Top juniors complete arduous task, creating 56-foot-long chain of flowers

Photos courtesy of Kayla Rosenbeck

MEDINA – The top 16 girls ranked academically in the junior class and the top two boys finished the 56-foot-long Daisy Chain this afternoon. The graduation tradition goes back more than a century in Medina.

Students worked on assembling the daisy chain today in the cafeteria of the high school. The students will bring in the Daisy Chain to lead off commencement at 7 p.m. later today at Vets Park.

Photos courtesy of Karen Jones

(Left) Madelyn Lewis, Lily Maynard and Mackenzie Alvarez were out Thursday morning getting their daisies. (Right) From left include Adreanna McMurray, Gisella Garcia with help from her sister, Isabella on the right.

Mackenzie McGrath gets some assistance with the daisy collection from her sister Emma.

Jenna Rotoli works through a goldmine of daisies.

ALBION – Registration is open for the Orleans County annual household hazardous waste collection day on Aug. 10.

There are more than 500 slots available, and 67 had been taken as of Thursday evening, said Corey Winters, the county’s interim deputy director in the Planning Office.

The event is open to all Orleans County residents but registration is needed and can be done by calling the county Planning Office at (585) 589-3198 between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The event will be at the Orleans County Highway Garage on West Academy Street in Albion.  The county will collect all acceptable items from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and then 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. is reserved for tire collection only.

“This is Orleans County’s annual collection event that I know a lot of residents like to plan for to get rid of those leftover chemicals, batteries, tires and other items that are lying around in the garage, basement or shed,” Winters said.  “And more than just getting rid of this clutter, people can be assured these items are being disposed of in a safe and environmentally-responsible way.”

 Acceptable items include pesticides, motor oiler & filters, adhesives, antifreeze, solvents, tires (limit 10), batteries, fluorescent bulbs, aerosols, old-based paints and empty propane tanks.

Items that cannot be accepted include explosives, pressurized tanks, ammunition, PCBs, radioactive waste, medical water, electronics, tires on rims and commercial tires.

“We have opened up registration early so we can properly plan and be ready to accommodate as many residents as possible who want to take part,” Winters said.  “When you call to register, please be prepared to generally describe the type of chemicals and/or the number of tires you will be disposing.”

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Crosby’s celebrated the grand reopening of its Albion north location this morning. The store was closed for most of April for a remodeling. The store reopened on May 1. Today, company officials joined the local employees and community for a reopening celebration a 202 North Main St.

The inside of the store has an expanded kitchen area, and the Crosby’s has added subs to its food menu that includes pizzas, calzones and a wide variety of breakfast items, including breakfast pizzas.

Linda Pickett, a Crosby’s associate, cleans a surface in the kitchen area. The store has seven employees.

Crosby’s presented a $500 donation to the Albion Fire Department. From left include store manager Becca Smith, district leader Brenda Thompson, Deputy Fire Chief John Papponetti and Dave George, director of operations for Crosby’s.

The business also is giving Albion Central School 40 pizzas to be used from the My Crosby’s Rewards card. Crosby’s also donated $100 to the Orleans County History Department in appreciation for use of historic Albion photos that are inside the store.

Several images from Albion from years past are part of the new store redesign. This photo shows Main Street in the 1940s.

The Reid Group, headquartered in Lockport, owns the store. The Reid Group is comprised of Crosby’s and Reid Petroleum Corp.  The group operates 90 Crosby’s locations throughout Western New York and Northwestern Pennsylvania.

Reid officials noted the site at 202 North Main St. was a Mimi’s Gulf store that opened in the mid-1950s by Carol and Dominic Martillotta. The site was a Genesee Farms from 1982 to 1997, and a Yellow Goose until it became a Crosby’s in 2017.

Dave George from Crosby’s said the company wants to continue the tradition started by the Martillottas in the mid 1950s.

“It was more than a business,” he said. “It was a cornerstone of the community.”

It’s graduation day for four of the five school districts in Orleans County. Albion, kendall, Lyndonville and Medina all have their commencements this evening, with Holley’s Class of 2024 graduating on Saturday morning.

Altogether, 401 students are expected to receive their diplomas.

Albion has the biggest class with 130 students. They will celebrate commencement outside on the football field with its new turf. Speakers include Mickey Edwards, district superintendent; Wayne Wadhams, president of the Board of Education; Jacqueline Santiago Garcia, the class president; Meganne Moore, valedictorian; and Kevin He, salutatorian.

Holley will have 63 students graduate at 10 a.m. on Saturday in the school auditorium. Brian Bartalo, the retiring district superintendent, will give the keynote address.

