Fireworks will go on, but parade cancelled until next year
Press Release, Lyndonville Lions Club
Photo by Tom Rivers: Bruce Schmidt and Lyndonville Lions Club members serve chicken barbecue dinners on July 4, 2019. This year’s dinner will be take-out only, but people are welcome to bring a lawn chair and eat on the school lawn and enjoy live music.
LYNDONVILLE – With newly updated state Covid regulations, the Lyndonville Lions Club is able to release additional details regarding this year’s schedule 4th of July festivities to take place in Lyndonville.
The spectacular fireworks show remains scheduled with a start time of 10 p.m. The Lyndonville Lions want everyone to know that this year’s fireworks show will consist exclusively of “high shots.”
This will allow spectators to view the fireworks from virtually anywhere in and around the village. Importantly, this variation allows spectators to remain in or on their personal vehicles, practice social distancing and still enjoy the fireworks to their full extent. The length of this year’s show, the largest in the region, remains the same as in previous years.
Additionally, the Lyndonville Lions will be serving 500 chicken barbecue dinners beginning at 1 p.m. on July 4th. Due to rising food costs, this year’s dinners will be $12 each. Pre-sale chicken barbeque tickets may be purchased from any member of the Lyndonville Lion’s Club as well as at the Lyndonville Branch of M&T Bank at the corner of South Main Street and Maple Avenue in Lyndonville.
This year’s chicken barbecue will begin serving at 1 p.m. from the cafeteria area at Lyndonville Central School and will be takeout/drive-thru only. Diners are encouraged, however, to bring a blanket or portable chairs and enjoy their dinner on the school grounds while also enjoying several live music performances taking place there.
The Lyndonville Lions will also open their fundraising hotdog stand on the school grounds and will be serving hotdogs and refreshments beginning at 11 a.m. until sold out. The daily festivities will once again include an extensive Arts & Crafts Show featuring handcrafted items from local vendors. The Arts & Crafts Show will be held on the front lawn of Lyndonville Central School and runs all day.
As reported earlier, despite the recent relaxation of Covid restrictions, the Main Street Parade remains cancelled for this year with the expectation of its return next year. It is the hope of the Lions Club that NY State regulations/guidelines will be relaxed further prior to July 4th.
The Lyndonville Lions remind everyone to stay safe and request that everyone follow state Covid guidelines at the time for safety and social distancing.
Fatal accidents with teen drivers increase dramatically between Memorial and Labor days
Photo by Tom Rivers: Lyndonville Central School on June 8, 2017 hosted a DWI crash simulation. The school has welcomed local firefighters, law enforcement, ambulance and Mercy Flight for a simulation before prom and graduation party season. They want to send an important reminder to students to not drink and drive. Lyndonville and Medina firefighters volunteered in the simulation in 2017, using extrication tools to pull students out of the vehicles. About 200 students watched first responders work to help students in the vehicles. The students wore makeup to appear bloodied. Three students were put on stretchers and put in ambulances. Two students had blankets placed on them to signify their deaths.
Press Release, AAA Western and Central New York
The “100 Deadliest Days” is the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day when fatal teen crashes increase dramatically.
Nationwide, more than 7,038 people died in crashes involving teen drivers during the “100 Deadliest Days” over a ten-year period from 2010 to 2019. That’s more than seven people a day each summer.
In New York State, 196 people were killed in crashes involving teen drivers during the “100 Deadliest Days” over the 10-year span, down from 222 people from 2008 to 2018. AAA continues to raise awareness in an effort to save lives.
The 196 people killed during summer months over the 10-year span equates to a summertime average of 19.6 deaths. It’s a dramatic increase from 320 people who were killed over the course of nine non-summer months over the 10-year period.
‘Some may think that winter would be the worst season for young drivers, but it’s not, it’s summer from Memorial Day to Labor Day. These young drivers have grown up with a phone in their hand. Now is the time to separate that phone use from driving – mobile devices have no place behind the wheel.’ – Trooper James O’Callaghan
AAA teamed up with the New York State Police to raise awareness of traffic safety as Memorial Day kicked off the 100 Deadliest Days. Trooper James O’Callaghan, Public Information Officer for Troop A, pointed out the dangers of summer.
“Some may think that winter would be the worst season for young drivers, but it’s not, it’s summer from Memorial Day to Labor Day,” he explained. “These young drivers have grown up with a phone in their hand. Now is the time to separate that phone use from driving – mobile devices have no place behind the wheel.”
This summer, as communities reopen with COVID-19 restrictions being lifted, could prove deadly as teens enjoy newfound freedom. Due to their inexperience, teen drivers are at a higher risk of crashes. According to the latest AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety Culture Index, about 72% of teen drivers aged 16-18 admitted to having engaged in at least one of the following risky behaviors in the past 30 days:
Driving 10 mph over the speed limit on a residential street (47%)
Driving 15 mph over the speed limit on a freeway (40%)
Texting (35%)
Red-light running (32%)
Aggressive driving (31%)
Drowsy driving (25%)
Driving without a seatbelt (17%)
“Parents have plenty to be concerned about as their teen hits the road this summer,” said Elizabeth Carey, AAA Western and Central New York’s director of PR & Corporate Communications. “Teens are faced with more distractions than ever before, leading to deadly mistakes, and parents are the best line of defense to keep everyone safe behind the wheel.”
Teens should store phones out of reach, mind speed limits, and stay away from impairing substances such as alcohol and marijuana. AAA encourages parents to:
Talk with teens early and often about avoiding dangerous behavior behind the wheel, such as speeding, impairment and distracted driving. Serve a role model for safe behavior.
Teach by example, minimize risky behavior; conduct at least 50 hours of supervised practice driving with their teen.
Make a parent-teen driving agreement setting family rules for driving.
Musicians, artisans and food trucks will join many farm vendors
Provided photos: Dark Road Duo will perform at the market this year.
Press Release, Canal Village Farmers’ Market
MEDINA – This Saturday is opening day at the Canal Village Farmers’ Market in Medina and everyone involved couldn’t be more excited.
“After a very long, tough year of Covid restrictions and uncertainty, there is a palpable feeling that this year’s market season is going to be better than ever,” said Chris Busch, President of the Orleans Renaissance Group. “Interest in the market has never been stronger and we’ve never been more excited for opening day.”
