sustainability of our state’s freshwater fisheries but also preserves critical recreational and economic opportunities for future generations,” New York State Conservation Council President Dr. Keith Tidball said. “New York’s fish hatchery system is a vital part of our state’s natural heritage and supports recreational fishing that benefits local communities, small businesses, and tourism across the state. The hatcheries are not just facilities—they are centers of fisheries conservation, education, and economic vitality. This modernization plan will allow New York’s hatcheries to adopt contemporary technologies, enhance fish production, and minimize environmental impact, all while ensuring the integrity and longevity of these crucial facilities.”

Press Release, County Clerks in Orleans and Niagara counties

The County Clerks in Orleans and Niagara counties today warned residents that a text scam involving fake Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) notifications has been circulating extensively to residents of both counties in recent weeks.

Orleans County Clerk Nadine Hanlon and Niagara County Clerk Joseph A. Jastrzesmki said while the scam is nothing new, their offices have been inundated with calls from local residents expressing concern.

“Like many of these so-called phishing scams, the texts look very real and are telling people they have outstanding traffic tickets or unpaid tolls and they must take action immediately to avoid consequences like fines and loss of driving privileges,” said Hanlon.  “Let me be clear these are fake and should be deleted.”

Phishing texts are fraudulent messages designed to obtain data or sensitive personal information to be used to commit identity theft or trick the recipient into installing malicious software onto a computer or mobile device.

“No DMV office, either locally or from the state, will send you texts looking for personal information,” said Jastrzemski.  “And if you are unsure, call our office and ask.  It is always better to be safe than sorry.”

The New York State DMV provided some advice on how avoiding these phishing attacks:

• Be cautious about all communications you receive, including those that claim to be from “trusted entities.” Be careful when clicking any links contained within those messages. If in doubt, do not click.
• Do not send your personal information via email. Legitimate businesses will not ask users to send sensitive personal information through email.
• Keep an eye out for telltale signs: poor spelling or grammar, the use of threats, or the URL does not match that of the legitimate site.
• Be wary of how much information you post online. The less information you post, the less data you make available to a cybercriminal for use in developing a potential attack or scam.

 To learn more about these phishing scams, visit https://dmv.ny.gov/more-info/phishing-attacks.