Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – A big crowd is at Maison Albion today for a benefit to help Byron Neal and his family. The Neals are dairy farmers and neighbors of Cole and Kerri Glover, owners of Maison Albion.

They are loaning out use of their events venue for free today to host the basket raffle for Byron.

The benefit started at 11 a.m. and continues until 5 p.m.

Byron Neal is shown with his sister Lyla and their parents, Tina and Jeremy Neal.

The Neals have been dairy farmers on West Countyhouse Road since the family started Poverty Hill Farms in 1956. Jeremy teams with his brothers, Jody and James, and their father Ed Neal in the operation, as well as many employees.

The family is very involved with the Orleans County 4-H Fair. Jeremy was chairman of the grease pole competition and developed the new hay bale rolling event. Byron has been a mainstay at those events, tagging behind his father.

There are 195 baskets up for raffle, and 20 high-end items. Jodi Anstey, an Albion school bus driver, took the lead in organizing today’s event. Anstey has been Byron’s bus driver since he was in Pre-K and also the bus driver for his older sister, Lyla.

Marsha Cook also teamed with Anstey to collect many of the baskets and donations.

“Anybody who knows the Neals know they would drop anything to help you,” Cook said. “Jeremy and Tina are friends with everyone.”

Jeremy and Tina both thanked the community for their attendance and donations for the event today.

“It’s absolutely overwhelming,” Jeremy said. “It’s unreal the people who have come throughout the day to help.”

Byron is currently receiving chemo each Friday evening. He is taking it easy today, watching cartoons at Maison while the crowd buys tickets for the raffle items.

Tina Neal said the community has given the family so much love in recent months.

“Thank you for all the prayers,” she said. “They are working.”

(From left) Jenn Haylett, Crystal Hand and Kim Hazel sell tickets at the benefit today. Many of the family members and volunteers at the benefit today wore shirts with a giant tractor crushing cancer.

Paul Henry of the Masonic Lodge works the grill. Members of the Masonic Lodge and Royal Body Shop Outreach Ministries teamed to sell food.

Photos from Medina Fire Department

MEDINA – A railcar is a total loss and another suffered minor damage after a fire Saturday in Medina.

A fire was quickly extinguished from a building with plastic totes burning on plastic pallets, the Medina Fire Department stated on its Facebook page this morning.

Firefighters were dispatched at about 7 p.m. to the area of Genesee Street at the railroad crossing, with a caller to 911 reporting smoke.

A Medina firefighter who was first on the scene reported there was smoke coming from a railcar parked behind The Olde Pickle Factory at 711 Park Ave. A crew of Medina firefighters arrived on scene and were confronted with heavy fire coming from one railcar impinging on a second railcar as well as the structure, the Medina FD said.

Firefighters from Shelby and Albion arrived to the scene. As Medina firefighters attacked the burning railcars, other Medina firefighters forced entry into the building and found fire inside the building that entered through a large window.

“The interior fire was extinguished so quickly by interior crews that the building’s sprinkler system never activated,” the Medina FD stated. “As more companies arrived on scene they assisted Medina with search and ventilation of the structure as well as extinguishment and overhaul of the railcars.”

Firefighters remained on scene until 11:15 p.m. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Medina Fire Department Fire Investigation Unit with assistance from the Medina Police Department, the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office and the NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control Fire Investigation Unit.

Comprehensive damage estimates are unavailable right now, the Medina FD said. Damage to the building and contents are well under $10,000.

“We are happy to report that there were no injuries to any civilians or firefighters at this scene,” the Medina FD said. “We would like to thank all the agencies listed above as well as the fire departments of East Shelby, Middleport, Lyndonville and Tri-Town Ambulance Inc. for their assistance at either the scene or standing by at our firehouse.”

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Scouts in Troops 28 and 35 and Packs 28 and 35, their leaders and parents who participated in the Scouts’ annual food drive lined up for a picture in the food pantry at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Medina on Saturday morning. Kneeling, from left, are Gideon Pask, Scoutmaster Tim Miller and Matthew Jacobs. Standing are parent Joseph Brueckner, Nate Miller (a third-generation Scout), Aidyn Jackson, Jake Jackson, Aaron Thomas and parent Robert Jacobs.

