MEDINA – For a while Saturday night, it looked like rain might put a damper on the Mustang’s Fall Festival of Bands.

But about 10 minutes before show time, the rain let up and in spite of a few sprinkles, the show went on.

The Covid pandemic has impacted marching bands everywhere, most of whom didn’t meet at all last year, and others who are smaller in number because students are hesitant to gather in large numbers.

Six bands were scheduled to perform at Veteran’s Memorial Park Saturday night, with only Jamestown canceling at the last minute due to an outbreak of Covid.

The Pioneer Marching Band from Yorkshire performed under a brilliant night-time sky Saturday during the Fall Festival of Bands.

Those who competed were Pioneer Marching Panthers from Yorkshire in Small School 3, Hilton Crimson Cadets in Large School 3, West Seneca in Large School 2, Medina in Small School 1 and Lancaster in National Class.

As there was only one school in each class, everyone went home a winner, the announcer said.

Pioneer scored a 69.55; Hilton, 74.25; West Seneca, 78.35; Medina, 83.6; and Lancaster, 80.65.

As with last week, the defending New York State Field Band Champion Medina earned the highest score of the evening.

Awards were handed out by Medina School Superintendent Mark Kruzynski.

The Mustang’s next competition will be Oswego on Saturday, followed by Webster on Oct. 9, Victor on Oct. 16, Greece on Oct. 23 and, finalizing the season, the Field Band Championships Oct. 31 at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse.

Although smaller in number than in previous years, the Mustang Marching Band performed their award-winning routine for visitors and the home crowd Saturday night.

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Rivals Holley and Kendall will meet in boys and girls soccer and volleyball this coming week. Kendall will host volleyball on Monday and girls soccer on Wednesday while the boys soccer will be at Holley on Thursday. Shown here in action during the earlier season meetings are Holley’s Mason Neale and Kendall’s Colby Hughes, at left, and Holley’s Emma Downey and Kendall’s Grace Levett at right.

Monday

Girls Soccer – Lyndonville/Medina at Holley, 7 p.m.

Volleyball – Lyndonville at Notre Dame, Holley at Kendall, Wilson at Albion, Newfane at Roy-Hart, 6:30 p.m.

Golf – Albion at Medina, 4 p.m.

Field Hockey – Roy-Hart at Nichols, 4:30 p.m., Medina at Sacred Heart, 5 p.m.

Tuesday

Boys Soccer – Medina/Lyndonville at Albion, Wilson at Roy-Hart, 6:45 p.m.; Holley at Wheatland-Chili, Pembroke at Kendall, 7 p.m.

Girls Soccer – Roy-Hart at Wilson, 4:30 p.m.

Golf – Wilson at Roy-Hart, 4 p.m.

Cross-Country – Medina at Wilson, Newfane at Roy-Hart, 4:45 p.m.

Wednesday

Girls Soccer – Lyndonville/Medina at Pembroke, Holley at Kendall, 7 p.m.

Field Hockey – Roy-Hart at Newfane, Wilson at Barker, 4:30 p.m.

Golf – Roy-Hart at Medina, Barker at Newfane, 4 p.m.

Volleyball – Lyndonville at Byron-Bergen, Albion at Medina, Wilson at Roy-Hart, 6:30 p.m.

Thursday

Football – Lew-Port at Albion, 7 p.m.

Boys Soccer – Albion at Newfane, 4:30 p.m.; Lyndonville/Medina at Wilson, 6:30 p.m.; Kendall at Holley, 7 p.m.

Golf – Barker at Albion, 4 p.m.

Volleyball – Medina at Holley, Batavia at Albion, 6:30 p.m.

Friday

Football – Roy-Hart at Burgard, 7 p.m.

Girls Soccer – Lyndonville/Medina at Notre Dame, Byron-Bergen at Holley, Wheatland-Chili at Kendall, 7 p.m.

Golf – Roy-Hart at Newfane, 4 p.m.

Field Hockey – Roy-Hart at Barker, 7 p.m.

Saturday

Football – Medina at Cleveland Hill, 2 p.m.

