The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for Orleans County from 7 a.m. Friday to 7 a.m. Monday. The watch also includes Niagara, Erie, Genesee, Wyoming, Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties.

“A rapid switch from rain to snow with sharply falling temperatures into the teens will result in a flash freeze on Friday,” the Weather Service said. “From Friday afternoon through most of the weekend, very strong winds, heavy lake effect snow and significant blowing and drifting snow will be possible. Winds could gust as high as 65 mph Friday into Friday night. Localized blizzard conditions are possible.”

The Weather Service said travel over the holiday weekend “could be very difficult to impossible at times. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility with whiteouts.”

The powerful winds could cause tree damage and power outages.

“The most persistent and worst conditions will be where lake effect snow is most widespread, which is still uncertain at this time,” the Weather Service said. “Cold wind chills as low as 10 to 20 below zero this weekend could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes.”

Photos and info courtesy of Medina Central School

MEDINA – For approximately 28 years, Medina High School has collected canned food items for the Medina Area Association of Churches (MAAC).

When the pandemic hit, MAAC asked if the school would be willing to collect essential items instead, since they had a huge need for them. They asked the same favor again for this school year.

Student Association Advisors – English teacher Kayla Rosenbeck and science teacher Sara Cinquino – asked the students to help out and they responded.

The students collected over 2,100 items for MAAC to distribute to those in need.

“We are always happy to help out,” said Ms. Rosenbeck.  “My Co-Advisor Sara Cinquino and I knew our students would want to help out such a worthy organization. We are very fortunate that our students wanted to donate and that we had teachers who made it into a competition which definitely helped to bring items in. Our 8th graders brought in over 80% of all the donations this year!”

On Dec. 7, the Medina Fire Department picked up  the items and delivered them. The Mustangs gave them a hand loading them into the vehicles.

ALBION – The new owner of Freeze-Dry Foods is looking to make a big investment in the Albion facility at 111 West Ave.

Thrive Foods in early September announced it acquired Freeze-Dry, which operated for the past 20 years in Albion at the former Lipton’s plant.

Freeze-Dry Foods specializes in freeze-dried products, including pet treats, proteins and ingredients. The products have a shelf life of up to 25 years because Freeze-Dry eliminates moisture and oxygen, while preserving nutrients, flavor, taste, color and aroma.

The company was honored in 2016 as the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce’s Business of the Year. It currently has about 60 employees.

The Orleans Economic Development Agency will be seeking state funding through the Community Development Block Grant program to assist Thrive with its investment in Albion, said Gabrielle Barone, the EDA’s vice president of business development.

She attended Monday’s County Legislature meeting and asked the Legislature to help facilitate the CDBG application. The Legislature set 4:25 p.m. on Jan. 24 as a public hearing for Thrive Foods which will seek the state assistance to help purchase machinery and equipment. The hearing will be at the legislative chambers of the County Office Building on Route 31.

Barone said the scope of the project will be detailed during the public hearing.

“They are looking at significant investment in equipment and employees,” Barone told county legislators.

Freeze-Dry operates out of a 240,000-square-foot facility, which previously was used by Lipton’s and then Ontario Foods.

“They want to refresh it,” Barone said about the complex across from McDonalds. “They want to rehab it.”

Thrive Foods recently expanded into a new facility in Oak Creek, Wisconsin.

Now the company wants to upgrade the Albion facility.

“We want them to stay in Orleans County and grow here,” Barone said.

She noted the CDBG program recently was used to help with three expansions in Medina at Zambistro, Takeform and Velocitii. The CDBG program is administered by the state’s Office of Community Renewal.

Lynne Johnson, the Legislature chairwoman, said the plan by Thrive Foods “is exciting news for Orleans County.”

Provided photo: Ron Bierstine has been a big part of the local fishing community for at least 25 years.

ALBION – Orleans County named a new sportsfishing coordinator on Monday. Ron Bierstine is no stranger to anglers, charter boat captains and the fishing community.

He has owned Oak Orchard Tackle and Lodge since 1998, and has served on many local and state-wide committees to promote the fishery. He also works part-time as the dock master at the Orleans Marine Park, a county-owned site on Route 98.

