By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 December 2022 at 1:34 pm
There are two lighted parades scheduled for the same time on Saturday – 5:30 p.m.
Organizers of the parades in Albion and Barre believed they put out sufficient notice to not have conflicting parades.
Cyndy Van Lieshout, one of the organizers of the Barre parade, said a lighted tractor parade is a celebration of the town’s agriculture and gravel businesses.
The parade starts near the Van Lieshout farm on East Barre Road and then heads north of Route 98 to the Barre Town Park, where cocoa and cookies will be served.
She said the first four tractor parades were scheduled for the second Saturday in December, although last year’s was cancelled due to powerful winds. Barre didn’t have a backup date in 2021 with the state Department of Transportation.
The Barre Betterment Committee this year applied for Sunday as a backup day in case of bad weather. But Van Lieshout said Saturday looks like ideal conditions with no snow and a high of 37.
The lighted tractor parade is the only one Van Lieshout knows of in this area. She heard about a similar one out west. There are usually at least 20 participants for the Barre procession.
No preregistration is needed. The tractors should show up by 5:15 p.m.
“It’s sad for the families that they can’t go to both,” Van Lieshout said about the two parades. “We pull a different crowd. We’re celebrating agriculture and gravel pits. It fits into our lifestyle.”
She is pleased the community looks forward to the tractor parade.
“Whatever it takes to get people involved in our town,” she said. “It’s supposed to be gorgeous weather.”
A participant in Albion’s debut light parade last Dec. 17 drives down Main Street. There were 30 vehicles decorated for the parade about a year ago.
Susan Oschmann is the main organizer of the Albion parade, which starts at 5:30 from the Arnold Gregory parking lot on South Main Street and then heads north to the downtown, turning right on East Bank Street.
Albion had its debut light parade last year on the third Saturday in December. There were 30 participants, including some tractors.
The parade this year is scheduled during Albion Hometown Holiday event, which includes many activities from morning through the evening.
Oschmann said 23 participants were signed up for “Santa’s Hometown Parade” as of Wednesday and more are welcome. She will accept them until midday Dec. 10 to be announced at the judges’ reviewing stand in the downtown. But last-minute participants can still show up for the parade. They are asked to start assembling in the Arnold Gregory lot at 4:30 p.m.
Oschmann said people who go to Barre’s parade are welcome to come to Albion afterwards for live music with the West Side Drive Band beginning at 6 p.m., pictures with Santa, a wine-tasting, hot cocoa, food from the Lions Club, and a petting zoo by the Christmas tree in Waterman Park.
“Whether people choose Barre or Albion for the parade you’ll have a wonderful time,” Oschmann said. “After either one, come down and enjoy the holiday at the square.”
Many of the activities will be in the closed off area on Main Street between Bank Street and Beaver Alley. The Main Street lift bridge was closed last month for an 18-month construction project.
Oschmann would like to see the event planners for the community festivals get together quarterly in the future to compare dates for their events.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 December 2022 at 12:40 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Barre and Albion firefighters work to put out a fire at 147 Clarendon St. today at about noon.
Firefighters were dispatched to the scene at 11:39 a.m.
One of the residents called to report smoke was coming out of the side of the house.
The home is owned by Andrea Roman. She said six people live there as well as four cats. No one was injured in the fire and the cats are fine, although the cats are “freaked out” by the commotion, Roman’s son said.
Firefighters suspect an electrical fire in the mud room caused the fire, but an official cause hasn’t been determined yet. An Orleans County fire investigator is on the scene.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 December 2022 at 9:02 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
YATES – A new pier was built last month at the Yates Town Park on Morrison Road. Keeler Construction in Barre was the general contractor on the project.
The pier is 75 feet long. Yates town officials said people can use the pier to enjoy sightseeing and fishing. Boats won’t be allowed to tie up to the pier unless it’s an emergency.
The new pier is part of a $2.5 million upgrade at the park. The improvements include a pavilion with bathrooms, new playground equipment, a kayak launch, a crusher-run walking trail, and new parking lot with sidewalks.