Boys Soccer – Roy-Hart at Sweet Home, 10 a.m.; Attica at Albion, 11:30 a.m.; Batavia vs. Medina/Lyndonville, 12 p.m. at Lyndonville

Girls Soccer – Eastridge at Lyndonville/Medina, 10 a.m.; Roy-Hart at Attica, 5 p.m.; Kendall at Albion, 6 p.m.

Volleyball – Attica at Lyndonville, 1:30 p.m.

MEDINA – A group of people started gathering at 9 a.m. Saturday morning for the grand opening of Author’s Note, the former Book Shoppe purchased by New York Times Best Selling author Julie Berry.

A Medina native, Berry said when she and her husband Phil decided to pick up their family and move from Los Angeles to buy the former Book Shoppe, she had no idea what she was getting into.

“I wondered how the community would receive me, but the support has blown me away,” Julie said before cutting the ribbon.

She commended store manager Erica Caldwell and book seller Olivia Marchese for their expertise in helping open the store.

Julie Berry and her husband Phil pose by the cake celebrating their grand opening of Author’s Note bookstore at 519 Main St. in Medina on Saturday morning.

She and Phil started remodeling in February, making dynamic changes in the store. Partitions were removed and ceilings raised, creating an open and airy shopping space. Phil spent hours leveling, sanding and refinished floors. Lounges and benches placed throughout the store create pleasing little nooks in which to sit and chat or browse through a book. Sid Eick of Basom built new bookshelves, which are now stocked to the fullest.

One of the first to line up for the grand opening was Mary Dunn of Medina.

“I’ve been coming here for years,” Dunn said. “I love supporting all our small local businesses. Julie is such a sweetheart. You can feel it when you walk in the store. You get the feeling you are family. The children’s section is beautiful. And anything they don’t have, they get for you.”

Mayor Mike Sidari said he was happy to welcome the Berrys to the village.

“It is a testament to our business community that she’s shown interest in opening up her store here,” Sidari said. “We wish her many years of success. She’s a great addition to our community, and it’s wonderful she has come back home, where everything started for her.”

From rear, Esme, Isla and Linnea Coleman of Le Roy site on a worm in the newly-remodeled children’s section of Author’s Note book store. Their mother Erica is store manager.

Medina native and County Legislator Skip Draper said the book store is part of a vibrant Main Street.

“When you look at all the stores downtown, it’s like a giant bouquet that keeps on blooming,” Draper said.

County Legislature Chairwoman Lynne Johnson said she was so proud of the great turnout for the opening.

The Green family were among the many who came for the event.

Bronwyn Green said she was so proud of her grandson, 5-year-old Hollis Green.

“When we walked in the store, Hollis looked around and said, ‘This my favorite store, because they have so many books.’”

Hollis Green, 5, loves to read. He visited the grand opening of Author’s Note on Saturday morning with his mother Sawyer Green and grandmother Bronwyn Green.

Hollis’ parents, John and Sawyer Green, are both teachers at Albion Central School. She teaches English and her husband, social studies, so they know the importance of reading. Sawyer said they have brought Hollis to the book store several times, and she already has a list for Julie to order.

“Hollis, who just started kindergarten in Medina, would stay here all day if he could,” she said. “We spend a lot of time reading with Hollis.”

Participating in Author’s Note grand opening was author Ginger Johnson, a Buffalo native and friend of Julie’s. Hers was the first book the store celebrated with a book signing on Sept. 18.

Julie wrote a poem to commemorate her grand opening, and it is posted in the store window.

“We’ve loved being your book store this summer,” she wrote in an e-mail to friends and customers. “What you’ve seen from us thus far is only a dress rehearsal for what we’re about to be.”

Author’s Note also sells eBooks through the link Kobo Store. They recently participated in Wise Middle School’s book fair, and hope to work with other schools and community groups to construct a made-to-order book fair. Information is available at info@authorsnote.com.

Other items Author’s Note offers are candles, greeting cards, children’s toys, jigsaw puzzles and gourmet coffees.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday.

Barry Flansburg presents a certificate on behalf of Assemblyman Steve Hawley to Julie Berry at the grand opening of her new book store Saturday morning, Author’s Note.

MEDINA – Medina was a beehive of activity Saturday afternoon, attracting hundreds of visitors to town who participated in Ale in Autumn.

This is the 11th year for the event, and the first year it was sponsored by the Medina Area Partnership.

