By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 May 2025 at 8:51 am
Provided photos
Dave Berry of the Medina VFW Auxiliary presents the “Good Job Award” to Eric Seppala, the Iroquois Job Corps center director.
SHELBY – President-Elect Dave Berry of the Medina Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary on Tuesday presented the “Good Job Award” to the Iroquois Job Corps for supporting the local VFW Auxiliary.
Accepting the award is Eric Seppala, the IJCC Center Director. IJCC students were also presented with individual awards of appreciation for their contributions to the Medina VFW Auxiliary.
From left to right are Brandi Jordan, Katherine Murphy, Adam Schmitt and Eyan Bailey. On the right is the IJCC Operations Director and member of the Medina VFW Auxiliary, John Thomas.
Berry visited the Iroquois Job Corps Center to present awards to the center and to the students who volunteered their time to support local veterans. Job Corps continues to support local community organizations, such as the VFW.
Students volunteer in the community at food pantries and distributions, and by cleaning community roads and fields, assisting with festivals, and supporting local service groups, including the Lions Club and Medina Rotary.
President-elect of the VFW Auxiliary, Dave Berry, shakes hands with some of Job Corps students.
MANCHESTER, NH – Southern New Hampshire University congratulates the following students from Orleans County on being named to the Spring 2025 President’s List. The spring terms run from January to May.
Full-time undergraduate students who have earned a minimum grade-point average of 3.700 and above for the reporting term are named to the President’s List.
The students from Orleans County include:
Andrea Sanchez Vargas of Holley
Carrie Smith of Albion
Nordia Campbell of Albion
Trisha Allen of Lyndonville
Southern New Hampshire University offers approximately 200 undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs, available online and on its 300-acre campus in Manchester, NH.
Provided photo: Undersheriff Don Draper, left, and Sheriff Chris Bourke, right, congratulate Torry Tooley, second from left, and James White on being promoted to sergeants.
Press Release, Sheriff Christopher Bourke
ALBION – Sheriff Christopher Bourke is pleased to announce the promotions of Deputies Torry Tooley and James White to the rank of Sergeant.
Sergeant Tooley is a 16-year law enforcement veteran. He is a NYS DCJS general topics instructor, firearms instructor, advanced firearms instructor, patrol rifle and defensive tactics instructor, and a DCJS certified SWAT Operator and Tactical Team Leader.
In addition to his training and experience, Sergeant Tooley holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from SUNY Brockport. Sergeant Tooley will be assigned to the day shift and Commander of the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office Special Response Team.
Sergeant White is a 4.5-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office Road Patrol. Before joining the Road Patrol, he served as a Seasonal Deputy Sheriff, a Sheriff’s Office Corrections Officer, and an Orleans County Probation Officer.
He is certified as a Field Training Officer, General Topics Instructor, Breath Analysis Instructor, Fundamentals of Crisis Intervention Instructor, and Project Lifesaver Instructor. In addition to his training and experience, Sergeant White holds both a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Management and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from D’Youville University. Sergeant White will lead our midnight shift.
Please join us in congratulating Sergeant Torry Tooley and Sergeant James White on their well-deserved promotions!
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 May 2025 at 12:59 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers: The Medina Marching Band performs on Sept. 21 at Vets Park during the Fall Festival of Bands. Despite being of the smaller schools that competes in the field band competition, Medina has won the New York State Field Band Conference Championship several times.
The national list of school districts with outstanding music programs once again includes Albion and Medina.
The two districts in Orleans County join 935 districts total around the country as “Best Communities for Music Education.” Albion has now received the designation the past 18 years while Medina is one the list for the second year in the row.
The North American Music Merchants has presented the annual list for 26 years. The recognition highlights outstanding efforts by school districts and their communities music education.
“Your collective efforts — teachers, administrators, parents, students and community leaders — have been instrumental in making music part of a well-rounded education for every child,” NAMM said. “We applaud your community’s unwavering commitment to creating an environment where each child can learn and grow with music.”
Medina for the third year started doing its own musical in the junior-senior high school after about a decade of a shared program with Lyndonville. Medina has long had a stellar marching band program.
