This cooper shop at Eagle Harbor was located on the south side of the Erie Canal, by the bridge. The boy in the window to the left is identified as Charles Bennett. The photograph, which dates to the 1880’s, was donated to the Orleans County Dept. of History in 1962 by Mrs. Lottie Fountain Trow.
By Catherine Cooper, Orleans County Historian
Illuminating Orleans – Vol. 1, No. 26
EAGLE HARBOR – On the eighth of April 1853, William H. Bennett, along with his wife, Nancy, and their children boarded the Rose, a sailing vessel which departed Plymouth, England, bound for Quebec. The anticipated three-week journey took 52 days instead. Having had to bring their own provisions along, the family ran out of food. But William, ever resourceful, managed. He could play the flute and so could entertain the sailors and thus, scour some food.
Several fellow passengers were bound for Eagle Harbor, New York, having relatives who had settled there. William decided to go there also, expecting that being a harbor, it would be a place of importance for shipping and therefore for employment.
By the time they got to Eagle Harbor, they had spent their money and had bartered what few fine items they had for food and tickets. William spent their last eleven cents on food – bread, an onion, salt. He met a “former chum,” a shoemaker named Abbott, who took them to his home.
William got a job at a stone quarry, where he worked fourteen days for $1 a day. But, on arriving at the quarry on the fifteenth day, he was told that the owner had “failed in business.” William located the buyer of the stone and negotiated some payment from him. He then found a job haying and harvesting for a Joel Starkweather for one month for $13. He tried working as a Canal Driver ($14 per month) but did not like it. He then took a job chopping stove wood for 31 ¼ cents per cord. With his hands badly blistered, he “began to think of old England and the work I had left there, but I was here to make the best of it.”
Indeed, life in “old England” had been equally precarious. His father was a laborer who “indulged freely in beer drinking” and often was unemployed. At one point, when William was 10, the family resorted to the County Alms House, where he worked at the brick yard. His first job was at a limestone quarry (22 cents a day). He also worked as an apple picker and later learned the trade of wool combing, but soon the wool combers went on strike, and he was unemployed. He experienced the Bread Riots of 1847, when large crowds protesting the high price of grain stormed gristmills and farmhouses to demand relief. It was this background of social unrest, high prices and uncertain employment that caused him to decide to emigrate, even though his wife’s family objected strongly to her leaving.
Making the best of it in Eagle Harbor, William packed flour for C.A. Danolds, worked as a laborer on the 1854 enlarging of the Canal, learned how to mill and learned the cooper trade. In the spring of 1857, he was hired as a miller at $300 a year. His brothers, James and Charles, immigrated in 1854, and later brother George, his parents and sister.
Nancy, his “good wife …who was of cheerful disposition, with no tendency to fault-finding,” bore nine children, the youngest in 1875 when she was 44. That same year, five of the children were stricken at the same time with scarlet fever but they survived. Five of their children contracted measles in 1880, all survived, except for their daughter Mary.
Bennett Bros. store, Eagle Harbor, circa 1900
Despite several setbacks in employment and the economy, William gained a foothold and slowly prospered, by dint of hard work and shrewdness. In summarizing the years, he tends to elaborate on the negatives while sparing the details of their successes: “The year closed with many difficulties and some triumphs.”
He became a citizen. Following the death of his mother, he “quit all vices” and joined the Wesleyan Methodist Church. In 1880, he was elected Overseer of the Poor for the western half of the town of Gaines. When Harrison was inaugurated President in 1889, “a change in Postmaster was a natural outcome,” the position then being tied to political patronage, and William secured the appointment but had to relinquish it with the inauguration of Grover Cleveland in 1893.
A disastrous fire in Sept. 1893 destroyed several buildings in Eagle Harbor, including the A.S. Reed store. William’s sons, G.W. and James T., bought the site and built a new store which became a successful grocery business. The building still stands, north of the canal, right by the bridge.
William H. Bennett recounted the story of his life and times in 1911, at the age of 79. These memoirs, which are part of the Orleans County Dept. of History collection, are remarkable for the wealth of detail included about the economy, work, and survival during hard times in England, as well as in this country.
