By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 14 January 2023 at 8:52 am
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Rob Robinson of Medina toasts to being cancer free for 100 months.
MEDINA – Rob Robinson’s whole life changed in 2014, after what he thought was a routine visit to his doctor.
Robinson, 66, has always suffered from allergies, so kept regular appointments with Dr. Surinder Bath in Medina, during which Robinson routinely had blood work done. It was after one of those appointments that he got a call from the doctor’s office saying he had to come back to the office, “Now.”
“I arrived to find Dr. Bath with tears rolling down his cheeks,” Robinson said. “He had me booked at Roswell at 9 the next morning.”
His blood work showed he had multi melanoma, a cancer of the bone marrow.
“What has happened since is a series of miracles,” Robinson said.
The first few months were really rough, he said. He had to be driven to Roswell once a month, where he spent an entire day having his stem cells collected. Often, they couldn’t harvest enough and he would have to return again and again. Once, he had to go 12 straight days, arriving at 6 a.m. and lying in bed for six hours while hooked to a machine.
“I would lay there and watch the Rockford Files,” Robinson said. “When the show was over, I knew the procedure was half way through.”
His pastor, the Rev. Vince Iorio of the Calvary Tabernacle Assembly of God, arranged for someone to take him and come back and get him each day.
This regimen has continued for eight years, which includes taking three chemo pills a day and visiting the clinic at Roswell once a month.
“I’m in my 100th cycle now, meaning Jan. 26 will be my 100th monthly visit,” Robinson said. “The nurses have told me people rarely make it to the 100th month. All my numbers are miraculously normal.”
Robinson volunteered to be in a study, so the treatments don’t cost him anything. If they did, he would have passed the $1 million mark long ago, he said.
Robinson and his wife Cindy are eager to share his story to tell people the importance of early detection. Robinson, whose mother Virginia Bishop used to play piano at the Apple Grove, inherited his mother’s love of music, and has played piano in big-name area bands all his life.
When he decided 10 years ago to form his own band, which he calls the “A” Band, he decided to use the band to spread the word about early detection. His first wife died of cancer in 2006, and he has since played gigs on what he calls the “Kill Cancer Tour.”
He believes God’s hand is in his life, which is why he has been able to attain total remission. He also has a philosophy.
“It’s all about attitude,” he said. “There’s no laying around feeling sorry for myself. Besides my band, I started the Busker Festival during Ale in Autumn last fall. It was so successful, we are making it an annual event. I’m still involved in Scouting and work at my job as an electrical inspector.”
On Feb. 10, Robinson and his band will perform at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library in Medina for the Finally Fridays concert series at 7 p.m.
There isn’t a day goes by that he doesn’t give thanks for his miraculous life.
Looking for more fulfillment or a way to make the world a little better in the new year? Catholic Charities of Buffalo is seeking volunteers to make a difference in the life of an older adult through its Home Visitation and Friendly Phones programs in Genesee and Orleans counties.
Both programs depend on dedicated volunteers to provide one-hour weekly visits or phone calls to isolated seniors aged 60 or older who live independently or with family.
“The primary focus of this social-based program is to bring a renewed sense of friendship to older adults in our community,” said Linda Chadderdon, program manager, Catholic Charities. “Through weekly, one-hour visits, our goal is to decrease feelings of social isolation and bring a sense of community connection it its participants.”
During visits, participants and volunteers often engage in friendly conversation and partake in activities such as board games, puzzles, and crafts. Volunteers do not provide personal care, transportation, or banking assistance. Visitation schedule is flexible.
Interested volunteers must be at least 21 years old, and an interview, background check and proof of Covid vaccination are required. Volunteers do not need to reside in Genesee or Orleans counties.
Training will be provided upon acceptance into the program. For more information on volunteering or to request an application, please call Catholic Charities at (585) 343-0614, ext. 3804. Additionally, if you or someone you know would be interested in a weekly visit and reside in Genesee or Orleans counties, please contact Catholic Charities at the same number listed.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 13 January 2023 at 7:34 pm
MEDINA – Two Medina school students are winners in the Medina Lions Club’s 2022 Peace Poster Contest.
This week, Jim Hancock, a Lions Club member, and Lions’ president Jim Punch presented awards to winner Jordan Olsen and runner-up Eyrn Meacham.
Thirty-two entries were received and judged by the Lions Club Board of Directors. Jordan’s poster was then sent to the district competition, where he finished second.