A record 400 engraved beer glasses were sold in advance to individuals who picked up their glass at the Senior Center, then left to explore the participating businesses on their own. Start times were staggered, beginning at 1 p.m., to prevent congestion along the way.

A Knowlesville family waits to pick up their glasses for the start of Ale in Autumn on Saturday in Medina. From left are Kathy Quackenbush and John, Marilyn and Marissa Colosangi.

Before leaving the Senior Center, participants could buy sheets of tickets on raffle baskets which were available in each store, then drop them in the baskets they chose along the way. A grand prize offered was a one-night’s stay at Bent’s Hotel in the Opera House.

Tim Elliott, a member of the Medina Area Partnership, picked out the alcohol, which represented a variety of ales from across the United States and several foreign countries. They included IPA, Porter’s, fruit, wheat, sour and even pumpkin.

Canalside Tattoo poured glasses of cranberry ginger beer; Creekside Floral offered Mississippi Mud; and Della’s Chocolate offered none other than Chocolate Peanut Butter. The Medina Historical Society’s beer was a very popular and mild Longboard Island Lager.

Jim Wells, a member of the Butts-Clark American Legion Post, took advantage of the crowd at Ale in Autumn in Medina Saturday to sell tickets on a cash raffle to benefit the Warrior House. He is sitting outside Author’s Note book shop.

Other participating businesses were 810 Meadworks, who served their own beer; a lily and a sparrow; ellen j goods; Hemp House; Into the Enigma; Lyric & Lizzy Boutique; Mandeo’s Candy Shoppe; Mark’s Pizzeria; Mystic Dragon’s Lair; Poler’s Pub; Shirt Factory Café; Downtown Browsery; English Rose Tea Shoppe; and Vintage Cigar.

The event brought visitors from across Western New York, from Farmington to Hamburg.

Nicky Henion of Medina, Lindsay Monacelli of Albion and Veronique Flor of Albion were delighted not only at the beers, but the opportunity to see all the little shops they had not been in before.

“I’ll definitely do it again,” Monacelli said.

MAP reminds the public to save the dates for other upcoming events, including Beggar’s Night on Oct. 29; Moonlight Madness on Nov. 18; Olde Tyme Christmas and Parade of Lights from Dec. 2 through Dec. 5; and Wine About Winter on Feb. 5.

Volunteers at Medina Historical Museum were thrilled with the crowd of Ale in Autumn participants who visited the museum Saturday. From left are Edith Grzywacz, Georgia Thomas and Catherine Cooper. Thomas holds a bottle of Longboard Island Lager, which they served, and one of the steins in her collection.

The Great Escape

What transpired in September 2020 I called The Great Escape. After surviving illness, temporary business closure, and living in a climate of state mandates the first half of 2020, we felt in our hearts we needed to make a change and move in a direction that could bring us peace and freedom. For us that meant going South.

September 26th is a big day of celebration in our lives. This day is my bonus parents’ anniversary, my Dad’s birthday and marks the day we found our Tennessee Escape. It was September 26th, 2020 when we first walked our property and by the end of the day we made an offer and would wait 10 days for the acceptance. But it was not an easy mission. When there is a Will, there is a Way. I called it the Great Escape.

It felt an Escape was what it took to travel to TN. During June 2020 through March 2021, if you were a New Yorker you could not leave the State freely. No matter your feelings on that, that is just the facts. So our first trip out over Labor Day 2020 found us boxed in between states we could and couldn’t be in. It was tricky, but in a mad dash we made it in our allotted 24-hour period to walk 10 properties and the last one was a gem on Hilltop Lane. We dashed back, put our offer in, and then the sellers decided not to sell. Dang! It took alot of planning to make the Escape, now Escape #2 was in process.

Even more boxed into NY, what I then called the “Island,” we made another mad dash down the third week of September and looked at 6 more properties. The first one was “The One.” It was on the sunset side of the mountain vs. the previous one which was on the sunrise. Perfect since when I told my Mom we put an offer on a sunrise, she was disillusioned because anyone who knows her knows she loves a sunset.

Thirty days later our sunset piece on Mockingbird Lane was officially ours. We have had many brainstorming ideas about what to name our property and I wanted to call it “The Great Escape.” To me it holds double meaning. On our travels to build and live life, it seemed we were being outlaws for making the journeys. But when we arrived and felt the warmth and acceptance of the community, who were like-minded in their value of the greatest treasure of all – Freedom – it was our Great Escape.

