By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 March 2024 at 10:07 am
The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council is seeking nominations to recognize artists and others who promote cultural activities in Genesee and Orleans counties.
GO Art! created the Genean award for GENesee and OrlEANs Counties, which “recognize a few of the amazing people and organizations we have within our counties,” GO Art! said.
The nomination deadline is April 5. GO Art! wants to recognize the following:
Organization of the Year – This award honors a not-for-profit or for-profit arts organization for its outstanding achievements in 2023. (Last year’s winner was Dance Reflections by Miss Heather in Albion.)
Individual Artist of the Year – This award honors an individual artist in any discipline for their achievements in 2023 or career-long body of work. (Last year’s winner was David Burke, a painter from Bergen.)
Arts and Culture Supporter of the Year – This award honors an individual or an organization outside of the arts and cultural sector for their work directly aiding in the arts and/or cultural sector during 2023. (Last year’s winner was the late James R. Owen of Batavia. GO Art!’s library is now named in his honor at Seymour Place in Batavia.)
For more information about the nominations, click here.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 March 2024 at 8:42 am
Provided photo
ALBION – The Albion Lions Club recently recognized some long-time members for reaching milestones with the club.
Pictured from left include Dr. Satya “Kash” Sahukar, 50 years as a Lion; Ron Albertson, 10 years; and Mary Janet Sahukar, 20 years. Chris Buongiorne, not pictured, also has reached 10 years with the local service club.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 March 2024 at 8:13 am
LOCKPORT – State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt will have a news conference today with highway leaders in Orleans and Niagara counties to express their concern over possible cuts in CHIPS funding from the state.
The governor’s budget proposed a $60 million decrease in CHIPS money for roads, bridges and culverts around the state.
Orleans County Commissioner of Public Works John Papponetti and Niagara County Commissioner of Public Works Garret Meal and several town highway superintendents from both counties will be at the news conference at 10 a.m. at the Town of Lockport Highway Garage.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 March 2024 at 9:50 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Natalie Herbert, left, and Gabriella Wilson perform with Caiden Class in back as part of the Medina varsity winter guard’s performance on Saturday at the Medina Junior-Senior High School gym.
Medina did a take on Dick Clark’s “American Bandstand” and is set to songs of the last several decades. Class depicts Dick Clark and at times played his saxophone.
There were 25 guard units competing at the event, up from 19 from a year ago at the Winter Guard Show in Medina with some in exhibition with no scores given. About 500 people attended the competition.
The scores were made available today from the show. The results include:
Hinsdale in Novice – not scored.
Cadet class – Greece in 1st place with 67.89; Victor in 2nd place at 65.85 ; Medina in 3rd with 59.95.
Regional A – Gates Chili in 1st with 71.35; Naples in 2nd at 67.82.
A1 class – Gates Chili in 1st with 74.29; Jamestown in 2nd with 68.76.
Scholastic A – Victor in 1st with 81.21; Orchard Park in 2nd with 76.69; Lancaster in 3rd at 74.99; and Medina in 4th with 70.09.
Independent A – Gates Chili in 1st with 86.32.
Senior class – Luminosa in 1st with 82.72; and Lakeside in 2nd with 69.05.
Victor took 1st in the Scholastic A class with a show entitled “The Vibrant City.” The scene is set in New Orleans.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 March 2024 at 3:30 pm
Students say story of rebellion in France inspired cast and crew ‘to stand up for what you believe in’
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Jackson McGrath portrays Enjolras, a young revolutionary, in Medina’s production of Les Misérables, a story of the 1832 June Rebellion in France. Enjolras is the leader of the student revolutionaries.
Medina will perform the musical at 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. on Sunday at the Medina Junior-Senior High School.
Arianna Lake plays the role of Éponine, the daughter of the Thénardiers (right), who is played by Caiden Class. Éponine becomes a ragged street waif and a thief like her father. She secretly loves Marius, one of the revolutionary leaders.
The revolutionaries prepare themselves for battle. “One Day More” is the eve of the rebellion.
Alex Balaban, far right, plays the role of Marius, one of the leaders of the fight.