MEDINA – Food pantries at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church and Calvary Tabernacle Assembly of God got a big boost today for the holiday season with the annual food drive conducted by local Boy and Cub Scouts from Troops 28 and 35 and Cub Packs 28 and 35.

Scouts, their leaders and parents covered every street in the village of Medina a week ago, leaving a tag at each home which residents could use to identify donated food items left on the porch for Scouts to pick up. On Saturday morning, the Scouts again traveled down each street, looking for homes who had put donated items out for the Scouts to pick up in their annual “Scouting for Food” drive.

Rob Robinson, a Scout leader with Troop 28, said the Scouts interrupted their camping weekend on Scott Road to pick up the food items and deliver them to St. Peter’s Lutheran Church.

Scouts Will Miner, Jimmy Dieter and Colton Smith and assistant Scoutmaster Shaun Smith bring in food items which were donated by the Medina community to the food pantry at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church. The food drive is an annual Scout project.

At the church, Robin Dubai, who has headed the food pantry at St. Peter’s for almost 30 years, her husband Denny, volunteers Bob Hoffman and Diane Mazur and Donna Poore, head of Calvary Tabernacle Assembly of God’s food pantry, sorted bags and boxes of food as they were delivered. Items were stacked on shelves according to category, and then were divided between St. Peter’s and Calvary Tabernacle Assembly of God.

Boy Scout Nicholas Reese said it was good to do something in return for the community.

Robinson said his involvement in Scouting started back in 1990 when he was in church one Sunday.

“I had been a Scout as a kid and I let it be known if a Scout troop needed help to let me know,” Robinson said. “One Sunday, a Scout leader came up to me and said, ‘I understand you’d like to help a Scout group.’ The rest is history. My life has grown expediently because of Scouting, in terms on trips and experiences, such as camping at Niagara Falls Air Force Base.”

From left, Denny Dubai, Robin Dubai, Rob Robinson and Bob Hoffman sort food donations at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church this morning.

The Scouts annually do a food drive just before Thanksgiving to benefit the local food pantries. Another food drive by the Post Office in May will also benefit them, Dubois said.

St. Peter’s food pantry is open from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesdays and Thursdays (closed Thanksgiving until Dec. 1) then open again until Dec. 15, when it closes until Jan. 3.

Calvary Tabernacle’s food pantry is open the same days, from 9 a.m. to noon.

Dubai said families may go to both food pantries, if they have the need.

Volunteers sorting food as it is delivered by Scout groups on Saturday morning are, Robin Dubai, who heads the food pantry at St. Peter’s Church; Bob Hoffman, Diane Mazur and Donna Poore, head of the food pantry at Calvary Tabernacle Assembly of God.

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Charlene Favata, right, past district president of the VFW Auxiliary, presented a certificate of appreciation to the VFW Lincoln Post 1483 Auxiliary in Medina on Wednesday night in recognition of 75 years in existence. From left are Aaron Horn, trustee of the Medina Post; Becky Persons, senior vice president of the Auxiliary; and Cindy Harris of Gasport, president of the Medina VFW Auxiliary.

MEDINA – The Lincoln VFW Post 1483 Auxiliary was recognized for its years in existence at its meeting Wednesday night.

Although the Post is 85 years old, the national organization only recognizes membership in increments of 25 years, and for some reason recognition was overlooked at the 75th anniversary.

On Wednesday night, the Auxiliary was presented with a certificate of appreciation by Charlene Favata of Holley, past district president of the VFW Auxiliary.

The Post was founded on March 11, 1937, and Favata said their mission remains the same – dedication to and support of veterans and their families.

The Post currently has 132 members.

“We are going strong and plan to continue,” said Cindy Harris of Gasport, president of the VFW Auxiliary.

She noted it is no longer referred to as the “Ladies Auxiliary,” as men were allowed to join in 2016. Also, women are able to join the VFW Post.

Individuals who are eligible are encouraged to join. This is a wonderful organization which provides opportunities for socialization with other veterans, one member commented.

Their goal is to have a dinner and/or event every month.

On Veterans Day, they sponsored a baked ziti lunch for veterans. A community spaghetti supper is planned from 5 to 7 p.m. Nov. 19. Tickets will be on sale at the door. For the first time since the pandemic, the Post and Auxiliary will have their Christmas party for kids.

ALBION – The Restore NY program could bring millions of dollars into Albion to address properties in distress, the village’s grant writer advised building owners during a meeting on Thursday evening.

