By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 April 2021 at 3:16 pm
Provided photos
MEDINA – Tessa Costich, a sixth grader at Wise Middle School in Medina, turned 12 on April 22. This year she didn’t want any presents. Instead, she asked family and friends to use money they would have spent on gifts to buy birthday kits that she could distribute to community groups.
So far Tess has put together 165 kits and donated some to the Gasport Food Pantry, Hands 4 Hope ministry and St Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Medina. She is looking to connect with another church to give away more of the kits.
The kits are a disposable tin pan, a box of cake mix, can of frosting, sprinkles, candles and party blowers. Some have vanilla cake with chocolate frosting, some red velvet cake. There have also been some cookie and brownie kits minus the frosting.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 25 April 2021 at 10:29 am
Provided photos: The Masterminds team competed virtually against the other teams and is undefeated so far this season.
MEDINA – A team of students at Medina High School are undefeated in a national academic varsity quiz tournament.
The Masterminds is led by algebra teacher Jeff Dole and includes freshman Alex Balaban, juniors David Berry, Isaac Pace and Arian Cayea, and seniors Suvi Biesinger, Alwyn Cayea and Carter Green, who make up the varsity team.
Jeff Dole, math teacher at Medina High School and adviser for the undefeated Masterminds, talks with senior David Berry, a member of the team. They will compete in the league playoffs on April 30 in Rochester.
The team is 12-0 for the first time in its history. Balaban is high scorer in the league with 570 points. Pace is fourth with 345 points.
There are also two junior varsity teams, one of which is 7-5 and the other 4-8.
The varsity Masterminds have placed first before, but have never been undefeated until this year, Dole said. Their score as of a week ago was 3,250 points, while the nearest competitor was 1,460 points.
Due to the Covid pandemic, the teams have had to compete online this year in the league, which includes teams from Albion, Holley, Kendall and Pembroke. They will face off April 30 with nine teams in the Rochester league. The top three will advance to the next round of the playoffs.
Topics of trivia can be on any subject, Dole said. This includes everything from comic books, sports and history to current events in the world and math.
Dole said the kids like competing in trivia, and whenever they can go to a competition they make an event of it.
“We stop and eat and socialize on the bus,” Dole said. “The kids also like talking to the students at other schools.”
Dole said some of the students decided not to join the team this year because they didn’t like the online format.
Each of the members of the team is especially knowledgeable in a different subject. Alex is an expert in geography and history; Isaac is well rounded; and David knows a lot about sports. Carter knows a lot about pop culture, while Alwyn’s strong points are Greek mythology, science and Roman gods.
“They all have their strong points,” Dole said.
In addition to the Masterminds, Dole coaches varsity track and junior varsity volleyball.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 25 April 2021 at 10:14 am
MEDINA – Medina High School’s unified bowling team is undefeated Section VI champions. They have now made it four straight undefeated seasons and four straight sectional titles.
Jessica West, who coaches Medina High School’s unified bowling team, talks with Jeffrey Dole, algebra teacher and adviser of the Masterminds trivia team. The bowling team and Masterminds are both undefeated this year.
The team is coached by math teacher Jessica West, who explained the unified bowling team includes special education and general ed students. Medina also has a unified basketball team.
The 16 students on the bowling team are Juliana Allis, Alex Balaban, Russell Brunette, Arian Cayea, Steven Cerros Secore, Ryleigh Culver, Calyb Grochow, Parker Hiller, Devin Kinne, Trey Kinne, Jackson Tuohey, Gracelin Mahnke, Brooke Moden, Gunner Pitcher, Phallon Rivera and Brooklyn Seaman. The team is undefeated against Akron, Sweet Home, Niagara Falls, Starpoint, Alden and Grand Island.
Because of Covid, bowling was virtual this year, the coach said. The teams met Monday through Friday for five weeks from Feb. 22 through March 26. The last event will be a culmination event.
West said all the bowlers shared growth throughout the season.
“They are a really fun group to work with,” the coach said. “I always look forward to the bowling season and working with these athletes. Even with the new circumstances and having to do matches virtually, these athletes bowled with a smile on their face and never gave up. They challenged and encouraged each other every day, showing the true Mustang spirit.”
Meet King Charles, a Rescue with lots of little quirks
If you have a Rescue, especially an adult, the question of “Who Rescued Whom?” is quite relevant to you. Meet Charlie. He is our fourth adult rescue dog. Thing about Charlie is that he lacks mental intelligence. He is our 3rd Lab/Mix and by far the most dimwitted. Our first two Labs and Golden were very smart. I kept an eye on him for a while before adopting him. He was in the kennel wishing for adoption.
