Agency asks for help with Friendly Phones and Home Visitation programs

Press Release, Catholic Charities

Catholic Charities needs volunteers for its Friendly Phones and Home Visitation Programs in Genesee and Orleans counties.

Both programs depend on dedicated volunteers to provide weekly visits or phone calls to isolated seniors 60-plus who live independently, or with family. Volunteers engage in friendly conversation, partake in hobbies, crafts, and special interests such as reading, puzzles, baking or card games.

“During this giving season, consider giving the gift of your time this year by volunteering to provide friendship to isolated seniors within our community,” said Linda Chadderdon, program manager for Home Visitation Program in Genesee & Orleans counties, Catholic Charities. “These interactions bring a sense of connectivity and friendship to our program members. In addition to brightening our seniors’ days, volunteers often find a rich sense of fulfillment too in just volunteering one hour per week.”

Visitation schedule is flexible. Interested volunteers much be at least 21 years old. An interview, background check and proof of Covid-19 vaccination are required. Training will also be provided upon acceptance into the volunteer program. For more information on becoming a volunteer, please call Catholic Charities at 585-343-0614, ext. 3801.

Businesses need to require masks or have vaccine requirement through Jan. 15

Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced masks will be required to be worn in all indoor public places unless businesses or venues implement a vaccine requirement.

Gov. Kathy Hochul

This a major action to address the winter surge comes as Covid-19 cases and hospitalizations rise statewide to be in alignment with the CDC’s recommendations for communities with substantial and high transmission. The State Health Commissioner issued a determination solidifying the requirement.

This determination is based on the State’s weekly seven-day case rate as well as increasing hospitalizations. The new business and venue requirements extend to both patrons and staff. This measure is effective Dec. 13 until Jan. 15, 2022, after which the State will re-evaluate based on current conditions. The new measure brings added layers of mitigation during the holidays when more time is spent indoors shopping, gathering, and visiting holiday-themed destinations.

“As Governor, my two top priorities are to protect the health of New Yorkers and to protect the health of our economy,” Hochul said. “The temporary measures I am taking today will help accomplish this through the holiday season. We shouldn’t have reached the point where we are confronted with a winter surge, especially with the vaccine at our disposal, and I share many New Yorkers’ frustration that we are not past this pandemic yet.”

Since Thanksgiving, the statewide seven-day average case rate has increased by 43% and hospitalizations have increased by 29%. While the percentage of New Yorkers fully vaccinated continues to increase—gaining 2% from Thanksgiving weekend to now—the uptick is not fast enough to completely curb the spread of the virus, particularly among communities with low vaccination coverage.

“I have warned for weeks that additional steps could be necessary, and now we are at that point based upon three metrics: Increasing cases, reduced hospital capacity, and insufficient vaccination rates in certain areas,” Hochul said.

A violation of any provision of this measure is subject to all civil and criminal penalties, including a maximum fine of $1,000 for each violation. Local health departments are being asked to enforce these requirements.

Business/Venue Proof of Full-Course Vaccination Requirement   

Businesses and venues who implement a proof of vaccination requirement can accept Excelsior Pass, Excelsior Pass Plus, SMART Health Cards issued outside of New York State, or a CDC Vaccination Card.

In accordance with CDC’s definition of fully vaccinated, full-course vaccination is defined as 14 days past an individual’s last vaccination dose in their initial vaccine series (14 days past the second shot of a two-dose Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine; 14 days past the one-shot Janssen/Johnson & Johnson vaccine).

The State also accepts WHO-approved vaccines for these purposes. Parents and guardians can retrieve and store an Excelsior Pass and/or Excelsior Pass Plus for children or minors under legal guardianship.

Business/Venue Mask-Wearing Requirement  

Businesses and venues that implement a mask requirement must ensure all patrons two years and older wear a mask at all times while indoors.

Continued Masking Requirements 

Unvaccinated individuals continue to be responsible for wearing masks, in accordance with federal CDC guidance. Further, the State’s masking requirements continue to be in effect for pre-K to grade 12 schools, public transit, homeless shelters, correctional facilities, nursing homes, and health care settings per CDC guidelines.

New York State and the State’s Department of Health continue to strongly recommend mask-wearing in all public indoor settings as an added layer of protection, even when not required. Children 2 to 5 who remain ineligible for vaccination must wear a proper-fitting mask.

Covid-19 vaccines and booster doses are free and widely available statewide. New Yorkers can visit vaccines.gov, text their ZIP code to 438829, or call 1-800-232-0233 to find nearby locations.

