Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – A group of first responders was at Tim Hortons in Albion this morning decorating “Smile” cookies with frosting.

Personnel from Mercy Flight EMS, the Albion Police Department, Orleans County Sheriff’s Office and the State Police added the frosting on the chocolate chip cookies. Volunteers from Key Bank also helped this morning.

The are $2 and will be for sale today through May 4 with all of the proceeds going to Golisano Children’s Hospital in Rochester.

Will Francis, a sergeant with the Albion Police Department, gets ready to frost a cookie. Francis worked at the Tim Hortons back in 2012 before he joined the Albion PD.

Albion police officer Chris Glogowski bought some of the Smile cookies and passed them out from the drive-through window.

Eileen Banker, chief of staff for Assemblyman Steve Hawley and the former Albion mayor, joined her grandson Landon Williams in decorating cookies this morning. Landon, 13, spent 11 days at Golisano Children’s Hospital about a year ago after having a tumor removed from his spine. He has recovered and is back to playing hockey, and even scored a goal in his first game back about two weeks ago.

Joey Filippelli, co-owner of the two Tim Hortons in Orleans County, set up three games where people could win Tim Hortons gift cards. Here, Sheriff Chris Bourke guesses the number of Timbits in the container.

Filippelli appreciates the first responders coming in to help boost the sales of the cookies to benefit Children’s Hospital.

 Albion Village Trustee Tim McMurray tries to toss a Timbit in one of the cups to win a prize. The games were available in the morning today, and will be set up in medina tomorrow from 7 to 10 a.m.

These Mercy Flight staff members include, from left: Kara Bentley, Megan Amacher, John McCarthy, Matthew Reed, Ron Kingsbury, Kari Hagglund and Pam Cherry.

This group paused for a quick photo. First responders will be at the Tim Hortons in Medina on Tuesday from 7 to 10 a.m., helping to decorate the cookies. Will Francis of the Albion PD is at front left and Devon Pahuta, an investigator with the Sheriff’s Office, is at front right.

Press Release, Orleans County Youth Bureau

ALBION – The Orleans County Youth Bureau announced it has extended the deadline for nominations for its 43rd Annual Youth Recognition awards.

The purpose of these awards is to recognize those youth who have performed outstanding service for our community and/or have assumed an extraordinary role within their families by helping to support themselves.  The deadline is now Thursday, May 1.

“Many older adults often hold negative perceptions of today’s youth, when in fact, there are some young people doing some very extraordinary things in service of others,” said Jack Welch, chief administrative officer for Orleans County.  “Our youth awards want to shine the spotlight on these young men and women and let the community know of their great work.”

Anyone is welcome to nominate a candidate, but nominations from family members must be accompanied by a supporting recommendation from a non-family member. Nominees must reside in an Orleans County school district and be a minimum of 14 years of age and under the age of 21 before June 30th.

In addition to the youth recognition awards, the Youth Bureau is also accepting nominations for the Helen Brinsmaid Award, given to an Orleans County youth-serving professional, in a paid position, whose work surpasses normal expectations, and the Eileen Heye Adult Volunteer Recognition Award, presented to an adult who serves the youth of Orleans County in a volunteer setting.

“We also want to honor the wonderful adults who are really making a difference in working with our young people,” said Welch.  “Let’s not forget, they are mentoring those who will one day assume leadership roles in our community.”

All nomination forms can be found by clicking here.

For information about the awards, contact the Youth Bureau at 585-589-7053 or email OrleansCountyYouthBureau@OrleanscountyNY.gov.

Press Release, Lyndonville Lions Club

LYNDONVILLE – Members of the Lyndonville Lions Club once again carried out their annual vision screening program at the Lyndonville Elementary School on April 22.

The Lions Club offered visual screening and visual acuity checks to over 100 elementary students in the Lyndonville school district.  Sharon Smith, Lyndonville district superintendent and a Lions Club member, thanked the Lions for their continued efforts in this vision screening clinic.

