‘The Great Lakes are a massive economic engine, not only for the tourism and recreation industries, but also for the shipping, logistics, agriculture, mining, energy, and finance industries.’ – U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer

Photos by Tom Rivers: These sailboats race last Thursday in Lake Ontario near Point Breeze as part of the racing series organized by the Oak Orchard Yacht Club.

Press Release, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer

Standing on the banks of the Niagara River at Niawanda Park in Tonawanda on Monday, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer revealed an historic $1 billion federal investment – the largest ever single investment – in the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI).

Specifically, this funding was secured to protect, improve, and preserve the Great Lakes and their related waterways, which Schumer was able to secure in the bipartisan federal infrastructure bill he just led to passage. Schumer detailed the unprecedented amount of funds, explained why he pushed to include them, and detailed how the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) has been helping Western New York since he first pushed for the funding in 2010. Schumer explained that these dollars will continue to improve water quality by reducing pollutants, restoring and protecting wildlife habitats, mitigating climate change impacts, and helping preserve waterways critical to New York State’s environment and economy.

“Today, I am unveiling the ‘catch of the day’ – $1 billion in funds we included in the bipartisan infrastructure package that will do a lot of good for Western and Central New York, and some critical things to protect one of the true gems of New York State – the Great Lakes,” said Senator Schumer. “This funding guarantees a ramp-up in our conservation efforts for the Great Lakes and their waterways, while allowing us to continue to fight for more as part of regular appropriations – so this is really unprecedented support for one of our most critical resources, both natural and economic. The Great Lakes are a massive economic engine, not only for the tourism and recreation industries, but also for the shipping, logistics, agriculture, mining, energy, and finance industries. Because of their huge impact on so many facets of life, investing in the Great Lakes means investing in the future economic health of Western New York.”

In total, the Great Lakes account for 84% of North America’s surface fresh water and contain about 21% of the world’s supply. More than 30 million people in the U.S. and Canada live in the Great Lakes Basin – roughly 10% of the U.S. population and more than 30% of the Canadian population. The Great Lakes themselves span more than 750 miles from west to east. Millions of people flock yearly to the Great Lakes for recreation, and the Lakes provide critical fresh water access. Additionally, the Lakes play host to diverse animal and plant life. The ability of the Great Lakes to support these uses is dependent on the quality of its waters, habitats, and living resources.

This photo shows the walkway leading to the docks and sailboats at the Oak Orchard Yacht Club along the Oak Orchard River, which is a Lake Ontario tributary.

Schumer also pointed out the massive economic impact of the Great Lakes region and its importance to Western New York. The Great Lakes region includes eight states – Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania – and two Canadian provinces.

The Lakes are home to more than 175 species of fish, which contribute to our state’s vibrant commercial and recreational fishing industries. According to the Office of Coastal Management at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), for every dollar invested in Great Lakes protection, the return on investment is $3.35, or 335%. Furthermore, for every $1 million invested in Great Lakes restoration and protection, 16 jobs are created. The Great Lakes Region is directly responsible for $3.1 trillion in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the United States and more than $6 trillion overall. It is estimated that 25.8 million jobs worth more than $1.3 trillion in wages spanning countless industries, including 7% of all American farm production, are directly supported by the region.

“We all know that our changing climate poses a threat to our Great Lakes and all the livelihoods that depend on it, so this $1 billion surge will help to accelerate efforts to protect and preserve one of our greatest natural resources,” Schumer added. “Even more, the economic impact of these Lakes is into the trillions. We cannot lose it. We must invest in sustainment, and we have to keep doing it to protect the economic future of Upstate New York and the environment.”

Schumer fought off budget cuts to the GLRI in 2019 and worked to secure a multimillion dollar increase in authorization levels for the program in 2018. Initiated in 2010, the GLRI has received roughly $3.48 billion since its inception, with the funds distributed across 16 different federal agencies including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).

Over the last decade, the GLRI has controlled invasive species on at least 115,000 acres and kept more than 402,000 pounds of phosphorus out of the lakes, a $300,000 investment from GLRI which ended in 2020. GLRI has also played a critical role in fish and wildlife protection, specifically in Western New York. Efforts to improve the population of Lake Sturgeon are currently underway after a $90,000 investment to study their travel patterns, and the trout population is climbing once again thanks to the investment in bloater chub revival, a critical food source for the popular sport fish. Schumer noted that the $1 billion in funding, the largest the program has ever received in a single authorization, will help the agencies and their auxiliary partners prepare for the future.

Schumer was joined in Tonawanda by Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz, Executive Director of Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper Jill Jedlicka, Associate Director of the Citizen’s Campaign for the Environment Brian Smith, and other local stakeholders.

“New York is a Great Lakes state, and this $1 billion appropriation reinforces what we have known for a long time- that these freshwater lakes are the nation’s most important living infrastructure system,” said Jill Jedlicka, Executive Director of Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper. “The health and restoration of the drinking water for 40 million people also supports tens of billions of dollars in economic activity and recreational resources. The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative has been one of the most impactful programs in our nation’s history by helping communities like Buffalo reclaim and restore their waterfronts, protect critical ecosystems, and put us back on a path to a clean water future. We applaud Senate Majority Leader Schumer for guiding this bipartisan infrastructure bill that will ultimately benefit all Americans and our Great Lakes.

The GLRI has also benefited additional sites in New York State. In September 2017, $900,000 worth of GLRI funds were awarded to the Great Lakes Institute at Hobart and William Smith College to fight invasive threats, including an infestation of hydrilla in Cayuga Lake. In 2015, Schumer helped secure $9.5 million in GLRI funding to restore Braddock Bay in the Town of Greece after decades of decline to ecological and recreational activities on the bay.  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) used the funding to restore wetlands, habitat and to reconstruct a barrier beach that has been washed away, leaving the bay exposed to Lake Ontario’s damaging waters that destroyed habitat and the bay’s navigation channel needed for boating.

