Photos by Ginny Kropf: Ruth Higgins of Medina holds a picture of her granddaughter Olivia, 12, who recently died from an inoperable brain tumor. The Abundant Harvest Methodist Church is holding a benefit for the family on April 9 at the Fellowship Hall in Knowlesville.

KNOWLESVILLE – A fundraising benefit at Abundant Harvest Fellowship will take place as planned for the family of Olivia Black, 12, who passed away March 21 with an inoperable brain tumor.

Olivia is the daughter of Ken Black and Donna Higgins Black of Niagara Falls and the granddaughter of Ruth Higgins of Medina and Daryl Higgins. She had been undergoing chemo and radiation treatments when the church began planning a benefit. Now the church wants to hold the benefit to help the family with medical expenses.

The fundraiser scheduled April 9 will feature a chicken and biscuit dinner, a Chinese auction, 50/50 raffle and other raffles and auctions for big ticket items. These include a shotgun, a party for 16 at 810 Axe Works in Medina and a four-hour fishing charter.

The chicken dinner will be available from 3 to 7 p.m. and will include chicken and biscuits, mashed potatoes, green beans, applesauce, beverage and choice of three desserts – homemade pies, éclair cake or cookies donated by Case-Nic.

Raffle tickets may be purchased any time that day and the drawings will begin at 6 p.m. It is not necessary to be present to win. Dinner tickets are $10 and may be purchased ahead of time. The Fellowship Hall is open on Fridays for anyone wishing to donate a basket, cash or food. Information is available by calling the Fellowship Hall at (585) 798-3173 or (585) 745-0747 or (585) 590-7710. Information is also available on the church’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/abundantharvestny.

During the day of the benefit, Jackie Chinn from Lizzie and Lyric in Medina will be onsite with her Lyncoln Bears and Buddies and accessories to help children build their own bear.

Higgins stressed that every penny taken in during the day will go to Olivia’s family. She said everything has been 100% donated, including the chicken. The Abundant Harvest pie ministry is donating the pies and paying for other food, while the church is donating all the paper products.

Pastor Garry McCaffery said he was happy the church could do this.

“It’s a way for our congregation to show its support for the family,” he said.

Olivia was diagnosed with the tumor on her brain stem in January.

“She wasn’t walking right and was having a tough time chewing,” said her grandmother.

During an interview last week, Higgins said the tumor progressed rapidly and affected Olivia’s ability to move, talk and swallow. She required 24-hour care, including transportation to and from the hospital for daily radiation treatments. She was at home under her mother’s care.

Olivia was a 6th-grader at St. John’s Lutheran School in North Tonawanda.

The committee planning the dinner includes Sylvia Armer, Linda Baker, Miranda Bennett, Teresa Wilkins and Wendy Scharlau. Anyone who wishes to help prepare in advance may join the volunteers at the fellowship hall on April 2.

The committee planning a benefit for the family of Olivia Black includes: standing from left, Sylvia Armer, Miranda Bennett and Linda Baker. Seated are pastor Garry McCaffery and Olivia’s grandmother Ruth Higgins.

Press Release, Assemblyman Steve Hawley

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) joined his Assembly Minority colleagues on Monday in calling for the passage of legislation (A.9095) which would amend the state Constitution to reserve the right to vote in state elections to American citizens.

Their push to pass the legislation comes in response to the passage of a policy by the New York City Council that allows non-citizens to vote in the city’s elections. Concerned that similar efforts could be undertaken in the future by progressive, activist lawmakers to implement such a policy at the state level, Hawley and his colleagues aim to bolster election integrity by passing this bill.

“The places we live, how we provide for ourselves and our families, and the laws we live by are molded by the elections that determine our representatives in government,” Hawley said. “Allowing people who are here illegally to have a say in our laws places criminals before law-abiding citizens. More than that, it will make it even more difficult to ensure the integrity of our elections, jeopardizing the faith people have in state government itself.”

