Photos courtesy of Katie Stiegler

GAINES – Laura Bentley, owner of Fairhaven Inn & Events, welcomed local officials in celebrating the grand opening of Fairhaven on Tuesday.

Bentley has turned the former Tillman’s Village Inn into an events center. The restaurant and bar continue at the site as the Tavern on the Ridge, run by Chad Pike and Julia Hopkins.

Bentley was joined at a ribbon cutting by Darlene Hartway, Chamber of Commerce executive director, and local officials from Orleans County Legislature and local towns. After the ribbon cutting, the officials held their meeting at Fairhaven for the Orleans County Association of Municipalities.

The Orleans County Legislature and State Assemblyman Steve Hawley’s both resented certificates to Bentley for opening Fairhaven Inn & Events. Bentley is hugged by Lynne Johnson, the Orleans County Legislature chairman. Legislator John Fitzak is in back.

For more information on Fairhaven, contact Faye Conley, event coordinator, at Faye@fairhavenvenue.com, or check the Fairhaven website.

Photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature on Tuesday presented a proclamation declaring May as “Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month in Orleans County.”

County Legislator Skip Draper, right, presents the proclamation to Don Sloper, president of the Orleans County chapter of American Bikers Aimed Toward Education (ABATE); Steve Rosenberg, vice president of ABATE (second from left); and Becky Persons, member of ABATE.

There will be a motorcycle safety and awareness rally at 2 p.m. on May 4 outside the Orleans County Courthouse. The motorcyclists will then go on a 50-mile in the county that ends at the V.F.W. Post 1463 on East Center Street in Medina. Participants can begin to assemble outside the courthouse on East State Street at 1 p.m. on May 4.

Motorcyclists want the public to know they are back on the roadways. The motorcyclists urge drivers to “look twice” and use extra caution when making a left turn or pulling out onto the roadway.

ABATE is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserving the rights, safety and freedoms of all motorcyclists. ABATE’s position is to support all efforts and initiatives that will lead to accident prevention and rider safety.

Photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Ryan Flaherty, center, was recognized during Tuesday’s Orleans County Legislature for his local career in law enforcement. He is presented a “Special Recognition Award” from County Legislator Skip Draper, right, and Undersheriff Don Draper.

Flaherty started his career with the Holley Sheriff’s Department in 2002. In 2005, he joined the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department as a deputy on road patrol. He later worked in the courthouse for security and with the Marine Patrol Division.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The dome at the Orleans County Courthouse was lighted up in red on Tuesday evening as part of “Light Up NY Red” campaign around the state this week, drawing attention to a volunteer firefighter shortage.

Over the last two decades, New York’s volunteer firefighter ranks have plunged by 33 percent, said the Firefighters Association of the State of New York.

FASNY President Eugene Perry encouraged all firehouses statewide to glow red this week. He also urged firefighters to light their homes and businesses with red lights.

“The lights symbolize their commitment to a tradition of neighborly help and the need for more volunteers,” FASNY said.

Additionally, Perry called on residents to join the effort by switching on red porch lights in support of their local fire departments.

‘No amount of money can undo the tremendous harm and suffering the victim survivors have endured.’ – Bishop Michael W. Fisher

Press Release, Diocese of Buffalo

BUFFALO – The Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo and the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors announced today the material terms of a settlement in principle in the Chapter 11 case filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in the Western District of New York on February 28, 2020.

The Diocese and the Committee believe that this settlement is an important step in bringing healing to survivors of sexual abuse, and in forming a plan that will lead to the Diocese’s eventual exit from Chapter 11.

The Diocese of Buffalo and its parishes and Catholic affiliates will provide a total payment in the amount of $150 million to survivors of sexual abuse for acts perpetrated against them by clergy, religious, lay employees and volunteers.

Although the settlement amount remains subject to a creditor vote and court approval, the settlement amount has been accepted by the Committee. The Committee is comprised entirely of individuals who themselves survived sexual abuse when they were children by clergy members, religious, employees, and volunteers within the Diocese of Buffalo.

“This settlement in principle between the Committee and the Diocese represents an essential milestone on this protracted and arduous journey, and importantly, enables us to finally provide a measure of financial restitution to victim-survivors, which has been our primary objective all along,” explained Bishop Michael W. Fisher. “While indeed a steep sum, no amount of money can undo the tremendous harm and suffering the victim survivors have endured, or eliminate the lingering mental, emotional, and spiritual pain they have been forced to carry throughout their lives.”

