The Grand Canyon from the southern rim. Photos can’t possibly do justice to this majestic beauty.

Let’s go on an adventure together….to the Grand Canyon!

In the spring of 2013, I spent about a week visiting some friends in Apache Junction, AZ – just outside Phoenix. My friends and I took an overnight side trip to the Grand Canyon. The views at the canyon weren’t very good that day – it was snowing and overcast – but the whole experience was still pretty amazing. 

We got up early Saturday morning to make the three and a half hour drive to Williams, AZ to catch the two-hour train ride to the southern rim of the Grand Canyon. About the time we were near Flagstaff, it started to snow and it was pretty messy when we made it to Williams. We had breakfast in Williams and then got on the train, which was a really cool experience. I love taking trains, but theme trains for specific destinations is especially fun. There was incredible scenery all the way, musicians singing for us, and lots of wild life to see – including, herds of mule deer, elk, antelope, coyote, and lots and lots of cattle! And, on the way back, we even got stopped by some train robbers, who boarded the train with scarfs over their faces and guns to rob us – the ladies were screaming and everyone was shaking in our boots! We could see the robbers racing alongside us on horses before they stopped the train and got on. But, luckily, the sheriff showed up and saved us and we resumed our trip home.

One of the train robbers that boarded our train to the Grand Canyon.

Whatever you’ve heard about the beauty of the Grand Canyon, multiply it by 1000……you still won’t come close! I wish the weather was better so we could have spent more time just sitting there staring at it in total awe. It was hazy with fog and snow, so we couldn’t see across the canyon as well as they say you usually can, but what we did see was so awe-inspiring – just breathtaking! Photos can never capture the majesty that we experienced in person. There are some other interesting things to see and do while there – in an attempt to warm up, we toured a Hopi House, had some lunch, and shopped in the gift shop.

I learned something very interesting about the Grand Canyon that day – besides just the obvious cool thing – getting to see the Grand Canyon:  The guides on the train told us to drink lots of water because of the high altitude we were at (over 7000 feet elevation) and the fact that the snow there is a “dry” snow. I snickered when I heard that – you know, they are always saying it doesn’t feel as hot out there because it is a “dry heat”, but if it is 120 degrees, that is still HOT, regardless of whether or not there is humidity factored in. Well, I thought it was odd that they were saying the snow was actually dryer than what we’re used to in the eastern states. So, when I got there, I had to touch the snow to see if it was really dryer. And, I think it actually was! It felt “odd” – it packed really tight, like a good wet snow, but it also felt powdery, like the fluffier kind that doesn’t pack as well and it took quite a bit to make it melt in my hand and when it did, it wasn’t as watery. Really strange feeling snow! HAHA! Also, they sold recyclable water bottles that we filled at stations around the area – super icy cold water that was filtered straight from the mountain springs — the best water I think I’ve ever tasted!

Taking the train out of Williams, AZ to the Grand Canyon is a fun and relaxing way to see the beautiful country side.

At the end of the day, we took the train back to where it started (the return trip was when we got robbed). We spent the night at the Grand Canyon Inn that was out in the middle of nowhere about 1/2 way between Williams and the Grand Canyon – really nice place and fantastic food in their restaurant. We got up the next morning and went back to Williams for breakfast at the same place we ate the morning before and to explore a little. After we left Williams, we headed toward Sedona to see the beautiful red rock that the town is famous for. On the way, we drove through Jerome, which is a very small historic town built right on the side of a mountain at over 5000 foot elevation – it literally looks like there is little keeping it from falling off the edge. Located on Cleopatra Hill in the Black Hills, Jerome used to be a booming mining town in its heyday. Now, (at the time we were there) the population is barely over 400 people. When we got back to Apache Junction, we were all so exhausted from our exciting adventure, we all crashed for a nice nap.

For more photos of our Grand Canyon adventure and all of the fun things I did during my time with friends in Arizona, visit my blog.

Happy Adventuring!

The Hopi House was an interesting feature at the Grand Canyon, which was built in the shape and tradition of an authentic Hopi dwelling.

