Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Firefighters were dispatched at about 9:30 this morning to the former Hawks Hideaway bar at 14111 Albion-Eagle Harbor Rd.

The building is currently being used for storage. No one lives there.

Multiple fire departments responded to the scene in 10-degree weather.

Orleans County fire investigators are at the scene.

No other information is available.

File photo: Members of Medina’s Releaf Medina Society stand around a diseased ash tree in State Street Park last spring. The Society is doing a second annual fundraising drive to purchase trees to replace the hundreds which have been attacked by the emerald ash borer. From left are Lisa Tombari, Kathy Blackburn, Releaf Medina Society chair Robert Sanderson and Jake Hebdon.

MEDINA – The Releaf Medina Society is preparing to launch its second annual fund drive from Feb. 1 through Arbor Day on April 29.

Funds collected will be used to replace the many trees in Medina which have to be cut down, mostly due to the Emerald Ash Borer.

The Society is delighted with the success of the drive last year, which raised $8,225, said Kathy Blackburn, a member of the Releaf Medina Society.

The Releaf Society was formed to create an organization to which residents could make donations to help restore the estimated 100 trees a year which are dying. Blackburn explained that while Medina also has an official tree board, because it is a village organization, it cannot accept monetary donations. She also stressed they also work closely with the Medina Tree Board.

The Releaf Society operates under the umbrella of the Orleans Renaissance Group, a non-profit organization, which makes donations tax deductible.

Last year, donations enabled the village to plant 12 trees, while 35 were taken down. This year, the village will be able to plant 42 trees, costing between $199 and $300 each. Donations enable the donor to request a tree be planted in honor or in memory of a loved one. Flyers  with application forms are available in various locations throughout the village, online or by calling Blackburn at (585) 734-5801.

A general donation of any amount will be used to replace trees between streets and sidewalks. A donation to designate a tree in memory or in honor of someone costs $300. Those trees will be planted in one of the village’s six parks and will be identified with a black granite plaque.

The minimum donation to request a tree be planted on your street or in a specific locations is $250. The donor’s recognition will appear on Medina’s website and at City Hall. There are also other levels of donations, which are identified in the flyer.

Blackburn added that donations are used for the purchase of trees only. Planting, watering and maintenance is done by the Medina Department of Public Works employees.

Donations may be sent in the form of a check payable to Medina Releaf Fund, in care of ORG, P.O. Box 543, Medina, 14103.

Trees are needed on all village streets, in all six parks and in Boxwood Cemetery, Blackburn said.

On April 29, the Releaf Society will sponsor a celebration on the east end and south side of South Avenue, with students from the third grade at Oak Orchard Elementary School. The time will be announced closer to the event, and the public will be invited.

Blackburn said the black granite markers which were ordered last year were delayed due to the lack of etching material, caused by the Covid pandemic. They have finally arrived and owners will be notified when they will be placed and where their tree is planted.

Other exciting news is the addition of a volunteer forestry coordinator, Blackburn said. Chris Busch of Medina has offered to take on the task of researching what species of trees are suitable for different locations and soil conditions and if an existing tree does or doesn’t meet the criteria for removal.

In addition to Blackburn, members of the Releaf Medina Society are Bob Sanderson, chair; Lisa Tombari, Jake Hebdon and Virginia Kropf.

With the Niagara-Orleans boys basketball season reaching the halfway point this coming week five teams are currently bunched together in the title race.

Roy-Hart at 3-1 heads that tightly bunched group with defending champion Medina and Akron both at 2-1 and rivals Newfane and Wilson both at 3-2.

This week Roy-Hart visits Albion (0-3) on Tuesday and Wilson on Friday.

Medina meanwhile will host Wilson on Tuesday and Akron in a make-up contest on Thursday.

The week’s wrestling schedule will be highlighted by the annual Medina Gary Gross Memorial Tournament on Saturday.

The N-O swim season will wrap up with Boys All-League meet on Monday and the girls on Wednesday, both at Newfane.

Weekly Schedule
Monday
Boys Basketball – Lyndonville at Alexander, Barker at Holley, Perry at Kendall, 7 p.m.
Girls Basketball – Medina at Wilson, Holley at Barker, 6 p.m.
Swimming – N-O Boys All-League meet at Newfane, 6 p.m.

