Photos by Ginny Kropf: Gail Miller of Medina, left, chair of the Canal Village Farmer’s Market poses with some of the year-round vendors on Saturday, as they get ready for the Holiday Market now through Dec. 18. With her are Hannah Pollard from the Catherine Street Bakery, Shauna Gardner from Gardner’s Gardens, Ron Human from Appleton Produce, Rose Baker from Baker Farms and Leah Steverson from Papa Thom’s Rockin’ Bagels.

MEDINA – The Canal Village Farmers’ Market has adopted a new look for the fall season, with start of their “Holiday Market” through Dec. 18.

Effective immediately, the market will welcome new vendors with a variety of new products, most suitable as gifts for the Christmas season, said market chair Gail Miller.

One of the vendors selling his wares is Luke Price of Lyndonville, with his son Camden at the market on Saturday. He converts old vinyl records into keepsakes.

Many of the regular vendors will also continue, including Baker Farms with meat, garlic products, onions and bread from Stone Hollow; Catherine Street Bakery with homemade pies, cookies, tarts, oatmeal bars, cake, jam and decorated cupcakes; Gardner’s Gardens with herb blends, fudge jams and jellies, confections, tea blends and popcorn; Human Farms with produce, barbecue sauces, spices and crafts; Papa Thom’s Rockin’ Bagels with pretzels and coffee from the Shirt Factory Café; and several arts and crafts vendors.

Year-round arts and crafts vendors include Hate Cuddlers Crafts with soaps, shampoo bars, salt scrubs and spa items; Karen Kaiser with handmade jewelry and crocheted items; and Viva LaVinyl with holiday items, book ends, bowls, bracelets and lawn ornaments made from old vinyl records.

Independent consultants at the market are Tastefully Simple seasoning blends, Tupperware, Pink Zebra home décor and fragrant waxes, Meltology handcrafted and organic wax melts and candles and Papparazzi bracelets, necklaces and rings. Flashy for $5 is a vendor from Webster whose jewelry is all $5.

Nov. 27 will be a very special day on the market, when vendors will include Usborne Books for children, a macrame vendor, Sun and Crow artist and Leonard Oakes Estate Winery, along with many of the old favorites. They also expect a vendor to have a selection of Christmas wreaths and they would like to find someone who has Christmas trees.

The Canal Village Market was an idea initially springing from a conversation between Chris Busch, president of ORG, Miller and Cindy Robinson. ORG agreed to sponsor a market and the first one opened in 2015.

These lawn ornaments were made out of vinyl records by Luke Price of Lyndonville.

“Customers have been terrific, but this year is one of the best years,” Miller said. “Customers have been tremendous and we’ve had more vendors.”

Every customer who makes a purchase from a vendor gets a raffle ticket, on which he can put his name and phone number and deposit it at the market booth. On Dec. 11, a winner will be drawn and will receive an item from every vendor.

Each week the market holds a scavenger hunt for young children, and they really have a lot of fun with that, Miller said. She added the market is looking for a sponsor for the hunt each week.

Busch added the market is looking for a sponsor for next year. He said Berkshire Hathaway Zambito HomeServices, Realtors has agreed to sponsor music for the entire season next year.

After the holiday season, the market will continue to be open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Saturday with a selection of winter foods. They accept credit cards, WIC, Senior Farmers Markets Nutrition Program and SNAP.

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Steve Morse and his wife Pat hold a picture of him at a Santa Claus convention in Albion several years ago. Steve, who has played Santa in Medina since 1977, has been chosen as grand marshal of this year’s Parade of Lights.

MEDINA – It’s no surprise Steve Morse, 84, has spent most of his adult life as Santa Claus. After all, he was born on Dec. 25.

Steve, who has appeared as Santa Claus since 1977 throughout Western New York, often with his wife Pat by his side as Mrs. Claus, has been chosen as Grand Marshal of this year’s Parade of Lights.

