By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 November 2025 at 9:24 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Kim Martillotta Muscarella, owner of Marti’s on Main, is shown inside the art gallery during an art show last month. She is pictured with a split leaf philodendron which she has had for 40 years.
Martillotta Muscarella has been organizing and hosting art shows the past 15 years. She announced that Marti’s has just been approved by the IRS an official non-profit organization.
She decided to have Marti’s be a non-profit to be in a better position to apply for grants to help with the building’s upkeep and for the programming at the site. Any donations will be tax deductible.
There is currently a three-member board for Marti’s with her son Jeremiah Knight as the president, her husband Neal Muscarella as vice president and Martillotta Muscarella as the treasurer.
Marti’s since 2021 has been at the former Cornell Cooperative Extension in Albion. Martillotta Muscarella and her family turned the building at 20 South Main St. into an art showcase.
The Muscarellas transformed the interior of the building into an art studio and gallery, painting the rooms in vibrant colors. Muscarella displays artwork throughout the building, including the hallways, staircase, even the bathrooms.
Martillotta Muscarella said the building needs more work, especially the windows. She is hopeful the non-profit status will secure funding through grants or other contributions.
Before it was Marti’s, the former Extension building was most recently used an outreach center for the Episcopal Church in Albion. The building was originally a house built in the 1830s.
Muscarella watched the site decline for many years, with little activity inside the doors of one of the prominent buildings in the historic Courthouse Square.
For about a decade she ran the Marti’s on Main art gallery and studio at her home at 229 South Main St. But that site, which was half of her house, was cramped to display art and accommodate groups of people.
Since 2021, Marti’s has hosted several art shows and classes a year, as well as two concerts.
The next class will be on Nov. 30 and is a chance to create one-of-a-kind ornaments with Fired Up Ready to Paint Ceramics. There will be sessions at noon and 2 p.m. Call or text 585-590-9211 or message Fired Up Ready to Paint Ceramics on Facebook for more information.
Martillotta Muscarella gives tours of the art gallery by appointment. She can be reached at (585) 590-9211 for more information.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 November 2025 at 3:56 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers: This historical marker dedicated for a Revolutionary War hero was unveiled on April 14, 2021. The marker highlights Marquis de Lafayette, a French military officer who provided critical aid to George Washington in securing American independence. The marker notes a farewell tour in 1824-1825 to honor Lafayette, who traveled on the Erie Canal from Lockport to Rochester in June 1825 to great fanfare. This marker is located by the Erie Canal in Albion in between the two lift bridges.
ALBION – The state has given Orleans County $15,000 to help commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution in 2026.
The New York State 250th Commemorative Commission sent Orleans County Historian Catherine Cooper a letter on Nov. 7, thanking the county for partnering with the state Education Department in commemorating the American Revolution and also the “Unfinished Revolution.”
Cooper said she expects to have a committee in Orleans County to help direct how the county will spend the $15,000 and be part of the commemoration.
She has been leading an effort this year for the Orleans County Bicentennial, highlighting important dates, events and citizens since the community’s founding.
None of the Revolutionary battles were fought in Orleans County, but several soldiers from the war settled in Orleans County. Some of those soldiers, who are buried at local cemeteries, will be spotlighted next year, Cooper said.
People interested in being on the committee can reach out to Cooper by email at Catherine.Cooper@orleanscountyny.gov or call her office at (585) 589-4174.
New York State 250th Commemorative Commission wants to do more than celebration the period of American Revolution and the formation of the United States. That Commission wants to recognize ongoing efforts to reach the goals expressed by the nation’s founders. New York has been a significant force in those movements, including such iconic, historic stories as serving as the routes for the Underground Railroad, the abolition of slavery, women’s suffrage, the labor movement, and the LGBTQ+ rights movement, Gov. Kathy Hochul said on May 14 last year when the state named members of the Commemorative Commission.
There are numerous existing sites and battlefields associated with New York’s role in the American Revolution, all of which are vital to telling this part of the history of the nation., the Commemorative Commission writes in a guide to observing the 250th anniversary.
“The Founding Fathers wrote, ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator, with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness,’ as the guiding principles of a new nation,” the Commission states. “New Yorkers continue to lead in efforts to expand these ideals to include everyone. This part of the Revolution continues.”
For more information on the NYS 250th Commemorative Commission, click here to see a field guide on the commemoration.
