Provided photo: Dr. Michael Weyrauch (left), Orleans/Niagara BOCES director of Career & Technical Education and Adult Education, congratulates Todd Eick on his award from the New York Association of Agricultural Educators.
Todd Eick, an Orleans/Niagara BOCES animal science teacher, was announced as the New York State winner of the Ideas Unlimited Award.
Eick, who works at the Niagara Career and Technical Education Center, was recognized during the June 2026 New York Association of Agricultural Educators (NYAAE) Conference at the Oswegatchie Education Center for his dedication, leadership, and commitment to agricultural education.
The annual conference celebrates excellence in agricultural education by recognizing teachers whose passion for student success, innovative instruction, and service to their schools and communities exemplify the highest standards of the profession.
The NYAAE says, “Through hard work, dedication to students, and an unwavering commitment to the school district and community, Mr. Eick has demonstrated the qualities of excellence that define outstanding agricultural educators.”
Eick, a former teacher and FFA advisor at Medina Central School, was recognized for the development a project he titles Threads of Agriculture – Weaving Global Agricultural Data into Fiber Art.
The weaving project is an interdisciplinary activity where students design and produce a circular loop scarf that represents and graphs agricultural data. Students collect authentic agricultural data, organize the information for data interpretation and then weave a finished agricultural product that also functions as a linear proportion color graph.
This project can engage students in a global agricultural understanding, fiber and textile production and data analysis – and it is a way to make the hot career skill of data science interesting in a way that can be difficult. Students report strong engagement because of their own decision making, hands-on production and personal research. Students of multiple learning styles find a place where their style is engaged and the project is aligned with standards and reinforces academic concepts in science, mathematics and art.
The NYAAE and Orleans/Niagara BOCES congratulate Eick on his well-deserved award and his continued contributions to agricultural education across New York State. This is the third time that he has won this award at the state level and he is also a previous winner at the national level.
His commitment to developing future leaders in agriculture strengthens local communities and inspires the next generation of agricultural professionals.
“I’m honored and humbled to be recognized by my peers in our professional state organization,” Eick said. “The other projects that were nominated were equally (if not more so) demanding of this recognition. I’m proud of this project, what it provides for the students, and is a great way to incorporate the fiber industry into our curriculum. It is also a wonderful introduction for students to global agriculture.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 31 August 2026 at 8:01 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: The Crosby’s in Gaines was selling regular unleaded gas for $4.41 a gallon on Sunday.
Gas prices jumped 8 cents in the past week in Orleans County from an average of $4.30 a gallon to $4.38, according to AAA.
The national average price for gas is at $4.08 today, which is down 2 cents in the past week. A year ago, the price was $3.19.
The New York State average is $4.21, up 5 cents from last Monday. A year ago, the NYS average was $3.18.
“For the first time ever, the national average gas price in August has been above $4 per gallon every day,” AAA said in a news release today. “This month is poised to set a new record as the most expensive August at the pump, surpassing the previous August record set in 2022. There’s been little movement on the crude oil front. Due to continued volatility in the Strait of Hormuz, crude oil prices remain elevated. This morning, oil prices range from $85 to $90 per barrel.
“Despite elevated fuel prices, Labor Day travel is expected to be strong with travelers taking advantage of the last long holiday weekend of the summer season.”
The average prices among Western New York counties includes:
Orleans, $4.303
Genesee, $4.179
Monroe, $4.205
Niagara, $4.201
Erie, $4.206
Wyoming, $4.252
Livingston, $4.271
Chautauqua, $4.275
Cattaraugus, $4.073
Allegany, $4.224
Hamilton County in the Adirondacks is the highest in the state at $4.671 a gallon, while Chemung has the lowest average at $4.073.
The national average for diesel prices is down a penny to $5.60. Last year at this time, the national average price was $3.70. The New York average for diesel fuel is $5.74, up 4 cents from last week, and up from $3.90 last year.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 August 2026 at 5:26 pm
Photos courtesy of Albion Central School: New Albion teachers stopped by Panek farms on Thursday.