Press Release, Lyndonville Central School

LYNDONVILLE – Kindergarten and Pre-K registration remains open at Lyndonville Central School

There is still time to register your child for kindergarten or pre-kindergarten for the 2021-2022 school year. If you are a resident of the Lyndonville School District and your child will be 3, 4 or 5 by December 1, 2021, they are eligible to enroll. Space is limited but openings are available for all age groups.

The Lyndonville School District will continue to have full day classes for kindergarten with breakfast, lunch and transportation available for those outside the Village. The five-day-a week PreK program engages students in planned educational activities, play and rest time. Breakfast and lunch are provided, and a new PreK playground was recently installed.

Please call or email the school at (585) 765-3122 or esmith@lcsdk12.org. You will need to provide your name, address, child’s name and child’s date of birth. More information can be found by clicking here.

Money from Treasure Island, Mega Drawing will go towards projects at hospital

MEDINA – After a year dampened by the Covid pandemic, Orleans Community Health has embarked on a campaign of fundraising events.

Heather Smith, executive director of Orleans Community Health Foundation, has announced the return of the Mega Drawing, which took the place of the annual Treasure Island last year.

“The cash raffle was such a success that we have decided to do it again,” Smith said.

Tickets are already nearly sold out, and information to purchase a ticket can be found online at www.supportoch.org/events.

The date of the drawing has been moved up to Sept. 14. With hopes that restrictions will stay lifted, the Foundation is considering a small event that evening, in addition to doing the drawing live online.

Proceeds for this year’s drawing will be split between two projects which are part of the hospital’s “Together We are Stronger” campaign to raise $350,000. The money will be used to fund eight small projects in several departments across Orleans Community Health, instead of one big project, Smith said.

First, they plan to purchase a new Hoyer lift system for the patient care unit on the second floor of Medina Memorial Hospital. The second project will be to purchase a new stress test system for the cardiac services department.

“We feel so blessed to be able to keep this vital service available to our community, however, the time has come for an upgrade to the unit we currently own,” Smith said.

In radiology, the successful golf tournament raised funds to purchase two pieces of equipment – an ultrasound probe and a new ceiling mount for the X-ray machine.

The main laboratory and outpatient lab have received new chairs for drawing blood, and countertops have been replaced in the department.

In February, a new coagulation analyzer was purchased with grants from the Lyndonville Area Foundation and Elizabeth Curtis Dye Foundation.

New hospital beds will be purchased for the second floor, at a cost of $10,000 to $25,000 each, depending upon the size and functionality, Smith said.

A grant from the Association of Twigs allowed for the purchase of a new oven in dietary services.

Other improvements include new privacy walls in registration and a separate entrance door to each registration area, thereby increasing patient confidentiality.

The pharmacy will see a new temperature control system to regulate medications, along with new windows, cabinets and counters.

Outside, all new signage is planned at the hospital and two dialysis centers to better inform anyone visiting.

In addition to raising money from the Mega drawing, the Foundation is planning the return of Treasure Island.

They are hoping to reach their fundraising goal with additional monies from grants, individual giving and corporate donations.

Hospital CEO Marc Shurtz announced the campaign at the end of 2020, and the board approved all eight projects, Smith said.

“The Lyndonville Foundation really got the ball rolling with their grant of $40,000 in February,” Smith said.

She added the hospital opened the door for a huge piece of funding by initiating employee giving this year. In early August they already had $8,000 in pledges, and $80,000 in grants was pending.

If Covid restrictions continue to be lifted, Treasure Island will take place Nov. 6 at Shelby Fire Hall.

State Sen. Rob. Ortt, R-North Tonawanda, is urging the federal government to fast-track visas to assist Afghan people attempting to evacuate from the country which has been taken over by the Taliban following the U.S. withdrawal from the country.

Ortt issued this statement today:

“The federal government must take immediate action to rapidly approve visas for our Afghan allies, secure the airport in Kabul, and safely evacuate our citizens and allies.

“This is deeply personal to me. In 2008, I served as a combat mentor and advisor to the Afghan National Police in Kandahar City. When Taliban forces took the city just a few days ago, my first thought was of the men and women I served with and those Afghans we so proudly worked with to help protect and build a safer, more stable, and more peaceful Afghanistan. I worried for their lives and the well-being of their families and contemplated the risk they took to help support our mission. Those concerns are amplified today.

“I am asking our Federal representatives to take immediate action to help those who trusted our government and worked to make their home a better place. This is a crisis and all solutions must be considered. I will specifically be working with my partners in the New York State legislature and throughout New York State government to support an increase in the number of Afghan Special Immigrant Visa recipients.

“A failure to live up to our promises to our allies will cost lives and deeply harm America’s capacity to lead and be a force for good throughout the world.”

Jacobs: Biden administration ‘has handed Afghanistan over to the Taliban’

Congressman Chris Jacobs issued this statement about the situation in Afghanistan:

“Five weeks ago, President Biden addressed the nation and vowed it was ‘unlikely’ we would see Afghanistan overrun by the Taliban and that we would not see Americans being evacuated from our embassy. His administration failed to plan for that exact scenario, despite the warning signs, and has now handed Afghanistan over to the Taliban. This negligence has put Americans and our allies in harm’s way, put Afghan women and children at the hands of a regime known for human rights atrocities, and weakened our national security.

“History will remember this as one of the most devastating foreign policy failures in our nation’s history.”

Senator touts nearly $8 million in American Rescue Plan funds for project in 2 counties

Photos by Tom Rivers: U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer speaks during a news conference today in Holley’s Public Square. He is joined by Assemblyman Steve Hawley, left, and other officials from Orleans County, the Village of Holley, Town of Murray and Community Free Library.

