This photograph taken by Marc Cole at the 1903 Orleans County Agricultural Fair captures the excitement of a closely run race.
By Catherine Cooper, Orleans County Historian
“Illuminating Orleans” – Volume 4, Number 22
ALBION – Horse racing was a popular attraction at the early Orleans County agricultural fairs.
In 1881, “trials of speed” were held for “green” horses owned in the county.
Races at the 1900 Fair were open to all trotters and pacers owned in the county. Prizes were 1st – $15, 2nd – $10, and 3rd – $5.
A “hitch-up” race was also offered – competitors would hitch up to any style of wagon, race one-half mile and then unhitch. By 1895, a grandstand had been built to provide a more comfortable viewing area.
By 1919, prizes had increased to $300-$400 per race, which attracted more competitors. There were 50 entries in the 1921 fair, many of them professional runners. This 1926 program, for example, shows entrants from Jamestown, Hilton, Hamburg, Rochester and Batavia.
1926 Program
It rained for three of the four fair days in 1927 and 1928, and in 1929, rain caused the cancellation of races on two afternoons.
The 1931 Orleans County Agricultural Fair offered “the largest racing program ever presented at the County Fair. Over one hundred harness and running horses representing fifteen regional stables were entered in ‘pace’ and ‘trot’ races. Races were held in the afternoon and “at night on a brilliantly illuminated track.”
Horse racing continued as an annual feature at the Orleans County Fair through the 1930s but the stresses of World War II interrupted an event that had started in 1856.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 20 July 2024 at 9:31 pm
BARKER – Organizers of the 2024 Barker Corn Festival are pulling out all the stops to make this best and most exciting one ever, according to organizer Heidi Dergel.
The Corn Festival had been a popular annual event in Barker for many years as a project of Barker Lions, Dergel said.
It had been discontinued for a number of years when in 2022 after a successful bicentennial event, Dergel and Ruth Dent got the idea to revive the Corn Festival.
“This year we doubled our fundraising, and it was incredible the people who came out to help,” Dergel said. “They want to see Barker growing.”
The 2024 Corn Festival on July 27 will begin with a 5K run/walk at 9 a.m. on Main Street. The festival will take place from noon to 6 p.m. at the Barker Village Park on Main Street, and will have all the old favorite features and a lot of new ones, Dergel said.
New events include a corn eating contest at the Hideaway in town, a strong man competition there at 10 a.m., a petting zoo at the Farmer’s Market, a car cruise, a beer tent from the Grain House, fireworks at 10 p.m. by the Hartland Independence Day Committee at the Somerset Town Hall, more live music all day and dog training demonstrations.
Old favorites are a corn roast, activities for kids and adults, food trucks and corn hole in the Barker Fire Hall open air pavilion, local brews of wine and cider and live music under the stars by the Bad Influence Band.
Music in the afternoon will be provided in the gazebo by Evan Anstey Trio, Dark Road Duo and Barker Community Band.
MEDINA – The Friends of Boxwood Cemetery are proud to announce that we will be partnering with Atlas Preservation as part of their 48 States Tour: Saving America’s Graveyards.
“It is such an honor to be chosen as one of two cemeteries in New York State to be visited by Atlas Preservation this year,” said Robby Klino, president of the Friends of Boxwood. “Our small-town cemetery is finally getting the recognition it deserves, and the help to preserve it for future generations.”
The 48 States Tour will be at Boxwood Cemetery on North Gravel Road on Aug. 6 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. It is free and open to the public.
The event will be led by Jonathan Appell, owner of Atlas Preservation and has decades of experience in cemetery restoration. The morning session will focus on headstone cleaning and the afternoon will focus on headstone resetting and repair.
Appell will be joined by Alicia Williams who is better known as Lady Taphos on TikTok. Williams has over 2.6 million followers on TikTok. Her motto is, “Finding peace in my life one stone at a time.” In addition, Jeremy La Zelle, a world-renown professional cinematographer, will be there as part of a documentary he his making about the 48 States Tour.
We recommend participants bring a chair, cooler, water and snacks. A pizza lunch will be provided.
We also recommend wearing old clothes that you do not mind getting dirty, especially if you will be participating in the cleaning segment. A hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen are also a good idea to have on hand.
While there is no cost for the event, we would appreciate knowing how many people are attending and where they are from. If interested, please send an email to friendsofboxwoodcemetery@gmail.com with the names of those attending and where they are from.
