ALBION – Albion eight grade social studies enrichment class students enjoyed a full morning Friday with Village of Albion Historian Sue Starkweather-Miller at Mt. Albion Cemetery. They learned about many notable personalities and intriguing local history stories as they walked the beautiful grounds with its dazzling fall colors on full display.
They heard tales of politicians, soldiers, artists, judges, children, and merchants – along with personal catastrophes and triumphs.
The day started with a visit inside the chapel and ended with a climb up the historic Soldiers and Sailors Monument, a Civil War Memorial.
Seated from left include Jessie Moore, Shade Downey, Aubrielle Barry and Anna Gillette;
Standing include teacher David Skrip, Omer Fugate, Anakin Bowman, Brayden Lindke, Tyler Sullivan, and Sue Starkweather-Miller.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 28 October 2023 at 6:39 pm
MEDINA – With October being celebrated across the nation as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Orleans Community Health is taking advantage of the time to recognize the dedicated staff in their radiology department and to promote mammography and breast cancer awareness.
Erica Chutko, director of radiology, has been employed at Medina Memorial Hospital for 30 years. She started as a student technician and has now been director for more than 10 years.
X-ray technician Stephanie Aquilina has been there 20 years, more than 14 of them in radiology.
Chutko said their state-of-the-art mammography machine installed three years ago has made a big difference in catching early signs of breast cancer, with its 3-D capability.
“Since we have been using that technology, the numbers of women getting a mammography have been going up, and the numbers always go up in October,” she said.
She said the X-ray department never closes.
“We are always here for our patients,” Chutko said.
She added there is no age limit to stop having a mammogram.
Chutko and Aquilina pointed out pink wreaths on the wall, a bouquet of pink flowers and stones with breast cancer themes, painted pink by a local woman who is a former patient.
“Each year she came in for a mammogram, she brought me a painted rock,” Chutko said. “Now she brings in a whole bag full. She hides them all over the county, urging people who find them to go hide them somewhere else. This is her way of promoting breast cancer awareness.”
Women who have no insurance or are underinsured are reminded a mammogram can be free, through Cancer Services of Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming. That is where funds from the For Women Only event go, said Scott Robinson, director of market, communication and outreach at Orleans Community Health.
OCH makes a practice of recognizing its dedicated employees in all its departments.
Recently, the hospital celebrated its housekeeping staff during Environmental Services Week, a national week which honors workers in the housekeeping departments who keep their facilities clean and safe for patients, staff and visitors.
“These people keep our rooms and buildings sanitary and we want to make sure people realize, internally and externally, they are unsung heroes,” Robinson said. “They are the one department which truly sees every single aspect of our buildings. They are everywhere.”
This also includes Orleans Community Health’s for other locations – Albion’s walk-in clinic, the Middleport lab and dialysis centers in Medina and Batavia.
Sue Birch is director of the Environmental Services staff of 17. The employees are trained in different areas, so if one is sick, someone else can fill in, Birch said.
Ed Schutt has been on the job for 28 years and loves his work.
“I was working in Brockport and wanted a job closer to home, so I put my name in here and they hired me,” he said.
His duties are to collect waste and linens. He also sweeps the parking lot and does anything that’s needed, Birch said.
Like the X-ray Department, Birch said their Housekeeping Department is very family oriented.
Kay Ward’s duties are to clean patient rooms, dining areas and nurses’ stations. Like Brenda Potter, who cleans the emergency room, she loves her job.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 October 2023 at 12:07 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
HOLLEY – Kids wore costumes this morning in a parade around the Public Square for candy. It was the kickoff of today’s Fall “Hallow” Fest in the village.
There are activities throughout the day. There are many vendors at the canal park as well as games – balloon darts, football toss, apple launcher and ring toss.
The library will host games and stories from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be music by Don Newcomb from noon to 2 p.m.
Ray Santoro will sign copies of his book, “Haunted Holley,” from noon to 3 p.m.
There will also be hot chocolate and other goodies throughout the day. St. Mary’s Catholic Church will host a trunk or treat beginning at 5:30 p.m. The event is capped by “spooky stories” at 8:30 p.m. at the old village office in the Public Square.
Raymond Santoro signs a copy of his new 144-page book, “Haunted Holley.” He is shown inside the Murray-Holley Historical Society.
Jason R., right, of Retro World Toys and Mark Scarborough hand out candy during the parade around the Public Square this morning. Jason R. said he expects to open Retro World Toys in about six weeks in the Public Square.
