ALBION – The Class of 2023 made it clear to school district leaders they wanted commencement to stay outside.

The previous two years the ceremony was held at the football field. For decades the ceremony was held inside the high school gym.

But this year the football field is under construction with a turf field to replace grass.

The senior class and school district have found an alternative outdoor location: the front lawn between the high school and middle school.

This spot was used for an outdoor band concert on June 11, 2021. It was the first live concert at the school district in the Covid pandemic. Albion was prevented by Covid restrictions from doing in-person concerts beginning in the middle of March 2020.

Mickey Edwards, the district superintendent, said attendees for graduation will be welcome to bring their own lawnchairs to enjoy the ceremony that is scheduled for 7 p.m. on  June 23. A rain date will be June 24 with the ceremony at either 11 a.m. or 4 p.m.

Seniors also are set for their prom this Friday at Hickory Ridge Country Club in Murray, and then Class Night in the Middle School Auditorium at 7 p.m. on June 16.

Edwards said the graduation ceremony is expected to return to the football field in 2024.

Albion held a band concert outdoors on June 11, 2021 on the lawn at the back of the high school. That area will be used for the graduation ceremony scheduled for June 23.

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District will allow hats for students in high school during school day

ALBION – School officials are proposing changes in the student code of conduct to not allow cell phones during the school day for students in the elementary and middle schools.

The district also is proposing a change that would allow for hats and head coverings in the high school, as long as teachers are OK with it in their classrooms.

There will be a public hearing about the code of conduct at 6:45 p.m. on July 10 before the regular Board of Education meeting.

Mickey Edwards, the district superintendent, during Monday’s board meeting highlighted some of the changes being proposed. He noted many districts have prohibited cell phones for students in the elementary and middle schools.

He noted an advisory last month from U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy who said social media can profoundly harm the mental health of youth, particularly adolescent girls.

“The most common question parents ask me is, ‘is social media safe for my kids’. The answer is that we don’t have enough evidence to say it’s safe, and in fact, there is growing evidence that social media use is associated with harm to young people’s mental health,” Murthy said in a statement on May 23. “Children are exposed to harmful content on social media, ranging from violent and sexual content, to bullying and harassment. And for too many children, social media use is compromising their sleep and valuable in-person time with family and friends. We are in the middle of a national youth mental health crisis, and I am concerned that social media is an important driver of that crisis – one that we must urgently address.”

Students at Albion in the elementary and middle schools next school year will need to keep cell phones in backpacks or places where they can’t check them during the school day, according to the policy change in the code of conduct. The change includes cell phones and other cellular communication devices (Apple, Samsung, Galaxy, wrist watches, etc.)

The code of conduct states that clothing and appearance should be safe, appropriate and not disrupt or interfere with the educational process.

Some changes in the code include that shirts must not reveal more than 2 inches of the midsection.

The district is proposing to allow hats and head coverings during the school day at the high school level, but not in the elementary or middle school. These hats won’t be allowed to cover ears or faces, and teachers have the right to permit or prohibit hats in their classrooms.

Edwards said the high school did a pilot of allowing hats through the day in recent months and didn’t find hats were disruptive.

Margy Brown, a member of the board of education, said she is opposed to allowing hats being worn during the school day.

“I cannot wrap my head around the hat situation,” Brown said.

She thinks wearing them in class is a show of disrespect and hats also could be used to conceal weapons.

“I think there are certain things we’ve always stood for in Albion and respect is one of them,” Brown said.

Ronald O. Riley Jr

MEDINA – A Medina man faces felony charges for allegedly selling crack cocaine in the Medina area, the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force reported.

Ronald O. Riley Jr., 44 , of 11400 Sanderson Rd. has been charged with three counts of criminal sale and three counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, which are class B felonies.

Orleans County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Riley on Saturday at his home address in the Town of Shelby on a sealed indictment handed up by an Orleans County grand jury for drug sale and drug possession charges.

Riley was arraigned on an Orleans County sealed indictment warrant in County Court by Judge Sanford Church. Riley was committed to the county jail on $25,000 cash bail or $50,000 bond. Bail was set due to Riley’s previous criminal history, the Task Force reported.

This investigation is ongoing, with further charges and arrests pending, said Task Force Supervising Investigator Joe Sacco.

