Provided photo

SHELBY – Makenzie McGrath, 17, of Medina was awarded a $1,000 college scholarship from the Shelby Volunteer Fire Company.  Presenting the award is Treasurer Kirk Myhill, left, and Makenzie’s grandfather, Gary Watts. Mr. Watts has been an active member of the company for 52 years and is a past chief.

Shelby Volunteer Fire Company awards an annual scholarship to a student who has shown enthusiasm and volunteered serving the fire company.

Makenzie McGrath is a member of the Shelby Auxiliary and has been an active participate in fire company activities from a very young age. With her great-grandfather, Sidney Watts, a founding member of the company, and many family members active, volunteering with the fire company seems to run in your blood, McGrath said.

She has volunteered at fundraisers, Mothers’ Day Chicken Barbecue, catered weddings and parties for many years. When old enough she became a member of the Auxiliary to support the fire company.

Makenzie graduated from Medina High School in the top 10 of her class and is involved in many other community-service activities. She is the daughter of Patrick and Julianne McGrath and plans to attend Nazareth University and major in Elementary and Music Education.

This site rendering from Fagan Engineers in Elmira shows how trucks would turn and enter the site to make deliveries. This plan was presented to the Village Planning Board and Orleans County Planning Board in May 2024.

ALBION – A plan to build a new Dollar General in Albion is back before village officials in Albion.

Dollar General in the spring of 2024 presented a plan to build a new 10,640-square-foot store in the village on Route 31 across from the high school.

The store would be next to the Cone Zone ice cream business, next door to the east. The Broadway Group LLC from Huntsville, Ala. would demolish an existing building, which has been used for selling cars, and put up the new store.

Dollar General needs a variance for the project to go forward. It is seeking to have 35 parking spaces instead of the required 53.

The Village Zoning Board of Appeals today set a public hearing for 4 p.m. on Sept. 9 for the variance.

The Orleans County Planning Board in May 2024 recommended the Village of Albion approve a variance request for the parking spaces for the store.

The village code requires one spot for every 200 square feet for a retail store. The Dollar General would need 53 parking spots under the village code, but The Broadway Group is seeking a variance to allow for 35 spaces.

The site is already tight for space and many of the customers come and go fairly quickly, Dan Strong, a member of the County Planning Board, said during the May 2024 county meeting.

Strong, a Town of Albion code enforcement officer, is handling the code enforcement duties for the project because the village code officer, Chris Kinter, is the owner of the site for the proposed store at 327 East Ave.

Dollar General previously said the store size proposed for Albion typically have 32 parking spaces. The company could add more, but that would result in more pavement and less green space, the Broadway Group wrote in its request for a variance.

The Broadway Group will provide a more detailed description of the store’s appearance and parking lot lighting when it seeks site plan review and a special use permit. First the company wants to make sure it will have a variance to have fewer parking spaces required in the code.

Dollar General sells general merchandise and food. It used to have a store in Albion on Route 31 across from the former GCC campus. The former Dollar General building is now used by a bottle redemption business.

Dollar General has several stores in Orleans County: 11273 Maple Ridge Rd., Medina; 11349 Ridge Rd. in Ridgeway; 30 North Main St. in Lyndonville; 16684 Route 31 in Holley; and 16669 Roosevelt Highway in Kendall.

Press Release, Catholic Charities

ALBION – Catholic Charities is gearing up for the new school year by hosting a Personal Care Item Drive to benefit families and individuals in need throughout Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties.

“The last few years, we have held a donation drive for new socks and undergarments, but this year, we’ve seen a shift toward clients needing greater assistance with personal care items like shampoo and deodorant, as well as cleaning supplies like paper towels, laundry detergent, and antibacterial wipes, so this year we catered our donation drive to where the biggest needs are,” said Kate DiSalvo, tri-county district director, Catholic Charities. “We hope our donation drive can give individuals and families – especially parents – one less thing to worry about this fall. Every donated item really is an answered prayer for our community members in need.”

