By Doug Farley, Cobblestone Museum Director

Norris Wilbur Vagg, born on October 25, 1903, grew up in the Hamlet of Childs, the son of Joseph and Nellie Vagg who owned and operated the blacksmith shop at Childs during the first half of the 20th century.

Norris’ sister, Melva (Warner) Vagg rounded out the family of four who lived in the house next to the blacksmith shop at the south west corner of the intersection in the Hamlet. The story of Norris Vagg’s life may have had an inauspicious beginning to be sure, but an early appreciation for the subtleties of spelling and the English language would propel him on a lifelong career that would take him to one of the highest offices of the region’s foremost newspaper.

Like all children in the Hamlet of Childs in the early 1900s, Norris attended the Cobblestone District No. 5 School just up the road from his home.  His written reflection on a one-room schoolhouse education follows:

“It had no swimming pool, no gymnasium, not even inside plumbing, but the old cobblestone District No. 5 one-room schoolhouse was a place of learning. We didn’t start French or Spanish in third grade, but we did learn to read, write and spell English. We had Christmas and Easter vacations and sometimes took time to plant a tree on Arbor Day, but the rest of the time we LEARNED. 

We learned to concentrate while other classes recited. Our work done, we learned by osmosis and eavesdropping when those other reciting grades were more advanced than ours. I learned you could make money writing by winning a countywide Women’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) essay contest, and I learned you could lose it by missing one word of 500 in a similar spelling contest.

No gymnasium? The entire outdoors (for a 15 minutes recess) was there for baseball, wrestling, foot-racing, and acrobatics on the ledge halfway up the cobblestone walls or a bicycle rodeo for the admiring girls.  Teachers didn’t interfere nor referee unless blood-letting started.

Teaching was tutoring, because each of us had individual attention I wouldn’t trade a moment of it for the mad rush of buses, hurrying through crowed corridors, cafeteria rowdyism and the impersonality of 25-in-a-centralized-one-grade schoolroom today. But then, like District 5, perhaps I’m old beyond my time.”

Winning spelling and essay contests in grade school were certainly a harbinger of big things to come in the life of this local boy.  After completing his early education and graduating from Albion High School, he matriculated at the University of Rochester in 1922.

Norris Vagg, family photo 1920s

Norris Vagg’s enjoyment of countless baseball games played during recess at the cobblestone schoolhouse and later at Albion High School, actually earned him the Varsity Shortstop position on the U of R team.

While living in Rochester, Norris started work as a “copyboy” at the Democrat & Chronical in that city, a job that typically involved carrying “copy” or typed story articles, from one room in the newspaper building to another, along with general errands and “gopher” responsibilities.

Norris, called “Red” by his friends and associates, soon advanced to the Assistant to the Western New York Editor.  From the Vicinity Desk he moved to the City Desk as a Staff Reporter. Later, he was Assistant to the Financial Editor, a Copyreader and Makeup Editor.

In 1934, Vagg was named Day City Editor. Three years later he took over the Night City Editor desk. In 1942, Vagg became head of the Copy Desk and a year later News Editor, also serving as Sunday Editor.  He was named Assisting Managing Editor in 1949.  In 1960 at the age of 56, thirty-eight years after starting work at the Democrat & Chronicle, Norris Vagg became the paper’s Managing Editor, a positon he held until his retirement in 1968.

Throughout his many years at the newspaper, Norris wrote and supervised the writing of thousands of articles.  It has been said he looked for a little humor in every situation, as demonstrated in the following article in 1966 that described a parent’s dilemma with Modern Math.

Henry Ott demonstrates the forge at the Vagg Blacksmith Shop in 2018

Even though Rochester became his home, Norris Vagg maintained his strong feelings for the Hamlet of Childs and the little blacksmith shop that had formed the basis for much of his early life. His Father, Joseph, operated the community’s blacksmith shop until his death in 1956. The author, Arch Merrill, described Joseph Vagg as “the last of the blacksmiths along the Ridge.” Norris reflected on life as a blacksmith’s son, and the tragic fire that disrupted the pace of the Hamlet in 1921.

“Still half asleep, I jumped from bed as ‘red Daylight’ filled my second floor bedroom, reflection of raging flames consuming Dad’s original blacksmith shop at Childs, about 20 feet from our house.