She added that the detection of visual problems is critical in younger students to enhance future learning. Smith also stated that this program is free to the school, and for a large number of the students tested, this was their first formal vision exam. The club was assisted by members of the Medina Lions Club and the Lyndonville School “Leo’s Club” during this event.

The Lyndonville Lions carried out their 5th annual “Pop-Up Eye Clinic” on Saturday at the White Birch Golf Resort in Lyndonville. The free clinic found people waiting in line early Saturday morning as the clinic doors opened at 9 a.m.

The clinic supplies free eye examinations, Glaucoma screening and refraction eye exams to access one’s need for glasses to improve their vision. Those attendees who needed glasses were given an opportunity to select a free glass frame and the frames will be returned in a few weeks with new lenses in them.

The clinic served over 100 members of the Town of Yates and surrounding areas. The Lions Club of Lyndonville wants to thank the Olcott, Kenmore and Medina Lions Clubs for their volunteers who assisted during the eye clinic.

The Lyndonville Lions will be having their annual “Mother’s Day Rose Sale” May 9-10. One dozen, long stem red rose bouquets will be available for $20 for those who would like to honor their mothers on this special day. Flowers can be pre-ordered by calling Harold Suhr at 585-281-4646 or Lyndonville Central School at 585-765-3101.

Flowers can be picked up at the White Birch on May 9-10 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Walk up sales will be available while supplies last.

The Lions Club would like to thank all those who came to the vision clinic. They would like to wish all mothers a very Happy Mother’s Day.

MEDINA – Three visiting authors brought a slew of customers to Author’s Note on Saturday for celebration of Independent Book Store Day.

Customers lined up for signed copies of the latest books by Doogie Horner of Alfred, Mylisa Larsen of Sennett and Will Bardenwerper of Pittsburgh.

Since moving home from California with her husband Phil to purchase the book store, New York Times Best-Selling author Julie Berry has touted the benefits of an “indie” (independently-owned) book store.

“If you can’t visit one, order online from one,” Berry urges. “Post a photo or a graphic to your social media about your love for indie bookstores and why you choose them over more corporate options. Help people to understand, as you do, the true value we bring and why independent options are vital to a healthy book world and to healthy communities everywhere.”

(Left) Donald Fernberg of North Chili receives his copy of a book on the Batavia Muckdogs by author Will Bardenwerper. (Right) Carson Bale, 5, left, and his brother Mason, 8,  hold autographed books by author Doogie Horner during Independent Bookstore Day Saturday at Author’s Note in Medina.

One of the families who came to visit the authors was Andy and Ann-Fisher Bale of Medina with their sons, Mason, 8, and Carson, 5.

Both of her boys like to read, Ann said, and each went home with signed copies Horner’s Invisible Boy series.

Horner said this was his first visit to Medina and he was enjoying it. An artist, illustrator, graphic novelist and stand-up comedian from America’s Got Talent, Horner took part in an assembly on Friday at Wise Intermediate School, where he showed the students how to make comics.

Alina Patterson of Middleport, a fourth-grade teacher at Wise Intermediate School, was so impressed with Horner’s presentation Friday she brought her son Lee, 9, a third-grader at Roy-Hart Elementary School to meet the author.

Horner shared he is working on book number three in The Invisible Boy series about a young boy who has to move to a new school and is afraid.

Mylisa Larsen signs copies of her book, Quagmire Tiarello Couldn’t be Better, for Sophia Prahm, 11, of Medina and her friend Avery, 12, during a celebration of Independent Bookstore Day at Author’s Note.

Mylisa Larsen is a nationally-acclaimed author of middle grade and children’s fiction who is an especial local favorite, Berry said.

“Her visits a few years ago presenting Playing Through the Turnaround to local schools left her with a large fan base in the area,” Berry said. “So we are thrilled to welcome her back to sing copies of the acclaimed sequel Quagmire Tiarello Couldn’t be Better, along with her other titles.”

Sophia Prahn of Medina, 11, and her friend Avery T., 12, both said it was really exciting to read Larsen’s books.

