Press Release, Congressman Chris Jacobs

ORCHARD PARK – Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) joined colleagues in sending an amicus brief to the Supreme Court urging a resolution for former Delphi employees who were unfairly stripped on their pensions.

“Many in my district, especially in Niagara County, are retirees who were unfairly stripped of their retirement benefits at the hands of failed Obama-era economic policies,” Jacobs said. “Now we have an opportunity to right this wrong. I am proud to join this effort to push for a meaningful resolution to this injustice and get our Delphi retirees their pensions earned through years of dedication and hard work. Fighting for the incredible workforce of Western New York is one of my top priorities and I will continue to do so in Congress.”

The amicus brief signed by Jacobs and 15 other members of the House of Representatives calls for the Supreme Court to take up the case brought forward by Delphi salaried retirees. Delphi Automotive Systems, an auto parts company, went bankrupt in 2009 during the financial crisis. As a result of bankruptcy, the pension fund for salaried employees was transferred to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC), which then terminated the fund, causing these retirees’ benefits to be cut 40% to 70%.

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Roy-Hart players and coaches here celebrate Saturday’s Section VI Class B2 shootout win over Fredonia with the championship trophy and banner. The Lady Rams will next face B1 champion Lew-Port on Tuesday for the Section VI Class B berth in the state playoffs.

Having already captured Niagara-Orleans League and Section VI Class B2 titles, the Roy-Hart girls soccer team is now taking aim at earning a berth in the state playoffs.

Roy-Hart will face B1 champion Lew-Port for the Section VI Class B berth in the state playoffs at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Williamsville East.

Roy-Hart’s Allie Trombley, shown here working to gain control of the ball against Fredonia’s Rylee Beers during Saturday’s Class B2 title game, and her Lady Ram teammates will now face Lew-Port Tuesday for the Class B state playoff berth.

Roy-Hart advanced by outlasting top seeded Fredonia 4-2 in a shootout Saturday while Lew-Port blanked City Honors 5-0 to capture the B1 crown.

Lew-Port, which brings a 14-1-1 record into the contest, is led offensively by the duo of Sophia Auer (30 goals, 12 assists) and Sarah Woods (27 goals, 28 assists).

The Roy-Hart offense is led by Kara Choate with 38 goals and 9 assists. Kaitlyn Mettler has 7 goals and a team leading 13 assists and Nadia White 6 goals and 7 assists which included the Lady Rams only goal in regulation time against Fredonia.

Volleyball
Top seeded Roy-Hart will host perennial sectional and state champion No. 4 Eden in a Section VI Class C1 semifinal match at 6 p.m. Monday.

Eden, which has played an independent schedule this season mostly against larger schools, brings a 13-5 record into the semi.

N-O champion Roy-Hart, which is 13-1, has been led offensively by Ava Brigham (46 kills, 25 aces, 23 blocks), Samantha Albright (72 kills, 43 aces), Marissa Scott (45 kills, 69 aces), Samantha McIntyre (26 kills, 26 aces) and Alex Stern (67 kills, 32 aces).

The other C1 semi will have No. 3 Akron hosting No. 7 Allegany/Limestone.

Field Hockey
Top seed Akron will face No. 2 Barker for the Section VI Class C field hockey championship at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Williamsville North.

It marks the 13th time in the last 20 years that the two N-O rivals have met for the sectional title. Barker holds a 9-3 lead in the previous 12 meetings but Akron won last year 3-0.

Akron advanced by downing Roy-Hart 7-0 in the semifinals while Barker trimmed Medina 1-0.

Football
Top seeded defending champion Medina will host No. 5 Lackawanna in a Class C semifinal at 7 p.m. Friday. The contest will be a rematch of a regular season interdivisional game which saw the Mustangs down the Steelers 34-16.

Lackawanna blanked No. 4 Salamanca 14-0 in the quarterfinals while Medina downed No. 8 Eden 30-14.

The other Class C semi will have No. 7 Southwestern at No. 3 Fredonia.

In Class B, No. 3 Albion will visit No. 2 Iroquois in a semifinal on Friday at 7.

