Photo and information courtesy of Orleans/Niagara BOCES

MEDINA – The welding class at the Orleans Career and Technical Education Center recently welcomed visitors from the Local 22 Steamfitters Union.

Representatives Brock and Rich Evans meet with seniors in Ron Jackson’s and Adam Zerby’s classes. They discussed job opportunities and the pathway to enter the trade of becoming a steamfitter.

“They did a fantastic presentation where they discussed a steamfitter’s duties, the benefits of the profession and the process of becoming a steamfitter,” said Mr. Jackson. “We are very appreciative of the time they spent with our students discussing this career.”

Jason Smith praised for pushing high standards and support for students

Photos by Tom Rivers: Jason Smith, Lyndonville’s district superintendent the past 10 years, is shown in August 2020 before the start of the school year. The desks in the classroom were all spaced at least six feet apart to meet Covid guidelines. Lyndonville was able to offer in-person education all five school days in the 2020-21 school year.

LYNDONVILLE – Jason Smith proved to be an asset to the Lyndonville school district and the community during his 10 years as district superintendent, said Ted Lewis, president of the Board of Education.

Smith is leaving Lyndonville to start as superintendent at the Batavia City School District on Jan. 3. Batavia is Smith’s hometown.

“We’re happy for him and wish him the best in his next chapter,” Lewis said.

Lyndonville will have an interim superintendent while the district searches for Smith’s successor.

“The Board will do our due diligence to pick the right person,” Lewis said.

Lewis has been on the board during Smith’s entire time with Lyndonville. He praised Smith for his connections in the community, for making more opportunities available for Lyndonville students, and for keeping Lyndonville residents aware of what’s happening in the district, especially during the Covid pandemic.

“He is a very likable person who is very responsive to the board and students,” Lewis said.

Smith often meets with student clubs, has lunch with officers and welcomed a student as an ex-offico member of the Board of Education.

He is a member of the Lyndonville Lions Club and Lyndonville Area Foundation, helping to connect those organizations to students and the school district. Foundation funding has supported many programs at the school, including recent grants towards a baby grand piano, relocating the elementary school playground, more than $30,000 annually in scholarships and other academic and literacy initiatives.

Lyndonville has a graduation rate nearly 100 percent, and for many years offered a college readiness program, AVID, to help students enroll in four-year colleges.

Diana Fulcomer, a prevention educator with the Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcohol and Substance Abuse, is pictured with Jason Smith in this photo from January 2018. Lyndonville increased the presence of prevention educators at the district. Fulcomer in some of her presentations focuses on making healthy choices, which includes getting enough sleep, eating nutritious foods and not spending too much time on social media. Smith said he supports the expanded message – coping skills and making good choices. “If the students are having issues with anxiety, we don’t want them turning to substances,” he said.

Smith also pushed to bring outside services into the district to support students, including mental health professionals and prevention specialists from the Genesee-Orleans Council on Alcohol and Substance Abuse.

Lewis praised Smith for leading the district’s efforts to keep students in-person all five days of school in the 2020-21 school year. The district reopened part of the elementary school and was able to reconfigure classrooms and other space to accommodate all students and meet the state guideline of at least 6 feet apart to help prevent the spread of Covid.

In developing that plan, Smith put in “countless hours” working with local health officials and the State Education Department, as well as local stakeholders – teachers, administrators, the Board of Education and other community members, Lewis said.

Smith came to Lyndonville after working as a principal at Albion and Elba. He started his career as a social studies teacher in Albion.

“We saw the potential in him,” Lewis said about Smith when he joined the district a decade ago. “He has always been thorough, conscientious and very communicative to the board, the administrative team and the community.”

Hannah Marker gets some help from Jason Smith in swinging the sledgehammer at a wall to be knocked out as part of the capital project. This photo was taken on Jan. 2, 2019 for a ground-breaking of a $10.7 million project at the district with included creating two new classrooms above the library, putting a new section of a new roof on in 2017 and adding LED lights in the gym.

Smith also pushed forward a $10.7 million capital project in the district, as well as other technology upgrades through the Smart School Bond Act. Those Bond Act funds allowed each student in the district to have a Chromebook laptop.

Lewis said Smith took a hands-on approach to leading the district, and would even fill in at a classroom if a substitute teacher wasn’t available.