The pier is the last major project at the park but some additional work remains to be completed in the spring: a cement pad and grill next to new pavilion, cement pad and water fountain next to playground, three bench sunshades around playground, security camera system, and staining of cedar of the pavilion, Town Supervisor Jim Simon said.
The projects are 95 percent funded by the state, which made $300 million available to southshore communities through the state’s Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative or REDI.
That was in response to historic flooding along the shore in 2017 and 2019. That flooding destroyed part of the shoreline at the Yates park and the town used a separate $400,000 grant from the state to put in a massive breakwall.
The local share is about $126,000. The Lyndonville Area Foundation gave $100,000 towards the local portion, with the town highway department providing in-kind services to meet the remaining local contribution. The highway department has removed trees, hauled stone and milled the driveway.
A new concrete kayak launch also was recently completed by Keeler. The launch provides handicapped accessibility to the shore, instead of having to climb down the breakwall.
The launch is a sizable ramp, which was needed to withstand the waves from Lake Ontario that often can be 3 to 4 feet.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 7 December 2022 at 8:42 pm
Activities director at North Wing in Medina honored with ‘Caring Heart Award’
MEDINA – Orleans Community Health has announced that Adrienne Belson, activities director at the facility’s North Wing, has been named recipient of a Caring Heart Award.
The Caring Heart Award is given each year by the New York State Health Facilities Association of New York State Center for Assisted Living to honor staff of skilled nursing facilities for service and dedication in the health care field.
“She’s an incredible talent and value to our team at Orleans Community Health,” said Scott Robinson, director of marketing at the hospital.
Belson has been an activities director for the past 15 years and it’s a position she can’t imagine being without, she said.
“My favorite part of my position is I love the residents and families we serve,” Belson said. “North Wing is like a big family. I love taking residents out into the community, so I can see how different they are outside of these walls.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 December 2022 at 6:22 pm
Provided photos
ALBION – Two dogs, Thelma and Louise, completed a training program at Albion Correctional Facility.
Dawn Spencer (pictured with the two dogs) is owner of Eye of Oden K9 Training in Kent. She led the training as a volunteer. She has 25 years of experience in dog training.
The program is in collaboration with PAWS Animal Shelter and Albion Correctional Facility. The facility has allowed dogs and trainers since 2019.
Albion Correctional welcomed two rescue dogs, Thelma and Louise, on Aug. 31. Thelma and Louise are 7-month-old Labrador mixes. They are sisters who are very intelligent and learned all the training and then some, said Krista Vasile, deputy superintendent for Program Services at Albion Correctional.
Throughout eight weeks, two teams of three incarcerated individuals served as handlers for the dogs. Spencer visited the facility once a week to put the puppies through the AKC S.T.A.R Puppy Program.
The S.T.A.R. stands for Socialization, Training, Activity and Responsible owner – the pillars of getting puppies off to a good start. Both dogs successfully completed the S.T.A.R. and graduated on Oct. 31.
They are currently available for adoption at PAWS on Gaines Basin Road in Albion. Adoption applications are available at paws14411.com.
The program not only helps the dogs, but it also provides secondary social/emotional benefits to the incarcerated individuals.
BATAVIA – GLOW Works Inc. is building on the momentum of its annual GLOW With Your Hands manufacturing event with an expansion to serve the healthcare sector with GLOW With Your Hands: Healthcare on Friday, March 24, 2023 at Genesee Community College.
“A critical component of the success of that event is the support of sponsorships by companies across the GLOW region to bring hundreds of students to one location for an immersive career exploration experience,” said Karyn Winters, GLOW With Your Hands: Healthcare Co-Chair.
GLOW With Your Hands: Healthcare will provide the healthcare sector with the opportunity to meet and recruit their future workforce. Students will have the opportunity to learn and interact with companies from various sectors from the healthcare industry, including hospitals and health systems and jobs in nursing, mental health, social services and first aid.
They will also engage with local colleges, universities, and secondary and post-secondary training programs to learn about career pathways which will provide a sound return on their investment.
