By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 October 2023 at 2:58 pm
ALBION – The Elks Lodge is planning a fundraiser and activity for the community: a barbecue cook-out and jamboree on Saturday that will benefit the PAWS Animal Shelter.
The event that will be from 1 to 7 p.m. and will feature five local residents skilled at barbecue cooking. The cook-off will be judged by long-time Daily News columnist and report Scott DeSmit, Orleans County Undersheriff Don Draper, Medina Mayor Mike Sidari, County Legislator John Fitzak, and Bonnie Draper host band Bandera.
First prize in the cook-off includes three days in the Thousand Islands, $200 in second place and $100 for third place.
There will be five bands performing from 1 to 7 p.m. with Bandera the host band, and guest bands including Clueless, Eclipse, Double Image and Shotgun Pauly.
There is a $5 cover charge to hear the bands with food available to purchase at the Elks Lodge, 428 West State St.
Mike Jenks is helping coordinate the event for the Elks.
“There is going to be fun for everyone,” he said.
Depending not he weather, there will be a bounce house set up.
The Elks wanted an event that would entertain the community, and also support the PAWS Animal Shelter on Gaines Basin Road.
New to festival this year: ofrenda installations by Spanish class students from Medina and Kendall
(Left) Photo courtesy of T.C. Owens: Pictured form left include Xochitl Rosario, Lola Alvarado and Gladys Rosario in Dia de Muertos face paint during the 2019 Day of the Dead celebration. (Right) photo courtesy of Karen Canning: Porfiria Mijangos arranges fruit on the Oaxacan ofrenda at the 2022 Day of the Dead Celebration.
Press Release, Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council (GO Art!)
MEDINA – GO Art! is happy to invite you to our Mexican Día de los Muertos celebration, co-sponsored by the Orleans County YMCA, Mariachi de Oro Mexican Grill, and Maizal Mexican Kitchen.
Join us on Saturday, Oct. 28, at the Orleans County YMCA, 306 Pearl St., Medina, from 3 to 7 p.m. and learn about and enjoy this holiday that remembers ancestors, with free activities for the whole family.
The festivities will include Mexican crafts, face painting, dance and music performances, ofrenda displays, and special food tastings. All activities will continue throughout the day: a full schedule can be found at www.MedinaDoD.com.
The Mexican Day of the Dead Celebration is a time of joyful remembrance of deceased loved ones, filled with an array of colors, scents, sounds and stories. Centered around the observance of All Saints and All Souls Days on November 1 and 2, the celebration also includes images and ideas about the roles of ancestors in our lives that trace back to Mexico’s indigenous peoples. Tradition holds that this is the one time of the year when souls can return to earth for a day and commune with their families and friends.
“It’s wonderful to partner with the YMCA, along with the continuing support of local Medina businesses and community members” said Karen Canning, director of GLOW Traditions at GO Art!
Mexican celebrations of the holiday often include animated skeletons, colorfully decorated skulls (calaveras), and elaborately cut tissue paper banners, emphasizing life’s continuing vibrancy in the midst of mortality.
These attendees show off their sugar skulls during the 2022 Day of the Dead Celebration in Medina.
Local business owners and community groups are hosting workshops in such arts, including sugar skulls, paper flowers, flags, and banners, and paper masks. Hosts and volunteers include Della’s Chocolates, The Downtown Browsery, Oak Orchard Girl Scouts, and Medina High School students.
Canalside Tattoos will offer temporary tattoos, Case-Nic Cookies will have Day of the Dead themed cookies for sale, and vendors including Las Toxicas will feature Mexican jewelry and clothing for purchase. Far Out Faces will host face painting, and Mariachi de Oro will provide samples of Mexican hot chocolate and pan de muerto (bread of the dead), a typical food of the holiday. Maizal Mexican Kitchen will offer several items for sale, including tamales, fruit with tajin, and snacks.