Sleep was brief that fall night as my sister Melva and I had attended a dance at Co. F Armey in Medina, fighting fog coming home on my first effort at night driving without adult support. Rest of that night was spent watching firemen protect the house and sitting alongside the shop ruins with Dad until nearly daylight.

Other crowding recollection include help farmers gave Dad in rebuilding; Mother helping in the shop until I developed muscled enough for some assistance; hot, rainy muggy days when farmers couldn’t work outside but could overfill the shop with horses and give themselves a holiday gabfest, and how Dad could disperse conversationalists crowding too close with a well-directed shower of sparks as he welded calks to shoes.

And most valuable, perhaps, was the lesson in clear, succinct communication administered by Dad after I had trained at the anvil and proudly showed off my educated observations in sizing horseshoes as he worked the floor by asking: ‘5s or 6s, Dad?’ His invariable answer: ‘Yes’. ”

Joseph & Nellie Vagg, 45th Anniversary Celebration, 1948

Norris’ mother, Nellie, made arrangements to give the blacksmith shop to the Cobblestone Museum in the event of her death so that people for all times could see sparks fly out of the open door, and hear the sound of the anvil, and feel the heat of the forge.  That transfer of ownership took place following Nellies death in 1975, and the Cobblestone Museum held a Dedication Service on May 28, 1978.  Norris and several Vagg family members attended the dedication.  At that service, Norris’ sister, Melva, remarked:

“My fondest memory of the blacksmith shop was watching the sparks fly as my Dad shaped the red hot irons on the anvil. The only work I remember doing was bolting the steel tires to the buggy wheel rims. We often worked by lantern light in to the late evening. My brother and I didn’t realize we were being supervised. We thought we were helping and I guess we were. The work I remember best was washing the dishes in the house so my Mother could give Dad some real help. Those were the days of happy memories.”

Norris Vagg, a favored son of the Hamlet of Childs, died on December 30, 1985 at the age of 82, in Henrietta, NY, after losing a 12 year battle with Lou Gehrig’s Disease. At the time of his death, his fellow journalists at the Democrat & Chronicle described him as, “One of the finest people I know in the newspaper business.”

Another spoke of his 46 year newspaper career, “He worked his way up from copyboy to managing editor, and held every job in-between.” His daughter-in-law, perhaps summed it up best. “The newspaper was his life!”

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Bob and Mary Lu Hodgins, who started the first sailing classes 32 years ago, stand in front of the Oak Orchard Yacht Club, where he is commodore.

WATERPORT – The couple who started the first sailing classes at the Oak Orchard Yacht Club say they have literally raised their kids here. It would be safe to say boating is in Bob and Mary Lu Hodgins blood.

The Batavia couple first joined the Yacht Club 35 years ago, and 32 years ago they started the youth sailing classes.

This year, Bob is commodore, and he and Mary Lu are thrilled to see the classes still an important part of the yacht club’s sailing program. The two oldest of their three children were in the first class and then went on to become instructors. This year, Bob and Mary Lu’s grandchildren will be in the class, which starts July 2.

Oak Orchard Yacht Club commodore Bob Hodgins and his wife Mary Lu sit in the fly bridge he constructed in the playground for children to enjoy.

“These are the first second-generation students in the program,” Bob said. “We are thrilled.”

The Hodgins’ son Ken and his wife have two boys and live in St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands, where he is a boat captain.

“I was introduced to sailing as a child, first in a rented Sunfish on a family vacation, and then my dad bought an old wooden Lightning sailboat which provided years of fun for my parents and all six of us kids,” Bob said. “I bought my first sailboard, a homemade plywood boat, when I was single and 20 years old. I had visions of sailing to faraway places, and over the past 45 years, I have been fortunate to be able to do that.”

The Hodgins started the sailing program so many years ago because they recognized the need to involve children and families in the yacht club, Bob said.

“Children need their own activities and the ability to form their own group of friends, in an environment that is safe and positive,” he said. “For the yacht club to have a playground and activities for children is essential to the future of the organization.”

Bob said the sailing program starting from nothing and took a few years to build.