Press Release, Orleans/Niagara BOCES

MEDINA – Diesel Equipment Technology teacher Mike Schultz says he is very grateful for the partnerships with his Orleans Career and Technical Education Center class. Not only do this partnerships expand students’ opportunities for learning more skills, they also open their eyes to different career paths they can take.

Recently Mr. Schultz’s class hosted representatives from SUNY Cobleskill, Outreach Trainers Ed Wallace and Tim Gregoire; Randy Librock, Fleet Supervisor from Relco Systems (Transportation Services); Tom Lewis, Branch Manager from Monroe Tractor; and from the New York State Department of Transportation: Motor Engine Manager William Chiro and Supervisor Randy Shoemaker.

“Our guests were fantastic with the students,” said Mr. Schultz.  “Not only did they bring in equipment and vehicles, they did a lot of interactive, hands-on training with them.  It gave the students a real chance to interact with professionals in this field and make business contacts for internship opportunities and jobs after graduation.”

This group includes Tucker Moore (Royalton-Hartland), Tom Lewis (Monroe Tractor), Eric Sullivan (Royalton-Hartland), Zack Heideman (Lyndonville), Kirk Nice (Lyndonville), Dan Hunt (Newfane).

This is the first time that the NYS Department of Transportation is participating in the internship program and it is a great opportunity for the students. Many students in the class were able to set up internship or shadow opportunities at these employers.

“It is great to have these beneficial relationships with different businesses,” Schultz said. “It is a definite win-win since they are looking for good employees and my students are looking for careers. I am very thankful that these representatives took time out of their very busy schedules to spend the day here. My students really got a lot out of the experience and really enjoyed getting a view into careers.”

This group includes Randy Librick (Relco),  Matt Quattrini (Newfane), Ian Donahue (Lyndonville), Aaron Schadt (Akron),  Zach Hoyle (Barker).

SHELBY – The Shelby Town Hall will be closed for the third straight day on Friday. Power has been restored to site but a smoky smell needs to be cleared out, said Jeff Smith, the town supervisor.

The building has been closed to the public since Wednesday after an electrical fire on Tuesday afternoon. Smith said he expects the building will be open on Monday.

Orleans has most cases in state per 100,000 people

The number of active Covid cases in Orleans County set a new pandemic high today with 334. That is up from the previous mark of 329 on Monday.

Orleans County is reporting 128 more cases in the past three days, and 123 recoveries or people who completed their 10-day isolation and have been removed from mandatory isolation.

Orleans leads the state with the most daily cases per 100,000 people on a 7-day average at 106.2. That is more than twice the state average of 49.0.

Steuben is second at 105.6 with Genesee at third highest with 105.3. There are 62 counties statewide. Others with more than 100 cases daily per 100,000 people on a seven-day average include Herkimer at 102.6, Delaware at 102.0, and Washington at 101.5.

The positivity rate in the state over 7 days is 4.8 percent. Allegany County currently has the highest positivity rate at 13.4 percent over 7 days, with Genesee second highest at 12.5 percent. Two counties are at 12.4 percent — Lewis and Chautauqua – and Orleans is fifth highest at 12.2 percent.

The active cases also are up in Genesee with 286 today compared to 226 on Monday. Genesee has 197 more cases in three days, compared to 131 more recoveries.The combined caseload of 620 in Orleans and Genesee trails the pandemic high of 633 on Nov. 22.

Genesee also suffered the loss of two more residents, both over 65, bringing the total deaths during the pandemic due to Covid to 147.

Genesee currently has 35 residents hospitalized from Covid and Orleans has 13 in the hospital.

Photos and information from Medina Central School

MEDINA – In the past, the Student Association at Medina High School has collected canned goods for those in need in the community and donated them to MAAC (Medina Area Association of Churches).

Teacher and Student Association Co-Advisor Sara Cinquino says last year, with the unknowns of Covid transmission, the students took part in a peanut butter and jelly drive instead.

“This year we decided we would collect essential items like paper products and hygiene products for MAAC to distribute,” she said. “We were thrilled to be able to donate 1,971 items through our school drive.”

Members of the Medina Fire Department on Wednesday stopped at the school, where the students helped them load the donations into their ambulances.

Sherry Tuohey, a volunteer with MAAC says she is very grateful for the outreach project from the High School.

“The students did an outstanding job!” she said. “I couldn’t believe all the personal care and paper products we received. These will be so beneficial to families we are helping this Christmas. I want to thank them for making it such a huge success!”

Photo by Tom Rivers: Main Street in Albion is shown on Wednesday evening.

The National Weather Service has issued a high wind watch for Orleans County on Saturday from 1 to 10 p.m. The watch also includes Niagara, Monroe, Erie, Genesee, Wyoming and Chautauqua counties.

