Charts compiled by Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments

Both Orleans and Genesee counties are reporting a major increase in Covid cases in the past week with nearly 3,000 in the two counties.

Orleans County has 855 new confirmed cases from Jan. 5 to Jan. 11, with 622 from lab-based tests and 233 home tests, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments reported today.

The 855 is up from 379 the previous week, Dec. 29 to Jan. 4, and 159 the week earlier, from Dec. 22 to Dec. 28.

The 855 cases in Orleans represents 2.1 percent of the total population of 40,343. Orleans has now had 7,654 positive Covid cases since the pandemic started nearly two years ago in March 2020.

Genesee is reporting 1,848 during the week from Jan. 5 to Jan. 11 with 1,523 from lab-based tests and 325 from home tests. That’s up from 383 the previous week, Dec. 29 to Jan. 4, and from 276 on Dec. 22 to Dec. 28.

“Due to the Omicron variant, the post-holiday Covid-19 surge, the delay in case investigations, and the recent change in case investigation protocol, the Genesee and Orleans County Covid-19 data reflects a dramatic increase in our cases for this week’s report,” the G-O Health Departments stated.

The 1,848 new cases in one week represents 3.2 percent of Genesee’s total population of 58,388. Genesee has now had 12,105 confirmed cases of Covid since the pandemic started in March 2020.

Genesee also is reporting another Covid-related death of a person over 65. Genesee has had 164 Covid-related deaths during the pandemic and Orleans has had 104, but none in the past week.

The local health departments today are shifting to providing weekly Covid updates on Wednesdays, instead of twice a week on Mondays and Thursdays.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – A firefighter heads face first down a ladder, escaping dark smoke from the upstairs of 136 Knapp St.

The upstairs was full of gray smoke but it turned quickly into rolling black smoke. Four firefighters were upstairs and had to bail out in what firefighters said was a flashover, when a fire quickly intensifies.

Justin Niederhofer (in red) quickly gets out of the house as the fire intensifies while another firefighter hangs out a window. It was a scary moment for the firefighters on the ground and the onlookers as the dark smoke spewed out of the windows with the firefighters inside.

Niederhofer, Seth Dumrese, Steven Papponetti and Dustin Pahura all were able to get out.

Dale Banker, the county’s emergency management coordinator, has been battling fires for over 40 years. He didn’t recall a fire change so rapidly.

Papponetti suffered a cut to his hand in making his escape out of the upstairs, coming down a ladder head first.

The fast-moving caused extensive damage to a home. The homeowner, Mike Reigle, suffered burns on his arms and head. He was able to drag a mattress outside that was on fire.

A propane heater likely caught the mattress on fire, officials at the scene said.

Jerry Bentley, deputy fire coordinator, gets water on the flames in the house.

The dispatch call to firefighters at about 10 a.m. initially said it was a porch fire. But that changed to a fully involved structure fire at about 10:20 a.m.

One firefighter is grabbed after coming down the ladder face-first while another firefighter gets ready to come down in a tense moment this morning.

This screen shot shows Assemblyman Steve Hawley holding a “No Farms No Food” bumper sticker at the close of his testimony last week during a virtual hearing about lowering the overtime threshold for farms below the current 60-hour threshold in a week.

Farms in New York State are again facing the prospect that the overtime threshold will be changed.

There wasn’t an OT threshold until 2020, when it was set at 60 hours a week. Some state legislators are pushing to reduce that to 40 hours a week, like many other industries, but the farming sector has said that will likely put many of the operations out of business, or force them to switch from labor-intensive fruits, vegetables and dairy.

“Their very existence is jeopardized unlike ever before,” Assemblyman Steve Hawley said during the first of three virtual hearings about lowering the OT threshold.

Hawley is a former cash crop and livestock farmer in Batavia. He was the Genesee County Farm Bureau president. A back injury forced him to go into the insurance business where he continues to work with many farmers.

He said many pushing for lowering the overtime threshold have good intentions, but miss the reality that the change will result in smaller paychecks for workers, who will likely pursue farm jobs in other states where they can make more money.

“The surrounding states do not have this restriction,” Hawley said. “The workers will leave for other states where can get more hours.”

Hawley testified during the hearing on Jan. 4. The next two hearings are 5 p.m. on Jan. 18 and 5 p.m. on Jan. 20. (Click here for more information.)

New York farms work on a short growing season, compared to competitors in California and other warmer states. New York farms need to put in long days due to a compressed growing season and that often means working well beyond 40 hours a week, Hawley said.

“Farms cannot operate on a less than 60-hour work week, and the failure to recognize that fact will lead to the loss of our beloved family farms and all the jobs they provide,” Hawley said.

He praised the agriculture community, where he said “less than 1 percent of our population feeds our state, our country and our world.”

Farmers can’t set their prices for what they receive, but face rising costs for fuel, fertilizer and supplies.

“They are at the mercy of the weather and their government,” Hawley said.

A three-person Farm Labor Wage Board is convening the hearings. The group includes David Fisher, President of the New York Farm Bureau; Denis Hughes, former President of the New York State AFL-CIO; and Brenda McDuffie, President of the Buffalo Urban League.

The Wage Board about a year ago on Dec. 31, 2020 voted 2-1 to keep the OT threshold at 60 hours.

Hughes of the AFL-CIO cast the lone nay vote that day. He wanted an eight-year phase-in to 40 hours. In that scenario, Hughes said the OT threshold would be reduced by 2.5 hours each year over eight years until it was at 40 hours a week.

Fisher of the NYFB a year ago advocated for waiting at least three to five years to consider lowering the threshold, so more data could be analyzed on the impact for farms and the workers. Farmers have said in hearings there could be unintended consequences where workers get paid less per week with the overtime threshold dropping because farms could be force to cut hours.

McDuffie of the Urban League about a year ago said there was too much uncertainty in the farm economy to commit to lowering the overtime threshold. She said then farmers have had their markets disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic. There is no certainty when the Covid impact will end, she said.

