Heritage Hurricanes prove crowd favorites at competitions

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – A member of the Heritage Hurricanes waves a flag during Saturday’s Colorburst event at Medina High School, which included 25 winter guard teams from Western New York and Pennsylvania.

The Heritage Hurricanes are an all-abilities colorguard with members from Heritage Christian Services and other community members in the Rochester area.

Melissa Jaeger, front, directs the Hurricanes. She helped found the group in 2018. She works at Heritage as a day program manager.

“It gives them an opportunity to perform and create friendships in a different community,” she said.

Jaeger also is director of the Medina winterguard teams – the varsity, JV and a Colorguard Group with students in grades 3-6.

Jaeger lives in Rochester and drives to Medina three times a week to lead the school teams. Her brother, Matt Jaeger, is Medina’s high school band director.

Melissa Jaeger graduated from Medina in 2008. She said color guard teams help create friendships and bring people together.

“Winter guard is a fun a creative outlet,” Jaeger said. “It’s a way to stay and be active.”

The Heritage Hurricanes have 18 members. The group practices once a week. They perform in the exhibition class at Medina and also the North East Color Guard Circuit Championships, which will be April 6 at Gates-Chili.

Jaeger thanked Medina for welcoming the Hurricanes since the group started in 2018.

Heritage staff members and volunteers from the White Sabers Drum and Bugle Corps and other local winter guards assist the team at practice and during their performances.

The crowd gave the Hurricanes loud applause during the performance and at the conclusion.

Press Release, City of Batavia Police Department

Michael J. Elmore

BATAVIA – The City of Batavia Police Department has made two arrests following an investigation into the line-of-duty death of Genesee County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Thomas Sanfratello that occurred in the early morning hours of March 10 at the Batavia Downs.

Michael J. Elmore, 33, of Batavia is charged as follows: Aggravated Manslaughter 1st degree (Class B Felony), Aggravated Assault upon a Police Officer (Class B Felony), Burglary 2nd degree (Class C Felony).

It is alleged that Elmore intended to cause serious physical injury to Sgt. Sanfratello and Sgt. Sanfratello died as a result of the encounter. It is further alleged that Elmore remained unlawfully, left and then returned to the Batavia Downs after having been told to leave the premises and he did so with the intent to commit a crime therein.

Lyndsey Jean Wilcox

Lyndsey Jean Wilcox, 39, of Batavia is charged as follows: Burglary 2nd degree (Class C Felony), Attempted Assault 2nd (Class E Felony). It is alleged that Wilcox remained unlawfully in the Batavia Downs after having been told to leave with the intent to commit a crime therein. It is further alleged that Lyndsey Jean Wilcox attempted to commit the crime of Assault 2nd during the confrontation with Sgt. Sanfratello.

Both Elmore and Wilcox were held at Genesee County Jail and were arraigned by Judge Mileham in Centralized Arraignment Part (CAP) Court.

Elmore was held on $100,000 cash bail, $200,000 bond or $500,000 partially secured bond. Wilcox was held on $50,000 cash bail, $100,000 security bond or $200,000 partially secured bond. Both are to appear on March 12 in the Town of Batavia Court.

The City of Batavia Police Department was assisted by the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, Genesee County 911 Communications Center and the Genesee County District Attorney’s Office during this investigation.

Anyone with any further information is asked to contact the City of Batavia Detective Bureau at 585-345-6311 or by submitting a tip at www.bataviapolice.org.

We would like to thank all those that came forward with information to assist the investigation and those that assisted at the scene. We are asking that you keep the family and friends of Sgt. Sanfratello in your thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time.

Rogan and Aries available at PAWS, awaiting forever homes

Provided photos

ALBION – In collaboration with PAWS Animal Shelter, Albion Correctional Facility welcomed two rescue dogs, Rogan, and Aries, on Nov. 28.

Two teams of three incarcerated individuals then cared for and trained the dogs for approximately 12 weeks. They were under the support and supervision of community volunteer trainer, Dawn Spencer.