The pool of settlement funds will be derived from unrestricted funds of the Diocese, and undetermined amounts from individual parishes from their unrestricted funds, and also contributions from members of Catholic affiliates.

This settlement between the Committee and the Diocese, parishes, and other entities affiliated with the Diocese does not include a contribution from any of the insurance companies that provided coverage to the Diocese and its parishes. The Diocese is continuing its discussions with insurers to determine amounts to be added to the final settlement fund from prevailing coverages.

Small band of active members says the VFW provides important community service, camaraderie

HOLLEY – It was nearly 53 years ago when the VFW established a post in Holley with 36 charter members.

The group took over a former railroad freight station and created a safe haven for veterans of foreign wars to share in camaraderie and community service.

The post only has a small core of active members, and those who remain the backbone of the local VFW say they need a new generation to join and keep the post going.

“It’s very worthwhile,” Mark Morreall, the acting commander, said about the local VFW post. “We’d like to pass the torch.”

The VFW’s current commander, Todd Klatt, is a younger veteran who is deployed to Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. Klatt is a mechanic in the National Guard.

The VFW hosts a number of fundraisers – chicken barbecues, raffles and other events – to raise money to keep up the hall and give to veterans.

About three or four times a year Morreall goes to the NYS Veterans Home in Batavia distributing gift cards, pizza, chocolate and other presents for the veterans. He usually goes around Christmas, the Super Bowl, Memorial Day and Veterans Day.

Morreall, age 69, joined the VFW 14 years ago when there were several members who were World War II veterans and others who served in Korea and Vietnam. But Morreall said many of those members have since passed away, and veterans from more recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan haven’t been joining the post.

“Our numbers are thing, very thin,” he said during an interview last week at the post at 8 Veterans Drive, just south of the railroad tracks off South Main Street. “It’s not just here. It’s the Legion, too.”

The Holley VFW Post includes a memorial by the front door to the nine soldiers from the Holley community 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.

Dave Rearick, 78, has been active in the district leadership for the VFW, including as a commander. The district includes Orleans, Livingston, Wyoming, Genesee and Niagara counties. It has seen 10 posts close, going from 29 to the current 19, Rearick said.

“It’s happening all over New York State and the country,” Rearick said about posts struggling to have enough active members.

Membership at the post costs $30 a year and an application can be picked up by stopping by the VFW. The organization has 120 people on its membership rolls, but a small group of less than 10 does most of the work keeping the post going.

Will Silpoch, 72, has been the quartermaster for more than three decades, handling the duties of treasurer. He also served a two-year stint as commander of the post.

He said the organization needs more fundraisers to keep the finances in the right direction. The VFW has a chicken barbecue planned for June 14.

Mark Morreall, left, and Greg Miller check on a Vietnam era tank that has been outside the post since 2009. Shells around the perimeter need to be repainted and the site needs some landscaping. Morreall said it is getting more difficult for the aging members to keep up with all the work at the post. A plaque by the tank states “In memory of our brothers so they are not forgotten” and lists the nine young men from Holley killed in the Vietnam War.

Greg Miller, age 67, recently became more active at VFW and assists at many of the fundraisers and also in part of the honor guard that attends funerals for veterans including Tuesdays at the National Cemetery in Pembroke.

“I’m the youngest guy on the honor guard,” Miller said. “We’re trying to get a younger generation.”

Miller served 22 years in the navy, enlisted at the end of Vietnam. He also worked with Kodak and Gleason Works, jobs that took him all over the world.

He said he formed stronger bonds with his friends in the military than those at Kodak and Gleason Works.

“There is a certain camaraderie that you get in the service that you don’t get in the civilian world,” he said.

A display inside the VFW includes rifles used in war from the Civil War, World War I, World War II to Korea.

