New legislation requires backgrounds checks for all ammunition purchases, prohibits sale of hard body armor

Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office

Photo by Darren McGee/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul – On Friday, Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation to strengthen New York’s gun laws and bolster restrictions on concealed carry weapons.

ALBANY – Governor Kathy Hochul on Friday signed landmark legislation to strengthen New York’s gun laws and bolster restrictions on concealed carry weapons. This package of new laws — drafted in close collaboration with the Legislature — is devised to align with the Supreme Court’s recent decision in NYSRPA v. Bruen.

As a result of this decision, the State has taken steps to address the consequences of the Supreme Court decision and the resulting increase in licenses and in the number of individuals who will likely purchase and carry weapons in New York State.

“A week ago, the Supreme Court issued a reckless decision removing century-old limitations on who is allowed to carry concealed weapons in our state — senselessly sending us backward and putting the safety of our residents in jeopardy,” Governor Hochul on Friday. “I will continue to do everything in my power to combat the gun violence epidemic.”

Research has shown that violent crime involving firearms increases by 29 percent when people are given the right to carry handguns, caused in part by a 35 percent increase in gun theft and a 13 percent decrease in the rate that police solved cases. The legislative package on Friday furthers the State’s compelling interest in preventing death and injury by firearms by:

• Expanding on eligibility requirements in the concealed carry permitting process, including completed firearm training courses for applicants.
• Allowing the state to regulate and standardize training for license applicants.
• Restricting the carrying of concealed weapons in sensitive locations and establishing that private property owners must expressly allow a person to possess a firearm, rifle, or shotgun on their property. Individuals who carry concealed weapons in sensitive locations or in contravention of the authority of an owner of private property will face criminal penalties.
• Establishing state oversight over background checks for firearms and regular checks on license holders for criminal convictions.
• Creating a statewide license and ammunition database.
• Strengthening and clarifying the law relating to the sale of body armor to include hard body armor, such as the type worn by the suspect in the Buffalo shooting and the safe storage of firearms.

The law will take effect on September 1, 2022. In addition, an appeals board will be created for those applicants whose license or renewal is denied or revoked, which will take effect on April 1, 2023.

“In response to the Supreme Court’s decision implying that guns are more important than lives in this country, we are passing legislation to ensure that New York State has safe and responsible gun laws,” said Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins. “States are the last line of defense, which is why we are stepping up to protect New York from being easily flooded with concealed weapons and keeping firearms out of the wrong hands.”

Last week, the Supreme Court’s 6-3 decision ended a 100-year legal precedent requiring individuals to demonstrate “proper cause” to obtain a license to carry a concealed firearm. The existing law gave discretion to the state and its licensing officers in determining what constitutes “proper cause,” which the court cited as unconstitutional.

Governor Hochul has worked closely with the legislature to devise the following Legislation (S.51001/ A.41001), which carefully and strictly regulate concealed carry weapons while staying within the confines of the NYSRPA vs. Bruen decision.

Sensitive locations and Private Property

Certain locations are always unsafe for guns, and this legislation makes concealed carry in sensitive locations a punishable crime.

Sensitive locations include:

• Airports
• Bars and restaurants that serve alcohol
• Courthouses
• Daycare facilities, playgrounds and other locations where children gather
• Educational Institutions
• Emergency shelters, including domestic violence shelters and homeless shelters
• Entertainment venues
• Federal, state, and local government buildings
• Health and medical facilities
• Houses of worship
• Libraries
• Polling sites
• Public demonstrations and rallies
• Public transportation including subways and buses
• Times Square

The law also makes “no carry” the default for private property, unless deemed permissible by property owners. This gives power to business and property owners to decide whether or not they want guns in their establishments, which could include bars, restaurants, shops or grocery stores.

Property owners who do decide to allow concealed carry will have to disclose with signage saying concealed carry is allowed on the premises. This allows people to make an informed decision on whether or not they want to be in a space where people could potentially be carrying a weapon.