She is the owner of Eye of Oden K9 Training in Kent and has over 25 years of experience in dog training.

(Left) One of the incarcerated women is pictured with Rogan. (Right) Dawn Spencer is shown with Rogan and Aries.

Throughout the 12 weeks, the teams of incarcerated individuals served as handlers for the dogs.  Spencer visited the facility once a week to put the dogs through the AKC Canine Good Citizen Program. This training program consists of 10 skills that the dogs must be able to master and aims to train dogs the basics of good manners and obedience. Spencer instructed the incarcerated individuals on what skills to work on each week.

Rogan and Aries had a chance to show off the skills they have learned during graduation on March 4 and are both awaiting their forever homes.  If you are interested in adopting Rogan or Aries, applications are available at paws14411.com.

MEDINA – Loreli Ryan dances to “Maniac” with the Medina varsity winter guard team during Saturday’s “Colorburst” show at Medina High School.

There were 25 guard units competing at the event, up from 19 from a year ago at the Winter Guard Show in Medina. About 500 people attended the competition.

Medina winter guard members Madelyn Lewis, front, and Natalie Herbert slow down the action for a moment during Medina’s performance. Medina did a take on Dick Clark’s “American Bandstand” and is set to songs of the last several decades.

Caiden Class, a Medina senior, joined the winter guard and is depicting Dick Clark and at times playing his saxophone. MacKenzie Poynter is in front in blue.

Winter guard is a hybrid artform and sport that combines elements of music, dance, choreography and military-like precision in a competitive arena. Winter guard is touted for benefits for participants that include teamwork, fitness, timing, planning, responsibility, coordination, and goal-setting.

Medina competes in the SA class. Here are some photos of the teams in the RA, A1 and SA classes.

The team from Corry, Pa. performed a show called “Life at Sea.”

Gates Chili performed a show, “Illusions of the Eye.”

Members of the Jamestown winter guard performed “Paint It Black.” The began in bright yellow outfits and ended in all black.

The Jamestown team goes from yellow to black to signify a journey from a hapopy life to the dark side.

Hinsdale’s team tosses flags in the air and gets ready to catch them. Their show, “Dreams,” is designed around the dream of building a house with everything you’ve always wanted.

Orchard Park’s show of “Life Goes On” sends a message that it’s possible to move on from someone even if your heart refuses to let go.

Lancaster presented “If I Ran the Zoo” which takes the idea of a traditional zoo and reimagines it where there is no cognition and the animals run wild with juxtaposition.

Victor’s winter guard performed “The Vibrant City.” The scene is set in New Orleans.

Orleans County law enforcement agencies share condolences

Sgt. Thomas A. Sanfratello died in the line of duty at Batavia Downs.

BATAVIA – A sergeant with the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office suffered an apparent fatal heart attack after midnight during a physical altercation at Batavia Downs, the City of Batavia Police Department said in a press release this afternoon.

Thomas A. Sanfratello, a 32-year veteran of the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, was working a special assignment detail at the Batavia Downs while on duty.

Sanfratello, age 54, and casino security were notified about an altercation inside the facility. After an initial verbal confrontation inside the bar area, Sanfratello and Batavia Downs security began escorting two patrons – Michael J. Elmore, 33, and Lyndsey Jean Wilcox, 39 – out at the request of the Batavia Downs security staff, Batavia Police Chief Shawn Heubusch said in a press release.

Wilcox became physically combative with Sanfratello. He and Batavia Downs security staff gained control of Wilcox and placed her under arrest. However, Heubusch said Elmore became physically combative, attacking Sanfratello.

Batavia Downs security officers and civilians attempted to assist Sanfratello with taking Elmore into custody and a physical fight ensued. During the altercation, Sanfratello tried to user a Taser electronic control device on Elmore, but he continued to be combative, Heubusch said.

During the physical altercation, Sanfratello became unresponsive, and CPR was started immediately. Despite these life-saving efforts, Sanfratello was pronounced deceased by the Genesee County Coroner.

