Provided photo: Jake “the Snake” Jackson of Lyndonville, 15, is currently competing at the Billiard Education Foundation Junior National Championship in Quincy, Ill.

LYNDONVILLE – Jake “the Snake” Jackson, 15-year-old son of Roger and Terah Jackson, is pursuing his dream this weekend at the Billiard Education Foundation Junior National Championship in Quincy, Ill.

In an e-mail this morning, Roger said Jake is currently in fourth place and playing this morning for third, after winning his first two matches.

“The competition is tough, but Jake is playing his best,” Roger said.

Jake qualified for a spot in the national competition by winning the New York State Junior Championships in Endicott.

Five from this competition will be chosen to represent the USA in the world championship in New Zealand.

MEDINA – Brody Hoffmeister is proud of a family legacy with Rudy’s Soda Bar & Café, a Medina mainstay since it opened in 1988 by his grandparents, Joseph and Debra Russo.

Hoffmeister’s mother Kelly Duffield also was a key force in making Rudy’s such a welcoming establishment.

Hoffmeister’s mother passed away from cancer at age 49 on Oct. 21, 2019. His grandmother died at age 70 on March 26, 2023.

Hoffmeister, 30, said the losses were painful, and they thrust him into running the popular diner much sooner than he expected. He has been the owner since Jan. 1, 2020, about 2 1/2 months before Covid hit and the restaurant had to close to eat-in customers for a few months.

Hoffmeister and Rudy’s have worked through those challenges. Hoffmeister and his wife Jenna Pangrazio want to go take Rudy’s from surviving to thriving. Hoffmeister works in the kitchen while his wife handles the front. He said Pangrazio has been critical in seeing Rudy’s through the recent challenges.

“Rudy’s has been an everything day for me my whole life,” Hoffmeister said. “But if you don’t change with the times, you’re going to be lost to the times.”

In the past year he has sought to gain more control in his life, and the future of Rudy’s. He has lost 90 pounds. And now he has revamped the menu at Rudy’s, looking to streamline the business and not discard so much food.

Hoffmeister is looking to make some interior renovations to maintain a 1950s’ diner look throughout the eating area. Hoffmeister said the soda bar side is currently in a ’50s’ décor with the dining room more of a country style in the 1980s and ’90s. (Rudy’s is partnering with Manna Made, LLC to reignite the brand and marketing, bringing it back to their roots and classic diner feel.)

Rudy’s has recently introduced a new type of hamburger patty that is juicier than what they were offering the past 25 years. Hoffmeister wants honest customer feedback and so far the reviews of six different burgers has been very favorable.

He also has teamed up with Jimmy Z’s of Brockport using that establishment’s meat sauce and mac salad.

“People love it,” Hoffmeister said about the Jimmy Z’s fare combined with Rudy’s. “We’ve done over 2,000 plates since January.”

Rudy’s is serving up gourmet milkshakes, including a caramel brownie milkshake. Hoffmeister said it is part of a push to return to a 1950s classic diner experience.

For now, that means a leaner menu. Hoffmeister said more specials will added in the fall.

He is trying to adapt to a restaurant industry that has suffered since the Covid pandemic, where at least 10 percent of the establishments have closed since 2020.

Rudy’s used to have primarily eat-in customers. But since Covid, takeouts have gone from 20 percent of the business to 65 percent. Hoffmeister wants to see more long-time customers, and new ones, came back and enjoy a meal in the diner at 118 West Center St. Rudy’s also has utilized the Door Dash delivery service since 2021.

Rudy’s is in a  competitive food scene in Medina. When Rudy’s opened 36 years ago, there were four restaurants. Now Hoffmeister counts at least 17 options.

Rudy’s offered so many items on the menu, 30 to 35 different specials, that it was difficult to maintain consistency in the food, especially when many long-time employees didn’t come back after Rudy’s was forced to scale down during the early days of Covid.

Hoffmeister is going to a smaller menu with the focus on quality and presentation, and then will look to expand the menu in the fall. The core menu will stay with burgers, melts and wraps.

Rudy’s currently has 10-12 employees, which is down from the 25 before Covid.

“With Covid the restaurant industry changed,” he said. “We’re going to make our focus quality over quantity. There will be much more consistency.”