His memoirs are a gift to any family members interested in genealogy as he lists the birth dates of his children, their marriage dates, and the names of their spouses. Also, in the very first paragraph, he traces the Bennett family back three hundred years, residents of the City of Exeter, Parish Clerks of Saint Mary’s Episcopal Church, and all were named George Bennett.
This shrewd, industrious gentleman died at the age of 89 on July 22, 1921. He is buried in Otter Creek Cemetery.
ALBION – Orleans County STOP-DWI Coordinator, Sheriff Chris Bourke announced that local law enforcement agencies will actively participate in the STOP-DWI Halloween High Visibility Engagement Campaign which runs from Oct. 29 to Nov. 1.
An increase in traffic on our roadways is expected during Halloween due to trick or treating, Halloween parties and festivities.
With increased traffic comes an increased risk in crashes, including impaired-driving crashes. Law enforcement agencies and local STOP-DWI Programs will collaborate across the state and will be out in force in this coordinated effort to reduce the number of impaired driving-related injuries and deaths.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 25 October 2021 at 8:29 pm
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Iyla Lilleby takes a shot to score Medina’s first goal in the Mustangs opening round sectional win over Eden this evening at Vets Park as Lydia Kobie tries to block for the Raiders.
No. 3 seed Medina and No. 4 Roy-Hart both scored home field shutout victories today in the quarterfinal round of the Section VI Class C field hockey playoffs.
Medina blanked No. 6 Eden 4-0 and Roy-Hart shutout No. 5 Newfane 11-0.
Medina grabbed a 1-0 lead just 42 seconds in the second quarter on a goal by Iyla Lilleby.
Penelope Schalck doubled the Mustangs lead to 2-0 at the half when she scored with just 1:11 to go in the period.
Keeping the momentum the Mustangs made it 3-0 three minutes into the third quarter on a goal by Lydia Fox.
Alex Strong rounded out the Mustangs scoring with a goal in the first two minutes of the final quarter.
Roy-Hart got goal production from five different players as Brooke Zglinicki, Cheyenne Stilwell, Jessica VanKuren and Sydney Rhinehart each scored twice and Olivia Marsillo once.
Zglinicki also dished out three assists while Stilwell and Justine Laverty each had two.
Thursday’s semifinal matchups at 6 p.m. at Williamville North will have Medina vs. No. 2 Barker and Roy-Hart vs. No. 1 Akron.
Medina’s Penelope Schalck battles for control of the ball with Eden’s Genevieve Dexter.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 25 October 2021 at 8:19 pm
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Peter Martillotta
A pair of first half goals keyed No. 3 seed Roy-Hart to a 2-1 win over No. 7 Cassadaga Valley/Falconer in a Section VI Class B2 semifinal round boys soccer playoff game this evening at Amherst.
Peter Martillotta scored both of the goals for the Rams at the 4 and 22 minute marks of the first half.
Assists on the goals were first by Jayden Swygert and then by Zach Livergood.
Zach Walker made 7 saves in goal for the Rams.
Niagara-Orleans League champion Roy-Hart will now face the winner of the No. 1 Allegany-Limestone vs. No. 5 Lackawanna semi in the Class B2 championship game on Saturday.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 October 2021 at 5:25 pm
Both counties each reporting a death due to Covid
Genesee and Orleans counties are reporting 204 new Covid cases since Thursday. Each county also is reporting another death due to Covid. Both of the people who passed away from Covid are under age 65, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments reported.
In Orleans County, there are 67 new cases, and also 76 more recoveries, or people who have completed their 10-day isolation and have been removed from mandatory isolation.
In Orleans, there are currently four people hospitalized due to Covid.
In Genesee, there are 137 new positive cases, which pushes Genesee past 7,000 cases during the pandemic since March 2020. There have now been 7,028 confirmed cases in Genesee and 4,427 in Orleans.
Genesee also is reporting 86 more recoveries. The county also has 20 people hospitalized due to Covid.
By Doug Farley, Cobblestone Museum Director – Vol 2. No. 40
CHILDS – A treasured family heirloom from the Curtis Murray family of Childs has a new life in the community that benefited from its earliest history.