“I feel audiences my age will really relate to her books,” Avery said.

Sophia added when she reads Larsen’s books she has a mix of feelings, but always something she can relate to.

Larsen, who has been writing since she was in fifth grade, said she loves Author’s Note Bookstore. She explained her contemporary fiction novels are for middle school grade readers. She said Playing Through the Turnaround is about six kids trying to save their jazz band, while Quagmire Tiarello Couldn’t be Better is about a kid whose mom is dealing with mental illness, and the trip they take across the United States to visit an uncle they’ve never seen before.

Author Doogie Horner presents an autographed copy of his latest book, The Invisible Boy, to Lee Patterson, while his mother Alina holds the first book in the series.

Will Bardenwerper’s book Homestand: Small Town Baseball and the Fight for the Soul of America is a nationally published title based on the story of the Batavia Muckdogs.

The book stems from an article Bardenwerper wrote about the elimination of a Minor League Appalachian League for Harper’s Magazine.

“Local author Bill Kauffman contacted me and reminded me of the situation here with the Muckdogs and invited me to come and talk baseball,” Bardenwerper said. “I came and he introduced me to the new team they started to replace a major team.”

One of the first customers in line for Bardenwerper’s book was Don Feinberg of Lyndonville. Fernberg graduated from Medina High School in 1962 and said no matter where you grew up, whether it was Batavia or some other small town, most of the communities had a baseball team.

His first connection to the Batavia Muckdogs was a number of years ago when he was living in the city and came to Lyndonville for the Fourth of July parade. He met two ladies there, one whose daughter had been invited to sing the National Anthem at a Muckdog’s game.

“I thought in 30 minutes I can be in Batavia,” Fernberg said.  “I can see the Muckdog’s game and hear her sing.”

Next to meet Bardenwerper were Todd Bensley and his wife Nicole of Medina.

“I’ve always been a baseball fan,” Bensley said. “Every kid I knew growing up would get out of school and walk to the local drug store to buy a 10-cent pack of baseball cards with gum in it. It was exciting to see a book about the Muckdogs. I have always been interested in baseball and small towns.”

In addition to the visit of the three authors, Author’s Note had special activities, giveaways, drawings, indie exclusives and goodies.

Books ordered online are always shipped free from Author’s Note.

Empire State Wrestling event benefitted East Shelby Vol. Fire Company

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Kenny Star, part of the Starburst tag team, enters the Medina High School gym and high fives fans on Saturday evening during the “Spring Smash 3,” which was attended by about 300 people.

Pro wrestlers battled for about 2 ½ hours in the event run by Empire State Wrestling. This was the third straight year ESW brought wrestlers to Medina in an event that was also a fundraiser for the East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company.

Tommy K “Buck Wild” gets ready to jump from the top rope and land on Cloudy during the opening match at Medina High School. Buck Wild won a grueling fight.

Empire State Wrestling first came to Orleans County in 2018 and used the Fairgrounds for the venue the first two years, before switching to Medina High School in 2023.

The group usually runs its events at RiverWorks in downtown Buffalo or the Frontier Fire Hall in Niagara Falls.

“We’re always looking to expand out,, said D.J. Jarka, one of the ESW promoters and also a referee.

Brennen the First, right, jumps up and gets a kick on Frank Feathers during a match won by Feathers, a long-time wrestler with ESW. Brennen the First is relatively new to the circuit.

There were many drop kicks, leaps from the top wire, and body slams during the wrestling event.

Eden Grey signals to some of the crowd members they are a “loser.” She played the villain in a title match against Christina Marie.

Christina Marie holds her belt after being victorious against Eden Grey.

Gavin Glass, a Medina grad, enters the gym for his match against the “Super Beast.” This match was called a “street fight” and the wrestlers whacked each other with chairs, keyboards and other props.

The Super Beast wore an Albion shirt and talked a lot of trash about Gavin Glass and Medina before their battle in the ring.

The crowd shows their disproval to the Super Beast, who at 365 pounds nearly doubled Glass’s weight.

