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.

Press Release, U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand’s Office

WASHINGTON, D.C. – As the Omicron variant of Covid-19 raises new challenges and continues to spread, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Congressman Brian Higgins (D-NY-26), and Congressman Chris Jacobs (R-NY-27) are urging the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to maintain the open U.S.-Canada land border for vaccinated individuals safely and efficiently. After nearly 20 months of closure, the Biden administration announced the decision to allow fully vaccinated travelers from Canada and Mexico to travel to the U.S. for non-essential travel through all ports of entry in October of 2021. The New York lawmakers are now urging the administration to uphold its decision to protect the economic livelihoods of New York businesses and to ensure additional burdens are not placed on the nation’s supply chains.

“Now that vaccines are widely available, we cannot return to the economic and personal sacrifices that would be made if the northern border is closed once again,” said the lawmakers. “The impact of nearly 20 months of closure was devastating to countless New York businesses, medical providers, and families who depend on travel across the New York-Canadian border. The northern border is the gateway to an indispensable economic partnership, and we are confident border crossings can continue safely and efficiently.”

Throughout the pandemic, Senator Gillibrand has been a vocal advocate for safely reopening and maintaining an open U.S.-Canadian border. Weeks before the administration made its decision to reopen the border in October, Gillibrand sent a letter to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) requesting clarification and medical justification for the CDC’s decision to treat air and land border crossings differently.

Since the onset of the pandemic, Gillibrand has requested guidance from both the Biden and Trump administrations to understand how closures and quarantines would affect New York’s bordering communities and to ensure all necessary exemptions have been made in the interest of public health and safety. The closure and loss of Canadian business cost the U.S. economy $1.5 billion each month and $665-855 million annually in Erie County alone. In July of 2021, Gillibrand applauded Canada’s decision to reopen the border to fully vaccinated U.S. citizens, even as the U.S. government extended its ban on non-essential travel from Canada.

This coming Friday’s matchup of 7-1 teams as Kendall visits Lyndonville for a Genesee Region League girls game will highlight the week’s local basketball action.

Lyndonville will also host Kendall in a G-R boys contest on Thursday.

In Niagara-Orleans League action, Tuesday’s Medina vs. Albion boys and girls basketball games have been postponed marking the second postponement in a row for the Mustang squads.

“We are holding off for safety reasons with the recent rise in (Covid) cases locally,” said Medina Athletic Director Eric Valley.

In N-O girls swimming action two meets this week – Newfane (5-1) at Akron (4-1) on Tuesday and Akron at Roy-Hart (4-2) on Thursday – will go a long way in determining this year’s league champion.

Monday
Girls Basketball – Byron-Bergen at Kendall, 7 p.m.

Tuesday
Boys Basketball – Barker at Roy-Hart, Wilson at Akron, 6:30 p.m.; Lyndonville at Alexander, RAC at Kendall, Byron-Bergen at Holley, 7 p.m.
Girls Basketball – Roy-Hart at Barker, Akron at Wilson, 6 p.m.
Swimming – Medina at Barker, Roy-Hart at Albion, Newfane at Akron, 4:30 p.m.

Wrestling – Medina at Canisius, 7 p.m.

Wednesday
Girls Basketball – RAC at Kendall, 6 p.m.; Alexander at Lyndonville, Holley at Byron-Bergen, 7 p.m.
Wrestling – Roy-Hart/Barker at Medina, Albion at Akron, Newfane at Wilson, 6 p.m.

Thursday
Boys Basketball – Kendall at Lyndonville, Notre Dame at Holley, 7 p.m.
Girls Basketball – Medina at Newfane, Wilson at Albion, Barker at Akron, 6″30 p.m.
Swimming – Medina at Albion, Akron at Roy-Hart, Barker at Newfane, 4:30 p.m.
Wrestling – Roy-Hart/Barker at Lyndonville, Byron-Bergen vs. Holley-Kendall at Kendall, 6 p.m.

Friday
Boys Basketball – Newfane at Medina, Albion at Wilson, Akron at Barker, 6:30 p.m.
Girls Basketball – Kendall at Lyndonville, Holley at Notre Dame, 7 p.m.