HOLLEY – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer met with local officials today to celebrate progress in the effort to close high-speed internets gaps in Orleans and rural Niagara counties.

Both counties recently approved a contract with RTO Wireless of Wellesley, Mass. to co-locate their transmitters on existing communication towers. The counties are using part of their federal American Rescue Plan funds for the build out.

“The Covid pandemic made it all too clear that the digital gap in Orleans County is far too wide,” Schumer said with local officials by the Salisbury Fountain at Public Square.

Schumer was instrumental in the American Rescue Plan being passed in the Senate. The Orleans County Legislature last month voted to spend $3,608,435 to make high-speed internet available county-wide, including for 1,351 addresses that currently don’t internet access, and another 6,700 addresses with only low-speed access. That’s nearly 40 percent of the county’s addresses without access to high-speed internet. That project should be complete in 2022.

“Whether it’s working from home, finding a new job, completing schoolwork, or accessing healthcare options, the rural digital divide has kept many New Yorkers from reaching their full potential,” said Lynne Johnson, chairwoman of the Orleans County Legislature. “Success in the 21^st century is dependent on universal, affordable access.”

Orleans County Legislature Chairwoman Lynne Johnson said the federal funds will solve the high-speed internet  crisis for thousands of homes in the county. There are 1,351 addresses without access to high-speed internet and another 6,700 out of 22,000 total addresses with only access to low-speed internet.

Orleans and Niagara counties are both working with RTO Wireless of Wellesley, Mass. The Niagara County Legislature earlier this month approved a $4,286,325 bid to make high-speed internet in unserved areas of the county.

In Orleans, RTO will co-locate their technology on existing county-owned communication towers. Those sites include at the Emergency Management Office on West County House Road in Albion, Route 31A in Clarendon, Maple Ridge Road in Medina, Route 31 in Albion next to Public Safety Building, West Avenue in Lyndonville, Route 237 in Kendall, Route 237 in Holley by the water tank.

Orleans and Niagara have been working together for a decade on the project. The Niagara-Orleans Regional Alliance made it a priority but only now has it had the funds to proceed with closing the internet gaps.

“The money is there,” said Niagara County Legislator David Godfrey. “We’re going to make it happen.”

Schumer also said broadband internet access is a key to reversing the population decline in rural areas. The U.S. Census Bureau last week released population counts for each county in the United States.

The data shows a 5.9 percent decline in Orleans County, which was biggest drop among Western New York counties and most in the GLOW region. Orleans shrunk by 2,540 people in the 10 years, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, dropping from 42,883 in 2010 to 40,343 in 2020.

“Broadband is really vital,” Schumer said. “In this new world where broadband connects you, it will bring more businesses here, it will keep businesses here, you will have more people come live here. Lots of people want to live in a beautiful place like this. But if they can’t be connected, they lose out.”

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer waves to people during a stop in Holley today. He was influential in the redevelopment of the former Holley High School as well as the cleanup of the former Diaz Chemical site in Holley.

Schumer said there will also be funding available to help people pay the costs to connect to the internet, and there will be assistance to help pay for the service.

The infrastructure bill that passed in the Senate includes $42.45 billion nationwide for broadband grants in unserved and underserved communities, $14.2 billion for permanent broadband affordability (with eligibility at 200 percent the federal poverty level), and $2.75 billion for “Digital Equity and Inclusion” – providing digital literacy and skills to low-income residents, senior citizens and people with disabilities.

Lynne Johnson also highlighted a new program through the Federal Communications Commission that offers financial assistance for monthly internet. Click here for more information.

This map from the CDC shows the levels of transmission for each of the counties in the state. Red means there is high transmission, while orange (the next level down) shows substantial transmission and yellow means moderate community spread of Covid-19.

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now lists Orleans County in the red zone as a community with high transmission.

In Western New York, only Orleans and Monroe counties are in the red zones. Genesee is listed in the orange zone, the next level down, with “substantial” community transmission based on new cases last week.

Wyoming and Livingston counties are at moderate levels or the yellow zone. The CDC map shows nearly the entire state is in either a red or orange zone.

The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments today are reporting 19 new cases in Orleans since Thursday and 27 more in Genesee County.

The number of active cases in each county has increased 26 a week ago in Orleans to 48 today, and 21 in Genesee a week ago to 33 today.

Of the 19 new cases in Orleans, the individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s.

Orleans also is reporting 17 more of the previous positive individuals have completed their 10-day isolation and been removed from mandatory isolation.

There is currently one Orleans County resident hospitalized due to Covid.

In Genesee County there are 27 new positive cases and they are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s  and 90s.

Genesee is reporting 16 more of the previous positive individuals have completed their 10-day isolation and have been removed from mandatory isolation.

There are currently two Genesee residents hospitalized due to Covid.

Genesee also reports a death from Covid

The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments also is reporting a death of a Genesee County resident under age 65 due to Covid.

“No other information will be shared to protect the privacy of this individual,” the Health Departments said. “Our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of this person.”

According to the State Department of Health, there have been 124 Covid-related deaths in Genesee County and 83 in Orleans during the pandemic.

G-O Health Departments urge people to get vaccinated; No mask mandate in either county

The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments issued a news release this afternoon about the community Covid spread:

“We continue to encourage everyone to follow the public health prevention precautions as noted below. It is important for those who are not currently vaccinated to talk with their primary care provider to determine whether getting vaccinated is right for them.

“There are currently no masking mandates that have been issued by either county, however, per the CDC recommendations for communities with substantial or high spread of Covid-19, we encourage everyone, vaccinated and unvaccinated, to wear masks when indoors in public and when at crowded outdoor settings.