Sgt. Adam Hazel and Deputy Dave Lauer of the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department apprehended Riley while on patrol.

BARRE – A local veterinarian and a veterinary technician have received national recognition from Patterson Veterinary Supply and Merck Animal Health for World Veterinary Day.

George McKenna, owner of Country Lane Veterinary Services on East Barre Road in Barre, is one of five veterinarians highlighted by Patterson and Merck for the World Veterinary Day celebration that was on April 29.

Patterson and Merck representatives were at Country lane last week to present McKenna with his award. They also recognized Mitch DeSmit, a vet tech at Country Lane, with a “Vet Tech Champ” award.

McKenna was hailed for providing an elevated level of care to his patients and making a difference in his community. He is a member of the Barre Town Board. He and his wife Iva have raised four daughters in Barre. McKenna still lives in his childhood home.

The family also has been active in the American Guernsey Association. McKenna’s daughter Jenny was the National Guernsey Queen in 2015, and served as an ambassador for the industry.

McKenna said he believes he was recognized by Patterson and Merck because a local woman called to say her dog was feeling lethargic and was refusing to come inside her home once it was let outside. McKenna advised the woman to get a CO detector. She followed his advice and discovered there was a gas leak in her home. McKenna said the carbon monoxide could have been fatal to the woman.

McKenna has worked as a local vet for about 35 years.

“It’s nice to be recognized especially because we’re just a solo practitioner and not a mega-practice,” he said.

McKenna said he was pleased to see DeSmit also get recognition. He has worked at Country Lane for six years, with three other years as an intern. Country Lane welcomes interns or students job shadowing from Albion, Holley, Lyndonville, Medina and Genesee Community College.

“Mitch is independent and he’s very good at his job,” McKenna said. “He is thorough.”

DeSmit will check animals for their temperature, pulse, respiration and do X-rays, ultrasounds, clean teeth and assist McKenna in checking or treating an animal.

The Country Lane Veterinary staff celebrate the awards last week.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Members of the Barre Cubs introduce themselves on Saturday during a celebration to start of another season of the Albion Midget League.

Barre is one of the original teams of the league that started in 1956.

The league this year has five teams: Barre, Carlton, Elba, Rotary-Elks and Sandstone.

Bryson Potter of Sandstone speaks into the mic during the opening day celebration at the Midget League Field behind the Town Hall on Clarendon Road. Sandstone also is an original team of the league from the first season 67 years ago.

This year there are 133 kids in Albion playing on four coach pitch teams, 3 teams for 9 and under, and 4 teams of 12 and under.

There are also another 65 kids between Kendall’s 9u, and Elba’s 2 coach pitch, 9u and 12u teams for 196 kids total on three levels of baseball.

The Rotary-Elks team introduces themselves to the crowd. The team is again coached by Greg Bennett.

The Carlton team this year is led by coach Ryan Woolston. Ben Narburgh was head coach for nearly a decade, including a victory in the championship in 2019. Narburgh is still assisting with this year’s team but is moving out of the area in about three weeks.

Ben Narburgh throws out the ceremonial first pitch. He is among several coaches who have committed many years to their teams.

Scott DeSmit, one of the Sandstone coaches, said he is looking forward to a fun season for the players and their families.

These Barre players, Easton Neri at left and Jacob Knowlton, have fun in a field next to the actual baseball diamond. They were passing time before the opening day ceremony.

The season runs through mid-July with most games on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. The championship game is scheduled for July 15.

MEDINA – A noted author will visit Author’s Note, Medina’s independent book store, on June 13 to discuss her two latest romantic comedy novels.

Dylan Newton will discuss, sign copies and read from her books, “How Sweet It Is” and “All Fired Up,” beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Newton was born and raised in a small town where the library was her favorite hangout. After more than a decade working in corporate jobs, she quit to pursue writing books, and has since created four published novels, with more to come. When she isn’t writing, she spends the day with her husband, as they split time between Florida and Upstate New York with their two daughters.

In addition to Tuesday evening’s event, which is free and open to the public, Newton will also introduce her books at a similar event at 6 p.m. June 14 at Woodward Memorial Library in Le Roy.