Bierstine succeeds Mike Waterhouse, a charter boat captain who served in the post for 13 years until retiring in March 2018.

Bierstine has been volunteering to attend some trade shows to help promote the fishery. His hiring will take some pressure off Dawn Borchet, the county’s tourism director and allow the county to have a person focused on its top tourism attraction.

Sportsfishing is the county’s top tourism draw, with a total economic impact of $28 million with $5.1 million in local and state tax revenue, according to the NY State DEC Anglers Survey for 2017.

Borchet was pleased to see the Legislature hire Bierstine for the job on Monday.

“He has the experience,” Borchet said. “He already has been attending many of the shows.”

Besides attending sportsfishing trade shows, Bierstine will write articles, field calls and attend other events to promote lake and stream fishing in the county.

Bierstine has fished the local streams since the 1980s. He has a bachelor’s degree from the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry. He worked as an environmental consultant in the 1990s before committing to the Oak Orchard Tackle & Lodge in 1998.

He is a licensed outdoor fishing guide, and a member of the Lake Ontario Bi-National Stakeholders committee, the Lake Ontario Fishing Management Focus Group, the Governor’s Task Force to “Re-imagine the Canals” and the Lake Ontario Fisheries Advisory Board.

Bierstine will be paid up to $20,000 in the part-time role for 2023.

The county Legislature approved other resolutions affecting tourism and fishing on Monday.

The county is increasing the cost for boat slip rental by 20 percent in 2023 at the County Marine Park, with the seasonal rate for a 24-foot-long dock going to $1,135 ($315 a month), a 28-foot-long dock at $1,260 ($346 a month) and the daily rate at $1.50 per foot per boat per slip.

The Legislature also renewed agreements with Lynne Menz of Lynne Menz Designs in Kent to serve as tourism coordinator at a cost not to exceed $14,500 for 2023. Menz also will be paid up to $22,000 for design services for her work with advertising design, social media, photography and video production.

ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature today accepted a $937,336 construction bid from CATCO in Alden to replace a bridge on Route 237 in Kendall over Bald Eagle Creek.

The project totals $1,197,300 with preliminary engineering, design and right-of-way incidentals and construction. The total expense is 80 percent funded by the federal government ($957,840) with the state Marchiselli program paying 15 percent ($179,595) and the county the remaining 5 percent ($59,865).

In other action during today’s meeting, the Legislature:

• Approved paying $20,332 to Trane U.S. of Buffalo to replace the HVAC unit for the visitation room of the Orleans County Jail.

• Approved paying $5,061 to American Rock Salt Company in Pittsburgh, Pa. for bulk ice control salt.

• The county agreed to a snow and ice control contract at $2,100 a month or $70 a day for the Comprehensive of Orleans property at 14012 Route 31 in Albion, from Jan. 1 to April 30, 2023.

• Approved spending $36,880 for a 2022 Heli CPCD300 forklift from Clark Equipment Rental and Sales in Syracuse. The forklift will be used by the county Department of Public Works.

• Approved spending $7,992 for plastic pipe for a DPW project on West Countyhouse Road. Chemung Supply Corporation of Elmira will supply the pipe.

• Authorized the Office for the Aging to apply for a $15,244 MIPPA grant (Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act). The funding will pay to educate and assist Medicare beneficiaries with limited incomes, outreach and assistance with Medicare Part D for beneficiaries in rural areas, and assist with Low Income Subsidy and Medicare Savings Applications.

• Approved an annual agreement with Genesee County at $17,634 to operate the youth bureau for Orleans County, to be paid in quarterly installments in 2023.

• Approved an agreement for up to $76,567 between the Orleans County Clerk and Tyler Technologies and Records Management Solutions for conversions of data, office/cloud development, training and implementation for the year 2023. There will be a fee of $52,700 in 2024 for final conversion and a one-time implementation and service fee. There will be annual SaaS fees of $66,567 from 2024 to 2027.

• Authorized spending $30,000 to SHI International Corporation in Somerset for cybersecurity software.