The contest is open to 11- to 13-year old students at Medina Junior-Senior High School and is coordinated by art teacher Jen Scott.
This is the 10th year for the Peace Poster Contest, and is one of Medina Lions Club’s community service projects.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 13 January 2023 at 3:01 pm
Cheryl Kast
ALBION – Orleans Community Health’s Albion Healthcare Center has expanded its primary care team with the addition of Cheryl Kast, physician assistant certified, to its family medicine/primary care team.
“After serving many area families over the last decade, Cheryl has developed the trust and comfort we strive for at Orleans Community,” said Scott Robinson, director of Marketing at Orleans Community Health in a news release.
Kast brings more than two decades of experience to the growing team at the Albion Healthcare Center. She specializes in family medicine with experience in primary care (including pediatric patients), pulmonary, otolaryngology and internal medicine.
She is a Western New York native, and grew up on a dairy farm in Wyoming County. She now resides in Albion with her husband John. They have three children.
“We’re thrilled to have Cheryl on our team,” said Mark Shurtz, CEO of Orleans Community Health. “She is well-known and has a real passion for the community.”
Alana Palone, clinic administrator at the Albion Healthcare Center, said X-ray services said returned last week and now they are excited to share this added good news with Kast’s hiring.
“Cheryl is going to be a great asset to our primary care team, one that greatly benefits all of us,” Palone said.
WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24), a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, today reintroduced H.R. 348, the Transparency in Covid-19 Expenditures Act, alongside Representatives Mike Gallagher (WI-08), Jake LaTurner (KS-02), Darrell Issa (CA-48), and Chris Smith (NJ-04).
This bill requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to audit the funding provided by the COVID-19 relief bills Congress passed as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Specifically, the GAO must audit and report on the use of funding provided by:
the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020
the Families First Coronavirus Response Act
the CARES Act
the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act
Divisions M and N of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, and
the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.
The United States has spent over $4 trillion in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, much of which was spent without proper oversight, Tenney said. In fact, the New York State Comptroller reported that over $11 billion in fraudulent unemployment insurance payments were made during the first year of the pandemic alone.
Following the release of H.R. 348, Tenney released the following statement:
“Taxpayers deserve to know where their money went and how it was spent,” she said. “Now that we are in the Majority, House Republicans are leading to charge to make the government more accountable and transparent, and that starts with how American’s tax dollars were spent. The financial fraud following the Covid-19 pandemic was unprecedented and we must ensure we never give out a blank check and make these same mistakes again. I’m honored to lead this charge to create a more transparent government.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 January 2023 at 10:55 am
A legal challenge from Democrats in Orleans County seeks redistricting of the legislative districts in County Legislature.
Democrats say the districts are out of balance in size and the boundaries need to be modified after some population shifts in the county.
The legal challenge was filed in the State Supreme Court by Democratic Party Chairman Jeff Lewis of Carlton, former party chairwoman Jeanne Crane of Crane, Jonathon Gilman of Kendall, Rev. James Renfrew of Clarendon, Agnes Recco of Lyndonville and Jessica Marciano of Medina.
They name in the lawsuit the Legislature Chairwoman Lynne Johnson, Majority Leader Don Allport, Minority Leader Fred Miller, Clerk of Legislature Lisa Stenshorn, and County Chief Administrative Officer Jack Welch.
The county shifted from a former Board of Supervisors among the 10 towns to a seven member Legislature in 1980. There are four districts and three at-large or countywide positions. With the at-large positions, one must live in the east end of the county, another from the central section, and the other from the west end.
Chart from legal filing by Orleans County Democrats.
The four legislative districts are each about 10,000 people, but Democrats say there is too much of a population variance to meet the standard of “one person, one vote” with equal representation among the districts with voting. With some districts larger than other in population, some residents have their influence on the Legislature “minimized or diluted,” the petition alleges.
Democrats say a 10 percent deviation is allowed, but the Orleans legislative districts exceed that.
Democrats in the legal filing note the 2020 census showed a drop of about 2,500 people in the county or a 6 percent reduction since 2010. The two most populous towns in the county both saw declines, but the drop was steeper in Albion compared to Ridgeway. Democrats say that degree of change is just one example of the districts no longer being close to uniform.
