Photos courtesy and info courtesy of Medina Marching Band

HILTON – The Medina Mustang Marching Band traveled to the Hilton on Saturday for their first competition this season.

Medina competed against East Irondequoit in the SS1 classification. Medina won first place with a score of 79.90 and East Irondequoit in second with 77.79.

In the LS3 class Greece won 1st place with 73.20 followed by Hilton in 2nd with 71.45. Victor was the only band in the National category and they scored 79.30.

The day started off with The Pride of Rochester Marching Band performing in exhibition their show “Respect: Celebrating Amazing Women in Music.” This is a newly formed band of players from the Rochester City School Districts.

Previously, Medina last competed on October 27, 2019 at the Carrier Dome where they won the State Championship in their SS1 class for the 14th time. All of the schools in the Field Band Conference endured the same setbacks due to the coronavirus, which include reduced numbers of participants and opportunities to perform.

This coming Saturday on Sept. 25 is Medina’s Home Show, The Fall Festival of Bands. The show will be held at the Veterans Memorial Park and gates open at 4:30 p.m. and the show starts at 6 p.m.

This is a great opportunity to see these students perform without traveling too far.

Press Release, Sheriff Chris Bourke

File photo by Tom Rivers: Jeff Gifaldi takes the oath of office on Jan. 6, 2020 as chief deputy of the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office. Gifaldi has been promoted to undersheriff. He is shown in this photo with his wife Kelly and daughter Anna. Scott Wilson, the jail superintendent, is at back left.

ALBION – Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke announces the appointment of Jeffrey Gifaldi to the position of Undersheriff and Robin Riemer to the position of Chief Deputy of the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, effective September 20.

Undersheriff Gifaldi has over 21 years of experience including serving the Holley and Albion Police Departments as well as many years at the O.C. Sheriff’s Office as a Deputy Sheriff, Criminal Investigator, Accident Reconstruction Specialist, Major Felony Crime Task Force member, Fire Investigator and most recently, serving as the Chief Deputy of the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office.

Chief Deputy Riemer has 34 years experience in law enforcement including serving as a Correction Officer in the Orleans County Jail, Medina Police Department, Brighton Police Department, MCC Public Safety, O.C. Sheriff’s Marine Division, and most recently as a Sergeant in the Criminal Division. Chief Riemer is a N.Y.S. Certified Police instructor in many disciplines.

Undersheriff Michael Mele retired in August of 2021 following a career of over 22 years of service to the citizens of Orleans County. We wish him well in his future endeavors.

NY will reach out to 550,000 Commercial Driver’s License holders

Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced a multi-agency plan to address the school bus driver shortage affecting schools across the state. The plan includes short-term steps to remove barriers and recruit traditional and non-traditional Commercial Driver’s License holders, expand CDL testing opportunities, and enhance processes all designed to get more drivers into school buses. Additionally, New York State is launching outreach to more than 550,000 CDL license holders in New York State.

The longer term steps include changes to address the training and licensing of drivers, as well as broader recruitment into the bus driver profession.

“Our schools and public health officials have moved mountains to ensure our children receive an in-person education this year, and we are leaving no stone unturned to make sure schools have adequate bus service to bring students to school and back,” Governor Hochul said. “While the shortage of school bus drivers is not unique to New York State, I have directed state agencies to utilize creative approaches and use every tool at their disposal to help districts affected by the bus driver shortage, so we can bring in as many qualified bus drivers as possible as quickly as possible.”

Governor Hochul directed state agencies to utilize a multi-organizational recruitment effort to persuade CDL drivers to become school bus drivers. Interested drivers will be surveyed and their information then shared with local school districts who are seeking drivers. The schools can work through these lists to recruit interested drivers in their area. In addition, the state will target currently unemployed drivers through the Department of Labor. The state will also work with partners in law enforcement, firefighters, military and other organizations that have trained drivers in order to find more individuals interested in becoming school bus drivers.

Those who are interested in obtaining a Commercial Driver’s License can find information by clicking here.

Additionally, DMV is enhancing and expediting the process for CDL completion by removing the 14-day waiting period between the permit test and the road tests. Through enhanced cooperation with county-run DMVs the state will also help to increase capacity to administer written exams and road tests.