The Orleans Renaissance Group or ORG is the 501(c)(3) organization that sponsors the Canal Village Farmers’ Market.
Human Farms of Appleton, one of the market vendors, offers a variety of vegetables.
“This past year, I think everyone has really come to appreciate things they may have taken for granted, like being able to gather Saturday mornings at the market,” Busch said. “People are so ready for some normalcy and interaction, and we’re excited to be able to provide that for the community.”
Gail Miller, manager of the market agreed and sees this year’s market as perhaps the best ever.
“Interest in the market has been fantastic,” Miller said. “I am looking forward to a great summer season for the Canal Village Farmers’ Market. There is a lot more going on this year so watch the market Facebook page to see selections each week. So much to choose from.”
Returning anchor vendors include: Baker Farms, Roberts Farm Market, Human Farms, LynOaken Farms, Gardner’s Gardens, Catherine Street Bakery, and Jamm ‘N Cookies.
Products include local beef, pork, chicken, garlic, garlic powder, eggs, mushrooms, cheese, numerous fruit and vegetables options, cut flowers, herbs, BBQ sauce, herb blends, tea blends, fudge, jam, jellies, sea salts, cookies, pies, cakes, breads, scones, muffins, and much more.
New vendors at the market include NewHouse Breads selling breads, scones, focaccia, pizza crusts, cinnamon rolls and more, with many vegan and gluten-free options. Also Heartland Organics selling organically raised mushroom varieties, dried mushrooms, cut flowers and fresh organic herbs. Catherine Street Bakery will be back with expanded offerings of primitive crafts and antiques. HeBrews Coffee will also be at the market every week serving iced coffee, Bubble Tea and bagels.
“There are new vendors, new products, tastings, music, and children/family activities too. Several of the new items are mushrooms and gluten free vegan baked goods. There will be coffee, bubble tea, and bagels each Saturday,” said Miller. “There are multiple farmers offering vegetables and fruit, beef, pork, chicken, and eggs. Inquiries from other potential vendors continue to come in each week, so we may yet grow a little more. It’s very exciting.”
This season will see expanded food truck visits at the market.
“There will be food trucks rotating in and out throughout the season,” said Miller. “Medina native, Evin Galbreath brought the Left-Handed Spatula food truck from Rochester last season. It was hugely popular and we’re really excited to have him back along with a few new trucks.”
In addition to the Left-Handed Spatula and weekly anchor, El Gran Burrito, other food trucks scheduled at the market include Dubby’s Wood Fired Pizza from Albion and Parker’s Pit BBQ and Greenlief’s On The Go from Middleport. All are scheduled for visits throughout the season. Dubby’s will be on site for Opening Day.
Wineries, Mead and Spirits will make a return as well. Scheduled to return throughout the season are 810 Meadworks, Leonard Oakes Estate Winery, Victorianbourg Estate Winery and Schulze Winery & Vineyard. Black Button Distillery will also be back every month.
“We’ve been contacted by quite a few artisans and crafters, and spots are still available,” said Miller. “There will be more to announce soon.”
Customers make selections from Roberts Farm Market in Medina.
Artisans and crafters include Stillwater Pottery, HateCuddler Craftworks or HCC, Laurel’s By The Creek, and Swan Woodworks.
Also returning this season will be live music. “We’ve really missed the live music vibe at the market,” said Busch. “ORG sponsors the market and certainly appreciates the importance of live music.” Scheduled so far: recording artist Barry DiGregorio, Thomas Reid Keefer solo, and Dark Road Duo.
“We’re always looking for musicians and sponsors for music at the market,” said Busch. “Interested musicians or those interested in sponsoring music at the market should reach out via our Facebook page- Canal Village Farmers’ Market.
As always, patrons will see the customary colorful canopies and vendor tables- all hallmarks of the community farmer’s market. The market will also continue to follow current CDC and NYS guidelines.
“Changes to protocols are on-going with improvements occurring almost weekly with Covid restrictions in New York State,” said Miller. “It will be so wonderful to see some smiles again this season. With new guidelines from the CDC and the state, masks are no longer required if vaccinated.”
Miller continued, “And as required if you are not vaccinated we ask that you please wear a mask at the market. Also if you are more comfortable wearing a mask (even if vaccinated), you may do that too! We want the market to be a healthy, comfortable and welcoming place for the entire community.”
The market also has some new options for making sales transactions.
“While most market transactions continue to use cash, most all of our vendors now offer additional forms of payment, including, credit via Square, PayPal and Venmo,” said Miller. “Payment options at the market have never been more convenient.”
The market accepts Senior Coupons, WIC, SNAP, and Fresh Connect Checks, and will soon be able to offer Double Up Food Bucks to SNAP recipients. More information is available at the Market Manager’s Tent.
The market is located in Downtown Medina at 127 West Center Street (across from the Post Office), and is open every Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Miller, the market manager, can be reached at canalvillagemarket@gmail.com.
Press Release and photo courtesy of Orleans County Mental Health Department
ALBION – The Orleans County Mental Health and Public Health Departments came together to support that May is recognized as Mental Health Awareness Month.
This year’s theme, “Your Story Isn’t Over Yet,” which is reflected in the above picture of public health and mental health department staff and members of the Orleans County Suicide Prevention Coalition.
The “Your Story Isn’t Over Yet” theme is represented in the form of a semi-colon within a heart. It was created to symbolize affirmation and solidarity against suicide, depression, addiction, and other mental health issues. The semi-colon inspires and reminds us of strength in the midst of suffering.
The Orleans County Mental Health and Public Health Departments, along with the Orleans County Suicide Prevention Coalition would like to take this opportunity to remind our community that we are available to offer support in the face of adversity.
Resources are available in times of crisis, as well as to provide ongoing support to those in need. The Care + Crisis Helpline is a 24 hours/7 days week crisis line that can be reached by calling (585) 283-5200.
The New York State Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached by phone or text, Phone: 800-273-8255, Text: 741741. These organizations are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year.
Orleans County Department of Mental Health has walk-in hours Monday through Friday from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Please contact the Orleans County Mental Health Department at 585-589-7066 for additional information on their supports and services.
The shirts worn by the staff in the picture were made possible by the GOW (Genesee, Orleans, Wyoming) Pathway to Hope Suicide Prevention Steering Committee funded by the Suicide Prevention Center of New York State.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 31 May 2021 at 2:13 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Members of the VFW and American Legion posts carry flags at the beginning of a processional on Platt Street in front of the VFW Post. The Albion Village Hall and Police Station are in back.