Jessica Weit of Holley takes her children in the parade where there were several stops. Her kids include Amelia as Sky from Paw Patrol, Robbie as Big Foot and Andy as a giraffe.
Bill Moroz hands out candy to Teagan, who is dressed as Scooby Doo while joined by her grandparents, Tolanda and Dan Kronfield.
Joseph Caruna is a Teenage Ninja Mutant Turtle and his friend Brayden Adams is wearing the Scream costume. They led the parade of kids seeking candy.
Press release and photos courtesy of Medina Central School
MEDINA – Scarlett Guild, Caitlyn Lewis and Scarlett Hosey hold pumpkins in a pumpkin [atch at Oak Orchard Primary School on Friday.
Some dedicated Medina school district staff were up very early Friday morning, setting up a pumpkin patch at the school.
Staff were out before school started, setting up the pumpkin patch.
Principal Jennifer Stearns and her volunteers spent a rainy morning decorating the lawn with pumpkins that were purchased from Student Activity fundraisers.
“We wanted to make it a fun day for our students in UPK through second grade,” she said. “The students had a great time choosing their pumpkin with their classmates. Everyone was able to bring home their pumpkin and some stickers to decorate them.”
Ginerva Boyle and Sophia Di Marco hold their pumpkins.
The students loved stepping out their school door into the festive field of orange and green. They excitedly ran around until they found the perfect pumpkin and met the rest of their class back on the sidewalk. It was a great way to kick off their weekend and get them into the fall spirit!
This group includes teacher Kelsey Evoy and her class: Landon Stalker, Amanda Holmes, Bradley Dunham, Mikah MacDonald, Mila Rodriguez, Jack Pagano, Paul Haist, Vincent Grabowski-Bonadonna and Amoura Peterson. Students who are sitting down include Landon Harper, Jaxon Sloper, Kaleb McMullen, Reis Hougle, Adeline Grollmus, Teagan Volz, Harriet Schiffer, Deisy Orozco-Sanchez and Merrit Williams.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 October 2023 at 9:14 pm
Albion and Medina businesses hand out treats for several hundred kids
Photos by Tom Rivers
A Garfield character walks down Main Street in Medina during Beggar’s Night this evening. Medina and Albion businesses and organizations both hosted the annual event, held on the Friday before Halloween.
Medina police officer Miles Erickson directs traffic so Jessica Decker and her daughter Evie, wearing a blue flamingo costume, can cross the street with other people.
Cindy Robinson, owner of the English Rose & Tea, hands candy to Theo sanders, in Hulk costume, and his brother Caleb Sanders, who is Spiderman. They are pushed in a stroller by their aunt, Melissa Williams.
These candy hunters head down Main Street. They all left with a big bounty of chocolate and other tasty treats.
August Patterson, “the pumpkin harvester,” is joined by his sister Ella, drssed as Wednesday, and sister Aniyah Patterson as they approach Alisha Schwarzott of Main Street TV and Appliance. They are joined by their parents Susan Sullivan and Jeremy Patterson.
“It’s cute seeing all of the costumes,” Schwarzott said in a brief break from the long line of kids.
Kelsey Matuszak leads her daughter Oakley Morrice, dressed as a black cat at left, and her friend Adalayah Howard for Beggar’s Night. They get candy from Morgan Woodworth, niece of Laura Gardner, owner of a lily and a sparrow.
The Downtown Browsery in Albion decorated one of its doors to add to the atmosphere for Beggar’s Night. Some of the vendors also participated in a “Thriller” dance later in the evening.
Owen Pulaski, 9, is dress as a crew mate from Among Us while stopping by several vehicles in Trunk or Treat in front of Arnold’s Auto Parts. Valerie Rush and other volunteers from the Greater Royal Body Shop Church offered lots of candy for the kids on parade in their costumes.
This group of ladies from the First Presbyterian Church dressed as the “Spice Girls.” They include, from left, Pastor Susan Thaine, Annette Mannella, Amanda Krenning-Muoio and the chef, Christine Fancher.
Pamela Jenks of Pretty Sweet Bakery, right and Debbie Prest of Red Check Rustic dole out the candy for Nicholas and Madaline Bloom of Albion and Brantley Conner.
The staff from Roots dressed as Disney princesses including Jenna O’Connor in front with Amber Mogle, middle, and Lauren Fitzwater.
