By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 December 2022 at 11:57 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Orleans County Sheriff’s Deputy Savannah Tackley joins Violet Schening and her mother Julie Schening of Albion this morning for “Shop with a Cop” at the Albion Walmart.
The store contributed a $4,000 grant to the Sheriff’s Department for the program that paired Sheriff’s employees with children and their families to pick out items to help their families or be given as gifts for a family member.
“It’s very nice and kind for them to help out,” Julie Schening said. “It’s sweet and I hope I can help out next year.”
Sgt. Don Draper, in front, and Lt. Steve Fox head to the check out lane with two of the children this morning.
Brandon Langmaid of Albion and his twin 8-year-old sons, Nayden and Nolan, check out after going shopping. Langmaid said he appreciated being part of “Shop with a Cop.” Deputy Shannon Brett is at left.
Sheriff Chris Bourke and Deputy Shannon Tackley pose with Santa Claus. Sheriff Bourke thanked Walmart for supporting the event the past several years.
The Orleans County Office of Child and Family Services also assists in the event.
Dawn Basinait, first class sergeant at the Orleans County Jail, shopped with June Moore of Albion.
Deputy George Barton joined a young shopper in looking for Christmas presents.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 December 2022 at 10:00 pm
ALBION – A man drowned after falling into the Erie Canal this evening.
The man was walking on the southside of the canal along a sidewalk when he fell into the water near the Ingersoll Street lift bridge.
Police and firefighters were dispatched to the site at 7:26 p.m.
The man, whose name is not being released pending notification of family, was recovered 35 minutes later by a Carlton firefighter.
Medics from Mercy Flight EMS attempted CPR and transported the man to Medina Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead by a coroner. The medical examiner’s office will make the final determination on cause of death, said Albion Police Chief Dave Mogle.
Mogle said the man is Hispanic and the police department is working to contact his family.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 December 2022 at 4:34 pm
ALBION – 39 Problems is back on Main Street in Albion.
Randy Ruhlman, owner of the Fitzgibbons Public House, has reopened the Albion business after it closed on July 6, 2020.
Previous owners, Adam and Tina Johnson, closed the business after Covid restrictions proved to be the final problem that was too much to withstand. The Johnsons named the business 39 Problems because it was very challenging to rehabilitate a historic building and launch the restaurant and bar.
Ruhlman bought the business in November 2020. He retired as facilities manager for Bausch & Lomb in Rochester on Aug. 26.
He did that job while running Fitzgibbons and getting the Albion business ready.
Today is the soft opening. Ruhlman said the restaurant is starting with a smaller menu but will add more selections in early 2023. He also expects to have live music and other events in the new year.
He sees 39 Problems and Fitzgibbons as sites that add energy to the downtowns, offering quality food without being too fancy.
“We are looking to promote more events in both villages,” Ruhlman said today. “There are a lot of good things in both villages but people tend to focus on the negatives.”
Melissa Stornelli and Kent Bane both worked at 39 Problems before it closed and are happy to be back.
Melissa Stornelli worked at 39 Problems before and is back on staff.
“I’m glad he bought it and is doing something with it,” Stornelli said about Ruhlman. “He has a lot of good ideas.”
Ruhlman also reached out to Kent Bane, the site’s previous chef, to come back and Bane was eager to join the new team at 39 Problems.
“It’s good for the community because this brings a lot of action on the street,” Bane said. “There hasn’t been anywhere to dine in and have a drink.”
Keith Sidari is one of the restaurant’s new employees. Sidari went to culinary school at Johnson & Wales in Providence 10 years ago and was working as a chef at a resort in Bershire County, Massachusetts.
Sidari, the son of Amy and David, welcomed the chance to come home and be near his family.
He said 39 Problems will be developing specials and a longer menu as it sees what is popular with customers.
MEDINA – David Bellavia will sign copies of his new book at 7 p.m. on Monday at Author’s Note in Medina.