The post was established April 23, 1972 with founding members Charles R. Aldrich, David F. Arnold Jr., John E. Baker, Lewis B. Bowen, Edward F. Carlo, Anthony C. Fallato, Thomas J. Finnefrock, Donald C. Gaines, Charles L. Gunter, Raymond J. Hampson, Kenneth A, Ioannone,

Ivan S. Johnson, Roy S. Kerstetter, Peter P. Korn, Nicholas Mastramano, John V. McAllister, Robt. J. McAllister, Samuel S. McMillion, Frederick J. Newton, John A. Pera, David W. Perrier, Wayne C. Porter, George J. Robertson, Albert J. Sailus,

Roger E. Sargent, Frederick A. Smith, Ralph L. Smith, Dominick Tiberio, Donald J. Lavender, Richard E. Weader, William P. Rase, Harold M. Pratt, Jack W. Wilcox, George H. Bartlett, John W. Wilcox and John P. Bowen.

The VFW and two of the former Marine Corps League members are shown inside the hall at the VFW, which can be rented for $125 for events. From left in front include Ray Madigan Jr. and Tom Sietman from the Marine Corps League, and VFW leaders Mark Morreall and Dave Rearick. In back are Will Silpoch and Greg Miller.

One veterans’ organization based in Holley turned in its charter last year. The Marine Corps League was also based at the VFW. That group started about 20 years ago with 15 members but was down to three.

Ray Madigan Jr. and Tom Sietman, two of the last members, said the group wasn’t able to bring in new members to keep the organization going. Madigan said it became too difficult for the few members to keep up with all the tasks of running the organization, especially now that they’re older.

Press Release, Medina Garden Center

MEDINA – Natural Life Produce & Greenhouse, a long-standing Medina nursery/garden center, was purchased in October 2024 and has been re-branded under the name Medina Garden Center.

The husband and wife ownership team of Patrick and Rachel McCracken will run Medina Garden Center, which opens for the season on Saturday, April 26.

The McCrackens are excited to grow the business that Daniel & Irene Miller started almost 10 years ago. The new owners are thrilled for their community to discover what they have been working so hard on since acquiring the business.

“We spent the winter re-branding the business, adding a point-of-sale system, building a website & social media pages, and most importantly, learning how to grow on a large scale,” Patrick said. “The plants are looking beautiful, and we are so excited to connect with our customers this spring!”

Starting this Saturday, Medina Garden Center will be open seven days a week (Monday – Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.). The season is anticipated to last through June, but may end earlier or later depending on plant availability.

Physical gift cards will be available in-store and e-gift cards are available year-round on their website.

To learn more about Medina Garden Center, please visit www.MedinaGardenCenter.com. For more frequent updates throughout the spring season, check the the social media pages: Facebook (www.facebook.com/MedinaGardenCenter) and Instagram (www.instagram.com/MedinaGardenCenter).

Press Release, Green Orleans

While Earth Day is designated as April 22 each year, the entire month of April is considered Earth Month.

While showing our planet some love is a good idea every day, this gives us a set time each year to carry out some activities that are both fun and environmentally friendly. So, this month, pick a couple of the below activities and get going.

• Help the little feathered friends in your backyard by providing them with some sustenance. That can look like upcycling a coffee can and filing it with birdseed or simply covering pinecones in peanut butter. Or, if you have a worn-out pair of shoes, nail them to a tree instead of throwing them away. They can serve as a bird feeder and a couple of birds can even nest there.

• Hollow out halves of oranges and/or grapefruits and fill them with birdseed. And, an added benefit – they are compostable!

• Heavy yarn can be used to hang any of your handmade feeders.

• Plant a pollinator garden to keep the pollination cycle running smoothly. Start by researching what specific local plants bird and butterfly pollinators are attracted to. Then, start planting!

• Learn to identify our local birds and then head out to do some birdwatching. Be sure to bring along binoculars and be extra quiet and respectful of the birds as you view them in trees and nests.

• Birdwatching can easily be turned into a nature hike to also view wildlife, trees and plants and to learn to be thankful for the environment around you.

Green Orleans holds its meetings the third Thursday of every month at 11:30 a.m. at Hoag Library in Albion. All are welcome!

If you have any questions, contact Green Orleans coordinator, Sr. Dolores O’Dowd at 589-1405.

NY banned plastic bags 5 years ago, but Tops still uses about 25 million paper bags a year

Press Release, Tops Friendly Markets

WILLIAMSVILLE – Just over five years ago, New York State implemented its Bag Waste Reduction Act, which prohibited retailers from providing single-use plastic carryout bags.

Today, a full five years later, companies like Tops Friendly Markets continue their efforts to encourage customers to make the shift to using — and remembering — heavy-duty reusable bags.