“This is another incredible opportunity for students to learn about good-paying careers in the healthcare sector with companies right here in the GLOW region,” said Angela Grouse, GLOW With Your Hands: Healthcare Co-Chair. “Healthcare is a dynamic field and an essential component of the regional economy as evidenced by various expansions and developments across the GLOW area, and the robust training programs for students ready to explore careers in healthcare.”
There are sponsorship opportunities for the March 24 event at the Platinum ($5,000), Gold ($2,500), Silver ($1,000) and Bronze ($500) levels.
“Sponsors are one of the main reasons we have seen so much success with the GLOW With Your Hands manufacturing event, and we are hopeful that healthcare entities will experience similar success by supporting this event,” said Chris Suozzi, GLOW With Your Hands Co-Chair. “Similar to the manufacturing sector, there is strong demand from healthcare employers to identify the next generation of workers for great careers in Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming counties.”
SUNY Brockport is now formally recognized as a university. Interim SUNY Chancellor Deborah Stanley has approved Brockport’s application to earn this recognition under the authority granted to her by the SUNY Board of Trustees.
The university will continue to be known as SUNY Brockport. Its official state education title will change from “State University of New York College at Brockport” to “State University of New York Brockport.”
“SUNY Brockport is proud to be recognized formally as a university, a recognition that is reflective of our robust, high-quality academic offerings at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Our new designation appropriately represents the type of institution that we are today,” SUNY Brockport President Heidi Macpherson said last week. “But while our legal name changes, our mission remains the same. SUNY Brockport is an inclusive learning community that inspires excellence through growth, engagement, and transformation.”
This recognition follows New York State Board of Regents’ new guidelines for what constitutes a university. These guidelines require institutions of higher education to offer registered undergraduate and graduate curricula in the liberal arts and sciences, including graduate programs registered in at least three of the following discipline areas: agriculture, biological sciences, business, education, engineering, fine arts, health professions, humanities, physical sciences, and social sciences. SUNY Brockport offers graduate level programs in seven of those disciplines.
Editor’s Note: Roberts Wesleyan College and Houghton College also were recently approved to be recognized as universities.
Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism & Substance Abuse has scheduled in-person and virtual Naloxone & Opioid Overdose Prevention Training sessions into June of next year.
Twelve sessions will take place at The Recovery Station on Clinton Street Road in Batavia and six will be held at GCASA’s Outpatient Clinic in Albion starting in January. Additionally, six virtual training classes are scheduled, beginning Jan. 9.
The dates at The Recovery Station are as follows:
Jan. 20, 10 a.m.
Feb. 23, 6 p.m.
Feb. 17, 10 a.m.
Feb. 27, 6 p.m.
March 17, 10 a.m.
March 27, 6 p.m.
April 21, 10 a.m.
April 24, 6 p.m.
May 19, 10 a.m.
May 22, 6 p.m.
June 16, 10 a.m.
June 26, 6 p.m.
The dates at the Albion Outpatient Clinic are as follows:
Jan. 9, 6 p.m.
Feb. 13, 6 p.m.
March 13, 6 p.m.
April 10, 6 p.m.
May 8, 6 p.m.
June 12, 6 p.m.
Virtual training dates, all at 1 p.m., are Jan. 9, Feb. 13, March 13, April 10, May 8 and June 12.
Participants are asked to register in advance by sending an email to dklos@gcasa.org or calling 585-815-1883.
Naloxone is a medicine that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose. Examples of opioids include heroin, fentanyl, oxycodone (OxyContin®), hydrocodone (Vicodin®), codeine and morphine.
The GCASA series is partially funded by United Way.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 December 2022 at 9:15 am
Provided photos
BUFFALO – The Safe Harbour Program through the Orleans County’s Department of Social Services sponsored a trip to see the Broadway musical Aladdin at Shea’s Buffalo Theatre.
There were 44 people on the trip including youth, parents/chaperones and staff.
Mackenzie, in top right photo, is shown with Krista LeFrois, one of the county employees.
The group attended the show on Nov. 27.
