By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 October 2025 at 8:26 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Carrie O’Neill, a member of the Orleans County Youth Board, waits for a kid to select a board game after visiting many of the booths and trying the games and activities.
Free board games were offered when kids completed their passport by trying the different activities at Family Game Night.
This was the 11th annual event and the third time it was hosted by Dubby’s Tailgate in Albion. Dubby’s served up two slices of pizza for each person.
Many of the county government departments and agencies in the community had booths with activities and prizes. The event was organized by the Orleans County Youth Bureau and County Legislature.
The mascots from McDonald’s, Grimace and Hamburglar, greeted kids inside Dubby’s. There were 472 people registered, and the total attendance was likely even closer to 500. That is the most in the 11 years of Family Game Night.
Grimace and Hamburglar meet Charli Wulf, 5, of Holley. Orly the Ox, the county’s bicentennial mascot, also greeted local kids at the event.
Staff from the Probation Department offered a chance to play a cup stacking game and to win prizes. In back from left for probation include secretary Amy Albone, probation assistant Michelle Coots, and probation director Sarah Osborne. They gave away pumpkins donated by Coots’s grandson, 11-year-old Nathan Gray of Nathan’s Produce.
Kat Holland from the Personnel Department did a plate spinning demonstration as part of the Personnel Department’s booth. Katie Harvey, the personnel director, is at left.
Cara Wachob, a home base visitor and Early Head Start advocate, led the booth for Community Action and invited kids and their parents to play different games.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 October 2025 at 5:24 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers
EAST SHELBY – A fire caused extensive damage this afternoon inside a house at 12491 Smith Rd.
Firefighters were dispatched to the scene around 3:30. No one was home at the time of the fire. A family of three lives there in a house owned by Douglas Watson.
The family’s dog perished in the blaze. The fire in under investigation and the cause is undetermined at this time.
Multiple firefighters joined east Shelby in responding to call. The fire caused extensive damage to first and second floors, and the attic.
Zack Petry, deputy chief for Shelby, is on the ladder trying to vent the house from smoke.
Firefighters set up a dump tank for an added supply of water. This is a rural area in southern Shelby near the refuge where there aren’t fire hydrants.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 October 2025 at 9:22 am
Matt Punch recognized for service with Medina Medical Loan Closet
Photos from Medina Lions Club
MEDINA – The Medina Lions Club in late September installed a new sign for the Lions Park along the Erie Canal. This spot is just east of the lift bridge.
Chris and Julie Keller, left, installed the sign with assistance from Pete Kaiser and Jim Hancock. The Lions Club thanks Takeform for its work on the lettering and design.
The Lions Club also recently honored Matt Punch with the Robert J. Uplinger Distinguished Service Award for his dedication to our community. Punch has been a driving force for the Medina Medical Loan Closet.
ALBION — Bills fans and veterans alike are in for an unforgettable afternoon at Dubby’s Tailgate in Albion as the community comes together for a Veterans Tailgate, a celebration honoring the service and sacrifice of Orleans County veterans.
On November 8 from 1 to 6 p.m., Dubby’s will be buzzing with live music, sports on the screens, free food and plenty of Buffalo spirit. The event is being hosted by the Red Star Foundation in partnership with Orleans County Veteran Services and promises to be a high-energy mix of football fandom and heartfelt gratitude.
Live music will keep the fun going all afternoon, with Travis Fitch performing an acoustic set from 1 to 3 p.m., followed by local crowd-favorite Who Dats rocking the stage from 3 to 6 p.m. to close out the celebration.
One of the biggest highlights: special guest Del Reid, the co-founder of the Bills Mafia and owner of 26 Shirts, will be in attendance. Reid, a beloved figure in the Bills community, is known not only for rallying fans but also for his tireless charity work. Bills Mafia members will no doubt want to stop by, shake his hand, and show their Buffalo pride.
To keep the tailgate vibes strong, there will be free food for veterans and a guest, including pizza, wings, baked ziti, and beverages. That offer is limited to the first 200 veterans and guests, so registering early is encouraged. For everyone else, Dubby’s will be running specials on food and drinks all day long, making it the perfect spot to cheer, eat, and celebrate together.
“This is about more than just good food and music. it’s about honoring the men and women of Orleans County who have served their country,” said Rich McAdoo from the Red Star Foundation. “And in true Bills Mafia fashion, we’re bringing the community together to make it something special.”
