This map from the Finger Lakes Covid-19 Vaccine Hub shows the percent of residents 16 and older in each of the nine counties who have received at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.

A breakdown of Covid-19 vaccine rates among zip codes shows Albion is significantly behind Medina for the percentage of its residents 16 and older with at least one dose.

Albion is the lowest of the seven zip codes in the county at 36.8 percent, while Medina leads the county at 47.6 percent.

The nine-county Finger Lakes has a breakdown of each county, and each zip code on the Finger Lakes Covid-19 Vaccine Hub, which is updated every Friday. Click here to see the website with the data.

In Orleans County, 14,109 of the 32,560 people 16 and older or 43.3 percent have received at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine. That rate is only above the 41.2 percent in Wyoming County among the nine counties in the Finger Lakes Region, and significantly behind two counties over 60 percent – Ontario at 60.9 percent and Monroe at 60.2 percent.

In the Finger Lakes region, 56.6 percent of population 16 and older has had at least one dose of the vaccine, and 43.1 percent are done with vaccine series.

Here are the rates for the nine counties in the Finger Lakes (Percent of population 16 and older with at least one vaccine dose)

• Ontario: 60.9 percent
• Monroe: 60.2 percent
• Wayne: 51.1 percent
• Genesee: 49.5 percent
• Seneca: 48.8 percent
• Livingston: 48.5 percent
• Yates: 45.9 percent
• Orleans: 43.3 percent
• Wyoming: 41.2 percent

Orleans County zip codes (% of people 16 and older with at least one dose)

• Medina – 47.6 percent, 4,009 out of the 8,427 people 16 and older in 14103 have received at least one dose
• Kendall – 46.8 percent, 814 out of the 1,739 people 16 and older in 14476 have received at least one dose
• Waterport – 46.1 percent, 480 out of 1,042 people 16 and older in 14571 have received at least one dose
• Lyndonville – 44.2 percent, 1,038 out of the 2,346 people 16 and older in 14098 have received at least one dose
• Holley – 44.1 percent, 2,801 out of the 6,354 people 16 and older in 14470 have received at least one dose
• Kent – 40.0 percent, 587 out of the 1,467 people 16 and older in 14477 have received at least one dose
• Albion – 36.8 percent, 4,113 out of the 11,186 people 16 and older in 14411 have received at least one dose

Pittsford has the highest percentage of 16 and older with at least one dose in the nine-county Finger Lakes Region. The 14534 zip code has 21,002 out of 25,675 with at least one dose.

Romulus in Seneca County is the lowest at 23.6 percent with only 783 with at least one vaccine dose out of the 3,320 people 16 and older in the 14541 zip code. Attica in Wyoming County also has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the Finger Lakes Region at 24.2 percent or 1,941 out of 8,016 people who are 16 or older.

Other nearby zip codes

• Elba (Genesee) – 67.7 percent, 1,199 out of the 1,770 people 16 and older in 14058 with at least one dose
• Stafford (Genesee) – 61.7 percent, 536 out of the 869 people 16 and older in 14143 with at least one dose
• Le Roy (Genesee) – 54.3 percent, 3,668 out of the 6,755 people 16 and older in 14482 with at least one dose
• Batavia (Genesee) – 48.6 percent, 8,745 out of the 18,007 people 16 and older in 14020 with at least one dose
• Bergen (Genesee) – 48.5 percent, 1,507 out of the 3,105 people 16 and older in 14416 with at least one dose
• Hamlin (Monroe) – 46.9 percent, 2,730 out of the 5,826 people 16 and older in 14464 with at least one dose
• Corfu (Genesee) – 45.9 percent, 1,863 out of the 4,055 people 16 and older in 14036 with at least one dose
• Basom (Genesee) – 45.5 percent, 580 out of the 1,276 people 16 and older in 14013 with at least one dose
• East Bethany (Genesee) – 44.9 percent, 508 out of the 1,132 people 16 and older in 14054 with at least one dose
• Alexander (Genesee) – 44.3 percent, 601 out of the 1,356 people 16 and older in 14005 with at least one dose
• Byron (Genesee) – 44.0 percent, 844 out of 1,917 people 16 and older in 14422 with at least one dose
• Brockport (Monroe) – 43.9 percent, 7,574 out of the 17,244 people 16 and older in 14420 with at least one dose
• Pavilion (Genesee) – 43.9 percent, 990 out of the 2,254 people 16 and older in 14525 with at least one dose
• Oakfield (Genesee) – 43.3 percent, 1,276 out of the 2,945 people 16 and older in 14125 with at least one dose
• Darien Center (Genesee) – 40.2 percent, 728 out of the 1,812 people 16 and older in 14040 with at least one dose