The district’s enrollment has been shrinking in recent years, like many of the rural districts in Upstate New York. Smith and Lyndonville school officials worked out an agreement with Medina to have some merged sports teams and also the school musical so those programs would be available at both districts. Lyndonville is teaming with Barker and Roy-Hart in a football program. The team is called the RBL Silverbacks.

“He has really worked hard to increase opportunities for students,” Lewis said.

BARRE – A procession of lighted tractor, trucks and all-terrain vehicles will be back for a parade on Dec. 11 in Barre.

The Barre Betterment Committee welcomes the community to the 4th Annual Lighted Tractor Parade. It starts at 5:30 p.m.

The parade will begin at the corner of Route 98 and East Barre Road and will head north ending at the Barre Town Park. After the parade there will be Christmas caroling.

Participants in the parade should bring their tractor or farm vehicle to East Barre Road by the VanLieshout Farm by 5:15 p.m.  No registration is required.

“Simply decorate your tractor and join the fun,” the Barre Betterment Committee said in announcing the event.

About 20 tractors and trucks were decorated in lights for the third annual Barre Lighted Tractor Parade last year. This group of tractors includes one driven by Kurt Dudley in center.

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Orleans Hub has already posted many photos from the Parade of Lights, including the winning entries that were announced today and other photos from Saturday night not long after the parade.

We wanted to highlight more of the floats, including the top photo that shows the entry from the Orleans County Tourism Department. It shows Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and 13-foot-long fiberglass salmon that was lighted up for the display.

Schaal’s Tree Service gave the Grinch a ride in its bucket truck.

Miller Family Transport

Mahar Excavating spread a message of joy with its float.

Mark Time Marchers were one of four marching bands in the parade.

Bent’s Opera House featured a horse-drawn carriage. It is passing near the Bent’s Opera House which recently opened after an extensive renovation.

Albion Fire Department decorated its ladder truck.

Medina Lions Club

Pride Pak was one of nine new entries in the parade.

Niagara County 4-H Equine Program

Middleport Fire Department

Prime Time Brass perform in front of the judge’s stand on Main Street across from Avanti Pizza.

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – The Parade of Lights Committee in Medina has announced the winners in the 13^th annual Parade of Lights on Saturday, which included about 40 entries.

The Metz’s Family Christmas (shown above) was named the grand champion and won the $500 top prize. The Metz’s Family Christmas is a first-time winner. The Medina Railroad Museum was the grand champion the previous two years.

The float for the Metz’s Family Christmas is shown in the staging and setup area at the Olde Pickle Factory before the start of the parade.

The Parade of Lights Committee gives out about $4,000 in prizes. Other winners included:

Best in Class –  The Medina Misfits

Fire Company – Shelby Fire Company

The Shelby Fire Company pulled a trailer with a Christmas tree and sent a message: “Reduce the risk of a fire, WATER YOUR TREE!”

Not-For-Profit- Knights-Kaderli Memorial Fund

Business – Party Tents Plus

Religious – Community Fellowship Church

Service Clubs – Roy-Hart FFA with a Buffalo Bills themed float

Star Award (for creativity) – Boy Scout Troop 28 in Medina with an aqua theme to promote the group’s trip to Florida to earn badges

Santa’s Pick (award the committee felt Santa would like the best) – Orleans County 4-H Heelers Dog Club

Little Elf Award (entry that best utilized youth in their entry) – Cub Pack 18 in Gasport

Community Spirit  (entry that best represented their community) – Case-Nic Cookies

“Congratulations to all of these winners and our most sincere thanks for all the hard work represented in every entry!!” the committee stated in announcing the top floats.

The Parade of Lights Committee for 2021 includes: Jim Hancock, Mark Irwin, David Miller, Gail Miller, Duane Payne, Pat Payne, Jeff Wagner, Betty Rogowski, Reinhard Rogowski, David Stacey, Kathie Valley and Jake Hebdon.

MEDINA – Village residents are encouraged to keep Medina lighted up for the holidays.

Medina had another successful Parade of Lights on Saturday night. But the lighted displays don’t need to stop with the parade.

Residents are encouraged to enter a “Village of Lights” competition that includes prize money.