LYNDONVILLE – What threatened to be a complete washout actually turned out to be a very successful event for the Cobblestone Museum on Wednesday evening.

That was their annual mid-summer garden tour, this year at the wonderful gardens of Jim and Connie Fisher on Millers Road.

Wednesday morning, Shirley Bright Neeper, who co-chaired the event with Joyce Chizick, e-mailed that she was heart-broken over the weather forecast, which predicted high winds, severe thunderstorms and heavy rain.

Bright expected nobody would come and they would be sitting under the tent eating up the delicious snacks Chizick had prepared.

Miraculously, the weather broke mid-afternoon and the sun even partially came out.

 And so did the people.

There were 80 guests who came to view the exotic gardens at the Fisher home, all in full bloom, and enjoy the snacks. Neeper was sure attendance would have been double, had it not been for the weather.

Guests and Cobblestone Museum volunteers enjoyed conversation under the tent during Wednesday’s garden tour. From left are Chris Sartwell of Albion, Holley Mayor Mark Bower and Sue and Jim Bonafini of Kendall. Sue is assistant director of the Cobblestone Society.

Doris Antinore of Albion was one of the guests, who couldn’t stop raving about the evening.

“The gardens were absolutely beautiful,” she said. “Especially the lilies. They were all colors. I can’t imagine having that much garden to care for. They were so beautiful I can’t even describe it. I’ve never seen anything like it. And the snacks were so delicious.”

Neeper said everyone who came had a wonderful time. One band didn’t come because of the weather. However, Mike Grammatico offered to play his saxophone under the tent throughout the entire evening.

“How lucky we were the flowers didn’t get beat up by the wind and rain,” Neeper said. “A lady just a mile north said her lilies were laying on the ground. God was good to us.”

Cobblestone Museum director Doug Farley added his praise to the event.

“It was a huge success, even with the threat of terrible weather,” Farley said. “Overall, we were very lucky. We had a good turnout and gardens were beautiful.”

He extended special thanks to Garden Walk Chairs, and Shirley Bright Neeper and Joyce Chizick for co-chairing the event.

Wayne Miller of Wayne Miller Roofing and Siding built and donated a birdhouse door prize, which was won by Carole Patterson of Albion.

KENDALL – The Kendall Fire Department will have a field days event today and Saturday, a downscaled version of its carnival.

The fire department wasn’t able to secure a company to provide amusement rides.

But there will still be a parade, lots of food, live music and the I Got It game. Kendall has been the last fire department in Orleans County to do a carnival.

The lineup of events includes:

Today

• Firemen’s Parade at 7 p.m.
• Highway 31 takes the stage from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Saturday

• Tractor pulls start at 10 a.m. (Weigh-in starts at 8 a.m.)
• Cornhole tournament starts at noon
• Auction at noon
• Pony rides start at noon
• Bikers Against Child Abuse will be having free activities for the kids from 12 to 5 p.m.
• Begging Angels band 3 to 6 p.m. in the beer tent
• Cruise-in starts at 4 p.m.
• Chicken barbecue 5 p.m.
• Community Band plays at 6 p.m.
• Shotgun Pauly from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
• Fireworks after dark

ALBION – The new flags that are placed on about 2,500 veterans’ graves in the Albion area every May don’t come for free.

The VFW and American Legion work together to get the flags, as well as replacing some of the metal markers at veterans’ graves. The cost is about $3,500 a year.

Matt Passarell, quarter master for the VFW, recently spoke to the Albion Village Board asked for the village to continue to set aside some funds annually to help pay for the flags and markers.

The village in recent years tended to contribute $150 towards the cause. It budgeted $300 in 2023-24, and increased it to $500 in the 2024-25 fiscal year.

The flags cost about $1.15 each, with the metal markers about $42.

Greg Bennett, a village trustee, said the village might be able to team up with the veterans’ organizations in a fundraiser to help pay for the flags and markers.

Passarell said the community has donated before to the effort. Anyone interested in donating to buy flags and markers can mail a check to the VFW, 38 Platt St., Albion, NY 14411. The check should note the money is for “Flags and Markers.”