Group will have annual banquet on Monday after last year’s was cancelled due to Covid-19

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Seated during their recent meeting of Laurel Twig at the home of Ginny Roberts are, from left, Jan McCloy, Sue Metzo, Jean Sipple and Nelda Toussaint. Standing is Ginny Roberts.

MEDINA – For nearly seven decades, the TWIG organization has been a vibrant part of the Medina community and avid supporter of Medina Memorial Hospital.

But, like many other service organizations, it has fallen victim of the times – a generation which is not of a mindset to volunteer.

The organization, whose membership once neared 400, had dwindled to less than 70 at its 2019 banquet.

There was no banquet in 2020, due to Covid, but the membership has regrouped and decided to have their banquet this year on Monday night at Zambistro.

TWIG, which stands for “Together With Individual Goals,” began as a vision of Mrs. Donald Acer of Medina, who felt there was a need for a women’s organization at Medina Memorial Hospital. She sought advice from women who were members of Twig Associations in nearby communities. She learned that women from Rochester, where a Twig Association had flourished, along with the Albion Twig Association at Arnold Gregory Memorial Hospital, were most helpful in several areas to their hospitals.

It is interesting to note that women of that era were usually referred to by their husband’s name, not their own first name.

On March 16, 1953, Mrs. Acer and Mrs. John Wilkinson, with the approval of the Medina Memorial Hospital directors, called a meeting at the Elks Club for the purpose of organizing a Twig Association. About 50 women responded.

From this meeting grew a committee to draw up a constitution, chaired by Mrs. Hubbard White, and a nominating committee, chaired by Mrs. Gladys Walters.

By April of 1953, the Medina Memorial Hospital Association of Twigs was established under the leadership of Mrs. John E. Wilkinson, the first president. Other officers were Mrs. Horace Bird, 1st vice president; Mrs. D.J. Cleary Jr., 2nd vice president; Miss Margaret McCarthy, treasurer; and Miss Laura Dombrowski, secretary.

Eight original Twig groups were formed, totaling 75 members. They were Apple Blossom, Bittersweet, Cherry, Evergreen, Juniper, Linden, Oak Leaf and Silver Birch.

Their early activities included sewing and securing bed pads. Surgical stockings, bandages, glove covers, surgical sheets, curtains and pillows. The first major project was a Christmas party undertaken that year for hospital personnel in the hospital dining room. Twigs supplied all the food and decorations and served the meal.

Georgia Thomas, standing, hands out face masks she made for the members of Laurel Twig during their fall meeting. Seated at front are Carol Smith of Albion, left, and Carol Shafer of Middleport. At rear are Jan McCloy and Sue Metzo, both of Medina. Hostess Ginny Roberts stands in the doorway.

In 1954 it was suggested that each group form a new Twig to ensure growth, and four new groups evolved – Dogwood, Hawthorne, Holly and Plum. The Association’s treasury showed a balance of $350, which Twigs donated, starting what was to become the first of hundreds of thousands of dollars and an unending supply of hospital equipment.

