SHELBY – The warm winter will continue this week, with Monday’s high of 71 the hot day of the week.

That will be followed by highs of 67 on Tuesday, 49 on Wednesday and 43 on Thursday, the National Weather Service in Buffalo said.

The week end with a high of 46 on Friday and 48 on Saturday.

The Weather Service said this year’s winter so far has been the warmest ever for the Rochester with a 34.9-degree average breaking the record from 1931-’32. It was the second-warmest December, January and February ever for Buffalo with the 34.5 average temperature nearly topping the 34.6-degree record in 1931-’32.

The first day of spring is on March 19.

It was a foggy morning on Route 63 in Shelby this morning near the wildlife refuge.

EAST SHELBY – Saturday was an evening to celebrate for the East Shelby Fire Department, who held their annual Installation and Awards Banquet at the East Shelby Firemen’s Recreation Hall.

Dave Green welcomed guests and served as emcee for the evening. Guests were also welcomed by fire company president Mike Fuller and auxiliary president Shirley Printup, followed by an invocation by Rosie Allen, who called for a moment of silence in memory of Joe Newton, a longstanding member of the fire company who died last year.

The first order of business was swearing in of Ladies’ Auxiliary officers by Elaine Watts from Shelby Volunteer Fire Company. New officers are Shirley Printup, president; Sawyer Green, vice president; Deb Green, secretary; Sharlene Pratt, treasurer; Bronwyn Green, Sue Green and Cassidy Oliver, trustees; and Rosie Allen, chaplain.

Elaine Watts from Shelby Volunteer Fire Company, right, swears in members of the East Shelby Ladies Auxiliary at their banquet Saturday night. From left are Shirley Printup, president; Sawyer Green, vice president; Debbie Green, secretary; Bronwyn Green, trustee; Sharlene Pratt, treasurer; Cassidy Oliver and Sue Green, trustees; and Rosie Allen, chaplain.

Administrative officers, sworn in by Orleans 2 Scott Buffin are Mike Fuller, president; Kirk Zinkievich, vice president; Karen Bracey, secretary; Allen Turner, treasurer; Ken Printup, Norm Behrend, Gordon Reigle and Alan Lonnen, trustees; and Dave Green, steward.

Line officers are Deb Taylor, chief; Devin Taylor, 1st assistant chief; Andy Beach, 2nd assistant chief; Jeff Taylor, 3rd assistant chief; Jared Zinkievich, captain; Matt Grimes, lieutenant; Steve Wolters, fire police chief; Sue Behrend/Mike Fuller, EMS officers; and Todd Ralph, safety/training officer.

Service awards were given to members for their years of service. These included Joe Meyer, Julie Taylor and Bill Bacon, 10 years; Dennis MacDonald, 15 years; Alan Lonnen, 20 years; Dave Allen, 35 years; Gordon Reigle, 60 years, and a special recognition for Ron Sanders for 50 years.

In honor of his 50 years as a member of the East Shelby Fire Department, Ron Sanders, left, is presented with this plaque by fire chief Deb Taylor and president Mike Fuller.

Local officials line up to present proclamations to Ron Sanders, left, for achieving 50 years as a member of the East Shelby Fire Department. From left are Sanders, fire company president Mike Fuller; Eileen Banker, representing Assemblyman Steve Hawley; Skip Draper, on behalf of Senator Rob Ortt; Richard Silvaroli from FASNY; Bill Eick from the Orleans County Legislature; and Scott Wengewicz, supervisor of the town of Shelby. Seated at the head table are Sawyer Green and Ken and Shirly Printup.

East Shelby Fire Company president Mike Fuller, right watches as fire chief Deb Taylor kisses Gordie Reigle after recognizing him for 60 years of membership in the department.

Fuller chose Dennis MacDonald as recipient of his President’s Award, for always being a tremendous help, whether on the fire side or business side. He always goes above and beyond, Fuller said.

The EMS award was presented to fire chief Deb Taylor, who Fuller said responds to all the calls she can, is a big part of teaching others and keeps the trucks stocked with the right supplies.

Bronwyn Green handed out awards for years of service to Fonda Carr and Shelby Green, 5 years; Ariel George, 10 years; Elaine Newton, 25 years; Wanda Dingman, 30 years; Bronwyn Green, 35 years; Mary Zelazny and Louise Covey, 40 years.

