Photo by Ginny Kropf: NAPA operated out of this historic building on North Main Street for nearly a century.

MEDINA – Friday was the last day for the NAPA store on North Main Street in Medina, after corporate Genuine Parts Company based in Atlanta took it over. They also acquired CarQuest and moved operations there in Tops Plaza.

Retiring wasn’t in Craig Lacy’s immediate plans, he said Friday in a phone call from his Florida home.

Lacy confirmed his Medina Parts store on North Main Street has been taken over by corporate Genuine Parts Company from Atlanta.

Lacy said he knew he would some day sell them the business, which has been owned by his family for 95 years. His sons are the fourth generation to run the business, started by his grandfather M. Cady Lacy in 1921.

Early last week, Craig said he got a call from NAPA headquarters saying they were moving up their purchase and Saturday would be his last day. He flew home from Florida on Thursday to break the news to his employees, all of whom are being allowed to stay with the business, except Craig.

Genuine Parts Company has also taken over CarQuest in Tops Plaza and are in the process of moving everything to that location, according to Craig.

The Medina Parts building at 345 North Main St. is a historical building, listed on the National Register. Built in 1833, it burned in 1861 and was replaced by owner Botsford Fairman. There were numerous changes of ownership, including Jonathan A. Johnson of Lyndonville in 1869, who converted it into a hotel in 1873. Another fire in 1923 destroyed the top floors of the building, which had been the White Hotel.

M. Cady Lacy and Charles Haak had lost their jobs when the Central Foundry closed in 1921, and they needed a job. They bought the burned building in 1925, reduced the walls to two stories and rebuilt the building. They added a section on the canal side for their machine shop, Medina Cylinder Grinding, and started selling auto parts.

Craig said originally the auto parts business was just a little corner of the building, but they gradually expanded and were the first NAPA jobber in all of Western New York, and probably New York State. NAPA itself started in 1925, and Medina’s store was the first in the Buffalo area.

“We were in on the ground floor,” Craig said. “It’s sad it’s going to end like this. But we had a nice run.”

Initially it was reported that NAPA had taken over stores in Albion, Batavia, Brockport and Warsaw. However, Dan DeCarlo, the owner of Arnold’s Auto Parts NAPA store in Albion, said Saturday morning they have not taken his store. He will be conducting business as usual.

Donna Saskowski retiring from leading agency

File photo by Tom Rivers – Donna Saskowski, shown in August 2015, is retiring as executive director of the Arc of Genesee Orleans. She guided the Arc chapters in the two counties towards a merger that was completed in 2016.

The Arc of Genesee Orleans announced a conditional approval has been granted for a merger with the Arc of Livingston-Wyoming.

This is the first step to move more formally to a fully integrated organization. Although this process may take several more months, the end product will be a 4-county-wide organization, the Arc of Genesee and Orleans stated in a news release. This follows the merger in 2016 of the Genesee and Orleans chapters.

The Arc of Genesee and Orleans also announced the retirement of Donna Saskowski, executive director of the agency. She was the director of the Genesee County ARC for 11 years before heading the Arc of Orleans on an interim basis. She then guided the merger of the two chapters and has been executive director of the merger agency since then officially became one on Oct. 1, 2016.

Saskowski will retire this summer after a 32-year career at the local nonprofit that serves individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.

Her first position at the former Genesee County ARC was part-time as a residential training instructor, working in the supportive apartment program 23 hours a week. Saskowski didn’t have a lot of experience working with people with disabilities and admits she didn’t know what to expect.

“It only took a day or two to realize this was going to be my life’s work,” she said.

Over the years, Saskowski has held several positions at the Arc including rehab counselor, residential coordinator, social worker and day habilitation program coordinator. She became executive director in April 2004 and has overseen substantial growth in the residential and day habilitation programs, the privatization of Arc Collection Services and the successful merger with the Orleans chapter in 2016.

One of Saskowski’s career highlights was the purchase and remodeling of the former St. Mary’s School, transforming it into the Arc of Genesee Orleans Community Center.

“The successful capital campaign to fund the project really hit home the generosity and love people have for our community, agency and especially, the people we support and their families,” she said.

In addition to her work at Arc of Genesee Orleans, Saskowski is very active in the community as a member of the Batavia Rotary Club and is assistant governor for Rotary District 7090. She is a member of the United Way Board of Directors, Collaborative of the Finger Lakes, Developmental Disabilities Alliance of Western New York and the Executive Directors Association of The Arc New York.

In response to the retirement announcement, Arc of Genesee Orleans Board President Debbie Fischer said Saskowski has been a strong advocate for Arc of Genesee Orleans, its programs, people served, employees, and the community.

“She has positioned this agency for the future and we will continue to deliver excellent services to individuals and their families,” Fischer said. “On behalf of the board of directors, we wish Donna all the best in her upcoming retirement and look forward to working with her as a community volunteer.”

By Doug Farley, Cobblestone Museum, Director

Author’s note: Sometimes it helps to take a look at the lighter side of things, and writing a story on the history of outhouses, is one of those things. I hope you enjoy the underlying humor in the whole subject.

Here you see Museum Director Doug Farley (left) and former Director Bill Lattin, “doing their duty,” while “sitting down on the job” in one of the Museum’s historic outhouses.