Beautiful altars (ofrendas) in homes welcome the returning souls and feature candles, wild marigolds, incense, photographs, mementos and loved ones’ favorite foods like fruit, tortillas, tamales, chocolate, and bread. Members of the Rosario family will again create a large ofrenda at the YMCA in the style of their hometown in Oaxaca, Mexico.
Attendees can contribute to a community ofrenda, by placing a candle (electric, provided) and adding a remembrance of loved ones. New this year will be ofrenda installations created by Spanish class students from Medina and Kendall, as part of field trips to the YMCA prior to the event.
Photos courtesy of Karen Canning. Karla Alcala, left, with musicians and dancers from Alma de Mexico at the 2022 Day of the Dead Celebration.
Mexican dance and music performances will be presented at 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. by Alma de México, a group from Rochester led by Karla Alcalá. A former member of a folkloric dance group in Mexico, Karla now teaches community members traditional dance from a variety of regions. Live music will also be provided by La Marimba, a marimba band from Buffalo, led by Tiffany Nicely.
Everyone is invited to join in the fun, and feel free to come in Day of the Dead themed outfits.
We also welcome artists—Dan Butler, Ted Canning and Ruben Ornelas—from the GLOW Creatives collective, supported by a 2-year grant from Creatives Rebuild New York. They will assist with face painting, sound reinforcement, and community ofrendas, respectively.
MEDINA – The Medina Sandstone Trust is making several thousand dollars available in grants to community organizations and projects.
The grants generally range from $200 to $500 and are awarded to qualifying not-for-profit organizations and/or programs in the Medina, Ridgeway and Shelby region.
Funding is intended to help programs that clearly benefit the community and that have favorable tax and regulatory status.
To apply for a grant, organization leaders need to fill out a Sandstone Trust Applications form and mail to Sandstone Trust, Post Office Box 25, Medina, New York 14103 by the application deadline, Nov. 4.
Application forms can be obtained as follows:
In person at Michael Zelazny, CPA, 511 Main Street, Medina, NY 14103
By regular mail request sent to Sandstone Trust, PO Box 25, Medina, NY 14103
Questions may be sent by email at sandstonesociety@gmail.com or by calling Michael Zelazny, CPA at 585-798-1006.
Last year, the Sandstone Trust approved $500 grants to the following: Beds from Brian, Inc., Boxwood Cemetery Commission, Genesee Orleans Ministry of Concern, Joint Recreation Commission, OCALS Learning Services, YMCA, Orleans Renaissance Group, P.Raising Kids Child Care Center, Go Art! and Medina Historical Society.
Press Release, Orleans County Department of Social Services
ALBION – The Orleans County Department of Social Services announced that the 2023-2024 Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) application window will open on Wednesday, Nov. 1.
Applications have already been sent to qualified individuals that received HEAP last year. HEAP assistance has a tentative end date of March 15, 2024.
Applications for furnace repair or replacement are being accepted now. Applications for an emergency other than your heating source will be accepted beginning Jan. 2 through March 15, 2024.
“The cold days are just around the corner and we know many families across the county rely on HEAP to help keep their homes warm,” said DSS Commissioner Holli Nenni. “That’s why we want to get the word out about how to apply for the program.”
According to Commissioner Nenni, if you received a benefit through a HEAP case last season you may apply now through www.myBenefits.ny.gov or submit your completed application along with necessary documentation to the Department of Social Services, 14016 Rt. 31 W. Albion, NY 14411.
If you are currently a public assistance or SNAP recipient you should automatically receive your HEAP benefit through your case. Please be sure your worker has accurate vendor and account information to prevent a delay of your HEAP grant.
For those applying for the first time, a phone interview is necessary which cannot be done until after Nov. 1. Applications will then be available in Albion at the County Office Building, PathStone, Community Action or Ministry of Concern, at the Community Center in Holley and at Lee-Weldon Memorial Library in Medina. People can also apply online at www.myBenefits.ny.gov.
