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.

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.

Press Release, Western New York Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association

ALBION/LYNDONVILLE — The Western New York Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association will offer a two-part education series on recognizing and understanding Alzheimer’s disease and dementia on March 22 and 23 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

The March 22 session will cover “Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia” and will be held at Hoag Library, 134 S. Main St., Albion. The March 23 session will help participants “Know the 10 Warning Signs” and will be held at Yates Library, 15 N. Main St., Lyndonville. Participants can attend either or both sessions.

“The sessions will help educate participants about the differences between Alzheimer’s and normal aging, and what to do if you suspect dementia in yourself or a loved one,” says Andrea Koch, director of education and training for the WNY Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. “With new treatments available for early-stage Alzheimer’s, it is more important than ever to be evaluated by a health care professional if Alzheimer’s is suspected.”

Anyone wishing to attend can register for either event by calling 800.272.3900. Or, they can register online for the March 22 session (click here for the link) or the March 23 session (click here).

This free series is supported in part by a grant from the New York State Department of Health.

To learn more about Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias, call the 24/7 Alzheimer’s Association Helpline at 800.272.3900 or visit alz.org.

ALBION – Three people were sentenced today to incarceration by Orleans County Court Judge Sanford Church.

Patrick Casanova, 29, of Medina received the longest sentence with 2 to 4 years in state prison.

Casanova pleaded guilty to second-degree assault in a previous court appearance. He admitted to punching a woman in the face in Aug. 11, which fractured her orbital bone and damaged her sinus.

• Gerald Berg of Lee Center in Oneida County was sentenced to four months of weekends in the county jail plus five years of for attempted promoting prison contraband in the second degree.

Berg admitted to trying to bring fentanyl to the Albion Correctional Facility on July 23. He told the court he was aware it was a dangerous substance for someone to use.

• Austin Buzzard, 24, of Carlton was sentenced to 60 days in the county jail plus three years of probation for criminal trespassing in the third degree and petty larceny. He admitted to entering a garage without permission and taking a four-wheeler that wasn’t his. He needs to pay $510 in restitution.

Buzzard could have faced up to 364 days in jail. He told Judge Church he is eager to get back to working and being a productive citizen. Buzzard has struggled with his health since he was shot four times in Rochester last July 19 while doing an estimate for a paving company. Buzzard said he had a final surgery on Jan. 15 and is finally feeling better.

• Nicholas Amos, 43, of Medina pleaded guilty to attempted assault in the second degree and could face up to six months in the county jail and five years of probation. Amos was in an altercation with five different people on Oct. 9 in Medina.

• Paul Morrow, 43, of Medina pleaded guilty to felony driving while intoxicated and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the second degree. He was charged in Medina on Jan. 24 and has a previous DWI in 2016. He could face a maximum of 3 to 4 years in state prison when he is sentence don May 17, as well as a fine up to $1,000 and court surcharges and fees of $520.

HOLLEY – Community Action of Orleans and Genesee has been working hard to bring cost-free health-related educational opportunities to the public, according to Jeanette Worsley, case manager and health coach at Community Action.

There will be a Narcan training class at 10:30 a.m. on March 29. Attendees will learn to spot signs of an opiate overdose and the correct way to administer the life-saving overdose reversal drug, Narcan. All participants will receive a free Narcan kit to take home.

Community Action is partnering with GCASA to offer the class for free that is open to the public. However, participants under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Pre-registration is required. To sign up, call or text (585) 866-5494, or stop by the Holley center at 75 Public Square.

In addition, Community Action is offering a free eight-week nutrition-based series titled “Promote Health, Precent Cancer” that will cover topics such as healthy eating patterns, portion size, nutrition, maintaining a healthy weight and physical activity.

The series will be presented by an educator from the Center for Community Health and Prevention at the University of Rochester.

Classes will take place at 12:30 p.m. Monday starting April 17 at the Eastern Orleans Community Center, 75 Public Square in Holley.

Pre-registration is required. To sign up, contact Katie at (585) 350-9190 or e-mail PHPC@urmc.rochester.edu.