Albion advanced by nipping No. 6 Olean 8-7 while Iroquois belted No. 7 Cheektowaga 49-0.

The other Class B semifinal will have No. 4 West Seneca East at No. 1 Maritime.

By Doug Farley, Cobblestone Museum Director – Vol. 2 No. 41

GAINES – In last week’s article, we looked at the origin of the Murray family dollhouse, a nearly 90-year-old children’s treasure in the Hamlet of Childs.

The dollhouse was created by Mary Miller Murray in 1934, and much enjoyed by the Murray children: George, Joyce and Janice. Also, much enjoyed by countless other children who played out their fantasies and dreams while rearranging miniature furniture or posing the miniature people going about a typical days activities in the “life” of a miniature family.

Janice Mann Beech (shown at right) inherited the dollhouse from her mother and father, Mary & Curtis Murray. Later, Janice’s children also enjoyed playing with the dollhouse.

On October 12, 2021, Janice donated the dollhouse to the Cobblestone Museum for the enjoyment of the current generation of children as well as future generations.

Moving day was accomplished without a lot of fanfare. Janice had worked ahead of time to carefully wrap individual miniature furnishings in tissue paper and lovingly stacked them in handle sacks to make the move from Heritage Estates, where she lives, to the Museum’s Vagg House on the corner of Routes 98 and 104.

Former Museum director Bill Lattin and current director Doug Farley arrived at 1 p.m. to load the dollhouse into Bill’s hatchback to make the short trek. Janice came along on her own with all the furnishings to supervise the placement of the dollhouse in its new home and to unpack and reinstall the tables, couches, chairs and much more!

Every miniature piece of furniture in the dollhouse was crafted to recreate the workings of an actual full sized piece of furniture. Tiny cabinet doors swing open and closed, and dresser drawers pull open to reveal miniature pieces of clothing, and more. Straight pins were cut-off to serve as hinge pins.

Kitchen drawers are complete with miniature wooden silverware that Mary Murray carved by hand. Janice recalled, “We used to play with the silverware outdoors. That was a very bad idea! I think all that’s left are a few knives.” A dining room setting is complete with hanging Tiffany style lamp, parrot on a stand, and dinner on the table.

Mirrors used in the dollhouse were originally given by various companies to advertise their products. Twentieth century ladies carried the mirrors in their purses and used them to check their makeup when out-and-about. One mirror reads, “Red Cross Stoves, Ranges and Furnaces” on the back side. It is shown above in its room setting in the dollhouse.

The dollhouse candles are real candles, but of course, much smaller than life-sized. A small piece of sewing thread was dipped in candle wax to give the appearance of small candlesticks that sit inside small brass candle stands.  Above, one of the “children” plays with a miniature-miniature table, chairs and stove. And irons rest against the small fireplace and “family” portraits adorn the walls.

In order to maintain domestic tranquility when two kids were playing “house” at the same time, all things had to be equal. Janice explained, “There needed to be at least two of each item so both children could have their own.”

Janice remembers that her mother had a hard time crafting people that would be the right size to fit in the dollhouse. She said, “I think ‘Grandma’ looks terrified!” Her face has circles with dots in the middle that were supposed to simulate spectacles. Janice’s daughter, Mary Beth Chassagnol, made a mini-knitting basket (shown) for “Grandmother” who resides in the dollhouse.  She made it from a walnut shell and little pieces of yarn and straight pins for knitting needles.

Janice explained that Mary Beth was an artistic child. Later, in adult life, Mary Beth was a scenery painter, working in New York City. On one occasion, Mary Beth rewarded herself for a successful year at work and planned a trip to Paris. While in The City of Light, she ventured out to eat at about 2 a.m. Andre, her future husband, came out of the restaurant and opened her cab door. He later said he knew it was love-at-first-sight.  Mary Beth needed a little more convincing. The couple married in 1984 and resided in France. Mary Beth passed away in 2020.

The “maids” room has its own wood stove, Strong Museum shopping bag, and a can of Crisco, bottle of milk and box of Cheerios.