Gavin Glass acknowledges the crowd after defeating the Super Beast in a hard-fought victory.

James Sayga catches “Red Hot” Vinnie Moon in a match where Sayga also took on Cal Keaton. Sayga, a powerful 265-pound wrestler, won to retain the Interstate championship.

Vince Valor, the ESW champion, fires up the crowd before his match against John McChesney. Valor won to keep the title.

Nick Ando flies off the top rope to slam into Matt McCoy in their match.

Matt McCoy acknowledges a fan after McCoy’s victory in the ring.

Photos and information courtesy of Friends of Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge

BASOM – In a cleanup sponsored by Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper, 35 volunteers braved the elements Saturday morning to pick up litter at Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge.

The Spring Sweep was part of the annual Great Lakes CleanUP, in which thousands across the Great Lakes region removed litter and collected data to protect waterways and other environmentally sensitive areas.

In all the group at the Iroquois refuge collected 41 contractor bags of trash and a few bulky items, including a tire. Some odd items found included an intact arrow and a lightbulb.

“Why someone threw a perfectly good lightbulb into the brush out here is anyone’s guess,” said Friends of Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge President Dick Moss, who participated in the cleanup.

The volunteers were led by refuge Ranger Emily Kelly, who instructed the group on safety tips before they went out scavenging for trash.

“I want to thank everyone who participated,” said Moss. “This is the kind of volunteer stewardship that helps the refuge to survive and thrive.

“I’d also like to make a pitch to all to please not litter,” he said, “And teach your children not to litter. The evidence suggests that there are a lot of people who don’t have the sense to not litter in a national refuge.”

And if you are using the refuge and see trash, please help out, and pick it up and properly dispose of it if you can. If you can’t pick it up, for whatever reason, please reach out to Moss at heron@finwr.org and let him know where there’s an issue. Please be as specific as possible about what the issue and location is, so we don’t have to go hunting for it.

“We were only out there for a few hours, so we only made a dent,” Moss said. “I have no doubt there is a lot more out there. This is a national property. It belongs to all of us. And it behooves all of us to do whatever we can to keep it clean.”

By Catherine Cooper, Orleans County Historian

“Illuminating Orleans” – Volume 5, No. 16

SHELBY – April 24-27 has been designated as National Historic Sign weekend. The Historic Marker Database site lists 143 signs in Orleans County. This sign is located on Salt Works Road in West Shelby. It was erected in 2014 through the efforts of Nicholas Culver.

An innocent man was found guilty of murder and was sentenced to death by electrocution. He bade a tearful farewell to his family and was escorted to Death Row. He narrowly avoided execution several times and was exonerated after three long years.

 The plot of a TV drama? Regrettably not, but an all too real nightmare endured by a Shelby family.

The reference, of course, is to the Charles F. Stielow case. He was convicted in Albion in 1915 of the murders of George Phelps and Margaret Woolcott in Shelby. An overwhelming combination of circumstances conspired against Stielow – prejudice against immigrants, unscrupulous investigators, a  “confession” obtained by coercion and threats, a charlatan “expert” witness.

A thorough account of this dramatic case may be found in the book “Slaughter on a Snowy Morn” written by Colin Evans and published in 2010. It is a book that never fails to elicit a passionate response from readers: the nightmarish sequence of events described, the familiarity of the setting, and the blatant corruption all contribute to its power.

Concluding a year of exploring aspects of Orleans County history in honor of the county’s Bicentennial, members of the Medina Tuesday Club met recently to discuss this book. One overlooked aspect – the actual cost of the trial – was referenced and seemed worthy of exploration.

In New York State, criminal prosecutions are county expenses, a fact that we rarely consider or just take for granted. In 1915, Orleans County was governed by a Board of Supervisors. A record of the Board’s meetings and decisions was published annually under the title “Proceedings of the Board of Supervisors.” A  primary source, these volumes form a core part of the Orleans County Dept. of History collection. The following material was sourced from the Proceedings for 1915, 1916 and 1917.