‘Leadership is learned. There is no born leader.’ – Frank Berger

Photos by Tom Rivers: Mary Lou Tuohey, second from right, shares about her dream of opening her own business, Case-Nic Cookies, which she has run for 27 years, giving up a career as a nurse. Her daughter Nicole is next to her at right. They were joined as panelists with Frank Berger, Trellis Pore, and Charlie Nesbitt. They shared insights about leadership with students from Albion and Holley. Many of those students are in the Interact Club sponsored by Rotary.

ALBION – A panel of community leaders offered insights to a group of Holley and Albion students during a discussion about leadership.

Put in the work, have good intentions, be well-rounded in your coursework and curiosities, and don’t expect immediate gratification were among comments shared by the panelists. They spoke to students in the Rotary Interact Clubs at Albion and Holley, and other student leaders.

Frank Berger, 87, is a retired Medina teacher who has stayed active in his retirement. He served on the Orleans County Legislature and is a big promoter of the Boy Scouts and local veterans’ groups.

Frank Berger, 87, of Medina is a Korean War veteran and retired Medina teacher. He drew the strongest reactions with some of his blunt assessments, which he offered in colorful language.

He said his experiences as an Eagle Scout, a Red Cross instructor and even his typing class made big differences for him in his career and in the military.

He said study halls are a waste of time and students should fill up their schedule with classes, even “if it’s making yo-yos” or learning other subjects that don’t pique their interest.

“Leadership is learned,” Berger said. “There is no born leader.”

Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke said he sees good in many of the people – even those who go through the court system. Many of those people have made a mistake. They’re still good and decent people, and Bourke said they shouldn’t have their lives ruined over a mistake.

He told the students the Sheriff’s Office offers programs for addiction and mental health to help people.

Bourke said he encounters some people outside of the criminal justice system who have questionable motives.

“If you’re not a good person and you don’t have a kind heart, you don’t impress me,” Bourke said.

Bourke was asked some of the advantages of living in Orleans County and he said the community is safe – and the real estate is inexpensive.

Sheriff Chris Bourke, center, shares about rising through the ranks in the Sheriff’s Office, from a corrections office to deputy and K-9 handler, to undersheriff and now the sheriff. He sees opportunities for people to grow in law enforcement careers in the county.

The sheriff graduated with Tim Archer, an Albion teacher who coordinated the leadership panel last week at Albion High School. Bourke said he feels fortunate to have grown up in a smaller community that offers opportunities, especially with a career in law enforcement. He started his career in 1984 as a corrections officer in the jail and worked his way up to undersheriff and sheriff.

Archer said the students saw that the community leaders sacrificed, and didn’t start at the top.

“History is made by those who show up,” Archer told the group. “You don’t have to famous or popular to do something significant in your community.”

Albion student Aubrey Pask shakes hands with Nicole Tuohey, thanking her for being on a leadership panel on Thursday. About 40 students from Albion and Holley attended the session, which also included insights from Nicole’s mother, Mary Lou Tuohey, owner of Case-Nic Cookies in Medina.

Mary Lou Tuohey, owner of Case-Nic Cookies for 27 years in Medina, was joined by her daughter Nicole, 31.

Nicole was born with a genetic disease called Triple X Syndrome. She has surpassed all expectations as she grew into adulthood. Doctors told Mary Lou Nicole wouldn’t be able to walk, talk, run or ride a bike. Nicole attended Rainbow Preschool where she excelled.

She is an active citizen and prolific fundraiser for the Arc and also the Alzheimers’ Association. Nicole lost both of her grandparents to the disease. Her mother used her skills as a registered nurse to care for them.

Mary Lou gave up the nursing career to pursue her dream of running a cookie business. She is grateful to the community for their support.

Mary Lou said she was bullied and made fun of by some of her classmates. She didn’t understand when they were mean to her in school, but she didn’t let it derail her dreams or her care for others.

“I got through because there were people around me who loved me,” Tuohey said.

Charlie Nesbitt speaks with Broek Ostrom of Holley after a discussion about leadership and making a difference in the local community.

Former State Assemblyman Charlie Nesbitt left college at age 20 to serve in the Vietnam War as a helicopter pilot. He flew hundreds of missions and was awarded the “Distinguished Flying Cross” based on his actions on Nov. 14, 1968.