“Grandpa” has a woolen hat. The lampshades have pleated coverings held in shape with a hidden wire, just like their full-sized counterparts. A bust of King Louis of France and the Holy Bible sit on the coffee table.

The dollhouse kids had their own toys like a mini-rocking horse. Janice said her family loved playing croquet for many years.  So it was only natural, at some point, to add a croquet set to the dollhouse toys.  The miniature croquet set was purchased in more recent times at the Strong Museum of Play in Rochester.

After a busy day of setting up shop, the miniature “family” takes a well-deserved rest. Cobblestone Society members are welcome to attend a “Housewarming” for the dollhouse on Saturday, November 6th at the Annual Meeting. All others are encouraged to call the museum at (585) 589-9013 to request a Vagg House Tour.

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Roy-Hart Coach Rich Jennings and team captains Reanna Perkins, Kara Choate, Brooke Livergood and Ava Owens hold the championship plaque high after the B2 title contest this evening against Fredonia at Williamsville North.

Making school history Roy-Hart earned a share of its first girls soccer sectional title by playing to an overtime tie with top seeded Fredonia in the Section VI Class B2 championship game this evening at Williamsville North.

No. 3 seed Roy-Hart and Fredonia battled to a 1-1 tie after 80 minutes of regulation play, two 10 minute overtime periods and two 5 minute sudden death overtime periods resulting in the two teams being declared B2 co-champions.

However, Roy-Hart did claim victory on the evening by outscoring Fredonia 4-2 in a penalty kick shootout earning the Rams a berth in Tuesday’s Section VI Class B state qualifier game.

Roy-Hart’s Kara Choate heads the ball between Fredonia defenders Sophia Gullo (21) and Emily Timmerman (9).

In the order in which they shot, Kaitlyn Mettler, Nadia White, Kara Choate and Grace Parker scored the shootout goals for the Lady Rams as Reanna Perkins made two huge saves on Fredonia shots to help lock up the win.

“This is a dream come true for our program,” said Roy-Hart Coach Rich Jennings. “This is something we’ve been working for for several years. It was a real hard fight and I’m just very proud of the way the kids played.”

Roy-Hart will now face B1 champion Lew-Port for the Section VI Class B berth in the state playoffs at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Williamsville East.

The game’s two regulation time goals both came in the second half.

After banging shots off both the post and the cross bar early in the second half, Roy-Hart grabbed a 1-0 lead when White scored on a long looping shot with 17:09 remaining in regulation time off an assist from Allie Trombley.

However, Fredonia rallied to tie the score on a penalty kick goal with just 2:24 to go in the second half.

The Lady Rams nearly claimed the win in the second 10 minute overtime but could not capitalize on two corner kick chances and on a penalty kick opportunity.

Roy-Hart will now take a 13-1-2 record into the Class B state qualifier while Fredonia ends the season at 116-0-3.

Click here to view a video of the awards ceremony and of Grace Parker’s game winning penalty kick goal.

Roy-Hart goalie Reanna Perkins makes her second clutch save in the shootout.

Roy-Hart’s Ava Livergood sends the ball up field as Annie Gondek comes in to defend for Fredonia.

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Roy-Hart’s Peter Martillotta puts a shot on goal which is stopped by Lackawanna goalie Joseph Ahmed and defender Riyadh Ahmed during this afternoon’s Section VI Class B2 title contest at Williamsville South.

A pair of second half goals earned No. 5 seed Lackawanna a 2-0 win over No. 3 Roy-Hart in the Section VI Class B2 boys soccer championship game this afternoon at Williamsville South.

Lackawanna scored what proved to be the game winner at the 29 minute mark of the second half on a shot off a cross by Abdoullaye Ba. The Steelers then added an insurance tally 10 minutes later on a rebound shot by Archie Saeed.

Roy-Hart’s best scoring opportunity came in the first half when Peter Martillotta broke into the goal area but his shot from close range was stopped by the Steelers goalie Joseph Ahmed and defender Riyadh Ahmed. The Rams were also unable to capitalize on four corner kick opportunities in the half.

