Provided photo: Nick Mroz, director of Orleans County Veterans Service Agency, hands out Easter hams to veterans in front of the office on Friday.

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Nick Mroz, director of Orleans County Veterans Services Agency, holds a poster he distributed advertising free Easter hams for veterans.

ALBION – Since taking over last fall as director of Orleans County Veterans Service Agency, Nick Mroz has been busy planning various events to benefit veterans, the latest being giving free hams to veterans for Easter.

On Friday, Mroz and assistant Jackie Lonnen handed out hams to 100 Orleans County veterans.

The hams were purchased from Tops with a grant Mroz received from the Dwyer Peer to Peer program started by Earl Schmidt when he was director of Veterans Services several years ago.

Mroz said he advertised the hams on social media, by e-mails to Post commanders and with flyers in Tops.

The purpose of these programs is to get veterans in the community together and talking with one another, Mroz said.

“We are trying to promote healing and encourage veterans to share experiences and network with one another,” he said. “A lot of veterans in the county don’t know each other, and our goal is to get them together and talking about their experiences.”

Mroz has already arranged an afternoon of bowling for veterans in February and is planning a barbecue in the summer and a golf outing in August.

Provided photo: A grant from the Dwyer Peer to Peer program covered the cost of the 100 hams which were given out Friday.

Press Release, Arc GLOW

Photo courtesy of Arc GLOW: Self-Advocates Julie Johnston and James Gibbs stand in front of the Capital Building in Washington D.C.

WASHINGTON D.C. – “Save Medicaid!”

That was the message from Arc GLOW and over 900 advocates, allies and professionals during the 2025 Disability Policy Seminar in Washington D.C. to support the intellectual and developmental disability (IDD) community.

“For me, Medicaid provides my home, transportation, staff, medication and doctors. … Because of my Medicaid, I attended a college experience program at SUNY Geneseo,” said Julie Johnston, an Arc GLOW self-advocate, during a meeting with staff from Sen. Chuck Schumer and Congresswoman Claudia Tenney’s offices. “I learned so much, and gained so many skills. I now have a job at SUNY Geneseo washing dishes. If Medicaid is cut, I would lose my house, my job and my independence.”

“Going to Washington was an opportunity of a lifetime,” said James Gibbs, an Arc GLOW self-advocate. “We talked about the importance of Medicaid. I liked advocating and I felt like they were listening to me when I spoke.”

Arc GLOW representatives including Vice President of Public Relations Lisa Bors, Vice President of Day and Employment Services Kellie Kennedy, Board of Directors President Cheryl Englert, Direct Support Professional Gabby Root, and Self-Advocates James Gibbs and Julie Johnston met with representatives from Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, and Congresswoman Claudia Tenney to advocate for continued federal support to the IDD community.

“We are pushing lawmakers on Medicaid, education and disability funding,” said Bors. “We need to keep pushing the federal government to protect the most vulnerable members of our community.”

Arc GLOW Team: The Arc GLOW advocacy team; top row: Vice President of Day and Employment Services Kellie Kennedy, Self-Advocate James Gibbs, Direct Support Professional Gabby Root; second row: Self-Advocate Julie Johnston, Board of Directors President Cheryl Englert and Vice President of Public Relations Lisa Bors.

Arc GLOW is asking community members to contact local representatives now to tell them:

• Reject any effort to block grant, cap or cut federal spending in Medicaid.
• Oppose work requirements in the Medicaid program.
• Congress should reject any cuts to Social Security or SSI, including any proposals to cut benefits or limit who can qualify.
• Fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
• Oppose laws that reduce the rights of children with disabilities to secure a free, appropriate public education.
• Ensure that students with disabilities in higher education receive the accommodations that they need.
• Pass budget and appropriations laws that provide funding to support people with disabilities in the community.

Each call and message can make a difference. On Wednesday, 12 Republican Congressional representatives sent Speaker Mike Johnson a formal letter opposing any cuts to Medicaid including for people with disabilities; four of the 12 members were New York representatives.