Expanded Eligibility Requirements and Disqualifying Criteria

The legislation expands eligibility requirements for concealed carry permit applicants. Expanded application requirements include character references, firearm safety training courses, live fire testing, and background checks. Additionally, applicants who have documented instances of violent behavior will be disqualified from obtaining a concealed carry permit. Disqualifying criteria also includes misdemeanor convictions for weapons possession and menacing, recent treatment for drug-related reasons, and for alcohol-related misdemeanor convictions.

Safe Storage

The legislation also implements new safe storage requirements for rifles, shotguns, and firearms. Gun owners will be prohibited from leaving a gun in their car unless it is stored in a lockbox. Additionally, state law previously required that guns be stored safely in a home if someone under 16 resides there, but new legislation will require safe gun ownership in a home if someone under 18 resides there.

Ammunition Background Checks

The legislation allows the state to conduct and have oversight over background checks for firearms and run regular checks on license holders for criminal convictions. State background checks will go beyond those conducted by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System maintained by the FBI, which lack access to crucial state-owned and local-owned records and databases that provide a more accurate assessment of an applicant’s background.

Research has found that states that perform their own background checks, instead of solely using the federal database, experience 27 percent lower firearm suicide rates and 22 percent lower firearm homicide rates. The legislation also requires background checks for ammunition sales and creates a statewide license and ammunition database.

Body Armor Amendment

Under current law, a “body vest” has a limited defined as a bullet-resistant soft body armor. This legislation will redefine body vests to encompass a broader array of protective equipment that is bullet resistant, expanding current purchase and sale prohibitions to include hard body armor. During the Buffalo tragedy, the shooter was wearing a steel-plated vest which would be captured under this new body armor definition.

Photos by Tom Rivers: The band Vette performs “Nothin’ But A Good Time” by Poison last Aug. 28 at the amphitheater at Bullard Park in Albion. Vette includes, front, from left: Travis Mackie, Kole Moore and Alex Fitzak. Shelby Starr is the drummer. They will perform at Ramble in Batavia on Saturday.

Press Release, Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council

BATAVIA – For the past two years, the Ramble has been put on hold due to the pandemic.  However, it is coming back this year, bigger and better than ever.

The Ramble Team has partnered with the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council (GO ART!) to bring a fun-fill event that has something for everyone, including 25 bands performing on two stages, an Explore Art tent for kids, street performances and much more! The event will take place in Jackson Square and on Jackson Street on July 2nd from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

“We are so excited that the Ramble will be happening again this year!” said Paul Draper III, who has been coordinating the event for the past 6 years. “We wanted to make it the best one yet, so we partnered with our friends at GO ART! to help us not only grow the entire event but also bring more of a presence to the ‘arts’ side of the festival. It really is shaping up to be an incredible event. And I think everyone is going to love it!”

The Ramble is an annual reunion of musicians, who have a connection to Batavia and the surrounding areas, which features a variety of musical genres. This year’s the Ramble will consist of two stages; The Main Stage sponsored by Eli Fish in Jackson Square, and the Jackson Street Stage sponsored by Center Street Smoke House.  The lineup is as follows:

This year the Ramble will feature an Explore Art tent for kids and families including art projects, face painting, temporary tattoos, caricatures, sidewalk chalk drawings, and more, which will run until 5:30 p.m.

Springville Center for the Arts presents Artsapalooza will host interactive theater workshops at 10:30 a.m. and again at 1:30 p.m. Kids will take part in interactive art-making stations and theater games, culminating in a giant-puppet performance of Lay Me Down to Sleep.

At 4 p.m. kids will have the opportunity to drum along with Womba African Drumming and Dance while learning about traditional Ghanaian drumming, song and dance.

Dylan DeSmit of the band DriVen sings “Hard to Handle” by the Black Crowes during a benefit for COVA on June 12, 2021. DriVen is one of the bands from Orleans County performing at Ramble. The Zackstreet Boys, Marnie K and the Nonblondes, and Vette also will be featured from Orleans County.

