By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 March 2023 at 7:42 pm
Local law enforcement agencies will have increased patrols as part of a STOP-DWI St. Patrick’s Day High Visibility Campaign.
The campaign started Thursday and continues through Sunday.
“Gathering with family and friends, enjoying food, beverages and wearing of the green during St. Patrick’s Day celebrations could all too often turn tragic on the nation’s roads, said Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke, the county’s STOP-DWI coordinator. “The fact is this celebration is considered one of the deadliest holidays of the year due to impaired-driving crashes.”
Bourke said law enforcement agencies from throughout the state will have increased patrols to reduce the number of impaired driving-related injuries and deaths.
ROCHESTER – Today, Congressman Joe Morelle announced he has introduced legislation to crack down on gun trafficking and keep illegal weapons off our streets.
The State Firearms Dealer Licensing Enhancement Act enhances state oversight capabilities of gun dealers and incentivizes states to implement strong gun dealer licensing regulations to reduce gun theft and, in turn, reduce gun violence. This legislation is sponsored by Sen. Brian Schatz (D, HI) in the Senate.
“At a time when our community is perpetually grieving the loss of innocent lives to gun violence, we must take decisive action to get illegal guns off our streets and keep families safe,” said Congressman Joe Morelle. “I am proud to introduce this common-sense legislation, which is the culmination of continued discussions with law enforcement, government partners, and community stakeholders. It will help reduce gun theft and gun trafficking, reduce crime and, most importantly, reduce the senseless violence plaguing our neighborhoods. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this critical legislation, and I look forward to passing it into law.”
In 2021, more than 1,978 federal firearm licensees across the country reported lost or stolen firearms, to the tune of 10,325 firearms in total. Many of these firearms are then making their way onto neighborhood streets and are used to commit violent crimes—in fact, over 30% of guns identified in a crime have been stolen. The State Firearms Dealer Licensing Enhancement Act takes steps to prevent these weapons from being stolen in the first place by enhancing state gun dealer licensing and oversight requirements.
Specifically, the State Firearms Dealer Licensing Enhancement Act would establish a grant program for states to develop or improve firearm dealer licensing programs. These funds would allow states to put additional resources towards conducting gun dealer inspections, as well as invest in new technologies and systems that will optimize existing inspection and licensing regimes.
To be eligible for the grants under this bill, states must have a licensing regime in place that meets the following requirements:
Federal firearm licensees must be licensed to engage in the business of selling firearms, and their licenses must be renewed at least every three years;
Federal firearm licensees must submit to inspections;
If an federal firearm licensee is found to be in noncompliance, the state must have the ability to suspend or revoke the license and impose civil penalties or criminal charges on the dealer.
Congressman Morelle continues to support additional actions to reduce gun violence, including: banning assault weapons, enacting universal background checks on all gun sales, limiting high-capacity magazines, strengthening security requirements for gun shops.
Kris Brown, President of Brady: United Against Gun Violence, said, “Each year, hundreds of thousands of firearms are sold in the illegal marketplace, flooding communities and devastating families. To combat the increasing amount of illegal guns on our streets and reduce gun violence, states need resources to improve gun industry oversight, and ensure all firearms are sold legally and responsibly in order to hold members of the gun industry accountable when they engage in risky behavior that contributes to gun violence. Improving and strengthening state oversight is a proven way to decrease gun trafficking and Brady is grateful to Rep. Morelle and Sen. Schatz for their steadfast leadership on this issue.”
This letter from 1836 shows an agreement for Holley businessmen to buy fire engine for $250.
HOLLEY – The elegantly penned document at right is part of the Orleans County Department of History collection. Written in 1836, it pertains to the Village of Holley, but curiously is linked to Central Hall, the building on East Park Street in Albion that houses the Department of History.
The document is an agreement between Hiram Frisbie* and Darwin Hill for the purchase of a fire engine:
Articles of Agreement made and Entered into this 30th day of September 1836 between the American Hydraulic Company of Windsor, Vermont and Darwin Hill & Hiram Frisbie of the Village of Holley, County of Orleans & State of New York.
That the American Hydraulic Company of Windsor, Vermont have agreed to furnish and deliver to the said Hiram Frisbie and Darwin Hill, a fire engine Number 3 Cooper’s patent with the hoses and with all the necessary appendages and appurtenances for the consideration of the sum of two hundred and fifty dollars to be paid them by the said Darwin and Hiram in thirteen months from the date hereof with the interest.
