Provided photo: Crash Cadillac performs at the Yates Town Park on July 10.

Press Release, Lyndonville Lions Club

YATES – This past Thursday night the Lyndonville Lions hosted their annual community appreciation concert.

This annual event which expresses the appreciation to the community and individual supporters, and featured a crowd favorite, Crash Cadillac. The band performed their play list of crowd-pleasing music for three hours as the Lions handed out hot dogs and ice-cold beverages.

The Lions Club wants to thank GO Art! for their financial support which helps the club bring events like this to the Town of Yates and the people of Orleans County.

In further club activities, the Lions will take a short break until mid-August when they will host their summer chicken barbecue on Sunday, August 17th.  The event will be supported by Chiavetta’s and will be take-out only.  Serving will start at 11:30 am Sunday morning at the White Birch Golf Course and go until sold out.

The Lions Club has scheduled its second annual Oktoberfest for Saturday, October 18th at 5 p.m.  The event will include a repeat performance by the award-winning Oktoberfest band from Buffalo, The Frankfurters.

Tickets will go on sale in mid-September and attendees will be treated to an evening of German Oktoberfest music, an authentic Oktoberfest buffet complete with schnitzel, spätzle, red cabbage and soft pretzels with beer cheese dip. It is also expected that mugs of German-style Oktoberfest beverages will be available for purchase. The White Birch Golf Course will host the Lions for this event.

As always, the Lyndonville Lions want to express their gratitude to the community at large.  As we enter the “Dog Days of Summer,” the club extends its thanks and wishes for a safe and health-filled summer to all.

We look forward to our upcoming events and hope to see you there. May God continue to bless this great country, keep watch over the men and women of our military, and bestow his mercy on us all.

Photo by Tom Rivers: Mark Ferrara shares about his book chronicling the Erie Canal during a presentation Saturday at Author’s Note in Medina.

MEDINA – An English professor at the State University of Oneonta has written a book about the Erie Canal, focusing on the American communities along its banks and the ordinary people who lived, worked and died there.

Mark Ferrara visited Author’s Note Book Store on Saturday afternoon to sign copies and read from his book, The Raging Erie: Life and Labor Along the Erie Canal.

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Mark Ferrara signs copies of his latest book, “The Raging Erie: Life and Labor Along the Erie Canal,” at Author’s Note Book Store on Saturday afternoon.

Ferrara grew up in the Richmond, Va. area, which he considers an “American community.” He also realized there were many American communities along the canal, including Utica and Syracuse where his parents grew up.

Realizing the canal’s bicentennial was coming up, Ferrara began reading everything he could about poor and working class who were forgotten whenever the canal was celebrated. His book took four years to complete – two years of research and then two more to put it all together and get it published.

Ferrara chronicles the fates of the Native Americans whose land was appropriated for the canal, the European immigrants who bored its route through the wilderness and the orphan children who drove the draft animals that pulled boats around the clock.

The author also shows how the canal served as a conduit for the movement of new ideas and religions, a corridor for enslaved people seeking freedom via the Underground Railroad and a spur for social reform movements that emerged in response to the poverty and suffering along its path.

The Raging Erie explores the social dislocation and untold hardships at the heart of a major engineering feat, shedding light on the lives of the canallers who toiled on behalf of American expansion.

Ferrara is also the author of seven books, two of which are American Community: Radical Experiments in Intentional Living and Living the Food Allergic Life. He has taught for universities in South Korea, China and on a Fulbright scholarship in Turkey.

This is the author’s first visit to Medina, and he planned to spend some time exploring the village before heading home.

The Raging Erie is available at Author’s Note, 519 Main St., or online at authorsnote.com. Signed copies can also be ordered for pickup or free shipping at the store’s website.

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Approximately 30 people showed up at Boxwood Cemetery on Saturday morning to learn about cleaning headstones.

MEDINA – Cleaning headstones is an ongoing task, as Friends of Boxwood Cemetery learned this morning.

Todd Bensley, a member of Friends of Boxwood Cemetery and Village of Medina historian, led a seminar for approximately 30 people, in which he demonstrated the proper technique and materials to clean a headstone.

The first headstone cleaning event took place in 2022, after a professional came and demonstrated how it should be done, Bensley said.

“I’ve been leading a seminar annually since then,” he said.

He explained why it is important to clean headstones, especially old ones.

“When lichens accumulate on the headstones, it eats away on the stone,” Bensley said. “Cleaning them preserves their history. For some people, their gravestone is the only way we know they existed. If the lettering is illegible, we have no way of knowing who they are. As village historian I wrote several books on Boxwood Cemetery. I tried to find information on some of the burials by going through archives, but the information on their gravestone was all I could find. If there is growth on them, it will eventually eat them away.”