“If we could have capitalized on a couple of chances we had in the first half it might have been different but it was a great battle by both teams and I’m very proud of the way our boys played,” said Rams Coach Greg Martillotta.

Roy-Hart, which captured the Niagara-Orleans League title for the second year in a row, finishes the season at 13-6.

Section V Class C2
Keshequa 4, Kendall 0
Three first half goals keyed top seeded Keshequa to a 4-0 win over No. 6 Kendall in the Section V Class C2 boys soccer championship game this afternoon at Avon.

“We had a couple of good chances but their goalie made some great saves. They were the better team,” said Kendall Coach Rich Esposito. ” But I couldn’t be more proud of these boys though to get as far in the sectionals as they did.”

Kendall, which finishes the season at 10-8-2, advanced to the finals by defeating No. 3 seed HAC 3-1 in the quarterfinals and No. 2 Bradford/Dundee 1-0 in overtime in the semifinals.

Keshequa advances to the Section V Class C state qualifier game with a 17-2 record.

Roy-Hart’s Caleb Verratti works to keep the ball away from Lackawanna’s Abdoullaye Ba.

Courtesy of Jeanne Upton: Pouring rain blurred the camera, but it didn’t stop hundreds of children and their parents from lining up at the Medicine Shoppe Friday evening for Beggar’s Night in Medina.

This young creature is one of hundreds who lined up outside the Medicine Shoppe in Medina for Beggar’s Night Friday evening.

MEDINA – Pouring rain Friday night didn’t dampen the spirits of hundreds of children who came out for Beggar’s Night in the village of Medina.

Children started lining up well before 5:30 p.m. for the Medina Area Partnership-sponsored event, according to MAP president Scott Robinson.

Robinson said they feared the bad weather might result in a light turnout, but it turned out to be quite the opposite.

“We typically have between 600 and 800 children who come out for Beggar’s Night, and this year was no exception,” Robinson said.

Some of the business owners also dressed in costume to welcome the little beggars, Robinson said.

“Everyone was in the spirit,” he said. “And everyone was having a blast.”

Sue Phillips was one of the deacons at the First Presbyterian Church who gave out candy.

“It was a good turnout of children in costumes and parents with umbrellas,” Phillips said. “All the deacons who helped went home damp and cold, but it was a lot of fun, seeing all the costumes and handing out candy. We had lots of laughs.”

Courtesy of Sue Phillips: The deacons from the First Presbyterian Church on Main Street in Medina gave out candy for Beggar’s Night Friday evening. From left are Ginny Roberts, Sue Phillips, Peggy Pearce (seated), Rollie Phillips and Yvette Nevins. Also participating were the Rev. William Wilkinson and his children, Patty and Jeremy.

The Lee Whedon Library participated in Beggar’s Night by giving each child candy, a toy and a book of their choice. Books were donated by Tops, said children’s librarian Kelsey Withey.

Robinson said they were thrilled to be able to have the event this year, as last year they couldn’t, due to Covid. Instead, they held a scaled-down event, where they handed out candy to children in a drive-thru format.

He said this year they adhered to Health Department guidelines for Friday night, and store owners wore masks as suggested.

“Beggar’s Night is not about MAP, it’s a time to give back to the kids,” Robinson said.

He added Beggar’s Night is a perfect introduction to the upcoming holiday events in Medina, beginning with Christmas in Medina and the Parade of Lights the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

Albion also hosted Beggar’s Night on Friday.

This was the scene on Main Street in Medina, as hundreds of children braved the rain for Beggar’s Night Friday.

Courtesy of Lee-Whedon Memorial Library

MEDINA – Several young treat-or-treaters got to choose a book, along with candy and a toy at Lee Whedon Memorial Library in Medina on Friday during Beggar’s Night.

Photo by Tom Rivers: This sign directs people to the early voting location at the County Office Building on Route 31 in Albion.

ALBION – Nearly 250 people have cast their ballots through early voting in the first seven days it was available in Orleans County.