Photo by Tom Rivers: Farmworkers harvest vegetables in August 2019 by Townline Road in Barre.

No construction start set for project ending in 2024

Photos by Tom Rivers: The Main Street lift bridge in Albion was originally built in 1914. It is one of 16 lift bridges on the Erie Canal, and one of seven in Orleans County.

ALBION – The Main Street lift bridge in Albion may close for about two years as part of an estimated $21,200,000 project that includes major repairs to the lift bridge in Brockport on Route 19.

The state Department of Transportation is reviewing bids right now. No schedule has been set for when the lift bridges will close and construction will start, a DOT spokesman said.

The Albion bridge was originally built in 1914. It typically closes a few days each year for short-term repairs. It is one of 16 lift bridges on the Erie Canal, and one of seven in Orleans County.

The DOT said the work includes installing high-strength galvanized steel to replace the steel floor system and select truss members.

Updates will also be made to the mechanical and electrical components of the lifting mechanisms. The lift tower will also be rehabilitated.

In addition, the bridge railing and guide rail on the bridge approaches will be improved and bridge will be repainted.

The DOT will have the project done the same time contractors work on the lift bridge on Route 19 in Brockport.

Construction is expected to be completed in summer 2024.

The lift bridge on Main Street in Albion typically closes a few days a year for repairs. It will get an extensive overhaul that will have it closed for about two years.

Photo from Rob Ortt’s Office: Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt is at the podium and is joined by Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, left, and Assembly Republican Leader Will Barclay, at right.

Press Release, State Senate Republican Leader Robert Ortt

ALBANY – Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt, Assembly Republican Leader Will Barclay, their fellow Republicans, and law enforcement professionals from around the state today called for an immediate restoration to public safety in New York.

“No New Yorker should ever feel unsafe in their homes, neighborhoods, and local communities,” Ortt said. “Regrettably, the radical extremists now running the State Legislature have placed the interests of dangerous criminals above the rights of everyone else, including crime victims, law-abiding citizens, and the dedicated law enforcement professionals who keep our communities safe. The results are painfully clear, and New Yorkers have had enough. Today, the Senate Republican conference will be introducing a hostile amendment that will repeal the discovery and bail reforms that passed in 2019 and 2020. It’s time to restore common sense and public safety to our state now.”

Some of the public safety challenges New York is facing include:

• A 46.7% increase in murders from 2019 to 2020;
• Overall index crime in New York City increased by 21.3% in November 2021, compared with November 2020;
• Hate crime rates in NYC increased 97% from November 2020 to November 2021;
• Firearm related violent crime increased by 28.9% from 2019 to 2020 in New York outside of New York City; and
• According to the New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, New York has the highest demand for domestic violence services in the country.

For years, Republicans successfully led the fight to support and fund law enforcement, as well as enact landmark, tough-on-crime policies such as Megan’s Law, Kendra’s Law and many others designed to toughen penalties for violent criminals and sex offenders – and to provide services to those in need.

“The safety of our citizens should be the top priority for anyone who holds public office,” said Assembly Republican Leader Will Barclay. “But year after year, Democrats have done everything in their power to undermine our laws, pardon violent criminals, and make it harder for police to protect the communities they serve. Those who supported and celebrated ‘bail reform’ as a means to make the community safe have lost all credibility on issues of law and order. They are responsible for establishing a system that enables crime and ignores criminal behavior, and it’s time to reverse course. Liberals’ platform on criminal justice isn’t simply misguided – it’s actually dangerous.”

The Republicans’ 2022 agenda to restore public safety includes:

Protecting Those Who Protect Us:

• Invest in law enforcement;
• Provide them with the support they need to make our communities safe and serve those in need; and
• Fight Democrat efforts to “Defund the Police.”

Rejecting Dangerous “Reforms” like Cashless Bail:

• End cashless bail, restore judicial discretion and reject proposals like “Clean Slate”;
• Require state agencies to be transparent about the effects of public safety policies; and
• Enact policies that get dangerous individuals off our streets.

Reforming the Broken Parole System:

• Recenter the Parole process around the protection and rights of crime victims and their families;
• Ensure that cop-killers, serial killers, child killers, and other dangerous murderers can NEVER be released; and
• Reject dangerous Democrat proposals like “Elder Parole” and “Fair and Timely Parole.”

Passing a Victims’ Justice Agenda:

• Strengthen penalties for violent and repeat offenders, as well as hate crimes;
• Create and support more victims’ services and resources; and
• Invest in proven mental health, addiction, and homeless programs.

“The bail and discovery reforms enacted two years ago have led to record increases in crime in New York State,” said Chief Patrick Phelan, Executive Director of New York State Association of Chiefs of Police. “Judges must have the ability to make decisions about remanding dangerous criminals to jail for the safety of the communities they serve. We hope that the legislature will make common-sense changes during this legislative session. Positive changes to the bail reform agenda are vital to the safety of every New Yorker.”

State Assemblyman Mike Norris of Lockport also issued this statement about repealing bail reform:

“The fact is that since these so-called bail reforms were enacted by the downstate-driven majorities, crimes have significantly gone up all across our state,” Norris said. “Many of these crimes are happening by repeat offenders who should have been held on bail in the first place. A full repeal needs to happen now and judicial discretion must be restored to immediately allow judges the opportunity to determine whether bail is appropriate or not – instead of state law mandating that appearance tickets only be granted for certain offenses. Everyday New Yorkers have and continue to be in danger of becoming victims of criminals who should have been held on bail, and our communities remain at risk so long as these so-called bail reforms remain law.”

Assemblyman Steve Hawley of Batavia issued this statement:

“If we want New York to be a place people want to live, start families and spend their money, it must first and foremost be a safe place. During our governor’s State of the State address, there was a glaring absence of any discussion of the marked rise in violence we’ve seen in our communities all across New York. So putting public safety back on the agenda for the upcoming legislative session is a priority for me and our conference as a whole.”