Tuesday
Boys Basketball – Akron at Newfane, 6 p.m.; Wilson at Medina, Roy-Hart at Albion, RAC at Lyndonville, 6:30 p.m.; Pembroke at Holley, 7 p.m.
Girls Basketball – Albion at Roy-Hart, Newfane at Akron, 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday
Boys Basketball – Barker at Tonawanda, 6:30 p.m.
Girls Basketball – Elba at Lyndonville, Holley at Mt. Morris, 7 p.m.
Swimming – N-O Girls All-League meet at Newfane, 6 p.m.

Thursday
Boys Basketball – Akron at Medina, 6:30 p.m.; Pembroke at Lyndonville, Holley at Elba, Wheatland-Chili at Kendall, 7 p.m.
Girls Basketball – Medina at Barker, 6 p.m.; Newfane at Albion, Wilson at Roy-Hart, 6:30 p.m.
Wrestling – Lyndonville at Byron-Bergen, Alexander at Holley-Kendall, 6 p.m.

Friday
Boys Basketball – Roy-Hart at Wilson, 6 p.m.; Barker at Medina, Albion at Newfane, 6:30 p.m.
Girls Basketball – Lyndonville at Pembroke, Elba at Holley, Kendall at Wheatland-Chili, 7 p.m.

Saturday
Boys Basketball – Roy-Hart vs. Starpoint at NCCC, 12 p.m.
Girls Basketball – Roy-Hart at Barker, 10 a.m.; Medina at Akron, 11:30 a.m.
Wrestling – Medina Gary Gross Memorial Wrestling Tournament, 9 a.m.

N-O Basketball Standings
Boys – Roy-Hart 3-1, Akron 2-1, Medina 2-1, Newfane 3-2, Wilson 3-2, Barker 1-4, Albion 0-3
Girls – Wilson 5-0, Newfane 4-1, Akron 2-1, Roy-Hart 1-2, Barker 1-3, Albion 0-3, Medina 0-3

By Catherine Cooper, Orleans County Historian

“Illuminating Orleans” – Vol. 2, No. 4

Name a site where you could easily purchase any item under the sun, at a competitive price, allowing you to buy goods without going to a store and then have that item expeditiously sent to your home, availing of the most up-to-date transportation methods?

Yes, you guessed it: Sears, Roebuck and Co.!

A Sears, Roebuck catalog from 1902 was recently donated to the Orleans County History Department. The catalog highlights the similarities between Sears, Roebuck and Amazon.

Sears started in 1886, selling watches by mail-order, then a new purchasing method. In 1994, Amazon began selling books online, also a new concept. In both instances, the combination of energetic leadership, fortuitous timing and a particular combination of socio-economic and demographic factors facilitated their explosive growth and market dominance.

Richard Sears and Alvah Roebuck issued their first catalog, 322 pages in 1891. At that time, 65% of the population lived in rural areas and were required to travel to often distant post boxes to pick up their mail, or to pay carriers for delivery.

The Rural Free Delivery Act was passed in 1894 to provide mail delivery, free of charge, to all. Naturally, the legislation had encountered the opposition of the paid carriers and of the store owners who rightly feared the prospect of mail-order shopping.

The Sears catalog which has been donated to the History Dept. is a hefty tome, 1,208 pages, offering every item imaginable. All the items are listed in the eight-page index, from Abdominal Belts to Zitho Harps.

The catalog included a comprehensive range of dress and work clothing for the entire family

Suddenly, the floodgates of consumerism were open, everyone could buy anything, conveniently and privately. Thanks to Sears’ inspired privacy policy, people could shop “incognito” as the company vowed that every transaction would be strictly confidential, that their name and address would not appear on any article of merchandise. One can well imagine that this would have been appreciated especially by customers in small communities.

The catalog is printed in black and white, but carpet, floor linoleum and oilcloth patterns were shown in color.

This was not a free catalog – the cloth bound edition cost $1, and the paperback edition 50 cents. These prices may seem inexpensive to us, but at the time, one could purchase one pair of men’s very best quality German knit socks for 40 cents and three pairs for $1.20.