This is an on-going investigation, and police ask that anyone who may have witnessed this or has video of the incident to contact the City of Batavia Police Department Detective Bureau at 585-345-6311 or submit a tip at www.bataviapolice.org.

Law enforcement agencies in Orleans County are expressing their condolences on their social media pages.

From the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office: “Sheriff Bourke and the men and women of the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office send our thoughts and prayers to the men and women of the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, and the families and friends of those involved in this tragedy.”

From the Village of Albion, NY Police Department: “In this moment of heartache, we stand with the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office and all of those impacted by last night’s incident. 💙”

From the Village of Medina Police Department: “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the members of the GCSO as well as family and friends.”

UPDATE at 7:43 p.m.: Batavia Downs President and CEO Henry Wojtaszek issued this statement:

“The Batavia Downs Family is extremely saddened by the loss of Sergeant Sanfratello and send our very deepest condolences to his family.  We rarely have incidents at our facility in large part due to the incredible efforts of people like Sergeant Sanfratello.

“While words cannot express our sorrow, our thoughts and prayers are with the Sanfratello family and his extended first responder family.

“The safety of our guests and our dedicated staff is our highest priority and we will continue to work with our partners in law enforcement throughout their investigation.

“We are committed to assisting the Sanfratello family and the entire community through this difficult time.”

The National Weather Service in Buffalo has issued a wind advisory from 5 p.m. today until 2 p.m. on Monday.

The advisory includes Orleans, Niagara, Monroe, Wayne, Livingston, Ontario and Allegany counties.

There will be northwest winds from 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 50 mph.

“Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects,” the Weather Service said. “Tree limbs could be blown down and a few isolated power outages may result.”

Today’s high will be 37 degrees with an overnight low of 29, followed by highs of 43 on Monday, 56 on Tuesday and 63 on Wednesday.

Photos by Tom Rivers

RIDGEWAY – Art Doldan, owner of ArtyParty716, spins the wheel on Friday night during a meat raffle fundraiser for the Medina Rotary Club. Gary Lawton of the Rotary Club is at right in back.

Rotary held the event for the first time as a fundraiser to support community projects.

About 150 people attended the raffle at the Ridgeway Fire Hall.

The crowd holds up $2 to have a chance in one of the rounds. They would get four chances to win different meat products for those $2.

There were 12 rounds in all with chances to win chicken fingers, pickle chips, pizza logs, bacon, burgers, state fair sausage, strips, prime rib, pork chops, pork butt, chuck roast, ribeye steak, shrimp, poppers, stuffed chicken, boneless breast, turkey breast, surf/turf and wings.

Art Doldan pulls the 50/50 ticket in a bucket held by Stephanie Mason from the Rotary Club, and the lead organizer of the meat raffle. The 50/50 split was about $800.

Mason has been to other meat raffles and she said they are fun events, while raising money for a good cause.

The Rotary Club expected the event raised $3,000 to $5,000 last night for the club to give towards community causes.

Carl Tuohey and his son Jackson get the meat ready for the winners.

Art Doldan walks past baskets up for raffle. He said the meat raffles are soaring in popularity. He is based out of Williamsville. Last year he did 37 meat raffles from Jan. 1 to June 1. This year he is scheduled to have 65 in those five months.

The events raise an average of $6,000 to $8,000, and some top $20,000.

“These events have really blossomed,” he said. “People love it.”

Press Release, Orleans County Sheriff’s Office

ALBION – The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help to recover a trailer stolen Feb. 18.

At about 12 a.m. Feb. 18, someone driving a GMC or Chevrolet Silverado short box-style truck stole an 18-foot, double-axle, enclosed trailer (2024 U.S. Cargo with Maine registration 5288003) from Lake Shore Metal on Ridge Road in the town of Ridgeway.

The Sheriff’s Office said the trailer is custom-built for its purpose with a unique driver’s side door and frame around the wheels.