Press Release, Rob Ortt, State Senate Republican Leader

ALBANY – New York State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt and Gavin Donohue, President and CEO, Independent Power Producers of New York today reiterated calls for common-sense climate policies, following the release of the Climate Action Council’s Final “Scoping Plan.” This radical energy agenda could have devastating consequences for energy consumers, the electric grid, and the entire state economy.

“For the families I serve in Niagara, Orleans and Monroe counties, access to reliable and affordable energy is an essential part of daily life,” Ortt said. “Many of my constituents work in energy intensive industries like agriculture and manufacturing, and they live in a region where cold winters are the norm. The scoping plan released by the Climate Action Council will negatively impact my constituents, and millions of other New Yorkers, by making life more expensive and putting their livelihoods in jeopardy.”

A draft version of the CAC’s Scoping Plan contained radical efforts to eliminate reliable, affordable sources of energy. Natural gas hookups and services, as well as those from propane and heating oil, are vital for New Yorkers – especially in rural communities and during harsh winters – and cutting off these dependable sources of energy would be costly to residents and businesses, and ineffective on a global scale.

The Climate Action Council’s blueprint included:

• No new gas service to existing buildings, beginning in 2030;
• No natural gas within newly constructed buildings, beginning in 2025;
• No new natural gas appliances for home heating, cooking, water heating, clothes drying beginning in 2035;
• No gasoline-automobile sales by 2035; and
• Installing onsite solar or joining a community renewables program by 2040.

New Yorkers initially had until June 10, 2022 to submit formal public comments on the proposed energy plan. Thousands of comments by hardworking residents and business owners were submitted in opposition to these disastrous policies and as result the submission deadline was extended to July 1, 2022.

“At a time of skyrocketing heating costs for NY families, a handful of unelected bureaucrats and political appointees released the final version of the Climate Action Council’s scoping plan,” said Gavin Donohue, President and CEO of Independent Power Producers of New York. “This plan will touch every aspect of the State’s economy, making life more expensive for NY families and businesses.

“Under this plan, homeowners will be forced to spend tens of thousands of more dollars to install new heating systems within their homes,” Donohue said. “The State’s electrical grid will have to be quickly upgraded, at a cost in the billions of dollars. And who will pay for all of this?  New York families, ratepayers and taxpayers. There are only two possible reasons the scoping plan does not include a cost analysis: the council does not know the cost of their own proposals or they do know the cost but don’t want New Yorkers to know. Either way, it is unacceptable. There are ways to transition to a cleaner future, and this is not it.”

In March, the Senate Republican Conference addressed the Energy Affordability Crisis and the urgent need for New Yorkers’ voices to be heard on Albany’s radical plans to increase energy costs in Albany. More than 18,000 public comments had been submitted.

In April 2022, Senator Rob Ortt gathered with energy stakeholders to warn of the disastrous scoping plan and call for common-sense energy policies.

In the Senate Republican Conference’s Inflation Report, a multitude of policies were put forth to cut energy costs:

• Requiring independent cost studies, a grid reliability study and full transparency of all proposals from the Climate Action Council;
• Creating a refundable heating tax credit;
• Providing over $300 million in energy tax relief;
• Fully suspending the State’s gas taxes;
• Preventing shut-downs of any energy-producing facilities in the state; and
• Supporting diverse energy sources.

“New York can secure a clean energy future without accelerating the exodus of people from the communities I serve,” Ortt said. “Instead of enacting a radical and unachievable plan, we should be seeking cost-effective, common-sense solutions to improve our environment and our economy. The Climate Action Council’s Scoping Plan is the complete wrong approach. Let’s do right by the families of New York and support energy policies that work.”

New York Farm Bureau issued this statement about the report:

“New York Farm Bureau is reviewing the Climate Action Council’s plan to meet lofty goals for zero emissions in the state,” stated NYFB President David Fisher. “At first glance, the report recognizes important strides New York’s farmers and foresters have made to reduce emissions, increase efficiencies, and sequester carbon. We have long believed that agriculture is part of the solution to mitigate climate change.  An incentive-based approach for farms that invests in research, new technologies, and education will be key for farmer adoption and the plan’s success.

