By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 May 2022 at 7:46 pm
BUFFALO – Ten people were shot and killed by an 18-year-old male today at a Tops supermarket on Jefferson Avenue in Buffalo.
The shooter also injured three other people, including two critically. The suspect was arrested at the scene.
Police say the shooter, a White teen, targeted the store that serves a Black community. Of the 13 people shot, Channel 2 in Buffalo said 11 were Black and two were White. Four of the victims were store employees.
Governor Kathy Hochul tweeted this statement: “I’m on my way to Buffalo to assist with the response to today’s shooting.
“My heart breaks for the victims’ families and for everyone impacted by this horrific and despicable act of violence.”
Tops Markets issued this statement: “We are shocked and deeply saddened by this senseless act of violence and our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. Our top priority remains the health and well-being of our associates and customers. We appreciate the quick response of local law enforcement and are providing all available resources to assist authorities in the ongoing investigation.”
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer, D-NY, tweeted this response: “I ache for the victims and their families. I ache for Buffalo. I ache for the tight-knit East Side community. Racism has no place in our state or our country.
“I’ve spoken with the Mayor of Buffalo and offered any help we can provide. We stand with the people of Buffalo.”
U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-NY, issued this statement: “My prayers are with the victims of this racially motivated act of violence and my heart goes out to the victims’ loved ones, our emergency personnel and the entire Buffalo community. Racism, prejudice and hatred have no place in our state or our country. I pledge to the people of New York that I will continue to fight my hardest to pass commonsense gun safety measures and to confront and defeat the scourge of white supremacy.”
State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt issued this statement: “The tragic shooting that occurred in a Buffalo supermarket Saturday afternoon is heartbreaking for our community and people all across the state and country. My wife and I are praying for the victims and their families.
“I want to thank the Buffalo Police Department and Emergency Medical Services for quick action in detaining the suspect and aiding the injured. New Yorkers stand together in condemning this despicable violence.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 May 2022 at 4:33 pm
Photos courtesy of Kendall Lions Club
HAMLIN – Soon-to-graduate Kendall seniors were retaed to breakfast on Friday at the Hamlin VFW.
The annual tradition by the Lions used to be held at The Village inn. With that restaurant now closed, the breakfast moved to the Hamlin VFW.
Kendall Lion Tony Cammarata served as MC for the morning. He is shown with Chet Fery of Brockport, a retired school administrator known as “The Bread Man.” Fery baked a loaf of bread for each student and shared a message about the importance of kindness. Fery shared about 100 loaves of bread, enough for the students and other guests.
About 60 Kendall seniors attended the breakfast. The event returned last year after being cancelled in 2020 due to Covid restrictions.
The breakfast buffet was catered by The Farmers Table Restaurant in Hamlin. Pictured from left include Zina Cappotelli, Lora Partyka and Jeff Partyka from The Farmers Table.
The Senior Recognition Banquet at The Hamlin VFW was hosted by VFW President Willie Weir and Event Planner Patty Urquhart.
By Kim Pritt, Contributor Posted 14 May 2022 at 3:00 pm
This is the first bridge built across the Mississippi River – built in 1867-68. It can be seen from the beautiful River Walk in Dubuque, Iowa.
Let’s go on an adventure together….to Iowa!
I am often asked which state is my favorite. My response is that I honestly can’t pick a true favorite. This is an amazing country and every state has something wonderful and unique to offer visitors. But, I can say the one that surprised me the most – so far – was IOWA. So, let’s go on an adventure together…..to Iowa.
When I started coloring the states I have visited, it really bothered me that the entire center of the country was colored in with the exception of Iowa. Every time I looked at my tracking map, Iowa stuck out like a sore thumb taunting me. So, when another planned short trip was canceled in October 2017, I thought: the time is already blocked out on the calendar, the money is already set aside for travel…..I think I’ll go to Iowa!!! So, I started researching where and what in Iowa would make it on my itinerary. I decided that Dubuque would be my base point and I made a list of cool things I found to visit within a reasonable distance from my base point. It was a short trip, so I had to make the best of it – I flew in to Dubuque, picked up a rental car, and got settled in on day one, then had two full days and a half day to explore. In that short time, I put over 700 miles on the rental car and made some fantastic memories.