Some parts of Orleans County will have today’s regularly scheduled solid waste pickup delayed until Wednesday.

Modern Disposal Services is feeling the impact of a rise in Covid cases that requires some employees to quarantine, said Jack Welch, Orleans County chief administrative officer.

“Unfortunately these delays may continue to occur this week on future routes due to quarantine and isolation periods for Covid-19 exposure,” Welch said. “Please leave your waste out if it is not collected this week. It will be collected the following day.”

ALBION – The Orleans County made several appointments during an organizational meeting last week and also gave final approval for 2 percent raises for the legislators, the same rate as the county employees and department heads.

Legislator Don Allport cast the lone vote against the pay increases for legislators, saying local taxpayers are already seeing big hikes in inflation, driving up costs for purchases and shouldn’t have to shoulder any more increases.

With the 2 percent increases the salaries for the legislators for 2022 includes $19,243 for the chairman, $14,550 for the vice chairman and the five other legislators at $12,828 each.

The appointments and designations approved by the Legislature include:

• Lisa Stenshorn to continue as Clerk of the Legislature
• Kathy Bogan to continue as County Attorney for a term of two years
• The Daily News of Batavia designated as official newspaper for legal notices
• Don Allport designated by the Republicans as Majority Leader of the Legislature and that Fred Miller is designated by the Democrats as Minority Leader of the Legislature.
• The 2022 regular meetings of the County Legislature will be held on the fourth Wednesday of the months of January through October at 4:30 p.m. at the Orleans County Legislative Chambers. The November meeting will be the third Wednesday and the December meeting will be the third Monday.
• The Legislature appoints the following delegates and alternates to the InterCounty Association of Western New York to represent Orleans County, effective January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2023: Skip Draper, John Fitzak, William Eick, Lynne Johnson, Jack Welch and Lisa Stenshorn.
• Appointed the following county legislators to board of directors for Orleans Economic Development Agency: Skip Draper of Medina and John Fitzak of Carlton.
• Appointed the following as members of the Soil and Water Conservation District Board: county legislators Bill Eick and Ed Morgan, Ridgeway town highway superintendent John Olinger.
• Appointed the following the sportsmen and legislative representatives to the Fish and Wildlife Management Act Board, terms effective January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2023: county legislators Ed Morgan and Bill Eick, and Murray resident Neil Valentine.

This print, 13×18 inches, which has hung in the Ward House at the Cobblestone Museum for years is entitled, “Neapolitan Boy.” It is a chromo-lithograph printed on textured paper to resemble canvas. Also noted on this copy is “copyright 1881 by E.G. Rideout NY” and “Cadwell Lith. Co.”

By Doug Farley, Cobblestone Museum director, and Bill Lattin, retired museum director

Vol. 2 No. 48

GAINES – This is the first in a series of articles about four paintings/prints in the Cobblestone Museum collection that were very popular long ago. For many years now, the print shown above has hung in the Museum’s Ward House.

This image is also known as “Neapolitan Fisher Boy.” Our black and white copy shows the original painting from which this was taken. The artist that created this was Gustav Richter who was born in Berlin in 1823. He studied painting in Berlin, Paris and Rome, making frequent trips to Italy during his career. The following quote is taken from an art book published in 1899 entitled, “The Crown Jewels of Art.”

“The sketch for this picture lay for years in the artist’s studio uncared for. When at last made into a picture and placed on exhibition, it won not only public admiration and praise but the approbation of artists and critics. The large soft eyes of the beautiful boy, which seem to possess seer-like powers in their angelic sweetness, and his half-forlorn, half-happy expression, call forth feelings of both love and sympathy.”

It is believed the painting was completed in 1870 when Richter was considered to be an outstanding portrait painter.

Gustav Richter (1823-1884) and his wife, Cornelie, Wikipedia Commons

In this black & white 1899 reproduction of the original painting through a half tone process of engraving we see an exact likeness. All other pictures in this article show slight variations.

In 1876, Richter sent this portrait for exhibition at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia. It immediately won great acclaim and immense popularity with the American public. Consequently, this image was wildly copied by both Sunday Painters and professionals, alike.

Print makers, likewise, seized on to this picture and thereby thousands of copies were made. It was a fad! We can only wonder in today’s world what there was about this “pretty boy” with wind swept hair, necklace and earring that so infatuated the aesthetic senses in people during the late 1870s and 1880s. (Surely no American boy of that time would have had an earring.) The public must have simply passed this off as “old-world,” a term much more frequently used in 19th century America.

A small litho card 4×5 inches which was probably a complimentary gift.

Thanks to Dee Robinson for research of facts about the artist. We are going to conclude this article with examples for the Neapolitan Fisher Boy which are in the collection of Bill Lattin. He states that in antiquing this picture occasionally appears in antique shops.

Oil painting on canvas, 14×18 inches, probably by a Sunday Painter, circa 1880

Oil painting on canvas, 13×17 inches, circa 1880. We note here the boy is facing to the right. This indicates that the artist who copied this may have worked form a print. In the printing process the image could have reversed.

Painting on porcelain in original brass frame, 5” high, circa 1885. In today’s antique market, a painting like this should retail for around $300.

Painting on porcelain in Florentine frame, 1 ½” high, circa 1885

A Covid testing site opens Thursday at Brockport State College. It’s one of 11 new testing sites opening at SUNY campuses around the state, joining 10 other SUNY locations.

The SUNY Brockport community testing site will be at Mortimer Hall on Holley Street. It runs for as long as it is needed, Monday through Friday. It will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Appointments can be scheduled online – click here.

Each site will maintain capacity for approximately 225 appointments per day and up to 50 walk-ins.

