CARLTON – The Cobblestone Society’s Membership Dinner, which took place Wednesday night at Carlton Fire Company’s Recreation Hall, is one of their two major fundraisers for the year, the other being the Preservation Awards banquet in the fall.

Cobblestone director Doug Farley welcomed guests and introduced retired Orleans County Sheriff Randy Bower, who annually offers his talents as an auctioneer to lead the live auction.

“Randy is a talented auctioneer, and even bids on items himself,” Farley said.

Wednesday was the sixth annual membership dinner to benefit the Cobblestone Society.  The evening included appetizers and a cash bar, dinner catered by Zambistro in Medina, an early bird drawing, lottery tree drawing, split club drawing, live auction, silent auction and basket raffle.

Doreen Wilson sells tickets on a lottery tree to Mike Elam of Kenyonville at the Cobblestone Society’s annual dinner Wednesday at Carlton Recreation Hall. The event is one of the Cobblestone’s biggest fundraisers of the year.

The Membership Dinner Committee consisted of chair Gail Johnson, co-chair Chris Capurso, Larry Albanese, Jean Benson, Iris Capurso, Grace Denniston, Krys Elam, Doug Farley, Sylvia Goodstine, Ruth Mathes, Shirley Bright-Neeper, Brenda Radzinski, Marty Taber, Maarit Vaga, Camilla VanderLinden, Hailey Nevaeh Walker and Doreen Wilson.

Members of the Cobblestone Society come from Orleans, Genesee, Wyoming, Niagara and Monroe counties.

Farley also reminded the crowd about the Progressive Organ Concert to benefit the Cobblestone Society, which is scheduled May 26. The concert begins with wine and cheese at the Pullman Universalist Church, then progresses across the street to the First Presbyterian Church, and from there to the Cobblestone Universalist Church on Ridge Road.

Following the last concert at the Cobblestone Church, attendees will move across the corner to the Tavern on the Ridge, formerly the Village Inn, for what Farley called “a delicious dinner.”

Randy Bower, retired Orleans County sheriff, buys his tickets on the lottery tree from volunteer Camilla VanderLinden of Rochester. Bower volunteers as auctioneer for the fundraiser’s live auction.

Photos courtesy of Scott Robinson: Cassie Maynard (left), charge nurse on Medina Memorial Hospital’s North Wing, was selected as the first DAISY Award winner. Lisa McQueen, an LPN on the North Wing, was recognized as a finalist.

MEDINA – During the past year, Orleans Community Health announced its participation in a national program to recognize nurses who go above and beyond and make a profound difference in the lives of their patients.

On Wednesday, the first DAISY Award was presented to Cassie Maynard, charge nurse in the hospital’s North Wing. In addition, Lisa McQueen, LPN for the North Wing, also was recognized as a finalist.

Having only graduated from nursing school in 2021, Maynard is a relatively new registered nurse, but has assimilated very well into her leadership role on the North Wing Skilled Nursing Unit, said Thomas Bloomer, vice president of Human Resources and administrator for the North Wing.

“Within her first few months, she hit the ground running, quickly learning the position, building relationships with staff and residents, and proactively assuming the charge nurse duties,” Bloomer said. “Cassie exemplifies the DAISY Award mission by showing compassionate care to both our residents and families, as well as being respected by her team and coworkers. She shows a great work ethic, displaying excellent attendance, coming in early, staying late when needed and popping in during off hours to address resident care needs. Cassie is a valued member of our North Wing family and we are very proud to honor her with this exceptional award.”

Kimberly Gray, chief nursing officer, also praised Maynard for her compassionate approach, which has touched the lives of countless residents, providing comfort and healing during times of need.

“Her kindness, empathy and professionalism serve as an inspiration to everyone around her,” Gray said. “Cassie consistently goes above and beyond to ensure that every resident receives the highest standard of care. Whether it’s holding a resident’s hand, advocating for their needs or lending a listening ear, she embodies the true spirit of nursing. Cassie truly makes a difference for our residents every day.”