“We had to raise funds, buy fleets of boats, hire and train instructors and get the club members to agree to support the program,” Bob said. “After 32 years of the program, we have had hundreds of kids learn to sail, but more importantly, they have formed their own lifelong friendships and been introduced to a sport that is an active, healthy lifestyle.”

Young people from age 9 through high school are eligible to enroll in the sailing classes. The program this year is run by John Zimmerman of Medina. Information can be found on the Oak Orchard Yacht Club website, where enrollment can also be completed.

Students in the class learn how to rig a sailboat, how to solo in a small sailboat with both a mainsail and a jib, rules of the “road” while boating, basic race skills and safety rules for sailboats.

For the Hodgins family, sailing has been a way of life. They had a boat at OOYC for 26 years before leaving in 2008 to sail the Caribbean. They sold that boat and bought another ocean boat to sail across the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. They once spent an entire year sailing, home schooling their children on the boat, Mary Lu said.

Last year, they sold their ocean-going sailboat in New Zealand. They had bought another sailboat for Oak Orchard River three years ago, and in January this year bought a power boat in January, which they took to South Florida for the winter.

Provided photos

ALBION – Albion students in Sandy Climenhaga’s AP Biology class continued an annual tradition where students fill planters with flowers. They are shown outside at the DPW last week. The bio students have been providing this community service for several years.

It is a fitting end to the year-long class, Climenhaga said. Students study the importance of plants as well as structure and biological properties.

Pictured in front include Emily Mergler, Sydney Mulka and Cameron Bell. In back are Melissa Robinson, Ashley Ames, Gavin Reid, Fjolla Bela and Alexa Grandy.

The group is shown working on the flowers in planters at the Main Street municipal lot. Pictured include Sandy Climenhaga, Sierra Kast, Jacob Thom, Cliff Thom, Jill Albertson, Ashley Ames, Tyler Climenhaga, Dean Marconi and Ziggy the dog.

Photos by Tom Rivers

POINT BREEEZE – The Oak Orchard Neighborhood Association last month installed a Little Free Library at Point Breeze. These are spots where people are welcome to give and take books.

The group considered putting the little library at the Orleans County Marine Park, but decided to have it at Point Breeze which has more visitors.

The little library was painted by OONA President Chris Manaseri in a similar style as the Oak Orchard Lighthouse. JoAnne Camann pushed to have a Little Free Library at Point Breeze. OONA used an existing post for a sign that had weathered and been removed.

Manaseri, a retired English teacher and school superintendent, also volunteers as a docent at the Oak Orchard Lighthouse Museum. On Sunday, when he wasn’t chatting with people checking out the lighthouse, he worked on an oil painting of the site, including a birdhouse to the left of the lighthouse.

The Museum has docents at the lighthouse on Friday evenings, Saturdays and Sundays.

The lighthouse was constructed in 2010, after $200,000 was raised from the community. The state also provided assistance with the project.

The 35-foot lighthouse is a replica to one that toppled in 1916 after a storm. The Oak Orchard Lighthouse has become an iconic symbol for Orleans County and the Point. It is often featured on the cover of the county’s tourism guide.

Manaseri painted in the plein air style, where artists paint outdoors.

Manaseri said he enjoys getting to know people at the Point. But when there is a lull, he likes to grab his paintbrush and work on a painting.

“I don’t like to sit still,” he said.

Press Release, Arc of Genesee Orleans and The Arc of Livingston-Wyoming

The Boards of Directors of The Arc of Livingston-Wyoming and Arc of Genesee Orleans announce Martin Miskell, current Executive Director of the Livingston-Wyoming chapter, will lead the agencies through their planned merger.

Martin Miskell

The unification of the agencies serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families will create a one-chapter, four-county service area covering roughly 2,400 square miles, which geographically will be the largest Arc chapter in New York State.

Miskell began his Arc career as Director of Finance at the Livingston-Wyoming chapter in 2002, becoming Associate Executive Director/Chief Financial Officer in 2007 and Executive Director in 2015. He calls this an exciting time.

“The merger will offer all four counties more program and service opportunities for individuals and families served,” Miskell said.  “We have experienced changes over the last decade in the field of disabilities and this merger will make the agency and its services more fiscally sustainable and poised for the future.”

