Photo by Tom Rivers: Noah Magee walks out of the County Clerk’s Building, where there is an entrance to the County Courthouse, after the trial concluded today where he faces second-degree murder. Judge Sanford Church scheduled Dec. 4 for when he will announce his decision in the case, although he could issue a written decision sooner.

ALBION – Noah Magee’s attorneys say he shouldn’t face any charges for a Feb. 8 collision that resulted in the death of Roger Kingdollar III.

It was merely an accident and Magee, 19, shouldn’t be charged with second-degree murder, leaving the scene of an accident, reckless driving or failure to keep right, his attorney, Paul Vacca Jr. said in closing statements this morning in the Orleans County Court.

Kingdollar, 24, was driving a dirt bike on McNamar Road at about 4 p.m. He was on a lawn beyond the north side of the road. Two of his friends were on four-wheelers, and Vacca said they were weaving in the road. Magee had just turned from Angevine Road onto McNamar when he was confronted with Kingdollar on the north side and the four wheelers in the road, Vacca said.

Magee then tried to safely get off the road, and collided with Kingdollar, Vacca said.

He described Kingdollar as driving the dirt bike recklessly, doing wheelies and weaving.

“My client is the victim of circumstance here,” Vacca told Judge Sanford Church, who is presiding over the case and will decide Magee’s fate. “The dirt bike was the cause of the accident.”

Magee last week waived his right to trial by jury. In a bench trial, the judge decides if the defendant is guilty.

District Attorney Joe Cardone said it was “preposterous” to say Kingdollar was at fault in the accident. A surveillance video from a neighbor shows Kingdollar riding just north of the road in the grass. He wasn’t doing any wheelies.

The video shows Magee cross the center line, go past the opposite lane and shoulder of the road and then strike Kingdollar in the grass, Cardone said.

“He drove his vehicle in the path of this victim,” he said.

Magee was very familiar with the intersection and road, Cardone said. Magee traveled the road almost daily going from his sister’s in Batavia to his girlfriend’s.

He and Kingdollar also knew each other from years of “animosity,” Cardone said. Kingdollar previously tried to run Magee off the road, and Magee threw a rock at Kingdollar while he was driving a vehicle, Cardone said. Magee felt like Kingdollar had “constantly terrorized” him and his friends who also enjoyed dirt bikes and four-wheelers, Cardone said.

In text messages with a friend, Magee was urged to find Kingdollar and “beat his ass,” Cardone said in his closing statement. Magee allegedly told the friend in a text he was waiting for the right time.

Cardone said that moment came on Feb. 8, when Magee rounded the corner of Angevine and McNamar and saw Kingdollar without a helmet on the dirt bike.

Magee didn’t intend to kill Kingdollar. He just meant to intimidate him and brush him off, Cardone said.

Magee hit the gas pedal and drove towards Kingdollar, but then hit the brake just before the collision, Cardone said. The left side of Magee’s 2006 Chevrolet Silverado truck hit the left side of the dirt bike’s handlebars. Cardone noted the 9,200-pound truck far outweighed the 236-pound dirt bike.

The collision caused a fatal fracture in Kingdollar’s neck, Cardone said citing the testimony of the medical examiner who performed an autopsy. Kingdollar was knocked into a ditch by the road.

James Vacca, Paul Vacca’s brother and part of the defense, said Kingdollar may have suffered the fatal neck fracture when he was moved from the ditch using ropes without any neck support.

Vacca said Magee decelerated to 24 miles per hour and didn’t have any intoxicants in his system, while Kingdollar had three types of THC from using marijuana that day and from chronic use.

“That may have been a contributing factor,” James Vacca said.

Cardone refuted that contention, saying Kingdollar did nothing to cause the collision.

The lack of any intoxicants in Magee’s system also shows he was clear-minded in driving towards Kingdollar, Cardone said.

Vacca also described the collision as being similar to people walking in a busy mall and rounding a corner and bumping into each other.

“This is not an accident,” Cardone said about the collision. “This is not two people running into each other in the mall.”

While Magee didn’t intend to kill Kingdollar, Magee made intentional choices that led to Kingdollar’s death, Cardone said.

Magee would face a more serious charge if he intentionally tried to kill Kingdollar. But Cardone said the evidence shows Magee tried to scare Kingdollar, by grazing him instead of making a direct hit. And Magee certainly wouldn’t have tried to intentionally kill Kingdollar in front of his friends who were on four-wheelers, Cardone said.

With the second-degree murder charge, the defendant doesn’t need to have tried to kill the other person. Cardone said the defendant needs to show an extreme disregard for human life, and that is the situation with Magee who struck the dirt bike with a much heavier pickup truck.

“He thought he would just brush the victim and move on, but he totally miscalculated,” Cardone said. “He badly misjudged. Any reasonable driver who saw people coming in the opposite direction would have slowed down and not sped up.”

After the collision Magee drove off but came back to get a headlight in the road. One of Kingdollar’s friends allegedly threatened Magee’s life and Magee fled the scene out of concern for his safety, James Vacca said.

Cardone said Magee fled and attempted to hide the truck on a dirt lane off Chugg Road. He only returned to the scene after being persuaded by his sister.

The trial is the last one for Cardone in his 33 years as the county’s district attorney. He told the court today he has tried to be a voice for victims of crimes in the community.

“I ask the court to do justice for the Kingdollar family,” Cardone said.

Judge Sanford Church didn’t make a ruling today. He scheduled 1:30 p.m. on Dec. 4 to announce his decision in the case, although he said he may decide the outcome sooner.

ALBION – Orleans County officials have put together a tentative $99,092,747 budget that represents a 7.1 percent spending increase and would raise taxes by 1.95 percent.