St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Lyndonville is shown on its 50th anniversary in 1967. Photograph by Bill Covell.

By Catherine Cooper, Orleans County Historian

Illuminating Orleans, Vol. 3, No. 9

LYNDONVILLE – News of the devastating fire which occurred at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church in Lyndonville on the night of Feb. 28 dismayed many, far and near.

Rev. Thomas F. Gleason, pastor of St. Mary’s Church in Medina, is credited with organizing the construction of St. Joseph’s Mission Church in Lyndonville in 1917 to serve the fifteen Catholic families who lived in the vicinity.

The church, which seated 125 people, was built on land purchased from J.H. Lake. It was dedicated on Nov. 25, 1917, by Bishop Dougherty of Buffalo. A large contingent from St. Mary’s Church in Medina were in attendance.

St. Joseph’s was served by pastors and assistants from St. Mary’s for 45 years. During that time, the congregation grew to one hundred families. The Rosary Altar Society was established. Additional land on the north side of Lake Avenue was purchased for parking. A church hall and kitchen were added.

St. Joseph’s Church, Lyndonville, as it appeared before renovations for the Golden Jubilee.

St. Joseph’s was raised to the status of a parish on August 30, 1962. The parish comprises the Town of Yates, that part of Carlton west of Oak Orchard Creek and that part of the town of Ridgeway north of Ridge Road.

Fr. Bosack served as pastor in Lyndonville for 32 years

Rev. Albert J. Bosack was appointed as the first pastor. He was installed on Sept. 2, 1962, by Rt. Rev. Msgr. Felix McCabe, pastor of St. Joseph’s parish in Albion. Genial and much loved, Fr. Bosack served the Lyndonville congregation until his retirement in 1994.

A rectory was built on a lot east of the church in 1964.

The Church celebrated it’s fiftieth anniversary in 1967. In anticipation of this event, a new organ was purchased for the church, the building was painted inside and out, the fellowship hall and kitchen were renovated .

On Sunday, October 15, Most Rev. Stanislaus J. Branza, Auxiliary Bishop of Buffalo celebrated a Pontifical Solemn High Mass of Thanksgiving at the church.

Altar boys, followed by Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus from Medina, march in procession along Lake Avenue in Lyndonville toward St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church for a Mass to celebrate the church’s Golden Jubilee. (Journal-Register on Oct. 18, 1967)

A Golden Jubilee Dinner Dance for parish families and friends was held at the Apple Grove Inn in Medina on October 13, 1967. Rev. Charles Amico was guest speaker. Harold Suzanne played a program  of organ music during the evening and the Bob Still Trio provided dance music.

This group was photographed for the Journal-Register at St. Joseph’s Golden Jubilee dinner dance held at the Apple Grove In,  Friday, October 13, 1967. Mrs. Iola Layer, at the left, was dinner chairman. The three ladies in the center were original members of the parish: Mrs. Floyd Smith, Helena Mahar, and Mrs. Stanley R. Berry, Sr. To the right are Stanley Barry, Jr. a church trustee and his wife, Margaret.

For many years the regular weekend schedule comprised a Saturday Mass at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday Masses at 8:30 am and 10:30 am to serve the congregation of one hundred families. During the summer months, the influx of lakeside vacationers necessitated the celebration of an additional Mass.

Though the congregation has since declined to fifteen families, this “little white church” has a special place in the hearts of many.

Photos by Tom Rivers

LYNDONVILLE – Amelia Symons of Albion plays the euphonium during Saturday’s All-County Music Festival at the Stroyan Auditorium at Lyndonville Central School.

The event is presented by the Orleans County Music Educators Association and features top music students from Albion, Holley, Kendall, Lyndonville and Medina.

The concert featured an elementary band, junior high chorus and senior high band.

This was the second All-County concert. The first on Feb. 4 featured the elementary chorus, junior high band and high school chorus.

Roger Chagnon III, director of instrumental music at Westfield in Chautauqua County, directs the elementary band. They performed “March of the Phantom Brigade” by John Edmondson, “Haunted Clocks” by Brian Balmages, and “Tempest” by Robert W. Smith.