ALBION – The group of new Albion teachers toured sites in the community on Thursday as part of their orientation.
Tim Archer, a retired teacher who led many community services projects with students, led the new teachers on a three-hour tour of the Albion community.
They visited Doug Farley, Bill Lattin and Collin Capurso at the Cobblestone Museum and its one-room schoolhouse, Kathy Harling (associate court attorney) at the Orleans County Courthouse, the Rev. Sue Thaine at the First Presbyterian Church, Harriet Greaser in her home (former Presbyterian Church manse), the Mt. Albion Cemetery Soldiers and Sailors Monument (Civil War memorial), and Jim and Kerry Panek at Panek Farms. New school board member Kaitlyn Panek was on hand to welcome the teachers.
Doug Farley, director of the Cobblestone Museum, shows the teachers a one-room schoolhouse that was built in 1849 and served the school district until 1952.
The teachers are shown inside the County Courthouse, a building constructed in 1858 that remains as the county’s main courts facility.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 August 2026 at 3:45 pm
‘All Native Nations need to stand united to vocally and forcefully reject this change. We are also calling on all federal, state and local representatives – regardless of political party – to stand with the Seneca Nation and oppose the President’s Executive Order.’
File photo by Tom Rivers: These sailboats race as the sun comes down on Lake Ontario on Aug. 12, 2021. Ten sailboats raced for 4 miles, having to change directions frequently. President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an executive order to rename the lake to “Lake America.”
The leader of the Seneca Nation says Donald Trump’s executive order on Thursday, renaming Lake Ontario to “Lake America,” shows “blatant disrespect” toward the Seneca people and all Indigenous people.
Provided photo: J.C. Seneca is president of the Seneca Nation.
J.C. Seneca, president of the Seneca Nation, said the executive order goes against the United States’ historic commitment to the Seneca people and other Haudenosaunee nations. The executive order is “starkly un-presidential and demeaning to his office,” Seneca said in released statement.
Trump made the order after trade negotiations fell apart with Canada. The president on Tuesday posted on social media that the United States was giving serious consideration to changing the name of Lake Ontario to “Lake America” because the US doesn’t “expect to doing much business with Ontario any longer.”
Canada pulled out of trade talks with the U.S. Trump announced 50 percent tariffs on $20 billion of Canadian goods. Canada then announced retaliatory tariffs.
Trump last year announced an executive order that gave the Gulf of Mexico a new name – the Gulf of America.
Trump’s executive order compels the Secretary of the Interior and the Board on Geographic Names to rename the body of water to “Lake America” and update federal databases to reflect the new name. Google Maps also made the change for U.S.-based users.
Gov. Kathy Hochul of New York, Canadian Prime Minister John Carney and other political leaders said the name will remain Lake Ontario.
J.C. Seneca said the Seneca Nation will always call it Lake Ontario. He issued the following statement:
“Lake Ontario derives its name from Indigenous roots. In our traditional Seneca language, its name is sga:nyodai:yoh, meaning ‘beautiful lake.’ Long before the United States existed, and before settlers brought the English language to our lands, our Seneca and Haudenosaunee ancestors traveled Lake Ontario and surrounding waterways for many reasons, including diplomacy among our nations. Now, we are seeing the exact opposite of diplomacy.
“The action that President Trump is taking is starkly un-presidential and demeaning to his office and his standing as the leader of the free world. His blatant disrespect toward the Seneca people, other Haudenosaunee nations, and all Indigenous people is unacceptable.
“The President cannot assert ownership over our culture or erase it through irresponsible political action. His order should be rescinded, and the name Lake Ontario should be left as it is, reflective of the Seneca people, other Haudenosaunee nations and all Indigenous people surrounding the lake.
“To us, Lake Ontario is not a political pawn. It does not separate the countries of the United States and Canada. It is all Indigenous land, which has been occupied by Indigenous people since time immemorial.