“I cannot thank enough the members of the Friends of Boxwood Cemetery and the Medina community for supporting this little gem of a cemetery,” Klino said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 July 2024 at 9:02 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Maria Aurigema and Sal Iannello perform Thursday evening at State Street Park in medina for the Blue Thursdays concert series.
Aurigema is the headliner for the band that Thursday also included Michael Haggerty on drums.
The series received strong backing and promotion from Ken Daluisio of The Print Shop in Medina. Daluisio had a fatal heart attack at age 59 on July 11, just before he was going to head out of shop to go to the concert.
Micheal Fuller and Dameon Holtfoth are now running The Print Shop. They attended Thursday’s concert and said The Print Shop will continue as a big backer of the events.
Maria Aurigema, Sal Iannello and Michael Haggerty perform before a big crowd on Thursday at State Street Park. Aurigema is a school instrumental teacher in the Ken-Ton School district in her day job, and she rocks in concerts around Western New York and Canada, especially during the summer.
The blues concerts have been drawing 800 to 1,250 people to State Street Park. Thursday was another big crowd.
Gertie Montulli is among the many food vendors at Blue Thursdays. Sweet Treats by Gertie sells popcorn in 10 different flavors. She said caramel is her top seller.
Maria Aurigema has been in the concert lineup all three seasons of the Blue Thursdays in Medina.
Dave Berry sells 50/50 raffle tickets with the proceeds going to the EMS services provided by Medina Fire Department.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 19 July 2024 at 8:57 pm
Jake Jackson has strong showing in other tournaments
Provided photo: Jake Jackson, 15, eyes a shot at the Billiard Education Foundation Junior National championship July 8 – 12 in Quincy, Ill.
LYNDONVILLE – Jake Jackson, 15-year-old son of Roger and Terah Jackson, just competed in the Billiard Education Foundation Junior National Competition in Quincy, Ill.
Although he failed to qualify for the world championship, Jake placed fourth in the 16-year-old and younger co-ed 8-Ball qualifier against some pretty tough competition. In the 16 and under 10-ball world qualifier, he won his first two matches and finished 17th overall. According to his father, Jake was facing very tough competition, but played his best.
In the 18-year-old and under, World Heyball Qualifier Jake was 13th. He won several 9-ball mini tournaments, which were new this year. His father explained Heyball is 80-Ball played on a special 9-foot table with only three-inch pockets, as opposed to the five-inch pockets on recreational tables.
“The three-inch pockets make potting the ball very difficult,” Roger said. “The balls are 2.25 inches in diameter, so you gotta be perfect. Nearly 100 junior players played their hearts out for 12 hours on Monday through Friday, plus the final on Saturday for those in the top eight, with only short breaks between matches. The long hours, days in a row, wear players down physically and mentally. Only true champions can maintain focus through the long grueling tournament. We met some new friends and got closer to some we already knew in Quincy.”
Roger said parents, grandparents and friends drive many miles, spend countless hours and pay their own expenses to support these junior athletes.
Jake and other junior players who compete and hold a 3.0 or higher grade point average were given an academic award by the BEF. Roger explained the BEF was founded in in 1993 as a nonprofit charity to promote a lifelong love of pool and build the next generation of professional pool players through youth programs and academic scholarships.
“Jake has a few more years to compete as a junior, and says he won’t give up trying to get to the world championships,” his father said. “Also, he will continue to play on the Predator Cues-Sponsored Junior American Series.”
Jake’s next big tournament is the Joss Northeast 9-Ball Tour Final at Turning Stone Casino Aug. 29-Sept. 2. The Casino adds $20,000 to this tournament, for a total purse of more than $40,000. Admission is free and Roger urges anyone to come and watch some of the best professional players in the world. There are 128 players entered, he said.
The Jacksons thank everyone who supported Jake’s fundraisers and Bison Billiards in Eastern Hills Mall.
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that eligible farm employers may now apply to the Department of Agriculture and Markets for a certificate of advance payment so they can receive reimbursement from the Department of Taxation and Finance for eligible overtime paid to their employees since January 1, 2024.
(Editor’s Note: The threshold for overtime decreased for agricultural workers starting Jan. 1. The limit was 60 hours a week at straight pay before workers could earn overtime. That dropped to 56 hours this year. It is part of a phase-in reduction where the overtime threshold will be lowered by four hours every other year to 40 hours a week in 2032.)
