By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 June 2023 at 9:57 pm
Orleans County resident joined by 850 runners in last 3 miles of epic journey that started in Florida, ending in Rochester
Photo courtesy of Eileen Banker
ROCHESTER – Brett Sobieraski, right, is joined by his son Zachary today when Sobieraski ran the last stretch of his 50th marathon and 50 days.
Sobieraski was joined by 850 runners for the final three miles of today’s run with the last stretch from Genesee Valley Park to the Halls of Justice Courtyard at 99 Exchange Street.
Sobieraski, a retired Rochester Police Department sergeant, lives in Carlton in Orleans County. He ran the marathons to honor the memory of Rochester police officer Anthony “Maz” Mazurkiewicz. He was killed in the line of duty on July 21, 2022.
Sobieraski felt Maz didn’t get his due after his death, and that the media was too quick to move on. Sobieraski sought to raise $100,000 for the Mazurkiewicz family is very close to reaching that goal.
Photos courtesy of Mike Schultz
Brett Sobieraski greets his friend Tom Drennan after the finish today in Rochester. Drennan, a Kendall native who now lives in Florida, stayed close to Sobieraski for the first three days of the marathons in Florida, providing support.
Sobieraski would go over 1,300 miles on foot through eight states – Florida, Georgia, South and North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and finally back home in New York.
Monroe County Sheriff Todd Baxter praised Sobieraski for uniting the community I remembering the ultimate sacrifice from Mazurkiewicz.
Baxter is a former SWAT team coordinator and captain with the Rochester Police Department.
Photo by Tom Rivers
A day before finishing his 50th marathon in a row, Sobieraski did his 49th in Orleans County. He ran from his house in Carlton to Albion, then the ran the Strawberry Festival 5K and ran back home for 26.2 miles.
He is shown here in Albion at the starting with four members of Albion’s cross country team, including from left: Adam Burgio, Myles Beach, Matthew Bloom and Cordelia Rivers.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 June 2023 at 10:53 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – “Santa Vern” from Boonville, NY, engages the crowd along Main Street in Albion during the Strawberry Festival parade on Saturday. Santa Vern was a vendor selling kettle corn in the food court.
He took a break from the popcorn to be part of the parade, and zipped along the parade route on his scooter. Santa Vern said he wanted to be part of the parade with a theme, “Here Comes Santa.” He also was part of the celebration after the parade with the unveiling of a bronze statue in honor of the late Charles W. Howard, who ran a Santa School in Albion from 1937 to 1966 and also operated Christmas Park.
Sheryl Watts, owner and artistic designer of Air Raising Events, made a purple eagle costume out of balloons. Ina previous parade she made a strawberry out of balloons.
Strawberry Festival royalty acknowledge the crowd, including King Nick Andrews and Queen Jackie Santiago Garcia.
There were two princesses for the festival: sixth-grader Brooklyn Miens, left, and seventh-grader Ayme Vallejo-Morales.
Kerry Panek and Jim Panek, back left, get a float ready with help from their grandchildren and other family members. They are celebrating 40 years of growing strawberries at Panek’s Pickin’ Patch.
Aubrey Kennedy, 11, of Kent wore the turtle costume in the parade and later for the turtle race along the canal with more than 800 toy turtles. She had some downtime before the parade and played Uno with her brother Auden and their mother Pam. The 50 parade floats and other participants met at the parking lots at Albion High School and the elementary school to get their spots in the parade that last more than an hour.
Neveya Barnes and other Girl Scouts wore Santa hats and beards as part of the float with the North Point Chapel.
The Rochester Scottish Pipes & Drums were among several marching bands in the parade.
Dance Reflections by Miss Heather added a Christmas theme to their routine in honor of the parade theme, “Here Comes Santa.”
Brad Shelp drives a classic convertible in the parade in front of the Mark Time Marchers. Shelp served as the parade’s main coordinator.
The Albion Purple Eagles Marching Band performed their “Jersey Boys” show in front of the home crowd.
Amy Sidari, owner of Gotta Dance by Miss Amy, was an enthusiastic participant in the parade.
The Mighty St. Joe’s Alumni Corps from Le Roy put on an impressive show, especially on Main Street in front of the festival grounds.
The Rotary Coach Pitch team was among several youth sports teams in the parade, tossing candy and treats.