Donations of new, unopened personal care items and cleaning supplies are being accepted from Aug. 11 – Sept. 15 at the following Catholic Charities offices: 25 Liberty St., Suite 7, Batavia; 243 South Main St., Albion; and 6470 Route 20A, Perry. The donated items will be distributed to community members.

Additional information about Catholic Charities’ services can be found at ccwny.org/services.

NY businesses feel impact of higher tariff costs, fewer Canadians crossing border

Photos by Tom Rivers: U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer was outside Brunner in Medina on Tuesday. The event was focused on his support for the Job Corps program, but Schumer also highlighted the negative impacts of U.S.-imposed tariffs on Canada. The U.S. imposed a 25 percent tariff on Canadian steel and aluminum imports on  March 12 and then increased the tariff to 50 percent on June 4. That has significantly raised the costs for Brunner, which imports steel from Canada. Brunner manufactures brake systems for tractor trailers. The overall tariff on Canadian imports was raised from 25 to 35 percent on Aug. 1.

MEDINA – U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer said Western New York businesses have long enjoyed a rewarding and reciprocal friendship with Canada, a relationship that is being put to the test by the Trump Administration.

Trump has imposed hefty tariffs on goods from Canada and insults from the president, who repeatedly has urged Canada to become the U.S.’s 51^st state, are driving away Canadian tourists, Schumer said in Medina last week.

Schumer also highlighted the issue during a news conference in Niagara County. He said Trump has strained the relationship with the United States’ most important ally and trading partner. The overall tariff on Canadian imports was raised from 25 to 35 percent on Aug. 1. The tariff on steel is at 50 percent.

“We have a really strong relationship. We depend on all the cross-border traffic,” Schumer said in Medina about the US relationship with Canada. “All of these tariffs have hurt commerce that has thrived. The tariffs should be pinpointed and directed at countries doing bad things, not across the board.”

Chart: U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer’s Office. This chart shows land crossings along US-Canadian border are down about 1 million from February through June.

Schumer said cross-border travelers from Canada dropped by 975,000 from February through June, taking a big chunk of the tourism industry and threatening many small businesses who cater to tourists.

“I’m all for addressing trade imbalances, but Trump’s chaotic and ill-conceived tariffs are undermining these goals,” Schumer stated in a press release. “Turning our allies like Canada against us is devastating Western New York’s economy in ways we haven’t seen since the height of the pandemic.”

Schumer said he will force a vote in the Senate in September to the end the trade war in Canada. He said House Republicans from Upstate need to stand up to Trump and protect their communities.

“Western NY families and small businesses are paying the price for these chaotic tariffs out of their wallets, whether it be in higher costs at the grocery store or fewer tourists on our Main Streets,” Schumer said. “Trump’s tariffs are a tax increase on Western NY families, plain and simple, and we are here to say enough is enough.”

When the Senate reconvenes next month, Schumer said he will force a vote on ending “Trump’s reckless and costly trade war.”

If the high tariffs continue and Trump’s hostility towards Canada, Schumer said it would result in “a death sentence for restaurants, hotels, and shops across Upstate NY.”

Western NY families and small businesses are being hit harder than nearly anywhere else in the country, with tourism dropping nearly 975,000 travelers across the U.S.-Canada border since Trump took office and costs increasing for families by nearly $2,400 a year, Schumer said.

Canadians are canceling trips to the United States because of Trump’s tariff war and his insulting threats to annex Canada as the 51st state, Schumer said. Canadian tourism is nearly 40% of the overall tourism economy in Buffalo, and across Western New York, businesses are seeing the impacts of fewer Canadian tourists and panicking that it will get worse, he said.

Schumer highlighted Outlets of Niagara Falls USA, which is experiencing 30% less foot traffic than last year, with various stores in the mall seeing at least double-digit sales decreases.

The Aquarium of Niagara, which opened a major expansion in 2024 designed to enhance the summer visitor experience and attract more tourists, instead saw an 18% decrease in attendance in July.