That day Nesbitt and his crew members were told an American soldier was stranded in enemy territory in the jungles of Laos, across the border from Vietnam. Another helicopter had been hit with a rocket and crashed. The crew needed to be rescued. Nesbitt flew a helicopter in and got out everyone, except one gunman, John Grimaldi, who was separated from his crew. Nesbitt took the recovered crew members back to safety, and then returned to enemy territory to find Grimaldi.

Nesbitt served as a local Chamber of Commerce president at age 25, and sold cars before being elected to the State Assembly. He remains active with the Albion Alumni Association and other local organizations.

Technology has opened doors for people to live in rural communities and work remotely and stay connected to people far away, he said.

True leadership is influencing others to achieve a result, Nesbitt said.

“Having an idea is nice but doing something about it is leadership,” Nesbitt told the students. “You’re not a leaders if no one follows you.”

Trellis Pore, an Albion graduate, said there are plenty of ways to make an impact in the community.

Nesbitt continues to live in Orleans County. He sees a community where committed people can truly make a difference.

“If you choose to be here, then be part of the solution,” he said to the students. “We’re small enough where everyone’s individual effort really helps.”

Trellis Pore works as a corrections officer at the Albion Correctional Facility. He also is a firearms instructor, chemical agent instructor, and CPR and first aid teacher for the Department of Corrections. He also is the pastor at the Shiloh Church and member of the Albion Board of Education.

Pore, a member of Albion’s Class of 2001, said he wants to keep busy, and would rather “wear out than rust out.” Albion has been blessed with many leaders – “some known and some unknown” – over the years who pushed the community forward, Pore said.

“A true leader shows up making a difference instead of complaining about a problem,” he said.

The panelists included from left Charles Nesbitt, Trellis Pore, Sheriff Chris Bourke, Frank Berger, Mary Lou Tuohey and her daughter Nicole Tuohey. Albion teacher Tim Archer, standing at left, coordinated the event.

Provided photo: Medina Memorial Hospital welcomes the public to free Covid-19 tests.

MEDINA – Medina Memorial Hospital is handing out “I Health” Covid-19 test kits, free to the community.

The hospital is inviting residents to take up to three boxes. There are two tests per box.

The tests are located behind the screener at the receptionist’s desk in the lobby.

“We want to make sure people get the tests if they need them,” said Scott Robinson, director of Communication, Marketing and Education at Community Partners.

The hospital currently has about 500 kits, and is expecting to have more shortly.

ALBION – Jim DeFilipps, who was recognized as the deputy of the year in New York State in 2015, has retired after a 22-year career in law enforcement.

He started with the Holley Police Department in 2000 and moved to the Sheriff’s Office in 2002.

On March 21, 2015, DeFilipps was critically injured when he was shot twice in a shootout at 3 a.m. following a high-speed chase with James Ellis of Wyoming County. DeFilipps was the first police officer on scene when Ellis wrecked his vehicle in Clarendon on Route 31A.

Police were pursuing Ellis after a 911 call when he threatened an ex-girlfriend in Shelby with a gun. Ellis had fled to a nearby wooded area in Clarendon and opened fire on DeFilipps and other deputies and police to arrive on the scene.

DeFilipps, despite getting hit twice by gunfire, shot Ellis, killing him and ending his threat. For his acts of valor, DeFilipps was named Deputy of the Year for 2015 by the New York State Sheriff’s Association.

DeFilipps returned to work and supervised the Marine Patrol Division and then was back on the midnight shift, where he concluded his career.

“Sheriff Christopher M. Bourke and Undersheriff Jeffrey A. Gifaldi would like to congratulate Deputy James DeFilipps on his retirement after 22 years of outstanding service,” Bourke and Gifaldi said in a news release today. “Deputy DeFilipps is a friend and mentor to many. Congratulations and enjoy your well-deserved retirement!”

Provided photos

BAREE – Two homes in Barre today were egged in a fundraiser for the Barre Betterment Committee. Cyndy and Mike Van Lieshout, and Wes and Betsy Miller both awoke this morning to find signs with Easter eggs on them in their front yards.