Looking out at the ball field in the middle of the corn from the porch of the “Field of Dreams” house in Dyersville, Iowa.
Dubuque has a beautiful River Walk that I visited for a lovely stroll along the Mississippi River viewing local art sculptures after dinner on my first night there. During the time I was in the area, I spent some time wandering around Downtown Dubuque, which is a wonderful city full of local art and beautiful architecture. I also visited the Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium. When in a new place, I like to search the Roadside America web site for unique and quirky local attractions – for the Dubuque area, I found “Gas Station Jesus”, a statue of Jesus behind a gas station on a hill overlooking the highway. I also stumbled upon a little brown church with a sign that read “Little Brown Church in the Dale. Built 1860-1864”, a LOT of dirt roads, corn fields, and farms. I imagined Iowa would be a very flat state, like Kansas. But I was pleasantly surprised to find it actually has a lot of beautiful rolling hills.
On my first full day, I drove to where The Music Died. It happened just north of Clear Lake, IA in a corn field just after midnight on February 3, 1959. It was the plane crash that killed Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper, and Ritchie Valens, as well as the young pilot of the private plane carrying the music legends. I toured the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake – the location of their final concert the night of the crash. Then, I drove out to the corn field to view the crash site. The spot where the plane went down is about a ¼ mile or so down a path through a corn field in the middle of nowhere! It was rainy that day and the path was muddy, but I decided to walk to the crash site, anyway. Realizing that I was all alone in a corn field in the middle of nowhere, I came up with the idea to do a Live Video on Facebook to take all my friends with me…..and so someone would know where I was if something should happen to me! It was an emotional experience and I’m really glad I did it.
Here I am sitting on the porch swing made famous in the movie “Field of Dreams” with Kevin Cosner!
Day two took me to Dyersville in the morning. I found a stunning Basilica in downtown Dyersville that I toured before heading to the main attraction in that area: The Field of Dreams House. This is the house that the movie Field of Dreams, staring Kevin Costner was filmed. The house is maintained just as it was in the movie – including the baseball field in the corn. They host tours of the house and you can go out and “have a catch” on the ball field and walk into the corn. There are “Ghost Players” games throughout the summer that the public can watch and once a year they host a game with various famous baseball players that draws a huge crowd. It is quite an amazing place and it was a real thrill to be there.
Later that afternoon, I made my way to LeClair and found a sweet little railroad town that looked like it was in a time warp from the 1800s. While there, I visited the Buffalo Bill Museum and the Antique Archeology Shop from the cable TV show, American Pickers. A great way to spend the afternoon. I was sure Iowa was going to be a “check the box” state, but it was one of my more memorable trips and I wish I had allowed more time there. I wasn’t able to get to the World’s Largest Truck Stop or the area where the movie Bridges of Madison County was filmed. Guess I’ll need to plan to return, someday.
Moral to this story: Don’t be afraid to just pick a place, use sites like Google and TripAdvisor to find cool things to see while you’re there, try a visit to the Roadside America web site to find fun, quirky attractions, and just go! You never know what awesome memories you can make by just taking the time to explore places you never thought you wanted to go to!
If you want to read more about this adventure, check out these blog posts I wrote about Iowa:
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 May 2022 at 12:11 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Leo Gotte, a Cub Scout in Albion, places a flag at a veteran’s grave at Mount Albion Cemetery this morning.
Leo and other Cub and Boy Scouts joined Girl Scouts and two members of the American Legion in setting 2,000 flags by veterans’ graves this morning at Mount Albion and at St. Joseph’s Cemetery.
Gabby Greean, a Girl Scout, carefully sets a flag by a veteran’s grave at St. Joseph’s Cemetery along Route 31.
The veterans’ section at Mount Albion received many flags this morning. Dan Flanagan, right, is the Scoutmaster for Troop 164 in Albion. Ben Metcalf, second from left, is the Cubmaster. Metcalf has been helping set flags at veterans’ graves since he was a kid more than 25 years ago. Lincoln Metcalf, 4, is at left and helped the scouts set the flags.
Kylee Cere, a daisy scout, looks for markers at the veterans’ graves at St. Joseph’s.
Sebastian Stritzinger, 7, is a Cub Scout who brought a lot of energy to the solemn duty this morning.