Jack Welch

The additional $375,000  in the tax levy from the $19,264,000 for 2024 stays under the tax cap, said Jack Welch, the county’s chief administrative officer. The tax rate will drop by 66 cents per $1,000 of assessed property to $7.91 due to growth in the tax base through reassessments.

Welch filed the tentative budget on Friday, the deadline to submit the tentative plan. There will be a public hearing at 4 p.m. on Dec. 3 for the budget, with the Legislature to vote in a meeting following the hearing in the legislative chambers of the County Office Building.

Welch, in a budget message, said the fiscal plan faces many financial pressures and uncertainties.

“This year’s $99 million budget recommendation is influenced by VUCA: volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity once again,” he said.

Mandated costs are on the rise, including the “9 for 90 Mandates.” Nine mandated programs used to consume 90 percent of the county’s tax ley. In 2024, it was up to 98.9 percent. But the 2025 budget has the mandates totaling $21,060,228 or 107.4 percent of the tax levy, Welch said. The mandated programs’ cost is up by 10.5 percent.

One of those mandates, health insurance costs, are up 19.8 percent to $7.7 million.

“The true challenge of this expense is that nearly 24 percent of this cost is for one drug,” Welch said in his budget message. “As an experience-rated group, orphan drug expenses play a significant role in the calculation of health insurance premium rates by all health insurance companies.”

The costs for retirement are up 22 percent over the 2024 budgeted expense for the pension contributions.

“The retirement increase is related to the increase in benefits for Tier 6 and the comptroller’s need to increase revenue since more employees are retiring from the workforce statewide,” Welch said.

Sales tax helps offset property taxes, and sales tax has been rising significantly in recent years. However, this year it was $900,000 below the amount in 2023 for the first six months, but then saw an $800,000 jump in the third quarter, Welch said.

“Accrued sales tax collections year-to-date are still below 2023,” he said. “This is the first time since 2016 we have experienced this. Residents have shifted their spending from taxable sales to sales that do not have a sales tax connected to essential goods like food and rent.”

The county’s Capital Plan includes $10,925,755 in projects and equipment upgrades.

That includes the following departments:

Highway – $8,132,479

Peter Bilt 10-wheeler, $260,000; Rollers, $200,000; local bridge and culvert repairs, $200,000; two pickup trucks on lease, $22,104; Upper Holley and South Holley Road replace and overlay, $460,000; patch and seal county roads, $200,000; highway reconstruction, $2,464,280; Eagle Harbor Road culvert replacement design, $170,000; Eagle Harbor Road culvert replacement, $759,625; Gillette Road bridge replacement design, $289,270; bridge preventive maintenance, $1,809,300; Route 279 bridge replacement, $1,136,900; Lakeshore Road bridge design, $161,000.

Buildings and Grounds – $1,410,000

Public Safety Roof, $1,200,000; sewer lateral lining, $150,000; Mental Health and Clerk’s buildings, $50,000; Animal Control roof, $10,000.

Information Technology Services – $70,000

Firewall replacement, $70,000.

Sheriff’s Office – $1,313,276

Dispatcher Stations upgrade, $810,000; jail repairs, $200,000; Jail vests, $13,000; Axon Tasers lease in jail, $6,000; animal control leased truck, $15,000; fleet maintenance program 2022, $66,493; fleet maintenance program 2024, $52,958; fleet maintenance program 2025, $106,000; Tasers lease from 2024 to 2028, $43,825.

Welch said the county has experienced big increases in homeless placements the past 30 months for temporary and emergency housing.

“Our total monthly placements are up over 190% when compared to July 2022 with our in-county placements up 116% and our out-of-county placements up over 600% as of October 2024,” Welch said.

The county budget includes 445 full-time, 107 part-time and 163 seasonal positions across numerous programs and services. This is a decrease of 4 full-time positions and an increase of 10 part-time positions compared to 2024.

The county has struggled to fill some positions in the government. With that reality, plus the rise in costs for employee benefits, the county has begun changing the work week for employees from 35 hours per week to 37.5 hours per week – with a goal of 40 hours per week rather than hiring additional employees, Welch said.

The annual fee for solid waste and recycling service will increase $5 to $225. This fee will continue to support the e-waste collection efforts for county residents at three sites across Orleans County, Welch said.

“The program remains very popular, with high demand for the disposal of CRT monitors and televisions,” he said. “The county is also planning to continue to offer the Household Hazardous Waste pick up annually, which includes residential tires.”

To see more on the tentative budget, click here.

Photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Ingersoll Street is shown north of the canal late this afternoon.

The State Department of Transportation on Tuesday will mill a section of Ingersoll between Caroline and Bank streets, and then pave that section on Wednesday.

Ingersoll has seen increased traffic the past two years with the Main Street lift bridge closed and much of the traffic diverted to the Ingersoll lift bridge.

The section of Ingersoll will be closed to traffic from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for the two days.

From 9 a.m. to 2:30 traffic will need to use alternate routes to cross the Erie Canal: Butts Road on the east side and Gaines Basin Road on the west side.

Press Release, Hillside

HOLLEY – As they approach their 20th anniversary of working with Hillside as foster and adoptive parents, Chris and Alan Girangaya of Holley, have created a legacy of love and commitment for children in need.

Over the years, the Girangayas have welcomed and fostered dozens of children until either the children could be reunited with their families or other permanent placements could be made. They have also legally adopted eight of those children over the years, six of whom still live at home with their forever dads.

“Chris and Alan Girangaya’s partnership with the Hillside community opened many opportunities for children as well as within their own family,” said Jean Galle, Hillside Vice President of Community Based Services. “Through their care, love, and nurturing, many children have been able to call this family their family, and this house, their home.”

Hillside’s Therapeutic Foster Care model is designed to aim for biological family reunifications whenever possible, with foster parents often playing an invaluable partnership role in that process – but in many cases, adoption remains a possible outcome.