In these early years, it was more common for each Twig branch to donate small equipment individually, such as ice pitchers, glasses, trays, stainless steel medicine trays, pictures, packages of patient tissues, ash trays, books for the library, baby foot printer, ice crushers, etc. A sewing machine donated in 1955 by Mrs. E.C. Rosenkrans was widely used and much appreciated.

At the suggestion of Mrs. Elizabeth Robbins in 1955, the first “coffee corner” for the public was set up in the Twig Room.

By 1956, Twig was already purchasing many fundamental medical supplies for the hospital, such as bandages, pads, basins, gowns, waste cans, service tables, towels, drapes, etc. The annual Christmas party continued to be totally funded by Twig until 1975.

A machine for dispensing drinks for public use was installed in the lobby, when in 1956, Medina Memorial Hospital was in the planning stages for two new wings to be added – a three-story front wing and a two-story rear wing. Olive Twig and Tulip Twig joined the association.

Twig added six new groups in 1957, Beech, Lilac, Magnolia, Jasmine, Willow and Locust and the association grew by 125 members. A cookie and candy dispensing machine was added to the lobby and Twig donated an incubator to the Maternity Ward at a cost of $273. They also pledged $600 to the hospital building fund. Magnolia Twig organized the first hospital benefit dance at the Elks Club, netting $550. The Volunteer Service Program began and decorative tray favors were made for hospital patients. Olive Twig raised $300 for the building fund through a public book review, and decided to fashion puppets to be given to children in the hospital.

In 1958-59, Azalea, Tupelo, Wisteria, Spruce, Forsythia, Laurel, Maple, Wiegela and Tamarack twigs were formed, giving the association 27 twigs and 337 members. A water flash warmer costing $490 was donated for the operating room, along with the Twigs building fund pledge.

Cinnamon and Rosamond Twigs joined the association in 1960, and magnolia and Oak Leaf combined memberships. Miss Katherine Brown chaired the first Twig Fair in October. It took place at Oak Orchard Elementary School and included a roast beef dinner. There were 19 booths and full support of 27 Twigs, netting a profit of $2,500.

A Mardi Gras ball in 1961 created a big sensation, netting $1,500. The association continued to support the hospital with its purchase of equipment such as plastic bassinets for the nursery and two recovery room stretchers. A silver tea service was presented to the hospital in 1962 as a memorial to Miss Estelle Douglas, the first hospital administrator. Twigs made a donation of $3,000 to establish a physical therapy department.

The fundraising events, donations and projects supported by the Twig Association grew to be far too numerous to continue naming them all. It can be said, however, the Twig Association continued until just a few years ago to raise money by their individual projects, sponsor the hospital Christmas party, provide tray favors and puppets for patients, volunteer their services at the Greeter Desk and Reception Desk (saving the hospital thousands of dollars yearly) providing a hospitality room and attending to tons of mending and sewing of hospital linens.

When the hospital undertook a major renovation, the Twig Association pledged $100,000 for the new birthing wing, which was named for the association.

On Sunday, Aug. 10, 1969, Medina’s Twig Association earned prominent mention in The New York Times. The newspaper carried a feature story on Medina’s organization and its use of the term “twig” instead of the more usual guild, auxiliary or league. The story also mentioned the use of flowering shrubs as names for the individual groups.

In the 1965, Wildwood Twig was established for those members who were only interested in the volunteer aspect of Twig and required no monthly meetings. Volunteer service awards were initiated in 1959 when Mrs. Thomas Hickey received the first 100-hour pin. Since that time, endless awards have been presented at the annual banquet for accumulative hours of service, many numbering in the thousands. At its annual volunteer luncheon celebrating Twig’s 25th anniversary, it was reported volunteers over the years had given an estimated 63,500 hours.

In 1969, a newly remodeled Gift Shop and Snack Bar were opened. In 1974, the Gift Shop was expanded into the main hall of the hospital, where it continued to be a major source of funding for the Twig Association until approximately three years ago when it closed due to lack of volunteers. The Gift Shop annually earned an estimated $20,000, which the Twig presented to the hospital CEO each year at the banquet.