And the said American Hydraulic Company do hereby further undertake promise and agree to and with the said Darwin & Hiram that the said fire engine so agreed to be delivered shall be equal in all respects to the fire engine now in said village of Holley (and so continue for the space of one year with ordinary usage and care) and shown them by the Agent of said Company and that if the said engine to be delivered should be deficient in any respect, either in size, power, force or finish, the said American Hydraulic Company will allow the said Darwin & Hiram the fair reasonable and just difference together with all damages, costs and expenses sustained or suffered on account of breach of this Agreement and of the failure of said engine to be deducted from the said sum of two hundred & fifty dollars and interest herein agreed to be paid.
And the said Darwin Hill & Hiram Frisbie in consideration of the Agreement on the ? of the said the American Hydraulic Company agree to pay them the sum of Two Hundred and fifty dollars with the interest in thirteen months from the date hereof, subject nevertheless to the performance of the Agreement above mentioned by the American Hydraulic Company.
The American Hydraulic Company hereby agree to deliver said fire engine in the Village of Holley at their own proper cost, charge and expense within a reasonable time from the date hereof and forty days
In witness whereof the parties have set their hands the day and year first above written.
American Hydraulic Co. By William Barrett Agent
Hiram Frisbie
Darwin Hill
Fires were a scourge in those early years. Members of the community were the earliest fire-fighters; they could only respond by forming bucket brigades. Hand-cranked pumpers were the first improvement on the bucket brigades. The Village of Medina purchased one such machine in 1829 for $270.
In 1828, John M. Cooper, an inventive Vermonter, patented a “Rotative Piston” thought to be suitable for fire pumps which were soon being produced in Windsor, Vt. by the American Hydraulic Company (later the National Hydraulic Company). Convict laborers from the Vermont State Prison at Windsor were employed in the production of the pumps. They were paid .25 cents a day for twelve-hour days and worked six days a week. Agencies were established throughout the country to promote the company’s products.
Hiram Frisbie and Darren Hill, both prominent Holley businessmen, organized the purchase of the fire engine and undertook to pay $250. Residents and merchants contributed to the cost by donation or subscription. The new machine was, no doubt, transported by horse-drawn wagons over the Green Mountains to Albany and then on the Erie Canal to Holley. It was basically a hand-drawn, hand-cranked water pump but it exceeded the capabilities of the bucket brigade.
The doorway at Central Hall in Albion was rescued from a mansion in Holley that was demolished in the 1930s.
The Frisbie Mansion, home of Hiram Frisbie, was an impressive Greek-Revival mansion built c.1832. Situated on a knoll, it featured a two-story wrap-around colonnade of six 20-foot Doric pillars. The pillars were constructed from whole whitewood trees, the tallest of the eastern hardwoods, also known as tulip trees.
This Holley mansion was demolished in the 1930s but remarkably the stately front entrance was saved by some discerning members of the American Legion who were then renovating their building at 34 East Park Street in Albion, Sheret Post #35.
This red-brick building, which has since been renamed Central Hall, is now owned by Orleans County and houses the Treasurer’s Dept. and the Orleans County Dept. of History.
BASOM – Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge announces plans to conduct up to six prescribed burns on the Refuge during the 2023 season.
The goal this year is to burn up to 150 acres of grasslands and 30 acres of cattail marsh. The result will be enhanced grassland nesting cover and improved marsh habitat for a variety of migratory birds and other wildlife.
Grassland fields will be burned in the spring or summer (April – August) and marshes will be burned in the summer (June-August). Each burn should take approximately two to six hours to complete.
Prescribed burns are conducted safely and successfully on National Wildlife Refuges and other public lands across the country. With prescribed burns, fire becomes a management tool removing accumulated fuel loads thus reducing the risk of wildfire.
Additionally, fire improves Refuge habitats for wildlife by removing invading plants that compete for light and nutrients and exposing the soil to sunlight so that seeds may germinate and grow. At the same time, it releases nitrogen and other nutrients into the soil to nourish the new plants.
Specific dates cannot be announced in advance due to specific weather requirements, however, law enforcement and other emergency agencies will be notified on the day of the burn. Before a burn can take place, specific weather and site conditions, including wind direction and speed, humidity, air temperature, and fuel moisture must be present.
If any one of these conditions is outside of set parameters, the burn will not take place. Refuge staff have been specially trained to plan, ignite and monitor the fire to ensure public safety.
