Grant available in GLOW counties to help remediate lead in apartments and homes

Press Release, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments

This year, National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (NLPPW) takes place from October 20-26.

NLPPW is a call to unite individuals, organizations, and government to reduce childhood lead exposure by raising awareness about lead poisoning prevention. This week emphasizes various ways parents, caregivers, and communities can reduce children’s exposure to lead and protect them from its harmful effects.

“Lead poses a significant danger to children because their developing bodies absorb more lead than adults, and their brains and nervous systems are more vulnerable to its harmful effects,” stated Darren Brodie, Environmental Health Director of the Genesee and Orleans County Health Department (GO Health).

 These effects can include developmental delays, learning disabilities, weight loss, hearing loss, seizures, and more. Children can be exposed to lead from paint used in homes before 1978, contaminated water or soil, and products from other countries (spices, pottery, toys, etc.).

According to the 2023 American Community Survey, approximately 73.6% of housing units in Genesee County and 73.0% of housing units in Orleans County were built before 1978 and may have lead exposure hazards. Homes built before this year are at higher risk for having contaminated lead-based paint, which can deteriorate over time and release toxic lead dust or chips, posing significant health risks, especially to young children.

Lead poisoning is entirely preventable. We encourage parents and community members to learn about the dangers of lead exposure by exploring the three key messages of National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week:

1. Get the Facts

• Any exposure to lead hazards can be dangerous, particularly for children.
• The only safe blood lead level is zero!
• The most common way children are exposed to lead is by ingesting tiny dust particles or paint chips, often too small to see.
• Other potential sources of lead include metal toys, wooden toys or furniture painted with lead-based paint, metal jewelry, lead-glazed pottery, certain candles, spices, and even makeup.

2. Get Your Child Tested

• A blood test is the way to determine if your child has lead poisoning.
• Most children with detectable levels of lead in their blood show no noticeable symptoms.
• If you think your child may have been exposed to lead, talk to their healthcare provider about getting a blood lead test.
• Blood lead tests are also recommended for pregnant women who believe they may have been exposed to lead.

3. Get Your Home Tested

• Many homes built before 1978 contain lead-based paint. If your home was built before that year it is important to have it tested for lead paint.
• If you rent, request that your landlord have the home or apartment tested.
• For more information on testing your home, contact GO Health.

The Genesee County Health Department has a Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes Grant, funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), that can address lead-based paint hazards and other health concerns in homes and apartments in Genesee, Livingston, Orleans, and Wyoming counties.

“This funding is designated for lead-based paint remediation as well as other health-related home repairs,” said Gabrielle Lanich, Lead Program Coordinator for GO Health. “Eligible homeowners and property managers with qualifying tenants can apply for these funds.”

For more information or to determine eligibility for these programs, contact the Genesee County Health Department at 585-344-2580 ext. 5555 or Health.GOlead@geneseeny.gov.

For more information about GO Health Programs and services and eligibility details for lead programs, visit GOHealthNY.org or contact your local health department:

• Orleans County: 585-589-3278
• Genesee County: 585-344-2580 ext. 5555

Provided photo: Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt speaks during a news conference in Buffalo on Friday.

Press Release, State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt

BUFFALO –  State Senator Rob Ortt on Friday was joined by elected officials and community activists to boldly oppose the ballot measure Proposition 1.

The proposition is a far overreaching amendment championed by liberal Democrats that would, among other things, open the door for stripping away parental rights, allow biological boys to play on girls sports teams, and allow illegal immigrants and non-citizens to receive the same state benefits as New Yorkers with full citizenship.

“Proposition 1 is a radical attack on the rights of women and girls, especially in sports,” said Ortt, the State Senate Republican leader. “New York Democrats are using this measure to push an extreme agenda that undermines fairness and common sense, and strips parents of their rights. We need every voter to step up, get to the polls, and protect the future of girls’ sports and parental rights by voting against Proposition 1.”

On Wednesday, Politifact confirmed that a passage of Prop 1 would strengthen transgender athletes’ attempts to compete in girls sports – mandating that schools allow biological boys to compete against biological girls.

Voters can choose either Yes or No to Proposition 1, which can be found on the back of the ballot.