The state’s commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution isn’t just based on the country’s founding in 1776. NYS wants to highlight other significant movements, including the push for women’s rights. This photo shows three statues in Seneca Falls of prominent women’s suffrage leaders.
The statues “When Anthony Met Stanton” depict the chance encounter in May 1851 in Seneca Falls that forever altered the struggle for women’s rights. Amelia Jenks Bloomer, depicted in center, introduced Susan B. Anthony, left, to Elizabeth Cady Stanton.
The friendship that was forged between Stanton and Anthony gave direction and momentum to the 72-year struggle for women’s suffrage which was culminated on Aug. 26, 1920 with the passage of the 19th Amendment in the U.S. Constitution. Neither woman lived to see women’s suffrage become a reality. When Anthony Met Stanton was gifted to the Seneca Falls community by the Governor’s Commission Honoring the Achievements of Women on July 18, 1998.
Provided photos: Trina Lorentz of Murray, left, and Nancy Walker of Kendall, both Master Gardeners with the Orleans CCE, help 4-Hers paint pots for holiday cactus. Participants learned about the three kinds of holiday cactus before selecting and potting-up their plants.
Press Release, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Orleans County
KNOWLESVILLE – Orleans County 4-H members gathered on Saturday morning to create projects for the Holiday Faire event set for Saturday, December 6, from 12 to 2:30 p.m. in the Trolley Building on the 4-H Fairgrounds.
Holiday Faire is a long-standing 4-H tradition in Orleans County and the public is welcome to attend the event which features holiday-themed 4-H projects; tables manned by 4-H clubs, and warm comfort foods.
“Holiday Faire is a festive event for 4-Hers and their families as well as anyone who would like to stop by for holiday-themed inspiration, fun crafts and food,” says Kristina Gabalski, Orleans County 4-H Program coordinator.
McKenna Richardson,10, of Barre, places a star at the top of a holiday tree she created from upcycling old sweaters.
4-Hers enter holiday-themed projects (any holiday can be featured) which are evaluated and displayed during the event. 4-H Club tables feature fun activities and inexpensive crafts, and the kitchen is open for lunch with hearty food like chili and warm cocoa.
“We also expect some special visitors from the North Pole,” Gabalski added.
On Saturday, 4-Hers worked on projects which will be entered in the Holiday Faire. Those projects included festive paper bag snowflakes which create an indoor blizzard when hung from the ceiling; ornaments made from Scrabble board game pieces, holiday cactus planted in pots participants decorated themselves, and stunning holiday-themed wall hangings.
A paper bag snowflake dangles above Jen Batt, a CCE Orleans 4-H volunteer, during Holiday Workshops on Saturday. Participants in Batt’s workshop made the paper decorations for 4-H Holiday Faire.
Eleven-year-old Fiona Oakes of Medina is a member of several 4-H Clubs including the Abundant Harvest Club. She said she enjoyed the event, especially making holiday trees from upcycled sweaters. “I also get to hang-out with my friends,” Fiona noted.
McKenna Richardson of Barre is 10 years old and a member of the Community Capers 4-H Club. She enjoyed learning about holiday cactus plants and painting a pot in which to plant hers. “I decorated the pot with my hobbies – music notes, flowers and cats with Santa hats,” she said.
Thirteen-year-old Charlotte McGrath of Medina said she likes the fact that the crafts are easy to complete and she can make several different entries for Holiday Faire. A member of the Abundant Harvest 4-H club, Charlotte said she enjoys the Holiday Workshops event each year because, “it is really fun.”
Nine-year-old Emma McGrath of Medina painted the Grinch on her holiday cactus pot.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 17 November 2025 at 9:04 am
MEDINA – The Medina FFA has extended its deadline for ordering from its annual citrus sale.
Agriculture teacher and FFA adviser Jacqueline Jurek said the public has until Thursday to place an order.
The citrus sale has been an annual fundraiser for the FFA for many years. All the money raised goes toward providing educational experiences for FFA members, Jurek said. This includes the New York State FFA Convention, National FFA Convention, Summer Camp at Oswegatchie, New York State Fair, purchase of FFA gear and much more.
The public can order through the FFA website (click here); by calling the school at (585) 798 2700; or e-mailing jjurek@medinacsd.org.
Orders will be available for pickup the week of Dec. 8.
George E. Smith of Albion wrote and mailed a monthly newsletter to soldiers who were part of a Sunday School Class at the United Methodist Church.