Sears’ justification for the charge was very logical: the cost of sending free catalogs to everybody was a waste of paper and money, and a cost which was passed on to the customer. Providing the catalog only to those who intended to buy reduced waste and cost and ultimately benefitted the customer. Unfortunately, paper and money are still being wasted on the mailing of multiple copies of unsolicited magazines.

Spades, shovels and tools for every task.

The Sears catalog provides an insight into the daily life of the era, the items that people wore and worked with, the items that surrounded them in their homes: furniture, kitchen items, guns, musical instruments, horse tackle, door locks, heating stoves, clothing, footwear. Then, there are the more unexpected items: tents, power windmills, ploughs, tombstones.

Every page of this catalog is a fascination – the descriptions, the terminology that would be unacceptable today: “underwear for fat men,” the outrageous items, and the outrageous claims:

“WHITE STAR SECRET LIQUOR CURE:

Makes them stop drinking forever.

Drunkards cured without their knowledge.”

The 60-gauge current Heidelberg Belt “seeks the weak, diseased parts at once…cures vital weakness, nervous debility or impotence”

From a historian’s point of view, the catalog is an invaluable resource to help identify items, since so many are no longer familiar to us. It can also be used to help date photographs by comparing clothing and background items.

This 120-year-old catalog is in remarkably good condition. It was originally owned by Herbert C. Hill of Shelby. A printing press which he operated was previously donated to the Cobblestone Museum. We thank the Hill family for their generosity.

Ben’s Backpacks was started in memory of Ben Kirby of Albion

BROCKPORT – A concert on Jan. 29 at the Brockport High School Auditorium will be a fundraiser for Ben’s Backpacks, a program that provides school supplies for children in Mexico.

Ben’s Backpacks is named in memory of Ben Kirby of Albion. He was 21 when he was killed in a car accident on Nov. 6, 2017, on Route 531 in the Town of Gates. Ben was a student at the Rochester Institute of Technology in his senior year majoring in software development.

His mother Wendy Kirby is now retired as a teacher at Brockport. She started the charity as a tribute to her son and also to help children in the rural area of Oaxaca, Mexico go to school by covering the costs of uniforms, books, and other school supplies – which is about $30 a year per child.

“Many families in this area cannot afford to send their children to school without our support,” Mrs. Kirby said. “What better way to help the area out of poverty than to educate the children.”

Mrs. Kirby taught ESL classes with students from the region in Oaxaca, which is in the southern part of the country near the Guatemalan border. It is one of the poorest areas of Mexico where many families cannot afford to send their children to school.

“I had a high school student in Brockport who was living here with her grandparents,” Kirby said. “Her family could not afford her schooling if she lived in Mexico. She was looking for a job so she could pay for tuition, transportation, books, etc. when she returned to her family in Mexico.”

The 7 p.m. concert on Jan. 29 will feature the Brockport Dance and Performing Arts. The Brockport National Honor Society is helping to organize the event. There is no admission fee but donations will be accepted.

“We are so grateful for their support to this great cause,” Kirby said. “Not only does it honor our Ben but all the money we raise supports children in Mexico so they can attend school.”

Tax deductible donations to Ben’s Backpacks also are accepted. Checks (please note Ben’s Backpack in memo) may be made out to Salmon Children’s Foundation P. O. Box 187 Albion, NY 14411 or donate online (click here).

Let’s go on an adventure together….to Santa Barbara, CA!

Santa Barbara was the first stop on a West Coast Adventure I took in March/April of 2017. This was a fabulous trip that lasted about 15 days between a seven day cruise, extra time spent in the San Francisco area, and a train ride to Seattle. Maybe I’ll do an article soon that pulls all the parts of that trip together. For now, I want to talk about Santa Barbara.

Me in the vineyard at LaFond Winery in Santa Barbara, CA. Beautiful landscape and delicious wines.

I had originally booked a walking tour that included food and wine tastings through an eclectic section of Santa Barbara. But, I heard some other passengers talking about a different tour that sounded better, so I swapped them out. I’m really glad I did! The tour I ended up taking included a drive through the wine country surrounding Santa Barbara, visits to two estate wineries, and time for lunch and shopping in nearby Solvang – a quaint Dutch Village. It was a fabulous day!

