MEDINA – In October the Village Board was asked to look at updating the sign ordinance for the historic downtown and allow electronic signs.

Joe Cardone, owner of the Medina Theatre, told the board he wanted to get away from a hand-lettered marque for the theater at 603 Main St. and have a modern electronic sign with lighting.

Joe Cardone speaks during last week’s Village Board meeting and asks the board to look at modernizing the sign ordinance for the downtown.

The Village Board referred the matter to the Village Planning Board, which in November decided to take no action on the issue.

Not allowing modern, electronic signs is holding some of the businesses back, Cardone told the Village Board last week.

“I truly believe to foster any type of business in this community we need to look at this,” Cardone told the board.

He will retiring as district attorney after this year and he said he will be devoting more time to the Medina Theatre.

Cardone has researched other communities’ sign ordinances that have theaters.

Medina currently prohibits digital and electronic signs. Lockport allows electronic signs for the marquees while North Tonawanda is more restrictive, Cardone told the board in October.

The Village of Gowanda has a comprehensive ordinance and gives the Planning Board and Village Board discretion in reviewing a request for electronic signage. Cardone said Medina’s code is currently “draconian” and allows no leeway.

Cardone tried to get some funding through the $4.5 million Forward NY grant approved for the village but the local committee didn’t recommend funding for the marque, partly because an electronic sign currently isn’t allowed.

Medina Mayor Marguerite Sherman said she would like to get a report from either the Planning Board or the village’s strategic visioning committee on the sign ordinance. Sherman said she didn’t hear why the Planning Board opted against changing the code to allow for electronic signs.

Village Trustee Jess Marciano said she would like the issue to be brought up again by the Planning Board.

Medina’s sign ordinance doesn’t allow “Any electronic message with a fixed or changeable display, which may be changed by electrical, electronic or computerized process or remote control, and may include animation or motion of any kind, words and/or pictures, electronically projected text, images or graphics, and may also include, but is not limited to, light-emitting diodes (LED), video, television and plasma displays, fiberoptics, holographic images, or other technology that results in bright, high-resolution text, images and graphics.”

The village code also states: “No sign shall be illuminated by or contain flashing intermittent, rotating or moving lights except to show time and temperature.”

The unemployment rate in Orleans County was 4.0 percent which continues a gradual decline from the start of the year, according to the state Department of Labor.

In Orleans County so far this year, the unemployment rate was 5.3 percent in January, then 5.2 percent in February, 4.9 percent in March and 4.0 percent in April.

The labor force is smaller compared to April 2023 when it was 17,100 total – 16,600 employed and 600 unemployed, according to the DOL. In April 2024, the labor force was 16,900 with 16,300 working and 700 unemployed.

Unemployment rates in WNY counties for April include 3.9 percent in Erie, 4.3 percent in Niagara, 3.8 in Livingston, 3.7 in Monroe, 4.0 in Orleans, 3.5 in Genesee, 4.2 percent in Wyoming, 4.2 in Cattaraugus, 4.2 percent in Chautauqua, and 4.1 in Allegany.

In the United States, the unemployment rate from April 2023 to April 2024 went from 3.1 percent to 3.5 percent. The U.S. has 515,000 more people working in that year for a total of 161.59 million last month.

In New York State, the unemployment rate from April 2023 to April 2024 went from 3.6 percent to 3.9 percent. The state has 19,300 fewer people working for a total of 9.28 million last month.

In New York, the unemployment rate has been trending down since the start of the year, form 4.3 percent in January, to 4.5 percent in February, 4.2 percent in March to 3.9 percent in April.

By Robin Govanlu, LMHN, LAC, LPC, Chief of Behavioral Health, Oak Orchard Health.

Although many aspects of daily life appear to have returned to some sense of normalcy since the pandemic, there is an increasing impact and cultural shift in the need for mental health services, especially for children and adolescents. Since the start of the pandemic, Oak Orchard Health (OOH) continues to see the demand for behavioral health services on the rise, with limited resources to respond to that demand in the rural regions that we serve.

Since 2020 we have continued to see immense growth year after year with a 119% increase in all behavioral health visits and a 164% increase in pediatric visits since the start of the pandemic.  Our Brockport and Albion sites are our largest volume sites serving many of our child and adolescent patients. Unfortunately, that has resulted in longer than usual wait times for an appointment. As a parent, we know how difficult that can be, so we’ve been partnering with many organizations to help improve this situation.

