ALBION – Hoag Library Director Betty Sue Miller, left, and Linda Weller, president of the Board of Trustees, unveiled the newly preserved American Civil War flag of the 26th US Colored Infantry Regiment on Wednesday evening.
Conservator Gwen Spicer, of Spicer Art Conservation, LLC in Delmar, NY, performed the preservation, which involved the meticulous process of glue removal, washing, and hand-sewing of each individual piece of silk fabric. The cost of the preservation was covered by an anonymous donor.
Local History Library Dee Robinson speaks to community members during the flag unveiling.
While it is unknown how the library obtained the flag, historical research shows that Charles H. Mattison, a white man from Barre, transferred to the 26th USCT on June 15 1863, and a local black man from Medina, Henry F. Hawkins, enlisted in the 26th USCT and ranked out as First Sergeant.
While the flag will be stored in the library archives, members of the community are welcome and encouraged to visit the flag during business hours.
Hoag Library has a display about the flag, the Civil War and the 26th US Colored Infantry Regiment.
Dee Robinson, the local history librarian at Hoag, compiled these facts about the flag and the local connections to the 26th US Colored Infantry Regiment.
The regiment was organized at Riker’s Island in New York Harbor on Feb. 27, 1864. There were two officers and 28 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded in the line of duty, and three officers and 112 enlisted men also died from disease.
The 26th US Colored Troops Flag is one of three Black regiments in the Civil War – the 20th, 26th and 31st.
Henry F. Hawkins, a black man from Medina, enlisted in the 26th USCT and ranked out as first sergeant. He is named on the African American Civil War Memorial in Washington, DC, Plaque B-42.
Charles H. Mattison, a white man from Barre, enlisted Aug. 30, 1863 in the 151st Infantry and was promoted twice. He transferred to the 26th USCT on June 15, 1863. Mattison was promoted to second lieutenant Jan. 1, 1864 and again to first lieutenant and then adjutant of the 26th on March 7, 1864. He mustered out and was discharged Sept. 11, 1865.
After the war Charles Mattison returned to Barre Center and ran a wagon and blacksmith shop. He was elected Barre Town Clerk, Barre Town Supervisor and later was elected to the New York State Assembly in 1878. He passed away on March 23, 1883 and the Grand Army of the Republic Post in Albion held a large memorial service.
The flag has 35 stars, which includes the State of West Virginia, which was admitted June 20, 1863 (just five days after Mattison was transferred to the 26th.)
Hoag Library proudly show off the flag after the preservation efforts. From left include Dee Robinson, local history librarian; Linda Weller, president of the board of trustees; and Betty Sue Miller, library director.
State Sen. Rob Ortt, second from left, attended the unveiling. He said the flag “is an amazing piece of American history for the public to observe.” Fred Miller, Betty Sue’s husband and an Orleans County legislator, also attended the event on Wednesday.
Photo by Tom Rivers: Here is how flag looked before the preservation. It was in a frame and part of the flag had been glued. The white stripes were badly deteriorated.
Press Release, Holli Nenni, DSS Commissioner in Orleans County
ALBION – In New York, May is traditionally recognized as Foster Parent Month. This year, due to Covid-19, the Orleans County Department of Social Services/Child and Family Services held their Foster Parent Appreciation Night on June 29 at Roadies Pizzeria and Sports Bar.
The foster families, including foster children, enjoyed the evening mingling and visiting with each other. Flowers were given to 3 foster families that reached milestones – two with 5 years each and one with 40 years as foster parents for Orleans County. The foster parents were also given a box of Case-Nic Cookies and a “Thank You” yard sign.
We are always in search of people willing to open their hearts and homes to children in need. To learn how you can help, please contact our Foster Care home finder at (585) 589-3161 or visit us on the web at www.orleanscountyny.com, click on “Departments” and then “Social Services.”
Be sure to check out our video featuring Orleans County foster parents and Child and Family Services staff sharing their impressions and experiences of fostering. Click here to see the video.
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) is joining his Assembly Minority colleagues in a letter to Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie demanding he call a special session to rescind New York state’s eviction moratorium.
The state’s eviction moratorium would persist until Aug. 31, a month longer than federal protections, which are set to expire on July 31.
The eviction moratorium has prevented small landlords from collecting revenue for over a year, even while facing financial obligations of their own.