Author’s Note’s new marketing director Jack Masse gives an insight into each of the books.

“How Sweet It Is” follows event planner Kate Sweet as she falls in love with a bestselling horror writer, Drake Matthews, after she plans his new book launch event. Kate is famous for creating the perfect dream weddings for her clients. Kate’s and Drake’s lives change drastically, turning into something of a nightmare. With Drake being unprepared in the face of chaos and the sting of romance, their story of romance will surprise everyone, including the characters themselves, Masse said.

“All Fired Up” is about the blossoming love between two opposites – Imani Lewis, a book publicist, and Zander Matthews, a handyman helping Imani fix her grandmother’s house. Imani has agreed to stay with her grandmother for the summer as she recovers from surgery, back in the small town where Imani had an embarrassing one-night stand.

Zander is a former Marine still holding on to a lost love of a woman who blew into town a year ago, only to disappear soon after. He agrees to help Imani fix up her grandmother’s house, as long as they stay within the friend zone, but life seems to have other plans.

“How Sweet It Is,” Newton’s first romantic comedy, has received many awards and reviews. In a starred review, Kirkus Reviews describes the novel as “A hilarious rom-com romp that delivers on both sweet and heat. It was tagged as a rom-com selection by The Nerd Daily, named to PopSugar’s list of 12 Swoon-Worthy Romance Books to Read in one sitting and selected as a book club read by Woman’s World.

“All Fired Up” is the second book in Newton’s Matthews’ brother series, and has also received many awards and reviews. The Nerd Daily describes the novel as “A delightful second chance, opposites attract, small town romantic comedy that would be perfect for fans of the Bergman Brothers series by Chloe Liese, the Brown Sisters trilogy by Talia Hibbert, and others. Booklist also defines the novel as an “utterly delightful romance.”

Photos by Tom Rivers

HOLLEY – Boy Scouts in Troop 62 in Holley, Gunner Knight in yellow vest and Jack Breuilly in front, paddle a cardboard boat held together with 12 rolls of duct tape.

They are racing Avery Haggerty who was on a boat made from Big Guys Campground.

The Boy Scouts made it easily across the Erie Canal as part of a trial regatta for the Holley June Fest on Saturday. Organizers were pleased with the race and want to open up the event to the community next year.

The boat paddled by Avery was a bit wobbly and seemed to spin around in a circle.

Boy Scouts check the boat for sturdiness while it was on the north side of the canal, just east of the lift bridge. Logan Lane, Gabe Haggerton and Zack Mrzywka also were part of the Scout team on Saturday.

These adult volunteers carry the Scout boat to the canal water. The Scouts named the boat, “S.S. Waterhog.”

Jack Breuilly, left, and Gunner Knight get ready paddle about 150 feet to the other side of the canal. The teams could have no more than two people in a boat.

Brian Bartalo, Holley district superintendent, would like to see different teams and clubs from the school enter the competition next year.

The June Fest also included a performance from the Holley-Kendall Marching Band.

The band started at Public Square and headed to White Street and then to the canal park.

The June Fest included bounce houses, pony rides, alpacas, food, beverages, craft vendors and a wine-tasting.

Rev. Richard Harmon, age 25, served wide territory from Somerset and Middleport, to Albion and Holley.

By Chris Busch

MEDINA – With the arrival of the Erie Canal on the Niagara Frontier came many of the first Catholics to the region. Sparsely settled only twenty years before, this new land was now poised for unbridled economic and spiritual growth.

With Catholics scattered across Niagara and Orleans counties, there were precious few opportunities for communal worship or to receive the Sacraments. The Catholic faithful were often hard-pressed for a priest to say Mass, and when a priest was available, he had to travel considerable distances and visited only occasionally.

Quoting Rev. Thomas Donahue, D.D. from his book, The History of the Catholic Church In Western New York, 1904:

“We can imagine how welcome the visit of a Catholic clergyman must be in the remote regions to the Catholic inhabitants. They sometimes waited for years to have their children baptized and to receive the sacraments, and the advent of a priest was the occasion of great gladness. He could say Mass for them in one of their homes, or in the court house; would baptize their children, would give them holy communion, and in their happy moments they would feel that they were again members of the Church from which they had been practically excluded.”