The State is opening up new CDL Driver Testing sites by partnering with SUNY, the Thruway Authority, New York Racing Association, and the Office of General Services to use large lots on their various sites for the road test. For school staff who currently hold a CDL, the State will set up expedited testing to obtain a permit to drive vans and buses temporarily.

The State is continuing conversations with stakeholders to identify longer term strategies that will help to recruit and retain school bus drivers. This includes looking at alternative licensing entities and expanded partnerships with other state agencies to help train and recruit drivers.

The State encourages schools to pursue creative and innovative ways to offer a wide array of benefits for school bus drivers that were previously not considered. This includes signing and retention bonuses, expansion of benefits to the drivers, and other options to recruit drivers in a nationally competitive market. Schools can use federal funds to provide these benefits. Many school districts receive a significant percentage of these funds in reimbursement from the state and are in a position to offer more competitive pay without absorbing the full cost at the local level.

NYSUT statement on Gov. Hochul’s actions to address the school bus driver shortage

Editor’s Note: New York State United Teachers President Andy Pallotta issued this statement about the plan to address the school bus driver shortage:

“Like all school staff, bus drivers play an essential role in keeping our schools running and serving families across New York. Any steps the state can take to expedite the process for obtaining a commercial driver’s license are welcome — as are steps on the local level to provide hardworking, deserving drivers with the fair pay and benefits that reflect the critical importance of their work safely transporting students. Gov. Hochul is taking important steps to address the driver shortage crisis in the short term, and we will continue to advocate with her and the Legislature for long term solutions that improve working conditions for drivers, including legislation to require districts to staff every bus with a monitor.”

Monday

Boys Soccer: Wheatland-Chili at Kendall, 6 p.m.; Holley at Attica, 7 p.m.

Field Hockey: Wilson at Medina, 6:30 p.m.

Golf: Roy-Hart at Newfane, Wilson at Barker, Akron at Medina, 4 p.m.

Tuesday

Boys Soccer: Wilson at Newfane, 4:30 p.m.; Medina/Lyndonville at Roy-Hart, Akron at Albion, 6:45 pm.

Girls Soccer: Albion at Akron, Newfane at Wilson, Kendall at Notre Dame, 4:30 p.m.; Wheatland-Chili vs. Lyndonville/Medina at Medina, Holley at Pembroke, 7 p.m.

Field Hockey: Kenmore at Newfane, 5 p.m.

Golf: Wilson at Albion, 4 p.m.

Cross-Country: Akron at Medina, Newfane at Barker, Wilson and Roy-Hart at Albion, 4:45 p.m.

Volleyball: Oakfield-Alabama at Lyndonville, Holley at Alexander, Elba at Kendall, 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday

Boys Soccer: Pembroke at Holley, Kendall at Byron-Bergen, 7 p.m.

Field Hockey: Medina at Roy-Hart, Akron at Kenmore, Barker at Newfane, 4:30 p.m.

Golf: Roy-Hart at Barker, Newfane at Albion, Akron at Wilson, 4 p.m.

Volleyball: Medina at Roy-Hart, Albion at Akron, Newfane at Wilson, 6:30 p.m.

Thursday

Boys Soccer: Medina/Lyndonville at Akron, Roy-Hart at Newfane, 4:30 p.m.; Albion at Wilson, 4:45 p.m.

Girls Soccer: Holley at Alexander, 4:30 p.m.; Newfane at Roy-Hart, Wilson at Albion, 6:45 p.m.; Lyndonville/Medina at Byron-Bergen, Pembroke at Kendall, 7 p.m.

Volleyball: Lyndonville at Holley, Byron-Bergen at Kendall, 6:30 p.m.

Friday

Football: Akron at Medina, Albion at Burgard, Maritime at Roy-Hart/Barker/Lyndonville, 7 p.m.

Golf: Albion at Roy-Hart, Barker at Akron, Medina at Newfane, 4 p.m.

Boys Soccer: Holley at Byron-Bergen, Attica at Kendall, 7 p.m.

Saturday

Football: Lyons/Sodus at Holley, 1 p.m.

Boys Soccer: Medina/Lyndonville at Tapestry, 11 a.m.

Girls Soccer: Albion at Depew, 11 a.m.; Oakfield-Alabama at Kendall, 2 p.m.; Attica at Holley, 7 p.m.

Field Hockey: Roy-Hart at Wilson, Newfane at Kenmore, 5 p.m.