Prior to the ban, over 23 billion plastic bags were used in New York State every year. While the state’s legislation was designed to reduce and eliminate bag waste, some consumers have come to rely on paper bags to bring home their groceries.

Last year alone, shoppers visiting their local Tops used about 25 million paper bags. The most environmentally friendly and economical option remains heavy-duty reusable bags, which are available at checkout counters.

“Making the switch to reusable bags may seem like something small, but it makes a big difference when you consider our combined impact. Millions of New Yorkers are now using reusable bags, which has kept a tremendous amount of plastic from entering the waste stream and local landfills,” said Ron Ferri, President of Tops Friendly Markets. “We’re grateful to all our customers for bringing their bags when they visit our stores — with each visit, you’re protecting environmental resources and saving money.”

Paper bags can be recycled, but they still present issues for the environment. They require more energy to manufacture, causing the release of potential air and water pollutants. Paper bags are biodegradable, but they don’t break down easily in landfills which lack water, light or oxygen. Given their weight and size, paper bags also put more diesel trucks on the road to ship.

Heavy-duty reusable bags are better for personal budgets, too. Consider the normal weekly shopping trip. If you bring five reusable bags, rather than purchasing five paper bags each week, you could save more than $15 over the course of a year — and most heavy-duty bags can last for over 10 years.

Photos courtesy of Ashley Huntington

LYNDONVILLE – A brilliant rainbow appeared around 7 p.m. after a severe thunderstorm passed through Orleans County.

Ashley Huntington took these photos on Platten Road in Lyndonville.

Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office

Governor Kathy Hochul today directed flags to be lowered at half staff to honor the life and legacy of His Holiness Pope Francis, who passed away today at the age of 88.

“I join everyone around the world in mourning the loss of His Holiness Pope Francis, as his leadership transcended religious boundaries,” Governor Hochul said. “He embodied the values Christ taught us every day: helping the less fortunate, calling for peace, and ensuring every person is treated as a child of God. Pope Francis led with compassion, humility and inclusivity, emphasizing that God does not disown any of his children, and reminded us of our collective responsibility to protect this beautiful planet, our shared home. We should all strive to carry on his legacy.”

Last year, Governor Hochul visited the Vatican to deliver remarks at a Pontifical Summit to discuss climate change where Pope Francis delivered an address calling on the world to take care of the most vulnerable in our society.

Flags will be lowered from Monday, April 21 through the day of his funeral service.

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – The Sacred Heart Club celebrated Dyngus Day today with lots of Polish food and also crowned the king and queen of Dyngus Day. Eli Howard was picked as king and Eileen Pettit is the queen. Both are very active volunteers at the Sacred Heart Club.

Dyngus Day is a Polish-American tradition that celebrates the end of Lent and the start of Easter festivities.

Pettit said she has been a member of Sacred Heart the past 14 years, helping with fish fries and other events, and donating prizes. She especially likes the tailgating parties at Sacred Heart during the Buffalo Bills season.

“It is a family,” Pettit said about the Sacred Heart Club which has about 400 members. “Every single person, whether Polish or not, we back each other.”

Jim Pinckney, left, last year’s Dyngus Day king, puts the crown and robe on Eli Howard, this year’s king.

Howard joined Sacred Heart in 1996 and is the current events co-chairman. He donates to many of the events and is an active volunteer.

Howard said he remains very grateful the Sacred Heart Club hosted a benefit in his honor on Sept. 21 where 500 chicken barbecue dinners sold out and hundreds of others came for a basket raffle. He is battling stage 4 metastatic prostate cancer, and Howard said it is manageable.

“This organization does a lot of good for the community,” he said.

Howard helps organize many of the events on the weekends that bring in crowds of people.

“It means a lot to be recognized by my peers in the club,” Howard said about being crowned king. “I am totally shocked.”

JT Thomas, the Sacred Heart president, also served as DJ, playing Polish music, including “Please Love Me Forever” by Bobby Vinton.

About 75 people are expected at the Dyngus Day celebration which continues until 9 p.m. There is lots of Polish food served including Golumpkis – Polish cabbage rolls that are stuffed with a mixture of beef, pork, rice and seasoning. There are also pierogis, sweet and sour cabbage, smoked kielbasa and other Polish food.

There also is a display of pussy willows. In the Dyngus Day tradition, boys sprinkle water on the girls who then tap the boys with pussy willows as a way of flirting.