Artpark, a popular event venue in Lewiston, is projecting at least a 60% total loss of Canadian visitors, equating to a minimum of $150,000 in lost revenue for the nonprofit organization.

The tariffs are hurting WNY businesses that depend on materials from Canada, Schumer said. He highlighted BNP Empowered Print, a print shop based in Buffalo that prints newsletters and mailers for major companies in Western New York like Tops Friendly Markets, Valu Home Centers, and Pet Supplies Plus. BNP purchases all of its paper from Canada, and it predicts an annualized cost increase for materials such as ink and printing plates of more than $225,000 due to Trump’s tariffs.

“The unnecessary trade war with Canada is creating significant stress on our Canadian print business, as we currently absorb 25% retaliatory tariffs in response to the Trump Administration’s actions,” said BNP Empowered Print President Thomas Majerski. “We fully support Senator Schumer’s efforts to put an end to this extremely harmful policy with our closest ally and number one trading partner.”

Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz President Trump should work with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to mutually grow the inter-connected economies.

“I join Senator Schumer in calling for end to this needless trade war with Canada and then begin restoration of the prior friendly relations enjoyed by the US and Canada, a relationship built upon mutual respect, especially for each nation’s sovereignty,” Poloncarz said.

U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer greets Medina Mayor Marguerite Sherman last week in Medina outside Brunner.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The Holy Family Lawn Fete was a busy place on Sunday afternoon, with many activities for people of all ages. New to the event: a dunk tank.

The top photo shows Bernard Melucci, 9, of Lyndonville throwing a ball at the dunk tank target.

Behind him are tents for people to eat burgers, hot dogs, pasta and other food.

Bernard Melucci keeps his eye on the target – the bull’s eye on the dunk.

There were about 100 baskets up for raffle at the Lyceum.

Mary Louise DiGirolamo, right, makes a purchase from Deb Zicari, president of the Ladies of Charity. There were baked goods, fruit and vegetables for sale by the Ladies of Charity.

Eileen Banker and Jim Passarell ran the raffles for a 65-inch TV and for gas cards.

Issac Robinson is soaked and cold sitting in the dunk tank. He worked out getting the dunk tank for the Lawn Fete. Next time he hopes more people will sit in the booth.

Ava Ludwick, 17, of Albion throws a ball at the dunk tank target and hit it, sending Robinson into the chilly water.

Strickland VFW Post #4635 is located at 38 North Platt St. in Albion.

By Catherine Cooper, Orleans County Historian

“Illuminating Orleans” – Volume 5, No.29

ALBION – On August 8-9, 1942, the first major naval engagement between the Allied Naval forces and the Imperial Japanese Navy took place in the South Pacific Ocean, near Guadalcanal.

Thus, this weekend marks the 83rd anniversary of the Battle of Savo Island. It has since been described as one of the worst defeats in U.S. naval history. Three American cruisers: Astoria, Quincy and Vincennes and one Australian cruiser, Canberra, were destroyed. Almost 1,000 lives were lost.

Ensign Everett C. Strickland, 1918-1942, for whom the Albion VFW Post is named.

Ensign Everett Carlton “Carl” Strickland of Waterport was aboard the Astoria on the night of August 9. He was on the stern of the ship when it was hit by numerous torpedoes and gunfire from enemy planes.

Captain William Greenman, the ship’s captain, later reported that: “Ensign Strickland, in the heat of battle, recognizing the danger from the planes on the deck being hit by enemy shells, attempted to take off in one, but found that the mechanical releasing devices had been damaged. He then was attempting to shove the plane over the side with his own hands when he was fatally cut down by fire from a Japanese aircraft.”

Ensign Strickland had just celebrated his 24th birthday. Born in Carlton in 1918, he was the son of Everett Strickland and Elizabeth Tuttle Strickland. His father was employed by Bell Aircraft in Buffalo and his mother worked at the Albion State Training School.