Kimberly Harrison, choral director at Sweet Home High School in Amherst, served as guest conductor for the junior high chorus which performed four songs: “Bonse Aba” arranged by Victor C. Johnson, “Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho” arranged by Lon Beery, “Homeward Bound” arranged by Jay Althouse, and “Don’t You Worry ’Bout a Thing” arranged by Roger Emerson.

ChrisJen Winters of Albion and Ava Blount of Medina were soloists for one of the songs by the Junior High Chorus.

Angela Dray, director of the concert band and jazz ensemble at North Tonawanda High School, served as guest conductor of the senior high band.

The senior high band performed  “Captain America March” arranged by Michael Brown, “English Folk Song Suite” arranged Ralph Vaughan Williams, and “Imaginarium” arranged by Randall D. Standridge.

The elementary band included 70 students from the five public school districts in the county.

The junior high chorus included 77 students in the county.

There were 74 students in the senior high band.

Thailer Seibert of Albion plays the tenor sax in the elementary band.

Senior high band students perform on Saturday. March is Music in our Schools Month and the local districts will be hosting their own concerts and events.

Provided photos

The big dumping of snow, followed by temperatures in the mid-30s today, has made for ideal conditions to build a snowman.

Many people took up that challenge, including Hunter Sutch, who built the top snowman with his dad Allen on Murdock Road in Medina.

Mayson Vosburgh helped make this snowman with his family today at their home on Butts Road in Albion.

Cooper Traxler of East State Street in Albion built “Patrick the Snowman” today, just in time for the St. Patrick’s Day holiday.

Marc Vaillancourt and his son Liam of Kent made a friendly snowman together.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Jeremiah Knight uses a snow blower to clear a driveway on North Liberty Street in Albion this morning. About a half foot of heavy snow fell since last evening.

There hasn’t been too much snow so far this winter, so the snow may be a welcome sight for snowmobilers, skiers, and those who enjoy sledding and building snowmen.

Anyone with photos of kids building snowmen are welcome to email them to news@orleanshub.com and we’ll try to post them later today. (Please identify the people in the photo and share the location.)

A tree with snow-covered branches is in front of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Albion on West Park Street.

File photo by Tom Rivers: Workers from Upstate Tower Construction erect a 180-foot-high radio tower on Jan. 20, 2020 next to the Orleans County Public Safety Building along Route 31 in Albion. This was one of four new radio towers to go up in the county as part of $6 million project to upgrade the emergency communications system in the county.

ALBION – Orleans County has been approved for a nearly $3 million grant from the state for more upgrades to its emergency communications system.

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced $2,990,000 to Orleans through the Statewide Interoperable Communications Grant. It is part of $62 million awarded for 14 counties in the state.

In Orleans, the money will pay for a new tower and equipment at the Orleans County Emergency Management Office on West Countyhouse Road in Albion, equipment for a new tower in Carlton that is being built as part of the broadband project, and two backup 911 dispatch consoles at the EMO site.

The state funding will allow a connection with the Monroe County emergency communications system so first responders from the two counties can better communicate with each other.

The new tower at the EMO office will replace an older one that is at end of life, said Jack Welch, the county’s chief administrative officer.

The grant program is administered by the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services. Gov. Hochul said the funding is used to enhance public safety through improving and modernizing infrastructure, addressing communications deficiencies, implementing national interoperability channels, and boosting regional connectivity between counties and systems.

“When disaster strikes, New York must be ready. This grant funding is critical to modernizing our emergency communication systems to ensure that our brave first responders have the resources and data they need to keep the community and themselves safe during an emergency,” Hochul said. “Keeping New Yorkers safe is my top priority and this program is key to improving public safety throughout Upstate New York.”

Orleans County in 2020 completed a $6 million project to upgrade the emergency communications system in the county. The state awarded Orleans a $5,897,141 grant for four new towers, accompanying communication shelters, technology to connect separate radio systems and new radio channels. Those 180-foot-high towers are next to the Public Safety Building on Route 31 in Albion, Millers Road in Yates near the water tank, and at the Kendall Central School near the bus garage. The other tower is 150 feet high next to the Holley water tank on Route 237.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Aubrey Gannon, center, passes the ball to her Albion teammate Kayla Burgio during a warmup this evening in the Ben Kirby Memorial Tournament.

