Medina’s winter guard performs on Saturday in Lancaster.
Photo and information courtesy of Medina Mustang Band Boosters
LANCASTER – Medina’s Varsity Guard competed for the fourth time this season on Saturday at the Lancaster High School. They competed in the Scholastic A class and came in 4th with a score of 72.43, bested by Victor in 1st place with 77.81 followed by Orchard Park in 2nd at 74.97 and Jamestown in 3rd at 73.62.
Winners in the other classes were Hinsdale Starliner in Novice class with 51.80; Victor Cadet with 65.41; Greece in Regional A with 70.92; Lancaster in A1 with 74.30; Gates Chili in 1A with 78.30 and Luminosa in Senior with 76.53.
Medina’s next competition is the home show on Saturday, March 12th, at the Medina HS gym. Doors open at 4 p.m. and the show starts at 5 p.m. with 12 guards performing. Medina JV is scheduled to perform in an exhibition at 5 p.m. with the Medina varsity guard to perform at 6:41 p.m.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 March 2022 at 2:09 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers: A tree is down at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery on Route 31 in Albion after powerful winds wreaked havoc in Orleans County this afternoon. The area is under a high wind warning until 6 p.m. with gusts up to 65 miles per hour.
National Grid is reporting 4,175 of its customers are without electricity at 2:06 p.m. as fierce winds have knocked down wires and trees throughout the county.
That represents 20.7 percent of National Grid’s 19,624 customers in the county. The company estimates power will be restored by 11 p.m.
The power company reports the following customers are affected without electricity in other nearby counties: 1,212 in Genesee, 735 in Erie, 3,648 in Monroe and 2,564 in Niagara.
UPDATE at 3:36 p.m.: National Grid reports 4,350 of its Orleans County customers are without power.
A tree lays on a house on East State Street near Sandstone Park in Albion.
Lots of big branches litter Mount Albion Cemetery due to the fierce winds.
A big branch hangs on wires on Caroline Street this afternoon due to powerful winds hitting the area.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 6 March 2022 at 9:10 am
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Nicole Tuohey holds one of the heart cutout cookies her mother made at Case-Nic Cookies to benefit the Arc Glow program. The promotion is in observance of March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.
MEDINA – March is being observed nationwide as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, and a Medina mother and daughter are again honoring those with disabilities.
Mary Lou Tuohey owns Case-Nic Cookies in Medina, and annually, with the help of her daughter Nicole, sponsors fundraisers to benefit The Arc.
Nicole was born with Triple X Syndrome, and doctors told her parents at 3 weeks of age she may never walk, talk, read, write or do math. Her mother said at that point the family was determined Nicole would never be labeled “disabled” and would live as normal a life as possible.
Nicole is now 31 and has done all of what doctors said she wouldn’t do – and more. She has danced for 26 years, plays baseball, bowls, rides a horse, swims and rides a bike. She volunteers for different events at the Arc and takes part in fundraisers at her mother’s store to benefit the agency serving people with disabilities. This includes links she makes at the holidays to sell and string together down the block.
Nicole attended Rainbow Preschool from the age of 3 months to 5 years and currently attends Day Hab through the Arc GLOW.
Now, during March Case-Nic Cookies is selling frosted cutout heart cookies for $1 in their “Have a Heart Campaign” to benefit the Arc GLOW programs. The campaign runs through March 31. A basket raffle is also taking place through March 18 and tickets are on sale at Case-Nic for $10 for a sheet of 25. Items are on display in Case-Nic’s window.
During the pandemic, Mary Lou designed the basket raffle so people could sign up for tickets outside the store and drop their name and money through a slot in the door.
Mary Lou urges everyone to support Nicole’s fundraiser and in honor of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.
“Until you have walked in the shoes of those with a disability, don’t judge them by the way they look, the way they do something or the way they might communicate their needs,” she said.
Heart cookies may also be ordered by calling (585) 798-1676.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 March 2022 at 7:53 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The Senior High Chorus performs during today’s All-County Concert in the Albion High School Gym.
Masks weren’t required for the singers after the indoor mask mandate was lifted for schools on Wednesday by Gov. Kathy Hochul and affirmed by the local Health Department.
There were 57 students in the chorus singing “Seasons of Love” in a song directed by Jennifer Trupo, a Lyndonville music teacher.