The NAMM Foundation’s list includes other nearby districts: Roy-Hart, Akron, Batavia, Geneseo, LeRoy, Lockport, Mount Morris, Perry, Warsaw and York.
Albion High School’s drama department performed Cinderella in late March. The district is perennially recognized as an outstanding musical among small schools in the Rochester region. This photo shows Zack Baron as Prince Christopher putting the slipper on Mallory Kozody who is Cinderella. Phoebe Allen, the evil stepmother, is on the couch. In back include Ella Trupo as Fairy Godmother, Sawyer Brigham plays Lionel, Julia Button as stepsister Joy, and Mallory Ashbery as a stepsister Grace. Albion does two musicals each year at the high school, and two at the middle school. The school also has a marching band and does many concerts and musical programs.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 May 2025 at 9:01 am
The national average price for a gallon of gasoline was at $3.14 on Monday, down three cents from the previous week. A year ago, the price was $3.62, AAA reported.
The New York State average is $3.09, down a penny from a week ago and a drop of 63 cents from a year earlier.
AAA said prices dropped in the past week in the “lull between spring travel and the kick-off to summer.” The OPEC+ group of oil-producing countries also announced last week it will increase output again in June. That should widen the supply surplus, andcould cause crude prices to continue to fall, AAA said, leading to even lower prices at the pump this summer.
Here are the average prices in counties around Western New York:
Press Release, NYS Health Facilities Association/NYS Center for Assisted Living
ALBANY – Susan Luxon, a personal care aide at The Willows in Medina, has received the 2025 NYSCAL Noble Caregiver of the Year Award from the New York State Health Facilities Association/New York State Center for Assisted Living.
The award was presented on May 7th at the 2025 NYSCAL Awards Banquet during the Association’s annual conference in Bolton Landing.
Luxon has been a dedicated caregiver at The Willows for the past 26 years. She demonstrates a deep commitment to preserving the dignity and well-being of each individual under her care.
Her empathy and genuine concern for the residents’ happiness and comfort are evident in every interaction. She listens intently to their needs and concerns, providing both emotional support and practical assistance whenever necessary. Luxon consistently goes above and beyond to support her colleagues, often picking up shifts and assisting in any way possible to ensure smooth operations in the facility.
“In a field that requires both skill and heart, Susan excels in every aspect of caregiving,” said Jacquie Morgante, administrator of The Willows. “We are proud that she has been honored with this prestigious award from NYSHFA | NYSCAL.”
The NYSCAL Nurse of the Year Award recognizes an adult care/assisted living nurse who demonstrates outstanding compassion, supervisory success, innovation, achievement, and capabilities in their provision of high quality resident-centered care in a service-oriented culture in an adult care/assisted living community.
Winners received an engraved obelisk and were invited to attend the NYSHFA | NYSCAL annual conference.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 May 2025 at 10:00 pm
Provided photos
HOLLEY – Nora Lindsay (center), a junior at Holley Junior-Senior High School, is shown with Neil and Diane Valentine, parents of Evan Valentine.
Lindsay sold cookies in April in memory of Evan, who passed away at age 18 on February 21, 2021 after a courageous battle with acute myeloid leukemia. Evan was very active in Holley’s music program and also was a soccer player and Eagle Scout.
Lindsay was able to donate $700 for the C.U.R.E. Childhood Cancer Association in memory of Evan Valentine.
“This community will not and can not forget everything Evan meant to us,” Lindsay said in a message to promote the cookie sale for the C.U.R.E.
Members of the Ontario Shores Sweet Adelines photographed in November 1976. Front row, from left: Edna Walck, Bonnie Powley, Marcia Housel (musical director), Betty Cole and Penny Powley. Second row: Pat Balcerzak, Joan Arnold, Pat Few, Phyllis McCarthy, Mary Lee Knights, Sylvia Allen and Theda Powley. Third row: Kathy Stahl, Audrey Lamb, Carol Lenhardt, Linda Rau, Janet Walck, Jean Gates and Helen James. Members absent from the photo: Claire Simons, Jan White, Elaine Jamele, Mary Lou Zimmerman, Kathy Hartway, Sue Wingfield and Janine Holbrook.