Every once in a while I would ask my Pally Jen, who owns MADRWNY, if anyone had adopted Charlie yet. He had two previous homes, but ended up back at the Shelter. He had issues and needed a special home. He has a deep-seeded fear of men. We will never know why. Jen recalls seeing Charlie in a crate in Puerto Rico where he had been for quite some time and her big heart knew he needed to make the journey to her American Rescue.
After some time I went to visit Charles – that’s what I call him – and that night he came to live with us. Being he was afraid of everything, once we got him in our fenced in backyard, we could not get him to come to us. For 3 hours we tried to coerce him with treats, bologna, cheese, puppy talk. We were going to work this out… until we couldn’t. Ten at night and Jen was at my house so we could get him inside. She begged us not to leave him outside alone overnight. Thing is when you get a Rescue their story before you is unknown.
In 2017 he was 3, maybe. He had distemper as a puppy so his head always shakes a little even when he is sleeping, but he doesn’t seem to notice. It took months for Charles to allow Brian to approach him – to this day Charles backs up a little when approached by men. However, he is OK when he can do the approaching. Charles just doesn’t like to be walked up on by other males. Strange thing is that he is totally at ease with me and I am always the one to scold or ignore. Even if he is being scolded by me he doesn’t seem to mind too much. He just wants my attention. One thing is for sure, he is loyal to a fault.
When home he has me in his sight at all times, which makes one feel pretty safe and appreciated. He’s been found outside my She-Shed in the rain because he doesn’t want me out there alone. He loves dinner and treat time and is very food motivated. He may not be smart about many things, but he knows when it’s time to eat and will remind you mercifully.
As he moves about it looks like he is skipping, but he does not have the agility to jump up or on things. If you have a rescue with little quirks don’t you wonder what life was life before your home became their home? So many animals out there need homes, love, understanding and patience. If you truly make your Rescue a part of your indoor family, then you come to know that their love and loyalty makes your heart grow 10 times bigger and the blessings of sharing love, home and security go both ways. What four-legged rescued you?
To see Charlie’s homecoming Visit My Blog live online (click here) and catch up on Weekly Photo Perks and past Sunday Posts. Like and share your comments.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 April 2021 at 9:49 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Lloyd Wright, a member of the Albion Lions Club, cuts and pulls down vines and branches that grew on a community sign on Route 98, north of the Village of Albion near the property known as Green Acres.
The sign shows some of the churches and service organizations in Albion. However, some of those groups don’t exist anymore because the sign was put up an estimated 40 years ago.
Jake Stinson of the Lions works on taking down small trees and brush that were obscuring the sign. The sign project was part of today’s environmental cleanup effort by the Lions Club. The group worked on other sites in the community.
Alexis Stinson, 8, is Jake Stinson’s daughter. She picked up lots of trash in the area near the sign.
Henry Smith Jr., an Albion Lions Club member, pulls down branches and vines on the blank side of the sign, facing south. The Lions Club and Rotary Club would like to turn this side of the sign into a mini billboard promoting a popular location in Orleans County. One idea floated around this morning was having this side with an image or artwork of a giant Chinook salmon, perhaps saying “Catch Me If You Can” and noting Point Breeze is located north on 98.
The surface area of the blank side of sign is about 14 feet wide and 9 feet high. The Lions and Rotary see it as untapped potential to promote the area.
Mark Johnson, left, and Kevin Howard of the Lions Club clear out the grounds near the sign. The Lions Club is planning to put flowers in the big flower box at the sign.
ORCHARD PARK – Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) honored student artists and announced the winners of the NY-27 Congressional Art Competition at a reception this morning in Batavia.
“Students from around the district submitted pieces of artwork for this competition; we clearly have some incredibly talented young adults in Western New York,” Jacobs said. “I want to thank all of our teachers and parents who helped our participants create and submit their work, and most importantly, I want to congratulate all of our contestants for their hard work, dedication, and impressive pieces. I look forward to this becoming a tradition we celebrate every year.”
The Congressional Art Competition was first created under a different name in 1982 and is sponsored by the Congressional Institute. In NY-27, three winners were selected, their pieces will be displayed as follows:
The first place piece will be hung in the U.S. Capitol for all representatives and staff, and the winner will also be flown down to Washington, D.C.
