Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced on Monday the availability of $105 million in critical arts and cultural funding through the New York State Council on the Arts, including a program to reinvigorate near-term live performances that opens for applications Wednesday.

The grants will aid in the arts sector’s multi-year recovery from Covid-19 and spur the revitalization of New York’s creative economy, which fosters $123 billion annually in economic activity and supports more than 500,000 jobs statewide.

“We must build New York back better than it was before, and part of that process will be strengthening and reinvigorating our state’s creative economy,” Governor Cuomo said. “These grants will pay dividends through the economic activity generated by our creative ecosystem, which will continue to flourish and inspire us as we work together to make New York stronger than ever.”

There will be four rounds of funding, with $20 million already committed to multi-year awards in the first round. Each round is designed to address the most urgent needs of organizations and artists within New York’s nonprofit creative sector.

• Restart NY: Rapid Live Performance Grants ($10 million): Support will directly address the area of the arts sector hardest hit by Covid-19, and reinvigorate near term, in-person performance opportunities. This funding will prioritize the recovery of New York’s unparalleled performance organizations, venues, artists, and groups. This $10 million opportunity offers both direct support from NYSCA and regrant support through NYSCA’s Partnerships and Statewide Community Regrants program. Grants of $5,000 and $10,000 will be available for eligible performing arts organizations for planned performance programming in 2021. Support provided through the Community Regrants Program, which will focus on reviving performance on a very local level, will be administered by NYSCA partners statewide. The goal of this regrant support is to reach small, local organizations that do not receive direct grants from NYSCA. Round 1 guidelines and portal for direct NYSCA Rapid Live Performance Grants will open on June 16. Application portal will close July 1.
• Expanded Access to Funding ($15 million): Support will expand NYSCA’s current network of valued regrant partners to reach New York’s vast and diverse community of artists and organizations. Funding will be distributed through NYSCA Partnerships and Statewide Community Regrants. Increased support at the local level will ensure more communities, organizations, and individuals will have access to NYSCA funding. Round 2 guidelines will be posted June 16, 2021. Application portal will open on July 19 and close August 2.
• Organizational and Individual Artist Recovery ($40 million): Support will broaden individual artist assistance and deliver extremely flexible funding for organizations through a streamlined application experience. Grants offered in this round will greatly expand eligibility and encourage new applicants across a wide spectrum of artistic and cultural practices. Priority will be given to applicants that serve historically underrepresented communities. Round 3 guidelines will be posted on June 16. Application portal will open July 19 and close September.
• Capital Funding for the Arts ($20 million): Support will assist organizations in making improvements to address health and safety issues in their spaces and venues among other needs. Any New York State nonprofit arts and culture organization is encouraged to apply. Round 4 guidelines and application portal will open in September.

More information will be posted on NYSCA’s website this week.

“As the post-Covid era begins, NYSCA’s goals are to drive greater access to arts funding, reach historically underrepresented communities, and support the full breadth of artmaking in New York,” said NYSCA Executive Director Mara Manus. “Our extraordinary creative culture boosts tourism, hospitality, and Main Streets in every region. The reopening of the arts will ignite our multi-year, multi-faceted recovery, and will promote vitality, health, and prosperity as we rebuild across New York State.”

Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced on Monday an estimated $2.2 billion in federal food assistance for children in New York State that were unable to access free school meals due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Administered by the state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer program will provide eligible students $132 in food benefits for each month they fully participated in remote learning and $82 in food benefits for each month they participated in hybrid learning during the 2020-21 school year. (Click here for more information.)

“For many families across the state, free school meals provide a critical stop-gap and the ongoing pandemic has only made it harder for those already grappling with food insecurity,” Governor Cuomo said. “This funding will help school children throughout our state access critical food assistance at a time when so many families are trying to make ends meet.”

Starting June 14, food benefits will begin being issued to children enrolled to receive free school meals but had their in-person school attendance reduced due to the pandemic. Children that participated in remote learning for more than 12 school days during a given month will receive $132 for that month; children who learned remotely for at least one school day but no more than 12 days in each month will receive $82 for that month.