By 1979, when Mrs. White retired as Volunteer Services director, the Twigs were responsible for the Reception Desk, Gift Shop, Snack Bar, Gift Cart, Central Supply and Sewing.

By the late 1960s, some of the original Twig  groups had disbanded, mainly due to the health and age of their members. In the 1970s, Oak Twig joined the association. By now Twig had begun purchasing larger pieces of equipment for the hospital, such as a surgical lift, operating table ($6,000), proctoscopic table, obstetrical table ($4,300) and mammography X-ray equipment ($25,000).

Dogwood and Honeysuckle Twigs were formed in 1973 and Maple, Ming and Willow joined in 1976. Bayberry formed in 1977 and Hydrangea joined in 1978. Twig added some community education services, such as hospital tours for elementary school children in 1973 and expectant parent classes in 1975, instructed by Jeanne Crane. In 1977, they started sewing and stuffing Christmas stockings for all the patients, a project Laurel Twig continues today.

The newest Twig to be formed was Lilac, as the result of a Twig board meeting Sept. 25, 2004.

On the occasion of its 25th anniversary, the Twig Association had 20 Twigs totaling 273 members.

As of the last banquet on May 6, 2019, only 11 Twigs remained, with a total membership of 66. Of those, only Laurel still has regular meetings, although membership has dwindled to eight or nine who attend. In 1996, Laurel had 25 members.

Ginny Roberts of Medina has been president of Laurel Twig for many years, and Carol Shafer of Middleport remains secretary/treasurer. They have shortened their year, choosing to meet September through December and in June for a picnic. That is in addition to the annual spring banquet which this year is May 10.

Nelda Toussaint is one of the longest standing members of Laurel Twig. She joined, she said, when her son Jeff was a year old and she was looking for something to do to get out of the house at night. Other original members were Arden Dick, Eileen Incho and Jackie Kaldon.

“It was a big group,” Toussaint said. “Arden and I brought Ginny in.”

Original activities included card parties, big dances and fashion shows.

The lack of volunteers resulted in closing the Gift Shop several years ago, thereby ending the Twig’s biggest money maker. They still have a balance in their bank account, from which they continue to make gifts to the hospital.

BATAVIA – Tompkins Financial Corporation has announced plans for a rebranding effort which will better align its four banks in New York and Pennsylvania under the Tompkins corporate umbrella.

As a result of the effort, Tompkins Bank of Castile, headquartered in Batavia, will be known simply as “Tompkins.” The three other affiliated banks – Tompkins Trust Company, headquartered in Ithaca, Tompkins Mahopac Bank in the Hudson Valley, and Tompkins VIST Bank in southeastern Pennsylvania – will also become Tompkins.

All existing banking products and services will be unchanged and will continue to be offered in all markets under the Tompkins brand. Tompkins Financial’s two other affiliate companies, Tompkins Insurance Agencies and Tompkins Financial Advisors, will keep their respective names and are otherwise unaffected by the change.

Stephen S. Romaine, Tompkins Financial president and CEO, says that over the next year, customers will see signage changes reflecting the new name. However, none of the local leadership is changing, nor is the local Board of Directors.

“Tompkins’ unique community banking value proposition – which is centered around local decision-making, relationship-based products and services, deep community engagement, and a values-driven, collaborative, empowered culture – will be unaffected by the rebranding and name change,” Romaine said.

The alignment of bank names is made possible by a consolidation of four existing bank charters to one, therefore also reducing duplicate regulatory and legal processes.

“It just makes good sense and is well timed,” said Romaine. “Becoming ‘one Tompkins’ in name not only more closely aligns our Tompkins family, but in fact, brings additional advantages which support the company’s ability to maintain its commitment to sustainable excellence.”

Tompkins Bank of Castile has a branch in Medina, its lone site in Orleans County.