“We thought this was a fitting choice because he’s done so much in the past for our community,” said Jim Hancock, chairman of the Tourism Committee which sponsors the annual parade. “We are so happy to have him.”

Steve was born in Painted Post and Pat in Corning. They met when he was a sophomore in school and she was a freshman.

“I was sitting in the auditorium one day when this girl walked in,” Steve said. “I took a look at her and said, ‘That’s the girl I’m going to marry.’ When I went home and told my mom, she asked me what her name was and I said I didn’t know.”

The couple has been married 64 years and have two children.

In January 1977, Steve accepted a job in the X-ray department of Children’s Hospital in Buffalo, and in May they moved to Medina. He worked in Buffalo for 19 years before coming to work at Medina Memorial Hospital, and he said being in the small town was “like coming home.”

Pat taught school at the Early Childhood Center No. 78, commuting from Medina for 17 years.

Their first year in Medina, the village was looking for a Santa, Steve said. He always had a beard as an adult, and he volunteered. He used to sit in his Santa chair in G.C. Murphys’ and then walk the streets, stopping in all the stores. He had an authentic suit Medina’s Tourism Committee had made for him by the famous Charlie Howard of the Santa Claus School in Albion. Steve said it had yak fur and he took it back at the end of every season to be cleaned.

When summer arrived each year, Steve let his beard grow and whitened it for the Christmas season. He needed padding in his suit back then. He said the children always wanted to pull his beard to see if it was real.

Steve was Santa for many years at Ronald McDonald House at Children’s Hospital and at Pat’s school before she retired. He greeted children at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library, for Lion’s Club parties, the Medina United Methodist Church, Cub Scout Pack 23 in Middleport, Boy Scouts breakfast with Santa at Middleport Fire Hall and the ABCD Batavia Agri-Business Childhood Development School. He was Santa in the Medina area from 1977 to 1998, then he bought his own Santa suit, which he ordered from Canada.

After Pat retired in 1994, she had Blissett’s make her a red dress with a huge full skirt, white apron and a hat and she became Mrs. Claus.

Steve was even known to make house calls to children who were sick and unable to visit him.

When he gave up being Santa, Steve donated his suit, boots and bells to the Middleport Fire Department. He won’t need them for the Parade of Lights, because he knows the “real” Santa paraded through Medina earlier in the day and he doesn’t want to confuse the children.

He said often, even when he wasn’t wearing his Santa suit, children would come up and call him Santa. Even in Hawaii, Pat said Japanese tourists wanted to know if they could have their picture taken with Santa.

“Christmas is not just a season for Steve,” Pat said. “It’s a way of life for him. He has never said ‘no’ to a child.”

Steve said he was stunned to be asked to the parade’s grand marshal.

“Steve and I haven’t been able to go to the parades,” Pat said. “So this was a nice surprise.”

“I just hope I live up to the task,” Steve said.

Hancock is optimistic the community will honor Morse and show their community support by entering a float in this year’s 13th annual Parade of Lights, scheduled at 6 p.m. Nov. 27. After last year’s parade was dampened by Covid, Hancock and his committee are hoping for a banner year this year. Their goal is to surpass the number of previous years’ floats.

He stressed there is no fee and there are a variety of categories in which to enter.

“It can be just a farm tractor, as long as it’s all lit up,” Hancock said.

He urges highway departments, fire companies, service clubs, churches, schools and businesses to create a float and enter it in the parade.

“We give away nearly $4,000 in prizes,” Hancock said.

Categories are Service, Religious, Business/Commercial, Best in Class, Santa’s Pick (a float the judges think Santa would like), Star (most creative) and Littlest Elf (incorporates youth and adults). Ten awards are given, in addition to the $500 grand prize.

“There is no theme to encourage diversity, and you can be as creative as you want,” Hancock said.

The only restriction is no float can contain a likeness of Santa Claus, because the “real” Santa arrives in his own parade at noon that day.

Entry forms can be found on the website www.christmasinmedina.com or by calling (585) 798-2118. Entries will be accepted until Nov. 24.

