Volunteers reset stones at historic cemetery as part of event

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Jonathan Appell, owner of Atlas Preservation, helps prepare the site for resetting a broken stone in Boxwood Cemetery. Appell’s visit to Boxwood Cemetery is one of only two in New York state and is part of his “48 States Tour: Saving America’s Graveyards.”

MEDINA – Boxwood Cemetery was a beehive of activity on Tuesday, thanks to a visit by Jonathan Appell with his company, Atlas Preservation. His visit was part of a “48 States Tour: Saving America’s Graveyards,” and was one of only two stops in New York state.

The visit was arranged by Medina historian and member of Friends of Boxwood, Todd Bensley.

“We buy products from Atlas and I saw the tour and applied to be one of the sites they stopped at,” Bensley said.

An unexpected 61 volunteers and interested onlookers showed up to watch the resetting of stones in the section of Boxwood Cemetery with the graves which were dug up from Gwinn Street and relocated to Boxwood in the 1890s, Bensley said.

Bensley said resetting broken stones is an unending job.

“I work with Dale Short and we’ve done 33 this year,” he said.

Rob Klino, president of Friends of Boxwood, said the attendance far exceeded their expectations.

“This event has put Boxwood Cemetery on the map,” he said.

Volunteers came from all over, including Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Wolf Island, Ontario, Canada.

One volunteer was Steve Hayes from Bemus Point, a stone preservation volunteer.

“I clean stones mostly for graves of veterans, and also family and friends,” he said. “I saw this event online and decided to follow along. I’m excited to learn how to reset a stone. And I love what I’ve seen of Medina.”

This was his first visit to Medina, and he marveled over the sandstone buildings and how well kept they were.

(Left) Teri Strait, a DAR member from Lancaster, cleans a headstone which will be reset during a graveyard preservation event at Boxwood Cemetery on Tuesday, led by Atlas Preservation. (Right) Two volunteers dig dirt and pieces of stones away from a broken headstone at Boxwood Cemetery, to make way for a new base. Sixty-one people showed up to watch or volunteer at the event.

ALBION – Voters in both the towns of Albion and Gaines approved a joint fire district in a referendum today.

The turnout was low, and both towns passed the district by about a 2-to-1 margin. Albion voted 125 yes, 61 no, while the results in Gaines were 70 yes, 43 no.

In Albion, 186 voted out of 3,798 registered voters or 4.9 percent. In Gaines, 5.4 percent voted or 113 out of 2,083 eligible.

The new fire district should become official on Jan. 1, with the Albion Fire Department moving out of the village budget and into its own governing structure with five commissioners. The district will also have its own tax rate that will be in the town and county tax bills.

Five commissioners will be appointed to the district until there is an election in December. The Albion Village Board has one commissioner to appoint, while the Town Boards in Albion and Gianes each have two appointments.

The Village Board has appointed Dave Buczek, a former village trustee, to be the village representative. The Albion and Gaines tow boards are expected to discuss their appointments for commissioner during their board meetings on Monday.

Albion and Gaines follow Lyndonville and Yates, and Fancher-Hulberton-Murray and Holley which have moved their fire protection to fire districts.

Albion and Gaines officials say the district will allow commissioners to be focused on the needs for fire protection while also being directly responsible to taxpayers. Right now the Village Board sets the fire department budget as part of the village budget, with the two towns paying a fire protection contract to the village.

MEDINA – A bike helmet safety event held at the YMCA on Friday was considered a success by sponsors, in spite of a rainy day.

The event, sponsored by Orleans Community Health in collaboration with the Orleans County YMCA and Medina Area Partnership had to be canceled in early July because of weather and was rescheduled for Aug. 2 at the YMCA. In spite of rain that day also, 15 children did show up for the event which took place inside.

“It wasn’t what we were hoping for, but it was well worth it,” said Scott Robinson, director of Marketing, Communication and Outreach at Orleans Community Health. “It’s something we intend to do again in the spring.”

All the children were provided with information on bike and helmet safety, Robinson said. These safety tips included hand signals, what to wear, the importance of riding with others and a variety of other useful pieces of information.”