The changes are expected to take effect later in 2021, subject to regulatory approval. Other than a slight change to the bank’s brand name, the process and resulting single charter are expected to be a seamless and non-impactful transition for customers.

“We have been serving western New York since 1869 and have been part of Tompkins Financial for more than 20 years,” said John M. McKenna, Tompkins Bank of Castile president & CEO.

“This change only enhances our ability to be that valued partner, delivering the high level of experience excellence our customers know and deserve.”

Press Release, State Sen. Rob Ortt

The Village of Albion is the recipient of over $388K in state grant money for the renovation of buildings located in the area surrounding downtown Main Street. These state grants will help cover up to 75 percent of renovation costs to commercial and residential buildings.

Made possible through the state’s Homes and Community Renewal Program, grants of $50,000, or up to 75 percent of renovation costs, will be allotted for projects that apply.

“The historic small towns and villages located throughout Upstate and Western New York are what makes our area so interesting and unique,” said Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt. “By investing in these historic towns and villages, we are injecting new life into our local area. Not only will we be attracting new visitors to come and patronize the quaint establishments that form Main Street, but it will also entice the younger generation, who in recent history have tended to leave, to stay, settle down, and start a family in a revitalized community. I am proud to have been a part of the legislative process to make sure that these funds were available for our residents.”

The Village of Albion will be holding a meeting Monday, May 10, at 6 p.m. at The Lockstone, located at 160 North Main St., to deliver additional information to individuals interested in applying for these state funds.

Those interested in attending this meeting should call the Village of Albion’s office at (585) 589-9176.

Press Release, Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke

National Police Week is set aside to honor America’s law enforcement community for their hard work and dedication in protecting and serving their local communities.

The men and women of the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office are dedicated to the mission of providing prompt, exemplary service while protecting the community. The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office is committed to protect the lives, property and rights of all people, maintain order and enforce the law.

Emphasis is placed on improving and maintaining quality of life to ensure our county is a safe place to live, work and visit. The members of this office are dedicated to this mission, to the County they serve, and achieving excellence within their profession.

During National Police Officer Week in 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day as a special recognition day for law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others.

Please join us in recognizing Orleans County’s Deputy Sheriffs and Police Officers for their hard work, dedication and service to our community.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Owen Monaghan, a Webelos Scout in Albion, sets a flag on a veteran’s grave at Mount Albion cemetery this morning.

A group of Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts worked together setting about 2,000 flags on veterans’ graves at Mount Albion and also St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery.

The American Legion provided the flags and the scouts put them on the graves in what is usually an annual tradition just before Memorial Day. However, the Scouts weren’t able to do it last year due to concerns about the spread of Covid-19.

JaiLi McPhatter, 9, was art of the scouting team this morning that set the flags at markers by the veterans’ graves.

These scouts include, from left: twin brothers Stryker and Colson Braley, and Jax Gotte.

Jeff Braley is the den leader for the group of scouts in the third and fourth grade. He said the group welcomes more members. There will be a signup in the fall. For more information about joining, contact Ben Metcalf, the cubmaster, at (585) 489-2969.

These flags were temporarily set on the grave of a Civil War soldier.

Organization giving out scholarships for first time for seniors with track record of community service

United Way of Orleans County has announced for the first time it is offering scholarships to students in Orleans County’s schools who meet certain criteria.

Dean Bellack, director of United Way of Orleans County, and its board acknowledge the past year has been one of the most successful in the agency’s history, and they are anxious to share the wealth in any way they can.

To this end, United Way has announced an annual scholarship award to each of the five schools in the county: Albion, Holley, Kendall, Lyndonville and Medina.

The scholarships will be made available to two students at each school – a male and female – who meet the criteria of participation in community service, being in good academic standing and having general good citizenship. Each scholarship will be for $500 and will be awarded when the student begins his or her college year.

Bellack went on to explain the importance of local donations, especially those given through payroll deductions.

While United Way may have been very fortunate during the past year to receive considerable funding from outside the county, payroll deductions and donations from the local community are vital to their mission of helping the area’s needy.