Oak Orchard Health has served as a lead agency for many years on the Western Monroe County Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health Coalition, which includes important community partners such as The University of Rochester Strong Pediatric Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program (CPEP), Rochester Regional Health, SUNY Brockport, and the Brockport Central School District.  The collective data from this coalition further demonstrates the need for expansion of pediatric behavioral health services in Western Monroe and Orleans Counties, and the surrounding areas as many families that live west of Rochester experience significant challenges with accessing care closer to home.

To adequately address the behavioral health crisis in our regions and keep more children out of the hospital we need more mental health services in our community and that’s where Oak Orchard comes in. Getting our young patients connected quickly to the services that they need is vital to their well-being and ongoing development. Therefore, OOH will be expanding child and adolescent behavioral health services at the Brockport Health Center and the Albion Wellness Center. This expansion will include hiring additional therapists with a specialty in pediatric behavioral health. We’ll also be hiring support staff and a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner within the next year. Services can be provided in-person and through our telehealth program which allows for audio or video communication between the patient and mental health provider using their phone, laptop, or iPad.   

Another goal is to reduce the wait from time of referral to time of intake to get kids and families the help they need sooner.  With the new therapists hired in the coming months, we expect to be able to see new patients this summer. We plan to care for kids from as young as 2 to 21 years of age. Please share with others and we look forward to partnering with schools and parents in the area regarding the expansion of this program. We hope to make a major impact on the youth in the region. If you have any questions or want to make an appointment for the July/August period, please call Oak Orchard Health at (585) 637-3905, ext. 2102.

Press Release, Orleans County Historical Association

GAINES – The Orleans County Historical Association is pleased to welcome the community to their 2024 selection of presentations at their Gaines Basin Cobblestone Schoolhouse, 3286 Gaines Basin Rd.

The presentations are held on the last Wednesday of each month, May to October at 7 p.m. Donations are gladly accepted.

The schedule includes:

• May 29: “Last Call” – Hotels, Restaurants, Bars – A History of Medina with Renee Lama, author (Books will be available for purchase)
• June 26: “Flight Research Aircraft in Buffalo” from 1946-1971, the Cornell Aeronautical Lab flew 50+ different military aircraft in Buffalo, with presenter Allen Kidder, aeronautical buff.
• July 31: “Animal Stories” – from famous to local history stories with Bill Lattin, Retired Orleans County Historian.
• Aug 28: “The Groovy ’70s” – Cultural Change – with Erica Wanecski.
• Sept. 25: “Franklin and Eleanor Slept Here” – the local connection, with Dee Robinson, Hoag Library History Researcher.
• Oct 30: “History of Medina Sandstone” with Jim Friday, author.

The always popular Summer Cemetery Tours are back! Tours are every Sunday in August at 6 p.m. Sponsored by Orleans County Historical Association.

• Aug. 4: West Ridgeway Cemetery, Ridge Road (Rt. 104) at the corner of Marshall Road. Presented by Catherine Cooper, Orleans County Historian.
• Aug. 11: Orleans County “Poorhouse Cemetery,” 14064 County House Road behind the Emergency Management Center. Presented by Tim Archer, ACS Teacher.
• Aug. 18: St. Mary’s R.C. Cemetery, Route 63, N. Gravel Road, Medina. Presented by Chris Busch.
• Aug. 25: Mt. Albion Cemetery, Route 31, Albion. Presented by: Sue Starkweather Miller, Village of Albion Historian and Bill Lattin, Retired Orleans County Historian.

Press Release, Lake Plains Players

Jason Anstey

Lake Plains Players is honored to announce Jason Anstey as the 2024 recipient of the Lance Anderson Memorial Scholarship.

Anstey is an Albion High School senior who plans to attend Roberts Wesleyan University in the fall for Music Education. His goal to become a music educator stems from his experiences in various performing ensembles, including serving as drum major for the Albion marching band.

Through these roles, Anstey discovered an immense joy in witnessing people’s musical growth, whether through singing or playing instruments. In his essay about what role he hopes to play in society with his participation in the arts, he stated that “In a world often brimming with negativity, these lessons in empathy and creativity are more vital than ever, shaping not just musicians, but exceptional human beings.”

The scholarship is a $1,000 award established in honor of the late Lance Anderson. Lance was the President of Lake Plains Players for over 10 years, and had a passion for education as well as theatre. He was always a vocal supporter of students and a leader in the group’s Summer Theatre Program. He affected the lives and futures of countless young people who are now making their own contributions in the arts fields.  Through this scholarship, the Lake Plains Players hope to continue to honor his legacy.

Find more information about the Lake Plains Players, by clicking here.