Such was the case on the Niagara Frontier. In 1832, there were a few Catholics in Medina, Middleport and Albion who were occasionally visited by priests from Lockport and sometimes Rochester. According to histories written on the subject, those visiting duties often fell to Rev. Michael McNamara, Rev. Patrick Costello and later, Rev. Bernard O’Reilly.

In 1832, Father Michael McNamara traveled from Rochester to say Mass for the Catholics of Medina. This was a highly anticipated event and the news spread like wildfire, not only among the village’s Catholics but among their Protestant friends as well. Fr. McNamara said Mass in the home of William Walsh and it was filled for the occasion.

Soon after, Reverend Bernard O’Reilly came from Rochester (and later, Lockport) and said Mass for the Catholics at the home of William O’Donnell on West Center Street.

Fr. O’Reilly was among the first to minister to Catholic families in Medina and the surrounding wide area. It was O’Reilly who officiated at the first Catholic marriage in Medina– that of James Kearney and Ann Kelly. The home of James Cullen located upon Laurel Hill was the scene of several meetings after that.

Outside of these uncertain visits of the priest, the people were obliged to send to Lockport or Rochester for a clergyman when they were sick, or to journey to one of these places when they wished to be married, have their children baptized or bury their dead.

Catholics in Medina and the surrounding communities continued to rely solely on infrequent visiting priests until upon the joyous day of Nov. 1, 1850 when The Most Rev. John Timon, Bishop of Buffalo, assigned a young priest from Ireland to Medina.

From Medina, Rev. Richard Harmon, age 25, was given charge of all the Catholic faithful in a wide territory from Somerset and Middleport, to Albion and Holley.

Again quoting Rev. Thomas Donahue, D.D. from his book, The History of the Catholic Church In Western New York, 1904:

“Then came Father Harmon, who by his gentle ways and zealous labors gained the affection of all, and is held in fond remembrance.”

Thus, Fr. Richard Harmon became the first resident pastor of Medina and the “father” of a newly formed family of the Catholic faithful. His first baptism was John Holoway, son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Holoway, Medina.

It is worthy to here note that the Diocese of Buffalo has recently undertaken a reorganization of parishes into ‘family’ groups to better minister to WNY Catholics with limited resources.

Ironically, the newly organized Family #11 of parishes encompasses the very same wide region as Fr. Harmon’s ‘family’ in 1850- the territory between Somerset and Holley. The Catholic Church in Eastern Niagara and Orleans Counties seems to have come full circle.

Like many young priests of that time, Fr. Harmon was a native son of Ireland, and completed his priestly formation in Europe.

Rev. Richard Harmon was the son of John H. and Hannah Lyons Harmon of County Carlow, Ireland. His parents, who never came to America, had thirteen children– four daughters and two sons who died in Ireland, and seven sons who settled in Indiana and Michigan.

Catherine Cooper, Orleans County Historian reflects:

“Acquiring a higher education in Ireland at that time was no easy task. The Penal Laws were somewhat less stringently enforced by then, but the memory remained of a time in the 16th and 17th centuries when Catholic priests had been hunted and churches destroyed. Catholics were not allowed to own land, vote, hold public office, and especially – receive a higher education.”

Harmon began his college studies in Carlow College and later attended a seminary in Sauns, (Southern) France where he was ordained a secular priest. From there, he traveled to America and to Buffalo. He was first stationed briefly at Lockport until his assignment to Medina in 1850.

With Mass often being said in a home, sometimes vestments were kept on site. A traveling priest had to carry what was needed to say Mass with him, including a ‘saddle chalice’– a simple chalice made in two pieces, making it easier to carry in a saddle bag. He may have also carried a small altar stone, perhaps made of oak, that was blessed by the bishop.

Fr. Harmon lived in the old Vandemark Hotel, Main and West Center (where Avanti’s now stands.) There was no rectory in Medina and only a small wood structure church. It was his task not only to minister to the faithful, but to build a permanent Catholic presence on this frontier in the communities under his care. He immediately set about doing just that.

Quoting Rev. Thomas Donahue, D.D. from his book, The History of the Catholic Church In Western New York, 1904, regarding Somerset–

“Fr. Harmon was the first priest to visit the vicinity of the present church at Somerset. He came in 1851, and was entertained as a guest by Mr. David Barker, a Protestant gentleman, on Saturday night, and on Sunday morning Father Harmon said Mass in the home of Michael Burke.”