Rebecca Mannella, director of nursing, added her praise for both Maynard and McQueen.

“I feel honored and blessed to work with such outstanding professionals,” Mannella said. “Both Cassie and Lisa are very deserving of this award, and they give 100 percent to the residents and North Wing team. Our community is a better place knowing we have such high quality nurses.”

“It is a great honor to receive this award,” Maynard said. “North Wing is my family. I have so much love for my residents and staff. I couldn’t be more thankful.”

Maynard joined Medina Memorial Hospital in February 2023.

“Lisa continues to be a valuable asset to our nursing team,” Bloomer said. “Her dedication to our residents and clinical expertise and compassion have a significant impact on our residents and their families. Lisa could always be counted on to be a great advocate for our residents, and she is a wonderful team player.”

McQueen said it was a great honor to accept her award.

“I try to achieve the highest level of care to all of my residents,” she said.

McQueen joined Medina Memorial Hospital in April 2018.

The not-for-profit DAISY Foundation is based in Flen Ellen, Calif., and was established by family members of J. Patrick Barnes, who died at the age of 33 from a little-known auto-immune disease. The care he and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and families.

“These unsung heroes are seldom recognized for the super-human work they do,” said Bonnie Barnes, CEO and co-founder of the DAISY Foundation. “The kind of work the nurses throughout Orleans Community Health are called on to do every day epitomizes the purpose of the DAISY Award.”

Scott Robinson, director of marketing for Community Partners at Orleans Community Health, said the DAISY Award will become an annual presentation now.

“We’ll be launching the next call for nominations in the near future,” he said.

Members of the DAISY Committee who chose the award winner, Orleans Community Health personnel and winners posed on the North Wing Wednesday morning. From left are Orleans Community Health CEO Marc Shurtz; Christine Kropf, chair of the Daisy selection committee; winner Cassie Maynard; committee member Jennifer Morgan; finalist Lisa McQueen; committee member Leighann VanAuker; Director of Nursing Rebecca Mannella; and Tom Bloomer, vice president of human resources.

Provided photo: Dave Hofer was a long-time leader for Kendall’s Boy Scout Troop 94. He also helped with many projects at Scout camps.

KENDALL – A Kendall man was honored posthumously on Saturday with a Silver Beaver award by the Western New York Scout Council.

Dave Hofer volunteered for many years with Kendall’s Troop 94 and also did many improvements projects at Camp Dittmer in Phelps and Camp Sam Wood in Portageville.

Hofer passed away from pancreatic cancer on Jan.10, 2024 at age 61.

His 30 years of service to scouting was recognized during the Scout Council’s annual volunteer award dinner on Saturday.

Scouting representatives were able to present the Silver Beaver award to Hofer in person on Dec. 9 at Strong Memorial Hospital. He also received the District Award of Merit.

The Silver Beaver Award is a top award from a council given to a scouter who has made an impact on the lives of youth through service given to the council.

Hofer relished service to scouts, including leading Troop 94 as Scoutmaster. He completed all Scout leader training including Cold Weather and Okpik Training. He was recognized with the Order of the Arrow Vigil Honor in 2020 and earned his Wood Badge Beads in 2021, the council announced today on its Facebook page.

Hofer was the owner of DMD Machining Technology Inc. in Kendall. He also worked for Eastman Kodak for 23 years.

Despite being busy in his career, Hofer made time available to help teach and lead scouts. He has served as director of the Webelos Conservation Camp and a member of the Council Camping Committee, in addition to an active role with Troop 94.

He attended the Philmont Scout Ranch with his son Matt. Philmont, in the Rocky Mountains, is a high-adventure base of rugged mountain wilderness in northeastern New Mexico.

Hofer lived the Scout Law of being trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.

Press Release, Community Coalition for Justice

ALBION – The Community Coalition for Justice is pleased to welcome the Rev. Dr. William Wilkinson to Hoag Library in Albion at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday. Wilkinson will share a presentation, “Who is Our Neighbor: Modern Reflections on Immigration and Race.”