Photos by Tom Rivers

HOLLEY – The top of a new historical marker includes artwork by Holley teacher Kayla Thrower. The marker was unveiled and dedicated today for the 9 “Holley Boys” who were killed during the Vietnam War.

Those young men include: John P. Davis, age 30: David Duane Case, 20; Ronald P. Sisson, 23; Howard L. Bowen, 20; Gary E. Bullock, 24; Gary Lee Stymus, 26; George Warren Fischer Jr., 23; Paul Scott Mandracchia, 18; and David States, 21.

Nick D’Amura, a former middle/high school history teacher at Holley, gave the keynote address. He is shown taking a photo with his phone. D’Amura now works for the Genesee Valley BOCES in Le Roy.

He taught at Holley for 10 years and his classes researched the Holley men who died in the Vietnam War.

Holley suffered one of the highest casualty rates in the country during Vietnam, and D’Amura said the losses are still felt deeply in the community.

The marker is next to the former Holley High School, where eight of the nine soldiers graduated.

“They grew up in a small town,” D’Amura said. “They played sports. They were in the marching band. They revved up cars.”

Melissa Ierlan, Clarendon town historian, hugs D’AMura after his speech.

D’Amura’s Holley students helped with the wording on the marker. In addition to listing the names of the Holley soldiers, the marker states the following:

“This marker is to commemorate the nine young men who lost their lives in service to their country during the conflict in Vietnam. The ‘Holley Boys’ attended classes here at the high school in the heart of the village before war called them to adulthood. They grew up with stories of their fathers from battlefields past, and each of them served with distinction when the great battle of their age arrived.

“Holley sent her finest when called.”

The marker ends with a quote from Abraham Lincoln: “I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.”

Ierlan pushed for the monument and secured funding from the Elizabeth Dye Curtis Foundation, Clarendon Historical Society and Murray-Holley Historical Society.

Dan Mawn, president of the Murray-Holley Historical Society, was among about 150 people who attended the dedication ceremony in the rain. Mawn said he was born the same year as Mandracchia and rode the same school bus with Stymus and Bowen.

“This is long overdue,” Mawn said about the prominent display for the Holley soldiers.

Before the marker dedication, there was a Memorial Day service in the American Legion Post in Holley. Scott Galliford, the post commander, welcomes about 125 inside the hall for the service.

He noted the Legion post is named for Jewell Buckman, the first soldier from Holley to be killed in World War I about a century ago. Buckman’s life was cut short on June 7th, 1918, fifty miles northeast of Paris, at the Battle of Belleau Wood. He was 26 and a member of the Marine Corps.

Ron Ayrault, the Legion’s chaplain, shared the names of local veterans who passed away since last Memorial Day: Robert Stirk, Army; Alfred Pulcino III, Air Force; Paul Wright, Army; James Miller, Navy; James B. Coats, Navy; Garland Miller, Army; Robert Pinson, Army; Frank Mandigo, Air Force; Noel Zicari, Air Force; Neil Passarell, Army; Wayne Robinson, Navy; and Jerome “Jeff” Machamer, Army.

Kevin Foley, a helicopter pilot during the Vietnam War, received a Purple Heart and two Distinguished Flying Cross medals after being shot down and being determined to help his fellow soldiers.

He spoke to about 125 people inside the Legion hall. The service moved indoors because of the rain.

Mark James Morreall reads a poem he wrote, “The Cost of Freedom.”

Some of the poem’s lines include:

“He gave his life at Little Round Top,

At Valley Forge and Normandy,

In Flanders Fields and Iwo Jima,

At Pork Chop Hill and in Quang Tri.

“Sometimes we take this life for granted,

Do we forget the price they paid?

They say the freedom wasn’t free my friend,

It’s been paid for by the brave!”

Joyce Foley, a retired teacher and Kevin Foley’s wife, said she attended church with Ron Sisson, one of the nine from Holley killed in Vietnam. That United Methodist Church was in the Public Square and still stands, although it’s now used for apartments.

“He made everyone feel special,” Foley said about Sisson. “He had a smile that lit up a room.”

She recalled being on her senior trip with her classmates. They went to Gettysburg. They were having a great time, when news came that Gary Stymus had been killed. Two of his family members were on the senior trip.

She said the historical marker is ideally located next to the old high school.

“How fitting that they will be honored in front of the high school where they lived, loved, laughed and learned,” Foley said.

Foley said many of the Vietnam vets who came home suffered with missing limbs, PTSD, brain injuries, exposure to Agent Orange and other hardships.

She said the vets served “for love of family, for love of God and for love of country. It was their sense of duty.”

