LYNDONVILLE – Matt Burch started as a short-order cook at age 14. He worked throughout high school with his mother, Sandy Burger, who was manager of the Sportsman’s Club in Tonawanda.

At 19, Burch started working in masonry and he did that until 28. He had aching knees, from a torn ACL in high school and later blew out a knee playing basketball.

He saw an opportunity to open a pizzeria in Gasport in 2008. Burch has been known by his nickname of “Chops” since he was a kid. He decided to name the pizzeria “Chop’s” and it has been very popular. He expanded the menu and added a bar in 2017.

Burch was presented with an opportunity to open a second Chop’s in Lyndonville at the former Curly’s Lyndonville Hotel. Burch decided to do it, feeling confident in a strong team of employees, including kitchen manager D.J. Davis and bar manager Emily Allan.

Matt Burch and D.J. Davis, the kitchen manager, are shown looking through the takeout window.

He also praised the local employees, including many high schoolers. Chop’s has 22 employees in Lyndonville and about 35 in Gasport.

Chop’s serves pizza, and an expanded menu with burgers, sliders, wraps, stromboli, fish dinners, salads, chicken wings and subs.

The interior has been repainted, and Burch added a new pickup window inside that is separate from the bar. He put in a new bartop, and cabinets on the radiators.

He wants to offer a cozy place for people to enjoy a meal and a drink. Earlier this week many visiting fishermen were inside with some playing a game of pool.

Emily Allan, the bar manager, said the community has embraced Chop’s in Lyndonville. She has worked for Chop’s for four years, starting at the Gasport location.

She helps line up musicians for Lyndonville. The site wants to host more bands.

“I love the people and just being here with the customers,’ she said. “It’s fun to see everyone having a good time.”

For more information on Chops, click here.

Chop’s Shop Bar and Grill North in Lyndonville opened April 22 at the former Curly’s, which was open for 16 years.

Provided photos

There were hundreds of costumed characters walking in Albion and Medina’s downtowns on Friday evening for Beggar’s Nite. These three are dressed for the occasion in Medina. From left include Byron Hill as Colonel Sanders, Joshua Hill as Paw Patrol’s Rubble and Tucker Graton as a dinosaur.

Orleans Hub asked readers to submit photos and we received many.

Provided photo: Albion eighth-graders Mary McCormick (left) and Kendall Peruzzini are shown at last month’s Orleans County legislature meeting with their teacher Tim Archer.

ALBION – The  Department of Veterans Affairs approved an application for a headstone for a Civil War solider with an unmarked grave at the Alms House Cemetery on West Countyhouse Road.

The headstone is expected to be delivered in a  few weeks, Albion school officials said.

Albion eighth-graders Mary McCormick and Kendall Peruzzini spent part of their summer vacation working on the application to the VA. They scoured records from more than a century ago, working with Orleans County Historian Catherine Cooper at Albion Town Historian Sarah Basinait.

They needed to prove Union soldier Daniel Walterhouse was buried in an unmarked grave at the cemetery about 114 years ago. Many people were buried in a cemetery not far from the Alms House, which was a home for penniless, destitute, sick and others with infirmities and challenges.

The Alms or “Poor House” was open from 1833 to 1960. The Alms House closed in 1960 when the county nursing home opened on Route 31 in Albion.

Peruzzini, McCormick and their teacher Tim Archer submitted an application to the National Cemetery Administration, seeking a headstone for Walterhouse.

The students’ effort has been highlighted in local and Western New York media, and today was featured in The Washington Post, in an article headlined, “A Civil War soldier didn’t have a tombstone. Two teens just got him one.” Click here to see that article.

Artist paints agricultural, fair scenes to celebrate community

Provided photos

KNOWLESVILLE – Stacey Kirby Steward completed painting a fiber-glass ox statue that she started working on during the Orleans County 4-H Fair in late July. Steward painted an agricultural scene during the fair.

This week she finished a side of the ox celebrating the fair. She painted a Ferris wheel, a 4-H’er showing livestock with a giant American flag in the background. She also painted fair food, and a 4-H clover.

Stacey Kirby Steward has been painting large-scale murals locally for about 20 years. This was her first time doing a three-dimensional painting.

The ox will keep its home at the fairgrounds, but also is expected to be featured in events to help promote Orleans County Bicentennial in 2025. The ox could make an appearance in Medina’s Parade of Lights on Nov. 30.

The Bicentennial Committee would like to have more painted oxen to celebrate the bicentennial next year. The Town of Clarendon already has purchased an oxen statue to have it painted. Other organizations are considering one as well.