For the second year there wasn’t a typical Memorial Day parade in Albion. Last year’s parade and service were cancelled due to Covid-19 concerns and restrictions.
The parade route usually starts on Main Street and heads to Route 31, ending at the middle school lawn and memorial.
The local veterans wanted a service this year, and opted for a smaller route and fewer parade participants. The Albion marching band and local scouts weren’t in the parade.
The procession passed by the Orleans County Courthouse on East State Street. Garland Miller, a Word War II veteran, served as honorary parade marshal. He rode in a Kubota driven by his son, Lynn Miller, a veteran who lives in Holley.
The Color Guard rounds the corner along the sidewalk at State and Main streets, headed to the service at the new veterans memorial that was dedicated last year by the Knights of Columbus.
Garland Miller, 95, is escorted in the Kubota by his son, Lynn. During World War II, Miller was an ambulance driver in the Pacific Theater. After the war he worked 21 years as a heavy equipment mechanic for the state Department of Transportation in Pittsford and then close to home in Albion. He also drove a tractor-trailer for 28 years and worked part-time for an auctioneer in Middleport.
This group of veterans bows their heads during a prayer by Tim Lindsay, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Albion.
Tim Lindsay said 1.3 million Americans have given their lives in military service for the country in the past 250 years. That sacrifice has made the country – and the world – a better and safer place, Lindsay said.
Lindsay quoted from President Lincoln’s speech at Gettysburg on Nov. 19, 1863, noting the soldiers honored on Memorial Day “gave the last full measure of devotion” to the country.
Lindsay prayed that God would continue to bless the United States keep his “providential hand upon us.”
This group gathers on the Courthouse Square lawn by a veterans’ memorial dedicated last year by the Knights of Columbus.
Tim Archer, a service learning teacher at Albion, has led seventh-graders in several community projects honoring veterans. He said his goal is to help the students become better citizens.
Archer shared that he recently walked at Mount Albion Cemetery and stopped by the graves of six local men who died defending the country over three generations.
One of the soldiers, Jason Johnston, was in Archer’s class.
Archer highlighted these soldiers:
Private First Class Augustus J. Rogers, Co. B, 315th Infantry, died in 1944 at age 19
S/Sgt. Howard W. Tucker, Co. M. 385th Infantry, 76th Division, died in 1945 at age 25
Pvt. Robert Casselman, 79th Qm. Depot, died in 1954 at age 24
John J. Hornyak, Marine Corps in Vietnam, died in 1966 at age 28
Pvt. First Class Paul D. Ormand, security agency in Vietnam, died in 1975 at age 19
Army Spec. Jason M. Johnston, 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team in Afghanistan, died in 2009 at age 24.
“Their deeds and sacrifice speak to us today — in this great land that God has ordained and blessed. It is our responsibility to remember, preserve and pass on to the next generation those standards and expectations that make America the greatest nation on earth.”
Archer also shared that his students are working on an interpretive panel that would be installed in front of the Treasurer’s Office on East Park Street. That building was the first home for the Sheret Post of the American Legion and was its home from 1935 until 1980.
It was named for Sgt. James Sheret, who died on Sept. 29, 1918 in World War I. Sheret was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for the bravery of his actions during the attack on the Hindenburg Line. General John Pershing considered “one of the hundred heroes of WW1”.
Sgt. Sheret’s brother Egbert, a machine gunner, was also killed in action that day and their younger brother, Andrew, was severely injured.
Issac Robinson, a former combat medic, fires as part of a 21-gun salute near the end of today’s Memorial Day observance. Jim Hollinger, left, and Matt Passarell were part of the Color Guard.
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Though no parade was held a Color Guard followed the traditional parade route this morning from Park Avenue to Main Street to East Center Street to State Street Park where Medina’s Memorial Day observance was held. The Color Guard is shown here on Park Ave.
A flag draped coffin honoring the memory of all deceased veterans followed the Color Guard.
A wreath was placed on the cannon at State Street Park during the ceremonies which also included the reading of the names of the communities’ veterans who had passed away this year, a 21 gun salute and the playing of echo Taps. Click here to view a video of the ceremony.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 31 May 2021 at 1:37 pm
Photos courtesy of John Follman
LYNDONVILLE – A display at Veterans Park on Main Street remembered POWs and those missing in action. American Legion Houseman-Tanner Post members Joe Hausler, John Follman and Steve Goodrich set up the display for the second Memorial Day.
There wasn’t a traditional Memorial Day observance in Lyndonville for the second year due to Covid-19 concerns.
But local veterans had flags at veterans’ graves and created the public display at the park for the community to reflect on the sacrifices of veterans.
6 from community died while in grim conditions under German and Japanese
By Catherine Cooper, Orleans County Historian
“Illuminating Orleans” – Volume 1, No. 14
“To me, this didn’t happen years ago. It was yesterday. It is today…I just can’t forget…to some extent, I remain a prisoner of war.”
These were the haunting words of Robert Ryan, speaking in 1995, some fifty years after his experience as a prisoner of war in Germany. Pvt. Ryan was one of the Orleans County veterans who shared the common bond of having their freedom suddenly snatched away while serving their country.
“The army taught us only two alternatives – kill or be killed. Nobody taught us how to sabotage and survive,” continued Ryan.
They quickly adapted. The majority of the Orleans County prisoners of war were held in German camps where grim conditions worsened as the war drew to a close. With food supplies running low for the general population, little was spared for POWs. Overcrowding, lack of medical attention and forced marches exacerbated the situation.
Remarkably, all but two of the prisoners from Orleans County survived German captivity. According to military records, Sgt. Leon J. Wochna of Albion was “executed….shot while attempting to escape.”
Pvt. Elmer Jacobs of Shelby died on April 5, 1945, the day that he was liberated from a German prison camp where he had been confined for seven months.
Soldiers who were captured by the Japanese experienced brutal captivity and suffered the highest death rates. Four of the eight Orleans County prisoners held by the Japanese died in captivity: Sgt. John E. Dujenski, Sgt. Leo R. Shannon, Pvt. Elwood J. Smith, and Sgt. Ross C. Turner.
