By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 12 October 2025 at 11:58 am
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Andrew Meier sits on the steps of the Newell Shirt Factory building, which he purchased and restored. His efforts over the past 20 years have earned him the Phoenix Award by the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce.
MEDINA – Receiving an award from the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce is certainly an honor, said Andrew Meier, who will be presented with the Phoenix Award at ceremonies on Oct. 23 at the White Birch Golf Course.
The award recognizes Meier’s efforts over the past 20 years in restoring the former Newell Shirt Factory into three floors of thriving businesses.
A local attorney, Meier purchased the building at 113 West Center St. in 2005 and immediately started remodeling. In 2006, the first business, the Shirt Factory Café, opened. It has since been restructured and is a restaurant and cocktail lounge known as the Shirt Factory.
Several businesses, including 810 Meadworks and a salon opened there, but moved out, creating new opportunities for Meier to try other ventures, he said. The result was creating a coffee and snack shop called Factory Espresso, which opened in the spring of 2024, and a classic cocktail bar called the Newell Lounge which opened this spring.
Total remodeling of the second floor created space for Webster, Schubel and Meier to move their law offices there.
The third floor renovation is home to the Hart Hotel, with 10 boutique rooms.
Factory Espresso serves breakfast and lunch, as well as coffees.
(Left) The portrait of Robert H. Newell is a highlight of the Newell Lounge, located in the Newell Shirt Factory building, owned and restored by local attorney Andrew Meier. (Right) Second floor of Newell Building houses the offices of Webster, Schubel and Meier, where the original safe from Newell Shirt Factory is still a prominent fixture.
The Newell Lounge also serves food and is open Sunday through Wednesday nights.
The Shirt Factory is open the other nights of the week.
Meier said their plan is to eventually have the Lounge open every day. He is expanding the kitchen and adding an outdoor event space in back of the building.
While Meier acknowledged being recognized by the Chamber is, indeed, an honor, he wouldn’t be anywhere if it weren’t for the other businesses in town all pulling in the same direction.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 12 October 2025 at 9:02 am
Farm on Route 104 in Murray draws many visitors for ‘authentic’ experience
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Amy Machamer, who runs Hurd Orchards with her mother Susan Hurd Machamer, stands amid a fall display of flowers and pumpkins at the family farm.
HOLLEY – Hurd Orchards, located at 17260 Ridge Rd., is not only an eighth-generation family farm and one of a few elite EcoCertified farms, but it now claims the distinction of being named a “Hidden Gem” by the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce.
The farm will be honored with eight other businesses and individuals at an awards ceremony Oct. 23 at White Birch Golf Course.
Amy Machamer and her mother Susan Hurd Machamer are celebrating 40 years of their partnership running the farm. Amy is proud to announce her daughter Amelia is the eighth generation to run the farm, which dates back to pioneer days.
Amy Machamer sits in the 200-year-old barn at Hurd Orchards. The farm has been named by the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce as a “Hidden Gem.”
“It is very flattering to be chosen for the Hidden Gem award,” Amy said. “Mom said one of the ‘hidden’ things here is the fact we tree-ripen our fruit. There’s nothing better than biting into one of our peaches, and the juice runs down your chin.”
While the farm is constantly changing, they always stay authentic, Amy said. The barn in which they hold luncheons is 200 years old and was purchased, moved there and raised in the traditional way in 1994.
They are known for their luncheons which come from an 1895 cookbook. One of the things they make is a steamed quince pudding. A pear luncheon features the Seckel pear which they grow there.
Susan commented that it’s not everywhere one can grow the market basket they are able to, being located between the Erie Canal and Lake Ontario.
“Our farm really is a gem,” Amy said. “We are very happy someone was thinking about this beautiful area on the eastern flank of the county. It is exciting to think somebody noticed what we are trying to do here.”
In addition to her mom and daughter, Amy’s husband Joe Sidonio is very supportive of the farm’s efforts, Amy said. She also said Amelia, a recent graduate of Cornell University, is remarkably excited and invested in their farm. Amy said her dad was a geologist and they lived in many places, but always returned to the farm, which her grandparents Leland and Betty Hurd were running. When Amy graduated from college in 1984, she came back to the farm.