This Farm Employer Overtime Credit is a part of Governor Hochul’s plan to support New York’s farmers through a series of new and increased tax credits and other initiatives and helps to ensure that farm employers can continue to support their workers while reducing their tax burden.
“Supporting New York’s farmers and farmworkers, who are essential to keeping New York State running, is a key priority for my administration – and our new Farm Employer Overtime Credit is one of many great initiatives that aim to help alleviate the challenge of rising costs,” Governor Hochul said. “I encourage all eligible farm businesses to learn more about this program and apply for reimbursement so that we can reduce their tax burden while helping them to continue supporting their hardworking staff.”
The Farm Employer Overtime Credit is a refundable tax credit available for eligible farm employers who paid overtime wages after January 1, 2024, based on the gradual phase-in of the overtime threshold in New York State.
As of now, farm employers who have registered in the new online portal at taxcredit.agriculture.ny.gov may enter eligible employee overtime information and submit their application to the Department of Agriculture and Markets (AGM) for a certificate of advance payment of eligible overtime paid between Jan. 1 to the date of their application.
Farmers may also wait until August to apply for reimbursement for the entire Jan. 1 through July 31 period, or they may choose to wait until they file their tax return to receive the credit. Between the advance payment and months claimed on their return, eligible farm employers will receive a full 12 months of the Farm Employer Overtime Credit.
Applications for a certificate of advance payment must be submitted to AGM by September 30. After eligibility review, AGM will issue a certificate to each approved farm employer. With a certificate of advance payment, the approved farm employer’s owner(s), partners or shareholders can then request their share of the advance payment from Department of Taxation and Finance (DTF).
Each of the farm’s owners, partners or shareholders who wants to receive their portion of the credit advance must apply individually. This request must be made no later than Nov. 1, using the online services account at DTF’s website.
Farmers may apply for this refundable credit if they (or their business): are an eligible farmer (click here); and employ eligible farm employees that were paid eligible overtime.
Earlier this year, the State encouraged farmers to prepare to apply by taking the following steps (click here):
Ensuring that they are registered for a NY.gov ID through My.NY.gov.
Taking the farm employer eligibility assessment to establish if they (the farm employer) expect to meet the eligible farmer income requirements for their tax filing type at the end of the tax year.
Discussing the program with their tax and payroll advisors to ensure they kept necessary records during the January 1 – July 31 period this year.
Registering their farm in the online portal at taxcredit.agriculture.ny.gov.
Optionally, choosing to delegate authority to a representative (e.g., a tax preparer), who may complete and submit the application on the farm employer’s behalf later in the year.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 July 2024 at 3:08 pm
About $3 million in state funds will go towards replacing two bridges and one culvert in Orleans County, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced.
The projects in Orleans include:
$959,000 to Orleans County for the replacement of Gillette Road bridge
$1.151 million to Orleans County for the replacement of Lakeshore Road bridge
$1.035 million to Orleans County for the replacement of Eagle Harbor-Knowlesville Road culvert carrying the tributary to Oak Orchard Creek
The governor announced $484 million state-wide has been awarded through the Bridge NY program, which includes 216 bridges or culverts in 137 communities. The bridges and culverts will either be replaced or receive major rehabilitations to enhance safety and improve the resiliency and sustainability of New York’s transportation infrastructure, Hochul said.
“As New York continues to experience the effects of climate change firsthand, we need to make critical infrastructure upgrades so our communities can withstand the extreme weather to come,” Hochul said. “Working closely with local governments, we are investing millions to harden more than 200 bridges and culverts across the State, enhancing public safety and make these structures ready for whatever mother nature can throw at us.”
As part of $33 billion capital plan adopted in 2022, $1 billion was committed to Bridge NY, effectively doubling the size of the program. The projects selected were picked based on input from Regional and Metropolitan Planning Organizations and the funding will support all phases of project delivery, including design, right-of-way acquisition and construction.
The projects approved last year in Orleans County included:
$1.295 million to Orleans County for the replacement of the Route 279 bridge over Beardsley Creek.
$1.535 million to Orleans County for the replacement of the Groth Road bridge over East Branch Sandy Creek.
$952,000 to Orleans County for the replacement of the Eagle Harbor Road culvert carrying the tributary to Otter Creek.