“We are not defenseless as we fight the winter surge: vaccines, boosters and testing can help us slow the spread and protect our loved ones,” Governor Kathy Hochul said. “These new SUNY sites build on our ongoing efforts to make testing more available as part of our Winter Surge Plan, and will be part of more than 2,000 locations statewide where New Yorkers can easily get tested for Covid-19. We are utilizing every possible state resource to keep New Yorkers safe and protect our fragile health care system.”

ConnectALL Initiative aims to make high-speed internet more affordable for low-income families

Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced a multi-agency initiative led by the New York State Department of Public Service to encourage eligible New Yorkers to sign up for the federal government’s Affordable Connectivity Program, a newly-launched program that provides discounts of up to $30 a month toward internet service for low-income families.

“The pandemic has shown us how access to reliable broadband is an essential lifeline to keep New Yorkers connected to loved ones and professional opportunities,” Governor Hochul said. “Internet connectivity for all New Yorkers, including low-income families, helps New Yorkers start a business, find a job, access healthcare, and communicate with loved ones. It is imperative we ensure there is high-speed, reliable broadband for all New Yorkers.”

The Department of Public Service, in coordination with other public-facing state agencies and Internet service providers, will lead a statewide, all-of-government awareness and marketing campaign under the Governor’s ConnectALL Initiative to increase enrollment among eligible New Yorkers.

The ConnectALL Initiative, announced on Jan. 5 as part of her State of the State address, is a transformational investment in New York’s communities and digital infrastructure. It will not only ensure available and accessible high-speed, reliable broadband for all New Yorkers, but also that New York will lead the 21st-century connected economy. This effort will not only involve government and community outreach, but work with the State’s largest broadband providers to reach eligible New Yorkers.

For too long, broadband has been out of reach for many New Yorkers because it is not affordable. In addition to reducing costs for consumers through capital investments, the Governor’s pioneering ConnectALL Initiative aims to ensure that every New Yorker eligible to participate in the Affordable Connectivity Program is equipped with the information and support they need to enroll and begin benefitting.

Broadband costs New Yorkers over $60 a month on average. In addition to the $30 a month assistance financially eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price.

DPS will also encourage major broadband providers to promote the program and report on their plans as they develop, including Charter, Verizon and Altice, which collectively serve more than 95 percent of the state’s households, as well as wireless providers AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon.

Other New York State agencies involved in the broadband outreach initiative include the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, which will direct social services agencies to share outreach materials to clients, and the Office of Children and Family Services, which will promote the broadband subsidy through local departments of social services, childcare licensors, childcare providers, foster care and voluntary agencies.

Further, the Department of Labor will promote the subsidy through its statewide outreach channels, Homes and Community Renewal will reach out to property owners in its portfolio and provide them with program materials to post in common areas and distribute to their residents, the Department of Motor Vehicles is prepared to do a direct mail and email advertising campaign, and Empire State Development is prepared to leverage capital broadband grants and the regional councils to increase awareness and enrollment.

Recently, DPS launched New York’s first-ever in-depth statewide mapping study of broadband to identify the availability, reliability, and cost of high-speed broadband services across the State. The purpose of the study is to help determine what steps are needed to ensure that all of New York’s residential and commercial consumers have access to the internet, as needed. The study, due to be completed in May, will be used to ensure the federal broadband funds are targeted to where they are needed most.

8-day ride went virtual in 2020 and was about half capacity in 2021

Photo by Tom Rivers: These two cyclists approach Albion on the morning of July 12, 2021 and are greeted by Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus portrayed by Bob and Kathy Schumacher of Medina. They were part of a welcoming committee for 350 cyclists.

The caravan of cyclists who ride the towpath from Buffalo to Albany will be back at full capacity in July.

The 24th annual Cycle the Erie Canal will have room for 650 riders, Parks & Trails New York announced.

The event starts on a Sunday morning in Buffalo on July 10 and concludes July 17 in Albany. The cyclists ride about 40 to 60 miles each day. The first day they ride 48 miles to stay overnight in Medina. On July 11 they head 61 miles to Fairport.

The 2020 event was cancelled as a group due to Covid-19 restrictions but riders could bike virtually. The 2021 group was 350 – about half the size of the 650 to 700 that typically ride.

The Orleans County canal villages of Medina, Albion and Holley all welcome the cyclists. Most years they come from 40 states and several countries.

Click here for more information.

Each year since the Orleans Hub started in 2013 we’ve honored a group of Outstanding Citizens who stood out the past year for extraordinary contributions to improve the community.

This past year many residents pushed projects through to completion or stepped up as volunteers in response to difficult circumstances. Orleans County is fortunate to have many citizens who give of their time, talent and money, with the main focus to make this a better place to live.

Skate Society president led push for new skate park in Medina

Alex Feig, president of the Medina Skate Society, holds a skateboard during a ground-breaking celebration on June 2 for a new skate park in Medina at Butts Park.

For more than four years Alex Feig organized fundraisers, wrote grant applications and worked with village and community leaders on a dream: a new skate park in Medina.

The $550,000 project became a reality in 2021. The Luke Nelson Skatepark was dedicated on Sept. 4 to a late skateboarder from Middleport whose family also was influential in raising money and building support for the project.

The new skatepark has already proven an attraction, bringing in skateboarders from throughout the area as well as drawing new people to the sport from Medina.

Feig worked with the Village Board and the Medina Skate Society to line up $250,000 in donations from the community, which allowed Medina to maximize a $250,000 matching grant from the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation. The Skate Society also secured $42,000 for an Environmental Impact Award grant by The Skatepark Project, formerly the Tony Hawk Foundation. That money goes towards storm water management and bioswales.

The new skate park in Medina has elements for skaters at all skill levels, from beginners to intermediate and more advanced.

The previous skate park was a repurposed tennis court that had cracks and old equipment. The village DPW took out the old asphalt and Spohn Ranch Skateparks built the new setup, which include 2.5-foot to 4-foot quarter pipes, a 2.5-foot mini-ramp/beginner bowl section, a fun box, hubbas (grind ledges) and grind rails, a kidney-shaped bowl begins at 5 feet and waterfalls down to 7 feet. The most prominent feature faces South Main Street is a functional art installation (steep slant) that is 9 feet tall and 24 feet wide.