HOLLEY – Russell and Kristine Wood of Hilton searched the region for an ideal spot for a new venue to host weddings and special events.

A 60-acre site along Bennetts Corners Road, near Route 31 on the east side of the village, is a perfect spot in a beautiful natural environment, Mr. Wood said at Tuesday’s Village Board meeting.

Kristine Wood holds a rendering for the interior of the building.

He wants to build a structure that could accommodate up to 300 people. There would be a parking lot with 100 spots.

But the property currently isn’t zoned for commercial. And many of the neighbors said they are concerned about the added noise and traffic in such a quiet area of the village.

“Bennetts Corners Road is already a mess with traffic,” said Kim DeFrank, who lives across the road from the site.

Holley is looking to update its zoning map, and is proposing to make the property zoned for commercial. It currently doesn’t have any zoning designated for the vacant land.

Neighbors, including local attorney Jeff Martin, said the village has not given proper notification to the community about making land commercial. There haven’t been public hearings. There haven’t been appropriate zoning amendments and updates to the comprehensive plan, Martin said.

“This could be 6, 9, 12 months,” he said about the process. “You need to do the zoning amendments first, then the zoning map change.”

He said he is concerned the village gave the developer the go-ahead without following the proper course of action.

“It feels something is getting pushed through without doing the normal process,” Martin said.

The Woods have acquired the property with their aunt from Illinois. Mr. Wood said he has used a Skid Steer to start cleaning up the property, pulling more than a 100 tires from a wooded area, as well as many discarded automobile parts.

But he hasn’t done any other work on the property. He was going to set up a temporary storage building, but took it down.

The community turned out for the village board meeting on Tuesday. Local attorney and Holley resident Jeff Martin is at the podium sharing his concerns about a special events venue on Bennetts Corners Road. Martin said the village gives an appearance of approving the project without going through the proper process.

Mayor Mark Bower said nothing has been decided with the project and there will be plenty of opportunities for the community to weigh in if the project moves forward and there are changes to the zoning map, zoning amendments and comprehensive plan.

“They recognize they have many more hurdles to go through,” Bower said.

The mayor said the land also was pursued by developers for a housing development, and a solar project.

Mr. Wood said if the family is unable to build the special events facility at the site, they would instead likely build two houses for the family to enjoy the property.

However, he wants more people to be able to enjoy the site for special events. That includes the Holley community, which would use the facility for prom, a Christmas event and other activities.

“We intend to do a lot for the community,” he said.

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Erica Wanecski tells Medina seniors about the history of amusement parks in Western New York at their monthly dinner meeting Monday.

MEDINA – If it’s about history, particularly Western New York history, Erica “Joan” Wanecski is interested in it.

Wanecski has researched everything under the sun, from foundries to amusement parks.

On Monday, she was the guest speaker at the monthly luncheon of Medina Senior Citizens, and she chose to speak on amusement parks which once flourished in the Western New York area.

Amusement parks, she said, were a spin-off of the circus, following the popularity of expositions, such as the Pan Am Exposition of 1901.

The local connection, Wanecski said, was Andrew Downie, who lived on the corner of Gwinn and West Oak Orchard streets and started the first circus. His name was actually Andrew Downie McPhee and he moved to Medina from Canada with his parents at an early age. He is credited with launching the traveling circus, which other circus owners, including Ringling Brothers, copied.

A rail line was built to Olcott when an amusement park was started there, giving rise to the name Railto, or “rail to…”

Locally, Indian Falls Amusement Park was a popular place in the 1950s, located on the bank of the Tonawanda Creek. Its rides included an iconic merry-go-round.

In the 1960s, Fantasy Island was developed and thrived for many years. After a decline, it was purchased in recent years and is being revived with emphasis on a water park and new rides. A popular attraction there was always the Wild West show.

Darien Lake began in 1976, developed by the owner of Freezer Queen. Wanecski recalled when Lockport veterinarian Doc Lewis had bison there and they got out. Lynn Creasey, president of the Senior Citizen’s board, recalls at the time he was worked for Chapman’s at Johnson’s Creek and they butchered two of the bison.