Strickland graduated from the Waterport school in 1934, attended Lehigh University and enlisted in the Naval Reserve Air Force in 1941. He completed his training in Jacksonville, FL. in October 1941 when he received his gold wings and ensign’s commission. He remained at Jacksonville as an instructor for several months but requested to be transferred to active duty immediately following the attack on Pearl Harbor (Dec. 7, 1941). He spent a two-week furlough at home and was called into active service on February 1, 1942.

News of Ensign Strickland’s death in action “some time within the last two months” was not communicated to his parents until September. Reports of the incident did not appear immediately in the press. Analysis of the event continued for some time, as is evidenced by the following headline in The Buffalo News of December 7, 1946:

“Battle of Savo Island: Our Worst Sea Defeat, But Foe Muffed Victory”

Ensign Strickland had the rare distinction of having a U.S. Navy ship, a destroyer escort, named in his honor. The USS Strickland (DE-333) was launched in Orange, Texas on November 2, 1943, by the Ensign’s mother, Mrs. Everett Strickland and was commissioned on January 10, 1944. A plaque bearing a citation tribute to Strickland was placed on the ship and a photo of him was placed in the captain’s cabin. The USS Strickland was in service from 1944-1946 and from 1952-1959.

Ensign Strickland’s death was Orleans County’s first naval air force casualty of the war. An Albion post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars had been organized in 1946. On March 10, 1947, Thomas Hunt, Post Commander, announced that it would be named in Strickland’s honor.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Jovannie Canales, lead pastor at Harvest Christian Fellowship, holds a flat-screen television that was given away at the end of the Family Fun Day at Bullard park on Saturday.

There were 90 volunteers from 11 churches that put on the event that included many activities, free food, the chance to win prizes and also get baptized. Canales said 24 people chose to be baptized during the event.

Anita Garcia, a deacon at Harvest Christian Fellowship, announces that many prizes would be given away.

There were 900 people registered for Family Fun Day but the heat and a Buffalo Bills game likely kept some people from going to the park. There were still at least 500 people for the three-hour event on Saturday afternoon. In addition to the church representatives, there were about 35 community organizations at Family Fun Day.

Sarah Ferguson, right, of Risen Café and Riley Angelucci served hot dogs for free. They had 1,000 ready and had go through at least 500 with about 45 minutes to go on Saturday.

Albion firefighter Fred Piano assists Christopher Bergeron, 7, of Albion in spraying water from a fire house at targets.

Tim Bourke, a balloon artist from Albion, works on an animal for Jessica Woodhams and her daughter Davina, 4, during Family Fun Day.

Melisa Canales, left, and her husband Jovannie serve as lead pastors at Harvest Christian Fellowship. The couple used to be the pastors at the Oasis Church in Medina, which started Family Fun Day. That church last year  merged with Harvest Christian Fellowship.

There were six Family Fun Days in Medina at Butts Park before the change to Bullard Park last year.

Lodge in Albion hosts event with bands, raffle baskets and food

Photo by Tom Rivers: This banner welcomes the public to the Veterans Memorial Run, a 110-mile bike ride on Saturday that started and ended at the lodge at 428 West State St.

ALBION – The Albion Elks Lodge held a 110-mile ride on Saturday and they hosted an event at the lodge in a fundraiser for local veterans.

This was a first-time event and the lodge wants to do it the second Saturday every year. There were 17 bikes and three cars on the 110-mile trip.

Richard Robb, president of the Elks Riders in Albion, said the group will ensure the money goes to local veterans.

Photo courtesy of Richard Robb: The riders made three stops on the 110-mile trip on Saturday. Here they are shown at the Holley VFW. They also stopped at Maxwell Station in Olcott and The Grove 1848 in Kendall.

For many years the Elks Riders did a dice run as a fundraiser for the Jason Johnston scholarship. Johnson was killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan on Dec. 26, 2009. Johnston was a specialist and paratrooper in the Army. He was on his second tour in Afghanistan. He completed a 13-month-deployment in 2008 and left again for the war-torn country in October 2009.