They also sang “I Sing Because I’m Happy” while being directed by Kelly Marzano of Holley and “Let the River Run” while directed by Connor Doran of Albion.
David Berry of Medina was one of soloists in “Seasons of Love.”
Connor Doran conducts the choir in performing “Let the River Run.”
Elizabeth Whipple of Lyndonville, center with glasses, and the Senior High Chorus gave a high-energy performance today.
Mickey Edwards, Albion Central School superintendent, gives a welcome message and said the district was honored to host today’s music festival. He said music helps students think creatively and work collaboratively with others. Students with music backgrounds also tend to have higher incomes as adults.
The Junior High Band included 59 students from Albion, Holley, Kendall, Lyndonville and Medina.
The students performed “March Britannia” under the direction of Zach Busch of Holley. Other songs included “The Water Is Wide” under the direction of Kyla Leno of Kendall and “Arabian Dances” with Greg Martillotta of Albion the conductor.
Greg Martillotta, Albion middle school band director, leads the Junior High Band in “Arabian Dances.”
The All-County Festival returned this year after being cancelled in 2021. The first all-county was last month in Holley and featured the elementary band, junior chorus and high school band.
Photos courtesy of Mollie Radzinski
The elementary chorus featured 59 students in two different groups. The chorus performed a Hebrew folk song, “Hine Ma Tov,” and was conducted by Carrie Kozody of Albion, “I Am But A Small Voice” and was directed by Cayla Hutteman of Albion, and “Fifty States in Rhyme” under the direction of Carrie Kozody of Albion.
Cayla Hutteman of Albion leads the chorus in “Fifty States in Rhyme.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 March 2022 at 9:57 am
Map from CDC
Orleans County and the other Western New York counties have dropped from medium to low levels of community spread for Covid, according to the latest data from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The number of new Covid cases has taken a big drop, and hospitalizations also are down.
The CDC determines the community Covid levels by these data points:
New Covid cases per 100,000 population (7-day total) are calculated using data from February 24-March 2, 2022
New Covid admissions per 100,000 population (7-day total) are calculated using data from February 23-March 1, 2022
Percent of inpatient beds occupied by COVID-19 patients (7-day average) is calculated using data from February 23-March 1, 2022
The Covid cases in Genesee and Orleans counties fell to 74 from Feb. 23 to March 1, with 29 new cases in Orleans and 45 in Genesee. That continues the sharp downward trajectory from the Covid peak in early January when there 2,703 cases in the two counties from Jan. 5-11.
The 74 in the recent week are down from the 112 new cases in the two counties the previous week and the 216 during Feb. 9-15, according to the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments.
In the most recent update from the state, Orleans didn’t have any new cases on Thursday and Genesee only had 4.
The CDC issued guidance for indoor mask-wearing in opublic places based on the three Covid levels of community spread:
Low: Masks are not needed
Medium: People who are at high risk of severe Covid should consult with their doctor about prevention measures, including masks
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 March 2022 at 8:38 am
Photos courtesy of Dustin Gardner
HOLLEY – Ziah Colon, who played a leading role as Rusty in the 2011 version of Footloose, met over Zoom with Holley students in the cast and crew of the school’s upcoming musical, Footloose. Colon has also starred in NCIS and Joyful Noise.
Dustin Gardner, Holley’s co-director for the musical, follows Colon on social and reached out to her about talking with the Holley students.
“I thought, ‘What could I do to get the kids even more pumped up for the show in a week?’” he said.
Colon agreed to meet with the students through Zoom video conferencing. Gardner hasn’t heard of a movie star meeting with high schoolers who were getting ready to perform the same show as a musical.
“It was very unique opportunity for the students,” Gardner said.
About 40 students attended the zoom session with Colon on Friday afternoon.
“I really appreciated getting to speak with her,” said Thomas Dobri, a senior who plays Ren in Footloose. “I do still struggle with nerves from time to time so to hear from a professional that she does too and to hear her own remedies was really good for me. I think she gave a lot for younger members to think about as well – with energy and with ‘making your character your own.’”
Grace McKeon, a senior who plays Ariel, appreciated that Colon met with the students and shared insights from the stage.