The Legislature about a decade ago did tweak two of the districts. The district for the towns of Ridgeway and Yates (represented by Lynne Johnson) was shifted slightly into Shelby to make it closer in population to the other three legislative districts. That gave more people to Yates and Ridgeway, while subtracting some from the district (represented by Bill Eick) that includes that towns of Shelby, Barre and Clarendon.
The Democratic Party leaders contend the districts are gerrymandered, in “favor of one particular party over all others.” There are six Republicans on the Legislature. Fred Miller is the lone Democrat and represents the district that includes the towns of Albion and Gaines. Miller has run unopposed in recent elections without a Republican challenger.
These charts from the Democrats are in a lawsuit saying there is too much variation among the districts.
The Democrats are seeking to have the districts reapportioned to be nearly the same size by population and not have “unacceptably high population deviations between the legislative districts.”
The Democrats, specifically, contend there is a more than 30 percent difference in population, comparing the east side of the county, the central towns and the west end.
The Democrats who filed the lawsuit are represented by the Penberthy Law Group of Buffalo.
County looking to engage company to help determine if redistricting needed
UPDATE at 1:11 p.m.: Jack Welch, the county’s chief administrative officer, said the county started the process of redistricting, an effort that was not the result of the lawsuit from the Democrats.
The county authorized the Planning Department to enter into an agreement to review the 2020 census data to conform with election law. The agreement was with The Research Foundation of the State University of New York which is connected to SUNY New Paltz and The Benjamin Center, Welch said.
However, the person assigned to the job took another position in Albany and won’t be able to do the redistricting review.
The county on Dec. 14 reached out to CGR, a research firm in Rochester but the company is unable to do the work right away, Welch said
The county is working on an agreement with Skyline Demographics Consultants, Inc. to determine if changes are needed to the legislative districts to be compliant with NYS Election Law, Welch said.
“We are working with Skyline Demographics to adjust the districts which are outside of the 2.5 percent deviation that is allowed by the law,” he said. “A 1 percent change is roughly 100 residents so this new law will require some adjustments between Districts 1, 2, 3 and 4.”
The public will have an opportunity to comment on the issue at a public hearing the near future, he said.
“The timing of this change is dependent upon the scheduling of public hearing, the time required to inform the public of proposed changes and the time petitions are due for the for these districts and if there is agreement in a proposed map,” Welch said in an email. “There are a lot of moving parts to have the final districts in place for an election.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 January 2023 at 9:36 am
Goal: learn about themselves and many facets of the community
Photos by Tom Rivers: Patrick Weissend, a graduate in the 2018 Leadership Orleans class, facilitated the opening retreat on Thursday. Weissend, vice president and branch manager of the Bank of Castile in Medina, was in the debut class of the program and remains active on the steering committee.
LYNDONVILLE – The new class of Leadership Orleans kicked off an opening retreat on Thursday at the White Birch Golf Course.
The 25 class members from agriculture to manufacturing, education to government, small business owners to nonprofit service providers.
Katie Oakes, horticulture educator for the Cooperative extension and U-Pick manager for Lynoaken Farms, said she looks forward to learning more about the county.
They will meet monthly in the coming year, building leadership skills and gaining knowledge, experiences and meeting people from many different sectors in the community.
There have been 123 graduates from the program so far. Some of them have gone on to serve on local government or non-profit boards. The goal of the program was to build up citizen capital and have more informed leaders to help the community face its challenges.
The program receives a stipend from the county, and there are many sponsors of programs throughout the years. The class members also pay tuition to be in Leadership Orleans.
The schedule for this year includes the two-day opening retreat in January, legislative affairs in February, economic & workforce development in March, community health in April, communities & culture in May, outdoor leadership in June, tourism & recreation in July, volunteerism in August, agribusiness in September, education in October, simulated society in November, closing retreat on Dec. 7 and graduation on Dec. 14.
The sixth class is full with 24 members. Skip Helfrich, director of Leadership Orleans since it started, said the program is strong with lots of interest from the community. There are already 15 people who want to be in next year’s class.