Entries must be received by Nov. 30, and decorations must up by Dec. 6. The competition is open to residents and properties within the village.

There is no cost to enter, and entry forms can be found at The English Rose Tea Shop and at www.christmasinmedina.com.

Completed entry forms must be returned by Nov. 30 to Pat Payne, 3952 Fruit Ave., Medina, NY 14103. When she receives an entry, she will mail an entry number card.

Only decorations on the front face and front lawn of a house will be judged. Judges will view and judge from the curb. No one will enter the property. Lights and animated displays must be turned on during the judging periods, and entry number cards must be prominently displayed and visible from the street. Participants agree to have a photo of their decorated homes posted on the Parade of Lights Face Book page and website (www.ChristmasInMedina.com). Businesses may decorate any and all parts of their facade.

Judging categories and prize amounts:

• Christmas Spirit – Traditional ($50)
• Christmas Spirit – Innovative ($50)
• Most Whimsical ($50)
• Best Use of Lights ($50)
• Probably Visible from Space ($50)
• Best Business – Christmas Spirit ($50)
• Best Business – Community Spirit ($50)
• Block Party – (4 or more adjacent and/or across-the-street entries entered as a group) ($50)
• Grand Champion ($200).

Judging will be from 6 to 8 p.m. on Dec. 10, 11 and 12. Winners will be announced and notified on Dec. 14.

This house on Park Avenue in Medina features many decorations and lights.

Omicron Variant not detected in NY yet, but governor says, ‘It’s coming’

Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office

Governor Kathy Hochul announced urgent action to boost hospital capacity and address staffing shortages ahead of potential spikes in Covid-19 cases this upcoming winter.

Through an Executive Order signed by Governor Hochul, the Department of Health will be allowed to limit non-essential, non-urgent procedures for in-hospitals or systems with limited capacity to protect access to critical health care services. Limited capacity is defined as below 10% staffed bed capacity, or as determined by the Department of Health based on regional and health care utilization factors.

The new protocols will begin on Friday, December 3, and will be re-assessed based on the latest Covid-19 data on January 15. The Executive Order will also enable New York State to acquire more quickly any critical supplies to combat the pandemic.

“We’ve taken extraordinary action to prevent the spread of Covid-19 and combat this pandemic. However, we continue to see warning signs of spikes this upcoming winter, and while the new Omicron variant has yet to be detected in New York State, it’s coming,” Governor Hochul said. “In preparation, I am announcing urgent steps to expand hospital capacity and help ensure our hospital systems can tackle any challenges posed by the pandemic as we head into the winter months. The vaccine remains one of our greatest weapons in fighting the pandemic, and I encourage every New Yorker to get vaccinated, and get the booster if you’re fully vaccinated.”

The Hochul Administration continues to take comprehensive steps to prevent the spread of Covid-19, including mask protocols in health care and P-12 school settings, correctional facilities and detentions centers, public transportation and at transportation hubs, and implementation of the HERO Act which requires all employers to implement workplace safety plans in response to Covid-19.

The Administration continues to focus on boosting vaccination rates among New Yorkers, including bolstering the State’s network of vaccine access points, and working to expand testing supplies. That also includes acting on our comprehensive plan to vaccinate school-aged children 5-17, provide incentive programs, combat vaccine misinformation campaigns, increase vaccine awareness, deploy pop-up vaccines in targeted low-vaccination areas, and implement vaccine requirements for health care workers. On August 24, the vaccination rate among adults with one dose was 78.8%. Today, it is 90.2%.

Further, the Administration continues to ramp up booster shots and urges all New Yorkers to get the booster dose once fully vaccinated. As of November 24, over 2.2 million boosters and/or additional doses have been administered. Nearly 4,500 locations across are administering booster shots.

The Administration will continue to partner with local leaders to make vaccines, boosters and testing more widely available.

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Members of the Medina Marching Band as well as some alumni performers were lighted up for the Parade of Lights on Saturday night. This photo shows the band on Main Street, where thousands gathered for the parade’s return.

Last year there was a “reverse parade” with the floats all stationary at the Medina school campus, with vehicles driving by the floats. This year, the parade was back to normal a big crowd lined the route from Park Avenue to Main Street in the downtown.

Fireworks went off right before the start of the parade.