David Bellavia
Bellavia, a Lyndonville graduate, is a Medal of Honor recipient and radio personality. His new book is Remember the Ramrods, which details the history of Bellavia’s Army unit that fought together in Iraq, including where their lives took them after they returned home from war, and how reuniting when one of them received the Medal of Honor helped heal some of their still-present if less visible wounds of war.
In 2004, Bellavia’s Army unit, an infantry battalion known as the Ramrods—2nd Battalion 2nd infantry regiment, 1st Infantry Division—fought and helped win the Battle of Fallujah, the bloodiest episode of the Iraq War.
On Nov. 10, 2004, Bellavia cleared a fortified enemy position that had pinned down a squad from his platoon. Fourteen years later, Bellavia got a call from the president of the United States: he had been awarded a Medal of Honor and would receive America’s highest award for bravery in combat in a ceremony at the White House.
The news was not welcome. Bellavia had put the war behind him, created a quiet life for himself in rural western New York, and lost touch with most of his fellow Ramrods, who were once like brothers to him.
Their first gathering as a unit after the war was at Bellavia’s medal ceremony, for six days in Washington, DC. As they revisited what they had seen and done in battle and revealed to each other their journeys back into civilian life, they discovered that the bonds had not been broken by time. A decoration for one became a healing event for all.
Bellavia is the first and only living Iraq veteran to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor, America’s highest military honor, for active duty in the Iraq War. The medal commends his heroic efforts on Nov. 10, 2004, during the Second Battle in Fallujah — dramatic efforts that saved the lives of his unit members.
He served three military campaigns: Kosovo 2003 and Operation Iraqi Freedom I and Operation Iraqi Freedom II. He returned to Iraq as an embedded reporter covering heavy fighting in 2006 and 2008, and in 2007 wrote and published House to House, a book detailing his experiences in Fallujah.
Bellavia now serves as a radio presenter and public speaker nationwide.
The Monday evening signing at Author’s Note is free and open to the public. Bellavia will only sign books purchased at Author’s Note. Given the anticipated turnout, purchasing and reserving books in advance is recommended.
Those unable to attend may also purchase books in advance to be personalized. Signed books can be ordered at authorsnote.com or by calling (585) 798-3642.
MEDINA – Building Trades students in Matt Anastasi’s class recently took on a big project.
Nicole Goyette, principal at the Orleans Career and Technical Education Center, asked them to make an Adirondack chair set for the front of the school.
Mr. Anastasi and his senior class decided to take it a step further and make an oversized chair to really stand out and give the students in the Early Childhood Education program’s preschool and the Orleans Learning Center students something fun to pose on.
“I brought in one my Adirondack chairs and one of my students, Alex Krieger, calculated the dimensions using his own measuring device to cut the wood,” Mr. Anastasi said. “He did an incredible job cutting the wood precisely and he and some of his classmates put it together. My juniors volunteered to paint it and now it is in front of the school and looks great! I am really proud of the students using their skills to make this and give our students on this campus something fun to look at when they come in to school each day.”
Juniors with the big chair include, from left: Ian Ausman (Royalton-Hartland), Matthew Goodwin (Barker), Anthony Marullo (Lockport), Tytus Wedekind (Barker), Aidan Mescall (Barker), Maximus Raines (Lyndonville) and Seth McMurray (Albion).
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 December 2022 at 9:30 am
Town boards at 2 towns meet next week to vote on ambulance contract
Photos by Tom Rivers: Members of the Carlton and Gaines town boards met briefly on Thursday evening at the Carlton Rec Hall to discuss proposals for ambulance services in the two towns. Pictured from left include Carlton Town Councilman Josh Narburgh, Gaines Town Supervisor Tyler Allport, Carlton Town Supervisor Gayle Ashbery, Carlton Town Councilwoman Deborah Yockel, Carlton Town Councilman Dana Woolston, Gaines Town Councilman Jim Kirby and Gaines Town Councilman Ron Mannella.