By Catherine Cooper, Orleans County Historian
“Illuminating Orleans” – Volume 5, No. 40
This card was sent to George E. Smith of Albion in response to his monthly correspondence with servicemen during World War II.
ALBION – During World War II, George E. Smith wrote and mailed a monthly newsletter to the servicemen members of the Woods Brothers Men’s Class of the United Methodist Church in Albion.
His daughter, Aloha (Smith) Vick, compiled the correspondence into several albums which were recently donated to the Orleans County Dept. of History by his granddaughter, June (Vick) Schuck.
From Paris, France, Dec. 1944:
“Each month I look forward to receiving the Woods Brotherhood News and I appreciate very much your sending it to me. It always seems good to hear where the other boys are stationed and all about the church activities at home.”
Naturally, the albums make compelling reading. The newsletters provided seasonal information about the weather as well as tidbits of information regarding those who served. Mailed to far flung parts of the globe, this “news” helped service men feel remembered and connected.
George E. Smith wrote a total of thirty-eight issues of the Woods Brotherhood News. The final issue, the “Peace Issue” was written on Sept. 19, 1945.
Recipients of the Newsletters were very appreciative. Their return letters invariably began with expressions of gratitude. Several commented that fellow servicemen envied this correspondence and wished their churches had done likewise.
From: Somewhere in New Guinea, Dec. 1944, J.K. Shipman BKR 1/C USN:
“Your very nice Christmas greeting came yesterday, right on the proper day. I don’t see how you managed to judge the exact day to mail it.”
From Somewhere in Egypt, Nov. 1942, Gil Pritchard:
“Probably at this time, more than any other, I have come to realize how much I enjoy your letters. It may be because of the distance we are from you, or it may be because we are no longer in the States practicing but we are now playing for keeps.”
Portion of a Woods Brothers Newsletter, February 1943
Even though letters were censored, they provide compelling details:
From France, August 1944, A.M. Webber, “Lonnie”
(He operated a water-purifying unit)
Several days last week, we purified about thirty-thousand gallons of water per day. That was a lot of water to put through our small units. Of course, we worked 20 hours a day to do it.
At the present time, we are pretty close to the front line and we have lots of artillery around us. In fact, that is all they do all day and all night is shell the Germans. It is hard to sleep. There’s so much noise. The last two nites we have been shelled by the enemy. In fact, last nite, they landed a shell about 70 feet away from our foxhole and shrapnel went everywhere. We really felt the concussion from that shell, although none of us were hit because we were all in our fox holes.
I guess our boys over here are really going fast. Of course, we really have more equipment. However, the Germans are no pushover. I don’t think it will last much longer now. I would say about three months more and it will be over here.”
News from a proud new father:
Somewhere in Dutch New Guinea, Jan. 1945, Sgt. Louis Massaro, Jan. 1944:
“It may interest you to know that while I was on the boat coming over here, a baby boy was born, my son, named Thomas Charles Massaro. So you see, I have yet to see my son. My wife and son are both doing good, the last I’ve heard from them.”
P.S. Give my regards to the rest of the Brotherhood class and tell the people back home, our friends, that War is Hell.”
Newsletter writer, George E. Smith, grew up on Smith Road in Shelby. He was a state agriculturalist, and an active Mason as well as a member of the United Methodist Church. Incidentally, this is the anniversary of his death: he was killed in an accident on November 15, 1950, in Sodus, New York, when the car in which he was a passenger collided with a train.
People can protect their health by testing for radon
Press Release, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments
November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. While smoking remains the primary cause of lung cancer, radon gas is the second leading cause and the leading cause among non-smokers.
Radon is an invisible, odorless, and tasteless gas that forms naturally when uranium in soil and rock breaks down. It can enter homes through cracks and openings in foundations and become trapped indoors. Long-term exposure to high levels of radon increases the risk of developing lung cancer.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), one in every 15 homes in the U.S. has elevated radon levels. The only way to know if your home has radon is to test for it.
“You can’t see or smell radon, but it can pose a serious health risk over time,” said Darren Brodie, Environmental Health Director for Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health). “Testing your home is simple and inexpensive, and if high levels are found, radon problems can be fixed.”
Protect your family in three easy steps:
Test your home. Radon test kits are low-cost and easy to use. You can buy short-term test kits online and or at local hardware stores. The Genesee County Health Department also has a limited number of free test kits for Genesee County residents.