Volleyball: Alexander at Lyndonville, 11:30 a.m.; Oakfield-Alabama at Holley, 12:30 p.m.; Perry at Kendall, 1 p.m.

1913 New Century Atlas

By Doug Farley, Cobblestone Museum Director – Vol. 2 No. 37

Special thanks to local historian, Delia Robinson for her research and writing about the history of Five Corners, with input from Watt Farm Country Market, still operating at Five Corners.

Just south of the Hamlet of Childs, The Hamlet of Five Corners derives its name from the intersection of three roads: Route 98, Route 279 and Bacon Road.

Route 98 is the original Second Meridian Survey Line of the Holland Land Company. Route 279 essentially follows the original route of the Oak Orchard Road leading from Batavia to Lake Ontario. Bacon Road, running east and west, was named for the family who most influenced the history of that intersection.

Three brothers, all in their early 20’s came from Burlington, Connecticut to the new frontier of the Holland Land Purchase in the early 1800s. They were the sons of Moses and Rosanna (Rust) Bacon.  Moses, the first to come, selected 200 acres and worked for the Holland Land Company to help open the Oak Orchard Road. His earnings were applied towards paying for his land. That road today follows Route 98 from Batavia north and continues on Route 279 to Lake Ontario.

In December 1813, the War of 1812 touched the settlers in the area. Moses Bacon was called out with the militia to defend the frontier at Molyneaux Corners Tavern in the Town of Cambria. A historical recounting of the battle follows:

“Many of those who fled the Lewiston area reached the Town of Gaines, roughly thirty miles west of the (Forsyth) tavern, on the same day. Residents of the Town of Gaines recount that the villagers from Lewiston passed through their homes with warnings of an invading army killing and burning everything along the Ridge Road. The residents at Gaines decided not to flee but to muster a militia. It is said that all of the males over 18 living along the Ridge Road were gathered and under the direction of Captain McCarthy they proceeded single file west on the road by early daylight on Friday, December 20, 1813.

“They paused at the home and tavern of the widow Forsyth just before nightfall where the soldiers argued about whether to make camp or continue to the arms stockpile further up the Ridge Road. They came upon the tavern of William Molyneaux (originally that of David Klink) where some British soldiers and their Native allies had burned the barn and taken residence in the log tavern. In the dark, the militia stormed the tavern. Two British soldiers and one Native American were killed in the skirmish and the remainder were taken as prisoners. The militia later turned their prisoners over to the American army as it advanced from the south to scout the charred remains of the settlement at Lewiston. Twenty-one farms were destroyed on the Ridge Road between Lewiston and the Forsyth Tavern. The British continued to dispatch raids of approximately 15 men each throughout the Niagara Frontier to pillage and burn farms. Meanwhile an army of over 1,000 burned the village of Buffalo.”

Moses Bacon served again in September 1814 at the Battle of Fort Erie. During that battle he was shot in the neck and taken prisoner by the British and transported to Halifax, Canada. According to family records, Moses Bacon, while captive, carved a figure out of horse bone, after eating the meat from the bone for survival. He was released at the end of the war in 1815 and returned to his home where he lived out his life.

Moses built the brick house, still extant, at The Corners in 1835, which suffered a destructive fire in more recent years.  Moses drew a pension from the government for his service and injuries during the War of 1812.

Moses’ brothers, Elias and Hosea, followed him to Five Corners between 1819 and 1823. Moses sold part of his land to each brother. In those first years, the brothers built a sawmill where they produced timber from the trees felled to clear the land. Elias built a log cabin and barn by the side of the spring just north of the corner. He brought his wife, Sarah, from Connecticut to live in the wilderness. The barn was constructed of logs with a thatched roof in which he kept a cow and a horse. After clearing his land and planting crops, Elias was financially able to build his cobblestone home, still present at Five Corners.

Bacon Home, “Graystone,” Brown Road

Hosea was the youngest brother and first visited the Holland Purchase when he was 19 years old. For four years after he spent summers here with his brothers cutting and sawing timber at the mill and clearing land for planting. He worked at the saw mill until 1828 when he received the deed to his property, located east of Five Corners, on Brown Road. He built a frame house there, which was later replaced with a cobblestone home (shown above) and the farm acquired the name Graystone. It’s quite possible that the wrought iron frieze window works came from the Bacon foundry, about one mile away.  Today this beautiful cobblestone home is owned by Susan and Peter Heard.

