ALBION – Maison Albion is pleased to announce the appointment of Sarah Omicioli as its new Venue Manager. Omicioli joins the team with an impressive 10-year track record in event planning, most recently with Good Neighbor Events in Buffalo, where she honed her expertise in creating memorable experiences and managing complex event logistics.
In her new role, Omicioli will oversee all venue operations at Maison Albion, working closely with clients to bring their visions to life while ensuring seamless execution of events. Her extensive background in event planning positions her uniquely to understand both the creative and operational demands of hosting exceptional gatherings.
“We are thrilled to welcome Sarah to the Maison Albion family,” said Kerri Glover, owner of the site at 13800 W County House Rd. “Her wealth of experience and proven ability to deliver outstanding events make her the perfect fit for this role. We’re confident that her leadership will elevate the experience for every client who chooses Maison Albion for their special occasions.”
Throughout her tenure at Good Neighbor Events, Omicioli developed a reputation for meticulous attention to detail, creative problem-solving, and a client-first approach that consistently exceeded expectations. Her experience spans a diverse range of events, from intimate gatherings to large-scale celebrations.
“I’m excited to join Maison Albion and contribute to its legacy of hosting extraordinary events,” said Omicioli. “This venue offers such incredible possibilities, and I look forward to working with clients to create unforgettable moments.”
Photos courtesy of Hospice of Orleans: (Left) This photo shows from left stylist Leslie Saj, Salon De Coiffeur owner and stylist Terah Jackson and stylist Jianna Saulsbury. (Right) Some of the items up for raffle included an autographed photo by Ray Davis of the Buffalo Bills.
Press Release, Hospice of Orleans County
MEDINA – Hospice of Orleans County is pleased to announce a generous contribution resulting from the dedication of a local business owner and the enthusiastic support of the community.
Terah Jackson, owner and stylist at Salon De Coiffeur, has successfully concluded her salon’s Annual Christmas Raffle, raising $2,305 for Hospice of Orleans County.
For the past two months, Ms. Jackson diligently sought donations and promoted the raffle, inspiring an outpouring of support from community members and local businesses. This massive effort resulted in over 55 generously donated baskets and raffle items.
“We are incredibly grateful for Ms. Jackson’s hard work and the overwhelming generosity of the entire community,” said Brittany Dix, Community Outreach Specialist. “When community members take it upon themselves to initiate such a substantial fundraising effort, it directly helps provide vital resources that allow us to continue offering compassionate care and support to our patients and their families in Orleans County. This sort of community dedication is especially meaningful.”
The raffle, which drew winners on Nov. 18, featured a diverse array of items, including handmade cutting boards, hair supplies, chocolates, wine, gift cards, and a highly-coveted Buffalo Bills autograph.
Hospice of Orleans County extends its deepest thanks to Terah Jackson, Salon De Coiffeur stylists Leslie Saj & Jianna Saulsbury, and everyone who contributed to the success of this meaningful event.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 December 2025 at 8:41 am
Photos courtesy of Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company: Firefighters work on putting out a fire in a house on Niagara-Orleans Countyline Road on Monday evening.
RIDGEWAY – One resident was taken by ambulance from a house fire on Niagara-Orleans Countyline Road on Monday evening. The Red Cross was requested to assist that person with emergency housing.
Firefighters were dispatched to the scene at 7:43 p.m. Firefighters worked for hours to find hidden fire and stop it, the Ridgeway Fire Company stated on its Facebook page. The fire was declared under control at 10:04 p.m. with extensive overhaul operations. Firefighters cleared the scene just after midnight.
Ridgeway was assisted at the scene by Medina Fire Department, Lyndonville Joint Fire District, Shelby Fire Company, Albion Joint Fire District, Tri-Town Ambulance and a fill-in crew from Hartland Fire Company.
This was also the first call of Ridgeway’s new fire truck, Engine 12.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 1 December 2025 at 10:03 pm
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Kelly Shaw, left, director of the Senior Center in Medina, received a Christmas gift from Carol Bellack on behalf of the senior members during the annual Christmas dinner on Monday. At rear is Lynn Creasey, president of the board.