On Jan. 8, 1916, a committee appointed to tabulate the items of expense of the trial reported that the county had expended $12,649.97 at that point. The details of the expenses were listed:

• Automobile Hire: $131
• Barber: $11
• Board & Meals: $606.21
• Crier & Attendance Officers: $316.60
• Coroner: $93.05
• Coroner’s Physician: $64
• Death Watch: $18
• Detectives: $3,815.88
• Defendant’s Witnesses: $44.30
• Defendant’s Counsel: $1,379.19
• Expert Witnesses: $1,189.26
• Grand Jury: $438.70
• Grand Jury Witness: $438.70
• People’s Witnesses: $44.30
• Sheriff’s Expenses: $250
• Stenographer etc.: $1,763.40
• Trial jurors: $1,746.20
• Witness Allowance: $128

(Most likely, the Barber and Death Watch expenses occurred at Sing Sing on July 28, 1916, when Stielow came within hours of death. His head and legs were shaved in preparation for the attachment of electrodes. A Death Watch was maintained during what was expected to be his last night.)

On May 8, 1917, the Board of Supervisors approved $5,465.87 in payments to lawyers who acted as Counsel to the DA in the Stielow case: Thomas A. Kirby: $1,450, Frederic M. Thompson: $1,450, Harold A. Blake: $2,425 plus expenses of $140.87.

Additional expenses for $2,395.62 were submitted on January 18, 1917. Among these expenses were:

• George W. Newton, detective services: $648.09
• Byrne National Detective Bureau: $126.32
• Expert testimony and expenses: $582.04
• Automobile hire: $358.87
• Stenographer and typing: $264.84
• Photographer for DA, Patrick A. Grimes: $5.35

These expenses alone total $20,511.46 ($560,600 approx. in today’s cost). Additionally, on Jan.31, 1917, Gov. Whitman allocated a special appropriation of $25,000 for a reinvestigation of the case. Meanwhile, Stielow’s family, deprived of their breadwinner, were impoverished.

Charles F. Stielow was released, a free man, on May 9,1918. He received no compensation for his ordeal, nor did he seek it, he was just happy that it was over. He died at the age of 63 on Aug. 9, 1942 at his home on Church Street, Medina, having had some years to enjoy his favorite pastime – sitting on his front porch and smoking his pipe. He and his wife, Laura, are buried at the Pioneer Cemetery in Akron, NY.

Photos and information courtesy of Orleans County Sheriff’s Office

POINT BREEZE – Orleans County Sheriff Christopher Bourke reports that today at approximately 8:49 a.m., the Orleans County 911 Center received a report of a vessel in distress off the shore of Point Breeze.

The caller stated that a boat was observed shooting flares and appeared to be in distress. Deputies and members of the Orleans County Sheriff’s Marine Patrol were immediately dispatched to the area to assist.

Responding deputies located the vessel just west of Point Breeze. Sheriff’s personnel were able to make contact with the two male occupants and secure them safely. No injuries were reported.

The vessel was towed back to the Point Breeze boat launch by the Sheriff’s Marine Patrol Unit. Patrols assisted the occupants with the removal of the vessel out of the water.

The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office reminds all boaters to prioritize safety while on the water. The Sheriff’s Office offers free safety inspections for all vessels to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations. Boaters are encouraged to take advantage of this service and to always carry appropriate safety equipment, including flares, life jackets and communication devices.

The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy James DeFilipps, Lt. S. Fox, Sgt J. Ashbery and Deputy J. Barnum were assisted by NYS Encon Police on this incident.

Press Release, Assemblyman Steve Hawley

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) is calling out the Majority for its inability to present a finished state budget. The budget, which was due on April 1, is now over three weeks late with no end in sight.

Without a finalized proposal, local organizations such as school boards will have to prepare their own budgets without any idea of how much revenue they will be getting from the state.

“The delayed budget is a slap in the face to our local school districts courtesy of Gov. Hochul and the Majority in Albany,” said Hawley. “How can our school boards create their budgets if they don’t even know what funds they will be getting? This isn’t just a mild inconvenience. They are setting our schools up for failure. We need real leadership if we want to provide for our local school districts.”