There are six teams playing in the varsity girls division this evening. On Saturday there will be 38 teams in the tournament which is organized by the Albion Soccer Club. The teams play 15-minute games.

Abby Wittenberg, the goalie for Albion, makes a save against Byron-Bergen in a game in the high school gym.

Saturday’s games will also be played in the elementary school gym.

The two-day indoor tournament honors Ben Kirby of Albion. He was a student at the Rochester Institute of Technology when he died in a car accident on Nov. 6, 2017. He was 21 at the time, in his senior year majoring in software development. Kirby played youth soccer for Albion and also on the school teams.

In addition to team championship honors, there will be Ben Kirby sportsmanship awards given out to some of the players.

Some of the proceeds go towards a scholarship given to a student nominated by one or more of the teachers in the Albion High School. It is intended for someone who is a “good kid” who may not be a Scout, but best exemplifies the characteristics of the Scout Law that Ben lived by: A Scout is Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean and Reverent.

Press Release, Assemblyman Steve Hawley

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) is joining the New York State Association of Counties in the call for New York State government to reconsider its proposed plan to intercept $625 million in enhanced Federal Medical Assistance Percentage Money.

Counties, statewide, oversee Medicaid programs and operate on different fiscal calendars compared to the state government. Hawley, as always, prefers more local control as to state oversight, and sees this proposal as more of the latter.

“The management of Medicaid is a difficult job, and the last thing counties statewide need is another layer of red tape from the state government as they try to ensure their beneficiaries are covered properly,” Hawley said. “Not only are costs likely to rise with these new levels of government intersections, but the costs to counties’ Medicaid expenditures could be dire. I wholly oppose this proposal and will be doing what I can in Albany to see this move reconsidered.”

Press Release, State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt

GRAND ISLAND – State Senator Republican Leader Rob Ortt joined Congresswoman Claudia Tenney and Assemblyman Angelo Morinello today visiting the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) stations in Grand Island to examine first-hand the challenges our CBP agents are facing at the Northern Border.

The Buffalo and Rochester stations are both located in the Buffalo Border Patrol Sector, which consists of 29 counties, including all parts of Western New York as well as the Finger Lakes and portions of Central New York and the North Country. The Buffalo Sector has a large area of responsibility that includes 400 air miles of the border.

“Albany Democrats’ soft-on-crime policies have already endangered public safety in our communities – we do not want criminals from other countries thinking they can take advantage of our life here,” Ortt said. “We must secure our border and support our border patrol agents and make it clear – if you intend to come to our country and commit crimes against our citizenry, you will pay a price. I will continue to stand against attempts to use taxpayer money to house illegals and Albany’s continued coddling of criminals.”

“The brave men and women of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency put their lives on the line every day to secure our borders and protect the homeland,” said Congresswoman Claudia Tenney. “Today, it was my honor to thank them for their service and to discuss the growing challenges they are facing. The worsening crisis at our Northern Border is real, and the Biden administration must take steps to address it immediately. Our CBP agents face unprecedented challenges because of Joe Biden’s failure to address his disastrous open border policies. I reiterated my commitment today to our law enforcement officers at the border – I will continue to do whatever it takes to ensure they have the resources to do their jobs effectively and continue to keep our nation safe.”

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer said two federal programs providing funding to fire departments – the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program – are at risk of being eliminated, endangering millions in funding for fire departments in Upstate New York.

“Over the last 20 years, these programs have delivered nearly $700 million in federal funding to NY firefighters and first responders, but if new legislation doesn’t pass, fire departments will not be able to access this funding in 2024,” Schumer said.

