Press Release, NYS Department of Transportation

KENDALL – The New York State Department of Transportation today announced the start of construction on a $950,000 project to combat flooding in the Town of Kendall, Orleans County, as part of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative (REDI), aimed at rebuilding lake shore communities affected by Lake Ontario flooding in 2019.

During times of high water, culverts adjacent to Edrose Shore, Knapp Shore and Thompson Drive become clogged with debris, causing frequent road closures due to flooding. This interruption to traffic is a safety hazard, limiting emergency access to nearby residents.

Town of Kendall Supervisor Anthony Cammarata said, “Through the Governor’s Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative, and with great partnership with state agencies, we will replace four critical culverts. These measures will not only reduce the chance of road closures due to flooding but will also increase public safety for the residents of the Town of Kendall, allowing continued access for emergency vehicles and personal. We are thankful for this opportunity to work collaboratively with New York State.”

Resiliency and revitalization measures for this project consist of replacing four existing culverts located within 200 feet of Lake Ontario with a more modern design that will ultimately enhance safety and promote uninterrupted access for nearby residents and homes.

State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, “Governor Cuomo is continuing his promise to help lakeshore communities build back better and ensure our infrastructure is more resilient to the negative impacts of flooding and climate change. The State Department of Transportation stands with New Yorkers who have had to experience these devastating floods firsthand, and we are committed to helping shoreline communities become more resilient and economically viable for the future.”

Orleans County Legislature Chair Lynne Johnson said, “As we continue to progress REDI projects to fortify our lake front infrastructure, the replacing of culvert ends on Edrose Shore, Knapp Shore, and Thompson Drive in the Town of Kendall are a great example of making our infrastructure more resilient to flooding. This project, along with the other Orleans County REDI projects, is a testament to the level of commitment Governor Cuomo, the Lake Ontario Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative, the Town of Kendall, and Orleans County has made to ensuring we maintain public and private infrastructure that promotes economic development, sustainability, and resiliency.”

In response to the extended pattern of flooding along the shores of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River, Governor Cuomo created REDI to increase the resilience of shoreline communities and bolster economic development in the region. Five REDI Regional Planning Committees, comprised of representatives from eight counties (Niagara and Orleans, Monroe, Wayne, Cayuga and Oswego, and Jefferson and St. Lawrence) were established to identify local priorities, at-risk infrastructure and other assets, and public safety concerns. The REDI Commission allocated $20 million for homeowner assistance, $30 million to improve the resiliency of businesses, and $15 million toward a regional dredging effort that will benefit each of the eight counties in the REDI regions. The remaining $235 million has been allocated towards local and regional projects that advance and exemplify the REDI mission.

At Governor Cuomo’s direction, the REDI commission toured areas hard hit by flooding on Lake Ontario and worked with local communities to come up with a new vision for the shoreline from both a resiliency and economic development point of view in order to build back better and stronger for the future.

Photo by Tom Rivers: A boater is out on Lake Ontario on Sunday evening in a photo taken from Hamlin Beach State Park.

A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect for Orleans County and Western New York until 8 p.m. today. There is also a wind advisory in effect until 6 p.m.

The thunderstorms may produce heavy rainfall which may cause flooding today, the National Weather Service in Buffalo said.

There is also a high swim risk along the beaches of Lake Ontario tonight.

The wind advisory includes Niagara, Orleans, Genesee and northern Erie with south winds 20 to 30 miles per hour with gusts up to 50 mph expected.

Photo by Tom Rivers: The sign by the driveway leading to the Orleans County Administration Building promotes early voting in the county last week.

ALBION – There was a small turnout through nine days of early voting in Orleans County. Only 108 people cast ballots in the primary, which includes Republican races in six towns.

The 108 votes, for an average of 12 per day, is down significantly from the 3,753 who used early voting in 2020 from Oct. 24 to Nov. 1. That was an average of 417 each day. This was during a presidential election and was open to all registered voters, not just Republicans.