Arc GLOW is a public, non-profit organization founded by parents and friends of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities serving Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming counties. For more information, visit ArcGLOW.org.

MEDINA – A group of Medina teachers showed up at the Medina Railroad Museum on Wednesday, ready to scrub graffiti off vandalized rail cars.

The rail cars were targeted last week with red paint. A social media post and letter to the editor from a museum volunteer made the public aware of the problem, and a stretched-thin group at the museum that now had to deal with it.

Medina schools are off this week due to spring break right before Easter. One of the graffiti messages referenced a Medina staff member. Teachers value the work from that staff member and wanted to get that message off the rail car, as well as help the museum with the cleanup of the other cars, said Joe Byrne, Medina Teachers’ Association president.

The 26 teachers spent about an hour wiping off the paint on a chilly day with temperatures in the 30s.

“This was something that was senseless and not derserved,” Byrne said about the graffiti. “It was cool to turn a negative thing into a positive.”

He said Medina teachers are committed to service.

“We’re not just people in the classroom,” he said. “”We’re people in the community.”

A train from Genesee Valley Transportation passes by the volunteers while they work on getting rid of the graffiti. Jeff Lewis, Medina Railroad Museum executive director at left, thanks Medina teachers for getting rid of graffiti off railcars on Wednesday afternoon.

AE Washing in Lyndonville provided water and hoses for the cleanup, while the museum had sponges and soft Brillo pads. The teachers showed up with buckets and a gusto to tackle the challenge.

“They did a bang-up job,” said museum executive director Jeff Lewis. “That is the kind of community support we appreciate.”

The museum is often plagued with graffiti and vandalism, including people breaking windows and sometimes sneaking into railcars to spend the night.

“It is an ongoing problem that hopefully will improve,” Lewis said.

Byrne said the experience has better connected teachers to the museum. He envisions having experts from the museum in the schools to discuss the impact of railroads on the local community.

“This could lead to a better partnership at the school,” Byrne said.

Teachers spent about an hour on a cold day cleaning the graffiti off the rail cars.

MIDDLEPORT – Officers and brothers of Masonic Towpath Lodge #1193 held a special service Wednesday night to honor one of their own.

Pritchard “Jim” Anderson, an 11-year member of the Towpath Lodge, was presented with the Masonic Dedicated Service Award, an honor reserved for those who go “above and beyond” in service to their lodge.

Scott Mason of Medina, secretary of Towpath Masonic Lodge in Middleport, and master Matt Flammger of Albion explain the Dedicated Service Award to lodge members Wednesday night, before bestowing the honor to treasurer Pritchard “Jim” Anderson of Middleport.

Formerly the Cataract Lodge #295, Towpath Lodge was formed through a merger with Medina and Lyndonville lodges.

Most recent recipients of the Dedicated Service Award are the late Allan J. Kropf of Medina in 2014, the late Douglas Hedges from Lyndonville in 2007, Frank Berger of Medina in 2004, the late Orren Roberts of Medina in 2000 and Fulton Rogers Jr. of Medina in 1989.

Wednesday’s presentation began with a moment of silence for Allan Kropf, who died March 20.

Lodge secretary Scott Mason read an explanation of the Dedicated Service Award, created in 1974 by then Grand Master Most Worshipful Arthur Markewich. This award program enables lodges to obtain Grand Lodge recognition for brothers and past masters who continue, year after year, to support their lodges and their district with their presence, time and talent by attending lodge and district meetings and participating in degrees and programs, with or without holding an office, Mason explained. To be eligible, a brother must be a member of the fraternity for at least 10 years.

Anderson became a member 11 years ago at the invitation of the late Herb Koenig.

“For many years before that, I would drive by and see the men going in the door with suits on and wonder what was going on, but I never had the nerve to stop and ask,” Anderson said. “Herb had been my teacher in Middleport school, so when I went into business fixing computers, I went to his house to fix his. He asked me then if I had ever thought about becoming a Mason. Two weeks later I was signed up.”

