Let’s go on an adventure together….Hunting For Treasures!

My favorite of the life-sized statues of all the US Presidents found throughout downtown Rapid City, SD. This is JFK with his son, John-John holding a toy airplane.

I admit, when I travel I do enjoy visiting the tourist spots – you know, those places that are famous (or infamous) that everyone wants to see at least once in their life. But, I also like to seek out what makes wherever I am stand out from any other place. I like to find the quirky little out of the way place you can only find there or someplace that tells a story of that town’s past or showcases local heroes, artists, or chefs.

So, I like to do my homework before I go. I like to visit the area’s tourism website and also Google the area to see what comes up. I visit sites like TripAdvisor to search for “Things To Do” in the area and use the website “Roadside America” to find the not-so-well known points of interest (I’ll always remember finding a “Gas Station Jesus” in Iowa on that site). If I have a car, I take time to just drive around town looking for murals, statues, and signs pointing me to points of interest that didn’t come up on any searches. If I don’t have a car, I try to do tours, such as hop-on-hop-off type bus tours or other ways to see the local attractions – my hotel usually will have lots of great suggestions, too.

This Rock Star Lobster was seen in Plymouth, MA – one of many locally painted lobsters around town.

I get especially excited when I find things like art walks or themes throughout a town or city. Here are just a few of the cool things I’ve found in my travels:

• Rapid City, SD has branded itself “City of the Presidents” to build on the Mount Rushmore attraction. Downtown Rapid City has a wonderful life-sized statue of every US President – one on every street corner – in a pose that showcases his personality. My two favorites were John F. Kennedy depicted walking with young John-John holding a toy airplane and Abraham Lincoln sitting in a chair with his young son kneeling beside him in a Civil War costume and Lincoln handing him a toy canon.

• Plymouth, MA: When I visited Plymouth, they had sculptures of huge lobsters hand painted by local artists scattered throughout their downtown area. There was one painted like a rock star holding a guitar above his head, one painted like a sea captain, and others with historic scenes on them. I hear they have something different, now, but I really enjoyed strolling around Plymouth looking for all the lobsters.

• In Louisville, KY, I found Cave Hill Cemetery – a gorgeous garden styled cemetery established in the mid-1800’s. It has rolling hills, lakes, streams, abundance of nature, and
  

  Cave Hill Cemetery is a must see in Louisville, KY. The cemetery is loaded with wonderful and unique monuments, including this one that is both beautiful and spooky at the same time.

  lots of stunning statues and memorials – some of the most unusual memorials I’ve ever seen! It is where Muhammad Ali and Colonel Sanders of KFC fame are buried. I spent a couple hours driving through and looking at all the cool statues and memorials. It was quite a treat!

• Sioux Falls, SD has an amazing Sculpture Walk through their downtown area. Some sculptures depicted historical references of the area, some were quirky, some cultural, and some were even interactive. The sculptures line multiple streets in the downtown section of the city and is worth the stroll to see them all.

• In Dubuque, IA, I enjoyed a stroll along the city’s River Walk on the banks of the mighty Mississippi River looking at various sculptures created by local artists and loads of art scattered throughout the downtown area.

• Others: On Long Island, I saw an incredible crypt with a stone knight in full armor lying in rest on top, a big duck, and a flying pig. In the Azores off Portugal, I saw a pineapple plantation where they grow all their pineapples in green houses. In Savannah, GA, we got on a hop-on-hop-off bus and Forrest Gump hopped on to ask if we knew where Lt. Dan was. And so much more than I can possibly include in the space I have here.

These are just a few examples…I find wonderful treasures like these just about everywhere I go! Many cities and towns across the country love to showcase their local artists and history with murals, art walks, and themes. Even our own Albion has wonderful murals downtown, reminders of our very own Santa, and lots of examples of our local sandstone and cobblestone turned into stunning architecture. Another fairly local example is the town of Chittenango, NY – the birthplace of L. Frank Baum – author of the Wizard of Oz books. They have yellow brick sidewalks and loads of Oz themed shops and a wonderful Oz themed library – they even have an annual Oz-stravaganza festival the first weekend in June every year.