Passarell said the veterans’ groups have an aging membership. The groups are active serving veterans and the community, with the Honor Guard attending 30 to 40 funerals a year, he said.

BUFFALO – Buffalo State is pleased to congratulate the students who completed the requirements to earn their degrees in Fall 2023 and Spring 2024. The following from Orleans County have graduated:

• Tiffany Cree of Medina graduated with a MSED in Curriculum and Instruction.
• Taylor DeSimone of Holley graduated with a MSED in Speech-Language Pathology.
• Alexis Creasey of Albion graduated with a BA in Psychology.
• Hannah Heil of Medina graduated with a BS in Fashion and Textile Technology.
• Sari Rupp of Medina graduated with a BS in Speech-Language Pathology.
• Emily Schoolcraft of Medina graduated with a BS in Childhood Education.

Buffalo State University is a State University of New York (SUNY) university located in Buffalo, New York, offering over 75 undergraduate majors, more than 60 graduate programs, as well as many minors and certificate programs. Founded in 1871, SUNY Buffalo State University offers the perfect blend of a small, caring environment with large university opportunities.

Press Release, Federal Emergency Management Agency

FEMA is proposing updates to the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) for Orleans County, New York. Community partners are invited to participate in a 90-day appeal and comment period.

The updated maps were produced in coordination with local, state and FEMA officials. Significant community review of the maps has already taken place, but before the maps become final, community partners can identify any corrections or questions about the information provided and submit appeals or comments.

The 90-day appeal period will begin July 14, 2024. Residents, business owners and other community partners are encouraged to review the updated maps to learn about local flood risks and potential future flood insurance requirements. They may submit an appeal if they perceive that modeling or data used to create the map is technically or scientifically incorrect.

• An appeal must include technical information, such as hydraulic or hydrologic data, to support the claim.
• Appeals cannot be based on the effects of proposed projects or projects started after the study is in progress.
• If property owners see incorrect information that does not change the flood hazard information, such as a missing or misspelled road name in the Special Flood Hazard Area or an incorrect corporate boundary, they can submit a written comment.

The next step in the mapping process is the resolution of all comments and appeals. Once they are resolved, FEMA will notify communities of the effective date of the final maps.

Submit appeals and comments by contacting your local floodplain administrator. The preliminary maps may be viewed online at the FEMA Flood Map Changes Viewer: http://msc.fema.gov/fmcv.

For more information about the flood maps:

• Use a live chat service about flood maps at http://go.usa.gov/r6C (just click on the “Live Chat” icon).
• Contact a FEMA Map Specialist by telephone; toll free, at 1-877-FEMA-MAP (1-877-336-2627) or by email at FEMA-FMIX@fema.dhs.gov.

Most homeowner’s insurance policies do not cover flooding. There are cost-saving options available for those newly mapped into a high-risk flood zone. Learn more about your flood insurance options by talking with your insurance agent and visiting https://www.floodsmart.gov.

Orleans County Flood Mapping Milestones

• March 9, 2023 — Flood Risk Review Meeting to review draft flood hazard data.
• July 17, 2023 — Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Map released.
• August 17, 2023 — Community Coordination and Outreach Meeting to review Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Map and discuss updates to local floodplain management ordinance and flood insurance.
• October 12, 2023 — Open House Meeting with public to review Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Map.
• July 14, 2024 — Appeal Period starts.
• Fall 2025* — New Flood Insurance Rate Map becomes effective and flood insurance requirements take effect. (*Timeline subject to change pending completion of the appeal review process.)

If you have any questions, please contact FEMA Region 2 Office of External Affairs at (212) 680-3699 or at FEMA-R2-ExternalAffairs@fema.dhs.gov.

Press Release, Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke

ALBION – Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke is pleased to announce a Child Passenger Safety Seat Check Point Event will be held on Aug. 17 and Aug. 31 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Public Safety Building, 13925 Rt. 31, Albion.

According to data, vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for children between the ages of 1 to 13. Preventative measures, such as proper installation of car seats, booster seats and seat belts can reduce the likelihood of death and injuries. Informing and instructing parents and caregivers on child passenger safety and proper installation of car seats is critical to saving young lives.