Press Release, Lyndonville Central School

LYNDONVILLE – Lyndonville Central School will be hosting a pre-kindergarten/kindergarten open house on Monday, July 4, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Staff will be available on the lawn in front of the school (Main Street location) to help families/students sign up for the 2022-23 school year and gather contact information for younger children in the community.

Staff will also answer questions about Lyndonville’s PreK and kindergarten programs, complete craft projects and read stories to children. You may also visit an early learning classroom.

The district received a NYB5 Transition grant from the NYS Department of Child & Family Services to help fund this outreach program.

Lyndonville is currently accepting registrations for both their PreK and kindergarten 2022-23 programs. If you are a resident of LCSD and your child will be 3, 4 or 5 by December 1, they are eligible to enroll. For more information, please see the district’s website: Lyndonville Central School District (lyndonvillecsd.org) or call (585) 765-3122.

Photo from Arc GLOW: Pictured include Aquatics Director Jessica Hambruch and lifeguards Henry Rigerman and Elle Gross. The trio is looking forward to meeting the 2022 campers and providing a summer of safe swimming.

RIDGEWAY – Camp Rainbow has been awarded a $15,352 grant from the Children’s Guild Foundation to support the swimming program.

Community Relations Specialist Tracey Jones applied for a grant from The Children’s Guild Foundation and it was awarded in time for the 2022 season, Arc GLOW said officials said in a newsletter.

The grant covered the costs of a new pool pump, chlorine tank, sand filter and a pool gate latch and lock. Additionally, it has allowed for the hiring of an aquatics director and two certified lifeguards.

Located at 2272 Yates-Carlton Townline Rd., the camp is open to all children. This is orientation/training week for staff at Camp Rainbow.

The Children’s Guild Foundation seeks to effect change, provide opportunities and promote inclusion and diversity for children with special needs and their families.

ALBION – The Village Board has filled the vacant code enforcement officer position with two part-time employees.

Kevin Sheehan resigned from the 20-hour-a-week position about a month ago. The village on Monday hired Anne Podolak and then on Tuesday hired Jeff Gifaldi. They will share the duties of the position, each working about 10 hours a week.

Podolak works as the code enforcement officer in Le Roy and Gifaldi is the Carlton codes officer. He also is the Orleans County undersheriff.

They are viewed as a temporary solution while the village looks for a longer-term answer for the position.

The two started right away. That followed last week’s Village Board meeting when a representative from Milestone Construction Partners in Rochester said the lack of a code officer in the village had stopped construction of a 2,250-square-foot addition for Oak Orchard Health behind its site at 301 West Ave.

Milestone wasn’t able to proceed without an inspection from the codes officer and that delay for nearly three weeks was threatening Oak Orchard’s ability to meet the deadline for a $757,000 grant from the federal American Rescue Plan Act.

Podolak and Gifaldi were both at the site on Tuesday and gave Milestone the OK to finish the project.

Event includes military flyover, big parade, craft show, music and fireworks

Press Release, Lyndonville Lions Club

Provided photos: Lions Club members Harold Suhr, Eric Johnson, Gwen Large, Russ Martino and Tom Wenhold meet to put final details together for the Lyndonville July 4th Parade and Fireworks display.

LYNDONVILLE – The Lyndonville Lions Club is in the final stage of preparation for their planned July 4th parade, lawn festival, concerts and fireworks display.

The parade committee has assembled a line-up that will have something for everyone. Starting at noon, Sgt. David Bellavia will lead off the parade as the grand marshal. Bellavia, a Lyndonville native, is a Medal of Honor recipient.

An extensive collection of antique and classic cars will bring back memories of yesteryear, and a large assembly of firetrucks is sure to delight the young and old. Several bands will fill the air, including traditional music of John Phillip Sousa, and the Gates Police Pipe & Drum Band will add an international flavor to the event. Multiple groups will participate in the parade with floats and all types of group marchers.