Education at Five Corners in the early years was conducted in a variety of buildings. Around 1820, school was held just south of The Corners in a log barn that “leaked when it rained.” The next summer, school was held in a log house northwest of The Corners, which was the first house built south of the Ridge Road. The next summer, school was held in a corn crib just south of Five Corners, and from there it went to a horse barn just north of the corner.

By 1824, Moses and Sarah Bacon decided to help in the schooling of the children and deeded a piece of land to be used to build a schoolhouse. A cobblestone schoolhouse was built and serves today as a private residence (shown above) on Route 279, just north of the intersection.

In 1834 Moses Bacon deeded another parcel of land to create a burying ground, which will be the subject of Part 2 of this article. In addition to his community service of providing a cemetery, Moses Bacon was a trustee of the Congregational Church in Gaines in 1824 and contributed financially to the establishment of Phipps Union Seminary on Courthouse Square in Albion. He died in 1848 and was buried in the Union Cemetery that his philanthropy made possible.

Descendants of the Bacon brothers carried on business at Five Corners into the 20th century. Elias Scott Bacon lived in a brick house on the point of the triangle. Elias also built a foundry and manufactured farm implements. His son, Scott E. Bacon, carried on after his father with a foundry and furniture manufacturing business just north of the house. Photo shows structure prior to demolition in 1977.

In the 20th century, nieces of the Bacons inherited the Elias Bacon cobblestone home, where Dr. Ruth (Mary) Neilans, a descendant, now lives.

Earl Harding, Cornell University photo, 1920

Earl Harding, also a descendent, grew up in Five Corners in the Moses Bacon home. He attended the Cobblestone School at Five Corners and the Albion High School. Earl went to Cornell University and graduated in 1920.

Over the next 60 years his accomplishments were many for both Gaines and New York State.  After serving in the armed forces in WWI and graduating from Cornell, Earl married Marguerite (Hazard) and they had one daughter, Joan (Farnsworth.)

Before his death in 1980 he was president of the NYS Horticultural Society, one of the original Directors and President of the National Cherry Institute, first President of Orleans County Farm Bureau, served 20 years on the Advisory Board of Marine Trust Bank,  Chairman of the National Cherry Growers Meeting, Director for six years of the NYS Agricultural Society, appointed by Governor Rockefeller in 1959 to the New York Marketing Order Advisory Board and the Marketing Development Board for Apples. He also served on the Gaines Town Board for 21 years in addition to his service as a Mason, member of the Town Club, Lions Club and Methodist Church.

Earl Harding in his cherry Orchard at Five Corners, 1956

Our Wilderness – a place of beauty and stillness

“In the Wilderness is the preservation of the World” – Henry David Thoreau.

Our idea of camping growing up was a nice lake cottage in the Adirondacks. It was furnished with amenities, a dock for our family boat, and an ice cream stand over the bridge. That was camping Burgoon style. And I liked it. I married a man whose idea of camping was quite different growing up out West. His parents drove to Lake Cleveland, Idaho for the entire summer. Out in the middle of nowhere on a lake, with no power, bathrooms, boat and no ice cream.

On our honeymoon my husband took me tent camping in Maine. We left early and came home. Maybe I was a brat, I can’t remember. After that, vacations and getaways included proper lodging, a nearby watering hole and eating establishments. Not until my sister moved to Montana nearly 17 years ago did I truly internalize what a beautiful thing nature is out in the vastness of the wilderness. One of our trips out West found us appreciating many National Parks. Thanks to my fellow New Yorker Theodore Roosevelt, a great conservationist, he had a vision for the National Parks and established the United States Forest Service. Under his guidance he protected 230 million acres of public land, of which we should all be grateful.

If you have never seen the Grand Tetons, Craters of The Moon, or Zion, a road trip should be in your future. On our adventure, Brian shared Lake Cleveland with me. It was one of the most beautiful places. Like mini Tetons around a tiny lake, up in the middle of a very high mountain. It can be an eye opener when you perceive things a certain way without the value of experiencing it. Like my fellow New Yorker T.R., once I ventured outside of my comfort zone, it was enchanting to see what was waiting out in the vastness of an untouched landscape. This picture I took of my husband standing on our rocky bluff overlooking the mountain ranges is the fulfillment of a dream. His dream is now our dream. This brat can admit that when she bent a little, rolled up her sleeves and breathed. She found that the wilderness can be just as bewitching as the Rat-Race.

