By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 May 2022 at 3:17 pm
MEDINA – The village is seeking proposals from artists for a canal-themed mural on the north side abutment of the Glenwood Avenue canal bridge.
Medina has already been approved for a $3,460 grant from GO Art! to pay for the project under the bridge.
Medina wants the mural with a historic flavor to be done by Sept. 30.
The proposal from artists should include three examples of previous murals.
The project area is approximately 528 square feet on previously painted concrete.
Mayor Mike Sidari said the mural is another effort from the village to enhance the canal waterfront.
For more information, click here to be directed to the village website.
Medina students and staff paint over graffiti on the north side of Glenwood Avenue bridge in this photo from May 8, 2017 when about 200 Medina students and teachers were out doing service projects in the community and at the school campus.
Press Release, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
Photo by Tom Rivers: There are 300 locations around the state where leftover paint can be safely dropped off.
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced that the New York State Postconsumer Paint Collection Program is underway, making it easier for households and businesses to safely dispose of leftover paint.
DEC will oversee the program, which will be operated by PaintCare to manage unwanted architectural coating products and provide for recycling or proper disposal.
“Paint products can harm the environment if not managed properly,” Commissioner Seggos said. “New York State’s Paint Stewardship Program will simplify the process for those looking to dispose of paint by providing a collection network of paint retailers, local government facilities, and reuse stores at more than 300 drop-off sites across the state.”
Editor’s Note: The closest disposal sites in Orleans County are the Sherwin-Williams stores in Brockport at the Brockport Corners Mall, 4756 Lake Rd. and in Batavia at 16 Liberty St.
Used paint is difficult to manage, with few available options for reuse or recycling. The program will accept leftover latex and oil-based paints and similar products at drop-off sites throughout New York.
Funded by a consumer PaintCare Fee on the sale of all new paint in New York, the program will provide for continuous and convenient collection year-round and accept all program-approved products, regardless of the date of purchase.
Drop-off sites will accept up to five gallons per customer per visit, with some sites choosing to accept more. Dropped-off paint should be in the original containers with intact labels that identify the product. Businesses, organizations, and households with 100 gallons of paint or more to recycle will be able to request a free pick-up at their location, though some restrictions may apply. More information and a request form can be found on PaintCare’s website.
New Yorkers are asked to call PaintCare sites before dropping off paint to ensure they are open and can accept the types and amounts of paint for recycling. New PaintCare drop-off sites may receive a large volume of paint in the first few weeks of the program’s operation. Sites are open and available year-round, so consumers do not need to rush to drop off their containers. In the meantime, find tips for using up and storing paint to preserve its quality on PaintCare’s website.
Press Release, NYS Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association, Inc.
ALBION – Inmate violence continues to plaque state prisons as several officers were injured at Orleans and Albion Correctional Facilities following unprovoked attacks at the two medium-security prisons.
The injured officers have not returned to duty after the attacks.
The first attacked occurred on April 28 at the Orleans Correctional Facility. An officer observed two inmates in a bathroom stall at the facility. He ordered both inmates out of the stall, and they initially complied.
While exiting the bathroom, one of the inmates turned towards the officer and punched him multiple times in the head and upper body. The officer immediately called for a response as the inmate continued to attack him. The officer grabbed the inmate in a body hold. With one arm still free, the inmate continued to strike the officer in the head. The officer forced the inmate to the floor, where he remained combative. OC spray was administered with no effect.
Two officers arrived to assistance call and were able to get the inmate’s arms behind his back, where handcuffs were applied.
Once in handcuffs, the inmate became compliant. He was placed in a Special Housing Unit, pending disciplinary charges.
The correction officer attacked sustained multiple abrasions to his neck, back, face and arms, pain and swelling to his shoulder and knee and a contusion to the back of his head. He was treated by medical staff at the facility and transported to an outside hospital for further treatment.
On May 1 an officer at Orleans was assaulted by an inmate after he removed the inmate’s handcuffs inside a program classroom. The inmate struck the officer in the head with such force it knocked the officer into the classroom wall. Four officers immediately responded to the attack and grabbed the inmate in body holds to contain him. A sergeant administered OC spray to the inmate, which had the desired effect.