Anderson said he joined to be helpful, and since has met so many nice people which he never would have enacted with otherwise.

“These are people you can trust, and I appreciate that,” Anderson said. “The tenets of Free Masonry are in line with the kind of person Herb wanted to be and that’s the same with me. When I got my Third Degree it was at Old Fort Niagara and more than 100 people were there, who gave up their day to support me. That truly impressed me.”

Towpath Lodge Master Matt Flammger of Albion said the Dedicated Service Award is the greatest award any Mason can receive. It takes commitment to this fraternity above and beyond what anybody could do, he added.

In presenting the award, Flammger said in Anderson’s 11 years of Masonry he has inspired, mentored and led the brothers of Towpath Lodge through his willingness to volunteer his time to all aspects of the lodge.

“Specifically, he regularly cares for the lodge as an extra trustee on his own time, cooking, cleaning, repairing, painting and decorating the lodge for brothers and guests as needed,” Flammger said. “He mentors to new brothers on their schedules and currently is treasurer for the lodge. He will fill in any of the other chairs as needed. He has been invaluable to this lodge through his unselfish example of what the true meaning of Masonry is.”

Anderson was overwhelmed by the award, saying it was completely unnecessary but much appreciated. He admitted he is not one to ask for help in anything, but so many Masonic brothers have given him help without him asking.

“That reflects the kind of people this lodge is,” he said.

Also present for the award presentation were the Very Worshipful Andrew Conroy, assistant Grand Lecturer from Red Jacket Lodge #646 in Lockport; Right Worshipful Barry Wallace Jr., Grand Steward, from Niagara Lodge #375 in Lockport; and Anderson’s wife Barb and sister Deborah Loke.

Loke praised her brother, saying she has always looked up to him as her “older brother,” even though he is seven years younger.

“He is an amazing brother, husband and father,” she said.

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Three crosses on the front lawn of the First Presbyterian Church welcome worshipers on Easter weekend. A Cross Walk will begin at noon today for Good Friday.

MEDINA – A re-enactment of Jesus carrying the cross has been a tradition in Medina for at least 25 years, according to the Rev. Vincent Iorio, retired pastor of Calvary Assembly of God and vice president of Medina Area Association of Churches.

Residents are welcome to participate in the walk which will begin at noon at City Hall with readings at several stops along the way.

From City Hall, the walk heads to the First Presbyterian Church on Main Street, then Rotary Park, the Canal Basin, Medina Historical Society on West Avenue, Cooper Funeral Home on West Center Street, First Baptist Church at West Center and West Avenue and back to the Presbyterian Church.

The Rev. Iorio said everyone is welcome to participate in the Cross Walk, and if they are unable to walk, they may follow in their vehicle. Some have even taken part using their walkers, he said.

Also on Good Friday, Pastors Aligned for Community Transformation (PACT) will sponsor a service at 6:30 p.m. at Harvest Christian Fellowship on East Main Street in Albion, with Kevin Lawson, pastor of The Vine Church in Medina, as speaker.

The public is also reminded of a sunrise service at 7 a.m. Sunday in Boxwood Cemetery.

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Julie Berry, left, and Olivia Marchese hold copies of books from authors who will be visiting Author’s Note on April 26, in observance of Independent Bookstore Day.

MEDINA – On April 26, Medina’s independent bookstore Author’s Note will celebrate its fourth annual Independent Bookstore Day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with visiting authors and a “Bill of Readers’ Rights” theme.

Store owner Julie Berry said they will be joining 1,600 bookstores around the United States in celebrating the 12th anniversary of the event sponsored by the American Bookselling Association.

Independent Bookstore Day was created to help communities, book lovers, authors and booksellers celebrate together all the community, fun and creative richness a locally-owned, independent bookstore brings them that chains and e-commerce sites cannot, Berry said.

In addition to games, activities and giveaways throughout the day, three visiting authors will be present to sign their books and greet readers.