“The passing of this bill will ignore the differences between men and women,” said Olivia Bell, a student athlete at SUNY Erie. “This bill ignores the beauty and specialty of women and men being unique. Prop 1 wants to make us all be the same but we aren’t. We are all children of God but we are all different, we all have different motivations, passions and stories that make us who we are but Proposition 1 will turn a blind eye to everything we’ve gone through as people. If this bill is passed we will all be seen as statistics and numbers, not the individuals God created us to be.”

Other speakers included Dennis Hannon, committee Chair of the Coalition to Protect Kids; State Senator George Borrello; and Erie County GOP chairman Michael Kracker.

“I’m a father in New York who saved his kindergarten age child from a forced gender conversion,” Hannon said. “Proponents of this amendment want you to think this isn’t happening, but parents like myself are a testimony it can, and it is. Prop 1 would empower and protect the people who did this to my son. Your child could be next. Vote NO to Prop 1 to prevent this from happening to your family.”

Press Release Assemblyman Steve Hawley

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) has repeatedly reached out to the Office of Gov. Hochul regarding his concerns on the implementation of the Advanced Clean Truck (ACT) regulation. The ACT regulation aims to phase in the sale and use of zero-emission trucks to reduce emissions.

Currently, this regulation is set to be implemented on Jan. 1, 2025, which will require manufacturers to sell zero-emission trucks as an increasing percentage of their annual sales for Class 2b through Class 8 vehicles in New York state.

However, many New Yorkers in the 139th Assembly District and beyond—particularly small business owners and local governments—have voiced their concerns about the feasibility, affordability and strain these trucks will place on infrastructure, leaving numerous questions unanswered. Hawley asserts more information is needed before the ACT regulation is implemented.

“Before the ACT regulation is implemented, Gov. Hochul must work with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority to complete a thorough evaluation of the regulation in order to address the concerns shared by my constituents,” Hawley said. “If vehicle retailers, business owners and local governments are already facing challenges as a result of the impending red tape associated with this regulation, clearly more research must be conducted before moving forward.”

Hawley wants Gov. Hochul to delay the implementation date, evaluate the “ins and outs of the ACT regulation” and communicate with all New Yorkers on how it will affect their businesses and day-to-day lives.

“We have a duty to hear the concerns of our constituents, take them seriously and find solutions—I respectfully implore the governor to fulfill that duty and rethink the ACT regulation,” Hawley said. “While I am not against reducing vehicle emissions in our state, I am against proceeding with a regulation that wreaks havoc on our small businesses. Forcing the hand of vehicle manufacturers before zero-emission technology is properly scaled could carry dire consequences for our state’s economy and rural communities.”

Bald eagle can be seen up close in nest from camera perched high in tree

Provided images: The nest cam shows a bald eagle on Friday afternoon, not long after the camera was mounted in a tree.

By Dick Moss, Friends of Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge board member

BASOM – After an absence of more than 20 years, there is an eagle nest cam once again at Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge.

The eagle camera was installed Friday morning and will begin streaming online soon after. The old eagle cam, which used vastly outdated technology in today’s terms, ceased operating over 20 years ago for technical reasons. Because of the expense and a variety of other reasons, the refuge has not had an operational eagle cam since that time.

The new camera and equipment were made possible through funding by Friends of Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge, a nonprofit group associated with the refuge, and by donated expertise from Bill Powers of PixCams and Treeman Tom LLC.

“After one year of planning and with much cooperation with the New York State DEC and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, a new eagle nest cam was installed at the Cayuga Pool bald eagle’s nest today,” said Garner Light, president of the Friends group. “This nest has been actively used by bald eagles for most of the last 24 years. This was determined to be the most accessible and successful nest to install a nest cam at.”

Photos by Emma DeLeon – (Left) Logan, an employee of Treeman Tom LLC, and Bill Powers of PixCams straighten out the cable to the eagle cam as it is raised into the tree. (Right) Gary Pocziwinski works his way up a nearby tree to install the eagle cam. The camera is now mounted in a tree about 70 feet from the eagle nest, but its zoom function will allow for a good view of the nest activity.

The eagle cam proved to be quite popular with refuge visitors and others, and Light and his associates are hoping it will prove to be so again.

“We still have refuge visitors inquire about being able to view the live feed to the eagle’s nest,” Light said.