The ports in Santa Barbara can’t accommodate large ships, so we had to tender in from the ship on smaller boats. The country side around the Santa Barbara area is just stunning! Lots of rolling hills with vineyards and farms as far as the eye can see and mountains off in the distance. It was a gorgeous warm and breezy spring day in California. We were outside a lot of the day and it felt amazing.

We visited two estate wineries – LaFond and Foley Estates. To be considered and “Estate” winery, they have to farm their grapes, process their wine, and bottle it all on their own property – nothing can be outsourced. I enjoy wine tastings – they can be great fun in beautiful settings. Both wineries were beautiful with comfortable and lovely tasting rooms and stunning landscapes. They both offered us samplings of their best wines – both red and white – all of which I really enjoyed, which is not typical for me. I was never really a red wine fan. But, after my trip to California, I grew to appreciate them and absolutely LOVED the Pinot Noir offered by both of these wineries.

The lovely Dutch village of Solvang in Santa Barbara County located in the Santa Ynez Valley stays true to its Dutch heritage.

We spent the afternoon in Solvang. Solvang is a small Dutch city in Santa Barbara County, located in the Santa Ynez Valley. It was founded in 1911 and incorporated in 1985. Solvang is often dubbed “The Danish Capital of America”. To ensure they maintain their identity as a Dutch village, all businesses must have an old world Dutch look. It really makes for a great place to visit. We had lunch “on our own” and lots of time to shop and wander around the unique village. 

For lunch I chose a small diner and had a sampling of various Dutch sandwiches on pumpernickel bread and potato salad – so good!!! I couldn’t resist capping off the meal with the specialty dessert – Aebleskiver!!! They are warm, soft donut-type balls with raspberry jam and powdered sugar. There were three on the plate, but they were so huge that I was only able to eat one and a half! They were amazing…..I wished I had left more room so I could finish them! 

Taking the horse trolley through the village of Solvang was a joy. Seeing them around the village was pretty cool, too!

After lunch, I visited many of the shops and sat on benches enjoying the wonderful day in such a lovely Dutch setting. It was a short day in Santa Barbara, but very memorable. It gave me a taste of the area, of the wonderful California wines, and an amazing Dutch inspired lunch. You can’t beat that! If given the chance, I would definitely return for another look around this beautiful area of California.

Visit the blog post I wrote about my day in Santa Barbara for more photos (click here).

Happy Adventuring,
Kim Pritt

By Bill Lattin and Doug Farley – Vol. 3 No. 2

GAINES – For our third famous painting from the 19th century we have selected what is known as “Pharaoh’s Horses,” or “Pharaoh’s Chariot Horses.” The painting seen here has hung in the Cobblestone Museum’s Ward House for over 30 years.

It was done, no doubt, by an amateur painter around 1890. We might add that it was poorly executed as the lower left area is supposed to represent “a wall of water.” We also note that this painter chose to use a monochromatic color scheme of yellow ocher.

John Frederick Herring, Sr. (1795-1865)

By 1900, this popular image was widely viewed with nearly ubiquitous fake paintings and prints. It is also most usually seen as a “tondo,” meaning in round format.

Many of our readers might be a little more familiar with this image, rather than the images shown in Parts 1 and 2 of this series. However, in today’s world, it is mostly forgotten and its meaning is often not understood.

The original “Pharaoh’s Chariot Horses” was painted in 1848 by John Frederick Herring, Sr. He was born in London, while growing up, he took great interest in drawing horses. In 1814, he moved to Doncaster in the north of England where he was employed as a painter of inn signs and insignias on the sides of coaches.

In his spare time, he painted portraits of horses for inn parlors. His talent was soon recognized by wealthy customers and he began painting hunters and racehorses for the local gentry. In 1845, Herring received a commission from Queen Victoria, who remained a patron for the rest of Herring’s life.

In order to get a better understanding of this painting we need to go to the biblical Book of Exodus to find answers contained in the description of the Ten Plagues of Egypt.

The Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out for help?” Tell the people to move forward. Lift up your walking stick and hold it out over the sea. The water will divide, and the Israelites will be able to walk through the sea on dry ground. (Ex. 14:15-16)

This large painting measuring 32 x 34 inches is an oil on canvas in tones of grey. It would have been done by a Sunday Painter in the 1880s. Unlike most copies it is rectangular in format. Note the waves of water in the lower left corner. The painting hangs in the home of Bill Lattin.

…and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on both sides. The Egyptians pursued them and went after them into the sea with all their horses, chariots, and drivers. (Ex.14: 22-23)

The oil on canvas shown here measuring 24 inches in diameter was done around 1890 by Harriet Wyman Kilner from the Town of Shelby. She was a Sunday Painter who often copied other artists works. Known as “Aunt Hattie,” she was an older sister to Bill Lattin’s Grandmother Wilson. This painting is now currently owned by local art connoisseurs. We note that it was largely done in tones of blue.

The Lord said to Moses, ‘Hold out your hand over the sea, and the water will come back over the Egyptians and their chariots and drivers.’ (Ex. 14:26)

Here we have another oil on canvas by a Sunday Painter dating to the 1880s. It measures 12 inches in diameter and belongs to a local collector. This piece was done largely in tones of brown.

The water returned and covered the chariots, the drivers, and all the Egyptian army that had followed the Israelites into the sea; not one of them was left. But the Israelites walked through the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on both sides.  (Ex 14:28-29)

We judge this print measuring 20 inches in diameter was published around 1900, and appears to be in its original frame.

In all of the images we see, it is obvious that the horses saw what was coming at them as there is great fright in their eyes.  Moses parting the Red Sea and the Children of Israel “passing over” onto dry ground, is still celebrated by Jewish people today, as part of their observance of Passover.

This small print measuring 6½ inches in diameter was published in the 1890s and is mounted in its original frame.

The popularity of this picture was widely accepted, especially by Protestants, who were often reluctant to have other overtly religious pictures in their homes, mainly because of anti-Catholic sentiment.

Therefore, “Pharaoh’s Horses” was much more acceptable and popular in rural 19th century America than any of Raphael’s beautiful paintings of the Madonna and child.  Above we see a copy of Raphael’s famous “Madonna of the Chair,” done on porcelain, circa 1890.

This 3½ inch diameter painting in a Florentine frame belongs to a local collector. It was probably originally purchased by an American tourist on a trip to Italy. Raphael did a number of Madonna portraits in the early 16th century. In this one, Mary is seated in a chair holding baby Jesus while John the Baptist looks on. Now in the 21st century, there is more public recognition of this than the once very poplar Pharaoh’s Horses in the 19th century.

We end this story with an illustration which shows a conclusion to Pharaoh’s Horses and the Parting of the Red Sea.

The prophet Miriam, Aaron’s sister, took her tambourine, and all the women followed her, playing tambourines and dancing.  Miriam sang for them: “Sing to the Lord, because he has won a glorious victory; he has thrown the horses and their riders into the sea.”  (Exodus 15: 20, 21)

In this rare engraving we see in the foreground, Miriam with tambourine leading the women in joyful triumph. In the middle ground we observe Moses with walking stick, and Aaron, both standing on a cliff. In the background note the sea and pyramids in the far distance. This Victorian print measuring 9” in diameter dates to around 1880 and is in a local private collection.

The Covid positivity rate fell below 10 percent on Thursday state-wide for the first time in about month, but remains much higher locally.

The percentage of positive Covid tests on Thursday was 9.75, with 28,296 of the 290,107 reported results coming back positive.

Gov. Kathy Hochul celebrated the milestone on Friday.

“For the first time since Dec. 20, New York State’s percent positivity is in the single-digits,” she said. “I want to thank New Yorkers for doing the right thing to get where we are in fighting this winter surge. However, this isn’t the time to take our foot off the gas. Let’s keep using the tools – the vaccine, the booster and masking up – to further bring the numbers down and keep our vulnerable loves ones safe from this virus.”

Locally the percentage of positive tests is much higher.

