Press Release, New York State Association of Counties

ALBANY – As hundreds of county leaders prepare to attend the annual meeting next month hosted by the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC), county officials held a press conference today to encourage Governor Kathy Hochul to sign a key piece of legislation that will level the playing field between hotels and short-term rental companies.

The bill that passed both houses of the State Legislature, S.885-C (Hinchey) / A.4130-C (Fahy), requires short-term home rental agencies, such as VRBO and AirBnB to collect sales tax and hotel/motel occupancy taxes. (The measure excludes New York City.)

“While online platforms for short-term rentals have opened new opportunities for homeowners and travelers alike, they also present a variety of unique challenges. It is essential that we strike a balance between innovation and the well-being of our communities. These platforms must contribute their fair share to our economy and adhere to the same regulations as local hotels. This bipartisan legislation will help level the playing field and ensure accountability in the short-term rental industry. I urge Governor Hochul to sign this bill into law,” said Albany County Executive McCoy.

VRBO already collects state and/or local sales taxes or local occupancy taxes in all 49 states other than New York, along with the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Canada and Mexico; and has done so for years. Airbnb also collects state and/or local sales or occupancy taxes in 48 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada and Mexico.

The bill also requires short-term rental companies in the state to provide the State Department of Taxation and Finance with information on each rental unit, including how much each host is renting units for throughout the year.

This measure was among NYSAC’s top priorities for this year’s Legislative Session, and county delegates are expected to adopt a resolution at their upcoming meeting to urge the Governor to sign this legislation.

“To be clear: we are not opposed to the short-term rental industry. In fact, we appreciate the role they play in supporting tourism in New York State. We just want to bring a little sunshine to this part of the industry so that communities have a better understanding of homes and units that are for rent and how often. And we need to generate some tax revenue to offset additional costs to public safety, health and infrastructure services,” added NYSAC Executive Director Stephen J. Acquario.

MEDINA – Orleans Community Health has announced expansion of its MRI services at Medina Memorial Hospital, beginning Sept. 3.

Scheduling an MRI locally has been challenging in the past, according to Scott Robinson, director of Marketing, Communication and Outreach.

“The expansion of MRI services cannot be overstated,” said Erica Chutko, director of radiology and cardiac services at Orleans Community Health. “We can perform an MRI on the brain, spine, chest, abdomen, pelvis and extremities. These tests can help detect potential health concerns, such as strokes, tumors, Multiple Sclerosis and much more.

MRI services returned to Medina Memorial Hospital in the fall of 2022, with testing available one day a week. The increased demand for the service is a driver in the expansion to a second day, according to Robinson. Beginning Sept. 3, MRIs can now be scheduled from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

“This expansion is all about our desire and goal to bring services to the community,” Robinson said. “Getting an MRI in a timely manner is difficult in many places right now. We’re hoping to help alleviate that with this move.”

An MRI is a non-invasive imaging exam that does not include any radiation. To schedule an appointment, patients will need a referral from their doctor. In addition, some insurances require prior authorization. Appointments can then be scheduled with the radiology department by calling (585) 798-8054.

HOLLEY – The Holley community is expanding a celebration of residents who are 90 and older to include people outside the village of Holley in the towns of Murray and Clarendon.

Those 90 and older will be celebrated at 1 p.m. on Sept. 13 in the Village Square with a reception in the Community Free Library.

Those residents of Murray and Clarendon who are 90 and older as of Sept. 13, and residents of the village of Holley who have turned 90 since September 2022 are welcome to the gathering.

To attend, call Holley’s Village Clerk, Rainey Losee, at (585) 638-6367 with name, age and contact information as soon as possible.

Press Release, Catholic Charities of Buffalo

 BUFFALO – The start of a new school year is upon us and along with that comes new adventures and opportunities.

However, it can also be a time of high stress and anxiety for some kids. The mental health counselors at Catholic Charities of Buffalo are sharing several simple tips for parents and caregivers to help their child cope with anxiety, while also setting them up for a successful school year.

“Supporting our children’s mental health is one of our top priorities as mental health professionals, educators and parents,” said Allie Medina, M.Ed., LMHC, behavioral health program supervisor, Catholic Charities. “A child isn’t born knowing how to navigate the world; it’s our job as adults to teach them while offering unconditional love and support through their day-to-day changes.”