The parade went on despite the Main Street bridge being out of service. The bridge is actually off set as part of a major rehabilitation. Instead of crossing the bridge, the parade route turned left off Main Street to West Bank Street.
Gary Kent drives a John Deere tractor and pulls Santa in a sleigh set on a trailer to close out the parade. Kent wanted Santa to be pulled by a deer. They were on their way to dedicating a new bronze statue for Santa after the parade. The statue is a tribute to the late Charles W. Howard, the founder of a Santa school in Albion.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 11 June 2023 at 7:56 am
Dave Green, organizer of Medina’s Friday night cruise-ins in the canal basin, checks in car 51, a 1937 Ford Coupe driven by Steve Skryp and his wife Michele of Lyndonville.
MEDINA – It’s a sure sign summer is here when cruise-ins start popping up throughout the area.
Friday night was the start of Medina’s cruise-in in the canal basin, and although turnout was one of the lightest in the event’s history, organizer Dave Green is still looking forward to a summer of successful events.
Vehicles numbered only in the low 50s, which Green attributed to the forecast of possible showers.
“I know the rain kept a lot of people away,” he said. “If they hadn’t forecast rain, there would have easily been 100 cars here.”
People with antique vehicles do not want to take a chance on them getting wet, he said.
An exception was Steve Skryp of Lyndonville, who was one of the last to arrive with his wife Michele in their 1937 Ford Coupe. A little rain wouldn’t hurt it, he said.
Different organizations sell refreshments each Friday and music is played by DJ Hank Nevins.
The cruise-ins are sponsored by United Way of Orleans County. Weekly 50/50 drawings support United Way.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 June 2023 at 7:32 pm
Statue honors legacy of Charles W. Howard who ran Santa School and Christmas Park in Albion
Photo by Tom Rivers
ALBION – A bronze statue was unveiled today at about noon honoring Charles W. Howard, who ran a Santa School in Albion from 1937 until 1966.
Leaders of the Albion Betterment Committee – Gary Kent, Gary Derwick (behind Kent) and Joe Gehl – are joined by three Santas in celebrating the unveiling of the statue.
When the covering was removed from the statue, confetti was shot into the air.
The Betterment Committee worked on the project for eight years, raising about $80,000 from the local community without any grants or state funding.
Mary Ida Doan, center, takes a close look at the statue depicting Charles W. Howard. She and her late husband, Nate Doan, both graduated from the Santa School led by Howard. She traveled from Michigan to be in Albion for the dedication. She was joined by her son Jack.
Mrs. Doan said Howard “was like family” and she didn’t want to miss the statue unveiling.
After Howard’s death in 1966, Nate and Mary Ida Doan continued the school in Howard’s name. They would eventually move the school to Bay City, Mich. and they served as the school deans until Tom Valent took over the leadership in 1987. Mr. Valent continues to lead the school today in Midland, Mich. and he has kept the school in Howard’s name.
Three of Charles Howard’s grandchildren are pictured with the three Albion Betterment Committee directors who have worked on the statue project the past eight years. From left include Charles Howard’s grandchildren Susan Howard Brown, Charles Bergeman and Jane Holland and ABC directors Gary Derwick, Joe Gehl and Gary Kent.
The statue of Charles Howard in a Santa suit is in front of a 24-foot-long mural created in 2018 by Stacey Kirby Steward, an Albion native.
The new statue is at ground level so people can easily get close and get a picture with him, with the mural providing a striking backdrop for photos. The statue is just about life size at 6 feet tall.
Gary Simboli, a retired Albion music teacher, leads the group in Christmas music, including “Here Comes Santa Claus,” before the statue dedication. To the left are members of Charles Howard’s family, including three grandchildren and great-children. Mary Ida Doan and her son Jeff from Michigan also attended the celebration today in Albion.
Jane Holland of Williamsville, Charlie Howard’s granddaughter, thanked many people in the Albion community for working to honor her grandfather. She made special note of Ken McPherson of Medina, who is a Charles W. Howard Santa School graduate and a collector of memorabilia for the school and Christmas Park.
Holland said everyone can be a part of Howard’s legacy by asking themselves a simple question: “What can we do to make somebody else’s life brighter?” she said.
Howard’s grandson, Charles Bergeman of Lewiston, said he was named after his grandfather and was called “little Charles” when he was growing up.