For further information contact Refuge Manager, Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge, 1101 Casey Road, Basom, NY 14013 or call 585-948-5445 ext.7030.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 March 2023 at 10:27 am
4.8% in January first time over 4% since August
The unemployment rate in Orleans County was at 4.8 percent in January, the first time it topped 4 percent since August.
The state Department of Labor is reporting there were 16,200 people employed in Orleans, with 800 unemployed in the labor force.
The 4.8 percent compares to 4.4 percent in January 2022, when the labor force had 400 more people – 17,400 compared to 17,000 in January 2023. In January 2021, the rate was at 6.8 percent in Orleans, with 1,200 people on unemployment and 16,000 working.
The rate was at a record low of 2.9 percent in October but has been trending up to 3.3 percent in November, 3.6 percent in December and at 4.8 percent in January.
Statewide the unemployment rate was at 4.6 percent in January, compared to 5.6 percent a year earlier in January 2022. The number of people employed in the state increased from 9,060,200 in January 2022 to 9,156,700, while the number unemployed dropped from 533,300 to 440,500 during that time, according to the DOL.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 17 March 2023 at 8:59 am
Brayden Hoffmeister of Medina needs cranial expansion surgery
Photos contributed: (left) Brayden Hoffmeister wears one of favorite super hero shirts, while swinging in his yard, in spite of constant headaches due to swelling in his brain. (Right) Brayden, 4, is shown after his last surgery to correct a condition he was born with, called sagittal craniosynostosis. He is facing another surgery in June.
MEDINA – The Medina community is coming together to show its support for a young Medina couple whose son is facing the third surgery to correct a rare birth defect.
Four-year-old Brayden Hoffmeister, son of Brody Hoffmeister and his fiancée Jenna Pangrazio, was born with sagittal craniosynostosis, a condition in which the skull joins together too soon, before the baby’s brain is fully formed.
He has had two surgeries and requires another, with many upcoming medical appointments. The cranial expansion is scheduled in June at Golisano Children’s Hospital at Strong.
Brayden falls in the 1% category of children with this condition who need a third surgery, his mother said.
“This is so rare the doctor in Rochester has never done one before,” Pangrazio said. “It’s high risk because it’s the frontal lobe of his head, which involves motor functions and his eyes. It’s overwhelming to say the least.”
On Valentine’s Day, the couple traveled to Cincinnati when Brayden needed an MRI and Strong couldn’t schedule one until the middle of March.
“We were scared and didn’t know what to do,” Pangrazio said. “We knew the Cincinnati hospital saved the life of Damar Hamlin, so we knew they were good.”
When they arrived, the hospital wasn’t having open clinic visits that day, but they did perform the X-ray and sent the family home.
Because of the constant swelling in his brain, Brayden suffers from constant mild headaches and has vision issues. He misses gym classes and can’t play like a normal 4-year-old.
“He wants to be a football player,” his father said. “He loves dinosaurs and super heroes.”
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Brody Hoffmeister and his fiancée Jenna Pangrazio look at pictures of their son Brayden, who was born with a rare condition in which his skull joined together too early before his brain was fully formed.
His parents have been together for eight years and were scheduled to get married the day Brayden had his last surgery. They have a daughter Alaina, 6.
Brody has also faced struggles of his own. He was born with cerebral palsy and his parents were told he’d never walk.
“That motivates me every day I get up,” he said. “God has given me a second chance.”
He went through physical therapy until he was 16 and wore braces for years. He said he was fortunate he has a mild case, and although his left side is weaker than his right, he stepped up to run his family’s restaurant when his mother died in 2019. Rudy’s Soda Bar & Cafe was started by his grandmother in 1988, and his mother took it over in 2006. He grew up in the business.
“It’s the people we meet every day and the relationships we make that keep me going,” Brody said. “The support we’ve received is overwhelming. It makes me proud to have grown up here.”
On April 29, friends are organizing a spaghetti dinner and basket raffle for the family at East Shelby Fire Hall to help offset their mounting medical bills and travel costs. They are seeking monetary donations, help with the cost of the dinner and items for the basket raffle. Any donations can be dropped off at Rudy’s or at Gloria Brent’s office at 106 Pearl St. by April 16.