Other speakers include Caitlin Dobri, valedictorian; Kayla Neale, salutatorian; and Layne Walker, the class president.

Kendall’s 57 graduates (and one honorary foreign exchange student) celebrate commencement at 7 p.m. in the school auditorium.

Joseph Petrosino, a U.S. History and Economics/Government teacher, will give the keynote address. Other speeches will be by Valedictorian Hannah Brundage, Salutatorian Louis Conte, Principal Melissa Strelick and Superintendent Nicholas Picardo.

Lyndonville has 38 students graduating at 7 p.m. today in the Stroyan Auditorium. Valedictorian Daniel Barry and Salutatorian Elizabeth Whipple will be speaking at graduation.

Medina will hold graduation outside at Vets Park with 113 receiving their diplomas. The class valedictorian is Alexander Balaban and the salutatorian is Caiden Class. They will give speeches to their classmates.

Provided photos

MEDINA – The Dave Viterna Group performed Thursday evening at State Street park in Medina as part of the third season of the Blue Thursdays concerts.

Organizers said about 1,250 people attended the concert, which is a new record for the series.

Viterna draws a big crowd every year, said Ken Daluisio, owner/operator of The Print Shop, which produces the concerts with the Orleans Renaissance Group.

When Viterna performed last year on June 22 at Blue Thursdays, about 1,000 attended.

But Thursday, the weather was perfect, bringing out even more people.

There is no admission charge. The concerts start at 6 p.m. The lineup for the rest of the series includes:

• July 11: Nickel City Blues Band
• July 18: Maria Aurigema
• July 25: Thurman Brothers Band
• Aug. 1: Frank Grizanti Band
• Aug. 8: Tommy Z Band

Press Release, Assemblyman Steve Hawley

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) is hosting a string of town hall events in Genesee County on Saturday.

Hawley will meet with constituents and discuss the issues that matter to them most. These events will give the community the opportunity to let their voices be heard and share their thoughts and concerns about where the state is headed.

“Speaking directly with my constituents is one of the most important parts of my job,” said Hawley. “I hope people show up to share their thoughts and opinions on how we can make New York a better place to live, work and raise a family.”

The events include:

• Stafford Town Hall from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m., 3903 Route 237 in Stafford
• Bethany Town Hall from 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., 10510 Bethany Center Rd., East Bethany
• Alexander Town Hall from 12 p.m. to 12:45 p.m., 3350 Church St., Alexander

BATAVIA – 203 students from Genesee Community College named to Dean’s List, including many from Orleans County. Students honored on the Dean’s List have maintained full or part-time enrollment and earned a quality point index of 3.50 to 3.74.

Here is the list from Orleans County:

• Calista Stinson of Lyndonville
• Chyenne Tackley of Lyndonville
• Kristi Oliver of Medina
• Sade Poole of Medina
• Ellisa Roath of Medina
• Alexis Rizzo of Medina
• Amanda Greenough of Albion
• Derrick Murschel of Albion
• Cheryl Root of Albion
• Jackson O’Brocta of Albion
• Joshua Riley of Albion
• Lakshia Johnson of Albion
• Heather Gnage of Holley
• Amanda Schunk of Holley
• Jacqueline O’Grady of Holley
• Megan Gentile of Holley
• Kenley Fenton of Medina
• Kobe Pugsley of Albion
• Bradley Pierce of Albion
• Rowan Hofmann of Albion
• Melody Case of Albion
• Derick Marr of Albion
• Crushunda Johnson of Holley

Genesee Community College serves over 6,000 students per semester through more than 70 academic programs and certificates, including the new Marketing and Social Media concentration within the Business Administration program, and the new Nanotechnology degree with ECC. On a microscopic scale, nanotech focuses on careers in biology, chemistry, electrical engineering, medicine and photovoltaics.

CHILDS – The Cobblestone Museum has planned a patriotic service this year full of music, historical information, dedication of a time capsule commemorating the solar eclipse, a display of Staffordshire early Americana plates, and more, followed by a potluck picnic.

According to Doug Farley, director of the Cobblestone Museum, this will be the 52nd annual patriotic service at the historic Cobblestone Church, scheduled at 11 a.m. July 7.

Raymon Santoro will provide piano and organ solos and also accompany some patriotic hymns to be sung by guests attending.

Phoebe Kirby, daughter of Justin and Adrienne Kirby, has prepared several guitar solos, and her brother Graham Kirby will play Bach’s Minuet on the glockenspiel.