“This is a rare opportunity,” said Jay Grasso, owner of with G & G Municipal Consulting and Grant Writing in Spencerport. “I really think we have to try. That is a lot of money to leave sitting on the table.”

The Restore NY program could bring up to $10 million to revitalize distressed commercial and residential sites, providing 90 percent of the costs. The program funds reconstruction, structural repairs, repair and replacement of mechanical systems, energy efficiency upgrades, and demolition.

Jay Grasso said Albion is a good candidate to receive funding through the Restore NY program, which targets distressed properties.

Projects could include new construction, renovation of existing buildings, facade improvements, and renovation for new retail, office, commercial, industrial, recreational or cultural uses.

Grasso and village officials are gauging interest from building owners in the program. They are asked to complete a short form that includes a 150-word description of a potential program.

The village has until Nov. 30 to submit a letter of intent to apply for funding. The state will let Albion know if it should then do a more in-depth application that would be due Jan. 27, 2023.

That application would need at least one bid from contractors for work at each building.

Gov. Kathy Hochul on Nov. 1 announced a new round of $250 million in Restore NY funding is available.

“Restore New York funding gives localities the resources to transform abandoned and neglected properties into modern, 21st century buildings,” Hochul said in a press release. “By helping to rebuild and strengthen communities across the state, we will stimulate local economies and continue to build back New York better and stronger.”

Restore NY funding can be used for vacant, abandoned, condemned or surplus buildings. These properties can be demolished, deconstructed, rehabilitated or reconstructed. The grant allows up to $70,000 per residential unit.

Albion meets the criteria of being in an economically distressed community.

Grasso urged building owners to show recent investments in their properties, including “sweat equity” where they did the work. The state will want to see that people “have skin in the game” with the sites.

The projects aren’t limited to the central business district, like many other state programs. Albion qualifies as a distressed community throughout the village, Grasso said.

The state wants to see Restore NY projects that spur development in the community. Grasso would like to see some projects near the canal, to help the village better capitalize on that asset.

“This is a charming community,” Grasso said. “It just needs a little help.”

He urged the property owners to “Think Big” and consider roof work, asbestos and lead abatement, heating and plumbing upgrades. If applications include energy efficiency and renewable energy (including rooftop solar) that would stand out to the state, Grasso said.

The work in gathering information for this grant could pay off with other grant initiatives from the state, too, Grasso said, including the $4.5 Forward NY program.

Grasso said the Village Board wants to go after grants to help the property owners.

“The village is trying to do the right thing but they can’t do it without you,” he said.

For more information, contact a G & G representative at (585) 368-8866 or send an email to Contact@GGProcess.com.

Press Release, Maison Albion

ALBION – Maison Albion will host its annual Fête de Nöel gala on December 10th benefiting Preserving The Pillars Foundation.

The black-tie event will take place from 7 to 10 p.m. in the glamorous ballroom and all throughout the mansion. Ashley’s Culinary Creations Catering will serve appetizers, a Gilded Age Buffet Menu and desserts from Pretty Sweet Bakery, along with live music, dancing, and entertainment for guests to enjoy. This event is designed to welcome the holiday season and raise money for a worthwhile cause.

Fête de Nöel, A Gilded Age Gala, is a turn of the century gala for community members to celebrate the holiday season. Guests can expect turn of the century entertainment including ladies maids and footmen, local opera soprano singer Hannah, and dance band XOXO Pop Band, opulent food and culinary delights from Ashley’s Culinary Creations, event design by Maison Productions and refreshments from Mixologie. Guests will be entertained by costumed staff  and historic acts.

All of the proceeds raised will go to the Preserving the Pillars Foundation. The foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to the restoration and preservation of historic properties in Western New York for the enjoyment of generations to come.

Maison Albion is encouraging community members to get into the holiday spirit by dressing in Gilded Age Attire. Celebrating a time in the world where opulence and rapid economic growth ruled in the United States between 1870-1900, coinciding with the La Belle Epoque in France.  Maison Albion was built during the Gilded Age.

Gather your friends and family, and  pull your “carriage” up to the front of the pillars of Maison Albion to be welcomed by footman and have your “carriage” parked for you. Rain, sleet, or snow will not prevent us from celebrating the holiday season at Fête de Nöel.