The benefit will feature spaghetti and meatballs, salad and roll. There will also be an open cash bar with beer and wine, music by disc jockey JT Thomas and many great prizes. There are 750 pre-sale tickets available for $20 each. Dinner will be served beginning at 2 p.m. and the raffle will start at 7 p.m. Winners do not need to be present to collect their prize. Anyone wishing more information may contact benefit chairperson Angela Taylor Coon at (585) 283-9114.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 16 March 2023 at 9:08 pm
Photo by Ginny Kropf: From left, Butts-Clark American Legion acting commander Jim Wells, Carol Callina and Cathy Fox, president of the American Legion Auxiliary, hold a quilt Callina made and donated for a raffle to benefit the American Legion.
MEDINA – Quilting has been a passion of Carol Callina’s since she was a teenager.
“In fact, I taught my mother how to quilt,” Callina said today at the Butts-Clark American Legion Post, where she has donated a quilt to be raffled off to benefit the Post.
A daughter of the late Carlton and Janice Prawel, Callina left Medina after graduating from high school to join the Navy. She spent four years in active duty and three years in the Reserve, then went to work for the Department of Justice, later Homeland Security, where she was an immigration officer for four years.
After retiring in September 2021, she returned to Medina to live in the family home, which her father always said he didn’t want to see go out of the family.
Callina has lost count of the number of quilts she has made, but she said it is hundreds in more than 40 years.
“My house is full of them,” she said.
When decorating her bedrooms, she chose wall paper to complement the quilts she had made on the beds.
She has a son and granddaughter, age 7, for whom she is making quilts in all different patterns and colors.
“I want her to have a selection of quilts as she grows up,”Callina said. “In case I’m not around, she’ll have a part of me.”
Last year Callina made a quilt in patriotic colors, which she donated to the American Legion to raffle off. Tickets are on sale now for $5 and are available at the American Legion on North Main Street.
“It took Carol two weeks to make that quilt for us and we are very grateful,” said the Legion’s acting commander Jim Wells. “It was a nice surprise and the money we make will go to help the community.”
Wells said the Legion tries to do a raffle every year, and has done a meat raffle. They were excited when Callina offered to donate a quilt to raffle.
Callina, who joined the American Legion shortly after returning to Medina, is vice chair of the post. She also volunteers to clean for them and is the only female member of the Honor Guard.
Congressman wants to protect waterfront resources, strengthen agriculture
Press Release, Congressman Joe Morelle
Congressman Joe Morelle highlighted his recent visit to Orleans County, where he met with local elected officials and had productive discussions about the most important issues facing their community.
This marks Congressman Morelle’s first official tour of the portions of Orleans County recently added to New York’s 25th Congressional District.
“I’m proud to have added part of Orleans County to my district this year, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to spend time getting to know local leaders, exploring their vibrant community, and forming critical partnerships,” Morelle said. “It’s clear everyone I met has a deep love for the neighborhoods and families they serve, and we have a number of shared priorities—especially strengthening our agricultural economy and protecting our waterfront resources. I look forward to spending more time in this community and I know that through our continued work together we can build a strong future for Orleans County families.”
Lyndonville Mayor John Belson gives Joe Morelle a tour of Main Street and downtown Lyndonville.
Congressman Morelle began the day with a bus tour alongside members of the Orleans County Legislature, including the body’s Chairman, Lynne Johnson. Together, they visited businesses and landmarks across Orleans County and met with local leaders to discuss their mutual priorities. The tour ended with a visit to Hurd Orchards – complete with samples of apple pie, cookies, applesauce and their famous Ruby Frost apples.
“It was an honor to put this event together to showcase Congressman Morelle’s enhanced district within Orleans County,” said John Fitzak, Orleans County Legislator for District #4. “Based on our conversations, it is apparent that with the Congressman’s partnership, Orleans County can continue to grow and develop its footprint along the southern shore of Lake Ontario.”
Editor’s Note: Besides Monroe County, the 25th Congressional District includes about half of Orleans County – the towns of Carlton, Clarendon Dist. 1, Gaines, Kendall, Murray and Yates.
Yates Town Supervisor Jim Simon shows Morelle the town park on Morrison Road by Lake Ontario.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 March 2023 at 1:52 pm
HOLLEY – The village is looking to add security cameras to the canal park including gazebo, bathrooms and shower facility, a kiosk with artwork and part of the canal path.
Holley is pursuing proposals from different companies to provide the service as well as WiFi access. Mayor Mark Bower wants cameras on the village’s assets by the canal, especially because Holley is spending $15,200 to tear off and install new shingles on gazebo, bathrooms and kiosk, and replace any rotten plywood on the cupola. The Village Board last month approved the bid from Roger Passarell Construction for that work.