There are 70 students in the cast and crew, from grades 7 to 12. This is Medina’s second musical production since bringing the program back to Medina after a shared program with Lyndonville for about a decade.
Rachel Trillizio and Anna Ferlito are directors of the show for Medina. They wanted to build on the success of last year’s musical, “Little Mermaid.”
They said Les Misérables is demanding musically and emotionally.
“We decided to go all out for this show,” Trillizio said during a break in a rehearsal this week. “We are proud of the legacy the students are creating.”
Students auditioned for the roles in November with three rehearsals in December to help get younger students acclimated to the demands of this show, Trillizio said.
(Left) Elaina Huntington plays the role of Madame Thenardier, and helps her husband run an inn. She is complicit in most of her husband’s crimes and schemes. (Right) Logan Trillizio plays the role Jean Valjean, prisoner 24601. He is taunted by Javert, a prison guard played by Ryder Jones.
Logan Trillizio as Jean Valjean is finally released after 19 years of imprisonment for stealing a loaf of bread. But he breaks parole, changes his identity and constantly is hunted by Javert.
Ryder Jones in the role of Inspector Javert said his character of the policeman is duty-bound to enforce the law, but it becomes more complicated when he sees Valjean may be a good man, and not just a common thief.
“He is conflicted because just because (Valjean) broke the law that doesn’t make him a bad guy,” said Jones, a junior in his first musical.
The cast in inspired by the message of the musical, of the young revolutionaries risking their lives.
“This is about standing up for what you believe in,” Jones said.
Elaina Huntington, a senior, agrees the message has resonated with the students.
“This is a very heavy show,” she said. “Are you willing to die for your beliefs? Are you willing to stand up for what you believe in?”
Alex Balaban plays the role of Marius and Madelyn Lewis is Cosette.
They feel their newfound love slipping away. Marius decides to join his friends in the rebellion.
Courtesy of Photos by Bruce: The cast is shown on the set of Les Misérables.
Photo by Tom Rivers: The Orleans County Courthouse dome will illuminated in blue and yellow in this photo from March 18, 2022 in a show of support for the Ukrainian people who have been under attack since Russia invaded the country on Feb. 24.
Press Release, Orleans County Legislature
ALBION – The dome of the Orleans County Courthouse will be illuminated blue in memory of Genesee County Sheriff’s Sgt. Thomas Sanfratello, who died in the line of duty early Sunday morning during an incident at Batavia Downs.
“All of us mourn the death of Sgt. Sanfratello and this is our community’s way of recognizing his bravery and commitment to public safety during his 32 years of service,” said County Legislator Merle “Skip” Draper, Chairman of the Public Safety Committee.
The dome will be illuminated blue for one week, beginning tonight. Sgt. Sanfratello’s funeral will be held 11 a.m. Saturday at the Call Arena at Genesee Community College.
“We send our deepest condolences to his family and to all his fellow law enforcement officials, especially those in the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, who are devastated by the loss of their colleague,” said Lynne Johnson, Chairman of the Orleans County Legislature.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 March 2024 at 1:13 pm
KENDALL – The Kendall carnival will be back in July, but the event won’t have amusement rides.
Organizers of the event announced that a ride company wouldn’t commit to the carnival this year. The Kendall Fire Department is reducing the event from three days to two days, and this year it will be advertised as field days.
“Our Carnival will look different this year,” the department announced on Facebook. “Unfortunately due to circumstances out of our control as of right now we will not have rides at our carnival. We will be changing the name to field days and going to a two day event July 12th and 13th.”
Kendall is the last fire department in Orleans County that does a carnival. Fire department officials said they contacted several ride companies but none were able to commit to the event in Kendall.
Many of the other events will be back including a firemen’s parade on July 12 at 7 p.m. and beer tent that night from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
There will be a tractor pull, cornhole tournament, chicken barbecue, cruise-in and fireworks on July 13.
The department also announced the bands for the event:
Highway 31 on Friday, July 12, from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Begging Angels on Saturday, July 13 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Shotgun Pauly on Saturday, July 13 from 9 p.m. to 1a.m.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 March 2024 at 12:16 pm
ALBION – The Albion Village Board is making a formal request to the Orleans County Legislature to make up the loss in property taxes for the village after the county acquired three properties in the village last year.