The Parade of Lights is part of Medina’s Olde Tyme Christmas celebration, with children’s activities, food, musical entertainment in Rotary Park, the arrival of Santa and more. The parade at 6 p.m. is preceded at 5:45 p.m. by fireworks over the downtown.

Photo courtesy of Carol Bellack: Jim Hancock, member of Medina Lions and chair of the Lions’ poster contest, stands with Saniyyaha Johnson, an eighth grader at Medina Middle School and winner of the Lions International Peace Poster contest.

MEDINA – Medina Lions Club has announced an eighth grader at Medina High School is the winner of the 2021-22 Lions Club International Peace Poster contest.

Saniyyaha Johnson was one of 17 students aged 11, 12 or 13 who entered the contest. Brielle Dunham was runner-up.

The Medina Lions has been participating in this contest for more than 12 years, said poster chairman Jim Hancock. In that time, they have had one student advance beyond the district level.

“There are some pretty talented students out there,” Hancock said.

The theme for this year’s poster was “We are all connected.” Saniyyaha depicted hands reaching out across the world, with a dove representing peace.

The contest took place during September and October, with help from art teacher Jen Scott, who helped coordinate the program on behalf of the Medina Lions Club.

“We are indebted to Mrs. Scott for her assistance to get this worthwhile program completed,” Hancock said.

A cash prize will be awarded to each contestant at an upcoming Lions Club meeting.

By winning at the local level, Saniyyaha is eligible to compete at the district level. She could possibly go on to the state, national and international level, where the grand prize winner will win $5,000.

Photos by Ginny Kropf

MEDINA – Local officials turned out to help the family of Jim and Cindy Robinson celebrate the grand opening of their new store, Vintage Cigar, at 513 Main St., Medina, with a ribbon cutting Saturday morning. From left are village trustees Owen Toal, Jess Marciano and Tim Elliott, Ridgeway supervisor Brian Napoli, Medina mayor Mike Sidari, Dave Burd, Assemblyman Steve Hawley, Joseph and Amanda Robinson with daughter Cindy, Becky Robinson and Cindy and Jim Robinson.

Medina mayor Mike Sidari, second from left, congratulates the Robinson family on the grand opening of Vintage Cigar and reads a proclamation from Senator Rob Ortt during a ribbon cutting Saturday morning. Waiting to present his proclamation is Assemblyman Steve Hawley, center. Those looking on are Ridgeway supervisor Brian Napoli, left, Dave Burd, Joey and Amanda Robinson and Cindy and Jim Robinson.

A soldier’s letters sent home, saved since WWI

By Catherine Cooper, Orleans County Historian

Illuminating Orleans, Vol. 1, No. 28

MEDINA – He was an ordinary guy.

Born in Holley in 1887, he attended Holley schools. His family had moved to Medina by 1908. His father, who served in the Civil War and survived Libby and Andersonville prisons, owned a quarry.

Daniel F. Burns, WWI soldier

At the time of the 1915 Census, Daniel F. Burns, then aged 26, lived at home at 110 State St., with his mother, sister and niece. He was a stone contractor. He probably gave little thought to news of events a continent away which were to change his life.

On 2 April 1917, President Woodrow Wilson appeared before a joint session of Congress to ask for a declaration of war against Germany. The Selective Service Act of May 1917 made all resident males between 21 and 30 liable for registration and draft. This was expanded to the ages of 18 and 45 in August 1918.

In 1917, Dan was enlisted in Co. I, 309th Infantry, 78th Division and was sent to Fort Dix, New Jersey for training. He wrote home regularly. His letters were straightforward: he would reassure the family of his well-being, refer to the weather, one or two general sentences, greetings to an aunt and niece.  He did not dwell on emotional issues, though in one letter written in early January 1918, he wrote that he was lonesome on returning from Christmas leave at home.