The subject of this article is a remarkable children’s dollhouse that once resided at the Murray Farm, on Ridge Road, just west of Brown Street Road in Childs. The dollhouse has been passed down over the years from Mary Miller Murray, its creator, to her loving daughter, Janice Mann Beech, who has wonderful family memories of treasured moments spent with siblings and cousins, pretending to “keep house” while playing with painstakingly made miniature furniture, arranged in neat rooms, typical of their own farmhouse.
Janice recently decided to donate the dollhouse to the Cobblestone Museum, which intends to keep the artifact on permanent display in one of the bedrooms at the Vagg House, its 1920s themed building. This generous donation will ensure that the Murray family heirloom will be enjoyed by countless other children and families in years to come.
Curtis Murray, and his wife Mary, continued the farming legacy of Curt’s father George Murray, at what became known as Maple Lawn Farm, named after a row of maple trees that once lined the property. The Curtis Murray family was involved in dairying, and sold cream and butter on the farm. They also grew cash crops like cabbage, corn and cucumbers.
Curt and Mary had three children: George, Joyce and Janice. Mary made the dollhouse in 1934 for her children. Janice, the youngest of the children, was four years old at the time.
Janice relates how her mother made all the dollhouse furniture, too, including the kitchen items and wicker furniture. It was important that everything be made to proper scale so it all looks like it fits. She said even the dollhouse “family” was handmade to exacting detail. The miniature family includes Mother, Father, and two daughters, along with Grandma, Grandpa, the maid, and baby.
Janice said her mother didn’t try to explain the makeup of the family, it was just taken as fact. Simple things, like straight pins, were used as fasteners and hinges on the kitchen cabinets.
A wooden fence that surrounds the dollhouse was added later. Janice recalled that the fence provided a little buffer to help protect the dollhouse when it was transported to the racetrack at Batavia in the 1960s to be displayed in doll shows that were held there over the years. Also included in the setup is a wooden front porch that can be detached and stored in the dollhouse attic when it was not in use.
At some point, probably in the 1960s, Janice’s daughter, Mary Beth, added period wallpaper to many of the rooms. Also, a display card was added that talked about the materials used in the dollhouse that came to a total cost of 80 cents. Janice said, “At one point, the dollhouse was displayed in the early days of the Cobblestone Museum. I’m really happy that it’s going back there now.”
When the dollhouse was being used, it sat directly on the floor and the children would either sit or lay down beside it to look in the ground floor rooms and adjust all of the furniture. Kids could stand up and rearrange the second and third floor furnishings as desired. Janice said, “You know when you’re little, you get down on the floor. I don’t do that anymore, because then I’d have to get up!”
Janice said, “It was always played with. Kids knew they had to be careful and not abuse the furniture. But, it was made to be played with!” The dollhouse was kept in the front hall of their farmhouse. When not being used by the children, it was covered with a cloth and turned with its open front facing the wall, which provided dust protection for its plentiful contents. Janice believes that simple trick over the years has probably added to the longevity of the piece.
Still in use today, Janice explained, “There’s a little boy who visits, who loves it. Mostly he takes the car and the people go ‘camping.’ He doesn’t care much for the dollhouse, but he loves the car.”
Another object that Janice has kept through the ages is a toy barn that belonged to her cousin, Jack. She said he enjoyed playing with the barn that contained cutout cardboard animals that stood up with small wooden stands, and a cardboard car with button lights that he made for himself. These simple toys were all that it took to provide entertainment and education for growing children on the farm.
In addition to her family dollhouse, Mary Miller Murray (shown above) was known for her doll hospital. For over 40 years, Mrs. Murray repaired broken dolls. Janice said, “The dolls came in from all over the country. News spread, and the dolls came in by word of mouth. My mother kept a log. It was really remarkable.”
In addition to her many memories surrounding the dollhouse and doll hospital, Janice has many other special memories of growing up on Maple Lawn Farm, including the “old house” which was the original smaller house on the farm. Janice tells a story she heard from her father. At some point in about 1909, her grandparents built a new, larger house on the farm. Her father, Curt, recalled that that when he was a lad, his father moved the old house out onto Ridge Road and left it sit there overnight. It must have come as quite a shock to unsuspecting Ridge Road travelers that night!