The Medina Fire Department was the second of 40 entries in the parade, following the Medina Police Department.

The Medina Railroad Museum, the grand champion from the 2019 and 2020 parades, gave another big effort for this year’s parade. This is the 13^th annual Parade of Lights, and the event draws several thousand people to the downtown area. The crowd gave a loud cheer at the conclusion of the parade.

The Medina FFA created a float with the theme of “The Island of Misfit Toys.”

These inflatable snowmen were part of the floats by the Orleans County 4-H Heelers Dog Club, front, and for Bentley Brothers. They are in the staging area at the Olde Pickle Factory before the parade.

The Roy-Hart FFA gets their float ready which had a Buffalo Bills theme.

Santa Claus took the mic during a stop on a parade route and thanked the crowd for attending the event. Assemblyman Steve Hawley, left, served as emcee of the parade.

East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company was among nine fire departments that decorated a fire truck for the parade.

The Pembroke Marching Band performed in the parade. They were one of four marching bands with the Medina Marching Band, the Mark Time Marchers and Prime Time Brass the others.

The Parade of Lights banner is carried down the parade route near the beginning of the lineup of entries.

Stacey Knights Pellicano checks a display of names of people who were highlighted by friends and family as part of the Knights-Kaderli float. The Knights-Kaderli Memorial Fund assists people who are battling cancer, helping them pay some of their bills.

Knights-Kaderli helps about 50 families a year pay for out-of-pocket expenses, co-pays, transportation and other bills. A recipient must be undergoing a cancer treatment and must be an Orleans County resident.

The “Medina Misfits” includes a group of friends from several local businesses who wanted to dress up Christmas characters and add some extra fun to the parade.

Click here to see a 42-minute video of the parade.

Click here to see a video of the festivities before the parade, including fireworks and a tree-lighting.

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Maverick, a golden retriever owned by Kathy Napier of Albion, wears a holiday costume during a pet parade at noon that also featured the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus. (Click here for a short video of the pets in costume.)

The parade is part of the Olde Tyme Christmas celebration in Medina, which features many activities throughout the day, including fireworks at 5:45 p.m. and the Parade of Lights at 6 p.m. with 38 entries.

The Medina band plays Christmas songs during the parade, including Feliz Navidad and Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town.

Gabby, a Boston Terrier owned by Sue Hagen of Gasport, wears a Mrs. Claus outfit as part of the pet costume competition. Prizes were awarded to smallest and largest participants, best costume and most Santa-like.

Jim Hancock, chairman of the Parade of Lights, poses with Olaf before the noon parade, which started at the Medina Historical Society on Park Avenue and went through Main Street. Sophia Goyette wore the Olaf costume. Her brother Chris was Olaf is prior noon parades.

Rayna Balaban of Medina took her grandparents’ dog, Sadie Stahl, for the pet costume contest.

Santa and Mrs. Claus greet people gathered on Main Street.

The Medina Railroad Museum decorated a mini-replica of a railroad station.

Medina Police Lt. Todd Draper directs traffic while in the holiday spirit.

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Ryan Czaja of Middleport wears a Santa suit while running a 5K this morning in Medina. He was one of 75 participants in the 9^th annual Home for the Holidays 5K. Czaja also is the Middleport fire chief. He has worn the Santa suit for the race at least three times.

“It makes the kids smile,” he said.

Debbie Tompkins, co-director of the race with Teresa Wilkins, welcomes the runners for the 5K race. Tompkins and Wilkins have organized the event the past four years. Last year’s was capped at 50 due to Covid restrictions. This year there wasn’t a cutoff.

The runners, including Santa, get lined up in the Canal Basin for the start of the race. The proceeds from the event, estimated at $1,000, will be given to the Hands for Hope ministry.

The runners take off at the Canal Basin this morning when temperatures were about 30 degrees.

Aurora Owczarczak has an elf costume on for the race. She is close to the finish on the Prospect Avenue lift bridge.

Alden Cayea of Medina won the race in a time of 18:33. Kimberly Mills of Oakfield was the first woman to cross the finish line in a time of 21:09.

Loren Jones and Katy Owczarczak head to the finish line amidst a brief blast of snow.