“Everyone should continue practicing the following public health prevention precautions:

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water.
• If water is not readily available, use hand sanitizer.
• Wash and sanitize frequently shared/touched items.
• Stay 6 feet away from others and avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid crowds and poorly ventilated spaces.
• Wear a face mask indoors in public and crowded outdoor settings.
• Monitor your health daily and stay home if you are experiencing any symptoms.
• Get tested if you are experiencing symptoms and self-isolate until you get your results back. If you test positive for Covid, you are to isolate for 10 days.

“The best way to protect yourself from Covid-19 or health complications from Covid-19 is to get vaccinated,” stated Paul Pettit, public health director in the two counties. “Now is the best time to take advantage of getting vaccinated for COVID-19 before the new school term starts and the weather changes and we start moving back indoors.”

Home testing kits: For those who are using home testing kits, please note that the Health Departments are unable to verify the results and will not be able to provide paperwork for your employer/insurance company.

Home tests that need verification will have to complete a follow-up test with an approved provider for documentation and state reporting purposes. If you do either a home test or a test at approved provider, it is important to remember to self-isolate until you receive test results. For home testing, you are to self-isolate for a minimum of 10 days from onset of symptoms or getting your test result.  Contact your primary care physician for further instructions.

Last recorded burials at site were in 1906

“Illuminating Orleans” – Vol. 1, No. 19

By Catherine Cooper, Orleans County Historian

This double-sided stone commemorates Anna Smith who died in 1859. She was 1 year old. The inscription reads ”Our little Anna.”

KNOWLESVILLE – Nestled at the rear of several homes in the hamlet of Knowlesville lies the Knowlesville Cemetery, unobtrusively gliding through time.

It is a small cemetery, about three-quarters of an acre, with some 300 recorded burials. The plot of land originally belonged to the Stevens family, and indeed, the oldest stone is that of Jesse Stevens, dated 1826. The last recorded burials were in 1906, those of Malissa Foote and Caroline Bristol.

Cemeteries honor families, each stone was deliberately purchased and inscribed to record the passing of a family member. The earliest stones at Knowlesville, from the 1820s and 1830s, are simple, upright slabs, with basic information – name, date of death, age.

Henry Sawyer died in 1854 at the age of 16. The inscription at the base of the stone reads: “Don’t worry, it’s all right, Henry.” We can imagine the dying boy bravely reassuring his parents, his words etched in their hearts.

They are made of fieldstone and would have been inscribed by a local mason. Later stones are more elaborate, with rounded or curved tops. They generally feature a religious image at the top, a symbol for mourning (willow tree) or the afterlife (finger pointing upwards). Name, birth and death date, or specific age at death are recorded in the center. There is frequently an inscription at the bottom, this was either sentimental or religious.

Of the three hundred souls buried at Knowlesville, almost a quarter are children. There was a noticeable spike in child mortality between 1840 and 1850. Some families lost more than one child: the Banister family lost John, aged 10 months in 1838; Sarah, aged 7 in 1840; Frances, aged 11, also in 1840; and Cynthia, aged 18, in 1841.

William Knowles (1790-1871, for whom Knowlesville was named in 1826 in recognition of his role in the inception and development of the village, is buried at the Knowlesville Cemetery. He was an early land purchaser, having moved to the area in 1815 from Berkshire County, Mass. in 1815.

William Knowles

He built an ashery in 1816. The Erie Canal went through his land. He organized the first shipment of wheat on the newly opened Canal and built a warehouse. The impact of the Canal on shipping costs and shipping times was obvious from the very beginning. Prior to the Canal, sending wheat to Albany would cost $100 and take a month. A shipment to New York on the Canal would take ten days and cost $5.

With the advent of the Canal, Oak Orchard ceased to be a hub of activity as trade moved to Knowlesville. Soon it was bustling, with stores, blacksmith shops, a cooperage, hotels, taverns and five doctors.

William Knowles funded the construction of the first school in the locality. He was a founding member of the Presbyterian Church. At first, services were held at his home. He funded half the cost for the construction of the first Presbyterian Church and was a Deacon and ruling member for over forty years. He did not have children of his own, but he and his wife took in and educated eight children.

The Orleans County Historical Association hosted a tour of this cemetery on August 8. The Association’s next cemetery tour will be at the Hillside Cemetery, 4065 Holley Byron Rd. in Holley on Sunday, August 22 at 6 p.m. This tour will be preceded by a 15-minute concert on the mortuary chapel’s reed organ, played by Scott Schmidt. There is no charge. A goodwill offering would be appreciated.

Employees at hospitals, long-term care facilities need first dose by Sept. 27

Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced today that all healthcare workers in New York State, including staff at hospitals and long-term care facilities, including nursing homes, adult care, and other congregate care settings, will be required to be vaccinated against Covid-19 by Monday, September 27.

The State Department of Health will issue Section 16 Orders requiring all hospital, long-term care facilities, and nursing homes to develop and implement a policy mandating employee vaccinations, with limited exceptions for those with religious or medical reasons. To date, 75% of the state’s 450,000 hospital workers, 74% of the state’s 30,000 adult care facility workers, and 68% of the state’s 145,500 nursing home workers have completed their vaccine series. Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul’s administration was briefed prior to the announcement.

“The Delta variant is spreading across the nation and across New York – new daily positives are up over 1000% over the last six weeks, and over 80 percent of recent positives in New York State are linked to the Delta variant,” Cuomo said. “We must now act again to stop the spread. Our healthcare heroes led the battle against the virus, and now we need them to lead the battle between the variant and the vaccine.”

Cuomo also announced that the Department of Health has authorized a third Covid-19 vaccine dose for New Yorkers with compromised immune systems, following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendation last week. Eligible New Yorkers can receive their third dose 28 days after the completion of their two-dose vaccine series, effective immediately.