These Girl Scouts helped set flags at Mount Albion and St. Joseph’s cemeteries. In front from left are Kylee Cere, Elise Mateo, Gabby Greean and Eva Mateo. Back row: Emmaline Gailie, Hannah Olles, Neveya Barnes and Aniela Wilson.
Eva Mateo set many flags at veterans’ graves this morning at St. Joseph’s and Mount Albion.
Kevin Christy, the Legion commander, thanked the Scouts for their help this morning. The Legion will place about 800 more flags at 10 other smaller flags in Barre, Albion, Gaines and Carlton.
The Legion is preparing for a Memorial Day parade at 10 a.m. on May 30. The parade is expected to return to the route before Covid: from the intersection of West Park Street and Main Street proceeding to the front of the Middle School.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 May 2022 at 9:21 am
ROYALTON – The Niagara County Sheriff’s Office has released the name of the driver in a fatal motorcycle accident on Friday morning in Royalton.
Jeffrey Rembert, 36, of Lockport was killed at about 5:45 a.m. in the 8900 block of Fisk Road. Sheriff’s deputies arrived on scene and confirmed a motorcycle overturned in the south ditch line. Rembert was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The cause of the accident is still being investigated by the Niagara County Sheriff’s Accident Investigation Unit.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 May 2022 at 8:34 pm
MEDINA – A remodeled Tim Hortons will reopen May 18 in Medina.
The Maple Ridge Road site will open the drive-through at 4:15 a.m. and the storefront at 5 in the morning. The Tim Hortons closes at 10 p.m.
“We completely remodeled the inside of the restaurant,” said Jennifer Karbowski, C.O.O. and managing owner of the site. “A fresh new look outside and in. We did extensive work to our parking lot for better customer experience. Brand new furniture and layout to improve our guest experience both through our drive-through and inside our restaurant.”
The Tim Hortons also will be offering a new line of Nitro beverages. Those beverages will be ready to serve by the end of this month, Karbowski said.
The site also has new brewers, a cream machine and sugar machines for better coffee quality, she said.
“We thank the community for their patience, and we look forward to having them back as our guests,” Karbowski said. “We are excited to share our new look with them as well as some new products.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 May 2022 at 5:14 pm
ALBION – The district honored soon-to-be graduates on Thursday who have attained grade point averages at 90 percent or higher during the four years of high school. The students were recognized at the annual Academic Honors Convocation Dinner.
The event is normally held at Hickory Ridge Country Club but this time was held in a transformed high school gym with food catered by Zambistro in Medina.
There are 38 seniors at a 90 percent GPA or higher, including: Alicia Allen, Carson Bader, James Beach, Katelyn Beach, Valentina Beato Herrera, Olivia Bieber, Lauren Brooks, Elisa Bropst, Jeffrey Brown, Collin Capurso, Hannah Coolbaugh, Nicolina Creasey, Angel Cruz Cruz, Ann Faery, Ethan Ferchen, Jacob Foote, Rowan Ford, Tyler Gibson, Emily Graham, Kenzi Hapeman, Emily Harling, Samantha Johnson, Leah Kania, Adrian Kingdollar, Alyson Knaak, Kyle Kuehne, Charley London, Allison Mathes, Sydney Mulka, Hannah Papponetti, Leah Pritchard, Reuben Rivers, Belen Rosario Soto, Aurora Serafin, Aidan Smith, Paris Smith, Presley Smith and Colleen Usselman.
Photos by Tom Rivers: Valentina Beato Herrera, one of the honor grads, is congratulated by Board of Education member David Sidari. Other board members from left include Margy Brown, Kathy Harling and Kurt Schmitt.
The gym turned into a venue for the meal and awards presentation.
Greg Madejski, Ph.D, the Class of 2006 valedictorian at Albion, gives the keynote message to this year’s honor grads advice on Thursday during an Academic Honors Convocation Dinner. Madejski urged the group to be problem solvers and make a plan for action.
The keynote speaker for the event was Class of 2006 valedictorian Greg Madejski, who works on biomedical problems.
He earned a degree in microelectronic engineering from Rochester Institute of Technology in 2010 and earned his PhD in biomedical engineering from the University of Rochester in 2018.
He is a laboratory engineer for the Integrated Nano Systems Center at the University of Rochester.