About 2.5 million children throughout the state are enrolled to receive free school meals during the 2020-21 academic year. Families will not need to apply for the benefits, which will be distributed in two phases: One beginning now and extending through late July that will cover fall semester benefits; and another beginning sometime in late July and extending through August that will cover spring semester benefits.

Eligible children who are in families that are enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will see their benefits posted to that household’s regular EBT card. The households of all other eligible children will receive a letter informing them of their benefit availability and how to access them.

Children under the age of 5 who are part of a SNAP household will be eligible for P-EBT food benefits to replace meals missed due to the closure of childcare facilities during the pandemic. These benefits will cover closures since October 2020.

The families of children who received P-EBT cards by mail for the first-round last year will see the latest round of benefits posted to the same card if they are still eligible. If they no longer have these cards, they may request a replacement by contacting the automated P-EBT helpline at 1-888-328-6399.

Newly-eligible students who are not part of a SNAP household or in a family receiving Temporary Assistance will be issued a P-EBT card by mail along with instructions on how to activate it.

Like regular SNAP benefits, these Pandemic EBT benefits can be used to purchase food at authorized retail food stores. New Yorkers can also use these benefits to purchase groceries online from authorized retailers.

“With both the beginning of summer break and the end of the pandemic in sight, we cannot overlook that there are many families still suffering and children wondering where their next meal will come from,” said State Education Commissioner Betty A. Rosa. “Extending these benefits for children enrolled in the National School Lunch Program ensures our communities that have been hardest hit by the pandemic can access the nutritious foods that they need in order to thrive.”

Press Release, Bayer

KNOWLESVILLE – Jody Neal, an Albion dairy farmer, recently directed a $2,500 Bayer Fund America’s Farmers Grow Communities donation to Orleans County 4-H Robotics Program Building Fund. Neal is a mentor and coach for the robotics team, which includes his sons, Jayden and Zachary.

Since 2010, the America’s Farmers programs have awarded more than $59 million to community nonprofits, aspiring ag students and public schools across rural America. Farmers are leaders in their communities, which is why America’s Farmers programs rely on them to help identify the most worthy causes.

Dedicated to making a difference in rural farming communities, the Grow Communities program asks farmers across the country to participate by nominating nonprofit organizations with resources to strengthen their local communities.

Last August, farmers entered for the chance to direct a $2,500 Grow Communities donation to a local eligible nonprofit of their choice. Farmers have directed donations to food banks, emergency response organizations, schools, youth agriculture programs and many others that reflect the spirit and support the vibrancy of rural America.

“The Covid-19 pandemic has affected everyone, including those in rural regions, and farmers play a critical role in helping communities overcome challenges, like the ones we’re currently facing,” said Al Mitchell, Bayer Fund president. “Bayer Fund is proud to work side-by-side with farmers to identify local eligible nonprofit organizations that are able to provide their residents with solutions that leave a lasting impact.”

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Lyndonville’s Brianna Krisher tags out Bolivar-Richburg’s Madigan Harris at second base. The action took place during this afternoon’s Section V Class C2 championship game at Lyndonville.

Scoring in six different innings, No. 3 seed Bolivar-Richburg edged top seeded Lyndonville 9-7 in the Section V Class C2 softball championship game this afternoon at Lyndonville.

The contest was a sea-saw battle through the first two and a half innings.

Bolivar-Richburg scored a quick run in the top of the first inning on an RBI double by Jessica Majot but Lyndonville answered right back with two tallies in the home half of the frame on an RBI double by Lorelei Dillenbeck and a passed ball. The rally was aided by singles by Gracie Johnson and Chloe Stinson.

Lyndonville’s Brynn Howell reaches high to make a catch in left field.

Again in the second inning the Wolverines scored three times in the top of the frame on two errors and an RBI single by Madigan Harris but again the Lady Tigers answered right back with a pair of runs on an RBI double by Johnson and a wild pitch to knot the contest at 4-4. A double by Brynn Howell sparked that rally.