The second place piece will be hung in Rep. Jacobs’ Washington, D.C. Office.
The third place piece will be hung in Rep. Jacobs’ Clarence District Office.
Pieces are judged and given their awards by an independent panel of judges. The winners for the 2021 NY-27 Congressional Art Competition are:
First Place: “A New Chapter” by Isabella Houseknecht from Batavia (colored pencil).
Second Place: Self Portrait by Molly Regan from Holland (charcoal).
Third Place: Creation of Bee-dam by Madison Dugan from Albion (acrylic paint).
Honorable Mention: Self-Portrait by Amaya Cleveland from Medina (hand painted negative digitalized and painted on photo paper).
“Congratulations to our winners. I look forward to hanging these pieces in each of my offices and having a constant reminder of the exceptional talent in our district,” Jacobs said.
National Infant Immunization Week highlights breakthroughs in preventing many diseases
Press Release, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments
National Infant Immunization Week is April 24-May 1, 2021. This is an annual observance highlighting the importance of protecting children two years and younger from vaccine-preventable diseases. It is also a week to celebrate the achievements of immunization programs and their partners in promoting health communities.
Vaccinations play a key role in protecting our children and our community from 14 vaccine-preventable diseases. They are the most successful and cost-effective public health tool available for preventing and reducing the spread of infectious diseases as well as preventing death.
As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, some infants and children have missed or delayed routinely recommended vaccinations.
“Childhood vaccinations are one of the best ways to protect infants and children from vaccine-preventable diseases before the age of 2,” stated Paul Pettit, Public Health Director for Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments. “Diseases like whooping cough (pertussis) and the measles can be serious for infants and children. That is why it is important to stay on track with well-child visits and the recommended vaccination schedule.”
“Please check with your healthcare provider to make sure your children are up to date on the recommended vaccination schedule, even during the pandemic.” Pettit stated. “Doctor’s offices are taking the necessary precautions to keep you safe and help prevent the spread of Covid-19.”
To learn more about vaccinations and to view the latest immunization schedule visit www.cdc.gov/vaccines or speak with your healthcare provider.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 April 2021 at 3:05 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers: These Murray Joint Fire District firefighters row a boat from the Holley Emergency Squad to near where a Murray man was last seen yelling for help when he went into the chilly waters of a quarry off Canal Road next to the Erie Canal.
MURRAY – Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke has identified the man who drowned Friday night in quarry on Canal Road, near Fancher Road.
Ryan J. Perkins, 30, of Canal Road was in the water of a former sandstone quarry with a dog, yelling for help when a bystander called 911 at 8:44 p.m.
Multiple fire departments responded to the scene with small search-and-rescue boats, as well as lighting equipment to try to find Perkins. The Niagara County Sheriff’s Office Underwater Rescue Team, Sheriff’s deputies, State Police, Department of Environmental Conservation, Orleans County Emergency Management Office and the County Coroner’s Office also responded to the scene.
One of the fire department’s teams on a boat was able to locate Perkins and recover his body at 11:14 p.m., Bourke said.
The body was transported to the Monroe County Medical Examiner’s Office.
“The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office is continuing the investigation into the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident,” Bourke said.
The dog was found by firefighters and brought safely to shore.
Firefighters from Medina, left, and Albion search the south side of the quarry pond near Fancher Road.
There was a long line of law enforcement, firefighters and other first responders along Canal Road. Their lights are reflected in the water of the former quarry.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 April 2021 at 1:06 pm
Provided photo
ALBION – A 16-year-old found this gun sticking partly out of the mud in the Erie Canal this morning during the Canal Clean Sweep. The gun was almost directly underneath the Ingersoll Street lift bridge. It was slightly to the east of the bridge.
Hunter Hering was out with his mother, Statira Holtfoth, on the annual Canal Clean Sweep, where volunteers pick up trash along the canal.
Hunter saw the handle of the gun with the rest buried in the bottom of the canal. He went down to get it, and then his mother called the police.
The Albion Police Department will clean the gun and try to find a serial number, Lt. David Mogle said. If that number can’t be found, Mogle said the gun will be turned over to a lab to see if it can find an identifying number.
Mogle said it appears the gun had been in the canal for a while, probably 10 to 20 years.