Here is the daily breakdown for early voting:

• Saturday, June 12, 7 votes
• Sunday, June 13, 9 votes
• Monday, June 14, 9 votes
• Tuesday, June 15, 26 votes
• Wednesday,June 16, 12 votes
• Thursday, June 17, 15 voters
• Friday, June 18, 13 votes
• Saturday, June 19, 6 votes
• Sunday, June 20, 11 votes
• Total: 108 votes

During early voting there were two election inspectors on duty from both the Democratic Party and Republican Party.

Primary Day will be Tuesday, June 22, with polls open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Here is a list of the polling sites:

• Barre – Districts 1 and 2 – Town Hall, 14317 West Barre Rd.
• Carlton – Districts 1 through 3 – Carlton Fire Co. Rec Hall, 1853 Oak Orchard Rd.
• Gaines – Districts 1 through 4 – Town Hall, 14087 Ridge Rd.
• Murray – Districts 1 through 6 – Murray Town Hall, 3840 Fancher Rd. (Route 31)
• Ridgeway – Districts 1, 3, 6, 7 – Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company, 11392 Ridge Rd.
• Ridgeway – Districts 2, 4, 5 – Town Hall, 410 West Ave.
• Shelby – Districts 1 through 4 – Town Hall, 4062 Salt Works Rd.

There are many letters to the editor about the local primaries on the Orleans Hub. Click here to be directed to the letters to the editor.

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Brenda Sills and her daughter Laura are presented with an “Honor and Remember” flag on Saturday during a ceremony at Alabama Full Gospel Church in Shelby. The flag is in honor of Steven Sills, who passed away at age 50 on March 23, 2020. Sills served with the U.S Army, 82nd Airborne Division and served a tour of duty in Iraq during Desert Storm.

The flag on Saturday was presented by Kristi Mangine, assistant director of the Honor and Remember chapter in New York State. Dan Criswell of Lockport, left, is holding the flag. His late son Daniel Criswell served as Army Ranger and also was friends with Sills. The Honor and Remember organization previously presented the Criswell family with a flag. Dan Criswell made the Sills’ family aware of the organization that seeks to honor soldiers who died in the line of duty or whose death is a result of their military service.

Steven Sills is honored in one of the hometown heroes banners in Medina. His portrait is shown on a banner on South Main Street, near Butts Park.

Sills is a 1987 Lyndonville graduate. After the Army, he earned two degrees at Fordham University in NYC.

Sills was known for a good heart and inquisitive mind. He was actively involved with WNY Mobile Overdose Prevention Services and Orleans Recovery Hope Begins Here.

Kristi Mangine discusses the symbols on the “Honor and Remember” flag, which is held by Dan Criswell and Mangine’s daughter, Cayna.

“This is our national symbol that reminds us that freedom comes at a high price and this flag is also a comfort to the families,” Mangine said.

• The Red Field represents the blood spilled by brave men and women in America’s military throughout our history, who willingly gave their lives so that we all would remain free.

• The Blue Star represents active service in military conflict. This symbol originated with World War I, but on this flag it signifies service through all generations from the American Revolution to present day.

• The White Border beneath and surrounding the gold star recognizes the purity of sacrifice. The Gold Star signifies the ultimate sacrifice of a solider in active service who will not return home. Gold reflects the value of the life that was given.

• The Folded Flag signifies the final tribute to an individual life that a family sacrificed and gave to the nation.

• The Flame is an eternal reminder of the spirit that has departed this life yet burns on in the memory of all who knew and loved the fallen hero.

Mangine has been active in the Honor and Remember organization the past five years. She said there are 1,026 soldiers and veterans in the state who are eligible for the “Honor and Remember” flags. Those soldiers either died in the War on Terror or as a result of their service, she said.

Mangine has been a part of about 300 ceremonies where the “Honor and Remember” flags were presented to families.