Bolivar-Richburg regained the lead for good at 5-4 with a run in the top of the third on an RBI single by Kayli Giardini.

The Wolverines made it 6-4 in the fourth on an RBI sacrifice fly by Majot and then 8-4 with a pair of tallies on an error in the top of the sixth.

Blanked without a hit in the third, fourth and fifth innings, Lyndonville came battling back in the bottom of the sixth.

The Lady Tigers scored three times on an RBI double by Addison Dillenbeck and run producing singles by Johnson and Ella Lewis to slice the deficit to just one at 8-7 but could not pull even as runners were left stranded at second and third. Singles by Haley Shaffer and Brianna Krisher ignited that rally.

The Wolverines added a big insurance run in the top of the seventh on a leadoff home run by Jianna Nix to make it 9-7.

Bolivar-Richburg pitcher Malayna Ayers, who came on in relief in the sixth inning, then retired the Lady Tigers in order in the home half of the seventh to preserve the narrow win.

Lyndonville finishes the season at 17-2 and Bolivar-Richburg at 16-3.

Lyndonville’s Chloe Stinson dives back to third base before Bolivar-Richburg’s Gracie Ziker can make the tag.

Consumers lose approximately $40 billion annually by telemarketing fraud

Press Release, U.S. Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand joined Senate colleagues in calling for legislation to enhance penalties for automated and illegal phone calls wreaking havoc on consumers nationwide.

The Deter Obnoxious, Nefarious, and Outrageous Telephone (DO NOT) Call Act would increase penalties for individuals and companies intentionally preying on consumers through unsolicited and illegal robocalls.

“From every corner of New York there is one thing everyone can agree upon, and that is the enduring hope that the robocalls stop,” said Senator Schumer. “Americans are desperate to ‘hang up the phone’ and the DO NOT Call Act is the antidote we need to cut the cord on ‘spoofing’ scams that target especially elderly New Yorkers. Whether it’s the landline or cell, no one should be scared to pick up the phone, and I will fight tooth and nail to ensure that New Yorkers can have some peace and quiet from the incessant ringing of robocalls.”

According to YouMail, nearly 4.5 billion robocalls targeted Americans in April of 2021 alone. Of those calls, 229,042,000 took place in New York State, making it the fifth most-called state in the nation. Consumers lose approximately $40 billion a year through telemarketing fraud. The Deter Obnoxious, Nefarious, and Outrageous Telephone (DO NOT) Call Act would:

• Clarify violations under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), which outlaws robocalls;
• Allow prison terms of up to one year for willfully and knowingly violating the TCPA;
• Allow prison terms of up to three years for aggravated violations of the TCPA;
• Double the maximum penalties under the TCPA for falsifying caller ID, from $10,000 to $20,000.

“Robocalls are surging nationwide as advancements in technology have made it easier for scammers to prey on vulnerable New Yorkers with little to no consequence,” Gillibrand said. “Not only is this harmful to consumers, but frankly, we don’t have time for the nuisance and deception. This vital piece of legislation will give the FCC the tools needed to combat scammers who grossly violate the Telephone Consumer Protection Act and, all too often, target and defraud senior Americans. I am a fierce advocate of the DO NOT Call Act, and will do everything I can to put sensible protections in place and put an end to unsolicited robocalls.”

The National Weather Service in Buffalo has issued a special weather statement with a line of strong thunderstorms moving towards southwestern Orleans, northwestern Genesee and northeastern Erie counties.

Winds in excess of 40 mph and half inch hail are possible with these storms, along with brief torrential downpours, the Weather Service said.

Locations impacted include Lockport, Medina, Albion, Newfane, Pendleton, Lewiston, Youngstown, Middleport, Oakfield, Fort Niagara State Park, Sanborn, Ridgeway, Shelby, Gaines, Alabama, Wilson, Elba, Cambria Center and Pendleton Center.