Local departments in recent years have received money from the programs, including:

• Village of Medina Fire Department, $530,661 in SAFER in 2017 for hiring
• Shelby Volunteer Fire Co., $82,084 in AFG in 2022 for operations and safety
• Shelby Volunteer Fire Co., $39,855 in AFG in 2015 for operations and safety
• Village of Medina Fire Department, $77,837 in AFG in 2015 for operations and safety
• Village of Albion Fire Department, $37,190 in AFG in 2021 for operations and safety
• Carlton Fire Company, $37,558 in AFG in 2015 for operations and safety

The U.S. Senate on Wednesday introduced the Fire Grants and Safety Act to reauthorize appropriations for the grant programs until 2030, and Schumer said he is now launching an all-out push to ensure Upstate fire departments can continue to receive the federal support they need to purchase the lifesaving equipment and hire new firefighters to keep our firefighters and communities safe.

“Upstate New York’s firefighters are heroes who risk their lives every day to keep our communities safe, we cannot let the critical programs that provide them the support they need simply go up in smoke,” he said in a news release. “That is money for new fire trucks, better equipment, and to hire more firefighters in the Upstate communities that need them most.”

Schumer originally created the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program in 1999, which later expanded to also include the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Program, and the Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) programs.

The funding is only authorized through this year and FEMA has to entirely shut down operations next year without new legislation reauthorizing the programs, Schumer said. If the funding is not continued, firefighters would be left without federal support.

The AFG and SAFER grant programs are both administered by the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide competitive funding directly to fire departments.

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Medina native and award-winning New York Times author Julie Berry holds copies of her two latest books, “Burglars and Bluestockings,” the third in a trilogy, and “The Night Frolic,” a picture book with illustrations by Jaime Zollars. They will be introduced at a celebration at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the book store in Medina, 519 Main St., featuring a pajama story time, treats and signed prints by Zollars.

MEDINA – Medina native Julie Berry may not have started out to be a writer, but once she got started, she never looked back.

At 7 p.m. Tuesday at Author’s Note, the book store owned by Berry and her husband Phil, she will host a celebration to announce her two latest books, “Burglars and Bluestockings,” the third in a trilogy, and “A Night Frolic,” a book of illustrations by Jaime Zollars.

A daughter of Shirley and the late John Gardner, Julie graduated from Medina High School in 1991, then entered Rensselaer Polytechnical Institute to study chemistry. She earned a degree in technical communication, then went back to school and got her master’s degree in writing. She had met her husband Phil Berry at Rensselaer and after they were married, they lived in upstate New York and Massachusetts before moving to Los Angeles where Phil could pursue his career in the movie industry.

In 2020, Julie learned the former Book Shoppe in Medina was for sale, and fearing it would be closed, she and Phil made the decision to move back to Medina with their four children.

“I couldn’t bear to think there wouldn’t be a book store in my home town,” Julie said.

After extensive remodeling, which Phil did, they reopened the front half of the store on May 25, 2021, and celebrated reopening of the entire store on Sept. 25, 2021.

Julie shared how her writing career evolved.

“I always thought it would be wonderful to be a writer,” Julie said. “But I didn’t think it would be viable.”

Julie completed her master’s degree at Vermont College of Fine Arts in Montpelier, Vt. in January 2008. She was enrolled in a program designed to help people become writers. During 2 ½ years, she had written three books, the first of which she didn’t think was worthy of publication. By the time she graduated, she had secured an agent and sold her first book.

She had seen a picture of a haunted house and it sparked an idea, Julie said.

“It seemed like a house full of sadness,” she said.

It was called “Amaranth Enchantment,” and it did very well, the author said.

In 2019, Berry’s book “Lovely War” was named a New York Times bestseller.

“That was awesome,” she said.

Since then, many of her other titles have won awards and starred reviews from giants in the industry.

Berry said she likes to write picture books for little children, as well as titles for middle grades and books for teens. She likes fantasy, she said.

She is very excited about her new book “The Night Frolic,” which is mythologically-based and was just named Amazon’s “Best New Picture Book” for March.

“I think of it as a fantasia on bedtime,” she said. “It begins by asking, ‘Where do young the children go when they drift off to sleep,’ and follows those sleepy children on a magical journey through nighttime realms of wonder, where they meet the Night Tiger, the Night Walrus and an ensemble of talking creatures.”