Five of the Orleans County soldiers held by the Japanese were on the arduous Baatan Death March: Sgt. Leo J. Grabowski, Mast. Sgt. William F. Larimer, Sgt. Leo Shannon, Pvt. Elwood J. Smith and Sgt. Ross C. Turner.
On November 13, 1983, the Orleans County former POWs were honored with the New York State Conspicuous Service Cross presented by the Hon. Stephen Hawley, at an event held by the American Legion in Albion.
Each former POW was also given a plaque, donated by Sheret Post, with the following inscription:
“For honorable service to God and country, while interned as a prisoner of war. From the grateful citizens of Orleans County.”
The following list of Orleans County former POWs has been compiled by the Historian’s Office with the gracious assistance of Nancy Traxler, Orleans County Veterans Service Agency and Frank R. Berger.
Soldiers from Orleans County who were Prisoners of War in World War II
Lieut. Claude I. Bennett – Germany 2/5/45 -1945
Lieut. Herbert F. Bohnet, Jr. – Germany 3/8/44 -1945
Pfc. Alfred J. Brust– Germany 1/17/45 – 1945
Cpl. Charles L. Buck – Germany
Pfc. Carl Budynski – Germany 4/6/45 – 1945
Pfc. Herbert E. Calkins – Germany
Cpl. Daniel R. Cole – Germany
Cpl. Francis M. Cole – Germany
Lieut. Donald S. Cielewich – Germany 8/14/44-5/45
Sgt. John E. Dujenski – *Died while POW – Japan 5/7/42 –
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 30 May 2021 at 5:55 pm
Bob Nesbitt earned the Navy Cross for extraordinary heroism
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Beth Nesbitt of Pine Hill, widow of the late Bob Nesbitt, holds a picture of her husband in his dress white Navy uniform. Bob died of cancer at the age of 66.
BARRE – Many Veterans’ and Memorial Day holidays have come and gone since World War II ended, but never has Bob Nesbitt been given the recognition he deserves, according to his cousin Charlie Nesbitt of Albion.
Charlie is a war hero, having been presented with the Distinguished Flying Cross for his actions as a helicopter pilot in Vietnam. Still, he thinks Bob should be given credit for his actions as a torpedo bomber pilot for the Navy in the Pacific during World War II.
Bob’s dad and Charlie’s grandfather were brothers. In Charlie’s eyes, Bob is an unsung hero.
Bob was born in 1919. He met, Beth, who was J. Howard Pratt’s daughter, at a 4-H function. By the time the war started, they were dating. She wrote to him regularly while he was serving with the Navy. They were married on Dec. 7, 1946 and had seven children. Beth will celebrate her 101st birthday on Aug. 7.
Bob grew up working on the family farm with his younger brothers Pete and Lynn Nesbitt.
Pete still lives on the family farm on Pine Hill Road, next door to Beth, who lives there with her daughter and son-in-law, Nancy and Larry Eastlack. Pete said flying was always in their blood. Bob learned to fly in a Piper Cub on Pete Dragan’s farm south of Albion.
With the late Gene Haines, they started Pine Hill Airport. Pete said Hank Keeler of Albion and Chet Zelazny of Shelby were partners in the airport for a while.
Larry said he heard Bob tell he had to drive back and forth to Niagara Falls Air Force Base when he was in the Reserves after the war, and he figured if he had a landing strip, he could fly back and forth. Pete remembers when he and Haines were out with tractors and a cultipacker packing down the snow so Bob could land. Larry also said he had been told stories of how Bob would buzz the house when he returned home, and that was Beth’s signal to drive next door to the airport and park at the end of the runway with her lights on, so Bob knew where to land.
Bob and Pete were both Navy pilots, Bob enlisting in the Army Air Corps in the summer of 1942. Pete joined 12 years later, serving in peace time from 1954 to 1958.
“The places Bob bombed into submission during World War II, I visited 12 years later as a tourist,” Pete said.
Pete said his brother was very mechanical and started as a Naval Aviation Cadet in Meadville, Pa. He did his pre-flight training at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he held the record on the obstacle course.
Bob never talked much about the war, Pete said.
Bob was 22 when he enlisted, which was considered “old” for a pilot at the time, Pete said.
“The guys in his group called him ‘Daddy,’” Pete said.
Pete Nesbitt of Pine Hill looks at pictures and a story about his brother Bob in a squadron yearbook about Navy pilots in World War II. Bob was a torpedo bomber pilot in the Pacific.
Bob flew TBM’s off the carrier Hancock.
Bob talked about his wingman who knocked on his door one night and said, “I can’t sleep. I know one of those shells has my name on it.”
“Bob said he saw 20-year-old guys’ hair turn white in two months,” Pete said.
Another member of his squadron was actor Richard Boone.
Bob’s squadron had orders to go to Tokyo on a bombing mission. Bob was the last one to be launched off the ship and couldn’t catch up with his group. But he headed to Tokyo and joined the flight of TBMs along the coast. They were in a thin broken layer of overcast, and when they broke out, they were lined up perfectly with a Jap battleship in the harbor.
Bob dove in and dropped four 500-pound bombs on the ship, sinking it. His gunner said the bombs bounced before they exploded.
This picture of Bob Nesbitt in his Navy uniform during World War II sits on his brother Pete’s end table in his Pine Hill home. A torpedo bomber pilot in the Pacific, Bob earned two Navy Crosses for his heroism during the war.
Bob was infamous for his tactics, especially flying so low over the water. It may have been what kept him safe, as Charlie recalled being a torpedo bomber pilot was considered very dangerous. At the time Bob enlisted, 135 torpedo bomber pilots had been lost in combat. Bob used to skim a few feet off the water and he would be so low, the Japanese gunners on the deck of a ship would shoot right over him.
Bob used to brag about doing barrel rolls around the other planes landing in the formation. All in all, he spent one year in combat.
Larry talked about how Bob said he wanted to be the first American soldier to set down on Japanese soil. He was on a bombing run and saw a bombed out airport, but it was still occupied. Bob, however, dropped down and touched the runway and took off, all the while being shot at by the Japanese
“True or not, that was Bob’s story,” Larry said. “Bob had no reason to exaggerate.”
Larry said he has always looked at the aspect of what women did during the war. While Bob was bombing ships in the Pacific, Beth was working at a gun-making factory in Buffalo – seven days a week, 12 hours a day.