CARLTON – The town supervisors in Gaines and Carlton both said they favor Monroe Ambulance in a contract for EMS services in the two towns.
However, they said their town boards both meet early next week and those five-member boards could reach a different decision in the contract for ambulance services.
Gaines and Carlton are the last of seven towns in central and eastern Orleans to make a decision on ambulance services for 2023.
“I would like to join with the other towns for the position of bargaining,” Gaines Town Supervisor Tyler Allport said about why he favors Monroe Ambulance.
Carlton Town Supervisor Gayle Ashbery agreed, saying the two remaining towns would have more “leverage” in negotiations as part of block with more towns.
Tyler Allport of Gaines and Gayle Ashbery said they prefer joining four other towns in Orleans in a contract with Monroe Ambulance, saying there is “bargaining power” as a block of six towns.
Monroe Ambulance and Mercy Flight EMS are both seeking the contract. The towns of Albion, Barre, Clarendon and Murray have already chosen Monroe, while Kendall has opted against paying either of them because the two fire districts in Kendall already had an arrangement in place. The Kendall Fire District has a contract with Monroe Ambulance while the Hamlin Morton Walker Fire District includes has an agreement with Mercy Flight.
Allport, the Gaines town supervisor, and Ashbery, the Carlton town supervisor, said the community’s needs will be met for ambulance services with the new contract, whether it’s Mercy Flight or Monroe.
COVA in Albion and Hamlin ceased operations last month and Mercy Flight EMS took over for COVA, keeping more than 40 of those employees. Mercy Flight is operating out of COVA’s base in Albion and at Lake Road in Hamlin.
Mercy Flight proposed serving Gaines for $18,000 and Carlton for $17,000 in 2023 and would commit to at least one advanced life support ambulance 24-7. There would also be a basic life support ambulance to be shared with Hamlin 12 hours a day, seven days a week.
Mercy Flight would initially keep the ambulance at the COVA base in Albion, but would look for a site in Gaines or Carlton, according to a proposal from Scott Wooton, executive vice president and treasurer for Mercy Flight.
Monroe, in its contract proposal, proposes keeping two ambulances in the county, with a unit based in Albion and the Albion Fire Department and in Holley at the Holley Fire Department.
Monroe is seeking $24,600 from Gaines and $14,800 from Carlton. That is part of $181,200 to be shared from the six towns with the amount based on the percentage of calls with the six towns. The other towns will pay: $84,400 in Albion, $8,000 in Barre, $18,800 in Clarendon and $30,600 in Murray. (Kendall was asked to pay $18,000 when it was a seven-town contract.)
The meeting was less than a half hour on Thursday between Gaines and Carlton town boards. That disappointed some in the crowd who wanted to hear more details and also offer their opinions.
David Bertsch of Carlton said Monroe is covering many of its own calls in Monroe.
Jennifer Stilwell, the COVA president, said COVA’s Albion and Hamlin crews provided mutual aid for 162 calls so far in 2022 in eastern Orleans County.
Allport and Ashbery said the meeting Thursday was a workshop and no public comments would be taken. When Bertsch tried to ask a second question, Allport got up and left.
Allport and Ashbery both said the public can ask questions during each town’s respective board meetings. Gaines meets 7 p.m. on Monday at the Gaines Town Hall and Carlton meets 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Carlton Town Hall.
Provided photo: David Fisher (left), NY Farm Bureau President, presents Jim Bittner with the Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award.
Press Release
BUFFALO – At New York Farm Bureau’s annual convention in Buffalo, Appleton fruit farmer Jim Bittner Received their highest honor, the Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award.
NY Farm Bureau President David Fisher spoke about Bittner’s numerous ways he’s been involved in Farm Bureau and other organizations. In addition to working on the resolutions committee and participating in the annual grassroots policy making discussions, he has served on the labor committee and fruit committees on both the state and national levels.