The event was designed to promote bicycle safety and the overall importance of wearing helmets during certain activities. Members of the community donated bicycle, skateboarding and even snowboarding helmets to the effort, Robinson said.

“A large thank you goes out to members of the community, supporting organizations and the YMCA for hosting this event,” Robinson said. “Any time we can come together to promote health and safety activities, we’re helping to create positive change. Thanks also goes to the Medina Police Department for stopping by and speaking with the children.”

The event included an indoor course, bicycle décor, helmets and safety tips for young riders. Helmets not handed out that day will be donated to the Medina Police Department for National Night Out this evening and future bike safety activities.

Due to the weather and very wet field conditions, the Oak Orchard Neighborhood Association (OONA) Concert Committee has decided to reschedule the “Who Dats” concert yet again to next week, Aug 13 – same time and place.

OONA Concert Committee
Frank Panczyszyn

Residents have a chance to meet local law enforcement, first responders and agencies today at National Night Out events in Medina and Middleport.

Medina’s Clifford Wise Intermediate School at 1016 Gwinn St. will host the Orleans County National Night Out from 5:30 to 8 p.m.

Middleport will host National Night Out in the center of the village from 5 to 8:45 p.m.

At Medina, residents can meet law enforcement from throughout the county, fire agencies, EMS responders, civic organizations and other groups that will be providing activities and giveaways. Some of the big hits from past events will be back including the “Battle of the Belts,” K-9 demonstrations and the bike rodeo.

Middleport will welcome two bands, Stanton at 5 p.m. and Doc’s Pocket Change at 7:15 p.m. The public can meet firefighters and law enforcement officers, and enjoy outdoor games, face painting, the dunk tank, country line dancing, and meet representatives from community groups and agencies. Greenlief’s and Parker’s Pit BBQ will have their food trucks with food available for purchase.

MEDINA – Various members of the tourism industry in Orleans County met Monday afternoon to finalize plans for a visit of the historic Seneca Chief in Medina on Aug. 12 and 16.

The Seneca Chief is an exact replica of the boat carrying Governor Dewitt Clinton, which opened the Erie Canal in 1825. This year’s trip is a trial run from Buffalo to Brockport. Next year the boat will go from Buffalo to New York City as part of a celebration of the 200th anniversary of the completion of the Erie Canal.

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Barb Gorham and Jim Hancock hold up a banner provided by the Canal Corporation which will be placed in the canal basin during the visit of the replica Seneca Chief to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the canal next year.

At Monday’s meeting were Jim Hancock, chair of Medina Tourism Committee; Tourism Committee members Kathy Blackburn, Barb Gorham and Jan Smith; Dawn Borchert, director of Orleans County Tourism; Chris Busch, president of Orleans Renaissance Group; Justin Bruce, manager of Harvest Restaurant; Medina Mayor Marguerite Sherman; and Brian Hellner, operator of Medina’s Canal Tours and a former vice president of the Buffalo Maritime Center board.

The Buffalo Maritime Center built the full-sized replica of the Seneca Chief from 2019 to 2024 with the help of hundreds of volunteers.

Hancock learned about the project this past January and contacted Brian Trzeciak, executive director of the Buffalo Maritime Center, asking if the boat could make a stop in Medina. In March, Trzeciak visited Medina, and scoped it out, Sherman said.

“This year’s trip is a precursor to what is going to happen next year,” Hancock said. “They will spend a full day here on Sept. 25 enroute to New York City, and we will have a full schedule of events planned.”

On Monday, and again on the return trip on Friday, the Seneca Chief will be docked in the canal basin and will be open for free tours from 4 to 7 p.m. The public is invited to visit for a couple of hours or make a day of it.

Other features include a Buffalo Maritime Center tent filled with merchandise; opening remarks by Medina Mayor Marguerite Sherman and Brian Trzeciak from Buffalo Maritime Center at 4 p.m. musical entertainment by local busker Rob Robinson at 4:15 p.m.; and a series of speakers at 5:30 p.m., including Roger Allen and Greg Dudley, BMC boatbuilders, Tonawanda Reservation historian Terry Adams and Medina historian Todd Bensley.