His scholarship has more than $50,000 raised, Robb said. The $1,000 annual memorial scholarship that goes to a student pursuing a career in a helping profession, such as a nurse, doctor, firefighter, counselor or other social services.

With the scholarship well funded for many years to come, the Elk Riders decided they wanted to use the annual ride and fundraising event to go towards veterans in the community.

Photos by Tom Rivers: Todd Dawley, left, and Jeff Mosher worked the grill on a very hot day with temperatures near 90. The Elks recently upgraded that grill area making it enclosed in the back. The lodge also added a new fence and made other landscaping improvements to the property.

Nick Salvatore, lead singer of Salvatore, sings “Hard to Handle” by the Black Crowes. Salvatore followed the band, Bad Luck.

There were about 30 baskets and 25 gift cards up for raffle at the pavilion of the lodge.

Photos courtesy of Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company from Buford McAdoo and Joleen Bessel

RIDGEWAY – A fire destroyed a barn in Ridgeway on Saturday evening at 11811 Portage Rd.

Firefighters were dispatched to the scene at 6:17 p.m.

Medina Engine 11 with career staff arrived first to find a fully involved barn fire that had already partially collapsed, with exposure problems, and a house with melting siding, the Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company stated on its Facebook page.

Ridgeway firefighters are shown at the scene of the fire on Portage Road.

Medina firefighters pulled a hose line to protect the residence. Ridgeway Engine 32 arrived minutes later and was instructed to “lay in” to Medina Engine 11, and 300 feet of 4-inch supply line was laid to supply Engine 11, the Ridgeway VFC stated.

More lines were then put into service to knock down the main barn fire and subsequent grass fires. Firefighters checked the residence for any possibility of extension into the garage or house, Ridgeway fire officials said.

Ridgeway Tanker 52 and Shelby Ladder 40 were staged and manpower sent forward. Albion’s FAST Team was held in quarters as there were no interior operations. Ridgeway firefighters were on scene for just over three hours.

Ridgeway thanked the following for their assistance: Medina Fire Department & Medina Fire Investigation Team, Shelby Fire Company, Albion Joint Fire District, Orleans County Sheriff’s Office Communications and Road Patrol.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – These kids are delighted to be catching fish in today’s 29th Annual Danny Spierdowis Memorial Kids’ Fishing Derby will be from 9 a.m. to noon Aug. 9 at Albion Sportsmen’s Association on Keitel Road.

There were 67 kids 16 and under signed up for the annual derby. Prizes go to kids who catch the most fish by cumulative weight and also for the longest fish. There are different age divisions.

Lily Miller, 8, of Lyndonville holds a bluegill she caught in the old quarry. Lily caught seven fish in the first half hour.

Connor Jurs, 13, of Kent holds one of the fish he caught this morning. The fish were biting and the kids were reeling them in.

Many kids and some dads tried fished from the shore of the former Peck’s quarry today. Many sunfish, bluegills and bass were caught.

The fishing derby is named in honor of Danny Spierdowis, who loved the outdoors, especially fishing in the former Peck quarries at the Sportsmen’s Association. Spierdowis was killed in a car accident at age 19 on Jan. 20, 1990. His mother Linda and sister Karen were at the derby today.

Marcus Coville of Waterport helps his grandson Eli Schutz, 9, after Eli caught a fish.

Jeff Casillo measures the length of a largemouth bass caught by Blake Morrison, 13, of Middleport.

“I caught one bigger but he got away,” Blake said.

Adam Burgio, left, is on the prowl for fish in today’s derby. Adam has fished in the derby for several years. This is the last year he can do it because he is 16.

Loren DuBois helps his daughter Aurora, 6, after she caught a fish. Aurora was prolific in catching fish today. The fish were put in buckets of water and then weighed. After they were weighed they were let back in the quarry.

Kristy Webber of Albion, right, watches her daughter Charley, 11, try to catch a fish in today’s derby.