“We are all looking forward to seeing the first footage of the eagles,” said FINWR board member Emma DeLeon. “It’s going to be a great opportunity for people to observe their natural behavior up-close. Hopefully it will be both entertaining and educational, and will help inspire a love for birds and nature and an appreciation for wildlife conservation.”

Photos by Dick Moss: Bill Powers, Gary Pocziwinski, FINWR board member Emma DeLeon and FINWR President Garner Light hook up the batteries for the solar panel (background) that will power the eagle nest cam.

Bill Powers, of Murrysville, PA, is the founder of PixCams, www.pixcams.com, which has set up numerous wildlife cam projects and streams them online. Streaming of the Iroquois cam will be available there first. The Friends group website, FINWR.org, is currently undergoing a redesign, but once that is done it will carry a link to the streaming. There are also plans to put a TV monitor in the refuge headquarters facility so visitors can see what is happening at the nest.

Update at 6:01 p.m.: Click here to see the link to the eagle cam.

The actual installation of the camera was carried out by Treeman Tom LLC, which provided the necessary tree climbing services to get the camera into an appropriate position. Owner/crew leader Gary Pocziwinski did the climbing.

There is no guarantee the eagles will have chicks is the spring – the pair that used the nest last year laid eggs, but they never hatched. But the nest has a good track record, indeed one of the bald eagles was perched in a nearby tree watching part of Friday morning’s installation. If all goes according to plan, the eagles will start being active around the nest in December and January, lay eggs in February and have hatchlings in March.

The eagle cam before installation.

A bald eagle, left, perches near the Cayuga Pool nest Friday morning.

CHILDS – On Nov. 16 at the Cobblestone Church, local historian and author Bill Lattin and Cobblestone Museum director Doug Farley will take a look back at dozens of architectural treasures in Orleans County which have succumbed to the wrecking ball.

Lattin recently republished his book on this topic, Architecture Destroyed, and added several new structures that were destroyed over the last few decades.

This latest event, which will begin at 4 p.m., will feature a slide show of “before and after” style with photographs of the original architecture, along with what each of the sites looks like today.

“Bill will be happy to sign copies of his book, which will be available for purchase at the event,” Farley said.

He added free will donations are always appreciated.

Following the program, those attending are invited to continue discussion on the topic with Lattin and Farley at the neighboring Tavern on the Ridge (formerly Tillman’s Village Inn) for dinner on their own.

Photos courtesy of Andy King, art teacher at Kendall Central School

KENDALL – Kendall fourth-grader Carter Cook (in front) and fifth-grader Evan May (just behind him) wore cool helmets at today’s ride to school event which featured about 80 Kendall elementary students and a dozen staff members.

Kendall started the ride to school event last year and about 50 kids participated then.

The students start the ride at the Kendall Highway Garage on Crandall Avenue and then head to the elementary school on Kendall Road.

Students gather for a group photo after the ride. They are offered a Gatorade, fruit snack, and/or applesauce pouch after the ride. Parents pick up their students’ bikes during the day.

Students in grades 3-6 all receive a training with the district’s School Resource Officer, Deputy George Barton, prior to the bike ride. Students learn important safety tips for riding bikes including which side of the road to stay on. Deputy Barton presents to each grade level using a slide show he created.

Parents register their children via a Google Survey. The survey ensures all of the pertinent information is understood leading up to the event (time, date, requirement for helmet, etc).

“Deputy Barton closes off southbound traffic from Kenmore road to our elementary building to ensure our students are safe,” said Kevin Watson, the elementary school principal.

Brennan Wahl rides with his daughter, Avery, a fifth grader. Mr. Wahl is a 4th grade teacher at Kendall.

A Kendall staff member uses a Gator to pace the students, who are reminded “this is a stroll to school — not a race!” Watson said.

The pace car ensures they are safe and not zooming down the road. The Sheriff’s Department ensures students are safe on the right side of the road. The district Buildings and Grounds members also cut off traffic into the school so students can pull in safely after the ride, Watson said.

“I love our community lining up along the streets and waving to the kids,” Watson said. “We have such a supportive community here in Kendall!”

Kendall Elementary School Special Education teacher Sarah Scorse joins the ride with students and staff.

Principal Kevin Watson gets the riders attention at the Highway Department before the ride to the school.

Kendall fifth-grader Emma Pagano enjoys the bike ride.

Organization weighs in on many local, state and federal issues

Provided photo: Pictured from left include President Kevin Bittner, Vice President Mark Russell and Treasurer Max Russell.