At 7 p.m. on Monday and Friday, the crew and volunteers with the Seneca Chief will be treated to a complimentary dinner at Harvest Restaurant and lodging at Bent’s Hotel, if rooms are available.

The schedule for both days the Seneca Chief is in the canal basin are the same, with the exception of Aug. 16, when an additional speaker at 5:30 p.m. will be John Montague, founder of the BMC.

Members of various segments of the tourism industry met Monday afternoon to finalize plans for the arrival of the historic Erie Canal boat in Medina on Aug. 12 and 16. Clockwise from left front are Brian Hellner, operator of Medina’s Canal Boat tours and former board member of the Buffalo Maritime Center; Barb Gorham from Medina’s Tourism Committee; Justin Bruce, manager of Harvest Restaurant; Dawn Borchert, director of Orleans County Tourism; Chris Busch, president of Orleans Renaissance Group; Marguerite Sherman, mayor of Medina; Jim Hancock, chair of Medina’s Tourism Committee; and Kathy Blackburn and Jan Smith, both members of Medina’s Tourism Committee.

“The village is very excited to welcome the Seneca Chief, a traditionally built, full-sized replica of the boat that opened the Erie Canal in 1825,” Sherman said in a memo from her office. “This 73-foot boat will be doing a sea trial in preparation for next year’s bicentennial canal celebration, where it will complete a Bicentennial Voyage from Buffalo to New York City in September and October of 2025.”

In order to make this the best experience possible, Sherman said traffic will be limited in the canal basin. On Sunday and Thursday evenings, the roadway between the Napa building and Hemp House will be blocked off and re-opened once the boat departs on the 13th and 17th.

In addition, the parking area between the canal and the grassy area closer to the buildings will be blocked off so tents and a staging area can be set up. The parking area directly behind the buildings will be accessible, but will be limited to one-way traffic so business owners can get in and out.

Those planning to visit the Seneca Chief in Medina’s canal basin are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs, as there will be no seating provided.

A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for Orleans County and northeastern Niagara.

The Weather Service put out the warning at 5:47 p.m. The storm could bring 60-mile-per-hour wind gusts and penny-size hail, said the National Weather Service in Buffalo.

The storm could damage roofs, siding and trees.

1,100 students mostly from 4 rural counties attended last year

Photo by Tom Rivers: Edwin, a ninth-grader at Cal-Mum, uses the backhoe attachment on a John Deere tractor during last year’s GLOW With Your Hands on Sept. 26. Scott Holmes, the general manager of LandPro’s Batavia store, provides guidance.

Press Release, GLOW With Your Hands

BATAVIA – Workforce, business, education, and economic development officials from across the GLOW region unveiled details today for the 6th Annual GLOW With Your Hands career exploration festival.

The event will take place at the Genesee County Fairgrounds on Tuesday, Sept. 24. Since it started in 2019, more than 5,000 students have been part of GLOW With Your Hands.

“On September 24th at the Genesee County Fairgrounds will once again showcase the exciting and diverse career opportunities in agriculture, food processing, skilled trades, and advanced manufacturing that are thriving right here in our communities,” said Angela Grouse, GLOW With Your Hands Co-Chair.

Officials associated with the 2024 GLOW With Your Hands once again anticipate that over 1,000 students will be in attendance from 30 school districts across the GLOW region.

“GLOW With Your Hands highlights the diverse pathways to success, we showcase careers that are accessible right out of high school, as well as those that require trade training, two-year degrees, or four-year degrees through active local programs,” Grouse said. “We empower students to make informed decisions about their futures, maximizing their return on investment and minimizing student loan debt.”

More than 60 vendors have already committed to participate in the annual event which will feature hands-on activities and simulations in the advanced manufacturing, agriculture, food production, skilled trades sectors as well as the various branches of the military.

Each year’s event features new companies, and Sept. 24 will include Lakeland Concrete Products, a construction company based in Lima; IK Systems, a leading supplier of integrated surveillance & security systems out of Victor; Davis Fetch, a drywall contractor from Rochester; and Zoldaz, a trucking contractor in Alden.