The Murray Farm on Ridge Road is still standing today. There’s no escaping the Murray’s legacy with the building, either. The back steps into the building have the names of the Murray children engraved on them. The front steps have the name “Murray” embellished into the concrete.
Retired Cobblestone Museum Director Bill Lattin was pleased to see the dollhouse again and was especially pleased to learn that it was to be added to the permanent collection at the museum. He said, “This is going to be one of the ‘wow’ items. Right up there with our bird collection and the Civil War era body cooler.”
In part two of this article, we will look at the dollhouse’s arrival at the Museum as well as the décor of each of the dollhouse rooms.
Congressman Chris Provided photo: Jacobs speaks today outside the Tops in Hamburg.
HAMBURG – Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) is raising the alarm about the quickly approaching deadline for the merger of Tops Friendly Markets and Price Chopper.
The merger, announced nearly a year ago, needs the approval of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to proceed and as of yet there has been “radio silence” from the FTC Board.
“The financing for this project will expire on November 8th,” said Jacobs. “If the FTC does not act before then this deal is dead and there is potential that many of our Tops Markets will be forced to close. In my congressional district alone, we have almost 30 Tops Markets, and in many of the rural communities I represent Tops is the only grocery option for more than an hour drive.”
Tops Markets is one of the largest private employers in Western New York and the largest grocery chain. Tops and Price Chopper have so far adhered to all the requests of the staff at the FTC, such as selling off approximately seven stores for anti-trust reasons.
“Whether it’s bureaucracy or the product of political animosity toward private businesses, the hold-up at the FTC needs to come to an end,” Jacobs said. “There are real communities, real jobs, and real people waiting for a decision that could have major impacts on their lives. I am calling on the FTC to end this month’s long stalemate and do its job – it is time to make a decision.”
In addition, Jacobs sent a letter to the FTC highlighting these concerns and calling the for the board to make an expeditious decision concerning the merger.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 25 October 2021 at 9:11 am
MEDINA – Orleans Community Health is urging women aged 40 and older to talk with their doctors during National Cancer Awareness Month in October about screening for breast cancer, OCH announced in a press release.
Women who can’t afford mammograms may be eligible for a free screening through the Cancer Services Program of New York State.
Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women and the second leading cause of cancer death in women. Localized breast cancer has a 99% survival rate if detected early. Breast cancer screenings are critical for women older than 50. OCH reports the newest technology on the market has the lowest dose of radiation and is designed for women by women for a more comfortable experience. Orleans Community Health has made these advanced 3D mammograms accessible right here in the Medina community.
In this small community, there are on average 30 women diagnosed with breast cancer and four deaths annually. But when breast cancer is detected early, the five-year survival rate is well about 90 percent.
During Breast Cancer Awareness Month and throughout the year, Orleans Community Health offers high quality women’s health care, including breast care services. They have the latest technology, touting the Senographe Pristina, which is the ONLY FDA-approved 3D mammography that delivers at the same low dose as 2D, the lowest patient dose of all FDA approved systems.
Anyone who is a woman 40 or older is asked not to skip their mammogram, but to call (585) 798-8054 or visit www.orleanscommunityhealth.com to schedule an appointment now.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 October 2021 at 9:06 am
BARRE – The Barre Betterment Committee will be hosting its second annual “Trunk or Treat” this Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Barre Town Park on Route 98.
Parents are welcome to bring children in costume to the event. Residents also are encouraged to dress their vehicles up in costume, too. There is no charge for this event.
More information is available on the Barre Betterment Committee’s Facebook page.
$1.3 million grant will help address lead paint hazards in 2 counties
Press Release, Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments
This week is National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, which is a call to bring together individuals, organizations, industry, and government to increase lead poisoning prevention awareness in an effort to reduce childhood exposure to lead.
About 3.3 million American households, including 2.1 million low-income households that have children under six years of age, live in homes containing lead exposure hazards. According to the 2015-2019 American Community Survey, there are approximately 33,000 housing units in Genesee and Orleans Counties that were built before 1978 and may have lead exposure hazards.
“Childhood lead exposure is a significant issue in Genesee and Orleans Counties because of the large number of older homes that may contain lead-based paint, which is the main source of exposure in children,” stated Paul Pettit, Director of Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health). “Lead is a toxic element that can cause damage to the brain and nervous system when it is absorbed into the body.”