Doogie Horner will sign books from 10:30 a.m. to noon. He is an artist, illustrator, graphic novelist, stand-up comedian who has appeared on “America’s Got Talent” and author of two books in a new series for middle school readers – The Adventures of Invisible Boy and Zeroes to Heroes.

Horner’s background is in children’s publishing, working as a cover designer and artist with Quirk Books for about 10 years. In addition to appearing at IBD at Author’s Note, he will spend Friday visiting students at Fred Hill Elementary in Brockport, Holley Elementary School, Roy-Hart Middle School in Middleport and Wise Intermediate School in Medina. He lives with his family in upstate New York.

Mylisa Larsen will sign books and greet readers from noon to 1:30 p.m. She is a nationally-acclaimed author of middle grade and children’s fiction, and an especially local favorite.  Her visits a few years ago presenting Playing Through the Turnaround to local schools left her with a large fan base in the area. Author’s Note is thrilled to welcome her back to sign copies of the acclaimed sequel, Quagmire Tiarello Couldn’t be Better, along with her other titles, Berry said. Larsen lives with her family in upstate New York.

Journalist and author Will Bardenwerper from Pittsburgh will sign copies of his new book, Homestand: Small Town Baseball and the Fight for the Soul of America from 1:30 to 3 p.m. This nationally published title is based on the story of the Batavia Muckdogs after the team transitioned from professional baseball to a Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League in 2021.

He will also sign copies the night before from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Eli Fish Brewing Company at 109 Main St., Batavia.

Berry went on to explain Independent Bookstore Day celebrates and underscores the irreplaceable value independent bookstores bring to readers, authors and local communities. Author’s Note’s self-chosen theme for IBD 2025 is a “Bill of Readers Rights,” celebrating the freedoms the First Amendment confers upon all Americans, Berry said.

As Author’s Note expresses them, these rights are, “To read past bedtime, any book we please, published by a free press, by authors embracing freedom of speech and be filled with wild, rebellious delight.”  Or, as Berry said, put more succinctly on T-shirts and tote bags the store has made for the occasion, “Read freely. Read Independently. Read with wilk, rebellious delight.”

“We want to celebrate the uniquely American First Amendment rights that make our industry and livelihoods possible,” said Berry, who in addition to being store owner is a New York Times Best-Selling author. “Without freedom of the press, we couldn’t bring you such a wide variety of published titles and voices. Without freedom of speech, authors couldn’t safely convey their research and creativity to the world. With freedom of religion, we couldn’t work out the private beliefs and values which inform all art and literature – and without any one of these freedoms, we likely wouldn’t have evolved our world-class American educational system that gives us an avid reading public, and the literacy that helps democracy and these very liberties thrive.”

Throughout Independent Bookstore Day, in addition to meeting authors, customers will share in games including “Banned Books Bingo,” special activities, art projects with Doogie Horner and treats. Customers can win gift cards, Author’s Note T-shirts and gift baskets. Several IBD-exclusive items supplied by the ABA will be available for sale or giveaway that day only.

“We want to thank our customers,” Berry said. “And remind the region of all we bring, and urge them to make shopping small and shopping local an ongoing habit and a meaningful reflection of their love for this lovely part of the world – and for literacy.”

Indie bookstores return two and one-half to four times as much revenue to their local economies as chains do, while keeping jobs and revenue local and boosting salts tax volumes, Berry said.

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the rise in online bookselling, chain stores and e-readers caused many people to predict the death of the independent bookstore, yet between 2009 and 2018, the number of independent bookstores rose nearly 50 percent, Berry said. Harvard Business School researcher Ryan Rafaelli, in a 2020 study entitled “The Novel Resurgence of Independent Bookstores,” explained that indie bookstores thrive in an online-heavy book market by differentiating themselves along three lines: Community, Curation and Convening.