What was supposed to be a time when the state Legislature was not scheduled to be in session has turned into a colossal waste of taxpayer funds. Currently, Gov. Hochul is costing taxpayers $40,000 per day in per diems and mileage to bring members back to Albany.

That’s nearly $300,000 that could have been avoided had the Majority presented a budget on time. Hawley has introduced a proposal that would prevent the governor from receiving a paycheck until the budget is passed. Currently, the same standard is applied to the state Legislature, and Hawley believes this should be the case for the governor as well.

“The fact that the governor can continue to hold up budget negotiations and still cash her paychecks is completely ridiculous,” said Hawley. “Working New Yorkers across this state understand that if you don’t do your job, you don’t get paid. We cannot continue to waste taxpayer dollars while making zero progress on the budget. There’s no reason why Gov. Hochul should not be held to the same standard as every other elected official in the Capitol.”

Photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Orleans County Legislator Fred Miller presents a proclamation on Tuesday to Office for the Aging leaders Melissa Blanar, left, the director; and Meghan Bevins, assistant director.

The County Legislature commemorated the OFA’s 50 years in Orleans County. The office opened in may 1975. It has expanded to 14 employees and now has its fourth director, Melissa Blanar. The OFA has grown through federal and state grants, legislators said.

Some of the services include home-delivered meals, congregate meals, nutrition counseling and education, health promotion and wellness, evidence-based interventions, respite and caregiver support, legal services, NY Connects information and referral, health insurance counseling and assistance programs, and transportation coordination for medical appointments.

The OFA also has many dedicated volunteers giving “countless hours” to support senior citizens.

“The Orleans County Legislature hereby recognizes and commends the Office for the Aging’s exceptional dedication and unwavering commitment over the past five decades,” the proclamation states. “Their tireless efforts have not only enriched the quality of life for countless individuals but have set an enduring standard of compassionate service.  As we celebrate this extraordinary milestone, we express our deepest gratitude for their invaluable contributions and congratulate them on 50 years of exemplary service to older adults.”

The OFA welcomes people 60 and older to the Spring Jubilee on May 16 to celebrate “Older American’s Month.”

Call the OFA at (585) 589-3191 for information and tickets.

National Grid is seeking to charge customers 20 percent more in a rate increase over the next three years, raising the average bill about $25 a month.

“We recognize that this proposal comes at a time when affordability is top-of-mind for our customers,” said Phil DeCicco, National Grid’s New York General Counsel. “We worked hard to strike a balance that prioritizes energy affordability and ensures grid resiliency — especially in light of the record number of damaging storms we’ve seen in upstate New York — while deferring other programs and initiatives that would add to our customers’ bills.”

National Grid said residential electricity customers using an average of 625 kilowatt-hours per month would see an estimated total monthly bill increase of $14.32 in the first year, $6.44 in the second year and $4.34 in year three.

Residential natural gas customers using an average of 78 therms per month would see an estimated total monthly bill increase of $7.66 in the first year, $8.08 in the second year and $9.18 in year three, National Grid said.

The rate increase plan goes to the Public Service Commission. National Grid would to implement the higher rates beginning in September.

 National Grid said highlights of the three-year proposal include:

• Critical investments to ensure the reliability and safe operation of the company’s energy delivery system that serves 2.3 million Upstate New York residential and business customers, including capital investments of $1.4 billion in the electricity delivery system and $351 million in the natural gas system in the first year.
• Enhanced system resiliency and reliability measures to manage and reduce the impact of frequent severe weather and enable continued strong storm response.
• More than $290 million in bill discounts for vulnerable Upstate New Yorkers, including approximately $72 million in the first year.
• Infrastructure investments to support economic development, connect clean energy, and enhance security.

