BATAVIA – The State University of New York Board of Trustees today appointed Dr. Craig Lamb as president of Genesee Community College. Lamb’s appointment is effective Aug. 1. He succeeds Dr. James Sunser, who is retiring after 13 years as president.
The SUNY Board of Trustees said, “After an extensive and thorough search for the president of Genesee Community College, we would like to congratulate Dr. Craig Lamb. He is no stranger to SUNY, serving at GCC since 2013. His incredible career championing higher education will serve him well as he leads the institution into a bright future.”
About Dr. Craig Lamb
Dr. Craig Lamb joined Genesee Community College in 2013 and currently serves as the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.
“It is a profound privilege to be selected as the next President of Genesee Community College,” Dr. Lamb said. “I am deeply thankful to those who have entrusted me with this role. For the past ten years, I have been honored to be part of the GCC community, and I am excited to lead our campus in our steadfast commitment to student success.”
Having held various leadership and administrative roles, Dr. Lamb is a believer in the transformative power of a high-quality, affordable, and accessible college education, especially for individuals who have been historically underrepresented and underserved. Dr. Lamb’s efforts are driven by his commitment to inclusivity, intellectual and social growth, shared governance, fiscal responsibility, and the development of life-long learners.
Dr. Lamb’s career has been dedicated to the public postsecondary educational sector, including previous positions at SUNY Empire State University, the University of Connecticut, and SUNY Plattsburgh. He has completed several professional development programs specifically focused on executive leadership within an ever-changing educational environment. Along with his professional and administrative roles, Dr. Lamb has taught a variety of college courses in face-to-face, hybrid, and online modalities for more than two decades.
Dr. Lamb earned his Ph.D. in Educational Administration and Policy Studies from the University at Albany, and his Master of Science in College and Agency Counseling from SUNY Plattsburgh.
Jacalyn Whiting, chair of the GCC Board of Trustees, said, “The Genesee Community College trustees are pleased to welcome Dr. Craig Lamb as our next president. Dr. Lamb brings extensive experience and leadership to this role, and we look forward to working closely with him in continuing our commitment to student success above all else.”
“Community colleges offer so much for the areas they serve, from workforce development and microcredentials for individuals seeking to upskill, to providing students with springboards from associate degrees to our bachelor’s degree programs,” said SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. “Having presidents who understand each campus and know what the communities need is crucial in fostering student success and upward mobility. I congratulate Dr. Lamb on his appointment and look forward to collaborating for the benefit of our students, faculty, and staff.”
Information courtesy of Kathy Dreyfus, publicity chair for Medina Band Boosters
MEDINA – The Medina Band celebrated the 2023-2024 season at the band banquet on Monday at the Shelby Fire Hall and catered by their staff.
Special guests included Dr. Mark Kruzynski, district superintendent; Michael Cavanagh, high school principal; and Board of Education members, Debbie Tompkins and Jennifer Buondonno.
Booster officers were recognized for their countless hours of volunteer time and dedication to the program. These include Crystal Elliott, president; Heather Jackson, vice president; Holly Roush, treasurer; Michelle Wright, secretary; Becky Rinker, student accounts; Mindy Kenward, chaperone chair and past president; Jen Lenhart & Misty Reese, uniform chair; Kathy Dreyfus & Janine Farley, publicity; Jason Clare, transportation; Paul Greean & Shirley Kepner, delegates. Holly Roush will be stepping down and Diana Baker will be the new treasurer. Nick Hartman will now be in charge of transportation.
The Harry L. Dinkle award recognizes a person’s dedication to the program and this year’s recipient is Jen Lenhart.
Instructional staff include: Percussion – Michael Denise; Color Guard – Melissa Jaeger, Kara Brown, Molly Jaeger & Katie Crooks; Pit Instructor – Tiffany Organisciak; Visual Instructor – Ray Jones: Music Arranger & Instructor – Joe Organisciak; Assistant Band Directors – Kyla Leno & Andrea Busch; Percussion Arranger – Steve House; Visual Design – Tim Moshier.
