The Israel/Iran conflict is driving up oil markets and the price at gas pump, AAA is reporting today.

The national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $3.22, up eight cents from last Monday. One year ago, the price was $3.45.

The New York State average is $3.21, up 10 cents from last Monday. A year ago, the NYS average was $3.58.

“Gas prices across the country and here in New York are moving higher as the conflict between Israel and Iran continues to rattle oil markets,” according to a statement from AAA Western and Central New York. “Oil is the primary ingredient in gasoline and the price per barrel is climbing after U.S. airstrikes at targets in Iran over the weekend marked an escalation of tensions in the region.

“The cost of oil was $74 to $77 dollars per barrel in trading Monday morning, up about $2 per barrel from a week ago,” AAA said. “As the conflict continues, analysts are closely watching the Strait of Hormuz – a narrow waterway connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman. Roughly 20 percent of global oil trade passes through the strait and any disruption could drive oil and gas prices even higher.”

Diesel costs are also rising, up 16 cents in the past week nationally to $3.68. The average price in NYS is $3.92, up 7 cents in the past week.

Here are the average prices for regular unleaded in WNY counties:

• Orleans, $3.274
• Genesee, $3.242
• Niagara, $3.162
• Monroe, $3.210
• Livingston, $3.192
• Wyoming, $3.187
• Erie, $3.196
• Chautauqua, $3.317
• Cattaraugus, $3.264
• Allegany, $3.192

Provided photo: Shiuen-Huang Suen (from Taiwan), Kenneth Kam (from China) join Jim Doyle, Hoag Library’s adult services librarian, for a photo after a concert on Saturday.

Press Release, Hoag Library

ALBION – The Hoag Library Music Series continues to grow in impact, reach and audience enthusiasm. On Saturday, 35 people attended the latest concert, where the energy was high and the feedback overwhelmingly positive. One patron remarked, “These concerts keep getting better and better!”

A photo taken after the performance captured a powerful image: three people – musicians Shiuen-Huang Suen (from Taiwan), Kenneth Kam (from China), and Jim Doyle, Hoag Library’s Adult Services Librarian – smiling side by side. In a world often divided by borders and politics, the Hoag Library Music Series fosters friendship, collaboration and joy through music.

“This is the way the world should be,” said Doyle, who founded the series. “It’s not just a concert. It’s a cultural exchange.”

Musicians who perform at Hoag Library often share their experiences on social media, with photos and praise reaching international audiences.

“Your media coverage is outstanding,” said Kam, who has also performed in libraries across the Monroe County Library System.

Thanks to the Music Series, musicians from around the globe – including Mexico, Puerto Rico, Russia, Croatia, the Philippines, China, Taiwan, and the U.S. – have brought their talents to Albion.

The next concert in the series will feature internationally renowned guitarist Petar Kodzas from Serbia, performing in July. With continued funding, the 2026 season may include performers from Canada and Australia as well.

The Hoag Library Music Series is a first of its kind in Orleans County – building bridges between cultures and creating unforgettable experiences for both performers and audiences.

This program is made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrant Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and administered by GO ART!

In addition to the Music Series, Hoag Library will host its Summer Reading Kickoff Event on July 9 at 2 p.m., featuring Erie Canal Songs & Stories with musician and storyteller Dave Ruch. All are welcome to attend this fun and family-friendly program!

For updates on upcoming performances and programs, visit www.hoaglibrary.org or follow Hoag Library on Facebook.

Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office

Photo by Darren McGee/ Office of Governor Kathy Hochul – Standing at the Niagara Power Project today, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced she was directing the New York Power Authority to develop and construct a zero-emission advanced nuclear power plant in Upstate New York.

LEWISTON – Governor Kathy Hochul today directed the New York Power Authority (NYPA) to develop and construct a zero-emission advanced nuclear power plant in Upstate New York to support a reliable and affordable electric grid, while providing the necessary zero-emission electricity to achieve a clean energy economy.

This builds on other opportunities announced in Governor Hochul’s 2025 State of the State to catalyze nuclear energy development in New York.