“Hillside has been so helpful and supportive,” Chris and Alan shared. “Because we work so closely with the dedicated Hillside staff, we have developed a close-knit and personal relationship. They’re always there for you!”

As with many of their adoptions, Chris and Alan have maintained relationships with their children’s biological families when possible. In fact, one of their children’s maternal grandmothers joined her grandson’s recent celebratory courthouse adoption ceremony.

Maria Cristalli, Hillside President & CEO, points out that the need for foster families has never been greater, and Hillside is always seeking new families willing to open their homes and their hearts to young people in need.

“Becoming a foster parent makes such a difference in a young person’s life,” she said. “Whether you’re providing short-term or respite support, or long-term support to children in need, these connections and relationships bring stability to so many children.”

Hillside’s Therapeutic Foster Care program includes ongoing training and support opportunities for foster families. To learn more, visit www.hillside.com.

Note: The Girangayas participated in a recent Hillside “Conversations with the CEO” podcast interview with Maria Cristalli. To listen, click here.

About Hillside:

Founded in 1837, Hillside is one of the country’s oldest family and youth non-profit human services organizations, and the largest of its type in New York State. The agency supports vulnerable children, adults and families through services delivered on residential campuses, in group homes, and in a wide range of school- and community-based settings.

Last year alone, Hillside programs and staff—across central and western New York State and in Prince George’s County, MD—helped more than 9,000 young people and families work toward building the stronger futures they deserve. Learn more at www.hillside.com. To support Hillside’s mission, visit www.hillside.com/donate.

Provided photos

NEWARK – The following students from Orleans County participated in the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) Zone 2 Sr. High Area All-State festival this weekend at Newark Central High School (from left):

• Ryder Jones from Medina, trumpet in symphonic band
• Amir Huzair from Lyndonville, tenor in mixed chorus
• Noah Fox from Lyndonville, tenor in mixed chorus
• Zachary Baron from Albion, bass in mixed chorus
• Mallory Kozody, soprano in mixed chorus
• Sarah Corser, soprano in mixed chorus

These students are joined by the top singers and instrumentalists from all over Zone 2, which encompasses Monroe, and all its surrounding counties, including Orleans to the other side of Wayne County and south, said Jennifer Neroni-Trupo, vocal teacher and musical director at Lyndinville.

Admission to the Area All-State ensembles requires students to receive a top NYSSMA solo festival score in the spring, a nomination from their music teacher, and eventual selection from a committee of music teachers from Zone 2 based on the first two criteria.

“It is a rigorous process and a tremendous honor for all students involved!” Neroni-Trupo said.

The mixed choir was conducted by Cody Mott from Edinboro University. The choir performed Nox, by Elaine Hagenberg; When Dreams Take Flight, by Rollo Dilworth; Even When God is Silent, by Michael Horvit; Soon ah Will Be Done, by William L. Dawson; and Walk Out on the Water, arr. Geung Kroeker-Lee.

The Symphonic Band was conducted by Dr. John C. Coggiola from Setnor School of Music at Syracuse University. The band performed On Parade, by Amanda C.E. Eldridge; Cloudburst, by Eric Whitacre; Homage to A Dream, by Mark Camphouse; and Ride, by Samuel R. Hazo.

125 attend Diamond Gala to celebrate organization

Photos by Tom Rivers

RIDGEWAY – State Assemblyman Steve Hawley presents a citation from the State Assembly in honor of the 60^th anniversary of the United Way of Orleans County. He made the presentation on Saturday evening to Nyla Gaylord, executive director of the United Way.

“The mission of the United Way of Orleans County is to provide funding and support for Orleans County charities, civic organizations and the people of the county,” the citation states. “A connector of people, resources and fundraising, the United Way strives to make the county stronger. The United Way uses values of collaboration, responsiveness, service, accountability and aids area of the community such as youth, older adults and vulnerable families.”

The Diamond Gala was held at the Ridgeway fire hall with 125 people attending to support the United Way mission. The buffet dinner was catered by Donna Eick.

Nyla Gaylord, United Way executive director, said the organization is committed to helping raise funding for agencies in the community while also pursuing grants for other important initiatives.

Gaylord said the United Way has secured $2 million in grants towards projects, such as a respite program for caregivers of seniors, a digital literacy and low-cost internet initiative, and a nutrition program through Community Action/Cornell Cooperative Extension. United Way also helped with the basketball court upgrades at Bullard Park in Albion.

The organization also helped establish a “Code Blue Warming Center” at Christ Episcopal Church in Albion, working with other partners, including Oak Orchard Health, which runs the site.

“The United Way is one of the most recognized charities in our county, but not many people know what the United Way does,” Gaylord said. “In Orleans County the United Way raises funds to support local organizations providing needed programs and services to residents of Orleans County.”

The United Way does an annual funding appeal with that money dispersed to Arc GLOW (Camp Rainbow and Meals on Wheels), Cornell Cooperative Extension, Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern, GO Art!, Medina Senior Center, OK Kitchen, Orleans County YMCA, P.Raising Kids, Hospice of Orleans County, UConnectCare and Scouts.

“Our focus is on Orleans County,” Gaylord said. “All funds raised stay in Orleans County to benefit our neighbors.”

Gaylord said United Way is taking a leadership role in helping community leaders address some of tough issues, including a need for more affordable housing.

“Today, like 60 years ago, we are amid a time of great social change,” Gaylord said. “Our community faces unprecedented challenges – but also limitless new opportunities. Our mission statement says it all: United Way of Orleans County is a connector of people, resources, ideas and founding to make our community stronger.”

The attendees enjoyed a cake and cupcakes for dessert.

Jodi Gaines, president of the United Way board of directors, accepts the microphone from Assemblyman Hawley.