The signs stay in the yards for two to four day unless those “egged” give a donation of at least $10 to the Betterment Committee. Or for at least $15 the signs will be removed and placed in someone else’s specified yard.

Proceeds go to raising funds to have electricity installed at the Barre Town Park on Route 98.

AAA is reporting gas prices went down an average of 8 cents a gallon in the state and nationally in the past week. The average price was $4.37 in New York and $4.25 in the United States.

A year ago the average price per gallon was $2.92 in the state and $2.88 in the country, according to AAA.

The average price per gallon today reported by AAA includes:

• Orleans, $4.379
• Genesee, $4.350
• Livingston, $4.399
• Wyoming, $4.389
• Niagara, $4.315
• Erie, $4.390
• Monroe, $4.390
• National: $4.252
• New York State: $4.368

“Drivers are getting a bit of relief at the pump as gas prices are down across the region,” AAA said. “Oil prices are near $110 per barrel this morning rather than over $130 two weeks ago. In August, oil prices were $30 per barrel. Oil prices dropped last week when China announced Covid-19 lockdowns last week.”

Diesel prices, however, barely budged, from $5.245 a week ago to $5.244 today in the state.

Press Release, Albion Central School

Photo courtesy of ACS: Damen Chraston holds his Flat Stanley which traveled to his uncle’s military base in Germany.

ALBION – Third-grader Damen Chraston was part of Mrs. Mrzywka’s classes that created and sent out Flat Stanleys earlier this school year. While most students sent their characters around the United States, Damen’s visited his uncle’s military base in Germany.

CH (CPT) Michael Scholes, Damen’s uncle, took care of Flat Stanley while he was on base and commended Damen for dressing him in a perfect military uniform. Flat Stanley was sent back to Albion with a letter and an Army Commendation Medal. The letter reads, in part:

Having received a field commission to 1LT, Flat Stanley has contributed greatly to the overall success of the 1-3 Attack Battalion in their continued and ongoing efforts to maintain readiness and deter Russian aggression.

Recognition: For exceptionally meritorious service while assigned as a Flat Stanley Paper Liaison to the 1-3 Attack Battalion. 1LT Flat Stanley’s leadership, hard work, and dedication greatly enhanced the overall success of the Battalion’s mission. His actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 1-3 Attack Battalion, 12 Combat Aviation Brigade, 7th Army Training Command, and the United States Army. For his actions, and in acknowledgment of his service, he is sent home with an Army Commendation Medal.

Many photos and videos were sent back throughout the fall and winter of Flat Stanley on the base, helping teach all the students about the military and a different part of the world. Flat Stanley is a children’s story book that has been adapted to enrich students’ learning of different communities and cultures.

HOLLEY – A possible explosive device was removed from a Holley home on Franklin Street on Friday, and taken to a safe location for detonation, Holley Police Chief Bob Barton said.

Holley officers were called to the scene at 3:30 p.m. on Friday to investigate a suspicious condition, Barton said.

“While at the location, a possible explosive hazard was observed,” he said. “The Monroe County Bomb Squad was notified and responded.”

The device was taken and detonated in a safe location.

Due to the age of individual involved the name won’t be released to the public, Barton said.

UPDATE: The mother of the child involved responded on the Orleans Hub Facebook page, apologizing for any panic that people felt. She said her child mixed hydrogen peroxide in a jar and added a little acetone from gel nail polish remover pads after seeing a video about making a homemade firework.

“She was brave enough to let the cops know what was going on, and she had absolutely no ill intention,” the mother said. “The cops came and investigated, and they had to deal with it as if it were a bomb. I am very thankful that they took all the precautions that they could take in this situation.”

Kelly Ricker

ALBION – A community event on June 25 will celebrate the life of Kelly Ricker and also raise funds for a scholarship in her name at Albion Central School.

West Bank Street will be closed that day to traffic from Main to Liberty streets for dance performances, food trucks and other events including a live auction where people can bid on services provided by community members. People are asked to sign up for offering a talent – it could be yard work, washing a car, a photo session, a home-cooked meal, handyman repairs, babysitting or many other options, said Amy Sidari, Gotta Dance owner. (Click here for more information.)