Medina senior Natalie Herbert sings a solo “Noel,” during the A’Capella Select Choir’s visit to Medina Senior Center.
MEDINA – The Medina Senior Center was packed to capacity today for their annual Christmas dinner and entertainment by Medina High School’s A’Capella Select Choir.
The event began with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer by Senior Center board president Lynn Creasey, followed by presentation of a Christmas gift to director Kelly Shaw by Carol Bellack on behalf of the seniors. Bellack shared the seniors’ appreciation of Shaw for all she does for the Senior Center.
Next was an announcement by Mike Randall, retired feature reporter for WKBW Channel 7, about a benefit he is doing Dec. 19 at the Medina Theater. Theater owner Joe Cardone is donating the theater for Randall’s performance of “Charles Dickens” to benefit the food pantries in Medina. Tickets are $10 and can be ordered through the Medina Theater’s website.
Everyone who brings a non-perishable food item will be entered in a drawing for various prizes. The doors will open at 7 and the A’Capella Choir will sing prior to Randall’s performance.
Entertaining at the Senior Center each Christmas is one of the A’Capella Choir’s favorite things to do, said director Rachel Trillizio.
“They love coming here,” she said.
The choir of 15 select members opened their program by singing “O Come All Ye Faithful,” followed by “Silent Night.” Next was “Cuckoo’s Christmas Gift” and senior Natalie Herbert singing “Noel.” The program concluded with the audience being invited to join the choir in singing “Joy to the World.”
Trillizio reminded the audience of the choir’s annual Christmas concert Dec. 14 at St. Mary’s Church with the Oak Orchard School Glee Club, directed by Andrea Busch. Doors will open at 7 p.m.
Any senior citizen in the area is invited to join the Senior Center of Western Orleans. Dues are only $10 per year and are being accepted for 2026. Benefits of becoming a member include access to day-old food from Tops bakery daily, exercise classes on Wednesday mornings, crafts and euchre on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday afternoons. Other events throughout the year include monthly luncheons and entertainment with drawings for prizes.
Rachel Trillizio, director of Medina High School’s A’Capella Choir, greets guests and introduces the choir at the annual Medina Senior Center Christmas dinner. The choir has been entertaining there for decades.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 December 2025 at 8:27 pm
POINT BREEZE – The Oak Orchard Neighborhood Association is sharing $7,000 in donations to local organizations.
The proceeds are from the OONA summer concert series. OONA donated to the following:
• $1,500 – Community Action of Orleans & Genesee
• $1,000 – Hospice of Orleans
• $1,000 – Orleans Koinonia Kitchen
• $1,000 – Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern
• $1,000 – Carlton Fire Department
• $600 – Oak Orchard Lighthouse
• $500 – Orleans County Veterans Agency
• $400 – 50 Winks (Bowie Foundation)
“The tremendous support and generosity of our community enabled us to donate a total of $7,000 to these very worthy organizations,” said Pat Furlong, OONA treasurer.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 December 2025 at 7:43 pm
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for Orleans County on Tuesday from 1 a.m. to 7 p.m. with 2 to 4 inches of snow expected.
The advisory also included Niagara, Monroe, Genesee and northern Erie counties.
“The snow will peak in intensity during the Tuesday morning commute,” the Weather Service said. “Plan on snow covered and slippery road conditions with reduced visibility.”
Press Release, Orleans County Historical Association
Dennis Carr
GAINES – The Orleans County Historical Association (OCHA) invites the public to their annual luncheon meeting and program at Tavern on the Ridge on December 6th at 12:30 p.m.
Dennis Carr, a founding member of the Friends of Mt. Hope Cemetery, will be the guest speaker.
“We are fortunate to have Dennis as this year’s guest speaker,” said Sue Starkweather Miller, OCHA Trustee. “He will discuss The Arrest and Trial of Susan B. Anthony: Strategy, Tactics, and the Struggle to Vote. Dennis is an expert on this topic and has led tours for many years at Mt. Hope Cemetery, where Susan B. Anthony is buried.”