Anyone with information on this may call the county Sheriff’s Office Dispatch at 585-569-5527, Investigator Brian Marsceill at 585-590-4158 or the Sheriff Tipline at 585-283-4960 or at sherifftips@orleanscountyny.gov.

An anonymous tip may be completed via the Sheriff’s Office website (click here).

By Randy LeBaron

Good morning! Grab your favorite cup. Fill it up. And let’s start this day right… TOGETHER!!!

At the end of January 2012, right after my mother had been diagnosed as having a Glioblastoma tumor the size of a softball (aka terminal brain cancer), I received an invitation to grab coffee with Kevin Lemcke, someone who knew all too well what it was like to receive that same news, and ask him any questions I might have.

I took him up in his offer and was grateful for his compassion and insight as my family walked through some rough waters over the next few months until mom’s passing. I am thankful to have forged a friendship with Kevin and privileged to have been his pastor for a number of years when I was at Albion Free Methodist. I continue to minister beside Kevin these days on the Hands 4 Hope Street Ministry Truck and was grateful that we could grab coffee once again so that I could ask more questions and retell his story to you.

On March 7, 2000, just three days shy of his 30^th birthday, Kevin was living in Canandaigua with his wife when he started to feel dizzy and disoriented. After a couple hours he went to the ER where they did some testing only to discover that he had a brain tumor, later diagnosed as Glioblastoma. Just like that Kevin was taken by Mercy Flight to Rochester General Hospital with an initial prognosis of 24 hrs.

After those first 24 hours passed by, Kevin continued fighting as he had his first of what would be nine surgeries over the next 5 ½ years as well as starting chemo and radiation treatments. It was an uphill battle to be sure and not only on the physical front.

In the midst of his treatments his wife would file for divorce and so in 2002 Kevin moved to Florida where he worked full-time while continuing to get treatments, have more surgeries, and go through gamma knife procedures at Orlando Regional. When I asked Kevin how he could persevere through so much at that time, especially having to go through much of it alone, he stated, “I was too busy trying to survive to feel sorry for myself and I knew I would get through with God’s help.”

Kevin continued to hold onto that hope, based on a faith in Christ that had been instilled in him throughout his entire life, even when his doctors told him in 2005 that there was nothing more that they could do and that he should essentially get comfortable and spend what remaining time he had with his loved ones.

While keeping a positive attitude Kevin followed the doctors’ advice by retiring and moving home to Orleans County to be close to family. In the spirit of not giving up, Kevin continued to seek help through Roswell Park Medical Center and that is when his hope started to take shape.

For those not familiar with this type of brain cancer it is invasive and aggressive meaning that you cannot totally eradicate it with surgery but simply slow it down. Kevin’s case was no different as the cancer’s “fingers” reached into parts of his brain that would lose function if removed. However, where his tumor was located made a more aggressive treatment possible.

Having removed the majority of the tumor along with a small portion of his brain, Kevin was given a new lease on life. It did come with side effects, such as loss of peripheral vision on one side and narcosis in his joints. But after more treatments there were no more remnants of the cancer.

This particular type of cancer is never considered to be gone and even after 16 years his doctor has never even uttered the word “remission.” But checkup after checkup after checkup it has been good news. Kevin only needs to go for an MRI annually now which is pretty amazing! When I asked him what he would tell others who receive a difficult diagnosis he said, “Don’t ever give up because God’s got a plan we don’t even know about.”

For Kevin those plans ended up including much more than just an extension of life. In 2007 he started dating, and then 6 months later married, his wife Sheila. The blessings didn’t stop there though because, even after being told that because of all the treatments he had received they would never be able to have children, in 2010 their daughter Keira (aka Curly) was born.

In addition his girls, which he considers his two greatest blessings, Kevin has continued to pursue God’s purpose for his life. He has been Jack Burris’ right-hand man since the start of Hands 4 Hope Street Ministry, active in his church, and even went to Washington D.C. with me one year as part of Christian’s United for Israel.