There is something very peaceful about realizing that the only people allowed to be in control of your destiny are you and God. The way the mountains weave together in this range makes one feel protected. I don’t even kill bugs anymore! I appreciate that all creatures in this ecosystem have a purpose. Out here in the wilderness life is preserved as nature has meant it to be. That preservation extends to us. It keeps us young at heart with great adventures mixed with the perfect amount of solitude.

When life is all too noisy in the world of screens and socials and other foolishness, travel to a place of beauty and stillness. And just breathe. It could be a road trip or could be as simple as a local park bench. Where is your wilderness retreat? 

To see Lake Cleveland, ID, visit my blog live online (click here) and catch up on Weekly Photo Perks and past Sunday Posts. Like and share your comments. Join my blog and receive new post updates and visit the main menu to read past posts of Positivity!

Truly,
Debbie London

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina quarterback Xander Payne throws a touchdown pass to Jarin Rhim with a Lackawanna defender grabbing his leg during the Mustangs win over the host Steelers this afternoon.

Building up an early 20-0 lead, Medina went on to defeat host Lackawanna 34-16 this afternoon to improve to 3-0 on the season.

Quarterback Xander Payne put Medina on top to stay with a pair of first quarter touchdowns first on a 9 yard run and then on an 11 yard pass to Joe Cecchini.

Noah Skinner had a big 31 yard run to key the first scoring drive and a fumble recovery at the Steelers 35 which set up the second scoring opportunity.

The Mustangs upped the advantage to 20-0 early in the second quarter as Payne completed a screen pass to Iverson Poole who broke free for a 50 yard touchdown play. Skinner added the two-point conversion run.

Lackawanna did make things interesting by answering back with a pair of touchdowns on passes by quarterback William Gechell of 21 yards to Shyhiem Smalls and 35 yard to Mohamed Alshawai. The Steelers added the two point conversion after both scores to slice the Medina lead to just four, 20-16, at the half.

However, the Mustangs regained a little breathing room by putting together a 15 play, 69 yard scoring drive which used up most of the third quarter.

Payne, who had pass completions of 14 and 12 yards to Jarin Rhim and 11 yards to Greg Thompson on the drive, capped off the march with an 8 yard TD pass to Rhim with 1:25 to go in the quarter. Cayden Lilleby added the two-point conversion run to make it 28-16.

Medina finally put a lock on the victory when Skinner literally bulldozed his way for a 45 yard touchdown run early in the final quarter for a 34-16 Mustangs lead as he shook off several Steeler tacklers along the way.

Defensively for the Mustangs, Chris Johnson had two sacks and Skinner and Robert Arnold one each.

Medina next hosts Akron in a C North Division game at 7 p.m. Friday.

The loss drops Lackawanna to 1-2.

Medina’s Noah Skinner escapes a slew of  Lackawanna tacklers in route to his 45 yard touchdown run.

Ashleigh Stornelli picked by Rob Ortt for the honor

Ashleigh Stornelli

State Sen. Rob Ortt has chosen a deputy with the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office to be the “Woman of Distinction” representing the 62^nd Senate District.

Ashleigh Stornelli is a road deputy with the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office. She also has worked as the school resource officer at Kendall Central School.

“Her daily interactions and honest conversations help her make positive connections with students, faculty and staff,” Ortt said.

He noted Stornelli is certified in mental health and crisis intervention. Stornelli grew up in Lyndonville and graduated in Lyndonville’s Class of 2010. She played soccer, basketball, and track at Lyndonville, and then earned an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice at Genesee Community College.

Stornelli in 2014 joined the Army National Guard as a 32B — Military Police Officer. She graduated from the 42nd Military Police Company in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, in February 2015, and was stationed at the 222nd Military Police Company in Rochester for six years. “During her time in service, she learned the value of loyalty, duty, and personal courage,” Ortt said. “She chose to live by these standards and continue a career in law enforcement in her civilian life.”

In 2015, she was accepted into the Erie County Community College Police Academy and graduated with the 126th Basic Academy Class. The following year she started with the Holley Police Department, participating in community events and holiday festivities. She also began interacting with students in the school district, working to develop positive relationships with students and staff.