With the passage of the Fourteenth Amendment in 1868, and its plain language implication that women, as citizens, had the right to vote, master strategist Susan B. Anthony decided to test the Constitution.
She, her sister Mary, and fourteen other Rochester women registered, and then voted in the 1872 federal election, resulting in Anthony’s arrest, trial, and conviction. The registrars and elections inspectors, the women who supported her by voting, the judge who issued the warrant, the arresting deputy U.S. marshal, and her attorneys are all permanent residents of Mount Hope Cemetery.
Front page news across the country, this real-life Rochester drama, gave Susan B. Anthony the deserved reputation as the most effective advocate and leader of the woman suffrage movement.
Lunch is $30 per person. Menu choices are vegetable lasagna, cottage pie or winter salad with chicken breast. Relish tray, beverage and dessert are included. To make your reservations, call Orleans County Historian Catherine Cooper at 585-589-4174. You can pay at the door or send a check with your lunch choice to OCHA, 3286 Gaines Basin Road, Albion, NY 14411.
OCHA’s mission is to preserve, restore, and maintain what is significant to the history and antiquity of Orleans County, NY.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 December 2025 at 9:37 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
HOLLEY – The Community Free Library has a Free Art Library outside the library at 86 Public Square. This is a project led by the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council.
Go Art! also has the free art libraries in Albion outside the Hoag Library and in Medina outside the Author’s Note book store.
At the free art library, people are encouraged to take an art book or art kit, leave an art book or art kit, and spread creativity.
The art libraries have been architecturally designed by Jeff Pasnik, and built and donated by members of the Carpenters Local Union 276. They are artistically painted by Jaylah Sherman.
The art library in Holley is done in a Pop Art style by Any Warhol with his famous painting of Marilyn Monroe and his tendency to do repeating prints.
GO Art! established the art library to make art supplies and resources more accessible to the community, fostering creativity and engagement in the arts. GO Art! wants the libraries includes art kits, coloring books and art books that are freely available for anyone to take and enjoy.
Press Release, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments
The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health) want to hear from you! We are working to make our programs better for people who want to quit smoking, vaping, or using tobacco. Your feedback will help us plan future classes, resources, and support for those who are ready to quit.
“We want our programs to meet the needs of our community,” said Paul Pettit, Public Health Director for GO Health. “Whether you’ve tried to quit before, are thinking about quitting, or have already quit, your ideas can help us make our programs more helpful and easier to access.”
The online survey only takes a few minutes to fill out. It’s open to everyone in Genesee and Orleans counties, whether you smoke now, have quit, or are helping someone who wants to quit. Answers will be used to improve GO Health’s programs to help people stop using tobacco.
Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your health, and local support can make it easier. By sharing your thoughts, you’ll help GO Health offer programs that work better for our community.
For more information about GO Health Programs and Services, visit GOHealthNY.org or contact your local health department at:
Photo courtesy of Celeste Balaban: Buddy played by Rayna Balaban and Santa played by Henry Dresser are “Happy All The Time” with the elves.
Press Release, Anna Ferlito, musical director
MEDINA – Medina residents will embrace their inner “elf” when Clifford Wise Intermediate students present their production of Elf The Musical JR. The show features 89 fifth and sixth grade students and will premiere on Dec. 4.
Clifford Wise Intermediate School will present Elf The Musical JR. on Dec. 4th and 5th at 7 p.m. at Clifford Wise Auditorium. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $3.50, and are available at www.cliffordwise.booktix.com. For more information about the show please call 585-798-2700 ext. 6204.
“Every year the 5th and 6th graders look forward to the musical, and last year when we announced we were doing Elf everyone was ecstatic” says Anna Ferlito, the musical director. “It’s a huge project to put on a show with this many kids, but it becomes a highlight every school year.”
(Left) Eliana Baity-Medina plays the “no nonsense” manager of Macy’s. (Right) Emily and her son Micheal Hobbs played by Charlotte Berry and Davante Major Dixon ask Santa for Walter Hobbs to spend more time with them.