“As New York State electrifies its economy, deactivates aging fossil fuel power generation and continues to attract large manufacturers that create good-paying jobs, we must embrace an energy policy of abundance that centers on energy independence and supply chain security to ensure New York controls its energy future,” Governor Hochul said during an announcement at the Niagara Power Project. “This is the second time during my administration that I am calling on the New York Power Authority to lead a critical energy initiative, and just as it is doing with the expedited buildout of renewable energy and transmission, it will now safely and rapidly deploy clean, reliable nuclear power for the benefit of all New Yorkers.”

As a result of economic growth and fossil fuel power plant retirements, New York needs new, clean electricity resources to meet growing power demand from new industrial development, building electrification and electric vehicles. The advanced nuclear plant will complement New York’s ongoing deployment of renewable energy by adding zero-emission baseload power, providing reliable and affordable clean energy to advance the State’s goal to achieve a clean energy economy.

NYPA, in coordination with the Department of Public Service (DPS), will seek to develop at least one new nuclear energy facility with a combined capacity of no less than one gigawatt of electricity, either alone or in partnership with private entities, to support the state’s electric grid and the people and businesses that rely on it.

NYPA will immediately begin evaluation of technologies, business models, and locations for this first nuclear power plant and will secure the key partnerships needed for the project. This process will include site and technology feasibility assessments as well as consideration of financing options, in coordination with the forthcoming studies included in the master plan for Responsible Advanced Nuclear Development in New York, led by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and DPS. Candidate locations will be assessed for suitability based on public safety, strength of community support, compatibility with existing infrastructure, as well as skilled labor and land availability.

This initiative also builds on the State’s ongoing financial support to Constellation to pursue an early site permitting process for a new project at its Nine Mile Point Clean Energy Center and will allow for future collaboration with other states and Ontario, building on regional momentum to strengthen nuclear supply chains, share best practices, and support the responsible deployment of advanced nuclear technologies.

New York Power Authority President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll said, “Time and time again, the Power Authority has been called upon by New York State leadership to take bold action and we have delivered outcomes to support the public good. I am honored by Governor Hochul’s confidence in NYPA to lead the buildout of the affordable and reliable clean energy economy of the future and we are eager to deliver on this impactful nuclear initiative for New Yorkers.”

New York State Public Service Commission Chair and DPS CEO Rory Christian said, “The Department of Public Service very much looks forward to working with NYPA on this important initiative announced by Governor Hochul. Working together, we will develop a project-based plan and identify the substantial potential that nuclear power can provide to New Yorkers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, provide grid reliability, and support and complement other innovative energy generation and storage technologies–all in a cost-effective manner.”

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority President and CEO Doreen M. Harris said, “The use of advanced nuclear technology can provide the State with a greater diversity of its energy resources that will support New York’s goal of a growing economy with a reliable, zero-emission electricity system. As NYSERDA advances the state’s Master Plan process, we look forward to collaborating with NYPA and DPS to undertake this advanced nuclear project and how it will help deliver reliable, affordable energy to our grid, while stimulating jobs and economic development.”

Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office

Kathy Hochul

Governor Kathy Hochul has signed signed legislation repealing an outdated section of New York’s election law — the new legislation now supports voters by allowing refreshments to be provided as they wait in line to exercise their civic duty.

Across the State, voters will be heading to the polls to cast their ballots during a heat wave, with peak temperatures expected to reach upper 90s and “feels-like” temperatures ranging from 85-110 degrees statewide.

“Our democracy works best when every eligible voter has a chance to cast their ballot,” Governor Hochul said. “Providing water to voters waiting in line is a common-sense way to ensure New Yorkers have an easy, safe and secure experience in the voting booth. I’m committing to protecting the right to vote for all eligible New Yorkers.”

The bill repeals New York State Election Law Section 17-140, which allowed for criminal penalties against individuals who provided items of small value to voters at polling sites, including food and water. The legislation removes limitations so that New York voters can be provided with the items such as water without infringing on their right to cast their vote or discouraging voters from participating in any given election.

ALBION – It was a small turnout with nine days of early voting in Orleans County. Only 78 people cast ballots ahead of the June 24 primary in the towns of Barre, Shelby and Yates. That is less than 1 percent of the eligible registered voters, said mike Election, Republican election commissioner.