Tickets are $50 per person and can be purchased at https://www.maisonalbion.com/fete.

Maison Albion is committed to the success of local nonprofit organizations and small businesses in the community. Maison Albion hosts ten complimentary nonprofit events each year to local nonprofit organizations in Western New York. To inquire about hosting a future nonprofit event at Maison Albion, please email bonjour@maisonalbion.com for more information.

MEDINA – Members of the Butts-Clark American Legion in Medina and VFW Posts in Medina and Albion visited all the war memorials in Medina this morning, to pray and present three-gun salutes, honoring veterans on Veterans Day.

Memorials included the Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial at the Butts-Clark American Legion Post, the Company F Memorial in front of the former Medina Armory (now the YMCA), the Korean War Memorial on Park Avenue, the tank at Oak Orchard School, the memorial at Butts Park, the World War I cannon in State Street Park and the Freedom Memorial at the VFW Post.

Jim Freas, left, and David Kusmierczak salute during services at the memorial in Butts Park on Friday morning. An honor guard made up of members of the local American Legion and VFWs in Medina and Albion visited all the war memorials in Medina to present three-gun salutes.

Each stop included a prayer and three-gun salute. Participating members were Jim Freas, Bradley Nudd, Glenn Whitmore, John Follman, Dave Kusmierczak, Mike Donahue, Dan Anderson, Greg Smith, Mike Harmer, Jim Wells, Eric Delano, Carol Callina, David Wells, Nick Fitzak, Pat Little and Greg Stanton.

The VFW Auxiliary served a baked ziti lunch at noon for all veterans.

The honor guard lines up by the World War I cannon in Medina’s State Street Park during Veterans Day services.

Members of the VFW in Medina and Albion and Medina American Legion line up for a three-gun salute in front of the Freedom Memorial at the VFW Post on East Center Street.

MEDINA – Twenty-three residents of Orchard Rehab and Nursing Center in Medina were honored this morning with a special service paying tribute to veterans.

The annual Veterans Day observance was arranged by Activities Director Jamie Murphy, who created a Wall of Honor, listing the name and branch of service of the facility’s 23 veterans. Those who served represent the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps.

Jamie Murphy, activities director at Orchard Rehab and Nursing Center, pins a red, white and blue ribbon on Robert Armstrong, a U.S. Navy veteran from Hamlin who served on the USS Saginaw and USS Prairie. The nursing home honored veterans who are residents this morning.

The veterans were moved outside where an Honor Guard from the local American Legion and VFWs in Medina and Albion presented a three-gun salute. The ceremony began with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer by David Kusmierczak, a member of the VFW and American Legion.

Auxiliaries from Medina’s American Legion and VFW made patriotic favors for each veteran, and Tops donated donuts.

Twenty-three residents of Orchard Rehab and Nursing Center who are veterans were honored with a special observance this morning on Veterans Day, featuring a three-gun salute and prayer by members of the American Legion and VFW in Medina and Albion.

Bob Hale, formerly of Elba, president of the nursing facility’s Residents’ Council, served as a weapons specialist in the U.S. Navy. He said he looks forward to this observance every Veterans Day.

The rehab and nursing facility also has a large sign made by Greg Stanton of Medina about 13 years ago, where the names of all deceased resident veterans are engraved.

Jamie Murphy created this wall of honor, listing all the residents of Orchard Rehab and Nursing Center who are veterans.

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Members of the Medina American Legion and VFW line up for a three-gun salute in honor of Veterans’ Day Thursday at the Western New York National Veterans’ Cemetery in Pembroke.

INDIAN FALLS – The first Veterans Day ceremony at the Western New York National Veterans’ Cemetery in Pembroke was observed on Thursday.

Bill Joyce, head of the Genesee County Veterans’ Council and president of the Western New York National Cemetery Memorial Council, arranged the ceremony, which took place on the 247th anniversary of the founding of the U.S. Marine Corps.

Cemetery director James Metcalf said the observance was scheduled on Thursday to allow veterans to spend Veterans Day (today) with their families.

James Metcalf, director of the WNY National Veterans’ Cemetery in Pembroke, and Brenda Serena, a U.S. Army veteran and Erie County Officer in Charge, took part in the first annual ceremony Thursday in honor of Veterans’ Day, in which they placed a wreath at the base of the giant flag flying near the entrance.