Saturday
Boys Basketball – Warsaw at Kendall, 4 p.m.
Swimming – Akron at Medina, 10 a.m.
Wrestling – Lyndonville at Cal-Mum Tournament; Medina at Lockport Tournament

N-O Standings
Boys Basketball – Roy-Hart 2-0, Medina 1-0, Akron 0-0, Wilson 1-1, Newfane 1-1, Albion 0-1, Barker 0-2
Girls Basketball – Newfane 2-0, Wilson 2-0, Barker 1-1, Akron 0-0, Albion 0-1, Medina 0-1, Roy-Hart 0-2
Boys Swimming – Roy-Hart 6-0, Medina 4-1, Newfane 3-3, Akron 2-3, Albion 2-4, Barker 0-6
Girls Swimming – Newfane 5-1, Akron 4-1, Roy-Hart 4-2, Albion 3-3, Medina 1-4, Barker 0-6
Wrestling – Newfane 3-0, Roy-Hart/Barker 1-1, Wilson 1-1, Albion 1-2, Medina 1-2, Akron 0-1

By Catherine Cooper, Orleans County Historian

“Illuminating Orleans” – Vol. 2, No 2

CARLTON – In the year 1851, Millard Fillmore was the thirteenth President of the United States and Washington Hunt was Governor of New York.

On their Oak Orchard River Road farm in the Town of Carlton, Hosea and Sarah Ballou had experienced a snowy January (Vol 2, No.1), which had kept them close to home.

Hosea continued to record his daily activities. He did chores for neighboring farmers. He and Sarah kept cattle, sheep and a pig and he sometimes fished. He sold wheat and pork. He chopped wood and Sarah made candles to provide heat and light. He helped his brother-in-law butcher and received beef in return.

Journal of the Year 1851 continued.

(Each diary entry is of interest, however we will omit those that are similar)

February 4: Reed commenced cutting timber and I piled brush behind him.

February 20: Went to Ralph’s to help him kill a beef. Rained all day.

February 21: Went round and let the water off the wheat. Went to The Bridges. Ralph brought me home and brought my hams and some fresh beef.

February 25: Went to the PO and from there to the lake and helped draw the seine six times and got a bony sucker for my share

March 13: Went to Mrs. Porter’s and bought a sow with pig and made a pig pen.

March 15: Went to mill, carried 4 bushels wheat.

March 18: Drawed stone. Sarah went down to Uncle Miles. Sarah Miles came home with her and staid all night.

March 23: Sunday, warm. Sow had 8 pigs today.

March 29: Drawed stone, went to The Bridges. Ralph, Ashbel, Dick and myself went aspearing (sic) in the evening. Got 5 pickerel, 6 bullheads, 1 sucker, 2 bass, 1 sunfish.

In April he plowed and planted wheat. George Stillwell came to mend his boots. A surprise storm on May 2nd brought snow, “equal to any January weather.” He plowed the garden, bought garden seed and on May 26 sowed potatoes and carrots.

May 11: Fine growing time. First whippoorwill tonight.

Has anybody heard that distinctive bird song in Orleans County?

The diary provides an interesting reference to the marketing of apples the Brown family’s long involvement in apple production

May 20: Sorted apples for Ralph (Brown, Hosea’s brother-in-law)

May 21: Started for Buffalo with apples with Ralph.

May 22: On the canal in Lockport most of the forenoon, Rained.

May 23: Got in Buffalo this morning at 3 o’clock. A very hard thunder shower around 1 o’clock. Started home on the packet Niagara at 7 o’clock this afternoon. A heavy frost on the canal.

May 24: Got in Albion at 9 o’clock. Rode home with O. Scofield.

As Helen Allen observes: Ralph Brown’s home storage must have been good to have had salable apples in the latter part of May.

After a day’s rest, Hosea washed sheep on May 26, sheared the sheep on June 6 and on June 18 sold the wool to D.V. Simpson in Albion for 36 cents per pound.

Hosea also fulfilled his civic duties. He paid his school taxes, attended a town meeting and “worked on the roads” on June 24 and 25. Towns were responsible for building and maintaining roads, land owners were required to work on the roads a few days every year in place of paying a road tax.

He references attending meetings on several Sundays, at the stone schoolhouse and “down home.” Members of the Presbyterian congregation met in homes or schoolhouses prior to the construction of their church in 1855.

Survival required hard work and physical labor. Yet there seemed to be plenty of socializing. Their friends and Sarah’s sisters often came “avisiting” and stayed overnight. The entry for July 4 is brief: Went to The Lake.

A well-earned vacation day.

Genesee has 171 new cases, while Orleans reports 113

New York set a new pandemic high for most new Covid cases in one day on Friday with 90,132, Gov. Kathy Hochul said today.

Those cases include 113 in Orleans County and 171 in Genesee.

The 90,132 cases in one day tops the previous high of 85,476 on Dec. 31.

The percentage of positive tests reported on Friday was 21.17, and the seven-day average of positivity is 22.15 percent state-wide.

The number of patients hospitalized with Covid is 11,843, which is up 295 from the previous day.