Dr. William Wilkinson

As is typical for Dr. Wilkinson, his entry point to these important conversations is a simple story from Scripture, that includes the timeless question, “Who is my neighbor?” How shall we answer this question in Orleans County at the present time when there are so many forces pulling us apart?

The Community Coalition for Justice is a group of people throughout Orleans County, who are dedicated to expanding and deepening the conversation about poverty, race, immigration and peace. We hope that you will be able to join us. Every voice in these conversations is important!

Dr. Wilkinson has served as the pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Medina since 2017. He has previously served Presbyterian churches in Rochester and Dansville. A graduate of Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School, he is also medical doctor, trained at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, the Albert Einstein College of Medicine at Yeshiva University, and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. He also participates in many denominational, ecumenical and community-based organizations.

Dr. Wilkinson’s life journey is interesting in itself, as a Black man who has excelled in two different fields, medicine and theology! More than a doctor and a minister, he is also gifted in identifying obstacles to justice and peace locally and nationally and finding creative ways to move forward.  He is also skilled in training church leaders for service in the congregation and the community.

Dr. Wilkinson is a signatory to the “Charter of Compassion” global initiative, “a movement that that brings compassion to life” by networking with people, cities, grassroots organizers and leaders.

The public is invited to attend this free event. Light refreshments will be available.

This community event is co-sponsored by these community partners: Albion Betterment Committee, Catholic Social Justice, People Embracing Diversity, and the Pullman Universalist Church, and the Hoag Library. This is our 20th event.

John and Kelsey Dreisbach and their children are shown during happier times before Mrs. Dreisbach suffered a miscarriage and was hospitalized for septicemia.

ALBION – Diane Shiffer has built an enormous following on social media with nearly 1 million people on both Instagram and TikTok. She uses the hashtag: “YourChubbyVintageNana.”

She shares videos about fashion from a bygone era and her life at home in Albion, often sipping coffee and watering her plants. She spreads messages of kindness and tries to make her huge crowd of followers feel loved.

Diane Shiffer today on TikTok thanked her social media friends for responding in a big way to a GoFundMe effort for a Medina family. Shiffer has about 1 million followers on both Instagram and TikTok.

This week Shiffer did something out of the norm. She asked her social media followers to donate to a family in Medina that suffered a tragic loss.

Shiffer, a retired teacher, has a close friendship with Kelsey Dreisbach, who helps care for Shiffer’s daughter who has Down syndrome and often takes her on fun activities.

Dreisbach and her husband John have two children. They were pregnant with a third child, but Kelsey had a miscarriage and then was hospitalized with septicemia.

Shiffer two days ago shared on Instagram and TikTok about the Dreisbach’s heartbreak and the serious health challenges for Kelsey. Shiffer set up a GoFundMe fundraising account with a goal of $10,000 to help ease the financial strain on the family with Kelsey sidelined from work and her husband needing to work less to help care for the family.

Within 24 hours the GoFundMe was over $90,000. This afternoon, it stands at $99,850 and Shiffer will be turning off the donations button.

The response has stunned Shiffer and the Dreisbach family.

“There will never be words quite sufficient enough to express our gratitude, but we’re going to try,” Kelsey and John wrote on GoFundMe. “From the bottom of our hearts, thank you to every single person who has commented, messaged, prayed, or donated. Your support has been life-changing for our family. Not only have you provided financial stability for us, but your kind words have helped us heal. For so many people to pour out love, kindness, and support to ‘strangers’ is nothing short of amazing. More than ever before, we have been shown we are not alone – and that is invaluable.”

Shiffer today went to social media to thank the many donors who contributed, many in amounts from $5 to $25.

Shiffer acknowledged she thought it would take a week or more to reach $10,000. But the GoFundMe quickly passed that goal.