“In terms of both public health and economic well-being, we are making a comeback from the worst of the Covid-19 pandemic,” Hawley said. “With vaccinations available to all who want them and an abundance of job openings throughout the state, I see no benefit in allowing the eviction moratorium to remain in effect any longer. While these protections were sensible during the worst days of the pandemic, the time has come to allow landlords to collect their revenue, both for their sake and also the sake of other tenants who otherwise might have their rents raised to compensate for rent not paid by others.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 July 2021 at 11:15 am
Press Release, NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets
File photo: A bee pollinates a flower in an apple orchard in May 2020 in Knowlesville.
ALBANY – The New York State Departments of Agriculture and Markets (AGM) and Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced new actions to better protect pollinators and support the health of honeybees across New York State.
Signed by Governor Cuomo on June 26, this modernization of the Agriculture and Markets Law (AML) better reflects today’s bee husbandry practices and creates a Cooperative Honeybee Health Improvement Program to better monitor honeybee health in apiaries in New York.
“New York State is dedicated to maintaining the health of our pollinators, and this amendment to our Agriculture and Markets Law is another great step in the right direction,” said Ag Commissioner Richard A. Ball. “Thanks to the AML updates, we can build upon our Pollinator Protection Plan to continue to modernize our honeybee health programs and ensure the future of agriculture and our environment.”
DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said, “The health of New York’s pollinators is directly tied to the health of our natural resources and agricultural economy. New York State is committed to maintaining healthy pollinator populations and we encourage all New Yorkers to join us in protecting pollinators by reducing the use of pesticides and herbicides that could be harmful to these creatures and creating good pollinator habitats in their own backyards, bolstering the ongoing efforts of the State’s Pollinator Protection Plan.”
The update to Article 15 of the AML:
provides for the Apiary Industry Advisory Committee and designates the Commissioner of Agriculture as the chairperson of the committee;
establishes a cooperative honeybee health improvement program, which includes the registration of apiaries (noting number of colonies, county where located, and contact information for person responsible);
provides for an annual inspection of apiaries selling nucleus colonies;
requires the Commissioner of Agriculture to provide beekeepers with advance notice of apiary inspections;
amends the Real Property Tax Law (RPTL) to clarify the farm buildings property tax exemption for the bee industry; and
amends AML section 301 (9) to include more bee products in the definition of “gross sales” for the Agricultural Value Assessment program.
Additionally, there is no fee or registration cost for enrollment in the Cooperative Honeybee Health Improvement Program, allowing for broad participation in the new program.
David Fisher, New York Farm Bureau President said, “Protection of our pollinators has been a primary focus for the agricultural community in New York, as the bee populations face many challenges including threats from mites, disease, and loss of habitat. New York Farm Bureau commends the Governor for signing this legislation that uses a science-based approach to improve the health of bees and their hives. New York State continues to lead the way in safeguarding what is an essential part of agriculture and our food supply.”
New York’s Pollinator Protection Plan
An interagency taskforce was announced by Governor Cuomo in 2015 to develop a Pollinator Protection Plan to promote the health and recovery of pollinator populations in New York State. The taskforce was led by the Commissioners of the Department of Agriculture and Markets and the Department of Environmental Conservation. Pollinators contribute substantially to the State’s environment and economy. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, pollinators provide approximately $344 million worth of pollination services to New York and add $29 billion in value to crop production nationally each year. New York’s ability to produce crops such as apples, grapes, cherries, strawberries, pumpkins, and squash relies heavily on the presence of pollinators.
“An investment in the health of our state’s pollinators is an investment in the sustainability of New York’s agricultural systems, economy and labor force,” said Benjamin Houlton, the Ronald P. Lynch Dean of Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. “We’re very grateful to our state partners for their continued commitment to innovate and support honeybee health. Their efforts will elevate awareness about our New York State Beekeeper Tech Team programming, as well as draw new funding to our impactful pollinator research endeavors – both of which help sustain our state’s beekeepers, their colonies and the many specialty crops they support.”
Dan Winter, President of the Empire State Honey Producers Association and Vice President of the American Beekeeping Association said, “The Empire State Honey Producers Association is very pleased with the passing of the new honeybee registration bill, a long-overdue update to New York State law. The new law will give Ag and Markets accurate information and an up-to-date census of beehives in New York State. With this accurate census information, universities can apply for grant money previously unavailable for local NY research. Pollinator protection just got a great boost here in NY.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 July 2021 at 8:05 am
Village Board asks department heads to consider ways to best use the money
ALBION – The Village of Albion will be getting $585,812 in federal funding through the American Rescue Plan.