Over the last several months, Miskell has met with senior leaders, board membership and retiring Genesee Orleans Executive Director Donna Saskowski to develop a regional approach and plan for legal and programmatic strategies to ensure a smooth transition.

The merger process is expected to take as long as five more months to complete. The new agency will use consolidated resources to ensure quality services to all people with disabilities and their families served in the Genesee Livingston Orleans Wyoming (GLOW) counties region. Once merged, the new agency will be called Arc GLOW.

Miskell grew up in the Geneseo area, and he and his wife Theresa have four adult children. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Economics from SUNY Geneseo and his Master of Business Administration from Rochester Institute of Technology. He also serves on the NYS Genesee Valley Parks Commission, SUNY Geneseo Foundation and is a member of the Kiwanis Club.

ABOUT THE CHAPTERS: The Arc of Livingston-Wyoming and Arc of Genesee Orleans, soon to be known as Arc GLOW are family-founded agencies dedicated to helping people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD) meet their full potential and find fulfillment in learning, personal relationships, employment, volunteerism, recreation, the arts, and more.

In the coming months, a new Arc GLOW website will be unveiled. In the meantime, the websites serving the chapters are www.arcgo.org and www.lwarc.org.

Photo by Tom Rivers: This sign directs people getting a Covid-19 vaccine on Saturday in Batavia at the Genesee County Health Department.

There will be two pop-up vaccine clinics this week in Orleans County at new locations.

The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments on Tuesday will be at the Yates Community Free Library and at State Street Park in Medina.

Tuesday in Orleans County: Vaccine shots will be available from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the library, 15 N Main St., Lyndonville. The Johnson & Johnson shot will be available for walk-ins or by appointment (click here for more information.)

State Street Park in Medina will then host a pop-up clinic from 2 to 3:30 p.m. 385 East Center St., the corner State Street and East Center Street. The Johnson & Johnson shot will be available for walk-ins or by appointment (click here for more information.)

Other clinics this week include:

• Wednesday from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Genesee County Health Department, 3837 W Main Street Rd., Batavia. Vaccines available include            Moderna for walk-ins and by appointment (click here for more information) and Johnson & Johnson for walk-ins and by appointment (click here for more information).

• Thursday from 1:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. at Orleans County Health Department, 14016 State Route 31, Suite 101. Vaccines available include Pfizer for walk-ins and by appointment (click here for more information).

• Friday from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Alabama Fire Department, 2230 Judge Rd., Oakfield. Vaccines available include Pfizer for walk-ins and by appointment (click here for more information).

“We are happy to be able to continue providing the pop-up clinics to our Genesee and Orleans County residents,” said Paul Pettit, public health director in the two counties. “As a reminder the Pfizer vaccine is for anyone 12 years old and older. Moderna and Pfizer are two doses and Johnson & Johnson (J&J) Janssen vaccine is a one and done vaccine. People are considered to be fully vaccinated after 2 weeks following their last dose of the 2-series vaccines and 2 weeks after the J&J vaccine.”

The Pfizer, J & J and Moderna clinics offer walk-in opportunities. However, Pettit encouraged people to register and choose the vaccine that best works for them to guarantee the dose availability and make the appointment quick and easy. Walk-ins are available on a first come, first serve basis.

For those who do not have internet they can call the GO Health Vaccine Registration Help Lines:

• Orleans: 585-589-3170
• Genesee: 585-815-7168

These lines are only to make vaccine appointments, and not able to answer Covid-related questions. They phone lines are not associated with either Health Department.

Rapid Testing Available: For those who are seeking testing, both health departments provide limited free rapid testing for those without symptoms at the respective Health Departments.

For Orleans County, a rapid test clinic is scheduled for Thursday, June 10^th, from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Orleans County Health Department at 14016 Rt. 31 West, Albion. To register, click here.

For Genesee County, a rapid test drive-through clinic is scheduled for Thursday, June 10^th, from 1:15 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. at County Building #2, 3837 West Main St. Road, Batavia.  To register, click here.

Press Release, Congressman Chris Jacobs

At a press conference today at the Queenston-Lewiston Bridge, Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) called for transparency on reopening deliberations and a plan to allow families to reunite on June 22nd when the current travel restrictions expire. Jacobs was joined by families who have been separated by the border closures.