On several occasions, he mentioned that they had not been paid, that their pay had been delayed. His mother sent him money a few times. Later, he sent money home. He mentioned an outbreak of measles which necessitated a three-week quarantine, He worked at the Mess Hall for a short time, an advantageous position as he could secure better rations.

He described a life insurance policy which was available:

“The Government has an insurance. You pay $5.70 a month on $10,000. If anything happens to you, your people get $56 a month for twenty years.”

He mentioned meeting people that he knew:

Letter from Camp Dix, not dated, 1918:

“Met the fellow that put in bricks in the road in front of the house in Medina. (State St.)”

Letter from Camp Dix, not dated, 1918:

“Saw Dean Hinckley yesterday. Herbert Housel is in the same Co.”

Letter from Camp Dix, Nov. 26, 1917

“Stanley Pahurch (Pahura) from Holley is here.”

The troops were shipped overseas in May 1918. In an early letter from that time, he wrote:

“I met the Snyder boy from Medina yesterday. He worked at the freight house with Gert….Great many dying with flu in England. Does not seem to be as much of it in France. The fellows all want to get back before the States go dry.”

Postcards showing For Dix, New Jersey, with a capacity of almost 43,000, was one of the largest training camps in the northeast.

There are few letters from the summer of 1918. Co. I, 309th Infantry, 78th Division participated in the Battle of Saint Mihiel which took place from the 12-16 Sept. 1918 and in the Meuse-Argonne offensive which was fought from Sept. 26 – Nov. 11, 1918, when the Armistice was signed. This was the largest and deadliest campaign in US history, a series of final confrontations in the Alsace-Lorraine area of northwest France which helped end the war. Over one million American soldiers participated, 26,277 were killed and 95,786 were wounded, among them Dan Burns.

Dijon, Dec. 4 1918, a letter to his mother:

“I was shot in the arm on the 16th of October at the battle of Grandpre….about half the men I came out with are killed or wounded.

Jan. 21, 1919, a letter to his sister:

“I wrote and told you I was wounded on the 16 October. I was in the hospital about a month. I was shot in the arm. I was very lucky. They lost about 2/3 of the company. Many of the Lockport fellows were killed. I saw George Harmer when he got hit. He did not live long.”

France, May 18, 1919:

“Just a few lines to let you know I am in a hospital about two weeks. I had a lame leg and a little heart trouble.

I have been in France a year; it seems like five.”

Postcard showing soldiers boarding for trip to Europe.

Upon his return to the US in June 1919, he was hospitalized at Camp Stuart Embarkation Hospital in New Port News, Va. and later transferred to the Fort McHenry base hospital in Baltimore, Md.

He returned home to Medina and was employed by the New York State Dept. of Canals. He did not speak about his experiences. Family lore recalls that:

“He was never the same. He was always cold. He just wanted to be warm and have good food.”

Like so many of the other soldiers who returned, he suffered from the lingering effects of his harrowing wartime experiences. Depression, insomnia, nightmares were common, many returned soldiers were unable to cope, and little assistance was available. As we observe Veterans Day, we recognize those who perished as well as the physically injured and the inwardly scarred.

He died in 1956 and is buried at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Medina.

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Holley’s Genesee Region League All-Stars include, from left, Isabella Thom, Samantha Bates and Emma Brady.

A total of six Orleans players have been named to the Genesee Region League girls soccer All-Star team.

That group includes Holley sophomores Samantha Bates, Emma Brady and Isabella Thom; Kendall seniors T’Mia Kitchings and Alezya Brown and Lyndonville/Medina senior Ella Lewis.

Bates had 18 goals and 5 assists on the season, Brady 11 goals and 4 assists, Thom 1 goal and 4 assists, Kitchings 11 goals and 2 assists, Brown 10 goals and 3 assists and Lewis 20 goals and 1 assist.

Brady, Kitchings and Lewis are all repeat selections.

Orleans’ G-R All-Stars Ella Lewis, left, T’Mia Kitchings and Alezya Brown.

Holley also had sophomore Jailyn Bishop along with freshmen Alivia Wolf and Zoey Wolf earn Honorable Mention.