The history of the “necessary building” out back provides some interesting stories of bygone times and increased sensibilities.  If you are old enough to remember a visit to a grandparent’s house and seeing an outhouse, you’re probably “getting” old. If you once had an outhouse yourself, let’s face it, you’re “really” old.

Prior to the installation of indoor plumbing, I would dare say most homes in the Hamlet of Childs had outhouses to handle what some call “number one” and “number two.”  There are at least seven outhouses that remain today, and probably a few more that aren’t on the map.

In addition to its National Historic Landmark cobblestone buildings, the Cobblestone Museum has a fantastic collection of outhouses. In case you weren’t aware of that, we’re providing a little glimpse inside, outside and underneath this little discussed architectural collection.

The 1880’s Eastlake style outhouse located by the Print Shop was the first building moved onto the Museum grounds, taking place in March 1977.

The Eastlake outhouse was moved from its location at Five Corners at the former site of a foundry and furniture factory, seen here. The image shows the outhouse on the north side (left) of the brick house that sat at the intersection of Routes 98 and 279. The house was razed shortly after this picture in 1977.

The property owner at that time established a price of $250 for the historic outhouse and Museum Director Bill Lattin made an inquiry with longstanding Museum member Nettie Ferris who provided a donation that the Museum Board used to make the purchase. Nettie, an official with the Daughters of the American Revolution in Albion, recognized the significant architectural importance of the Eastlake period.

Museum volunteer Pete Roth arrived with forklift to move the Eastlake outhouse to the Museum grounds..

The outhouse made the trip up Route 98 past the Joseph Vagg Blacksmith Shop, seen here in 1977 before Museum restoration, and before the creation of the Route 98 artisan campus.

The Museum originally placed the outhouse in back of the Ward House. Former Museum Director Bill Lattin is seen here standing in the outhouse doorway with his 3-year-old daughter, Adrienne. She is holding a sign, seen at right that describes the Eastlake style of architecture. Also helping out with the move are Bob Leslie (left),  Charlie Haight (right) and Bob Krause (center), newspaper reporter.

Several years later, the Eastlake outhouse was moved to Route 98 following the acquisition of the Print Shop that matched its architectural style.

The Print Shop Eastlake outhouse is actually fairly pretentious in design, as far as outhouses of its day were concerned, sporting paneled walls, ventilator and two sliding windows

In 1979, the Museum received a donation of its next outhouse, a very early 1830 privy donated by Dee & Tom Hockenberry. The 1830 outhouse was located at their house on the corner of Routes 104 & 279. This restored “beauty” is actually the oldest structure on the Museum campus. It was originally located at the first bank in Orleans County.

It is interesting that this outhouse is probably twice as large as typical outhouses of the time.  Perhaps, it was deliberately ostentatious to embellish the success of the bank’s financial prowess. The Museum undertook a full exterior restoration of the 1830 outhouse in 2018, as seen here. This photo shows museum volunteers Bob Albanese, at left, and Ken Capurso.

Retired Director C.W. “Bill” Lattin is leading the Outhouse Tour outside the 1830 outhouse following the restoration in 2018.

The third outhouse to make the trek to the Museum campus was donated by Mr. and Mrs. Edmund (Vernieta) Cooper. This privy was originally located at the home of Gov. Rufus Bullock in Albion. Rufus Bullock, born in 1834, moved to Albion at age six, and attended the Albion Academy. His home was diagonally across from the Baptist Church at Liberty and West Park Streets.

In 1860 Bullock moved to Augusta, Georgia, where he served as Lieutenant Colonel in the Confederate Army, and was with Robert E. Lee as he surrendered at Appomattox. Following the war in 1868, Bullock was elected governor of Georgia during the Reconstruction Era, the first elected Republican governor in the state. He retired to Albion in 1870 and is buried in Mt. Albion Cemetery.

In 1920, E. F. Fancher bought the Bullock House and installed indoor plumbing, and the old outhouse was moved to a tenant farm on Lime Kiln Road. In 1923, the privy was moved once again to Fancher’s father in-law’s home, Nelson Welch, on the Ashwood Road in Carlton. The outhouse was later given to the museum by the Coopers. Mrs. Cooper was the daughter of Nelson Welch. Here we see Bruce Sartwell operating his forklift to raise the Bullock outhouse onto a trailer for transportation to the museum.

Once on site, neighbor, Zambito Produce, offered forklift assistance for the short hop to its current location behind the Ward House, which once served as a parsonage for the Cobblestone Universalist Church.

Gerard Morrisey and Pat Farnham are shown near the Bullock outhouse during the Ghost Walk in 2019. This outhouse has a double hung window and a box inside that holds corncobs for cleaning up after using the facility.

This beautiful Greek revival outhouse, engineered by Joe Martillotta, arrived next. One of its unique features is that it’s a five holer! There are three seats for adults and two smaller ones for children. This privy has a plastered interior and colonial restoration wallpaper. It came from a c.1838 cobblestone house once owned by the Goheen family on Culvert Road. Mary Zangerle (floral blouse), a Goheen family member, inspects the restored Greek revival outhouse on the Museum’s Route 98 campus, alongside Farmers Hall.

One may ask, “What was the reason for so many holes?”  I don’t think we know for certain, but some have conjectured that the additional holes allowed for some longevity between cleanings. Continued use of only one hole would soon create a situation where what you were depositing would came back up to visit you.