“However, major concerns remain including the push for electric, zero-emission agricultural vehicles when the technology does not exist for such equipment. The future commercial viability of the equipment must also be affordable and accessible for the state’s farmers. There must also be a power grid in every region of the state that can handle the electrical demand that the Climate Action Council is seeking today. New York Farm Bureau also supports renewable natural gas and biofuels as part of any climate smart plan.

“New York Farm Bureau will examine the full impact this will have on agriculture and will continue to work with New York State to address some significant challenges in the plan to do what is best for our environment and food system.”

Press Release, Celeste Morien, count compiler for Oak Orchard Swamp Christmas Bird Count

Here is the map showing different sections for the Oak Orchard Swamp Christmas Bird Count. One of the recent counts totaled 20,843 birds in 73 species.

SHELBY – The Oak Orchard Swamp Christmas Bird Count will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 28.

The count began in December 1968. The National Audubon Society has been sponsoring Christmas Bird Counts since their inception.

Count compiler and Medina resident Celeste Morien would like the public to be alert for counters with spotting scopes and binoculars who will be out and about Dec. 28 on local roads, searching for birds in fields and at bird feeders.

Filling bird feeders now and keeping them stocked ahead of the count helps fulfill the count objective of counting all wild birds seen and heard within the circle. The Oak Orchard Swamp count is centered at the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge on the Orleans and Genesee County line at Route 63. Count volunteers follow specified routes through a designated 15-mile diameter circle, which includes more than the refuge and state wildlife areas, counting every bird they see or hear all day. It’s not just a species tally—all birds are counted all day, giving an indication of the total number of birds in the circle that day.

According to the Audubon website, “Prior to the turn of the 20th century, hunters engaged in a holiday tradition known as the Christmas “Side Hunt.” They would choose sides and go afield with their guns—whoever brought in the biggest pile of feathered (and furred) quarry won.

Conservation was in its beginning stages in that era, and many observers and scientists were becoming concerned about declining bird populations. Beginning on Christmas Day 1900, ornithologist Frank M. Chapman, an early officer in the then-nascent Audubon Society, proposed a new holiday tradition—a “Christmas Bird Census” that would count birds during the holidays rather than hunt them.

A Pine Sisken is at left and a Downy Woodpecker is at right.

So began the Christmas Bird Count. Thanks to the inspiration of Chapman and the enthusiasm of 27 dedicated birders, 25 Christmas Bird Counts were held that day. The locations ranged from Toronto, Ontario to Pacific Grove, California with most counts in or near the population centers of northeastern North America.

From Dec. 14 through Jan. 5 each year tens of thousands of volunteers throughout the Americas brave snow, wind, or rain, and take part in the effort. Audubon and other organizations use data collected in this long-running wildlife census to assess the health of bird populations, and to help guide conservation action.

A Cooper’s Hawk is at left and a Red-breasted Nuthatch is at right.

The data collected by observers over the past century allow Audubon researchers, conservation biologists, wildlife agencies and other interested individuals to study the long-term health and status of bird populations across North America. When combined with other surveys such as the Breeding Bird Survey, it provides a picture of how the continent’s bird populations have changed in time and space over the past hundred years.

The long term perspective is vital for conservationists. It informs strategies to protect birds and their habitat, and helps identify environmental issues with implications for people as well.

If your home is within the circle and you are at home on count day, you can report the birds that visit your feeders. To do so, please contact celeste.morien@gmail.com.

Please consider donating to the Christmas Count since the Audubon Society no longer collects fees from each participant. Click here for more information.

For past results of any Christmas Bird Count, the National Audubon Society website (click here) is an excellent resource.

These Cedar Waxwings are shown at left with a White-breasted Nuthatch at right.

Press Release, Lyndonville Lions Club

LYNDONVILLE – In an effort to encourage and thank the residents for their decorating skills, the Lyndonville Lions Club will sponsor its annual “Spirit of Christmas” lights and decoration contest, with plaques awarded to the homes that are picked as the winners of the contest.

Residents do not need to pre-register their homes for contest entry.  “Spirit of Christmas” Committee members will be the judges of the contest.

In order to have your home included in the judging you need to have your lights and decorations turned on by 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 21. The judges will canvas the entire Lyndonville area.