Printup also recognized outgoing officers, vice president Debbie Green, president Bronwyn Green and secretary Sawyer Green.

Printup presented a check for $10,000 on behalf of the Auxiliary to Fuller for the fire company.

(Left) Bronwyn Green, right, trustee and outgoing president of the East Shelby Ladies’ Auxiliary, recognized Sharlene Pratt for her humor, advice and support. (Right) East Shelby fire company president Mike Fuller chose Dennis MacDonald as the recipient of his President’s Award.

Bronwyn’s President’s Award went to Sharlene Pratt, who was credited with always being there with her humor and advice.

Bronwyn also acknowledged Jessie Green, who was unable to attend, for being the Sunshine lady for 55 years.

Dave Green, a longtime steward of the department, presented the Steward’s Award to Leona Weese for being a big supporter and always helping the firefighters in any way she can.

Fire chief Taylor recapped the department’s achievements in 2023, which included the purchase of an off-road UTV, for which they have since invested in tracks for use in heavy mud and snow.

With a DEC grant they secured, the department has purchased equipment to either replace or provide additional equipment for the off-road and brush truck. They also purchased 20 new pagers for members last year.

One member, Jared Zinkievich, completed BEFO/IFO training, and three members will be starting their BEFO class Monday. They are Victor Jeffords, Josh Fuller and Dylan Taylor.

New last year was a Comedy Night, put on by Eli Howard. It was such a success, the fire company is planning to do another one this year.

Others who were commended by Taylor for taking charge of special events were Bill Bacon, meat raffle; and Ryan McPherson, Wrestling Night.

“I am very thankful and appreciative of every member who makes the East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company a successful and thriving company,” Taylor said. “We have a great turn-out of people for every call, and I can say the same for our events. Many members’ spouses or significant others help setting up, selling tickets and cleaning up after events.

“Our Ladies Auxiliary also deserves credit for preparing meals for these events and helping us with our needs,” Taylor said. “And thank you to everyone outside our department who has shown support. There’s a reason why we’ve been in service for 71 years.”

Taylor presented the final awards of the evening, the first to Jared Zinkievich, a fourth-generation member of the fire company, who is in his first year of line officer training.

“We are proud to have him in the department,” Taylor said.

Taylor chose Josh Fuller, grandson of the late Jim Fuller, as “Firefighter of the Year.” Josh, who joined last year, shows up every Tuesday and is eager to learn as much as he can, Taylor said.

Her final award was a “thank-you plaque” to Dennis MacDonald, whom she called her “double O7.”

East Shelby fire chief Deb Taylor was presented with the EMS award from Mike Fuller for her support.

Photos and information courtesy of Medina Mustang Boosters

MEDINA – The top photo shows Medina’s varsity winterguard competing Saturday in Lancaster. The students toss three rifles 30 feet high and they are caught simultaneously.

The JV winterguard, shown below, also competed in the event.

Both guards have improved their shows and scores in this highly competitive sport. Medina vies against a number of schools that have three and four times as many students.  The JV show is called “Sing with a Swing” and is set to a rousing version of Benny Goodman’s “Sing, Sing, Sing.”

The Varsity show is a take on Dick Clark’s “American Bandstand” and is set to songs of the last several decades. Caiden Class, a medina senior, has joined the guard and is depicting Dick Clark and at times playing his saxophone.

We urge supporters and fans of the band program to attend Medina’s Colorburst Winterguard show on Saturday at the high school gym where doors open at 3 p.m. and the show starts at 4 p.m.

Photos by Tom Rivers

KENDALL – Elementary students sing “Solfege Symphony” by Cristi Cary Miller. The song is a mashup with classical music including Eine kleine Nachtmusik, Surprise Symphony, Peer Gynt, Beethoven’s 5th and 9th Symphonies and the Hallelujah Chorus.

The sing during this afternoon’s All-County Music Festival at Kendall. The students were directed by guest conductor Dr. Sara Massey, a professor and music education coordinator at Houghton University.

There were 75 students in the elementary chorus from Albion, Holley, Kendall, Lyndonville and Medina.

The elementary students also sang “Look At The World” by John Rutter, “Ching A Ring Chaw” arranged by Linda Spevacek-Avery, and “Can You hear Me?” by Bob Chilcott.