Early voting continues today and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Board of Elections at the County Office Building on Route 31 in Albion.

There have been 247 early voters in the first week and the daily numbers so far include: 23 on Oct. 23, 21 on Oct. 24, 41 on Oct. 25, 32 on Oct. 26, 40 on Oct. 27, 37 on Oct. 28 and 53 on Oct. 29.

Early voting was popular last year when nearly 4,000 people cast ballots during the nine days. The 3,753 people who voted early was about 10 times the number of early voters in 2019 when early voting debuted and 374 people went to the polls early. There are about 24,000 registered voters in the county.

The polls for the upcoming election will also be open Nov. 2 from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. at sites in all 10 towns in the county.

Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office

Governor Kathy Hochul on Friday signed legislation that increases penalties against motorists and repair shops that illegally modify mufflers and exhaust systems to make them excessively noisy — an act associated with aggressive driving that harms community health, safety and comfort.

This bill amends vehicle and traffic law, increasing fines and penalties and creating stricter regulations on vehicle equipment. Maximum fines for installing illegal equipment will be raised to $1,000, an $850 increase. Inspection stations will also be required to inspect motorcycles to ensure mufflers and exhausts have not been illegally modified.

“Every New Yorker deserves to feel safe and comfortable in their community, and that includes cracking down on excessively noisy vehicles on our streets,” Governor Hochul said. “This legislation deters drivers from installing illegal vehicle equipment that results in dangerous noise levels that can contribute to hearing loss and increased emissions.”

With an increasing number of drivers making muffler and exhaust system modifications that increase noise and pollution levels, this legislation will protect both public health and the environment.

This legislation not only creates a deterrent for vehicle owners to make these modifications with the newly increased fines, but it also deters repair shop owners from making these modifications. If repair shop owners willfully violate this legislation and install illegal vehicle equipment three times within 18 months, they risk losing their certificate of inspection stations and operating certificate. These measures will help prevent dangerous noise levels that can damage bystanders’ hearing, as well as decrease harmful emissions being released.

Bay Ridge Advocates Keeping Everyone Safe (BRAKES) Founder, Maureen Landers said, “Modified exhaust systems serve no purpose other than to create fear, chaos and intimidation. The SLEEP Act is a major step in reducing noise pollution and addressing the reckless driving that coexists with modified vehicles.”

Provided photo: Medina Rotary Club President Ben McPherson, right, presents checks to representatives from volunteer fire companies including Debbie Taylor (East Shelby), Jen Thom (Ridgeway) and Jason Watts (Shelby).

Press Release, Medina Rotary Club

MEDINA – On September 11 of this year the Rotary Club of Medina held a Chicken & Ribs Dinner. Part of the proceeds were designated to go to volunteer fire departments in the area.

On October 27 the Rotarians presented representatives from the Ridgeway, Shelby and East Shelby Volunteer Fire Departments with checks for $250 each for their share of the dinner proceeds.

Representing the fire departments were East Shelby Fire Chief Debbie Taylor, Ridgeway Fire Department Accountant Jen Thom and Shelby Fire Department Fire Chief Jason Watts.

Jason Watts informed the club that Shelby has had a record number of ambulance calls this year with over 400.

All three representatives talked about their organizations current and future needs.  The biggest being aging buildings, equipment and members.

A lack of volunteers is a major concern. This is due to an increase in the number of hours required for training before becoming certified.

A majority of calls are no longer for fires but for ambulance services. This is due to the fact that people are home more the past year and a half.

The fire departments were proud of how well they work together and cover for not only each other but also assist the Medina Fire Department.

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Following the blocking of Roosevelt Mitchell (63) Medina’s Noah Skinner (42) breaks loose for a touchdown run during the Mustangs sectional win over Eden at rainy Vets Park this evening.

Steadily pulling away over the first three quarters top seed Medina opened defense of its Section VI Class C title with a 30-14 win over No. 8 Eden this evening at rain drenched Vets Park.