“In 1794, President George Washington and the Seneca and other Haudenosaunee nations signed the Treaty of Canandaigua, promising to live in peace and friendship with one another. The United States also promised our people the free use and enjoyment of our lands forever. President Trump’s aggression toward our culture with his Executive Order violates that peace, friendship and commitments of the Canandaigua treaty. This is the latest in a long history of willful attempts to disregard the United States’ commitments to the Seneca and other Haudenosaunee nations. President Trump needs to be reminded of those commitments.
“I would also remind the President of the tenets of the United States Constitution, where Article 6 clearly states that treaties are the ‘supreme Law of the Land,’ and need to always be honored as such.
“We will always call Lake Ontario by the name derived from the language of our ancestors – the name that, like the strength and influence of the Seneca people, will live on forever, long after the intrusive political tirades of individual men.
“All Native Nations need to stand united to vocally and forcefully reject this change. We are also calling on all federal, state and local representatives – regardless of political party – to stand with the Seneca Nation and oppose the President’s Executive Order.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 August 2026 at 9:16 am
Event continues today in Holley’s Canal Park
Photos by Tom Rivers
HOLLEY – Bart Dentino sings “I Wish I Was A Dinosaur” on Saturday at Holley’s Canal Park. Dentino was one of the featured performers at the Erie Canal Artisan Festival in Holley.
The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council organized the three-day event which started Friday and concludes today. Other performers on Saturday included Judd Sunshine, Damn the Flood and Paul Almeter.
Today’s schedule for musicians includes:
Bart Dentino Children’s Performance (10 to 11 a.m.)
Judd Sunshine Children’s Performance (11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.)
Bart Dentino Children’s Performance (1 to 2 p.m.)
Judd Sunshine Children’s Performance (2:30 to 3:15 p.m.)
The Strummerz (4 to 5 p.m.)
J. Lee Jewelry in Lockport is one of about 20 vendors at the festival. Gary and Sharon Melius have been working on the jewelry together the past 19 years.
They enjoyed the setting for the Holley show.
“It’s very homey,” Mrs. Melius said.
The vendors were set up along the path at Holley’s Canal Park.
Jodi Fisher, program director for GO Art!, said she was pleased to see more vendors as well as four food trucks for the event.
“It’s a beautiful location,” she said about the Holley site. “A lot of people don’t know about this park. It has shade and the paved walkway makes it accessible.”
GO Art! also wanted to highlight artisan vendors at the festival.
GO Art! distributed DoodleFace toy and wall art made by the Holley company that also makes Teacher Geek products. The DoodleFace products are available for free during the festival in Holley. Kids can color on the sets and them wipe them clean. They can be displayed easily on walls.
Helenna Ummen, in back at left, works for GO Art! as the creative administrations and communications coordinator.
Bart Dentino will be back today in kid-friendly concerts at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. The stage is next to the playground. Admission is free.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 August 2026 at 8:21 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Volunteers, including Brianna Stewart in front, get chicken barbecues dinner ready on Saturday during the first Cared by Koleson fundraiser.
Koleson Meakin’s family and friends put on the event near the Glenwood Lake boat launch as a fundraiser for the new Cared by Koleson foundation.
The event was a sellout with all 300 dinners sold. The chickens were cooked by Chiavetta’s.
Brady and Dominque Meakin started the foundation in honor of their son, Koleson, who passed away on Jan. 3 at age 4. Koleson lived with TPK1 Thiamine-Deficient Leigh Disease, a rare genetic condition.
The foundation will raise money for gift cards for DoorDash, Uber Eats and hospital café at children’s hospitals in Rochester and Buffalo for the families.
There were some leftover meals from Saturday’s even from people who paid ahead but didn’t pick up the meal. Brady and Dominique delivered those meals to the Ronald McDonald House in Rochester. They also shared the mission of their new foundation, and connected with a father of child with a serious illness.