Whether you’re a veteran, a family member, or simply a proud Bills fan, the Veterans Day Tailgate is your chance to show up, say thank you, and enjoy an afternoon of fun, football, and fellowship.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 9 October 2025 at 8:43 am
Provided photos of David Neth, writing as D. Allen, with the covers of two of his books.
MEDINA – On Saturday, Author’s Note will welcome Batavia author David Neth, who will sign copies of his two latest novels.
Writing as D. Allen, Neth will sign copies of At the Core and Home for the Holidays.
At the Core is a small-town romance set in Medina, featuring rivals-to-lovers, grumpy sunshine charm and the fight to save a family orchard.
Autumn Chapman is the fourth-generation owner of her family’s struggling apple orchard. Her uncles, who are co-owners, want to sell what’s left and walk away while they still can, but Autumn doesn’t want to let the legacy of her family’s business did with her. But, as the man who is trying to convince them to sell learns more and more about the orchard, Autumn and her family’s business, he starts to think maybe he is on the wrong side of the fight.
Home for the Holidays is a Christmas family drama set in Corfu about a mother who tricks her three adult children into coming home for Christmas without them knowing the others are coming. As they all slip into the roles of their former selves, the siblings agree to play nice to make their mother happy for the Christmas season. But as the week goes on. It becomes more and more apparent they all have their secrets, including their mother.
D. Allen is a nom de plume for David Neth, who writes heartfelt small-town romance like the Montana Beach and Small Town Christmas series. He also writes urban fantasy and superhero fiction under his own name. A school librarian with more than a decade in the book world, Neth lives in Batavia with his family.
Neth will sign copies of his books and answer questions during his visit at 4 p.m. on Saturday.
Author’s Note is located at 519 Main St., Medina. For those who are unable to attend, signed books can be ordered for pickup or free shipping at authorsnote.com. For more information, contact Author’s Note at (585) 798-3642.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 October 2025 at 8:26 am
A frost advisory has been issued from 11 p.m. tonight to 9 a.m. on Friday for Orleans County. Temperatures in the lower 30s will result in frost formation, the National Weather Service in Buffalo said.
Temperatures in the lower 30s will result in frost formation.
The advisory also includes nearby counties of Niagara, Monroe, Erie, Genesee, Wyoming and Livingston.
The frost could kill sensitive outdoor vegetation if left unprotected, the Weather Service said.
Today will be sunny with a high near 55, followed by highs of 66 on Friday, 69 on Saturday and 67 on Sunday.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 October 2025 at 10:26 pm
EAST SHELBY – The Orleans County Emergency Management Office is advising the public of an oversize load on Thursday morning that will go from Knowlesville to East Shelby.
The load will make its journey starting at about 6:30 a.m. from Growmark FS. The load will go south on Taylor Hill Road and Townline Road, making its final destination to East Shelby Road.
“Due to size and slow speed, we encourage those in the area of transport to use caution,” the EMO stated. “And for morning commuters, alternate routes are encouraged.”
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 8 October 2025 at 8:31 pm
MEDINA – October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Orleans Community Health is committed to promoting early detection and education to help combat this disease. In support of this initiative, Medina Memorial Hospital is offering 3D mammography screenings during the months of October and November.
3D mammography is a groundbreaking screening tool that improves the accuracy of breast cancer detection, said Scott Robinson, director of marketing for OCH. Unlike traditional mammograms, this advanced technology captures multiple images of the breast, giving radiologists a detailed, layer-by-layer view. This results in better detection rates, especially for women with dense breast tissue.
To qualify for a free screening, a mammogram appointment must be scheduled in October or November. Whether one already has an appointment or needs to book one, this offer applies only during these two months.
“We strongly encourage all women, especially those aged 40 and over, to schedule their appointments now,” Robinson said.
For women who require additional testing, onsite ultrasounds are also available. The hospital’s dedicated team provides compassionate care in a supportive and comfortable environment.
Breast cancer impacts countless families, and early detection can save lives. At Orleans Community Health, they believe access to advanced screenings makes all the difference.
“This October and November, join us in raising awareness, encouraging early detection and standing together in the fight against breast cancer,” Robinson urges.
In Orleans County individuals face $1,251 increase for year, while family of 4 would pay $2,547 more
Press Release, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) held a virtual press conference to discuss the impact of rising health insurance premiums on New Yorkers across the state and to call on Republicans to extend the health insurance subsidies that help many Americans get care at a price they can afford.