His story almost came to an abrupt end when I fell asleep driving home after while on an 8 Lane Highway but that’s another story. The fact remains that not only did Kevin’s story not end with his initial 24-hour prognosis back in 2000 but continue on 24 years later as he continues to hold onto hope and help others find it whenever possible.

And if you are reading this on March 10, be sure to wish Kevin a very Happy Birthday!!!

See you in 2 weeks!

Pastor Randy

Pictured at the Carlton School in the Town of Carlton in 1926 include, front row, from left: Gordon Callard, Ellen Gibson, Loraine Whittier, Gertrude Donnelly, Clara Rice, Arthur Gibson and Frank Morrow. Back row: Teacher – Helen McGinn, and students Charles London, Fred Forder, Elaine Scarborough, ? Scarborough, Fred Flowers and Catherine Morrow. (Photo from the collection of Clara Rice Friday)

By Catherine Cooper, Orleans County Historian

Illuminating Orleans, Vol. 4, No. 10

CARLTON – Such a variety of expressions and body language in this one photograph! Young Gordon Callard, with his hands on his hips, was clearly not happy at that moment. Standing next to him, a shyly smiling Ellen Gibson companionably linked arms with her friend while Frank Morrow stood apart from the group.

We can tell that the photograph was taken in the winter as the children were wearing sweaters, high socks, and lace-up boots. The boys wore knickers, as those loose-fitting trousers gathered at the knee were called.

The three white blobs in the windows behind the group pinpoint the time of year more specifically. When enlarged, they turn out to be turkeys! We deduce that the photograph was taken shortly before Thanksgiving in 1926.

A search through the 1930 Census yielded some intriguing information about the backgrounds of these young students and also about Carlton’s immigration patterns.

Of the thirteen students photographed, two were born in England.

The Forder family of five immigrated from Norfolk, England in 1912. Fred Forder was then aged 3.

Fred Flowers’ father left Wisbech, Cambridgeshire and travelled on the Lusitania, and arrived on July 13, 1911. Fred, then an infant, travelled with his mother, Gertrude and three older siblings, and arrived on November 4, 1911.

Three students were children of recent English immigrants. Charles London’s father arrived in 1905. Arthur and Ellen Gibson’s parents immigrated from East Ruston, Norfolk in 1911.

Five students (Frank and Catherine Morrow, Loraine Whittier, and the Scarborough siblings) were of English descent.

When referring to Orleans County’s immigrant population, we immediately think of German, Irish, Italian and Polish people. However, a significant number of English immigrants also moved here. This group tends to be overlooked, possibly because they blended seamlessly as they did not have language barriers to overcome.

A quick survey of the 1930 Town of Carlton Census showed the following numbers of English immigrants:

1840-1900: 21

1900-1910: 28

1911-1920: 28

1920-1930: 5

Many of those who moved to Orleans County were from Norfolk.

Ironically, just one student fits the traditional immigrant profile. Clara Rice’s grandparents were officially German but were of Polish descent. Like a lot of Polish immigrants, they had come to Albion in the 1890s to work in the sandstone quarries. At the time this photograph was taken, Clara’s parents were sharecroppers in Carlton, saving to accumulate money to purchase their own farmland. The family later purchased their own dairy farm at the end of Oak Orchard Street in Albion.

The majority of the students remained in the area.

Gordon Callard served in the US Army from 1942-1945. He saw action in the Philippines and Okinawa and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart. He was an employee of the Orleans County Highway Department and later served as Highway Superintendent for the Town of Carlton.

Arthur Gibson also served in the US Army from 1942-1945. He was part of the D-Day invasion of Europe. Upon his return, he continued farming and also worked for US Gypsum in Oakfield for 25 years.

Charles London and Ellen Gibson married in 1934 and lived in Carlton.

Miss Helen MacGinn, the bashful looking teacher, then aged 25, was from Gaines. She pursued a life-long career as a public-school teacher in New York State.

This class photograph was recently donated to the Orleans County Dept. of History by the family of Clara Rice Friday. Thankfully, Clara, shown standing in the front row, provided the names of her classmates.