Workplace campaigns to promote employee giving took a big hit in 2020 due to Covid-19 either partially or totally shutting down company operations.

Bellack noted that Albion Central School employees, in particular, have been consistently successful with their workplace campaigns for the United Way.

Eric Christiansen, Albion High School psychologist and chair of the Counseling Department, has been a longtime proponent of United Way.

“This is the 30th year I’ve been here, and giving to United Way has always seemed to be a big part of the culture of Albion Central School,” Christiansen said. “Our leaders always felt it was important to support United Way.”

He said there seems to be someone each year willing to reach out to school employees, asking them to consider their donations to United Way.

“It’s one of the things I love about Albion Central School,” he said.

Christiansen said he was very pleased United Way is able to offer scholarships to students.

“We  have a lot of our students who do community service and they don’t get recognized for it,” he said. “Some of them donate hundreds of hours in the community and they do it quietly. College is getting increasingly expensive and it’s nice to have an organization that wants to give to our students. Even a small scholarship adds up. I already have some great candidates in mind.”

Bellack added his thanks to Albion school teachers and all their staff for their consistent generosity.

“We are all better when we come together and contribute to our community,” he said.

The first scholarships will be announced at the end of the 2021 school year.

United Way funds nearly two dozen agencies and programs in Orleans County, which provide assistance to the homeless, seniors, the needy, handicapped, and more, and these scholarships are just a way to give to another segment of the population.

Press Release, NYS Canal Corp.

CARLTON – The New York State Canal Corporation on Friday announced the Reimagine the Canals initiative was recently featured on the NBC Sports program “On the Water: Angling Adventures.”

The television show highlighted the successful launch of a pilot program that strategically used water from the Erie Canal to enhance already renowned fishing opportunities in Western New York during the fall of 2020. The full episode can be seen by clicking here.

“The Reimagine the Canals initiative is making an outstanding positive impact on Western New York’s fishing communities and canalside businesses and we are thrilled that NBC Sports chose to showcase our recent pilot program that enhanced the angling experience along tributaries supplied by water from the Erie Canal,” said New York State Canal Corporation Director Brian U. Stratton.

Chris Megan holds a big brown trout he caught in the Oak Orchard River. He praised the fishing opportunities in the Oak.

“The Reimagine the Canals initiative, first announced by Governor Cuomo in his 2020 State of the State address, is committed to supporting many recreational opportunities along the Canal system to ensure it remains a driver of economic development and tourism across Upstate New York,” Stratton said.

Filmed last fall, the episode features the fishing experience on Oak Orchard Creek and Sandy Creek in Orleans and Monroe counties. Through the Reimagine the Canals program, the Canal Corporation increased regulated water releases into the two streams from September to early December last year.

As seen during the episode, the higher flows successfully enticed more brown trout, steelhead, and Atlantic and Pacific salmon populations to run up these streams, improving conditions for the fish and expanding opportunities for local and visiting anglers.

“The New York Canal system presents anglers with world class angling opportunities steeped in American history,” said Chris Megan, publisher and host of “On the Water.” “An engineering marvel, the Erie Canal has been in operation since 1825, opening the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean via the Hudson River. Hand dug by immigrants and farmers and enlarged twice, its effect on commerce was dramatic. As an avid angler and history buff, I jumped at the opportunity to spend two days fishing Upstate New York.”

The episode also includes a look at the history of the waterway with canal historian Art Cohn, a boat trip through the Cayuga-Seneca Canal onto Seneca Lake to troll late season lake trout, and a visit to one of New York’s hidden fishing gems where anglers come from all over the world to target the common carp that swim in the Erie Canal’s lakes and locks.

Plantings were delayed a year due to Covid-19 restrictions

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – This line of about 125 shrubs was planted this week along the Erie Canal towpath in Albion. This section is just west of the Brown Street bridge.