“Sixteen months of family separations is simply unacceptable, and this cannot go on any longer,” Jacobs said. “For months, these families have dealt with uncertainty and heartbreak while they wait to hear if they will be able to reunite. Case rates are dropping in both nations and vaccines are rolling out – these continued indefinite extensions are nothing short of a failure of leadership from both nations. Today I am calling for two specific things – answers and action.”

The US-Canada Border has been closed since March of 2020 to non-essential travel as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. In May of 2021, the Canadian government announced that the border would remain closed until at least June 21st, 2021.

On January 21st, 2021, President Biden signed an executive order that, in part, directed members of his cabinet to develop a preliminary plan into opening the border and public health measures.

Jacobs, a member of the House Northern Border Caucus, is seeking transparency from the Biden administration on their efforts and discussions to develop a reopening plan. Secondly, he is calling for a plan that would allow for separated families to reunite on June 22nd, 2021.

“There can be no more inaction or stalling from the American and Canadian governments,” Jacobs said. “I’m proud to stand with these families to call for the border to be reopened, and I will pursue every avenue possible to see that these families get answers.”

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Jake Hebdon is training his dog Thomas J., a Golden Doodle, to be a grief therapy dog to provide comfort to those visiting a funeral home.

MEDINA – Funeral director Jake Hebdon knows everyone has a different way of dealing with grief, and if there is any way he can make that process easier, he is willing to do it.

He thinks he may have found a unique way to help people feel less uneasy when visiting a funeral home.

Hebdon has owned Cooper Funeral Home since December 2018, and prior to buying it, he lived on the third floor.

“I knew I couldn’t have a dog living up there,” he said.

Jake Hebdon, owner of Cooper Funeral Home in Medina, is training his Golden Doodle Thomas J. to be a grief therapy dog. Here the dog responds to the command of “Place” and takes his place in his bed.

But after deciding to purchase his own home, Hebdon started thinking seriously about getting a dog. And not just any dog.

“I did some research to see if anyone had such a thing as a grief therapy dog,” Hebdon said. “I found that in all of Western and Central New York, there was only one – a funeral director in Orchard Park. I thought having a therapy dog in the funeral home would be a nice touch. Nobody knows what to say when they visit a funeral home, and having a puppy would be a great way to break the ice.”

Hebdon contacted the funeral home in Orchard Park and asked how they did it. He found they mostly kept the dog in the office.

So he did some more research and discovered Golden Doodles were hypoallergenic and didn’t shed, qualities which would be important for a dog that was going to be around all kinds of people.

He got Thomas J. as a puppy 2 1/2 years ago and immediately started him in training. Initial training is as a comfort dog, and eventually Thomas J. will be certified as a grief therapy service dog.

Thomas J.’s trainer is Sarah Reed, owner of Fort Hyde Kennels in Gasport. The dog has completed intensive in-kennel training, as well as specialized training at the funeral home.

“We understand not all people are dog people, so we plan to offer his presence at calling hours, only if the family wishes,” Hebdon said.

Thomas J. was named after a movie character in the 1991 movie “My Girl,” a fictional movie about a girl named Vada Sultenfuss, who grew up above her father’s funeral home. The movie is a coming-of-age story about Vada and her best friend, Thomas J., played by Macaulay Culkin, and the unique views on life of someone who grows up around the funeral business.

As Hebdon first got the dog while he was still living above the funeral home, he thought it was a fitting name.

Reed told Hebdon Thomas J.’s breed is great for this purpose, but it will take three years for him to outgrow the puppy stage.

After three weeks of in-kennel training, Reed came to the funeral home to work with him one day a week for a month.

Hebdon has invited friends in to have a make-believe funeral ceremony to see how Thomas J. reacts.

He said if people are stand-offish, they don’t have to have any interaction with the dog. He said most likely the dog would not be present at the actual funeral service, only calling hours, if the family approved.

Hebdon has been in the funeral business since 2007, when he came to work for Tim Cooper.

“Tim has been a tremendous mentor to me,” Hebdon said.

Hebdon said he thinks Thomas J. is getting very close to being ready to greet guests in the funeral home.