My Aunt asked why we decided to take the escape to TN and after careful thought it was clear. After feeling trapped in your own body with debilitating illness and then feeling trapped in your own surroundings with mandates, we wanted to live. Live freely, with our whole hearts, without bitterness. Life is too short to hold back or allow others to hold you back. It was just that simple. The outlaw mission was a bit of a foreshadowing, when just before we headed out this June my friend Kathy S. gifted me a sign that read “Outlaw Hideout.” Right away we knew it was Mockingbird Lane. A full circle moment. Where is your Great Escape? 

To see September 26, 2020, visit My Blog live online (click here) and catch up on Weekly Photo Perks and past Sunday Posts. Like and share your comments. 

Truly,
Debbie London

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Jeff Taylor and Dennis MacDonald of the East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company were among the many firefighters out today from 9 a.m. to noon collecting donations for Make-A-Wish Western New York. They are shown on Maple Ridge Road, east of near the Route 63 intersection.

The firefighters collected about $8,500 today with more donations expected, said Tim Petry, one of the coordinators of the effort from the Shelby Volunteer Fire Company.

There were firefighters from East Shelby, Lyndonville, Medina, Murray, Ridgeway and Shelby out asking people to “fill the boot” for Make-A-Wish.

They were at the intersections of 63 and 31A (Maple Ridge), Main and Center in Medina, and 63 and 104.

Hunter Salamaca, left, and Harris Reed of the Murray Fire District collected donations on Route 63, just south of Maple Ridge.

A typical cranberry bog full of mature cranberry plants awaiting harvest.

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

Let’s talk about Wisconsin. I spent some time there in September 2016 during our cross country motor home trip. My sister-in-law is from small towns in Wisconsin called Tomah and Tunnel City and she still has family there. We stopped in Tunnel City to pick up her sister to join us for the rest of the trip.

So, when you think of Wisconsin, you probably think of the Green Bay Packers, Oshkosh B’Gosh, and dairy products – especially cheese. Well, there is all that, for sure. But, I learned some very interesting things about Wisconsin while I was there. Like, did you know that Wisconsin is a HUGE producer of cranberries? It is a major agricultural product for the state where bogs stretch across the horizon and color every aspect of life in the community. That was the biggest surprise for me!

Cranberry bogs are planted adjacent to ponds and trenches that are used to gently flood the bogs when the cranberries are ready for harvest. Once flooded, the cranberries are raked off the plants so they can float up to the surface to be collected.

Warrens, WI – near where we stayed in Tomah / Tunnel City – is the cranberry capital, producing more cranberries than any other state in the USA. In fact, according to their Cranberry Discovery Center, “Wisconsin cranberry growers annually harvest enough cranberries to supply every man, woman, and child in the whole world with approximately 26 cranberries.” That’s a LOT of cranberries!!! Most people I talked to about seeing cranberry bogs in Wisconsin were also surprised, thinking that the New England states were where you most likely find cranberry bogs. Well, maybe so, but not as plentiful as in Wisconsin, where about 70% of the nation’s cranberries are harvested in the fall each year! And, while Ocean Spray’s corporate offices may be near Boston, they have multiple industrial sites in Wisconsin, including the one in Tomah, WI that produces 31 million pounds of dried cranberries and concentrate every year in that one facility, alone.

We visited some cranberry bogs and learned about how they grow and are harvested. It was all very interesting! I was disappointed that we just missed the active harvesting of bogs in the area – when we were there to pick up Donna, they weren’t quite ready and when we returned to drop her back home on the way back, most were done harvesting or just finishing up and weren’t actively gathering berries the days we were there. 

This is my favorite memorial in The High Ground Veterans Memorial Park in Neillsville, WI. The top part represents a soldier who gave his life for his country and the water that trickles down to the woman and child represents the tears shed by those loved ones he left behind. Very emotional to see.