I ran into Dorothy, the Scarecrow, and the Tin Man looking out for the Wicked Witch at the Oz-stravaganza Festival in Chittenango, NY.

When traveling, be sure to look for the unique things that are local treasures found wherever you happen to be…near or far! You’re sure to enjoy what makes every place on earth “special” in some way!

Visit these blog links for more on some of the points of interests I mentioned in this article or just visit my blog and search using a key word or scroll around to see where I might take you:

Rapid City Presidents

Lobsters in Plymouth

Cave Hill Cemetery

Chittenango, NY

Happy Adventuring!
Kim Pritt

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The Central Orleans Volunteer Ambulance is putting in a memorial brick sidewalk and memorial garden by the COVA base at 239 South Main St.

The organization this morning added a new bench by the garden and a fountain is coming, too. The bench was donated by Brigden Memorial and says, “MAY THE WHEELS OF EMS FOREVER ROLL.”

The garden will honor the founders of COVA from when it formed in 1979. The memorial bricks for the walkway can recognize anyone. Those bricks are $50 each. The proceeds will go towards upgrading the base and equipment for the emergency medical technicians for COVA.

COVA volunteers, staff and board members are pictured by one of the COVA ambulances today. The organization is holding its second annual “Caring for COVA” event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Pictured in front from left include Dan Conrad, Bob Stilwell, Faith and Mike Smith. Back row: Zack Laurin, Jennifer Stilwell, Megan Amacher, Aaron MacKenzie, Sam McKeon, Laurie Schwab, Brandi Fisher, James Fisher, David Bertsch, Dylan Marx and Megan Tabor.

“The big reason we’re doing this is to show COVA is here and we hope to stay here,” said Brandi Fisher, COVA’s chief financial officer and an EMT.

Twisted Treats served up ice cream from their food truck. Pictured from left include owner Jessica Taylor and her mother Bobbie Jo Taylor.

Michelle Wiseman checks out the gift baskets inside the Arnold Gregory Office Building. There are about 70 that will be raffled off.

Contributed Photos – New Kendall Athletic Hall of Fame honorees, from left, Daniel Price, Kristina (Gaylord) Nesbitt and Gary Kent.

The Kendall Athletic Hall of Fame recently inducted five new members during the Eagles sports banquet.

The new inductees include the 1954 boys soccer team, Kristina (Gaylord) Nesbitt (Class of 2003), Rachel Maxon (Class of 2005), Daniel Price (Class of 2013) and Gary Kent a 1962 Kendall grad and a long time Eagles baseball coach.

New Hall of Famer Rachel Maxon.

The 1954 soccer team, which posted the first undefeated season in school history, won both Genesee-Orleans and Section V Class C championships. The Eagles nipped Red Creek 5-4 in double overtime in the sectional semifinals and then edged Rushford 1-0 in the championship game.

Nesbitt played soccer and basketball for 4 years and competed in track for 2 years. She earned first team All Greater Rochester and All State honors in soccer in 2002 when Kendall reached the Western Regional championship. She had 28 goals and 32 assists that year and was named Genesee Region League Player of the Year. Her Kendall teams won G-R titles in 2001 and 2002 and Section V titles in 1999, 2001 and 2002. She went on to play college soccer at Monroe Community College and Limestone College. Her MCC team won the national championship in 2004.

Maxon played softball for three years earning G-R All-Star honors at shortstop in both 2004 and 2005. She also played soccer for two years and volleyball for one. The goalie in soccer she had 20 wins in 2002 going 14-0 in the league with 9 shutouts. She also posted 20 wins during Kendall’s undefeated regular season in 2003 with 18 shutouts as the Eagles advanced to the state final four. She went on to earn All-SUNY Conference, All-Region and All-American honors in softball at SUNY Brockport where she graduated in 2009.