Then there was Crystal Beach across Lake Erie from Buffalo at Fort Erie. It was famous for its roller coaster located on the bank of the lake. The boat ride on the Canadiana to Crystal Beach was a highlight. The Glen Park Casino in Buffalo also offered great entertainment, Wanecski said.

Other favorite entertainment spots in the area included Herschell’s Carousel Factory Museum in North Tonawanda, which is still a popular tourist attraction, and the Whistle Pig in Niagara Falls, famous for its hot dogs. The original owner also had small rides for children. When the place closed just a few years ago, the rides went to Olcott and to Herschell’s, Wanecski added.

One couldn’t talk about amusement parks in the area without mentioning Charles Howard’s Santa Claus School and Christmas Park in Albion. Started by the Albion resident to train Santas, Howard added small rides and animals to his park on Phipps Road. The school has since moved to Midland, Mich. and still bears Howard’s name.

Wanecski said the baby boom fueled these parks and kids today should be encouraged to seek these kinds of entertainment and not be so involved with technology.

The April dinner meeting will be an Easter dinner catered by Chap’s Diner in Elba. Reservations should be made as soon as possible, because space is limited.

About 20,000 babies produced through the Lebensborn project

Jennifer Coburn of San Diego will be in Medina on Monday to discuss her book, Cradles of the Reich.

MEDINA – An accomplished San Diego author will visit the Author’s Note independent book store at 6:30 p.m. on Monday to promote her newest book.

Jennifer Coburn will discuss and sign copies of “Cradles of the Reich,” which follows three very different women living at a Nazi Lebensborn breeding home at the start of World War II.

Coburn was born in New York City, where she grew up in the 70s and 80s, she said in a recent phone call. After college, she moved to California to experience life in a different part of the country.

“I was drawn by the year-long summers,” she said. “That was more than 35 years ago, and I haven’t looked back.”

Coburn said she had originally wanted to be a lyricist, but her father died young and penniless and she was determined to do something with a proven track record.

She worked for a non-profit and did a lot of writing. She had written newspaper articles about being a new mother and critics at an awards dinner for the President’s Club said she reminded them of Erma Bombeck. That’s when she considered writing a book.

Tales from the Crib was a romantic comedy about a woman who finds out she’s pregnant just as her husband asked her for a divorce.

She has written six comedies, and admits writing about Nazis was not the next natural career step for her.

“But when I heard about Heinrich Himmler and his plan to create two million racially valuable babies, I had to write about it,” Coburn said.

Author’s Note owner Julie Berry calls Cradles of the Reich a cautionary tale for modern times told in stunning detail. It uncovers a topic rarely explored in fiction – the Lebensborn project – a little-known Nazi atrocity to create a so-called master race.

It paired Aryan women (chosen women had to prove three generations of Aryan blood and be in good physical and mental health) with SS officers for sexual liaisons. The resulting children would become the property of the Third Reich.

Coburn explained the Nazis had racial screening tools to measure 21 different criteria, such as skin and hair color, eyes and size of heads. Only 40 percent who applied were accepted. It is estimated 20,000 babies were produced under this program.

When World War II began, the Nazis had a kidnapping program as well, Coburn said. She said in her research she discovered 200,000 babies were kidnapped from neighboring countries which Germany had invaded, including Poland, Czechoslovakia and Norway.

Coburn spent three years researching and writing the book, and said she has had overwhelming feedback on it.

Lilac Girls author Martha Hall Kelly said she loved the novel, praising it as “fascinating and incredibly well researched.”  Best-seller Kate Quinn called it “unforgettable.” The Associated Press wrote that it was “compelling, well researched and just flat-out good.”

Coburn said she received a note from the child of a Holocaust survivor, saying it was hard to read, but so important to show the early signs of Fascism.

Coburn, who lives in San Diego with her husband William, has published a mother-daughter travel memoir, We’ll Always Have Paris,” as well as six contemporary women’s novels. Additionally, she has contributed to five literary anthologies, including A Paris All Your own.