So, here’s how it all works:  The bogs are square areas recessed to look like shallow square plots of land. The cranberry plants are planted in the sand in these bogs to grow until they are ready to harvest. When ready – typically late September, early October or so – the bogs are flooded. The bogs have big ponds adjacent to them with a ditch all around the bog – the trenches are flooded from the ponds so that the water will gently gravitate into the bogs without harming the plants – no direct water pressure goes into the bogs during the flooding process. Once the bogs are flooded, the cranberry bushes are raked, causing the cranberries to float up to the surface of the water so they can be skimmed from the top of the water. Really cool! We toured a museum in the Cranberry Discovery Center in Warrens and saw antique equipment that was once used to manually harvest the cranberries. Of course, now, they use mechanized equipment for the process.

Of course, we bought all kinds of cranberry products to bring home – cranberry wine, famous Wisconsin cheese with cranberry marbled through it, and much more. I also learned that fresh cranberries can be frozen without first processing them – I assumed they should be blanched or something before freezing. I also learned that you can tell the best cranberries by seeing if they BOUNCE – the very best ones will bounce – imagine that!

We spent a few days in the Tunnel City area visiting with my sister-in-law’s family and friends and did a few things in addition to the cranberry bogs. We had dinner at a wonderful Norwegian restaurant in Osseo, WI called Norske Nook Restaurant & Bakery that had the most incredible desserts. And, just down the street from the restaurant we saw a Hobbit House complete with a grass roof and a “For Sale” sign….wish I could have taken that souvenir home with me! Hehehe  I also saw a really fun food truck – someone took an old fire truck and turned it into a mobile wood fired pizza oven – really cool or should I say hot!

This adorable Hobbit House complete with a grass roof was for sale in Osseo, WI. It wouldn’t fit in the motor home or I would have brought it home with me!

When we left the Tunnel City area to continue on our Most Excellent Adventure, we stopped at the most impressive Veterans Memorial Park I have ever seen. The High Ground Veterans Memorial Park and is located in Neillsville, WI. There are memorials to all the wars that the US had any involvement in and the grounds are designed beautifully and include a large Meditation Meadow and memorial bricks, benches, etc. with the names of Wisconsin veterans. It was so beautiful – an absolute MUST SEE if ever in the area!

The first link below will take you to a post about the High Ground Memorial Park – please take time to check it out. The second link will take you to a post that includes multiple “mini-adventures” from our entire Most Excellent Adventure – it includes our time in Wisconsin, but also photos and stories from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, OH, the Mystery Spot in St. Ignace, Michigan, a Sculpture Walk in Sioux Falls, SD, the Corn Palace in Mitchell, SD, Wall Drug in Wall, SD and some other quick little stops we made along the way…..so, lots of bang for your buck in that link, for sure…well worth the time to check it out!

The High Ground Veterans Memorial Park

Mini Adventures – including our time in Wisconsin

Happy Adventuring,
Kim Pritt

An insufficient number of players has caused Holley to cancel the remainder of its 8 man varsity football season schedule.

The Hawks had been scheduled to host Lyons/Sodus this afternoon.

Holley had only 12 players available (the minimum for a team to play an 8 man game) when the Hawks went to Wellsville last weekend.

Holley, whose squad is composed mainly of freshmen and sophomores, is planning to schedule two or three JV games for the remainder of the season.

“Because of a lack of numbers we have had to cancel the rest of our varsity games,” said Coach Wil Prince. “Because of a variety of things, including a Covid pause, we haven’t had a full squad all season. This is the toughest decision I’ve had to make but we’ll finish with some JV games and get the kids some games and some experience that way.”

Jim and Chris Foss have been mainstays at the bowling alley for decades

Photos by Tom Rivers: Jim Foss and his son Chris became the owners of Medina Lanes last month. They credited the previous owners – Dr. David Stahl, Gerry Allen and Chris Bacon – for a series of improvements at the 20-lane bowling alley on Maple Ridge Road.

MEDINA – There are new owners of Medina Lanes, and the father and son team aren’t strangers to Medina.

Jim Foss, co-owner and manager, has worked at the site for about 40 years. His son Chris also has been a frequent face at the bowling alley, since he was a young kid.

The Fosses purchased the 20-lane alley last month from Dr. David Stahl, Gerry Allen and Chris Bacon. They owned it for 12 years and made many upgrades to the site, including adding synthetic lanes.