For questions or to set up an appointment for after Nov. 1, please call 589-3182. If you are over age 60, please call the Office for the Aging at 589-3191.
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) recently cosponsored a proposal in the state Assembly to simplify the purchasing process for firearm and ammunition sales.
The bill, A.8085, was introduced by Assemblyman Joseph Angelino (R,C-Norwich) and would allow those licensed to carry or possess a pistol, revolver or semi-automatic weapon and licensed hunters to purchase ammunition without contacting the statewide license and record database. Hawley believes this proposal is a step in the right direction for Second Amendment rights and will protect law-abiding gun owners.
“The Second Amendment is one of the foundations of our great nation,” Hawley said. “Unfortunately, time and time again we have seen the Majority in Albany pick away at that right piece by piece. My colleagues and I are fed up with this pattern and we are committed to standing up for the rights of law-abiding gun owners in western New York and across the state. It’s time to stop giving up our freedom to out-of-touch liberals and give it back to the people where it belongs.”
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 16 October 2023 at 9:22 am
Event will honor Twig Association for 70 years of service
Provided photo: Some of the committee members for Treasure Island include, from left, Pam Canham, Barb Jantzi, Cindy Hewitt and Gloria Brent. The event is scheduled Nov. 4 at White Birch Golf Course in Lyndonville.
LYNDONVILLE – The 29th annual Treasure Island fundraiser sponsored by Orleans Community Health Foundation is scheduled Nov. 4 at White Birth Golf Course in Lyndonville.
A special feature this year will be honoring the Twig Association for 70 years of dedication and volunteerism to support Medina Memorial Hospital. Twig donations topped more than $1 million before they announced the organization would dissolve in May.
Tickets for Treasure Island are $50 per person and can be purchased online or at Medina Memorial Hospital. (Click here for more information.)
The evening will feature a buffet dinner, open bar, impressive silent and live auctions, raffles and entertainment. This year, each guest will have the complimentary chance to win a treasure chest filled with prizes.
All auctions will be open to guests only, featuring paper bid sheets for the silent auction and automatic online checkout. The silent and live auction will offer many exciting items, including a stay in Myrtle Beach, a custom pantry and much more, according to Foundation director Megan Johnson.
The event committee organizing Treasure Island is chaired by Pam Canham, with members Ruth Bane, Gloria Brent, Lori Condo, Jeanne Crane, Nicole Goyette, Cindy Hewitt, Barb Jantzi, Megan Johnson, Dawn Meland, Agnes Recco, Marguerite Sherman, Kathy Vicknair and Sandra Walter.
Sponsors of the event are Seaway Insurance Association, Baxter Healthcare, Jr. Wilson Sportsmen’s Club, Orleans Community Health medical staff and Ridge Animal Hospital.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 16 October 2023 at 8:55 am
MIDDLEPORT – A Middleport family’s passion for canoeing has led to an impressive win of the 40th prestigious 90-Miler Adirondack Canoe Classic race. Dan Vanderwalker and his son Todd are both avid canoeists who have participated multiple times in the 90-Miler.
Canoeing has been in Dan’s blood since he was 14 years old and went camping in the Adirondack Mountains with his dad. It is a passion now shared by son Todd, who also learned to love canoeing as a child visiting the mountains with his family.
Dan heard about the 90-miler Adirondack Canoe Classic race when it was started in 1983, and it was a challenge he couldn’t ignore. The race goes from Old Forge to Saranac Lake and encompasses three days. It is the first 90 miles of the 300-mile Northern Forest Canoe Trail.
Dan entered the first three years of the race, winning first place all three years. His partners were Kurt Knisley in the first and third years and Greg Denzel the second year. Dan also entered and won several other area races during that time.
A handful of the 260 canoes entered in this year’s 90-Miler Adirondack Classic Canoe Race cross Long Lake on day two of the race.