Her studio will host a basket auction that day. Ricker for 25 years worked alongside Sidari as stage manager. Ricker was critical in making the many recitals go smoothly, Sidari said.

“She was such an important part of the community,” Sidari said. “She was so committed behind the scenes. You didn’t realize because everything was so perfect but she was right there behind the scenes.”

Ricker passed away at age 50 on Oct. 10 after a fight with cancer. A 1989 graduate of Albion, Ricker was a lifeguard at Albion for more than 30 years and was the school’s assistant swim coach.

She was an active Girt Scout leader, assisting girls including her daughter Laiken. For 15 years she was actively involved with the board for Sandstone Park. Her son Patrick played on the team for many years. She also was very involved at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Albion.

“Kelly Ricker connected people, took the time to know them, and was always willing to help,” Sidari said. “She volunteered so much of her life selflessly.”

Proceeds from the June 25 event will go to Kelly Ricker Memorial Scholarship. The first scholarship for $1,250 will be awarded in June to a graduating senior who demonstrated a passion for swimming by striving to be their best through hard work and dedication to the swim team.

Sidari said the acts of service that will be up for bid on June 25 are a fitting tribute to Ricker who was a key volunteer to many organizations in Albion.

“She was always giving of herself,” Sidari said. “She just loved people.”

This 1860 map of the Town of Yates shows a robust settlement had developed in the first fifty years.

By Catherine Cooper, Orleans County Historian

Illuminating Orleans – Vol. 2, No. 11

YATES – A Bicentennial Committee in Yates is hard at work organizing family-friendly events in July, August, and September of this year, in celebration of the 200^th anniversary of the formation of the Town of Yates.

Genesee County originally included Orleans County. This large tract of land was subdivided on June 8, 1812, with the formation of the Town of Ridgeway which then comprised the entire area of Orleans County included in the Holland Land Purchase. As the population grew, separate towns began to be formed or “set off.”

The Town of Yates was set off on April 17, 1822. Because of its geographical position, the town was originally called Northton, but this was changed in 1823 in honor of the Governor Joseph C. Yates, the eighth Governor of New York. Yates County was also named in his honor. (Were the same naming practices in vogue today, a newly formed town might be named the Town of Hochul.)

The Town of Yates has an area of 22,559 ½ acres. In 1812, it was heavily wooded with whitewood, beech, birch, oak, maple, and hemlock trees, many of which were over 100 feet high. In the book Landmarks of Orleans County, Isaac Signor refers to a huge white oak tree, which when cut, was drawn to Oak Orchard by fourteen yoke of oxen.

George Houseman of was the first permanent settler. He came from Jefferson County in 1809 and settled three miles east of what later became Lyndonville.

Preserved Greenman purchased 600 acres from the Holland Land Company between 1810 and 1812 and settled his two sons Daniel and Enos and daughter Chloe. Mr. Greenman’s brother, William B. and his two sons, Joseph B. and Stephen settled in the same vicinity. The area was known as Greenman’s Settlement. Though there are no longer Greenman’s locally, the memory of their presence is continued with the road named for them.

Other settlers before 1820 were: Robert Simpson, Nathan Skellinger, Comfort Joy, Zaccheus Swift, Lemuel Downs, Stephen Austin, Truman Austin, Daniel Stockwell, Rodney Clark, Amos Spencer, Samuel Whipple, Thomas Handy, Stephen Johnson, Thomas Stafford, Elisha Gilbert, Jacob Winegar, Isiah Lewis, Josiah Campbell, Samuel Wickham, Jeremiah Irons, Moses Wheeler, Benjamin Drake, Abner Balcom, Zenus Conger, Isaac Hurd, Harvey Clark and Horace Goold.

The Pioneer History of Orleans County, New York, by Arad Thomas, 1871 includes first-hand accounts of those early years. Horace Goold recalled:

“During the first season, we were sometimes short of food, especially meat, but some of the boys would kill a wild animal, and we were not very particular what name it bore, as hunger had driven us “to esteem nothing unclean but to receive it with thanksgiving.”