And regarding Albion–

“Bishop Timon visited Albion in June, 1849, accompanied by Father Harmon of Medina. A site was selected for a church on North Main Street; and soon after work was begun on the building…”

From Albion, charge was given to Rev. J. L. Castaldi in 1865 of what became known as St. Mary’s of Holley.

As was the case with any circuit riding priest, Fr. Harmon came by horseback in the heat of summer and the cold of winter to minister to his flock across his wide pastorate. Fortunate indeed when the slow mule drawn packets of the canal could be used.

With Mass often being said in a home, sometimes vestments were kept on site. A traveling priest had to carry what was needed to say Mass with him, including a ‘saddle chalice’– a simple chalice made in two pieces, making it easier to carry in a saddle bag. He may have also carried a small altar stone, perhaps made of oak, that was blessed by the bishop.

According to an article from The Catholic Standard, authored by Stephanie A. T. Jacobe, Ph.D., June 4, 2021 entitled What did a circuit riding priest carry with him?:

“In many places the family would keep vestments and linens, but a traveling priest had to carry much of what he needed with him.

Before the Second Vatican Council, a lawful Roman Catholic Mass could only be celebrated on an altar consecrated by a bishop. It had to be a single piece of natural stone. The five crosses (at each corner of the stone) symbolize the five wounds of Christ and mark the places where a bishop would have consecrated the stone with oil. There was often also a small area where two relics were inserted into the stone. In the early Christian Church, portable altars could be made of wood.”

And so it likely was with Fr. Harmon– a man of gentle ways and zealous faith – a circuit riding priest with a God-given fervor and devotion to shepherd his faith-family on this new, vast and often harsh frontier.

Unfortunately, it was not meant to be that Fr. Harmon presided over his growing family for long. The zealous priest purchased some property in Medina with the thought of erecting a church, but this was not to happen.

Sadly, Fr. Harmon contracted a fever and died at the age of 26 in the spring of 1851 in the Vandermark Hotel in Medina. The young priest who had brought so much promise had been called home.

His body rests in the priests’ and sisters’ plot in St. Mary Cemetery, Medina. His grave is marked prominently with a beautiful, large monument denoting a pastor who was much beloved by his people. In all likelihood, the tremendous labors and hard life of a circuit riding priest with his arduous duties likely contributed to the fever that claimed his life. The faithful might say that perhaps he had been chosen by God for this one singular task– to establish God’s Church among the Catholic faithful in this region.

Fr. Harmon contracted a fever and died at the age of 26 in the spring of 1851 in the Vandermark Hotel in Medina. The young priest who had brought so much promise had been called home.

Whatever the case, Fr. Harmon died fervently shepherding his family.

Though his time in our region was brief, his impact was immense. Fr. Harmon accomplished much and sowed the seeds that soon grew into the faith family known today across Eastern Niagara and Orleans Counties.

The fruits of his labors still remain in the communities that were under his care – in Medina, Barker, Middleport and Albion from which grew parishes in Holley, and later Lyndonville and Kendall. They are a testament to the sacrifices made by Fr. Harmon and the faithful forebears of this region who through their perseverance, founded and grew a Catholic faith community through difficult times on a new frontier.

“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” Matthew 11:28-30

Chris Busch is a member of Parish Family #11 in the Diocese of Buffalo and a communicant at Holy Trinity/St. Mary’s in Medina. He is also a retired history teacher from Lockport High School West.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Members of the Albion Police Department carried the torch for the Special Olympics this morning in a 2.7-mile run through the village. The top photo shows Sgt. Will Francis, right, handing the torch to officer Sean McElhinny. They are running south on Main Street.

Police Chief Dave Mogle carries the torch at the beginning of the run. Lt. Brandon Annable is at left. Nearly everyone in the Albion PD was part of the run this morning.

Mogle said he went to a Law Enforcement Torch Run last year in Niagara Falls with Village Trustee Tim McMurray to see what a run in person and the logistics involved.