In Orleans, vaccination rate for 18 and over is 51.9 percent

Gov. Andrew Cuomo today said the state is very close to lifting all Covid-19 restriction as the vaccination rate for those 18 and older is very close to 70 percent.

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has the state rate at 69.9 percent with 20,099,155 doses administered in NY. The state is at 50.0 percent of all residents who have completed the vaccine series.

Orleans County is below the state vaccination rate. Orleans in early April was last in the state with the vaccination rate among 62 counties, but has passed several counties since then.

Orleans currently has 51.9 percent of those 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose, and 43.5 percent of the total population of 40,612 with at least one dose. That is according to the state’s Vaccine Tracker (click here).

The 51.9 percent rate for those 18 and older is higher than the following counties:

• Allegany, 43.4 percent
• Tioga, 49.1 percent
• Cattaraugus, 50.6 percent
• Fulton, 50.7 percent
• Lewis, 50.7 percent
• Steuben, 51.2 percent
• Seneca, 51.6 percent

With the state set to pass the 70 percent vaccination rate, Cuomo announced restrictions will soon be lifted. He was in Syracuse today at the State Fairgrounds and announced that the fair in August will reopen to 100 percent capacity. He also announced the state will be spending $40 million in tourism ad campaign to bring more people to visit the state.

The state’s percent of positive Covid tests has plunged from about 8 percent in January to the current 0.4 percent.

“The more people get vaccinated, the lower the positivity rate,” Cuomo said. “The more the vaccine rate goes up, the lower the positivity rate. That’s why we’ve been working so hard on vaccinations.”

The governor praised New Yorkers for getting the vaccine and allowing the state to reopen ahead of what was initially considered a very optimistic target of July 4.

“We beat all those predictions, but it doesn’t mean when we hit 70 percent it’s over,” Cuomo said. “It means it’s working. It means we’re doing well, but it also means keep going. It’s not the finish line at 70, but we’re coming around the last turn on the track and we have to focus and we have to know that we’re doing well.”

ALBION – The turnout in the first three days of early voting is way down compared to the response last year in early voting during the presidential election.

Voting has started for Republicans with primaries in six Orleans County. The turnout so far include 7 on Saturday, 9 on Sunday and 8 today at about 3 p.m. Voting today is from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Early voting continues each day through Sunday at the Orleans County Board of Elections Office at the County Administration Building, 14016 State Route 31.

There was early voting in 2020 from Oct. 24 to Nov. 1 and 3,753 people voted over 9 days, an average of 417 each day. This was during a presidential election and was open to all registered voters, not just Republicans. Some people also preferred early voting during the Covid-19 pandemic, expecting smaller crowds at the BOE office. Some people were also concerned last election it would be more difficult to vote if they needed to isolate at home if they were in close contact with someone who had Covid.

When there was early voting for the first time in 2019, there were 32 voters on the first day and then 26 on Sunday, the second day. In the nine days of early voting in 2019, there were 374 early voters out of about 23,000 registered voters in the county, an average of about 42 per day.

Here is the schedule for early voting for the remaining six days:

• Tuesday, June 15, from noon to 8 p.m.
• Wednesday, June 16, from noon to 8 p.m.
• Thursday, June 17, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Friday, June 18, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Saturday, June 19, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Sunday, June 20, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The regular primary election day will be June 22 with a polling location in each town with a primary. The Republican primaries include:

• Barre – Four candidates seeking two four-year positions on the Town Board: George McKenna, Tom McCabe, David S. Waters and Lynn Hill. McCabe and Hill currently are on the Town Board.
• Carlton – Two candidates are seeking a four-year term as town clerk. Karen A. Narburgh and Dori Goetze are the candidates. Narburgh is the current town clerk.
• Gaines – Two candidates are running for Gaines town justice. Bruce Schmidt is retiring from the position after this year. Henry Smith, Jr. and Charles Prentice, Jr. both are seeking a four-year term.
• Murray – Former Orleans County Sheriff Randy Bower is challenging current Town Supervisor Joe Sidonio for a two-year term as town supervisor.
• Ridgeway – There are three candidates seeking a four-year term as Ridgeway town clerk. They include Laurie Kilburn, Hannah Hill and E.J. Cox. There are also three candidates seeking two four-year terms on the Town Board: Cliff Barber, Jeffrey Toussaint and David M. Stalker. Toussaint and Stalker are currently on the Town Board.
• Shelby – There are three candidates seeking two four-years on the Town Board: William H. Bacon Edward, Mathew Zelazny and Stephen J. Seitz, Sr. Bacon and Seitz are current board members.

Provided photos: Patrick’s Weissend’s foursome stopped for a picture at United Way’s golf tournament June 4 at Shelridge Country Club. From left are Mickey Hyde, James Tee, Greg Budd and Weissend. A record 36 teams registered for the tournament.

MEDINA – United Way of Orleans County’s annual golf tournament was a huge success, according to executive director Dean Bellack.

A record 36 teams registered for the event, which Bellack estimates will result in a profit of about $18,000.

“It was a very good day,” he said. “We had volunteers from Baxter, Velocitii, the community and several of our board members.”

Bellack commended former board member Melinda Rhim who spent the entire day on the golf course, taking pictures of the players, which she has printed out in preparation of sending each team their picture.

Bellack also said the staff at Shelridge stepped up to pitch in. He credited United Way’s financial coordinator Dawn Winkler for coordinating and organizing events of the day.

Mark Doel putts while Lionel Rhim holds the pin during United Way’s golf tournament at Shelridge Country Club.

Before teeing off in the morning, the golfers were welcomed with remarks from Bellack, United Way’s board president George Bidleman and Nyla Gaylord, former director of Ministry of Concern, who recently joined United Way as fundraiser.

Winners announced were:

• 1st in Men’s Division – Don Roesch Joe Medicamore, Eric Jaszka and Scott Peters.

• 1st in Mixed Division – Raymond Daniels, Patrick Hinkson, Doug Clark and Chelsi Clark.

• 1st in Women’s Division – Mary Guzik, Lynn Evans, Sherry Palmeri and Joni Wetherwax.

• Contest Holes: #8 Closest to the pin (men) – Pat Hinkson; #8 Closest to the pin (women) – Chelsi Clark; #12 Closest to the pin (men) – Marc O’Hearn; #12 Closest to the pin (women) – Jeanne Whipple; #5  Longest drive (women) – Mary Guzinski; and #18 Longest drive (men) – Marc Strain.

At the end of the day, golfers enjoyed a buffet and basket raffle in the clubhouse.

Don Colquhoun’s team takes a break on the green at Shelridge Country Club during United Way of Orleans County’s golf tournament June. From left are Bob Martin, Colquhoun, Tim McMahon and Pete Kaiser.

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – The Class of 2021 was celebrated this morning in a senior walk, with teachers and the entire students body applauding them for their upcoming graduation.

Ianah Drisdom and Sophia Cardone are in the senior walk this morning, when members of the Class of 2021 walked from the high school and then by the track, past the Wise Middle School and then past the Oak Orchard Elementary School. The entire student body from the elementary, middle and high schools formed a tunnel and applauded the class. They carried signs with their future plans. Drisdom aspires to be a pediatrician and Cardone is headed to Ohio University.

Savanah Burns and about 125 members of the Class 2021 participate in the senior walk this morning. In the past students have walked through the hallways in the three school buildings. Last year there wasn’t a senior walk. This year it was moved outside on the sidewalk from the high school to the middle school and the elementary school.

Devin Griffin and Abby Blount are both headed to college next year, with Griffin going to Cortland State and Blount off to Fredonia State.

Emma Carson and Sydney Watts enjoy the senior walk this morning. Carson is planning to attend Daemon College and Watts is headed to Oswego State College.

High School Principal Michael Cavanagh led the class in the walk along the sidewalk. They are wearing tie-dyed shirts that were donated by a parent group for the Class of 2021.