“I’ve been through some grief in my family and I’d do anything to comfort people who are in grief,” he said. “I’ve been in their shoes, and I know how awkward it can be. If having Thomas J. in the room eases their tension, then I’ve achieved my goal.”

Be victorious over the checklist! 

The dreaded checklist. The thing about checklists is often it creates chores – yuck. Even the most task-oriented person like myself does not always appreciate a checklist.

Yes, we can see our progress and it helps keep us on task. But, it also reminds us we have things that we must do. You know that ghastly 16-letter word – responsibilities. What kinds of things land on the checklist? Perhaps #1, clean the bathroom; #2, mow the lawn; #3, pay the bills; #4, grocery shopping; #5, exercise.

So according to this little notepad, once completing the items on the checklist, we will feel victorious. However, nothing about completing those five items motivates me to feel triumphant. It just makes me feel very tired. Which gave me a wonderful idea. If your personality wants to check the list, but is leaning into procrastination, this could be the key to success.

Throw away that checklist and create a more appealing one. Here goes: #1, buy some luxurious towels so your bathroom looks prettier; #2, telephone your nephew to mow your lawn, therefore helping him learn a new skill; #3, go shopping for sandals and a purse, with cash, so you won’t have to pay that credit card bill; #4, take a ride over to Oliver’s Chocolates in Batavia and grocery shop the ice-cream cooler, a perfect way to support local and fill your freezer; #5, grab yourself a refreshing Moscow mule and exercise those biceps.

Now this is a great way to turn that checklist into something not only do-able but actually enjoyable. Just imagine how great it is going to feel to put a big old, red check mark next to each task as you have completed them.

So get your pen and paper out and get some chores down, put a little twist on them and watch your can-do spirit take flight. Even if once you have claimed victory, there is still much to do – so what. You have no one to answer to but you … and maybe your kids or your spouse, hmmm.

Oh well, just share your ice cream with them, with that cash you just pulled out of your newly purchased purse. Everyone wants to be able to proclaim victory when attempting to accomplish. So why set yourself up for failure by making your list a big eye roll?

Does your list have spring cleaning on it because mine does. What if it said, go light that fresh linen candle and open some windows. It is getting cleaner already! Seriously, if you are really innovative you can create a victorious list of things that will bring joy to others.

On this list maybe you will go visit Grandma, take a flower to a treasured friend, give a stranger a smile …  This list, once complete, will not only make you feel victorious but fill your heart full because you checked off emotions that bring others joy – the most important responsibility of all.

So get moving and get checking! The world needs your joyful can-do spirit and all the goodwill it will create. What will be on your checklist?

To see my checklist, visit my blog live online at (click here) and catch up on Weekly Photo Perks and past Sunday Posts. Like and share your comments.

Truly,
Deborah London

Scout organized crew for the project, earned final merit badge while he was hospitalized with leukemia

Photos by Tom Rivers: Penny Cole, a secretary at Holley Junior-Senior High School, speaks during the dedication today for Evan Valentine’s Eagle Scout project, which is the stone wall around the veterans’ monument. “You all know he was a special boy,” Cole told the crowd. “I know how happy and proud he is right now.”

HOLLEY – While Evan Valentine’s body was being ravaged by leukemia this past winter, he pushed to complete the final requirements for his Eagle Scout rank.

Valentine in December finished the last of the 21 badges he needed for the Eagle. He also had Scouts and volunteers lined up to build a veterans’ wall around the monument in Holley by the Post Office and Jewell Buckman Post for the American Legion.

He was presented the Eagle Scout badge while in the hospital in February.

Today, the Holley and Boy Scout community dedicated Valentine’s Eagle Scout project. Valentine passed away from leukemia at age 18 on Feb. 21. Speakers commented that his presence was felt at the ceremony this afternoon, with bright sunshine and frequent gusts of wind.

The stone wall around the monument includes a sitting area in front with an inscription, “Forever Remembered – Forever Missed.” Dale Smalley of Smalley Monuments donated that marble stone with the inscription.

The Holley Garden Club planted the flowers just before Memorial Day.

Andrew Drechsel speaks at the dedication. He and Evan joined scouts together in first grade as Tiger Cubs. The members of Troop 62 in Holley were the only ones in their cohort to earn the Eagle.