“You have all done such a wonderful thing,” Shiffer said in a video on her social media. “I hope it warms your heart. You can go through the day today knowing what you did helped a precious family and changed their lives.”

Shiffer was recently at the White House in recognition in building up such a following and doing it with wholesome, loving messages. Shiffer has 965,700 TikTok followers and 926,000 on Instagram.

“We are so incredibly grateful to each and every one of you, so humbled and so proud of this incredible community… thousands and thousands of you joined together to support a dear woman and her precious family, and you’ve lifted the burden of financial stress off their shoulders,” Shiffer shared with her social media followers.

In a message to the Orleans Hub, Kelsey Dreisbach said the outpouring of support has been such an unexpected surprise.

“The money has literally changed our lives and allowed us to remove financial worries from the equation for the first time ever,” she said. “And the comments and messages from people all over the world have helped me heal more than I would have ever expected – so many people have made it very clear that we are not alone.”

MEDINA – The Medina Rotary Club has $2,500 available for a scholarship for either one soon-to-graduate Medina student, or it will be shared with two recipients.

The award is based on a combination of academic achievements, community service, and work within the community. The scholarship may be split into two $1,250 awards if there are two equally qualified candidates.

The club in 2022 boosted the scholarship amount from $500 to $2,500. The deadline to apply is June 15. The award of the scholarship(s) will be determined shortly thereafter.

For more information, click here.

LYNDONVILLE – The school district has extended the deadline for candidates to be on the ballot for the Board of Education election on May 21.

Six people already submitted petitions, but one of the candidates notified the district on Tuesday he would have to withdraw. Matt Heinsler won’t appear on the ballot for the BOE election.

Five other candidates remain, including Megan Bruning, Patrick Whipple and incumbents Ted Lewis, Susan Hrovat and Steve Vann.

When a candidate withdraws his or her candidacy, New York State Education Law requires the district to extend the time for filing nominating petitions, said Sharon Smith, the district superintendent.

Lyndonville will accept nominating petitions for BOE candidates through Tuesday, May 14, at 5 p.m.

All candidates for BOE need to submit petitions signed by at least 25 qualified voters of the district. The signees need to state their residence, and the name and residence of the candidate.

Petition packets may be obtained from District Clerk Tanya Marek from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

A “Meet the Candidates Night” is scheduled for May 13. Candidates who would like to participate in that event must submit a completed petition no later than 3 p.m. on May 13.

The annual budget vote and BOE election will be from noon to 8 p.m. on May 21 at the Stroyan Auditorium Foyer. The three candidates receiving the highest vote totals will be elected to three-year terms commencing July 1 and ending on June 30, 2027.

4 candidates seek 2 spots on the Board of Education

ALBION – The school district once again won’t be increasing the tax levy. Albion’s proposed $42,320,666 budget for 2024-25 keeps the tax levy at $8,449,039. This is now the 16th time in the past 18 years that taxes have either stayed the same or decreased.

Albion’s budget is $323,436 under the allowable tax cap of $8,772,476.

“Our priority, first and foremost, is providing a well-rounded education for each child in our community,” Board of Education President Wayne Wadhams said in a budget message on the district website. “Due to our history of conservative financial planning, we will continue to propose a tax levy with a zero percent increase while remaining committed to the development and promotion of good character and qualities that future citizens must possess.”

The budget vote will be from noon to 8 p.m. on May 21 and will be held at the Hoag Library instead of the at the school district’s conference room. The district currently is working on construction projects and district superintendent Mickey Edwards said the shift to Hoag Library for the vote should “ensure a seamless voting process for the community.”

(The annual art show for the district will also be on display at Hoag Library. The FFA barbecue will remain at the high school so the food can be kept at the proper temperatures.)

School officials will discuss the budget and propositions during a hearing on May 14 at 6 p.m. in Albion High School’s LGI.

The total spending in the budget is $42,320,666, an increase of $505,819 or 1.2 percent. The 1.2 percent increase matches what the district could have in a contingency budget.