The board on Wednesday evening passed a resolution, calling on the County Legislature to make up the loss of at least $11,000 in property tax revenue for the village through a PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes).
The properties won’t come off the tax rolls until next spring when the village sends out its tax bills.
In September the County Legislature approved spending $250,000 for the former Bank of America site at 156 S. Main St. It will become the treasurer’s office. That building has a drive-through and is more easily accessible than the current office on East Park Street, county officials said.
The bank is assessed for $125,000, which accounted for $2,391.25 in village taxes in 2023-24, with a village tax rate of $19.13 per $1,000 of assessed property.
The county in October approved buying the former GCC building at 456 West Ave. Orleans paid $975,000 for the building owned by Herring Enterprises of Holley. The county intends to move the district attorney’s office and probation department from the Public Safety Building to the GCC site. The Public Safety Building will be reconfigured with more space to be used by the Sheriff’s Office.
The GCC site is assessed for $450,000. That building generated $8,608.50 in village property taxes in 2023-24 with the village tax rate at $19.13 per $1,000 of assessed property.
The Legislature also agreed to pay James Herring Sr. $500,000 for 25.7 acres of vacant land adjacent to the site with a lot off Allen Road. That vacant land is assessed at $23,900.
The Village Board is asking for a PILOT agreement in perpetuity with 3.5 percent annual increases.
Mayor Angel Javier Jr. said he would like the resolution to the Legislature be part of a larger discussion about the county sharing revenues with the village.
The board didn’t state whether the PILOT should be based off the assessed value of the properties or the sale prices.
The board discussed whether the request to the county should be in a letter or a formal resolution. The board chose a resolution, “because a resolution is stronger than a letter,” said Deputy Mayor Joyce Riley.
Village officials found a similar resolution the board made more than a decade ago when the Albion school district bought farmland from Dragan Farms, taking some property off the village tax rolls. The school district declined to make up the loss in tax revenue to the village, Village Board members said on Wednesday.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 14 March 2024 at 9:27 am
Provided photos: David A. Harris holds the seal made at the Orleans/Niagara BOCES in Medina for his promotion to 3-Star General at Bolling Air Force Base. With him, from left, are Mark Traxler of Medina, VFW Quartermaster Mike Mowvzarczak, VFW Commander Pat Little, Harris’ great-uncle Jim Freas and Dan Anderson, former commander of the VFW, who met Harris when they served together in Germany.
MEDINA – Jim Freas is proud of his family’s military service.
Freas is a Marine who served two tours in Vietnam. His younger brother Jim was also in the Marines and an older brother served in the Army during World War II.
Now Jim has more reason to be proud.
Jim Freas posted this message on the sign in front of Medina’s VFW Lincoln Post 1483, celebrating his great-nephew David A. Harris Jr.’s promotion to 3-Star General. Harris is a member of the local VFW.
His great-nephew David A. Harris has recently been promoted to 3-Star General in the Air Force in ceremonies at Bolling Air Force Base.
Although Harris grew up outside of Philadelphia and now lives on Bolling Air Force Base with his wife Ashley, he has ties to Medina. While visiting Jim and Lynn Freas several years ago, Jim said Harris fell in love with the place and joined the Lincoln VFW Post. He is also friends with Dan Anderson, who he met while serving in Germany.
Harris has had an illustrious career in the Air Force, most recently as lieutenant general deputy chief of staff, Air Force Futures, Headquarters, United States Air Force, the Pentagon.
He is a master navigator and basic parachutist with 2,500 flying hours. Among many, many impressive assignments, he has served as vice superintendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs; deputy director of operations for Joint Special Operations Command at Fort Bragg, N.C.; and director of Strategic Plans, Programs and Requirements for Air Force Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field, Florida.
Prior to his current position, Harris was the deputy commander, Ninth Air Force, and deputy, Combined Air Component Commander, U.S. Central Command, Southwest Asia.
Harris’ major awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross with valor device, Bronze Star medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster and Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters.
Attending his promotion to 3-Star General was Jim and Lynn Freas, Dan and Diana Anderson, Pat Little, Scott Little, Mike Mowvzarczak and Mark Traxler, all members of the local VFW.