The CDC is currently recommending that moderately to severely immunocompromised people receive an additional dose, including people who have:

• Been receiving active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood;
• Received an organ transplant and are taking medications to suppress the immune system;
• Received a stem cell transplant within the last 2 years or are taking medicine to suppress the immune system;
• Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome);
• Advanced or untreated HIV infection;
• Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids, cancer chemotherapy that causes sever immunosuppression, or other medications that may suppress your immune response.

New Yorkers should contact their healthcare provider about whether getting an additional dose is appropriate for them at this time.

Oak Orchard Yacht Club hosts Thursday night races off Point Breeze, a summer tradition for nearly 30 years

POINT BREEZE ABOARD THE GALLIVANT – Bob Hodgins is at the helm of the Gallivant, a 36-foot-long Catalina sailboat. Hodgins, 67, of Alexander has been sailing since he was a kid. He is the commodore or the leader of the Oak Orchard Yacht Club this year. He is enjoys competing in the Thursday evening sailboat races.

The Gallivant had a five-person crew, which included the helmsman or helmswoman. Bob Hodgins and his wife Mary Lu each spent time at the helm, steering the sailboat. The Gallivant also took along the Orleans Hub editor, who welcomed the chance to get some sailboat photos at sunset and experience a sailboat race for the first time. (The Hub editor also was relieved he didn’t experience any motion sickness.)

The sailboats get in position before the start of the race on Thursday, testing their tacking, when the crew resets sails to change directions.

Dana Stringham and Darlene Mieney raise the mainsail, the big triangular sail on the mast, and then take in the scene along the Oak Orchard Harbor.

Stringham, 73, is retired after running his own excavation business in Genesee County. He had already played pickleball for three hours on Thursday and then was in for a busy two hours on the sailboat, springing into action to raise and lower sails, and shift them to the other side of the boat to change directions.

Mieney, 59, of Hilton has been a pastor in the Free Methodist Church for 20 years, first in Batavia and the past 15 years in Parma. She used to love riding motorcycles with her late husband Skip. He died unexpectedly at age 51 about 9 years ago.

Mieney was invited to try sailing by a friend and relishes the action on the lake, especially when the boat is straining on its side on a windy night or when it sharply changes direction.

“I needed something to replace the adrenaline from my Harley rides,” she said with a smile. “You’re never too old to try learn anything. I knew nothing, absolutely nothing about sailing.”

She has been sailing about six years now.

“It’s an art,” Mieney said about sailing. “There’s engineering to it.”

The crew on the Revenant sailboat adjusts the sail during Thursday’s race.

On Thursday the sailors had to contend with westerly winds. The Gallivant was going about 4 knots with the wind and then about 2.8 knots upwind.

Dana Stringham and Bob Hodgins are near the bow or front of the sailboat as the Gallivant gets ready to turn and go around one of the markers on the course. The sailors need to be careful not to hit the marker or that is a penalty where they have to do a 360-degree circle which can be a several-minute delay.

This sailboat gets ready to round the marker after completing one of the 1-mile lengths in the race. The boaters had to go back and forth twice.

At least one of the sailboats in the race bumped into the buoy and then had to do a 360. The sailors need to time when they will tack or turn to round the marker.

Ralph and Patricia Moorhouse of Albion were among the sailboat races on Thursday. Their boat is named Purr Diem.

Ray Leonard (in red shirt) steers this sailboat during the race. Leonard is a long-time sailor and considered a legend at Point Breeze.

The boats are in the distance from this marker in Lake Ontario. The sailboats would all need to round the marker during the race.

Mary Lu Hodgins stands on the bow and advises her husband Bob, the helmsman, if he needs to make slight adjustments in steering the boat to stay on course. Being off a few degrees can add time and result in a drop in the order of finish.

Karen Brown of East Bethany joined the Hodgins crew on Thursday evening. She is working with Dana Stringham to move one of the sails as the boat changes direction. Karen and her husband John usually have their own boat for the sailboat races. But their boat, which is 41 feet, is too big for the shallow harbor this year. The water levels are down significantly for 2021 and so of the bigger boats haven’t been put in the water.

Stringham and Mieney in recent years have been on the crew for the Brown’s boat. This year then joined Hodgins when the Brown’s boat grounded for the year.

Hodgins said his adult children have been in the crew in years’ past. The Oak Orchard Yacht Club also runs a youth sailing program and some of those youth will make themselves available to be on the crew for the sailors during the races.

Bob and Mary Lu Hodgins and their team got off to an early lead in the race. There is a rating for the sailboats or a handicapping system for the race and some of the boats have time added or subtracted based on their length, sails and other factors.

The Gallivant, which is raced by the Hodgins’s team, has about 2 minutes added to their finish.

The Gallivant would cross the finish line first and then had to wait to see if others might pass them through the rating system.

Bob Hodgins, in back, adjusts the sail while Dana Stringham and Darlene Mieney tighten ropes to hold the sails in the desired place. The crew finished first in Thursday’s race, even with the adjusted times with the rating system.

Several of the sailboats are out on Lake Ontario near Point Breeze for the race on Thursday. The last race of the season is this Thursday. The races start about 6:30 p.m. and usually take about 1 1/2 to 2 hours. The racing includes two 5-week series.

Mary Lu Hodgins, a retired school nurse at Alexander, takes the helm. Her husband is retired as the owner of Hodgins Engraving in Batavia. The couple has sailed all over the globe, all the way to Australia, through the Panama Canal and across the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Mrs. Hodgins said those areas can’t pass the sunsets off Point Breeze.

“We have the best sunsets right here,” she said.

Event is chance to raise awareness and remember the lives lost due to overdose

Press Release, GCASA

BATAVIA – Backed by that clear but hard-hitting mission statement, members of the GOW Opioid Task Force will be coming together on August 25 to host their version of the International Overdose Awareness Day observation.