An array of craft vendors and food trucks will be available starting at noon on the Lyndonville School grounds.  You can get your traditional July fourth hot dogs and ice-cold beverages from the Lions Club hot dog stand starting at 11 a.m. Tickets are still available for the 1 p.m. chicken barbecue by purchasing them in person at M & T Bank in Lyndonville.

The Who Dats will perform from 2 to 5 p.m. and then headliner Double Shot will take the stage for the evening summer concert starting at 7 p.m. and ending near 9:30, just before the fireworks display.

It is anticipated that there will be a large turnout for the scheduled military flyover honoring all military active and veterans at 11:55 a.m. The plan is to have people arrive early and be in place no later than 11:30 a.m. It is expected that the best viewing will be from Route 63 north to the village of Lyndonville and Route 63 north after the village.

We are asking people to remember Route 63 North from Ridgeway to Lyndonville will be closed from 11:40 a.m. until the flyover is complete. The Lions are encouraging everyone to bring an American Flag or homemade signs to the flyover to honor our veterans and men and women in active duty.

Chairs and coolers are allowed at the daylong event with a carry in-carry out policy and no glass bottles please. Dogs are welcome as long as they are leashed and owners clean up after their pets.

Please use extra caution when crossing all streets and roads. It is the hope of the Lions Club to make this event as safe as possible for all. We look forward to seeing you at the event and wish all a great Independence Day!

Photo by Tom Rivers: Fireworks always provide big exclamation point on the Fourth in Lyndonville. This photo was taken on July 4, 2018.

2 counties still ranked low at community level for Covid by CDC

The local confirmed Covid cases is trending up after weeks of steady declines.

The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments reported 25 Covid cases in Orleans from June 22-28, up from 15 the previous seven days. Genesee is up from 35 to 37 during that time frame.

Both counties continued to be ranked by the CDC as low for community levels. That is determined determined by hospital beds being used, hospital admissions, and the total number of new Covid-19 cases in an area.

The state’s seven-day average for positive Covid tests is at 5.91 percent, ending on June 29. A week earlier, the seven-day positivity was 4.68 percent statewide.

Orleans County is included int he nine-you the Finger Lakes region which has a seven-day positivity of 6.23 percent. Long Island has the highest positivity at 8.17 percent and the Southern Tier has the lowest at 4.54 percent.

“As we continue to monitor the current numbers, I encourage all New Yorkers to keep using the tools we know that work to protect against Covid-19,” said Gov. Kathy Hochul said. “Stay up to date on your vaccine and booster doses. Parents and guardians, now is a great time to consult with your child’s pediatrician about getting them vaccinated. Test if you have symptoms, and if you’re positive stay home and talk to you doctor about treatment.”

Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office

Governor Kathy Hochul has signed a legislative package to empower victims of crime. This sweeping package of bills expands what qualifies as documentation of identity theft and expands the eligibility of victims of unlawful dissemination of intimate images, as well as reckless endangerment. These bills will help to lift up victims of these heinous acts and give them the opportunity to seek justice.

“In New York we believe strongly in protecting and uplifting all victims,” Governor Hochul said. “This legislative package allows victims that have not been physically injured to still obtain compensation for other impacts of various crimes – taking an important step to help victims seek the justice they deserve.”