In other action at Tuesday’s Village Board meeting:
• The board voted to continue the real estate listing of the former Village Office building at 72 Public Square for $74,900. That building from 1888 has 4,554 square feet. Click here to see the listing by Early Sunrise Realty.
• Approved hiring Chad Fabry of Murray as a backup part-time code enforcement officer at $27 per hour. He will fill in if Carol McNees is unavailable. Fabry is the code enforcement officer for the Village of Brockport.
• Hired Theresa Weed at $14.25 an hour for up to 20 to organize the paper files and filing for code enforcement office and zoning and planning board.
• Appointed Trustee John Morriss to serve as deputy mayor. He succeeds Connie Nenni who resigned from the Village Board last month.
“I very much miss the previous deputy mayor,” Mayor Bower said. “I appreciate everything that Connie did.”
• Sandra Shaw, director of the Community Free Library in Holley, invited the board members to attend a wine-tasting at the library from 7 to 9 p.m. on April 28. Tickets are $25 each or two for $40 and proceeds go towards funding summer programs at the library.
• Former Mayor and Police Chief Lewis Passarell asked if Holley is staffing its police department 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Passarell said it looks like some shifts aren’t being filled.
Police Chief Bob Barton said the department has frequent turnover, with two of the full-time officers recently leaving for larger departments with higher salaries.
“Are there gaps in the schedule? Absoutely,” Barton responded. “We do the best that we can to provide you with 24-7.”
Barton said there is currently one open shift during the week. He said the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office and State Police help cover the needs of the community. But Passarell said that comes at a slower response than from the Holley officers.
When fully staffed Holley has three full-time officers including the police chief, and eight part-timers.
• Set 6 p.m. on April 11 for a public hearing on the village budget for 2023-24. Bower said the budget is shaping up to be under the tax cap. However, Holley approved a resolution to have the option to override the tax cap, which is about a 2 percent increase. That override was “a precautionary measure” in case the final numbers exceed the cap, Bower said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 March 2023 at 1:20 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers: Rollin Hellner, founder and CEO of Hellner Development Company, said the village is putting up roadblocks in his efforts to upgrade the Holley Hotel.
HOLLEY – The developer looking to acquire the Holley Hotel and upgrade the site, with some of the units to be available for hotel rooms, said he is close to walking away from the project due to roadblocks from village officials.
Rollin Hellner, founder and CEO of Hellner Development Company, said the village has put a stop work order on his attempts to resolve code violations and secure a certificate of occupancy.
He has been working on the building while finalizing a deal with Kathy Blackburn to acquire the site.
Hellner spoke at Tuesday’s Village Board and said Holley has been a difficult municipality to work with, compared to his experiences in other communities, including the City of Buffalo where he said he did a $28 million renovation project.
“It is a really beautiful historical building,” Hellner said about the Holley Hotel. “Our goal is to clean it up.”
Residents in apartments at the Holley Hotel were forced to leave the site on Aug. 24 after the previous village code enforcement officer deemed the building was unsafe and unsanitary on Aug. 3. Residents were given three weeks to find alternative housing.
Hellner said Blackburn made progress with many of the violations and public health issues. He said the rodent and bed bug issues are resolved. The fire escape also has been repaired.
He would like to move forward but isn’t clear why the village stopped work on the building.
“There are currently no hazards,” he said. “A certificate of occupancy should be issued.”
Mayor Mark Bower said at the meeting he didn’t appreciate Hellner’s characterization of village employees and how they’ve handled the issues at the site.
Contacted today he said that Holley’s attorney John Sansone and code enforcement officer Carol McNees are meeting with Hellner to discuss the situation.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 March 2023 at 1:04 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Bruce Landis, a member of the Albion Rotary Club, gets hams ready to go into the oven. There is pineapple on top of the ham.
The Rotary Club and Rotary Interact students will be serving the dinners from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. today at the First Presbyterian Church of Albion, 29 East State St.
The Rotary Club and Rotary Interact students expect to serve about 250 dinners with ham, cole slaw, potatoes, rolls and dessert.
The meals are available by drive-through and take-out only. The cost is $12 per dinner and are available while supplies last. Proceeds from the event will go to the Orleans Koinonia Kitchen at Harvest Christian Fellowship on Route 31 in Albion.