Mitzy Peglow of Orleans Travel Bureau has a bowl of treats for the kids, including Mallorie Swan, 9, who is dressed as Pennywise.
Zack Parker, 10, also wore a Pennywise costume. He collects some goodies from the Village office staff including Alana Alana Piccirilli, Alex Wheldon, Derek Reiner and Village Clerk-Treasurer Tracy VanSkiver.
Callie Requa and her son Logan are dressed as monkeys. They are leaving the first stop at the fire hall on Platt Street before venturing into the downtown.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 October 2023 at 2:16 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
LYNDONVILLE – Lyndonville elementary students are performing Disney’s Jungle Book Kids with shows at 7 p.m. today and 2 p.m. on Saturday at the school’s Stroyan Auditorium, 25 Housel Ave. Admission is free with donations accepted.
The top photo shows Bagheera, a panther played by Emily Kroll. She looks out for Mowgli, a boy who was raised by wolves and played by Fatima Lieberman, back right.
Lydia Bailor is Baloo, a giant bear at left who befriends Mowgli.
There are 40 Lyndonville fifth- and sixth-graders in the cast, including Sierra Frasier who is the flower. Students are also running the lights and helped make the set pieces.
Declan Fonda plays King Louie, an orangutan and wily leader of the jungle.
Fatima Lieberman plays the role of Mowgli, who has been raised in the jungle. Some of his animal friends realize the jungle has become too dangerous for Mowgli and they try to connect him to a “man village.”
Lydia Bailor plays Baloo and sings “The Bare Necessities.” Baloo urges a more care-free lifestyle for Mowgli, a contrast from the message from Bagheera.
Madelyn Ingersoll is Kaa, a snake that lulls Mowgli to sleep and tries to squeeze him into submission. The snake coils include Caylin Scholes, Harli Crawford, Chloe Sabino and Annaliese Irwin.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 27 October 2023 at 1:11 pm
Provided photos: Kathryn Leach, Orleans County’s Digital Literacy Project coordinator, participates in an exercise to demonstrate how difficult it would be for a person with mobility issues to use a touchtone device. Leach was attending a training workshop in Utah with the National Digital Extension Education Team.
A local digital education program developed in cooperation with Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension has put Orleans County on the national map, according to Kathryn Leach, coordinator of the county’s Digital Literacy Initiative.
Leach has just returned from Salt Lake City, where she attended a three-day intensive training workshop for teams of Cooperative Extension professionals interested in helping to close the digital divide in their state.
“Advancing Digital Access: Extension Capacity Building Train the Trainer” was offered in partnership with the Extension Foundation, the Extension Committee on Organization and Policy’s Broadband Program Action Team, United States Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agricultures and the National Digital Extension Education Team.
Participants from all over the United States learned about various digital education initiatives throughout the country, including Orleans Digital Literacy Initiative, which is a program of Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension, and funded by a $364,130 grant secured by United Way of Orleans County.
Leach learned about the training from Kenneth Sherin, a county executive director in North Carolina, who manages all digital education programming in his state.
“He was googling all digital programs in the country when he found our program and invited me to join this national program,” Leach said.
During her three days in Salt Lake City, Leach and another attendee, Amber Smyer, co-authored a digital volunteer program guide for the National Digital Education Extension Team and presented it at the training.
“The guide book will help those in rural areas or with limited resources get started in creating a digital program,” Leach said.
Leach said the grant which funds Orleans Digital Literacy Initiative was due to run out at the end of the year, but has been extended until September 2024.
“We doubled our numbers of the participants we expected to serve,” Leach said.
In the past two years, more than 200 Orleans County residents have received free support using their computers, tablets, phones and other technology, Leach said. So far, 99 percent of participants have said their tech help session was a success, and nearly three out of four participants have come back for more help.
Sessions helped the majority of people with device basics and device maintenance/troubleshooting. Other topics on which people sought help including financial activity, cybersecurity, password assistance, entertainment, healthcare management and social support.
In addition to the information she contributed at the training, Leach said she learned a lot.
“I heard about other programs and instructional materials by the Nation Digital Extension Education Team that I can use here,” she said.
Anyone wishing more information or getting free tech help, including information on affordable internet options, can call Leach at (585) 798-4265, Ext. 146. Leach also reminds individuals they can be helped with more than one device or topic for each mentoring session.