“On behalf of the village board, I thank you for adding to the quality of life in Medina,” Mayor Mike Sidari said during a ribbon-cutting on Sept. 4.

Kids and some adults have fun at the new skate park on Sept. 1.

Holley teen inspired in courageous battle against leukemia, pushed to finish Eagle Scout project

A group of Boy Scouts and other community members gather on June 5 for the dedication of an Eagle Scout project led by Evan Valentine. He inspired a team of scouts and volunteers to build a veterans’ wall around the war memorial in Holley by the Post Office and the American Legion.

Evan Valentine passed away from leukemia at age 18 on Feb. 21. He fought the disease for 2 ½ years and inspired the Holley community with his optimism and perseverance through it all.

Evan Valentine

He also stayed focused on a life goal: becoming an Eagle Scout. While he was hospitalized in December 2020, he earned the final merit badge for the Eagle.

He also had the plans ready for his community service project to attain Scout’s highest rank. After Evan passed away, his fellow scouts and community members completed the Eagle project: a veterans’ wall around the war memorial in Holley on Route 31 next to the Post Office and the American Legion.

The wall was dedicated on June 5. The stone wall includes a sitting area in front with an inscription, “Forever Remembered – Forever Missed.”

Evan approached former Legion Commander John Pera about the project back in 2018. Evan and his father Neil researched the stones and dimensions to build the veterans’ wall.

“The main part of an Eagle project is the planning and providing direction to the volunteers to make the project a success,” Evan’s friend and fellow scout Andrew Drechsel said during the dedication. “Evan completed all of this. He facilitated this project from the beginning and wanted to be a part of each step. As much as he wanted to be there, the volunteers knew it might not be possible and they worked to get the project completed on Evan’s behalf.”

The wall includes a plaque noting the project was the result of Evan Valentine’s community service requirement to be an Eagle Scout.

Jim McMullen, the Scout executive for the Iroquois Trail Council of the Boy Scouts of America, said he was inspired by Evan’s determination to obtain Scouting’s highest rank, and to take on an important project for the Holley community.

“I think it’s very profound that he wanted this last piece for the community,” McMullen said on June 5. “He is an Eagle Scout and he earned it. He provided the leadership to get the project done.”

Evan was an active student at Holley, playing on the soccer and golf teams, and was enthusiastic member of the music programs. He was confirmed at St. Mary’s Catholic Church and was the altar server of the year in 2018 in the Western New York Diocese.

Business owner brings optimism, can-do attitude to Albion

Natasha Wasuck holds her daughter, Ephy, then 3 ½ when Tinsel opened in June 2019 in Albion. Wasuck and her husband John Hernandez have since opened a wedding and events center in Albion, while pushing through several community projects.

A Spencerport resident has become one of Albion’s biggest promoters through her business and several community projects.

Natasha Wasuck and her husband John Hernandez have transformed a former auto repair shop along the Erie Canal into The Lockstone, a weddings and events center. Part of the building also is an ice cream shop, Tinsel. The Lockstone brought thousands of people to Albion for about 30 weddings in 2021 and is booked for about 50 marriage ceremonies and receptions in 2022.

Wasuck works in real estate and saw lots of promise in the former vacant building right next to the canal. She also sees Albion as a gem, with its historic architecture, small-town feel and role as home to the first Santa Claus School, which was operated by the late Charles W. Howard from 1937 to 1966.

She named the ice cream store as Tinsel to connect to a Christmas theme. She also raised the funds and hired the artist for a Santa-themed mural on the Lake Country Pennysaver building next door to the Lockstone.

She has helped organize events through the Albion Merchants Association, from wine-tastings to Christmas celebrations to welcoming hundreds of cyclists on the canal. She also pushed to start a farmers’ market on Main Street in 2021.

Wasuck took the lead in connecting with other downtown building owners to apply for a Main Street grant through the state. Albion was awarded $311,079 in 2021 through that program that will help 10 of the downtown building owners as well as provide $47,613 for streetscape improvements.

Wasuck also served on a committee that identified ways to better utilize the Erie Canal in Orleans County.

“We see this as an opportunity to ‘create the community you want to be a part of’ here in Albion,” she said in July. “We recognize the importance of the Erie Canal for tourism and appreciate the unique history this village has to offer.”

Justin Suarez works on a mural in 2020 that celebrates Albion’s role as home to the first Santa Claus School. The north stucco wall was transformed into a winter scene, with a prominent reindeer, snowy owl, and a Santa’s outstretched hand in a white glove. The wall acts as a welcome sign, proclaiming Albion as “Home of the original Santa School.”

Medina man creates Bluebird Trail – 168 birds fledged from 45 bird houses in first year

Daniel Rosentreter is pictured at State Street Park in Medina where he installed several new birdhouses.

Daniel Rosentreter enjoys wildlife and believes seeing and hearing birds lifts the spirits of local residents.

However, many of the nesting areas for birds have been removed with dead or decaying trees taken down in the Medina community. Those trees had cavities for birds to make nests and lay eggs.

Rosentreter, 29, worked with the Village Board and the DPW to get permission to install 45 birdhouses as part of a new Medina Memorial Bluebird Trail. The birdhouses proved popular spots for birds to nest this spring and summer.

There were 168 birds fledged from the boxes – 124 house wrens, 29 bluebirds and 15 tree swallows.

Rosentreter recruited volunteers to install the bird houses near the perimeter of Boxwood Cemetery, Butts Park, Gulf Park, Lions Park, Pine Street Park and State Street Park. The bird houses are set up on ¾-inch galvanized electrical pipe.

Rosentreter checked the boxes weekly to see if there was any activity, and he took photos of what he saw with his phone and posted the pictures on the Facebook page for the Medina Memorial Bluebird Trail.