Photo courtesy of Tim Archer: Rotary Interact members Shania Mathes, Adele Mathes and Maggie Olles are shown with Faith Smith, OK Kitchen director. The frosted brownies and other desserts are part of the meal today.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 March 2023 at 10:33 am
Little Mermaid is first musical in Medina after more than a decade of shared program based in Lyndonville
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Seagan Majchrzak stars as Ariel in Medina’s production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid. In this photo from dress rehearsal on Wednesday evening, Ariel dances with seagulls. She is learning to use her new legs after going from a mermaid to a human.
The Medina Junior-Senior High School will perform Little Mermaid with shows at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for children under 10 years of age. All tickets can be purchased at the door.
The theater program returns to Medina after the district shared a program based in Lyndonville since 2011-12.
Medina’s theater program is directed by Rachel Trillizio, a high school music teacher at Medina.
“It’s been awesome,” Trillizio said about the students, staff and volunteers involved in the production. “They are very motivated to make it a great show.”
Photo courtesy of Photos by Bruce: There are about 80 students in the cast and crew for the musical. That includes 30 fourth-graders who appear in two scenes – “Under the Sun” and “Kiss the Girl.”
Medina used to bus students to the rehearsals in Lyndonville. Having the show in Medina has made it much easier for the students and their families, and resulted in a bigger turnout for the cast and crew, Trillizio said.
“I’m incredibly proud of the kids and what we’ve been able to put together,” she said.
Elaina Huntington plays the role of Ursula, a sea witch/sorceress. Ursula seeks revenge against her brother, King Triton. She has been banished from the palace for using black magic. Ursula makes a deal with Ariel, allowing the mermaid to become a human for three days. During that time she has to get a kiss of true love from Eric or have Ursula claim her soul.
Emani Fuentes plays the role of Sebastian, a red Jamaican crab and a servant of King Triton. Sebastian’s main song is “Under the Sea.”
Jackson McGrath is Chef Louis, who has French accent and happily cooks seafood in the castle kitchen. He would very much like to make a meal out of Sebastian and chases after that crab during the show.
Madelyn Elliott plays the role of Scuttle, a seagull and friend of Ariel. She sings “Positoovity” and encourages Ariel to use her new legs as a human.
Ariel and Eric enjoy a boat ride and a near kiss. Ariel rescued Eric earlier in the show when he nearly drowns in a storm at sea. Caiden Class plays Eric and Seagan Majchrzak is Ariel.
Majchrzak said she is grateful Medina is hosting the musical program again.
“Everybody is right here,” she said. “I see them in the high school throughout the day. It’s nice.”
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 16 March 2023 at 8:39 am
ALBION – Staff at Community Action’s Main Street Store are looking for volunteers and donations for the first ever Prom Prep Night on April 4 or Prom Night on May 22 between 6 and 8 p.m.
Store manager Cassie Eagle has issued a plea for dance moms, hair stylists, make-up artists or anyone in between to come help girls learn how to do their hair and makeup for prom night.
Eagle has started a new program in which the store will donate free prom dresses to teens for their school prom this year. She developed this idea after the store received a huge shipment of prom/party dresses last year – in all sizes, styles and colors.
She is also looking for any donations of unused makeup or hair styling products, as well as gently used dresses, suits and other prom essentials.
Anyone who is able to help or has things to donate is asked to call or e-mail the store at (585) 589-1430 or Ceagle@caoginc.org.
Free prom dresses are offered to any teen from any Orleans County school who can’t afford one.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 March 2023 at 9:53 pm
Provided photo: Ginny Kropf was interviewed today by Mike Randall today at her home in Medina.
MEDINA – Ginny Kropf, a prolific local news reporter, was highlighted by Channel 7 today as “one of the area’s busiest newspaper reporters.”
Kropf writes several articles each week for the Orleans Hub, Lockport Union Sun & Journal and The Batavian.
She was interviewed today by Mike Randall of Channel 7, who declared, “Ginny Kropf has a nose for news.”
Kropf admitted when she goes out in public, even just walking down the street, she comes home with news stories.
She learned the craft writing for her high school newspaper in Medina, but didn’t get in the news business until about 30 years ago.
She counted Donny Osmond as one of her most favorite people she met on the job. She also has been to NASCAR races, interviewing some of the top drivers.
“I’m a little old country girl,” she told Randall. “I grew up on a farm. Everything is interesting to me.”
Kropf won an Associated Press writing award when she was at The Daily News in Batavia. She is 84 and has no plans to retire.
“I love people,” she said. “I love to talk and I love to hear their stories.”
Click here to see the feature about Kropf by Randall.