Once the inmate was compliant, handcuffs were applied and he was removed from the classroom.
The inmate, 25, was subsequently transferred to Auburn Correctional Facility after the incident.
The injured officer was treated at the facility for pain and swelling to his cheekbone and jaw. He was transported to Medina Memorial Hospital for additional treatment.
On May 4 two officers sustained shoulder and elbow injuries at Albion Correctional Facility after a female inmate attacked one of the officers with a broom in the facility gymnasium.
The inmate was creating a disturbance in the gymnasium. The officer assigned to the gym approached the inmate and ordered her to stop her actions. The inmate grabbed a broom and struck the officer in the shoulder.
The officer immediately grabbed the inmate in a body hold and forced her to the ground. On the ground and still combative, the officer, with the assistance of a second officer, were able to apply handcuffs as the inmate continued to fight and attempted to kick them.
The inmate was brought to her feet, where she remained combative. The two officers removed the inmate from the gymnasium and placed her in a Special Housing Unit pending disciplinary charges.
The two injured officers were treated by facility medical staff and did not return to duty.
“NYSCOPBA is renewing its call for state legislators to repeal the HALT Act amid a drastic rise in attacks on staff by inmates,” said Kenny Gold, NYSCOPBA Western Region Vice President. “Instead of coddling convicted felons, legislators should be supporting our members who are being slashed, hit with brooms and violently attacked daily. What will it take for legislators to act? Does a staff member have to die before they wake up and realize this legislation was a catastrophe from the start? HALT needs to be repealed immediately, not tomorrow, next month or next year.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 May 2022 at 10:49 am
ALBION – The Albion Board of Education has been asked to have a designated day in the school year when students can drive a tractor to school.
Samantha Basinait, a junior and member of the FFA, made the request during Monday evening’s Board of Education meeting.
She said other nearby schools, including Elba and Attica, have a day where students with farm backgrounds can drive to school on a tractor.
Basinait suggested the students be allowed to do it during FFA Week, which was just celebrated at Albion from May 2-6.
“It would raise awareness for how important agriculture is to our community,” Basinait told the Board of Education.
The students wouldn’t bring the tractors down Route 31. Instead they would bring them down Clarendon Road and enter the school campus from the side parking lot by the elementary school, Basinait said.
The students would bring their tractors well before the start of the school day to avoid the bulk of the traffic at school, and leave later in the afternoon after the buses are gone.
She was joined by her mother Dawn Basinait., who went over the rules for the Attica tractor day. Students aren’t allowed to have passengers and can’t be towing anything. No garden tractor are allowed at Attica’s tractor day.
Mrs. Basinait said the students who would be driving the tractors have been using farm equipment for years and are very responsible.
Kathy Harling, the Board president, said the board doesn’t respond to requests on the spot, but it will be considered.
ATLANTA – The U.S. Small Business Administration is reminding businesses in New York to apply for working capital loans before the June 9 deadline.
The disaster loan program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations in Erie, Genesee, Niagara and Orleans counties affected by the severe storms and flooding on July 20, 2021.
These federal Economic Injury Disaster Loans are for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the business did not suffer any physical damage.
Loan amounts can be up to $2 million with interest rates of 2.88 percent for small businesses and 2 percent for private nonprofit organizations, with terms up to 30 years. The SBA determines eligibility based on the size of the applicant, type of activity and its financial resources.
Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition. These working capital loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills that could have been paid had the disaster not occurred. The loans are not intended to replace lost sales or profits.
Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at DisasterLoanAssistance.sba.gov/ela/s and should apply under SBA declaration # 17162.
Disaster loan information and application forms can also be obtained by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (if you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services) or sending an email to DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov. Loan applications can also be downloaded from sba.gov/disaster.
Completed applications should be mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.
The deadline to submit economic injury applications is June 9.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 10 May 2022 at 8:44 am
Contributed photo: Orleans Community Health in Medina has a week of special activities planned in observance of National Nurses Week and National Hospital Week. A sign near the front entrance proclaims “We love our nursing staff.”