Provided photo: Dave Barhite of Lyndonville poses with Sara Wells, left, Crosby’s Loyalty Program manager, and Lyndonville store team leader Chris Castor after winning tickets to the Trans-Siberian Orchestra in the store’s Winter Wonderland campaign.

LYNDONVILLE – Winning Crosby’s Winter Wonderland drawing on Monday was “just lucky,” said Dave Barhite of Lyndonville.

When the call came he had won two tickets to see the Trans-Siberian Orchestra in Buffalo, he thought it was a prank call, he said.

Sara Wells of Lockport started the Winter Wonderland campaign after being hired by Crosby’ a year ago. Customers who sign up for the store’s loyalty program are eligible for the drawing, which takes place from Dec. 1 to 25.

A different prize is offered every day, Wells said.

Crosby’s has 85 stores through Western New York and Northwestern Pennsylvania. The winner the very first day was from Lyndonville, Wells said.

Barhite said he has never seen the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, but he has heard they put on a “heck of a show.”

Provided photo: Kim Gray, chief nursing officer, poses with Santa during Medina Memorial Hospital’s Evening with Santa on Dec. 7.

MEDINA – Breakfast with Santa has been a tradition at Medina Memorial Hospital for many years, but after a three-year lapse due to Covid, Orleans Community Health decided to try something different this year.

“We realized with so many other weekend events taking place, it would be difficult to schedule a breakfast,” said Scott Robinson, director of marketing for the hospital’s Community Partners. “We decided we would try an evening event, with cookies and hot chocolate.”

About 30 children attended the event from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. with their parents to enjoy a cookie decorating contest run by the café, hot chocolate, crafts and an ornament making station.

There were also letters set up for children to write to Santa, with a guarantee that every child who wrote one would get a response from Santa next week.

“For those of us who helped out, it was so much fun,” Robinson said. “Santa and Mrs. Claus were such wonderful guests.”

Photos courtesy of Medina Central School: (Left) Marcel Lamar gets suited up at the Challenger Learning Center. (Right) Ty’Sharri Crossley learns at the Challenger Learning Center.

Press Release, Medina Central School

MEDINA – Within the Medina school district, students at Oak Orchard Primary School and Clifford Wise Intermediate School have been learning about different aspects of Earth and its relationship with the Solar System.

To coincide with their learning, we wanted our students to experience something “out of this world” and that’s where the Challenger Learning Center (CLC) of Lockport played a crucial role.  Mr. Jason Klein (Technology Integrator) and Mrs. Julie Granchelli (Science teacher) wrote a grant, which was funded by BOCES, to work with the CLC of Lockport.

The mission of the CLC is to engage students and teachers in dynamic, hands-on exploration and discovery opportunities that strengthen knowledge in science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), inspire students to pursue careers in these fields, and provide an outlet to learn and apply important life skills. “Real-world experiences like these allow students to make deep connections to their learning in class,” said Mr. Klein. “Students get hands-on opportunities to experience things that they might not normally have the ability to do in class.  Additionally, since Covid, students have missed out on some great field trips and learning opportunities, so this was a great way to bring these necessary experiences back into the district.”

Hendrix Jones and Ethan Mulcahy at the control board at the Challenger Learning Center.

The students at Oak Orchard Primary School were able to journey through the universe in a portable, inflatable planetarium this week. The “little astronomers” had an introduction to the solar system in their Science Class, where they were able to make models and learn about the motion of the Earth, moon, and planets.

Pre-K to Grade 3 students entered the planetarium to experience a “star filled” sky. Krissy Reetz and Michael Schian, from the CLC, used a laser pointer to guide students through the solar system. Students learned to identify stars, planets, and constellations.

“The mobile planetarium is such a wonderful way to immerse our youngest students in the study of stars, planets, and constellations and support Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) learning at Oak Orchard,” said Ms. Granchelli.

Fifth graders at Clifford Wise Intermediate School have been studying the Solar System and aerospace engineering. To bring their learning to life, fifth grade classes went on a field trip to the CLC of Lockport, where students participated in a space mission.

Students assumed the role of a mission specialist operating a space station and mission control.  They had to work together to keep the crew “safe” while facing various problems and challenges.