Our certified child passenger safety technicians will inspect your car and/or booster seats to ensure that your child is in the appropriate seat for their size and age.

For child passenger safety seat questions, please contact certified technician Kevin Colonna at (585) 589-5527 or Kevin.Colonna@orleanscountyny.gov.

Provided photo: Dan Ryan was a drummer in many local bands the past 20 years. He was a key force in the Rock the Park music festival at Bullard Park.

ALBION – A benefit at Dubby’s Tailgate on Sunday will be in honor of a man who gave countless hours to help other people, including the annual Rock the Park music festival at Bullard Park.

Dan Ryan died at age 39 on June 23. He needed a liver transplant. He got pneumonia and then suffered multiple organ failure, his sister Pamela Kennedy said.

Ryan is survived by two children, Nadalee, 12, and Tyler, 6. The benefit on Sunday will help his family with Ryan’s expenses.

“He was always talking to people and helping people,” Kennedy said. “He was a good guy.”

Kennedy is helping to organize the benefit on Sunday that goes from noon to 9 p.m. Ryan’s friend Dan Conrad also is working to organize the event. They both welcome more basket raffle donations for the fundraiser. Kennedy can be reached at (585) 471-0944 and Conrad at (585) 590-1148.

Ryan played the drums for the band, Eclipse. That band will be performing on Sunday, along with Clueless, Chris Moore, and others.

Ryan played with other local bands in the past two decades. He was driving force in starting Rock the Park, which is now in its ninth year. The event from Aug. 2-3 will be dedicated in his memory.

Zack Burgess was in the band Zero with Ryan on the drums in the early days of Rock the Park.

“While he was never part of our actual committee, Dan would show up the days leading up to, and the day of the event, ready to help out with whatever was needed. Which, those that knew him will tell you, was not an uncommon trait for him,” Burgess posted in a tribute on Facebook.

“Over the years, Dan played drums in our original host band Zero, and even set up his drums for the rest of the bands to use. He played on our float in the Strawberry Festival parade, designed and refinished multiple Rock the Park guitars to raffle off, and even ran sound for us (for free) for the first two years of our event. And that’s all outside of the manual labor he would provide just to help us get the event set up.”

Kennedy said her brother loved to play the drums since he was a little kid. He taught his kids to play them, too.

Conrad spent many hours fishing with Ryan. He saw how Ryan would look to help others, never wanting anything in return.

“He was a fun, outgoing person,” Conrad. “He was there for everybody.”

Photo by Tom Rivers: The band Eclipse performs “Stinkfist” by Tool during Rock the Park 7 at Bullard Park in Albion on Aug. 6, 2022. Erin Moody is lead singer for the band that includes Brett Zambito, left, on guitar and D.J. Button, right, on guitar, as well as Dan Ryan on the drums. This year’s Albion Summer Festival/Rock the Park 9 on Aug. 2-3 is dedicated in honor of Ryan, who passed away at age 39 on June 23.

Press Release, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments

ALBION – The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health) will be holding their Local Early Intervention Coordinating Council (LEICC) Quarterly Meeting.

The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, July 17, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at the Orleans County Health Department (14016 State Route 31, Suite 101, Albion, NY 14411). Refreshments will be provided.

The LEICC is a supportive group made up of county officials, early intervention providers, childcare providers, parents of children with disabilities and other community members.

The goal of the LEICC is to afford the opportunity for parents and other members to voice their thoughts and concerns on the strengths and weaknesses of the Genesee and Orleans County Early Intervention Program and to work together to improve the program.

The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments are encouraging parents to attend and to offer input as to how we can best meet the needs of all infants and toddlers in our local communities.

For Zoom connection information or for more information on the meeting, please contact Deborah Krenzer-Lewter, Director of Children with Special Needs, at 585-344-2580 ext. 5572 or 585-589-2777.

‘I am very proud of what we have accomplished here at Orleans/Niagara BOCES and wish everyone continued success’

Press Release, Orleans/Niagara BOCES

Provided photo: Dr. Clark Godshall is shown on his last day in the office as Orleans/Niagara BOCES at the education center in Medina.

MEDINA – Dr. Clark Godshall, the senior BOCES district superintendent and chief executive officer of the Orleans/Niagara BOCES, announced his retirement effective June 30 after 53 years as an educator and 43 years as a school administrator.