Brian Porter, the sculptor of the statue, had experts on Howard over several times to his home and studio. In one visit to Porter’s home, Bergeman suggested the cheeks needed to be a little bigger to better reflect the likeness of his grandfather. Bergeman smiled and Porter took a photo, and used that image to shape the cheeks on the statue. Bergeman said the final look is perfect in capturing the look of his grandfather in a Santa suit that Howard himself designed.
Gary Derwick, Joe Gehl Gehl and Gary Kent, leaders of the Albion Betterment Committee, were the driving forces in raising money for the statue and seeing the project to fruition. The community gave $80,000 towards the project. There weren’t any grants or government money towards the statue.
Kent said Howard remains a revered leader in the Santa community. Kent was able to see that first-hand during Santa conferences in Albion in 2010 and 2015, when people who portray Santa traveled all over the country to come to Howard’s hometown.
Some of those people were disappointed there wasn’t more done in the community to celebrate Howard.
The Betterment Committee has since put up “Believe” signs, installed a lighted welcome sign with a cutout of Howard in a Santa suite on Route 98, upgraded a sign at the former Santa School site, and supported other projects honoring Howard, including the mural at Waterman Park where the statue is located.
Kent and the ABC group believe celebrating and highlighting some of the community’s history can help Albion be more vibrant today. Putting in the statue in the downtown should help bring more people to the business district in the heart of the community.
A crowd gathered at Waterman Park, which is a half block south of the Erie Canal. The Albion Betterment Committee thanked donors for making the project a reality.
Susan Howard Brown, second from right, is Charles Howard’s granddaughter. She made a 6-hour drive from Michigan to be at the statue unveiling. She is joined by her son William Brown and his girlfriend Catherine Crowell (left), and daughter Stephanie Brown and her fiancé Steven Evans. Santa Vern from Boonville, NY also joined the celebration.
Stephanie Brown, Howard’s great-granddaughter, said “the magic of Christmas” remains very special in the family, as well as Howard’s role leading the first Santa school. He was a prominent Santa who also starred in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade for nearly 20 years.
“It’s nice to see that he is treasured here,” Brown said after the statue dedication. “He loved people and it’s nice to see the people around here love him back.”
Brian Porter, a sculptor from Pendleton, is photographed with the statue he created over about 18 months. Porter also is the sculptor for the bronze statue of a soldier outside the Orleans County YMCA, which is the former Medina Armory.
The statue in Medina of the soldier was dedicated on Sept. 7, 2019 in a project honoring the 550 soldiers who trained at the Armory from 1898 to 1947. They fought in four major conflicts: the Spanish American War, Mexican Border Incursion, World War I and World War II.
Many people stopped by the statue today to get a photo, including Stacey Kirby Steward, the mural artist of the Santa in a sleigh over the courthouse and downtown Albion. She visited the statue with her niece Rosemary Kirby, center, and daughter Skylar.
Mary Ida Doan, a Charles W. Howard Santa School graduate from when Charles Howard taught the school, gives the statue a close inspection. Howard’s family and local Santa enthusiast Ken McPherson of Medina also touch the statue and give it a close look. They all said the statue is a fitting tribute to the man who helped so many people serve in the role as Santa.
The Texas State Capital building in Austin is a stunning example of architecture that can be seen from quite a distance.
The fourth and final part from my recent Texas Adventure covers the second half of day five in Austin. That morning, I spent some time at The Alamo in San Antonio – I wrote about that two weeks ago. I decided to add on a side trip to Austin for the afternoon.
Austin, about 80 miles north of San Antonio, is a country music mecca and the capital city of Texas. Their motto is “Keep Austin Weird”! Originally called Waterloo, Austin became a key crossroads for trade between Santa Fe and Galveston Bay. It is currently the largest city in Travis County, TX, the fourth most populous city in Texas, the 11th most populous city in the United States, and the second most populous state capital city.
Visiting Austin wasn’t in my original plan for the trip. The plan was Houston/Conroe, Galveston, and San Antonio. But, when I looked on the map and saw how close Austin was to San Antonio and that I could fit it in, I decided to add it as a side-trip. I’m so glad I did! I LOVED Austin! Since I only had a few hours in Austin, I wanted to see as much as I could in that small time. So….yep, you guessed it…..I went to the Welcome Center and got a ticket on a double decker city bus tour. It was perfect! I sat right in the front seat on the top level of the open top bus and had the BEST view of the city! The guide was amazing and it was an awesome hour or so loop full of cool things to see and interesting commentary.