“I didn’t know I was going to stay, but I loved it here,” Amy said. “It was challenging in so many directions.”
“We have a beautiful team who cook and develop new recipes,” Amy said. “They are the ones who breathe new life into our farm, yet we’ve stayed ‘authentically ‘us.’”
Hurd Orchards sells their fruits commercially, have a bakery and own a jam kitchen. They raise elegant flowers and make up gift baskets to order.
“My parents and grandparents saw the possibilities and beauty here and appreciated what this farm meant,” Amy said. “We have dedicated ourselves into shaping it and carrying it on into the future. We have followed our instincts and followed things that inspired us. Maybe it has evolved because we shared these ‘hidden gems.’ We are very grateful. It is a joy to be recognized for what we do.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 October 2025 at 10:08 pm
Shelby fire hall packed for spaghetti dinner, basket raffle
Photos by Tom Rivers
SHELBY – Mike Hodgins, left, is greeted by Matt Grammatico of Albion today during a big benefit for Hodgins as he awaits a second heart transplants.
Hodgins, 64, had a heart transplant 35 years ago. He is on the list for another heart transplant at the Cleveland Clinic.
Grammatico, 52, of Albion is nearing the fifth anniversary of a heart and liver transplant at the Cleveland Clinic. Grammatico received those transplants on Jan. 12, 2021.
Grammatico and Hodgins have been friends on Facebook for several years and have been cheering each other on through social media. Today they met in person for the first time.
“I don’t want to miss the chance to connect with another heart transplant recipient,” Grammatico said.
The community also put on a benefit for him and his family before his transplants. He was thrilled to see such a big turnout today for Hodgins at the Shelby Fire Hall.
Hodgins said he and Grammatico are both miracles who have been given another chance at life by God’s mercy. Hodgins is wearing a “Miracle Mike” shirt.
Mike Hodgins takes a brief break from greeting friends, family and community members who attended a benefit for him and his family today.
“I’m just overwhelmed,” Hodgins said.
He and his wife Kathy have three children – Alisha, Greg and Ryan – and seven grandchildren.
Mike and Kathy need to travel about four hours to the Cleveland Clinic for testing, evaluation, surgery and recovery. This will require extended time away from work and significant out-of-pocket expenses for lodging, food and transportation.
“I’m taking it one day at a time,” said Hodgins, a longtime employee at Medina Memorial Hospital in the dietary department. His wife is chief executive officer at UConnectCare.
There were 200 people at the fire hall within the first hour of the benefit which was 4 to 8 p.m. today. There were 195 baskets up for raffle, plus 86 gift cards.
Businesses from the region donated gift cards as part of today’s benefit which was led by Hodgins’ niece Stephanie Kozma.
Many family members, friends and members of the Oak Orchard Assembly of God rallied to run the benefit.
Dark Horse Run entertained the crowd with country music.
Some of the kitchen crew serving spaghetti dinners included, from left, Julie Mufford, Pete Panek and Amy Albone. They had 400 dinners ready.
The Shelby fire hall was a full house for the benefit.
Matt and Rhonda Grammatico of Albion pray with Hodgins as he awaits a second heart transplant.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 October 2025 at 12:44 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
KNOWLESVILLE – The Medina Lions Club is holding its annual Scarecrow Fest today at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds.
Jennifer Slack of Medina makes a scarecrow with her children, Emma and Bradley.
There has been a good turnout so far for the festival. Last year there was a record 212 scarecrows made at the event. The Scarecrow Fest goes until 3 p.m.
Patti Parker and her son Zack of Albion make their scarecrow. Cindy Winters of the Medina Lions Club assists with a stapler.
Lions Club members visited the MAAC Thrift Shop to acquire most of the clothing for the scarecrows, including dresses, pants, shirts, blouses, neckties, hats and belts.
T-posts for scarecrow bodies were donated by Barden Homes, and Jen Scott’s art class at Medina High School painted 180 faces for cloth heads.
Straw for the scarecrows’ bodies was donated by Poverty Hill Farms in Albion and Dunham Farms of Knowlesville.
A scarecrow made by the Medina Lions Club greets people at the Fairgrounds.
Piper Glass of Medina, left, gets straw to stuff in a scarecrow she made with her cousins, Harlow and Henry Zacher of Medina.