Before the service and rain these scouts stand in front of a 5-ton military dump truck from 1991. The truck is now used by Howard Farms. Todd Klatt brought it from the farm for its first parade. Klatt is a mechanic in the National Guard.

Mark Morreall rides his motorcycle in the parade followed by several fire trucks.

Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts ride in the parade to Hillside Cemetery. Scouts and veterans laid wreaths at Hillside and Holy Cross Cemetery. The Scouts are in Pack 62, and Troops 62 and 59.

Photo courtesy of Erin Anheier: Alvin Anheier, 97, of Brockport. sits in the passenger seat of his 1928 Ford Model AA. Anheier, a World War II veteran, wanted to be at the parade. Ross Sceusa is driving, Sandy Moy is in the second row seat and Kevin Bedard and Wally Sanford are in the top back seats.

Photo courtesy of Scott Goetze

LYNDONVILLE – The impending inclement weather this morning forced the cancellation of the Memorial Day parade and ceremony for the safety of all involved, said Steve Goodrich, the Legion commander.

“That does not mean the day went unmarked,” he said.

At 8:30 a.m. members of Houseman-Tanner Post 1603 placed a wreath at the Memorial Stone in Veterans Park and lowered the flag to half staff to honor the fallen.

Pictured: Commander Steve Goodrich lowers the flag as members (left to right) Scott Goetze, John Follman and Kathy Kage render honors. Delbert Young, a Legion member, also was present.

Photo courtesy of Isaac Robinson

ALBION – The honor guard is shown at Mount Albion Cemetery by the Civil War veterans’ section this morning.

The rain may have forced organizers to cancel the Memorial Day parade and an outdoor service, but the honor guard still went to 10 different sites – at cemeteries and monuments – to pay their respects to veterans.

The Honor Guard includes members of the American Legion and VFW in Albion. They went to the VFW Post, the monument at Veterans Park (at Linwood and Brown), old St. Joseph’s Cemetery on Brown Road, new St. Joseph’s Cemetery on Route 31, Mount Albion Cemetery, the Fancher War Memorial, Otter Creek Cemetery, Waterport Cemetery, Carlton Cemetery and concluded at the American Legion.

Albion has canceled their Memorial Day parade and service scheduled for 10 a.m. today due to rain and the chance of severe weather in the area. Albion joins Lyndonville and Medina in canceling their parades and services due to the weather.

MEDINA – There won’t be a parade or Memorial Day service in Medina due to the forecast of nasty weather.

Medina was planning a parade at 11 a.m. with a service to follow about noon at State Street Park.

The forecast shows there will likely be a downpour with lightning at that time.

LYNDONVILLE – Lyndonville won’t be having a Memoiral Day parade due to the threat of thunderstorms and lighting.

The parade was going to start at 9 with a service to follow at Veterans’ Memorial Park by Yates Community Library.

The Houseman-Tanner American Legion Post 1603 issued this statement:

“Out of concern for inclement weather forecast and possible lightening, the parade and Memorial Day ceremony in the Village of Lyndonville is cancelled today.

“On this Memorial Day, let us take time to reflect on the sacrifices made by the men and women who have selflessly given their lives to protect the freedoms our country provides.

“May we always remember them, may they rest in peace.

“God bless America.”

It will likely be a wet Memorial Day, and the rain could hit during the parades and community observances.

The National Weather Service in Buffalo said showers and thunderstorms will be before 1 p.m., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 1 and 2 p.m. There is a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. with the new rainfall totaling a quarter to half inch. The high will be near 75.

The Memorial Day observances in Orleans County include the following:

ALBION – The parade starts at 10 a.m. at Main Street near the Park Street intersection. From there the processional goes to East Avenue, and then to the middle school.

A service will be held in front of the middle school at approximately 11 a.m.

HOLLEY – There will be a service outside the American Legion at 9 p.m. and then a new historical marker will be dedicated for the nine young men from Holley who were killed during the Vietnam War.

Holley will unveil the marker in front of the former Holley High School. After the marker is dedicated, a parade will follow to Hillside Cemetery.

The marker for the “Holley Boys” recognizes the nine from Holley who were killed during the Vietnam War: John P. Davis, David D. Case, Ronnie P. Sisson, David P. States, Howard Bowen, Gary E. Bullock, Gary L. Stymus, George W. Fischer Jr. and Paul S. Mandracchia. Holley had one of the highest per capita casualty rates in the country during the Vietnam War.

KENDALL – A ceremony will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 30, at the Kendall Community Park where there is a war memorial and gazebo. It is located on Kendall Road, across from the Kendall Elementary School. Kendall observes the holiday on May 30, which was the original day of Memorial Day. It was changed to the be the last Monday of May in 1968 to have a three-day weekend for federal employees.