The Safe Harbour program is designed to be a safe place for teens (12-18 years of age). In addition to providing education and awareness, Safe Harbour will be providing lessons in life skills to promote a strong foundation to help children launch into their future.
For more information on Safe Harbour or how you can get your child involved in the Safe Harbour Program, email SafeHarbour@orleanscounty.gov.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 December 2022 at 9:47 pm
Photos by Marsha Rivers
ALBION – About 200 people attended the Christmas in the Neighborhood concert on Sunday, an event that is a partnership between Albion Alumni Foundation and the First Presbyterian Church.
Santa was one of the attendees, shown here sitting next to Steve LaLonde.
Joe Condoluci (’12), middle; Susan Boring (’81), right; and Mike Thaine (’86), left performed “O Christmas Tree” as the Christmas Bones Trombone Trio.
Concert-goers attended the event in one of historic churches at the Courthouse Square.
Photos by Sue Starkweather Miller
(Left) Ethan Ferchen (’21) sang “12 Days of Christmas.” (Right) Jennifer Trupo sang “Jesus Born on This Day.”
This year’s theme for the concert: “A Merry Little Christmas.”
Concert organizers are Gary Simboli, Mike Thaine, Sue Thaine and Sue Starkweather Miller.
Proceeds go to the Albion Alumni Foundation and First Presbyterian Church for hosting/coordinating the event.
The Albion High School Clarinet Choir led by director Mike Thaine performed “Jesu Bambino.”
Thaine also performed “Silent Night” on the euphonium.
Travis Klossner (’08) played the trumpet to “O, Holy Night.” His wife Janet Miller Klossner (’05) also performed and sang “Breath of Heaven.”
Marlene Seielstad (’85) performed “Love Has Come.”
The Albion High School Choir sang “Sure on This Shining Night.”
Hannah Brewer (’20) sang “Man with the Bag.”
Other performers included: Gary Simboli (’81) who sang “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” and “Jingle Bells”; Jason Pahura (’08) who performed “Christmas Time is Here” on his guitar; Alec Sherman (’68) who led a Christmas Sing-Along – “Joy to the World,” “Hark the Herald Angels Sing,” “Angels We Have Heard on High'” and “Holly Jolly Christmas.”
Karen Kenney Conn (’86) also sang “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.” The Albion Presbyterian Church Choir, led by Pastor Sue Thaine (’86), performed “All You Are” and “Gonna Sing About a Baby.”
The Albion Community Choir closed the show with the “Hallelujah Chorus” from Messiah.
Press Release, Orleans County 4-H Program Coordinator Kristina Gabalski
KNOWLESVILLE – Orleans County 4-Hers, their friends and families gathered at the Trolley Building on the Fairgrounds on Saturday for the annual Holiday Faire event.
“Holiday Faire is Orleans County 4-H’s wintertime event to showcase projects with a holiday theme,” said Kristina Gabalski, 4-H Program Coordinator. “It is also a time to gather and share with the rest of the 4-H community some of the project work we have been doing and participate in fun activities.”
The Abundant Harvest 4-H Club offered kits to make sweet little gingerbread houses.
In addition to holiday-themed projects created by 4-H youth, 4-H clubs set up tables with inexpensive crafts and fundraising items.
“The Beef and Dairy Club offers wonderful peppermint milkshakes that are always popular,” Gabalski said.
Members of the Rabbit Raisers club bring bunnies to pet, Goat Busters members make goat milk fudge to sell, and the Abundant Harvest Club offers pre-constructed gingerbread houses to decorate with colorful candies.
“These are just a few of the fun activities offered by our 4-H clubs,” Gabalski said.
Members of the Rabble Rousers 4-H club had a busy and festive table.
Comfort food refreshments including homemade macaroni and cheese, vegetable soup and cinnamon rolls were available from the Trolley kitchen. Proceeds from the food sales go to the Family and Consumer Science Program Development Committee, which organizes the event, Gabalski said.
This year featured the start of a new Holiday Faire tradition with a first-ever visit from The Grinch.