MEDINA – Orleans Community Health has two reasons to celebrate this week. May 6 to 12 is National Nurses Week and May 8 to 14 is National Hospital Week.
Various activities have been planned throughout the hospital, beginning with a luncheon held on May 6 to honor National Nurses Day.
Both week-long celebrations will highlight the nearly 300-person team within Orleans Community Health and the positive impact they have on the larger community, Scott Robinson, director of marketing, communications and outreach, said in a press release.
Nurses Week will conclude with a birthday celebration Thursday for Florence Nightingale, who is credited with founding modern nursing. Throughout the week, the nursing team will be showcased on social media and with internal announcements.
Kim Gray, chief nursing officer, has organized events for the nursing tea, including adding a banner to the exterior of Medina Memorial Hospital.
“I have the honor of working every day with the skilled and dedicated nursing team within Orleans Community Health,” Gray said. “I wouldn’t trade this group for any other.”
The theme of National Hospital Week is “We are Healthcare,” as determined by the American Hospital Association. Orleans Community Health will further expand on this theme by placing several departments in the spotlight throughout the week.
“While the doctors and nurses rightfully receive a lot of credit when thinking about a hospital, there are so many others who complete our hospital team,” Robinson said. “Our team in environmental services, purchasing, admissions and so many others are just as important to our overall functionality. They help make sure the day-to-day operations run smoothly.”
A committee organized by Joanna Miller, vice president of risk, quality and disaster management, has planned events for the team at Orleans Community Health every day during the week. This includes friendly competitions (Olympics and trivia), a cook-out and even a market and vendor fair. At the Twig Association banquet a week ago, hospital CEO Mark Shurtz announced there would be a first-time dunk tank on Friday, for which he has volunteered.
“National Hospital Week is always an opportunity to have a little more fun,” said Miller. “In addition to that, we want to thank members of our local business community for donating gift cards that will be used as prizes at the end of the week. There’s no question, our community always shows up.”
Shurtz said the last two years have added challenges for their team, challenges they have faced admirably.
“As we maneuver what the future holds, this week is our opportunity to commend our strong team at Orleans Community Health,” Shurtz added. “Whether you’re at Medina Memorial Hospital, the Albion Healthcare Center, either of our dialysis centers or the Middleport lab, you matter to us and the entire community.”
LYNDONVILLE – The Lyndonville Board of Education appointed Sharon Smith as the district’s superintendent during this evening’s board meeting.
Mrs. Smith has been serving as Lyndonville’s interim superintendent since Jan. 1, when the previous superintendent, Jason Smith, took a job at Batavia district superintendent. Mrs. Smith has worked for Lyndonville for three years and served as Lyndonville’s Director of Instruction and Student Services.
Previously, she worked as Kendall’s elementary principal, a curriculum coordinator for Frontier Schools and assistant principal, CIO and grants coordinator for Newfane schools. Prior to her administrative career, she worked as an elementary teacher for 22 years.
“Sharon Smith has been successfully serving as Lyndonville’s interim superintendent for four months,” said BOE President Theodore Lewis. “Mrs. Smith met with the Board weekly to provide updates and discuss school decisions and operational matters. As a Board, we are pleased with her performance and dedication to our students, staff, faculty and district. We believe she has the experience, knowledge and commitment needed for this position and are pleased she has agreed to serve as our permanent Superintendent of Schools.”
Mrs. Smith stated that she is sincerely honored to lead the district.
“As an Orleans County resident, and farm owner, my husband and I chose to raise our family in a rural community,” she said. “I understand and appreciate the value of a close-knit school community. I look forward to continuing my work with Lyndonville and ensuring the district continues to lead in academics, positive school culture and climate, community pride, athletics and sportsmanship, fine arts and stewardship.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 May 2022 at 6:25 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers: Jonathan Doherty walks in Holley’s parade in June 2016 with the Self Advocate All Stars. In 2016 he was named Volunteer of the Year for the western region of the Self-Advocacy Association of New York State.