Gaines has been part of the United Way for 25 years. She started when she was at the former Dime Bank in Albion as a campaign captain. She liked how the United Way could take one donation and share it with agencies working on behalf of local residents.

“I can write a check and impacts so many, from babies to the elderly,” she said.

Gaines went on to start CRFS, and has recently returned as its owner and chief executive officer.

She said the United Way has shifted from a focus on an annual appeal to know securing funding from foundations in Rochester and Buffalo to address community challenges. The annual appeal still generates about $50,000 from the community, which is down from about $300,000 during its peak.

Gaines has been active with the local United Way back when there were two chapters in the county, western and eastern Orleans. The two chapters merged into a county-wide organization in 2011.

Both of the chapters originally were a “Community Chest” with local leaders helping to raise funds for agencies in the county.

Gaines said the “pivot” by the United Way to funding from the major foundations in Buffalo and Rochester has given the local United Way a renewed mission.

“We try to find the needs in the county and where we can help,” Gaines said.

Dean Bellack of Medina was asked to stand and be recognized. He served as director for three years and helped change the structure of the organization, bringing in big grants from the Rochester and Buffalo foundations. One of those grants pays the staff for the United Way over five years until the end of 2026.

Mollie Radzinski, the United Way board president, announces winners of the baskets and prizes up for raffle.

Besides Radzinski, the board officers include Jodi Gaines, president; Tim Moriarty, treasurer; and Jennifer Mateo, secretary. Other board members include Dean Bellack, Ginny Kropf, Jerome Pawlak, Don Colquhoun, Ayesha Kreutz and Lynn Vendetti.

Gary Simboli, a retired music teacher at Albion, provided the entertainment, sharing a show he wrote about the importance of positivity. Simboli said the news is dominated by tragedy, crime and natural disasters. He sang several songs with uplifting messages, including “Imagine” by John Lennon, “Firework” by Katy Perry, “Show Me The Way” by Styx, “Hero” by Mariah Carey and several others.

Magee won’t testify in his own defense

ALBION – The trial against Noah Magee for second-degree murder goes to closing arguments on Tuesday morning.

Noah Magee

The prosecution rested its case this morning after three days of testimony and the defense isn’t calling any witnesses, including Magee, Paul Vacca Jr., Magee’s attorney, announced in court this morning.

The defense asked again that the case be dismissed, saying District Attorney Joe Cardone didn’t prove a collision on Feb. 8 in Barre rose to the level of second-degree murder.

Magee, 19, faces that charge for driving a pickup truck and allegedly intentionally striking Roger Kingdollar, who was riding a dirt bike along McNamar Road. Magee just turned onto McNamar from Angevine Road and then hit Kingdollar who was riding a dirt bike with some of his friends who were on four-wheelers.

Cardone said while Magee didn’t mean to kill Kingdollar, Magee’s “complete disregard to human life” rose to the level of second-degree murder.

“This was no accident,” Cardone said in court this morning. “It was a complete disregard to human life.”

Magee was driving a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado that struck Kingdollar who was driving a motor bike on Feb. 8. The truck outweighed the dirt bike, 9,200 pounds to 236.

Cardone presented evidence showing Magee crossed the center line at about 4 p.m. Cardone contends that Magee then purposely drove at Kingdollar, who was riding on the grass on the north side of the road.

Vacca said the incident was an “automobile accident” with no malicious intent from Magee.

Dr. Nadia Granger, medical examiner from Monroe County Office of Medical Examiner, performed the autopsy on Kingdollar. She said in court today he died from a fracture in the joint in the lower skull and upper neck. That fracture was caused by “blunt force trauma,” either from the collision with the truck or when Kingdollar was knocked into a ditch by the road, she said. He also had bruises and scrapes on his face and forehead, torso, right pinky finger and lower legs.

Kingdollar wasn’t wearing a helmet, but Dr. Granger said a helmet likely wouldn’t have prevented his death.

Kingdollar also was raised from the ditch with ropes under his arms by friends and a responding state trooper. Dr. Granger said that effort wouldn’t have contributed to the fatal injuries he sustained.

Seaver helped foster a new generation of local rock and rollers

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – A photo of the late Mike Seaver, owner of the Shay’s bar on Main Street in Albion, is on display today at the Carlton Rec Hall for a big party in honor of Seaver.

He was 69 when he passed away on Sept. 20. Seaver didn’t have an obit or a funeral. He preferred to stay out of the limelight.

But a longtime friend Mike Whiting organized the big party today. Whiting organized open mic nights at Shay’s for a decade. He said Seaver helped launch some of the local bands by giving them their first chance to play in public and build their confidence,

The celebration for Seaver included many mementos from Shay’s included this restored guitar by Mike Whiting. White, shown here at right, joined in the open mic music. Here he is playing with the band, Lonesome Road.

Whiting said when he turned 21, he went to Say’s for a beer. Seaver was the bartender and the two struck up a good conversation. They became good friends.

Seaver had a karaoke machine in the bar, and welcomed the chance for musicians to perform in open mic nights and also in concerts.

“He was a big proponent of the local music scene,” Whiting said at today’s party for Seaver. “Many local bands were birched at Shay’s. He helped create the Orleans County collective. We didn’t realize the talent we had right here.”

Whiting also became close with Jessi Snyder, a bartender at Shay’s, and the two are now married.

Jessi worked with Seaver for 11 years.

“He had a heart of gold,” she said. “He looked intimidating but after talking to him a  few minutes, you really liked him.”

The band Lonesome Road performs during the open mic at the Carlton Rec hall this afternoon. From left in front include Robert Williams on bass/vocals, Alex Fitzak from the band Vette, Todd Colegrove on guitar/lead vocals and Mike Whiting on guitar/vocals.