Press Release, Niagara County Farm Bureau

LOCKPORT – Niagara County Farm Bureau held its annual meeting on Thursday evening.  The agenda including adopting resolutions concerning local, state and national issues.

Locally, this included supporting funding for Niagara County’s Cornell Cooperative Extension and the Niagara County Soil and Water Conservation District. Also, the group supported establishing a county wide drainage district.

On the state level, the resolutions covered a wide range of topics. They supported including backyard chickens in the definition of urban agriculture, expanding the deer damage (aka nuisance) permits, improving cellular service and improvements to the electrical grid.

Other state issues included NYS finalizing grant contracts and their reimbursement on a timely basis. The NYS Strategic Interagency Task Force Lessening Obstacles to Agriculture Working Group (SILO committee) was also supported.

Federal issues also covered a variety of issues. There are a myriad of GAP (Good Agricultural Practices) certifications. Niagara County Farm Bureau supported retailers who accept SNAP benefits us the USDA Harmonized Plus GAP only.

Mancozeb is a product used in apples, grapes and onions. There is a proposal to restrict how it is used that does not align with current scientific research. Farmers who use these products want the current regulations to stay in place. The third issue dealt with the electrification of farm vehicles and the need to support those with incentive programs available to other motor vehicles.

Updates from Kevin Bittner, John Wagner, Brad Macaulay, and Matthew Sweeney completed the evening. Bittner reviewed the year, including updates on State Annual Convention, PX Days, County Fair Corn Booth and The Ag Literacy Week.

The Corn Booth was the most successful ever and during Ag Literacy weeks many farmers participated by going to schools and reading the selected book.  He thanked outgoing board members Cassie Voelpel and Jeannette Miller for their service.

Wagner talked about the upcoming State Annual Convention and Young Farmers and Ranchers Program. A new feature of the State Annual Convention is bring a non-member.  Nationalwide Insurance will sponsor a county resident who is not currently a member of Farm Bureau but would like to learn more at that gathering.

Macauley talked about the changes at New York Farm Bureau with the new Executive Direction Deanna Fox. He reviewed some of the legislative policy successes and encouraged everyone to attend the convention and the PX (Policy Execution) lobbying days.

The expansion of the Royalton Hartland Ag Program was Matthew Sweeney’s topic. There is now a youth FFA, called the Green Team, in the elementary school. He described many community interactions with the students and announced they have two teams going to compete at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis. One of the most exciting new features of the program is the college credit course now offered. Working with Cobleskill, students earn 9 college credits when successfully completing the course.

The evening ended with the Board Elections. In addition to Bittner’s re-election, Mark Russell will continue as Vice President. New directors are Josh Bieber and Nick Sparks.  Trevor Ganshaw, Kelly Raby and Max Russell were all re-elected to their positions.

Farm Bureau membership is open to those who farm, those who are involved in agribusiness and anyone who eats. For more information about membership or how you can volunteer, call (716) 735-7791 or email niagcofb@yahoo.com.

Photos and information courtesy of Orleans County Legislature, Youth Bureau

ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature, in conjunction with the County Youth Bureau, hosted its 10th annual “Family Game Night” last week at Dubby’s Tailgate and the event was a tremendous success.

More than 340 people attended to play board games, enjoy free pizza and treats, and learn about county services.  The number of attendees is double from last year’s event and is the highest level of participation ever for the event.

“We could not be more thrilled with 100-plus families joining us for Family Game night,” said County Legislature Chairman Lynne Johnson. “I want to commend the Youth Bureau Board members, volunteers and county staff for organizing a great event that will hopefully continue to grow in future years.”

Several county departments were on hand to provide information on services that can help families including the Emergency Management Office (EMO), Job Development/Career Center, Mental Health, Office for the Aging, Personnel, Planning and Development, Probation, Public Health, Sheriff, Social Services – Child & Family Services, Soil & Water, and Tourism. In addition, Modern Disposal and Child Care Resource & Referral from Community Action took part as well.

Children were excited to see Grimace and the Hamburgler, courtesy of McDonald’s of Albion. Attendees were provided with two slices of Dubby’s pizza, an apple and a drink. The first 150 to arrive received complimentary passes to the Medina Railroad Museum.  All families took home their own board game to hopefully start their own family game night.