Making the ceremony even more special was the fact Harris held a large metal seal of the United States Air Force, which was made for him by students at the Orleans/Niagara BOCES in Medina. Jim’s granddaughter is a member of BOCES’ welding class.
Jim said Harris and his wife visit Medina two or three times a year, and he expects their next visit to be in April.
Jim Freas and his wife Lynn of Medina attended the promotion of Jim’s great-nephew to 3-Star General in February at Bolling Air Force Base. From left are Freas, Gen. David A. Harris Jr., Lynn Freas and Harris’ wife Ashley.
MEDINA – Families interested in applying for Medina’s universal prekindergarten program are invited to an information night today from 5:30-6:45 p.m. at Oak Orchard Primary School.
Childcare will also be provided for children eligible for UPK next year and older. Information will be shared regarding the UPK program and procedures, registration, screening, classroom tours, and accessing county wide support for children.
To be eligible for UPK, children must be 4 years old by December 1, 2024.
ALBION – In recognition of National Sunshine Week, Orleans County Legislature Chairman Lynne Johnson reminded residents of some of the ways they can access information related to county government.
Sunshine Week is being celebrated this week, in concurrence with National Freedom of Information Day on March 16, to highlight the importance of open, transparent government.
“As a county Legislature, we pride ourselves in trying to make government open to our residents and encouraging their active participation,” Johnson said. “We also want to bring government to you through livestreaming our meetings and posting more information to social media.”
With that in mind, Johnson provided some useful links from Orleans County government.
Click here to file a Freedom of Information request.
Click here to access information about the Legislature, including agendas, meeting schedule, public hearing notices and a video archive of previous meetings.
Click here to learn more and sign up for TextMyGov, where you can report issues, receive county notifications and access other information.
“Technology has certainly opened up many paths for government to make information available to the public, but for those of us who prefer the traditional way to reach out, I remind you that you can contact any county department through our main phone number at 585-589-7000,” Johnson said.
Mallory Kozody, left, and MacKenzie Fiorito will represent Orleans County at the Empire Girls State program.
Two high school juniors in Orleans County have been selected for the Empire Gurls State program from June 30 to July 6 at SUNY Brockport.
Mallory Kozody of Albion and MacKenzie Fiorito of Holley have been picked for the program, which is run by the American Legion Auxiliary. Anna Hess from Lyndonville has been named an alternate.
Classified as an “Action Program,” Empire Girls State focuses on providing students with the opportunity to participate in hands-on workshops highlighting the process of government, running campaigns, writing bills and other political activities.
As part of the program, participants become citizens of a fictional 51st state where they are in charge of building and establishing their own government.
According to the American Legion Auxiliary, the program “endeavors in one week to instruct the young women attending about the privileges of the vote, how political parties are formed and how leaders are chosen and elected to fill the various offices – it serves to instill in them the duties, privileges, rights and responsibilities of the American Citizenship as they actually participate in the process.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 March 2024 at 3:14 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Some of the Albion Rotary Club members work on the cole slaw this morning for tomorrow’s St. Patrick’s Ham Dinner.
Alex Krebs, the event chairwoman, is in front. Others in back from left include Richard Remley, Don Bishop (far back), Doug Farley and Bruce Landis.
The Rotary Club and Rotary Interact students will be serving the dinners from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday at the First Presbyterian Church of Albion, 29 East State St.
The Rotary Club and Rotary Interact students expect to serve about 300 dinners with ham, cole slaw, potatoes, rolls and dessert.
The meals are available by drive-through, take-out and dine-in. The cost is $15 per dinner. Most of the proceeds from the event will go towards an Rotary Interact project supporting students in Malawi.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 March 2024 at 2:30 pm
Photo courtesy of Tim Archer, Albion Interact Club advisor
ROCHESTER – Albion High School Interact Club students spent the day at East High School in inner city Rochester today as part of a “cultural exchange.”
The students learned about life in their respective rural and urban schools. East High students will come to Albion next fall to experience life “in farm country.”
Interact advisor Tim Archer said it was an enriching experience for both students and staff. This is the seventh year the two schools have participated in the exchange.