Elf The Musical JR. is based on the 2003 New Line Cinema hit and features songs by Tony Award nominees Matthew Sklar (The Wedding Singer) and Chad Beguelin (Disney’s Aladdin On Broadway, The Wedding Singer), a book by Tony Award winners Thomas Meehan (Annie, The Producers, Hairspray) and Bob Martin (The Drowsy Chaperone).
The musical tells the story of a young orphan who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole. The would-be elf is given the name Buddy and raised by elves in the North Pole. Buddy lives happily unaware that he is actually a human until his enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth.
With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father and discover his true identity. Faced with the harsh reality that his father is on the naughty list, and his stepbrother doesn’t even believe in Santa, Buddy is determined to win over his new family and help New York remember the true meaning of the holidays.
Buddy played by Rayna Balaban gets escorted out of Macy’s by security guards played by Shane Re and Vincent Moriarty.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 30 November 2025 at 5:59 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers: The Metz Family Christmas won the grand champion title on Saturday during the Medina Parade of Lights.
MEDINA – Pair decent weather and an enthusiastic crowd with nearly four dozen floats brightly decorated for the holidays and you have an evening to remember.
Such was the case Saturday night for the 17th annual Parade of Lights.
Always a tradition is lighting of a giant Christmas tree in Rotary Park and the spectacular fireworks which precede the parade each year.
The winning floats have been announced and the Metz family has taken the title again. The family won in 2021 and 2022. Last year the grand champion was the Orleans/Niagara BOCES and Burger King won the top award in 2023.
Winners announced for this year are:
Grand Champion – Metz Family Christmas
Best in Class (Commercial) – Airborne Acres
Best in Class (Service Clubs) – Roy-Hart FFA
Best in Class (Fire companies) – Albion Joint Fire District
Best in Class (Not-for-profit) – Orleans Community Action’s Head Start
Best in Class (Religious) – The Vine
Best in Class – Orleans-Niagara BOCES
Santa’s Pick Award – Niagara County 4-H Equine Program
Littlest Elf Award – Eye of Oden K9 Training
Star Award – Logan’s Landscaping
Community Spirit Award – Medina Central School Transportation Department
Jim Hancock, who heads the parade committee, expressed his pleasure at this year’s Grand Marshal, Assemblyman Steve Hawley, who has also been parade announcer each year.
Medina Mayor Marguerite Sherman welcomed the crowd until Hawley arrived in a Mustang convertible donated by George Bidleman of Orleans Ford.
“Being Grand Marshal of this iconic parade in this idyllic village was a wonderful experience and an honor,” Hawley said. “I have been the announcer for many years, but have never seen how the floats, bands and groups line up at the staging area at the Pickle Factory. And I never knew about the thousands of people who line the streets before the parade reaches Main Street. It’s truly a remarkably well organized and run parade and my hat is tipped to the organizers, and of course, to all the folks who attend and support the efforts.”
Hancock said there were so many beautiful and creative floats this year.
“They seem to get better and better every year,” he said. “And I am so pleased to have Steve Hawley as our Grand Marshal.”
Hancock also thanked the village departments, especially the DPW who make the parade a success every year.
Many of the units in the parade are repeat entrants, such as the Mark Time Marchers from Churchville, entertaining for their 12th year; Niagara County’s Equine Program with 16 visits; East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company, every year since the beginning; Hartland Volunteer Fire Company, an entrant for many, many years; and Ridgeway Fire Company, every year.
There were a large number of first-time entrants this year, including The Willows Assisted Living Facility; Bowers Plumbing from Albion; Cutaia Trucking from Fairport; Airborne Acres from Lyndonville; Tom Bruggman from Alexander; Gilligan’s Galley Restaurant from Point Breeze; Walsh Hotel (the third oldest bar in New York); Mallard House Renovations; and Luddy’s Equipment Rental from Albion.
Of course, the final float every year is Santa and Mrs. Claus on their special float built and donated by Takeform.
Hancock issued special thanks to the Parade Committee, which included Dave and Gail Miller, Nicole and Todd Bensley, Cindy Robinson, Reinhard Rogowski, Dave Stacey, Mark Irwin, Barb Hancock, Kathie Valley and Sue and Kevin DeHollander.