“Her job was to make sure the gun sights were accurate,” Larry said. “Bob could have been looking through gun sights that his wife checked out in Buffalo.”
Bob always said the reason he flew so low on a mission is because he wanted to be sure his bomb landed right where he wanted it. Larry said Bob was credited with destroying a refueler, and his bombs hit directly on the fuel tanks. Bob later said the blast nearly downed his plane.
Bob would be awarded two Navy Crosses for his heroism in battle. He was nominated for a third, but told the Navy to give it to someone else. The Navy Cross is the second-highest award given to sailors or marines, just a level below the Congressional Medal of Honor. The Navy Cross is given to soldiers who show extraordinary heroism in combat with an armed enemy force.
Larry told the story of how, years after the war, Pete and Bob went to a military banquet in Philadelphia, where the speaker was an ace pilot from the Rochester area. During his speech, the pilot said he was up there talking about his actions as a pilot, when there was another ace who lived in Western New York who should be mentioned. He asked if anybody there had ever heard of Bob Nesbitt.
One of Larry’s fondest memories is the time in the early 1980s when Bob flew him and Nancy to Philadelphia to visit a Navy yard. An aircraft carrier there was waiting to be dismantled and Bob went to the guard shack and asked what the name of the ship was. It was the Hancock.
“I thought Bob was going to go into shock,” Larry said. “The guard wasn’t supposed to, but he made an exception and took us on a tour of the ship. Bob got to make one last tour of the ship he served on before it was reduced to scrap iron.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 May 2021 at 1:24 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers: Steve Johnson salutes after he presented flowers at State Street Park in Medina during a Memorial Day ceremony last year on May 25. The veterans will again observe a smaller ceremony due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
There won’t be big parades on Memorial Day in Orleans County, but local veterans’ organizations will make sure there will be public opportunities for people to show their respect for fallen members of the military.
• Kendall is having a Memorial Day observance today at 7 p.m. at the Kendall Town Park (across from Elementary School) where there is a community war memorial. Kendall always holds its Memorial Day gathering on May 30, which was the original day to celebrate Memorial Day.
• Albion – Veterans are invited to the VFW Post at about 10:30 a.m. for a short procession to the Courthouse lawn for an observance at the new veterans’ memorial that was erected by the Knights of Columbus. (The Knights will have a ceremony there too on Monday at 9 a.m. with a bagpiper.)
Garland Miller, a World War II veteran, will serve as honorary parade marshal during the scaled-down Memorial Day observance.
The veterans were planning to march from the VFW down Bank Street and then turn left onto Main Street. But Route 98 is a posted detour with the Route 31 bridge in Knowlesville currently closed. Because of that, the Department of Transportation was unwilling to close Main Street for the procession, said Gary Befus, who is helping to organize the procession.
The memorial the service will begin at 11 a.m. with brief remarks from Tim Lindsay, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship, and Tim Archer, an Albion teacher who will highlight some of the service-learning projects by his students that have honored veterans.
• Holley – There will be a memorial service at 9 a.m. at the American Legion Jewell Buckman Post, which will include speakers and a 21-gun salute. The group will then march to the VFW Post for another service at 10 a.m. with speakers and a 21-gun salute.
The group will then go to Hillside Cemetery, visiting Jewell Buckman’s grave and reciting the Gettysburg Address. They will also pay their respects at Holy Cross Cemetery, next to Hillside Cemetery.
Afterwards, everyone is invited for free refreshments at both the VFW and American Legion.
• Lyndonville – There won’t be a parade or a procession by veterans, but the Houseman-Tanner American Legion Post 1603 will set up a POW/MIA table in front of Lyndonville’s Veterans Park for Memorial Day.
“Flags will be placed in the cemeteries,” said Steve Goodrich, commander of the Houseman-Tanner Post. “The Fallen will be remembered.”
Goodrich said there won’t be a parade or big public gathering due to his concern for the members. Many of them are elderly with health issues, Goodrich said.
He expects the parade and a public service will be back on schedule in 2022.
• Medina – There won’t be a parade but there will be a Color Guard carrying flags from Park Avenue to State Street Park, with veterans meeting at the Olde Pickle Factory at 10:30 and starting the procession at 11 a.m. The veterans will hold a solemn service at State Street Park to honor the fallen service members. The Medina Police Department will escort the Color Guard for their safety.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 30 May 2021 at 12:23 pm
Organization’s fundraising efforts have been hurt during pandemic
EAST SHELBY – Relaxing the Covid restrictions couldn’t some soon enough for many, including the East Shelby Firemen’s Ladies Auxiliary.
Like every other fire companies, businesses and organizations in the country, activities had to be canceled or put on hold due to the pandemic, but now things are changing.
Bronwyn Green
With the increase in Covid vaccinations and decrease in cases, the Auxiliary has decided to go ahead with a spring basket raffle and fundraiser June 12 at the fire hall. They are calling it “We’re Back Basket Raffle.”
Auxiliary president Bronwyn Green said they have done basket raffles through the years during other fundraisers, such as their His and Hers’ Raffle, usually in April, and Casino Night in the winter. The firefighters have also done one during the “September to Remember” event at the fairgrounds, which was also canceled last year.
“As you can imagine, our coffers took a big hit last year due to the Covid pandemic restrictions,” Green said.
Green explained how important these fundraisers are to the Auxiliary and the Fire Company.
“The money the auxiliary raises goes toward equipment for our kitchen, donations to philanthropic causes, for recognition of members’ milestones in the Auxiliary and to support the firemen and women in our company,” she said. “Through the years, the money we have raised has helped to remodel our kitchen, purchase chairs for the new tables in the firehall and to provide equipment for the firemen, to name a few causes. This past year we were unable to provide a gift to the department, as our fundraising opportunities were stripped away by the pandemic.”
In addition to the basket raffle, which will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on June 12, the Auxiliary will have a side raffle of a $200 gift certificate to the soon-to-be-opened Bent’s Opera House. This generous donation can be used by the winner to have dinner at the Harvest Restaurant or a night at the hotel. In addition, there will be a lottery tree door prize giveaway.
“This is our first event where the public will be allowed in the fire hall,” Green said.
Guests must adhere to Covid guidelines in effect at the time. Tickets may be purchased on site for the basket raffle or the Bent’s Opera House drawing. There will also be hot dogs, chips and beverages for sale. The drawings may be observed at 3 p.m. in person or online on Facebook with Eli Howard.