By Catherine Cooper, Orleans County Historian
“Illuminating Orleans” – Volume 5, No. 18
MIDDLEPORT – Ladies who liked to sing, harmonize and socialize formed a local chapter of the Sweet Adelines in 1972.
Named for a barbershop song popular in the early 1900s, the Sweet Adelines started in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1945 with a small group of women who liked to sing. It grew into an international, educational and social organization which promotes the folk-art style of singing four-part harmony, barbershop style.
The local chapter, named the Ontario Shores Sweet Adelines Chorus of Middleport received its international charter in February 1976. It included Niagara and Orleans counties and was part of Region 16 which covered New York State to Kingston, Ontario. Ontario Shores members at that time hailed from Holley, Lyndonville, Medina, Barker, Middleport and Newfane.
Marcia Housel of Lyndonville, a founding charter member, was the group’s music director for 16 years. An ardent proponent of the power of group singing, she believed that it provided “a real lift.” In a November 1974 interview, she explained that the Sweet Adelines repertoire focused on familiar tunes “music you can hum along to,” show tunes, patriotic songs and the “old classics” such as “Down by the Riverside.”
The newly formed Sweet Adelines presented their first annual show on November 6, 1976, at the Roy-Hart School auditorium in Middleport. The theme was “From Bonnets to Bellbottoms” and featured early and contemporary music.
Thus began a busy schedule of shows, competitions and performances at civic events and of course weekly rehearsals. A professional choreographer instructed the group in facial expression, mime acting, characterization and dance.
In 1984, Ann Gemerek of Holley was the director of the Christmas entertainment presented at the Carl I. Bergerson auditorium in Albion.
In 1985, a double quartet from Ontario Shores performed for the 700 members attending the Region 16 annual Music School event held at the Ramada Inn in Niagara Falls. They included: Jan Pritchard and Jean Gates of Medina; Janet Walck, Lyndonville; Joyce Compson and Mary Brocksopp of Holley; Laurie Costello, Brockport, Pat Few and Marie Krockenberger of Lockport.
The group’s activities were chronicled in the Medina Journal Register newspaper through the late 1980s. Carol Oschmann of Kendall was awarded the “Sweet Adeline of the Year” in 1987. Rosanne Mauragis became a new member in 1987 and Bonnie Orgar joined in 1988.
Cindy Parada’s mother, Elaine Jamele, was a member of the Sweet Adelines for many years. Cindy recalls: “Mom loved being a member of the Sweet Adelines! They just had so much fun. She joined with her best friend, Linda Rau. There was a great sense of camaraderie among the members. They sang music that they liked and wore fun costumes. It was theatrical, they enjoyed the thrill of performing but as a group which made it easier. Good times.”
It appears that the chapter discontinued in the early 1990s. We are sure that those ladies who loved to sing, harmonize and socialize kept photos, scrapbooks and other memorabilia of their Sweet Adeline adventures. The Orleans County Dept. of History would like to chronicle this aspect of our musical history, please contact Catherine.Cooper@orleanscountyny.gov. if you have material to donate.
Can any readers help us identify these happy harmonizers?
ALBION – On Saturday at approximately 9:54 a.m., Albion police officers responded to a report of a visibly distraught female at the Albion Police Department. The individual reported that she had been physically assaulted earlier that morning by her boyfriend, Brandon Armstrong, at a residence on West Bank Street.
Officers observed visible injuries on the victim, including red marks on her neck and cuts to her hand. The victim reported being choked multiple times, physically restrained from leaving the residence, and threatened with a knife.
She stated that Armstrong, age 41, attempted to stab her, resulting in the lacerations to her hand. Emergency medical services were requested to provide evaluation and treatment at the scene.
Patrols responded to the suspect’s residence and attempted to get Armstrong to come out for approximately 30 minutes. When he refused, the Albion Police Department K9 Unit was dispatched to assist. Patrols were advised Armstrong was hiding in the attic of the residence. After another 30 minutes, he came out and surrendered to patrols without further incident.
Armstrong has been charged with Robbery 3rd Degree (Class D Felony), Assault 2nd Degree (Class D Felony), Criminal Possession of a Weapon with intent to use (Class A Misdemeanor), Criminal Obstruction of Breathing (Class A Misdemeanor) and Unlawful Imprisonment (Class A Misdemeanor).