Friendly and tenacious. One of Orleans County’s most active volunteers. An integral part of the Albion landscape, often seen walking along Main Street holding a cup of coffee. That was Jonathan Doherty – who, at age 38, passed away during his sleep last Thursday.
A strong force for good in the community, Jonathan was involved in numerous organizations – the Boy Scouts, Orleans County Historical Association, the Albion Lions Club, Albion Alumni Association, the Self-Advocate All Stars, Albion Strawberry Festival Committee, the Albion Summer Music Festival (Rock the Park) – and more.
He wasn’t shy about selling tickets, flowers, popcorn and other items to benefit these groups. The man could be pushy, and I say that in a good way. I may have received more text messages from him than any other Orleans Hub reader. He wanted his groups to be featured and wondered why there was a delay at times in getting the articles out.
The Hub posted an article about Jonathan on July 2, 2016, after he received the Volunteer of the Year in the western region of the Self-Advocacy Association of New York State.
“I’m never home,” Doherty said then about his busy schedule. “I like to get out in the community and support the community because I live here. It’s fun to help the different groups.”
He could be bold about big issues, too. He spoke at County Legislature meetings in 2010, asking the county lawmakers to support a ban on the “R-word,” a slur that some people use to describe people with disabilities.
Provided photo: Jonathan Doherty won first place and $75 for his performance of “My Heart Will Go On” by Celine Dion during a talent show on Dec. 6, 2019 for the Arc of Genesee Orleans. There were about 25 acts from Genesee and Orleans counties in the talent show, which was held at the Medina Theatre.
The County Legislature followed his prodding and made an official declaration, telling local, state and federal governments to no longer use the word “retarded” in describing people with developmental disabilities. The R-word is a “vicious slang” that is insulting and hurtful to people with developmental disabilities and their families, legislators said in their resolution.
Don Colquhoun was the executive director of The Arc of Orleans back then. He has been retired for 10 years now. Jonathan was well regarded as a leader locally, regionally and statewide for his advocacy for people with disabilities.
“He was a quiet leader who had a lot of good things to say,” Colquhoun said. “He was fearless. He deserves a real place in the hall of fame.”
The success of the Self Advocate All Stars in getting the resolution against the R-word was noticed state-wide.
“It encouraged other ARCs to make some noise,” Colquhoun said.
Jonathan was the spokesman for the Self Advocate All Stars in that push against the R-word. He kept the All-Stars together in the 12 years since, meeting often for coffee at Tim Hortons in Albion, hosting car washes and fundraisers so they could attend conferences, and stepping up for community service projects. The All Stars were out on April 22 for the Day of Caring in Orleans County. Jonathan and his friends painted a shed for Community Action.
After fighting use of the “R-word,” the All-Stars set about other missions: increased public transportation and job opportunities for people with disabilities. They also wanted funding restored for a recreation program at the former Arc of Orleans County, a program where people with disabilities could go to the movies, bowling and sporting events. (Jonathan worked on an Arc cleaning crew for the past 15 years and also was a substitute cleaner at Albion Central School.)
Jonathan wasn’t just busy. He was a great friend to many. He made sure people felt connected. Over the years, he was often the first one to send me a text on my birthday.
Randy Bower, the retired Orleans County sheriff, would meet Jonathan and the All Stars for coffee often at Tim Hortons – though Jonathan never lingered too long because he had a schedule to keep.
Today was supposed to be a coffee day with Jonathan for Bower at 10:30 in the morning.
“Jonathan was about community,” Bower said. “He was the kindest man I ever met. He was always there for us. Anytime somebody needed a hand, he was the first one to reach out.”
Bower received many texts and Facebook messages from Jonathan in recent years. Sometimes Jonathan was selling tickets to the ham loaf dinner for Christ Episcopal Church or some other organization. But often he sent messages to Bower just to check in.
“He really helped me to grow as a person,” Bower said. “He really thought the world of the community and the people that were part of it.”