Price competed in track for 5 years, cross-country for 4 year, basketball for 2 years and earned Kendall’s Male Athlete of the Year Award in 2013. In cross-country he earned Genesee/Livingston All-Star honors in 2011 and 2012 and was a sectional patch winner in 2010, 2011 and 2012. In track he was the G-R 3000 meter Steeplechase champion and a G-R All-Star in 2013. He still holds Kendall’s records in the 800 meter, 1600 meter, 3200 meter and 3000 Steeplechase.

Kent played varsity baseball for 4 years, varsity soccer for 3 years and varsity volleyball and basketball for 2 years. His soccer teams earned G-R titles in 1960, ’61 and ’62 and his baseball team claimed the league crown in 1962. He went on to play baseball and soccer at the collegiate level. Returning to his alma mater, he coached the Eagles varsity baseball team from 1989-2000 and the girls JV soccer team from 1981-89. His 1999 baseball team won the sectional championship in 1999 and advanced to the state final 4.

Kendall’s undefeated 1954 soccer team is inducted. Pictured in the first row are W. Weed, M. Thompson, B. Fetterly, W. Snyder, D. Thompson, K. Furness, C. Bolton and M. Schultz. In the second row are A. Snyder, J. Curtis, J. Herring, W. Daum, A. Bruce, E. Whipple, W. Vick, J. Suhr, D. Riviere, C. Wolfe and Coach Beaney. In the third row are M. Seaman, S. Savory, M. Schultz, P. Behnke, G. Heidemann, H. Bolton, N. Hughes, S. Hunt, D. Goodwin and J. Furness.

MEDINA – I have a new poster out of Medina Doors. It arrived from the printer on Tuesday. I’ve been working on this, on and off, for a few years.

The poster features 22 doors in the Medina community. Many of them are on prominent structures and are exceptional entrances. Others are a bit more whimsical and don’t really have architectural power. But they are well known on the Medina landscape.

I’ve seen these type of posters before for Buffalo, Rochester and other cities. They typically list the city in italics type. I wanted to take letters or shapes from the community to spell out M-E-D-I-N-A and D-O-O-R-S to add even more of Medina to this project. I challenged people in an article on Wednesday to identify where I found those letters.

Whoever could correctly identify the most letters would win a poster. Robin Wehling was correct on five out of 10. She is the winner. (I gave everyone the letter N. It comes from a grave at St. Mary’s Cemetery.)

Here is the back story on the other letters:

M – This is from the sign at the Millville Cemetery.

E – This comes from the Heinz pickle which is located inside the Medina Railroad Museum.

D – I turned the Canal Culvert on its side and it made a distinctive letter D.

I – This is a stained-glass window at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

N – In case you missed it above, it’s from a gravestone at St. Mary’s Cemetery.

A – This A comes from the sign at the West Ridgeway Cemetery at the corner of Marshall Road and Route 104.

D – The second D is from the top of the Bent’s Opera House. The D is turned sideways.

O – The first O is from the clock inside at Rudy’s, a diner on West Center Street.

O – The second O is the clock at Rotary Park in downtown Medina.

R – This letter comes from the sign on the Lee-Whedon Memorial Library.

S – This one is from the sign for Lions Park along the Erie Canal, between the lift bridge and the Glenwood Avenue bridge. The sign has letters that are mounted on the ground.

The posters are available at Author’s Note, the bookstore on Main Street in Medina and also the office in Albion for the Orleans Hub and Lake Country Pennysaver at 170 North Main St.

I’ll be signing posters and giving a presentation at 7 p.m. on June 30 at Author’s Note. That store also is able to mail these for people out of the area.

Students urged to focus on who they are, rather than what they will do for careers

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Arianna Tyler is decked out for graduation on Friday in Albion. She walks across the stage to accept her diploma. She is one of 136 in Albion’s Class of 2022.

Graduation was held outside on the football field for the second straight year. This time the grads sat on the field instead of in the bleachers like in 2021.

The graduates toss their caps near the end of the 90-minute ceremony.