She also was part of a 150-mile run over three days on June 11-13. That Honor and Remember run went from Syracuse to Albany. At different stops along the way, the 1,026 names were read, including Sills’ name for the first time as part of that event.

Dave Kusmierczak attended the service with other members of the Honor Guard from Medina. They did a three-volley salute and played Taps in honor of Sills.

Brenda Sills thanked the community for its support since her son’s death. She is joined at the ceremony on Saturday by Sills’ aunt Nancy Horth and cousin Katie Smith.

Sills wants more families to be aware of the “Honor and Remember” flags.

“We want this honor to be made aware of for their fallen hero,” she said. “So many die on the battlefield, others shortly after and others live with 100 percent disability but eventually pass because of it. It is a life-changing event for any family.”

Sills said her son treasured his time in the military. But his service took a toll on his mental health.

“The greatest honor for him was to serve his country,” she said.

Dr. Libby served as family physician in Barker for 33 years

Press Release, Oak Orchard Health

Dr. Margaret Libby

LYNDONVILLE – Dr. Margaret Libby, a family physician who has practiced in Barker for over 33 years, has moved her practice to Oak Orchard Health, 77 South Main Street, Lyndonville. All appointments scheduled with Dr. Libby will now take place at this location.

“I chose to move to Oak Orchard Health because it was a good fit for me and my patients. I enjoy practicing rural medicine and that’s their focus as well,” said Margaret Libby, MD.

As a family medicine physician, she also specializes in occupational health, care of the disabled, addictions, and behavioral health medicine with a focus on the social determinants of health (non-health-related conditions such as housing, education, and work that affect one’s health).

“We’re grateful that Dr. Libby has chosen our Lyndonville office to continue her practice,” said Mary Ann Pettibon, CEO of Oak Orchard Health. “She knows the people in the area so well. It’s appropriate that an experienced family physician like Dr. Libby joins us as part of our medical team.”

Dr. Libby joins Oak Orchard’s family nurse practitioner, Michelle Okonieczny.

Dr. Libby received her medical degree at SUNY Buffalo School of Medicine and was a resident at Buffalo General Hospital. She also received an MS in Occupational Therapy from Columbia University.

Photos courtesy of Albion Central School: This shows the group that was inducted into the National Junior Honor Society earlier this month.

Press Release, Albion Central School

ALBION — Carl I. Bergerson Middle School inducted 22 students into the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS).

The virtual ceremony was held during the day on Thursday, June 3. During the ceremony, NJHS Vice President Ella Trupo introduced the pillars of the organization to the new inductees.

At the beginning of the ceremony, the current members were acknowledged and recognized by NJHS President MacKenzie Snook. The 30 eighth-graders were finally able to cross the stage as they missed their chance last year due to the pandemic.

The current NJHS members include Mallory Ashbery, Zackary Baron, Oliver Beach, Leo Bolton, Sawyer Brigham, Olivia Brooks, Cassandra Brown, Dillon DiGiulio, Nolan Franzese, Rory Garrett, Tracy Garrett, Alexis Hand, Matthew Kania, Mallory Kozody, Seth Krenning, Madison LeBaron, Taylor LeFrois, Hunter Lonnen, Kenadie Patten, Lucas Powley, Isaiah Riley, David Rosario-Soto, James Ruiz, Alexandra Sanders, MacKenzie Snook, Adysyn Stirk, Tye Talbot, Ella Trupo, Carson Uderitz, Keira Zambito.

Tye Talbot was the recipient of the Service Award for completing 25 hours of service.

These 30 eighth-graders were inducted into the NJHS last year but there wasn’t ceremony in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Once the current members had crossed, the new members recited the NJHS pledge led by NJHS Treasurer Kenadie Patten. Then, the new members were able to receive their certificates and NJHS Secretary Taylor LeFrois guided them to sign the registry book.