The big interior sign from Shay’s was on display at today’s benefit, as well as other Shay’s flags and banners.

Tom Irwin and Seaver have been close friends for about 50 years. They were the best man in each other’s weddings.

Seaver worked as a bartender at Shay’s  for about 30 years before taking over the business from Bill Shay. The business was hurt by Covid and restrictions on crowd sizes. It hasn’t open to the public for about four years.

Many of the shot glasses and mementos were for sale at today’s party.

Irwin said Seaver was the heart and soul of the place.

“He was a very talkative person, just like his mother,” Irwin said. “People came in to see him.”

Seaver enjoyed seeing the younger adults come in for karaoke and the live music in the last 20 years.

“He kept rock and roll alive in Albion,” Irwin said.

There were 52 gift baskets up for raffle during the party and celebration of Seaver. Lori Laine collected the baskets for the event. She said Seaver opened up Shay’s to a rock painting group led by Laine. They would meet there from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesdays. Seaver liked chatting with the group and appreciated that they brought him home-cooked food, Laine said.

Proceeds from today’s event go to Seaver’s wife Ange to help with expenses.

These musicians in front include Dylan DeSmit, Mike “Thunder” Warren and John Borello. They were among the people rocking out in tribute today for Mike Seaver, owner of Shay’s in Albion.

File photo by Tom Rivers: Mike Seaver and Jessi Whiting are shown in this photo from Aug. 13, 2016 during a “Sip N Stroll” when Shay’s joined 13 other locations in a wine-tasting. Shay’s served ice pops from Lake Effect Ice Cream at The Shamrock (Shay’s).

Whiting said she was thrilled to see a big crowd, at least 150 people in the first two hours of today’s party.

“He didn’t want a funeral but this is our way of saying thank you and good bye,” she said.

Many of Seaver’s family attended the celebration and they were serving food in the kitchen.

Seaver’s sister Donna Halladay came from California with her daughter Samantha. Halladay provided pizza and hot dogs, and headed up the kitchen staff made up of Seaver’s family. Many of them also were part of putting on events and holidays at Shay’s over the years, Mike Whiting said.

“Donna used to make some homemade salsa and chips that were famous at the bar!” Whiting said. “Whenever she was in town visiting, you could always count on those being on hand at the bar, always at no charge!”

Other family members from Orleans County who helped in the kitchen include Vicki Juckett, sister; Melissa Hope, niece; Barry Hope, nephew; Eileen Manning, cousin; and George Manning, cousin.

“Vicki and George were very active with Mike’s life at the bar,” Whiting said. “George even used to help host a video game night called ‘Halo Night’ where we would all play the game Halo 2 on Xbox with Mike for hours! Mike loved that game!”

MEDINA – Medina Lindy in the Village has announced a “Spritz of the Season” dance and concert Nov. 29 at Bent’s Opera House.

The live concert and dance event will feature Gordon Webster’s seven-piece Jazz Band, with vocalist Julia Weatherholtz.

From 7:30 to 10:30 p.m., the band will perform three full sets of big band-style jazz and swing classics, including upbeat holiday jazz, according to Julie Berry, co-founder of Lindy in the Village with her husband Phil.

Webster is a musician and bandleader, famous worldwide for his modern take on vintage swing music, according to Berry. Vocalist Julia Weatherholtz of Rochester will perform with Webster on keyboards, Jake Handelman of New York City on trombone, Tim Clarke of Buffalo on trumpet, Eric Metzgar of Sao Paolo, Brazil on drums and Eric Heveron Smith of Rochester on bass.

This lineup was part of the ensemble which recently played with Webster on Jeju Island in Korea. Weatherholtz and Handelman recently played with him at the Lincoln Center.

Attendees at the event, the day after Thanksgiving, will enjoy the ambiance of Bent’s newly restored opera house, along with drinks and appetizers from Harvest Restaurant. Those wishing to dance can take advantage of an open dance floor.

For those interested in learning more about Lindy Hop swing dancing, Medina Lindy in the Village will host a beginner swing dance lesson from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., included with ticket purchase for the concert. Experienced dancers will be on hand all evening to assist beginners.

This event is made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrant program through the New York State Council on the Arts with support of the office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and administered by GO ART! Medina Lindy is sponsored by Community Action of Orleans and Genesee.

Tickets for the concert/dance can be purchased at www.medinalindy.com/tickets, with early bird pricing now through Nov. 24. Discounted pricing is available for college students. Under 18 may attend for free, but youth 13 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

For more information on the concert, dance and lessons, e-mail info@medinalindy.com.  Those wishing to make dinner reservations at Harvest or hotel reservations should call (585) 318-2110 or visit www.bentsoperahouse.com.

By Catherine Cooper, Orleans County Historian

“Illuminating Orleans” – Volume 4, Number 36

As you walk in the woods or along the canal bank in late October and early November, you may notice clusters of curious looking round yellow lime colored objects on the ground.

They are about the size of a tennis ball, but heavier, with a wrinkled surface and a delicate lemony scent. These are the seeds of the female Osage orange tree.

Scientists hypothesize that the Osage orange dates to the Pleistocene era when it was eaten by mastodons and other large herbivores. The tree’s name designation derives from the slightly orange color of the wood and from the geographic area where it originated – that area of the southern Plains that is home to the Osage Indians. Its scientific name is Maclura Pomifera, it is also referred to as a Hedge Apple or Horse-Apple tree.

Osage orange wood is very strong. It was favored by American Indians for making bows and by settlers for making wagon wheels. But it was the short, sharp thorns that grow on the lower limbs that made the tree very popular with farmers. Planted close together in a row, the trees grow quickly and straight and soon form a prickly, impenetrable hedge.

A search of the Orleans County newspapers shows that Osage orange trees were being sold and recommended for fencing as early as 1854 and regularly thereafter.