Self-Advocacy All Stars painted the shed for the Main Street Store in Albion on April 29. Pictured include Tyler, James, Duane, Jonathan Doherty, ARC GLOW employee Karen Appleman and Mike Woodard.
Jonathan may have had the most fun of anyone living in Albion. Besides his work and volunteerism, he took dance classes at Gotta Dance by Miss Amy and performed in the recital on April 30 before a packed middle school auditorium. He also sang country songs during the Rock the Park festival in Albion, taking the stage to a delirious crowd while he sang, “Achy Breaky Heart” and other tunes.
Zack Burgess, one of the organizers of the festival, wanted Jonathan to get a song on stage in appreciation for all the help he did with the event. Jonathan hand-delivered letters, asking for support from local businesses, and helped clean up after the concerts.
Jonathan was a little shy his first time singing on stage, but his confidence grew, Burgess said. Jonathan performed three times on the big stage at Rock the Park. After his song, he then introduced Burgess’s band, Zero.
“He put in a ton of effort, not only for our event but other aspects of the community,” Burgess said. “He was one of the most big-hearted people I knew. He was very active and I can’t thank him enough for that.”
Bower said he remains in shock about the loss of a friend who was so involved.
“You don’t see it coming from a person so full of life,” he said. “It’s a huge loss for the community, it really is. He wouldn’t want us to be down. He shined bright. He really did. He was such a friend to everyone.”
Jonathan Doherty performed during the May 5, 2018 dance recital for Gotta Dance by Miss Amy in Albion. He was back on stage on April 30 with the dancers at Miss Amy’s.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 May 2022 at 5:01 pm
Provided photos
MEDINA – Cindy Davis, vice president of the Medina Dog Park, accepts a ceremonial check for $172.50 from teacher Stephanie Brandt. Students in her class at the Orleans Learning Center in Medina collected bottles and cans.
The students also visited every classroom at the Learning Center and also the Orleans Career & Tech Center and collected donations.
“Medina has been hard at work over the past couple of years to create a fun space for our furry friends to socialize and play,” Brandt said. “We decided to support our community to help make the project happen.”
The dog park is located on North Gravel Road just south of Boxwood Cemetery.
Some of the Orleans Learning Center students are pictured at the school.
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) today joined his colleagues from the Assembly Minority in calling for the passage of bills that would make playgrounds in New York state accessible to people of all levels of physical ability.
One of the bills (A.9923) would require that playgrounds in state parks include at least one wheelchair accessible platform swing with a high-back, full-support seat, and the other (A.9539) would offer grants to local municipalities to help them purchase and install handicap-accessible elements to local recreation facilities.
“Every child deserves to be able to experience the basic childhood joy of playing on a playground, so today we’re taking a stand to ensure New York’s outdoor recreational centers are places everyone can enjoy,” Hawley said. “If there was ever a simple problem that people of all political backgrounds can get behind, I would think it’d be this, so I am hopeful our colleagues in the Majority will join us to get these bills passed before the end of session.”
BATAVIA – On Saturday, May 21, at 1 p.m., Genesee Community College will recognize its graduates during its 54th commencement ceremony, taking place at the Richard C. Call Arena.
Honoring this group of deserving achievers, will be keynote speaker, Daniel Ireland, GCC alumnus and President of United Memorial Medical Center in Batavia.
“I am honored to have been invited to speak at GCC’s 2022 Commencement,” Mr. Ireland said. “The perseverance of GCC students who have completed their studies during the Covid-19 pandemic is very inspiring. I cannot think of a greater privilege to speak to them on this momentous occasion, and it is interesting that this commencement is exactly 30 years from when I humbly crossed the stage for my own GCC graduation with my Nursing Degree.”
Dan completed his Associate Degree in Nursing from Genesee Community College in 1992, a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from SUNY Brockport in 1994 and received a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Rochester Institute of Technology in 1997.