Madejski also is the co-founder and CEO of Parverio, a company focused on combating nanoplastic contamination. That company researches detecting microplastics in water.
Madejski enjoys climbing, singing with the Rochester Oratorio Society and is a cantor at the Holy Family Parish in Albion.
He urged the honor grads to be problem solvers.
“I encourage you to not rest on your laurels because there’s so many interesting problems out there, and we need your help,” Madejski said.
A key component of being a problem solver: curiosity. “How does this thing work? What does this one thing do when I change inputs?” he said. “How can this be done better?”
He shared how he was working in a research lab and accidentally breathed on a chip when it was close to his face. He wouldn’t recommend that.
It was a humid that day. His breath opened a new fabrication strategy and that process went on to detect over a million pieces of DNA in a row, a record for the time. He learned to observe and make changes in a process.
Madejski said being a problem solver means taking care of yourself – and being honest with yourself. He said at times he has struggled with anxiety and depression. He focuses his time on activities that bring him joy.
He recommended to the grads they have a plan, and ask for help when they need it.
He urged them to run the risk of being wrong and of being unpopular.
“I can say without reservation that the education I received here allowed me to navigate college, graduate school and studies abroad in another culture,” Madejski said. “You have a fine quality of education to compete and excel in a variety of settings. What you do with your well-earned knowledge and learning will matter more than simply gaining it. I challenge you to be an active problem solver wherever they arise in your lives and for our community.”
Emily Harling shakes hands with board member Wayne Wadhams after receiving a certificate for earning a GPA at 90 percent or higher. Parents of the graduates then presented them with their honor cords.
The seniors have fun singing Albion’s alma mater. The Class of 2022 is set to graduate with an outdoor ceremony at the football field on June 24 with June 25 reserved as a rain date.
The four other districts in Orleans County – Holley, Kendall, Lyndonville and Medina – will honor their top 10 graduates during a program on June 14 at the White Birch Golf Course in Lyndonville.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 May 2022 at 12:46 pm
Provided photo
ALBION – The royalty for the June 10-11 Albion Strawberry Festival has been announced. Pictured from left include Princess Anna Grillo, King Jeffrey Brown and Queen Faith Bennett.
This year’s festival has a theme of “Together We Serve.” The committee that picked the royalty looked for students active in the school and community. The students also needed to submit either a video, short story or poem about themselves.
The festival returns this year after being cancelled in 2020 and 2021. The royalty will be featured in the parade on June 11 and also serve as festival ambassadors.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 May 2022 at 10:50 am
Provided photo
ALBION – Braelynn Monnier, 7, of Albion stopped by the Albion fire hall on Thursday to present a framed diamond art of firefighter equipment to Albion Fire Chief Rob Conner.
Braelynn’s grandfather, Robert Monnier, worked about a month on the diamond art project, and made the wooden frame.
Braelynn wanted to show her appreciation to the local firefighters. Chief Conner let her sit in the front seat of a fire truck, which made her very happy.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 May 2022 at 9:37 am
ROYALTON – A motorcyclist was killed this morning in the Town of Royalton, the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office said.
A single motorcycle accident was reported at 5:45 a.m. in the 8900 block of Fisk Road. Sheriff’s deputies arrived on scene and confirmed a motorcycle overturned in the south ditch line.
Deputies located a single occupant who had succumbed to injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. The name of the party involved is being withheld pending further investigation, the Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.
Investigation by The Niagara County Sheriff’s Office Accident Investigation Unit is continuing.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 13 May 2022 at 9:23 am
Center has capacity for 136 students in building trades, CNAs and certified medical assistants
MEDINA – Dennis Essom, center director of the Iroquois Job Corps on Tibbits Road, has announced the Job Corps has reopened and ready to admit students in brick masonry, carpentry, paint, electrical, certified nursing assistant and certified medical assistant fields.
Iroquois Job Corps is a no-cost education and vocational training provider helping young people ages 16 to 24 improve the quality of their lives by empowering them to get great jobs and become independent, Essom said.
The local Iroquois Job Corps Center has the capacity to serve 136 students. The campus works directly with employers, national and local, to help them fill available positions with high pay. A few of the companies who have recently hired Iroquois Job Corps’ skilled graduates include Aerotek in Cheektowaga, Niagara Protective Coatings in Niagara Falls, St. Ann’s Community in Rochester, Career Start in Buffalo and Rochester, DENT Neurologic Institute in Amherst, Quality Structures in Rochester, and FSR Contracting in Buffalo.