The newly inducted members include Kailee Anstey, Neveya Barnes, Nisi Beltran Roblero, Kaitlin Bennett, Elliot Beyrle, Julia Button, Lindsay Crawford, Abigail Ferris, Benjamin Fleisher, Kaiden Froman, Aubrey Gannon, Rori Higgins, Amiyah Jones, Justin Kania, Abigail Kincaid, Hanna Kumalac, Nathaniel Miesner, Madison Muckle, William Plummer, Pablo Rosario Reyes, Alondra Santana Gonzalez, and Joshua Zayac.

Congratulations everyone!

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Dylan DeSmit, left, and Zack Burgess perform with the band Zero during an open mic night on Saturday. This was the first performance at the amphitheater. Burgess is singing “Fortunate Son” by Creedence Clearwater Revival.

DeSmit, Burgess and other local musicians raised money for a grant writer and some of the costs of the Bullard Park upgrades through a “Rock the Park” musical festival. A scaled-down festival is planned for Aug. 28 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Bullard.

Members of the Rebuild Bullard Park Committee, Albion Village Board members and other park supporters celebrated the opening of the amphitheater on Saturday. Pictured from left in front include Jack Burris, Chris Barry, Zack Burgess, Mayor Eileen Banker with scissors, Bernie Baldwin, John Grillo, Stan Farone, Kim Remley and Gary Katsanis.

Bill Pileggi and the band Triple Play perform “Pretty Woman” during the open mic night.

The band Zero led off the open mic night. People can watch concerts in the outfield of a softball field north of the amphitheater. Dubby’s Wood Fired Pizza attended the kick off event on Saturday evening. The Zero band members include Chad DeSmit on drums, and from left: Mike Warren, Zack Burgess and Dylan DeSmit.

Chad DeSmit plays the drums for Zero. The amphitheater is next to the playground and spray park at Bullard.

Mike Warren, guitarist and singer for Zero, sings “TNT” by AC/DC during the open mic night. Warren performed for years in the fundraisers to help upgrade the park. He is thrilled musicians have a dedicated place to perform in the community. He said music “is a melting pot” that brings together people from all backgrounds.

Ron Albertson sings “One Way Out” by the Allman Brothers. He dedicated the song to the late Kathy LaLonde, who helped push for the park improvements more than a decade ago.

Ron Albertson, a member of the ReBuild Bullard Committee, also helped organize the Rock the Park festivals. In addition to “One Way Out,” he sang “Simple Man” by Lynyrd Skynyrd and “There Goes Another Love Song” by The Outlaws.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s AJ Seefeldt and his Mustang teammates will host Southwestern Monday in the quarterfinal round of the Section VI Class B2 baseball playoffs.

For the second time in as many months Medina will host Southwestern at Vets Park in a key postseason sectional contest.

Last month Medina edged Southwestern 21-13 for the Section VI Class C football championship to conclude the first ever spring gridiron season.

Now the top seeded Mustangs will entertain the No. 8 seeded Trojans in the quarterfinals of the Section VI Class B2 baseball playoffs at 5 p.m. Monday.

The victor will face the winner of the No,.5 Akron vs. No. 4 Eden quarterfinal in the semifinals on Wednesday at the highest remaining seed.

Niagara-Orleans champion Medina went 12-0 in league action and 13-1 overall this season while Southwestern went 6-6.

During the league campaign opponents scored a total of only 12 runs in 12 games against Medina’s underclassmen starting pitching trio of juniors Zach Fike (56 strikeouts) and Xander Payne (40 strikeouts) and sophomore Aidan Paul  (36 strikeouts).

At the plate, Medina’s starting lineup, which also includes seniors Brian Fry (shortstop), AJ Seefeldt (second base), Austin Mosher (catcher), Corey Saj (outfield) and Alex Doval (outfield) along with junior Joe Cecchini (third base) saw all nine starters have at least seven runs batted in.