The event is scheduled for 4 to 7 p.m. at Austin Park in Batavia.

“We’re thankful to be able to welcome everyone to join us in recognizing the significance of the opioid epidemic upon the residents of our community,” said Christen Ferraro, project coordinator for the GOW Opioid Task Force, which is funded by the Greater Rochester Health Foundation. “Those in attendance will be able to hear first-hand from those who have experienced loss due to overdoses.”

Representatives of local human services agencies will be on hand to share information, and free Narcan training and kits will be offered, Ferraro said. Free food and refreshments will be served.

Attendees also will be offered the opportunity to leave a heart on the task force’s memory board for a deceased loved one.

International Overdose Awareness Day was created in 2001 by Sally J. Finn at The Salvation Army in St. Kilda, Melbourne, Australia, and now is held on an annual basis. Locally, it took place virtually last year due to Covid-19. In 2020, there were 602 Overdose Awareness Day events held in 37 countries.

To register for this year’s event, click here. Those interested in having a vendor table are asked to contact Ferraro at cferraro@gcasa.org.

By Matthew Passarell, Commander Albion VFW Post 4635

(Editor’s Note: Passarell researched the 10 men honored with the memorial in Fancher and delivered these remarks Saturday during the rededication of the monument.)

Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. We would be remiss in our responsibilities today if we left this Memorial without having some idea of what these men endured. Men who, at an average age of 24, gave their lives so that we might be free.

These are the boys from Fancher.

John A. Christopher – Army Air Forces (1919-1943)

Enlisted November 1942 and later served with the 853rd Aviation Engineer Battalion. Private First Class Christopher died on November 26, 1943 when the transport ship carrying his unit was struck by a German radio controlled glider bomb and sunk off the coast of Algeria. This attack remains the largest loss of military personnel at sea in a single incident in United States history. John A. Christopher was laid to rest at the North Africa American Cemetery in Tunis, Tunisia.

Joseph F. Christopher – Army Air Forces (1917-1943)

Entered service January 4, 1942 and later assigned as a B-24 radio operator with the 512th Bomb Squadron, 376th Bomb Group. Technical Sergeant Christopher served in the North African campaign. He was reported as missing in action on April 28, 1943 after his plane crashed in the harbor at Naples, Italy. Joseph F. Christopher is memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing at North Africa American Cemetery in Tunis, Tunisia.

Cosmo P. Coccitti – Army (1922-1944)

Enlisted September 26, 1942 and was assigned to the 17th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron. During fighting in Holland on November 10, 1944 he was declared missing in action and to date his remains have not been recovered. Technician Fifth Grade Coccitti is memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing at the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten.

John Kettle, Jr. – Army (1920-1944)

After working at the Curtiss-Wright Aircraft Corporation in Buffalo and Columbus, Ohio, John Kettle Jr. entered the Army on March 4, 1944. By October that year he was serving as an infantryman with C Company, 317th Infantry Regiment, 80th Infantry Division attached to General George Patton’s Third Army Private Kettle was killed in action near Farebersville, France on November 29, 1944 and is buried at Mount Albion Cemetery.

Matt Passarell (center at podium), VFW commander, researched the 10 soldiers and shared about them on Saturday. After he read about each soldier, Dan Mawn, left, rang the bell in recognition of the life.

Leonard L. Licursi – Army Air Forces (1922-1944)

A ball turret gunner with the 652nd Bomb Squadron, 25th Bomb Group. Staff Sergeant Licursi was one of five airmen killed when his B-17 Flying Fortress crashed after taking off from Watton, Norfolk, England on September 6, 1944. His aircraft was flying that day on a weather reconnaissance mission. Leonard Licursi is buried at Holy Cross Cemetery, Holley.

Martin J. Licursi – Army Air Forces (1919-1945)

First Lieutenant Licursi served as a navigator based in Chelveston, England with the 8th Air Force’s 364th Bomb Squadron, 305th Bomb Group. In September 1943 Lieutenant Licursi survived an emergency landing of a B-17 Flying Fortress in the English Channel. However, on February 15, 1945 he was killed when the B-29 Superfortress he was aboard crashed on a training flight in Flushing Bay, Queens, New York. He was laid to rest at Holy Cross Cemetery, Holley.

Richard L. Merritt – Army (-1944)

Served with the 3483rd Ordnance Maintenance Company in the Philippines. On November 12, 1944, the ship carrying his unit anchored off Leyte was bombed by Japanese aircraft resulting in casualties to three-quarters of his unit. Technician Fourth Grade Richard L. Merritt died the following day, November 13, 1944 and was buried at the Manila American Cemetery, Fort Bonifacio, The Philippines.

Camille H. Nenni – Army (1919-1945)

Entered service in October 1940 as a member of Company F, 108th Infantry Regiment, New York Army National Guard. He was transferred to the 40th Infantry Division and served in the South Pacific Area. Private First Class Nenni was killed in action on February 15, 1945 during the Luzon Campaign in the Philippines. He was awarded the Silver Star posthumously for conspicuous gallantry in action and laid to rest at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Albion.

Floyd M. Valentine – Army Air Forces (1921-1945)

Enlisted September 7, 1942 and served as a gunner on an A-20 Havoc with the 675th Bomb Squadron, 417th Bomb Group. Staff Sergeant Valentine was awarded the Air Medal for flight missions over Japanese targets in New Guinea and Indonesia. On January 2, 1945 his aircraft was damaged while attacking enemy shipping near San Fernando Point, The Philippines and he was reported as missing in action. To date, his remains have not been recovered and he is memorialized at the Walls of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery, Fort Bonifacio, The Philippines.