The Village Board now has to determine how to best use the funding that needs to meet federal criteria for health and wellness, some reimbursements for added village costs due to Covid-19, infrastructure including water and sewer, as well as possible broadband internet upgrades.
Mayor Eileen Banker asked the village department heads to consider projects for the funding and then the board and the department heads will have a roundtable discussion. Albion has already received the first half of the money and has until 2024 to complete the projects and be eligible for the full amount of funding.
The Village Board on Tuesday also:
• Approved filling two part-time police officer positions with one to be paid $18 an hour and the other $22 an hour.
• Renewed a five-year contract with Albion sewer personnel to provide wastewater management services for the Village of Elba with 3 percent annual increases.
• Jay Pahura, DPW superintendent, said the village will put new blacktop down on seven streets this summer, up from three in most years. Albion also is putting in eight new manhole covers.
When the projects are done, Pahura said the DPW will look to put in the new walking trail at Bullard Park. That trail needs to be done by December to meet the timeframe for a state grant for the Bullard Park improvements. The walking trail is part of a local community match for the grant, which helped fund the new splash pad, amphitheater and bathrooms/utility building.
• The village owns the 121 North Main St. building, the former Citizens National Bank. The board was notified it will soon have a vacancy there with Crossroads Abstract not renewing its lease.
Mayor Eileen Banker said there will be two open spots in the building. The other vacant space was used by Bernie Baldwin, an insurance agent, who retired in 2018.
• Agreed to allow its insurance to be used for a movie in the park event at Bullard, which will be the first Fridays each month and will include a food truck. The village will co-sponsor the events with the Albion Summer Music Festival group formerly known as Rock the Park. That group will provide the screen and projector with the movies shown at the amphitheater.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 July 2021 at 7:26 am
ALBION — A committee has approved divvying up $311,079 for building improvement projects at 10 locations in downtown Albion. The grants will fund up to 75 percent of the projects
The state allowed a maximum award of $50,000 per building owner for non-residential projects with residential projects eligible for up to $100,000 through the grant.
Albion’s Main Street grant is for $388,192 total and that includes $311,079 for building renovations, $47,613 for streetscape improvements, $25,000 for administration and $4,500 for architecture, engineering and environmental costs.
The village has contracted with J. O’Connell and Associates in Clarence to administer the grant. The projects need approval from the State Historic Preservation Office because the downtown is included on the National Register of Historic Places. The 10 projects are currently being reviewed by SHPO, Village Clerk/Treasurer Linda Babcock advised the Village Board on Tuesday.
That committee that approved the allocations includes Karen Conn, Code Enforcement Officer Kevin Sheehan, Tony Wynn, Planning Board Chairman Matt Hand, Mary Sullivan from the Village Clerk’s Office, Richard Nenni and Jeannette Riley.
10-12 North Main St. (John Brabon for apartments) – $67,930
The projects all need to be done within two years from the when the grant was awarded. That gives the building owners and village until March 31, 2023.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 July 2021 at 7:02 am
Provided photos
GAINES – A new historical marker has been added to the Cobblestone Museum with one side of the marker highlighting the Vagg House at the southwest corner of routes 98 and 104. The other side notes the blacksmith shop operated next door by Joseph Vagg.
This side of the marker include the white ribbon that was a symbol of the
Women’s Temperance Union. Nellie Vagg was active in the temperance movement and wore a white ribbon until her dying days. “Nellie was a warhorse on liquor,” said Bill Lattin, retired museum director.
The museum will welcome guests on Saturday for an open house . There is free admission for people who bring bottles and cans from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. That’s when Upstate Bottle Return will be on site with a truck and an attendant to accept empty cans and bottles from visitors. Upstate will donate the full refund for all cans and bottles collected to the museum.
All buildings on the Cobblestone Museum grounds will be open at no charge for this open house event.
The Vagg House was recently acquired by the museum. The home was last owned by Rene Schasel, who died in March 2019. Schasel, was a supporter of the Cobblestone Museum and an avid collector of antiques dating from 1910 through 1940. He was also a friend of Bill Lattin, former director of the Cobblestone Society, and named his sister Marena Rupert and Lattin as executors of his estate.
The museum kept enough of the things to maintain the integrity of the home and furnish it in the style of the 1920s. “The home is now set up to interpret life as the Vaggs would have lived it in the 1920 and 1930s,” Doug Farley, Cobblestone Museum director, wrote in the Cobblestone’s autumn newsletter.