The book has earned rave reviews from Kirkus Reviews, which calls it “a dream come true for readers seeking a new bedtime story”; Publisher’s Weekly, which says “Berry’s mesmerizing prose sounds like a saga from another world, and this vision of journey, adventure and happy clamor offers both antidote to and fodder for sleep’s dark mysteries”; and Booklist, calling it “downright magical, this picture book made for dreamers.”

Julie will read from the book during Tuesday night’s event, as well as excerpts from Burglars and Bluestockings.

Her trilogy began with “Wishes and Wellingtons” and “Crime and Carpetbags,” and with “Burglars and Bluestockings” tells the story of a young woman in a boarding school in the Victorian era who discovers a djinni in a sardine can. The books are a middle grade fantasy adventure novel suited for ages 8 and up.

Along with taking care of her family, participating with her husband in his swing dancing endeavors, pursuing her interest in software startup companies and running a book store, Julie said she still finds time to write.

“When you love something, you just get it done somehow,” she said.

Tuesday will be a fun night, she said. It is free and open to the public. Copies of her new books can be ordered online at authorsnote.com or by calling the store at (585) 798-3642.

MURRAY – Town officials want to assist local farmers in boosting the profitability of their operations, to help ensure a strong agricultural sector. That includes farms of all sizes, from people with part-time ventures to large operations that are hundreds and thousands of acres.

Murray is working to develop the first farmland protection plan in Orleans County, an effort funded through a $25,000 state grant. Town officials and members of the a steering committee working on the plan held a public forum on Thursday.

They are hoping to develop a draft of the plan soon with a public hearing to follow. A final plan would then be referred to the Orleans County Farmland Protection Board for review and then be adopted by the Town Board. The state Department of Ag & Markets gives the plan the last review.

Town Supervisor Joe Sidonio said a farmland protection plan doesn’t put new restrictions on farmers. It will help them access resources and also help the town set policies to support agriculture, Sidonio told about 30 people at the public forum.

Barbara Johnston, a planner with Labella Associates, has served as consultant for the town on the project. She said Murray is blessed with very productive soils.

“You really have a high quality resource,” she said.

Despite those high-quality soils, Johnston said much of the farmland in Murray is not included in an ag district. She said an ag district offers many benefits for the farmers, including protections from nuisance lawsuits when people sue other normal farm operations, which could be odors or mud on roads. The districts also can give farmers exemptions from paying towards water districts, and also provide more protection from eminent domain where private land can be taken for projects deemed in the public good.

Katie Sommerfeldt, manager of the Orleans County Soil & Water Conservation District, also shared how Soil & Water can assist land owners in grants for many conservation projects. Soil & Water also provides engineering expertise for drainage tiling and projects to help move water on properties.

That agency does agricultural value assessments which can save land owners’ money by paying less in taxes for less profitable acreage.

Sommerfeldt urged farmers and landowners to reach out to the office, especially if they see creeks or ditches clogged. That is becoming an issue with many dead ash trees falling into waterways.

Robert Batt, executive director of the Cornell Cooperative Extension in Orleans County, said there are programs through the Extension to assist farm operations of all sizes, including specialized teams for fruits, vegetables and livestock. Cornell also has many programs for smaller farms. There also is the Farm Net program to assist farmers with business consulting, family dynamics, mental health and business transfers.

Robert Batt of the Cornell Cooperative Extension said there are specialized teams to help farmers boost their profitability and avoid pitfalls.

Batt also touted a commercial kitchen in the Trolley Building at the 4-H Fairgrounds that is available to be rented out to help farmers with value-added products.

Batt is on the steering committee working on the farmland protection plan for Murray. Other members include Town Councilman Michael Mele (owner of a garlic farm), Alex Penna (owner of Rockin P Farm and Dam Farms), Amy Machamer (owner of Hurd Orchards and member of NYS Governor’s Ag Advisory Committee), Robert Batt (Cornell Cooperative Extension of Orleans County) and James Bensley (Orleans County Planning Director).