The county by state mandate needs to provide nine days of early voting. This time it was from June 14 to June 22. The polling location is in Albion at the Board of Elections at the County Office Building.

There were 33 voters for the primary in Barre, 40 for Shelby and five for Yates.

For the primary on Tuesday, polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the town hall in each of the three towns: Barre Town Hall at 14317 W Barre Rd.; Shelby Town Hall at 4062 Salt Works Rd.; and Yates Town Hall at 8 S Main St.

The primaries include:

Barre: Two candidates for the town supervisor position – Scott Burnside and Stephen Coville II. Four candidates for two positions as town council member: George McKenna Jr., Wesley Miller, David Allen and Iva McKenna.

Shelby: Two candidates for town supervisor: James Heminway and Scott Wengewicz. Four candidates for two spots as town council member: Vassilios Bitsas, Lawrence Waters Sr., Edward Zelazny and Michael Moriarty.

Yates: Three candidates for two Town Board seats: Harold Suhr, William Jurinich and Terry Chaffee Jr.

This is the cover of Trifles trivia game, left, and the playing board from the game, right.

By Catherine Cooper, Orleans County Historian

“Illuminating Orleans” – Volume 5, Number 23

HOLLEY – Where is Garrand’s Quarry?

Name the postmaster of Holley in 1985?

What was the reason for the formation of the Holley School Boosters?

These Holley area questions are from a trivia game recently brought to our attention by Melissa Ierlan, Town of Clarendon Historian. Marketed under the name  “Trifles: a Unique Educational Trivia Game Customized for Your Community,” this board game was marketed in the mid-1980s as a fundraiser for the Holley Sports Boosters and the Holley Music Boosters.

Designed to be played by two or more players, the box contains a sturdy board, a rules sheet, tokens, dice, discs, a box of question and answer cards, and a set of category questions and answers.

The names of contributing local businesses appear on square tiles on the perimeter of the board. Players who answer General Knowledge trivia questions correctly can place colored discs on the tiles.

A player who has three or more discs on each of the four sides of the board or six discs on any one side of the board qualifies to enter the circle. The Master Position is at the end where the player must answer correctly a question from the Etc. category to be the winner.

The General Knowledge questions are wide-ranging and varied, while the “Etc.” questions are locally oriented.

Trifles was manufactured by Henco in Selmer, TN and was the creation of Tom Hendrix, a versatile entrepreneur who had honed his salesmanship skills as a door-to door Bible salesman. He and his wife, Sherry, started Henco with a $3,500 loan, in a small building in Selmer. The company went national, with nearly 1,000 employees on the payroll in its heyday of helping schools raise money through selling items that Henco manufactured.

Regardless of how much money was raised by sales at the time, this game is a gem forty years later. Kudos to whoever prepared the questions and answers for the “Etc.” category back then. They are now a rich resource of Holley/Murray/Clarendon area facts, and would be perfect for family get-togethers and campfire conversations.

The list of the local businesses, farmers,  and professionals who subscribed captures the essence of Holley at that point in time. How many of them do you remember?

A quick eBay search indicates that the resale value of the game is only about $25, but its local significance will only increase the passage of time.

Holley area sponsors of the Trifles trivia game from 1984-85 incude:

• Assembly of God Church
• Bowen Trucking, Inc.
• Brockport Ford Tractor
• Burgio Tire World
• Country Garden Florist
• Danny’s Small Engine Repair
• Dave’s Antenna Satellite Communications
• Danco Home Improvements
• Deerfield Country Club
• DeNe’s Cake Shop
• Disciples United Methodist Church
• Domenico’s Italian Imports & Deli
• Drennan Service
• Ed Blissett Nursery
• Edward Fuirerer & Sons, Builders
• Fingland Electric
• First Baptist Church
• First Presbyterian Church
• Fissler Collision
• 5 Point Collision
• Gordis Hardware
• Grenadier Kennels
• Hendel Farms
• Herring Development Corp.
• Holley Cold Storage
• Holley Lime Company
• Holley Mower Service
• Holley Pharmacy
• Holley Ridge Stables
• Holley Super Duper
• Hurd’s Orchard Apple Shed
• Jerry L. Wagner, Contractor
• Jim Albright, Remodeling
• J.P’s Farm Market
• Lake Country Pennysaver
• Lester, Rubenstein & Pellegrino, Attorneys
• Liftec Systems
• Lisa’s Dance Boutique
• Lutes Model Dome
• Marine Midland Holley Staff
• Maxon Farms
• Merrill- Grinnell Funeral Service
• Muesey’s Grocery of Clarendon
• Murray Superette Busy Mart
• Personality Plus Hairstyles
• P.J.’s Dolls
• Rayburn’s Jewelers
• Rockafellow & Son Farms
• Ron’s Satellite Sales
• Ryan’s Ceramic Studio
• Salyers Archery & Range
• 7 Brothers Catering Service
• Seward Candies
• Shepherd’s Mill Lumber
• St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church
• St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
• Squicks – Public Square
• Stockham Lumber Co.
• Sugar’s Bikeology Shop
• Territory Wholesale Supply
• Transit Sportsman’s Supplies
• Thomas Young, Attorney-at-Law

File photo by Tom Rivers: Flags fly around the Cobblestone School House in this photo from a previous year’s patriotic service celebrating July 4. This year’s service is July 6.

CHILDS – The Cobblestone Museum will celebrate Independence Day with their annual patriotic service, scheduled this year at 11 a.m. July 6 in the historic Cobblestone Church.

This will be the 53rd annual patriotic service, said Sue Bonafini, assistant director of the Cobblestone Museum.

She invites guests to attend the event, which will feature several local musicians, a demonstration by former Cobblestone Museum director and Orleans County Historian Bill Lattin and dramatic readings by the museum’s three summer interns.

Musical offerings will include local pianist Raymond Santoro, who will provide piano and organ solos and accompany some patriotic hymns to be sung by the guests attending.

Musician Susan Walders has prepared some flute solos and will help lead guests in several inspirational songs.

Next, local singer Maarit Vaga will also share her musical talent.

Phoebe Kirby, daughter of Justin and Adrienne Kirby and Lattin’s granddaughter, has prepared a guitar solo.

Next, Lattin will demonstrate an interesting item from his personal collection – a historic roller organ. This is a type of mechanical musical instrument, often referred to as a barrel organ or crank organ. These instruments were manufactured primarily from the late 1860s through the mid-1920s, similar in style to organ grinder instruments, Bonafini said.

Offerings from the museum’s three summer interns – Tess Anderson, Collin Capurso and Tom Secrest – include dramatic readings of several short quotes from more than a dozen famous Americans, such as George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Paine, Clarence Darrow and others.

Topping this all off will be the Museum’s collection of Staffordshire Early Americana plates, showing more than three dozen scenes from early American history.

A potluck picnic on the museum grounds will follow the service at noon. The museum will provide hot dogs and lemonade. Guests should bring their own lawn chair and a dish to pass. A free will offering is always welcome. The Kendall Lions Club is providing a tent for the lawn.

Several students from Orleans County have made the Dean’s List at colleges and universities.

• At Buffalo State University, Nicolina Creasey of Albion, Brionna Raiser-Russell of Knowlesville and Madison Williams of Medina made the spring Dean’s List. To make the list, students need to have completed at least 12 credit hours and who have attained a GPA of 3.5 or higher.

• Leah Kania of Albion is majoring in voice performance at Baldwin Wallace University at in Berea, Ohio, which is near Cleveland. The Dean’s List recognizes students who earn a grade point average of 3.8 or higher while enrolled in 12 or more graded hours during the semester.

• Kylie Towne, a tourism/event and meeting management major from Holley, is among the more than 1,660 students named to Niagara University’s Dean’s List. To qualify, students must be registered for 12 credit-bearing hours during the semester and earn a GPA of 3.25 or higher.

• Alexa Adams of Paul Smith’s College has been named to the Spring 2025 Dean’s List. The college is located in the Adirondack Park. (Adams also graduated from Paul Smith’s College in May, earning a BS in Integrative Studies.)