Todd won his first race in 2019 with daughter FaithAnn. There was no race in 2020. He raced with his dad in 2021, winning first place. In 2022, father and son started the race, but Dan became ill and couldn’t finish. Todd had worked too hard to quit, so FaithAnn jumped in the canoe and finished with her dad. Although that disqualified them from winning, they did finish the race.
Dan and Todd’s win this year is the closest in the race’s history, a mere nine seconds.
A record 260 canoeists competed this year in the race which travels over 16 lakes, three rivers and a number of ponds. Canoeists are entered in 10 classes, based on the dimension of their canoe and ages. Dan, 69, and Todd, 42, compete in the C2 Masters, the class for those 40 and older.
Participants come from all over the Northeast, Canada and some from foreign countries. Last year, Dan said there were two teams from Norway.
Todd’s wife Alicia and children FaithAnn and David accompany them and follow their route the entire way. Although there are campgrounds for the two nights on the race, the Vanderwalkers stay in their camper. Alicia and the kids meet Dan and Todd at every portage (there are nine of them), and give them watermelon and energy gel and swap their bladder of energy drink in the canoe for a fresh one.
Dan and Todd Vanderwalker (tan canoe at rear) paddle through a marshy area in Brown’s Tract near the end of day one of the historic canoe race.
In one river, Alicia even waded knee-deep into the water to pass Todd an energy drink as they paddled by. Dan and Todd have long tubes which come from the bladder container of the drink through their jackets so they can get fluids by just bending their heads.
Even Dan and Todd are amazed at their impressive win. They finished in 15 hours, 36 minutes, and 0 seconds – 9 seconds in front of the second-place team and about a half hour before the third-place finishers.
Dan said he knew it was going to be close.
“One-quarter mile from the finish, Todd started picking up the pace,” Dan said. “His long arms mean longer strokes.”
“A win by nine seconds over three days is basically nine strokes of the paddle,” Todd said.
Their canoe is a P-2 stock boat made of Kevlar, the same material bullet-proof vests are made of. They do wax it for maximum speed, but the secret is just to maintain an even pace, like a marathon, so you don’t burn out, Todd said.
Dan and Todd practice several times a week all summer on the canal, putting in at the canoe launch between Middleport and Medina.
Todd and Alicia have long been active with Boy Scout Troop 28 in Medina, where Alicia is chaplain and Todd is an adult leader and canoe merit badge counselor.
Photo by Tom Rivers: The Medina Marching Band takes the field on Sept. 23 at their home show at Vets Park.
Information courtesy of Medina Band Boosters
VICTOR – The Medina Marching Band competed for the fifth time this season on Saturday at Victor.
The band arrived at Medina High School on Saturday morning and practiced until 3 p.m. when they loaded up their instruments, equipment and uniforms and headed for Victor. The weather was chilly but the rain stopped so the show was performed outdoors.
There were a total of 12 bands competing in their respective classes.
Small School 1: New Hartford in 1st with 89.20; East Irondequoit in 2nd with 87.35; Central Square in 3rd with 86.10; and Medina in 4th with 82.75.
Small School 3: Marcus Whitman in 1st with 76.0; Pioneer in 2nd with 74.3.
Large School 3: Greece in 1st with 81.05; Hilton in 2nd with 78.35; Rome Free Academy in 3rd with 73.95.
Large School 2: Orchard Park in 1st with 84.15; Jamestown in 2nd with 82.95.
National: Victor in 1st w/88.30
Medina’s next competition is Saturday in Central Square followed by the Championships at the Dome in Syracuse on Oct. 29.
The Dome starts at 8 a.m. through 10 p.m. when 53 high school marching bands will compete for a total of 14 hours. Ticket prices are $25, seniors 65 and older $18, students 18 and under are $18 at the door.
The SS1 class includes Medina and six other schools starting at 6:40 p.m. with Medina performing at 6:53 p.m. Additional details can be found at the NYSFBC website.
This obelisk which dominates Knowlesville Cemetery was erected following the death Eleazar Slater, Jr. in 1887. The first stipulation of his will directed that “any funeral charges and all debt against my estate be paid and fully discharged and a good, suitable, and proper and respectable tombstone be erected.”