Student Awards
NYSFBC Scholarship – Alex Balaban
Mustang Band Service Scholarship – Madisynn Stanton
Steele Family Award – Alex Balaban
Joseph C. McKain Award – Ryder Jones & Emma Jacobs
Alfred Hartway Drum Major Award – Alex Balaban & Caiden Class.
Outstanding Band Member Awards were given in 3 categories
Outstanding Rookie – Charlotte McGrath (brass), Grace Keppler (ww), Adler Class (perc), and Madison Hamilton (guard)
Most Improved – Shonn Effner (brass), Adelynne Lacy (ww), Aidyn Jackson (perc), and Mackenzie Poynter (guard)
Most Valuable – Cameron Kenward (brass), Caiden Class (ww), Emma Jacobs (perc), and Natalie Herbert (guard)
Director Awards: Teagan Balaban, Carmen Stalker and Logan Trillizio.
Band members were recognized for the number of seasons they participated and the various positions they held.
Student staff were named for the various sections that they will be responsible for. The Drum Major is Mackenzie McGrath and Assistant Drum Majors are Ryder Jones and Riley Tompkins.
The Junior Prologue was given by Riley Tompkins and the Senior Epilogue by Alex Balaban and Caiden Class.
While the 2023-2024 season is coming to a close the 2024-2025 is already starting with rehearsals scheduled for June.
HOLLEY – The Board of Education has selected Karri Schiavone as the next superintendent of the Holley school district. She will succeed Brian Bartalo who is retiring on June 30.
Schiavone has worked for Holley for 26 years, including the past 12 years as the principal of Holley Elementary School. Prior to that she served as the director of instruction and special programs in Holley. Her educational career also includes work in Medina, Brockport and Buffalo.
“Karri brings an unmatched wealth of knowledge, experience and dedication to Holley that shined through our search. Her passion for education coupled with her love for the Holley community will bring growth and success to our school district. We look forward to collaborating with her to support the needs of the district,” said Holley Board President Anne Winkley. “We are thankful for the outstanding leadership Superintendent Bartalo has given to our district these past six years and wish him a happy, healthy retirement.”
The Board will formally appoint Schiavone at a special board meeting on Thursday, June 6. Schiavone will assume her new role July 1.
“I am humbled and honored to have been selected as the next superintendent of the Holley Central School District, a place I call home,” Schiavone said. “I look forward to working with the Board of Education, staff, students and community as we continue our journey toward excellence. Together, we will further build on the district’s successes and ensure that every student has the opportunity to achieve their highest potential.”
Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES District Superintendent Jo Anne L. Antonacci assisted the Holley Board of Education as search consultant throughout the process.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 June 2024 at 11:12 am
Three school musicals that were performed in March in Orleans County have been recognized by the Stars of Tomorrow program through the Rochester Broadway Theatre League.
The Stars held its 26th annual awards program last month and some of the schools in the Rochester region were able to perform a selection from their musicals on the RBTL’s Auditorium Theatre. Albion, Lyndonville and Medina all were able to take the stage and all won awards for their March productions.
Lyndonville and Medina are grouped in schools with population less than 500, while Albion is ranked larger schools with more than 500 students.
Lyndonville had a cast and crew of 75 students in the production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.”
Lyndonville was recognized for Excellence in Vocal Ensemble, Excellence in Dance Ensemble, and Excellence in Student Orchestra.
Elizabeth Whipple, the Narrator, was recognized for achievement in a leading role.
Lyndonville’s director Jennifer Trupo also was honored with one of three “Impact Awards” given among all schools. She has built a strong program with large casts and student participation.
Albion received many awards for its production of Little Women. These main characters include, from left: Mallory Kozody as Josephine “Jo” March, Ella Trupo as Beth, Zack Baron as Laurie, Lily Brigham as Amy and Danielle Wyant as Meg.
Albion was a big winner and was honored with Excellence in Overall Production, Excellence in Acting Ensemble, Excellence in Vocal Ensemble, Excellence in Dance Ensemble, Excellence in Student Orchestra, Excellence in Production Design,
Achievement in a Leading Role: Mallory Kozody as Jo March, Mallory Ashbery as Marmee, Gideon Park as Mr. Bhaer, and Zackary Baron and Laurie.
Medina performed the ambitious Les Misérables, a story of the 1832 June Rebellion in France. In this scene the young revolutionaries prepare themselves for battle.