• Daisy Perez Reyes and Shelly Reyes, both of Albion, earned Dean’s List honors for the spring at SUNY Oneonta in Central New York semester. To qualify for the Dean’s List, a student must earn a grade-point average of 3.5 or higher while carrying a course load of 12 hours or more.

• Emma Roush of Medina, a senior Psychology major at Grove City College, has been named to the Dean’s List with Distinction for the spring 2025 semester. The Dean’s List with Distinction includes a GPA of 3.60 to 3.84.

• Several from Orleans made the Dean’s List at Nazareth University in Rochester including Joseph Nettles of Holley, Hailey Crawford of Albion, Tyana Burroughs of Kendall, Raine Baker of Lyndonville, and Kailie Regan of Holley. They all attained GPAs of at least 3.5 or above.

• Lillian Isabella Wilson of Medina has been named to Clarkson University’s Dean’s List. Wilson is a junior majoring in chemistry. Dean’s List students must achieve a minimum 3.25 grade-point average and also carry at least 14 credit hours.

(Editor’s Note: These are from colleges and universities that sent in the local students on the Dean’s List. Not all schools send in the news to the Orleans Hub.) 

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Ricky and Katrina Standish stand near the banks of Lake Alice on family-owned property, of which they have become managers. Katrina recently graduated from the Spring 2025 Microenterprise Assistance Program, which she took to help them run a business.

ALBION – The Spring 2025 Microenterprise Assistance Program class recently graduated 11 aspiring business entrepreneurs, whose prospective new businesses are very diverse, according to MAP director Matt Holland.

“We had an excellent group of businesses this year, from a wide variety of backgrounds and stages of business,” Holland said.

This included agriculture, retail, food service, property rental and maintenance – some of which are concept, startup or have been open for more than two years.

“I believe this diversity benefitted group discussions and collaboration,” Holland said. “All of them were enthusiastic and worked hard drafting their business plans. I look forward to seeing what the future holds for their businesses.”

Holland took over leadership of MAP when Diane Blanchard retired in 2023. He said MAP is education and he has always enjoyed education.

“Most importantly, because small businesses are the backbone of a small town area,” he said.

Jeremy Bow of Kent signed up for the Microenterprise Assistance Program to take advantage of the resources they offer. He has started a new business, JB’s Stump Grinding.

They didn’t restart the MAP program until 2024, Holland said.

“We took a step back to see if any changes had to be made and what we could do to get small business centers involved – with the EDA,” he said. “Small business centers bring great programming to the class.”

The Microenterprise Assistance Program has graduated 569 individuals to date. Two graduations are held a year, always with a similar curriculum, Holland said. They teach the basics a business person should know, including legal, marketing, financials, bookkeeping and pricing.

“We always have an entrepreneur come in and tell the class what it’s like to be in business,” Holland said.

One such businessman was Kyle Brent, who just built a new modern building for his business, KJ Motorsports in Middleport. The class was very impressed with his story, starting his business in his home, right out of high school.

“Sometimes a person takes the class and realizes they don’t want to be in business,” Holland said.

The newest graduates and their businesses are Ellen Blanc, Paws Only Grooming; Jeremy Bow, JB;s Stump Grinding; McKenna Christ, The Grove 1848; Megan Davenport, GH Grooming and Spa; Duane DeRoller, Liberty Meadows; Emma Drisdom – Emma’s Nail Room; Shawn Malark, North Star Ammo and Defense; Deborah Mannix – Seasonal Retail; Katie and Christopher Oakes – LynOaken Upick LLC; Alicia Sargent, Medicare Advocacy Center; and Ricky and Katrina Standish, RKScapes (rental property, landscaping and property management).

Two of the recent graduates shared their stories of becoming entrepreneurs.

Graduate Katrina Standish and her husband Ricky both have full-time jobs at Community Action of Orleans and Genesee, but recently took over management of property her father owns, mostly on the banks of Lake Alice. Katrina registered for the class, but Ricky came along also.

“The class helped us understand a business plan,” Katrina said.

“They also hook you up with an attorney, who connected us with the Small Business Legal Clinic at the WNY Law Center,” Ricky said.