State aid remains the district’s biggest source of funding at $32,774,455, up from $32,473,385 in 2023-24. State aid accounts for 77.4 percent of the Albion budget.

Voters will also see a separate proposition to make bus purchases up to $650,000 from reserve funds, and a proposition also to establish a capital improvement reserve fund for up to $15 million.

There also is a proposition to collect $664,510 for Hoag Library, which is up 1.5 percent from the $654,100 in 2023-24.

There are two seats up for election. Long-time board member David Sidari isn’t seeking re-election. Linda Weller, a current member, is seeking another five-year term. She is joined on the ballot by Tim McMurray, Derek Reiner and Kelly Kirby.

Press Release, Western New York Scout Council

BUFFALO – The Boy Scouts of America today announced that it will rebrand to Scouting America, reflecting the organization’s ongoing commitment to welcome every youth and family in America to experience the benefits of Scouting. The change will go into effect on February 8, 2025, the organization’s 115th anniversary.

This announcement also comes as the organization celebrates the fifth anniversary of welcoming girls into Cub Scouting and Scouts BSA programs. Scouting America currently serves more than 176,000 girls and young women across all programs, including over 6,000 who have earned the rank of Eagle Scout.

“Though our name will be new, our mission remains unchanged: we are committed to teaching young people the skills and values to be successful in life,” said Gary A. Decker, Scout Executive & CEO of the Western New York Scout Council.  “This change is an important evolution as we seek to ensure that all youth and families feel welcome in Scouting.”

Scouting America builds on the organization’s 114 years of helping America’s youth. Its ongoing goal is to provide young people with a safe environment where they can learn meaningful life skills and have fun, educational experiences, fostering their growth and future outcomes as leaders, and be prepared for life. At the same time, values instilled by the Scout Oath and Law help prepare young people for lives of purpose and impact.

More than 130 million Americans have been through Scouting programs since its founding in 1910, and currently, more than 1 million youth, including both men and women, are served by 477,000 dedicated adult volunteers in local councils throughout the country. To date, more than 2.75 million youth have earned Scouting’s highest rank of Eagle Scout.

In addition to supporting the nation’s youth, Scouting America will continue to be an important asset to strengthen our communities, having provided more than 7 million hours of volunteer services for community improvement and other projects across the country annually.

About Scouting America

Scouting America provides the nation’s foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training, which helps young people be “Prepared. For Life.®”

Scouting America welcomes all of America’s youth into its programs. Our goal is to give them fantastic experiences in the outdoors, and elsewhere, where they can grow with us in a safe environment. More than 130 million Americans have been through our programs since our founding, and currently more than 1 million youth are served by 477,000 dedicated adult volunteers in local councils throughout the country.

To learn more about Scouting America’s mission, visit Scouting.org.

About the WNY Scout Council, BSA

The Western New York Scout Council provides youth with character development programs and values-based leadership training. The Council serves more than 7,000 youth and adult members in Erie, Genesee, Livingston, Niagara, Orleans, and Wyoming counties. For more information call 716-891-4073 or visit www.wnyscouting.org.

KENDALL – The Kendall school district is presenting a proposed $20,921,832 budget to the community on May 21 that calls for a 1 percent increase in the tax levy.

The school budget represents a 2.5 percent spending increase, which district superintendent Nick Picardo said reflects increases in special education enrollment, benefit expenses, and year-over-year merit raises.

There will be a hearing about the budget at 6:30 p.m. today in the junior-senior high school library. The budget vote on May 21 will be from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Kendall Town Hall. Residents 18 and older who have lived in the district for at least 30 days are eligible to vote.

State aid, budgeted at $14,563,029, covers about 70 percent of the budget. The tax levy, at $5,014,303, is the second-biggest source of revenue. The levy is up 1 percent from the $4,964,656 in 2023-24.

Kendall also receives $150,000 in sales tax from Monroe County, and $60,000 in PILOT payments from the Troutburg cottages.

The district’s proposed tax rate is $11.88 per $1,000 of assessed property.