Medina won for Excellence in Vocal Ensemble, Excellence in Dance Ensemble, and Excellence in Production Crew,
Achievement in a Leading Role: Elaina Huntington as Madame Thenardier.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 June 2024 at 10:09 am
ALBION – A Medina man was sentenced to six years in state prison plus three years of post-release supervision.
Demarques “Dutch” Underwood, 34, on Nov. 15 pleaded guilty on Nov. 15 to criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree. He admitted he had cocaine with the intent to sell it.
He was sentenced last week by Orleans County Court Judge Sanford Church. Underwood was charged with a codefendant in October 2023 after police seized over 40 baggies of crack cocaine, $3,400 in cash, scales, numerous packaging material and other drug paraphernalia.
In other cases in County Court:
• Jayah Osby, 24, of Albion was sentenced to a year in prison for criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree.
Osby was charged on Aug. 21 after being searched by Albion police officers who located cocaine, marijuana and distribution bags for sale as well as $600 in cash. There was an active arrest warrant for Osby at the time.
• Vincent McLeod, 26, a former inmate at Orleans Correctional Facility in Albion, was sentenced to 1 ½ to 3 years in prison for attempted promoting prison contraband for having a black ceramic razor blade on Nov. 29, 2022. He is now an inmate at Wallkill Correctional Facility serving an 8-year sentence for first-degree robbery and attempt assault in the first degree.
• David Brege, 37, of Medina, pleaded guilty to attempted criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, and driving while ability impaired due to drugs.
Brege was charged in October after having cocaine, a rifle and knife concealed in a flashlight. He faces up to 5 years in prison when he is sentenced.
• Christian Strickland, 25, of Medina was arraigned was arraigned for driving while intoxicated and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. He was charged on Dec. 21.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 4 June 2024 at 9:28 am
MEDINA – The ninth season of Medina’s Canal Village Farmers’ Market’s summer season launched on Saturday with a big crowd at the summer location in downtown Medina.
“Our winter market had a great season, but the summer market season is what everyone looks forward to,” said Chris Busch, president of the Orleans Renaissance Group, which sponsors the market. “Opening day was amazing, with more than 400 visitors who gathered throughout the morning and early afternoon to enjoy the vendors, live music and food trucks. Everyone had a great time.”
The Orleans Renaissance Group or ORG, is a local 501(c)3 arts and culture organization, which operates Canal Village Farmers’ Market on their corner lot at West Center Street and West Avenue. Gail Miller is manager of the market.
“We had a fantastic opening day,” she said. “We have a lot packed into the Saturday market, with regular and rotating vendors, food trucks, kids’ scavenger hunts, crafters and community groups. The vibe was incredible. One of the best ever.”
Regular vendors were joined by new vendors this season, including Confection Connection Bakery and Wild Dahlia Designs selling fresh flowers.
Wineries, mead and spirits will make a return. Scheduled throughout the season are 810 Meadworks, the popular Black Button Distilling from Rochester and other area wineries, to be announced.
Food trucks and vendors will again be at the market.
“We have a great line-up of food trucks and there’s a nice variety for all tastes this year,” Miller said.
TN Smoke House from Middleport had customers lined up at the opening day of Canal Village Farmers’ Market, selling out of their brisket and pulled pork.
TN Smoke House, El Gran Burrito and NOLA Concessions were a huge hit opening day, with TN Smoke House selling out.
TN Smoke House was a much-anticipated new addition, Busch said.
“We’re so excited to welcome pit-master Scott Gypson and TN Smoke House to our lot at 127 West Center St.,” Miller said.
Gypson, a Middleport native, spent a number of years living in Tennessee where he learned and mastered the fine art of smoking meat, Busch said.
“Many told us throughout the day that his brisket and pulled pork were the best they’d ever had,” Busch said. “The line at his truck was non-stop.”
TN Smoke House will appear at numerous times during the season. In addition to weekly anchor food truck, El Gran Burrito, other food trucks will be rotating in and out throughout the season as well, including Dubby’s Wood Fired Pizza from Albion and Greenlief’s on the Go from Middleport..