Berry explained “Community” refers to how local bookstores strengthen local economies and add vitality to shopping districts. “Curation” underscores how local book buyers can select inventory that reflects the tastes and preferences of local shoppers. And “Convening” emphasizes the ways bookstores foster a shared sense of community amongst book-lovers by creating book-friendly spaces and hosting events such as book clubs, story times and author readings to draw readers together.

For more information about Independent Bookstore Day festivities at Author’s Note, or to reserve copies of the visiting authors’ books, visit AuthorsNote.com, e-mail info@authorsnote.com or call (585) 798-3642.

Press Release, Independent Living of the Genesee Region

BATAVIA – Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR) is partnering with the Genesee and Orleans Health Departments (GO Health) to host a “Community Conversation” to discuss experiences, thoughts, and concerns regarding the health issues within our communities. We want to hear your feedback.

Join us on Wednesday, April 23rd at 9:30 a.m., at 319 West Main Street, Crickler Executive Business Center, in Batavia. Light refreshments provided, use the rear left entrance, look for the green awning to find our door.

The day-long event provides an opportunity to connect, learn, and share “Best & Next Practices” for addressing the needs of older adults and people with disabilities.

Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR) is a member of the Western New York Independent Living, Inc. family of agencies (WNYIL) which offers an expanding array of services to aid people with disabilities to take control of their own lives.

Independent Living is a non-profit organization providing programs and services for people with disabilities. We provide application assistance, advocacy, information and referral for Housing, Employment, and Mental Health. Click here for more information on WNYIL.

Former joint fire district chairman also served on Village Board, School Board

Photo by Tom Rivers: The turnout gear for Mark Porter is set outside the Holley fire hall as a tribute to the long-time volunteer firefighter who passed away on Tuesday at the fire hall on Thomas Street. Porter also was active in the community with prior roles as chairman of the Murray Joint Fire District, a member of Holley Board of Education, and a village trustee.

HOLLEY – The Holley community and firefighters throughout the Orleans County are mourning the death of Mark Porter, a former Holley fire chief who was a commissioner for the Murray Joint Fire District.

Porter, 54, was found deceased in the fire hall on Tuesday. Porter spent many hours a week at the fire hall on Thomas Street.

“He was dedicated to everything he did, whether sports or the fire service,” said Kevin Dann, captain with the Murray Joint Fire District.

Porter retired in 2023 after 30 years with Monroe Ambulance as an EMT/dispatcher. He is a past fire chief for the Holley Fire Department and was elected commissioner of the Murray Joint Fire District, serving as its chairman. He also served as a Holley village trustee and a member of the Holley Board of Education.

Porter also was a wrestling and baseball coach, and was sports coordinator/director for Joint Youth Recreation in 2012.

“Mark gave so much of himself to this community with respect to his selfless service as a firefighter for many years,” Holley Mayor Mark Bower and Murray Town Supervisor Gerry Rightmyer said in a statement.

They noted his service on the Joint Youth Recreation, as a village trustee and Board of Education.

“As supervisor and mayor and on behalf of our two boards, we acknowledge what a loss this is to our community, to the fire district, and the Holley Volunteer Fire Department,” Bower and Rightmyer said. “Let us all take time to remember Mark and his many positive contributions to Murray and Holley.”

Photo by Tom Rivers: Murray Joint Fire District Chief Rick Cary, left, and Mark Porter, the fire district chairman at the time, are shown with the district’s new fire engine in this photo from January 2024. The fire district picked a white color for the truck, instead of red as part of an rebranding effort for the joint district, which includes the former Holley and Fancher-Hulberton-Murray districts.

Justin Niederhofer, the Orleans County Emergency Management director, noted zporter was the current EMS lieutenant and commissioner with the Murray Joint Fire District and a retired captain with Monroe Ambulance.

“Mark was a dedicated public servant who gave selflessly to his community through decades of leadership, compassion and commitment,” Niederhofer said. “His service touched countless lives, and his loss will be felt deeply across the first responder community. We honor his memory, his legacy, and his unwavering dedication to protecting and serving others.”

Porter was a proud graduate of Kendall Central School and served on the alumni committee.