Austin is a fun and colorful city. I was impressed by the architecture, brightness, and general cleanliness of the city. The perfect mix of eclectic and modern. We rode down Sixth Street – a street full of clubs, music, restaurants, food, and drinks. As we drove along the street, music blared from just about every building we passed. It looked like a fun place to be. The Texas State Capital building is stunning and a very prominent sight that can be seen from quite a distance. Food trucks are a BIG attraction in Austin – we saw several “food truck parks” along our journey.
Our guide told us several folk lore stories about the old days in Austin – like this story about a dark December night in 1842 when Sam Houston tried to take the Texas archives out of Austin, thereby eliminating it as a possible capital city of the Republic. A middle aged woman named Angelina Eberly saw what was going on downtown and fired a cannon at the thieves. They failed their mission and Austin became the capital city. In 2004, the city erected a bronze statue of Angelina firing her cannon at the spot where she stood on Congress Ave between 6th and 7th streets.
The oldest building in Austin is now the Moonshine Grill restaurant – a must add to any trip to Austin!
After the tour ended, I asked about a nearby place where I could get dinner before heading back to San Antonio. I was told with no hesitation about Moonshine Grill right across the street from the Welcome Center. It was amazing!!! They brought a bucket of popcorn lightly seasoned with a wonderful kick to munch on while I waited for my meal. I had chicken and waffles – again, with a slight kick that delighted my taste buds – and sweet tea. It was all soooooo good!!! If you’re ever in Austin, be sure to include a meal at Moonshine Grill – you won’t regret it. It is the oldest building in Austin and specializes in comfort food with a Texas twist.
I made it back to my hotel in San Antonio in time to pack up and get to bed fairly early to rest up for my VERY early morning flight back home. My trip was done…..my time in Texas had ended…..it was a wonderful trip and I feel I did Texas right this time. The first time I was in Texas, it technically met all the criteria to check it off the “visit all 50 states” bucket list item, but I really felt like I cheated and wanted to go back and see more. And, now I have! I put 653 miles on my rental car, visited five different cities, had a wonderful visit with my cousin in Conroe, scratched off three more items on the banners on my Adventure Wall, and made lots of amazing memories – all in five days!!!
A view of part of Sixth Street in Austin – an eclectic strip of restaurants, clubs, and shops bursting with music and fun.
One last thrill to share about this adventure…..it was the perfect cap to the trip! I was at the gate during my layover in Baltimore-Washington International Airport and saw a guy dressed in a colonial uniform with a bell and a line of military men – most were Army, one was a sailor – all in uniform. What I soon realized was that there were preparing to deboard an Honor Flight plane filled with war veterans headed to Washington DC to tour the monuments. With each set of veterans, the colonial guy would ring the bell and another man would announce their arrival – they represented WWII, Korean War, and Vietnam War. All the passengers waiting in the terminal stood and cheered….the veterans passed by with smiles and waves and shook the hands of the military soldiers greeting them. It was an AMAZING and very emotional experience. And…..I and not ashamed to admit that I shamelessly flirted with the young sailor that was standing beside me waiting for the veterans to arrive….there’s something about a sailor in a white uniform! Hehehe
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 June 2023 at 6:44 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – There are about 40 chairs up for bid util the library closes today at 2 p.m., including the one in the top photo with a Pac-Man design. It was painted by students at Albion High School.
The bids art at a minimum of $20.
Cathy Moore, a member of the Friends, said the chair auction s one of the biggest fundraisers for the Friends. She encourages people to bid, and to check out the creative displays on the stools and chairs.
“It’s fun,” she said about the chairs painted in many different colors and designs. “You get all kinds of different things.”
Albion Middle School students painted the chair at left with a music theme and also the stool that looks like a cow, including with an udder below the seat. Judy Manley painted the rabbit-themed chair at far right.