“This event is so important for several reasons,” Green said. “We miss our supporters tremendously. We have been a successful fire company auxiliary in East Shelby since the 1950’s. Our company is our community. We have so many faithful supporters year after year, after year, after year – even if they aren’t lucky enough to have a winning ticket. They continue to come through for us in so many ways. We get to know them when they sit in our firehall and joke with our members, eat our food, drink our beverages and socialize with us and with one another. Our friends of the East Shelby Fire Hall have supported our events and sat in the same seats every year. Plain and simple – we miss them.”
A second reason events like this are so important is that the fire company needs training and equipment, and the money raised by Auxiliary fundraisers enable them to help the fire company any way they can.
The third reason is hall improvements are going to be needed, something that is never ending, Green said. And finally, the fire company has many veteran members who have made the East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company what it is today.
“It is an organization of which both firefighters and our auxiliary members are beyond proud, and we owe it to these veterans, our supporters and the communities we serve to help maintain that pride in our company,” Green said. “We could not do it without the help of our faithful supporters.”
Green added they would welcome any donations of baskets or services from community members, should anyone wish to contribute.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 May 2021 at 10:14 am
Genesee County Health Department also hosting 2 clinics
Photo by Tom Rivers: The Orleans County YMCA on Pearl Street in medina will host a pop-up Covid vaccination clinic on Thursday from 4 to 6 p.m.
The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments will continue to take Covid vaccination clinics on the road this week, with opportunities to get the vaccine at the Orleans County YMCA and Darien Lake.
All clinics are now available for walk-in and registration, including for the Pfizer vaccine, which is approved to vaccinate anyone 12 years old and older.
“The pop-up clinics are a great way for our residents to conveniently get vaccinated,” said Paul Pettit, public health director for the two counties. “The clinics have been running very smoothly and residents seem happy that they don’t have to travel very far to get their vaccination.”
Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson and Moderna vaccine clinics offer walk-in opportunities. However, the GO Health Departments encourage people to register and choose one of the three the vaccine. That way the Department can guarantee the dose, better space out the appointments and make the check-in process easier.
The schedule for clinics this week includes:
• Tuesday at Six Flags Darien Lake from 1 to 5 p.m., Darien Lake Human Resources, 1501 Sumner Road, Corfu. Vaccine available includes Johnson & Johnson, walk-ins and appointments (click here for appointment).
• Wednesday at Genesee County Health Department from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. at 3837 W. Main Street Rd., Batavia. Vaccines available include Moderna: walk-ins and appointments (click here) and Johnson & Johnson: walk-ins and appointments (click here).
• Thursday at Orleans County YMCA from 4 to 6 p.m. at 306 Pearl St., Medina. Vaccines available include Pfizer: walk-ins and appointments (click here) and Johnson & Johnson: walk-ins.
• Saturday at Genesee County Health Department from noon to 1 p.m. at 3837 W Main Street Rd., Batavia. Vaccines available include Pfizer: walk-ins and appointments (click here).
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 – not to answer Covid-related questions, and are not associated with either Health Department.
The GO Health Departments also are looking for businesses, churches and organizations willing to host a vaccination clinic. Those interested can fill out a survey (click here) and a Health Department staff member will then be contact.
• Covid testing: For those who are seeking testing, both health departments provide limited free rapid testing for those without symptoms at the respective Health Departments.
In Orleans County, a rapid test clinic is scheduled for June 2nd from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Orleans County Health Department at 14016 Rt. 31 West, Albion. To register for the Orleans Test Clinic, click here.
In Genesee County, a rapid test drive-through clinic is scheduled for June 3rd from 1:15 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at County Building #2, 3837 West Main St. Road, Batavia. To register for testing for the Genesee Test Clinic, click here.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 30 May 2021 at 9:11 am
MEDINA – The mammoth task of repairing and resetting dozens of broken and deteriorating gravestones in Boxwood Cemetery is being undertaken this summer by Friends of Boxwood Cemetery.
Because Boxwood Cemetery is now under the control of the village of Medina, its maintenance is funded through the municipal budget, making the task of tree maintenance and headstone repair overwhelming, according to Jake Hebdon, a member of the Friends of Boxwood Cemetery. The village is prohibited by law to fundraise, therefore, the Friends of Boxwood have stepped up to raise money for cleaning, repairing and restoring old headstones.
Kurt Riegel, a historic preservationist who specializes in gravestone restoration, plies his trade on a broken headstone. He will lead a workshop on gravestone restoration at 10 a.m. June 19 in Boxwood Cemetery.
At 10 a.m. on June 19, the Friends of Boxwood Cemetery will host a workshop on headstone cleaning and resetting, led by Kurt Riegel of Riegel Restoration in Sidney, a historic preservationist specializing in gravestone restoration and historical window restoration.
He will give a hands-on workshop and discussion of the dos and don’ts of cleaning, maintenance and resetting of historical headstones which have fallen into disrepair. Having performed restoration work across the northeastern United States, Riegel brings a wealth of preservation knowledge, Hebdon said.
The workshop is open to anyone in the community who is interested. Admission will be $10, payable on arrival. Any additional donations are greatly appreciated and will go towards headstone repair in the cemetery. No reservation is required to attend the workshop.
Attendees are asked to bring a clean bucket, a soft plastic brush, a lawn chair and lunch, if desired. The stone cleaning tutorial will start at 10 a.m. and the stone resetting will follow. People are welcome to attend one or both workshops, which will total three to four hours. In the event of bad weather, a rain date of June 26 at 10 a.m. has been set.
Aside from the workshop, the Friends of Boxwood Cemetery are thrilled to announce they have received a grant from the Medina Sandstone Society to restore the headstone of David Card, the very first person to be buried in Boxwood Cemetery in 1849. Riegel will be completing that restoration throughout the summer.
Again, the Friends of Boxwood welcome donations by community members to help with these efforts and ask that donations be mailed to Friends of Boxwood, in care of Village of Medina Clerk’s Office, 119 Park Ave., Medina. More information is available on the Friends of Boxwood Cemetery Facebook page.
What color are you? Take a moment to explore Color Psychology
Do you know what color you are? Not the kind of color the mirror shows you, but the colors inside you?
When you think about colors and yourself, what color do you feel like? Strange thing is when I think about it, I feel at times my shade of the spectrum changes. My favorite combination is either a very bright vibrant mixture or just plain white.