Andrew Bodemer, a Clarence music teacher, served as guest conductor of the junior high band.

The 77 students in the band performed “Flourish and Festivity” by Douglas Akey, “Chasing Sunlight” by Cait Nishimura, “The Road Less Traveled” by Mat Campbell, and “Heart of Gold” by Brian Balmages.

Liam Leader of Albion was one of the trombonists in the junior high band.

Cassie Brown, front center, of Albion is among the 64 members of the senior high chorus. They started by singing “Três Cantos Nativos” by Marcos Leite.

The senior high chorus also sang “O Love” by Elaine Hagenberg, “Sisi Ni Moja” by Jacob Narverud, and “The Awakening” by Joseph M. Martin.

Dr. Kevin Dibble served as guest conductor for the senior high chorus. He is the associate director of the Greatbatch School of Music at Houghton University, where he is also associate director of choral activities and assistant professor of music.

The students sing “Sisi Ni Moja,” a Swahili title that means “We are one” and shares how human beings have much in common.

MEDINA – Thanks to a local Christian sportsman, the Orleans County YMCA will now begin offering archery programs to school children and the public.

Merle Fredericks of Medina, an avid sportsman, founded Bow Bending Believers in 2003, shortly after retiring from as the Orleans County sheriff. The chapter is part of the national Christian Bowhunters of America, and sponsors 3-D shoots, hunts and game dinners.

Last year, Fredericks approached YMCA director Jesse Cudzilo and asked if part of the facility could be used for an indoor archery shooting event for kids. The event took place last March with 20 kids from the community, who got to shoot bows and arrows, shared the Gospel and were treated to pop and pizza.

“We got such good feedback, we started thinking about converting the (former) armory’s indoor rifle range to an indoor archery range,” Fredericks said.

He spent $5,000 of his chapter’s money, along with other donations from MAAC and the community to transform the space into an archery range. Local contractor and painter Steve Dieter was asked to paint the range, and he donated many hours of his time transforming the space. Nearly a year has been spent emptying, taking out debris and cleaning the space.

“It is a huge and miraculous transformation,” Fredericks said.

Orleans County YMCA director Jesse Cudzilo, left, and archery instructor Merle Fredericks are standing in the archery range, after nearly a year of cleaning, clearing out debris and painting.

Beginning March 14, they will begin a program with fourth- to 12th-graders who can learn archery, participate in competitions and then take part in a free Bible study for eight consecutive weeks. The top three in the competitions will be recognized with a prize or trophy. The program is part of the National Archeries in School Program/Centershot Archery in the Churches.

Cudzilo said it is time to put the “Christian” back in the YMCA, and he is thrilled to be able to partner with Fredericks and his Bow Bending Believers.

“Partnerships are the key to success,” Cudzilo said. “With people working together, we are all better.”

On Fridays from 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon, the archery range will be open to the public. Archers/bowhunters are invited to come and hone their skills or learn how to shoot bow and arrow.

“We are very thankful and grateful to Jesse for giving us the opportunity to offer this archery ministry at the Y,” Fredericks said.

He said they hoped for a minimum of 12 participants for their eight-week session and 15 have already signed up. They are capping admission at 15 for this initial run, but plan to have several more eight-week courses a year.

The Thursday night, open sessions will be free, but going forward, participants will need to join the YMCA to use the archery range. Plans are not yet finalized, but Cudzilo may offer a discounted membership for those who just want to use the archery range.

More information is available by calling the YMCA at (585) 798-2040 or Fredericks at (585) 765-2839.

Fredericks has always been interested in bowhunting, and he and his wife Mitzi are both New York State Certified Bowhunting Instructors. His goal is to eventually offer bowhunting education courses. Fredericks chapter is located 2423 Oak Orchard River Rd., Medina.

Provided photo: This is what the former rifle range at the Medina Armory looked like when Merle Fredericks started transforming it into an indoor archery range.

Provided photos

HOLLEY – Contractors are on site at Sam’s Diner this morning helping to stabilize the building in the Public Square after the back wall collapsed on Friday morning.

Joe Penna of Holley is doing an emergency shoring of the back of the building. Steve Morgan is removing stone debris.

The scene shut down traffic in the Public Square until 8 p.m. Friday due to concern vibrations from the passing vehicles could cause more of the building to cave in.