Johnston, the planning consultant, led the group in a SWOT analysis to determine strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to agriculture in Murray.

Some strengths listed include the productive soils, access to canal water for irrigation, good road infrastructure for east-west transport, close proximity to Lake Ontario allowing for microclimate to grow fruit, close access to major population centers to sell farm products, Right to Farm law in place in Murray.

Weaknesses identified include high cost of business with taxes, rising wages and state regulations. New York has a higher minimum wage and has enacted an overtime threshold in agriculture that puts local operations at a competitive disadvantage with many other states. There are also fewer processing plants, such as Duffy Motts and Hunts which used to have a local presence.

Opportunities for farmers could be tapping into agri-tourism, including setting up markets by the canal and at local RV parks. Smaller farm operations could produce honey or grow flowers.

Solar projects – big and small – were identified as a big threat to local farmland.

The steering committee will work to recommend strategies and goals to help foster a stronger ag sector in Murray. Johnston said she expects the plan will be finalized this summer.

Sidonio said he is hopeful the plan could become a model for the rest of the county to make the county’s leading industry even more vibrant.

“I’d like to thank all of the farmers in our county for providing the beautiful landscape we enjoy and often take for granted, said Sidonio, who is married to Machamer of Hurd Orchards. “It os the farmer who provides the fabric that binds us together and allows us to proudly claim we live in rural America. So thank you to all of our farmers and farm families.”

A winter weather advisory has been issued for Orleans County from 5 p.m. today until 10 a.m. on Saturday with 4 to 8 inches of snow expected.

The advisory also includes Niagara ad Monroe counties. The National Weather Service in Buffalo said travel could be very difficult at times from the snow and sleet.

The Weather Service said the high temperature today will be 40, followed by highs of 35 on Saturday, 40 on Sunday and 40 on Monday.

ALBION – Before he started the Weed Man based out of Albion 21 years ago, Ken Bieber worked 11 years in North Chili for One Step Tree & Lawn Care.

Now, with the retirement of One Step owner Bob Ottley, Bieber is going back to his roots in lawn care. He is starting a new Weed Man franchise in Monroe County and Victor in Ontario County.

Both the new franchise and Bieber’s Buffalo East franchise will operate out of Albion where he currently has 18 trucks for the lawn care business and three for the mosquito and pest control division. Bieber has 50 to 55 employees during the peak season – 15 of those are year-round workers.

“It’s exciting,” Bieber said about the expansion into Monroe County and Victor. “It’s like coming home where I was at the start of my career.”

Bieber said he anticipates he could be up to 80 employees after building up the customer base in the new territory.

Weed Man currently has 6,100 customers in the Buffalo East franchise which includes Orleans, Niagara, Genesee and northern Erie counties.

Bieber built up that franchise working by himself the first three years, with the business based out of his home.

“This is a lot less daunting because I have staff,” he said today at the Weed Man base of operations at 3847 Oak Orchard Rd.

Weed Man participates in Medina’s Parade of Lights on Nov. 25, 2017.

Bieber said he has many long-term key employees who have helped him grow the business. The expansion into Monroe and part of Ontario counties is a chance to hire more local people, and also provide management opportunities for employees.

He has watched some of his long-term employees buy homes and start families. That is among the most rewarding parts of keeping the business locally in his hometown of Albion.

He also values his customers, most have now been with Weed Man for many years. The business provides fertilization, weed control, crabgrass control, core aeration, grub prevention and control, flea and tick control, and mosquito control services.

Bieber has won many awards from Weed Man as a top franchise for customer service and retention/ marketing excellence, and innovation. He recently was honored for his use of social media to connect with new customers.

Locally he also is known for his participation in local parades, often with a giant inflatable of the Weed Man character being pulled by a truck.

He already is out promoting Weed Man in the new territory and he is doing it the old-fashioned way. He has a team knocking on doors, leaving brochures about the Weed Man services.

“It’s a new challenge and I love to grow the business,” Bieber said.

For more on Weed Man, go to the company website and enter your zip code.