$1.038 million to the Town of Albion for the replacement of the Phipps Road culvert carrying the tributary to Otter Creek, Orleans County.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 July 2024 at 11:40 am
Today is deadline to notify fair officials of entry
KNOWLESVILLE – Opening day for the Orleans County 4-H Fair will include something new: a parade.
Fair officials welcome costumed characters, floats, tractors, vendors and walking groups. Today is the deadline to register. That can be done by emailing orleans@cornell.edu.
The parade will start at 6 p.m. on the west side of the fairgrounds and proceed around the grounds, ending at the Buzz Hill Education Center on the east side of the fairgrounds. The parade will conclude around 6:30, and will then be followed by the opening ceremonies with local officials and the Honor Guard.
Brandon Johnson, the entertainment chairman for the fair, said the parade is open to the general public.
“We’ve never done before,” he said. “This is the first of many.”
Parade participants should enter the fairgrounds from the Taylor Hill Road entrance, with the lineup assembling on the southside of the creek at the exhibitors’ entrance.
“We’ve seen other fairs do it,” Johnson said about the parade. “We wanted to make Monday night at the fair a little different.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 July 2024 at 8:25 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Crew members help guide a 195-foot-long barge as it nears a bend on the Erie Canal in Gaines this morning, close to the historical marker that notes this spot is the northernmost point on the Erie Canal. This photo was taken at about 6:25 a.m.
Crew members from Carver Companies started the day early in Albion. A tugboat pushing the barge started at 6 a.m. and began moving a 195-foot-long barge from its overnight spot between the lift bridges in Albion.
There were a few people up from the community to see the tugboat and barge begin the trek headed west. Carver Companies estimates it will be in Medina around 8:30-9 this morning.
Donna Matteson drove from Kent to Albion to see the barge at 6 a.m. She is pleased to see the canal used to move some heavy cargo. In this case it is two sections of a pedestrian bridge in Buffalo.
Carver already has moved two other sections of the bridge to Buffalo, passing through Orleans on Monday and reaching Buffalo on Tuesday. Carver has been moving the two big barges for about 2 1/2 weeks on the canal, starting in Albany.
Crew members stand on the end of the barge to help direct the massive vessel carrying sections of a bridge. This was at about 6 a.m. when the crew departed from Albion.
The barge and tug head west while early morning mist is on the canal in Albion.
The barge gets under the guard gate in Albion. Carver Companies said the two sections on the barge are bigger and heavier than the first two that passed through Orleans County on Monday. The heavier cargo caused the barge to sit lower in the water, scraping bottom at times on the journey.
Carver Companies posted on its Facebook page the barge needs to draft 9 feet in order to clear under bridges that are 15 feet, 6 inches.
The two pedestrian bridge sections on the barge today are 2 feet higher than the sections are on the first barge, so Carver has the barge sitting deeper in the water to get under the bridges.
The barge passes under the Gaines Basin Road canal bridge.
The barge and tugboat heads west near the northernmost point of the canal, with Eagle Harbor the next hamlet on the journey.
Carver Companies said it is hoping to reach Buffalo Saturday morning with the two sections of the pedestrian bridge.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 19 July 2024 at 7:10 am
MEDINA – A grant from Apex Wind Energy will help the Medina Railroad Museum move forward with its efforts to upgrade the museum’s display to make it more interesting to children.
“We haven’t had much in the way of interactive displays,” said longtime board member Rick Henn. “The addition of a train simulator will allow kids to sit down and run a locomotive.”
On Monday prior to the Museum’s board meeting, Anna Mathes of Barre, field organizer for Apex Wind Energy, presented a check for $4,000 to board members and museum director Jeff Lewis.
Mathes explained Apex Wind Energy has been presenting grants in the amount of $400 to $4,000 since 2020.
While the total cost of the simulator is in the neighborhood of $10,000, Lewis said this check is a great start.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 July 2024 at 10:26 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – A 195-foot-long barge made it to Albion, passing underneath the Ingersoll Street lift bridge at about 7:40 p.m.
The barge is carrying two sections of a pedestrian bridge headed to Buffalo. The tugboat CMT Otter pushed the barge from Rochester to Albion today. The barge and tug are staying in Albion overnight, and will head east at about 6 a.m. on Friday.
Carver Companies, a company based near Albany, expects the barge will reach its final destination in Buffalo on Saturday. The first barge carrying two other sections of the bridge passed through Orleans County on Monday. On Tuesday it reached Buffalo at Ralph Wilson Park Conservancy.