KNOWLESVILLE – Eleazar Slater, Sr. and his wife, Polly, originally from Massachusetts, were early settlers in Ridgeway. They had cleared land and constructed a house by 1815. This is documented in the pioneer narrative provided by William Knowles in which he states that he stayed with them when he first arrived.
The advent of the Erie Canal proved very beneficial for that locality. William Knowles shipped the first boatload of wheat from Orleans County. He built a warehouse on the canal, freight boats stopped there. A post office was established in 1826 and the growing hamlet was named in honor of Knowles.
The Presbyterian Church in Knowlesville was formed in 1817, it was the predominant denomination in the area. The Slaters were members. Eleazar T. Slater Sr. died in 1853. Polly, his wife, died in 1863. Their son, Eleazar T. Jr., who was unmarried, died in on May 2, 1887, by which time he had accumulated a substantial sum of money.
In 1885 Eleazar Jr. sued the First National Bank of Albion to recover $5,700 worth of bonds found to be missing when Albert S. Warner absconded with the bank’s assets in 1884.
Eleazar Jr. gave a great deal of consideration to the disposal of his assets following his death and several sets of revisions and codicils were recorded. The stipulations of the will included:
Second: I give and bequeath to my sister Livera Wilders: the sum of $2,000 and one half of my household furniture, bedding, and wardrobe.
Third: I give and bequeath to my sister, Melissa Ostrander, the like sum of $2,000 and the remaining half of my furniture, bedding, and wardrobe.
Fourth: I give and bequeath to the Trustees of the Presbytery of Niagara, the sum of $50,000.
Fifth: I hereby direct the said Trustees of the Presbytery of Niagara to give the First Presbyterian Church and Society of the Town of Ridgeway the sum of $250 annually, but such sum is not to be paid until the said Society shall have paid their Pastor all of his salary for the previous years, except such sum of $250 and shall present to file with the officers of said Presbytery the receipt of such Pastor therefor. And in case the said Society fails to present such receipt from such Pastor then the said Trustees may use and exercise their own judgment regarding the payment of said $250.
Sixth: I give and bequeath the rest and residue of my estate of what nature and kind to the Board of the Home Missions of the Presbyterian Church of the United States of America.
The New York Times of May 7, 1887, reported the details of the will. The “residue” of his estate was estimated as amounting to an astounding $200,000, the equivalent of $6.5 million today. The will refers to securities, bonds, mortgages, and real estate, which presumably were the source of his wealth.
The will was soon “vigorously contested” by his heirs. It was reported in the Medina Tribune in September that progress on the issue was slow, and that eight lawyers were involved.
The Medina Tribune of October 13, 1887, noted that a compromise had been reached: The Board of Home Missions was directed to pay the heirs $22,000, Miss Emma Beckham would receive $3,000 and David Farham of Rochester would receive a small amount. The Presbyterian Church in Knowlesville would receive $5,000 in lieu of the $250 annuity. It was estimated that the aggregate of the estate after court expenses, payments and taxes would be in the region of $100,000.
Following some presbytery amalgamations, the funds later came under the control of the Presbytery of the Genesee Valley. A subsequent decision of the Surrogate Court of Orleans County directed that the Slater Fund was to be used for “the benefit of the five Presbyterian Churches located in Orleans County” (Albion, Barre Center, Holley, Lyndonville, and Medina).
The “original book Valu” of the fund was invested by the Presbytery and remarkably, the return income continues to be divided among the churches annually, 136 years following the death of Eleazar T. Slater, Jr.
Photos and information submitted by Deborah Berry, Treasurer for VFW Post Auxiliary 1483
MEDINA – The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post and Auxiliary members from the VFW Lincoln Post 1483 in Medina held a Stop 22 Walk to increase the public awareness of veterans dying by suicide – an average of 22 each day.