Stahl posted on the Medina Lanes Facebook page that the bowling alley is in good hands with Jim Foss as co-owner and running the day-to-day operations.

“We have been looking for the right person to carry on the improvements we have made,” Stahl said. “Jimmy has been a dedicated and excellent employee for many years. We all agreed he is the right fit for the lanes. You all have supported us for the past 12 years and we hope you will continue to do so for Jimmy. Thanks again for your unwavering loyalty  while we made improvements to the lanes.”

Foss, 59, has been working for bowling centers for more than 40 years, starting with the former Ranallo’s on Main Street in Medina. His first job was cleaning tables and the bowling balls. Then he was a “pin chaser,” working in the back. He worked his way up to head mechanic and he often helps other bowling alleys in the region with a malfunction.

He also is a people-person who enjoys bantering with customers and employees. He and his son want to welcome a new generation of bowlers through a youth league on Saturday mornings, and also encourage other adults to give it a try.

Jim Foss is shown on a busy Wednesday league night at Medina Lanes. Foss has worked at the bowling alley for 40 years. The league nights on Wednesdays and Thursdays have about 100 bowlers and they are spread out at tables near the lanes.

Bowling as a pastime was declining about 15 years ago in the region, but the Fosses say it has picked back up with people looking for an inexpensive way to get together and have fun, and also have some friendly competition.

Medina Lanes has seven employees who not only run the bowling center, but serve food – pizza, chicken wings and fish fries. There is also a bar. Some of the customers come in just for food, and to be part of an energetic atmosphere.

Chris Foss, 35, said Medina Lanes is looking to bring back live bands to add to the entertainment on Saturday nights.

Chris has worked full-time the past 10 years as a production worker for BMP America. He is grateful to also have the chance to run Medina lanes alongside his father.

“It’s something we can do together and it’s something we love,” Chris said. “We’ve always been here. We’ve been here our whole lives. We just want to keep it going.”

Jim said the lanes have come a long way in 40 years – from synthetic lanes to automatic computerized scoring. But the core remains the same as a timeless activity spanning generations – rolling a ball down a narrow path, trying to avoid the gutter to knock down pins.

Medina Lanes proudly displays the names of bowlers who have topped 800 in a three-game set. The wall of fame includes Jim Foss and his nephew Curtis.

Jim is also one of the best local bowler, currently carrying a 225 average per game. In his mid-40s, he was at his peak, averaging over 230. Chris is currently carrying a 212 average.

Jim remembers the former Ranallo’s, when owner Frank Ranallo tried to take some of the sting out of a gutter bowl. He put irrigation pipe in the gutter when kids were bowling, an original bumper to help kids gain confidence and avoid the gutter.

Medina Lanes offers the youth leagues and welcomes coaches to help give kids’ pointers on how to hold and let go of the ball.

Medina Lanes continues to be a popular spot for kids’ birthday parties, which includes a package of bowling, pizza and pop – $50 for a group of six.

Medina Lanes will soon be kicking off its senior league on Thursday afternoons starting Oct. 6, and also runs a league for women on Wednesday mornings.

The place can get busy with a full parking lot at times. Jim Foss said he likes to see people having fun.

“This is something I’ve always wanted to do,” he said. “I just like the atmosphere. You’re always meeting new people.”

Photo contributed from Cobblestone Museum: The toe-tapping fiddlers’ group known as Sawgrass will present a 3 p.m. outdoor concert today at the Cobblestone Museum.

CHILDS – The Cobblestone Museum will host an outdoor fiddlers’ concert at 3 p.m. today, featuring the talented musicians known as Sawgrass.

Sawgrass is a group of friends who have been playing together informally for many years. During the summer of 2020, they decided to form a band and performed in their first official concert at the Cobblestone Museum’s annual meeting and Vagg house tours last November.

Musicians are Amy Freyer, banjo; Kelly Appleton, fiddle; Andrew Johnson, mandolin; Tom Bailey, guitar; and Russ Steenhoff, bass.

The public is invited to bring their lawn chair and enjoy an afternoon of toe-tapping music.  If the weather doesn’t cooperate, the concert will take place inside the Cobblestone Church.

A free will offering will be accepted to benefit the Cobblestone Society and Museum.