Fix high levels. If your test result is 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) or higher, contact a certified radon mitigation professional to lower levels.
Retest after mitigation. Regular testing ensures your home remains safe.
Smoking combined with radon exposure greatly increases lung cancer risk. Quitting smoking and reducing radon exposure are two of the most effective ways to protect your lungs.
Veterans Service Agency Office will be closed for event at Medina VFW
Press Release, Orleans County Veterans Service Office
ALBION – Orleans County Veterans Services is teaming up with GO Health to host a Veterans Health and Benefit Fair on Monday, November 17.
The fair will be from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the VFW, located at 216 E. Center Street in Medina. The Veterans Services Office on Route 31 will be closed Monday as staff will be working this event.
The event is open to all veterans. Representatives from GO Health and Veterans Services will be on hand to discuss healthcare resources and benefits available to veterans. Free food and drink will be provided.
“We are always looking for ways to support our veterans and by teaming up with GO Health for this event, we can offer information on a wide variety of health and benefit programs available to the veteran community,” said Nik Mroz, Director of Veterans Services. “While we asked for preregistration, any veteran who missed that deadline is still welcome to attend and bring a guest.”
(Left) The book includes a tribute to Melissa Ierlan of Clarendon who has repainted more than 50 of the historic markers, often welcoming local students to help in the process of scraping off paint, and putting on a base coat before Ierlan puts on the final coats of blue and yellow paint and does painstaking process of painting each letter. She delivered one freshly repainted marker on Oct. 29. This was the marker for the Gaines Basin Cobblestone Schoolhouse which was built in 1832. (Right) Tim Archer, an Albion teacher, praised Ierlan for being “a tireless doer” in taking on so many of the projects.
By Ginny Kropf and Tom Rivers
GAINES – An updated book about historical markers in Orleans County features about 100 of the markers around the county.
Catherine Cooper, the county historian, compiled the book of markers, as well as historical tidbits from each of the 10 towns and four villages. She pushed to get the project done in 2025 as part of the county’s bicentennial.
“Historic Markers of Orleans County New York” is a revised guidebook from the 2001 original. That book, “Historic Markers Erected During the 20th Century in Orleans County New York,” was produced by then Orleans County Historian Bill Lattin and Neil Johnson, the village of Albion historian.
“To date, historic roadside markers document significant events in Orleans County history,” Cooper said. “These blue and yellow signs are easily recognizable, but sometimes difficult to read as we speed by.”
Cooper, during the Oct. 29 book unveiling, told her audience she suggested keeping a copy of the book in the car so the text on these markers – which enriches our connection to our surroundings – can easily be referred to.
The new book has the same design and layout as the first publication, Cooper said. It is organized by towns and has a chronology at the beginning. The signs cover the complete range of Orleans County history. Many of the signs refer to “firsts,” such as “first church,” or “first school,” since these were significant achievements at the time.
Other signs refer to people who made a difference, such as the sign for Col Ezra Brainard of Holley, who is credited with developing the idea of a triangular-shaped truss bridge construction during the early years of Erie Canal construction. Erie Canal bridges still feature truss supports, Cooper said.
Provided photos: Catherine Cooper, the Orleans County historian, holds a copy of a book featuring the historical markers in Orleans County. Cooper did a book launch during a presentation on Oct. 29 at the Gaines Basin Cobblestone Schoolhouse, which is the meeting place for the Orleans County Historical Association. Bill Lattin introduced Cooper and commended her efforts during the Oct. 29 presentation.
The book includes 105 historical markers. The Village of Albion has the most markers with 22, followed by the Town of Gaines with 19. The Village of Lyndonville has the fewest with 2, with the Town of Albion (outside the village), the next fewest with 3.
Here are the numbers in the other municipalities: Barre, 4; Carlton, 7; Clarendon, 7; Holley, 8; Kendall, 4; Medina, 9; Murray, 6; Ridgeway, 7; Shelby, 5; and Yates, 5.
This latest book is dedicated to Melissa Ierlan of Clarendon, who has repainted and repaired 54 of the historic marker signs. Tim Archer, retired Albion Social Service teacher, commended Irelan’s generosity of spirit and the enthusiasm she has passed on to student volunteers.
The back cover of the book features the poster created by Carol Culhane for the Orleans County bicentennial. The 58-page book also has a list of the 36 veterans’ memorials in the county.