There will be southwesterly winds from 35 to 45 miles per hour with gusts up to 65 mph possible, the Weather Service said.

“Damaging winds may bring down numerous trees and power lines,” the Weather Service said. “Some property damage possible. Widespread power outages are possible. Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.”

On Friday the temperature is forecast for a high of 48, and then goes up to 66 on Saturday. Sunday is forecast to be sunny with a high of 42.

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Heidi Dorpfeld, left, and Jean Bogue chat in the lounge of the new home of Trade 180 at 25 East Bank St., Albion. Trade 180 supports young marginalized people in Orleans County ages 18 to 25 with life skills and work readiness.

ALBION – While working for 12 years as a job coach to special needs youth at BOCES, Heidi Dorpfeld often noticed how the children thrived while receiving extra attention in school, but often fell through the cracks when left on their own in the outside world.

That gave her an idea for a program which would help these students transition from one lifestyle to another, and she formed Trade 180, what she calls “A home of hope to become whole.”

Earlier this year, Dorpfeld and her team were working to renovate a home on East Avenue owned by Harvest Christian Fellowship, with plans to open her ministry there.

Then she was contacted by the Giordano family from Kent with an offer too good to be true.

Beth Giordano had formerly run Rise Above Ministries for years out of a building she owned at 25 Bank St. After hearing about Dorpfeld’s plans, she contacted her and offered to give Dorpfeld the building for $1.

With help from supporters, including Ninandre Bogue of Lyndonville, who did most of the painting in the building, they transformed it into a classroom, gathering room, training kitchen and office space for Trade 180.

Last Saturday they held an open house and basket raffle to introduce the community to their new venture.

Their program for men 18 to 25 includes a class titled “Powered for Life” and “Jobs for Life,” a nationally accredited program. Participants learn faith-based character building, conflict resolution, dignity of work, life skills, a trade and how to act in an interview and prepare a resume. Both men and women will learn in a 16-session class how to find and keep a job, develop character and receive a supportive community through mentorship.

The Biblical curriculum will help young people discover God’s purpose for their lives, thereby helping them become inspired, Dorpfeld said.

“We focus on special needs – not necessarily physical – but emotional and spiritual,” she said. “We want to get young people before they go down the wrong road.”

Classes are noon to 3 p.m. and lunch is served. In addition to an instructor, a nutritionist is available and mentors will be on hand.

Trade 180 is operating under the umbrella of Harvest Christian Fellowship. They are counting on donations and support from the community to operate. Anyone is invited to become a mentor, volunteer or support Trade 180 with a financial donation.

Donations may be made by logging on to www.hcforleans.com (under Trade 180 tab).

The building at 25 East Bank St. was given by Beth Giordano to a new working training ministry.

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Passengers on the Polar Express at Medina Railroad Museum got a ride to the North Pole Saturday and Sunday. Near record crowds filled all six excursions. The event will return this Saturday and Sunday and Dec. 18 and 19, with nearly all but a few single seats sold out.

MEDINA – The Polar Express may delight children of all ages, but a couple who rode the fairy tale train on Sunday got to experience a little magic of their own.

Grace Stewart, event and volunteer coordinator for the Museum, was helping with crowds on the platform of the train when she spotted a man down on his knees in front of the holiday display on the deck of the museum.

She immediately rushed up the steps to learn that Jared Finn had just proposed to his girlfriend Ally Kirkey. In front of the couple were his children holding a sign which read “Will you marry our dad?”

Of course, she said, “Yes.”

In all the excitement Stewart failed to ask where the couple were from.

Provided photo: Jared Finn proposed to Ally Kirkey on Sunday and she said yes.

Also on Sunday, another family was noticed on one of the first-class cars celebrating a surprise birthday for a relative.

More than 5,000 people rode the Polar Express on Saturday and Sunday, a scenario that is expected to be repeated the next two weekends at the Medina Railroad Museum.

While most of the seats for the next two weekends are sold out, visitors are encouraged to visit the museum and see the extensive decorations staff has spent several weeks putting up, in preparation for the Polar Express.

Riders on the train get to enjoy hot chocolate, singing and story telling from the famed Polar Express book. Each child gets a gift, meet Santa and the hobo who board at the North Pole.

Plenty of Polar Express toys and gifts are available in the gift tent and museum gift shop.

Provided photo: Erik Olsen, pastor of East Shelby Community Bible Church, leads the choir in singing Christmas carols at a previous Old Fashioned Christmas celebration at West Jackson corners, the miniature village created by the church on East Shelby Road.