Sponsors for the event included Dubby’s Tailgate, Tops Friendly Markets, Singleyn Enterprises – McDonald’s of Albion, Evan’s ACE Hardware & Building Supplies, Medina Railroad Museum, Lyndonville Lions Club, Subway, and Case-Nic Cookies.

New inductees include churches in Jamestown and Penn Yan, lighthouse from 1822, and Albion’s historic cemetery

MEDINA – Four more inductees were added to the Medina Sandstone Hall of Fame on Thursday, bringing the total to 43 sites since the Hall of Fame was established in 2013.

The new inductees include churches in Jamestown and Penn Yan, Albion’s historic cemetery and Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse. That lighthouse, built in 1822, is now the oldest structure in the Hall of Fame.

The Hall of Fame celebrates sites made of the local sandstone that have been well preserved and stand out for their architectural beauty.

The Sandstone Society also presented two Heritage Awards to people whose work and effort have contributed to the understanding and appreciation of Medina Sandstone.

The honorees during Thursday’s Hall of Fame ceremony include, from left: Heritage Award winner Mariana Rhoades, a geologist who authored definitive works on the stone industry in Orleans, Niagara and Erie counties; Heritage Award winner James Friday who a book on the sandstone industry in Orleans County; Jan Hafner, church historian for Penn Yan United Methodist; Jack Kemp, president of the Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse Historical Society; Luke Fodor, rector of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Jamestown; and Jason Zicari, superintendent of Mount Albion Cemetery.

The new inductees have been enshrined in the Hall of Fame in Medina City Hall. The plaques state the following:

Mount Albion Cemetery is not only hallowed grounds for more than 20,000 people, but the historic site on Route 31 is a cohesive collection of sandstone workmanship that unifies the cemetery.

From the arch leading into the main entrance of the cemetery, to the office building, chapel, a Civil War memorial and many hitching posts, carriage steps and monuments, the painstakingly carved sandstone is prominent.

The Civil War memorial was inducted into the Medina Sandstone Hall of Fame in 2014. That 58-foot-high tower is a memorial to nearly 500 Orleans County soldiers killed in the Civil War. It was built in 1876. The cemetery includes so much more, and the Sand- stone Societyi s inducting the entire cemetery into the Hall of Fame.

The chapel was built in 1875, a year before the iconic tower was complete. The archway at the main entrance was completed in 1880. The keeper’s house (now the office) and storage barn were completed in 1881. A sandstone spring house and lily pond were completed in 1908.

Mount Albion remains a much loved and revered place in the community. The site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976, the first in Orleans County on that distinguished list.

The Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse, built in 1822, may be the oldest Medina Sandstone structure. The sandstone was likely quarried from the deep Genesee River gorge to the south. The 40-foot-high tower was built in northern Rochester at the juncture of the Genesee River and Lake Ontario.

The lighthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a City of Rochester Landmark.

The tower went out of service in 1881. In 1965, Charlotte High School students started a letter writing campaign to save the lighthouse from impending destruction. The students prevailed.

The tower was declared surplus in 1981 by the government, and the site is now managed as a museum by the Charlotte Genesee Lighthouse Historical Society, a nonprofit volunteer organization.

The Historical Society uses the next-door brick keeper’s dwelling from 1863 as a local museum. The grounds also are home to a peace garden, detailing four encounters with the British during the War of 1812. As of 2014, the lighthouse is again active, and listed in the United States Coast Guard Light List as light number 2333.

Penn Yan United Methodist Church – In 1823, a woman named Mrs. Susan Benson arrived in Penn Yan, New York to reside and found that there was no Methodist church, which she deemed totally unacceptable. About a year later, on March 29, 1824 the First Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Penn Yan was incorporated.

Over the next 74 years, the congregation outgrew two other buildings and in 1897 they decided to build their present building. They contracted with Jacob Allington & Sons of Elmira. They chose a Romanesque Revival style and used a beautiful ruddy gray Medina Sandstone. The cost for this magnificent building was $35,000, a huge sum for that period. The church was dedicated on January 12, 1898.

In 2024, the First United Methodist congregation celebrated their 200th birthday and the Medina Sandstone they chose some 126 years ago still looks as beautiful now as it did then.