• Legislation (S.9359/A.7487) expands which documents can be used to show identity theft in certain circumstances relating to debt collection. These materials can now include Federal Trade Commission and Law enforcement reports, as well as criminal and family court documents. This increases protection for victims of identity theft by requiring creditors to cease collection activities until completion of their review of certain information. Under existing law, victims of identity theft must have filed a police report for a creditor to cease collection, with there being no alternative if a police report was not filed. This will allow more victims of identity theft to put these heinous acts behind them.
• Legislation (S.8975/A.7489) expands the eligibility of victims of unlawful dissemination or publication of an intimate image as defined in section 245.15 of the Penal Law (Revenge Porn). Under current law, to be eligible for reimbursement for certain crime-related expenses, one must be a physically injured victim of a crime. This bill allows uninjured victims of unlawful dissemination of intimate images to be reimbursed. This gives more power to victims of revenge porn acts and allows them to collect damages for what they endured.
• Legislation (S.8976/A.7502) expands the eligibility of victims of the crimes of reckless endangerment in the second and first degree. Under current law, to be eligible for reimbursement victims must be physically injured by reckless endangerment. This bill allows victims the ability to obtain compensation without having been physically injured, giving victims more power.

Press Release, GO ART!, Arts Council for Wyoming County and Genesee Valley Council on the Arts

Photo by Tom Rivers: Jill Pettigrew, an artist from Batavia, is shown on March 2, 2020 in a transformed room at the Orleans County YMCA. Pettigrew painted the mural that shows animals having a picnic in the forest. She is one of 10 artists approved for grants form a state program.

BATAVIA – Working with GO ART!, the Arts Council for Wyoming County (ACWC) and the Genesee Valley Council on the Arts (GVCA), ten local artists have received an Artist Employment Program (AEP) grant from Creatives Rebuild New York (CRNY).

Designed to support employment opportunities for artists, the program is funding 98 collaborations involving a dynamic group of 300 artists employed by community-based organizations, municipalities, and tribal governments across New York State. CRNY has awarded a total of $49.9M in funding to support artists’ salaries and benefits, with an additional $11.7M in funding provided to the organizations holding employment.

“If we are to truly rebuild our amazing state, we must celebrate artists’ contributions not only to the economy but to what makes us human,” says Creatives Rebuild New York’s Executive Director Sarah Calderon. “The incredible work being funded through CRNY’s Artist Employment Program underscores the importance of direct support for both individual artists and the organizations that hold their employment.”

The artists will work with the three arts councils to provide arts programming throughout the region. The ten artists, listed below, are skilled in diverse visual and performing arts, including painting, sculpture, music, choreography and theater. They will collaborate over a two-year period to create various exhibits, performances, classes and experiences. GO ART!, ACWC, and GVCA will collectively receive $1.5 million to support the collaboration, including artists’ salaries and benefits.

The ten artists included in this project are:

• Dan Butler, visual artist and muralist
• Ted Canning, musician and teaching artist
• Ruben Ornelas, choreographer and dancer
• Jill Pettigrew, visual artist and teaching artist
• Susan Ferrari Rowley, sculptor
• Rashaad Santiago, special effects artist and director
• Gaitrie Devi Subryan, choreographer and dancer
• Annette Daniels Taylor, poet, filmmaker and actress
• Paul Thomas, ceramicist
• Keith Walters, photographer and videographer

“The artists and staff of GO ART!, ACWC, and GVCA worked really hard on getting this grant. We are proud and beyond excited for this opportunity,” said Gregory Hallock, Executive Director for GO ART!. “This truly is an amazing, talented, and hard-working group of artists and art administrators. Look out Genesee, Livingston, Orleans, and Wyoming Counties; we are going to be providing some amazing programming and art displays. Make sure to follow us on our social media pages and help us make art happen!”

Artist Employment Program recipients were selected through a two-stage process by a group of twenty external peer reviewers alongside CRNY staff. From an initial pool of over 2,700 written applications, 167 were shortlisted for interviews with reviewers. To view the list of 98 Artist Employment Program participants, visit www.creativesrebuildny.org.

ATLANTA, GA. – Hannah Aiken of Middleport and a student at Orleans Career & Technical Educational Center has been awarded a Skill Point Certificate in Health Occupations Professional Portfolio.

This is one of the highest awards at the 2022 SkillsUSA Championships, which were held in Atlanta on June 22-23. More than 5,200 students competed at the national showcase of career and technical education.