EAST SHELBY – The East Shelby Community Bible Church will again host its annual Old Fashioned Christmas on Sunday at the church at 5278 East Shelby Rd.

The event, from noon to 5 p.m., will feature old-time Christmas traditions and activities at the church and in the miniature village of West Jackson Corners.

There will be crafts for children, swags for mom, cookies for dad and dancing for everyone’s entertainment. The Band of Renown will present a Christmas concert at noon, and the choir will sing in the village and in the church.

Visitors are invited to see the new barn and the extra-large manger scene. There will be an opportunity to make a candle, catch a ride on the drawn wagon, make a swag to take home, string popcorn and visit Mrs. Claus upstairs in the parsonage.

Santa will arrive at 4 p.m.

The pastor and congregation invite everyone to come to West Jackson Corners on Sunday and celebrate Christmas the old-fashioned way.

There is no charge to attend this celebration which takes visitors back to a bygone era.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Frontier Heating & A/C Service has a nice display in its window along East Bank Street. The business won the window decorating contest in 2019.

The Albion Merchants Association is offering $100 for the first place winner of the decorating contest. Businesses have until Dec. 19 to post photos on the AMA Facebook page under the post about the contest for businesses.

There is also a contest for homeowners with $200 for first place, $100 for second, and $50 for third. The prizes will be in gift certificates from AMA members. Residents can enter by Dec. 19 and post photos on the AMA Facebook page in the comment section of the post about the “Deck the Town” contest.

The Orleans Travel Bureau decorated its window on East Bank Street for the Christmas season.

Press Release, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

Provided photo: Environmental Conservation Officer Fuerch is shown with K9 Handley.

CLARENDON – On Dec. 1, ECO Fuerch received a complaint from a coyote hunter who had encountered a male subject carrying a shotgun and a backpack while trespassing on the property.

The subject dropped the backpack and ran into the woods when the complainant confronted him, and the complainant retrieved the backpack, which contained deer antlers and deer calls. The complainant advised ECO Fuerch that he parks at the Stafford Highway Department and did not observe other vehicles in the area. While checking nearby storage units for possible vehicles, Officer Fuerch observed a vehicle parked partially in the roadway with its lights off.

Suspecting the vehicle was there to pick up the subject who ran into the woods earlier, the ECO approached and turned on her emergency lights. The vehicle drove off, and Officer Fuerch radioed a Genesee County Sheriff’s Deputy.

The Deputy successfully deployed spike strips on Route 237 near Route 33 toward Orleans County, causing operator to lose control of the vehicle after the tires on the runaway vehicle began to break apart.

The vehicle came to a stop and two occupants fled on foot into the woods. A third occupant in the backseat was immediately taken into custody by the Sheriff’s Deputy. ECO Fuerch deployed K9 Hadley to track and locate the men who fled.

The first subject as found, surrendered, and was taken into custody. The second subject was located in the garage of a nearby residence where he was taken into custody. The vehicle had switched plates and was reported stolen out of the city of Rochester.

The vehicle occupants had several outstanding warrants and illegal drugs were found inside the stolen vehicle. The men are facing a host of charges, including criminal possession of stolen property and unlawfully fleeing police. This case is especially noteworthy as K9 Handley recently underwent lifesaving emergency surgery just two months ago.

For more on this incident, click here.

SHELBY – The Town of Shelby building will be closed at least another day due to a power outage. Town Supervisor Jeff Smith said he hopes the Town Hall will re-open Friday.

The building was closed today and will again be off-limits to the public on Thursday.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The Orleans County Courthouse is decorated for the holidays with wreaths up on the dome and Christmas trees on the top steps facing East State Street.

The moon looms in the sky above the courthouse this evening. The site recently was upgraded with new steps, a sidewalk and exterior lighting. The courthouse was built in 1858 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Christmas trees are new addition to the courthouse this holiday season.

The cover at left is for the book, Pioneer History of Orleans County. The image at right is the only known photograph of John Proctor.

By Doug Farley, Cobblestone Museum Director – Vol. 2 No. 44

GAINES – One of the most widely read written histories of Orleans County is entitled, “Pioneer History of Orleans County, NY,” by Arad Thomas, written in 1871 and published in Albion.  In this 463-page compendium we are fortunate to find an autobiographical sketch of John Proctor, the patriarch of what many called Proctor’s Corners.

Proctor has been the subject of a few recent articles written for the “Historic Childs” series, but the addition of an article detailing the earliest days of Fair Haven (known as Childs today) written by John Proctor himself, is a valuable addition to this information.  Proctor wrote the following narrative in June 1863, a little short of five years before his death in January 1868.