Here are some ideas Catholic Charities mental health counselors recommend trying to help your child or adolescent navigate the new, (but also exciting!) back-to-school changes:

• Practice deep breathing together. The day can be overwhelming with a changing schedule and routine. Sit together and take deep breaths to regulate your mind and body.
• Close technology at least an hour before bedtime. Technology can keep our minds racing. Trade the phones and tablets for a book or coloring together before bed to calm the mind.
• Open the conversation. Go around the dinner table or at bedtime discuss the peak and the pit of your day.
• Squeeze the lemons. The act of squeezing and releasing your muscles can help reduce stress and anxiety. Put your hands in fists like holding two lemons and squeeze all your muscles for 5 seconds. Release for 5 seconds. Repeat as many times as needed.
• Implement evening movement. If time allows, take a family walk or bike ride together to get fresh air and prepare the body for a restful evening of sleep.
• In the beginning of the school year, keep your routine and expectations simple. It’s hard enough as an adult to keep track of things. Keep in mind your child’s routine is changing daily. Try coming up with a morning and evening schedule together so they feel involved with what their expectations will be and posting it somewhere in the house like the refrigerator.
• Let the morning be easy. Try and prepare for the following day the night before to ensure mornings can be stress-free. Pack backpacks and lunches, check homework, and lay out clothes for the following day.
• One of the most important relationships during the school year is with your child’s teacher. Meet with them and ensure you have their preferred form of communication saved on your phone with login information handy.
• Watch changes in your child’s behavior. No one knows your child better than you, the parent. An increase in stress and anxiety can cause noticeable changes in behavior such as a change in appetite, change in sleep habits, change in hygiene, etc. Keep a close eye on those changes and have a calm conversation with your child if you notice something different.

Catholic Charities offers individual, children, and family counseling services throughout the eight counties of Western New York. For more information visit, ccwny.org/mental-wellness.

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Chris Busch, a trustee of Holy Trinity Parish in Medina, led a tour of the St. Mary’s Cemetery on North Gravel Road last Sunday evening. It is part of the Sunday evening cemetery tours this August, an annual effort led by the Orleans County Historical Association.

Busch believes this was the first official public tour of the cemetery. St. Mary’s started in 1858. There are about 5,000 people buried there. Many of the founders of the Catholic church in medina, which started in 1832, are buried in Lockport because the cemetery wasn’t established in Medina until 1858.

The cemetery is the final resting place for hundreds of Irish immigrants who founded the parish, Busch said. There are numerous Irish surnames throughout the cemetery, he said.

Many of the monuments have the Latin phrase: “Requiescat in Pace,” for “Rest in Peace.”

This marker is for Rev. Richard Harmon, the first resident pastor for St. Mary’s. He was assigned churches from Somerset to Kendall, and travelled by horseback to lead the faithful.

He was tasked with building the church on frontier outside of the village settlements. Harmon died at age 26, less than a year after starting his work in the Medina area.

He is one of nine Catholic priests buried at St. Mary’s.

Sister Bertrand also is noted on this monument. She was a member of the Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart. She was one of the first nuns to teach in Medina. She died in 1876, at age 25.

Lt. John Butts is buried on the southern end of the cemetery. He is a Medal of Honor recipient who “performed magnificently” while leading soldiers in World War II. Butts was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for “courage, unflinching valor and inspiring actions” in Normandy, France on June 23, 1944.

There were about 35 people on the tour. These two women look close at the monument for Patrick O’Grady and his family. He was a prominent sandstone mason and builder who helped lead the construction of the First Baptist Church in Medina, Bent’s Opera House and portions of the original St. Mary’s Church. Three of his children died from tuberculosis within about 6 months of each other.

The large sandstone monument notes the deaths of O’Grady at age 58 on Jan. 4, 1886.

The three children who died in 1885 include Lizzie at age 15 on Feb. 9, Eddie at age 21 on March 31, and John at age 28 on Aug. 21.

I went looking for the grave marker for Marcia Tuohey, who was key leader for Medina and Orleans County. She passed away at age 84 on Aug. 7, 2014. Marcia was well known for her stylist hats.

She was the first woman to serve as Medina’s mayor and then the first woman to serve as chair of the Orleans County Legislature, which she did for eight years.