“Holiday Faire goers were able to pose for photos with the Grinch and/or take a shot at him with a marshmallow gun,” Gabalski explained. “It proved to be a popular activity.”
The 4-H Holiday Faire is held annually on the first Saturday in December from 1 to 3:30 pm. The public is welcome to attend.
A Holiday Faire participant takes a shot at The Grinch with a marshmallow gun. This was the first year The Grinch visited the event.
Provided photo: Todd Eick (second from left), a Medina agricultural teacher, was honored by the National Association of Agricultural Educators for his exemplary performance and dedication to agricultural education.
Press Release, National Association of Agricultural Educators
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – Todd Eick, an agricultural educator at Medina, is one of six agricultural educators nationwide who received the 2022 National Association of Agricultural Educators Ideas Unlimited award.
The awards were presented during the 2022 NAAE Convention, which was Nov. 29 through Dec. 3, in Las Vegas.
The NAAE Ideas Unlimited award is presented to NAAE members to recognize them for their innovative ideas that optimize student success and development. The Ideas Unlimited Award is sponsored by National Geographic Learning | Cengage Learning.
Eick received this award for his Blackout Poem lesson plan. To celebrate Ag Literacy Week, Eick collaborated with his school district’s English department to promote ag literacy with his high school students.
Utilizing ag-based magazines, Eick’s students create a Blackout Poem, a form of poetry that uses another authors words, in their written order, to create something else.
For this past year, Eick provided articles to his that were related to growing their own food, but challenged them to select words to create a poem that focused on the theme of hunger. The unused words are then blacked out or colored out to leave just the desired text. Eick has found that this project drastically increases the reading comprehension of his students.
NAAE is the professional organization for agricultural educators with over 8,000 members nationwide. The organization advocates for agricultural education, provides advancement through professional development for agricultural educators, and works to recruit and retain agricultural educators in the profession. NAAE offers a variety of programs and services to support this three-pronged mission.
The mission of NAAE is “professionals providing agricultural education for the global community through visionary leadership, advocacy and service.” NAAE is headquartered in Lexington, Ky.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 6 December 2022 at 8:28 am
ALBION – The Salvation Army Red Kettle drive has an opportunity to double the money raised in the red kettles at Walmart on Friday.
The Red Kettle drive this year is being arranged through a partnership with The Salvation Army, United Way of Orleans County, Genesee Orleans Ministry of Concern and Community Action.
Nyla Gaylord, director of development and fundraising for United Way, said a donor has come forward who is willing to match the money raised at Walmart during a four-hour period on Friday.
The donor will match both kettles, if both doors are covered during any four-hour period. Also, a picture will be needed of the person or persons ringing. The pictures will be posted on the Facebook pages for the Salvation Army and United Way.
Gaylord urges anyone who can to sign up by 5 p.m. today so they can be sure to have enough volunteer bell ringers.
“This is a great opportunity to help bring needed funds to Orleans County,” Gaylord said.
Photos and information courtesy of Community Action
MEDINA – The 6th annual Parade of Lights Toy Drive resulted in 16 big bags filled with donated toys and $160 in donations. Canalside Tattoo was the collection point for the donations.
Pictured from left include Matt Rolfe; Shawn Ramsey, owner Canalside Tattoo and organizer of the effort; Megan Furness; CJ Cruickshank; James Christian and Andrew London.
The toys and money were given to MAAC and Community Action, which then distribute the toys to many local children and families for Christmas.
Pictured left to right include Community Action of Orleans and Genesee representatives: Melinda Daniels, Richard Standish, Jacqualyn Dunham, Ernest Gurrslin, Quarmaine Winters and Sherry Touhey of MACC, representing Medina Area Association of Churches.
We are extremely grateful to the community and to Canalside Tattoo for making sure more children will experience a better Christmas this year, every gift and every penny is appreciated. Community Action and MAAC representatives said.
BATAVIA – GLOW Works Inc. is building on the momentum of its annual GLOW With Your Hands manufacturing event with an expansion to serve the healthcare sector with GLOW With Your Hands: Healthcare on Friday, March 24, 2023 at Genesee Community College.