Here are the members of the 2023 Leadership Orleans:
Jen Batt, director of community services for Arc GLOW
Julie Berry, author and owner of Author’s Note in Medina
Gabe Bruning, owner of Mountain Mule Ciderhouse
Angela Conway, elemental school principal at Albion Central School
Tracy Cliff, deputy clerk for Orleans County
Carl Creasey, training manager with Claims Recovery Financial Services in Albion
Jesse Cudzilo, executive director at GLOW YMCA in Orleans County
Cass Eagle, store manager and classroom instructor for Community Action of Orleans and Genesee
Taylor Gilbert, credit representative with Farm Credit East
Kristin Gross, benefits specialist for Orleans Community Health
John Fitzak, legislator for Orleans County
Shelly Harling, Yates town clerk
Katie Harvey, director of personnel and self insurance for Orleans County
Meg Johnson, executive director of Orleans Community Health Foundation
Dana Joy, clinical supervisor for GCASA
Gwen Large, volunteer and member of Lyndonville Lions Club
Kristy Lindner, senior engineer of quality at Baxter Healthcare
Jamie Lyndaker, director of operations for Genesee Community College in Orleans County
Nellie Moyer, operations manager at Claims Recovery Financial Services
Brian Neal, manager at Orleans Poverty Hill Farms in Albion
Katie Oakes, horticulture educator for Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension
Sarah Osborne, probation supervisor at Orleans County Probation Department
Michael Restivo, financial advisor for Brighton Securities
Jessica Rockcastle, senior human resources representative at Baxter Healthcare
Elizabeth Tuttle, youth services librarian at Hoag Library in Albion
Orleans County Legislator John Fitzak introduces himself to the class. Fitzak recently retired as a corrections officer and is working to develop a marina on the Erie Canal in Albion, where he owns a bottle redemption center.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 January 2023 at 7:18 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers: The Gaines Basin Road canal bridge is reflected in the shallow water of the Erie Canal this afternoon in Albion.
A winter weather advisory has been issued for Orleans County from 4 a.m. Friday to 4 a.m. Saturday with 3 to 5 inches in the forecast, the National Weather Service in Buffalo said.
The advisory also includes Niagara, Monroe and Wayne counties.
“Plan on slippery road conditions,” the Weather Service said. “The hazardous conditions could impact Friday morning and evening commutes.”
The high temperatures in the forecast in the coming days include 31 on Friday, 34 and sunny on Saturday, 39 and partly sunny on Sunday, and 42 with showers likely on Monday, which is Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 January 2023 at 6:57 pm
Provided photos
ALBION – Gary Simboli, a retired Albion chorus teacher and musical director, performed for residents at The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation center in Albion on Wednesday.
Simboli performed songs from his show, “Accentuate the Positive.”
“The residents absolutely enjoyed his performance,” said Kristin Bloom, activities director at The Villages. “His message was about positivity and trying to see the positive side of life even when things are rough.”
The Villages hosts live entertainment at least twice a month, Bloom said.
WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) on Wednesday voted in favor of H.R. 26, the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, and H. Con. Res. 3, condemning the recent attacks on pro-life facilities, groups, and churches. These pieces of legislation passed the House with a vote of 220-210 and 222-209.
Congresswoman Tenney also spoke today on the House Floor in support of these bills and the compassionate services provided by pro-life pregnancy centers like Compass Care Pregnancy Services, a pro-life pregnancy center in Western New York that was firebombed in June of last year.
“The right to life is among the most basic and fundamental rights of our self-governing Constitutional Republic,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “Children born alive from a botched late-term abortion deserve the same medical care as all other newborns, and if someone takes their life, it should be considered murder. This commonsense bill should have passed in a strong bipartisan manner, but instead, Democrats are doubling down on their radical abortion-on-demand agenda, including now by denying living, breathing newborns the right to live. All life is sacred, and I will always advocate for compassionate pro-life policies.”
“Further, while every American has the right to peacefully protest, radical pro-abortion extremists have resorted to committing violence against pro-life facilities, groups, and churches. We must do more to ensure the safety and security of these facilities, which is why I introduced the Pregnancy Resource Center Defense Act last Congress. Regardless of one’s views on this issue, I am disappointed that congressional Democrats could not join with us in even condemning this violence by these extremists.”
Strong support for these bills also comes from local pro-life leaders, including Rev. Jim Harden, CEO of the firebombed pro-life medical network in Buffalo.
“Since the illegal leak of the Dobbs decision, Christian pro-life organizations like CompassCare have been under constant and organized attack by pro-abortion terrorists, vilification by pro-abortion politicians, and censorship by big tech,” Harden said. “Meanwhile, the violent crimes against us have gone largely ignored by federal law enforcement, causing the need for us to engage private investigators to find the perpetrators.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 January 2023 at 3:12 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers
GAINES – Firefighters responded to a smoke-filled house on Ridge Road in the town of Gaines. They were dispatched at 12:04 p.m. to 13242 Ridge Rd., at a home owned by Tammy and Michael Blue.