Bensley’s wife Nicole this morning checked in participants, including several new members who signed up for Friends of Boxwood Cemetery. Copies of Todd’s book on Boxwood Cemetery were also available for sale.

Bensley explained there are 5,000 burials in Boxwood Cemetery, and even with two burials in a plot, that still adds up to a lot of headstones. He said it typically takes 20 to 30 minutes to clean the average headstone. He demonstrated the equipment needed, which included a pad to kneel on, plastic scraper, a pail, D-2 cleaner and a popsicle stick or skewer.

He also advised rubbing one’s hand over a headstone to see if it feels sandy. If so, cleaning should not aggressive. He recommended spraying on D-2, which has been diluted 50% with water, and letting it stand for 10 minutes before attempting to scrape it off.

“Use a scrub brush which you would use on your car,” he said. “If it is too harsh for your car, it is too harsh for a headstone.”

Bensley said a headstone won’t look like new after it has been cleaned, but it will look a lot better than it did.

Nicole Bensley checks in visitors who came for Todd Bensley’s presentation Saturday morning on cleaning headstones at Boxwood Cemetery.

One of the attendees was Anna Buckner, who said she spends nearly every day at the cemetery, walking her two dogs. She said she loves the cemetery and intends to join Friends of Boxwood Cemetery.

Barbara Sidher of Medina said she has attended the events put on by the Friends of Boxwood Cemetery, and came to Saturday’s seminar to learn how to clean her parents’ gravestone in Sacred Heart Cemetery.

Bensley said they are always looking for new members and volunteers. Anyone interested may contact them on their Facebook page.

Todd Bensley explains the correct technique for cleaning headstones to approximately 30 people who attended a seminar at Boxwood Cemetery Saturday morning. He holds a bottle of D-2, the proper cleaner to use on headstones. Anyone who signed up to become a member of Friends of Boxwood Cemetery received a free bottle.

File photos by Ginny Kropf: Here is a sampling of some of the creative zucchini race cars youth made at the Canal Village Farmer’s Market  last summer. The event returns the next two Saturdays.

MEDINA – With the Canal Village Farmers’ Market now open at its original home at West Center Street and West Avenue, market manager Gail Miller has announced the return of the popular zucchini races for the next three Saturdays.

On July 19, 26 and Aug. 2 the races will begin at 10 a.m. and last until 1:20 p.m. The races included categories for children and adults.

Inspired by a story from the Farmers’ Market Federation of New York, Miller hatched the creative idea last year.

“We really didn’t know what to expect last year, but we had more fun than we imagined,” Miller said. “This year, we’ve made some improvements, including a better track. We’re really looking forward to it.”

Last year, 15 youth participated in the event. Components of the races, including zucchini, are provided by the market.

(Left) Dave Miller gives two zucchini race cars a trial run to check out the track he built, before the competition starts at Medina’s Canal Village Farmer’s Market last year. (Right) Bishop Stanton, 9, checks out a zucchini race car last summer before beginning to build his own.

Children and adults who register for the races will each have access to all sorts of stickers, flags and fun stuff with which to decorate their racers, Miller said.

“Both kids and parents had a lot of fun creating their customized racers and sending them down the track,” she said. “Since the parents and by-standers all had so much fun, the market is encouraging the ‘young at heart’ to compete also. How about challenging your friends, neighbors or your siblings to compete for a zucchini race throwdown. And, of course, we’ll again have the Outlaw Class, which is great fun.”

Certificates and prize vouchers from Confection Connection and NOLA Snowballs will be awarded for the fastest, weirdest, coolest and best crash.

Racing classes will be:

• Sprout – under 8.
• Tenderfoot – 8 – 16.
• Young-at-Heart – 16+
• Outlaw Class – Open to all ages and any vegetable. Entrants can use their imagination to create a racing vegetable, keeping to the vehicle specs in the rules.

Participants can get additional information and register at the market in age-group categories, starting today (Saturday) at the manager’s tent.

Photo by Tom Rivers: A boater enjoys the Erie Canal in Medina on July 2 when the Albany Symphony was playing a concert to celebrate the canal’s bicentennial.

A heat advisory has been issued for Orleans County today from noon to 7 p.m. Heat index values in the mid and upper 90s are expected.

The advisory includes Niagara, Orleans, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Wayne, northern Cayuga, Oswego, northern Erie and Ontario counties.

In Orleans, the high temperatures could hit 91 today. The hot temperatures plus high humidity may cause heat-related illnesses to occur, the National Weather Service said.

People are encouraged to drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors.

It’s going to be a hot week ahead. The high temperatures in Orleans County include 87 on Sunday, 87 on Monday, 89 on Tuesday, 89 on Wednesday, 85 on Thursday, and 83 on Friday.