“The participation and response by the private sector in this annual event reaffirm that making students aware of careers right in their own backyard is paying dividends not only for these companies but the region’s economy,” added Jay Lazarony, GLOW With Your Hands co-chairman. “Students need to know that they can find jobs where they grew up and want to stay and be with family because these jobs are right here.”

One of the participating companies that is experiencing the benefits of making students aware of career opportunities is Genesee Construction in Dansville, which hosted the kickoff event. Through the years, Genesee Construction has provided students with hands-on experiences at the annual event through simulated construction projects.

“Through collaboration with students at GLOW With Your Hands, we are able to identify and interact with the next generation of workforce candidates who possess the skills and passion to explore career opportunities in the construction sector,” said Mary Ellyn Merle Calabrese, project manager with Genesee Construction. “The construction industry, in particular, relies on the local workforce pool in our region to fill these good paying and strongly in-demand jobs.”

GLOW With Your Hands still has room for vendors, sponsors, and volunteers. For more information please, click here.

Photo by Tom Rivers: The Albion fire hall on North Platt Street is shown in April during an open house and recruitment effort for the Albion Fire Department.

ALBION – Voters in the towns of Albion and Gaines will decide on Tuesday whether a joint fire district will be created to oversee fire protection in the two towns, which also include the village of Albion.

The Village Board and the town Town Boards voted to create the fire district, but a referendum was forced after enough petitions were turned in to bring the issue to a public vote.

Both Albion and Gaines will vote from noon to 8 p.m. at Hoag Library, 134 South Main St.

Voters will be asked whether a joint fire district encompassing the village and the two towns shall be approved.

The elected officials for the two towns and village support the joint fire district, which would take the fire department out of the village budget. The two towns currently pay the village a fire protection contract.

With the current $350,000 budget, the village pays $113,456 (32 percent), the Town of Gaines contributes $120,422 (35 percent) and the Town of Albion pays $116,122 (33 percent).

The fire district would have its own commissioners to oversee and manage fire protection, and set the budget.

Albion Fire Department officials say the fire department’s current budget of $350,000 is far too short. The department has advised the budget will need to be increased to about $750,000.

The culprit for a bigger budget is the need to soon replace two fire trucks: a ladder truck and an engine.

A new ladder truck (to replace one that is 27 years old) is expected to cost $2.2 million. It would likely be bonded over 20 years at a 7 percent interest rate with an annual payment of $208,000.

A new fire engine (to replace one 32 years old) would likely have a purchase price of $1.1 million. It would be bonded over 20 years with an annual payment of $104,000 a year.

Albion Fire Department officials said the budget needs to increase for the new trucks and equipment whether there is a fire district or if the department remains in the village budget with the towns paying the village in a fire protection contract.

The local officials favor having the board of commissioners to focus solely on the fire protection needs, and also spread out the budget fairly over the tax base in the municipalities.

Holley and Fancher-Hulberton-Murray have formed a joint fire district, and Lyndonville also recently moved to a fire district, taking the fire department out of the village budget.

LYNDONVILLE – This evening’s scheduled concert at the Yates Community Library has been cancelled due to rain in the forecast. The Barker Community Band was going to perform on the library lawn this evening but the concert will be rescheduled with a new date to be set.

The series continues the rest of August at 6:30 p.m. Next week on Aug. 12 features Mystic Sisters, a vocal trio featuring  Lyndonville’s Ruby Hoffee. She’ll be joining Rose Briody and M’Lou Speranza (who also perform with Blue Sky Band).

The lineup in August also includes Puck Daddies on Aug. 19 and Celtic Spirit Pipe Band on Aug. 26.

Press Release, Police Chief David Mogle

ALBION – The Albion Police Department would like to issue a warning to dirt bike owners within the village and surrounding area of a recent theft and a separate attempted theft.

In both instances, a U-Haul moving truck was used in a burglary of a garage and separately the attempted theft from a yard. Both incidents occurred after midnight between the hours of 2-4 a.m. and the offenders have not yet been identified.

We are urging residents to take the following precautions to protect their property:

1. Secure your dirt bikes: Ensure your dirt bikes are locked and stored in a secure location, preferably out of sight from the street.

2. Install security cameras: Use security cameras and alarm systems to deter potential thieves and to provide evidence in case a theft occurs.