The members on Oct. 12 walked 22 minutes along Main Street and in the Canal Basin area. This was their first time observing the Stop 22 Walk.
A veteran in need of any type of help or services is encouraged to reach out to the VFW Post 1483 at 216 East Main Street, Medina NY.
There is also help available 24 hours a day at the National Veterans Crisis Hotline at 1-800-273-8255.
Casey Taylor poses for s selfie with the group of walkers on Thursday in the Canal Basin.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 15 October 2023 at 8:43 am
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Sandy and Marcia Stornelli watch as 3-year-old granddaughter Alara throws shovels full of dirt on a tree being planted in front of their house during an Arbor Day celebration on April 28. In the stroller is Garrett, who was 8 months old at the time. Medina has been recognized as a Tree City USA the past 16 years for its commitment to planting trees.
MEDINA – Autumn is a time which brings leaves into everyone’s mind, but for one local group, trees are a focus all year round.
The village of Medina not only has a Tree Board, but a support group called Releaf Medina, formed to raise money for the village to replace dying trees, something the Tree Board is not allowed to do.
Robert Sanderson heads Releaf Medina, with members Kathy Blackburn, Jake Hebdon, Lisa Tombari and Ginny Kropf.
And now they are asking the public for donations to purchase more trees.
The village took down 51 trees this year and replanted 46, according to Blackburn. Replacing dying trees is an unending task and can be very costly, with each tree costing upwards of $200.
Kinds of trees vary, and local resident Chris Busch has researched the soil in various areas to determine which kind of trees are best suited for each location.
Information provided by Releaf Medina states that community trees are a critical element of urban life, providing countless proven environmental, economic and health benefits. Multiple studies have shown that people living in communities with trees are healthier mentally, physically and socially.
The economics of maintaining and advancing the Medina community’s urban forest has become increasingly more challenging, the Releaf Medina board explained. It’s the harsh reality of economics today, as recent years have been forestry related costs skyrocket, while municipal expenditures have struggled to keep up.
For this reason, Releaf Medina is asking citizens to contribute to the amazing living legacy of trees by making a monetary gift.
Blackburn has also issued an invitation to local businesses to consider becoming a corporate sponsor.
“Beginning in 2005 and for several years after, the Bank of Castile (now Tompkins Community Bank) was the sole corporate sponsor of Medina’s Arbor Day,” Blackburn said. “Their annual donation made a long-term community impact and helped launch what has become a renowned urban forestry program.”
Businesses becoming a corporate sponsor not only engage with their employees and investors, but also build community through the support of grassroots public environmental stewardship, according to Blackburn. It is a chance to make a tangible difference in a highly visible way that will stand for generations and leave a positive and beneficial living legacy for the future that will be seen every day.
All gifts to Releaf Medina are tax-deductible and can be made in three ways.
As a General Donation, the money helps replace street trees in neighborhoods throughout the village. Donors are recognized on a tree foundation sign at City Hall. Suggested amounts are $25 to $199 (Good Citizen); $200 to $299 (Silver); $300 to $499 (Gold); $500 and up (Platinum).
Gifts In Memory cost $300. They will fund trees placed in one of Medina’s six parks and will be identified with a granite marker honoring a loved one or in recognition of the donor’s family or organization. Memorial trees can be located on streets without a granite marker and cost $275.
To designate a tree On Your Street, the cost is $250. If the village determines a tree or trees are needed on that street, the donor may request a specific location. Those donors are also recognized on a sign at City Hall.
Checks for tree donations should be made payable to ORG/Medina Releaf and mailed to P.O. Box 543, Medina.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 October 2023 at 9:42 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Ryan and Katelyn Pearl are shown with a table full of presents and gift cards during a birthday party this evening at Dubby’s Tailgate for their late son, Maddox Pearl, who would be 6 tomorrow.
Maddox passed away on Sept. 30, 2023 after battling DIPG, a rare brain tumor.