“It could have been used in a robbery or crime and thrown in there,” Mogle said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 April 2021 at 8:12 am
Many volunteers will be out in Orleans County today in community cleanup events that are held annually near Earth Day. Some of the events are part of the state-wide Canal Clean Sweep.
HOLLEY – A group from Holley will be out for the Canal Clean Sweep from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. That includes about 30 students in the Holley Interact Club, 13 school staffers and 10 Rotary Club members. They will be picking up trash along the canal and also hitting spots in the village.
They will meet at the Holley Gazebo and walk along the Erie Canal to the bridge at Bennetts Corner Road, cross the bridge and walk along the canal to the lift bridge and return to the gazebo.
ALBION – In Albion, there will be a Canal Clean Sweep today from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Volunteers are welcome to show up at Tinsel on Main Street by the lift bridge, where trash bags and gloves are provided.
The Albion Lions Club also is doing an environmental cleanup today and will be hitting several spots in the community.
MEDINA – There are two spots in Medina for the Canal Clean Sweep today from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. One group led by Colleen Brakenbury will meet at the Prospect Avenue Bridge and go from there to the State Street canal bridge.
The Medina Rotary Club will work on the area from the Marshall Road bridge, taking the path west to Fruit Avenue.
The Medina Lions Club is planning its annual environmental cleanup day on May 1. Volunteers will pick up trash from Medina village parks and streets, and spread mulch along the north bank of the canal in the village. A group on that day will also pick up debris at the Canal Culvert, a popular spot where motorists can drive under the Erie Canal.
KENDALL – In Kendall today the Lions Club is spearheaded the annual community cleanup day. Volunteers meet at the town highway garage at 9 a.m. on Crandall Road and then disburse until noon. The Lions Club will be joined by scouts, high school seniors, and church and community groups in picking up trash along the roadways.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 April 2021 at 11:38 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
(UPDATED at 12:30 a.m. on April 24: The man was located deceased at about 11:15 p.m. near the embankment on the south side of the quarry in a deeper water hole, Murray Fire Chief Harris Reed said. Firefighters in one of the rescue boats found the man before the dive teams from Niagara and Monroe counties arrived.
The man’s body was taken by Christopher Mitchell Funeral Homes. No additional information is available.)
MURRAY – A man is presumed to have drowned after going into the cold water of a former quarry near Canal and Fancher roads on Friday night, trying to rescue a dog.
The top photo shows rescue boats from the Albion Fire Department, Medina Fire Department and the Murray Joint Fire District.
They are near the south side of a quarry owned by Mike and Michelle Vendetti.
A man went into the quarry after a dog and was calling for help. Firefighters were dispatched to the scene at 8:45 p.m.
It is a steep embankment with lots of brush on the south side. (This photo is looking towards the north side.) The quarry water where the man went in is about 15 to 20 feet deep. The water is muddy with a current, making it hard to find someone, said Harris Reed, fire chief of the Murray Joint Fire District.
Dive teams were coming from Niagara and Monroe counties to help find the man, Reed said.
Dogs that can detect the scent of humans from the top of the water also were being called to assist.
The dog that went into the water was found safe on a ledge on the south side of the quarry. It was brought to shore on the north side of the quarry along Canal Road by Murray firefighters. Murray had two rescue boats in the water, one from the Holley Fire Department and one from Fancher-Hulberton-Murray. Those departments formed a joint district on Jan. 1, 2021.
The dog was soon covered in a towel and was kept warm inside a Carlton rescue truck. Carlton also put a rescue boat in the water.
Albion firefighters, including Steven Papponetti in front and Fred Piano in back, try to locate the man who went into the cold water after a dog.
Emergency responders created a grid to track spots in the quarry where they had searched. The man and the dog went down the embankment shown in the photo.
Firefighters from Albion, Carlton, Clarendon, Medina and Murray responded to the scene, with Brockport filling in at the Murray fire station.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 23 April 2021 at 8:57 pm
Provided photo: From left, Brian Fox, ETR president/CEO of Iroquois Job Corps; John Thomas, operations director; Rafael Rodriguez, Independent Living adviser; and Dennis Essom, Center director, pose in the Conference Room after Rodriguez was honored for saving the life of a fellow Job Corps employee.
MEDINA – An employee of Iroquois Job Corps was recognized this week for saving the life of a fellow employee.
Rafael Rodriguez is an Independent Living adviser who, without hesitation, put his First Aid/CPR training to work by performing the Heimlich maneuver on another staff member who was choking on an object lodged in his throat.