Copies of the book are available for $15. They can be purchased at the Cobblestone Museum, Hoag Library, Lee-Whedon Memorial Library in Medina, Murray-Holley Historical Society and Author’s Note in Medina.
Bill Lattin spoke at the Oct. 29 book unveiling. He said historic markers are the “tip of the iceberg” in providing information about some of the important local sites.
“The historic markers are not just an arsenal of facts, but a living continuum through which we may better understand our lace in the world in which we live, much to our ‘tangible benefit,’” Lattin writes in the foreword of the book.
Photo by Tom Rivers: On May 27, 2024, on a rainy Memorial Day, the Holley community dedicated a new historical marker for the 9 “Holley Boys” who were killed during the Vietnam War. Those young men include: John P. Davis, age 30: David Duane Case, 20; Ronald P. Sisson, 23; Howard L. Bowen, 20; Gary E. Bullock, 24; Gary Lee Stymus, 26; George Warren Fischer Jr., 23; Paul Scott Mandracchia, 18; and David States, 21. This marker is much larger than the typical historical markers. It I located in front of the old Holley High School.
Since the 2001 book by Lattin and Johnson, about 30 more markers have been added to the Orleans County landscape.
The oldest marker was installed in 1913 as a tablet erected in front of the County Clerk’s Building in Albion. That marker told how the site previously was home to the Phipps Union Female Seminary led by the school’s founder, Caroline Phipps Achilles.
The early markers in the county were typically funded by the Daughters of the American Revolution and the State Historic Marker Program. More recent markers were spearheaded by local or historical agencies, Cooper said. And since 2012, the William G. Pomeroy Foundation has supported many of the markers.
Cooper thanked local highway departments for installing many of the markers, and volunteers who have repaired and repainted them, notably Melissa Ierlan of Clarendon, Dan Mawn of Holley and Larie Vagg of Albion.
The book of historical markers helps to understand Orleans County, which formed in 1825 after splitting off from Genesee County.
“Two hundred years is a short time in the span of history but a significant period in human terms,” Cooper writes in the foreword of the book. “The landscape is completely different. Lifestyles have changed dramatically in that time. It is the thread of history that connects us through the constant and inevitable change. Historic markers serves as guide marks along the way.”
Photos courtesy of Zach Busch: The Symphonic Band was conducted by Mr. Martin Allen, a retired high school band director of 32 years at Grand Island Schools. The students performed four works, including “Cincinnatus March” by H. A. Vandercook and “Mambo Perro Loco” by Julie Giroux.
Information courtesy of Zach Busch, Holley band director
WEBSTER – Last weekend 6 students from Orleans County participated in the NYSSMA (New York State School Music Association) Zone 2 Jr. High Area All-State festival at Webster Schroeder High School.
NYSSMA Zone 2 encompasses schools from Orleans, Genesee, Wyoming, Monroe, Livingston, Ontario, Seneca, and Wayne Counties. To be selected for Area All-State, students must first prepare a solo on their instrument or voice for adjudication at Solo Festival.
Then, based on their score and a teacher recommendation, an application is sent to a committee of music teachers from the NYSSMA Zone 2 area who select that year’s student participants in the Area All-State ensembles.
Students spent eight total hours last Friday and Saturday rehearsing their music before giving concerts to friends and family in the afternoon.
Three of the students from Orleans County include, from left, Rosa Scroope of Holley, Lillian Olsen of Medina and Adler Class of Medina.
From Lyndonville, 8th grader Harli Crawford made the Mixed Chorus as an Alto, 8th grader Emily Kroll made the Treble Chorus as an Alto, and 9th grader Karalyn Klotzbach made the Treble Chorus as a Soprano.
From Medina, 9th grader Adler Class made the Symphonic Band on Percussion and 8th grader Lillian Olsen made the Symphonic Band on Trumpet.
From Holley, 9th grader Rosa Scroope made the Symphonic Band on French Horn.
The Mixed Chorus was conducted by Mrs. Heather Vest, the Executive Director of the Cincinnati Youth Choir. The students performed five works, including “Come to the Music” by Joseph M. Martin and “Fly Away Home” by Pinkzebra.