File photo: Several vendors with their unique wares are shown in this photo from the Aug. 12, 2023 flea market at the Cobblestone Museum. Vendors are encouraged to reserve their spot for this year’s event on Aug. 9.

CHILDS – The Cobblestone Society has extended an invitation to vendors of all types to reserve a spot for their annual Flea Market on August 9.

“We anticipate the campus will once again be bustling with vendors, visitors and, of course, bargain hunters,” said Sue Bonafini, assistant director of the Cobblestone Museum.

Handmade goods, household items, plants, knitted/crocheted apparel, wall art, vintage tools and dishware, as well as a wide array of mixed goods should appeal to young and old alike, Bonafini said.

The Museum’s Holiday Shoppe, featuring Christmas-themed merchandise, and the Used Books Building will be open that day, and tours of the historic Cobblestone campus will be offered at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Crafters and vendors of all sorts, as well as any others who would like to showcase what they have to offer, are encouraged to request an application by calling the Cobblestone Museum at (585) 589-9013 during regular hours – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

Families, individuals, small businesses and organizations are invited to take advantage of this opportunity to sell what they have to offer, while supporting the historic Cobblestone Museum.

Booths are $20 for a 10’ x 10’ space. Sellers must bring their own table, chairs and canopy if they desire some shade.

As an added feature, Weidner’s chicken barbecue will be sold at the food tent from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. or sold out. Tickets are $15 in advance (and can be ordered by calling the museum) or $17 the day of the event.

The Cobblestone Museum is located on Route 104 just north of Albion at the intersection of Route 98. The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Ample free parking is available across the road along the grounds of the Thompson-Kast Visitors Center.

ALBION – A disabled Albion man has been located and is home safe, the Albion Police Department reported just after midnight.

Marvin Russ, 22, went missing at 6 a.m. on Friday. He is deaf, disabled and developmentally delayed.

“The Village of Albion Police Department is extremely thankful for the calls and tips that lead to his safe return,” Sgt. Will Francis said in an email at 12:25 a.m.

Photos courtesy of Albion PD: Marvin Russ is shown in the portrait at left, and also at right in a picture off of a home camera system, showing the clothing Marvin was wearing when he left early this morning.

ALBION – The Albion Police Department said a 22-year-old disabled man is missing. Marvin Russ Jr. was reported missing from 25 Lydun Drive.

Marvin was observed by a neighbor leaving his residence around 6 a.m. and running down the road towards Brown Road.

Marvin was last seen wearing a blue shirt and dark blue pants with “23” written on them in red.

Marvin is about 5’5″ and 140 pounds. He is deaf, disabled and developmentally delayed, the Albion PD said.

Anyone with any information regarding Marvin Russ’s whereabouts is urged to contact the Albion PD at (585) 589-5627 or through the Orleans County Sheriff’s Dispatch at (585) 589-5527 or 911.

Return to top

Photo by Tom Rivers: Jay Lazarony, retiring director for the GLOW Workforce Development Board, receives a “Special Recognition Award” from County Legislator Fred Miller during a recent Legislature meeting.

ALBION – The leader of the GLOW Workforce Development Board has pushed to be bring in training funds to help residents develop skills for in-demand local careers.

Jay Lazarony led the GLOW organization the past eight years, and worked 20 years before that as a youth counselor for the Genesee County Job Development Bureau. He has retired, and has been praised for his efforts to connect GLOW residents to job training.

He also was one of the driving forces in the GLOW With Your Hands career exploration events that showcased careers in the trades and local manufacturing, and also in healthcare.

The Orleans County Legislature recently presented Lazarony with a “Special Recognition Award” for his career in workforce development.

Lazarony, in an interview today, said it has been a rewarding career “to provide people with a restart, an initial start or just a change in their work status.”

The GLOW WDB works with BOCES to connect residents to training. That training can make a huge difference for people in getting a new career or a step up at the jobs. GLOW has secured about $500,000 a year each of the past five years for job training in the four local rural counties.

“A small training could be the difference in them getting a new career with a family-sustaining income,” Lazarony said.

When he worked for the Genesee County Job Development Bureau, Lazarony said the office would ring a bell every time someone landed a job through the bureau’s help. That signified a new start, a chance at a family-sustaining career.

Lazarony said those jobs are available in the GLOW region, but more residents need training to be hired at these positions.

“I think there are great careers locally but there is a skill gap,” he said. “We have to get them trained first. We’re fighting for funding for training. It’s not that nobody wants to work. It’s just that they’re not up to speed yet.”

Lazarony praised the work of the job development agencies in each of the four counties. In Orleans, Kelly Kiebala is director of the Job Development Agency.

The overall GLOW Workforce Development Board has a new leader in Tracy VanVleck, the executive director who is based in Batavia.