Other recent graduates have enlisted in the United States Army and Navy and are now currently serving in active duty using skills learned while at Job Corps, Essom said.
The Covid-19 pandemic significantly reduced the number of students the Iroquois Job Corps Center has served during the past year and a half, Essom added. Now, with effective vaccines and safety procedures in place, the Iroquois Job Corps Center is ready with its youth training opportunities to welcome new students to their campus.
“We want the community to know that the Iroquois Job Corps Center is an outstanding option for our youth,” Essom said. “Students can also earn a high school diploma or the equivalent and college credits. Job Corps offers tuition-free housing, meals, basic health care, a living allowance and funds to assist with career transition.”
Job Corps also provides transitional support services, such as help finding employment, housing, child care and transportation. Job Corps graduates either enter the workforce or an apprenticeship, go on to higher education or enter the military.
Iroquois Job Corps Center has already demonstrated it is able to provide safe and healthy residential living and serve students effectively despite Covid, Essom continued. The program has procedures and policies in place to track Covid symptoms, test and prevent an outbreak.
“The past two years have been trying for all of us,” said Byron V. Garrett, CEO and president of National Corps Association. “This time has shown us that Job Corps’ dedication to teaching trades to young people has made a big difference, not only in the lives of our students and their families, but in the lives of Americans reliant upon the work Job Corps alumni have been trained to do. Given our availability to immediately serve students, we know the potential for our campuses to transform lives and want everyone to know that Job Corps is reopened and ready to help.”
Anyone wishing more information about student outreach and recruitment can contact Luke Kantor, outreach and admissions manager at the office phone (585) 344-3401, on his cell at (585) 205-3653 or by e-mail at Kantor.Luke@jobcorps.org.
Governor Kathy Hochul announced flags on State buildings will be flown at half-staff on Friday, May 13 in remembrance of the one million American lives lost to Covid.
“Today, our country marks an unthinkable milestone – one million lives lost due to Covid-19,” Hochul said on Thursday.
“This tragic milestone serves as a reminder that despite our progress we must remain vigilant in the face of this pandemic. These were mothers, fathers, children, siblings, friends and neighbors and I don’t want any more New Yorkers to go through the pain of losing a loved one to this awful virus, which is why it’s so important to keep using the tools that keep us safe: get vaccinated, test regularly, and talk to your doctor about treatment if you’re feeling sick.”
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 12 May 2022 at 9:12 pm
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Bob Gilsinan, left, and Jim Hancock are looking forward to another successful tourist season in Medina. They made a preliminary visit today to the Visitors’ Center in Rotary Park.
MEDINA – When the Medina Visitors’ Center opens May 23, it will be the 13th year of welcoming tourists to the village.
Jim Hancock, chair of Medina’s Tourism Committee and coordinator of the Visitors’ Center, and volunteer Bob Gilsinan today stopped by the Visitors’ Center in Rotary Park. They are preparing for the opening of the center for the 2022 season on May 23.
The house used as Santa’s headquarters at Christmas time doubles as the Visitors’ Center during the tourist season. It was an ideal spot to locate a Visitors’ Center, being in the center of downtown and in close proximity to the canal.
Last year, 330 visitors signed the register from 24 states and three foreign countries.
Gilsinan has been volunteering at the Visitors’ Center for four years and looks forward to his time there. He loves to talk to people and recalls the couple he met from Belgium who were biking the Erie Canal. He said they asked why there were so many churches in town.
One year while Hancock was on duty in the center, he met a couple from Montana who had their boat anchored in the Canal Basin. He said they had towed their boat then put it in the water where they could continue their journey to Key West.
“It’s heartwarming to see how amazed visitors are at the vibrancy of our Main Street and all the restaurants we have,” Hancock said.
There are two new volunteers so far this year – Betty Rogowski and the Rev. Vince Iorio, bringing the total of volunteers to 14.
“We can always use more volunteers,” Hancock said. “We do have enough now that we can have the Visitors’ Center open on Saturday.”
He said he didn’t know of any other small town with a Visitors’ Center like Medina.
The center will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday throughout the summer.