Photo by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Takeform employees Dave Kozubal, Tosha Boyle and Shannon Dent are at a booth this morning that was created by the company as part of Medina’s Olde Tyme Christmas celebration.

Takeform will be on Main Street by the Presbyterian Church today until 10 p.m. to accept messages about gratitude.

The company will use those words and messages to create a display at Rotary Park from mid-December until mid-January.

Takeform has been a big part of Medina’s Parade of Lights and holiday celebration in recent years. It twice was the champion in the Parade of Lights, and donated typography decorations for Rotary Park to celebrate the Christmas season.

This year, Takeform decided it wanted to emphasize a feeling of gratitude, especially during a time of suffering and disruption from Covid-19.

Takeform employees want to hear from the community what they are thankful for. Takeform will also be giving away cutout ornaments in celebration of the 2021 Parade of Lights.

MEDINA – Medina’s Parade of Lights on Saturday includes 38 entries, with four marching bands and nine first-time parade participants.

The parade typically has 35 to 40 parade entries. Last year, there were about 20 when Medina shifted to a “reverse parade” where the entries were stationary and people drove by from their vehicles.

Jim Hancock, the parade chairman, said organizers and participants are happy to be back for a “normal” parade with the procession starting at the Olde Pickle Factory on Park Avenue and then working its way downtown on Main Street. This year’s parade marshal will be Steve Morse, who has portrayed Santa Claus for many years.

The four marching bands in the parade include Mark Time Marchers, Prime Time Brass, Pembroke High School Marching Band and the Medina Mustang Band, which is coming off its 15^th state championship. The band will be joined by alumni from graduating years of 1975 to 2021.

Prime Time Brass will perform at the four corners of Main and Center streets beginning at 5 p.m. The community Christmas tree will be lit at 5:30 p.m. at Rotary Park.  There will be a special performance by Stacey Steverson at 5:40. Fireworks will go off at 5:55 and the Parade will start promptly at 6 p.m., Hancock said.

There are activities throughout the day, including a noon parade down Main Street with Santa and Mrs. Claus coming to town. Click here for a full schedule of events.

Fireworks burst in the sky in downtown Medina just before the 11th annual Parade of Lights on Nov. 30, 2019. Fireworks are scheduled for 5:55 p.m. on Saturday.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The driver of a Ford Focus fled the scene after hitting a tree on West State Street, resulting in the car flipping upside down in the middle of the street.

Law enforcement officers were called to the scene at 1:54 p.m. and are looking for the driver. Waters Autobody is removing the car from West State, between West Street and King Street.

The car hit the tree at right, taking off a chunk of bark.

ALBION – John Hedlund is upping his investment in the Albion by opening a new hardware store next to the Save-A-Lot he has been running at the plaza on Route 31 the past 3 ½ years.

Hedlund and Leo Anger are partners in the new Albion Pro Hardware. The store opened on Nov. 3 and will celebrate its grand opening Dec. 1-4 with in-store bargains and other promotions.

Hedlund owns five Save-A-Lot stores with locations in Albion, Le Roy, Batavia, Niagara Falls and Salamanca.

The Albion Pro Hardware is his first hardware store. He sees the 7,000-square-foot site as complimentary the Save-A-Lot next door and giving the community another option for hardware supplies, paint, plumbing, lawncare, auto fluids and seasonal products.

“With these stores side by side, it creates a one-stop shop,” Hedlund said. “The opportunity became available and we wanted to breathe more life into the plaza.”

Customers have given Hedlund and Anger good feedback so far. They see many do-it-yourselfers tackling home projects.

“There are excited there is another place to shop in town,” Anger said. “We have a knowledgeable staff.”

Many of the hardware stores are struggling to maintain a supply of products doe to a shortage of materials nation-wide, Anger said. If one hardware store doesn’t have a product in stock, it’s good to have another option in the community, Anger said.

Anger has worked in retail for 20 years with parts of his career at Save-A-Lot and Walmart. Albion Pro Hardware will make customer-service a focus. If the store doesn’t have a product in stock, it can often order it and have it in the store soon.

“We are looking forward to serving the community,” Anger said. “We have pretty much anything a department store would have.”

Albion Pro Hardware will celebrate its grand opening on Dec. 1-4. The store will have a new sign on the building in mid-December.