The SkillsUSA Championships event is held annually for students in middle school, high school or college/postsecondary programs as part of the SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference. The national, nonprofit partnership of students, instructors and industry is a verified talent pipeline for America’s skilled workforce that is working to help solve the skills gap.

Students were invited to the event to demonstrate their technical skills, workplace skills and personal skills in 108 hands-on occupational and leadership competitions including robotics, automotive technology, drafting, criminal justice, aviation maintenance and public speaking.

Industry leaders from 650 businesses, corporations, trade associations and unions planned and evaluated the contestants against their standards for entry-level workers.

The Skill Point Certificate represents demonstrated workplace readiness in the student’s occupational specialty. Students can add the certificate to an employment portfolio. Skill Point Certificates were awarded to all national contestants who met a threshold contest score for their event as an indicator of proficiency.

Site will now be reviewed for National Register

Photo by Tom Rivers: Richard Christopher of Albion places a commemorative wreath by the monument in Fancher during a rededication ceremony of Aug. 14, 2021. The monument is a memorial to 10 10 men from the Fancher area who died in World War II. Richard is the son John Christopher, who was killed on November 26, 1943 when the transport ship carrying his unit was struck by a German glider bomb and sunk off the coast of Algeria. He was laid to rest at the North Africa American Cemetery in Tunis, Tunisia.

MURRAY – The Fancher Memorial, a monument at “The Curve” on Route 31, has been approved for New York State Register of the Historic Places.

Daniel Mackay, deputy commissioner for Historic Preservation and Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer, notified Murray Town Supervisor on June 27 that a state review board “following a detailed review” recommended the site be included on the New York State Register of Historic Places and that recommendation has been approved.

The Fancher Memorial also has been nominated for the National Register of Historic Places where it will be reviewed by the federal agency.

The designation is lofty statue for a site that was deteriorating just over a year ago. A $10,000 donation by former resident Fred Fiorito spearheaded many upgrades for the memorial, which was rededicated on Aug. 14, 2021.

The monument, made of Medina sandstone with a green mortar and four clock faces, was originally dedicated on Aug. 14, 1949 as a monument to 10 young men from the Fancher community who were killed in World War II.

John Christopher, Joseph Christopher, Cosmo Coccitti, Floyd Valentine, John Kettle Jr., Leonard Licursi, Martin Licursi, Camille Nenni, Richard Merritt and Richard Vendetta left the hamlets of Fancher, Brockville and Hulberton and went off to war and didn’t return.

The monument was in disrepair with mortar crumbling, the clock often not working and the landscaping unattractive.

The monument’s improvements last year included new mortar, new movements and electric wiring for the clocks (which will now automatically fall back an hour and spring an hour ahead during the time changes), a new replica bronze plaque on the north side of the property, and a repainted flag pole which now also includes a World War II flag below the American flag. There also are sandstone steps on the north side with the stone donated by Town Supervisor Joe Sidonio and set in place by the Town Highway Department.

Sidonio thanked Erin Anheier for writing the nomination packet for the Fancher Memorial to be included on the state and national registers.

He said a big community effort made the upgrades possible for the monument. About 200 people attended the rededication last August.

The monument is a powerful tribute from a small community to the sons who perished in war, Sidonio said. He is proud that the community hasn’t neglected the site.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Justin Suarez works on a mural today on the south side of The Lockstone and Tinsel building at 160 North Main St., facing the Erie Canal next to the Main Street lift bridge.

The mural gives a dramatic scene as people head north on Main Street across the lift bridge.

Suarez also painted the mural of the Santa School on the north side of 170 North Main St., the building for The Lake Country Pennysaver and Orleans Hub.

Suarez of Rochester uses spray paint to create the large paintings. He expects to complete the mural today.

Provided photo: Dr. Nancy Nielsen, co-chair of the Catholic Charities Appeal 2022, celebrates passing the fundraising goal today.