The Master Gardeners in Orleans County also are having a “Pumpkinpalooza” event, with pumpkin decorating and pumpkin-themed activities. These are some of the entries in the pumpkin-carving and decorating contest.
Marie Phillips decorates pumpkins with her daughters, Mazie and Mallorie.
Debbie Fuller, the grandmother of Mazie and Mallorie, helps another granddaughter, Melanie Phillips, while she decorates a pumpkin. Fuller, a former Medina resident, made a surprise trip up from Florida to see her grandkids.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 October 2025 at 7:58 am
Photo by Tom Rivers
LYNDONVILLE – Dylan Cote of Pavilion casts a line out on Friday evening at Johnson Creek in Lyndonville. This is a spot near the top of waterfalls of the dam.
“This is the magical spot,” Cote said.
He usually catches blue gill, bass, cat fish and carp. Cote frequently is in Lyndonville to see his girlfriend.
He said several salmon fishermen were in the area on Friday. The salmon make it all the way up Johnson Creek from Lake Ontario, but can get no farther than the dam. Cote said sometimes the big fish are jumping, trying to get past the dam.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 October 2025 at 2:13 pm
Students go through smoke simulator, spray water from fire hose
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Barre firefighters, Dylan Parker at left and Barry Flansburg at right, assist fourth-graders in spraying water from a fire hose at targets. It was part of a Fire Prevention Week at the school.
Albion, Barre and Carlton firefighters let students see and try some of the equipment used by firefighters today to cap off the week.
During the week firefighters spent about 20 minutes with each classroom from grades PreK to 5, going over fire prevention tips.
Students make their way through a smoke simulator inside a fire safety training trailer was outside the school today. That trailer, owned by the Orleans County’s Emergency Management Office, has a fog machine to simulate smoky rooms.
Students were urged to “Stay Low and Go.”
Outside the trailer also was designated meeting area and a phone to call 911.
Brianna Caldwell, an Albion firefighter, simulates being a dispatcher and takes a 911 call.
Ryan Woolston, a Carlton firefighter, shows students a rescue boat. Woolston also let students see some of the equipment on the boat including a dry suit that firefighters use for water rescues.
Fred Piano of Albion shows students the fire safety trailer. Piano and about 20 firefighters volunteered throughout the school day, showing students the different fire apparatus and prevention exercises.
Barry Flansburg of Barre helps Emma Cary while she directs the hose at targets.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 October 2025 at 11:06 am
MEDINA – The National Honor Society at Medina High School will again be serving dinner to veterans and their families.
The annual Veterans’ Day Dinner will be at 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 7, at the high school cafeteria.
The dinner will be catered by Zambistro. Veterans and their families who want to attend are urged to call the high school office at (585) 798-2700 by Oct. 31.
Reservations can also be emailed to NHS advisor Zachary Harris at zwharris@medinacsd.org.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 October 2025 at 9:44 am
Clarendon historian shows students bicentennial ox, historic jail cell
Photos courtesy of Tim Archer
CLARENDON – A group of Albion Middle School students recently had a memorable trip to Clarendon with Town Historian Melissa Ierlan.
Ierlan has repainted about 40 historical markers in the community in recent years and hse put the students to work on four of them.
The photo at top shows eighth graders Jeffrey Echevarría, Daniel Dash, Brian Patten and Caleb Wolf.
Ierlan also showed the students the progress on decorating a fiberglass ox with historic photos from Clarendon. This ox is part of a celebration of Orleans County’s 200th anniversary this year. Ierlan is a member of the Bicentennial Committee.
The students toured the Clarendon Historical Society and saw old farm implements and a 100-year-old jail cell.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 10 October 2025 at 8:45 am
Provided photos: The Genesee Orleans Ministry of Concern has started a food and personal care pantry at Albion Central School in the middle and high schools. This photo from February includes, from left, Rose Friedl, youth coordinator for GOMOC; Jami Allport, executive director for GOMOC; and Brittany Barleben, middle and high school social worker.
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Jami Allport is director of Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern, which will be recognized with the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce’s Community Service Award Oct. 23 at White Birch Golf Course.
ALBION – The organization known for years as “The Agency of Last Resort” will be honored by the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce with the Community Service Award.
The Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern and other honorees will be recognized at the 27th annual awards ceremony on Oct. 23 at White Birch Golf Course in Lyndonville.
Jami Allport, director of Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern, said the organization is very excited about receiving that honor.
GOMOC began in 1955 as the Migrant Ministry, when Medina teacher Arden McAllister and Sister Marian Adrian started it to support migrant farmworkers in Orleans County. Sister Marian would eventually serve as director from 1991 until her retirement in 2006.
The agency focused on meeting the basic needs of migrant families who were vital to the local economy, but often lacked access to stable housing, transportation and essential services.
Over time, the GOMOC mission was expanded to serve all individuals and families in crisis in Orleans and Genesee counties. Today, according to Allport, GOMOC operates a wide range of critical community programs which address immediate needs, while helping families work toward stability.
This includes a furniture program coordinated by Staci Palmer with truck drivers James Shoeberlein Jr. and Kyle Woolston; Emergency Assistance Program, overseen by the office staff as a whole; Homeless Outreach Program, overseen by Steven Trembley; Youth and Family Empowerment Program, led by Rosie Friedl; the Mary Grace Room, overseen by high school intern Abby Kincaid; and Rental Assistance Program, run by Office Manager Carol Whalin.
Through these efforts, COMOC continues to be a lifeline for residents who have nowhere else to turn, Allport said. The organization operates on the belief that every individual deserves respect, dignity and access to resources, regardless of their circumstances.
For many years, the agency had officers on Main Street, until being offered space in the First Presbyterian Church, where they moved in March 2024.
“We are deeply honored to receive this award from the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce,” Allport said. “This recognition reflects not just the work of our staff, but the incredible support of our entire community. Together, we make a difference in the lives of people who need it most.”
Photo by Tom Rivers: Albion village trustee Tim McMurray and Jami Allport, executive director of the Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern, on Jan. 25, 2024 walk along the railroad tracks in Albion between Main Street and West Academy Street. They were among several agency and government leaders out that day trying the measure the homeless population in the community. Allport offered gift cards to Tops, as well as snacks, blankets and gloves. GOMOC for the past year has made backpacks with supplies available to the local unhoused population. The backpacks were purchased with a grant from the Greater Rochester Health Foundation.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 October 2025 at 8:26 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Carrie O’Neill, a member of the Orleans County Youth Board, waits for a kid to select a board game after visiting many of the booths and trying the games and activities.
Free board games were offered when kids completed their passport by trying the different activities at Family Game Night.
This was the 11th annual event and the third time it was hosted by Dubby’s Tailgate in Albion. Dubby’s served up two slices of pizza for each person.
Many of the county government departments and agencies in the community had booths with activities and prizes. The event was organized by the Orleans County Youth Bureau and County Legislature.
The mascots from McDonald’s, Grimace and Hamburglar, greeted kids inside Dubby’s. There were 472 people registered, and the total attendance was likely even closer to 500. That is the most in the 11 years of Family Game Night.
Grimace and Hamburglar meet Charli Wulf, 5, of Holley. Orly the Ox, the county’s bicentennial mascot, also greeted local kids at the event.
Staff from the Probation Department offered a chance to play a cup stacking game and to win prizes. In back from left for probation include secretary Amy Albone, probation assistant Michelle Coots, and probation director Sarah Osborne. They gave away pumpkins donated by Coots’s grandson, 11-year-old Nathan Gray of Nathan’s Produce.
Kat Holland from the Personnel Department did a plate spinning demonstration as part of the Personnel Department’s booth. Katie Harvey, the personnel director, is at left.
Cara Wachob, a home base visitor and Early Head Start advocate, led the booth for Community Action and invited kids and their parents to play different games.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 October 2025 at 5:24 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers
EAST SHELBY – A fire caused extensive damage this afternoon inside a house at 12491 Smith Rd.
Firefighters were dispatched to the scene around 3:30. No one was home at the time of the fire. A family of three lives there in a house owned by Douglas Watson.
The family’s dog perished in the blaze. The fire in under investigation and the cause is undetermined at this time.
Multiple firefighters joined east Shelby in responding to call. The fire caused extensive damage to first and second floors, and the attic.
Zack Petry, deputy chief for Shelby, is on the ladder trying to vent the house from smoke.