The Treble Chorus was conducted by Dr. Brian Stevens, the founder of a professional chamber choir “Vox Lusciniae” out of Western NY and the Director of Choral Activities at St. Bonaventure University. The students performed five works, including “From Now On” from the Greatest Showman and “Omnia Sol” by Z. Randall Stroope.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 15 November 2025 at 6:42 pm
Provided photos: This quilt, hand-made by Brenda Radzinski, will be on display as part of the Cobblestone Museum’s holiday program Dec. 6 to usher in the Christmas season. The program, “Simply Christmas: A Community Musical Quilt,” will feature talented individuals from the local area, accompanied by a display of quilts.
CHILDS – The Cobblestone Museum will welcome the Christmas season with special events on Dec. 6. These include the opening of the Museum’s Holiday Shoppe from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., along with a special program arranged by Cobblestone board member and treasurer Maarit Vaga, titled “Simply Christmas: A Community Musical Quilt.”
The Cobblestone Museum’s Holiday Shoppe is filled with unique items for its Open House on Dec. 6.
Sue Bonafini, assistant director of the Cobblestone Museum, urges community members to consider checking out the Holiday Shoppe for their Christmas shopping needs.
“Whether you’re looking for a string of lights, wrapping paper, a tree ornament, Christmas books, mugs, wreaths, snowmen or assorted Santa and angel items, consider stopping by to check out our brand new or gently used holiday merchandise,” Bonafini said. “We’ve already got plenty to choose from, but because we anticipate many shoppers, why not donate your unwanted holiday decorations to us. We’ll take anything you’re ready to retire that would enhance our displays so we can get them into a new home for the holiday season.”
All sales benefit the Cobblestone Society and Museum.
In addition to the Holiday Shoppe items, Susan Walders will be selling handmade knitted and crocheted items to enhance the shopping experience, perfect for gift giving to or keep winter’s chill away, Bonafini said.
Anyone wishing to donate items to the Holiday Shoppe can call (585) 589-9013 or email volunteers@cobblestonemuseum.org to arrange a drop-off time.
The name “Simply Christmas: A Community Musical Quilt,” was chosen for this year’s holiday program to usher in the Christmas season, Bonafini said. Vaga is working on this patchwork of instrumental music, vocals and more to entertain the audience at 11 a.m. Dec. 6 at the Cobblestone Church. A 45-minute performance will include at least one sing-along and a quartet of Susan Walders, Aaron Grabowski and Bradeen and Sebastian Erakare singing Riu, Riu, Chiu, a Spanish Renaissance Christmas madrigal.
Jan-Mikael Erakare will present Christmas readings. In addition, three former interns will entertain: John Patt of Holley will play a violin solo, Casey Starkweather of Carlton will sing and Eliya Cooper of Rochester will join Walders for a clarinet and flute duet.
The entire program will be enhanced by a display of quilts by talented quilter Brenda Radzinski. A free-will offering will be accepted. Light refreshments will follow at the lower level of the church.
Derek Maxfield kicks off series with presentation on ‘Santa in the Making’
Press Release, Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council
BATAVIA – GO Art! is pleased to announce a new monthly history lecture series – “Uninhibited History.”
Promising a view of history that is “unvarnished, unconventional, and decidedly unromantic,” the series will be hosted by local author, historian, and master storyteller Derek D. Maxfield.
The first lecture will be Wednesday, December 17th at 6:30 p.m. Grab a drink in Tavern 2.o.1 and join us for… “Santa in the Making.”
While the myth of Santa Claus has its roots in many European legends, including Saint Nicholas, the truth is that Santa was born and reared in America in the 19th century. The story started with innocent attempts to amuse children but caught the national consciousness when retailers saw the opportunity to make Christmas into a cultural (and profitable) juggernaut. It is a fascinating story, but may not be suitable for children or “true believers.”
Admission is simply a suggested donation of $5 with all proceeds to benefit GO Art!
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 November 2025 at 9:30 am
Spending, up 1.2%, reaches $100 million for first time; Budget faces pressure from many fronts
ALBION – Orleans County officials are proposing a budget that would raise taxes by 2.6 percent in 2026.
The $100,261,320 proposed budget was filed on Friday by Jack Welch, the county’s chief administrative officer and also the budget officer.
Jack Welch
The budget tops $100 million for the first time. Spending is up 1.18 percent from the $99,092,747 in 2025 to $100,261,320.
The tax levy, what the county collects in taxes, increases by 2.60 percent or by $500,000 from $19,639,000 to $20,139,000. The tax rate is proposed to increase by 1.63 percent from $7.91 to $8.05 per $1,000 of assessed property.