Andrew said Evan enjoyed being a Scout and going on camping trips. When Evan completed his first chemotherapy treatment and the leukemia was in remission, he spent many hours back in Scouts at camp, troop meetings and getting approvals for the veterans’ wall.

Evan approached former Legion Commander John Pera about the project back in 2018. Evan and his father Neil researched the stones and dimensions to build the veterans’ wall.

“The main part of an Eagle project is the planning and providing direction to the volunteers to make the project a success,” Drechsel said. “Evan completed all of this. He facilitated this project from the beginning and wanted to be a part of each step. As much as he wanted to be there, the volunteers knew it might not be possible and they worked to get the project completed on Evan’s behalf.”

Andrew Drechsel speaks to the crowd at times pausing due to the gusts. Andrew and Evan completed the last merit badge together, which was about personal management.

“Evan continued to persevere through so much and I just want to say how proud I am that Evan was able to complete his Eagle project for the American Legion and earn the rank of Eagle Scout,” Drechsel said.

Bob Miller, a member of the Sons of the American Legion Squadron 529, lives next to the Valentine family. Miller said Evan was deeply loved by the community.

Miller thanked several key supporters for the project, including Smalley Monuments, Millspaugh Construction Company for assisting with the excavation, Preston’s Landscaping for setting the stone and getting the stone blocks at a discount, the Village of Holley DPW for assistance with the electricity and for clearing the site in February when there was ice and snow.

The Holley Village Board also helped secure approvals for the project. The Holley Fire Police closed down a section of Route 31 for the dedication ceremony today. The Kingdollar family, Western New York Energy and Holley Rotary Club donated to the project.

Erik Volk of the Boy Scouts of America assisted Evan with the paperwork to meet the standards to be an Eagle Scout. Major Craig Lane, retired from the Air Force, helped with the construction.

Neil and Diane Valentine (left), Evan’s parents, were praised “for the gift of their amazing son.”

Diane Valentine thanks the community for rallying to make the Eagle Scout project a reality.

“He would have been so grateful for the people who brought this to fruition,” she said.

Mrs. Valentine said her son loved being in Scouts and made it a goal soon after he joined to become an Eagle Scout.

Scott Galliford (left), commander of the Jewell Buckman Post, joined Penny Cole and Bob Miller in announcing Evan Valentine won the Post’s “Good Citizen” award.

Tom Gardner, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Holley, leads the group in a prayer.

The reception after the dedication included some of Evan’s favorite snacks – Cheez-Its and Reese’s milk chocolate peanut butter cups.

Evan’s Eagle Scout uniform was on display, as well as the shovel used for the ground-breaking in February.

The wall includes a plaque noting the project was the result of Evan Valentine’s community service requirement to be an Eagle Scout.

Jim McMullen, the Scout executive for the Iroquois Trail Council of the Boy Scouts of America, said he was inspired by Evan’s determination to obtain Scouting’s highest rank, and to take on an important project for the Holley community.

“I think it’s very profound that he wanted this last piece for the community,” McMullen said. “He is an Eagle Scout and he earned it. He provided the leadership to get the project done.”

File photos by Tom Rivers: Amelia Paratore, 9, of Barre keeps her eyes on the judge while showing a dairy animal on July 26, 2019 during the grand master showman competition. 4-Hers will be back with their animals for the fair next month.

KNOWLESVILLE – Orleans County 4-H Fair officials announced this week the annual fair will be back and will include a full slate of activities, including the midway, 4-H exhibits and lots of food vendors with classic fair food.

The fair from July 26-31 will be limited to about 8,000 people per day with state restrictions, but the fair tends to stay below that number. The six-day county fair typically draws about 25,000 people.

New this year will be the sale of tickets online and they will be $5 each for a weeklong pass. If people don’t want to buy the ticket online, they can stop by the fairgrounds the week before and pay for a pass at the office.

The fair will sell 5,000 of the week-long passes, and then have 3,000 available as one-day passes each day of the fair. The one-day passes will be available online only and are $3 for 12 and older, and $1 for 11 and under, said Robert Batt, executive director of the Cornell Cooperative Extension, which oversees the fair. Tickets for the chicken barbecue and midway also will be available online.

“I think it’s going to be a great fair,” Batt said. “The midway and food vendors are all happening, and so are the 4-H exhibits.”