Class Photo: In front from left include Isaac Foss, Jasper Reigle-Miller, Mikah MacDonald, Isaias Sanchez-Cabrera, Scarlett Guild and Lucy Trapasso in front of the planetarium. In back: Mrs. Borsching, Mrs. Granchelli, Krissy Reetz and Jason Klein.

Through a combination of standard-aligned STEM content, immersive technology, real science data and hands-on activities, students were engaged in a high-tech simulation environment.  In addition to the space missions, students got to experience the night sky in the CLC’s planetarium.

The planetarium system allowed students to “fly” to all the planets, their moons, and dwarf planets. The planetarium made celestial bodies appear and move realistically to simulate the complex motions of the heavens. Students learned how to identify all the planets of our solar system in dramatic flights up close to each world.

Students learned about Greek mythological (or other cultural sky stories) characters and saw how these heroes of the past can be found in the stars.  Students also witnessed the night sky in different seasons and from different global perspectives.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Josh Mitchell, a funeral director with Mitchell Family Funeral Homes, lights one of the advent candles during a “Blue Christmas” service on Saturday at First Presbyterian Church in Albion.

Four candles were lighted to symbolize hope, peace, joy and love.

“Everyone left a legacy,” Mitchell said. “Everyone was loved.”

The Rev. Susan Thaine, pastor of the Presbyterian Church, welcomes people to the service, which is an annual event during the holidays for people who are mourning the loss of a loved one.

The service is organized by the Albion Area Ministerium, Mitchell Family Funeral Homes, Supportive Care of Orleans and the Suicide Prevention Coalition of Orleans Coalition.

About 50 people attended the service and were invited to light a candle in rememabrance of a loved one.

The Rev. Randy LeBaron, leader of Go Scatter Ministers, also serves as bereavement coordinator at Supportive Care and pastoral counselor at Care Net Center of Greater Orleans. He shared a Scripture from Jeremiah 31:13: “I will turn your mourning into gladness, I will give you comfort and joy instead of sorrow.”

Erin Moody sings “Christmas in Heaven” during the service.

The Rev. Susan Boring, pastor of Eagle Harbor United Methodist Church, welcomes people to the annual service.

Photos by Tom Rivers

LYNDONVILLE – A volunteer carries wreaths to be placed at veterans’ graves at Lynhaven Cemetery on Housel Avenue in Lyndonville.

Volunteers placed 441 wreaths at veterans’ graves on Saturday as part of the Wreaths Across America observance.

Of the wreaths, 420 were set at Lynhaven, with others put at veterans’ grave sites at Yates Center Cemetery, Robin Hill Estate, the Greenman Road Cemetery, Lott Cemetery on Angling Road and a cemetery on Marshall Road.

Steve Goodrich, right, is coordinator of the Wreaths effort in Lyndonville. He presents a wreath to Anna Stelianou, who pays for the wreaths in Lyndonville through an endowment. Stelianou funded the effort in honor of her five brothers who served in WWII and the Korean War.

She is joined by her nephew Richard Stelianou. They set wreaths by the graves at Lynhaven for her brothers: Peter, George and Fred “Fotius.”

Anna Stelianou traveled from the Buffalo area to help lay the wreaths, even in the cold weather.

“I wouldn’t miss it,” she said.

Lyndonville first joined the Wreaths Across America effort in 2019. Medina has been doing it since 2013. The Western New York National Cemetery in Pembroke also had a ceremony and wreath-laying on Saturday.

There were about 3,400 communities who joined Wreaths Across America on Saturday.

Carl Boyle, a long-time member of the Houseman-Tanner Post 1603 American Legion in Lyndonville, helped lay the wreaths on Saturday.

Steve Goodrich, site coordinator, welcomes the volunteers who helped place the wreaths. He led a short ceremony that included ceremonial wreaths set up in honor of POWs, MIAs, and branches of the military including the Space Force, Coast Guard, Navy, Marine Corps, Army, Air Force and Merchant Marines.

Herb Bohnet of Lyndonville was buddled up while placing the wreaths. The volunteers also retrieved flags at the veterans’ graves that have been out since close to Memorial Day in late May.

The wreaths are expected to be displayed for two to three months.