Metcalf opened the ceremony with a welcome to all veterans in attendance and a shout out to Tun Tavern, the brewery in Philadelphia which is regarded as the site where the U.S. Marine Corps held its first recruitment drive during the American Revolution.

Metcalf and Brenda Serena, a U.S. Army veteran and Erie County Officer in Charge, placed a wreath under a giant American flag.

“Today we gather to honor our veterans’ service and sacrifice by placing this wreath in this National Shrine,” Metcalf said. “This day is your day and it’s an honor to spend it with you.”

He urged those in attendance to remember and recognize the service, sacrifices and selflessness of the nation’s veterans.

“These veterans raised their hands and swore to uphold the Constitution of the United States,” Metcalf said. “By fighting our nation’s wars and defending us all during periods of peace between wars, veterans have protected our way of life and the freedoms we enjoy – the freedom to speak without fear, to vote as we see fit and to gather as we do today.

“We owe them all a debt of gratitude for the burdens they have borne,” he said. “And so, today, we recommit ourselves to upholding that promise and all the principles of democracy for which veterans have fought and bled to defend. That is our most sacred responsibility as Americans – today, on Veterans Day and every day.”

After Metcalf and Serena placed a giant wreath under the flag, an Honor Guard of members of the Medina American Legion and VFW presented a three-gun salute.

Metcalf said in the future, Veterans Day observances will be more formal, when construction of the cemetery is complete.

Joyce explained the WNY National Cemetery Memorial Council was formed to help the cemetery with projects, such as purchasing golf carts to get veterans to funeral services.

Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office

Governor Kathy Hochul announced new laws that will strengthen protections and support for veterans and their families.

The Governor has signed eight pieces of legislation in appreciation of Veterans Day, underscoring the administration’s commitment to supporting American service members who have risked their lives to defend the nation.

In addition, Governor Hochul issued this proclamation and directed that 17 state landmarks be illuminated green this evening as part of Operation Green Light, which began in New York State and has spread throughout the country to recognize veterans and service members from all eras of military service.

“We owe our service members so much more than gratitude, and it is our responsibility to support them and their families,” Governor Hochul said. “From waiving fees for veterans’ organizations to providing no interest loans, we are working hard to remove any obstacles in the way of our veterans’ success here in New York. I thank them for protecting our freedoms and look forward to providing continued support in the future.”

• Legislation (S.2089B/A.357A) establishes the Vietnam War Commemorative Medal and authorizes the Governor to present it to members of the armed forces or organized militia serving abroad in the Vietnam War between November 1955 and May 1975.
• Legislation (S.2091C/A1310B) amends the military law to establish the Korean War Service Medal and authorizes Governor to present it to members of the armed forces or organized militia serving abroad in the Korean War between June 1950 and January 1955.
• Legislation (S.1961B/A3913B) requires employers to display a poster containing information on veterans’ benefits and services which shall be created and distributed by the Department of Labor. The poster must be displayed in an area accessible to all employees by employers with more than 50 full-time equivalent employees.
• Legislation (S.6022B/A.5278B) adds veterans who have qualifying conditions or who were unfairly discharged because of their LGBTQ identities to certain provisions that apply to veterans who have been honorably discharged or released from military service. The law extends the Retirement and Social Security Law, in relation to providing credit for military service to members of the State public retirement systems.
• Legislation (S.2238B/A6551B) establishes a “reserved bed day” policy for persons residing in State Veterans’ Homes, including veterans, spouses and widows of veterans, Gold Star Parents, and their dependents. A “reserved bed day” is a day for which the State pays a New York State Veterans’ Home to hold the bed open for a qualified resident while he or she is temporarily hospitalized so the resident has a bed to return to in the State Veterans’ Home.
• Legislation (S.7068A/A.7728A) provides for no interest rate for certain linked loans for certified service-disabled veteran-owned business enterprises and provides support and financing necessary to carry out a procurement contract with an agency or authority or other entity of the state or federal government.
• Legislation (S.8729/A.9590) directs the Division of Veterans’ Services to develop a searchable database of veterans’ memorials located within the state that includes information regarding the location of a memorial and which veteran or battle the memorial is honoring.
• Legislation (S.8367/A.9183) authorizes Niagara County to waive by local law certain fees for veterans’ organizations, including but not limited to building permit review fees and fees associated with capital improvements to any post or hall owned by a veterans’ organization located in the county.