Fike, who hit.460, led the way with 25 RBIs while Seefeldt had 16, Fry and Saj 13 and Doval 12. Fry has a team leading batting average of .467.

The Mustangs are seeking their second straight sectional title. In 2019 Medina captured the Class B1 championship with a 10-6 win over rival Albion.

Interestingly, five members of the Medina squad were also members of the Mustangs football squad including Fry, Payne, Cecchini, Saj and junior Hayden Woodroe while Southwestern’s team has six members from the football squad including Aidan Kennedy who was the Trojans starting quarterback.

Monday’s other B2 quarterfinals will have No. 3 Roy-Hart hosting No. 6 Maritime and No. 7 Cleveland Hill visiting No. 2 Olmsted. The winners ail advance to Wednesday’s semifinal at the highest remaining seed.

Section VI Softball

Section VI Class B2 softball quarterfinal action is also scheduled for Monday with No. 7 Medina at No. 2 Akron (5:30 p.m.), No. 6 Roy-Hart at No. 3 Fredonia (5 p.m.), No. 5 Wilson at No. 4 Olmsted and No. 8 Cleveland Hill at No. 1 Eden.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The spray park at Bullard Park in Albion has drawn many kids and their families since it  opened on June 8.

Saturday evening there was a group of kids cooling off at the site just before a ribbon-cutting celebration at 6 p.m.

This trio is drenched when a big bucket of water tipped, unleashing a downpour.

The site is available from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day. There is a touch pad to activate the water at the splash park, which is located on Route 31.

This group is soaked after the big bucket dumped water on them.

Lucas Rotthoff, 2, of Albion has fun at the spray park on Saturday. He stopped by with his family and didn’t want to leave. Mark Rotthoff, Lucas’s father, said he was impressed there were so many features on the spray park.

“It’s a nice addition for Albion,” he said. “There is more here than I thought.”

Griffen Harvey, 4, takes a breather after scampering all over the spray park. His grandfather, Ron Albertson, is a member of the Rebuild Bullard Committee that pushed for the park upgrades.

Members of the Albion Village Board and Rebuild Bullard Committee celebrated the spray park with a ribbon-cutting on Saturday.

Pictured from left Chris Barry, Ron Albertson, Bernie Baldwin, John Grillo, Kim Remley, Zack Burgess, Albion Mayor Eileen Banker, Jack Burris, Gary Katsanis and Stan Farone.

The park upgrades include a new amphitheater and utility building with bathrooms. The village will also be adding a walking trail and sidewalks to the spray park and near the amphitheater.

The summer parks program also will be back this year and will run from July 5 to July 30 at Bullard.

A Lucky Horseshoe

Seems an appropriate day to honor a symbol that was passed down to me. It was my Grandpa Clark’s. I don’t have many tangible things of his, but my memories of him are more valuable than things. He passed away when I was 13 years old. That would be 40 years ago. However, his image is as vivid as if I saw him yesterday.

He was raised a quiet Nebraska farm boy. Big in stature but short on words. He didn’t say much, he just grinned and grunted. The one thing he did say often was “don’t tell your Grandmother.” He used to call me “Frecks” because of all my freckles and sometimes “Half Pint.” I loved him very much. He trusted me to try things beyond my years, like drive his Lincoln down the road or operate his treasured Wheel Horse. He was a gentle soul with a haunted heart.

He served in World War II and was awarded a Purple Heart. Twice he was shot on two separate occasions. Once in the backside and once in the lung. In WWII they patched you up and sent you back out. We will never know the horrors that wartime brought to him since he never talked about it. It just was not something that the men of the Greatest Generation did. They just kept on keeping on.

Being Father’s Day, I felt it a good time to celebrate his Lucky Horseshoe. When my Grandparent’s home was sold, I took the Horseshoe that once hung above his carport. For years we hung it in our home. In 2016 after our house fire, the Lucky Horseshoe went missing! We searched and searched but could not find it.