Sometimes he opened the box to see a bird on the nest, getting ready to lay an egg. He has pictures of the eggs, freshly hatched babies and feathered birds ready to fledge and leave the nest.

“We’re helping them to repopulate,” said Rosentreter, a wildlife photographer and customer service representative for a local insurance company. “They will go wherever they can find a house.”

The Medina Village Board also deserves credit for giving residents a chance to move forward with projects, providing encouragement and some assistance in working through bureaucracy and seeing the projects to fruition.

Albion man leads effort to upgrade long-time Little League field at Sandstone Park

Bruce Sidari speaks on June 6 during the season-opener for the Sandstone Park team in the Albion Midget League.

The kids at Sandstone Park in Albion have been playing youth baseball games at the East State Street diamond for more than 60 years. A group of volunteers keep up the field. It’s not a village or town park.

In 2021, the team celebrated a series of upgrades to field. Bruce Sidari is part of three generations of Sidaris who have been involved with the team. His kids and grandkids have aged out of Little League but Sidari remains a fan of the team – and the park, which is located next to his mother’s home.

Sidari rallied the Sandstone alumni and other team backers for $30,000 of improvements to the field. Sandstone is an original member of the Albion Midget League, which started in 1956. Sandstone has fielded a team every year and won the championship this past season.

The league once had 18 teams and is down to four. There are fewer kids locally these days compared to decades ago and baseball has lost some of its popularity.

But Sidari still feels pride for Sandstone Park and wants the team to play in a place they can be proud of.

The upgrades at the field include a new flag pole, overhauled dugouts and a backstop, a new scoreboard, an inscribed stone in the shape of a home plate thanking the founders of the park, and a new outfield fence.

Sidari played on the team beginning in 1957. His son Geoff played for Sandstone and so did grandson Patrick Ricker.

“This a special place to us and always will be,” Sidari told the crowd on June 6. “I’d like to salute everyone who has contributed over these last 65 years. I think this field and this team speaks volumes about the quality of the men and women – all the participants – who supported their efforts.”

Sandstone Park gets ready for its season opener on June 6 with an overhauled home field.

Kathy Blackburn leads many efforts at Medina – planting trees, promoting small businesses, honoring veterans and keeping up historic cemetery

Kathy Blackburn is very busy in Medina as Tree Board chairwoman, small business promoter (here dressed as Snow White during Beggar’s Night), and as the Wreaths Across America coordinator at Boxwood Cemetery.

When Medina village officials need a project done, they often turn to Kathy Blackburn. She heads the Tree Board, the Boxwood Cemetery Commission and heads up the Wreaths Across America effort each December.

She also serves on the Planning Board, is active in the Medina Area Partnership that puts on many of the events and small business promotions, and also serves on the committee trying to land a $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative. Medina has just missed out on the grant in recent years. She recently finished a project as chairwoman of a committee for a local waterfront development plan that identifies ways to better utilize the canal and Oak Orchard Creek.

Blackburn, as leader of the Boxwood Commission, has been able to remove dangerous trees and upgrade the historic cemetery on North Gravel Road. She wants to make improvements to the chapel and bring more events to the cemetery, including walking tours.

As Wreaths Across America coordinator, that effort has grown from seven wreaths on veterans’ graves in 2013 to 315 last month. Blackburn said she has commitments for wreaths in December 2022 at all veterans’ graves at Boxwood and also St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Blackburn has connections throughout the community, from Scout troops to teachers to state legislators, and she calls on them for many projects to make Medina better, whether planting new trees, honoring veterans, promoting small businesses or just making the community more fun.

She also heads up an annual Faery Festival in Medina and dresses up in costume for the annual Beggar’s Night in the downtown, when nearly 1,000 kids go door to door at businesses. She is a can-do person who is a key part of Medina’s success.

For more than 40 years, Community Action employee helped people in crisis

Annette Finch stands with Barry Flansburg outside Community Action in Albion on Dec. 17, 2016 when the Albion FFA delivered 33,000 pounds of produce to support local food pantries. Finch forged strong partnerships with many local organizations, bringing food, clothing and other supplies to residents in need.

Annette Finch retired last month after working 44 years on the front lines of helping local people in need work through a crisis.

Annette Finch is shown with a motorcyclist wearing a Santa suit in September 2013 in a motorcycle ride that supported kids served by Community Action.

It was a high-stress job for Finch, director of emergency services for the agency. She managed food drives, toy drives and other events to bring in resources for people served by the agency. Those efforts were often in the news. Finch did a lot behind the scenes in helping people to not have utilities shut off and find emergency housing.

She was a steady presence, a voice of encouragement and master problem solver for people in very challenging predicaments.

In the past year in a half, when her career was winding down, Finch took the reins of managing food distributions in Albion and Holley. She worked with the Office for the Aging to organize the events, where several hundred people showed up early to get boxes of food.

She also ran the annual Red Kettle drive, lining up volunteers to be bell ringers. About $25,000 a year was collected to support people served by Community Action.

Finch built up a big network in her career – from social workers to state legislators – and she used those connections to help people in need.

“She would advocate continuously for children, seniors and families,” said Bonnie Malakie, director of Children’s and Youth Services at Community Action. “Our agency’s mission statement says, ‘To provide services with dignity and respect to help people become self-sufficient.’ Annette epitomizes that goal.”

Major restoration completed at one of Medina’s most prominent buildings

Roger Hungerford in 2021 reopened the Bent’s Opera House after a painstaking restoration over several years.

In recent years construction crews have transformed the Bent’s Opera House from a dilapidated structure into a reborn site with a restaurant on the first floor, hotel rooms on the second floor and an events center on the third level of a building that opened in 1865.

Roger Hungerford speaks during Dec. 9 in the Bent’s Opera House events center. He was recognized by Leadership Orleans as a distinguished leader in the community.

Roger Hungerford led the transformation of the site, which is one of downtown’s most prominent structures.