• April 1869, Randall King, of Kendall Corners, advertised 50-60 thousand “good strong plants of my own raising.” (Orleans Republican)
• April 1878, W.S. Webb of North Ridgeway, advertised 10,000 two-year-old Osage Orange hedge plants for sale at $2.25 per thousand. (Medina Tribune)
• March 1880, A.G. Barlow & Co. of North Ridgeway, advertised 40,000 plants for sale at $2.25 per thousand. (Medina Tribune)
• April 1881, S.C. Wood, Long Bridge Nursery, Knowlesville, sold the tree along with a wide variety of fruit and ornamental trees. (Medina Tribune)

Barbed wire gradually replaced Osage orange trees for fencing, the hard wood was then used to make fence posts. The trees were not mentioned again in the Orleans County newspapers for many years, until 1971 when an article in the Medina Daily Journal announced that the NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation was offering landowners 250 seedlings of a variety of hardwood trees, including the Osage orange, on a first-come, first-served basis and “upon approval by a State Forester” for reforestation purposes.

Osage orange trees may be either male or female, both are required for fruiting, but only the female tree produces fruit which contains seeds encased in a fleshy pulp, with a sticky white sap in the center. The seeds are exposed as the outer layer disintegrates. The trees may be cultivated from seed – several Osage orange enthusiasts have shared their “how to” expertise on YouTube videos.

Some people place the fruit in corners and basements as they are believed to repel spiders while others use them for decorative purposes. In either case, it is interesting to consider the long links of this tree back to prehistoric times.

By Randy LeBaron

Good morning! Grab your favorite cup. Fill it up. And let’s start this week right… TOGETHER!!!

Today I would like to talk about an integral part of any service-oriented organization and will use the Hands 4 Hope Street Ministry as an example. Previously I have shared about how H4H launched almost 9 years ago under the leadership of John “Jack” Burris & Kevin Lemcke (my only contribution was the name 😇).

I have discussed it’s mission to be a beacon of hope in our community by going where the need is and offering people food, clothing, and prayer, and I have told you the testimonies of those who have received help over the years. This time however I would like to shine the light on those who are so vital to the sustainability and long-term success of H4H—the volunteers.

To say that H4H would not exist without volunteers is an understatement. We all know that volunteers are the lifeblood of any good mission organization, but I would argue even more so in this case because week in and week out every single task is done by volunteers. From purchasing and putting together food shares, sorting and boxing up clothes, loading up the van, setting up all of the tables and benches at each location, manning the prayer table, handing out tickets, assisting anyone who needs help carrying their bags, and so on, volunteers get it done. Some are regulars who are there almost every week and others are committed to certain locations, but everyone works together to offer hope and to show the love of Christ through tangible, practical means.

Is it rewarding? Yes. But is it also draining at times and it would be impossible to accomplish any of it without the many volunteers who commit to coming out anywhere from 1-4 times each month, who help with fundraising and other special events like the recent Red Jacket Rally, and who are not only willing to give up their Saturday mornings but also some holidays. Since people rely on H4H to keep their schedule of stops each month we have worked hard to always be where and when we say that we will be, that has meant having to get creative during the Covid quarantine and, a few years ago, showing up on both Christmas morning and New Year’s. FYI – it was so worth it!

I know that H4H is certainly not the only organization that relies on others willing to donate their time and talents to serve others. (Shout out to Orleans Koinonia Kitchen in their effort to provide food and fellowship every Thursday including the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday.) But H4H is one which I have personally participated in for a long time. It was for this reason that I had initially wanted to interview several of the long-term volunteers, but I soon realized just how long that list was and how many might inadvertently be left off. Instead, I decided to focus on a couple who are newer to the ministry but who have found passion and purpose in learning to serve others.

I first met Matt Caldwell and Rebecca Ugorek when they showed up at my church, New Hope Community (First Baptist Church of Medina until recently), a little over a year ago. At that time Matt was a self-proclaimed atheist who had felt led to check out this church which was literally in his backyard. Well, a lot has changed since then and even in the past couple of months both Matt and Rebecca were baptized and became members.

One of the many reasons leading to this life change and spiritual growth was becoming involved with H4H. New Hope Community had made a decision to be outward focused and to find ways to serve the community and support area missions. One of those was H4H and it was decided that in addition to promoting the ministry and collecting donations that we would commit to having church members serve at the Medina location (across from The MAAC Depot) every first Saturday of the month.

Along with several others Matt and Rebecca showed up and started right in helping out in any way necessary, that was when they started to feel God calling them to more. In Matt’s own words, after sensing that they should plan to serve at all four locations each month, he said, “I think for both of us it was because we had both been through seasons in our lives that we could have used what H4H offers, so now being able to help others out of the bad places, which we knew intimately, feels good and right. The praying came later, and I didn’t think I was capable (I still don’t lol), but when asked to do it by Jack, I said I would try. I didn’t know what I was doing, but God does, and I could feel him moving through me and using me. I was an infant in my faith at the time, but I was willing to try. The experience strengthened our faith because every week we showed up and God used us. He kind of nudged Becca to take charge of set up, organization, and helping people on the line while he continues to put me in a position to listen to hurting people and pray with them from a place of understanding, having been on some of their roads.

I went from never praying to praying for others because coming to know God taught me humility. Reading his word and discussing it with others and beginning to live his word. Our God has listened to our cries for thousands of years despite how often we get it wrong and sometimes outright deny him as I did for most of my life. Still he is faithful and loves us. Our God is almighty, but at the same time humble because he forgives and loves us without limit.

C.S. Lewis once said, “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less.” Changing the position of the word “less” in that statement is such a profound shift in perspective. It’s also very similar to something Jesus himself said. ‘Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself’ (Matt 22:37–39) I didn’t pray with others before I knew God because I did not know these things, but now that I know these things to be true in my heart I can’t comprehend how I could listen to God’s example and not do for others as my Lord has done for me.”