In addition to its collection of privies, the Museum also has an authentic water closet, which is really a misnomer, in that while it was a closet, it didn’t have any water. The small closet under the west staircase off the church lobby was used as such. The photo shows one of the only places in the church that clearly depicts the interior rubble wall associated with cobblestone masonry construction. The Museum has placed a commode in the closet which visitors find most fascinating.

Written in old style handwriting with pencil on the inside of the west closet door it states, “Water Closet Gents Only.” However, no such labeling exists on the similar closet on the east side of the entryway. It is assumed that the ladies had their own parlor and water closet downstairs which was off limits to men and boys.

Folks are usually surprised to learn that there was never any running water at the District #5 Schoolhouse in Childs, even as late as 1952. There are, however, boys’ and girls’ outhouses at the school house with construction dating from the 1930’s.

The boys’ outhouse even has a urinal.

In the late 1920s, few decades before the school closed, the school’s trustees agreed to install chemical toilets inside the boys’ and girls’ entranceways. A toilet “salesman” had promised, “No smells will ever be detected.”  That turned out to be an empty promise. Following the installation of the chemical toilets, they removed the old outhouses, which they felt were outdated “technology.”

It wasn’t too long until the “odor-free” chemical toilets displayed their true shortcomings by creating a malodorous nightmare. While eating crow, the trustees decided to remove the offensive toilets and rebuild new outhouses in the 1930s, which still remain today. With careful observation of the floors in the schoolhouse one can still see the holes cut in the entryway floors to accommodate the toilet incursion. The holding tanks in the basement under the toilets were removed in the 1930s.

Here is a story Janice Barnum Thaine told about herself when she was in first grade at the District #5 School in Gaines. The school is now part of the Cobblestone Society Museum and is a National Historic Landmark. One of the unique features in the schoolhouse is a sloping floor which gives eight inches of elevation in the rear of the classroom where Janice sat.

Janice remembers that the teacher had a flip-flop sign that hung on the wall behind the teacher’s desk that controlled access to the outdoor facilities. One side of the sign stated in large letters, “Out,” and the other side had a pretty picture. When the sign displayed the “picture,” a student could raise his or her hand to ask the teacher for permission to go outdoors to the restroom.

But the teacher, the arbiter of discipline, would only allow one pupil to go “Out” at one time!  If granted permission, the student would flip the flip-flop sign to read “Out,” on the way out the door. That meant that all other students should not even consider raising their hand and asking for permission to use the outhouse until the sign is flipped back to the pretty picture by the returning student.

One day, in the late fall of 1932, Janice raised her hand seeking permission to use the outhouse. The teacher looked at the sign which read “Out,” and said, “I’m sorry, someone else is out so you’ll have to wait your turn.” After a few minutes, Janice tried again, and the teacher said, “I’ve already told you, you’ll have to wait your turn.” More time passed and Janice tried a third time, in an angry tone the teacher replied, “How many times do I have to tell you!?  You’ll have to wait your turn!!”

Well more time passed and Janice, of course, couldn’t wait any longer, and had an accident. Later in life, Janice offered, “That’s the exact moment I realized that the school had a sloping floor.”

It seems a little trickle of “number one” ran right down the floor, under the students’ desks, to a hot floor register placed directly over the furnace. It sputtered, “Pssst, Pssst, Pssst,” as each drop hit the hot furnace. And, then came the unmistakable aroma which permeated the room. Everyone knew, of course, that Janice had an accident. How embarrassed she was, but not as embarrassed as her older sister, Elda, who wouldn’t even walk home with her that day after school.

When such troubles as this occurred, the teacher would send the child next door to visit the good-hearted neighbor, Lucy Janus, who was always prepared with a clean dress, undies, and trousers for someone who might need cleaning up. Sometimes a similar situation with soiled or ripped clothing would occur when the children played games outdoors, and Mrs. Janus would always come to the rescue.  You see, unlike today, there were no teachers’ aides or school nurse in the old fashioned, rural, one-room schoolhouse that would take care of such problems.

The newest addition to the Museum’s collection of outhouses is located at the Vagg House. During the planning stages for the advent to this new property for the Museum, Bill Lattin undertook the modern construction, of a replica outhouse, using all salvaged lumber, patterned after an outhouse located at the Gaines Basin Schoolhouse.

In the early 2000s, to highlight the Museum’s unique “collection” of outhouses, Georgia Thomas provided a special tour of just the privies.  Bill Lattin also provided Outhouse Tours in 2018 and 2019.  Perhaps it’s time to “drop-in” again. (Sorry, I had to offer at least one more pun!)

Provided photo: This group of Albion seniors is shown after a rehearsal Friday for a Senior Showcase today. They include front row, from left: Aubrey Boyer, Emily Mergler and Annalise Steier. Back row: Hannah Brewer, Jacob Thom and Annabella Salisbury.

ALBION – The Covid-19 pandemic has curtailed fundraising efforts for the Class of 2021. A group of students and their parents have organized a Senior Showcase event today, which will raise money for the class and give some of the seniors a chance to perform.

The Senior Showcase will be live or online today at 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the Cabaret at Studio B on East Bank Street in Albion. There will also be a basket auction where people can bid virtually.