The County Legislature will have a public hearing on the budget at 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 3 at the Orleans County Legislative Chambers, 14016 Route 31.
“In recent years, I have raised concerns about how the Orleans County budget is influenced by ‘VUCA,’ meaning volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity,” Welch said in his budget message. “Unfortunately, these dynamics have not changed, and as such, the county remains under tremendous budget pressure.”
The spending plan doesn’t exceed the state-imposed tax cap. Welch said “a tremendous amount of work” by department heads, legislators and the budget team kept the tax increase at 2.6 percent and not much higher.
The budget is seeing a big increase in 730 competency restoration for people deemed unfit to stand trial. Those costs totaled $57,209 in 2023 and have already exceeded $1 million this year. The county has budgeted $1.5 million for the “730” costs in 2026, which is up from the $500,000 in this year’s budget.
“This trajectory is simply not sustainable and must be addressed by the New York State Legislature,” Welch said.
The budget also faces a nearly 21 percent increase in New York State retirement costs, due to a lower stock market evaluation on march 31, 2025, Welch said. The retirement costs are one of the nine state mandated programs which now account of 115 percent of the tax levy, Welch said.
“At the same time, we have made significant strides to reduce costs,” he said. “For 2026, with the agreement of our unions, we have changed our medical coverage from Highmark to NYSHIP’s Empire Plan. This change resulted in 6 percent decrease in our budgeted health insurance costs. We have also continued our efforts to increase the hours in the work week for most of our employees from 35 hours to a 40 hours per week in an attempt to refrain from hiring more workers to cover the mandated services we are required to provide.”
The county also is projecting a $1.6 million increase in the local sales tax revenue. This year the sales tax receipts have been strong, nearly 8 percent ahead of 2024.
“As we present this to the Legislature, I am confident our proposed budget maintains core county services and programs in the most cost-effective manner possible, complies with the New York State property tax cap and provides funding for prioritized projects and programs while avoiding fiscal stress,” Welch said.
The budget keeps funding at the same levels for organizations providing services in the county including:
Cornell Cooperative Extension at $240,000; Orleans Economic Development Agency at $200,000; Soil & Water at $100,500, four public libraries to share $10,000; Mercy Flight at $5,000; Council of the Arts at $4,000; Cobblestone Museum, $3,000.
The budget includes $8,566,052 for capital projects:
Highway – $7,446,143 ($7,060,509 from state and federal governments)
Local bridge and culvert repairs, $50,000
Patch and seal county roads, $150,000
Highway reconstruction, $2,668,458
Eagle Harbor Knowlesville culvert, $865,000
Bridge Project #2, $2,375,500
Groth Road bridge replacement, $1,337,185
Buildings and grounds – $610,000 (all county cost)
ALBION – On Tuesday, at 6:30 p.m., the Community Coalition for Justice will host Dr. Carl Davila, Associate Professor of History at SUNY Brockport. The presentation will be at Hoag Library, 134 South Main St.
Dr. Davila will discuss recent developments in Palestine and the agendas, both overt and hidden, that appear to be driving them. He will do this with an eye to the Law of Unintended Consequences.
Dr. Davila holds a PhD in Arabic studies. He has taught, lectured, and written on the history of the Islamic world for two decades. It is an honor to have him come and shine a light on what’s happening in the Middle East.
There will be a question and answer period after the presentation by Dr. Davila. Light refreshments will be provided. This event is free and open to the community.
The Community Coalition for Justice regularly sponsors programs focusing on diversity and other relevant social justice issues. The Coalition partners with the Albion Betterment Committee, Pullman Universalist Church, Hoag Library, Green Orleans and People Embracing Diversity.
Organization embraces theme: ‘We See the Whole You’
Press Release, Hospice of Orleans
ALBION – Hospice of Orleans, the leading nonprofit provider of hospice and palliative care services Orleans County, is proud to recognize November as National Hospice and Palliative Care Month.
This year’s theme, “We See the Whole You,” highlights the organization’s commitment to treating each patient as a unique individual, honoring their experiences, values, and hopes while providing personalized, high-quality, and compassionate care.
At Hospice of Orleans, hospice care focuses on supporting the whole person—body, mind, and spirit. The organization’s care teams focus on caring for each patient as a unique individual, delivering care that respects their wishes and values while guiding and supporting families and loved ones every step of the way.