If you would like to join Matt, Becca or the many other volunteers feel free to show up at any of the following locations on Saturday mornings from 10:30 a.m. to noon (1^st – Medina at corner of Starr & Orient, 2^nd – Holley Square, 3^rd – Albion at Hoag Library, 4^th – Albion at Lydun Dr. Extension).

See you in 2 weeks!

Pastor Randy

MEDINA – In recognition of November as National Lung Cancer Month, Orleans Community Health and Medina Memorial Hospital are emphasizing the importance of early lung cancer detection throughout the month.

As part of the observance, the hospital is raising awareness about the critical role of low-dose CT scans in detecting lung cancer early when treatment is most effective.

Lunch cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, but when diagnosed early, it is more treatable and survival rates significantly improve, according information from the hospital.

With Lung Cancer Awareness Month in full swing, Medina Memorial Hospital is urging individuals who are at high risk of lung cancer to consider screening with low-dose CT, an advanced imaging tool that can detect potential issues before symptoms appear.

Those who should consider lung cancer screening are individuals between the ages of 50 and 80 who meet the following criteria:

• Age 50 to 80 years
• Asymptomatic (no current symptoms of lung cancer)
• Tobacco smoking history of at least 20 pack-years (one pack-year is equivalent to smoking one pack of cigarettes per day for one year).
• Current smoker or someone who has quit within the last 15 years

For those who meet these criteria, low-dose CT scans could be a life-saving tool in detecting lung cancer early. These scans are non-invasive, quick and highly effective at identifying lung cancers before symptoms appear, allowing for earlier intervention and better treatment outcomes.

Medina Memorial hospital is proud to offer low-dose CT screenings for eligible patients. Unlike traditional chest X-rays, LDCT uses lower levels of radiation and is more sensitive in detecting early-stage lung cancers. Since lung cancer often has no symptoms in its early stages, screening through LDCT provides an invaluable opportunity for earlier diagnosis, leading to more treatment options and better survival rates.

“Lung cancer is often diagnosed at later stages when it is more difficult to treat, but LDCT screening allows us to catch it early, before patients even notice symptoms,” said Erica Chutko, director of imaging services at Orleans Community Health. “This can make all the difference in a patient’s prognosis. As we observe Lung Cancer Awareness Month, we want our community to know that early detection through screening is key, and we’re here to help guide you through the process.”

For individuals who meet the screening criteria, Medina Memorial Hospital offers convenient, accessible lung cancer services with LDCT. To determine eligibility for screening, individuals should speak with their primary care provider, who can provide a referral and guide them through the screening process.

“We urge our community members to reach out, especially if they have a history of smoking,” said Scott Robinson, director of marketing at Orleans Community Health. “Taking proactive steps now can save lives later.”

Medina Memorial Hospital is committed to raising awareness about lung cancer and the importance of early detection throughout the entire month of November. Together, we can encourage at-risk individuals to take action, learn about available screening options and ultimately reduce the impact of lung cancer in our community, Robinson added.

Press Release, Orleans/Niagara BOCES

MEDINA – Congratulations to the students from the Orleans and Niagara Career and Technical Education Centers, who were recently inducted into the National Technical Honor Society.

Out of all the high school students in the United States, the National Technical Honor Society students who receive this honor comprise 1.6 percent of that population. For staff at the Orleans/BOCES centers, they represent the four pillars of the National Technical Honor Society: scholarship, leadership, service and character.

The students were honored in front of their teachers, families and school district representatives. The students had to maintain an 89.5 grade average in their career and technical education programs and an 84.5 average at their high schools, have superior attendance, exemplary behavior, be a member in good standing with SkillsUSA and have a recommendation from a faculty member.

Lyndonville celebrated their students being inducted into the National Technical Honor Society.

Congratulations go to:

Orleans Career and Technical Education Center in Medina:

Ava Achtyl (Animal Science/Roy-Hart), Garrett Armenia (Computer Technology/Roy-Hart), Andrew Austin (Diesel Technology & Heavy Equipment/Lyndonville), Lilyan Beals (Allied Health/Roy-Hart), Shianne Beauman (Security and Law Enforcement/Roy-Hart), Austin Bentley (Security and Law Enforcement/Lyndonville), Alexis Capen (Cosmetology/Roy-Hart), Scott Clark (Computer Technology/Roy-Hart), Jacie Craft (Cosmetology/Roy-Hart)

Madison Davis (Allied Health/Lyndonville), Adler Detschner (Electricity & Electronics/Barker), Madilyn Detschner (Early Childhood Education/Barker), Kelli Dingle (Graphic Communications/Albion), Emma Freas (Welding/Lyndonville), Sofia Gagliardi (Allied Health/Medina), Gisella Garcia (Allied Health/Medina), Nathan Garrett (Graphic Communications/Albion)

Tracy Garrett (Graphic Communications/Albion), Sophia Goyette (Advanced Manufacturing & Engineering/Medina), Gloria Haller (Security & Law Enforcement/Barker), Sahara Holland (Security & Law Enforcement/Barker), Lucas Hollenbaugh (Computer Technology/Lockport), Jayden Lewis (Allied Health/Albion), Markaija Ming (Cosmetology/Lockport), Trenton Morley (Electricity & Electronics/Medina), Paige Newton (Allied Health/Albion), Isabella Pearl (Cosmetology/Lockport)

Ehren Pettapiece (Building Trades/Lockport), McKenzie Pilarski (Security & Law Enforcement/Lockport), Alyssa Prine (Health Occupations Technology/Lyndonville), Mason Renz (Electricity & Electronics/Newfane), Alexis Rutherford (Diesel Technology & Heavy Equipment/Newfane), Rachel Samson (Early Childhood Education/Barker), Zachary Schultz (Welding/Roy-Hart)

Brooklyn Schumacher (Cosmetology/Roy-Hart), Brady Schwartz (Computer Technology/Roy-Hart), Roseland Steffen (Animal Science/Albion), Monet Thomas (Allied Health/Albion), Maria Vasquez (Security & Law Enforcement/Medina), Connor Wesolek (Diesel Technology & Heavy Equipment/Roy-Hart), Brianna Windham (Cosmetology/Newfane), Abigayle Wright (Electricity & Electronics/Medina) and Keira Zambito (Animal Science/Albion).