Richard N. Vendetta – Army Air Forces (1921-1944)

Earned his flight wings upon completing the Navigation School at San Marcos, TX on January 15, 1944. Assigned to duty on a bomber in the Troop Carrying Command, Second Lieutenant Vendetta was killed when another plane collided with his over Stanford, England on July 8, 1944. He was buried at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Albion.

These are the boys from Fancher.

• Two sets of brothers.
• Two buried in overseas cemeteries.
• Three who remain missing in action.
• Five men who made the final trip home.

These men, as the poet John Gillespie Magee Jr. once wrote, “have slipped the surly bonds of Earth and danced the skies on laughter silvered wings.”

Thank you.

Jonathan Allentoff directs the Brockport Symphony Orchestra during Saturday’s ceremony. About 200 people attended the event.

200 attend event at restored monument on Route 31

Photos by Tom Rivers

FANCHER – The memorial at the “Fancher Curve” on Route 31 was rededicated on Saturday, 72 years after it was originally dedicated on Aug. 14, 1949 as a monument to 10 young men from the Fancher community who were killed in World War II.

Those men include John Christopher, Joseph Christopher, Cosmo Coccitti, John Kettle, Jr., Leonard Licursi, Martin Licursi, Richard Merritt, Camille Nenni, Floyd Valentine and Richard Vendetta.

The top photo shows Richard Christopher of Albion placing a commemorative wreath by the monument. Richard is the son John Christopher, who was killed on November 26, 1943 when the transport ship carrying his unit was struck by a German glider bomb and sunk off the coast of Algeria. He was laid to rest at the North Africa American Cemetery in Tunis, Tunisia.

John’s brother Joseph also was killed during the war. Another pair of brothers from the Fancher community – Leonard and Martin Licursi – also died in the war.

The monument was in disrepair with mortar crumbling, the clock often not working and the landscaping unattractive. Fred Fiorito, a Fancher native now living near New York City, gave the largest donation to cover the expense of the improvement project.

The donations paid to have new mortar put in, new movements and electric wiring for the clocks (which will now automatically fall back an hour and spring an hour ahead during the time changes), a new replica bronze plaque on the north side of the property, and a repainted flag pole which now also includes a World War II flag below the American flag. There also are sandstone steps on the north side with the stone donated by Town Supervisor Joe Sidonio and set in place by the Town Highway Department.

Town Supervisor Joe Sidonio speaks at the rededication. He said the Fancher community created the memorial 72 years ago to honor the young men, and the community again rallied to preserve the monument made of locally quarried Medina sandstone.

Sidonio noted that Fiorito was just a boy when he saw the monument originally dedicated and memory of seeing the grieving Gold Star mothers has forever impacted him.

Sidonio also announced on Monday will ask the Town Board to approve a resolution to recognize Aug. 14 as “Fancher Monument Memorial Day” and order that the flags at the monument and at the town municipal buildings be lowered to half-mast for 10 days “to remind us that we owe these 10 boys the dignity of being better citizens and Americans so that they shall not have died in vain.”

These four M1 Garand or M1 Rifle are stacked on top of the monument in the same way they were for the original dedication in 1949. Scott Galliford used a 10-foot ladder to climb up and stack the four rifles on Saturday.

Louis Horschel of Dunkirk flies “Mad Max,” a 1945 P-51 Mustang during a flyover at the start of the rededication program. The original dedication service in 1949 also had a flyover.

These veterans in the Honor Guard watch Horschel in the airplane fly upside down and do other aerial stunts.

Father Richard Csizmar, pastor of Holy Family Parish in Albion, offered the blessing during the service. He shared that his uncle John Csizmar was killed during World War II and Father Csizmar still has a strong memory of going to the train station in North Tonawanda when his uncle’s body was brought home. His photo was displayed over the family piano for the next 45 years, along with a Gold Star plaque.

Csizmar said the 10 young men from Fancher lived out John 15:13: “Greater love than this no one has, than one lay down one’s life for one’s friend.”

“Today we come to this Fancher memorial to remember those 10 men from Fancher, who gave their lives for freedom during World War II,” Csizmar said in his prayer. “Their valiant efforts and heroic service for all of us, and our nation, are remembered to this day. They said yes to God, their country, and to freedom, by serving our nation far away.”

Congressman Chris Jacobs meets veterans in the Honor Guard at the rededication service. Jacobs presented a Congressional Commendation for the community for its efforts to restore the monument.

Mary Wojciechowski sings “America the Beautiful” while accompanied by the Brockport Symphony Orchestra which is directed by Jonathan Allentoff, left. Wojciechowski, a Canadaigua resident, also sang the national anthem. The BSO also performed “To Reap The Blessings of Freedom” and “Brother James’ Air.”

“We are so honored to be have been asked to do this,” Allentoff said about performing during the rededication. “We love this community and being a part of events that bring people together, and we wanted to help pay tribute to the boys.”

Assemblyman Steve Hawley thanked those that worked to restore and upgrade the memorial site.

“Monuments are testaments to our greatest sacrifices and our greatest triumphs,” he said.

Christian Coccitti is the great-nephew of Cosmo Coccitti who was declared missing in action during the fighting in Holland on November 10, 1944. To date his remains have not been recovered. His great-nephew is the U.S. Navy and travelled from Annapolis, Md. To attend Saturday’s rededication. He is sitting between Congressman Chris Jacobs and Aubrey Christopher.

State Assemblyman Steve Hawley comforts Richard Vendetta, who was named after his uncle who was killed during World War II, one of 10 from the Fancher community who died in the war. The younger Vendetta was among many family members in attendance of the 10 men honored with the monument.

The late Richard Vendetta, a second lieutenant, earned his flight wings and was flying a bomber and was killed when another plane collided with his over Stanford, England on July 8, 1944.