This fall my husband and I were counting on a few stars to align as we began a new journey. We were looking to sell my business, buy some land and maybe win a few coins at the Casino. The morning before we headed out of State, my husband randomly came across the Lucky Horseshoe in our basement. Goodness! It was a sign that with patience and faith we were headed down the right path. We put the Lucky Horseshoe under the seat of our car and headed off on a seven-day journey that has been the beginning of a new chapter for us. The business sold, the land was purchased and we even won a bit at the Casino. Lucky Horseshoes have seven nail holes to represent good luck and should always face upright to hold the luck in.

I should have known these past five years that the Lucky Horseshoe would be found, because one reason that the Iron Horseshoe is thought to be so magical is that it can withstand fire. So for me it is magical for two reasons, it came from my Grandpa and it helped set us up for a magical journey. So as you head into this Father’s Day, whether you are honoring a living Father figure or a spirit Father figure remember all the magical things their example taught you. Happy Father’s Day to my Dad who taught me to be grateful for what I do have instead of focusing on what I don’t have. Happy Father’s Day to Dads.

What are your lucky treasured Father’s Day memories? To see the Lucky Horseshoe visit my blog live online (click here) and catch up on Weekly Photo Perks and past Sunday Posts. Like and share your comments.   

Truly,
Debbie London

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Medina attorney David Schubel, new president of the board of Supportive Care of Orleans County (Hospice), meets with new CEO Elisa Chambery. Chambery replaces Kellie Spychalski, who retired and moved to Arizona in the spring.

ALBION – Hospice of Orleans County has undergone major changes during the past few months, starting with a name change to Supportive Care of Orleans County. The change is meant to better convey the agency’s mission and the services it provides, staff said.

More recently, former director Kellie Spychalski announced her retirement and a relocation to Arizona. She has just been replaced by new CEO Elisa Chambery of Rochester, effective June 1.

Chambery comes with a long record of work in the health care industry, including longterm care and rehabilitation and respite care at Highlands Living Center, a part of the University of Rochester Medical Center.

“My roots are in social work,” Chambery said during a recent interview. “Anything else but health care doesn’t seem meaningful.”

She received her master’s in health administration at Brockport State.

Chambery grew up in Rochester, from the time she was 12. She continues to live there and said she enjoys the 50-minute drive to Albion.

“It’s such a pleasant drive, and I look forward to it,” she said.

She said she is looking forward to working collaboratively with the board and new associate director Doug Sommerfeldt, who recently replaced Derek Reiner.

“The staff here is so committed,” Chambery said. “They seem like a very tight-knit group of individuals. This is truly their passion. I am also so impressed with the Martin-Linsin House. I’ve been in a lot of places, and I can’t think of anywhere more beautiful.”

Chambery and her husband Keith have four grown daughters, ages 26 to 31. One is a nurse practitioner, one a mechanical engineer, one a veterinarian and the other a kindergarten teacher.

As agencies and individuals navigate through the tail end of Covid, Chambery said she just wants to be here for the community.

Schubel steps into the role as president of the board of Supportive Care as he begins his second year on the board.

A Medina attorney, he has been practicing law since 1974, starting out with Miles and Webster. That became Webster, Schubel and Meier. He said the late Norris Webster “set the standard of how to practice law.”

Schubel’s involvement in Supportive Care’s board came about during a contemplative prayer group to which he belongs with former county judge Jim Punch at St. Mary’s Church in Medina.

“As the county attorney for 27 years, I was involved with the nursing home, which the county then owned,” Schubel said. “Jim said, ‘You have all the experience with health care. Why don’t you join the board.’”

“Jim said he wanted to step down, so here I am,” Schubel said.

Schubel is also a partner with Phil Keppler of Shelby Center in raising Hereford cattle.