“The joint proposal assures National Grid’s ability to maintain the overall reliability, resiliency, and cost-effectiveness of the energy systems that serve more than two million Upstate New York customers. It also offers new and targeted programs to better meet the needs of our customers and communities,” Decicco said. “We look forward to receiving additional feedback from our stakeholders during the upcoming public review process.”

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Middleport Community Choir director Ric Jones leads the choir during a rehearsal at the Middleport Community Church, in preparation for their annual spring concert May 4.

MIDDLEPORT – The Middleport Community Choir and the Middleport Bell Tones will celebrate the fading of winter, the spirit of spring and the promise of new beginnings at their annual spring concert, according to choir director Ric Jones of Medina.

The concert, titled “Arise: Songs of Spring and Renewal,” is scheduled at 4 p.m. May 4 at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 133 Telegraph Rd.

“This concert weaves together harmonies of hope, rebirth and the natural beauty that blossoms anew each year,” Jones said. “Featuring a diverse repertoire, our program reflects the many faces of renewal – the thawing of frozen earth, the return of birdsong and the quiet strength that comes with change and growth. Let the music stir your soul like the first warm breeze of the spring and celebrate with us the eternal rhythm of seasons turning.”

Some of the songs the choir will perform are “Like a River in my Soul,” “All Things Bright and Beautiful” and “This is my Father’s World.”

The Middleport Community Choir was formed in 1999 by the late Herb Koenig to sing with a brass ensemble which was visiting from Germany. They had such a good time and formed such strong camaraderie they decided to keep the choir going. Jones has been its director for 22 years.

Mark Christensen, one of the original members, said Jones is a great director.

“He brings out the best of the voices in the choir,” Christensen said.

Ric Jones of Medina, director of the Middleport Community Choir, and accompanist Debby Clark of Lockport wait for the choir to get seated to begin rehearsing for the upcoming concert “Arise! Songs of Spring and Renewal” May 4 at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Middleport.

Other original members are Carol Blumrick of Middleport, Kelly Eick of Medina and Joy Bohnet of Lyndonville. The Bell Tones director and choir accompanist Debby Clark has also been involved from the beginning.

“When Herb first founded the choir, I immediately joined, as I love singing,” Blumrick said. “I have been involved ever since. The thing I love most about being involved in the choir is the camaraderie with all the members. Some of us have traveled to Germany together and have diligently done fundraisers to keep the choir ‘afloat.’ We have members who may not be able to participate in every scheduled concert, but it is a testament to the group that folks keep returning for every concert they are able to perform in. All are made to feel welcome.”

“The Bell Choir has been a part of the Community Choir since the choir was established,” Blumrick said.

“They’ve packed up their bells and traveled to Germany with us when we went on tour there. Some of the Bell Choir members are also in the vocal choir, too, but having both groups allows for different talents to shine.”

Debby Clark has led the Bell Tones and accompanied the choir since its founding. She said it was started after someone donated a set of handbells to the United Methodist Church in Middleport. Currently there are positions for 11 ringers, but they average nine.

“When we are planning a concert, Ric gives me an idea of what the choir is planning to sing and I try to pick music that will complement his songs” Clark said. “I have to choose songs that use no more than three octaves.”

Two of the songs Clark chose for the upcoming concert are “Grace and Majesty” by Jason Krug and “The Peace of Christ” by Douglas Wagner.

The choirs rehearse separately – the Community Choir at the United Methodist Church and the handbells at the Lutheran Church – and then join for a final rehearsal the week before a concert.

Choir members come from Niagara, Orleans and Erie counties.

There is no admission charge to attend a concert, but a free will offering is accepted.

ALBION – Creating beautiful pictures and giving them away is nothing new to Carol Culhane.

A talented, self-taught artist, Culhane recently painted a poster to commemorate Orleans County’s 200th anniversary.

At the Orleans County Legislature’s monthly meeting on Tuesday, Culhane presented the poster to Legislative chair Lynne Johnson and vice chair Bill Eick.

“It was an honor to accept artist Carol Culhane’s tremendous painting in honor of the Orleans County bicentennial,” Johnson said. “It really is quite beautiful with stunning detail. We look forward to having it on display at the county administration building for the public to enjoy.”