“Hospice and palliative care are about more than managing symptoms,” said Erin Bradley, Registered Nurse Case Manager. “They are about recognizing the person at the center of care. National Hospice and Palliative Care Month is a reminder of our responsibility to honor each individual’s story while supporting their journey with compassion and respect. That’s the promise Hospice of Orleans upholds every day: to honor each life fully, with dignity, compassion, and respect.”
Hospice of Orleans encourages the community to learn more about hospice and palliative care services, get involved through volunteer opportunities, and explore educational resources to make the care journey easier. For more information, visit www.hospiceoforleans.org or contact Brittany Dix at info@hospiceoforleans.org.
Hospice of Orleans is a dedicated, community-based non-profit organization providing comprehensive, compassionate end-of-life care to patients and families across Orleans county. Our interdisciplinary team focuses on comfort, dignity, and maximizing the quality of life through expert palliative medical care, emotional support, and spiritual guidance. We are committed to honoring life’s final chapter with peace and respect.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 November 2025 at 12:04 pm
Many of the meetings only have 12-15 attendees among more than 70 elected officials at village, town and county levels
Photo by Tom Rivers: Orleans County legislator John Fitzak speaks during the Oct. 28 meeting of the Orleans County Association of Municipalities. Debbie Yokel, Carlton town clerk, is at left and Margaret Swan, Barre town councilwoman, is at right.
GAINES – An association of local elected officials has experienced very light turnouts in recent years. That is frustrating to the association’s leaders, who want to see more participation.
Some of the meetings have been cancelled because too few people sent in an RSVP. Other meetings only have 12 to 15 people.
The Orleans County Association of Municipalities is currently co-led by County Legislator John Fitzak and Carlton Town Supervisor Gayle Ashbery. They try to brainstorm relevant topics each month in meetings for leaders of the four villages, 10 towns and the county government.
The association has discussed topics this year on local land planning issues, using aerial imagery in the assessment process, and heard presentations from the County’s Special Response Team and also the county’s personnel director. The group in the past has discussed EMS services, sales tax sharing, infrastructure needs and changes in state and federal laws and their impact locally.
The next meeting on Nov. 18 at Tavern on the Ridge will feature Holli Nenni, the Orleans County commissioner of social services. She will discuss impacts of the federal government shutdown. The Orleans County Board of Elections representatives will also share information.
The association was started more than 40 years ago after the county government changed from being run by the 10-member Board of Supervisors to the seven-member County Legislature. The association is intended to give the county legislators, and the town and village officials a frequent and easy way to share information and discuss common concerns.
“The more information we gather, the better the product will be,” Fitzak said at the Oct. 28 meeting.
The towns and county used to be rotation where they would pick the speaker. Fitzak said he is open to having the towns do the schedule, or submit ideas to him and Ashbery.
The Special Response Team, which includes members of the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department and Albion Police Department, did a demonstration on Oct. 28 for the local officials and showed some of their equipment, including drone technology.
Fitzak welcomed input from the group on what needs to be done to get more involvement from all the towns and villages.
“We want to keep the lines of communication open,” Fitzak said. “Let us know but do your part and get people to show up.”
The Albion Village Board discussed the issue on Wednesday. Trustee Tim McMurray attended the Oct. 28 meeting. He urged other Village Board members to attend. He said it’s a venue for airing concerns and hearing from other local leaders.
McMurray said he would like to have a fresh discussion on sales tax sharing. The amount to the 10 towns and four villages hasn’t changed since 2001 despite sizable increases in what the county collects.
“This is a time where we can show up and ask them questions,” McMurray said about the association of local elected officials.
John Belson, the Lyndonville mayor, is a regular at the meetings. He said Orleans County is unusual in having an association where the local officials can get together regularly to discuss issues.
Each of the 10 towns have five board members, and the four villages also have five elected officials on their boards. The County Legislature has seven members. That is 77 officials among the towns, villages and county, and that doesn’t include clerks and highway superintendents.
But only a few of them attend the association meetings.
Fitzak urged more officials to be there.
“They don’t know the information,” he said. “They’re missing out.”
Cooper said she expects to have a committee in Orleans County to help direct how the county will spend the $15,000 and be part of the commemoration.
November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. While smoking remains the primary cause of lung cancer, radon gas is the second leading cause and the leading cause among non-smokers.