The students were praised by High School principal Jennifer Ashbery for responding to the Covid-19 and its impact on their education. The students abruptly were forced to go from in-person classes to on-line only in mid-March of 2020 until the end of that school year. Then much of the 2020-21 school was with a hybrid model, with two days in-person and three days of remote learning.

“This class has distinguished itself by its resilience,” Ashbery said.

These students are happy after receiving their diplomas and getting ready to toss their caps.

Mickey Edwards, the school district superintendent, praised the group for their flexibility during the Covid pandemic, and for developing a level of independence in completing their schoolwork.

“Your world was flipped upside down but you adapted,” he said.

Board of Education President Linda Weller also commended the class for succeeding and meeting the standards of graduation during a challenging two-plus years of the pandemic.

These students are excited after receiving their diplomas. From left include Kemony Hamilton, Lily Zambito and Zoe Cusson.

Samuel Fry waves to a friend in a procession to the football field. In front of him is Bryce Froman and Tyler Gibson is behind him.

The Caledonian Pipe Band continued a graduation tradition with bag pipes played at the beginning of the ceremony and then during the recessional.

Class President Carson Bader gave a welcome address as a class president and then the salutatory speech. Bader will be a childhood education major at St. Bonaventure.

Bader has played in youth hockey leagues for several years. He shared how he first struggled to skate, even landing on his face. He is diminutive in stature and many of the bigger players would knock him down or ram him into the boards.

But Bader said he didn’t give up. His skating improved to where he could pass and shoot the puck. He developed an awareness on the ice to avoid some of those big hits, too.

He compared hockey to what many of his classmates have faced and will confront in life. His classmates, just like his teammates in hockey, have been an extended family.

“So for some advice in the future, lace up your skates and keep working hard towards what you are passionate about,” Bader said. “Learn to pass and shoot, developing the skills you require from yourself to do what you love. If someone hits and knocks you down, get right back up and face those challenges with determination. And most importantly have each other’s back because no matter how far our small Albion family spreads, we will all be connected by the fact that we are members of the 2022 graduating class!”

Leah Kania delivers the valedictory address. She will major in vocal performance at Baldwin Wallace University in Ohio.

Leah Pritchard gives a thumbs up before heading to the stage for her diploma.

Kania said students, going back to kindergarten, have been encouraged to think about what they want to do as adults for careers. When she was in kindergarten, Kania said she wanted to be a bunny rabbit, while other classmates wanted to be rock stars, professional athletes, teachers, astronauts, even Santa Claus.

Kania said whatever she and her classmates do for jobs “are merely a piece of who we are.” She urged the grads to focus more on who they are, rather than what they will do for careers.

“We will experience bumps and unexpected turns on our paths, and at times we may feel that life is fighting against us,” she said. “But these times are chances for us to grow from our experiences. We must see the mistakes we make as opportunities to learn and exhibit our resilience. These are the moments that make us who we are.”

She said that life is unpredictable and the world is often a harsh place.

“We must always remember to spread joy and be kind, in order to lift each other up so that we can all rise together,” she said. “Love one another and don’t be afraid to show it. And most importantly, smile and be happy with your life. Our positivity will be infectious. It won’t be our material possessions that will be remembered, but who we are.”

Two of the graduates were able to receive their diplomas from their mothers because of their service on the Board of Education. Margy Brown presented her son Jeffrey with his degree. Emily Harling hugs her mother Kathy after Emily received her diploma.

These two hold up signs congratulating Alicia Allen on graduating.

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Elizabeth Parker adds to the daisy chain today in the Medina High School lunchroom. She was among a group of juniors building a 56-foot-long chain of daisies.

The tradition goes back at least 100 years to the 1920s, said teacher Eric Hellwig, who oversees the effort for Medina.

Juniors will carry the daisy chain into graduation tis evening at vets Park. The students include 16 girls ranked at the top of their class and the top two ranked boys academically.