Christopher Pirro of Albion puts a worm on the hook for his daughter Vayda, 5, while his son Benjamin, 10, waits for a fish to bite his line.

Provided photo: Main Street in Lyndonville was closed to traffic on Aug. 23, 2024 for the community’s annual Street Dance.

Press Release, Town of Yates

LYNDONVILLE – The Town of Yates is very excited to welcome the community, friends and neighbors to the 4th Annual Street Dance on Friday, August 15th, from 6 to 9 p.m.

The festivities will be held on Main Street in front of the Yates Town Hall in the Village of Lyndonville.

Main Street in the village will be closed to traffic between Maple Avenue and Eagle Street starting at 4 p.m.

“We are blessed to work with our Village of Lyndonville partners to host the increasingly popular street dance on Main Street,” said co-coordinators Yates Town Board members Steve Vann and Susan Hrovat.

This year’s festivities include music by the Bleeding Hearts, with Classic Rock from the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s, dancing, kids’ games and a bounce house. Food vendors include Eula’s Baby Ribs, Lyndonville Sports Boosters with street tacos and tacos in a bag as well as Fetzner’s Lemonade and hotdogs.

The street dance is partially funded by the Town of Yates, and also sponsored by Plummer Orchards, Signature Styles and Burger King.

Please come out to enjoy lots of fun, food and fellowship with family, friends and neighbors.  The event is free, and there will be tables and chairs on the street as well as plenty of room for… Dancing in the Street!

Photos by Tom Rivers

MIDDLEPORT – Amir Huzair is Aladdin and Ella Trupo is Jasmine in the Lake Plains Players’ production of Aladdin Jr. Huzair has started in Lyndonville school musicals while Trupo has been a key performer in the Albion shows.

Opening night for Aladdin was Friday and there are two more shows today at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 with the performances at the Royalton-Hartland Sr. High Auditorium. Tickets are available at the door or by clicking here.

The cast performs the opening number of the show. There are 60 students in the cast, ranging from elementary school to students who just graduated.

Lakes Plains has run the summer theater program since 2014 with Jennifer Trupo a co-director of all the shows. This is Trupo’s last show as co-director of the summer program. She and Heather Rutherford are leading this summer’s production.

Rutherford will continue with the program next year, and two Albion graduates, Evan Steier and his sister Annalise, will be directors next summer. Evan is a teacher at Albion and Annalise is a new teacher at Lyndonville.

Cast members come from Albion, Medina, Lyndonville, Roy-Hart, Elba, Spencerport, Barker, Newfane and Wilson schools.

Trupo said the five-week program builds the confidence of students to be on stage.

“This is a great way to bring kids from all schools together,” Trupo said.

Hannah Houseman of Roy-Hart plays the Genie. She and the cast are shown in the opening number of Arabian Nights.

The Genie is willing to grant Aladdin three wishes. Aladdin wants to rise from being a “street rat” to be a prince to have a better chance of being with Jasmine, the princess.

Mallory Kozody is Jafar and Annabella Dusharm is Iago. Both are from Albion. Jafar plots to become Sultan and has Aladdin fetch the lamp with the Genie inside.

Aladdin and his sidekick pals are often penniless scheming for ways to get food. From left include Sophie Kozody (Albion) as Kassim, Amir Huzair (Lyndonville) as Aladdin, Aurora Avery (Lyndonville) as Babkak, and Zackary Baron (Albion) as Omar.

Ellen Trupo (Albion) plays the role of Jasmine, a princess who doesn’t want to be pressured into a marriage. She also doesn’t like being confined to the palace. She sneaks out into the marketplace and meets Aladdin.

After Aladdin is arrested by Jafar for trespassing at the palace, his friends plegde to help him and they prepare to storm the palace. This is the scene from “High Adventure.”

Aladdin’s friends mount a charge on the palace but they are detained. Aladdin would use his second wish from the Genie to free them.

Ryder Jones (Medina) plays the role of Razoul, the captain of the Royal Guards of Agrabah. He is Aladdin’s rival.