Mogle wanted to host the run to offer another chance for law enforcement between Erie-Niagara counties and Monroe to be part of a torch run. (Batavia also hosts one in Genesee County.)

“We wanted one in Orleans County,” Mogle said. “We welcome more agencies to be a part of it.”

The Albion Police Department pose with students at Albion before the run.

Alex Yankevich, an Albion student, holds the torch before the police officers started on the run.

Dillon Black, a sergeant with the Albion PD, takes a turn carrying the torch. He is followed by Nathaniel Staines.

Albion police officer Justyn Haines runs on Main Street. He wears a commemorative shirt for the torch run. Matt Prawel, an Orleans County deputy and the Albion school resource officer, is at right.

Erica Raepple, senior director of development at the Special Olympics in New York, said the Law Enforcement Torch Run raised $2.4 million for the Special Olympics last year, with funding going to support unified sports and many other programs for people with disabilities.

Leslie Daum of Waterport carried an American flag for the beginning of the run. She said she has been a longtime supporter for the cause. She remembers attending the opening ceremonies in 1979 at Brockport State College when the local college hosted the International Special Olympics.

The officers head south down Main Street. They were headed to Route 31, where they then went east to the Albion school campus to Clarendon Road, back on Route 31, down McKinistry Street and then back to the village office on East Bank Street.

The Great Blue Heron, one of the many birds who benefited from the establishment of wildlife management areas locally. (Photo courtesy of Doug Domedion)

By Catherine Cooper, Orleans County Historian

Illuminating Orleans, Vol. 3, No. 19

TOWN OF ALABAMA – One does not readily associate fur coats or a firearms tax with the Oak Orchard Wildlife Management Area, but both were, in fact, factors in the development of this resting refuge for migrating waterfowl.

The Oak Orchard Watershed, locally referred to as the “Alabama Swamp” or “The Swamp” is part of a chain of lowlands that extends across the state. Attempts to drain the area were attempted periodically, the most ambitious was carried out by the Western New York Farm Company in 1914 when they installed canals and lateral ditches convert the swamp to arable muckland for growing onions and potatoes.

In his “History of the Wildlife Areas”, Thomas “Dan” Carroll explains that the Elba muck drainage had a secondary effect on the ecology of the swamp.

“Rapid dumping of flood waters from the mucklands through the dredged section of the Oak Orchard Creek resulted in increased flooding of the lands downstream. Conditions were improved for waterfowl and furbearers generally west of the Oakfield-Albion Road.”

This came to the attention of Martin A. Schmitt, a Buffalo furrier of German descent, who recognized that this tract of open land covered with shallow water would be ideal for the growth of cattails, the staple food of muskrats. In 1927, he purchased 1,000 acres “lying westerly from the Oakfield-Albion Road to Knowlesville Road and another 500 acres west of the Knowlesville Road” to raise muskrats for his fur shop. The enterprise was named the Martin A. Schmitt Fur Farm and was later the Oak Orchard Fur Farm Inc.

Martin A. Schmitt advertised primarily in Dziennik Dla Wszystkich, Everybody’s Daily, a Polish language newspaper published in Buffalo. This ad highlights the Hudson Seal coat, no doubt made from locally sourced Oak Orchard muskrats. There must be one surviving in a closet or attic?

Fur coats were at that time a status symbol, associated with wealth, glamour, and luxury. Mink coats were the most luxurious and the most expensive. However, a large market existed for affordable alternatives – such as muskrat.

To enhance the habitat for muskrats, he installed a system of low dikes to catch the spring floods. He enclosed the resulting ponds with low muskrat-proof fences to contain his stock and employed a game warden to keep hunters and trappers off his farm. He issued trapping privileges to thirty muskrat hunters who worked on a commission basis, keeping one of each three animals taken. In 1929, Mr. Smith noted that 10,000 muskrats had been taken off the property in the previous hunting season.

The skins were stretched on wire frames to dry and cure, and then bought by the Martin A. Schmitt & Co. Inc., furriers of 208 Watson St. Buffalo, which was owned by the same stockholders. The skins were tanned and dyed to resemble sealskin and made into Hudson Seal coats, a term which was more appealing than “Muskrat Coats”. About 55 skins were used in the production of one coat. Having been trimmed and squared, the skins were pieced using a zig-zag line so that the joining would not show from the outside. A skilled workman could finish a coat in a day. The coats had good color and texture, offered medium warmth and best of all, were affordable.