These 17 landmarks and bridges will be illuminated in green as part of Operation Green Light to recognize the service and commitment of veterans and service members: 1WTC, Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge, Kosciuszko Bridge, The H. Carl McCall SUNY Building, State Education Building, Alfred E. Smith State Office Building, Empire State Plaza, State Fairgrounds – Main Gate & Expo Center, Niagara Falls, The “Franklin D. Roosevelt” Mid-Hudson Bridge, Grand Central Terminal – Pershing Square Viaduct, Albany International Airport Gateway, The Lake Placid Olympic Jumping Complex, The Lake Placid Olympic Center, MTA Long Island Rail Road – East End Gateway at Penn Station, Fairport Lift Bridge over the Erie Canal and Moynihan Train Hall.

Future uncertain whether Mercy or Monroe will be main provider

Photos by Tom Rivers: Mike Gugliuzza, director of medical operations for Mercy Flight EMS, said the organization expects to take over COVA on Sunday at 12:01 a.m., with nearly all of the COVA staff becoming Mercy Flight employees. Mercy will provide service in central Orleans for at least the short-term until the town officials approve a contract with an ambulance provider. The Town of Barre already has signed an agreement with Monroe Ambulance for 2023.

ALBION – Mercy Flight EMS said it expects it will take over for COVA beginning Sunday at 12:01 a.m., with nearly all of COVA’s 40-plus staff becoming Mercy Flight employees. That doesn’t include the COVA administration, who will remain with the COVA organization and work to collect unpaid bills and help with other tasks with the transition.

Mercy Flight will handle billing and other administration beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Sunday.

However, it remains unclear whether Mercy Flight will be the primary ambulance provider for the four central Orleans towns after Jan. 1.

The four towns – Barre, Albion, Gaines and Carlton – have formed a seven-town block with Clarendon, Murray and Kendall to negotiate ambulance services. Those towns have a contract proposal with Monroe Ambulance where that Rochester-based provider would keep an ambulance in Albion and Holley. The company would be paid a $200,000 subsidy from the seven towns collectively to maintain ambulance services in the seven towns. Barre was the first of the seven towns to sign the contract on Wednesday with the other towns expected to approve the agreement in the next week to 10 days.

Mercy Flight would like to be considered as the provider, said Mike Gugliuzza, director of medical operations for Mercy Flight EMS.

He attended Thursday evening’s Orleans County EMS Task Force meeting. He said Mercy Flight will provide service to central Orleans until at least Jan. 1. If the towns choose Monroe, Mercy Flight would “bow out” when Monroe is ready, Gugliuzza said.

Mercy Flight, which provide ambulance services in Genesee County out of a base in Batavia, wants to ensure there are ambulance services in central Orleans while the towns decide on the ambulance provider. Mercy Flight also wants to ensure the COVA paramedics and EMTs stay have jobs. Mercy Flight has offered the COVA workers positions with Mercy Flight at its other operations in Western New York if Monroe takes over central Orleans. Monroe already has the contract for eastern Orleans – Clarendon, Murray and Kendall.

Barre Town Supervisor Sean Pogue praised Mercy Flight for filling the gap in coverage for central Orleans and for hiring the COVA employees.

“I commend you for that,” Pogue said during the EMS Task Force. “Thank you very much.”

Sean Pogue, Barre town supervisor, speaks during an Orleans County EMS Task Force meeting on Thursday evening in the legislative chambers of the Orleans County Office Building. Pogue commended Mercy Flight EMS for filling a void with the impending closure of COVA.

Mercy Flight also would seek a subsidy from the towns but that number wasn’t available on Thursday. Gugliuzza said the organization has worked quickly to provide services for central Orleans. Mercy Flight is open to providing service in eastern Orleans as well, Gugliuzza said.

In the immediate future, Mercy Flight is planning to have two staffed ambulances out of Albion, including an overnight paid crew. That could go to three or four ambulances if Mercy Flight secures a longer-term contract.

“If we know long-term that we’ll be here, we can ramp up for additional vehicles,” he said.

Richard Remley, the Albion town supervisor, said Monroe has a plan to meet the needs of the community. The towns are looking at a one-year contract to allow the town leaders to evaluate the organization’s performance with response times and service. Monroe would start on Jan. 1 if the new contract.