Click here for more information on the auction and the Senior Showcase

The performers during the event include Annalise Steier, Emily Mergler, Hannah Brewer, Aubrey Boyer, Delaney Bovenzi, Madelin Tabor, Abby Allen and Annabella Salisbury. Jacob Thom will be the emcee for the program.

“The parents are sponsoring this because the AHS class of 2021 fundraising was cut short from last year due to the pandemic,” said Deb Boyer, one of the parents helping to organize the event.

The fundraising will help close out the year with homecoming, which was this past week, and the Senior Tea, Class Night and prom.

Photo by Ginny Kropf: A vehicle which skidded off the road at 7:45 a.m. April 21 left a path of broken and dislodged headstones in Sacred Heart Cemetery on North Gravel Road.

MEDINA – A driver lost control of a BMW on April 21, and damaged about six gravestones at Sacred Heart Cemetery on North Gravel Road.

The driver lost control of the vehicle at about 7:45 a.m. The driver was northbound on the road, which was covered in snow.

The driver lost control on the slippery road and left the pavement on the east side of the road, driving through a fence and striking half a dozen tombstones.

There were no drugs or alcohol involved and neither the driver or passenger were injured. No charges were filed, said State Police public information officer James O’Callaghan.

Father Bernard Nowak, pastor of Trinity Parish which oversees the cemetery, said he had little knowledge of the incident, other than the driver’s insurance was expected to pay for the damages.

“Our main concern is taking care of the families involved,” he said. “We want respect for the deceased and their loved ones.”

Provided photos: A worker cleans up broken headstones in Sacred Heart Cemetery which were destroyed when a car went off the road April 21 during a snowstorm.

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – The Albion defense converges on Lake Shore’s Mike Neary during this evening’s game at Spierdowis Field as Adonis Guzman (70) and Bryce Froman (40) lead the way.

Closing out the season on a high note, Albion blanked visiting Lake Shore 15-0 this evening in the B2 Division finale at wind swept Spierdowis Field.

Defense was the name of the game for Albion as the Purple Eagles stopped Lake Shore drives at the Albion 2, 26, 25 and 7 yard lines in the first half and at the 10 in the second half.

“The kids just did a great job with the defensive adjustments,” said Coach Adam Krenning.

Ignited by that big stop at the 2 yard line, the Albion offense took just four plays to drive 98 yards for what proved to be the winning touchdown.

Albion’s Tony Freeman goes to the outside for big yardage pursued by Lake Shore defender Aiden Kaczmarek.

Runs of 37 yards by Tony Freeman and 21 by quarterback Amari Jones set the stage for a 37 yard touchdown scamper by Sh’kwe Riley with 5:28 to go in the opening quarter. Jones added the two-point conversion run to make it 8-0.

A big special teams play of a blocked punt deep in Lake Shore territory later set up Albion’s second touchdown.

Junior Morales blocked the punt inside the Lake Shore 5 yard line and Chris Shabazz made the recovery at the one.

It took just one play for the Purple Eagles offense to capitalize as Jones powered his way into the end zone from the 1 and DeClan McCue tacked on the extra point kick for a 15-0 lead with 10:11 to go in the third quarter.

“It takes all three facets of the game to win and we got a great effort by everybody,” said Krenning.

A pass interception by Javon Jones in the fourth quarter helped to cap off the Purple Eagles defensive unit’s shutout effort.

Bryce Froman led Albion in tackles with 11 as Morales was in on 8 stops, Freeman 7, Shabazz 6 and Jacob Hughson, Brendan LeBaron and Javon Jones 5 each.

Albion finishes the season at 2-2 in the division and 2-3 overall while Lake Shore winds up at 1-3, 2-3.

Albion defenders Kyle Woolston (23), Junior Morales (12) and Jacob Hughson (44)  stop Lake Shore’s Mike Neary short of a first down.

Students urged to get vaccinated ahead of prom, graduation

There are 20 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 to report today in Genesee and Orleans counties, bringing the combined total to 7,974 cases in the two counties since March 2020. That includes 5,077 in Genesee and 2,897 in Orleans. Since last Friday, there are 164 more cases in the two counties, with 79 in Genesee and 85 in Orleans.

In Orleans County there are 11 new positive cases reported today and they are in the West Region (Yates, Ridgeway, Shelby), Central Region (Carlton, Gaines, Albion, Barre) and East Region (Kendall, Murray, Clarendon). The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 50s, 60s, and 70s.

Five of the new positive individuals were on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive, the Genesee and Orleans County health Departments said this afternoon.

Orleans is reporting 15 more of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list.

There are currently 3 Orleans residents hospitalized due to Covid.

One of the newly positive individuals is an inmate at the Albion Correctional Facility, where 53 inmates have now tested positive for Covid during the pandemic.

In Genesee County there are 9 new positive cases of Covid reported today, and they are in the West Region (Alabama, Darien, Pembroke), Central Region (Alexander, Batavia, Bethany, Elba, Oakfield) and East Region (Bergen, Byron, LeRoy, Pavilion, Stafford). The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 40s, 50s and 60s.

Genesee reported 18 more of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list.

There are currently 7 Genesee County residents hospitalized due to Covid.

Active Cases: The number of active cases in both counties is down from a week ago as recoveries outpace new infections. There were 185 active cases on April 23, compared to 163 today in the two counties. Genesee has dropped from 84 to 69 in the past week, and Orleans is down from 101 to 94.