During this time, Orleans County Sportsmen, concerned at the decline of wildlife in the area, advocated for the establishment of a refuge in the southwestern part of Orleans County. H. Everett Hart produced a report on the Oak Orchard Swamp in 1935. He noted that increasing numbers of wild fowl were congregating throughout the year on the land inundated by Mr. Schmitt for his fur farm. Muskrats, being mainly vegetarian, feed on aquatic plants and in doing so, they create open water which attracts wading birds, ducks and songbirds.

The Pittman-Robertson Act of 1937, now known as Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration, included an excise tax on the sale of firearms and ammunition to generate revenue for wildlife conservation. A portion was made available to the New York State Conservation Department for land acquisition.

Martin A. Schmitt died in 1939. Wildlife manager, Robert F. Perry, later regional director of the Region 8 Office of the Dept. of Environmental Conservation, encouraged the purchase of the Schmitt property. It was acquired for $10 (currently $212) per acre in 1941 and formed the basis for the Oak Orchard Wildlife Management Area. Several adjoining properties were purchased in due course until the site totaled 2,500 acres. This was the first step in the creation of the wildlife habitat complex we are familiar with today.

By Claire Squicciarini, correspondent

Photo by Claire Squicciarini: Betty Sue Miller, director of Hoag Library, congratulates Michael Magnuson, the adult services librarian, for winning Nioga’s outreach award.

ALBION – The Nioga Library System is a non-profit system serving public libraries in Niagara, Orleans and Genesee counties. Each year at the Nioga annual meeting an outreach award is presented to a library employee in three-county library system.

Michael Magnuson, the adult services librarian at Hoag, was recognized for his tech services he provides to Hoag Library patrons.

“I do my best to try to help if I can’t I try to refer them to someone who can,” Magnuson.

He previously worked at the public library in Jamestown where that library providing some tech help to the community. Magnuson shared that initiative with Betty Sue Miller, the Hoag Library director. She backed the idea and Magnuson began to schedule individual appointments to help those in the community that aren’t too tech savvy.

“He has helped to make an atmosphere here that I am just absolutely thrilled with,” Miller said. Seeing his impact, the program coordinator Katie Leach from the Orleans Digital Literacy Initiative partnered with the Hoag library and made Magnuson a tech mentor.

Now Magnuson provides tech support every Wednesday from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Hoag Library. Magnuson and Leach refer people to each other to ensure the communities satisfaction. Leach saw the effect Magnuson had on the library and community and nominated him for the Outreach Award.

“I was thrilled that Nioga saw the benefit from outside our own little perimeters,” Miller said. The hard work and compassion of Magnuson was recognized from outside the community while being appreciated within.

“It’s a huge honor I am glad to be able to help people here in the community,” Magnuson said. Magnuson joined the Hoag Library staff in September 2018. He said he welcomes people of all ages to stop in if they have a tech question.

Nioga, in its nomination form, stated the outreach award goes to someone providing outstanding services to people in any of the following populations:

• Individuals with visual, physical, or developmental disabilities
• Unemployed or underemployed
• Individuals who are 65 years or older
• Ethnic minorities
• Individuals who are geographically isolated
• Individuals with and economic or educational disadvantage

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Lonnie Froman is the lead singer for “Match Box Blues” with the Pratt Music Hall Pit Band during a concert at the historic Pratt opera house on the third floor of 110-114 North Main St.

Shannon Vanderlaan and her mother Karen Conn sing “Stand By Me” during the concert at the Pratt.

About 100 people attended the concert on Sunday at the Pratt theater, in what was billed as the venue’s first musical concert in a century.

The Pratt hosted some smaller events about a decade ago, but building owner Michael Bonafede said the permit was for up to 20 people and the site only had a one-day special permit for those performances.

The Pratt secured a certificate of occupancy about a year ago and Bonafede said he hopes Sunday’s event is the beginning of the Pratt again being used regularly for performances.

“We want this to be a place known for sharing the joy of music, and sharing the joy of performance,” Bonafede told the crowd.