“We cried on the way home. Not because we were sad, but because we are just so incredibly thankful. Thankful for everyone who is supporting us, believing in our mission, and helping us carry on Koleson’s legacy,” Dominique and Koleson posted on the Cared for Koleson Facebook page. “We miss him beyond words, but we know his light shines through us. How blessed are we to be his parents!”
Dominique Meakin chats with two of the event volunteers, Sara Page at left and Dominique’s mother, Jennifer Hughes, at right.
Brady Meakin, in back, gets a hug from a person picking up a dinner.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 August 2026 at 9:21 pm
Provided photos
ALBION – SUNY Brockport students were at Bullard park today sanding the pavilion and digging out weeds in the playground. They also raked up mulch and filled in sports around the park.
There were about 1,000 Brockport students working on projects around the Rochester region today for the university’s annual Saturday of Service.
Brockport wants to see students build community connections and a strong civic responsibility.
These students are pictured with John Grillo, Albion recreation director for the past 50 years.
Some Brockport students also worked on projects at the First Presbyterian Church of Albion. They helped with some painting and weeding around the church.
Students are shown in the sanctuary of the historic Albion church.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 August 2026 at 5:50 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
CLARENDON – Melissa Snider, left, embraces her sister Amanda this afternoon at a benefit for Amanda, who has stage 4 cancer with carcinoma sarcoma. Amanda also has Dandy Walker Syndrome which causes some mental disabilities. This photo was taken near the beginning to today’s benefit which goes until 6 p.m. at the Clarendon Rec Hall.
Melissa organized the benefit with lots of help from family and friends. Morgan Schaffer of Medina saw a promo on social media about the benefit about six weeks ago and she volunteered to help. Schaffer was able to recruit many of her softball buddies to serve in the kitchen and help with today’s benefit.
Melissa said the work on the benefit made her closer to family and friends, and also introduced her to many people.
“I’ve met a lot of amazing people,” she said. “It’s brought a lot of communities together.”
Eric Hackenberg, right, and his daughters Cara, left, and Kalleigh, in back, get 250 spaghetti dinners ready.
The meatballs are by the Bella Pasta Restaurant in Rochester with sauce by Fazool’s Italian Bistro in Rochester.
Hackenberg and his family volunteered to help after Morgan Schaffer helped with a fundraiser for some of their friends who lost their home from a fire in Holley.
Kalleigh Snell works in the kitchen along with Eric Hackenberg, Cara Hackenberg and Janelle Derisley in back left. Derisley said she worked with Amanda Snider when Derisley was with Lifetime Assistance.
“Amanda is a great girl,” Derisley said. “We love her.”
There were about 250 baskets and higher-end items up for raffle.
Proceeds from the benefit will go towards Amanda’s medical care and other bills.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 29 August 2026 at 11:46 am
Major art exhibition continues in village until Sept. 7
Photos by Tom Rivers: Evelyne Leblanc-Roberge created an exhibit “All the Hours” at Medina Memorial Hospital. It is staged entirely in decorative glass appendage that bridges the building and the outside world.
MEDINA – The Medina Triennial is winding down, with only two weekends left.
“People from 32 states have come so far, and so should you,” said Kari Conte, co-artistic director for the Triennial. “This has been an extraordinary summer for Medina, with the inaugural Medina Triennial transforming the village into a destination for contemporary art and welcoming visitors from 32 states.”
The Medina Triennial is heralded as a major success for the community, drawing national attention to Medina’s history, architecture, canal front, parks, public spaces and distinctive character.
Conte called the Medina Triennial a remarkable opportunity for Orleans County residents to experience an ambitious contemporary art exhibition in their own backyard.
Familiar local places seen through a new lens, Main Street, the canal front, Rotary Park, Medina Memorial Hospital, Medina Theater, the YMCA, State Street Park, Medina Railroad Museum, Sacred Heart Church and the historic Medina High School are highlighted with exhibits from 39 artists worldwide.