Parker Clewell and Makayla Heideman join their classmates in the parade of graduates this morning. Clewell is headed to Niagara County Community College and Heideman is going to Genesee Community College.

After the senior walk, the class was treated to a breakfast by parents at the Shelby Volunteer Fire Hall.

Tyler Chinn is in line for scrambled eggs and pancakes at the Shelby Volunteer Fire Company.

A Medina parent group with the Class of 2021 treated the class to breakfast this morning.

The parent group also raised money for a goodie bag that was delivered by teachers to each of the class members. The goodie bag included a yard sign, the tie-dyed shirt worn today, draw-string backpacks, and other donations from the community, including coupons for a free pizza at Mark’s Pizzeria.

The parent group used some of the donated money to help with prom costs last Friday, which was held at the Lockport Country Club.

Those donations covered prom favors, desserts and the cost for valet parking.

A group of parents decorated the fire hall for today’s breakfast.

Corinne Hill, one of the seniors, is grateful to be with her classmates for some activities as they close out their school careers. Hill has been a fully remote student since March 2020. She will be attending Daemon College to study to be a physician’s assistant.

“I’m glad we’re able to get back to normal,” she said after the senior walk and just before a senior breakfast at the Shelby fire hall. “It has been a disjointed year.”

She said the community and parents of the students have embraced the senior class to acknowledge a challenging year due to Covid-19. Medina’s High School was on a hybrid school until June 1, with one group of students in-person for two days, and another group on alternating two days. Wednesdays were fully remote for all students, with some students fully remote all five days.

The parent group sent goodie bags to students and Hill said that “homey feeling” was appreciated.

These seniors are happy to chat before the breakfast this morning. The class has;t been able to attend school together until June 1. Before that there was a hybrid schedule and many others were fully remote.

Jaden Pencille also appreciates the flurry of activities connecting the class the last month of their school careers. He was 100 percent remote until coming back for in-person classes on June 1.

“I really missed my teachers and classmates,” Pencille said. “Being here today is really bittersweet because I wish we had this all year. It’s really unfortunate that this is just a taste of what we could have experienced the past eight months.”

Pencille is headed to Fredonia State College this fall to study to be a music educator.

He said he is proud to be in the Class of 2021, which has shown resilience while excelling in sports, music and academics.

Some of the parents take a group picture of the class before breakfast was served.

Shannon Blount is one of the parents who pushed to help fund activities for the class at the end of the school year.

“The kids missed out on so much during their senior year,” Blount said. “We’re incredible grateful we were able to help make some of these special events possible.”

The Shelby Volunteer Fire Company sign welcomes the class for this morning’s breakfast.

Photo and information courtesy of Medina Marching Band

MEDINA – On Sunday, June 13^th, the Medina Band Boosters and the parents of the 2021 seniors hosted an abbreviated form of a band banquet to recognize this group of students who worked through an unusual and challenging year when they didn’t have an opportunity to perform or compete in any events.

There were 20 seniors recognized at the event, which was held at the East Shelby Fire Hall. It started with a prayer offered by Terry Steele.

The NYSFBC Scholarship was given to Bailey Jackson; the Mustang Band Booster Scholarship to Amanda Woodruff;  the Mustang Band Memorial Scholarship to Chris Woodroe and Jaden Pencille; the Steele Family Award to Faith Ann Vanderwalker; the Joseph C. McKain award to Kaylee Lacey and Hannah Kenward; the Alfred Hartway Drum Major Award to Bailey Jackson, Mark Barcena and Chris Woodroe.

Each senior was given a plaque, a picture of the senior group, a medallion, 3 buttons with their picture on it, a DVD of their past 5 shows, and a 2′ x 3′ banner with their picture in uniform.  Mr. Steele recognized each senior and shared personal memories of his time with them and the growth and accomplishment he saw in each of them. A couple of past band performances were viewed along with a slide show.