The Albion Police were assisted by Orleans County Sheriff’s Office.
The Albion Police Department takes all allegations of domestic violence seriously and is committed to ensuring the safety of victims and holding offenders accountable.
Anyone experiencing domestic violence is encouraged to contact law enforcement or reach out to local support services for assistance.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 May 2025 at 11:09 am
Organization reminds public flag holders for flags belong to cemeteries
Photos courtesy of Steve Goodrich: These flag holders are at veterans’ graves in Lyndonville.
LYNDONVILLE – The American Legion welcomes the public to be a part of the Memorial Day parade on May 26.
The parade begins at the Lake Avenue baseball field at 9 a.m. Participants should be there by 8:45. The processional then heads to Main Street and stops at Veterans Park by the library for a ceremony.
Steve Goodrich, commander of the Houseman-Tanner Post 1603 of the American Legion, also wanted to remind the public the markers and flag holders set by veterans’ graves are meant to be there year-round and are the property of the cemetery where the veteran is buried – not the family of the veteran.
Goodrich said the markers can be costly to replace at $150 for a bronze marker at $33 for aluminum if bought in bulk.
“The markers are provided by veteran’s organizations at no cost to the families of those veterans,” Goodrich said. “Please do not take them home! If a grave is found without a marker, a new one will be bought at expense to the post in that town.”
If a marker is dislodged, do not take it to a veteran or to a post, Goodrich said. Leave it where it is and notify a post member exactly where it is so it can be determined what grave it is near and should be returned to.
Post selling tickets for Bills bench as fundraiser
The Houseman-Tanner Post also beginning on Memorial Day will be selling tickets for a fund-raiser until Aug. 15.
“We will be again raffling off a hand-made bench,” Goodrich said. “This year’s model a Buffalo Bills in a Zuba pattern.”
The tickets are $5 each or five for $20. The drawing will be held Aug. 15 at the annual Lyndonville Street Dance. The bench is made by retired US Army veteran Calvin Wadford.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 May 2025 at 9:20 am
Photos courtesy of Tim Archer
ALBION – Some Albion eighth-graders teamed with Clarendon Town Historian Melissa Ierlan to give two historic markers a facelift with fresh coats of paint.
The top photo shows Emmaline Gailie, Nicole Loney and Tatiana Morales with Ierlan and the marker for the First Academy between the Niagara and Genesee.
The marker is in Gaines on Ridge Road, one mile west of Route 279.
The students also teamed with Ierlan to give this marker for the Brick Pond fresh paint. This marker is on Route 98, south of Route 104. Ierlan has removed old, flaking paint from about 30 markers in Orleans County and given them new paint.
J.A. Lafler opened a brickyard here in the 1850s, producing drainage tile and bricks for local buildings. He patented a brick machine in 1863.
Lux Froman paints the pole black on the marker for the Brick Pond.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 May 2025 at 8:22 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Mount Albion Cemetery is in its budding and blossoming glory right now, with many colors on display in the historic cemetery along Route 31.
Mount Albion in 2022 became accredited as an arboretum through ArbNet and The Morton Arboretum. The cemetery covers about 100 acres and is home to more than 1,100 trees and an array of flowers and bushes.
There are 65 varieties of trees, ranging from alder to beech, butternut to basswood, oak to spruce, hemlock to dogwood, pine to cedar and chestnut, according to the listing by ArbNet and The Morton Arboretum.
“But what dominates the landscape is New York State’s official tree – the Sugar Maple,” the group stated. “It’s brilliant fall colors dance across the landscape like a kaleidoscope of calm.”
Many people enjoy walking and visiting the cemetery, especially in the fall. But right now might be the best time of the year to visit the cemetery.
The cemetery hosts tours in the summer. A spring-time tour highlighting the different types of trees would be much appreciated by the public as well.
MIDDLEPORT – Ladies who liked to sing, harmonize and socialize formed a local chapter of the Sweet Adelines in 1972.
The Houseman-Tanner Post also beginning on Memorial Day will be selling tickets for a fund-raiser until Aug. 15.