“I grew up in Akron and used to come to Forrestel Farm for pheasant hunting,” he said. “I thought it was the greatest place to be. I saw the cattle and I was intrigued by them.”

Schubel was elected president of Supportive Care’s board at their annual meeting in May.

“This is a terrific organization and one of the true ornaments of Orleans County,” he said.

While he said he was not in on the decision to change the name of the organization, it said it is reflective of their mission to support, not only the patient, but their family and loved ones.

He called the board a diverse one, with all very talented people, one of which was former Albion school superintendent Ada Grabowski, who was given the status of director emeritus at the last meeting.

“We are duly aware of the challenges that face any health care agency in the industry, and we are exploring collaborative relationships with Rochester Regional Health,” Schubel said. “We still want to remain independent with local control, but all the regulations we have to comply with are really difficult.”

By Doug Farley, Cobblestone Museum Director – Vol. 2 No. 24

When thinking about the history of the Hamlet of Childs, one’s attention is quickly drawn to J. Howard Pratt (shown at right), who served as Town of Gaines Historian for over 30 years, active in forming the Orleans County Historical Association and one of the founding fathers of the Cobblestone Society.

Howard’s appreciation for all things historic led him to become known as Orleans County’s dean of local history, a moniker that stuck with him all throughout his 99-year life.

Mr. Pratt was born on August 15, 1889 to Mr. and Mrs. John Henry Pratt. He and his sister Florence (James) attended rural school on the Ridge Road. Howard was a member of the first agriculture class at the Albion High School, graduating in 1911. Following graduation he attended a training class and earned a certificate to teach in public schools.

Howard’s first teaching position was in 1911 at Riches Corners earning $11 per week. He then taught the upper grades in Barre Center earning $12 per week, a raise in pay he thought to be quite substantial at the time. Later schools where Howard taught included the Bullard District on Ridge Road, Oak Orchard-on-the-Ridge and finishing up his teaching career at Eagle Harbor in 1936.

Pratt homestead, remodeled on several occasions, now Pitman residence

Howard met the love of his life, Leola Budd, and the two were married in 1914. They had four children, Marjorie (Rustay), John, Beth (Nesbitt) and Roger. Pratt lived with his family at 12883 Ridge Road in Gaines for most of his life. The Pratt homestead was originally purchased by Howard’s grandfather in 1842. Howard’s wife Leola died in 1972.

For about 10 years, Pratt spent two weeks each summer at Cooperstown learning crafts. He later became known as the “Chair-Man” and taught chair caning classes in his home. Pratt was the organizer of the first 4-H Club, known as the “Potato Club” and during WWII, he became the Orleans County 4-H Agent. During the three years Pratt served as County Agent, he did 34 radio programs on WHAM.

Following his term with 4-H, Pratt joked that he “retired” to farming. He recalled the days he worked as a farmer and drove cattle from Williamsville near Buffalo to his pasture land on the Ridge, a distance of about 50 miles. The trip took three days to complete. All of that followed a trip to Chicago by train to buy cattle, and then a return ride with the animals in the freight car back to New York. Howard took pride in his prize winning herd of Guernsey cattle. He accumulated about 1,500 ribbons from county and state fairs for his animals.

Pratt remarked that most retellings of the American Experience, fail to mention just how hard it was, and how much sweat it took, to make a living by farming. He also remembered something as simple as the odor that lingered when his mother baked fresh muffins with honey and molasses. Or, he remembered something more specific like the clothes President McKinley wore for the parade at the Pan American Exhibition in 1901 on the day before the president was assassinated.

About the time that Howard retired from farming, the Cobblestone Society was being formed and Pratt was asked to take charge of the Society’s Cobblestone School, a position he proudly accepted and continued for much of his later life. Pratt joined forces with retired cobblestone schoolhouse teacher, Ruth Applegate (shown with Pratt above) and the two were often seen leading school tours at the District #5 Cobblestone Schoolhouse.