Their son, Tim Blue, was first on the scene and saved two dogs from thick smoke in the house, Sheriff Chris Bourke said.
Tim Blue was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation but did not need to be transported to a hospital, Bourke sad.
Orleans County Sheriff’s deputies and firefighters arrived on scene and worked with the family to get out the other pets, including four cats, a gecko and two small dragons.
Firefighters responded from Albion, Carlton, Medina, Shelby and Ridgeway. Orleans County fire investigators are working to determine the cause of the fire.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 January 2023 at 12:05 pm
Orleans Hub honors a group of “outstanding citizens” each year who make a big difference in the community. The county is fortunate to have many residents who step up to serve others, lead businesses and take on other difficult challenges.
This past year we were particularly impressed by the following for their efforts to make Orleans County a better place to live.
Pastor prioritizes service, bringing together people from many backgrounds
Pastor Al Wilson welcomes 500 kids and their families to an Easter egg hunt on April 9 outside the Orleans County Courthouse in Albion. Wilson and the Royal Body Shop Outreach Ministries led several events last year that served several hundred people.
Pastor Al Wilson and the Royal Body Shop Outreach Ministries in Albion started their community outreach efforts in 2021. A big effort that year was serving 1,000 chicken barbecue dinners for free around Christmas.
In 2022, Wilson and the church upped that to 2,000 free dinners on Dec. 10. Wilson and the church did much more last year. Besides weekly church services on Friday evening at the Arnold Gregory Office Complex, Wilson and the church volunteers organized and executed several big outreach efforts.
They started a ministry outside Arnold’s Auto Parts on West Bank Street, where a refrigerator outside Arnold’s that is stocked with food. People are welcome to grab food any day, at any hour. That ministry started in March 2022.
In April, the church organized an Easter egg hunt with 3,000 eggs scattered on the courthouse lawn for 500 children. There were other larger prizes from nine golden tickets. Food also was served.
“While we worship God inside of four walls, he also wants us to be out in the community,” Pastor Al said during the recent chicken barbecue. “It’s all about spreading love and holiday cheer.”
Pastor Al portrayed Santa during other holiday events. He was a very energetic Santa, welcoming children and ending each of those visits by saying, “Go Bills.”
The church has partnered with other groups in the community for the events, including the Masonic Lodge, Arnold’s Auto Parts, the Albion Merchants Association, Hands 4 Hope and Best of Tymes Party Rentals.
Wilson has prayed at community events, offering the invocation and benediction. He attended a session about brainstorming ways to help the community through the closing of the Albion Main Street bridge.
But most of his efforts have been in outreach, bringing joy and food, while promoting fellowship among the residents of the community.
“It’s such a blessing to help meet the needs of the community,” Wilson said on Thanksgiving after serving nearly 200 turkey dinners for free at the Masonic lodge. “It’s bringing the community together of all ethnic backgrounds and faiths.”
Kendall Scarecrow Fest organizer makes event a big annual tradition
Becky Charland is the chair of the planning committee for the Kendall Scarecrow Festival. She is shown on Oct. 1 with a scarecrow with a bow hunting theme. Charland helped start the first scarecrow fest in 2010.
Becky Charland thought a scarecrow fest would be a fun fall activity for the Kendall community. What started in 2010 has turned into a major event.
The scarecrow fest was Oct. 1. It attracted several hundred people, maybe more – no one keeps track of people, including the many who arrive early and stay late.
Charland leads a team of volunteers that have been running the scarecrow fest for over a decade.
Community members decorate their scarecrows in a different theme each year, with “favorite outdoor activity” the theme in 2022. Some of the entries included scarecrows playing baseball, fishing, bow hunting, relaxing by the water and doing other activities.
Charland and the team solicit donations for many activities at the festival. People can build their own scarecrows, paint pumpkins, ride ponies, get their face painted, leap in a bounce house, and enjoy a hay ride.
The band Rebel’s Posse also played country, southern rock and classic rock music at the gazebo while many people enjoyed chicken barbecue dinners.
Charland, a former executive director of the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce, knows how to put on an event that is fun for the community.