While attending a three-day training in Salt Lake City, participants had time to go sightseeing in the amazing countryside. Kathryn Leach, program coordinator for the Orleans County Digital Literacy Initiative at Cornell Cooperative Extension, is in the rear, on the right.
Press Release, Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke
ALBION – An increase in traffic on our roadways is expected during Halloween due to trick-or-treating, Halloween parties and fall festivities. With increased traffic comes an increased risk in crashes, including impaired-driving crashes that could cause injuries or deaths.
Local law enforcement agencies and STOP-DWI programs across NYS will join forces during for a STOP-DWI Halloween High Visibility Engagement Campaign in an effort to reduce the number of impaired driving-related Injuries and deaths on our roadways, said Sheriff Chris Bourke, the Orleans County STOP-DWI coordinator.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 October 2023 at 9:56 am
Holley hosts ‘Hallow’ Fest on Saturday
Photo by Tom Rivers: This boy hustles to get his costume on during Beggar’s Night Oct. 28 last year in Medina.
Albion and Medina will welcome kids this evening for Beggar’s Night. Several hundred kids and their families typically attend the event where businesses and local organizations hand out candy.
In Albion, Beggar’s Night will be from 5 to 7 p.m. People are encouraged to park in the lot near the fire department or behind Five Star Bank. Other parking lots are close to the downtown.
In Medina, Beggar’s Night is from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The line will form in the parking lot between The Medicine Shoppe and The Print Shop, and wind around behind the businesses on East Center Street and Main Street.
Holley will host its Fall “Hallow” Fest on Saturday with activities from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
There will be a parade at 10 a.m. starting at the museum. The library will host games, stories and activities from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be music by Don Newcomb from noon to 2 p.m.
Ray Santoro will sign copies of his book, “Haunted Holley,” from noon to 3 p.m.
There will be vendors with hot chocolate and other goodies throughout the day. St. Mary’s Catholic Church will host a trunk or treat beginning at 5:30 p.m. The event is capped by “spooky stories” at 8:30 p.m. at the old village office in the Public Square.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 October 2023 at 8:02 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – High school boys and girls basketball players cheer after Albion Mayor Angel Javier Jr. and Bounce for Bullard leader Susan Oschmann cut the ribbon for two new full-size basketball courts on Thursday.
Oschmann led a fundraising effort and the push the past two years for the new courts. The previous court was back further in the park and the surface wasn’t level with asphalt heaving in sports. The hoops were missing nets and were seldom used.
Oschmann pushed for the project not long after moving to Albion from Kendall. She wanted kids, including her grandchildren, to have a place to shoot basketballs with friends.
She recruited her friend since childhood, Roosevelt Bouie, to help raise money and build support for the project. Bouie was a big star at Syracuse University and he helped secure $40,000 in funding from the James and Juli Boeheim Foundation.
The village and Bounce for Bullard so far have raised $98,000 for the project with another $10,000 in in-kind services.
The Albion school players were thrilled to try out the new courts on Thursday afternoon before a ribbon-cutting celebration at 5 p.m.
Nyla Gaylord, executive director for the Orleans County United Way, holds a photo of Roosevelt Bouie with the old courts.
Bouie credited Bullard Park for hosting many competitive basketball tournaments when he was a kid, helping to turn him into a formidable player.
Bouie is in the Syracuse University Hall of Fame and his number 50 has been retired by the Orange. He led the team to a record of 100-18 from 1977 to 1980. Bouie was a first-team All-BIG EAST Conference selection in 1979-80. He was picked in the second round of the 1980 NBA Draft by the Dallas Mavericks. Bouie instead chose to play professionally in Europe for 13 seasons.
He has moved back to Kendall. The school retired his jersey in June 2012, the first one picked by Kendall with the recognition.
Bouie was a force for Kendall in the mid-1970s when the school won five straight sectional titles. Kendall had a record of 65-1 during his sophomore, junior and senior years, including 55 straight wins during one stretch.
Bouie said he traces his basketball origins to playing at Bullard.
“That’s where it all started for me,” he said in a previous interview.
He was part of several fundraisers for the new courts a Bullard with 3-on-3 tournaments and free throw shooting contests through portable hoops.
The Albion basketball players played for more than an hour on the courts on Thursday. The players helped raise money for the project through 3-on-3 tournaments the past two years.
Nyla Gaylord, the United Way executive director, said many in the community contributed to making the courts a success.