The couple plan to expand their rental holdings to include Amish shed cabins, accessible to the water for fishermen, as well as a fire pit, canoe and kayak rentals and golf cart rentals. This is something Katrina has always dreamed of, she said.

“I think MAP was a great opportunity for us,” Katrina added.

Jeremy Bow is also employed full-time, but decided to start a side business after discovering how expensive it would be to hire someone to grind up a bunch of stumps in his yard.

“I picked up a stump grinder to do my yard, and then started helping my friends,” Bow said. “At first I thought I’d take care of my stumps, then go help my friends and sell the grinder. But, last fall I decided to get an LLC form and insurance.”

He enrolled in the MAP class, something he said he wishes he had done sooner.

“MAP showed us a lot of resources out there I didn’t know existed,” Bow said. “I also met a lot of class members in all phase of business. Some don’t have a business yet, just a business concept. We shared ideas with some who are fully established and some whose business is still in the works.”

He was impressed with how much they learned – about the paperwork involved, how to motivate employees and the importance of taking good care of your employees.

“Some questions brought up were things I’d never thought of,” Bow said. “There are so many things you don’t know. They don’t make it easy to start a business, but MAP covered a lot of the bases and showed us where help is available. It’s a very good program.”

Bow said he hopes by being affordable and doing a good job, his new business will be successful. His goal is to buy a dump trailer and mini skid-steer so he can clean up after a job.

He wants no dissatisfied customers, he said.

Applications for the next MAP class will be accepted beginning July 15. The fall class will begin the first Thursday in September.

Press Release, Congresswoman Claudia Tenney

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) today reintroduced the Protecting Gun Owners in Bankruptcy Act, reaffirming her commitment to defending the Second Amendment rights of all Americans, regardless of their financial status.

Additional cosponsors of this legislation include Representatives Mike Collins (GA-10), Burgess Owens (UT-4), and Randy Weber (TX-14).

The bill ensures that up to $3,000 worth of firearms are exempt from bankruptcy proceedings, recognizing them as essential property. Current federal law exempts a certain value of property from bankruptcy proceedings that allow the debtor to maintain a basic standard of living, such as musical instruments, jewelry and a television. However, federal law fails to provide a specific exemption for firearms, a constitutionally guaranteed right that allows individuals to defend themselves.

“The Second Amendment is a Constitutional right for all Americans, regardless of their financial situation,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “No American should ever be forced to forfeit their right to self-defense because they’re going through financial hardship. This legislation ensures that the Constitutional right to own a firearm is protected, no matter the financial situation.”

Photos by Tom Rivers

BARRE – Jacob Rowland and his sister Hannah, center, dance the Virginia Reel on Saturday evening during square dance at the Barre Town Park.

The Barre Betterment Committee and Go Art! teamed to offer the event, which also included food and a basket raffle.

The Orleans County String Band has performed at the square dance in Barre since 2018. They performed Appalachian string band music.

The members include Margaret Mathews as caller and teacher, Kathy Vandemortel of Point Breeze on the fiddle, Laurence Sugarman on the claw hammer banjo, and Laurie Hunt on bass.

Orly the Ox joined the dancers in the Virginia Reel. Orly is the Orleans County bicentennial mascot during this year of celebrating the county’s 200^th anniversary.

Betsy and Wes Miller, center, joined in dancing the Virginia Reel.

Orly dances with his partner, Elizabeth Marat.

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – These three were dressed up as faeries on Saturday for Medina’s “Enchanted Faery Festival.” Pictured form left include Natasha Abdurrafi of Medina, and sisters Amelia and Daisy Marr of Albion.

The Medina Area Partnership organizes the event which usually brings in about 75 to 100 kids dressed as kings, queens, princes and princesses.

Ann Fisher-Bale, one of the festival volunteers, distributes fairy dust at Rotary Park. Her son, Mason Bale, is next to her.

The event included a scavenger hunt. There were 12 faeries and 10 faery houses hidden in windows in downtown shops. There also was a parade.

Haylee Ferrington is dressed as a dragon mother faery while she does face-painting on Morgan Eaton of Rochester.