The site had been vacant for many years and fallen into disrepair. The rehab proved a daunting challenge and construction was slowed due to Covid restrictions in 2020.

A new restaurant opened in June and the rest of the building came alive later in the year. It is a first-class destination for Medina and Orleans County.

“What I expected to be a several million dollar project turned out to be much more,” Hungerford said in an interview in September 2019. “Still, it is on a key corner of my hometown and I knew I could develop multiple businesses within it that would result in it being economically rebirthed.”

Bent’s Hall was built in 1864-65 by well-known sandstone builder and Medina native, Patrick O’Grady. Built at the height of the Civil War and the Lincoln presidency, it is one of the oldest surviving opera houses in the United States.

The Orleans Renaissance Group did some initial stabilization of the site in 2014. The most pressing need was the rapid deterioration of the main beam carrying the entire Main Street façade, most notably the southeast corner of the building. The beam had deteriorated to a point where the corner was visibly shifting and in danger of collapsing.

The non-profit ORG didn’t have the resources to tackle the entire building. Hungerford agreed to take on the project and he said he saw it through completion out of love for his hometown.

Hungerford also is working to turn the former Medina High School into apartments. He also owns the Olde Pickle Factory, which offers premier manufacturing space for Baxter Healthcare, which makes infusion pumps and other medical supplies.

Hungerford has shown he can see the most challenging projects to completion, and do them in a top-notch fashion. The Bent’s Opera House makeover is a gift to the community.

Medina business finds new way to help community celebrate holidays

Takeform created a gratitude display at Rotary Park to help the community reflect on blessings during a time of challenge.

Takeform in Medina has been a big part of Medina’s Parade of Lights and the Olde Tyme Christmas celebration in recent years, twice winning for best float.

Bill Hungerford

In December 2020 it lined Rotary Park in the downtown with typography about the Christmas season.

This past year the company led by Bill Hungerford took a new focus of wanting to help the community reflect on thankfulness, especially during a time of suffering and disruption from Covid-19.

Takeform employees were out in cold on Nov. 27 at a booth on Main Street during Olde Tyme Christmas, asking people what they are thankful for in their lives. The 350 quotes submitted are part of a display that will be up until mid-January. Some of the messages include gratitude for family, organ donors, deer season, chocolate and “This Wonderful, Friendly Town of Medina.”

Hungerford also has taken a company from nine workers in 2003 to about 200 now. Takeform continues to grow, adding full-time employees in engineering, graphic design, sales, customer service, project management, machining, fabrication, engraving and assembly.

Hungerford stresses community service for his employees and strives to take care of its workers, said Darlene Hartway, Chamber of Commerce executive director. The Chamber named Takeform its business of the year in 2021.

Takeform adapted quickly during the Covid-19 pandemic and assisted many businesses with signage and partitions to meet state regulations for keeping businesses open to the public. The company retooled to offer floor markers, protective shields, sanitizer/PPE stations and other products during the pandemic.

Hungerford, who served many years on the United Way board of directors, also has many Takeform employees join in the United Way’s Day of Caring.

Editor’s Note: Bill and Roger Hungerford are brothers. Both have distinguished themselves in business and community service.

Discussions delve into injustices and how to be engaged citizens

Four of the panelists during a June 17 session on racial justice included, from left: Rev. James Renfrew, Kim Remley, Kae Wilbert and Bob Golden. Not pictured is another panelist, Sister Dolores Ann O’Dowd.

Bob Golden, a retired probation director at Orleans County, wanted to help the community move past sound bites and dismissive attitudes towards those with differing opinions.

Bob Golden

Golden, 85, has been an engaged citizen all his life, and hasn’t slowed down as a senior citizen. For many years he organized a jazz festival in Orleans County, and has written many letters to the editor over the years. He is chairman of the Holy Family Social Justice Committee in Albion and helped organize several discussions in 2021 at Hoag Library, events put on by the Community Coalition for Justice.

The group led discussions on voting rights and how new laws in several other states will prevent easy access for voters – particularly voters of color, young voters and the elderly and disabled.

Golden and the group looked at “The New Jim Crow” by Michelle Alexander, a book that argues that the war on drugs has created a new racial caste system in America disproportionately punishing Black people and thus disproportionately denying them voting rights.

A program in October drew a crowd of 75 to hear from RPO musician Herb Smith, who shared about discrimination in music industry, going back centuries.

Another program in September focused on injustices at Native American boarding schools from generations ago.

Twice in June the coalition led book discussions on “White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism” by Robin DiAngelo.

Golden is the driving force behind the coalition, which wants the community to have a deeper understanding of different points of view. Golden is a firm believer that knowledge is power, and better appreciating other people and their backgrounds builds a more compassionate community.

Editor’s Note: Orleans Hub hopes to have an awards presentation in the spring. The past two years the event has been cancelled due to Covid restrictions and concerns. The awards have instead been presented individually.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Joe Grube, an Albion firefighter, directs the first blast of water onto a garage that was on fire this morning at 45 Goodrich St., in Albion. The garage is owned by Wayne and Nicole Struble.

Firefighters were dispatched to the scene at about 8:30 a.m. The garage is located at the end of a dead-end street in the village. Goodrich is between the railroad tracks and East State Street.

Justin Niederhofer, Orleans County deputy emergency management coordinator, pulls off the basketball backboard and hoop so firefighters could get water in the upper part of the garage.

Firefighters responded from Albion, Barre, Carlton and Murray. National Grid was also on the scene as well as the Albion Police Department and Albion code enforcement. The temperature is in the teens with some strong wind. That wind is blowing away from the house next door.

No other information is available.

The National Weather Service in Buffalo has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for Orleans and Niagara counties from 6 p.m. Monday to 4 a.m. Tuesday.

Lake effect snow is expected with total snow accumulations of 2 to 5 inches in the most persistent lake snows. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph will produce blowing and drifting snow, reducing visibility for motorists, the Weather Service said.