Samuel Tappan realized early on that farming was not his specialty:

“My fruit trees would fall down, and my forest trees would stand up; my crops were light, but my bill were heavy.”

He opened a tavern in Yates Center instead of farming was later appointed Postmaster and Justice. He married four times and had nineteen children.

Should you wish to read about the history of the Town of Yates in anticipation of the Bicentennial, the following publications are available at your favorite library:

• Landmarks of Orleans County, New York by Hon. Isaac Signor, 1894
• Historical Album of Orleans County, New York, 1879
• A History of the Town of Yates in Orleans County by Carol Dates Gardepe and Janice Dates Register, 1976.
• Also, the Town of Yates website includes a fine collection of photographs.

Our photograph from the Orleans County Dept. of History collection depicts the Fourth Annual Flower Carnival which was held in Lyndonville on August 2 and 3, 1910, under the direction of the Copia Society of the Methodist Church.

According to the Lyndonville Enterprise, the weekly newspaper:

“The parade surpassed any previous efforts and included many unique and handsomely decorated vehicles which were admired and cheered by the throng of spectators.

“Uncle Sam” was represented by E.M. Hill, who was accorded praise for being so suitable a figure for the occasion. The Lyndonville Hose Company, No. 1, with twenty-six men headed by the steam fire engine “White Elephant” drawn by four horses made an imposing appearance, while the Pioneer Drum Corps furnished music.

The float, conveying veterans of the S. and P. Gilbert Post of the Grand Army of the Republic, was prominent. It displayed a banner bearing the inscription:

“A few that made it possible for the many to enjoy”

By Doug Farley and Bill Lattin – Vol. 3 No. 7

GAINES – Surely one of the most recognizable and renowned fine paintings of the 19th century is “The Angelus” by Millet, an image that was widely reproduced. The Cobblestone Museum has two such images on view.

The one above, circa 1885, is a lithograph which was affixed to canvas on stretchers and put into a style of frame normally used for paintings.  This gives it a more realistic appearance as a painting. Our rather dark colored version here hangs in the Cobblestone Ward House dining room.

The other example at the Cobblestone Museum which is represented below, appropriately hangs in the Vagg House. This particular print dates to circa 1925 and is also in its original frame.  A companion print, “The Gleaners,” by Millet hangs nearby.

The reproduction of this famous painting remained very popular with the general public over many decades. The original painting was completed in 1859 by Jean-Francois Millet, and is an oil on canvas, measuring only 25½ by 21¼ inches. Certainly, through improved printing techniques of the Industrial Revolution, great art such as this became accessible to middle-class people.

In these two small porcelain vases, circa 1900, we see transfer images of The Angelus on one, and The Gleaners on the other.

The imagery of these two peasants praying in a potato field was a popular sentimental 19th century religious subject. Although Catholic in origin, the subject matter seemed to cross all denominational boundaries.

The print below dating to 1890 was originally mounted in this frame with an oval format.

The potato diggers have stopped their evening work to pray because of the tolling of the Angelus Bell that they hear from the church spire in the distant village.

In the Catholic tradition, the Angelus Bell sometimes referred to as the Ave Bell, was typically rung three times a day at 6 a.m., noon and 6 p.m. This tolling consisted of nine rings each time, with three rings followed by a pause, three more rings followed again by a pause, and ending with a final three rings.

An older interpretation commemorated the Resurrection of Christ in the morning, his suffering at noon, and the Annunciation in the evening. In 1907, the Orleans Republican reported an interview with a local Polish resident, then a member of St. Mary’s Assumption Church, who described the frequent ringing as follows:

“At the hour of work it rings to remind them that God has given them the strength of labor. When it rings at noon, Poles are again reminded of the Giver of Temporal Blessings, and at night it calls for Expression of Thankfulness for what God has done for the people throughout the day.”

Here we see a decorative plate in the Museum collection, circa 1900, about 10 inches in diameter.

As a side note, when a church bell is tolled, it does not swing or move but rather is rung by pulling a second rope which hits the bell with a large hammer.