Lead poisoning is preventable. The key is to stop children from coming into contact with lead hazards before poisoning occurs. Children can be exposed to lead by swallowing or breathing in lead dust created by old paint that has cracked and chipped, eating paint chips, or chewing on surfaces coated with lead-based paint such as window sills. Lead exposure in children can cause learning and behavior problems, slow growth and development, and
cause hearing and speech problems. These effects may be permanent and can continue into adulthood.
New York State requires health care providers to obtain a blood lead test for all children at age 1 and again at age 2. Health care providers are also required to assess all children ages 6 months to 6 years for risk of lead exposure. Below is a table that shows local screening rates among children in Genesee and Orleans Counties from 2020.
We encourage parents and community members to educate themselves about the dangers of lead exposure by reviewing the three key themes of National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week:
Get the Facts!
Any exposure to lead hazards can be serious, especially for children. The only safe blood lead level is zero!
The most common source of lead exposure in children is through eating dust particles or paint chips so small that they may not be visible to the naked eye.
The most common sources of lead in drinking water are lead pipes, faucets, and fixtures.
Other sources of lead could include metal toys, wooden toys or furniture painted with lead-based paint, metal jewelry, lead-glazed pottery or porcelain, some candles, spices, and even make-up.
Get your Home Tested!
Many homes built before 1978 have lead-based paint. If your home was built before 1978, you should get it tested for lead paint.
If you rent, ask your landlord to have your home or apartment tested.
Contact GO Health for more information on getting your home tested.
Get your Child Tested!
Children’s blood lead levels tend to increase from 6 to 12 months of age and tend to peak at 18 to 24 months.
A simple blood test is the only way to find out if your child has been poisoned by exposure to lead.
Most children with detectable levels of lead in their blood have no obvious symptoms.
Blood lead tests are also recommended for pregnant women who think they may have been exposed to lead.
“Please contact your health care provider and make it a priority get your child tested for lead,” stated Pettit. “Early detection is the key to preventing long-term health problems.”
In January 2019, the Genesee County Health Department received a $1.3 million federal grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to address lead-based paint hazards in homes and apartments in Genesee and Orleans counties.
“This funding can be used specifically for lead-based paint repair activities as well as other health-related home repairs,” stated Darren Brodie, Lead Program Coordinator for GO Health. “Eligible homeowners and landlords with qualified tenants may apply to receive these funds.” Contact the Genesee County Health Department for eligibility rules.
For more information on the HUD program, to obtain an application or to determine if your family and home fits the criteria, contact GO Health’s lead program staff at the Genesee County Health Department at 344-2580 ext.5555 or Health.GOlead@co.genesee.ny.us. You can also visit the GO Health website at www.GoHealthNY.org. Program staff can quickly determine your initial eligibility, and will help to guide you through the application process.
To learn more about the New York State Lead Poisoning Prevention program, click here.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 25 October 2021 at 8:05 am
St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Brockport, St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Canandaigua also recognized
Photos courtesy of David Miller: Bent’s Opera House in Medina looks stunning after a three-year restoration effort.
MEDINA – Three new sandstone structures were inducted into the Sandstone Hall of Fame on Thursday, in a ceremony which also included recognition of five sandstone homes built by architect William Jackson between the 1820s and 1860s.
Inductees include the Bent’s Opera House in Medina, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Brockport and St. Mary’s RC Church in Canandaigua.
Jim Hancock, chairman of the Hall of Fame committee, said the first sandstone induction took place in 2013. Since then, including this year’s inductees, 32 buildings and monuments have been named to the Hall of Fame.
“Purpose of the Hall of Fame was to recognize beautiful structures made of our stone,” Hancock said. “Medina Sandstone can be found in buildings and roads across the United States, and from Cuba to Buckingham Palace.”
Hancock explained to be selected to the Sandstone Hall of Fame a nominee must fall into one of several classes – church, private residence, public building or any architecturally unique structure.
Criteria considered include its age, if it is still in use, it’s beauty and architectural uniqueness.
The 2021 class of inductees into the Sandstone Hall of Fame hold their plaques after the ceremony Thursday at City Hall. From left are Anthony DiPrima, director of finance and administration at St. Mary’s Church in Canandaigua, Karen Baase from Luke’s Harvest Kitchen at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Brockport and Justin Bruce, general manager of Bent’s Opera House in Medina.