Groups asked to host a vaccination clinic: The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments is encouraging businesses, churches and organizations to consider hosting vaccination clinics for their employees, members and their families. Click here to fill out a short survey about hosting a vaccine clinic.

Prom (Graduation) Pointers from the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments:

• Get vaccinated now to be able to participate in end-of-the-year school celebrations without having to be tested or miss out because you were exposed to someone who tested positive for Covid-19.
• All proms with over 100 participants (students and chaperones) are required to either be fully vaccinated (2 weeks after single dose Johnson & Johnson or 2 weeks after 2nd dose of Moderna and Pfizer vaccines) or have a valid negative test for Covid-19. If the individual has a PCR test it is good for up to 72 hours. The rapid antigen tests are only good for 6 hours on the day of the event, so timing to get that test is important.
• Limiting contacts with non-vaccinated individuals, proper mask wearing (covering nose & mouth), frequent handwashing, social distancing at least 6 feet from non-household members at least 2 weeks before your prom (or graduation) may protect you from missing this milestone event.
• If you test positive you will not be allowed to attend the event and it will also affect your contacts who are not fully vaccinated to not be able to attend.
• Getting the vaccine with plenty of time to become ‘fully vaccinated’ is the only way to assure you won’t miss these end-of-the-year celebrations.

Graduation Guidance for end-of-academic year celebrations: Click here for the guidance from the State Department of Health.

Photos by Tom Rivers: Fireworks always provide big exclamation point on the Fourth in Lyndonville. This photo was taken on July 4, 2018.

Press Release, Lyndonville Lions Club

LYNDONVILLE – After a one year hiatus, the Lyndonville Lions Club is moving ahead with efforts to bring back its 4th of July celebration to the Village of Lyndonville.  While some uncertainties remain, current guidelines indicated a safe return of the annual festivities with some modifications.

Noticeably absent this year will be the Main Street Parade.

“It was just not in the cards again this year,” the Lions Club stated. “But as an alternative, a number of the live bands normally appearing in the parade will be asked to appear outdoors in a concert-type setting throughout the afternoon of July 4th.”

It is the hopes of the Lions Club that the day will also feature the return of the annual arts-and-crafts show and booths along with the Lions’ Club fundraising hotdog-and-drink stand.

The Lions’ will  be hosting their traditional chicken barbecue dinner. This year’s chicken dinner will be modified to take-out only. While there will be no indoor dining available this year, everyone is encouraged to bring chairs or a blanket and enjoy their chicken barbecue in a picnic-style setting while also enjoying the live music performances.

Of course, no July 4th in Lyndonville would be complete without the spectacular evening fireworks show – one of the largest in the region.

“We have not cut back at all on this year’s show.” Wes Bradley, Lions’ Fireworks Chairman, assures everyone. The fireworks show begins at 10 p.m. with viewing possible from your vehicle only. Due to current restrictions, there will not be access to the school grounds for viewing.

Detailed information will follow regarding the chicken barbecue/craft show/vendors/band times. The Lyndonville Lions reminds everyone to follow current NY Covid protections and guidelines including masking and social distancing.

This photo from July 4, 2017 shows a big crowd and a long line of fire trucks down Main Street for the parade.

Let’s go on an adventure together…. to San Francisco!

San Francisco City Hall is an amazing architectural work of art. An interesting story is that Joe DiMaggio married Marilyn Monroe in this building. He wanted to marry her in the Cathedral he loved, but he married his first wife there and the Catholic Diocese wouldn’t allow him to be married in the Catholic Cathedral twice. So, they did their vows at City Hall and then went to the Cathedral for photos that were then provided to the news outlets.

I cannot tell you how happy it has made me to write about and relive my past adventures this past year or so in these articles. Because of Covid, I have not been on a major adventure since January, 2020! But, I go somewhere in my imagination every couple of weeks with you all and get to remember all the amazing things I have seen and done – pre-Covid! I was concerned I’d run out of things to write about before I could get back into going to new and exciting places, but I’m still here and still at it!

This time, we’re going to San Francisco together. I have written about parts of my 2017 West Coast Adventure a couple of times before. Part of that trip included five days in the San Francisco area after the cruise ended. This was actually the second time I visited San Francisco. Many years ago, I tacked on a long weekend at the end of a business trip to Los Angeles so I could visit a friend who lived near Sacramento. She took me on a day trip to Lake Tahoe and another day trip to San Francisco. We just spent one day there doing mostly things around Fisherman’s Wharf, but I did get to ride a cable car, ate fresh calamari for the first time, and saw the Haight / Ashbury corner. So, this time, I was determined to see as much of the city and surrounding area as I could….and, I DID!

I stayed at the Cow Hollow Inn on the corner of Lombarde and Steiner Streets (eight blocks up Steiner from that corner is the house from Mrs. Doubtfire – Robin Williams actually owned and lived in that house, until he got tired of people knocking on the door and asking for Mrs. Doubtfire). Mitzy at Orleans Travel got me a great deal on the room through Expedia and it was a large, bright, clean room with very friendly and helpful front desk staff. It was also in a great location for getting around, too. I recommend it, if you’re looking for a hotel in San Francisco. And, while I’m making some recommendations, I had the BEST breakfast EVER at the Home Plate Restaurant on Lombarde Street – about ½ a block down from Steiner. A must try if looking for a great breakfast.