St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Jamestown was completed in 1894, built of rock-faced Medina Sandstone. Mary Prendergast left $125,000 in her will to build the fireproof stone church in memory of her daughter, Catherine. (The original church building burned down in 1862.)

A plaque inside the church recognizes the family for their gift of building the church. “This is none other but the house of God and this is the gate of Heaven,” the inscription states.

St. Luke’s is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is in the heart of the Downtown Jamestown Historic District. The church blends elements of the late Gothic Revival and Romanesque Revival styles.

The structure at 410 North Main St. has a traditional cruciform plan with a square bell tower attached to the northeast corner of the church. That tower features a clock on each face side and rounded corners topped with a conical pinnacle.

The bell tower was struck by lightning in 2013, damaging one of the corners. That tower also suffered years of water damage.

St. Luke’s recently completed $2.5 million of work on the tower, disassembling parts of the sandstone, rebuilding the stone and cleaning up the mortar.

The church property also includes a chapel and office building made of Medina Sandstone.

Dave Miller, a member of the Hall of Fame Committee, presents Heritage awards to Jim Friday, left, and Mariana Rhoades, right.

Their plaques include a sliver of Medina Sandstone. The writeups about them include:

Mariana Rhoades is a researcher with an MS degree in sedimentary geology from the University of Rochester. She taught geology for over two decades at St. John Fisher College and SUNY-Empire State College as well as through other continuing education programs at Nazareth College and the Roads Scholar offerings.

Rhoades has authored several papers on stone materials for the Erie Canal, California sandstones and other general geology topics.

Her most recent publication which was published last year is the “Stone Industry in Orleans County, 1820-1930.” It comes in the form of a CD and a USB flash drive. This definitive 1,517-page work documents virtually every quarry in this historic local industry. It also documents lime kilns which produced the mortar used by masons for construction.

Her work includes:

• A list of owners of the quarry/kiln
• New York state and federal census information for quarry owners
• Web information on the quarry owners
• Maps with description where the quarry/kiln was located
• Bedrock at the site of the quarry/kiln
• Structures where the extracted stone was used
• History books and manuscripts describing the quarry/kiln
• Newspaper articles describing the quarry/kiln operations
• A time-line of quarry operation and its owners

She has also published similar works for Erie and Niagara counties and she is currently researching Rochester with that publication due next year.

Dave Miller, a member of Hall of Fame Committee, presented the award to Rhoades.

“We want to recognize your invaluable contributions and the impact you’ve had in preserving the history and heritage of our community,” Miller said.

James Friday is a Kodak retiree who loves local history. In 2021 he completed and self-published his book about the local sandstone industry entitled “The History of Sandstone in Orleans County NY.”

The 108-page book includes many photos of the county’s dominant industry. In the book he explores the geology of how and when the stone was formed, the rise and fall of the regional quarry industry and what remains today.

Friday is a descendant of Polish immigrants who lived in Albion. When he was a child, he spent a lot of time in that village and often swam in the village’s quarries.

At the present time Jim also serves as the coordinator of the orleans.nygenweb.net website that includes a wealth of local genealogy data about Orleans County families.

“Given the significant size and importance of the sandstone quarry industry in our county, it’s surprising how little has been documented about its history,” Miller said. “That’s why we are especially grateful to you for publishing this much-needed account about this part of our local heritage.”

Hall of Fame Committee members Tom Rivers, left, and Reinhard Rogowski pull the curtain to show the new inductees.

Mike Hungerford, third from left, is co-president of Takeform in Medina, which donated the plaques for the Hall of Fame and also for the inductees. Others in photo include HOF Committee members Reinhard Rogowski, Dave Miller and Jim Hancock. Takeform has donated the plaques for all 43 inductees in the Hall of Fame since 2013.

Justin Bruce, restaurant manager at Bent’s Opera House, serves food for 31 people who attended a Hall of Fame luncheon at Bent’s, a building that was inducted in the Hall of Fame in 2021.

Provided photos: These are two of the new benches at Camp Rainbow dedicated on Saturday in honor of Jonathan Doherty, who had benches built at Camp Rainbow about 20 years ago for his Eagle Scout project.

Press Release, Arc GLOW

LYNDONVILLE — More than two decades ago, Jonathan Doherty participated in Camp Rainbow and recognized the need for campers to have seating options other than the ground. As a solution, he constructed six wooden benches for his Eagle Scout project.