John Caufield, chief operating officer for Monroe Ambulance, said the company has 27 ambulances with 18 or 19 typically in service. Monroe can draw from ambulances based in Brockport and Greece to meet higher demand in Orleans County when needed.

Monroe will evaluate data throughout the year to have more resources available during peak call times. He said he expects as the service develops Monroe will have a supervisor assigned to the seven-town block in Orleans County who would operate in a fly car with basic life support services.

Remley said he’s certain at least six of the seven towns are ready to approve the contract with Monroe. The terms of the agreement say if even one town doesn’t agree, the contract is null and void. Remley said the agreement could be re-evaluated if one of the towns doesn’t sign on.

The seven towns will need to contribute $200,000 annually to Monroe with each share based on ambulance call volume. The contract includes the following compensation from the towns: Albion, $84,400; Barre, $8,000; Carlton, $14,800; Clarendon, $18,800; Gaines, $24,600; Kendall, $18,000; and Murray, $30,600.

The towns currently don’t pay anything for ambulance services. Albion, which would have the biggest bill, meets at 5 p.m. Monday to vote on whether to approve the contract.

Jack Welch, the county’s chief administrative officer, said EMS services are going through a change, especially in rural areas across the state and the nation.

“Essentially this is about volunteerism and the volunteerism is declining,” he said. “We are transitioning to more of a paid base.”

Kendall Fire Department will cease its volunteer ambulance on Dec. 31. Kendall is the last volunteer fire department in the county running an ambulance service.

MEDINA – Crafting and Christmas are two of Shawna Baldwin’s favorite things, and she has managed to merge them into a popular hobby and business.

Shawna and her husband Chris live with her parents Bob and Mary Lou Blount on Fruit Avenue, where Shawna grew up loving crafts and Christmas. Her mom taught her to embroider when she was 7 or 8 and to quilt when she was 15.

As time went on, Shawna began to get more involved in antiques, collectibles and crafts.

“I always liked making things, especially with dried flowers, and had shows where I sold lots of things,” Shawna said.

Her first shop was Nooks and Crannies in the Baldwin Room at the former Apple Grove in 1991.  After she married Chris, they bought Jeddo Mills and restored that to an antique shop. Then they had Emma, and Shawna wanted to stay home and raise her daughter, so she started to supply gift shops with dried flowers and folk art, and they sold Jeddo Mills.

“I needed a workshop, so we built this barn,” Shawna said.

This glass of milk and cookie for Santa look real enough to eat. This is one of the many gifts in Shawna Baldwin’s Christmas barn, which opens today. Richard Monica holds one of his artificial Christmas cakes, which he sells at Shawna Baldwin’s Christmas barn on Fruit Avenue, along with many one-of-a-kind items.

Emma was growing up and Shawna went to work full time, while continuing to make hand-crafted items. She bought the Whole Nine Yards on Main Street in Medina, but when the economy soured and the price of cotton doubled, she closed the store and went to work at Lynoaken Farms, baking, packing apples and running the gift shop.

“The barn became a playhouse for Emma and her friends,” Shawna said.

About then, Shawna began supplying Julie Fenton from Between the Vines shop with crafts. When the opportunity arose to take a job in labor relations at Niagara-Orleans BOCES, she was hired.

Shawna Baldwin got an early birthday present when her husband Chris drove this restored 1954 International truck into their yard.

That gave her the perfect opportunity to sell her crafts in their annual craft show with Richard Monica, former owner of Albion Antiques and Christmas Shop. Monica, who is a retired art teacher from Spencerport, now lends his creative genius to Shawna’s Christmas barn.

In 2020, due to Covid-19, BOCES canceled its annual craft show and Shawna decided to do it safely, with limited customers wearing masks, in her barn. Customers came, and it was very successful, she said. News of her barn had spread, and customers came from as far as Oswego and Baldwinsville.

“Last year was even bigger, and we realized we were out of room,” Shawna said. “Last summer we hired Sam Barber to add on to the barn. I realize I can sell my merchandise online, but Richard and I want the personal contact with people. We want the hugs, to see their eyes light up and hear their gasps when they see what we have.”

Chris and Shawna, with the help of family and friends, finished the barn, which is now 2/3 bigger than it was.