The band has started practicing for a fall show and Medina is expecting to hold our Fall Festival Show on Sept. 25th. Band camp will be held the week of August 16th.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Today is the debut of a farmers market in downtown Albion. The top photo shows Katie Mann, right, and Amanda Mrzywka of Navarra’s Farm Market & Greenhouses, one of 10 vendors at the market today.

About a dozen vendors have signed up to be at the market. They won’t all be there each Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Albion Merchants Association organized the market which is in the municipal lot on Main Street, just north of the First Presbyterian Church of Albion.

There used to be a farmers market in Albion and it was in the parking lot at Save-A-Lot. That market was in operation for 10 years before closing in 2014.

Mrzywka likes the site in the downtown much better mainly because there is protection from the wind. Vendors used to see their canopies blown over at the other location.

Navarra’s will be selling vegetables, flowers and home-made soaps. They accept the senior citizen, SNAP and WIC benefit cards and coupons.

Jill Newman, owner of New House Breads in Lyndonville, is one of the vendors in Albion. She also is a vendor at Medina’s public market and plans to be at Lyndonville’s when it starts next month.

She makes and sells dairy- and egg-free breads, and some gluten-free breads, as well as boules, pizza crusts, pretzels, scones and shortcakes.

J.R. James, owner of Blue Groove Coffee in Albion, is among the vendors. He goes to other farmers markets and special events.

He is happy to see the market on Main Street in Albion. He was on site today at 7 in the morning, setting up.

“This will be good for Albion,” he said. “It will help Albion grow and bring people downtown.”

Other vendors at the market today include Dubby’s Wood Fired Pizza, Stymus Farms, Circle B Winery, Saeva Farm, Red Check Rustic, Bee Together Woodworking & Crafts, and Amy Sherman’s Soy Candles.

Parlour is base for Marked by Janna and Tease hair salon

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Two business owners on Saturday celebrated the grand opening of The Parlour at the former Swan Library at 4 North Main St.

Janna Stirk (center right) of Marked by Janna Brow Artistry & Waxing Spa and Kylie Hughson (center left) of the Tease hair salon are sharing space at the former public library.

Pictured at the ribbon-cutting include from left: Brady (Kylie’s son), Albion Mayor Eileen Banker, Kylie Hughson, Janna Stirk, Brody (Janna’s son) and Troy McGaffick, a friend of the families.

Banker presented Stirk and Hughson with a certificate from the Albion Village Board for their investment in the community.

The business’s logo includes an image of a swan wearing a crown.

Kylie Hughson and Janna Stirk celebrate the opening of Parlour on Saturday. The two moved their businesses to the former library on May 1.

They praised building owner Chad Fabry for improvements to site, including installation of a salon and shampooing sink, a new bathroom (behind the former front desk area of the library) and other cosmetic changes.

Customers enter from the back door of the former library. Hughson and Stirk both said people enjoy being inside the building, which was constructed as a mansion in 1850. It served as Albion’s public library from 1900 until the new Hoag Library opened in 2012.

“It’s nostalgia for them,” Stirk said about many customers.

They see a much changed atmosphere, with two chandeliers, comfortable couches and chairs, and many large mirrors and an overall updated look.

Kylie Hughson and Janna Stirk are shown by one of the two esthetician chairs in the front room facing Main and West State streets.

The two both had their businesses on East State Street before making the move to the former library.

The love the view of the Courthouse Square and all of the natural light pouring through the tall windows.

Stirk, 38, has run her microblading business for three years. With microblading she puts semi-permanent tattoos on eyebrows. She has customers driving more than an hour from Rochester and Buffalo.

Hughson, 32, opened Tease four years ago. It is a full-service salon. She also does eyelash extensions.

Stirk and Hughson have become very good friends as business neighbors on Bank Street and now with their joint venture at the former Swan Library. They said they have a lot of fun during the workday.

“It is definitely very entertaining here during the day,” Stirk said.

The business is open Monday through Saturday, by appointment only. Call (585) 283-4033 for more information.