Kendall had a quartet of Honorable Mention selections including Grace Levett, Julie Coble, Grace Robinson and Kailie Regan, all seniors.

Lyndonville/Medina’s Honorable Mention selections included seniors Lily Jo Carpenter, Megan Zakes, Kortney Boyce and junior Maddy Satkowski.

The All-Star team also included Mia Gray. Makenzie Hagen, Emma Starowitz, Ava Wagoner, Ava Gray and Brooke Jarkiewicz from Byron-Bergen; Emily Parker and Chyene Whitcomb from Wheatland-Chili; Kelsey Schlagenhauf, CJ Ryan and Brooke Reding from Oakfield-Alabama/Elba; Autumn Mathisen, Arabella Rogers and Maylee Green from Notre Dame; Skylar Savage and Kaylie Bugasiski from Attica and Natalie Whitmore from Alexander.

Gray, who had 27 goals and 17 assists, was named Division 1 Player of the Year and Mathisen Division 2 Player of the Year.

Final Standings
Division 1 – Byron-Bergen 7-1, Holley 4-3-1, Oakfield-Alabama/Elba 3-4-1, Wheatland-Chili 3-5, Kendall 2-6
Division 2 – Notre Dame 8-0, Attica 6-2, Alexander 4-4, Lyndonville/Medina 2-6, Pembroke 0-8.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The area is at peak foliage with brilliant colors. The top photo shows a group of trees at Bullard Park at the west side near the pavilions by Sandy Creek.

The sunlight makes these leaves stand out in Bullard Park on Saturday. There are a lot of blazing yellow and red in the leaves locally.

There are still lots of leaves on the trees locally.

This spot at Bullard is a near a new walking trail that goes about ¾ mile around the perimeter of the park, giving some up close views of the trees.

I LOVE NY puts out a weekly fall foliage update and reports this week is at peak or near-peak throughout most of the Greater Niagara and Finger Lakes regions.

The House of Representatives on Friday voted 228-206 to pass a $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill, with Congressman Chris Jacobs among those who opposed President Biden’s “Build Back Better Act.”

“From the start of this process, Speaker Pelosi has made it clear that passage of an infrastructure bill was inseparably linked to the $1.75+ trillion reconciliation package which will balloon our national debt to the highest in history,” Jacobs said. “This was not a vote about the need for infrastructure investment in Western New York – it was a vote to enable Democrats to pass their socialist spending bill.

“Our nation needs to have an honest and unconditional conversation about infrastructure,” Jacobs said. “Unfortunately, Speaker Pelosi has proved that her majority is incapable of that. She has held infrastructure hostage and politicized an issue where I believe there is broad bipartisan agreement. Because of these circumstances, I cannot support any bill that furthers the Democrats’ reckless agenda to burden small businesses and families with higher taxes and stick our grandchildren with the tab.”

Gov. Kathy Hochul issued this statement in support of the House vote: “Congress has made good on its promise to deliver infrastructure funding through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, meaning New York will be able to make critical investments in our roads, bridges, and transit. This funding also helps make our infrastructure more resilient to climate change and will expand access to clean water, supporting New York’s economic growth and improving public health.”

“I want to thank President Biden, Speaker Pelosi and Congressional leadership for their continued progress on the Build Back Better agenda. With historic levels of funding for the care economy, housing and education, our workforce, and climate, we must also pass this legislation to help New York come back stronger.”

U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-NY, said the bill will help revitalize America’s aging infrastructure and deliver at least $27 billion in direct funding for New York infrastructure projects.

“Congress has delivered one of the boldest infrastructure packages in our nation’s history and I look forward to President Biden signing it into law,” Gillibrand said. “This package will create jobs, boost our economy, deliver funding to rebuild America’s crumbling infrastructure and help rebuild underserved communities. Now, we must continue to focus on passing a Build Back Better package that invests in people with policies like paid leave, affordable child care, universal pre-K, and more. I will continue to be relentless about getting this over the finish line.”