He is also a member of the Leadership Genesee Class of 2006 and recipient of Buffalo First’s 40 Under 40 award in 2007. In January 2013, he became Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), the nation’s leading professional society for healthcare leaders. Dan was also named to 2018’s roster of Health Care Champions, by Buffalo Business First, signifying his high levels of accomplishments within the field in Western New York. Dan continues his commitment to lifelong learning as he is enrolled in the Doctorate of Healthcare Administration program at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Entering his 32nd year at United Memorial, Mr. Ireland spent much of his clinical career in emergency medicine, clinical informatics, quality and Clinical leadership roles. In 2010, Dan was promoted to Vice President of Operations/Chief Operating Officer. As Vice President of Operations, he was responsible for oversight and project management of the surgical and front entry construction project, a major Maternity unit renovation, and the revitalization of the Jerome Center Diagnostics facility. In November 2013, he was promoted to President, leading United Memorial through its merger with Rochester Regional Health in 2015 and through its response to the COVID 19 Pandemic.
Additional commencement information can be found by clicking here.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 May 2022 at 1:01 pm
File photo by Tom Rivers: Frank Berger is shown during Medina’s Memorial Day observance on May 29, 2017. He has been chairman of the parade since 1971.
MEDINA – Frank Berger, chairman of Medina’s Memorial Parade, is welcoming community organizations to be part of Medina’s parade on May 30.
The parade will be back without restrictions this year, except for one. Berger said there won’t be any business or commercial promotions allowed, as has been the custom for this parade.
He has been chairman of the Memorial Day Parade since 1971. This is his last time as the organizer.
“I’m 87 and it’s about time for someone else to do it,” he said. “It takes a lot of cooperation.”
Berger became parade chairman 51 years ago, back when his son was in Cub Scouts.
For the May 30 parade, participants should start to line up at 10:30 a.m. in the parking lot of the Olde Pickle Factory on Park Avenue. The parade starts at 11 and goes down Park Avenue, to South Main Street, to State Street Park. There will be an observance at State Street Park at about noon.
Berger said people interested in being in the parade should call (585) 798-3632. They should include the name of the group and how many expected participants.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 May 2022 at 10:59 am
Photos courtesy of Lyndonville Lions
MEDINA – The Lyndonville Lions Club this weekend delivered dozens of long-stemmed roses to the residents and staff of Orchard Manor nursing home and the North Wing extended care in Medina. The roses were given to residents and staff on the Mother’s Day weekend.
The top photo shows Lyndonville Lions Club members Harold Suhr, left, and Russ Martino gathering and preparing roses for delivery.
Some of the nursing staff at Orchard Manor include Jenna Doberstein, Tabitha Andrews and Amy Cheatham, who are shown here with Lyndonville Lion Russ Martino.
A representative of the Orleans Community Health system accepted roses on behalf of its North Wing residents.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 May 2022 at 10:02 am
ALBION – An interpretive panel highlighting the service and sacrifice of the Sheret family will be dedicated on Friday at Central Hall, the county-owned building on East Park Street that is home to the treasurer’s office and Department of History.
That red-brick building also was a school from 1882 to 1934, and then was an American Legion Post. It was the home for the Sheret Post, named in honor of the Sheret brothers who died on the same day in World War I.
The 11 a.m. ceremony on Friday will unveil a panel just rght of the front steps that provides details about the Sheret family. The public is welcome to attend the dedication.
The building from 1935 to 1980 was home to Sheret Post #35 American Legion. General Pershing called Sgt. Sheret “one of the hundred heroes of WW1.”
A member of Co. F. 108th Reg., NY Volunteer Infantry, Sgt. Sheret was killed in action on September 29, 1918 during the attack on the Hindenburg Line. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for the bravery of his actions.
Pvt. Egbert Sheret, a machine gunner, was also killed in action that day.
Another brother, Andrew, was wounded at that battle, but survived. A fourth brother, John G. served in the Navy and survived the war.
The brothers were the sons of John Galashan Sheret Sr. He came from Aberdeenshire, Scotland in 1886 and worked as a block breaker in the quarries. He married Anna Wickizer of South Ausman, Susquehanna County, Pa. in 1891.