In May 2018, she joined the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office. She is active in the yearly Veterans and Memorial Day ceremonies and attends festivals and other celebratory events, according to her Woman of Distinction profile.

Ortt praised Stornelli for dedicating her life “to protect and defend those in need, always there to provide encouragement and support.”

She is the second woman from Orleans County picked by Ortt to receive the award. He previously chose Annette Finch, director of community services at Community Action of Orleans & Genesee, for the recognition in 2017.

Photos courtesy of Mike Zeliff

LYNDONVILLE – Mike Zeliff sent in these photos this morning of a rainbow that stretched out in the sky near his home on South Lyndonville Road in Lyndonville.

“We were enjoying our morning cup of coffee when this rainbow appeared,” Zeliff said.

This weekend the forecast calls for highs of 74 today and 72 on Sunday. There is a chance of showers and thunderstorms before noon today. It will be mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, according to the National Weather Service in Buffalo.

The highs for next few days include 80 on Monday, 79 on Tuesday, 72 on Wednesday and 65 on Thursday and Friday.

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Albion’s Brendan LeBaron returns a pass interception for a touchdown during the Purple Eagles Homecoming victory over Wilson this evening.

Two early touchdowns set up by turnovers ignited Albion to a 42-16 Homecoming victory over Wilson this evening.

A fumble recovery by Alex Hafner started a big first half for the Albion defensive unit.

It took just three plays for the Purple Eagles offense to capitalize. Quarterback Amari Jones first hooked up with Javon Jones for a big 29 yard gain and then two plays later he connected with Jahmeek Riley for a 21 yard scoring strike with 8:19 to go in the opening quarter.

It took Albion just 1:16 to find the end zone again. The Purple Eagles got the ball right back on a pass interception by Dallas Ecker and on the first play from scrimmage Sh’kwe Riley broke loose for a 58 yard touchdown run. Amari Jones added the two-point conversion run to make it 14-0.

The Purple Eagles defensive unit got a touchdown of their own midway through the second quarter as Brendan LeBaron intercepted a pass and returned it 40 yards for a score and a 20-0 Albion lead.

The Purple Eagles advantage soared to 28-0 midway through the third period as Sh’kwe Riley again broke loose this time for a 60 yard TD run down the sideline. Amari Jones connected with Jahmeek Riley for the two point conversion pass.

Albion tacked on two more scores in the first three minutes of the final quarter on runs of 13 yards by Amari Jones and 17 yards by Sh’kwe Riley who also tacked on the two-point conversion run.

The Purple Eagles defense came up with two  more turnovers in the second half, the first on a steal of the ball by Jacob Hughson after a Wilson pass completion, and the second on a fumble recovery by Jahmeek Riley.

Wilson backup quarterback Drew Dabill ran 9 yards for a touchdown late in the third quarter and passed 50 yards to Paul Smith for another score in the final seconds of the fourth quarter.

Albion stays unbeaten at 3-0 and Wilson slips to 2-1.

Akron 22, Newfane 21

Akron rallied to nip visiting Newfane 22-21 in a C North Division contest.

Brody Hibbard scored the game winning touchdown with just 52 seconds remaining to keep Akron undefeated at 3-0.

Albion’s Sh’kwe Riley scores the first of his three touchdowns.

Shannon Brett, a certified personal trainer, offers many classes from beginner to advanced

Photo by Tom Rivers: Shannon Brett has opened Project: U in the second floor of 116 North Main St., Albion. Some of the classes include spin, Tabata (high-intensity interval training), Silver Sneakers, boot camp, strength workout, Barre (combining ballet, yoga and Pilates), yoga and TRX suspension training.

ALBION – It was about a decade ago when Shannon Brett was inside the Orleans County Courthouse when a teen bolted from the building.

Brett, an investigator with the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, took off running after the person. She didn’t have to go far before the teen was apprehended. Brett was gasping for air.

“I could barely breathe,” she said. “I was coughing and hacking. I realized how out of shape I was.”

Brett signed up for a gym membership in Brockport, and the beginning was “horrible.” Her body didn’t like the exercise and she didn’t like the atmosphere, with lots of tough guys and not a lot of instruction on how to use the machines.