U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-NY, tweeted this reaction: “This infrastructure and jobs bill gives people, businesses, and our economy the tools to succeed in the 21st century, and improve both productivity and job creation in America for decades to come. Congress will keep working to pass President Biden’s Build Back Better agenda.”

Let’s go on an adventure together….to Rhode Island!

Newport, RI is a coastal harbor town with lots of stunning water views and gilded age mansions.

Rhode Island – the smallest of all the United States – is jam-packed with beauty and history. I had been to Rhode Island before, but both times gave me very limited time and experiences. The first time, I spent a few days at a seminar in Providence for work. The second time, I was on a New England States adventure in the motor home with my brother and sister-in-law, but we didn’t make any major stops when passing through Rhode Island. So, it was on my list of states I’d like to return to for a closer look, someday. Well – “someday” came the week of October 18th. I was booked to go on a group bus trip to Maine with a friend that week, but the trip was canceled by the tour company. I had the time and money set aside, so I decided to go to Rhode Island, instead.

Beavertail Lighthouse in Jamestown, RI is America’s third oldest lighthouse, established in 1749.

This was definitely a “fly by the seat of my pants” trip. I hadn’t done a lot of research and just had a rough list of possible things to do. Once I got there, the list pretty much stayed in my purse and I just started exploring and one thing lead to another and I did whatever caught my interest each day. I ended up putting 572 miles on my rental car over the time I was there – flew in on Monday, spent three days exploring, and flew home Friday.

I chose to fly into Boston Logan airport, instead of Providence – mainly because I could get a non-stop flight and it saved me a bit of money. It was a bit of a drive, though, from the airport to Newport and arriving after dark resulted in a stressful drive – Providence airport would have been much closer. The other decision was whether to stay in Providence or Newport – my original plan was to stay in Providence, but I wasn’t liking the idea of staying in a big city, so I chose Newport – a smaller, quaint little harbor city and was so very happy I did – I absolutely LOVED Newport!!!

I stayed at a lovely Bed & Breakfast Inn called the Artful Lodger. It’s in a perfect location, my room was large and comfortable, and breakfast was amazing – definitely a good choice and one I highly recommend! Restaurants I enjoyed were The Lobster Bar and The Mooring in Newport and The Olympia Tea Room in Westerly.

A major point of interest in Newport is the Cliff Walk – a 7 mile round trip walk along the cliffs on the coast.

Some key points of interest: Newport is famous for their gilded age mansions – some of America’s wealthiest families of the mid-19th century had what they called “summer cottages” on the coast of Newport. I took a city trolley tour that took us by these homes and ended with the opportunity to tour one of them – WOW. The harbor and wharfs are a big part of the Newport experience. I took a sailing cruise on a schooner that was amazing – I used Classic Cruises of Newport. I saw the church where John and Jackie Kennedy were married, I borderline trespassed to see the mansion used to film outdoor scenes in the 1960’s TV series Dark Shadows, shopped on Thames Street – a lovely cobblestone street full of shops and restaurants, and crossed the bridge to Jamestown to visit America’s third oldest lighthouse. I also walked a ways on the Cliff Walk – a great way to see the beauty of Newport. It is a 7 mile round trip walk, so I only did part of it, but what I saw was amazing. I enjoyed navigating the narrow one-way streets of Newport, walked around downtown, and, of course, I ate lobster! I also visited Providence and took a drive up Cape Cod.

When in New England, you eat LOBSTER! This lobster roll was dinner at the Lobster Bar on Bannister’s Wharf in Newport, RI…..sooooo good!!!

Newport and Providence also played a major role in the establishment of religious freedom in America – I visited the first and second American Baptist churches and the first synagogue in America. Be sure to click on the link for my blog post about the churches – I give a brief overview of two men who were pioneers in the movement of religious freedom, founded Rhode Island, and formed the American Baptist denomination. Their stories are fascinating. 