Sam’s Diner owner George Gitsis thanked the community for the outpouring of concern and support for a much-loved restaurant in Holley. George’s father, the late Sam Gitisis, opened the diner in 1978.

While Route 31 is back open to traffic, the east one-lane strip in the Square from Red, White and Moo to Sam’s, and past Dr. Dan Schiavone’s dental office and the community center remains closed to vehicles.

Rick Cary, the Murray fire chief, said the immediate area by Sam’s also is currently off limits to pedestrians in case there is any shifting in the diner.

He said Schiavone and the Eastern Orleans Community Center should be able to reopen to the public on Monday.

Murray firefighters have been on the scene since shortly after the wall collapsed at about 9:30 a.m. on Friday. They provided an overnight presence. Cary said he expects they will be on scene until this afternoon.

He was inside the diner this morning, and he said it is in good condition despite the back wall collapsing.

The Murray Joint Fire District was assisted on the scene by Village of Holley employees, NYS Special Operations and Monroe County Special Operations, and firefighters from Kendall, Clarendon and Brockport.

Sam’s Diner posted the following message on its Facebook page:

“We are extremely thankful that nobody was hurt. We cannot express how we appreciate everyone who has reached out offering your love and support. We are humbled by all of the local fire departments, village workers, Monroe County Special Operations Unit, code enforcement officers, community members, Mayor Mark Bower, Dustin’s Pizzeria, and countless others that have been working hard to help us salvage the building and to give us their support. It really does take a village as the saying goes and we are beyond grateful! We will keep you updated with the progress.”

Photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The Main Street lift bridge in Albion, shown this afternoon, won’t reopen to traffic until September, about five months later than expected.

The state Department of Transportation met with village officials last week to explain that some of the steel pieces for the bridge were slightly off size, and replacing them will result in a delay.

Some of those pieces were 2 inches off size, and that is enough discrepancy to require new pieces that are manufactured out of state.

Deputy Mayor Joyce Riley said the delay is disappointing for the village, especially the downtown merchants.

“A lot of people are feeling the sting,” she said about the bridge being closed to traffic since Nov. 14, 2022. “The people downtown are trying to survive.”

The bridge closed to traffic in November 2022 for what was expected to be an 18-month rehabilitation project. A similar effort started in April 2023 in Brockport.

The state DOT is paying $28.3 million to contractors for the two projects.

Fate uncertain for beloved restaurant in Public Square

Photos by Tom Rivers

HOLLEY – The back wall of Sam’s Diner lies in a pile of rubble today. The wall gave out at about 9:30 a.m. The diner wasn’t open yet and no one was injured.

The situation has closed traffic in the Public Square while the building and the those near it are checked to make sure they are stable.

“It’s heart-breaking,” said Holley Mayor Mark Bower.

The Gitsis family has owned the diner for nearly 50 years. Sam Gitsis opened it in 1978. It is one of Holley’s most popular gathering places.

George Gitsis, the son of Sam Gitsis, is the current owner. He tried in recent months to get an engineer and masons to work on the back of the building but could not get people to commit to the job, Bower said.

“From day one, George and his father, mother and sister have done wonderful work in Holley,” Bower said. “I’m just wanting this business to survive. It’s such an asset to Holley.”

A special operations team from Monroe County is at the scene to check the stability of Sam’s. There are also many local firefighters, code enforcement and the Orleans County Emergency Management Office.

A drone was sent up to give officials a close view of the building to see if there was any additional movement in the walls, said Rick Cary, the Murray fire chief.

The local officials will continue to assess the stability of the building, and that will determine if it can be shored up and reopened eventually, Cary said. A construction company may need to come in and help with the evaluation.

“I expect the restaurant will be closed for a significant amount of time,” Cary said.

Dr. Dan Schiavone has his dental office next door to Sam’s. He is closed today and hopes he can see patients on Monday.

Schiavone, a former Holley mayor, worries about many of the Public Square buildings from the late 1800s.

“These are historic buildings and we do our darndest to save them,” Schiavone said. “But we’re losing the integrity of the Public Square.”

Show will stream on Paramount Plus starting April 26

James Madejski works as a writer in the film and television industry in Los Angeles. He wrote one of the episodes of the new series, Knuckles.

ALBION – An Albion native will have his name in the credits for an upcoming series on Knuckles, a character from Sonic the Hedgehog. (Click here to see the trailer.)