Editor’s Note: In Orleans County, Gillibrand said single individual making $65,000 or less would see a 31.7 percent increase, from $329.46 to $433.76 a month, a $1,251.60 increase for the year.
For a family of four in Orleans County making $130,000 or less, the monthly cost goes up by 20.7 percent from $1,023.96 to $1,236.22 a month, a $2,547.12 increase for the year, according to data from Gillibrand.
“At least 1.6 million New Yorkers in every corner of our state are on the brink of seeing their premiums skyrocket – all because congressional Republicans refuse to extend the health care assistance that families rely on,” Gillibrand said. “This is a Republican-manufactured health care crisis that low- and middle-income New Yorkers simply cannot afford.”
Without an extension, Affordable Care Act enhanced tax credits will expire at the end of 2025, causing 20 million Americans to see a sudden increase in their health insurance costs. This includes at least 1.6 million New Yorkers, who will face an average yearly increase of $1,360 in the amount they pay for their premiums, with people in some counties experiencing far greater increases.
“Democrats stand ready to negotiate a bipartisan deal to keep health care costs low and reopen the government, but we need Republicans to come to the table,” Gillibrand said. “I’m calling on my Republican colleagues to prioritize American families over billionaires and end this crisis.”
Gillibrand emphasized the immense strain that this will put on working families and the dire need for Republicans to work with Democrats to address the looming health care crisis and end the government shutdown. Enrollees in New York State are already receiving notices of premium hikes ahead of the start of open enrollment on November 1st, underscoring the importance of extending the subsidies immediately.
Health insurance premiums are expected to increase by double- or triple-digit percentages in all of New York’s 62 counties if President Trump and congressional Republicans fail to extend ACA subsidies.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 8 October 2025 at 11:33 am
Provided photo: Aaron Grabowski will play the organ at St. Mary’s Church in Medina for a Spanish concert on Oct. 25.
MEDINA – The historic St. Mary’s Church (Holy Trinity Parish) will be the site of a first-time concert of Spanish music on Oct. 25, performed by organist Aaron Grabowski, who will also perform on harpsichord and bass. The concert includes special solos by soprano Bradeen Walders-Erekare, alto Susan Walders and tenor Sebastian Erakare.
Titled “Ecos de Espana,” the concert will begin at 7 p.m., and is free and open to the public.
The idea for a concert of Spanish music was born after Grabowski performed a concert of French music at the church last November.
“It was so well received, my wife said, ‘Why don’t you do a Spanish program,’ and I started investigating it,” Grabowski said. “I had previously done French, German and English repertoires, but it became obvious there was a lot of music that came from Spanish colonies in the South and Central America and it influenced how our liturgy (Mass) unfolded musically. This will be an exciting program – something a little different. It will show the richness of the Spanish contribution to classical music.”
The concert will showcase music from the 16th to the 19th centuries.
Grabowski holds a bachelor’s degree in organ performance from SUNY at Buffalo and studied with Michael Burke and Davd Fuller. He has been principal organist and music director of St. Mary’s Church (Holy Trinity ONE Catholic Parish) since December 2007.
In July 2024, Grabowski restarted his performing career with a concert at Old Fort Niagara and has since performed concerts at St. Mary’s Church and, most recently, at Barker United Methodist Church. He has held teaching positions at St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Church School in Kenmore and at the Eastman School of Music as professor of Organ History and Maintenance. He offers lessons in both organ and harpsichord.
In addition, he is a tuning foreman and organ builder with Parsons Pipe Organ Builders in Canandaigua, specializing in historic organ restoration. He joined the firm in 2013 and is a member of the American Institute of Organ Builders.
Grabowski is also an avid re-enactor who regularly volunteers with his family at Old Fort Niagara in Youngstown, portraying a French Royal Artillerist of the French and Indian War era. He is a member of the Artillery Niagara and Campagne LeBeouf.
Soprano Bradeen Walders-Erakare is a musician and artist who lives in Batavia. She has been performing vocal music for 15 years, both professionally and recreationally. Since receiving a bachelor of fine arts from Niagara University for Theatre Performance in 2016, she can most often be heard singing with the choir at St. Joseph’s Church in Albion.
Art and music are two of the most important parts of Bradeen’s life and she is delighted to be a part of this special performance.