The Cobblestone Museum has several other events planned for the fall, starting with an open house from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 2. Admission is free, but donations of cans and bottles would be appreciated.

The day will feature skilled artisans, antiques appraisals, a Weidner’s chicken barbecue and opening of an art exhibit by Tom Zangerle of Medina.

In addition, the Holiday Shoppe will be ready and available for purchases to set the mood for the upcoming holiday season.

Women’s Volunteerism and Quilts of the Civil War will be presented at 7 p.m. Oct. 7 by  Lynne Bassett. The program may be viewed on site or online.

On Oct. 9, lunch with soup and salad will be served at noon in the Vagg house, using vintage dishware.

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – A new kayak launch that is handicapped accessible was installed today in Medina’s Canal Basin.

BoardSafe, an aluminum boat dock manufacturer from Fleetwood, PA, installed the new launch.

Medina received a $10,500 “IMPACT!” grant from the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor for the ADA-accessible kayak launch.

Press Release, Supportive Care of Orleans

ALBION – Friends of Supportive Care of Orleans came out to support the organization by competing and volunteering in its 24th Annual Golf Tournament on Sept. 17. The event raised $17,000 for the organization formerly Hospice of Orleans.

Only a few months ago, Supportive Care was not sure the tournament would even be possible.

“We had a late start planning the tournament this year due to the uncertainty of Covid-19 early on,” Supportive Care of Orleans CEO Elisa Chambery said. “Despite the many challenges we encountered along the way, this year’s event was a huge success, and it was wonderful to see everyone enjoying the day.”

With 104 golfers in attendance and 29 volunteers helping, golfers were also able to participate in a putting contest as well as Closet to Pin and Longest Drives competitions.

“It was wonderful to see so many volunteers willing to come out and help us despite being on hold this past year,” said Chris Fancher, Volunteer Coordinator at Supportive Care. “We are grateful for all that they do.”

During dinner, the raffle winners, contest winners, and tournament champions were announced. The champions include:

• Men’s division: Ron Nettnin, Ed Nettnin, Ryan Haines, and Kevin Leary with a score of 57.
• Women’s division: Karen Berlew, Deb Wood, Aleta Maynard, and Brenda Powers with a score of 68.
• Mixed division: Ryan Woodward, Chelsi Clark, Lionel Rhim, and Brian Kline, winners in a three-way tie with two other teams with a score of 60.

“We would like to thank Mitchell Family Funeral Homes, Bob Johnson Chevrolet – West, Webster Schubel Meier Elder Law, The Notable Corporation, our Wells Fargo Advisors, LMT Technology Solutions, Rochester Regional Health, Orleans Legislative Chairman Lynne Johnson along with the rest of our donors, volunteers, and sponsors who helped make the tournament a success,” Chambery said. “This wouldn’t be possible without your continued support.”

Thanks to everyone’s hard work and participation, the organization can’t wait to get started on planning their 25th Annual Golf Tournament tentatively scheduled for the summer of 2022.

Bev Saskowski and Jeff Miller were among the friendly faces on the golf course.

‘Ripples of Change’ honors activists – Laura Cornelius Kellogg, Harriet Tubman, Martha Coffin Wright and Sojourner Truth – who fought for freedom, women’s right to vote

Press Release, U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand

Photo courtesy of Senator Gillibrand’s Office: U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand speaks today in Seneca Falls at the dedication of four bronze statues of women who risked their lives for other to vote.

SENECA FALLS – Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand delivered the keynote speech for the dedication of the “Ripples of Change” statues honoring the legacy of the suffrage movement in Seneca Falls, where the Seneca Falls Convention was held in 1848, and the brave women who risked their lives so that all women, regardless of race or status, could have the right to vote.

Senator Gillibrand was an original cosponsor of the Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission Act, which established the Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission and honored the 100-year anniversary of women’s suffrage in 2020. The commission partnered with the Town of Seneca Falls for a one-of-a-kind commemorative centennial set of statues to bring to life the earliest chapters in the story of women’s fight for the vote.

Ripples of Change, designed by renowned sculptor Jane DeDecker, depict four activists whose work spanned generations, including Laura Cornelius Kellogg, Harriet Tubman, Martha Coffin Wright, and Sojourner Truth. The statues are a commitment to ensuring the visibility of women’s stories for the next 100 years, to acknowledging the complexities of an imperfect but powerful movement for change, and to inspiring a new generation of leaders.