This side of the ox shows a pair of oxen helping a farmer work the land. Oxen were critical in helping pioneers clear land and establish farms in the pioneer settler era. Steward also painted apples and corn on this side to celebrate the county’s agricultural heritage.

Provided photo: Village trustees Tim McMurray, left, and Greg Bennett present a “Community Service Award” to Becky Karls during Wednesday’s Village Board meeting.

ALBION – Becky Karls has been a key force in making many community events a success, especially the annual Strawberry Festival. Karls has been on the festival committee for many years. She stepped up as the committee chairperson last year.

She runs a car show at Bullard Park in September that typically raises at least $2,000 for Hospice of Orleans County.

She also helps plan a golf tournament for the Albion Rotary Club, with proceeds from the July event going to the Office for the Aging and Job Development Agency.

Karls also helps with other events in Albion. She brings lots of energy and follow-through.

The Albion Village Board on Wednesday presented her with a “Community Service Award.” The board has been recognizing residents with the awards every three months.

“The Village of Albion presents this award in acknowledgement of your commitment to serving others and your community,” according to the certificate signed by Mayor Angel Javier Jr.

The Medina and Albion business districts welcome children to dress in costume and receive candy and treats for the annual Beggar’s Night this evening.

Both downtown business districts will likely see several hundred kids dressed as super heroes, goblins and other characters.

Albion has moved up the starting time from 6 to 5 p.m. Participants are encouraged to start at 25 South Platt St. (the Albion Free Methodist Church) and then begin a downtown tour for treats.

In Medina, the event runs from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Children should line up in the parking lot between the Medicine Shoppe and The Print Shop on East Center Street.

Photo courtesy of Scott Galliford

HOLLEY – A house at 19 East Albion St. in Holley was destroyed by a fire this evening. Firefighters were dispatched to the scene around 5:30 p.m. for a fully involved fire in a van. That blaze spread to a camper and a house that was under renovation.

The house is a total loss and the Holley DPW will be knocking it down.

Press Release: Hoag Library

ALBION – Hoag Library is delighted to announce the success of its first dulcimer-making class, where participants attended five sessions to craft their own dulcimers.

The program was led by Jim Doyle, Adult Services Librarian, who has a deep passion for both music and craftsmanship. Doyle, who also spearheaded the Hoag Library Music Series, brings a wealth of musical knowledge to the class.

Given the enthusiasm and success of the first series, a new set of dulcimer-making classes will begin on Nov. 7. Registration is required, and spaces are limited. Participants will enjoy the unique opportunity to build their own dulcimers over five classes, with all materials provided. No prior experience is necessary to join.

Hoag Library extends its sincere thanks to the Friends of the Library for partially funding this project to offset costs, making the program more accessible to the community.

To register or learn more, please contact Hoag Library at (585) 589-4246.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to create music and build something truly special!

Photo by Tom Rivers: The leaves are very colorful in this wooded area at the Archer’s Club in Carlton on Saturday.

Orleans County and the GLOW Region are either very close to peak fall foliage or at peak color change, according to the I LOVE NY Fall Foliage Report.

Every Wednesday the state puts out a foliage report. Many parts of the state are past peak, but the GLOW region is at peak foliage for color transition, brilliance, and leaf droppage.

“Gorgeous peak foliage will be arriving throughout much of the Thousand Islands-Seaway, Greater Niagara, Finger Lakes and Hudson Valley regions this weekend, while near-peak colors will be found throughout much of Long Island, and New York City will mostly see a mix of early to midpoint change,” the report states.

In Orleans County, a field observer reports there is 50% change in Albion with bright autumn shades.

The Adirondacks, Central New York, Catskills and Chautauqua-Allegheny regions are transitioning to past peak foliage.

Press Release, Orleans County Board of Elections

ALBION – Orleans County Board of Elections Commissioners Michael Mele and Janice Grabowski today reminded residents that early voting for the Nov. 5 elections will begin Saturday, Oct. 26 and run through Sunday, Nov. 3.

Early voting takes place at the Orleans County Board of Elections Office, 14016 State Route 31 in Albion.

The early voting schedule is:

• Saturday, October 26 – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Sunday, October 27 – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Monday, October 28 – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Tuesday, October 29 – 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Wednesday, October 30 – 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Thursday, October 31 – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Friday, November 1 – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Saturday, November 2 – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Sunday, November 3 – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“All indications are that turnout for this year’s elections will be very high, so early voting is just another way for people to cast their ballots,” said the commissioners.  “We do want to remind people that whether you choose to vote early or on Election Day, you must be in line before poll closing time to cast your ballot.”