Just one of the cool, colorful, and eclectic things you’ll see in “The Haight” – a neighborhood made famous in the Summer of Love in 1967.

I took advantage of a 48 hour Gray Line Hop-On-Hop-Off ticket to get around the city the first two days. It was an inexpensive way to hear a bit about the city from several different tour guides (one in particular that was WAY cool – he’d have fit in perfectly in the ‘60s) and it gave me a ride up on the top of an open bus in the warm sunshine to just about anywhere, whenever I wanted to go somewhere for 48 hours. I also had two day trips booked – one to Muir Woods / Sausalito and another to Sonoma / Napa Valley – I’ll write about those adventures another time.

I loved every minute of my time in San Francisco – it is a colorful and exciting city with so much to see and do. I was told afterwards that I should have been a bit more cautious in my typical way of wandering around all independent, like I’m invincible, but I had a great time. The architecture everywhere you look is just incredible and, of course, the Golden Gate Bridge is an awesome sight – it was all like a magical playground for someone with a camera around her neck! 

Just a few highlights – not counting the two day trips that I’ll do another article about another time: 

Definitely loved “The Haight” – a neighborhood made famous during the Summer of Love in 1967. Talk about colorful and eclectic – it’s an old hippie’s dream! Hahaha! I saw where Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, The Grateful Dead, The Beatles, and many others lived or hung out during the Summer of Love. And, of course, I took a selfie on the corner of Haight and Ashbury Streets. It was made extra special because I was there in 2017 – the 50th anniversary of the Summer of Love, so there were extra cool things to see around The Haight and in Golden Gate Park.

The end of Pier 39 in Fisherman’s Wharf is home to hundreds of sea lions. What a blast it was to sit and watch them.

I also enjoyed spending quite a bit of time at Fisherman’s Wharf. I especially loved seeing the Sea Lions. There were hundreds of them all lounging around on the docks at the end of Pier 39. They love it there and have become quite the tourist attraction. I sat on a bench for about an hour or so just watching them. It was fascinating! Fisherman’s Wharf was also where I picked up the bus that took me to the Coastal Starlight Train that I took to Seattle when I was done with San Francisco.

Another awesome place I think everyone visiting San Francisco should see is the Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park. It was absolutely stunning – the flowers and the gardens and the peaceful settings throughout made for the perfect way for me to spend my last day in San Francisco. I strolled through the gardens and relaxed near peaceful koi ponds and had a lovely lunch with delicious Jasmine tea. Do yourself a favor – if in San Francisco, plan at least a couple hours or so in the Japanese Tea Garden, as well as the rest of Golden Gate Park.

I’m so glad I allowed a full five days to explore San Francisco and the surrounding area. The seven day cruise was amazing, the overnight train ride to Seattle was really cool, and the few days I spent in Seattle were very nice…..but, those days in San Francisco were really quite special, in deed.

The Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park is a must see. Photos cannot begin to do the beauty of this peaceful place justice.

Visit my blog for all the photos from colorful San Francisco and the beautiful Japanese Tea Garden:  

San Francisco

Tea Garden

Happy Adventuring,
Kim Pritt

Press Release, Orleans/Niagara BOCES

MEDINA – Eight Orleans/Niagara BOCES students medaled at the New York State SkillsUSA Competition it was announced this week. Congratulations go to:

• 1st Place – Rebecca Berner (Royalton-Hartland) for Health Occupations Portfolio (OCTEC/Allied Health)
• 1st Place – Mackenzie Clogston (Newfane) for Basic Health Care (OCTEC/Health Occupations Technician)
• 1st Place – Maddie Gancasz (Barker) for Early Childhood Education (OCTEC/Early Childhood Education)
• 1st Place – Teddy Wojciechowski (Royalton-Hartland) for Technical Drafting (OCTEC/Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Program)
• 1st Place – Brendan Zimmerman (Lewiston-Porter) for Welding (NCTEC/Welding)
• 2nd Place – Hanna Willard (Royalton-Hartland) for Cosmetology Senior (OCTEC/Cosmetology Program)
• 2nd Place – Zach Duewiger (Royalton-Hartland) for CNC Milling (OCTEC/Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Program)
• 3rd Place – Shelby Wolf (Royalton-Hartland) for Job Interview (OCTEC/Allied Health Program)

Due to the pandemic, the contests were conducted virtually this year from the Orleans (OCTEC) and Niagara (NCTEC) Career and Technical Education Centers. The purpose of the competitions are to evaluate contestants’ knowledge and skills and to recognize outstanding students for excellence and professionalism.

SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. First place students will be moving on to the National SkillsUSA competition virtually at the end of June. We are super proud of all these students and all the students who participated!

MEDINA – Craig Lacy, the third generation owner of Medina Parts’ NAPA store, has confirmed his 100-year-old business has been acquired by Genuine Parts Company (NAPA) based in Atlanta, Ga.

Today is their last day of business on North Main Street. Inventory and employees are being moved to the former CarQuest Auto Parts Store in Tops Plaza on Maple Ridge Road.

“This all happened very quickly,” Lacy said in a phone call from his Florida home.

Attempts to talk to a representative from Genuine Parts Company, who was in Medina Friday, were unsuccessful.