The Dept. of History collection contains Board Meeting minute books from several rural school districts as well as class photographs. Donations of these unique items are always welcome.

It’s almost time to turn the clocks ahead for Daylight Savings Time. The clocks officially spring forward at 2 a.m. tonight.

Local fire departments also urge people to replace smoke and carbon monoxide detector batteries, and families should discuss home emergency plans.

AAA warns that as Americans “spring forward” and set their clocks ahead one hour, they will be losing an hour of sleep. The change in daylight hours means motorists could experience drowsy driving and added distractions behind the wheel, AAA said.

AAA urged motorists to take precautions against drowsy driving and be alert for kids walking home from school or playing outside.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Julia Graham is SpongeBob SquarePants, center, while Annabella Dusharm is Patrick, left, and Sophia Kozody is Sandy Cheeks.

The trio sings, “Hero Is My Middle Name.” They are determined to save their town of Bikini Bottom, which faces annihilation.

The Albion Middle School drama program performed the show on Friday evening and will be back with shows at noon and 7 p.m. today in the middle school auditorium. Tickets are available at the door.

YoHanel Harris is Eugene H. Krabs who runs a very successful Krusty Krab restaurant that SpongeBob hopes to manage some day. Eugene H. Krabs is very focused on amassing a fortune.

Thailer Seibert is Perch Perkins, a reporter who provides updates about the impending doom of the town. He says a tremor caused by the nearby Mount Humongous will cause the volcano to soon erupt. The news throws the town into a panic.

Rianne Hand plays the role of evil villain Sheldon J. Plankton while Kendall Puruzzini is Sheldon’s sidekick, Karen Plankton. They have a scheme to hypnotize the town’s residents into liking the food they serve at their restaurant, the Chum Bucket. They are singing, “When The Going Gets Tough.”

Nate Wehling, left, and Arian Fazliu are rockers in the band, Electric Skates.

Sophia Kozody is Sandy who develops an ingenious bubble device, the Eruptor Interrupter. They plan to throw it inside the volcano and save the town. Sandy, a squirrel, has her ideas rejected by the town because she is a “land mammal.”

The characters celebrate the town’s survival from doom and destruction.

Provided photos

HOLLEY – The Holley school district is partnering with the Town of Murray, Village of Holley and property owners Lisa and Kevin Logsdon to display banners recognizing outstanding high school seniors in the classroom, the arts and on the athletic fields.

The top photo shows three banners in the inaugural honorees. The banners are displayed on a brick wall of Dustin’s Pizzeria on Geddes Street.

At the end of each marking period, Holley will recognize a Scholar Athlete, Scholar/Fine Arts and Scholar/Service. The criteria is fairly straightforward: an 85 and above average for the marking period and outstanding accomplishments during that time in athletics, fine arts and service.

“High school leaders and staff choose the recipients and our village and town will place banners of each selected student for all to see,” said Holley mayor Mark Bower. “Our future rests in our youth and it is a community’s role to acknowledge our students.”

MEDINA – Orleans Community Health has created a display in the lobby of Medina Memorial Hospital to honor women who have made a difference in someone’s life during observance of International Women’s Day today.

It was proposed that the display showcase inspirational women, and hospital employees and the public are invited to write down the name of a woman they admire and have it included on the display in the hospital lobby. Coordinating the effort in the hospital are Kristen Grose, human resource manager, and Andrea Weibel, patient accounting representative, who have distributed colored slips of paper throughout the hospital on which names may be written.

The idea sprung from last year’s recognition of the number of women in managerial roles at Orleans Community Health, said Scott Robinson, director of Marketing at Community Partners.

The hospital will accept submissions through the end of March, Grose said.

Anyone who wants to recognize a woman and can’t get into the hospital may e-mail the name to info@medinamemorial.org and they will put the name on a slip of paper, Robinson said.

“This is a great way to highlight those who have had an impact on our lives,” Robinson added.