I was born in the town of Dunstable, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, January 22, 1787. In March, 1810, I arrived in Batavia, since changed to Gaines, on the Holland Purchase, and purchased a lot of land near the Transit Line. I chopped over five acres of land and built a log cabin in what was then called the ‘Nine Mile Woods.’ My cabin was situated seven miles from any cabin going east, and two miles west. There were no inhabitants going south nearer than Batavia village. Here I kept bachelor’s hall, sleeping in the open air on hemlock boughs until I had completed the roof of my cabin, which I covered with bark. I had to travel seven miles to get bread baked.

I went to Massachusetts in the summer and returned to my cabin in January. In the spring of 1811, I cleared off and planted three acres to corn, and in the fall sowed five acres to wheat. In December I went back to Massachusetts on foot. February 11th, 1812, I was married to Miss Polly Cummings, of Dunstable, and started on the 12th with my wife for my home in the woods, in a sleigh drawn by two horses.

Fair Haven, 1852 map

When we arrived at our new home, at what has since been called Fair Haven, in the town of Gaines, there were but three families in Gaines, viz.: Elijah Downer, Amy Gilbert, and —Elliott. The nearest grist mill was at Black Creek, twenty miles distant, and on account of bad roads it was as easy for us to go to Rochester to mill, a distance of thirty miles. Indians came over from Canada and massacred several of the inhabitants on the frontier, and many of  the settlers fled out of the country for safety. The people throughout this region were in great consternation.

The news of the approach of the savages spread rapidly. William Burlingame, who resided about four miles west of my place on the Ridge, called me out of bed and requested me to go immediately and arouse the people east. I immediately mounted my horse, the only horse then owned in the vicinity, and before next daylight visited all the inhabitants as far east as Clarkson.

The effect of the notice was almost electric, for quite a regiment of men in number were on the move early the next morning, to check the advance of the enemy. We marched west to a place called Hardscrabble, near Lewiston, and there performed a sort of garrison duty for two weeks, when I with some others returned, for, having been elected collector of taxes, it became necessary for me to attend to the duties of my office.

Again in September, while the war was in progress at and near Fort Erie, in Canada, news came to us that the British were about to attack the Fort and our troops there must be reinforced. In company with several others I volunteered to go to their relief. On arriving at the Fort, via Buffalo, we made several attacks on the enemy near the Fort, and in the woods opposite Black Rock.

A sortie was made from the Fort September 17th, in which we routed the enemy. In these actions several bullets passed through my clothes, and one grazed my finger. A man of our company named Howard was killed, another named Sheldon was wounded in the shoulder, and Moses Bacon was taken prisoner and carried to Halifax.

In that sortie General Davis, of Le Roy, was killed, and Gen. Peter B. Porter was taken prisoner, and rescued again the same day. We came home after an absence of twenty-four days.

The Proctor monument (left) is located on Route 104 in Gaines. The Proctor family obelisk is located at Mount Albion Cemetery. The other sides of the monument memorialize Proctor’s wives and children, several of whom died in a typhoid breakout in 1828.

About February 1st, 1815, I was notified to attend the sitting of the court in Batavia as constable. Owing to the situation of my family I could not be long absent from home; and in order to get released from court, it was necessary for me to appear before the judge; so taking a rather early start I reached Batavia before the court had opened in the morning. After the court had organized for business I presented my excuse and was discharged.

After that I collected over one hundred dollars taxes, made my returns as town collector, on half a sheet of paper, took a deed of one hundred acres of land of the Holland Company, and an article for another hundred acres and started for home, where I arrived in the evening of the same day, having traveled a distance of not less than forty-four miles.

In December, 1818, I made arrangements to visit my friends in Massachusetts, on horseback. Several of my neighbors were in to see me off. As I was about to mount my horse a deer came down the creek from the south. I ran into the house and got my gun and some cartridges I brought from the war, loaded my gun as I ran out, and as the deer was passing leveled my gun and snapped it, but it missed fire. I took up a stone and struck the flint, and snapped the gun again before the deer got out of range. This time it discharged killing the deer instantly. I remained now and helped dress the deer and divided it with our neighbors, and then went on my journey.

I rode to Vermont, there exchanged my horse and saddle for a cutter and another horse, and drove to my destination, near Boston. After an absence of about sixty days I returned home in time to dine off a piece of the venison I killed just before starting, which had been kept by my wife.

Our associations in our wilderness home undergoing fatigue and hardships together, sharing alike in gratitude for every success, and in sympathy for every adversity, bound the early settlers together as a band of brothers.

For many years our religious worship was held in common together, with no denominational distinctions.

JOHN PROCTOR.

Gaines, June 1863.