Knuckles, an Echidna warrior, gets his own six-episode series that streams on Paramount Plus beginning April 26. He teaches a human the ways of being a warrior.

James Madejski, 34, wrote one of the episodes. He has been working in the film and television industry in Los Angeles for more than a decade.

He is currently writing for a Netflix show that will premiere its second season in 2025.

Madejski, the son of Sandra and Dr. Tom Madejski, graduated from Albion in 2007. He earned a bachelor’s degree in screen writing and play writing from SUNY Purchase, and then headed to LA.

“I am very fortunate on the amount of work I’ve done, and the people I’ve worked with,” Madejski said by phone on Thursday.

He has been able to work steadily, except for last year’s strike by the Writers Guild of America. But now the business is full steam ahead.

“It is an interesting time in Hollywood and an exciting time,” he said.

Madejski has done a variety of jobs in the film and television industry, with his goal to be a screen writer.

He started his career with four years at a studio, learning the business of screenwriting –“What sells and gets people excited.”

He was a writer’s assistant for a year on Shadowhunters. He felt like he landed his big break as a script coordinator for Doolittle, starring Robert Downey Jr. Madejski’s name appeared in the credits and he flew to London for part of the production.

He made connections with the creator of Knuckles through Doolittle.

Madejski said writers in Hollywood need to be witty with material that connects with an audience. They also need basic values such as dependability.

“Be personable and have a good attitude,” he said. “There are no bad ideas and you need to try to make everyone’s ideas as good as they can be.”

Madejski said the industry in LA fits the saying, “A lot of it is who you know.”

He has gradually built a network. He worked with his boss on Knuckles before. “He knew he could trust me,” Madejski said.

Knuckles is an unusual series with live-action animated characters and humans together on the screen. Madejski urges people to watch “a fun and silly show.”

He is grateful to be working in television and film, which he has loved since he was a kid.

“My goal is to continue what I’m doing now, and work my way up in writer’s rooms and maybe get a feature film,” he said. “Working in this industry is a roller coaster, but the highs are very high.”

Press Release, Lee Whedon Memorial Library

MEDINA – Lee Whedon Memorial Library will be holding programs in March and April in recognition of the total solar eclipse happening on April 8.

Orleans County is in the path of totality for the eclipse, making it an ideal place to view the astronomical event.

A mobile planetarium from the Challenger Learning Center will be at the library Thursday, March 21 from 3 to 5 p.m. Geared for ages 5 to 16, this is a wonderful opportunity for youth to be introduced to the movements of the night sky. Presentations are in 20-minute blocks. Call the library to sign up today!

The library will also be hosting a viewing of the solar eclipse from their location on April 8. The program begins at 2:30 p.m. and will include activities, games and snacks for all ages, followed by a chance to see the eclipse. Safe solar-viewing glasses will be provided at no cost.

Eclipse viewing glasses are available to anyone in the community and can be picked up at the library through April 8, while supplies last.

To register for our events, call (585) 798-3430 or visit the library.

ALBION – The Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern is moving its offices to the First Presbyterian Church of Albion following a dispute over a hike in its monthly lease charge from the Village of Albion.

The village raised the monthly rate for the Ministry of Concern by 35 percent from $1,146.67 to $1,550.96 a month, which includes utilities at the Albion Visitor’s Center. Jami Allport, the GOMOC director, told the Village Board that increase at the third floor of 121 North Main St. wasn’t sustainable for the agency. She asked for a smaller increase of 2 to 4 percent.

But the majority of the board believed the rent, at 48 cents per square foot, was below market rate. The new rate put it at 65 cents a month per square foot, which was still about half of what the first and second floor tenants are paying.

Kevin Gardner, an elder at the Presbyterian Church, read about the issue in news reports. He suggested to the church that it offer to rent out space to the Ministry of Concern.

Allport checked the space at the church with some of the GOMOC board members. The church is making four rooms available to GOMOC, plus use of memorial lounge for board meetings – and at a rate less than the $1,146.67 monthly charge from the village before the increase.

The office space will be accessible on the back end of the church. That is also the entrance to the church office. There is a church parking lot on Platt Street and sidewalks leading to the entrance.

“We are very thankful and grateful for the space,” Jami Allport said today. “ We will pay rent but at more manageable amount. It’s fair for both parties.”