Jean-Francois Millet (1814-1875) was the first child of Jean-Louis-Nicolas and Aimee-Henriette-Adelaide Henry Millet. They were members of a farming community in the Village of Gruchy, in Greville-Hague (Normandy). He first studied painting in 1833 with Paul Dumouchel, a portrait painter in Cherbourg.

By 1835, he was able to move to Paris, where he studied at the famous Ecole des Beaux-Arts. In 1840, his first painting, a portrait, was accepted at the Paris Salon. In 1841, he married Pauline-Virginie Ono, but she died of consumption two years later. In 1853, he married Catherine Lemaire and they would have nine children.

Millet became one of the founders of the Barbizon School of Landscape Painting in rural France during the mid-19th century. Other noted artists of the group included Corot, Daubigny and Rousseau. Barbizon is a small village near Paris.

The Barbizon style is realistic, but done with great respect for technique of brush work and use of paint for speaking on its own behalf. It is a style which bespeaks the oncoming Impressionists in the later 19th century. Millet spoke of The Angelus as follows:

“The idea for The Angelus came to me because I remember that my grandmother, hearing the church bell ringing while we were working in the fields, always made us stop work to say the Angelus Prayer for the poor departed.”

This miniature plate, only 1½ inches in diameter, was probably a souvenir that an American tourist acquired on a trip to France in the 1940s.

This great painting is a reflection of the simplicity of peasant life, so dependent upon the rhythms of life and the Catholic faith. It was actually commissioned by an art collector from Boston, MA, and was somewhat finished in 1857. However, Millet later added the church spire in the distance and changed the title which originally was “Prayer for the Potato Crop.”

When the purchaser failed to take possession of it in 1859, Millet later sold it receiving only $400. Other well-known and famous paintings by Millet include The Sower, 1850, and of course, The Gleaners, 1857.

(Left) The Sower, Millet, 1850              (Right) The Gleaners, Millet, 1857

The popularity of The Angelus remained steadfast even into the 1950s, with the paint-by-numbers version below.  We can only add that real artists, those with training, scoff at renditions such as this. It does however show the undying appreciation of The Angelus theme.

“The Bells of Angelus call us to pray with sweet tones announcing the Sacred Ave.” 1st Verse of Lourdes Hymn.”

Press Release, Congressman Chris Jacobs’ Office

Provided photo: Congressman Chris Jacobs, center, is joined by Assemblyman Steve Hawley, left, and State Sen. Ed Rath today at the Oakfield Community Center.

OAKFIELD – Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27), State Senator Ed Rath (R,C,I – Amherst), and State Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) held a press conference this morning to call on Governor Hochul to reject the NYS Farm Laborers Wage Board’s decision to lower the overtime threshold from 60 hours a week to 40 hours.

“Farming is already a business suffering from labor shortages with incredibly tight margins, if the Governor were to accept this decision it would have disastrous impacts on the viability of agriculture in our state and the security of our rural economies,” Jacobs said. “Lowering the threshold would force producers and workers out of our state, and bankrupt generation family farms. I urge the Governor to reject this decision – made at the expense of our farmers – our region’s future prosperity depends on it.”

“The decision by the Farm Laborers Wage Board to lower overtime hours from 60 to 40 hours is fatal to our farms. As the largest industry in New York, agriculture is a vital part of our Upstate community. With this overtime change, many family farms will not survive. I have spoken with countless farmers and farmworkers who have shared their concerns with this hour reduction. I remain deeply troubled by this decision and the impact it will have, not only in my district but across our State,” Rath said.

“Our state’s agri-businesses and rural communities are staring down the edge of a cliff as they eagerly wait to see whether Gov. Hochul will stand up for them, or for the special interests who’ve been pushing this policy through the bureaucratic process,” Hawley said. “Farmers, lawmakers, farm laborers and experts alike have made clear the devastating consequences this decision will have on agriculture. In this moment, Gov. Hochul has the power to save agriculture in New York state, or put it down a path that will cause it to become something completely unrecognizable. Having represented a rural part of upstate New York in Congress, I sincerely hope she understands how dangerous this decision would be not just for farmers, but for rural communities throughout the state.”

Jacobs recently joined the New York Republican Congressional Delegation in sending a letter to Governor Hochul outlining the disastrous impacts of this recommendation from the wage board and urging her to reject it.