Brett learned how to use the different exercise machines, and found herself helping a lot of new people at the gym. She got in better shape and took that experience to help others embrace a more active lifestyle.

Brett became a certified personal trainer and an instructor at The Whole Approach in Holley. On Sept. 7, she opened her own fitness studio – Project: U – in Albion at 116 North Main St., in the second floor of what was once a dance studio.

The floor mat from that studio works well for the group exercises at Project: U. Brett also has 7 stationary bikes for spin classes and TRX suspension straps.

Brett, 44, expects to retire next year from a law enforcement career. She started 19 ½ years ago with the Sheriff’s Office. She said fitness is a passion and she wants to share that with others.

“The project is you and your project starts here,” she said today in the studio. “I want to bring in people to work on their fitness journey.”

She and her two instructors offer classes at beginning, intermediate and more advanced levels. As a certified personal trainer, Brett also can work one on one with people to develop a plan for fitness goals whether building strength, cardio or losing some weight.

Her classes are welcoming and nonjudgmental, with the members offering encouragement to each other. Most of the classes are smaller with up to 10 people. But she also will work with people individually.

“Not everyone feels comfortable walking into a gym or a fitness studio,” Brett said. “With some one-on-one training, they can build that confidence.”

Project: U will celebrate its grand opening on Sept. 25 and the public is welcome to stop by and try a mini session of the classes. The schedule that day includes: Tabata at 10 a.m., Pound at 10:30, Yoga at 11, Spin at 11:30, Barre at noon and TRX at 12:30. Click here for more information or email projectualbion@yahoo.com.

Press Release, Orleans County Chief Administrative Officer Jack Welch

ALBION – Orleans County works closely with Modern Disposal Services to provide a countywide solid waste program for all of our residents who participate in our program. From time to time, we unfortunately experience some delays in providing this service as scheduled.

Today’s delays are related to the universal staffing problem all employers are having this year. Employees are changing jobs or taking unexpected time off and there is not enough capacity with the employees who do report to work to complete the scheduled assigned tasks or routes.  Therefore solid waste pickups are delayed for one day.

The routes affected today are all of the routes in the town of Clarendon. In the town of Murray we have Route 31, Hindsburg Road, Fancher Road, and Route 237 north of Holley.  All of today’s affected routes will be picked up on Saturday.

“We apologize for any inconvenience this creates for our residents along the affected routes,” said Jack Welch, county chief administrative officer.“If these residents leave out their solid waste, Modern Disposal will have your items collected as soon as Modern is able on Saturday.”

This map from the State Canal Corp. shows where the state will be using canal water to supplement local tributaries and boost fishing opportunities for the fall salmon runs.

ALBION – Last year the State Canal Corp. tried a pilot program, releasing water from the canal into local tributaries for the fall fishing runs.

The program was deemed a success and it will continue this year. The Canal Corp. on Thursday started releasing water into tributaries and will keep doing that until Dec. 13.

That will extend the fall fishing season, and should ensure adequate water flow in streams for salmon, trout and steelhead to swim upstream.

The schedule for releasing water includes:

• Increased flows from Sept. 16 through Dec. 13 for Oak Orchard River in Orleans County, Sandy Creek in Orleans and Monroe counties, and Eighteen Mile Creek in Niagara.
• The flows will be increased from Nov. 4 through Dec. 13 for Johnson Creek in Orleans and Niagara counties, and Salmon Creek in Orleans and Monroe counties.

Fishing has a $28 million annual impact in Orleans County. The local officials say the extended season will be a boost for local restaurants, lodging establishments and other businesses.

The project is part of the “Reimagine the Canals” initiative to better utilize the canal and support many recreational opportunities along the canal system.

ALBION – There will be child car seat checks on Saturday and again the following Saturday, Sept. 25, Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke said.

The car seat check on Saturday will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Orleans County Public Safety Building parking lot on Route 31.

The Sheriff’s Office and Albion Police Department are collaborating on a child car seat check on Sept. 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Save-A-Lot parking lot on Route 31.

According to data, vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for children ages of 1 to 13, Bourke said.

“Preventative measures, such as proper installation of car seats, boosters and seat belts can lower many deaths and injuries,” he said. “Educating parents and caregivers on proper installation of car seats is critical to saving young lives.”

There will be certified child passenger safety technicians available to inspect car/booster seats to assure children are in the correct seat for their size and age.