Ryan and Katelyn said they appreciated the community’s support for the past year, and they said they feel thankful for the Albion community’s love and generosity.
“We live in a community where when you ask for help they’re there to help you,” Ryan, 32, said during the gathering this evening at Dubby’s that was attended by more than 100 people.
These gifts will be given to organizations that assist children with serious health issues.
Katelyn, 30, said the family wanted to celebrate Maddox’s birthday, and pay it forward and help the organizations that were there for them. They will give the presents and gift cards to three organizations: Compassion Net, C.U.R.E. Childhood Cancer Association in Rochester, and the Willoughby Foundation that assists children with life-threatening health issues.
Compassion Net sent nurses to provide palliative care for Maddox. That allowed him to be home and not in a hospital. The C.U.R.E. seeks to provide emotional, social, financial and educational support to a child with a chronic sickness.
The Willoughby Foundation provided a tablet to help Maddox communicate and a large mattress for Maddox and his parents to be together in the living room. That foundation will distribute some of the gifts at Maddox’s party to other children in hospitals who are battling serious illnesses.
Dubby’s hosted a benefit for the Pearl family last Nov. 22 with more than 200 gift baffles up for raffle. Other organizations in the past year helped raise money for the family.
Katelyn said Albion is a close-knit community that rallies for people in a crisis. That isn’t the case in many communities, she said, especially in cities and big towns where the people aren’t as well connected to each other.
Katelynn and Ryan say they may make Maddox’s birthday party an annual community event, with presents and gift cards to be collected and given to organizations that help children with serious health challenges.
Many of the gifts given had train themes. Maddox loved trains, especially The Polar Express and Thomas the Train Engine.
“He watched The Polar Express every day, from Christmas to the next Christmas,” his father said.
Ryan and Katelyn are going to spend tomorrow, Maddox’s sixth birthday, on a train at the Arcade and Attica Railroad for a ride in honor of their son.
‘With this legislative package, our licensed businesses will grow economically and face less governmental burden and legislative restraint’
Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office
Governor Kathy Hochul today signed a package of legislation that will improve New York’s laws related to alcoholic beverages in an effort to expand options for consumers and support New York’s small businesses in the alcoholic beverage sector.
“Across New York, breweries, distilleries and other alcoholic beverage businesses are creating jobs and expanding economic opportunity,” Governor Hochul said. “I’m proud to sign this legislation that will modernize the laws governing the sales of alcoholic beverages in New York.”
Legislation S.5731/A.6941 allows for the sale of beer, mead, braggot and cider on any day of the week including Sundays.
Legislation S.2854/A.7305 allows liquor and wine stores to expand their Sunday hours so that they may open at 10 a.m. and close at 10 p.m.
Legislation S.6443/A.6134 extends the length of validity of a brewer’s license from one year to three years.
Legislation S.3364A/A.2902 allows for businesses to prepare and keep drinks containing alcohol in pressurized dispensing machines.
Legislation S.3567A/A.6050A allows retail stores to sell complementary gift and promotional items related to wine and spirit sales.
Legislation S.6993A/A.7688 adds parcels of land to the list of premises which are exempt from the provisions of law which generally restrict manufacturers/wholesalers and retailers from sharing an interest in a liquor license.
This legislation package builds upon Governor Hochul’s efforts to address outdated laws in New York regarding alcohol and its sales throughout the state. As part of the FY 2023 Enacted Budget, alcohol to-go was established as law, allowing take out drinks. Last year, Governor Hochul also signed legislation to allow catering establishments to apply for off-premises licenses to serve liquor at event locations, supporting caters and small businesses in the hospitality industry.
State Liquor Authority Chair Lily M. Fan said, “We applaud the continued efforts by our Governor and the Legislature to help small businesses succeed and protect public safety by addressing antiquated liquor laws. With this legislative package, our licensed businesses will grow economically and face less governmental burden and legislative restraint.”