Matthew Passarell, commander of the VFW Post in Albion, shared biographies of each of the 10 men memorialized at the monument. Daniel Mawn, next to Passarell, rang the bell after each description was shared by Passarell.

The Honor Guard, including Scott Galliford at left (commander of the Jewell Buckman Post in Holley), fired three volleys during the rededication ceremony of the World War 11memorial at the Fancher Curve. Jim Freas, lower right, leads the Honor Guard.

Ron Ayrault, the chaplain at the American Legion post in Holley, offers the benediction. Ayrault, 89, attended the first dedication 72 years earlier when he was 17. He remembered there was a parade, the Legion band and a procession that included Gold Star mothers who lost their sons to war.

Police investigating incident and don’t see threat to Albion community

Press Release, Albion Police Chief David Mogle

ALBION – The Albion Police Department with assistance from the New York State Police Department, Orleans County Sheriff’s Department and Medina Police Department responded to the report of a man with a gunshot wound to the leg in the area of South Main Street and Beaver Street last night at about midnight.

Upon arrival, Albion Police Officers observed a 23-year-old male lying on the sidewalk with an apparent gunshot wound to the right leg. Albion Police Officers immediately provided medical assistance to the victim by placing a tourniquet on the victim’s injured leg. COVA ambulance responded to the scene and transported the man to Strong Memorial Hospital. The victim was treated with non-life threatening injuries and released.

The Albion Police Department believes that this was an isolated incident and that there is no immediate threat to the Albion community.

This incident is being actively investigated by the Albion Police Department and New York State Police.

The Albion Police Department would like to thank the New York State Police, Orleans County Sheriff’s Department, Medina Police Department, COVA Ambulance and Albion Fire Department for the prompt response to assist with this incident.

A Closeted Bauble Collector

It has been a while since we have talked about baubles. Can you believe that someone actually asked me what a bauble was?!

A bauble is a tiny trinket and usually when referring to jewelry it means cheap. In the DBL (Deborah Burgoon London) Dictionary, bauble refers to all jewelry – big, small, shiny, cheap, sparkly, new, used, etcetera. This closeted obsession, literally in my closet, started for me in my prime. Well my early prime, now is “my prime.” Perchance I was in my late 20s. It began with anything that could wrap around my boney little fingers. Tiny band, wide band, plain band, band with big outrageous décor on them, Excellent!

The first real ring purchase I recall was in Lake Placid at an antique store. I am embarrassed to say, but in my Bauble Box there are cheap rings galore. Then it moved onto the other kind of band. The one that wraps around your wrists; bracelets. So maybe I have a few less than rings, not bad, right? The real disgrace is the necklaces because I do not even wear many necklaces. But when you see a cheap one hanging in a store and it looks so pretty, you just never know when it might be just the perfect accessory. I might have more of these than bracelets.

The one that really snuck up on me was earrings. No wonder, it does have ring in the name. It began with a respectable metal hoop and little diamond-ish studs and next thing you know, there are more cheap earrings than rings. This situation does not take into account the pins and other shiny whatnots.

In my defense, some of these items were gifted to me and none have any monetary value. During our 2016 house fire, my husband’s fishing and hunting gadgets were rescued first, out the upstairs window and down the ladder. Um, “what about my Baubles?” It seemed so unjust at the time, but finally rays of hope came through the night sky and my big beautiful Bauble Box appeared out the window and down the ladder.

My Mom was in charge of packaging the baubles and truth be told it took her considerable time. She may have mentioned that she saw a problem with my fondness for collecting cheap baubles. However, the problem almost happened when just before we got rid of the damaged box, I noticed she had missed an entire drawer. Goodness gracious, that would have been quite tragic. Losing all my cosmetics was one thing, but not the baubles, that was unthinkable.

A couple months back in Batavia, the nice sales lady who greeted me, told me to look around and feel free to try on anything – even if it was just for fun. Oh no no no, it was too much temptation. At least my purchase consisted of the tiniest pair of sparkly cross earrings so I know I am square with the Man Above. If it helps to redeem myself, I have tried to donate some of it and have willed a few fun pieces to my nieces. So I can sleep well knowing that. 

What is your guilty obsession? To see a Positivity Ring, visit my blog live online here and catch up on Weekly Photo Perks and past Sunday Posts. Like and share your comments. 

Debbie Burgoon London 

Albion native was killed in Afghanistan on Dec. 26, 2009

ALBION – The American Legion Sheret Post in Albion this afternoon unveiled a memorial bench at the post on Gaines Basin Road in honor of Jason Johnston. He was 24 when he was killed in Afghanistan on Dec. 26, 2009.

He is the only Orleans County resident killed in combat during the War on Terror in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Jason’s father Brad Johnston, left, is a member of the Legion post in Albion. Debbie Hennekey, right, is the assistant bar manager at the post.
“We’re just waiting to remember what he did for his unit and his country,” she said during the ceremony.

Mr. Johnston said the new bench in honor of his son is “beautiful.” He thanked the Post for honoring his son’s memory and sacrifice.

Jason Johnston was killed by a roadside bomb in Arghandab, Afghanistan. Johnston was a specialist and paratrooper in the Army. He was on his second tour in Afghanistan. He completed a 13-month-deployment in 2008 and left again for the war-torn country in October 2009.

Johnston joined the local Legion post soon before his second deployment.

The Honor Guard and a crowd stands at attention while Taps was played during the ceremony. The Legion post is at the former clubhouse of a par 3 golf course on Gaines Basin Road.

The Albion Elks Riders next Saturday will do a memorial motorcycle ride covering about 100 miles with the proceeds from the annual dice run going towards a memorial scholarship given each year for an Albion graduate who is pursuing a helping profession. The Legion also gives out scholarships in Johnston’s name for graduates pursuing a career in the military.