Another new food vendor is NOLA Confections, selling New Orleans style snow cones– a sweet made with a mound of fluffy shaved ice flavored with sweet syrups and topped or stuffed with a number of mix-ins and add-ons.
The ever-popular weekly Kid’s Scavenger Hunt also returned to the summer market. The scavenger hunt has again been generously sponsored by Maureen Hungerford.
Miller said that products available each Saturday are listed every week on the market’s Facebook page – Canal Village Farmers Market. Customers are encouraged to like and follow the page for up-to-date information on vendors, food trucks and general information on activities.
The market will again have multiple options for making sales transactions, including, cash, credit via Square, PayPal and Venmo, as well as also accepting Senior Coupons, WIC, SNAP and Fresh Connect Checks. Double Up Food Bucks to SNAP recipients will soon be available.
The market is open every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Miller can be reached at canalvillagemarket@gmail.com or via Facebook Messenger with questions or vendor inquiries.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 June 2024 at 8:37 am
Terms for office increased from 2 to 4 years
Mark Bower
HOLLEY – Three names will be on the ballot for the June 18 village election and all three are current members of the Village Board.
Mark Bower is unopposed for mayor. He is running under the “Historic Holley Party.” Two incumbent trustees also are unopposed. Jessica MacClaren is running under the “Four Holley Party” and John Morriss is under the “Family Party.”
Voting will be from noon to 9 p.m. in the village office foyer. Holley’s terms of office used to be for two years but this election they will be for four years. The board voted to increase the terms on Jan. 10, 2023. This is the first election it takes effect.
Bower was elected mayor in June 2022. A retired school administrator, he wants to see projects to completion, including with street repairs. White Street is the first on the list for upgrades.
“There are a lot of unfinished things I want to bring to closure,” Bower said.
In the past two years some new businesses have opened in Holley. Bower said other projects are close, including a new Dollar General in the former Jubilee and Save-A-Lot grocery store building.
“We’re just waiting on that,” he said. “I’m trying to be a champion and an advocate for the businesses in Holley.”
Bower said the board members have a good working relationship, and respectfully disagree at times.
“We have a very good board,” he said. “It is a pleasure working with them. We don’t agree on everything.”
MacClaren is a fourth-grade teacher in Brockport. Morriss is a retired teacher and former Murray town supervisor.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 June 2024 at 7:46 pm
Amber Harrier, who lost both parents to a car accident when she was 10, will graduate with high honors
Photo by Tom Rivers: Amber Harrier, a senior who will graduate on June 28, said the school district and many local families have helped her reach this point. Her parents were killed in a car accident when she was 10 in September 2017.
KENDALL – These days when Amber Harrier, 17, looks in the mirror, she sees her mother. Amber has her mom’s long curly hair and their facial features are a close match.
Seeing that resemblance makes Amber happy – and sad.
Amber was 10 when both her mother and father were killed in a car accident on Route 31 near the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds in Knowlesville. Rebecca Harrier had slowed to make a left hand turn onto Taylor Hill Road when her Chevrolet Corsica was rear-ended. Mrs. Harrier was pronounced deceased at the scene on Sept. 17, 2017. Her husband Randy, 38, was a passenger and died from his injuries the following day.
“I miss them,” Amber said during an interview last week. “I have dreams where they are magically there.”
Amber is the youngest of their three children. She said she continues to feels grief, and anger from the loss of her parents. She has managed high honor roll grades in school, but she admitted she struggled her junior year and considered dropping out.
But teachers, staff and friends kept her going. She has refocused this year and will be attending St. Bonaventure University in Olean to major in psychology with a goal to become a mental health counselor.
Amber says she kept a consuming anger bottled up for several years. As a freshman, she started to let it out. That has helped.
She has come out of her shell, and this year tried things outside her comfort zone, including singing and dancing in the school’s musical of Beauty and the Beast.
“I never thought I’d see myself doing that,” Amber said about performing on stage.
In the musical program, she thanked two teachers, Jeff Decker and Maggie Allocco, for their extra care during her high school years. They helped fill some of the void from losing her parents. Amber said in the program she hoped she made her mom and dad proud.
Photos courtesy of Amber Harrier: Amber Harrier is shown with her mother Rebecca and her father Randy. Amber said she thinks about them every day.