LYNDONVILLE – A parade will start at 9 a.m. from the parking lot at the former St. Joseph’s Catholic Church on Lake Avenue and participants will march to the library for the ceremony which follows. (Lyndonville announced this morning the parade and service have been cancelled due to the anticipated rough weather.)

MEDINA – The parade will start at 11 a.m. at the Olde Pickle Factory building on Park Avenue and proceed to the State Street Park where a ceremony will be held at about noon. (Editor’s Note: Medina’s parade and service have been cancelled due to the inclimate weather.)

Press Release, GLOW OUT

BATAVIA – Batavia Pride is celebrating its sixth year in 2024. The celebration of LGBTQ+ love and resilience has grown each year since 2019 with the support of communities and allies.

“We’re very excited about Pride this year,” said GLOW OUT! President John Couri.

GLOW OUT! provides trainings, youth support, and community events to raise awareness and celebrate those in Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming counties who are LGBTQ+ –  lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or questioning. Many allies – straight people who support and advocate for their loved ones in the LGBTQ+ community – also attend Pride each year.

“We know that having fun events like Pride are empowering, especially for young people,” Couri said. “It’s important for people to connect and celebrate one another – especially for a young person, who might go to a small school and feel isolated.”

Batavia Pride begins Friday, June 1, with opening remarks and raising of the pride flag at 5:30 p.m. at the Batavia First Presbyterian Church at 300 East Main Street. Afterward, all are welcome for a Block Party from 6 – 8 p.m., also at the Batavia First Presbyterian Church. The Block Party will include raffles, refreshments, and the coronation of Batavia Pride 2024’s Rainbow Court – honoring local youth who will be given a prominent spot in the parade.

Events continue on Friday, June 7, when GO ART! will host a professional happy hour for those 21 and over from 4 – 6 p.m. at GO ART!, 201 Main Street in Batavia. Also on Friday, June 7, all are welcome at Eden Café’s First Friday art exhibition from 5:30 – 7 p.m. at 242 Ellicott Street.

The parade and festival will be on Saturday, June 8, beginning with a Story Hour event for families in Jackson Square at 3 p.m. The Pride Parade will line up at Batavia First Presbyterian Church, with marchers assembling at 4 p.m. and stepping off at 5 p.m. The route will cross Main Street, turn left onto Washington Avenue and left again onto Bank Street, finishing back at Jackson Square where the Pride Festival (including vendors, food trucks, and multiple drag shows) will go from 6 – 10 p.m.

“We look forward to a great turnout again this year,” Couri said. “On top of Batavia Pride, we are in conversation with other groups to do more Pride events in Livingston, Orleans, and Wyoming counties this summer – stay tuned!”

To contribute to Batavia Pride, or inquire about planning additional events, contact Couri at President@glowout.org.

GLOW OUT! provides education and awareness of and around the LGBTQ+ community; creating and maintaining a safe, inclusive, and equitable environment for LGBTQ+ individuals in Genesee, Livingston, Orleans, and Wyoming counties. More information is available at www.glowout.org.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Jane Holland, left, and her sister-in-law Carol Bergeman were in Albion this afternoon, delivering geraniums at Waterman Park where there is a bronze statue in the likeness of Charles Howard in a Santa suit.

Holland of Williamsville is Howard’s granddaughter. Carol of Lewiston is the wife of Holland’s late brother, Charles Bergeman.

Holland said her grandfather, who ran a school for Santas in Albion from 1937 to 1966, loved having red geraniums around his Albion home.

Holland and Bergeman wanted to bring the flowers today in memory of Charles Howard and also Charles Bergeman. The younger Charles was in Albion on June 10 last year when the bronze statue was dedicated in honor of Charles Howard. Bergeman was a model for artist Brian Porter to create the cheeks for the face of the statue.

Bergeman later that month was diagnosed with cancer. He passed away at age 64 on Oct. 31.

Carol Bergeman chats with Gary Derwick of the Albion Betterment Committee while they planting geraniums at the park with a Santa theme on Main Street in Albion.

“We wanted to add some color and help make it pretty for the summer months,” Bergeman said. “The elves left the flowers.”

Albion Betterment Committee directors, from left, Gary Kent, Joe Gehl and Gary Derwick helped Holland and Bergeman get the flowers ready today.

The site includes a large mural of Santa in sleigh flying over downtown Albion and the Courthouse Square. Stacey Kirby Steward created that 24-foot-long mural in 2018.