Susan Walders is an alto and a flutist at Holy Family Parish in Albion. Her background in music extends to founding a wind ensemble, E-Yah-Pah-Hah, which aims to honor American indigenous composers. She is a former music educator and is the founder and president of Cycling Without Age of Orleans County, an organization aiming to help people of limited mobility using trishaws (tricycle) feel the freedom of moving about accompanied by a companion driver.
Sebastian Erakare trained as a tenor in college and has spent most of his life writing, arranging and performing in various ensembles as both a vocalist and instrumentalist. He has performed at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, N.C., and took part in a performance of the opera Il Trovotoreby Guiseppe Verde as a member of the gypsy chorus and anvil chorus.
Currently, he is part of the choir at St. Joseph’s Church in Albion and is a regular participant in open mic nights near his residence in Batavia. He has most recently been invited to join the Rivertree Singers in a future engagement as they perform Dan Forrest’s Creation at Carnegie Hall in New York City.
The concert is sponsored by Orleans Renaissance Group with support from Go Art!
Grabowski added he will also be doing his annual program for Advent and Christmas in mid-December.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 8 October 2025 at 11:19 am
Sandra Nickel will sign copies of her new book, SEVEN: A Most Remarkable Pigeon, during a book discussion on Oct. 15 at Author’s Note in Medina.
MEDINA – Sandra Nickel, a writer from Switzerland, will visit Author’s Note, Medina’s independent book store, to discuss and sign her new picture book, SEVEN: A Most Remarkable Pigeon, at 6 p.m. Oct. 15.
Nickel’s visit to the area will also include visits to Oak Orchard Elementary School and Royalton-Hartland Elementary School to share her story with school children there.
SEVEN: A Most Remarkable Pigeon is a charming tale, paired with Aimee Sicuro’s endearing illustrations, which celebrates the different ways folks of all feathers navigate the world, said Author’s Note owner and New York Times Best-selling author Julie Berry. Booklist calls it a “soaring celebration of individuality,” and Kirkus Reviews calls it “an uplifting tale that celebrates difference.”
Nickel is an award-winning author of picture books and has two new books out in 2025 – SEVEN: A Most Remarkable Pigeon, an uplifting tale that celebrates differences, and Making Light Bloom, Clara Driscoll and the Tiffany Lamps, where Nickel continues her mission to celebrate extraordinary individuals who have been nearly forgotten by history.
Nickel holds a master of fine arts in writing for children and young adults. She is the winner of a Christopher Award, the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators Crystal Kite Award, a finalist for the Golden Kite Award for Nonfiction for Younger Readers, a Junior Library Guild Gold Selection honoree and a Charlotte Huck Award Recommended Author.
Nickel will read her book, sign copies and answer questions during her visit to the bookstore on Oct. 15.
Copies of the picture book are available at Author’s Note, 519 Main St., Medina, or online at www.authorsnote.com/events. For those unable to attend, signed books can be ordered for pickup or free shipping at www.authorsnote.com. Contact Author’s Note at (585) 798-3642 for more information.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 8 October 2025 at 11:07 am
Donations have dropped significantly in recent years
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Kristina Ettinger, left, community services manager at Community Action, hands a Red Kettle to Jami Allport, executive director of the Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern. The two agencies will oversee the Red Kettle Drive in Orleans County this holiday season.
ALBION – Two agencies that serve Orleans and Genesee counties are combining their efforts to re-invent the annual Red Kettle drive in Orleans County through the Salvation Army.
The Red Kettle Campaign is a long-standing tradition which not only provides essential resources, such as food, clothing and emergency assistance, but also brings the community together in the spirit of giving, according to Jami Allport, executive director of Ministry of Concern.
This holiday season, the three organizations will work together to raise funds that directly support individuals and families in need throughout Orleans County.
Jami Allport, executive director of Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern, shows the stickers which will be affixed to anything supplied to the needy which was paid for with donations from Red Kettles.
“We have seen a drop in the amount of money being raised since COVID,” said Ann Vail, Service Extension Director of the USA Eastern Territory for the Salvation Army.
“We are excited to collaborate on this critical campaign that supports our community,” said Ryan Lasal, director of Community and Family Program Innovation/Chief Innovation Officer at Community Action of Orleans and Genesee.
“This year we are going to try something new,” said Jami Allport.
Ettinger is Community Services Manager with Community Action of Orleans.