Decker teaches technology and has had Amber in class for four of the past five years. He said she is a role model who has become a leader.
“Everyone should follow in her footsteps and persevere,” Decker said.
He sees Amber taking apart contraptions, trying to figure out how they work. In his principles of engineering class, Amber and her classmates had a challenge in Power Tool Drag Racing where they had to take apart a power toll and repurpose it into a drag racing vehicle.
When others were stumped, Amber kept searching on how to build a chassis, and use old gears and pulleys.
In his classes since 8th grade, Amber has explored electronics, woodworking, 3-D modelling, photography, computer graphics and other technology.
“She has a strength that most kids don’t have,” Decker said. “She doesn’t see it, but I do. It’s the way she overcomes obstacles.”
Decker can relate to losing a parent. He was 17 and living in West Irondequoit when his father died unexpectedly.
Amber said Decker is very patient – “He is chill.”
He helps students work through their problems in the classroom, offering praise for their successes and some gentle correction when they are stuck.
“He is just there for me,” Amber said.
Decker said many students have challenges outside of school, and some have suffered tremendous losses and pain.
“You have no idea what a kid is going through,” he said.
Decker said his teachers were a critical support for him when he lost his father.
Amber Harrier has kept high grades in Kendall and looks forward to attending St. Bonaventure University.
Amber also cited Allocco, an earth science teacher, for giving her extra kindness.
“She reminds me of my mom,” Amber said. “She has taught me life. I would be a totally different person without her.”
Marjim Bauer also has been a big support for Amber during her junior high and high school years. Bauer has worked as a counselor at Kendall for 25 years.
She gives Amber some “tough love,” and helps her complete some of the daunting paperwork to enroll into college, including the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and the form for TAP (Tuition Assistance Program).
Bauer was a teen when her mother died. Bauer said she is committed to helping students work through barriers to their success.
Amber also said some of her friends and their families have been very welcoming, in particular the Stonewell, Reis and Allen families.
“They have let me be part of their families,” Amber said. “I’m very thankful.”
This year Amber has stayed with her friend Callie Allen and her family. Amber and Callie are both headed to St. Bonaventure.
Amber said her goal is to become a mental health counselor to work with teens struggling with anger, grief and other issues.
She said Bauer, the school’s director of counseling, is her role model for what she wants to do with her career.
Bauer said Amber is self-driven to excel. She deserves lots of credit for showing such resilience amidst so much adversity, Bauer said.
“She has pride,” Bauer said. “She wants to do well.”
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 3 June 2024 at 5:50 pm
MEDINA – Medina’s annual community yard sale on Saturday, sponsored by Medina Lions, certainly has to be one of the most successful in the event’s history.
Carol Bellack, Char Smith and Jason Cogovan dish up sides for Medina Lion’s chicken barbecue Saturday during the community yard sale. A record 559 dinners were sold.
Perfect weather, yard sales all over the village, shoppers filling the streets, an abundance of vendors and sold-out chicken barbecue made for a perfect day, said chairman Jim Hancock.
“Such a perfect day brought everybody out,” Hancock said. “Whether you went north, south, east or west in the village, people had signs up and tents in their yards.”
Streets were filled with cars, sometimes making them impassable. At the Olde Pickle Factory, there was hardly an empty parking spot in the entire parking lot.
The Lions sold a record 559 chicken barbecues, cooked by Chiavetta’s. The Lions’ Weinermobile, manned by Pete Kaiser, Howie Gardner and Vickie Hutchison was kept busy selling hot dogs all over the village, so shoppers could grab a bite and run to the next sale.
On the corner of Main and Center streets, volunteers chaired by Tim Moriarty handed out all 750 of their maps between 8:30 and 11:30 a.m.
The Lions’ food tent, chaired by Chris and Julie Keller, also had a very successful day, selling hot dogs and hamburgers.
One of the shoppers named Grace of Medina said this was the second community yard sale she had attended.
“I like doing community things, and everybody is out today,” she said. “With the sunshine and chicken barbecue, it’s a fun day. I did a few yard sales Friday night. I found an antique pitcher I’ve been looking for.”