Joseph Vagg built the blacksmith shop next door in 1921 and Nellie bequeathed it to the Cobblestone Society after she died in 1975.
“This brings the Cobblestone Museum’s buildings to nine,” Farley said. “We have 18 if you count the outhouses. We are very excited to have a presence on this corner. The potential here is unlimited. This house will be included in our future tours.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 July 2021 at 8:53 pm
KNOWLESVILLE – The bridge over the railroad tracks on Route 31 near the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds isn’t expected to reopen to traffic until September.
The bridge was closed on May 11 and was expected to be shut down for about six weeks to accommodate construction that includes bridge deck repairs, joint replacement and slab reconstruction to enhance safety.
“During the course of construction it was determined the bridge required additional materials to ensure the project’s success,” said Jordan Guerrein, spokesman for the state Department of Transportation. “Those are currently being manufactured and the bridge is now expected to re-open to traffic in September.”
A signed detour will remain in place for motorists to use Route 98, Route 31A, Route 63 and Route 31. Local roads near the bridge also remain accessible during construction.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 July 2021 at 4:49 pm
Kevin Howard, mainstay for Lions Club, first honoree
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Kevin Howard, left, was presented with the inaugural “John Keding – Pride of the Pride Award” during Tuesday evening’s Albion Lions Club annual meeting.
The award was named in honor of John Keding, a Lions Club member for more than 50 years and a longtime local auto repair shop owner. He passed away at age 85 on Jan. 18. Howard is pictured with Keding’s wife, Pat, and their daughter Christine Buongiorne.
Kevin Howard and Mark Johnson work the grill during the Lions Club meeting which was held outside at the Elks.
Howard, a retired state trooper and former Albion town justice, has been a member of the Albion Lions Club for 15 years. He was praised for his willingness to cook food during Lions Club fundraisers. He also helps the first Friday each month for the Community Kitchen in Albion, when the Lions take a turn preparing the meals.
“It’s a way to give back to the community, and the this community has been very good to me,” Howard said.
The Lions Club isn’t a demanding commitment, he said.
“It’s fun and you get to see a lot of people,” Howard said.
The award winner also helps with cleanup projects, and brings a positive attitude.
“He is very hardworking and fun to be around,” said Mary Janet Sahukar, the club secretary. “He keeps things moving.”
The club also installed its officers for 2021-22, including from left: Dan Conrad, president; Mary Janet Sahukar, secretary; Lloyd Wright, treasurer; and Ron Albertson, vice president.
Conrad said the club wanted to honor Keding with the Pride of the Pride Award.
“That man was Mr. Lion,” Conrad said. “I could be a Lion the rest of my life and not fill his shoes.”
The club on Tuesday also welcomed two new members: Ben Lennox and Jonathan Doherty.
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) voted to advance the bipartisan Broadband Internet Connections for Rural America Act (HR 4374) out of the House Agriculture Committee.
“Today the House Agriculture Committee proved that legislators can come together in a bipartisan way to advance legislation,” Jacobs said. “The Broadband Internet Connections for Rural America Act directs $43 billion in investments in rural communities to expand high-speed internet access, partly through the successful USDA ReConnect Rural Broadband Program.”
The Broadband Internet Connections for Rural America Act (H.R. 4374) was modeled off legislation Jacobs and his Republican colleagues on the House Agriculture Committee introduced earlier this year, the Broadband for Rural America Act (H.R. 3369). H.R. 4374 harmonizes the USDA’s broadband programs and authorizes $43 billion in broadband investment over the next eight years.
Currently, a bipartisan group of Senators is developing infrastructure legislation with $65 billion allocated for broadband. The Broadband Internet Connections for Rural America Act serves as a pathway to direct a majority of that spending through existing USDA programs with a proven track record of delivering for rural communities.
“Broadband expansion is essential to advancing our rural communities and providing critical services to families, schools, small businesses, and seniors. I remain committed to working proactively to address the digital divide in Western New York,” Jacobs said. “As the House and Senate continue negotiating infrastructure legislation – I urge them to follow the example set today by the Agriculture Committee and advance bipartisan proposals that address the direct needs of the American people.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 July 2021 at 12:52 pm
Contributed photos
LYNDONVILLE – Demolition has begun to take down the Crosby-Whipple building at 30 North Main St. in Lyndonville.
These photos are from behind the Main Street site, with the sided part of the building close to Curley’s Bar.