The commissioners said the BOE staff has been preparing for this election season for some time, with all sorts of plans in place, including ballot security, polling location security and emergency backup.

“We have been working with our Sheriff’s Office and Emergency Services team to prepare for any contingencies.  We want to be sure everyone has the opportunity to exercise their right to vote and that our elections run smoothly.”

Those with questions about voter registration, early voting, absentee ballots or any other questions can call the Board of Elections at (585) 589-3274 or visit the BOE website (click here).

Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the launch of the SUNY Top 10% Promise Program, creating a direct pathway for the highest-achieving New York high school seniors to gain admission and enroll at select SUNY colleges and universities.

Governor Hochul first announced this plan as a part of her 2024 State of the State to help more New York students benefit from SUNY’s unparalleled combination of accessibility, affordability, and academic excellence.

“Access to higher education has the potential to transform New Yorkers’ lives and change the trajectory of a student’s life,” Hochul said. “Offering New York students graduating in the top 10 percent of their class direct admission to SUNY campuses will help reduce barriers to higher education while ensuring our students can continue their education and pursue their dreams right here in New York State.”

The Top 10% Promise is a direct-admissions program that automatically grants acceptance to graduating high school students whose GPAs are in the top 10 percent of their class and meet specific academic readiness criteria to at least one selective, world-class SUNY campus. The program will take effect for select high school seniors preparing to enroll for the Fall 2025 semester.

The nine initial participating campuses are: University at Albany, University at Buffalo, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, SUNY Geneseo, SUNY New Paltz, SUNY Oneonta, SUNY Polytechnic Institute, Purchase College, and Stony Brook University.

Students in all New York State school districts will be eligible to participate when the SUNY Top 10% Promise is fully in place. In the first year, 68 school districts (and individual charter schools) from across the state were invited to participate based on serving rural, urban, and suburban communities with high levels of adversity or enrolling a significant share of students from low-income backgrounds. The initial participating high schools are representative of the diversity of New York State.

SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. said, “There is a place at SUNY for every New Yorker, and The SUNY Top 10% Promise will make it even easier for our highest-achieving high school students – particularly those from low-income backgrounds – to discover SUNY’s extraordinary value and academic excellence. With thanks to Governor Hochul for her leadership, this new direct admission program will advance educational equity and open the doors to higher education even wider.”

Click here for more information on the Top 10% Promise Program.

Press Release, Medina Central School

Photo courtesy of Medina Central School: English Teacher Beth Dickhut holds a copy of her first published novel, “Still Water.”

MEDINA – For many years Medina Junior-Senior High School English teacher Elizabeth Dickhut toyed with the idea of writing her own novel, “Still Water.”

“Several years ago I was thinking about some students I had who had experienced losing a parent suddenly,” she explained. “They were obviously going through a very hard time and I couldn’t help but think what was going on in the inside. It inspired me to start writing about a group of boys who were friends and experienced that loss.”

Mrs. Dickhut kept returning to her story throughout the years refining it until she felt comfortable enough to share with colleagues.

“I am so grateful to my coworkers and friends who took time out of their busy lives to read this and give me their honest feedback,” she said. “It really meant so much to me.”

Dickhut says “Still Water” is a story of loss and grief; but is also a story of hope, the kind that is rooted in friendship, family and forgiveness.

Another key element of the book deals with the romantic side of adolescence and the protagonist having feelings for one of his friend’s girlfriends.

“I do think young adults will really enjoy the story,” Dickhut said. “I hope they see themselves in some of the characters.  I really want this book to be a teachable moment for some of them and I want them to know that their teachers do care about what is going on in their lives.”

There were a couple more hoops to jump through before she could publish her book. In “Still Water” two poems are referenced, “The Peace of Wild Things” by Wendell Berry and Robert Frost’s “Going for Water.”

There is also a passage from the book “A River Runs Through It and Other Stories” by Norman Maclean. “I had to get permission to use Maclean’s and Berry’s works, and I was so thankful to the estate and the publishing company to allow me to use them since they meant a great deal to me and to the story. The Maclean estate sent along a nice compliment and said they found the story compelling and wished me the best of luck.”

She also designed the cover in Canva. With her book getting ready to launch on Amazon on Nov. 8, Dickhut said she can barely contain her excitement.

“I won’t lie, I am nervous, but it just feels awesome,” she said. “I have a real sense of accomplishment that I finished the book and people are going to get to read it. It would be really great if I saw students here carrying it around since they inspired it.”

To learn more about the book and Beth Dickhut, you can follow her on Instagram @elizabeth_d_writes.

“Still Water” will be available in paperback and Kindle formats.