Many local residents and artists contributed to the chair auction, including former library director Susan Rudnicky. She painted flowers on a folding chair. Rudnicky has painted a chair for the fundraiser every year since it started more than a decade ago back when the auction was held at the former Swan Library.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 June 2023 at 3:44 pm
‘This is an amazing part of your life but I want you to be safe and smart – and not just for prom and graduation season, but for a long time to come.’ – HS Principal Jenn Ashbery
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Albion firefighters and paramedics from Monroe Ambulance take Albion student Miranda Gebo on a stretcher this morning as part of a simulation showing the dangers of driving while drunk.
Gebo portrayed the injured driver of a vehicle that was hit by a drunk driver.
First responders with help from five Albion students simulated a crash this morning. They were sending a message about the importance of making good choices and not driving while intoxicated or under the influence of marijuana or drugs. Albion’s prom is this evening at Hickory Ridge in Holley. Students also are expected to attend many graduation parties and other gatherings this summer.
The two vehicles in the crash were provided by Mike and Joe Quill from Quill Diesel Repair and Towing in Barre Center.
Albion Fire Chief Jeremy Graham checks on the one of the students, Samantha Basinait. She suffered fatal injuries in the crash, as portrayed in the simulation. She was a passenger in a vehicle that was driven by Nick Andrews, left. Another student, Maya Knaak, checks on the driver in the other vehicle.
Nick Andrews tries to walk straight as part of a field sobriety test administered by Cory Martindale, an Orleans County Sheriff’s deputy.
Natalie Baron, a senior at Albion, is taken by stretcher to an ambulance.
Scott Schmidt, the Orleans County chief coroner, would declare Basinait deceased as part of the simulation.
Students would gathering in the LGI in the high school after the simulation. Matt Prawel, an Orleans County deputy sheriff and Albion’s school resource officer, discussed “Red Watch Bands” which were given to the students to remind them about the dangers of toxic drinking deaths.
Boys (men) are in danger of losing consciousness if they have five or more alcoholic drinks in two hours, while girls (women) could suffer alcohol poisoning with four or more drinks within two hours.
Mary Wright, a prevention educator with GCASA, urged the group to look after each other, and call for help immediately if they see someone who is vomiting from alcohol, or if they don’t respond when shouted at, if they have very slow breathing, can’t stand up, have pale/bluish skin or an irregular/slow pulse.
“Alcohol overdose is a serious medical emergency,” she told the group of about 80 students.
Albion Town Justice Gary Moore sentences Nick Andrews to 5 to 8 years in state prison for aggravated vehicular homicide and driving while intoxicated. Andrews, when he’s released from prison, also will need to use an inter-lock ignition device for a year that measures his BAC before starting a vehicle.
Orleans County District Attorney Joe Cardone, center, said incarceration was needed given the reckless disregard for others and lapse in judgement from Andrews that will have “a tremendous impact” on Basinait’s family and friends.
“He truly has remorse for what he did,” Cardone said about Andrews in the simulated sentencing. “He will have a heavy burden on his shoulders the rest of his life.”
Cardone spoke to the group and congratulated them on all of their hard work over years to be on the cusp of graduation.
He urged them to use good judgement as they enjoy the upcoming period of celebrations.
High School Principal Jenn Ashbery told the students they are loved and cherished.
“This is an amazing part of your life but I want you to be safe and smart – and not just for prom and graduation season, but for a long time to come,” she told the group.
YATES – At their board meeting on June 8, the Yates Town Board voted unanimously for a resolution setting a date for a Town Hall meeting regarding Short-Term Rentals. The meeting is set for 6:30 p.m. Monday, July 10, at the Town Hall.
The Yates Town Board began a review of its Short-Term Rental (STR) local law several months ago as a result of the increased number of inquiries regarding STRs in the town.
“We’ve had calls both for and against STRs – especially on the lakeshore,” said Supervisor Jim Simon.
Of late, several towns in Orleans County have adopted updated STR local laws which reflect a wide range of different approaches to the topic: from banning new STRs in certain zoning districts to imposing very few restrictions.
Councilwoman Susan Hrovat wants to hear from more people in town.
“This shouldn’t just be decided based on how long someone has lived in our town, rather, our local law should be based on what is the right thing to do to protect property rights as well as foster democracy,” she said.
After some debate at the board meeting, the board agreed with Councilman John Riggi that any further plans after the town hall meeting should be based on the feedback the board gets. “This is an opportunity for our residents to be heard, and we should do so before we even decide to modify our existing STR local law.”
The town hall meeting is open to all – residents and non-residents of the town.