Lyndonville native won’t let challenges stop ambitious restoration of 3 Main Street buildings
Robert Smith sees lots of potential for Lyndonville’s Main Street with three storefronts nearly ready.
Robert Smith has worked as a financial advisor for nearly four decades in Palm Springs, Calif. He comes home to Lyndonville frequently to see family and friends, and in recent years to push forward a transformation of three downtown buildings.
That project is nearly complete, and Smith is excited to see how the three available storefronts will help boost his hometown. In the spring, he also expects to have four hotel rooms available in the downtown.
Smith has faced challenges with the project, from Covid restrictions that shut down construction to supply chain issues. Initially, the project called for an overhaul and modernization of four buildings, but one of the sites was torn down after the roof collapsed in February 2020 due to heavy snow and ice. Smith sees the cleared land from the former Pennysaver building as outdoor patio space.
He has created opportunities for entrepreneurs with the project. They can lease a storefront or smaller space as pop-up vendors.
The project makes for a more inviting Main Street. Lyndonville Mayor John Belson praised Smith for working through many of the challenges that threatened to derail the project.
“It’s amazing,” Belson said about the repurposed buildings. “Hopefully it will help bring Lyndonville back. Having it come to fruition is good for the town, village and everybody.”
Teacher, a former wrestling champ, starts Wrestling Academy in former Albion restaurant
Provided photo: Mike Sanders leads a practice at the Albion Wrestling Academy, which meets at the former Apollo Restaurant on Route 31.
A former Sectional wrestling champ from Albion returned to the area in 2018 to work as an English teacher at the middle school. Mike Sanders, 36, taught and coached five years in Florida and five years in Virginia before coming back to Albion.
He credits the sport of wrestling for helping him learn the values of discipline, setting goals and bouncing back from defeats and disappointment. Sanders also was an All-American wrestler at Gannon University in the 133-pound class.
He wanted to start a youth wrestling program in Albion. When he was a kid, he said he benefitted from those programs in Kendall and Holley.
Sanders started a wrestling academy in 2018, with 44 kids using space in one of the high school cafeterias. Twice a week, Sanders and the volunteers moved 90 chairs and 15 tables to set up for practices. The season was abruptly cut short because of Covid-19 restrictions in mid-March 2020.
The second year, the program was based out of Sanders’ garage. He had 35 wrestlers in the academy, coming to his garage from Monday through Friday for training. In 2021, the program in its third season shifted to the Pratt Theater on Main Street with 60 wrestlers.
Last year the academy moved into its own space – the former Apollo Restaurant on Route 31 in Albion. It had been vacant for about 20 years.
The space was available throughout the week, and peaked with 95 wrestlers last year. The kids – boys and girls – are eager to get there for practices. Parents praise Sanders and his team of volunteer coaches for keeping the kids focused with a physical sport, and also for learning strategies mentally.
“I want to give back to them,” Sanders said during an interview in early November. “It’s mental skills and controlling your emotions. It’s showing up every day and facing challenges.”
Sanders juggles the duties of running the academy with his full-time job as a teacher and the varsity wrestling coach for the school district.
“We want to grow the sport and help the kids build the traits needed to be successful in sports, the classroom, and beyond,” Sanders said.
Medina man delivered meals, offered friendship to seniors for 34 years
Photo by Ginny Kropf: David Bogden of Medina is shown in September loading his car with containers of hot and cold food for delivery to Meals on Wheels recipients.
David Bogden for 34 years delivered meals on wheels on a route covering 48 miles. He retired in November. No one else is even close to his 34 years of bringing meals and offering friendship to home-bound seniors in Shelby, West Shelby, part of Ridge Road and in the muck.
“He was here all the time,” said Vicki Havholm, program manager for Meals on Wheels. “The seniors loved him. He was such a good person to come all these years every day.”
Bogden responded to an ad seeking drivers for the program. He was working on the family’s 700-acre farm at the time, milking 72 cows and also hauling fertilizer.
After the cows were milked early in the morning, he decided he could spare a couple of hours around lunch time to help out. His route took him to about a dozen homes.
He delivered more than warm meals from Monday through Friday. He was a steady friend for shut-in seniors.
Bogden and other Meals on Wheels drivers also are a vital contact with the outside world for seniors who are alone or have no relatives in the area.
Bogden has found three clients deceased. Bogden has assisted people who have been confused or fallen.