For a tiny state, Rhode Island has so much to see and do and enjoy and Newport is wonderful! Check out my blog posts to see all the stories and photos from this amazing trip. I hope you enjoy reading them.

Rhode Island Adventure

First American Baptist Churches In America

Happy Adventuring!

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The cast performs a song from the Wizard of Oz in Albion High School’s production of “Totally Not a Musical … the Musical.”

Friday was opening night for the show, which continues today with performances at noon and 7 p.m. in the middle school auditorium.

The musical is a revue, featuring songs from many different musicals. The drama department staff and students wrote the show which includes a lot of improvisation.

“Each time you come it will be different,” said Myles Miller, a senior and one of the performers.

Myles Miller stars as Jordyn and sings, “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Out of My Hair” during Friday’s performance.

Students are wearing masks on stage and the audience also needs to wear face coverings due to Covid.

Last year’s fall show didn’t happen due to Covid. The spring musical didn’t include a live audience for the community. Each student in the show was allowed two spectators last spring. This time the community is welcome back for the show in person. Tickets are $5.

Zoe Cusson performs “Good Morning Baltimore” from the Hairspray musical.

The show gives each of the cast members a solo. Connor Doran, the musical director, said he wanted to showcase each of the students, and the department picked songs to fit their strengths.

The students and staff went from a concept for the show to writing, acting, choreographing and building a set in two months.

“It’s always been a dream of mine to do a musical revue,” Doran said after Friday’s show. “We took songs from different shows and tried to get them out of their comfort zones.”

Jeffrey Brown leads a group of birds in singing “Positoovity” from Disney’s Little Mermaid. Leah Kania, back left, and Hannah Coolbaugh joined Brown in the number.

Ella Trupo sings “Hard Knock Life” from Annie.

Kyle Van Ameron sings “If I Can’t Love Her” from Beauty and the Beast.

Keira Zambito performs the “Charlie Brown Monologue” during the show on Friday.

Photo by Tom Rivers: Traffic moves along Main Street in Albion on Friday evening past the clock in front of the Albion Visitors’ Center at 121 North Main.

Clocks should be turned back an hour tonight with Daylight Saving Time ending at 2 a.m. Clock will “fall back” an hour to give more daylight in the dark autumn and winter mornings.

AAA is urging drivers and pedestrians to be more cautious with earlier darkness later in the day and an earlier sunset. AAA issued the following safety recommendations:

Tips for Motorists

• Always watch out for pedestrians when backing up in parking lots or driveways. Turn on your headlights to make yourself more visible.
• Leave more following room. In the morning, when the sun is in your eyes it can be hard to see what the car ahead is doing. Use sunglasses and your sun visor.
• Be mindful of children and others who are outdoors in the afternoon and evening as it gets dark earlier.
• Remember to yield the right of way to pedestrians in crosswalks. Do not pass vehicles stopped at crosswalks.
• Pay attention and eliminate all distractions including cell phones and car clocks that are off by an hour.

Tips for Pedestrians

• Cross only at intersections or crosswalks. Look left, right and left again and only cross when it is clear. Do not jaywalk or cross between parked cars.
• Evaluate the distance and speed of oncoming traffic before you step out into the street.
• Avoid walking in traffic where there are no sidewalks or crosswalks. If you have to walk on a road that does not have sidewalks, walk facing traffic.
• See and be seen. Carry a flashlight and wear reflective clothing and/or accessories.
• While walking, pocket the cell phone and avoid listening to headphones at a volume that prohibits you from hearing approaching danger.

KNOWLESVILLE – The Route 31 bridge in Knowlesville near the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds is scheduled to reopen at 3 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 12.

The bridge has been closed since May 11 for what was expected to be a six-week project for bridge deck repairs, joint replacement and slab reconstruction.

But unexpected delays led to the bridge being closed for about six months. Once construction started, the bridge needed additional materials to ensure the project’s success, officials from the state Department of Transportation said back in July. Those materials needed to be manufactured.