“I’ve never had a conversation with an actor/actress, it was so cool to be able to talk to one and ask questions,” McKeon said. “It was nice to hear that she started right where we are now and that everything we’re doing is perfectly fine. She mentioned breathing exercises we could do to help us become our character that I think we will definitely try.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 March 2022 at 7:56 am
The National Weather Service in Buffalo is forecasting a high wind watch on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. for Orleans County and Western New York.
There will be southwest winds from 25 to 35 miles per hour with gusts up to 65 mph possible.
“Damaging winds could blow down numerous trees and power lines,” the Weather Service said. “Widespread power outages are possible. Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.”
Today is forecast to be cloudy with a high of 46, followed by a high of 68 on Sunday.
The highs in the forecast then include 37 on Monday, 36 on Tuesday and 42 on Wednesday.
BARRE – The Town of Barre will be celebrating their 203rd birthday on March 6. The Barre Betterment Committee is presenting a “Founder’s Day Treasure Quest.”
The game will entail going to several locations and figuring out a clue to next location by putting a puzzle together. This is a way for everyone to be able to get involved without having a set event at a set location.
It should be fun for the whole family to drive around to the different locations and try to decipher the clues. The quest will begin on March 6 and end on March 13.
The Barre Betterment Committee has been active in the community of Barre since 2019 and have hosted numerous events including an annual Square-Dance, Trunk or Treat and the favorite Tractor Light Parade, although that event had to be canceled in 2021 due to hazardous weather conditions.
To find out more about the event or the committee, look for them on Facebook: Barre Betterment Committee.
The Barre Founder’s Day Treasure Quest – Are you ready to go on a journey? A journey around Barre? Well, let’s go!
The way this works:
You start at the first location from the clue below.
There you will find a box with a puzzle inside and a wooden token with a letter on it.
Put the puzzle together to find the clue for the next location.
Take one token from the box and keep until the end.
Go to the next location and repeat!
There are 5 locations including the final stop which will not have a puzzle but special instructions to complete the quest.
Good Luck! You have until March 13 to complete your quest!
Kids will need an adult with them as it will take driving around the town. If you get stuck or need help at all, contact us on the Barre Betterment Committee Facebook page.
First Clue: Go to the Flagpole which greets you at the drive of the baseball and square-dancing home.
Assemblyman Steve Hawley reads ‘I Am NOT Going to Get up Today!’ by Dr. Seuss to children today from Elba Elementary School and Holley Elementary School on Zoom video conferencing.
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) joined two kindergarten classes from Elba Elementary School and a first grade class from Holley Elementary School to celebrate Read Across America Week.
Hawley read I Am Not Going To Get Up Today! by Dr. Seuss virtually to students on Zoom. Hawley has made it a point to celebrate Read Across America Day annually with local students to emphasize the importance of reading and how books can both engross them in fictional worlds of fantasy and teach them more about their own world.
“Beyond its practical applications in day-to-day life, the early development of a love for reading puts children on a path to lead richer lives, armed with perspectives about our world and human experiences they wouldn’t otherwise develop in their day-to-day lives,” Hawley said. “More than that, reading is a productive and affordable pastime that provides us all a means of immersing ourselves in any setting imaginable, whether fantastical or historical, sparking feelings of joy and wonder like few other activities can.”
Press Release and photo from State Assemblyman Mike Norris’s Office
LOCKPORT – Assemblyman Mike Norris (R,C-Lockport) joined the national Read Across America movement today by reading Dr. Seuss’ Green Eggs and Ham to Mrs. Dockery’s 1st grade class at the Roy B. Kelly Elementary School in Lockport.
This week also commemorates the 118th birthday of Dr. Seuss, who helped inspire the weeklong Read Across America movement encouraging young people to develop a passion for reading.
“Reading remains one of my favorite hobbies, largely because of the inspiration it provided me as a young child,” Norris said. “Because of books I have been able to travel to faraway places, imagine things never before seen and experience the world in ways that changed my perspective and helped make me the person I am today. Not only does reading help further our education, but it also cultivates our passion for life. It’s such a pleasure for me to get to share that joy with students at events like this and through my annual Summer Reading Program.”
In addition to participating in annual Read Across America programs, Norris also encourages children’s reading development by providing families with encouragement and resources over the summer through his annual Summer Reading Program. The program is available both digitally and in hard copy and can be found on his Assembly Website and on social media toward the end of the school year.
ORCHARD PARK – Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) is traveling to the southern border today to meet with members of Border Patrol and local law enforcement, tour detention facilities, and observe ports of entry and technology being deployed at the border.