“He was a godsend after all these years,” Havholm said.
Albion couple leads effort to provide food and fellowship at new ‘OK Kitchen’
Faith Smith and her husband Mike have a desserts ready on June 2, the opening day for the Orleans Koinonia Kitchen at Harvest Christian Fellowship. Mrs. Smith led the effort to start the kitchen a new location in 2022. The “OK Kitchen” served 7,000 meals in seven months, with the Smiths delivering many of them to people without transportation.
Faith Smith has served as volunteer director of a community kitchen in Albion for 11 years and counting.
Last year, she partnered with Harvest Christian Fellowship on Route 31 to open the Orleans Koinonia Kitchen in a new fellowship hall and new kitchen at the church.
Smith and her husband Michael were determined t make sure the site’s change of address – away from Main Street at the previous location of Christ Church – wouldn’t leave out some of the previous participants, people who might not have transportation to Harvest Chrstian Fellowship.
After meals are served on Thursdays at the “OK Kitchen,” the Smiths take about 100 meals to senior citizens and others who tend to be homebound in their houses or apartments.
The Smiths bring compassion and concern for local residents who are often in tough circumstances.
They have built strong connections with many churches and organizations to donate food to the kitchen and take turns preparing the meals, which totaled about 7,000 in seven months. On most recent Thursdays near the end of 2022, the volunteers served about 250 meals. There were 350 turkey dinners served on Thanksgiving.
The Smiths say they are amazed at home the community steps up. The couple inspires confidence in the givers, and Faith and Michael Smith make it a fun and meaningful time for those who volunteer preparing and serving the meals.
Mrs. Smith has stressed the “Ok Kitchen” is open to all, regardless of their situation. Many of the people who come on site are there mostly for the fellowship, for the chance to sit down and have a meal and conversation with others.
“This is 100 percent community-based, supported by the community,” Mrs. Smith said. “It’s the fellowship kitchen. It’s for everyone.”
Tim Cooper reopens The Walsh, historic landmark in Medina, after 3 years of renovations
Photos by Ginny Kropf: The historic Walsh Hotel at 525 West Ave., Medina, reopened in 2022. (Right) Catherine and Tim Cooper relax in what is now the Tap Room at the renovated Walsh Hotel. Mr. Cooper has spearheaded several ambitious renovations over the years in Medina.
When he’s not doing his main job, Tim Cooper likes to take a derelict property and give it new life. Cooper, a local funeral director for 35 years, has worked on several projects over the years in Medina.
He is drawn to older buildings with a distinct architectural style or neglected sites on verge of being lost. One of his projects brought back a 1947 Medina fire truck, which he now takes to community parades.
Cooper faced down his biggest challenge with The Walsh, a prominent historic bar on West Avenue. He reopened the site this past summer after three years of meticulous renovation giving Medina’s bustling restaurant and bar scene another prime location.
“I had looked at it in December 2018 when Polar Express was running at the Medina Railroad Museum,” Cooper said. “I like to retore old buildings to modern use and living, while incorporating the historic design details that made them distinctive.”
Cooper said The Walsh is a unique bar, restaurant and hotel venue. The site first opened in 1852 when the railroad went through Medina. It has hosted dignitaries over the years, with famous visitors including Babe Ruth in 1920 and Adolph S. Ochs Jr., New York Times publisher, who lunched at the site in 1925.
Cooper remodelled the downstairs, while the upstairs remains a work in progress. He gutted the barroom. He added a window for more light, moved the staircase to the outside of the building, took out a cooler, replaced a rotted section of floor, moved a wall, put a second bar on the north side in a dining room called the O’Brien and Ceallaigh (Irish spelling of Kelly) Tap Room. This room is available to rent for private parties and social gatherings.
He also upgraded the heating and cooling, did lots of painting, maintaining the tin ceiling and tin wainscoting, and making roofing and siding improvements on the outside.
“The Walsh is a survivor,” Cooper said. “It has character. It has survived the decline of the railroad, Prohibition, the Depression and massive social changes. It started out and thrived because of its proximity to the railroad and I think that has come full circle. There are a few more chapters in the Walsh’s history. It is still a landmark – and a feisty, enduring one.”
Hoags keep giving to Albion community
Maurice “Mo” Hoag and his wife Courtenay initially gave $25,000 towards the capital campaign for a new public library in Albion, which is Mr. Hoag’s hometown. The couple would boost that donation to $250,000, and when the new building opened in July 2012 it was named in their honor.