This year’s daisy chain members include Kayleigh Wright, Lillian Wilson, Lydia Fox, Lydia Scharlau, Melanie Kuhmann, Paige Dix, Seagan Majchrzak, Tatyana Baity, Haley Marciniak, Henry Rigerman, Abigail Goodrich, Alexandria Strong, Bailey Clare, Brooke Moden, Dana Faith DeVera, Elizabeth Parker, Ella Dahlhaus and Gabriel Mark.

The students arrived at 8 a.m. to start building the daisy chain. They picked the flowers on Thursday, with most coming from a field on Blair Road. Each member filled either 8 buckets with daisies or five bushel baskets.

The people at the table in front include, from left: Tatyana Baity, Autumn Lusk, Lillian Wilson and Lydia Scharlau.

Autumn was among friends recruited by the students to help with the chain.

Dana Faith DeVera and Melanie Kuhman work together on one section of the daisy chain.

One of the students, Bailey Clare, said she was grateful to be able to honor the senior class with the daisy chain.

“I am happy to be able to do it, but it is a lot of work,” she said.

This is the last time Eric Hellwig will oversee the daisy chain. He is planning to retire in November. He has led the project the past 25 years.

Hellwig was dating the former Sandra Leigh when she was a member of the daisy chain. Hellwig, a Starpoint student at the time, went on a date with Sandra which included picking daisies for the chain. The two have been married now for many years.

Hellwig said he has enjoyed working with the students over the past 25 years in building the daisy chain.

“They are hard working and motivated,” he said about the students. “This a tradition that we can trace back at least a century.”

The group is pictured with the nearly done daisy chain at about 12:30 p.m. today.

File photo by Tom Rivers: The “Caring for COVA” event last June included several food and craft vendors, and other entertainment. Serenity Acres brought along several farm animals including a horse. A petting zoo will be back on Saturday.

ALBION – The second annual “Caring for COVA” event will be Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with many activities planned, as well as a tour of the COVA base at 239 South Main St.

There will be a basket raffle with 60 to 70 baskets, tours of COVA ambulances and fire department apparatus, a petting zoo led by the Albion FFA, rock painting, and activities from Best of Thymes Party Rental.

There will also by child car seat checks from the Albion Police Department, the State Police seat belt simulator, and food and beverages from the Albion Masonic Lodge, Blue Groove Coffee, The Coffee Joint and Twisted Treats ice cream.

“It’s learning about why COVA is here and the services we provide,” said Brandi Fisher, an EMT and chief financial officer for COVA. “At time a when ambulance providers are struggling all across the country we are very fortunate to have a community-based ambulance service like COVA.”

Photo by Tom Rivers: Firefighters are on the roof at 10307 Freeman Rd., trying to ventilate a house filled with smoke on Tuesday afternoon.

SHELBY – The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office has identified the victim of a fire on Tuesday afternoon in Shelby.

Michael Cherry, 22, was found dead in the upstairs of the house he shared with his father, aunt, uncle and brother, said Chief Deputy Rob Reimer of the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office.

Cherry was disabled and sometimes used a wheelchair and a cane. He was in his bedroom upstairs, Reimer said.

Firefighters were dispatched to 10307 Freeman Rd. at about 3:45 p.m. The fire started in the kitchen and was caused by cooking in close proximity to combustible items, said Justin Niederhofer, deputy director of the Orleans County Emergency Management Office.

Michael’s brother Daniel suffered smoke inhalation and other serious injuries. He was taken by Mercy Flight helicopter to the Erie County Medical Center. He attempted to help his brother get out of the house, Reimer said.

Press Release, U.S. Congressman Chris Jacobs

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) released the following statement after voting to pass the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act – a comprehensive gun safety package developed by a bipartisan team of U.S. senators. With Jacobs’ support, the legislation now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law.

Chris Jacobs

“Today is a historic day. For the first time in nearly three decades, the United States Senate and House of Representatives have reached a meaningful and bipartisan compromise to address the rising tide of gun violence plaguing our nation. Recently, we witnessed the racist massacre of 10 individuals in Buffalo and the senseless deaths of 19 children in Uvalde. Sadly, these events are not isolated. Gun violence has touched every state in our nation and too many families have been destroyed by it. The American people have rightfully demanded action and today Congress delivered.