He battled a serious case of Covid in 2021 that left him in a coma for 100 days. He rebounded and pushed hard to be home in time for Christmas Eve in 2021 to see a new grandchild.

“He would do anything for you, whether you were family or a friend,” said his niece, Shannon McMillion. “If he didn’t have an answer, he’d find it.”

Porter is survived by his wife Rose, three children and five grandchildren.

There are calling hours at the Christopher Mitchell Funeral Home in Holley on Saturday, April 26, from 3 to 7 p.m. with his funeral service on Sunday, April 27, at 11 a.m. at the funeral home.

Photo from Charles Schumer’s Office: U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer speaks on Wednesday at the Canandaigua VA, joined by veterans in the Rochester-Finger Lakes area.

Press Release, U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer

CANANDAIGUA – With ‘DOGE’ and the Trump administration’s plans to fire over 80,000 workers at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) looming, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer today stood outside the Canandaigua VA to sound the alarm on the devastating impacts for the over 33,000 veterans in the Rochester-Finger Lakes region.

“This is not how you treat our veterans – it’s not just unacceptable, it’s un-American,” Schumer said. “Firing over 80,000 VA workers, many of whom are veterans themselves, will undoubtedly hurt the healthcare and benefits for the 33,000 veterans here in the Rochester-Finger Lakes. We have already seen the chaos firsthand, VA workers fired without warning across Upstate NY, chaos across the VA workforce. It is gut wrenching to think this is how we are treating the services of those who defended our freedoms.”

The senator said across Upstate NY, VA workers, many of whom are veterans, have already been fired, creating chaos in the workforce and new massive cuts would spell disaster for the care for vets across NY. Schumer called on the Trump administration to restore fired veterans and VA workers and stop any plans to further decimate the VA workforce.

“Make no mistake, these cuts are a direct assault on our veterans here in Upstate NY,” Schumer said. “These cuts don’t just mean fewer VA workers, they mean longer wait times for our veterans to get the help they need. It means they won’t get the most advanced treatment, and ultimately it means many will likely be denied healthcare they deserve. Our nation told our veterans that if they put their lives and health on the line to protect our freedoms, we would take care of them, and the Trump administration is breaking that promise by cutting the VA to the bone.”

“DOGE” has already fired thousands of veterans across the country, many of whom have service-connected disabilities, Schumer said. 2,400 VA employees, many of whom are veterans themselves, have already been terminated. The VA, however, has refused to even explain where all these cuts have been in New York, leading to chaos, and with 80,000 more looming, the senator said it could turn into a real crisis.

Schumer said these broader “DOGE” firings are especially cruel as veterans make up 30% of the federal workforce, with approximately 640,000 veterans working in federal agencies. The federal government has long made it a priority to hire veterans and military spouses, encouraging them to do so as a continuation of public service, making these cuts by the Trump Administration uniquely hurtful.

Schumer has repeatedly highlighted this, including bringing a Western NY disabled Army veteran who served in Afghanistan who was fired from the Buffalo VA, as his personal guest to attend President Trump’s Joint Session of Congress.

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Daniel Doctor starred as Stephen and Jesus in Godspell at the Medina Historic Theatre. He is singing “Save the People” during Saturday night’s show.

A cast  of nine performed the musical, a production of WSA Theatrics. There were five shows from April 4-6, and then April 11-12.

Doctor also served as director of the musical, which reimagines the Gospel of Matthew and tells the story of Jesus’s life, teachings, and ultimate sacrifice on the cross. The performers tell the story through parables, games and songs.

The show begins with the “Tower of Babble” with the characters portraying famous philosophers. They talk over each other creating a cacophony of noise.

From left include Meggan Wakefield, Joseph Lederhouse, Brielle Lederhouse, Eric Flugel, Natasha Hill and Steve McQueen.

This is the second show by WSA Theatrics. The group debuted last September with Nunsense.

Doctor has been leading the West Side Academy of Visual and Performing Arts at 417 Main St. for nearly 20 years.