The barge heads west on the canal in this photo taken from the Brown Street canal bridge.
The two sections on the barge today are bigger and heavier than the first two. That caused the barge to sit lower in the water, scraping bottom at times on the journey.
Carver Companies posted on its Facebook page the barge needs to draft 9 feet in order to clear under bridges that are 15 feet, 6 inches.
The two pedestrian bridge sections on the barge today are 2 feet higher than the sections are on the first barge, so Carver has the barge sitting deeper in the water to get under the bridges.
The canal is listed as being 12 feet deep, but Carver Companies said it is lesser than that in some spots. “This resulted in slower speeds than expected today,” Carver posted on social media.
Here are more photos of the barge and tugboat coming into Albion this evening.
The barge emerges from underneath the Brown Street bridge.
The barge carries a long sing urging people to “Follow Me To Buffalo.” The trip started about two weeks ago in Albany and has attracted lots of media attention and many onlookers.
A 1,200-horsepower tugboat has kept the long and heavy barge moving.
Many people took photos and videos of the barge coming into Albion, and tying up for the night between the lift bridges.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 July 2024 at 8:31 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
KNOWLESVILLE – A group of about 50 4-H’ers and their families spent Wednesday evening at the 4-H Fairgrounds for a workbee, tackling projects to get the buildings and grounds for next week’s fair.
This photo shows 4-Hers in the horse barn, taking down last year’s decorations in a Hawaiian theme and putting up new ones in a disco theme from the ’70s.
Julie Fenton of Medina fastens decorations in a disco theme to one of the gates leading into the horse barn. Fenton’s daughter Kenley, 14, shows horses at the fair.
Walter Gabalski, right, helps put together pens for goats and sheep on Wednesday during the workbee. Mason Rutthoft, 10 of Barre, helps with the set up. He will be showing three goats at the fair next week.
Gabalski and his family are in the Orleans County 4-H program even though they live in Byron in neighboring Genesee. The youngest of Gabalski’s seven children is the last 4-Her in the family. Hugh Gabalski is 17. He will be showing two lambs and several rabbits at the fair.
Brilyn Rebisz, 19, of Bergen helps with the pen setup in the barn for goats and sheep. Brilyn has been showing goats at the Orleans County 4-H Fair since she was 11. This will be her last year as a 4-Her.
“This is the highlight of my summer,” she said about the fair. “It’s all the relationships with everybody. It’s like a family.”
Adam Dresser of Medina uses a saw to cut steel anchors out of the concrete floor in the cattle barn. Corey Miller of Lyndonville is at left.
The anchors were removed in an area that had a milking parlor. But there won’t be any milking cows at the fair this year. There will be many heifers that are dairy animals, but don’t need to be milked.
With no milking parlor next week, the space can be used for displays, Miller said.
This group gets stalls set up in the Knights Building.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 July 2024 at 8:09 am
Orleans County should get a second chance today to see a tugboat pushing an enormous barge carrying two sections of a pedestrian bridge.
Carver Companies from near Albany has spent two weeks directing two 195-foot-long barges along the canal. The barges are carrying four sections of a 266-foot-long pedestrian bridge for the Ralph Wilson Park Conservancy in Buffalo. The bridge was made in Italy.
Carver was able to get the first barge from near Rochester all the way through Orleans County and to Gasport on Monday. The barge reached its destination in Buffalo on Tuesday.
Carver had to send the tugboat back Wednesday to get the second barge. It made it to Adams Basin near Spencerport. The tugboat was scheduled to start the day at 6 a.m. and go to Rochester to get the second barge. Then it will head west from Rochester around 9 to 9:15 a.m., according to a Facebook post from Carver.
The company hasn’t posted an estimated time when it will be in Orleans County. Carver posts updates on its Facebook page for the ETAs.
The trek for the barges has been widely publicized in the media since the trip started in Albany. Many people have lined up along the canal or on bridges to get a glimpse of the tugboat and barge.
The tugboat “CMT Otter” has been getting a workout the past two weeks pushing barges carrying a pedestrian bridge that will be installed in Buffalo.
MEDINA – The Friends of Boxwood Cemetery are proud to announce that we will be partnering with Atlas Preservation as part of their 48 States Tour: Saving America’s Graveyards.