His actions saved the fellow staff member’s life, said Dennis Essom, Center director, in a press release.
Rodriguez was presented with a certificate of recognition, a monetary award and a paid day off.
The award was presented by Brian Fox, ETR president/CEO; John Thomas, operations director; and Dennis Essom, Center director.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 April 2021 at 4:37 pm
Orleans and Genesee counties combined are reporting 37 more cases of Covid-19 today for a total of 7,810 cases for the two counties during the pandemic. That includes 4,998 in Genesee and 2,812 in Orleans, according to today’s update from the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments.
In the past seven days Genesee reported 95 new cases of Covid while Orleans has 92 new cases.
In Orleans County there are 16 new positive cases 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, 40s and 50s.
Orleans is 11 more of the previous positive individuals have recovered and have been removed
from the isolation list.
Of the new cases, 6 were previously on quarantine prior to testing positive.
Orleans currently has 4 residents hospitalized due to Covid.
Albion Central School said today a middle school student tested positive for Covid-19. The student was last in school on April 22. The Department of Health has contacted and those deemed to have been in close contact with the student have been notified. On Thursday, Albion reported two high school students tested positive for Covid.
Medina Central School reported today that a high school staff member and high school student tested positive for Covid. The Department of Health has investigated in cooperation with the district and determined no further quarantines need to take place, Mark Kruzynski, Medina superintendent, said on the district website.
In Genesee County there are 21 new positive cases and they reside 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, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s.
Genesee is reporting 19 more of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list.
Genesee currently has 7 residents hospitalized due to Covid.
The county also announced a resident under age 65 from the community has died due to Covid. “We are saddened to report the loss of one community resident,” the Genesee and Orleans County health Departments stated. “We do not provide any further information to protect the privacy of the individuals and their families. Our deepest condolences to the families and friends during this very difficult time.”
Active Cases: The number of active cases in the two counties is currently 185, which is up from 160 a week ago. Orleans is up from 74 to 101 cases, while Genesee has seen a decline from 86 to 84.
Vaccine registration help line: Both counties are offering vaccination clinic registration via phone – these numbers are for Covid vaccination registration only.
In Orleans, call (585) 589-3170. In Genesee, call (585) 815-7168. For both numbers ask for the vaccine registration help line. The vaccine registration help line is not associated with either Public Health Department. The individuals who answer the phone can only assist with registering for a Covid-19 clinic, they cannot answer Covid-related questions.
Press Release, Maison Albion and the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council
ALBION – Maison Albion and the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council (GO ART!) are pleased to announce the first-ever Western New York Art and Wine Festival held at the grounds of Maison Albion June 5-6.
The new event will feature regional and national artists of various disciplines with their works exhibited and for purchase. Local wineries will be on hand for tastings in the mansion’s ballroom.
“The GO ART! staff and board are extremely excited to be working with the Maison Albion and the Glovers on this event,” said GO ART! Executive Director Gregory Hallock. “How amazing is it to have such huge supporters of the arts right in our backyard. We cannot wait to show the artists and tourists, coming from near and far, how incredible the arts and culture scene is in Albion and Orleans County. There could not be a more magnificent place to do it than the Maison Albion; cheers to a new adventure that is sure to be an outstanding journey.”
A silent auction benefiting GO ART! will run the length of the event. Guests are encouraged to imagine themselves transported back to Victorian times at a Parisian park as they stroll the breathtaking grounds of Maison Albion. Plein air artists will also be on the grounds capturing the historic mansion and blooming gardens.
“Cultivating and supporting artists and art events in Western New York is so important as part of the mission of Maison Albion,” said Kerri Glover, Maison Albion owner. “We are honored to host this first annual event!”
Tickets for the event are $50 and include a program of artists and passport for wine tastings. Non-alcoholic beverages will also be available. Ticket sales begin Wednesday, April 28, and can be purchased at MaisonAlbion.com. Parking on-site is free.
In compliance with New York State’s Covid-19 guidelines, all attendees must wear a mask, except while eating and drinking. Social distancing protocols will be monitored.
Maison Albion is a historic mansion reimagined to host magnificent weddings and events. Located in Albion, guests are transported to a time of luxurious craftsmanship, baroque decadence, and lavish celebrations.
GO ART! is dedicated to developing the cultural life in Genesee & Orleans counties by facilitating the creation, presentation and experience of the arts, heritage and traditions. For more information, visit GOART.org.