• In Orleans, 17.5 percent of the tests were positive on Thursday (71 out of 406).
• In Genesee, 21.6 percent were positive (150 out of 695)
• In Niagara, 17.9 percent tested positive (305 out of 1,716)
• In Wyoming, the percent positive was 17.8 percent (64 out of 360)
• In Livingston, 24.8 percent were positive (124 out of 500)

Press Release, Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments

Genesee County has received 2,580 free Covid-19 test kits from New York State to distribute to Genesee County residents.

Starting the week of January 24, test kits will be available at town, village, and city municipal buildings during their regular business hours, while supplies last.

Residents should contact their local municipality for details of when the municipal building is open and the availability of test kits. A maximum of two kits (four tests) per family will be distributed and attendees will be required to show proof of Genesee County residency in order to receive kits. The following locations will have a limited supply of Covid-19 test kits:

• Town of Alabama
• Town of Alexander
• Town of Batavia
• Town of Bergen
• Town of Bethany
• Town of Byron
• Town of Darien
• Town of Elba
• Town of LeRoy
• Town of Oakfield
• Town of Pavilion
• Town of Pembroke
• Town of Stafford
• Village of Alexander
• Village of Bergen
• Village of Corfu
• Village of Elba
• Village of LeRoy
• Village of Oakfield
• Batavia City Hall, Clerks Office

“Residents should use at-home Covid-19 tests after a possible exposure to someone with Covid-19 or when they exhibit symptoms of Covid-19,” stated Paul Pettit, Public Health Director for Genesee and Orleans counties. “Testing is one mitigation strategy that can help reduce the community spread of Covid-19.”

Albion testing site at GCC campus: For Free PCR and rapid testing, you can go to the NYS Covid-19 Testing site located at GCC Albion Campus Center at 456 West Avenue, Albion. Walk-ins and registration allowed Monday through Saturday. To register, click here.

To report a positive at-home test: Individuals can visit the GO Health website Covid-19 Testing page under Emerging Issues (GOHealthNY.org) and choose the appropriate Home Test button for their respective county.

Individuals should complete the at-home tests according to the directions provided. When the test is completed, individuals should take a picture with the individual’s name, the date and the time they took the test legibly written in permanent marker within 15 minutes of reading the test.

Towards the end of the online form, the individual will be required to upload the picture on the website and attest to the authenticity and truth of the form. If there are any missing sections that are required, the form is invalid. At this time, individuals do not need to report negative at-home test results.

Anyone who tests positive for Covid-19 is to self-isolate immediately. You may not be contacted regarding your contacts, so it is important to notify your close contacts (those who you spent 15 minutes or more in a 24-hour period 2 days prior to symptoms or 2 days prior to a positive test result).

It is important to continue with self-isolation from household members as much as you are able. Isolate for 5 days and if you are fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication, your symptoms are getting better, and you can tolerate a tight-fitting mask you can return to work/school but you are still required to wear a tight-fitting mask for 5 more days.

If you must share space, make sure all in contact with you are wearing masks covering their nose and mouth and frequently shared items/surfaces are sanitized often. To access isolation orders and isolation release paperwork visit our website at GOHealthNY.org (Covid-19 Isolation & Quarantine Documents & Information) and complete and print out or print and hand write the forms from the county you reside in and provide to your employer or school.

Residents can sign up for an upcoming Covid-19 vaccination clinic to receive their first dose, booster shot, or pediatric dose at the GO Health website.

Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office

Governor Kathy Hochul today signed legislation to allow voting by absentee ballot due to the Covid-19 pandemic through 2022.

This legislation continues to allow New Yorkers to request an absentee ballot during the pandemic where there is a risk of contracting or spreading disease that may cause illness to the voter or other members of the public. This legislation first became law in July of 2020, and expired December 31, 2021.

“No one should have to choose between exercising their right to vote and protecting their health and safety,” Governor Hochul said. “This legislation will ensure the pandemic does not create inaccessibility for voters during upcoming elections and help protect New Yorkers’ access to the ballot.”

Absentee ballot applications for the February 15th special elections in the 60th and 72nd assembly districts are open through January 31st by mail, until February 14th in-person and can be submitted by mail or in-person until February 15th. More information on absentee voting and how to apply for an absentee ballot is available by clicking here.