One is all messy and free and the latter is very clean and clear. Maybe because I am a Gemini, the sign of the twins. Some people like the soft colors of pastel. This all must mean something because we are all visual beings and react to what is presented to us visually.
My favorite color is green and I have never been fond of pink. However, if you take hot pink and combine it with green, that makes me happy. Pale blues always make me sad, but for others it makes them feel calm. Statistics show that 40% of the population are blue people, which is a large percentage considering all the colors available on the spectrum.
I’m definitely not feeling red, a color which indicates you are a power person. The world needs power people, but those days are done for me. I am fine just letting others be red for now, maybe someday I will change my mind.
That is the wonderful thing about your color, if you are not satisfied or antsy, get your brush out and change your color. Google taught me not many people are green like me. Green people need safety and security. They are happiest in nature and peace. They are loyal and good listeners. They can be very expressive, emotional and are sincere and sometimes frank. We see the big picture and try not to get caught up in details which make us perfect business people. White gives us that old soul mentality, which even though I am not truly an old soul I often feel I am being led by old souls.
A splash of hot pink and there is an added sparkle and craving for peace and harmony. Also “pinks” revel in encouraging others and their happiness. I think my Mom might be a purple. Purple people are intuitive, and great humanitarians. They have silent strength, but yet they are people magnets and people love to be around them. I could use a bit of that purple.
Yesterday I turned 53!! So this year I am going to gift myself a bit of purple hue. If you are an orange, I want to hang out with you because you are the party people with adventure. No matter how seasoned I become, I pray life will sprinkle me with a dash of orange. Gotta have that flavor.
Although Color Psychology is not scientific it is fun to read about and see what colors you are drawn to. And if you want to add a little spice to your life, maybe sprinkle a room a color that promotes those qualities you like and meditate in there for a while. That is the blessing of life, we get to choose how we approach it and how we want to be remembered and most importantly how this treasure makes us feel inside. What color are you?
To see my current colors visit my blog live online (click here) and catch up on Weekly Photo Perks and past Sunday Posts. Like and share your comments.
“The Pioneer Clearing,” – Emery A. Philleo, 1888, courtesy Niagara County History Center
By Doug Farley, Cobblestone Museum Director
Volume 2, No. 21
Authors note: In preparation for a prior article written to highlight the story of Delia Robinson in the Hamlet of Childs, I was fortunate to have been drawn to her book, “Historical Amnesia,” wherein she describes a few of the amazing stories of women in the pioneer settlement of the community. With Dee’s help, as well as a few others, I present this article on Pioneer Women in the Hamlet of Childs.
It’s seldom been mentioned, but common sense tells us that roughly 50% of our pioneer settlers were women. The majority of settlers in this county were immigrating from New England or from eastern New York settlements. These men and women brought with them strong moral and religious convictions, along with an amazing appreciation for the value of hard work.
The everyday activities for both men and women centered on securing food, clothing and shelter. To quote a phrase that has grown out of fashion, “women’s work” meant preparing the food, sewing clothes, assisting with the crops, and helping build and then maintain the early log, brick or cobblestone home. It has been said, “A man works from sun to sun, but a woman’s work is never done.” But, perhaps Dee Robinson said it best, “Women’s skills were a necessity, not a nicety.”
Mary Jane P. Danolds, unsigned, c1855, The Cobblestone Society & Museum
After setting up the initial settlement, two other emerging priorities were always schools and churches. In the Hamlet of Childs, women were front and center in the development of the religious society through their efforts in the formation of the Universalist Church, and also through serving as teachers for the District #5 Schoolhouse. In these endeavors, pioneer settler Mary Jane Danolds, shown above, is credited by historians with proposing the first name for the church, “The Church of the Good Shepherd.” In like manner, for the hamlet’s school, in its 103 years of service to the district, over 30 different women served as teachers, outnumbering men two to one.
Women’s work in the hamlet was arduous and time consuming. Starting with taking care of the log house, it included the everyday chore of sweeping the ever-present dirt floor and tending to the wood burning fireplace with its constant infusion of soot and dust into the home. Cooking three square meals daily over an open fire seems tough enough, but add to that the preservation of meat and vegetables for winter use through smoking and canning, all without running water, and one begins to appreciate the monumental task presented in just feeding one’s family.
Now add making soap, candles, thread, spinning, weaving, bearing and raising children, planting and harvesting crops, chopping wood, washing, mending, and the list goes on. Years ago, people used to say of a local couple where the husband was rather sedentary, “Hubby holds the lantern while Grace chops the wood.”
Courtesy Holland Land Office Museum
Every community is proud of its list of “firsts,” be it first church, first doctor, first store, first stone mason and more. But few, like Childs, can document that their first pioneer settler was a woman. In the records of the Holland Land Office in Batavia, one can see the first recorded “article” of land in what we now know as the Hamlet of Childs, was taken by Elizabeth Gilbert. Her land, a little over 123 acres, located on the Ridge near today’s Brown Street Road, was assigned to Mrs. Elizabeth Gilbert for the payment of $1.
Those requesting an article of land, then had ten years to pay the remainder of the purchase price, usually about $2.50 per acre, at which time the deed would be given to the settler. Elizabeth arrived in the region in the early 1800s with her husband, but no known record exists that lists her husband’s name. Two years later, in 1809, Mr. Gilbert died. Elizabeth and her niece and two children remained on the article of land and continued to make the payments. During that time, Mrs. Gilbert tended to all of the normal “women’s work,” and assumed with panache all of the hunting, fishing, plowing, sewing seed, tending animals, building barns, harvesting crops, felling trees, handling the ox team, and many more duties that would normally have fallen upon her husband.
Historians record that Elizabeth Gilbert not only attended to her own farm and household, she was present when her neighbors, Noah and Polly Burgess, arrived to their wilderness “article.” Not unlike Elizabeth’s own husband, Noah Burgess fell sick shortly after his arrival, and the difficult work of cutting trees, dragging them to the building site with a team of oxen, and building a log cabin was attended to by Polly Burgess and her neighbor, Elizabeth Gilbert.