“For too long, Congress has suffered from gridlock on this issue while both sides of the aisle faced intense backlash for even suggesting they were open to a compromise. We can honor our Constitution while also protecting our children and communities. We can protect the Second Amendment rights of every law-abiding American while also ensuring dangerous individuals do not access firearms. This legislation upholds these principles.

“The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act represents meaningful reforms that I believe will decrease gun violence and save lives. That is why the legislation is supported by the Fraternal Order of Police and other law enforcement organizations. Some of the significant measures are

enhanced background checks for those under 21, funding for states who want to implement extreme risk protection order laws, closing the ‘boyfriend loophole’ which will help keep firearms out of the hands of dangerous domestic abusers, and greater preventions against ‘straw purchases’ which is a major source of illegal firearms on our streets. Aside from gun safety, this package also provides significant funding for more mental health resources and school safety – major Republican priorities to keep our children safe.

“This legislation may not be perfect, and both sides may not have gotten everything they wanted, but it represents a major step forward in working across the aisle to accomplish meaningful and impactful change on the significant issues our country faces. It will save lives. I am proud to have supported this legislation and to be an advocate for action to decrease gun violence. I will continue to work to improve the quality of life and safety of every American in any way that I can.”

This week, Rep. Jacobs also voted in favor of H.R. 7666 the Restoring Hope for Mental Health and Well-Being Act. This bipartisan legislation authorizes numerous grant programs address several areas of mental health, including substance abuse and services for children, to help communities confront the root causes of all violence.

The Supreme Court, in a 6-to-3 vote, has overturned Roe v. Wade today, saying there is no longer a federal right to an abortion.

That right will be determined by states, unless Congress acts. Roe v. Wade was decided nearly 50 years ago.

Gov. Kathy Hochul issued this statement: “Today, the Supreme Court took away the right of millions of Americans to make decisions about their own bodies. This decision is a grave injustice.

“I want everyone to know that abortion remains safe, accessible, and legal in New York. Just last month, in anticipation of this decision, I made an historic $35 million investment to support our state’s network of abortion providers. Last week, thanks to the partnership of Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins and Speaker Heastie, I signed a landmark, nation-leading package of legislation that further protects the rights of patients and empowers reproductive healthcare providers.

“The right to reproductive healthcare is a fundamental human right. History shows us that when abortion is banned, abortion becomes unsafe for women. Low-income individuals and people of color will be harmed the most.

“New York has always been a beacon for those yearning to be free. Our state will always be a safe harbor for those seeking access to abortion care. To anyone who is working to deny abortion access, our message is clear: not here, not now, not ever.”

Attorney General Letitia James issued this statement: “Today’s ruling is a vicious, dangerous, and deliberate attack on our most basic freedom as humans. Every single person in this country should have the right to make their own decisions about their own bodies. But make no mistake: We will not go back to the inhumane and restrictive pre-Roe era.

“Regardless of the situation at the national level, New York will always be a safe haven for anyone seeking an abortion. I will work tirelessly to ensure that low-income New Yorkers and people from hostile states have access to the care they need and deserve. I will always fight to protect our right to make decisions about our own bodies and expand access to this critical and lifesaving care.”

State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt issued this statement: “Today’s ruling by the Supreme Court returns authority over reproductive health laws where they belong – to the states. As a result – this decision will have no impact on New York’s laws or access to reproductive health services for women and families in New York.

“Despite this reality, Albany politicians will sadly use this ruling to fear-monger and weaponize this issue for their own political gain. They will also attempt to expand abortion laws even further, forcing taxpayers to fund abortions, including late term abortions, for non-New Yorkers.

“Senate Republicans will continue to talk with the people of New York about solutions to the real crises facing New York families like violent crime, record high gas and food prices, and the quality of life across our state.”