“It is an honor to join the Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission here in Seneca Falls – the birthplace of women’s suffrage – to commemorate the brave and bold women who fought nobly to secure the right to vote,” Gillibrand said. “We just recently celebrated the 100-year anniversary of women’s suffrage and the best way to honor the great women who came before us is to march on and continue their work. There is still work to be done to ensure that every vote is counted, and I am working hard in the Senate to secure these rights.”

The State of New York was the birthplace of the women’s suffrage movement and it hosts some of the most legendary landmarks that helped shape this monumental gain in America’s history. New York was a powerful force in the movement for equal rights for women and the passage and ratification of the 19th amendment.

The women recognized during today’s event include:

• Harriet Tubman was reverently known as the Moses of Her People. As a runaway slave, she returned thirteen times to free her family and dozens of other enslaved people. Once she was free herself, Harriet made the conscious decision to step down into the dangers of slavery to help her fellow man even though she was not “free” herself as a woman. Harriet used Seneca Falls as a stop on the Underground Railroad, but eventually settled in nearby Auburn, New York.
• Sojourner Truth was a preacher, an abolitionist, and an activist who was not only known for her lively speaking and singing abilities, but also for “stirring the waters” to inspire others to be a part of the change towards equality for all.
• Laura Cornelius Kellogg was a member of the Oneida Nation and an activist, author, suffrage supporter, and founder of the Society of American Indians. Laura came from a distinguished lineage of Haudenosaunee traditional leaders.
• Martha Coffin Wright spent her whole life devoted to activism and helped to facilitate the historic Seneca Falls Women’s Rights Convention. Martha and her fellow Quakers refused to wear cotton, a product of slavery. This deliberate “small” act to produce textiles rather than slave-produced cotton gave rise to the Seneca Woolen Mill, which is now the home of the National Women’s Hall of Fame.

Board also backs battery storage regs in Barre, 6-month moratorium in Gaines on freestanding or ground-mounted solar

ALBION – The Orleans County Planning Board reviewed several projects on Thursday evening, including a new farm market on Route 18 in Yates.

The Planning Board recommended the Town of Yates approve a permit and the site plan for a new 4,800-square-foot farm market that would include a bakery, deli and cannery.

Mark Zimmerman would own and operate the market from his home at 12197 Roosevelt Highway. It is the latest venture in a growing Mennonite community, said Dan Wolfe, Yates code enforcement officer.

The new structure would be 60 by 80 feet with a parking lot that would be 50 by 120 feet. The new market will also have restrooms. It will be open until 5 p.m. each day, except on Sundays when it will be closed.

In other referrals on Thursday, the Planning Board:

• GAINES –Backed a request from the Town of Gaines for a six-month moratorium on freestanding or ground-mounted solar energy systems.

The moratorium doesn’t apply to rooftop-mounted solar systems. The six months will give the town time to write regulations which currently aren’t in the town’s zoning and land use policies.

• BARRE – Recommended the Town of Barre approve its proposed new zoning ordinance for battery energy storage systems. This doesn’t include car batteries or an electric motor vehicle.

Barre groups the storage systems into two tiers with Tier 1 having an aggregate energy capacity equal or less than 600 kWh and Tier 2 greater than 600 kWh. Tier 1 also consists of one single-energy storage system technology in a  room or enclosed area, while Tier 2 have more than one system.

The projects will need permits through the town and need to meet regulations for utility lines and electrical circuitry, signage, lighting, vegetation and tree-cutting, noise, decommissioning and other issues.

• ALBION – Recommended the Town of Albion rezone 2.27 acres at 4010 Oak Orchard Rd. from light industrial to residential. The vacant land at the intersection with West County House Road is owned by Grant and Mary J. Downey.

Light industrial zoning allows light manufacturing, assembly and storage facilities. The zoning change keeps a residential area “free from incompatible uses,” planners said.

• MURRAY – Recommended the Town of Murray approve a special use permit and the site plan for rented office space at 16584 Ridge Rd. The space at the Westridge Realty building is at a corner lot with Groth Road and will have a banner securely hung on the building which is co-owned by Ed Kennedy of E & E Property Services.