There will be some changes. The fair won’t have people at the front gates accepting money and people will need to park without assistance. The Medina Marching Band in recent years has had many of its students and parent volunteers helping with parking and traffic flow, but the band bowed out of the task this fair.

The Fair Board decided not to have the talent show on the Monday of the fair because the State Fair won’t be doing the talent show. The top Orleans entries advanced to the State Fair in prior years.

Instead, Batt said the fair is looking to add more bands for live performances. The entertainment for the fair will be announced in the next two weeks or so, Batt said.

The popular grease pole climbing competition also won’t be happening, but that was because the fair’s insurance provider balked at that event. The fair instead is having a different zany competition to cap off the day’s activities. The new event will have teams of two people pushing a giant round hay bale.

Jeremy Neal, the grease pole chairman, is heading the effort of the new challenge. He is experimenting on the course and size of the hay bales.

The hay bale rolling event will be open to competitors 16 and older. That is 2 years younger than the cutoff for the grease pole.

Tamara Huzair of Lyndonville sings “Somebody to Love” by Queen during karaoke in July 2019. Karaoke is among the many fair favorites that will be back next month for the week-long event.

Provided photos

HOLLEY – Members of the Holley senior class on Friday morning witnessed a simulation of a deadly crash due to a driver impaired by alcohol and drugs.

Firefighters, law enforcement, Monroe Ambulance personnel and County Coroner Scott Schmidt were part of the simulation, as well as several Holley students who wore makeup to appear bloodied.

One of the students was pronounced dead at the scene by the coroner in the simulation.

The first responders and school district wanted to send a message about the seriousness of not being impaired while driving a vehicle.

Holley had its senior prom on Friday night at the Plantation Party House in Spencerport. Last year there wasn’t a formal prom due to the Covid-19 restrictions.

The next few months there will also be many graduation parties and other events for the students.

Holley student Zach Dann was the driver and is led through field sobriety tests. He was charged with drunk driving and vehicular manslaughter in the mock event.

Photo by Tom Rivers: Zach Dann was arraigned in the mock court appearance in front of Gaines Town Justice Bruce Schmidt. District Attorney Joe Cardone is at right. Dann was represented by Robert Zickl from the Public Defender’s Office.

Schmidt determined Dann to a flight risk and set bail at $25,000 cash or $50,000 bond.

Cardone said he would seek state prison for Dann in the upcoming court proceedings. The charges against Dann derailed his plans to enter the Marine Corps. Cardone also requested an order of protection for the victim’s family, with no contact from Dann, including texts or phone calls. Schmidt approved the order of protection.

Cardone addressed to students in the auditorium, telling them they should celebrate the completion of their high school careers, but do it responsibly and not put themselves and others in danger.

If they are under the influence or if the driver of a vehicle is impaired, Cardone urged them to call for help to get a safe driver.

“You’ve worked very hard to get to this point in your lives,” Cardone told the students. “I would just say to you we want you to be careful, especially these next few days.”

He also told them it is still illegal for people under 21 to use marijuana. The state recently legalized recreational use of marijuana, allowing people up to 3 ounces of marijuana if they 21 and older.

“If you are under 21 you can still be charged,” Cardone said.

Press Release, Lyndonville Central School

The video intersperses photos with student-drawn maps of local landmarks and organizations, including the Lyndonville Fire Department. Other sites are also featured, including the popular Shoe Tree.

LYNDONVILLE – Lyndonville’s fifth and sixth-grade art students won first place in the Rural School Association’s Video Contest: “Our School, Our Community.”

Thirty students in Amanda LeClair’s art class worked together to create the award-winning video.

“As a class we had just finished working on artistic maps of Lyndonville, inspired by artist Aaron Meshon,” said LeClair. “When we saw the theme of the RSA Video Contest, we thought our maps would fit perfectly.”

The class developed a script and each student had an opportunity to record their voice describing special places in Lyndonville that make their school and community great. The colorful maps they created in art class were featured along with pictures of the actual destinations.

Representatives from RSA will be attending Lyndonville’s Elementary Awards Ceremony on June 18 to present certificates and a $500 check.

Click here for a link to Lyndonville’s first place winning video.