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand released this statement: “Today is a devastating day for all Americans. Today, more than half of the American population became second-class citizens, stripped of their constitutional right to privacy and bodily autonomy, regardless of where they live.

“People in as many as 28 states will no longer have the right to control when, under what circumstances and with whom they want to have children. The right-wing justices of the Supreme Court have declared that they are no longer permitted to make decisions about their own bodies, their own families, and their own lives.

“Not only is this ruling an insult to women everywhere, but it is an affront to the 6 in 10 Americans who support women’s reproductive freedom.

“This ruling proves that our judicial system no longer represents the will of the American people and no longer represents logic, science, or equal justice under the law.

“But while today’s ruling is a terrible setback in the fight for women’s equality, it does not diminish our resolve. In fact, it is time to get to work and fight for our rights. At the federal level Democrats will fight to eliminate the filibuster and enshrine reproductive freedom into law. At the state level we will work to enact pro-choice legislation and flip legislatures to guarantee reproductive rights for all Americans. And in states like New York where reproductive health care is safe and accessible, we will open our doors to those seeking care.

“We cannot allow nearly 50 years of progress for women’s rights to be erased in one fell swoop. We have simply come too far to turn back now.”

Photo by Tom Rivers: There is a lock at the gate by the entrance of Lafayette Park on West State Street. Neighbors have urged the Village Board not to leave the park open at night.

ALBION – The Village Board reversed a decision from two months ago when it voted to not lock Lafayette Park and St. Joseph’s Park at night.

That was a 3-2 decision on April 27. Mayor Angel Javier and Trustees Tim McMurray and Joyce Riley voted to not lock the parks at night, saying other parks in the village were always kept open.

But residents near St. Joe’s and Lafayette say those parks have had adults in them at night, who are sometimes smoking marijuana, having sex or vandalizing the sites.

Trustees Chris Barry and Zack Burgess want to lock Lafayette and St. Joe’s at night. Burgess grew up next to Lafayette. His mother Lynn Burgess has been one of the most vocal detractors of the decision to keep the park open at night.

She asked on Wednesday that the village go back to locking it at night and having the police or DPW open the locks in the morning at 8 a.m. and then have the police lock them at night.

Barry said he has listened to concerns from residents the past two months and wants to have the two parks locked at night, but he acknowledged other trustees didn’t see that as consistent with the other parks that aren’t locked.

So Barry made a motion to put gates and locks at the entrances of Carosol Park on Ingersoll Street and Vets Park on Brown Street, even though those parks have short fences.

It would be financially cost prohibitive to put a fence and gate at Bullard, a large park on Route 31, he said.

If the four smaller neighborhood parks were locked, the DPW and police would need to lock and unlock them.

That prompted Trustee Joyce Riley to change her opinion about locking Lafayette and St. Joe’s. She said the residents near those parks have shared their worries about them being open at night. The other parks are in more wide open areas and residents near those parks haven’t shared concerns about the sites being open all night, Riley said.

She also doesn’t want to see the DPW and police have their time gobbled up with locking and unlocking parks at four sites.

The village will keep locks on Lafayette and St. Joe’s with the DPW unlocking them in the morning on Monday through Friday, with the police locking the parks at night and unlocking them on Saturday and Sunday. The village will put signs at the two parks to call the police if the parks are locked in the morning.

Trustee McMurray cast the lone vote on Wednesday to have all parks be open at night. He said they can provide a refuge for some people who need a safe place.

The Village for Medina has been awarded a grant of nearly $1.1 million for a multi-use path for pedestrians and bicyclists along the Maple Ridge Road Corridor.

The village has been pursuing state assistance for several years but had been denied until today. The grant is actual funding from the Federal Highway Administration that is administered by the New York State Department of Transportation.

The grants cover up to 80 percent of the project costs. The Medina project includes money from the village, Town of Shelby and Orleans County, said Mayor Mike Sidari.