“There is an answer to this winter surge and it’s simple: the vaccine and the booster,” Hochul said. “Our vaccination rate among children is still too low. Parents and guardians don’t delay in getting your children vaccinated and boosted, if eligible. It’s safe and widely available. This is the one of the best ways to keep our numbers down, as well as wearing a mask and staying home if sick.”

My brother, Kevin, and I with Mr. Peanut on the Boardwalk in Atlantic City mid-1960s.

Let’s go on an adventure together….down Memory Lane to Atlantic City, NJ!

Of course I don’t need any special day or event to bring memories of my mom into my day, but the holidays always seem to make those memories so much more active. I was giving a lot of thought to what my first travel article for 2022 would be about (the start of my third year doing these articles). What kept coming to mind was trips my mom would take my brother and I on when we were kids. She worked at GE and had two weeks off for vacation every July. She’d save up all year and when July came, we’d pack up the car and either go to the Adirondacks, Snowhill, MD to visit our Aunt Betty, or Atlantic City, NJ. There are no blog posts to link to for these memories and very few photos – after all, they were not only pre-blog, but also pre-internet, pre-computers, and pre-digital photography. 

I’m going to talk about Atlantic City, NJ in this article. For you young whipper-snappers (yes, I just proudly used the word “whipper-snappers”) out there reading this, Atlantic City wasn’t always a gambling mecca – the east coast answer to Las Vegas. When we spent our summer vacations there, it was just a wonderful beach with a boardwalk and a steel pier. It was a place where a single mother could afford to take her children to play in the ocean and experience some magic for a week or two. We’d usually travel with friends of Mom’s to help share the expenses – often another mom with kids – and we’d stay in roadside motels. 

Fun souvenir photo on the Steel Pier in Atlantic City in 1965. (Top row: Mom’s friend Peggy and Mom. Bottom row: my brother, Kevin, Peggy’s daughter Pam, and me.)

Our days were spent on the beach and walking the famous boardwalk and steel pier. Meals were hotdogs on sticks and other not so healthy treats we found on the boardwalk. I remember starting each day with big breakfast at a diner near the motel and dancing to the jukebox while other diners looked on and applauded – “I Ain’t Got No Satisfaction” and “Wooly Bully” were a couple of my go-to selections for these daily morning performances. And, my brother and I thought we were so cool getting our photo taken with Mr. Peanut, who strolled the boardwalk advertising the peanut carts that were conveniently located along the walk. Of course, there were lots of sandcastles built, holes dug, and sand burials of pesky brothers performed on the beach when not frolicking in the ocean.

One year, we got to see Brenda Lee in person on the Steel Pier and another year we saw The Four Seasons in concert – live concerts like that weren’t as pricey as they are today. I usually say my first concert was the Guess Who for my 16th birthday, but that’s only because I tend to forget that my true first concerts were Brenda Lee and The Four Seasons when I was about 9 or 10. The Steel Pier was the place for all kinds of circus type acts – including acrobats and even a horse that dove off the pier into the ocean! WOW! That was a thrill we looked forward to seeing whenever we went.

Souvenir photo taken at World Famous Hackney’s Seafood Restaurant in Atlantic City – 1965. (same gang as in the jail photo)

Mom loves to tell the story about scrimping on food so that she would have enough money to eat one nice meal at the world famous seafood restaurant – Hackney’s, which I believe is sadly no longer there. She’d say that the menu was full of seafood choices – any kind, cooked any way, stuffed with whatever other seafood you could possibly want. And….what did the kiddos choose? Spaghetti!!! Hahahaha…..over the years, I did develop a passion for seafood, but at that time – yep, spaghetti was the only thing on the menu that appealed to me or my brother!

I have not returned to Atlantic City since it became the glitz and glitter place it is today. Maybe I will, someday, and I can write another article comparing my experiences. For now, I have these amazing memories of vacations with mom, my brother, and the friends who shared them with us. We didn’t know we were making memories…..we just knew we were having fun playing in the sand and the ocean and seeing magical things happen before our very eyes. 

Happy Adventuring!

The best memories are sometimes those you don’t even know you’re making!

Photo by Ginny Kropf: The Butts-Clark American Legion Post made a $500 donation to the local Wreath’s Across America project on Friday afternoon. From left are Dave Kusmierczak, Wreaths Across America coordinator Kathy Blackburn, Legion commander Glenn Whitmore and Dave Morien.

MEDINA – Medina’s Wreaths Across America project got a big boost Friday with a $500 donation from the Butts-Clark American Post.

The donation is particularly significant because the national Wreaths Across America organization announced it would match any donations made by Jan. 13, said local organizer Kathy Blackburn.

“I’m thrilled people are stepping up for this match program,” Blackburn said.