Besides the budget, voters will be asked whether to authorize up to $350,000 from the Transportation Bus Reserve to purchase transportation vehicles to replace existing vehicles.

Two candidates also are running for one five-year on the Board of Education. Chaley Swift isn’t seeking re-election to her seat on the board.

The candidates include Colleen Dorney and Scott Martin. Dorney works as a senior client service manager at Epic Retirement Plan Services. She has two children. Martin is an engineer as a member of the Monroe Community College faculty. He has three children in the elementary school.

Provided photo: Evergreen Retail celebrated its grand opened on April 18 as licensed cannabis retail site in Brockport. Th business is owned by Karen M. Tobin of Kendall.

BROCKPORT – A Kendall resident has opened a licensed cannabis retail site in downtown Brockport.

Karen M. Tobin on April 18 celebrated the opening of Evergreen Retail. The site at 51 North Main St. offers a licensed cannabis dispensary between Buffalo and Rochester.

Tobin has more than eight years of experience in the regulated cannabis market. She said Evergreen Retail aims to set the standard for service and community engagement in the area.

“Our goal was to open a dispensary that not only offers high-quality cannabis products from local sources but also operates with the highest standards of compliance and customer care in an inviting environment,” Tobin stated in a news release. “Being licensed in New York under the new adult-use legislation, we are excited to lead the way in responsible and community-focused cannabis retailing.”

The grand opening was attended by community leaders, cannabis industry professionals, and local residents, who all welcomed the new business with enthusiasm while enjoying food provided by their neighboring business D. P. Dough.

Evergreen Retail offers a broad range of products from premium flower and concentrates to artisanal edibles and topicals. The business supports local farmers and processors within the region, Tobin said.

For more information, check www.evergreennyretail.com or contact Evergreen Retail at (585) 391-3474.

Press Release, U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross, Western District of New York

Stephen Nicot

ROCHESTER – U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Stephen Nicot, 61, of Rochester, who was convicted of receipt of child pornography, was sentenced to serve 144 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kyle Rossi and Meghan K. McGuire, who handled the case, stated that between 2012 and 2014, Nicot hid a camera in the bathroom of a church located in the Western District of New York. (Editor’s Note: Previous news reports and a press release from the U.S. Attorney stated the church was in Orleans County.)

Nicot positioned the camera so that it would capture video and images of naked individuals using the shower in the church bathroom. He did this knowing some of the individuals would be under the age of 18 and he planned to display the video of the minors.

On July 21, 2022, law enforcement executed a warrant at the Nicot’s residence and recovered a memory card and USB drive, which contained videos and images of at least five minor victims using the church bathroom and shower. Two cell phones were also seized, which contained naked images of a minor victim that were recorded by a camera hidden in a bathroom of Nicot’s residence.

The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Todd Baxter and the Federal Bureau of Investigation Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, under the direction Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia.

HOLLEY – The Village Board approved a budget on April 30 that increases taxes by 5.5 percent, an amount needed for the village to keep up with services and not keep projects on the back burner, Mayor Mark Bower said.

Mark Bower

The board considered three options for the budget, a tax increase of 5 percent, 5.5 percent or 7 percent.

Bower and the board felt the 7 percent was too much of a burden on the village taxpayers. It went with the 5.5 percent so the village could maintain services and not put things off.

“We didn’t want to impose such a high increase on village residents,” Bower said. “But we have to get back to maintaining our village streets and village-owned properties.”

The $2,509,431 total village budget includes a general fund of $1,673,609, water fund of $554,226, and sewer fund at $281,596.

The village will be collecting $1,078,527 in property taxes, up 5.5 percent from the $1,022,300 in 2023-24.

The tax rate will increase by 3.56 percent from $17.26 to $17.87 per $1,000 of assessed property.

The village saw about $1 million in growth in its tax base, from $59,238,365 to $60,350,244. The community hasn’t gone through a full reassessment like other villages in Orleans County either last year or this year.