Press Release, Catholic Charities

BUFFALO – Catholic Charities of Buffalo announced today that Appeal 2022 in support of Catholic Charities and the Fund for the Faith achieved its $9.5 million goal with a total of $9,562,329.69 in cash and pledges.

“Understanding Western New York’s continuing needs, we set an ambitious goal in January and thanks to the generosity and support of our community and the hard work of our dedicated volunteers and staff, I’m thrilled Appeal 2022 has achieved its goal,” said Deacon Steve Schumer, president and CEO, Catholic Charities. “Your support ensures that Catholic Charities is a constant beacon of hope season after season across nearly every Western New York community.”

The annual Appeal helps fund 57 programs and services administered by Catholic Charities across Western New York, along with several ministries that benefit all parishes through the Fund for the Faith. Programs and services provided by Catholic Charities, which include basic emergency assistance, mental health counseling, workforce training, youth and family support services, and more, helped more than 125,000 individuals, children, and families in 2021.

“We are proud to end Appeal 2022 just as we started it, invigorated and optimistic in supporting the ongoing need for the critical programs and services Catholic Charities provides,” said Thomas Beecher, Jr., Appeal 2022 co-chair. “On behalf of everybody at Catholic Charities, and most importantly those we serve, I want to thank all who contributed to our success – donors, parishes, businesses, and community partners who generously made sure the annual Appeal reached its goal for the first time since 2018.”

Added Nancy Nielsen, M.D., Ph.D., Appeal 2022 co-chair, “I am very grateful for the results we have been able to announce. With continuing challenges likes rising costs for everyone and the deep pain still impacting our neighbors in the city and affecting all of us, there were many reasons to consider this goal impossible. So I especially want to say how truly thankful I am to this community and to all of the parishes for persevering and ensuring this campaign’s success.”

For more information on Catholic Charities’ programs and services, visit ccwny.org. If you or someone you know is in need of assistance, visit ccwny.org or call the Helpline at 716-218-1419 to find help and hope through Catholic Charities.

Press Release, Town of Yates

LYNDONVILLE – The Town of Yates began preparations to commemorate their 200th anniversary over a year ago, and now they are very excited to host the first of three celebratory “fairs” to recognize their bicentennial (1822-2022).

On Sunday, the Town will have “A Family Fair” featuring live music from the Lyndonville School  band and choir, a number of inspiring songs by a gathering of church choir members from the local churches, and a mix of medleys performed by the Crescendo Barbershop Quartet out of Buffalo.

There will be a bounce house, face painting and sidewalk chalking. Free ice cream will be served while it lasts!

The event will take place outside the Yates Community Library, 15 N. Main St., and it is recommended that folks bring their favorite lawn chair.

Historical artifacts will be on display at the Town Hall throughout the afternoon.

The event will run from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.

The committee members who put together the 200th celebrations include: Jim Simon (chair), Susan Hrovat (deputy chair), Dawn Metty (town historian), Brad Bentley, Kelly Cousins, Cindy Grabowski, Ginny Hughes, Russ Martino, Cal Stinson, Georgette Stockman, Joanne Suhr, Valerie Wells, Tom Wenhold, and Katie Whipple.

Susan Hrovat, the coordinator for the July 3rd event, is particularly hopeful that local families will attend this kick-off event.

“I am blessed and grateful to have grown up in and to be a part of this wonderful, patriotic farming community, and I am honored to be involved with a great team of volunteers to help celebrate our bicentennial,” she said.

Town Supervisor Jim Simon looks forward to future press releases to highlight the two other major events.

“Please join us to celebrate and honor the rich history of the Town of Yates, to instill community pride in our town, and to inspire future generations,” Simon said.  “Our second and third major events are: “A Street Fair” on Friday, August 19th, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., in downtown Lyndonville; and “A Grand Finale Lake Fair” on Saturday, September 24th, 1 to 9 p.m. at the Town Park.

For more information go to the Town of Yates website: www.townofyates.org.