Jackie Lonnen joined the volunteers for Wreaths Across America on Saturday in Lyndonville.

Eric Harling carries wreaths to veterans’ graves at Lynhaven. He and his wife, Yates Town Clerk Shelly Harling, were among the volunteers.

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Assemblyman Steve Hawley salutes after placing a wreath in honor of POWs, MIAs and all who served, during a Wreaths Across America ceremony at Boxwood Cemetery. In back, Kathy Blackburn, chair of the wreath project in Medina, reads an explanation of each wreath placed.

MEDINA – Several hundred volunteers stepped up to help place wreaths on veterans’ graves in Medina cemeteries Saturday, in the annual Wreaths Across America observance.

Kathy Blackburn, who has chaired the event every year, said she actually had orders for 1,500 wreaths, but the Wreaths Across America organization will only ship 1,000.

Medina was able to request that large number because of a donation from local businessman and Navy veteran Tom Snyder.

Then the plea went out for volunteers to help lay the wreaths at Boxwood, St. Mary’s and Sacred Heart cemeteries.

Blackburn said the response was overwhelming.

“We had volunteers calling constantly,” she said. “It was amazing.”

A handful of volunteers were chosen to place wreaths recognizing every branch of the military. One was Gloria Brent, who said she volunteered because she comes from a family who served in the military.

Colton Smith laid a wreath for the Space Force; Kelly Fisk, Coast Guard; Tom Snyder, Navy; Nick Fitzak, Marines; Steve Hawley, POWs, MIAs and all who served; Dave Barhite, Army; Kelsey Traxler, Air Force; and Gloria Brent, Merchant Marines.

The ceremony began with an introduction by Blackburn, explaining the purpose for the Wreaths Across America program, which was observed in more than 3,400 locations across the county.

“We gather to remember the fallen, honor those who serve and teach the next generation the value of freedom,” Blackburn said. “These wreaths are a gift of appreciation from our nation.”

Dave Kusmierczak offered a prayer, followed by the placing of wreaths.

In all, 800 wreaths were placed in Boxwood Cemetery, 100 in St. Mary’s and 100 in Sacred Heart.

The Friends of Boxwood Cemetery, headed by Rob Klino, handed out free hot chocolate and collected donations.

Photo courtesy of Steve Hawley: Wreaths adorn the graves of veterans in Boxwood Cemetery, after a ceremony at noon Saturday in the annual Wreaths Across America project.

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Those who volunteered to lay a special wreath representing every branch of the military are, from left, Colton Smith, Space Force; Kelly Fisk, Coast Guard; Tom Snyder, Navy; Nick Fitzak, Marines; Assemblyman Steve Hawley, POWs, MIAs and all who served; Dave Barhite, Army; Kelsey Traxler, Air Force; and Gloria Brent, Merchant Marines.

Dave Barhite and Nicki Fredericks chat while waiting for the Wreaths Across America ceremony to begin. Barhite is a veteran, who volunteers every year to lay wreaths. Fredericks on the board of Friends of Boxwood.

Todd Bensley, left, chats with Tom Snyder in front of the porch where hot chocolate was available. Donations were accepted to benefit Friends of Boxwood Cemetery.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Santa and Mrs. Claus greet Eli Laine, 2 ½ of Albion, at the Albion Masonic Lodge on Saturday morning.

The Santa bears a resemblance to Al Wilson, pastor of the Royal Body Shop Outreach Ministries, while Mrs. Claus looks similar to Valerie Rush.

Santa and Mrs. Claus greeted children and families throughout the day on Saturday as part of an “Inside the Snow Globe” event.

The Masonic Lodge hosted breakfast, lunch or dinner with Santa on Dec. 3 and Dec. 17. Several local businesses and organizations coordinated other activities. The event was organized to give people a chance to spend time with Santa without the pressure of a long line and large group of people.

Santa holds Khloe Swan of Albion. The gregarious Santa wished people a Merry Christmas, and said, “Go Bills” after their visit.

These siblings include Marissa Persons, left, Arnold Jr., baby Khloe Swan and Mersadies Swan, back right.

The “Inside the Snow Globe” events with Santa were organized by Dan Conrad, owner of Toyz n Kandy.