Medina jumped out to a quick 8-0 lead in the first four minutes on a 17 yard touchdown run by Iverson Poole and a two-point conversion carry by Noah Skinner. A 32 yard pass from quarterback Xander Payne to Greg Thompson and an 18 yard run by Skinner set up the opportunity.

The Mustangs then pulled away to a 24-0 lead at the half by scoring twice in the final four minutes of the second quarter.

Skinner scored the first touchdown on a 18 yard run and also added the two-point conversion. A 26 yard Payne to Joe Cecchini pass completion and a 27 yard run by Thompson highlighted the drive.

Payne then connected with Jarin Rhim on a 21 yard touchdown pass play with just four seconds remaining as Skinner again added the two-point conversion. A 37 yard run by Thompson highlighted the drive which was set up by a pass interception by Cayden Lilleby.

Earlier in the half the Mustangs defensive unit stopped three Raider drives inside the Medina 25. An interception by Poole at the goal line stopped the first threat and the Raiders misfired on field goal opportunities ending the other two drives.

Skinner scored Medina’s final touchdown on a 55 yard run midway through the third quarter upping the lead to 30-0.

Eden scored two touchdowns in the final eight minutes on short runs by Matt Sweet and Quinn Harrington.

Staying undefeated at 9-0, Medina will next host No. 5 Lackawanna in the semifinals next Friday. Lackawanna defeated No. 4 Salamanca 14-0.

Medina’s Greg Thompson holds onto Eden quarterback Quinn Harrington as he attempts to pass.

No. 3 seed Albion slogged to a narrow 8-7 win over No. 6 Olean in a rain soaked Section VI Class B quarterfinal game this evening at muddy Spierdowis Field.

Trailing 7-0, Albion rallied into the lead for good in the second quarter.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Javon Jones scored the game winning touchdown for Albion.

First, Jahmeek Riley blocked an Olean punt and the ball rolled through the endzone for a two point safety.

Then, Javon Jones then scored what proved to be the game winning touchdown on a 25 yard run.

Neither team could generate much of an offense with the weather and field conditions as Albion had only 102 yards total on the evening and Olean 85.

Jacob Hughson finished with 65 yards rushing and Jones 37. Hughson had a big 31 yard run late in the fourth quarter to help close out the win as the contest ended with the Purple Eagles at the Huskies 1.

The Albion defense was led by Brendan LeBaron with 5 tackles ,Riley and Alex Hafner 4 and Jones and Jr. Morales 3.

Improving to 6-2, Albion will now visit No. 2 Iroquois  in the semifinals next Friday. Iroquois defeated No. 7 Cheektowaga 49-0.

This pair of costumed horses, Harvey and Quinn, were photographed by Albion resident Kaitlin Zwifka. The photo was posted to Assemblyman Hawley’s Facebook page for his Halloween Pet Costume Contest.

Press Release, Assemblyman Steve Hawley

ALBION – Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) has announced the winner of his Halloween Pet Costume Contest is Albion resident Kaitlin Zwifka, who posted their horses, named Harvey and Quinn, dressed as green and blue M&Ms on the assemblyman’s Facebook page.

As the winners of the contest, Kaitlin and her horses were honored with a New York State Assembly Certificate of Merit and will have their picture featured in Assemblyman Hawley’s office during the 2022 Legislative Session.

Earning second place in the competition was Lori Laine with her Bichon Frise dressed in a mariachi outfit, Max, and third place was a three-way tie between Emily Arnold and her dog Daisy Jane, dressed as a spider, Krista Wiley and her dog Bella, dressed in a Halloween hoodie, and Beth Ann and her dog Archie, dressed as a “doodlecorn.”

“I’d like to thank everyone who participated in this contest, including all who posted pictures of their pets and liked the photos to choose their favorite. Kaitlin’s horses won the contest by a sizable margin, and I certainly must say that the winning photo speaks to the rural character of our district. Congratulations to Harvey, Quinn, and Kaitlin on their victory!”

These pets, pictured from left, include Max in second place, and Archie and Bella, two of the three in a third place tie.

Daisy Jane also was in a tie for third place.