“We’ve had an inquiry from someone outside of town who wants to buy waterfront property to establish an Airbnb, and we’ve been asked if we can further restrict Airbnbs by someone out of town who is considering buying a cottage on the lake – we need to hear from everyone,” Simon said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 June 2023 at 11:04 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Scott Mann of Mann Vs. Food checks his pork belly burnt ends. He is one of many food vendors in the food court along East Bank Street.
Albion is celebrating its 35th annual Strawberry Festival today and Saturday. There are two full days of music and activities in downtown Albion and at the Courthouse Square.
One new event is a cornhole tournament at 6 p.m. on a closed off part of Main Street between Bank Street and Beaver Alley. That area will also have food and beer served by Dubby’s Tailgate, which is running the cornhole tournament.
Kris Kingle Kettle Korn has several flavors of kettle corn available, including a Christmas flavor with red cinnamon, blue raspberry and caramel. Pictured are “Bonnie Claus” and “Santa Vern.” They are from Boonville in Oneida County.
Warterman Park has a Christmas theme in preparation for Saturday’s unveiling of a new bronze statue that looks like Santa. The statue pays tribute to the late Charles W. Howard, who ran a Santa School in Albion from 1937 until his death in 1966. Howard is revered in the Santa community for setting standards for how Santa should look and act.
The unveiling of the statue will follow the parade on Saturday at approximately 11:30 a.m.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 9 June 2023 at 7:34 am
Long-time end-of-year tradition returned last year after decade absence
Provided photos by Jason Klein: (Left) Cayla Seever competes in the Medina Track and Field Days. She set a new record for Medina in the long jump. (Middle) Fifth-grader Aurelius Schalck broke Wise Middle School’s record for the one-mile race during Track and Field Days. (Right) Caliyah St. Luis set a new record in the football throw.
MEDINA – Track and Field Days has a long history in Medina, having been started more than 50 years ago by physical education teachers Bill Ossont and Kay VanNostrand. It continued to take place until 2012 when Oak Orchard and Towne schools reorganized. (The Towne Primary School closed about a decade ago.)
In 2022, Melissa Valley, physical education teacher, moved to Wise Middle School and decided to bring the event back. With help from Kristi Young and Mollie Mark, a very successful Track and Field Days was held last year, with 90 to 100 students participating. Also helping was retired teacher, Kathie Valley, who brought in retirees to help out.
(Left) Jude Lacy broke the boys’ record in the 100 and 400 meter dashes. (Right) Talia Rupp gets a high five from Coach Mollie Mark.
This year’s event began on May 31 and concluded on June 6, with a number of records being broken. Sixth graders who broke records were Jude Lacy, 100 and 400, dash; Talia Rupp, girls’ mile; Caliyah St. Luis, football throw; and Cayla Seever, long jump. Fifth-grader Aurelius Schalck broke the one-mile record.
Each student was allowed to choose two events in which to compete and trophies were awarded. First-place winners were chosen for each grade. The sixth-grade winner was Ms. Valley’s class; fifth-grade winner was Mrs. Weber’s class; fourth-grade winner was Mrs. Mark’s class; and third-grade winner was Mrs. Cree’s class.
Named Most Valuable Players were sixth grade – Jude Lacy, Caliyah St. Luis and Cayla Seever; and coach’s award, Payton Allen; fifth grade – Aurelius Schalck and Lily Hungerford; fourth grade – Lucius Boyle and Erin Allis; and third grade – Abigail Sutch and Bryson Heilgenthaler.
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Mollie Mark, a Medina teacher, directs students where to line up for an event during the last day of Track and Field Days at Wise Middle School.
MEDINA – The Medina Mustang Marching Band celebrated the 2022-23 season at the 52nd Annual Medina Mustang Band Banquet.
Following dinner, the band’s Director, Matthew Jaeger, commenced the evening by introducing the band’s current and incoming Booster Officers. He then presented the Harry L. Dinkle Band Booster award to Mike & Kathy Dreyfus, for “never-ending dedication to the Medina Mustang Band” program.