Medina first participated in Wreaths Across America in 2013, when the initial seven free wreaths were sent from the Worcester, Maine, Morrill Wreath Company. Support for the program soon mushroomed, with 315 wreaths placed in Boxwood Cemetery last month.

Blackburn also praised Tom Snyder from Medina Lumber, who made a major donation to the effort.

Next year, Blackburn said all veterans’ graves in St. Mary’s and Sacred Heart Cemetery will also have wreaths placed on them.

Dave Kusimerczak, a member of the local American Legion, who first suggested the Post make a donation to Wreaths Across America, has volunteered to walk both St. Mary’s and Sacred Heart Cemetery and count the number of veterans’ graves.

Blackburn said it is incredible how the Wreaths Across America program has spread across the country. Initially, in 1992, Morrill Worcester of Harrington, Maine, who owns a wreath company, had a surplus and donated enough to cover a neglected section of Arlington National Cemetery. Now, annually hundreds of tractor trailer drivers donate their services to deliver wreaths to 2,700 locations across the county.

“This program is amazing,” Blackburn said.

She added they can always use more volunteers to help placing the wreaths, the third Saturday in December each year.

Kusmierczak said he suggested the donation because he not only wanted to honor veterans, but give recognition to the American Legion.

Legion Commander Glenn Whitmore said he thought it was a great thing to do.

Anyone who would still like to make a donation and have it doubled by Wreaths Across America, can get it to Medina village clerk by Jan. 13. Checks should indicate “Wreath program.”

Boosters also recommended for 12-15 year olds; Nursing home visitors need negative Covid tests, surgical masks

Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office

Governor Kathy Hochul on Friday announced new guidance recommending booster doses for all New Yorkers ages 12 and older.

The guidance, following action by the CDC, recommends that people, including the newly authorized 12-15 year-old age group, who received the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine should receive a booster dose at least five months after their second dose; the previous recommended interval was at least six months.

In addition, moderately to severely immunocompromised 5-11-year-olds can receive an additional primary dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine 28 days after their second dose. At this time, only the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine is authorized and recommended for children ages 5-11.

Additionally, the CDC on Friday recommended the same change to a five month booster interval for the Moderna vaccine, which is only authorized for people 18 years and older.

“As we continue to battle this winter surge, I strongly recommend that all New Yorkers ages 12 and older get boosted as soon they are eligible,” Governor Hochul said. “With boosters now available for all adolescents, I especially urge parents and guardians to get their children in this age group a booster dose as soon as eligible. A booster dose will provide greater protection against severe outcomes from Covid-19 and help keep our kids healthy, protected, and safe.”

Governor Hochul additionally announced her plan to require that all covered health care workers previously required to receive a Covid-19 vaccination under the Department’s August 26th Emergency regulation must also now receive a Covid-19 booster dose within two weeks of becoming eligible, absent a valid medical exemption.

Consistent with the August 26th Emergency Regulation, there is no test-out option. Following review and approval by the Public Health and Health Planning Council at their emergency meeting on Tuesday, the emergency regulation will be filed with the Department of State (DOS). Regulations are effective upon the filing with DOS.

The Governor also announced new rules for nursing home visitations. Starting Wednesday, all visitors must wear “surgical”-type masks and must present upon entry a Covid negative test taken within 24 hours of their visit. Governor Hochul further noted that 952,000 tests and 1.2 million masks are being delivered to nursing homes late this week into next.

On Jan. 5, the CDC endorsed the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice’s (ACIP) recommended expansion of booster dose eligibility for the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 to individuals ages 12 through 15.

CDC now recommends that all adolescents ages 12 through 17 should receive a booster dose five months after their initial Pfizer-BioNTech vaccination series. This followed the CDC’s updated recommendations that severely immunocompromised 5-11 year-olds receive an additional primary dose of vaccine 28 days after their second dose, and that people who received the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine series should get a booster dose at least five month after the second dose, instead of six months.

“Booster doses are a critical tool in our continued response to the Covid-19 pandemic, and I am grateful that they are now available for all New Yorkers 12 years of age and older,” said Dr. Mary T. Bassett said, the state’s acting health commissioner. “Data show that people who are vaccinated and boosted are more protected against serious illness from Covid-19, and we continue to urge all those eligible to act now. Do what you can to stay healthy and out of the hospital by getting vaccinated and boosted and wear a mask. If you have questions, talk to your health care provider or vaccine administrator.”

BROCKPORT — A Clarendon man was killed on Friday when he was operating a forklift at work for Lineage Logistics on Owens Road.

William Spoor, 57, was backing up the forklift when he leaned out and became trapped between a pole and the machine, the Brockport Police Department told WHAM in Rochester.

Spoor was pronounced dead at the scene. The Brockport PD is working with OSHA on the investigation.