3. Be vigilant: Report any suspicious activity involving U-Haul trucks during late hours. If possible, take note of the vehicle’s license plate number and any distinguishing features.

If you have any information about these thefts or if you witness any suspicious activity, please contact the Albion Police Department at (585) 589-5627 or the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch at (585) 589-5527. Your help is crucial in helping us apprehend these suspects and prevent further thefts. We appreciate your attention to this matter and your continued efforts to keep our community safe.

Photos by Tom Rivers

MURRAY – Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke speaks during Sunday’s Back the Blue rally in Murray. Bourke said law enforcement officers appreciated the support of the community as the job becomes more challenging with what Bourke said are “pro-criminal” laws.

Bourke is critical of state legislation that make it more difficult for judges to set bail for people who have been arrested and are a danger to the community.

He shared how the SWAT team arrested a drug dealer in Orleans County and that person was sitting back on their porch a few hours later, smoking a cigarette.

“We’re not taking care of our citizens,” Bourke said about the legislation. “This should be about protecting people and quality of life.”

Judges should be allowed to review a defendant’s criminal history and determine whether that person is a flight risk in setting bail, Bourke said.

About 150 motorcyclists and 70 other vehicles participated in the 50-mile ride in Orleans County that started and ended on Monroe-Orleans Countyline Road. The ride went along Route 31 from Holley through Albion to Medina, and then went north on Route 63, and came back east through Ridgeway, Gaines and Murray.

The state’s “Raise the Age” law also means people can’t be prosecuted as an adult until they are 18, instead of 16.

Other legislation, including discovery laws, have titled the balance towards criminals, Bourke and other speakers said during the rally.

“We love you if you support the police and if you don’t support the police,” Bourke said. “We take care of everybody.”

Many elected officials and those seeking public office welcomed the chance to speak at the rally, including from left: State Sen. Rob Ortt, Murray Town Supervisor Gerry Rightmyer and Kimberly DeRosa, a candidate for the 135^th Assembly District on the east side of Monroe County.

Ortt said the State Legislature needs more conservative members who will push back on “pro-criminal legislation” that he said is making our communities less safe and putting law enforcement officers in more danger.

He cited the examples of officers killed in New York City and Syracuse by people who would have been held in jail before the bail reform changes, which Ortt said has turned the state into “catch and release” program for criminals.

“We need strong candidates who won’t be swayed,” Ortt said about having more Republicans in the Legislature.

Rightmyer, the Murray supervisor, said he is particularly angered by people who burn the American flag and then replace it with another country’s flag.

DeRosa said the state laws have gone in the wrong direction with community safety.

“Criminals are emboldened by policies that don’t give them any kind of consequence,” she said.

Congresswoman Claudia Tenney said she would have loved to have ridden her motorcycle on the 50-mile trip but had five events on Sunday. She wore earrings that looked like handcuffs for the Back the Blue rally.

She said the bail reform has made law enforcement more dangerous. She cited the death of Rochester police officer Tony Mazurkiewicz, who was shot and killed on July 21, 2022 in an ambush.

Tenney urged the crowd of about 300 people to support candidates who stand by the Constitution, which she said emphasizes public safety and border security.

This vehicle shows a sign in support of Donald Trump and Congresswoman Claudia Tenney.

Ayesha Kreutz, left, and Peter Vazquez spoke at the rally. Kreutz is a member of the Protect Kids Coalition. That group opposes Proposition One on the back of the November ballot. Kreutz said it is presented as an Equal Rights Amendment but is a “Parent Replacement Act,” giving parents less say in how their children process gender identity and medical decisions.

Vazquez is a candidate for Monroe County clerk. He said he the country need to move past political party labels. He is focused on “God, country and family.”

He spoke against the progressive left and “the buffoon in the White House.”

Many of the rally attendees displayed signs to show their support for law enforcement.

Assemblyman Steve Hawley railed against recently passed state legislation that he said put the communities at risk around the state.

“We are absolutely appalled and dismayed at what law enforcement is facing from the people in Albany,” Hawley said. “Our society has lost its way. The police are our last line of defense.”