Bent’s Opera House is one of the oldest surviving theaters in the entire nation, having been built at the height of the Civil War. From 1865 to the early 1920s, it was the cultural center of the Medina area. Its construction is of native Medina Sandstone, laid in a random ashlar pattern with a hammered finish.
The opera house was built by Don Carlos Bent, a wealthy local farmer, who secured the services of local sandstone builder Patrick O’Grady.
St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Canandaigua
The building was in danger of collapse in the early 21st century when it was donated by Bank of America to the Orleans Renaissance Group. They then sold it to Talis Equity, who took on one of the community’s most ambitious renovation projects in history, working more than three years to fortify the building and redesign it to include a restaurant, hotel and entertainment/lecture hall in the former opera house.
In accepting the plaque for Bent’s, Justin Bruce, general manager, said owners Roger and Heather Hungerford appreciated the honor, although they were unable to attend.
Anthony DiPrima, finance director at St. Mary’s Church, said the Sandstone Hall of Fame committee visited his church two years ago, but the church didn’t make the list for induction. Then the committee returned this year, and viewed extensive renovations which had been done to the interior of the building.
“We felt pretty confident our church would be inducted into the Hall of Fame this year,” DiPrima said. “This is the first honor I’m aware of that our church has received for its architecture, and with all our interior renovations, this is the cherry on the ice cream.”
St. Mary’s RC Church at 59 North Main St., Canandaigua, traces its parish back to 1843, when a small group of Catholic families began meeting. The first St. Mary’s Church was built in 1846, but by 1865 membership had grown, and a new church was needed. The old J. Albert Granger property was purchased in 1873, but construction was delayed to pay off the debt.
Construction of the current church was started in 1903. Architects were Gordon & Madden of Rochester. The building was dedicated Dec. 17, 1905.
The Building Committee was pleased with the use of pink Medina Sandstone and they got good terms for the sandstone and favorable railroad rates for the delivery of this beautiful stone.
In 2007, St. Benedict’s Parish was established when St. Mary’s in Canandaigua and St. Benedict’s in Bloomfield became clustered.
St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Brockport
St. Luke’s Episcopal Church at 14 State St., Brockport, has been a dominant, soaring presence on Brockport’s Main Street since 1855.
The congregation paid $6,897 to have the church constructed of Medina Sandstone from 1854 to 1855 in a Gothic Revival style. In 1903, a parish hall was added in Medina sandstone with a Romanesque style. It has been used as a church school, meeting space, gymnasium in the basement, stage on the third floor and was even set up as a hospital at one time for a week-long clinic for tonsillectomies.
St. Luke’s continues to be used for many outreach programs, such as food, clothing, music and ministry. The church has hosted the Brockport Ecumenical Food Shelf since 1972.
The church features several Tiffany windows, including two groupings of three windows. Tiffany created a scene of “The Nativity” at the narthex. St. Luke’s was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990 and was declared a “Historic Landmark” by the Brockport Historic Preservation Board in 2000.
Several people attended the ceremony from St. Luke’s in Brockport, including the Rev. Elizabeth Harden and members Bill Henderson and Karen Baase.
The Rev. Harden said she is from Utah, so Medina Sandstone was all new to her.
“This is an honor, for sure,” she said. “St. Luke’s has been so well cared for. The building has been repurposed several times to meet the needs of the community, so this is a fitting tribute.”
“Getting this recognition is amazing considering the number of places to be considered,” Henderson said. “I knew the church was made of Medina Sandstone, but I didn’t know about the Hall of Fame and Sandstone Society.”
Baase, who lives near Barre, said she was part of the group which gave the Hall of Fame committee the grand tour when they visited.
“We are pleased and honored to be recognized, and are so fortunate to learn more about sandstone,” she said.
Dave Miller, president of the Sandstone Society, shared the history of sandstone in the Medina area.
He explained sandstone was first discovered when the canal was dug in 1825.
“If it wasn’t for the canal, Medina wouldn’t be here, and we wouldn’t know so much about Medina Sandstone,” he said.