In addition, he served as Niagara County President twice, the second time for 12 years. Bittner has aided Farm Bureau efforts with lobbying both in Albany and Washington DC, participated in numerous media interviews and helped with Grow NY.
However, Bittner’s involvement isn’t limited to Farm Bureau. He served on the New York Farm Viability Board, New York Apple Association, and the New York Horticulture Society Board. Currently, he is the director for the New York Horticulture Society, and serves on the Cornell University Ag and Life Sciences Dean’s Advisory Committee, Niagara County Soil and Water Board and is treasurer of the Barker Lions Club.
Local farmer Pete Russell praised Bittner for his thoughtful leadership, big picture thinking, and cooperative nature.
“His office door is always open for a discussion, is willing to loan equipment, and sometimes even his sons to run the equipment,” Russell said.
Niagara County Farm Bureau President Kevin Bittner talked about how much he’s learned from his father.
“He encourages us to grow, to be involved with the community, to use all our skills to improve our farm and help those around us,” Kevin said. “Those values he instilled in us are inspiring.”
While thanking the group for this honor, Bittner credited his parents for their encouragement, his wife for her support and all those who work to improve agriculture.
SPENCERPORT – Joshua Padlick has been named a winner of the 2022 Carl J. Schaefer Memorial CTE Teacher Candidate Award presented by the NOCTI Board of Trustees. Padlick is a Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES career and technical education (CTE) welding teacher.
This award recognizes an outstanding CTE teacher or CTE teacher candidate. Criteria for the award includes an application describing personal goals, work experience, awards/honors received, professional memberships and leadership and community service activities.
Padlick has served as a welding instructor at WEMOCO Career and Technical Education Center in Spencerport for the past eight years. He has also offered his expertise as a Subject Matter Expert for NOCTI’s welding micro- credentials over the past two years.
In addition to teaching, Padlick is a SkillsUSA advisor, a chair for the department’s shared decision making team and the president for the Rochester American Welding Society (AWS) chapter. Since taking the AWS role, he has expanded both the chapter’s board and overall membership.
“Josh is an outstanding teacher who is active both inside and outside of the classroom,” said Theresa Alampi-Cortez, WEMOCO assistant principal and nominator. “Since he came onboard at our school, the welding program has grown significantly. Josh’s students enjoy his energy and sense of humor and learn greatly from his expertise and feedback. Josh forges great, lasting relationships with his students and he always gives 100% effort to whatever he is doing.”
Padlick received a personalized award and $500 to be used toward tuition, room and board, books, or any other educational-related expense.
The Carl J. Schaefer Memorial Award was established in 2013 to honor Dr. Carl J. Schaefer. As a lifelong champion in CTE, he gained national recognition as a CTE educator and author. He was also one of NOCTI’s founding fathers. This memorial award is a tribute to Dr. Schaefer’s memory.
NOCTI is the nation’s largest provider of industry partner certifications and industry-based credentials for career and technical education programs.
ALBION – Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) today informed local fire departments about grant money being offered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
FEMA has $90 million to award prior to the end of the year. The application period for these awards will begin between Jan. 6-9 and will continue for 6 weeks, subject to change.
For more information, contact the Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program at 866-274-0960 or firegrants@fema.dhs.gov.
“This is an opportunity for those who tirelessly protect our communities to receive a significant amount of grant money,” Hawley said. “Our emergency employees are vital to our communities. I am proud of their hard work to keep us all safe and secure. Their valiant efforts to maintain safety in my district and throughout New York state should not go unnoticed.”
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.
Their first gathering as a unit after the war was at Bellavia’s medal ceremony, for six days in Washington, DC. As they revisited what they had seen and done in battle and revealed to each other their journeys back into civilian life, they discovered that the bonds had not been broken by time. A decoration for one became a healing event for all.