Special programming is planned from noon to 2 p.m. today of Leblanc Robarge’s hour-long film “As the Hour Turns Blue” at the Medina Triennial Hub, 234 Main St.
The Triennial says of the exhibit: “Like of piece of visual poetry broken into stanzas, the installation plays with the experiences of felt temporarily, becoming a gentle and deeply interior reflection on resilience, mourning and change.”
Also today, an artist-led tour of her newly-commissioned installation “All the Hours” will take place at 4 .p.m. at Medina Memorial Hospital. This is a site-responsive work shaped by the hospital’s rhythms of care and its importance as a place of wailing, resilience, mourning and change – experiences that touch nearly every local family. This will be a rare opportunity to walk through the installation with the artist and hear about the research and creative process behind a work made specifically for Medina.
A full schedule of events is planned for the closing weekend of the Medina Triennial Sept. 5-7 – the final opportunity to experience the full village-wide exhibits of “All That Sustains Us.”
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 29 August 2026 at 10:59 am
The Cobblestone Museum and Oak Orchard Lighthouse Museum are joining forces in a first-time event involving the community.
On Sept. 19, the two museums are sponsoring a Museum Odyssey Scavenger Hunt from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The idea for this collaboration was one of Chris Manaseri’s. He is president of the Oak Orchard Lighthouse Museum board.
“He approached Doug (Farley) and me to propose we try to co-host an event to coincide with International Museum Day on May 18 or Smithsonian Day on Sept. 17,” said Sue Bonafini, assistant director of the Cobblestone Museum Society and Museum. “Neither date fell on a Saturday, the best day of the week for both of our museums to attract visitors of all ages. “
They chose Sept. 19 for their joint venture, and keeping with the practice of other events, there will be no admission fee at either museum that day. However, donations of any amount will be gladly received.
Manaseri suggested the event include the name “Odyssey,” because of all the hype associated with the movie released this summer, and because of the definition of the word itself, Bonafini said.
Participants in the Scavenger Hunt tours will need to travel to the two museums to pick up their paperwork of scavenger hunt questions. They may begin at either location, and participation is by donation only.
After picking up their paperwork, participants will embark on a journey to learn the answers to questions, which must be correct to be eligible for a prize drawing at the end of the event. Four winners will receive prizes – two winners drawn from each museum. All participants will receive a free gift at the Cobblestone Museum, simply by choosing to take part in the special Scavenger Hunt Tour event.
Winners will be contacted by phone if they are not present when the drawings take place, Bonafini said.
All visitors who tour the Cobblestone Museum will receive a free coloring book with illustrations suitable for children or adults. Standard campus tours will be offered at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. as usual. Special tours of the National Historic Landmark cobblestone building will be offered each hour throughout the day.
A docent will be on duty at the Lighthouse Museum for tours throughout the event.
Anyone wishing more information may call (585) 589-9013 or visit the Cobblestone’s event page at CobblestoneMuseum.org.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 August 2026 at 8:22 am
Provided photos: Melissa Snider is shown with her sister Amanda Snider, on right side of the photos. There will be a benefit today for Amanda from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Clarendon Rec Hall.
CLARENDON – There will be a benefit today at the Clarendon Rec Hall for a young woman battling stage 4 carcinoma sarcoma.
Amanda Snider, 38, of Holley also has Dandy Walker Syndrome which causes some mental disabilities.
Her sister Melissa and their family and friends will have the benefit from 2 to 6 p.m. at 16169 East Lee Rd.
Melissa said she loves her sister very much and the benefit will help pay for Amanda’s medical care and other bills.
Amanda has had surgery to remove a nodule from her lung. Doctors are considering the next steps in her treatment.
“She is recovering very well,” her sister said.
Tickets for the spaghetti dinner are $17 at the door and include meatballs by the Bella Pasta Restaurant in Rochester and sauce by Fazool’s Italian Bistro in Rochester. Dinners will be served from 3 to 5 p.m.