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Shelby Fire Company president Tim Petry, left, presents a plaque to David Moden after announcing he was the recipient of the President’s Award at the Shelby Fire Company banquet.

SHELBY – The Shelby Volunteer Fire Company welcomed members and guests to their banquet Saturday night at the Shelby Fire Hall.

Tiffany Petry was recipient of the Chief’s Award by Jason Watts at the Shelby Fire Department’s banquet. They are holding a plaque which would have been given to last year’s recipient Rob Schaal, who was not at the banquet. Because of Covid, a banquet didn’t take place last year. Petry’s plaque had not yet been received.

Master of ceremonies Dale Watts introduced special guests, which included members of area fire companies, Orleans County Emergency Management Coordinator Dale Banker and his wife Eileen; Sheriff Chris Bourke and wife Suzanne; Andrew Pilecki, director of the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York and his wife; State Senator Rob Ortt and his wife Meghan; Assemblyman Mike Norris; and town of Shelby officials.

Stefano Napolitano, Deputy State Fire Administrator, administered the oath of office to 2022 Shelby firefighters. Executive board officers are president, Tim Petry; vice president, John Palmer; treasurer, Kirk Myhill; secretary, Tiffany Petry; sergeant-at-arms, Dale Watts; chaplain, Karl Haist Jr.; assistant chaplain, Phil Keppler; and steward, Dawn Petry.

Trustees are Joe Kyle, three years; Gary Lamar, two years; and Andy Benz, one year.

Firematic officers are chief, Jason Watts; deputy chief, David Moden; assistant chief, Scott Petry; firematic captain, Zach Petry; firematic lieutenant, Crystal Luckman; and EMS captain, Tiffany Petry.

New officers of the Ladies Auxiliary were installed by Town Justice Dawn Keppler. They are president, Elaine Watts; vice president, Patricia Fuller; secretary, Robin Watts; treasurer, Lori Myhill; chaplain, Marion Fry; three-year trustee, Mary Herbert; two year trustee, Kali James; and one-year trustee, Delores Wolters.

Tim Petry led off the awards program by naming David Moden as recipient of his President’s Award.

“I could have chosen many people for this award, including Howard Watts and David Moden,” Petry said. “Many of them helped at our events, but the individual I chose has helped me and the entire fire company in many ways.”

Jason Watts named Tiffany Petry “Firefighter of the Year.” She received her own flashlight and will receive a wooden plaque with her name on it when it arrives.

Brian Napolitano, standing at right, administers the oath of office to 2022 officers of the Shelby Fire Company at their banquet Saturday night.

Watts commended many people who helped the fire company achieve its goals in 2021, including the major purchase of the department’s first ladder truck.

“I never through I would see that happen,” Watts said.

Those responsible included Jeff Lyons, Tiffany Petry and Gary Lamar. Other accomplishments were the purchase of an autopulse (CPR) device and replacing 1,800 feet of hose, purchase of eight sets of turnout gear with a grant from the Gary Sinese Foundation; acquiring grain bin rescue equipment and rope rescue equipment.

He said the fire department fell five short of reaching an unprecedented 300 calls for the year. He praised firefighters who completed various training courses and recognized Scott and Zach Petry for taking care of the apparatus. He said Crystal Luckman, a firematic lieutenant, kept them on track.

Dawn Keppler swears in new officers for the Shelby Ladies Auxiliary on Saturday night.

Because of Covid, a banquet was not held last year, but they would have recognized Rob Schaal as Fireman of the Year. His award was presented Saturday night, although he was not in attendance to receive it.

Pat Fuller, past president of the Ladies Auxiliary, said they are looking forward to 2022. She said the Auxiliary welcomed five new members during the year. She presented awards to Elaine Watts, vice president and purchasing agent; and Marion Fry, who worked on many committees.

Three outgoing officers were recognized – Jim Wade, trustee; Jeff Lyons, EMS captain; and Lee Hellert who passed away in 2021.

Pat Fuller, center, past president of the Shelby Fire Company Ladies’ Auxiliary, recognized Elaine Watts, left, and Marion Fry for their dedication and service.

Two individuals were honored as Friends of the Fire Company. Kevin Bogan with Bogan and Tuttle Funeral Home was recognized for supporting the fire company by paying for tickets for all their events. Erving Stauffer, who owns Lakeview Storage Sheds in Lyndonville, was recognized for always being ready to do any projects the fire company needs done and for giving them a break on the price of a shed they are raffling off. The drawing for the shed will be on Mother’s Day and tickets can be purchased from firefighters any Tuesday they are at the fire hall or by calling Petry at (585) 590-6713.

Two members received special recognition for 50 years as a firefighter. Joe Lewandowski, who was not in attendance, and Gary Lamar received a plaque and citations from Senator Rob Ortt, Assemblyman Mike Norris, Legislator Bill Eick on behalf of the Orleans County legislature, Steve Seitz on behalf of the town of Shelby and Andrew Pilecki from FASNY.

Lamar said he started as a firefighter in his teens at Lewiston II, then moved to Sanborn. When he moved to Medina, he attempted to join the Medina Fire Department, but they weren’t accepting call men at the time. When someone suggested he join Shelby, he said he didn’t even know where Shelby was.

Petry announced he had one more presentation for Lamar and called his family to the front of the room, where he was given a wooden flag bearing the insignia for Lewiston, Sanborn and Shelby.

Tim Petry, president of Shelby Fire Company, congratulates Gary Lamar for 50 years of membership in the fire company. Looking on is Fire Chief Jason Watts.

The family of Gary Lamar pose with him and the plaque he received for 50 years as a firefighter at the Shelby Fire Company banquet Saturday night. From left are daughter-in-law Olivia Lamar, son Mike Lamar(in back), grandsons Nicholas and Benjamin Lamar, wife Pam Lamar, Gary, daughter Melissa and fire company president Tim Petry.