MEDINA – Residents of the North Wing at Medina Memorial Hospital will find it more convenient to use their wheelchairs and walkers, thanks to a recent donation from a group of friends who graduated from Medina High School.

Carol Bellack, Cindy Parada, Helen Limina, Cindy Robinson, Dawn Fry, Sue Richards and Mary Beth Dean all graduated together in 1976 and have since formed a group they call the “76 Stitchers.”

Although they don’t all sew, they get together regularly to socialize. Recently, they thought it would be nice to do something for the North Wing residents and came up with the idea to sew caddies for wheelchairs and walkers.

Anyone who has ever had to use one of these devices knows you can’t navigate with one and carry anything, such as a drink, snack or puzzle book.

“Cindy Parada has a beautiful set-up at home for sewing,” Carol Bellack said. “She thought of the idea and visited the North Wing to see if there was something we could do for the residents. She has also contacted Hospice and Orchard Rehabilitation, so you’ll probably see us doing things for them in the future.”

Parada was also shown terry cloth bibs the North Wing uses, so they will also probably be in the making, Bellack said.

Bellack said not all the friends in the group sew, but those who don’t can help by ironing and cutting fabric.

Staff and residents said they appreciate the support and kindness this special group of ladies brought to them.

“In short, this is another time when our community has stepped up when they saw an opportunity to help,” said Scott Robinson, director of Marketing, Communication and Outreach at Orleans Community Health. “We’re lucky to have so many of these phenomenal people in the area.”

By Catherine Cooper, Orleans County Historian

“Illuminating Orleans” – Volume 4, Number 26

A dramatic edict was issued by Sheriff Carl Kleindienst in February 1943, offering a $10 reward to kill dogs running at large. The notice was necessitated by an upsurge in the number of dog attacks on sheep and chickens throughout the county.

Many of these incidents were reported in the local newspapers: over the course of four days in May 1944, over $1,000 worth of sheep were destroyed by dogs in the Town of Barre: 25 at the Frank Hedges farm, 20 at the Clarence Houghton farm, and 10 at the Martin Brown farm.

Dogs were reported to have been molesting a flock belonging to former Sheriff Sidney Treble. The Sheriff’s dept. destroyed four dogs, two while the dogs were still attacking a flock. In June 1944, 135 chickens owned by Nunzio Spalla, north of Albion, were killed by dogs. He managed to shoot the larger attacking dog but missed the other.

Even the most adorable household canine pets can turn vicious when they are among a flock of timid, scurrying sheep, who, lacking horns, venom, sting, bite or heft, are singularly defenseless animals.

It is widely acknowledged that a dog who has attacked sheep once will attack them again. The term “worrying” has been used for this molestation. It aptly describes the effect of an attack on the flock, and on the farmer concerned for the future safety of his investment. In addition to the financial loss inflicted by an attack, there is the more dismaying problem of dealing with the gory cleanup of the destruction.

Sheep raising was lucrative in the 1940s, as the war had increased demand for wool for the manufacture of uniforms and blankets. Many Orleans County farmers owned sheep; some flocks were as large as 800.

Each Town was responsible for the payment of damages caused by dogs whose owners could not be identified. The County Treasurer reported annually to the Board of Supervisors on the claims paid for damage done by dogs: in 1944 this totaled $4,126.30 and $4,639.95 in 1945. It is not surprising that attempts were made to reduce these costs.

The Sheriff asked for the addition of a full-time deputy to act as a dog warden for the county. He believed that this was the most effective way to cope with the problem of dogs running loose at night and attacking sheep. In 1943, the Board of Supervisors authorized the appointment of this special officer, to operate under the sheriff’s office, at an annual salary of no more than $2,000.

In 1949, the County Treasurer reported that the amount paid by the County for damages done by dogs was $1,711.45, a significant decrease. Increased vigilance and policing of violations helped decrease the scourge.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Canvas prints from photographer Sharon Gavenda of Point Breeze are on display at the Marti’s On Main art gallery in Albion at 20 South Main St.

A new show featuring Gavenda, Judy Wenrich and Tom Rivers opened on Aug. 16. The artwork can be seen by calling Kim Martillotta-Muscarella, gallery owner, at (585) 590-9211.