The Canal Corp. had planned to have the shrubs and small trees planted last year but that was pushed back a year due to Covid-19 restrictions.

This is the same group of shrubs with the photo taken from the Brown Street bridge.

The Canal Corp. is planting numerous shrubs and small trees and is on schedule to have all of the plantings done by May 31, with stakes and mulch, a spokesman for the Canal Corp. said on Friday.

The Canal Corp. also is developing a plan to water the new plantings through the summer months, the spokesman said.

The new plantings are part of a vegetative management plan for the canal’s banks. The Canal Corp. in 2017 hired a company, Mohawk Valley Materials from Utica, to cut down trees next to the towpath. This photo from November 2017 shows how the section looked near the Brown Street bridge.

The Canal Corp. has since removed the trees, stumps, given the banks a smoother shape and planted grass. The Canal Corp. took down trees on 145 acres between Medina and Fairport.

The new shrubs and trees provide a vegetative screening and don’t compromise the bank’s integrity, like the larger trees with their burrowing root systems.

Here are some of the small trees and shrubs planted near the bottom of the embankment next to Sandy Creek in Albion.

These photos show the trees and shrubs in Albion earlier this week before they were planted. They were on Canal Corp. property between the Main Street and Ingersoll Street lift bridges.

Photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The Albion Lions Club is back raising money after Covid-19 wiped up its fundraisers last year, including the annual Mother’s Day rose sale.

That fundraiser returned this year and the club sold 250 dozen roses. These four Lions Club members – from left Jake Stinson, Lloyd Wright, Club President Dan Conrad and Ron Albertson – stopped by Wright’s garage on Friday to organize the flowers which were all pre-sold.

The club in the past used to sell 340 dozen, with the late John Keding selling close to 100 from his auto repair shop on East Avenue. Keding passed away at age 85 on Jan. 18.

The Lions Club currently has about 25 members. Wright, the long-time treasurer, said the flowers are a popular item and he expects the club will sell 300 dozen next year.

The sales help the Lions fund scholarships, support a local Little League team and other community efforts.

Wright said the club lost momentum last year in Covid, and couldn’t even meet in person for several months. But the group is reinvigorated in 2021.

It is next planning to be part of a craft fair with food vendors on June 12 to support COVA. Several food, and arts and craft vendors will be part of the event, which will help fill a void with the Strawberry Festival cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions on large crowd sizes.

The Lions Club will be selling Italian sausage meals with peppers, onion, chips and a bottle of water. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on June 12 at Arnold Gregory complex parking lot on South Main Street, behind COVA. The food will be served drive-by, takeout only. Law enforcement officers can stop by and get a free meal from the Lions Club that day.

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s Brian Fry makes a nifty one handed pass interception during the Mustangs sectional final win over Eden/North Collins this evening at Vets Park as Dontae Rhim helps block.

A lightning quick touchdown in the opening seconds ignited No. 2 seed Medina to a 54-6 romp over No. 3 Eden/North Collins in the Section VI Class C semifinals this evening at Vets Park.

It took just two snaps for Medina to get on the scoreboard as Brian Fry swept around end for a 42 yard touchdown run and then tacked on the two-point conversion carry for a 8-0 lead just 43 seconds into the game.

The Mustangs defense then got the ball right back for the offense just two plays later via an interception by Hayden Woodroe at the Eden/North Collins 46.

Medina’s Hayden Woodroe hauls in an interception in front of Eden/North Collins’s Quinn Harrington.

It took just four plays for the Mustang offense to capitalize as a 15 yard run by Corey Saj helped set up a 21 yard touchdown run by Fry who again added the two-point conversion carry to make it 16-0 just 3:32 into the game.

“We had a great week of practice and we came out of the gate strong and played down hill all evening,” said Medina Coach Eric Valley whose Mustangs have advanced to the sectional finals for the first time in 33 years. ” “I’m just really excited for all of them. This is a spring football season and a trip to the sectional finals that they will never forget.”