At least 30 quarries existed at one time, and a few lasted until the 1950s, Miller said. Most of Medina’s sandstone was used for roads.
Homes built by William Jackson are, clockwise from top left, 10598 Ridge Rd., 10923 West Center St. Ext., 11986 Telegraph Rd. and 3531 Fruit Ave. In the center is the original Jackson homestead at 3669 Fruit Ave., which was stuccoed over about 75 years ago.
Following induction of these three structures, Miller explained their reason for including the five sandstone homes designed by Jackson.
“This is a departure from what we’ve done in the past,” Miller said. “It goes back to last year when we couldn’t travel due to the pandemic. We wondered if there wasn’t something we could do to recognize the two dozen sandstone homes in Medina and vicinity. They are simple, but have a beauty of their own.”
Miller explained many farmers came to Medina from Central New York in the
1800s, built log cabins and then brought their families here. William Jackson was one of these settlers, who came to the town of Ridgeway in 1826 and purchased 100 acres of land. One of the earliest settlers in the town, he was also one of the first to build homes from what would later become known as Medina sandstone.
Pioneer History of Orleans County reports that “In a short time, he purchased more land which he fitted and cultivated into one of the finest farms in the area.”
This was before any commercial sandstone quarry had been established, but the Erie Canal construction had revealed readily accessible sandstone in Medina, some of it very close to the ground.
The five homes acknowledged by the Sandstone Hall of Fame include the original Jackson homestead at 3669 Fruit Avenue, which was stuccoed over about 75 years ago; 10598 Ridge Rd., 10923 West Center St., 11986 Telegraph Rd., and 3531 Fruit Ave.
Miller noted the similarity in the homes Jackson built – all have a center door with two windows on each side and five windows in the second story.
The Sandstone Hall of Fame is located at City Hall on the corner of Main Street and Park Avenue.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 24 October 2021 at 4:03 pm
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s Iverson Poole, left, and Albion’s Javon Jones, right, and their Mustang and Purple Eagle teammates will begin Section VI playoff action with home games on Friday night.
Albion and Medina will both open Section VI football playoff action by hosting quarterfinal games on Friday at 7 p.m.
Albion (5-2) will host Olean (4-4) in a Class B game while Medina (8-0) will open defense of its Class C title by entertaining N0. 8 Eden (4-4).
Class B Quarterfinals
B South No. 4 Pioneer at B North No. 1 Maritime
B. South No. 3 Olean at B North No. 2 Albion
B North No. 4 at B South No. 1 Iroquois
B North No. 3 at B South No. 2 West Seneca East
Class C Quarterfinals
No. 8 Eden at No. 1 Medina
No. 7 Southwesternx at No. 2 Depew
No. 6 Akron at No. 3 Fredonia
No. 5 Lackawanna at No. 4 Salamanca
Field Hockey Sectionals
Section VI Class C playoff competition gets underway on Monday with a pair of quarterfinal round games.
No. 4 Roy-Hart will host No. 5 Newfane at 3:30 p.m. and No. 3 Medina will entertain No. 6 Eden at 6:30 p.m. The Newfane/R-H winner will face No. 1 Akron and the Eden/Medina winner will take on No. 2 Barker both at 6 p.m. Thursday at Williamsville North.
Section V Soccer Playoffs
Kendall’s boys and girls team have both advanced to the Class C2 semifinals.
The No. 9 seeded Kendall girls will face No. 4 HAC at 5 p.m. Tuesday at Brockport.
The No. 6 seed Kendall boys will face No. 2 Bradford/Dundee game on at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Canandaigua.
Section VI Soccer Playoffs
Roy-Hart’s boys and girls teams have likewise both advanced to the Class B2 semifinals.
The No. 3 Roy-Hart boys will face No. 7 Falconer/Cassadaga Valley, on Monday at 5 p.m. at Amherst
The No. 3 Roy-Hart girls will face No. 7 Southwestern on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at Williamsville North. No.12 Akron will also face No. 1 Fredonia at 7:30 p.m. at Williamsville North
Section VI Volleyball Playoffs Class B2
Friday
No. 8 Albion at No. 1 Springville, 6 p.m. Class C1
Wednesday
No. 11 Medina at No. 6 Cleveland Hill, 6 p.m. (winner at No. 3 Akron Friday); No. 9 Olmsted at No. 8 Newfane (winner at No. 1 Roy-Hart on Friday) Class C2
Friday
No. 6 Wilson at No. 3 Lafayette
‘Trunk-or-Treat,’ highway cleanup and photo contest also on schedule
New trees were recently planted by the Lyndonville Lions Club and Yates Highway Department by the row of ash trees that are very popular for tossing footwear.