This is the first show for Sharon Gavenda, a nurse. She has been honing her skills as a photographer the past 15 years. It started with a trip to Maine when she was awestruck by the landscapes.

“It was so beautiful that I found myself taking photos,” she said.

She has many images in the gallery from when she is on early morning jogs and captures the sunrise in the Point Breeze area.

Judy Wenrich of Kendall is pictured with some of her oil pastels of animals. Wenrich, a retired social worker, has been a featured artist at Marti’s for many years, and that often focused on paintings of horses. She has expanded her repertoire for the exhibit at Marti’s.

Wenrich has 13 pieces on display at Marti’s, including some whimsical captions. She likes to give the animals expressions.

“Everyone has their own style,” she said.

Photo by Kim Martillotta-Muscarella: Orleans Hub editor Tom Rivers also has about 25 photos in the exhibit. Here I am standing by one in downtown Albion after a fresh snowfall. Two in the back include a fire at a historic home in Holley, and a kayaker on Lake Ontario during a sunset.

These photos include a Black Lives Matter march in Medina, the “Believe” sign during swirling snow in Albion, a Santa during an Albion parade, Albion firefighters during a lighted parade last December, and two from the grease pole competition at the Orleans County 4-H Fair.

There are other local scenes in the exhibit and pictures of people who I miss seeing around town including Brennan Moody, Jonathan Doherty, Angela English and Al Capurso.

The next opening reception at Marti’s will be Sept. 20 from 6 to 9 p.m., featuring oil paintings by Tom Zangerle, and oil and watercolors by Sarah Hyatt.

Photos courtesy of Medina Mustang Band Boosters

MEDINA – The Medina Marching Band played in Newfane’s Bicentennial Parade on Saturday.

The band played music and marched down Main Street for the Niagara County town’s 200^th anniversary celebration.

Photos by Tom Rivers

KNOWLESVILLE – Zyann Pore sings “Praise” with other members of the Shiloh Youth Choir during today’s Gospel Fest at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds.

About 500 people attended the event, which included the sale of 200 chicken barbecues dinners. Trellis Pore, pastor of the Shiloh Church in Albion, cooked the chicken dinners which were paired with corn casserole made by his mother, Brenda Gabrielson.

Proceeds from today’s event will go to a building expansion fund for the Shiloh Church.

The Shiloh Youth Choir sings “Lion” during the Gospel Fest.

The “Good News” band performed first, followed by the Shiloh “Littles” who are young children at the church. After the youth choir, the adult choir from Shiloh sang religious and uplifting music.

Trellis Pore, pastor of the church, preaches from the stage. He urged people to “let go and let God.” Pore said people need to get out of a religious routine and instead strive for a relationship with God.

ALBION – The Albion Betterment Committee said the delayed reopening of the Main Street lift bridge has hurt many independent businesses in the downtown area.

The group has a letter ready to go to state officials, and is welcoming more signatures from the community. They will be at the Hoag Library today from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

The bridge has been closed to traffic since Nov. 14. It was expected to be an 18-month project with the bridge to reopen in the spring 2024.

But there have been issues with some materials being off-size and other supply-chain challenges. Village officials say the state Department of Transportation is now eyeing a mid-December completion for the project.

The Betterment Committee is sending a letter to Gov. Kathy Hochul, State Sen. Rob Ortt and Assemblyman Steve Hawley, urging them to seek a speedy completion to the project.

“We are trying to help the downtown merchants,” said Gary Kent, an ABC director.

The bridge from 1914 is getting an extensive rehabilitation. It is part of a $28.3 million project that includes the Main Street lift bridge in Brockport.

Provided photos: (Left) Nick Joy of the Medina Police Department speaks during Friday’s graduation of the Niagara County Law Enforcement Academy. Joy served as president of the 82nd Basic Class. (Right) Tanner Ferris of the Medina PD is congratulated for completing the six-month program.

MEDINA – Two Medina police officers on Friday graduated from a six-month police academy.

Nick Joy and Tanner Ferris were among 21 graduates in the 82^nd Basic Class of the Niagara County Law Enforcement Academy.

The new graduates, Nick Joy at left and Tanner Ferris at right, are pictured with Medina Police Chief Todd Draper.

The two officers were hired by Medina in February. Now that they have completed the six-month academy at Niagara County Community College, they will do field training with the Medina PD.