New York State Brewers’ Association Executive Director Paul Leone said, “The craft beer industry in New York is the second largest in total number of breweries in the country, this wouldn’t be possible if it weren’t for the support we get from Governor Hochul and the entire administration. Extending brewery license renewals from 1 to 3 years eases yet one more administrative burden on breweries, and allows them to continue focusing on the one thing they do best, brewing world class beer.”
Empire State Restaurant & Tavern Association Executive Director Scott Wexler said, “We commend Governor Hochul for signing these bills into law that modernize and update the state’s Alcohol Beverage Control law. These measures will fuel economic development and job growth, especially for the small businesses that comprise the overwhelming majority of businesses who will benefit from these changes,” said Scott Wexler, Executive Director of the Empire State Restaurant & Tavern Association.
New York State Restaurant Association President and CEO Melissa Autilio said, “Technical advancements have improved beverage storage and mixture equipment available to bars and restaurants. This legislation brings New York State’s ABC laws in line with modern technology. More bars and restaurants will be able to easily pre-mix drinks in safer apparatuses and better serve customers. I applaud Governor Hochul and the state legislature for adopting these new guidelines.”
New York Association of Convenience Stores President Ken Sopris said, “The New York Association of Convenience Stores commends Governor Kathy Hochul and the Legislature for their commitment to updating New York’s alcohol control laws to advance consumer friendly but responsible policies. The convenience store industry appreciates sensible updates to the law that provide adult consumers with safe access to products. Our stores and our customers thank the Governor for her commitment to updating antiquated policies to modernize our state’s alcohol laws.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 October 2023 at 4:30 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
KNOWLESVILLE – Joe Dibley of Albion makes a scarecrow with his son Keegan, 6, and friend Aubriella Hucknall, 3, of Albion. They are stuffing hay into clothes.
They were among a crowd that made about 200 scarecrows today at the Orleans County 4-H fairgrounds in an event organized by the Medina Lions Club.
The crowd wasn’t deterred by a rainy day. The scarecrow-making was inside.
The biggest challenge for some of the people was fitting the scarecrows into their car.
“I can’t believe how big they are,” Dibley said.
This scarecrow is on an “operating table” and gets its clothes secured by Lions Club members Jim Hancock and Stacy Leavitt. About 40 Lions Club members participated in running today’s event from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Hancock and Tom Beach served as co-chairmen of the event.
Medina Lions Club member Jim Punch assists Brandi Mack of Lyndonville with a scarecrow.
Hunter and Vivianna D’Agostino of Gasport work together to stuff a scarecrow. The straw was donated by Ed Neal of Poverty Hills Dairy Farm in Albion and Ken Dunham.
The D’Agostintos have been coming to the scarecrow fest for at least three years. Their father, Vinny D’Agostino, said the scarecrows are very durable. The one the made a year ago has lasted all year. They use it to scare away birds from their chickens.
These pillows were decorated by Medina art students in Jen Scott’s classes.
The MAAC Thrift Shop in Medina provides the clothes for the scarecrows with any leftovers coming back for next year’s event.
Barden Homes in Middleport donates the wood for the T-posts to give the scarecrows some support for their backs and arms.
Pete Kaiser secures the hat on this scarecrow. He said there was a big rush of people this morning to make scarecrows.
Carol Bellack provides some assistance getting a hat on this scarecrow.
The Crawford family in Lyndonville made two scarecrows. They include Ashley, Cohlson, Harli and Aaron. Cohlson and Harli’s brother Roenen also helped make the scarecrows.
The Crawfords said they expected to put the scarecrow on a rocking chair on their porch.
The event also included a first-time “PumpkinPalooza” organized and judged by the Master Gardeners in Orleans County. Richard Gudgel won the award for “best-carved” pumpkin.
Other awards included “best decorated” for Tammy Leach and “ugliest gourd” for Lisa Lancaster.
ALBION – The Orleans County Department of Social Services announced that the 2023-2024 Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) application window will open on Wednesday, Nov. 1.