Michael Bonafede discusses some of the history of the Pratt theater, which was built in 1882. The original wooden floor and stairways remain.

Bonafede and his wife Judith Kohler purchased the site in 2005 and have made steady improvements to the building, which has many tenants on the first and second floors.

He was thrilled to see the stage used by musicians on Sunday for three hours, and to have a nice-size crowd.

The attendees brought their own chairs, blankets or cushions to watch the performers.

D.J. Button takes a photo of the Pratt Music Hall Pit Band before the performance on Sunday. The pit band includes: Alona Kuhns – bass; Don Mancuso – guitar; Doug Egling & Mark Ketchum – saxophone; Erin Moody – vocals; Gary Simboli – keyboard & vocals; Karen Conn –vocals; Kate Egling – vocals; Leon Corky Zak – keyboard; Lonnie Froman – percussion and vocals; Mike Bonafede – drums; Ron Albertson – vocals; Shannon Vanderlaan – vocals, Warren Jayne – guitar.

Ron Albertson was among the singers who performed on the historic stage. He sang “634-5789” by Wilson Pickett.

Leon “Corky” Zak played the keyboards. He bears a striking resemblance to his brother, Michael Bonafede.

Kate Egling sings “The Thrill Is Gone” by B.B. King.

Doug Egling, left, and Mark Ketchum played their saxophones for the band. Other performers in the community were welcome to sing with the Pratt Music Hall Pit Band later in the concert.

Alona Kuhns plays Bass in the it band.

Photos and information courtesy of Medina Marching Band

The Medina Mustang Marching Band traveled to Sherburne in Chenango County to participate in the 74th Annual Sherburne Pageant of Bands. This is the oldest pageant of bands in New York State.

Thirty bands performed in the parade and were rated by judges. Medina earned several awards including:

• The Frank Miller Outstanding Band Director Award
• Best in Class Award – Class A
• Drum Majors Award, 1st Place
• Color Guard trophy, 1st Place
• Parade trophy, 1st Place
• Drum Line trophy, 2nd Place

Medina took first in Concert Band in Class A with 91.5 points. Medina also earned second for Jazz Band with a score of 92, behind Norwich in first with 93.5, and Medina was second in Small Ensemble with 97 points, behind Norwich with 98.

The Mustangs were first in Color Guard in Class A with a score of 98, first in parade in Class A at 95.75, and second in drum line in Class A with 81.705, behind Pulaski at 86.725.

ALBION – Albion police officers will do a torch run on Monday morning in village as part of an effort to raise awareness for the Special Olympics and people with disabilities.

Albion is joining the Law Enforcement Torch Run for the first time. Many police departments support the effort in the region.

The Albion police officers will start the run at 10 a.m. at the Albion Village Hall on East Bank Street. Participants who want to be part of the effort are encouraged to be there at 9:30 a.m. Several people with disabilities and their friends and family are expected to be part of the event, which has an option for a walk instead of run.

The event will be end at about 11 a.m. back at the Albion Village Hall.

Provided photos

RIDGEWAY – The Crusaders Motorcycle Club will be racing today as part of the 66^th season of flat track racing on Culvert Road.

Today’s events are highlighted by the annual memorial race in honor of past friends and family. The gates opened at 7:30 a.m. with practice starting at 11:30 a.m. and racing beginning at 12:30 p.m. at 3312 Culvert Rd.

Our 2023 events include the Men’s Mad Dawg Race on June 18, the Women’s Mad Dawg Race on July 9, the Men’s Mad Dawg Race on July 23, and a rain date for Aug. 27 if needed. The Crusaders have updates on the club’s Facebook page and website.

Jude Lacy of Medina is pictured on a 125 4-Stroke from a race on May 21. He placed 2nd overall in the 125 4 Stroke Class in our 2022 race season.

The Crusaders also had their Kiddie Kamp on Saturday. The 50cc Kiddie Kamp participants are shown with Brad Hazel and Austin Luczak, who are local pro riders who taught the class.

The training session is for riders ages 4 to 8. The class provides young riders with basic riding and racing skills. The participants are taught what all the different colored flags represent, how to watch for the green race light and to practice their starting skills.

They also learn how to maneuver around the corners. By the end of the day all the riders pick up their speed and increase their riding skills.