Firefighters set up a dump tank for an added supply of water. This is a rural area in southern Shelby near the refuge where there aren’t fire hydrants.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 October 2025 at 9:22 am
Matt Punch recognized for service with Medina Medical Loan Closet
Photos from Medina Lions Club
MEDINA – The Medina Lions Club in late September installed a new sign for the Lions Park along the Erie Canal. This spot is just east of the lift bridge.
Chris and Julie Keller, left, installed the sign with assistance from Pete Kaiser and Jim Hancock. The Lions Club thanks Takeform for its work on the lettering and design.
The Lions Club also recently honored Matt Punch with the Robert J. Uplinger Distinguished Service Award for his dedication to our community. Punch has been a driving force for the Medina Medical Loan Closet.
ALBION — Bills fans and veterans alike are in for an unforgettable afternoon at Dubby’s Tailgate in Albion as the community comes together for a Veterans Tailgate, a celebration honoring the service and sacrifice of Orleans County veterans.
On November 8 from 1 to 6 p.m., Dubby’s will be buzzing with live music, sports on the screens, free food and plenty of Buffalo spirit. The event is being hosted by the Red Star Foundation in partnership with Orleans County Veteran Services and promises to be a high-energy mix of football fandom and heartfelt gratitude.
Live music will keep the fun going all afternoon, with Travis Fitch performing an acoustic set from 1 to 3 p.m., followed by local crowd-favorite Who Dats rocking the stage from 3 to 6 p.m. to close out the celebration.
One of the biggest highlights: special guest Del Reid, the co-founder of the Bills Mafia and owner of 26 Shirts, will be in attendance. Reid, a beloved figure in the Bills community, is known not only for rallying fans but also for his tireless charity work. Bills Mafia members will no doubt want to stop by, shake his hand, and show their Buffalo pride.
To keep the tailgate vibes strong, there will be free food for veterans and a guest, including pizza, wings, baked ziti, and beverages. That offer is limited to the first 200 veterans and guests, so registering early is encouraged. For everyone else, Dubby’s will be running specials on food and drinks all day long, making it the perfect spot to cheer, eat, and celebrate together.
“This is about more than just good food and music. it’s about honoring the men and women of Orleans County who have served their country,” said Rich McAdoo from the Red Star Foundation. “And in true Bills Mafia fashion, we’re bringing the community together to make it something special.”
Whether you’re a veteran, a family member, or simply a proud Bills fan, the Veterans Day Tailgate is your chance to show up, say thank you, and enjoy an afternoon of fun, football, and fellowship.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 9 October 2025 at 8:43 am
Provided photos of David Neth, writing as D. Allen, with the covers of two of his books.
MEDINA – On Saturday, Author’s Note will welcome Batavia author David Neth, who will sign copies of his two latest novels.
Writing as D. Allen, Neth will sign copies of At the Core and Home for the Holidays.
At the Core is a small-town romance set in Medina, featuring rivals-to-lovers, grumpy sunshine charm and the fight to save a family orchard.
Autumn Chapman is the fourth-generation owner of her family’s struggling apple orchard. Her uncles, who are co-owners, want to sell what’s left and walk away while they still can, but Autumn doesn’t want to let the legacy of her family’s business did with her. But, as the man who is trying to convince them to sell learns more and more about the orchard, Autumn and her family’s business, he starts to think maybe he is on the wrong side of the fight.
Home for the Holidays is a Christmas family drama set in Corfu about a mother who tricks her three adult children into coming home for Christmas without them knowing the others are coming. As they all slip into the roles of their former selves, the siblings agree to play nice to make their mother happy for the Christmas season. But as the week goes on. It becomes more and more apparent they all have their secrets, including their mother.
D. Allen is a nom de plume for David Neth, who writes heartfelt small-town romance like the Montana Beach and Small Town Christmas series. He also writes urban fantasy and superhero fiction under his own name. A school librarian with more than a decade in the book world, Neth lives in Batavia with his family.
Neth will sign copies of his books and answer questions during his visit at 4 p.m. on Saturday.
Author’s Note is located at 519 Main St., Medina. For those who are unable to attend, signed books can be ordered for pickup or free shipping at authorsnote.com. For more information, contact Author’s Note at (585) 798-3642.