“As a member of Congress, I believe it is imperative to see challenges facing our nation firsthand and to hear directly from the people facing them in order to be a more effective representative,” Jacobs said. “Since President Biden took office and undid the successful policies of President Trump that discouraged illegal immigration, we have seen a growing national security and humanitarian crisis at our southern border. Most recently, we have seen record amounts of fentanyl crossing into our country.”
This is Jacobs’ third trip to the southern border since being elected to Congress. In June of 2021, Jacobs traveled to the southern border with President Trump to meet with Border Patrol agents and observe the impacts of President Biden’s decision to cancel the construction of the border wall.
“The Biden administration has created a crisis at our southern border – one that impacts the safety and well-being of every American. Once criminals and illicit drugs cross our southern border, they move throughout the nation,” Jacobs said. “Fentanyl trafficked across our southern border continues to fuel the opioid epidemic in communities across our country and right here at home. Securing our southern border and providing our brave Border Patrol agents with every resource they need has never been more important to the health, safety, and security of our nation.”
GAINES – Undoubtedly, one of the most popular images from the Victorian era, and one of the most widely reproduced, was “Rock of Ages.” We show first a reverse painted copy on glass which hangs in the Cobblestone Museum’s Ward House.
This painting measuring 16”x20” was no doubt created by an amateur painter in the 1890s. We note that the artist included some pieces of mother-of-pearl shell on portions of the cross. These are affixed to the back side of the glass.
From the “Crown Jewels of Art,” published in 1899, we find the above illustration of this original allegorical painting. Franklin Edson Belden, author of the above mentioned book, described J. A. Oertel’s painting of Faith (Rock of Ages) in most melodramatic Victorian language. It follows here after a postcard when U.S. postage for such was one cent.
“Dark roll the waves at thy feet, O beautiful Faith, but the everlasting Rock, bathes in the sunlight of heavenly love, standeth unmoved. The beakers may surge and dash; but thy strength is sure. Dread sinking forms may lift their hideous hands to drag thee down, but purity will keep thee safe. Wrecks of time may toss unanchored, hurrying on to unknown seas, but thou art still looking upward into glory. And above the splashing spray, above the breakers’ roar, thy voice floats ever, – “Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in thee; let the water and the blood, from thy wounded side that flowed, be of sin and perfect cure; save me, Lord, and make me pure.”
“Thus Faith lives above the seething flood, and reaching up with steadfast arms clasps the emblem of Redemption, while triumphant o’er the wrecks of time; all the light of sacred story gathers round its head sublime. When the woes of life o’ertake me, hopes deceive and fears annoy, never shall the cross forsake me; lo, it glows with peace and joy. When the sun of bliss is beaming light and love upon my way, from the cross the radiance streaming, adds new luster to the day. Bane and blessing, pain and pleasure, by the cross are sanctified; peace is there that knows no measure, joys that through all time abide.”
This lithograph measuring 16”x 20” and all the following examples belong to Bill Lattin except where noted.
J.A. Oertel based his painting and several other variations on the hymn, “Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me.” This popular hymn in Protestant churches was written by Augustus Toplady in 1776.
Now to the artist, Johannes Adam Simon Oertel (1823-1909). He was born in Bavaria and studied art and painting in Nuremburg and Munich. Following his studies he earned a living by engraving, until he came to the United States in 1848. Here he continued to do engraving, paint portraits and hand color photographs. He also worked on interior decorations in the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.
During the Civil War, Oertel accompanied Gen. Burnside for several months in 1862 as an artist/illustrator. In the mid-1800s, after several years of study, he became an Episcopal clergyman. Concurrently he was also an instructor of art at Washington University in St. Louis. During the last two decades of his life, he lived near Washington D.C. spending his time making religious paintings and wooden carvings which he gave to churches. His famous “Rock of Ages,” was created in 1868.
This painting, an oil on canvas measuring 14”x23”, was done by a Sunday Painter circa 1890. In it we see Faith not only clinging to the rugged cross, but also reaching to Jesus above. “When I soar to worlds unknown, I will see thee on thy throne.” The artist for this, Edward Mueller, signed his own name to this which is a no-no! What he should have done is letter the words, “After Ortel, by Edward Muller” or not signed this copy at all.