The $1,094,196 for Medina is among $178.8 million for 75 projects statewide. Hochul said the state is supporting environmentally friendly modes of travel and making it easier and safer to walk, bike or hike.

The announcement today also included $576,400 for the Rochester-Genesee Regional Authority to install new bus shelters and post seating in Monroe and Orleans counties.

In Medina, the section of Maple Ridge by the creek has become busier with a housing development, several new businesses and also the GCC campus center. There are also about 200 available acres in the area being promoted for development by the EDA.

Graduation ceremonies set for Friday and Saturday

Photo by Cheryl Wertman: Medina’s Class of 2021 and the Daisy Chain members assemble at their seats during last year’s ceremony. Medina is keeping graduation outdoors at Vets Park for the third straight year.

The five school districts in Orleans County will have 414 students graduate during commencement ceremonies on Friday and Saturday.

Some of the districts tried outdoor ceremonies during the Covid pandemic when crowd sizes were restricted.

Holley and Kendall are bringing their ceremonies back indoors to their auditoriums. Albion and Medina are staying outside instead of going indoors. Before 2020, Medina used to have graduation in the high school auditorium. Albion held its ceremony in the gym before going outdoors last year for the first time at the football field.

Lyndonville is staying in its auditorium. That district didn’t go outside the last two commencements. It did a virtual or videotaped graduation in 2020 with a parade of grads in vehicles. In 2021 the ceremony was back in the auditorium. Last year it was on the fourth Thursday in June. This time it’s back to the fourth Friday.

Here are some highlights of the ceremonies:

ALBION – The 7 p.m. ceremony on Friday includes 136 graduates at the Spierdowis Football Field. The students will be sitting on the field this time, instead of the bleachers like last year. This way the speakers can face the graduates when giving their remarks.

Last year there was a guest limit but this time there isn’t a limit.

Speeches will be given by Carson Bader as the class president and then as the class salutatorian, Leah Kania as valedictorian, Linda Weller as president of the Board of Education and Mickey Edwards, as the school district superintendent.

“We are incredibly proud of our 2022 graduates and look forward to spending a special evening celebrating their accomplishment,” said Jennifer Ashbery, the high school principal.

HOLLEY – The ceremony will be 10 a.m. on Saturday in the High School Auditorium. There are 60 graduates in the Class of 2022.

Speeches will be given by There will be speeches by Valedictorian Cora Bennage and Salutatorian Adriana Botello. Daniel Burke, a retired teacher, coach and musical director, was picked by the class to give the commencement address.

Following the ceremony, the graduates will process outside to the flagpole for the tossing of the caps. The scoreboard at the Hawk Stadium will be lit with the 2022 numbers all day and into the evening for pictures.

KENDALL – There will be a ceremony at 7 p.m. on Friday at the Kendall Junior/Senior High School Auditorium. There are 67 members of the class.

Valedictorian Riley Borkholder and Salutatorian Emma Allen will address their classmates. The keynote speech will be given by Christopher F. King, a command maintenance chief with the US Navy and a graduate from the Class of 2002.

Kendall school officials decided to return indoors after being outside in 2020 and 2021 for graduation.

“It’s such a gamble to be outside,” said Carol D’Agostino, the high school principal. “Last year it drizzled on us. The auditorium is air-conditioned. It’s predictable. People can be comfortable.”

LYNDONVILLE – Commencement will be 7 p.m. on Friday in the Stroyan Auditorium. There are 52 graduates.

The speakers include Salutatorian Maddox Stirk, Valedictorian Jack Whipple, Principal Dr. Aaron Slack and Superintendent Sharon Smith.

MEDINA – The ceremony will be at 7 p.m. on Friday at Vets Park. There are 99 graduates in the class. Each will receive tickets for up to seven guests.

The seniors voted on where to have the ceremony and they chose to be outside at Vets.

Speakers include Valedictorian Kaylee Lacey, Salutatorian Hayden Woodroe, and Megan Zakes, who graduating 4th in the class and also has completed her associate’s degree through Genesee Community College.