Over the years, time and elements wore down the beautiful handcrafted benches. This year Arc GLOW replaced all six benches to ensure campers have a comfortable seat. Arc GLOW was awarded grants to help alleviate these expenses from the Medina Sandstone Society and Lyndonville Foundation.

Jonathan Doherty

Doherty’s memory is honored as each bench is marked with a plaque honoring him and the foundation which made it possible. And on Saturday, a dedication was held in Doherty’s honor.

Self-advocates, Arc GLOW board members, funders, local representatives, staff and members of the Doherty family attended the dedication event.

“We at Self-Advocacy Association of New York State, both locally and statewide want to say how awesome we think it is that our friend Jonathan Doherty, a tireless self-advocate and friend of the people, is being honored today by fellow, self-advocates, supporters, and community members, for the work that he did while he was with us here,” said Michael P. Rogers, SANYS Regional Organizer (Western). “From working with others to get transportation in rural areas so that people with disabilities could get around, to just the everyday rights of people with disabilities, like himself. He would always check in to see what was going on.

“He was a tireless leader in his self-advocacy group at the time. Just an all-around great guy, who really worked to make life better for people. He was likable and approachable. Making sure that he contacted whoever was needed to make sure change happened.”

Doherty’s father Kevin explained how Jonathan came up with the initial idea for the project and successfully rallied support to finish the benches. In a February 2015 interview with Albion High School Alumni, Doherty mentioned, “I spent 18 seasons at Camp Rainbow with Arc and felt a strong desire to give back. During my time there, I realized there were limited outdoor seating options, so I decided to construct benches for my project.”

Those in attendance affixed memorial plaques to the benches to conclude the ceremony.

Doherty passed away May 5, 2022 at age 38.

Pictured from left to right standing: Arc GLOW Board of Directors President Cheryl Englert, Andrew Johnston, New York State Assemblyman Michael Norris, Nick Fuller, Greg Johnston, Tyler Nunnery, Duane Montgomery, Robert Greer, Orleans County Assistant District Attorney Susan Howard, Orleans County Clerk Nadine Hanlon. Kneeling in front from left include Arc GLOW Family Support Specialist Terry Kingdollar, Deb Avino and Katherine Anderson.

Photo and information courtesy of Orleans County DSS

ALBION – Employees at the Orleans County Department of Social Services wore purple today, October 17, for “Purple Thursday.” This is in recognition of survivors of domestic violence.

October is recognized as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, bringing awareness to domestic violence within our community, as “Every1 Knows Some1” affected by domestic violence.

“Domestic violence is not limited to physical or sexual abuse by a partner, it can also be emotional or financial,” said Judianne Gearing, supervisor of Orleans County domestic violence program. “Domestic violence is also not gender specific and can impact anyone, regardless of age, gender, race or sexual orientation.”

If you or someone you care about is a survivor of domestic violence in need of support, know that there are services available locally and at the state level.

Please contact Kelley Ortiz, Orleans County Domestic Violence Senior Caseworker, at 585-589-3159, call the NYS Hotline at 800-942-6906, text 844-997-2121 or go to opdv.ny.gov.

Provided photo: Sandra Shaw was honored last week during the Holley Village Board meeting with the “Mayor Vaughn Award.” County Legislator John Fitzak, left, and Holley Mayor Mark Bower presented the award. Shaw is the seventh recipient of the award which was started by Holley’s mayor from 1976 to 1982.

HOLLEY – Sandra Shaw will be honored today with a retirement party at the Community Free Library beginning at 5 p.m.

Shaw is retiring after leading the library the past 19 years. During her tenure she led library in acquiring a former video store next door where the library expanded in 2008 and dedicated that space for children’s programs and materials.

She also has led the library in adding two large murals on the back side of the brick building, and steered the library through the Covid pandemic.

Shaw was honored last week by the Holley Village Board with the “Mayor Vaughn Award.”

Mayor Mark Bower said Shaw has expanded programming and improved services at the library.

“Sandy Shaw’s influence on the Village of Holley and the larger community, its residents, the school district and its students is quite significant,” Bower said. “She’s had a strong presence as the library director and has ensured that they remain viable in our community.”

He is pleased she will remain active in the community, including serving on the Mayor’s Advisory Council.

“She has always been a huge advocate for the library, reading, and the children’s library and programming,” Bower said.