Gary and Lisa Lemke and daughter Allison have had a yard sale almost every year, Gary said. He and Allison and her friend Katie Melock of Buffalo were watching the yard sale while Lisa was out shopping at other sales.
“We’ve been doing this for the last 10 to 12 years,” Gary said. “With prices so high these days, anything extra we can make helps out. And we clear out stuff we’re not using. What we don’t sell, we give to MAAC. They helped us out a few years ago and we want to repay them, now that we’re able to do that.”
Gary Lemke and family of 505 Erie St. have participated Medina’s community yard sale for more than a decade. Their yard was full of bargains, including beautiful cupcakes daughter Allison made.
Above all, Gary said they just liked talking to people who stopped by.
Allison said she loves Medina and yard sale day.
“It’s better than any others in the area,” she said.
She said she goes to Goodwill and buys things and stops at other yard sales and then saves the stuff to resell at their own sale.
The Community Yard Sale and other Lions’ projects allows them to support many causes and organizations in the community and in support of the blind, according to Hancock.
“At our last meeting of the Lions’ year this month, we will vote on giving away $10,000 to $11,000,” Hancock said. “I want to thank the community, because without their support, our events wouldn’t be a success.”
Vendors filled the field on the west end of the Olde Pickle Factory parking lot during the Medina Lions’ annual community yard sale and chicken barbecue on Saturday.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 June 2024 at 5:03 pm
CARLTON – A woman is facing multiple charges, including second-degree assault, for allegedly hitting a man in the head with a machete, the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office reported today.
Deputies were called to Heritage Meadows Apartments on Baker Road at 1:25 a.m. on Sunday after a 911 caller said a 32-year-old man was unconscious and bleeding from the head.
Deputies arrived and located a man with a laceration to the back of his head. He had been in an altercation with Katelyn Jimenez, 31, whose last known address is in Batavia, said Rob Riemer, chief deputy for the Sheriff’s Office.
After allegedly hitting the man in the head with a machete, Jimenez then went into another apartment at Heritage Meadows to hide. Deputies were let into that apartment and found her hiding behind a couch. She was then placed under arrest without incident, Riemer said.
A machete was located in the apartment. The injured man was transported to Strong Memorial Hospital by ambulance. He was treated for the laceration to his head and released.
Jimenez, a former Medina resident, was charged with assault 2nd degree (Class D-Felony), criminal possession of a weapon 3rd degree (Class D-Felony), criminal possession of a weapon 4th Degree (Class A-Misdemeanor) and criminal impersonation 2nd degree (Class A-Misdemeanor).
Jimenez was taken to Orleans County Jail where she was processed and held for CAP Court arraignment. She also had several outstanding warrants from the Medina Police Department and Genesee County Sheriff’s Office.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 June 2024 at 1:22 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
HOLLEY – Shannon Brett, right, gets ready to sound the horn to start the Jim Ferris Memorial 5K on Saturday in Holley. It was the first event of the day for Holley’s June Fest celebration.
Brett and the Holley Rotary Club brought the race back after an absence in recent years. The race started on North Main Street Road, just north of the elementary school.
There were 91 participants in the race.
Ferris was one of the top runners in the Rochester region in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He died at age 53 from a sudden heart attack on May 7, 1994.
Lucas Lyons, 22, of Rochester was the first overall finisher in 20:57, just ahead of Jose Quiros of Medina.
Emma Brady was the first female to finish the race. The 17-year-old from Holley ran the 3.1 miles in 24:02. She finished ahead of Tyler Moore, 15, of Holley, who was done in 24:10.
(Left) Matt Feldman, the Holley Jr./Sr. High School principal, heads to the finish line. He completed the 3.1 miles in 27:25. (Right) Holley students painted these rocks which were given to the top 3 finishers in the different age groups.
Carsyn Mogle, 13, edged her father David Mogle down the stretch in the race. Carsyn finished in 27:46, 2 seconds ahead of her father, who is the Albion police chief. Kathryn Berner, no. 152, finished in 27:52.
Brian Bartalo, the Holley school district superintendent (in red), was among the runners in the race. Bartalo is retiring in June after six years of leading the school district. He is next to Grace and Tom Torpey of Holley.