These speakers include from left: Orlando Rivera, a candidate for State Assembly; Gregg Sadwick, a candidate for the 25^th Congressional District against Joe Morelle; and retired Gates Police Chief James VanBrederode, who is running for state senator.

Rivera thanked the law enforcement officers for their service.

“You get up every day serving us tirelessly and you don’t have to,” Rivera said.

Sadwick, a Navy veteran and business owner, said, “You will never see me sitting or kneeling against you.”

VanBrederode said state legislators are out of touch with how police officers do their jobs.

This was the fifth “Back the Blue” ride through Orleans County and the event has many vocal supporters for Donald Trump. There were a few Trump flags at Sunday’s rally, but the message and flags were more focused on the “Back the Blue” message. The rally was held on property owned by David Paul and his family.

Monroe County Legislator Virginia McIntyre, an opera singer, sang the national anthem.

Press Release, Orleans Renaissance Group

Provided photo: Tommy Z, an award-winning blues guitarist and songwriter, closes out Medina’s Blue Thursdays concert series on Thursday.

MEDINA – With record crowds, the 2024 Blue Thursdays series comes to a close this Thursday with a much anticipated grand finale featuring the Tommy Z Band from Buffalo.

Among his numerous claims to fame, Tommy Z has had two albums that debuted in the Top 10 on Billboard’s Blues Albums Chart– Plug In And Play (#5) in 2021, and Blizzard Of Blues (#8) in 2016.

“Three years ago, Blue Thursdays set out to bring the extraordinary to Medina– an array of the best, award-winning, hall-of-fame caliber bands that people wouldn’t normally get a chance to see,” said Chris Busch, one of the event organizers.

“That’s the bar we’ve set for Blue Thursdays, and the grand finale with the Tommy Z Band accomplishes just that. His accolades and accomplishments on a national level are a mile long. To say we’re pumped to be able to bring this caliber of music to Medina is an understatement.”

As noted on tommyzband.com:

“Tommy Z is a contemporary blues/rock artist and radio host from Buffalo, NY who has been described as a ‘blues treasure’ (Jim Santella, Buffalo News), and ‘one of WNY’s best kept secrets’ (Sarah French, Blues Matters Magazine).”

“He is a guitar-driven, electric blues-based stylist onstage, but in the studio composes a variety of music. Experienced and versed in traditional blues, jazz, funk and rock styles, he is an artist who puts that soulful blues feeling into all the different music he performs or creates. His work and talent has been recognized with numerous awards over the years, including being voted Top Blues Vocalist in Western New York 2003/2004/2006, Top Blues Guitarist 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 2004, 2005, 2006 and his band has won the Top Blues/Crossover Blues Band categories 1994, 2005, 2006, and was honored with the Muddy Waters Award for “Artist of the Year” by the Blues Society of WNY in 2004 and 2024.”

“In 2007 Tommy was inducted into the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame, recognizing him alongside some of the best talent come out of WNY (including Rick James, The Goo Goo Dolls, Billy Sheehan, etc.). He has had the opportunity to perform, write, record and/or co-bill with some of the world’s top artists in the blues/rock genre including: B.B. King (and daughter Shirley), Buddy Guy (2023 Farewell Tour guest), Tom Hambridge, Johnny Winter, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Jimmie Vaughan, Robert Cray, Jeff Healey, Colin James, Tinsley Ellis, Roomful of Blues, Blues Traveler, Derek Trucks, Joe Bonamassa, Robert Randolph, Peter Frampton, Ian Gillan (Deep Purple), Carey Bell, John Mayall, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Tommy Castro, Duke Robillard, Elvin Bishop, Eric Gales and many more.”

“All good things must come to an end and so it is with Blue Thursdays 2024, but not before we blow the doors off the park with Tommy Z,” said Busch.

Busch went on, “In talking about the gig last week, Tommy remarked, ‘Looking forward to it! I’ve got my touring band of Dave Herr from Charleston, Ray Hangen and Tom Scime from Florida coming up for this (gig).’”

The performance is scheduled for Thursday at 6 p.m. at State Street Park, Medina. Up-to-the-minute updates can be found on Facebook at “Blue Thursdays Medina.” The performance is free an open to the public with multiple food and beverage vendors on site.