“Rock of Ages” was not only reproduced in two dimensional form, but also in statuary. This very fine piece of Parian marble, measuring 13” in height, would have been cast circa 1875-1880. The print shown here of the same timeframe, is an exact photocopy of the Parian statue above. We suppose that the fine Parian ware was expensive. So, if you couldn’t afford a classy statue, an economical framed print of the same would suffice.
Here is a second variation of the “Rock of Ages” entitled, “Simply to Thy Cross I Cling.” In this Parian ware example measuring 13” in height, Oertel illustrated Charity assisting Faith from the “splashing spray above the breakers roar.” An 1870s framed photo of the statue is also shown here.
This is one of several religious prints which has hung in the Cobblestone Church at Childs for a number of years. It, too, represents one of Oertel’s variations on the theme showing Faith and Charity.
In this example, Faith is shown amongst various flowers which take on a more funereal theme, as this image was often used.
This 1880s American pressed glass bread plate shows Faith and Charity. Lettered above them is “Simply to Thy Cross I Cling.” Below it states, “Rock of Ages.” Around the outer edges of this plate it states, “Give Us This Day, Our Daily Bread.”
Rock of Ages was so popular that even the very unskilled attempted to copy it as we see in this primitive example.
In this cartoon by Frank Beard, copyright 1896, we see his interpretation of our subject. The rock being “The Word,” the sinking ship “Bigotry,” and the melting icebergs, “Dogma, Formalism and Ecclesiasticism.” Beard based his cartoon on: “The grass withers, the flowers fade; but the word of our God shall stand forever.” Isaiah 40:8. All of the images go to show just how popular the Rock of Ages was in various forms during the Victorian Era.
Here is an example of Rock of Ages where a thin piece of wood was fashioned by use of a coping saw. The ivy leaves symbolize: memory, the doves: peace, which suggest this may have been a memorial to someone within its black presentation and frame.
We end with a funeral card from 1900 showing Faith holding steadfast to the “Rock of Ages.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 March 2022 at 7:51 am
Gas prices, which have steadily been on the rise in recent weeks, took a dramatic spike since Monday going up an average of 25 cents a gallon in New York State from $3.80 to $4.05, according to AAA.
In Orleans County, the surge is even higher, up 33 cents from $3.801 a gallon on Monday to $4.129 today, AAA said.
Oil prices are up to $110 a barrel, which affects gas prices which are now at the highest levels in more than a decade, AAA said.
“Like the U.S. stock market, the oil market responds poorly to volatility,” AAA said in a news release. “It’s an explosive situation, and a grim reminder that events on the far side of the globe can have a ripple effect for American consumers. The market will likely continue to increase the price of oil as sanctions are imposed on Russia. A potential ban of crude imports from Russia to the U.S. or other countries will likely cause prices to continue to rise to reflect more risk of disruption to tight global oil supplies.”
The price is up $1.24 in the state since a year ago when a gallon of gas cost $2.81. Nationally the average price changed from $2.75 a year ago to $3.84 today, AAA said.
In less than five weeks, the price in Orleans County has jumped 58.3 cents from $3.546 a gallon on Jan. 31 to $4.129 today.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 March 2022 at 9:00 pm
ALBION – There will be a benefit on Tuesday at Maison Albion in honor of Theresa Karlak, who was tragically killed after being struck by a vehicle while she was walking on New Year’s Day in Eagle Harbor.
Theresa Karlak
A vehicle struck her and also caused minor injuries to her younger sister.
The “Tribute to Theresa” benefit on Tuesday from 5 to 8 p.m. will include a ceremonial candle lighting by the pond at 7 p.m. There will be light refreshments catered by Wild Flour Bakery, as well as appetizers and a basket raffle.
The gathering is free to attend but guests are encouraged to donate $19 in honor of Theresa’s 19th birthday, which is March 8.
Proceeds raised from the event will be given directly to the Karlak family and 19 percent of those proceeds will be donated to a local animal shelter on behalf of Theresa Karlak who had dreams of being a veterinarian.
Theresa’s brother Joseph Karlak works at Maison Albion, 13800 West County House Rd.
LOCKPORT – Assemblyman Mike Norris (R,C-Lockport) joined the national Read Across America movement today by reading Dr. Seuss’ Green Eggs and Ham to Mrs. Dockery’s 1st grade class at the Roy B. Kelly Elementary School in Lockport.