The Hoags haven’t stopped giving to library. Their donations have reached $1 million and that allowed the library to pay off its mortgage last year – a decade ahead of schedule. That resulted in a 10 percent library tax cut for property owners in central Orleans County.
The Hoags several times sent in annual checks of about $100,000, $200,000 or $250,000 since the new building opened. Mr. Hoag encouraged library officials to pay down the mortgage.
He never wanted a press release or photo op when he sent in more money.
“Mo” Hoag said in a previous interview that a vibrant public library can be an equalizer for children in his hometown, a community that he said has endured too many business closings.
He grew up in Albion and graduated in 1961 as valedictorian. He lived in big cities throughout the country, as well as Geneva, Switzerland during a successful 30-year career in chemical manufacturing. He and his wife have settled near Baltimore, his wife’s hometown.
Mr. and Mrs. Hoag come to Albion for his class reunions. He helps plan the Class of 1961’s annual get-togethers.
Hoag said Albion was an “ideal place” to grow up in the 1950s. It was “a thriving little town” with industry and small businesses. But many of the food processors, including Hunt’s and Lipton’s, left town decades ago.
The Hoags have also given to the bronze statue in honor of Charles Howard, the Santa Claus School founder. They also fund generous scholarships at $12,500 for students pursuing engineering.
The couple remains a big benefactor, and a big believer in Albion
Jonathan Doherty was tenacious in serving community
Jonathan Doherty, center, of Albion received a “Special Recognition Award” in May 2018 from the Orleans County Legislature. He receives his award from legislators Don Allport, left, and Skip Draper.
Jonathan Doherty was very busy in late April and early May 2022. He helped at community cleanup events, stooping to pick up trash and also helped paint a shed for Community Action.
He was out selling tickets for the upcoming turtle race at the Strawberry Festival in June. In that race, rubber turtles are dumped into the canal and the first five win prizes for their ticket holders. The turtle race is an important fundraiser for the festival.
Doherty was untiring in the many roles where he served the community. He was an outspoken advocate for people with disabilities. He served as president of Self Advocate All Stars, and pushed for better public transportation, especially on weekends and weeknights for people with disabilities.
Doherty died at age 38 on May 5. His loss continues to be deeply felt in the community. He was one of Orleans County’s most active volunteers.
A strong force for good in the community, Jonathan was involved in numerous organizations – the Boy Scouts, Orleans County Historical Association, the Albion Lions Club, Albion Alumni Association, the Self-Advocate All Stars, Albion Strawberry Festival Committee, the Albion Summer Music Festival (Rock the Park) – and others.
“I’m never home,” Doherty said in July 2016 in an Orleans Hub article when he won the Volunteer of the Year in the western region of the Self-Advocacy Association of New York State. “I like to get out in the community and support the community because I live here. It’s fun to help the different groups.”
Jonathan had a lot of fun in Albion. He joyfully participated in karaoke competitions. He volunteered with a Boy Scout troop in Albion, where he attained scouting’s highest rank of Eagle. An integral part of the Albion landscape, he was often seen walking along Main Street holding a cup of coffee, even in snow storms.
He spoke out at County Legislature meeting in 2010, asking the body to pass an official resolution, telling local, state and federal governments to no longer use the word “retarded” in describing people with developmental disabilities. The R-word is a “vicious slang” that is insulting and hurtful to people with developmental disabilities and their families, legislators said in their resolution.
“He was a quiet leader who had a lot of good things to say,” said Don Colquhoun, the retired executive director of the former Arc of Orleans County. “He was fearless.”
Others stepped up to serve others, celebrate their community
We also want to commend the groups of volunteers who made the food distributions possible throughout the year in Albion, Lyndonville and Medina. Those people who have picked up heavy boxes of food during extreme heat, cold and rain have been outstanding in trying to help other people.
The year of 2022 also saw the return of local festivals, parades and other community events after many were sidelined due to Covid-19 restrictions and concerns. We appreciate the volunteers who organize these events, putting in numerous hours coordinating vendors, securing permits with a goal of providing a fun time for the community.
The Town of Yates also celebrated its bicentennial last year and volunteers organized several events to help the town celebrate its 200th anniversary. Those organizers also deserve thanks for helping the Yates community take pride in the big milestone.