More information will be posted later today or early Saturday morning.

Photo by Tom Rivers: This dogwood tree at the corner of West Park and Main streets in Albion was out in bloom on Tuesday next to Holy Family Parish (St. Joseph’s Catholic Church).

A wind advisory is in effect today in Orleans County from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. There will be westerly winds from 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 50 mph, the National Weather Service in Buffalo said.

The gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result, the Weather Service said.

Today there is also a chance for showers with a high near 48 and an overnight low of 34. On Saturday, it will be mostly sunny with a high near 54. Sunday there is a chance for showers with a high near 62.

$4.1 million would cover gaps in county, give residents option besides Spectrum

Photos by Tom Rivers: Orleans County Legislature Chairwoman Lynne Johnson speaks to about 25 officials from the county, local towns and the five school districts during a meeting at Tillman’s Village Inn to discuss how to fund broadband internet in Orleans County.

GAINES – A top priority for Orleans County officials the past decade has been bringing high-speed internet to all properties in the county.

Cost has been a barrier to getting the project done.

But now is the time to bring the service to all county residents, County Legislature Chairwoman Lynne Johnson said on Thursday evening in a meeting with county, town and school district leaders.

“We all need to buy into this,” Johnson told about 25 of the officials during a meeting at Tillman’s Village Inn. “You’re all getting American Rescue funds. So let’s do this together.”

With millions of dollars coming to the county, towns and school districts from the federal government through the American Rescue Plan, the $4.1 million price tag is now manageable, she said.

Jack Welch, the county’s chief administrative officer, said a cooperative effort will make the project affordable to all the municipalities, while meeting a critical need in the county.

The American Rescue Plan will bring $7.8 million to the county, with half expected soon and the other half in a year. The 10 towns in the county will share $4,430,000 with some of that to go the four villages. The federal government hasn’t released how much the villages we get.

The villages are all 100 percent fully covered with high-speed internet. Outside the villages, there are 1,351 addresses that don’t have a chance to hook into the service. There are about 22,000 properties in the entire county.

The five school district collectively will receive $12.5 million in federal funds. However, the districts will be expected to use most of those funds to help students catch up in lost learning during the pandemic, said Mark Kruzynski, Medina’s district superintendent.

The districts today are to receive guidance on how the funds are to be spent, and then have 30 days to submit a plan for how to use the funds. Kruzynski said Medina doesn’t want to make a mistake, using the funds outside the rules and then have to pay the federal government back.

Johnson said the purpose on Thursday’s meeting was to start the conversation among the county, towns and schools in how to fill the gaps in high-speed internet. She said everyone needs to follow the spending guidelines, but she expects there will be flexibility from the federal government.

“This meeting is to get the ball rolling,” she said.

Some of the town supervisors said they still don’t know for sure what their towns are getting in the American Rescue Plan because some of the allotments approved for the towns need to go to villages within those town borders.

John Belson, Yates town supervisor, said the private developer should take on the costs of building out the system.

If that happened, the costs to residents would be exorbitant, Johnson said. Plus, she said, one of the purposes in the funding from the federal government was to address the high-speed internet gaps, which put many students at an extreme disadvantage with remote learning. Many jobs also shifted to home and people couldn’t do them without high-speed internet.

Legislator John DeFillipps said the service is needed to keep the county competitive in keeping and attracting residents. He noted one family from out-of-state was going to build a house in Clarendon but backed out when the site didn’t have internet access.

“The pandemic has shown there is really a deficiency in the entire county,” Johnson said.

The address points currently without access to the internet include: Albion, 74 units; Barre, 302 units; Carlton, 35 units; Clarendon, 57 units; Gaines, 39 units; Kendall, 16 units; Murray, 41 units; Ridgeway, 287 units; Shelby, 206 units; and Yates, 294 units.

Breaking that out in the five school districts the gaps include: Albion, 407 units; Holley, 70 units; Kendall, 30 units; Lyndonville, 385 units; and Medina, 409 units.

David Godfrey, a Niagara County legislator, has worked with Lynne Johnson in the Niagara Orleans Regional Alliance the past decade to try to bring the service to the two counties. Godfrey said the two-county partnership has paid off in getting the attention of RTO Wireless, a company that provided high-speed internet throughout Maine and Vermont.

The local officials have been working for 12 years now to bring high-speed internet to swaths of the county and other isolated spots that don’t have access to the service. The officials also want better overall service throughout the county and some competition for Spectrum.

The efforts have hit stumbling blocks with funding. But all of the leg work, documenting 1,351 addresses without access to high-speed internet, puts the county in a good position now that millions of dollars are available from the federal government through the American Rescue Plan.

A vendor also has stepped forward for the first time to work on the project, not only in Orleans but in neighboring Niagara County. The two counties formed the Niagara-Orleans Regional Alliance and bringing high-speed internet throughout the two counties has been a priority of the alliance the past decade.

RTO Wireless, based in Framingham, Massachusetts, has already brought broadband to the entire states of Maine and Vermont. It could bring the service to Orleans County for $4.1 million. That includes the 1,351 properties without access and opportunities for the other 20,000 property owners to have high-speed internet from a company besides Spectrum.

RTO builds and operates networks with traditional infrastructure such as towers, rooftops, grain silos and utility poles. The company also deploys AeroSite, which resemble blimps filled with helium.