Lazarony said she worked with him his final month in the position. He is confident she will be a good fit for the four counties.

“She will take it in a direction that is positive and very good for all of GLOW,” Lazarony said.

Press Release, State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt

Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt, along with Senator Mario Mattera, ranking member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Telecommunications, and members of the Senate Republican Conference on Thursday penned a letter to Governor Kathy Hochul calling on her to declare a state of emergency amidst increasing concerns surrounding the reliability of the state’s electrical grid and skyrocketing energy costs affecting all New Yorkers.

The letter also calls on the Governor to use her Executive Authority to suspend laws enacted under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) that have placed more demand on the grid and more of a financial burden on New Yorkers – including electric vehicle and bus mandates, bans on natural gas hookups, the repeal of the “100 foot rule” and the Cap and Invest program.

Just last week, the Governor admitted that it is impossible to achieve the current objectives of the CLCPA without hurting ratepayers, and the president of NYSERDA pointed to the need for an updated energy plan that continues to include fossil fuels.

“A one-size-fits-all energy policy does not work – we need reliable and affordable energy alternatives and a diverse energy portfolio is necessary to properly address unique needs across diverse regions,” Ortt said. “The industry has already raised concerns about the inability of the grid to keep up with the increased demand caused by burdensome all-electric mandates. New Yorkers were left in the dark just a few weeks ago amidst a dangerous heat wave. We need to stop the insanity of the CLCPA and revisit smart and diverse energy policies that will meet the unique needs of our state and ensure accessible and affordable energy options for all New Yorkers.”

Ortt is one of 18 senators to sign the letter to the governor.

“This is a pivotal moment for our state’s energy future. We urge you to act now to protect the stability of our energy grid and the economic well-being of all New Yorkers,” the letter concludes.

ALBION – The Albion Joint Fire District, which officially started on Jan. 1, faces many tasks – some big and some small – as the new entity overseeing fire protection for the towns of Albion and Gaines as well as the Village of Albion.

The five fire commissioners voted Thursday evening to seek bids for a quint ladder truck. That truck would replace a ladder truck from 1994 and also a fire engine from 1991. The quint would have the ability to pump water and carry some water, while also deploying a ladder that would stretch 110 feet.

The commissioners could vote to accept a bid at their next meeting on Aug. 14. The truck is expected to cost about $2.2 million. It will be a major purchase for the district.

Commissioners are weighing other costs that are far less, but still important. During Thursday’s meeting, commissioners discussed having a new sign on the fire hall on Platt Street. It may just be lettering that states Albion Joint Fire District. Commissioners are seeking a defined proposal for the sign.

They also have received two proposals to develop a website for the fire district, with ongoing IT support and maintenance. One proposal was for $1,995 to set up the website with a $95 monthly maintenance. That would also provide at least 40 email addresses for the district. Another informal quote was for $980 to set up the website with $185 for host maintenance for the whole year. Commissioners want more details on the proposals to make sure the services being offered are similar.

The joint district also is considering purchasing Class A formal uniforms for some of the members. President Scott Papponetti said two companies have not responded to repeated requests for proposals for the uniforms while another, MES, has proposed $800 for each uniform and would come to Albion to fit the firefighters with white buttoned shirts, jackets and pants. The Class A’s also include a hat, belt, neck tie, coat and hardware on the collar with a firefighter’s badge number.

These uniforms are worn at parades, funerals and other special events, such as the Sept. 11 memorial service.

MES also could provide the Class B uniforms with polo shirts, T-shirts and other less formal clothing.

The fire district has $9,000 budgeted for the Class B’s. The district also received $36,313 from the Village of Albion from its insurance company. That money for insurance coverage was approved as part of the village budget for a full fiscal year, from June 1 to May 31. That was when the fire department was part of the village budget. But the fire district started in Jan. 1, with the fire department moved out of the village budget.

The insurance payment had already been approved towards the fire department for 2024-25. That unexpended money was turned over to the district. Commissioners are considering using some of it towards Class A uniforms.

The commissioners want a more detailed proposal from MES on what their quote entails and the costs.

The commissioners also discussed the possibility of new sprinklers and an alarm system in the fire hall.

The board also is looking to adopt a policy for non-members being on fire trucks. The commissioners want to allow family members to be in trucks for parades, and to continue having other community members on the trucks, especially when elementary kids are given a ride on a truck for winning fire prevention contests. Al Cheverie, chairman of the  commissioners, said a policy should state that a firefighter or parent of a child would need to be assigned to a kid getting a ride on a fire truck.

Kevin Sheehan, a fire commissioner, said those rides and allowing children of firefighters to ride in the trucks during parades may pay off down the road in firefighter recruitment.

“Having kids involved is how we get the next generation of firefighters,” he said.

The commission on Thursday accepted one new member, Christina Irwin.