The graduates represented law enforcement agencies The two officers will take a six-month police academy starting Monday at Niagara County Community College then they do field training with the Medina PD.

At the academy students completed classroom instruction, physical training, defensive tactics and firearms training.

Besides Medina, the graduates include officers and deputies from the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office, Niagara Falls Police Department, North Tonawanda and Lockport police departments, and Genesee County Sheriff’s Office.

Joy has been a trainer and co-owner of the Hustl House gym in Albion and Medina. Ferris is a 2017 Albion graduate with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from SUNY Brockport. He was working for Keeler Construction.

E-YAH-Pah-Hah has 3 other concerts in September, October

Provided photo: E-YAH-Pah-Hah Wind Quintet (Town Crier) includes, from left: Susan Walders, flute; Darren Pully, oboe; Maggie Warren, horn; Kae Wilbert, bassoon; and Scott Horsington, clarinet.

ALBION – A quintet that started last year performing classical Native American music has four upcoming concerts, including 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 29 at the Albion Town Hall.

E-YAH-Pah-Hah, the “Town Crier,” will do a mini premiere of three of five movements of a new piece, “Postcards of Native America,” by Native American composer Dr. Charles Shadle, Choctaw, who teaches theory and composition at MIT.

Kae Wilbert, a retired Churchville-Chili music teacher, lives in Albion and is a leader in the group as well as a bassoon player. She is a descendant of the Oklahoma Cherokee.

The group started last year, performing for the first time at Camp Asbury in Perry, a United Methodist camp. The musicians wanted to share Native music with youth. That desire has spread to sharing the music with the community.

“People rarely hear Native American classical music,” she said.

The group rehearses at the Disciples United Methodist Church in Clarendon, where Wilbert is a member.

“I’ve always loved woodwind quartets. I wanted to keep playing,” she said.

Besides the concert on Aug. 29 in Albion, E-YAH-Pah-Hah’s performance schedule includes:

• Sept. 16 at 7:30 p.m. at College of Brockport Music Department
• Oct. 5 at 3 p.m. at Cobblestone Church in Gaines
• Oct. 27 at 3 p.m. with Daystar Dance Company, Seneca Art and Culture Center Auditorium at Ganondagan State Historic Site in Victor.

“The music is very rewarding,” Wilbert said. “The musicians are quite good and all very focused.”

Four of the musicians have college degrees in music, while the fifth member has a medical degree.

The Aug. 29 concert is also part of a classical music series at Albion that is funded with a grant from GO Art!

Other concerts in that series include the Geneseo Wind Quintet with faculty from SUNY Geneseo Music Department. They will be performing at the Albion Town Hall on Clarendon Road on Sept. 18 at 6:30 p.m.

The Music Educators Wind Ensemble will perform Dec. 12 at 7:30 p.m. at the Albion Middle School Auditorium.

Press Release, Orleans County Historical Association

ALBION – The final summer cemetery tour will be held this Sunday at Mt. Albion Cemetery.  The tour will begin at 6 p.m. in front of the chapel. The tour is approximately 0.7 miles in length on mostly flat surfaces. We will tour behind the chapel and the western section of Mt. Albion.

Retired Orleans County Historian Bill Lattin and Village of Albion Historian Sue Starkweather Miller will lead the tour sharing stories of community-minded people who made a positive difference in Albion.

“One of the stops on the tour will highlight professional animal painter Peter B. West and how a painting of his led me on a journey to learning about George D. Harris, a prolific builder and contractor,” Starkweather Miller said. “Many of us may have heard of his family members, Medal of Honor recipient Charles D. Harris and Lydia Harris, who died in the Main Street bridge collapse on September 28, 1859. But I never knew about George and his accomplishments in Albion. I think people will be interested in his story.”

Donna Strickland Rodden will also be highlighted on the tour. The chapel, built in 1875, was dedicated to her in 1997. Rodden was the first female mayor of Albion, serving from 1973-1983. Her influence and care for preserving local history has made a lasting impact on our community and Mt. Albion.

The summer series of tours is sponsored by the Orleans County Historical Association.  Please go to their website at www.orleanshistory.org for more information on upcoming events including monthly programs at the Gaines Basin Schoolhouse and a chicken barbecue fundraiser on Aug. 31.