Provided photos: Merle Fredericks, left, poses with a mule deer he took in Montana in 2012. He will be giving a power point presentation at the Bow Bending Believers annual Sportsmen’s Dinner and Seminar March 26 at Oak Orchard Assembly of God at 12111 Ridge Rd. Avid hunter Brian Howell, right, is shown with his trophy buck he harvested in 2021. He will share his story and bring his trophy to the Bowbending Believers Sportsmen’s Dinner and Seminar.

MEDINA – The 16th annual Bowbending Believers Sportsmen’s Dinner and Seminar is scheduled March 26 at Oak Orchard Assembly of God, 12111 Ridge Rd.

Dinner from 5 to 6 p.m. will feature chili, cornbread and dessert.

The event will highlight Bowbending Believers founder Merle Fredericks in a 45-minute power point presentation on “How to Get Your Name in the Book.”

Fredericks has hunted in numerous states, as far south as Mississippi and as far west as Oregon, pursuing whitetail deer, elk, pronghorn antelope, black bear and mule deer. He has shared his program at churches throughout New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio and Maryland.

Also featured during the evening will be Brian Howell, who harvested Orleans County’s 2021 trophy buck.

Department of Environmental Conservation officer Vern Fonda will give a brief presentation and field questions from the audience.

Hunters are encouraged to bring their bucks, regardless of size, to be scored. There will be official record book measurers on hand to score hunters’ bucks for them.

There will be free giveaways, including a ladder stand, prizes, raffles and vendors. Doors open at 4 p.m.

Tickets for $5 may be purchased by sending a check to Merle Fredericks, 2423 Oak Orchard River Rd., Medina or at the door. For more information, Fredericks may be reached at (585) 798-2839.

Some turned away after 250 show up, with many arriving early

Photos by Tom Rivers

LYNDONVILLE – The White Birth Golf Course hosted a pop-up eyeglass clinic today and 250 people filled the site not long after doors officially opened at 10 a.m. About 100 people arrived by 9:30.

The Lyndonville Lions Club organized the first-time community eyeglass clinic in the county. Lions Club members from Medina and the Leos Club at Lyndonville Central School also assisted.

A team of eye specialists – state-licensed doctors of ophthalmology and optometry – are on site to determine the correct prescription glasses for each individual.

Hundreds of eyeglass frames were on display for people to pick from. The frames and lens were all available for free.

Meghan Gapa, seated in white shirt, was among the people who were getting their eyes checked and seeking a new pair of glasses. Gapa, 30, said she doesn’t have the extra money for an eye exam or new glasses.

“I think it’s awesome they’re giving so many people a chance and they don’t have to drive far.”

Gapa showed up an hour early at 9 a.m. and there was already a line out the door.

The Lions Club urged people unable to be seen at today’s clinic to go to the next one on May 14 in Niagara Falls.

An eye specialist checks these glasses.

Darren Wilson, Lyndonville Lions Club president, said it was overwhelming to see the turnout. He wants to make the popup clinic an annual event in Orleans County. He apologized that not everyone was able to be seen today. About 100 people had to be turned back by noon due to the big crowd.

Joe Shiah, a member of the Kenmore Lions Club, checks these glasses. Shiah is a key leader in the Lions Club pop-up eye clinics in Western New York.

Harold Suhr, a Lyndonville Lion and owner of the White Birch, reached out to Shiah about bringing the clinic to Lyndonville.

Nicole Spohr, a Lyndonville Lion, takes information from David Schwert of Medina before he gets his eyes checks.

Schwert said it has been at least two years since he went to the eye doctor.

“I think it’s just wonderful that they are doing this for the community,” Schwert said.

Mark Gordon, an optometrist from Kenmore, does an eye exam. He was among the volunteers at the clinic today.

Duane Snyder, a member of the Olcott Lions Club and an optometrist, does an eye exam.

The eye specialists were expecting about 50 people for the clinic and were amazed by the turnout, said Bruce Schmidt, a Lyndonville Lions Club member.

These signs advertise the eye clinic at the White Birch.