Howard Pratt’s efforts greeting visiting students and leading the “typical day” tour at the one room schoolhouse were cherished moments for hundreds of school children over several decades. Pratt is shown here in the Cobblestone School with students from Barnard Elementary School near Rochester in 1967. He was 78 years old at the time.

Howard, very interested in Abraham Lincoln, would often dress in Lincoln costume and whiskers and lecture groups of school children about the Great Emancipator.  Pratt recalls that this “impersonation” first began when he was Historian for the Town of Gaines and he decided to pose as the nation’s 16th president during the town’s Sesquicentennial Celebration in the 1959.

Later, in June 1962, he even made a trip to Washington, D.C., where he was asked to give a talk on the life of A. Lincoln. His convincing first-person presentation at the time was described as “nothing short of startling!” Howard recalled the trip with interest, “At the Lincoln Memorial my resemblance to Lincoln created such excitement that the guards came over and told me I’d better move along. I was getting more attention than the statue.”

Similar excitement erupted at the White House during Pratt’s living history visit. “Everyone wanted to get a picture with me,” he said. Over his many years, Pratt enjoyed presenting Abraham Lincoln to thousands of grade school children throughout Orleans County and beyond.

Throughout his life Howard developed a keen insight into local history. He was first appointed historian for the Town of Gaines in 1957. In 1959 he was appointed Co-Chairman with Cary Lattin for the Gaines Sesquicentennial. In 1960, he was elected to the Cobblestone Society’s first board of directors.

In 1968 Howard received a Certificate of Commendation from the American Association for State and Local History. Howard was instrumental in establishing the Orleans County Historical Association in 1979 to continue the work which was begun for the celebration of the nation’s Bicentennial in 1976.

Howard Pratt with NYS Assemblyman R. Stephen Hawley and local author, Irene Gibson, when the authors were given special commendations from the NYS Legislature in 1980.

As a historian, Pratt turned his story telling ability into writing books on the subject. “Memories of Life on the Ridge” was his first of three books that would tell the autobiographical stories of his life  His first book actually followed a five year stint writing a series of articles entitled, “Saga of the Ridge,” which were published in the Medina Journal-Register from 1964-1969.  Pratt recalled that while writing those earlier articles, many folks asked him when he was going to compile the stories into a book. He responded to that with, “Now I finally have.”  He said, “I never wanted to be a writer, but I always liked telling stories.” Later publications authored by Pratt included “Saga of the Ridge” in 1983, and “Life on the Ridge,” written in 1987 when Pratt was 98 years old.

When he wasn’t working on authoring one of his books about local history, Howard Pratt enjoyed his hobbies of painting (two of his paintings shown above), caning chairs, and restoring antique furniture. Howard also liked to travel and took several trips to Europe. On his third trip to Ireland he said, “I finally kissed the Blarney Stone when I was over there this summer. I love to travel and meet people because I learn so much. And, I love to talk.”

Pratt, even into his 90s, was always seen, out and about. At the age of 90 he took a nasty tumble, and fell off his roof while cleaning his gutters.  After nursing his bruises, he was seen later that same year helping with repairs while standing on top of the roof at Pullman Memorial Church. Also at age 90, Howard was seen planting several peach trees in the back of his house.

Howard and his family were long time members of the Pullman Memorial Universalist Church which was dedicated in 1895. Local historian Bill Lattin recalls one time that Howards’ sister, Florence, was asked if she was present at the dedication of the church with George Pullman in attendance. She allowed how both she and her father attended. The inquisitor asked next, “Florence, did your brother Howard attend, too?” Florence replied with a droll little smile, “No. He was naughty and had to stay home.”

Sadly, Howard died at age 99, just a few months shy of his 100th birthday. He did however reflect earlier about his long life and said, “There’s no real secret to longevity. Stay active and keep working at what you enjoy.”  Another typical Pratt witticism was “Everything comes to him who waits, if he works while he waits.”