“With our agencies and new ideas, we’re hoping to get donations up where they used to be,” Allport said.
In 2015, Red Kettle donations totaled $26,110, but dropped to $12,320 in 2023 and $6,720 last year.
Only three locations allow bell ringers in Orleans County – Walmart and Tops in Albion and Medina. This year, table top kettles will be utilized, Allport said. They will be placed in multiple strategic locations throughout Orleans County.
“We will be saturating Orleans County with Red Kettles as much as possible,” Allport said.
The Red Kettle Campaign will be a collaborative effort this year between Community Action and Ministry of Concern, Allport said.
“We are going reach out to schools, businesses and other agencies to compete with each other and make it fun,” Allport said. “We want to get youth and schools involved, including Scouts, sports teams and FFA clubs. We will urge schools to compete and make it fun by dressing in costumes or maybe singing as they man a kettle. COVID took a lot from everybody and we want to rebuild as much as we can.”
Allport and Ettinger stressed that all money donated in Orleans County stays in Orleans County. Monies are split between the two agencies to help their clients in need.
Bell ringers can start at Tops on Nov. 6 until Dec. 24, or at Walmart on Nov. 15 to Dec. 24.
Anything purchased for someone needy will have a Red Kettle sticker affixed to it to let the recipient know the money came from donations to the Red Kettle Campaign.
The new Pingo app offers customers trip planning, real-time bus information, and scheduling for microtransit pilot program.
ROCHESTER – Regional Transit Service (RTS) announced today that it has introduced a new mobile app that gives customers access to trip planning, real-time bus information, and ride scheduling for its new rural Microtransit pilot program that is launching in LeRoy on Oct. 13.
RTS customers in Genesee, Livingston, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne and Wyoming counties now have a new, easy way to ride RTS with the Pingo mobile app. With the Pingo app, customers will be able to plan and track their trips, and coming soon, they will be able to use the Pingo app to pay their fare.
Additionally, customers in these counties who will have access to RTS’ new microtransit pilot program – RTS Link – will also be able to use the Pingo app to schedule their rides.
Customers can get started by downloading the “Ride Pingo” app from the App Store or Google Play. RTS also has a Pingo app user guide available on its website at https://www.myrts.com/Pingo.
“We regularly ask our customers for feedback on our service and over the past few years, they told us they would benefit from improved investment in technology and the implementation of Microtransit in select areas,” said RTS CEO Miguel Velázquez. “The Pingo app will improve their overall experience with RTS and the implementation of RTS Link in LeRoy will offer the ability to get around town at night, which is among the most requested service improvements from customers in Genesee County. I thank our customers for their feedback and the RTS team for their work to make these important improvements a reality.”
Introducing RTS Link
On Monday, October 13, RTS is launching a new Microtransit pilot program in LeRoy called RTS Link. Provided by RTS Genesee, RTS Link is a ride-share service that will allow customers to schedule customized trips on ADA-accessible vehicles within the LeRoy service area. The pilot program will run for approximately 12 months and during this time, RTS Genesee will closely monitor the effectiveness of the program and then determine whether to extend the pilot, end the pilot, or launch RTS Link as a regular, on-going service. RTS plans to introduce RTS Link in other select markets starting in 2026. More information on those locations will be available as the launch dates near for those areas.
How it Works:
The RTS Link pilot program will operate within the LeRoy service area on weekdays from 6:00 – 9:30 p.m. Trips can only be scheduled the same day by calling RTS Genesee at (585) 343-3079 or by using the Pingo app. When a customer requests a trip, RTS Link will find the closest time available for service. If the trip is accepted, RTS Link will direct the customer to meet the vehicle at a virtual stop: a nearby, centralized pick-up point. RTS Link will drop off the customer at a virtual stop near their destination. These virtual stops are programmed to be no more than one quarter of a mile from a customer’s point of origin.
Customers in need of ADA accommodations will not be required to use virtual stops, as RTS Link will provide curb-to-curb service. These customers should be sure to let RTS Link know they require ADA accommodations when scheduling their trip.
RTS Link will launch with an introductory fare of $3 per trip for adults, and $1.50 for seniors, children 6-11, and people with disabilities. Starting in February 2026, fares will increase to $5 per trip for adults, and $2.50 for seniors, children 6-11, and people with disabilities. Veterans ride free with a Veterans Outreach Center-issued pass. Children 5 and under ride free; with a maximum of three children per fare-paying adult.