There will also be a basket raffle, 50/50, music and other door prizes.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 August 2026 at 7:21 pm
Darrel Gray played for Albion and coached Adirondack modified football team
Darrel Gray, the modified football coach at Adirondack Central School District, is shown with his daughter Nora. They were both killed in a car accident on Thursday in Oneida County.
A 1992 Albion High School graduate and his daughter were killed in Oneida County on Thursday.
Darrel Gray and his daughter were in a head-on collision at about 7 a.m. with a fully loaded tractor trailer.
The two were on their way to swim practice. They are from West Leyden in Lewis County. The accident occurred in the town of Ava.
Gray was driving an SUV and crossed into the opposite lane, colliding with the tractor-trailer, the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office reported.
He and his daughter were both pronounced dead at the scene.
The two have both been very active members of the Adirondack school district, where Gray was the modified football coach and Nora was on the swim team.
Gray stayed connected with many of his Albion classmates and former teammates.
He is survived by his wife Marion and their son Mitchell.
Geno Allport, a local football coach, graduated with Gray in 1992 and played with him on the football team. They would see each other each spring at high school coaching conferences.
Gray was a long-time Seattle Seahawks fan and reveled in their recent Super Bowl victory. But Gray brought his family to Orchard park to see the Bills last Nov. 2. Buffalo won, 28-21, against their nemesis, the Kansas City Chiefs.
Gray was a long-time coach at the Adirondack school.
“He was coaching football for the right reasons,” Allport said. “He loved the kids. He was teaching them life. It wasn’t about the wins and losses.”
Allport said the death of Gray and his daughter is devastating for his friends in Albion, and especially for the Adirondack school community.
“He’s always been a great guy with a great family,” Allport said. “It’s just horrible news.”
Geno Allport, in back, reconnected during a Nov. 2 Buffalo Bills game with Darrel Gray, his wife Marion and their children, Mitchell and Nora.
Photos courtesy of Geno Allport: Darrel Gray, no. 48, warms up with the Albion football team during the Sectional final in 1991 when the team was edged 27-26 by Williamsville South at the former Rich Stadium. Gray was a receiver on the team. Geno Allport bought Gray’s old jersey from the school and sent it to Gray who was thrilled to put it on again.
Gray’s wife asks Albion community to share memories of her husband, daughter
In the wake of the heartbreaking loss of her husband, Darrel, and daughter, Nora, Marion Gray is asking the Albion community and anyone whose life was touched by them to share those memories.
Mrs. Gray has created an email for herself and their son Mitchell: CoachandNora@gmail.com.
“With everything being so overwhelming, and the way social media feeds can make messages difficult to find later, Marion is asking anyone who knew Darrel or Nora to please send stories, memories, funny moments, or anything special you remember about them,” said family friend Geno Allport of Albion.
“Her hope is to print these messages and create a book for herself and Mitchell, something they can turn to on the dark days to read about Mitchell’s dad and sister, remember the lives they touched, and hopefully find moments to smile, laugh, or cry together.”
Marion may not be able to respond to the emails, but she asks that you please include who you are and how you knew Darrel or Nora, Allport said.
Provided photos: Medina Mayor Debbie Padoleski and Logan Callara, owner of Logan’s Landscaping, try out two of the new benches at Butts Park that were donated by Logan’s Landscaping.
Press Release
MEDINA – Logan’s Landscaping has donated four new custom benches at the basketball courts at Butts Park.
The custom-made concrete give players, parents and visitors a new place to sit while enjoying the courts.
The benches feature a wood-grain finish and custom Logan’s Landscaping plaques. They were made to provide strong, long-lasting seating that can handle regular use and Western New York weather.
“Medina has supported my business from the beginning, so I wanted to give something back that people in the community could actually use,” said Logan Callara, owner of Logan’s Landscaping. “We’re really happy with how the benches turned out and proud to have them at the park.”
Logan’s Landscaping is a locally owned landscaping and property-maintenance company serving Medina and the surrounding communities.
Logan Callara assembles one of the new benches. He donated four at Butts Park.