Paul Attoma, Engineer-In-Charge for the state Department of Transportation, on Friday notified local officials of the bridge’s reopening. The bridge is over the Fall Road Railroad.

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina quarterback Xander Payne breaks away from a trio of pursuing Lackawanna defenders to score a touchdown during the Mustangs sectional win over the Steelers at Vets Park this evening.

Pulling away with a pair of late second quarter scores, top seeded defending champion Medina went on to blank No. 5 Lackawanna 32-0 in the Section VI Class C semifinals this evening at Vets Park.

Leading by a narrow 6-0 margin, Medina got special team and defensive scores during that key stretch to open up a 17-0 half-time advantage.

First, Cole Callard booted a 26 yard field goal with 3:47 to go in the half and then two minutes later Iverson Poole returned a pass interception 25 yards for a touchdown. Quarterback Xander Payne tacked on a two-point conversion pass to Greg Thompson for the 17-0 lead.

Medina’s Hayden Woodroe returns a pass interception.

Poole also scored Medina’s first touchdown of the evening on a 4 yard run with 3:32 to go in the first quarter for a 6-0 lead.

A 22 yard pass completion from  Payne to Joe Cecchini highlighted the drive.

It remained 17-0 into the fourth quarter when the Mustangs put a lock on the victory on a pair of touchdown runs by Payne covering 32 and 1 yards.

Robert Arnold added the two-point conversion run after the first score and Callard tacked on the PAT kick after the second.

The shutout effort by the Mustangs defensive unit, their fourth of the season, also featured interceptions by Hayden Woodroe and Jarin Rhim along with sacks by Cecchini, Zach Oliver, Arnold, Chris Johnson and Roosevelt Mitchell.

Improving to 10-0, Medina will now face No. 3 seed Fredonia for the Section VI Class C championship next Saturday at noon at Highmark Stadium.

It will be Medina’s first appearance at the stadium since 1988 when the Mustangs edged rival Albion 14-7 for the title.

The Mustangs 10-0 record also ties the 1988 team’s mark for the best in school history.

Fredonia improved to 10-0 with a 28-21 semifinal win over No. 7 Southwestern.

Medina’s Joe Cecchini goes high to make a pass reception.

No. 2 seed Iroquois bested No. 3 Albion 35-20 in a Section VI Class B semifinal game this evening at East Aurora.

Albion stayed close in the opening quarter as a 24 yard touchdown run by Jahmeek Riley pulled the Purple Eagles to within 8-6.

However, Iroquois scored a pair of unanswered touchdowns in the second quarter, the second coming off a muffed Albion punt attempt, to open up a 21-6 advantage at the half.

In the second half Albion got a one yard touchdown run by Javon Jones in the third quarter and a 55 yard Tyler Gibson to Jones TD pass in the fourth quarter followed by a two-point conversion run by Riley but could not overcome the halftime deficit.

Iroquois will take a 10-0 record into next Saturday’s Class B title contest against the winner of Saturday’s No. 1 Maritime vs. No. 4 West Seneca East semifinal.

Albion finishes the season at 6-3.

Press Release, Supportive Care of Orleans

ALBION – November is National Hospice and Palliative Care Month. Organizations across the country, like Supportive Care of Orleans, are reaching out to raise awareness about hospice and palliative care.

Palliative and hospice care serve a critical role in healthcare, yet they’re often overlooked and not used to their fullest potential. These are free services that are available in our community through Hospice of Orleans. Most services are provided in the patient’s home but for those who require 24-hour care we are fortunate enough to have the Martin-Linsin Residence.

Supportive Care of Orleans offers an extensive continuum of supportive services to our community. Services include our Transitions Program, Supportive Care, Hospice Care, Bereavement Support and Counseling, and many other additional services.

If a loved one or friend of yours sounds like someone that may benefit from any of our

services, please call us at (585) 589-0809 or visit our website (click here). To our neighbors in Orleans County, we are here for you! Thank you for helping us help others.