The Medina advantage soared to 32-0 before the game was 10 minutes old as quarterback Xander Payne hooked up with Tyler Chinn for a 47 yard touchdown pass with 3:48 to go in the quarter and then Chinn returned a pass interception 46 yards for a TD just 52 seconds later. Fry passed to Joe Cecchini for the two-point conversion after the first TD and then ran for the two-pointer himself after the second score.

The Medina lead ballooned to 47-3 at the half as the Mustangs scored two second quarter touchdowns on quick one play drives.

First, Fry broke free for a 61 yard TD run and then Payne completed a 48 yard TD pass to Jarin Rhim. An interception by Chinn at the Eden 46 set up that opportunity.  Fry added the two-point conversion run after the first TD and Cole Seefeldt kicked the extra point in the second.

Medina defenders Jarin Rhim (4) and Joe Cecchini (3) strip the ball from Raiders quarterback CJ Sroda.

In all it took the Mustangs a total of only nine snaps to complete the five first half scoring drives.

Medina’s lone second half touchdown came on a one yard run by Saj with 2:56 to go in the third quarter as Seefeldt again added the PAT kick to make it 54-3.  Chinn had a 20 yard run and Saj carries of 18 and 26 yard to highlight the drive.

Fry capped off the strong effort by the Mustangs defensive unit with a nifty one handed interception in the fourth quarter.

The Raiders only points came on a pair of field goals by Paul Winiecki of 33 yards in the first quarter and 37 yards in the fourth quarter.

Medina will now face the winner of Saturday’s semifinal between No. 4 Southwestern and No. 1 Clymer/Sherman/Panama in the Class C title contest next weekend.

Medina’s last sectional title appearance came in 1988 when the Mustangs edged past rival Albion 14-7 at then Rich Stadium.

Medina’s Tyler Chinn runs through Raider defenders Jacob Souder and Hunter Stetz for good yardage.

Medina’s Dominic Larabee works to advance the ball near the goal line.

Cole Seefeldt connects on one of his two extra point kicks. The holder is Brian Fry.

Press Congressman Chris Jacobs

ORCHARD PARK – Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) released the following statement after it was reported the April Jobs Report fell drastically below projections.

The jobs report released this morning shows the economy only added 266,000 jobs, falling short of the almost one million projected to be added. Yesterday, the Buffalo News reported local restaurants and retailers are struggling to find employees, and as a result are being forced to limit service, turn away customers, and suffering financially.

“Today’s jobs report shows what we’ve known for months – the President’s policies have disincentivized work and slowed our recovery from the pandemic.

“Despite hearing in February that our economy would rebound without further government intervention, the President and congressional Democrats forced through a massive spending package with hundreds of billions of dollars for programs that make it more lucrative for Americans to stay home than to seek employment.

“Now we see the effects of this bad policymaking – Western New York businesses are turning away customers because they cannot find employees. With vaccines rolling out and lockdowns lifting, our focus must be on getting Americans back to work and supporting our economic comeback.”

Press Release, Lyndonville Central School

LYNDONVILLE – Lyndonville Central School District is proud to announce the Top 10 Seniors from the Class of 2021. This recognition reflects the weighted cumulative grade point average of the students throughout their high school careers, including the first through third marking periods of their senior year.

Nathan Dillenbeck is the valedictorian, and Alexander Barry is the class salutatorian.

The remaining students are listed alphabetically: Olivia Braley, Lynlee Hong, Dylan Jisa, Erin Kiefer, Emma Maynard, Zayda Moyle, Cameron Paniccia and Sydney Wilson.

“We are proud to honor the hard work and perseverance of these scholars, particularly given the challenges of the past school year,” said Lyndonville Middle-High School Principal Aaron Slack. “Saluting our Top Ten graduates has been a proud school tradition for over three decades, and this group is more than worthy to take their place among our school’s highest achieving graduates.”

Please join us in congratulating these dedicated scholars.