He wanted to bring theatrical productions to the community, open to people of all ages. The Medina Historic Theatre provides an ideal home for the group, set up as a “theater in the round” where the audience can see performers from three sides of the stage, Doctor said.

“We want to bring live entertainment back to the community,” Doctor said. “I think it’s needed. The goal is to transform young and old alike.”

WSA Theatrics has three more shows planned: Annie, with auditions on May 23; Showstoppers on Broadway, a musical revue with auditions May 23 and the show in August 2025; and Steel Magnolias, with auditions Nov. 16 with shows in April 2026. Click here for more information on WSA Theatrics.

Tammy Wilder portrayed John the Baptist and baptizes the prophets, signaling a new beginning and urging the group to move toward a community. She sings, “Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord.”

Meggan Wakefield plays the character Robin and sings, “Day by Day.” Wakefield was in the school musicals as a student at Medina and is grateful for the chance to return to the stage in her hometown as an adult. Eric Flugel is at right.

Natasha Hill, a Medina native, played the role of Gilmer, a goofy character. She sings, “O Bless the Lord.” She said the cast developed strong camaraderie in putting on the show.

“It is powerful,” she said about Godspell. “It is moving and very inspirational.”

Eric Flugel, administrator of The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center, said he welcomed the chance to sing, dance and act in Godspell. He watched his father Raymond in many shows and saw the joy it brought his dad.

“It is very different from my normal day,” Flugel said. “I love it. They’re great people and it’s great energy.”

Daniel Doctor and the cast close out act one with “Light of the World.” Behind him from left are Natasha Hill and Holly Lederhouse, and Joseph Lederhouse, at right.

Press Release, Lee-Whedon Memorial Library

A cane toad proved interesting to the kids, who got a close-up look.

MEDINA – The Lee-Whedon Memorial Library had 155 people in attendance at our spring break program today with REPCO Wildlife.

REPCO owner, Crystal Poyfair, showed off a scaleless bearded dragon, a frog, a cane toad, a red-eared slider turtle, a tortoise, a kingsnake, a ball python and a blue-tongue skink.

She explained the habitat where each animal is found, what they eat, and how they protect themselves from predators. Those in attendance were able to watch an exciting race between the turtle and tortoise, and yes, the turtle won. To end the program, everyone got to pet the ball python.

“Programs like this are so important because they inspire a sense of wonder and a connection to nature,” said Patricia Mumau, children’s librarian.

Even Orly the Ox stopped in to watch the presentation. Orly was in many photos with all the kids and gave out special bicentennial stickers for Orleans County’s 200^th anniversary.

Kids were happy to meet Orly the Ox, the Orleans County bicentennial mascot.

Press Release, Orleans County Sheriff’s Office

Lynn Horn

MEDINA – The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office has announced the arrest of Lynn Horn, a Village of Medina resident, in connection with fraudulent activity involving the misuse of a donation program intended to assist children battling cancer.

Horn is accused of submitting multiple fraudulent applications to Hopecam, a charitable organization that provides tablets, chrome books and other supplies to children diagnosed with cancer. The organization, which has supported countless families in need, relies on donations to provide these devices to improve the lives and education of young cancer patients.

The investigation revealed that Horn filled out false applications containing misleading information in an attempt to obtain devices under false pretenses. In one of the fraudulent transactions, Horn is also accused of using the personal and professional information of an Orleans County Department of Social Services worker to complete the application.

“The actions of Ms. Horn are not only a betrayal of a charitable cause, but they also take resources away from the children and families who desperately need them,” said Sheriff Christopher Bourke of the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office. “Our office will continue to investigate and hold accountable those who attempt to exploit organizations dedicated to helping vulnerable communities.”

Horn was arrested and charged with criminal impersonation and issued an appearance ticket returnable to the Town of Ridgeway Court.

The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office is continuing its investigation into the matter. Anyone with information about the case or similar fraudulent activity is encouraged to contact the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office.