Several student awards were given including:
Medina Mustang Band Awards
NYSFBC Scholarship: Mia Hobbs
Annual Mustang Band Booster Service Scholarship: Dana De Vera
Mustang Band Booster Memorial Scholarship: Seagan Majchrzak
The Steele Family Award: Lillian Wilson
Joseph C. McKain Award: Dana De Vera & Alex Balaban
Alfred Hartway Drum Major Award: Mia Hobbs, Gabe Mark and Seagan Majchrzak
Flute Section Leader: Henry Rigerman & Ella Dahlhaus
Clarinet Section Leader: Dana De Vera
Saxophone Section Leader: Brooke Moden
Mellophone Section Leader: Seagan Majchrzak
Trumpet Section Leader: Michael Chisler
Low Brass Section Leader: Emma Herbert
Front Ensemble Section Leader: Paige Dix
Head Band Manager: Baliey Clare
Band Manager: Lillian Wilson
Band Manager: Alex Balaban
Band Manager: Caiden Class
Uniform Manager: Marissa Brigham
Secretary/Librarian: Kayleigh Wright
Colorguard Managers: Sara Swart, Aries McMurray, & Abigail Wright
Colorguard Captain: Gabriella Flores-Medina
Head of Percussion: Gabe Mark
Assistant Drum Majors: Saegan Majchrzak/Gabe Mark
Drum Major: Mia Hobbs
Service Awards
All members of the Band were given a Service Award, based on how many seasons of service.
Following the awards ceremony, Alex Balaban gave the Junior Prologue, followed by Mia Hobbs who gave the Senior Prologue. The evening wrapped with the announcement of the 2023-24 Student Staff.
2023-24 Student Staff
Flute Section Leader: Adreanna McMurray
Clarinet Section Leader: Makenzie McGrath
Saxaphone Section Leader: Caidan Class
Mellophone Section Leader: Madisynn Stanton
Trumpet Section Leader: Ryder Jones
Low Brass Section Leader: Cameron Kenward
Front Ensemble Section Leader: Emma Jacobs
Uniform Manager: Abigayle Wright
Colorguard Managers: Abigayle Wright, Natalie Herbert & Mackenzie Poynter
Press Release, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer
As much of Upstate New York continues to be been overtaken by a thick haze of wildfire smoke bellowing across the Canadian border and putting the health of families and communities at risk, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer today urged Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to call on the U.S. Forest Services to immediately double the personnel deployed to Canada to fight these forest fires, stop the fire, and ultimately end the spread of hazardous air flowing from these wildfires into New York State.
Schumer called on Secretary Vilsack to get any and all available help needed by the Canadian government to contain the fire and return the air quality back to a normal, healthy level. Schumer said these unprecedented wildfires are a crisis for both Canada and the United States, making it imperative that both nations respond speedily and forcefully to contain the blazes.
“It is unfathomable that millions of New Yorkers cannot even step outside without compromising their health and safety. From Buffalo to Binghamton, upstate residents have had to make impossible decisions between their safety and their livelihood; everything from afterschool activities to festivals, to sporting events and flights have been cancelled,” said Senator Schumer. “The best way to ensure that Upstate NY does not suffer another wave of wildfire air pollution from these fires is to contain them as soon as possible. That will not be easy, but the Federal Government must explore all options on the table to keep residents in New York and across the U.S. safe.
“We must send personnel, equipment, and we must offer any assistance that our friends north of the border need. Climate change has taken these once-in-a-hundred-years events and turned them into yearly occurrences, and while I am proud of the work we’ve done to accelerate the transition to clean energy through bills like the Inflation Reduction Act, this wildfire is a stark reminder that without further intervention, our country will continue to fight these unprecedented events. In the meantime, we need all hands on deck to immediately make New York’s air clean, healthy, and safe once again.”
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) joined fellow Minority assemblymembers today for a press conference calling for the holding of a bill that would seek to automatically seal criminal records after a predetermined period.
Called “Clean Slate,” the bill has been pushed by the Assembly Majority in what is read as an effort to prioritize the welfare of criminals above law-abiding citizens.
“This measure will single-handedly make the review of convicted felons’ history much more difficult, inherently increasing threats to public safety,” Hawley said. “I don’t understand why this is the issue that has dominated the Majority’s focus at the end of our legislative session for 2023 when we’re in the midst of an affordability, public safety and immigration crisis.”
“For a victim of crime, the slate is never wiped clean, so the favoritism shown to former convicts astounds me. I call on my colleagues in the Majority to reject this proposal wholeheartedly,” Hawley concluded.