The Ministry of Concern will have an open house for the community in April to see the new space for the agency.

The Rev. Susan Thaine, pastor of the church, said two of the rooms were recently redone following a third floor water leak that caused some damage to the rooms. Two other rooms will be painted and electrical outlets will be added for the new tenants.

The church used to offer space to BOCES for GED classes. AA also uses a room in the church, and they will shift to another spot.

“That building has more than enough room for all of us to grow together,” Thaine said. “It’s mutually beneficial. It gives the congregation an opportunity to engage with a ministry they haven’t engaged with much before.”

The main church sign on Main Street has space to highlight the Ministry of Concern. Thaine said other signs on Platt Street and East State Street could direct people to GOMOC office.

The Ministry of Concern is known by many as “The Agency of Last Resort.” It provides services to many people in crisis, including working poor who are facing hardship.

The Ministry of Concern has in-house advocates who work on behalf of clients with utility companies, landlords and other entities as necessary. Eligible individuals and families can receive help with personal care items, short-term emergency housing and financial assistance with prescriptions and utilities.

The Furniture Program also accepts donations of gently used furniture and non-gas appliances which are subsequently delivered without cost to people in need.

Photo by Tom Rivers: Adam Blosenhauer of the Murray Joint Fire District is on the scene of a brush fire on Hindsburg Road in Murray on April 10, 2023.

Press Release, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced the annual statewide ban prohibiting residential brush burning begins March 16 and runs through May 14.

Since 2009, DEC has enforced the annual brush burning ban to help prevent wildland fires and protect communities during heightened conditions for wildfires.

“While we’re seeing record breaking fires in Texas right now, we’re also at a higher risk here in New York,” Commissioner Seggos said. “Before the annual burn ban goes into effect next month, we’re encouraging New Yorkers who burn woody debris to do it carefully, don’t burn on windy days, and have water or equipment ready to extinguish it if needed. All fires must be attended until completely out.”

This winter season did not provide typical snow cover across much of New York State, leaving dormant vegetation from last year’s growing season exposed where it is susceptible to the daily fluctuation of spring weather. DEC is advocating extra vigilance before the burn ban goes into effect, as Forest Rangers and local firefighters have already responded to early fires in multiple counties. These fires were caused by debris burning with wind carrying the fire to grassy and wooded areas.

Since the ban was established, the eight-year annual average number of spring fires decreased by 42.6 percent, from 2,649 in 2009, to 1,521 in 2018. Warming temperatures can quickly cause wildfire conditions.

Open burning of debris is the single-largest cause of spring wildfires in New York State. When temperatures warm and the past fall’s debris and leaves dry out, wildfires can start and spread easily, further fueled by winds and a lack of green vegetation. Each year, DEC Forest Rangers extinguish dozens of wildfires that burn hundreds of acres. In addition, local fire departments, many of which are staffed by volunteers, all too often have to leave their jobs and families to respond to wildfires caused by illegal debris fires.

Photo by Ginny Kropf: John Follman, left, treasurer of Lyndonville’s Houseman-Tanner American Legion Post, presents a check to David Kusmierczak, president of the Orleans County Joint Veterans’ Council, toward the purchase of their next van, while van service coordinator Phyllis Schrader looks on.

ALBION – As the Orleans County Joint Veterans’ Council gets ready to put a new van into service, donations are already being accepted for the next new one.

On Tuesday, the Houseman-Tanner American Legion Post in Lyndonville presented a check to David Kusmierczak, president of the Joint Veterans’ Council, toward the purchase of the much-needed van.

The check was presented by John Follman, treasurer of the Lyndonville Post, on behalf of post commander Steve Goodrich.

The van service, which provides free transportation for veterans to medical appointments, is coordinated by Phyllis Schrader, who said they are approved for five vans by the Buffalo Veterans’ Administration. The VA pays for all gas and repairs, but the local veterans’ agency must buy the vans.

Two of the five were ready to be replaced, with the last one, a 2010 with 109,000 miles, being out of service since last July.

All of the vans purchased are late-model and low-mileage, Schrader said.

The vans, driven by volunteers, will take veterans to medical appointments at any medical facility approved by the VA, mostly to Batavia, Buffalo, Rochester and Canandaigua.

Volunteer drivers are always needed, Schrader said.