Josh Mitchell and his dog cross the finish line, just ahead of Makenna Seaward, 11, of Holley. Mitchell is co-owner of Mitchell Family Cremations & Funerals. He brought his dog Charles along for the race. Charles is a Golden Doodle grief therapy dog. Mitchell was impressed Charles conquered the course.
“He is a stallion,” Mitchell said.
There were 49 craft, food and other vendors along the canal trail in Holley for the June Fest celebration.
Holley also unveiled a “Telephone of the Wind” in memory of Helene Gleason Calleri.
“This phone is for everyone who has lost a loved one,” according to the plaque with the phone. “This phone is an outlet for those who have messages they wish to share with friends and family. It is a phone for memories & saying the goodbyes you never got to say.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 June 2024 at 11:17 am
Photo by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The Albion Rotary Club has awarded $3,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors. Pictured, from left, include Meganne Moore and Jackie Santiago Garcia. Missing from photo is Gina Sidari, who was unable to attend last Thursday’s Rotary meeting at the Tavern on the Ridge.
Meganne Moore won the Dick Eddy “Service Above Self” Scholarship, a $1,250 award that is given to a student committed to community service and leadership, and who displays high potential for future accomplishment.
Meganne is the class valedictorian. She also earned her associate’s degree from Genesee Community College last month. She has been involved in student government and is the current class treasurer. She also competed in cross country, swimming and track, and has been a member of the concert band and marching band.
Meganne also is in Rotary Interact, mock trial, National Honor Society, select chorus, and has been active in 4-H. She will be attending Geneseo State College this fall working towards a career goal of becoming a wildlife veterinarian.
Gina Sidari
Gina Sidari won the $1,250 Edward Archbald Memorial Scholarship, given to a senior who shares Archbald’s love of sports, recreational activities, community service and work experience.
Gina has run cross country and competed in swimming and track, while also being involved in student government as an officer, band, FFA, National Honor Society, mock trial and Rotary Interact.
Gina also is going to Geneseo with a goal to be a veterinarian working with small and large animals.
Jackie Santiago Garcia was awarded the $500 Rotary Career Advancement Prize for a senior committed to community service, school activities and work experience. Jackie has played soccer and tennis for Albion, and has been in the drama club, diversity club, National Honor Society, Latin Club, Interact and FFA. She also earned her degree from GCC last month.
She will be attending Brockport State College and working towards a career goal of becoming an immigration lawyer.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 June 2024 at 10:24 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
BATAVIA – Jami Allport, executive director of the Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern, speaks to about 130 people on Saturday night during a black tie gala for “The Agency of Last Resort.”
The Ministry of Concern started a gala benefit in 2019 to raise funds for the agency and expand its base of supporters.
The Ministry of Concern has expanded its services for people in need, including reaching out to those who are homeless or in danger of becoming homeless.
GOMOC in late March moved into its new offices in the First Presbyterian Church of Albion after 15 years at the Albion Visitor’s Center on the third floor at 121 North Main St.
The Buffalo party band, Captain Tom and the Hooligans, provided high-energy music for the evening. Trevor Jennings, an Albion, is drummer for the band that plays polka, Celtic folk, folk rock and other genres.
These interns, Micky Stowell (left) and Abigail Kinkaid, pull the tickets and announce the winners for about 25 items and baskets up for auction. Jami Allport and her husband Geno are at right.
Chris Forrester was one of the keynote speakers at the event.
One of the keynote speakers during the gala, Chris Forrester, shared how GOMOC was critical in getting her through a rough patch.
“They helped hold me together,” Forrester said, noting former director Nyla Gaylord and board member Sister Delores O’Dowd. “They didn’t judge me.”
Forrester said she was living by the canal bank when GOMOC helped her secure housing, set goals and get back on track.
She is now an active volunteer with GOMOC, and makes it a personal mission to help the local homeless population.
She will drive at night looking for people who are homeless, especially during the cold weather months, and will try to connect them to the warming center or other housing.
Jami Allport, the executive director, said GOMOC assists people in unexpected emergencies, and helps people in other crises, including mental health, domestic violence and addiction.
“We are here to fight alongside people,” Allport said. “Remember, they are people.”