She also volunteers with So Say We All, a live storytelling organization, where she is a performer, producer and performance coach. She is an active volunteer with Reality Changers, a non-profit that supports low-income high school students in becoming the first in their families to attend college.

The event at Author’s Note is free and open to the public. Given the anticipated turnout, Berry recommends pre-ordering copies. For those unable to attend, signed books can be ordered at authorsnote.com. For more information, contact Author’s Note at (585) 798-3642.

While in Western New York, Coburn plans to visit Niagara Falls and on Tuesday evening (March 21) she will introduce her new book at the Woodward Memorial Library in Le Roy. Those wishing to attend there are asked to register by calling (585) 768-8300 or through the library website.

ALBION – A 16-year-old Albion student has been charged with making a terrorist threat, which is a felony, Sheriff Chris Bourke said.

The student allegedly posted on Snapchat a threat of violence against the school.

Albion School Resource Deputy Matthew Prawel was notified at 6:36 a.m. of the post on social media.

Working together, Albion school officials, the Albion Police Department, Deputy Prawel, Lt. Steve Fox, and Sheriff’s Investigators Kevin Colonna and Brian Marsceill were able to locate the student who made the post. The student told law enforcement the post was just a joke, Bourke said

The suspect and his family cooperated with law enforcement, and the student was transported to the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office for processing, the sheriff said in a news release.

The student was arraigned by Judge Sanford Church in Orleans County Youth Court. The student was released to the custody of his mother, and needed to immediately report to Orleans County Probation for intake and electronic monitoring. The student will need to return to court on a later date.

Press Release, Orleans/Niagara BOCES

LOCKPORT – At a ceremony on March 8, Orleans/Niagara BOCES celebrated the accomplishments of Ashleigh Brownlee, Arianna Chiappone, Nina D’Arcangelo, Katie Dunning, Emily Koerner, Brennen O’Connor, Tikera Ralands, Danielle Walker and Lauren Wiley.

The nine adult learners graduated from the Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) program at the Lockport Community Education Center.

Health Sciences Coordinator Diana Petrizzo, RN had this to say about the rigorous 13-month program and its graduates.

“This program requires much focus, dedication and commitment,” she said. “These graduates chose to enter the nursing profession at a critical, much needed time…a global pandemic. While many were isolating from others, they chose to reach out, to help others. Some of them were already health care workers and witnessed so many leaving the field, but instead of leaving, they stepped up and asked, ‘What more can I do?’”

The graduates thanked their instructors Debra Dittmer, RN, Roxanne Burke-Smith, RN, Diane Stauder, RN, Nicole Zglinicki, RN and Haley Alfieri, RN along with the support staff that helped them get through the program.

“When I reflect on this class, the thing that immediately comes to mind is teamwork,” Petrizzo said. “They all wanted to see each other succeed and they provided support to each other along the way. This class displayed amazing perseverance, tenacity, commitment and leadership skills.”

For more information on the Spring LPN programs offered at the Lockport Community Education Center and the Niagara Falls Workforce Training Center, go to the Orleans/Niagara BOCES website under Education and Programs (Adult/Continuing Education).

MEDINA – Medina village officials want to give their seven snow plows and dump trucks a more personal touch, and also engage the community in the fleet of big vehicles operated by the Department of Public Works.

The village wants to invite the community to give names to the snow plows and dump trucks. Other communities around the state and country have done similar efforts, and the results have often been funny – “Sled Zeppelin” in honor of the rock band and “Snowbi Wan Kenobi” for the Jedi from Star Wars.

Village Trustee Tim Elliott suggested the village name the plows and dump trucks. It won’t cost much, Elliott said. It might just be a vinyl sticker on the vehicle.

He would like to reach out to the Medina school district to see if the naming contest could be promoted at the district. The village could also post photos of the vehicles and seek the community’s input.

Elliott offered to take the lead in seeking public feedback. The other Village Board members gave him their blessing to pursue the idea.

“It’s something engaging, that’s all it is,” Elliott said. “It’s just something fun.”

MEDINA – The leader of the YMCA in Orleans County is hopeful a new nine-hole disc golf course will ready in the spring at Gulf Street Park in Medina.