In addition, Governor Hochul proposed in her 2022 State of the State a number of proposal to strengthen voting rights protections in New York State, including a state-level voting rights act to protect against voter suppression, improving language access for voters, lowering the voter registration deadline from 25 days to 10 days before Election Day, and requiring polling locations on college campuses.

Senator Alessandra Biaggi (Bronx/Westchester) said, “We cannot allow the ongoing pandemic to undermine our democracy and interfere with New Yorkers’ right to vote, and must similarly adapt to prioritize public health while protecting our democracy. This is why I introduced S7565 to ensure that no New Yorker has to choose between their health and fulfilling their civic responsibility, allowing New Yorkers to continue to vote absentee in 2022. Thank you to Governor Hochul for recognizing the need for this legislation, and for prioritizing the wellbeing of New Yorkers, while committing to protect our democracy.”

Provided photos: Geri Hens, a Master Beekeeper and environmental educator, will kick off the “Master Your Garden” series with a presentation on pollinators, focusing on native insects and other animals vital to the local ecosystem.

Press Release, Orleans County Master Gardeners

KNOWLESVILLE – Master Gardeners in Orleans County have finalized the lineup for their monthly “Master Your Garden” class series.

Like most organizations, Master Gardeners had to adapt and alter their typical event schedule the last two years due to the pandemic. Last year they launched their “Master Your Garden” series for the first time ever – a monthly class on the first Saturday of each month featuring various gardening topics and taught by Master Gardener volunteers or Extension staff.

Natural dyes are the focus of the April 2 class.

The series turned out to be a success as many public participants were looking for in-person learning opportunities to support existing garden hobbies or explore new gardening niches.   Master Gardeners decided to return to this style of programming for the 2022 event year and have developed a robust lineup of new topics.

“I really like this new format of offering classes for the public,” said Master Gardener Brenda Radzinski who taught a class on Roses in last year’s MYG lineup and will lead “Natural Easter Egg Dyes” in April this year. “I think the Master Your Gardener series is a more diverse style of educational outreach. It gives us the opportunity to offer a wider range of topics to those interested.”

The first class of the 2022 series will be on “Pollinators” on Feb. 5 at 10 a.m. in the Trolley Building at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds. The class will feature honeybees and their native counterparts, as well as other pollinators that are vital to the life cycle of most flowering plants.

Master Gardener Chairperson Erica Joan Wanecski will open the program with an introductory presentation on “Mutualism – Partnerships in Nature,” discussing how different animals, insects and plants have evolved together in mutually beneficial relationships.

The headline presentation on “Pollinators” will be taught by Geri Hens, a Master Beekeeper, tenured environmental educator, and owner of Hens Honeybee Farm in Niagara County.

Master Gardener Jena Buckwell will lead two presentations in this year’s MYG lineup – Meet Your Mulch, and IPM for Snails and Slugs.

Initially approached to do a presentation specifically on Honeybees, Hens wanted to make sure the native pollinators that often go unnoticed received their share of attention and appreciation. Her presentation will be an in-depth conversation about the roles of insects and their habitats, the threats facing our local ecosystems, and things homeowners can do to mitigate those threats.

Hens brings decades of experience working with pollinators of all kinds, and she is backed not only by her formal credentialed training in beekeeping and environmental education but also her personal reflections from over thirty years of observing the ever-changing environment and its impacts.

The rest of the class series will feature topics such as vermicomposting (composting with worms), selecting the best mulch for your garden, local watershed protection, native plants and more!

For the full class schedule, see the Orleans County CCE website.  All classes are donation-based, community members can pay what they are able, with proceeds going to support other educational projects put together by the Master Gardeners like the returning Seed Bank project, a new Vegetable Variety Trial Garden, and tabling materials at local events.

“Our Master Gardener Volunteers are such an experienced bunch of gardeners with really varied areas of interest,” said Katie Oakes, coordinator of the Master Gardener program and Horticulture Educator at Orleans County CCE.  “They aren’t afraid to try new things, and when they have successes are so willing to share their knowledge with the public.  This MYG class series is the perfect outlet to extend those skills and experiences to our community members.”