The United Way worked with village officials to support a new non-profit entity, the Greater Albion Community Recreation and Events Committee, to pursue grants and donations.
“If we as a community work together, look at what we can do,” Gaylord said. “But one person needs to be that spark.”
She credited Oschmann with being that spark to get the project started and for a continued push to get it done.
Oschmann said there is still more to do – about $50,000 is needed for more fencing as well as benches for spectators in a shaded area and working outdoor lights. But she said she is thrilled to see the courts in place and so many kids having fun playing on them.
Some key supporters for the project and recent improvements at Bullard Park include, from left: Orleans County Court Judge Sanford Church, Kim Remley, Terry Wilbert, Recreation director John Grillo, mayor Angel Javier Jr., Bernie Baldwin, Susan Oschmann, Chuck Nesbitt from Wendel, Nyla Gaylord, Zack Burgess, Jill Albertson and Ron Albertson.
Judge Church donated money to pay for two of the basketball hoops. Wilbert is part of the Albion United Methodist Church which donated $45,000 towards the project. The Wendel engineering firm did designs and renderings for the basketball courts that helped Albion pursue grant funding.
The Albion recreation committee and a Rebuild Bullard committee have been working for about a decade to upgrade the park. The new basketball courts follow a spray park, new amphitheater, pavilion with bathrooms, walking trail and disc golf course at Bullard.
Javier thanked the many volunteers who have been working to improve Bullard over the years.
“This is a very big investment in our community,” Javier said. “It’s amazing where we’re at with all the improvements at Bullard. I want to thank everyone involved. Every year we’re trying to make Bullard Park a little bit better.”
Grillo, the recreation director, said the courts will be used for clinics, leagues and camps.
“I think this is awesome,” Grillo said. “It is a good opportunity for the village recreation program moving forward.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 October 2023 at 11:56 am
MEDINA – A second cruise boat will be coming to Medina’s Canal Basin next year and this one will be double the size as the pontoon boat that debuted this year.
Brian Hellner will be captain of both boats for the North Star Cruises. He srtated offering boat rides on a 20-foot-long pontoon boat in July. He did 30 trips in the first year with customers from 10 states, and a family from Paris, France.
His bigger boat will be a 40-foot-long cabin cruiser that can do longer rides with a bathroom on the boat.
The Village Board on Monday agreed to give him a dedicated spot at the basin at $125 a month, the same rate he pays for the smaller boat. His pontoon boat is at one of the finger docks. The bigger boat will be tied up along the basin wall behind the former NAPA building.
Hellner is a licensed charter captain the past 12 years and an avid boater the past 50 years. He also is a former vice president of the Buffalo Maritime Center. He lives in Newfane but has been to Medina frequently to see his son, Rollin, who lives in Medina and is a real estate developer.
Hellner said he is looking to partner with local businesses to promote the boat rides and services and products at other sites in Medina.
He expects to have both boats in the canal in May when the navigational season gets started on the historic waterway.
“I learned a lot in the first year,” Hellner said. “This other boat will give a different experience. We’ll be able to go for longer boat rides.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 October 2023 at 11:09 am
Mayor says Save-A-Lot plaza, Hamilton Street are possibilities; Downtown seems off limits due to dispensaries not allowed near churches
ALBION – The Village of Albion Planning Board will take public comments during a hearing at 5 p.m. on Nov. 9 about potential locations for cannabis dispensaries. The hearing village be at the Village Hall, 35 East Bank St.
The Village Board voted on Oct. 21, 2021 to opt in and allow legal marijuana dispensaries. Albion officials at the time said allowing the marijuana sites will make it easier for local residents to get the product in town, instead of driving to other communities and possibly putting others at risk on the roadways.
Village Board members also cited the potential tax benefits for the village. The state will have a 13-cent excise tax per $1 on the marijuana sales, and the village will gets 3 of those cents per dollar.
The state at the time didn’t have regulations in place for those dispensaries. The regulations that have since been approved include buffer zones for the cannabis dispensaries. That keeps a cannabis business no closer than 500 feet of a school, or within 200 feet of a church or house of worship.
Albion Mayor Angel Javier Jr. said there are five churches in the downtown area and that may keep the downtown from having a licensed cannabis dispensary.
Javier said the Save-A-Lot plaza on Route 31 and a site on Hamilton Street could be locations for licensed dispensaries. He said there will be several opportunities for the community to weigh in on where a licensed cannabis retailer could be located in the village.