David Godfrey, a Niagara County legislator, has teamed with Johnson in the Niagara-Orleans alliance to address the service shortfalls in the two counties. He said the two-county partnership is an advantage for Orleans and Niagara in finding a vendor and could pay off with additional government funding.

‘Twelve years ago it was the number one priority and it remains the number one priority. And now we have the funds. This is a necessary utility as much as water, sewer and electric in this day and age.’ – Lynne Johnson

Orleans is pursuing an additional federal grant and also a member-item award through Congressman Chris Jacobs. If that money comes through, the towns and schools would be asked to contribute less to the project.

She said the county is willing to put $2 million towards the effort. That covers 61 percent of the $3.2 million to put in the infrastructure and the net start-up costs to serve all the properties throughout the county.

However, there is additional $878,150 to be borne by the 1,351 properties, at $650 a unit, to hook into the service.

As the rules are known in spending the federal funds, Godfrey said he expects the two counties can use several different pots of money from the government to fund the project, including the hook-in costs to the 1,351 properties in Orleans without any service right now.

After many dead ends in trying to address the internet gaps in Orleans County, Johnson said she is optimistic the issue will soon be resolved.

The local officials will continue to discuss the project, and study the guidelines on spending the federal money.

“Twelve years ago it was the number one priority and it remains the number one priority,” she said. “And now we have the funds. This is a necessary utility as much as water, sewer and electric in this day and age.”

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s Brian Fry breaks loose for a 94 yard touchdown run during the Mustangs title clinching win over host Tonawanda this evening. Zach Wood pursues for the Warriors.

Completing an undefeated (4-0) C North Division championship campaign, Medina posted a 32-6 victory over host Tonwanda this evening in the regular season finale.

Brian Fry ran for four touchdowns and quarterback Xander Payne hooked up with Jarin Rhim for another TD to lead the Medina offense.

The Mustangs defensive unit registered their third shutout in four games as Tonawnada’s only score came on a kickoff return in the fourth quarter after Medina had built up a 26-0 lead.

“After being off for 10 days and with only three practices to get ready we came out a little slow but then we got going and played football like we can,” said Medina Coach Eric Valley. “Anytime you can win a championship it’s a great accomplishment and I’m really proud of them.”

Unable to capitalize on two first quarter drives into Tonawanda territory, Medina moved on top to stay with a quick two touchdown scoring burst in the second quarter.

Medina’s Joe Cecchini picks up yardage after a catch as Josh Fischer moves in to make the tackle for the Warriors.

Payne broke the scoreless deadlock when he completed a 25 yard touchdown pass to Rhim with 10:51 to go in the quarter.

The Mustangs defensive unit set up that score as Hayden Woodroe intercepted a Tonawanda pass at the Warriors 25.

Medina then got the ball back in great field possession at the Tonawanda 32 after the Warriors fumbled on a punt attempt.

The Mustangs offensive unit again was quick to capitalize on the opportunity as Fry swept around left end for 32 yards and the touchdown. Tyler Chinn added the two point conversion run to make it 14-0 with 7:37 to go in the period.

The Medina defense then stopped a Tonawanda drive at the Mustangs 35 on a fumble recovery by Chris Johnson.

Likewise at the outset of the third quarter the Mustang defense stopped Tonawanda on downs at the Medina 43 as Dominic Larabee came up with a big fourth quarter tackle.

Once again the Medina offense capitalized as a 16 yard run by Fry and a 37 yard Payne to Chinn pass completion set up a three yard touchdown run by Fry upping the Mustangs lead to 20-0 with 7:42 to go in the period.

The Warriors then drove inside the Medina 10 yard line but again the Mustangs defense came up big to stop the advance on downs at the 6, a series highlighted by a key sack by Joe Cecchini.

This time it took the Mustangs offense just one play to capitalize as Fry broke clean up the middle for a 94 yard touchdown run on the first play of the fourth quarter for a 26-0 lead.

Dylan Carey then accounted for Tonawanda’s only score when he returned the ensuing kickoff some 70 yards for a touchdown.

Medina though got that one back when Fry broke loose for a 39 yard touchdown run with 2:26 remaining and a 32-6 lead.  The drive was highlighted by a 37 yard run by Corey Saj.

The Mustangs defensive unit came up big one more time to get the ball back via a fumble recovery by Zach Oliver to set up that scoring opportunity .

Tonawanda finishes the season at 1-2 in the division and 2-2 overall.

Medina now must await the outcome of three key games which will determine the Mustangs seed and semifinal round opponent for the Section VI Class C playoffs. Those games include Southwestern at Cassadaga Valley/Falconer and JFK at Eden on Friday and Fredonia at Clymer/Sherman/Panama (CSP) on Saturday.

Medina is battling with CSP  in the race to claim the No. 1 seed. The Mustangs finish the regular season with 80 power points which CSP could match with a 20 point win on Saturday.  Southwestern is now at 59 points and Eden/North Collins 55 with both teams having the chance to up those totals by 20 with big wins Friday. CSP and Southwestern share the C South lead at 3-0 while Eden/North Collins leads the C Central at 4-0.

Medina’s Tyler Chinn gains big yardage after a catch as Tonawanda’s Shane Conley and Joey McDonald chase him down.