Barker also has a contingent of students at the Orleans/Niagara BOCES who went into the National Technical Honor Society.

Niagara Career and Technical Education Center in Sanborn:

Jordon Andrzejczyk (Emergency Medical Services/Niagara Falls), Christian Barker (Welding/Niagara Falls), Malayna Berhalter (Emergency Medical Services/North Tonawanda), Madison Boyce (Early Childhood Education/Wilson), Jayden Burns (Culinary Arts/North Tonawanda), Brodie Charnley (HVAC/Niagara Wheatfield), Madison Chase (Early Childhood Education/Wilson), Vincent Cipolla (Web & Game Development/Niagara Wheatfield)

Emily Droegmyer (Culinary Arts/Lewiston-Porter), Elizabeth Finley (Health Occupations Technician/North Tonawanda), Brady Finn (HVAC/Niagara Wheatfield), Sophia Haley (Culinary Arts/North Tonawanda), Mattingly Huff (Cosmetology/Niagara Wheatfield), Joey-Dane Jones (Building Maintenance & Management/Wilson), Tyler Kinyon (HVAC/Starpoint), Joseph Kott (HVAC/Niagara Wheatfield), Sean Kropp (Computer Technology/Wilson), Jaylyn Linderman (Early Childhood Education/Starpoint), Alexander Liu (Security & law Enforcement/Niagara Wheatfield)

Kaitlyn Meahl (Culinary Arts/Starpoint), Elijah Miron (Early Childhood Education/North Tonawanda), Adam Niver (Web & Game Development/Newfane), Faith Pittsley (Emergency Medical Services/Niagara Wheatfield), Henry Riek (Diesel Technology & Heavy Equipment/Niagara Wheatfield), Savannah Shaffer (Early Childhood Education/North Tonawanda), Sarah Skorik (Graphic Communication/Niagara Wheatfield)

Jessica Slye-Butz (Early Childhood Education/Lewiston-Porter), Kagan Smith (Project Based Engineering/Starpoint), Azalynn Stalvey (Animation, Film & Visual Effects/Lewiston-Porter), Keing-Keith Taylor (Web & Game Development/Lockport), Jeremy Taylor (Conservation/Niagara Wheatfield), Benjamin Wagner (HVAC/Niagara Wheatfield) and Sean Wellsby (Building Maintenance & Management).

ALBION – Pete Stritzinger (right), president of the Albion Exempts, presents a certificate of commendation to Geno Allport, left, for his years of dedication to the youth football program in Albion.

Stritzinger and the Exempts have been recognizing people in the community each month and donating $75 to the organization they are a part of. Allport received $75 towards the youth football program.

He is also leading an effort to have a new concessions stand at Bullard Park, where the youth football teams practice and play their home games.

Membership in the Exempts is open to the community at $20.

Press Release, Orleans County Master Gardeners

KNOWLESVILLE – It’s that time of year again when Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners are gearing up to offer their popular Wreathmaking Workshops.

There are three options for class times this year: Dec. 4 at 2 p.m., Dec. 4 at 6 p.m., and Dec. 5 at 10 a.m.  The 6 p.m. class on Dec. 4 is close to filling up, but there are several spots still available during the daytime classes.

The wreathmaking classes are fun for all ages, including parents and their children. Kristina Kleeh and her daughter Sophia have been coming for several years to make a wreath together.

The Wreathmaking Workshops are the biggest fundraiser for the Master Gardener program at CCE. Proceeds from the classes support educational programming throughout the year, including the monthly Master Your Garden educational classes for adults, youth activities at local events and county libraries, on-site demonstration gardens, and new programs like the debut of the Orleans Community Seed Share coming in 2025.

“The Wreathmaking classes are always such a fun way to close out our program year,” said Katie Oakes, Master Gardener Coordinator at Orleans CCE. “It’s always fun to see how different the wreaths turn out, even with everyone starting with the same base materials!”

Master Gardeners purchase evergreen boughs in bulk to be used as the base for the holiday wreaths. Volunteers also bring in accent material from their own yards so participants can personalize their wreaths to fit with their home décor or holiday aesthetic.

Each wreath comes out entirely unique and reflective of the personality and creativity of the maker.

Accent material in the past has included holly, red-twig dogwood, dried hydrangea, pinecones, and more! There is also a table set up with festive ornaments and trinkets participants can choose from as well as many different styles and prints of ribbon for custom-made bows.

“I have been coming to the Wreathmaking classes for several years,” said Peggy Gabalski, a long-time attendee of the workshops. “I love having this event as the start of the Christmas season!”

The Wreathmaking classes are typically offered in November, but with Thanksgiving falling later in the month and CCE buildings being in use other days, Master Gardeners were limited in options to host the class.

The workshops will be held in the Trolley Building of the Orleans County 4-H Fairground, 12690 State Rt 31, Albion, NY 14411. The cost for the class is $30 per wreath. Pre-registration is required by calling 585-798-4265 ext.125 or emailing klo54@cornell.edu.

Participants are encouraged to bring their own gardening gloves and pruners to streamline the prep of evergreen branches.