Albion seventh-graders will speak about the Sheet family during the ceremony on Friday, which will also include remarks from County Legislator Don Allport, County Historian Catherine Cooper, Sheret Post leader Philip Warne, local veteran Ron Ayrault, Orleans DAR Regent Ann Jacobs. The Honor Guard will also offer a gun salute.
By Doug Farley, Cobblestone Museum Director – Vol. 3 No. 12
GAINES – As we mentioned in an earlier article, the Cobblestone Museum musical instrument collection has been enriched with a variety of artifacts that represent by-gone eras of musical entertainment.
The Museum is actually quite fortunate to have in its possession two historic Melodeons. The first melodeon came to the collection in 2010 from Kent, NY and the second one came a decade later from the Fancher family in 2020.
During the latter half of the 19th century, Buffalo, NY was described as the “Melodeon Capital of the World,” which is odd considering many folks from this area today probably don’t even know what a melodeon is. By definition, a melodeon is a small, reed organ with up to a five- or six-octave keyboard, usually housed in a piano-like cabinet.
The melodeon’s popularity in 19th century homes even exceeded that of the piano, which was more costly to produce and required frequent tuning. The melodeon produces its sound by drawing air in through suction produced by a foot pedal bellows, the air then passes over metal reeds, to produce specific musical notes, all without the need for tuning.
The Buffalo connection was forged through the partnership of Jeremiah Carhart and Elias Needham, working under the employ of George A. Prince & Co. Music Store at 200 Main Street, Buffalo. Their patent in 1846 solved several deficiencies found in earlier melodeon versions, hence their model became known as the “Improved Melodeon” as shown above.
The Cobblestone Universalist Church probably used an early melodeon, historically, to provide accompaniment for congregational singing. The Universalist congregation found here in the 19th century had ceased regular services in the church in the 1890s, when the parishioners moved to their new Pullman Memorial Church in Albion.
Daniel Heater of Kent donated a melodeon and stool to the Cobblestone Museum in 2010. On this instrument, players must continuously pump the right foot pedal to power the bellows while playing the keyboard. The left foot pedal is for volume control.
On some melodeons the legs are collapsible so that they could easily be moved. One local family in the past folded the legs up under their melodeon and loaded it on to their sleigh to take it to a gathering in order to have music. Unfortunately the museum’s melodeon is not currently playable, but it is still a lovely example of a popular instrument of the times and is a great addition to the museum’s collection.
Fancher House, South Main Street, Albion, circa 1905
More recently, the Museum was fortunate to receive another, albeit smaller, melodeon that harkens back to the “Fancher House” in Albion, having been passed down from Ida Baldwin Fancher (1858-1929), wife of Rev. Edward Fancher, and then to Mrs. Archie (Irene Hayes) Fancher (1897-1940). In 2020, Sandra Fancher-Bastedo donated her Fancher family heirloom to the Museum for posterity, on behalf of her siblings, children and many extended family members.
The Fancher melodeon, stands approximately 30″ high, 30″ wide, and 14″ deep, has a four-octave range with ivory keys. The bellows are attached beneath the keyboard and are pumped using the musician’s knees instead of feet.
In his book, “Trivial Tales,” author Bill Lattin tells a story about a certain Irishman who was his great-grandfather’s tenant in 1880. Lattin knew that the Irish family was hard up and needed whatever help they could get. He approached the Poormaster and explained the family’s dire straits. (At that time, before our current Social Service system, each town selected a Poormaster who made the decisions on who in that town should receive public assistance.)
The Poormaster agreed to check in on the Irish family. A few weeks later, Lattin inquired once again of the Poormaster who offered the following reasoning for not extending public assistance to the Irish family. He said, “I went to see them, but we can’t help them, they have a melodeon in the house.”
His reasoning was, if they could afford a melodeon, they didn’t need assistance. But actually, the story just goes to show the universal appeal and affordability of the simple melodeon in the 19th century household, unlike its more expensive cousin, the piano or reed organ. The Irish family’s melodeon may well have been acquired second hand, or even been given to them at little or no cost. By 1880, reed organs were replacing the melodeon as the instrument of choice.