The site will become a 7,600-square-foot Dollar General with 29 parking spaces. The Broadway Group in Huntsville, Alabama is the developer for the project.
The 7,600-square-foot store is the smallest model offered by Dollar General. Most of the Dollar Generals are more than 9,000 square feet. The parcel of land on Main Street doesn’t give enough room for the larger size store.
Contributed Photo – With a field of over 80 participating, the annual Lizzy’s Loves Golf Tournament, which was held in memory of Liz Monell this past Saturday at Shelridge, raised over $10,600. The tourney benefits both the Knights Kaderli Foundation (a donation of $9,600) and the Medina High Liz Monell Scholarship ($1,000). The tourney is organized by the Medina High Class of 1986. Pictured here from left to right are Sue Knights from Knights Kaderli, Chris Creasey Class of ’86, Missy Bertrand from Knights Kaderli and Class of ‘86, John Monell (Liz’s brother), Jack Monell (Liz’s Father), Sue Monell (Liz’s Mother), Melissa Cotter (Liz’s sister), and Doug Fuller Class of ’86.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 July 2021 at 8:08 am
Friday will be first traditional parade in county since 2019
This photo from June 20, 2019 shows the last Kendall carnival parade. A big crowd of community members watched the procession of floats, marching bands and fire trucks. Lloyd Christ of Murray brought his big tractor to promote a tractor pull in Murray.
KENDALL – The Kendall Firemen’s Carnival will return this week after last year’s event was cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions.
The Kendall Fire Department is planning a full schedule including the first traditional parade in Orleans County since 2019. Last year all of the community parades were cancelled and there hasn’t been one yet in 2021.
The state lifted restrictions for outdoor events with Covid cases declining and the vaccination rate rising. However, people who haven’t been vaccinated will be encouraged to wear masks if they can’t maintain social distancing.
Kendall is the last fire department in Orleans County that runs a carnival. The event is an important fundraiser for the department, helping to maintain an ambulance service, and the fire department’s building and grounds, said Bryan Hardenbrook, Kendall FD lieutenant and a co-chairman of the carnival.
The midway rides will be back with American Amusements out of Franklinville providing the fun.
Hardenbrook is expecting a big turnout for the three days of the carnival from Thursday through Saturday. The ride operator, American Amusements, told Kendall officials it has had a very big response so far this year with festivals and carnivals returning.
“Every where they’ve gone they have had a record turnout,” Hardenbrook said.
There will be ride specials this week from 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturday with ride bracelets for $20.
There will be a kiddie parade Thursday at 6:30 p.m. with the lineup starting at 6 p.m. Friday’s main parade, which will include numerous fire trucks and community groups, will be at 7 p.m.
The beer tent, lots of carnival food and live bands also are on the schedule. The bands include High 31 on Thursday night, 7th Heaven on Friday night, and the Kid Kurry Band on Saturday night.
Saturday’s schedule also includes a corn hole tournament at noon, garden tractor pull at noon, cruise-in car show from 4 to 7 p.m. and fireworks at 10 p.m.
Kim Corcoran and the Kendall Lawn Chair Ladies are shown performing to “New York, New York” by Frank Sinatra on June 20, 2019. They have been a crowd favorite for several years. They will be back in the parade on Friday.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 July 2021 at 9:56 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Serenity Acres brought horses, goats, a donkey and a dog to Hoag Library today as part of the “Tails and Tales” summer reading program.
The top photo shows River Marat, 10, riding the horse owned by Dona Scharping of Serenity Acres.
Hoag will have animals visiting the library outside on many upcoming Tuesdays, including calves at 11 a.m. on July 20 from Poverty Hill Farms in Albion, birds at 11 a.m. on July 27 from the Braddock Bay Raptors, and 4-H Small Animal Friends at 11 a.m. on Aug. 3.
These kids check out the goats visiting today.
Tanya Bjornstad and her daughter Alice get a close look at the donkey.
Jenna Uderitz, 5, of Albion gets a ride on one of the horses.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 July 2021 at 3:35 pm
POINT BREEZE – The Oak Orchard Neighborhood Association announced this evening’s concert featuring the Who Dats has been cancelled due to the stormy weather.
“We have tentatively rescheduled The Who Dats to perform Tuesday, August 17,” OONA announced on its Facebook page. “Sponsor tickets for tonight will be honored at that event.”
The series is scheduled to be back next Tuesday from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Orleans County Marine Park with The Brick Band in concert.