Press Release and photos from Lyndonville Lions Club
LYNDONVILLE – After a well-deserved break following the return of the Lyndonville Lions Club’s spectacular 4th-of-July festivities, the Lions are back in full swing with the following announcements.
This coming Halloween Sunday, Oct. 31st, the Lyndonville Lions invite all Lyndonville trick-or-treaters making their rounds to come by the parking lot of Yates Community Library to receive their special “Trunk-or-Treat” goodie bags. The Lions will be handing out treat bags during regularly scheduled trick-or-treat hours from 6 to 8 p.m.
In addition, the Lyndonville Lions, with assistance from the Town of Yates, are pleased to announce the planting of new “Shoe Trees” at the historic Foss Road location. The original trees remain. The Lions ask that everyone respect the new plantings while they grow and mature to become the next generation shoe trees.
The Lions Club asks people to respect to new plantings so they and get big and strong to shoulder a new generation of shoes.
Along with that, the Lions are also announcing a community photo contest. New welcome signs are in the works to replace the previous damaged signs, since removed, that graced the north and south entrances to the village of Lyndonville.
The new signs will prominently feature a photograph of the dam and waterfall in the central village. We invite everyone to submit their photo for consideration by posting it on the Lyndonville Lions Facebook page.
The contest will run between now and next May. The winning photo will appear on the new welcome signs. For this we require a high-resolution photo in horizontal format capable of being enlarged to 8-ft. Please note, most cell-phone photos do not meet these requirements.
And finally, the Lyndonville Lions are pleased to announce the return of their semi-annual Adopt-A-Highway cleanup event along Rt. 63 in Yates. Weather dependent, this year’s autumn clean-up will take place Saturday morning, Oct. 30th. Please keep a careful eye out for us as you drive by – but also give us a wave!
Along with that, the Lyndonville Lions are extremely proud to announce the re-introduction of the junior Lions Club – the Leos – with 12 new members under the dedicated and enthusiastic guidance of Lyndonville Central School instructor, Gina Marker.
Photo and information courtesy of Medina Marching Band
GREECE – The Greece school district hosted a field band competition on Saturday, the last performance for Medina before the championships on Oct. 31 at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse.
Fourteen bands competed in five classifications at Greece. In SS1, Medina earned 1st place with a score of 92.10 followed by East Irondequoit with 87.50.
In SS3, Marcus Whitman earned 1st place with 80.85 followed by LeRoy with 78.90. In LS3, Greece earned 1st place with 82.65 followed by Hilton in 2nd with 82.0.
Webster was the only contender in LS2 with 87.60. Victor was the only National band and had a score of 90.10. The evening was capped off with a performance by The All In Brass Band.
The championships at the Carrier Dome will include 50 marching bands competing, involving more than 4,000 students. The day’s events are broken down into three shows with bands in different classifications in each show.
Medina is in Show #3 which starts at 5:30 p.m. and includes SS1 and National class bands which start at 7:45 pm. Medina performs at 5:45 pm. Additional info about the championships can be found by clicking here.
EAGLE HARBOR – On the eighth of April 1853, William H. Bennett, along with his wife, Nancy, and their children boarded the Rose, a sailing vessel which departed Plymouth, England, bound for Quebec. The anticipated three-week journey took 52 days instead. Having had to bring their own provisions along, the family ran out of food. But William, ever resourceful, managed. He could play the flute and so could entertain the sailors and thus, scour some food.
Janice relates how her mother made all the dollhouse furniture, too, including the kitchen items and wicker furniture. It was important that everything be made to proper scale so it all looks like it fits. She said even the dollhouse “family” was handmade to exacting detail. The miniature family includes Mother, Father, and two daughters, along with Grandma, Grandpa, the maid, and baby.