“Our 30th wedding anniversary was this year and we were going to Scotland,” Shawna said. “But when it came down to going to Scotland or building a bigger barn, we built a bigger barn.”

“You can’t create that old-time feeling in a modern building,” Chris said.

Shawna starts planning for her Christmas inventory in February. Much of the merchandise is hand made, such as Monica’s wooden ark and animals, and his handmade (not real) Christmas cakes and puddings.

Pieces of scrap wood left from the barn construction were fashioned into little villages, churches, lanterns and ornaments by Chris. They have already bought fresh trees, from which Shawna is making wreaths and swags.

Shawna still quilts and embroiders Christmas items, makes wool penny rugs and crochets popcorn garlands, but her favorite is calligraphy, and many wall hangings are the result of her talent.

Antiques in the store include a 1700s mahogany bed frame and a 1700s cradle.

Her goal is to have tie-dying and wreath-making classes and to develop a “Santa Trail” of area holiday shops.

“This is what I want to retire to some day,” Shawna said.

Chris Baldwin made this church from scraps of wood left from the addition to their Christmas barn.

She thinks all the area craft and holiday stores complement each other.

Her barn will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 11, 12, 18, 19 and Dec. 2 and 3; and from 1 to 4 p.m. Nov. 13, 20 and Dec. 4. They are closed Thanksgiving weekend so families can spend the holiday together.

Any merchandise which is left over after Dec. 4 will be boxed up and saved for next year, but Shawna said last year they sold everything. She is already planning bigger and better things for next year.

Her barn features one-of-a-kind creations, vintage ornaments and antiques, handmade ornaments and decorations, angels, snowmen and Santas, and fresh wreaths and swags.

A special attraction was added to the décor on Wednesday morning. Shawna and Richard were carrying more decorations and merchandise into the barn, when an old antique truck came down the road and pulled onto the lawn in front of the barn.

It was Chris in a 1954 International pickup they owned, which hadn’t run in a year. Unknown to Shawna, he and a friend have been working to get it in running order, and Chris surprised Shawna with it for her Nov. 15 birthday.

“I had no idea he was doing that,” Shawna said.

The address of Shawna’s barn is 3502 Fruit Ave., just north of School No. 10 Road.

ALBION – The Village of Albion Planning Board today gave unanimous approval to the site plan for a new Taco Bell on Route 31, next to McDonalds.

Hospitality Syracuse is proposing a 2,600-square-foot Taco Bell at 118 West Ave., a site that is currently a vacant parking lot with a steel water tank in the back corner.

The water tank will be removed, and so will chain-link fences. The Village Planning Board wants solid wood fencing on the east and west sides, and the back property line.

Hospitality Syracuse proposed two sold wood fences on the east and west, but wanted a chain-link to stay on the back end. That fence is in good shape now, but planners said they wanted a consistent look for the fencing, and didn’t want a chain-link fence that could get rusty in the future.

The County Planning Board, during its Oct. 27 meeting, voiced concern about how difficult it would be for tractor-trailers to turn right from the site. But the tractor-trailers won’t be driving around the store on a lane next to the drive-through. Those big trucks will go to the back end of the property, and will have room to turn around and then drive straight through the parking lot for a manageable right turn, Hospitality officials told the Village Planning Board.

Planning Board members – Chairman Matthew Hand, Karen Conn, Michael Massaro, Christine Buongiorne and Janet Salvatore – approved the site plan.

The project needs another village approval. Hospitality is seeking variances for the number of signs, size of the signs and height of the pole for the sign.

The Zoning Board of Appeals will meet at 4 p.m. on Nov. 15 to consider whether the restaurant can have four signs, which is more than the maximum of two allowed in the village code.

The developer is proposing four signs with three on the building and one on a freestanding pole. The village code calls for a maximum of two signs.

The freestanding sign would be 79.5 square feet, which is above the 48 square foot maximum.

Hospitality Syracuse also is seeking a pole height of 25 feet, which is 5 feet higher than the limit. The total cumulative area of the signs is at 147.6 square feet, which is 44 feet over the Albion limit.

The developer is seeking the additional building signage due to the unique “tower” aspect of the building design. A sign on each side of the tower provides architectural symmetry, and a sign over the door identifies the main entrance, Hospitality stated in the application.

The configuration of the drive-through does not allow for a pylon setback greater than what has been proposed.