For the past 24 years, he was responsible for the educational services for over 30,000 students at the O/N BOCES, which is the 13th largest BOCES out of 37 statewide. He was an interim district superintendent at five other statewide BOCES. As the BOCES district superintendent, he served as the New York State Commissioner of Education’s local representative.

Dr. Godshall says he would like to thank the staff, our component districts and Board of Education for their dedication, support and friendship over the years.

“It has been an honor to work with all of you,” he said. “I am ready for the next chapter of my life and I am looking forward to spending time with my amazing wife Barb, my family and friends. I consider myself very fortunate to have worked in a career that I have loved and to work with others who feel the same about what they do day in and day out for children. I am very proud of what we have accomplished here at Orleans/Niagara BOCES and wish everyone continued success.”

Dr. Taweepon Farrar will be taking over as district superintendent on Aug. 14.

A former high school science teacher, Godshall instructed biology, chemistry and earth science in the Hilton Central School District and started his administrative career as the assistant superintendent for the Penn Yan Central School District.

He has instructed as an adjunct professor for the educational administration program at SUNY Brockport and as a clinical professor of doctoral candidates at the University of Rochester. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from St. John Fisher College, Master’s and Doctorate Degrees from the University of Rochester and a certificate in labor relations from the Cornell University Industrial Labor Relations School.

Dr. Godshall has been an active and involved member of multiple professional associations at the local, state, and international levels where he usually ascends to the top leadership positions. He is a six-time recipient of American School and University Management Effectiveness Awards.

He is the past recipient of the New York State ASBO Outstanding Service Award, Women in Administration Leadership Award; PDK Leadership Award, Niagara University Administrator of the Year award and the 2014 New York State School Superintendent of the Year. He has been a County Chairman for the American Red Cross, an elected Fire Commissioner and consultant to many educational organizations.

He is a frequent author and presenter on educational management/governance topics. He is the only school administrator to have served as the President of the New York State Council of School Superintendents (NYSCOSS), the New York State Association of School Business Officials (NYASBO) and the International Association of School Business Officials (IASBO). He is the chairperson of the Genesee Community College Advisory Board for Albion and Medina campuses and volunteers on the Orleans Community Health Foundation Board.

“Dr. Clark Godshall has been a role model for school leaders across New York State and nationally,” said Dr. Betty Rosa, New York Commissioner of Education. “His service to the community, school districts and educators in pursuit of higher achievement levels and student success are praised and we thank him for his long tenure of educational leadership.”

He has completed over 76 chief school officer searches and multiple association executive director searches. He often leads expert teams into less than successful schools to conduct School under Registration Reviews (SURR) across New York State. Most recently, he was named the Distinguished Alumni from St. John Fisher College and the Superintendent of the Year by the New York State School Business Officials (NYSASBO).

During his free time, Dr. Godshall is an officer (Commodore) with the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary and the United States Power Squadron for which he has been recognized for his humanitarian efforts while holding various leadership positions. He graciously gives of his time in support of active duty military personnel across the United States. Clark is a qualified sea captain and a third generation Kentucky Colonel. He has been cited as a staunch advocate of the arts including local theatrical productions – the Buffalo and Rochester Philharmonic and Shea’s performing theater.

Provided photos

ALBION – These kids hold a big boa that was brought to Hoag Library on Tuesday by Ken Kuehne of Kent, owner of “Know Your Rep.”

Kuehne has been a big draw at Hoag’s summer reading program in recent years. He and his daughter Amanda brought reptiles of varying sizes. They start with smaller creatures and work their way up to snakes more than 10 feet long.

Ken and Amanda Kuehne introduce kids to some of the reptiles and snakes they brought to Hoag Library on Tuesday. About 100 kids attended the event.

Lori Laine holds the big boa. Kuehne let people stand and hold the snake.

Know Your Rep does events with snakes and reptiles at schools, community organizations and businesses, and at parties.

Kuehne said snakes are often portrayed as villains in movies.

“We have a learned fear of snakes,” he said. “I want to get rid of that myth.”

Click here to see the schedule for the summer reading program.