For more information on this or any other Master Gardener event, contact Katie Oakes, at 585-798-4265 ext. 125 or by email at klo54@cornell.edu.

RIDGEWAY – A storage shed was destroyed by a fire today on Mill Road, but the blaze did not spread and cause much damage to a barn on the property.

Firefighters were dispatched to 10422 Mill Rd. at about 11:15 a.m. for reports of a barn fire. A shed was on fire likely due to two space heaters inside a small confined space, said fire investigator Steve Cooley.

The shed was pushed away from the barn, which helped keep the fire from spreading.

Responding fire departments included Ridgeway, Medina, Lyndonville and Shelby as well as the State Police and Orleans County Emergency Management.

230 new jobs will be added to facility

Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that General Motors plans to invest nearly $154 million in its Western New York Lockport Components plant.

The investment will be used to renovate the facility and purchase and install new machinery and equipment used in the production of the stator module, a key component in an electric motor. Electric motors will be used in a variety of GM’s future Ultium Platform-based electric trucks and SUVs. Facility renovations will begin immediately.

“With this major investment at its Lockport facility, General Motors is taking the next steps to advance an all-electric future,” said Governor Hochul. “Not only will this investment provide a boost to Western New York’s economy, but it will play a critical role in supporting our efforts to electrify the transportation sector and reduce climate-altering greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution.”

Gerald Johnson, GM Executive Vice President of Global Manufacturing and Sustainability, said, “GM’s investment in Lockport reaffirms our commitment to manufacturing in Western New York and our confidence in this team because they will build a crucial module in our electric motor assembly for our future EV trucks and SUVs. We appreciate the support from the state of New York, and it was an important factor in making this investment possible.”

As Lockport Components, which is a unionized facility located on Upper Mountain Road, prepares for electric motor component production, the facility will continue to build a variety of components that support GM’s current truck and SUV production.

Lockport Components currently produces radiators, condensers, heater cores, evaporators, HVAC modules, oil coolers and other components used in a variety of GM trucks. GM currently estimates Lockport Components will add approximately 230 positions between 2023-2026.  Actual staffing plans will be finalized closer to the start of production as the facility transitions to support EV motor component production.

Empire State Development (ESD) will provide up to $5.65 million in Excelsior Jobs Program “green” investment tax credits in return for investment commitments to move the project forward.

Empire State Development Acting Commissioner and President & CEO-designate Hope Knight said, “The auto industry is a critical economic driver in Western New York. General Motors’ renovations at its Niagara County facility will help the region continue to lead the way with the next generation of electric vehicles and support New York’s transition to the green economy.”

New York State has also been supporting the location through the allocation of 18 megawatts of low-cost hydropower from the New York Power Authority’s Niagara Power Project in Lewiston.

Lockport Components was founded in 1910 as the Harrison Radiator Company for the purpose of designing, manufacturing, and selling automotive radiators and components. With more than 1,500 employees, the site is focused on continuous improvement through a joint team process between UAW Local 686, Local 55 and plant management.

Senator Robert Ortt said, “I am pleased that General Motors is reaffirming their investment in the people and city of Lockport with today’s announcement. Western New York can and should continue to be a leader in providing good manufacturing jobs, innovation for our future economy, and an exciting place to raise a family.”

Assemblymember Michael Norris said, “General Motors and Harrison Radiator has truly been a critical foundation of our Lockport community and Western New York region through several generations of hardworking and dedicated employees and remarkable innovation within the industry. General Motors, by way of this significant investment in the Lockport Plant, has now renewed its commitment to our region and workforce, making the Lockport Plant a key part of the next generation of innovation in the automobile sector.  I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to General Motors and its workforce for its steadfast and long term leadership and history in Lockport and Western New York and I look forward to continuing to support its team and economic initiatives that will retain and grow good paying jobs in our region as this next exciting chapter begins.”

Congressman Chris Jacobs issued this statement this afternoon: “I applaud General Motors for recognizing the immense value of our region and for making an investment that will revolutionize their plant here and keep Western New York a leader in advanced manufacturing. Investments like these will ensure good-paying jobs and innovation thrive here, and I look forward to working with General Motors to support this effort and bring our WNY manufacturing industry into the future.”