Jesse Cudzilo, executive director of the Y, met with the Village Board on Monday to give an update on the project. The Y has a grant for $20,000 to $24,000 from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation to put in 18 holes of disc golf in the county. The Y is also doing a 9-hole course at Bullard Park in Albion.

The grant covers tee boxes, signs and baskets that are mounted in small concrete foundations – 8 inches wide by 20 inches deep.

The Medina Village Board wants to see a final map of the course design at Gulf Street Park, showing the distance for each hole. Most of the course will be in a wooded area.

The village Department of Public Works will need to clear some of the wooded area for the course. The village may ask local towns and the county to help with that clearing.

The village and Y also may reach out to the Iroquois Job Corps to see if their masonry students want to help put in the concrete tee boxes. The village may also decide to use a turf tee box in the beginning “and see how it goes,” said Mayor Mike Sidari.

Press Release, Lyndonville Central School

LYNDONVILLE – The school district is accepting applications for its 2023-24 pre-kindergarten and kindergarten programs.

If you are a resident of the Lyndonville Central School District and your child will be 3, 4 or 5 by Dec. 1, 2023, they are eligible to enroll. Space is limited, but openings are available for all age groups.

The five-day-a-week, developmentally appropriate PreK program engages students in planned educational activities, play time, and breakfast and lunch are provided. Our 3-year-old PreK runs from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. each day, and our 4-year-old PreK runs from 7:30 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. (with an option for parent pick up at 12:30 p.m.). Transportation is provided for children ages 3 and up.

If more students are pre-registered for Pre-K for the 2023-24 school year than there are available seats, a lottery will be held on May 15. If Pre-K seats remain, they will be filled per UPK and district guidelines.

It is important to begin the registration process as soon as possible! Lyndonville CSD will be hosting a PreK Open House on July 4, but seats fill up quickly. Getting your application in as soon as possible will ensure a higher chance of an available spot for your student.

If you have any questions or would like more information about the program, please call or email Dr. Elissa Smith, Elementary School Principal, at (585) 765-3122 or esmith@lcsdk12.org.

You will need to provide your name, address, child’s name and child’s date of birth. More information can be found at lyndonvillecsd.org/registration.

BATAVIA – Community Action of Orleans and Genesee is partnering with M&T Bank’s Financial Education Center to offer a free financial wellness workshop.

Visitors will have access to information on a variety of topics, such as budgeting, credit management, building wealth, retirement, and more.

The class will be held at 5073 Clinton St. Rd, Batavia, on Wednesday, March 22, at 11 a.m. Pre- registration is required. To sign up, contact David Dodge at (585) 343-7798 ext. 114 or email ddodge@caoginc.org.

Community Action of Orleans and Genesee is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and has served low-income and disadvantaged families since 1965. Community Action programs are designed to empower as well as provide opportunity to those who are not yet self-sufficient.

Press Release, Orleans County Department of Social Services

ALBION – The Orleans County Department of Social Services has recently hired a Youth Court coordinator to develop a Youth Court program.

Youth Court is an alternative for young people who face disciplinary action through school or law enforcement. It provides young people with the opportunity to learn from their mistakes without facing the juvenile justice system.

We are currently reaching out to each of the five school districts in the county to recruit Youth Court members. The Youth Court members will be trained by professionals including attorneys, judges and service providers in order to qualify to serve in various roles on the youth court.

Youth Court members participate as judge, jury and advocates as they impose sanctions on their peers that reflect restorative justice ideals and connect the peer and their family to the community.

Youth Court members need to be entering grades 7 through 11 for the upcoming 2023-2024 school year. Having a history with Juvenile Justice or Juvenile Diversion Program in the past does not prohibit youth from participation in the program.

Members are committed to attending the hearings and participating in enrichment programs.  Participation in Youth Court may fulfill requirements for community service hours if approved by your school district.

This is an exciting opportunity to take an active role in your community and with your fellow students. You can make a difference and I am anxiously looking forward to taking this journey with you.

If anyone is interested in participating in this venture please reach out to Jeannine Larkin at (585) 589-3149 or (585) 297-0137.