The work of the farm wife, while often times unnoticed by historians, in some instances, when the household chores fell upon the male in the family, a record of the disturbance was made. One such record can be found in 1825 when an early settler wrote, “I can get no girl to work and I was obliged to take care of my sick wife and do all my work indoors and outdoors. I (also) had to milk, churn, work butter, wash and iron clothes, mix and bake bread, and in fact do all that had to be done. I finally found a woman to work until my wife got able to be about.”
The death of a pioneer husband many times forced young families to pick up stakes and head back east to the security offered by other family members. But, alternatively, many fatherless families decided to stick it out and stay with their articles of land, doing the chores and doing what was necessary to pay the Holland Land Office for their properties.
If a husband died intestate (without will), Surrogate Law said a widow had use of 1/3 of her husband’s estate during her lifetime, a provision that was called a dower. This included 1/3 of the acreage as well as the dwelling. In several instances, this provision was applied with exacting detail. One case reads, “The widow has use of the south part of the lower room of the dwelling house, divided by a line running from the south side of the bedroom door to the center of the fireplace, including the room south of the chimney. Also, the south part of the chamber as it is portioned off with the privilege of a passage in the north door and entryway and stairs into the chamber. Also, all the scaffold over the stable and barn floor, the south bin of the granary and the west stall in the stable, with the right to go in and out at the door, together with the land on which the above described parts of said buildings stand.” Fifteen women from 1828-1855 claimed their right of dower in Orleans County.
Cynthia Lee Proctor
It is rare to find an early history of the hamlet written by a woman. A few exceptions exist and their written point of view brings clarity to the lives of the “silent half” of the local citizenry. The following commentary was penned by Cynthia Lee Proctor, fourth wife of John Proctor of Childs. It was written in 1870 at the request of the Pioneer Association of Orleans County which formed in 1859.
“Having often been solicited to give a history of my pioneer life, I have excused myself by thinking that no event of my life has had been of sufficient import to record it. But as the interest of our society depends upon individual experience, such as it is, I give it to you. I was born in the town of Wardsboro, state of Vermont, in the year 1803. My father and mother, John and Sara Lee, were natives of Massachusetts and moved to Vermont shortly after they were married, where they remained until 1804 when they moved to New York. My mother had 12 children, ten of whom survived her. In the spring of 1816, my father and eldest brother Charles Lee, came to this far west county to look for land. They made a purchase on what was then the Town of Gaines, County of Genesee. (Note: Orleans County not formed until 1824.)
In a short time, two of my brothers and a hired man started on foot, one hundred and fifty miles, to commence the new and strange enterprise. They cleared the land, got in five acres of wheat, built a log cabin and chopped down 7 acres of timber, preparatory for clearing off and putting in spring crops. On the last day of February 1817, our family, 12 in number, arrived at our new home, in which was a young man and his wife who had taken shelter until they could build a log cabin. I was the youngest of four unmarried sisters. The oldest went east that summer to teach school, as there was not a schoolhouse, I think, south of the Ridge Rd.
The Pioneer Homestead – courtesy Orleans County Historian
Our floor was split logs and the doors were blankets, as yet no doors could be obtained. It was not long before we had board for chamber (bedroom) floors, doors, windows, also a chimney and oven. They made bedsteads of round poles called Genesee bedsteads, but they answered every purpose and most happy were we when we had a chamber to put them in, although the way to reach it was by a ladder.
“The Opening of the Erie Canal-October 26, 1825,” Raphael Beck, 1928, Courtesy Niagara County History Center
It was not long before our spinning wheels were got in order and the hum of four wheels indoors and as many axes outdoors was the only instruments of music. But not infrequently did our voices rise above the continual din and echo on the surrounding woods.
We walked twice during the first summer to Maple Ridge to attend meeting, which was held in Mr. Wyman’s barn. I think Elder Gregory preached. (The author notes these were more than likely Methodists.)
Late in the fall of that year, my father got his horses home, which had been pastured in Ontario County. Cattle could get their living in the woods, the only trouble was the flavor of the milk and butter, and hunting for the cows. The boys would start after them, taking a tin horn so it they lost their way or got belated, they would blow the horn, and then we would do the same from the house, and they could then follow the sound. That was a dismal sound when we heard the horn in the evening and frequently the howl of wolves at the same time. On one occasion every one of the family was awakened from sleep by the noise of the wolves not more than fifteen rods from the house. They had attached a flock of sheep and killed five and most likely would have killed them all if they had not got fighting among themselves and aroused the family.
After we got horses, my sister and I took a ride of 13 or 14 miles to visit a friend in the Town of Yates or North Woods as we used to call that section of country north of Ridge Road. After we got to the Ridge, the ride was delightful. We went about three miles north of the Ridge, but what a road, if road it could be called. The mud and water would frequently come up to our feet in the stirrups. I had no desire to visit the place again, and did not in some 20 years, when I could hardly realize it was the same place.
I think as the youth listen to stories of pioneers, they are apt to get the impression was one of hardship, privation and toil, but such was not my experience. We had our social pleasures just as much, then as now, but less time to argue about styles, conventionalities or grades of society. Ture, we labored hard, but that was the fashion, and we all adopted it. An indolent man or woman was not in fashion.
Another source of joy, which none but a pioneer could appreciate, was to witness the improvement constantly going on, and our hope of better days more than realized after the first year. With what joy the (Erie) canal was received and surely it was the making of western New York at that time. By this way it was my privilege to come to Medina on the first boat that passed through to this place.
My sister, Esther, who married William C. Tanner, taught school in Eagle Harbor in 1821. A little incident took place in the school worth mentioning. All at once a little boy called out ‘a snake, a snake,’ and there in the corner of the room was a black snake crawling up the log with evident intention of getting upstairs. She had nothing to encounter so formidable a foe and sent the children for help, but he was gaining his point so fast she took the log of a bench, pulled him down and killed him. It measured 5 feet 9 inches. I taught in the same house the next season and I kept a good watch for snakes. I taught six months at $1 per week, the then common price.
In 1823 we buried our dear father and mother. They were surrounded by their children, not one having settled more than four miles from home.
I am thankful to my Heavenly Father that I have been permitted to live in this period, from the wilderness to behold this beautiful country; from ignorance and superstition to see the love, science and a consistent view of the character of God enlightening the minds of the rising generation and bring all souls more in harmony with His Divine Law. Love to God and Love to man. Cynthia Lee Proctor”
“To me, this didn’t happen years ago. It was yesterday. It is today…I just can’t forget…to some extent, I remain a prisoner of war.”