William DeRuysscher, a 2024 graduate of Albion High School and summer intern at the Cobblestone Museum, will lead a responsive reading focused on the Cobblestone’s heritage.

Adrienne will also share information about a little-known historical resource, the Daughters of the American Revolution monuments erected along Route 104 in Orleans County, from 1927 to 1941. These five monuments will be more fully explained in a full-color catalog to be distributed at the service.

The Museum’s collection of Staffordshire Early Americana plates will be on display, showing more than two dozen scenes from early American history.

In addition, the Museum has prepared a time capsule of memorabilia in commemoration of the Solar Eclipse in April. This project will be formally dedicated at the service in preparation for sealing the box, with instructions to reopen it on the next full solar eclipse in Orleans County 100 years from now. Assorted contents of the box will be on display.

A potluck picnic will follow the service at noon. The Museum will provide hot dogs and lemonade. Those attending should bring their own lawn chair and a dish to pass. A free will offering is always welcome, Farley said.

 Kendall Lions Club is providing a tent on the lawn.

Job Development worker honored for commitment to youths

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Brian Ettinger, left, receives a citation on Tuesday from the County Legislature in appreciation for his 32 years of service to the county. He retired on May 28. He accepts a certificate from County Legislator Ed Morgan and John Papponetti, commissioner of the Department of Public Works.

Ettinger started working with the county in 1992 as a custodian in the Building & Grounds Department. He was promoted building maintenance worker in 1993 and to senior building maintenance worker in 2007.

Ettinger in 2009 transferred to the Highway Department as a motor equipment operator.

“Your efforts across our County will forever be widespread,  long lasting and extremely appreciated,” the citation states from the Legislature.

Peter Anderson, an employment & training counselor at Orleans County Job Development, also was recognized during the Legislature meeting. He accepts a citation from County Legislator Fred Miller.

Anderson received the Helen R. Brinsmaid Professional Award from the Orleans County Youth Board. The award goes to a youth-serving professional whose work exceeds normal expectations.

Anderson has worked with Job Development since October 2018, exhibiting tremendous dedication to the youths and their families, the Youth Board said. He coordinates work experiences for youths and young adults. He interviews young people, provides an orientation and educates them on their responsibilities at the job sites. He also assists with administrative services, trainings for youths, and seeking out work placements.

CLARENDON – The Orleans County Legislation on Tuesday accepted bids for two big infrastructure projects.

Keeler Construction in Barre will be paid $741,742 to replace a culvert on South Holley Road over the east branch of Sandy Creek in Clarendon. Keeler was the low bidder for the project, which will be paid from the county’s Road Fund capital bridge budget.

This is different from the emergency culvert replacement that was completed last week by Keeler on Upper Holley Road. The county hired Keeler for that project last month to replace the culvert after an inspection showed a partial culvert pipe failure.

In a smaller project, the Legislature on Tuesday approved paying Keeler $7,000 to assist the county Department of Public Works with asphalt shimming at the Blood Road bridge approaches in Yates. Keeler will provide a paver, operator and screedman.

The Legislature also accepted a $418,000 bid from STC Construction in Springville to replace a sanitary sewer pump station on Route 31, a project that serves the County Office Building and also the Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center, the former county nursing home. Comprehensive at Orleans LLC, owner of the nursing home, will pay half of the total costs for the project.

The sewer pump station needs to be upgraded due to multiple pump failures and the age of the pump station appurtenances, legislators said.

Photo by Tom Rivers: Contractors work today on reconstructing new tennis courts in Albion for the school district.

ALBION – Tennis camps run by the Village of Albion Recreation Department typically are held at the Albion school tennis courts. But those courts are under construction this summer as part of the district’s capital improvement project.

Albion is still offering the tennis camp, but it will be at the Holley school tennis courts.

There are two different weeks of camps. The first is next week, July 1 – July 5 (except for July 4), and then the following week from July 8-12, except for July 9.

Basic tennis skills will be taught to the beginners with tennis drills and low-level competitive match situations. Scoring, rules and regulations will be taught along with tennis strategies, said John Grillo, the Albion recreation director ad retired tennis coach at Holley.

The camp runs from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. There is no charge to participants. The camp is funded by the U.S. Tennis Association.

Participants need to get their own transportation to and from the camp. They do not need tennis experience. Tennis balls will be provided. People should bring their own tennis racket. If they don’t have one, a racquet will be available.

The camp will be postponed if it rains or the courts are very wet, Grillo said.

There is no pre-registration. However, email to jgrillo3@hotmail.com if there are any questions.