This wasn’t the first time Culhane has donated one of her artworks to the county. In 1990 she painted a poster depicting historical aspects of Orleans County and donated the design to Orleans County Chamber of Commerce for a coverlet.

Culhane has been painting since she was seven years old and came home from school one day and painted her portrait from a wallet-size school picture on a piece of onionskin.

“I’ve had so many blessings in my life, helping people and touching their lives with my art,” she said.

Her first professional attempt was painting a sandwich board in the early 1970s for Charles Nesbitt when he decided to enter politics and ran for town councilman.

She has never had an art lesson, she said, yet she can paint portraits (even Elvis), landscapes or animals.

The late Capurso, who was president of the Orleans County Historical Association, had the idea for the poster. Capurso often spoke of how a pioneer lived on the Courthouse Square. He pushed to have a historical marker on the lawn in 2013 for William McAllister and his wife, who were Albion’s first settlers in 1811.

Culhane’s father was a decorated Rochester policeman, and her first husband, now deceased was a Vietnam veteran, as is her current husband, Jerry Culhane. This has resulted in her having tremendous respect for police officers, military people and the injured or ill.

She has painted signs for extra money and names on boats. She has created commemorative coins and painted vehicles for members of Ducks Unlimited. Designing and painting Wounded Warrior ornaments for patients at Walter Reed Hospital and traveling there to present them became a passion for a number of years. Twenty-seven years ago, she began buying, painting and donating ornaments to raise money for Hospice of Orleans County.

In Rochester, a memorial paying tribute to Rochester area veterans lost in Vietnam is lined with their portraits painted by Culhane.  She also has designed a Challenge commemorative coin for Lockheed Martin.

In spite of all the honors accorded her through the years, she is particularly proud of the poster she recently presented to the Orleans County Legislature. She explained the idea was the result of a meeting she attended in 2017 of the Orleans County Historical Association. Al Capurso was president and distributed his end-of-the-year annual report. On the cover was a simple image of a log cabin, dense forest, the Courthouse and the clerk’s building.

“He explained that before the county buildings were built there was just a cabin in the woods,” Culhane recalled. “After the meeting he approached me and said, ‘Some day I wish you could do a painting that shows the pioneer’s cabin to the present time.’”

Carol Culhane is hugged by Lynne Johnson after Culhane donated the painting to the county. It will be displayed in the County Administration Building.

In 2013, Capurso commissioned a historical marker for the courthouse lawn to commemorate the first settlers of Albion – pioneers William McAllister and his wife, who built the cabin in 1811, situated where the clerks’ building now stands. I kept his design all these years in hopes I would have the opportunity to recreate Al’s vision.”

Culhane explained Capurso was a kind and giving man who devoted his time and efforts to serve his community. Although he has passed away, his influence and love for history of this county lives on, she said.

Last fall Culhane learned there was a committee tasked with planning the county bicentennial.

“I thought this would be a great opportunity to share Al’s vision and finally fulfill his request,” Culhane said. “I presented the story to the committee and showed them the cover of the report. I suggested how fitting it would be to commemorate the bicentennial and Al’s legacy. The committee saw Al’s vision and agreed to allow me to do the painting.”

In creating the design, Culhane said it was obvious the majestic county courthouse and the fireproof clerk’s office would be perfect to spotlight the architecture displayed in many parts of our county. The cabin is the style built by the pioneers in the early 1800s, which includes the oxen. The animals were used by the settlers to pull their wagons as they traveled here to settle, and they were strong enough to use to build their cabins and work the land. The buildings are painted on a background of a streetscape of Albion in the mid 1800s, facing north.

Proceeds from the sale of prints of the painting will be donated to the Orleans County Historical Association to continue preserving the county’s history, Culhane said.

Culhane has 500 prints of the posters at 18 inches by 24 inches. They are $10 each. For more information about acquiring one, contact her at (585) 738-3016 or by email, cecjcculhane@gmail.com.