Photos courtesy of Sue Starkweather Miller: Riley Seielstad sings the uplifting tune “Underneath the Tree” during a Christmas concert that is available online.

Press Release, Albion Alumni Foundation

ALBION – Every year the Albion Alumni Foundation hosts an annual Christmas in the Neighborhood concert. Proceeds from the concert help to fund some of the Foundation’s more than $89,000 in Class Night scholarships for Albion High School seniors.

The popular holiday concert always attracts several hundred attendees and spotlights Albion Alumni and community members performing a selection of songs of the season.

After a difficult 2020 and concerns with in-person events, the concert was in jeopardy of being cancelled. The Foundation decided to move ahead with the concert by creating a virtual event called Christmas in the Neighborhood: Tidings of Comfort and Joy. It will be offered for two weeks of unlimited viewing with a one-time donation of $10.

What About Jane performs “Winter Wonderland”. Pictured (l-r): Jan-Mikael Erakare, Rhonda Smith, Tom Smith and Gary Smith.

Concert organizers Sue and Mike Thaine, Gary Simboli and Sue Starkweather Miller selected and scheduled performers and secured sponsors and advertisers.  Simboli accompanied many of the performers on the piano.

Joram Bierdeman, a professional videographer and Albion Class of 2011 alumnus, agreed to videotape the concert performers in the historic First Presbyterian Church. Jan-Mikael Erakare provided technical assistance as the sound engineer.

Performers scheduled a specific time to perform so all involved could maintain a safe social distance. The entire concert was filmed in one evening.

Class of 1968 alumnus Alec Sherman is an annual performer at the Christmas concert.  He also provided technical assistance with sound for all of the performances.

Concert tickets can be secured in one of two ways:

Go to www.albionalumni.org and click on the yellow “Tidings of Comfort and Joy Concert” button. You can pay by credit card or Paypal. Call 589-7220 to secure your virtual ticket.

Once your donation is made you will receive viewing information and instructions on how to access the concert link from the comfort of your own home.  Access to the concert will be available until Dec. 31.  You can view it as often as you wish for the two week time period.

The organizers would like to thank the following for sponsoring this virtual concert:

• Gold sponsors – Christopher Mitchell Funeral Homes; Brighton Securities; Nathan & Gail Lyman.
• Silver Sponsors – Margy &Eric Brown; Steve & Rachel Hicks
• Bronze Sponsors – Dr. Thomas & Sandra Madejski; Christopher-Williams Agency; Annette Mannella; Alec & Kathy Sherman; Brad Shelp; Doug & Sue (Starkweather) Miller; Mike & Sue Thaine; Gary & Laura Simboli; Pets in Peaceful Rest.
• Advertisers – Bloom’s Flower Shop; D & K Auto; Cobblestone Museum; Albion Agencies Insurance; Light of Victory Church; Rush’s Vegetable Stand/Petals and Lace Florist; Orleans Agencies; Ernst’s Lake Breeze Marina; Brigden Memorials; Olde Dogge Inn; Scott M. Schmidt Coroner; Plaza Liquor Store.

Erin Moody sings “Christmas in Heaven” in memory of his son Brennan.

2020 performers include:

• Gary Simboli singing several songs including “Oh Holy Night”
• What About Jane (band members Tom Smith, Gary and Rhonda Smith and Jan-Mikael Erakare) perform “Winter Wonderland”
• Community Christmas Brass Ensemble (Mike Thaine, Susan Boring, Joe Condoluci, Roger Bolton, Shannon Broda and Kyle Thaine) perform “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” and “Jesu Bambino”
• Erin Moody sings “Christmas in Heaven”
• Kailey Winans sings “Grown Up Christmas List”
• Roy and Julie Smith perform on the trumpet and flute the song “Somewhere in My Memory”
• Pastor’s Trio (Pastors Sue Boring, Aleka Schmidt and Sue Thaine) perform “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen”
• Shannon Broda performs on the French horn “In the Bleak Midwinter”
• Mike Thaine performs on the euphonium “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch”
• Lindsay Almeter performs on the flute “Celebrate the Gift”
• Shannon Vanderlaan plays piano and sings “Love is Christmas”
• Alec Sherman sings “The Christmas Song”
• Scott Schmidt performs on the First Presbyterian Church organ “Improvisations on Joy to the World”
• Riley Seielstad sings “Underneath the Tree”
• Sue Thaine sings “Auld Lang Syne”

The First Presbyterian Church was beautifully decorated for the concert.  Pictured: Roy and Julie Smith perform “Somewhere in my Memory.”

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Jennifer Cassidy of Connecticut, standing, and Shari Cassidy of Medina gather around their aunt, Flora Posson, who will be 107 in January.

MEDINA – On Jan. 19, Flora Posson will celebrate a milestone.

She will be 107 years old.

Posson was a triplet born Jan. 19, 1914 at home on Hedley Street. The two girls and a boy weighed three pounds and were put in the oven to keep them warm, according to their niece Sheri Cassidy.

Posson’s brother Karl died in the Pacific in 1945 while serving in World War II. Her sister Maggie died at 92. The siblings had an older sister Virginia, who was Sheri’s and Jennifer’s mother.

Growing up in Medina, Posson was the star player on the girls’ basketball team, and early in life she was given the nickname “Fuzzy.” Her nieces think it was because she had tight curly hair, while her brother and sister had straight hair. Sheri and Jennifer still fondly call her “Fuzzy.”

Posson attended Skidmore College, where she received a degree in secretarial science.

She worked at FMC Corporation in Middleport as secretary to the CEO Robert Malott, and visited him in Chicago when he retired.

She has always been an animal lover and still has a kitty, said niece Sheri Cassidy, who is staying with her for a while. Niece Jennifer Cassidy of Connecticut recently visited, but just returned home this week. Posson has 24-hour caregivers.

Jennifer Cassidy gives her aunt, Flora Posson, a cup of tea, while niece Sheri Cassidy looks on. Posson still lives in her own home and her nieces visit regularly.

Posson was a ballroom dancer in her early years, having learned at Arthur Murray’s studio, and competing in New York City. Her favorite dance was the tango. She was a longtime member of Medina Memorial Hospital’s Twig Association and was active on the Child Welfare League.

She has always loved to play bridge and still played last year. She still plays Kings in a Corner with her nieces.

“She throws the cards down when she’s not winning,” Sheri said.

After her 100th birthday she spent a year in Connecticut with Jennifer.

She celebrated her 100th birthday at the Walsh Hotel, where she enjoyed going with her friends, including the late Barny Hart. Her nieces said her favorite drink was scotch on the rocks, and she smiled and said yes when Sheri asked if she’d like one.

Until this summer, Posson was still able to walk on her own, but she recently had a slump, which prompted her nieces to call Hospice. Hospice, now known as Supportive Care of Orleans, still comes in once a week, but Posson has been slowly improving, Sheri said.

Posson has survived two World Wars and two pandemics. She has lived in Medina nearly her entire life.

Her nieces said one thing is for sure.

“She loves this town.”

(Editor’s Note: UPDATE AT 10:52 A.M.: Orleans Hub was notified late this morning that Flora Posson passed away last night. An obituary will be forthcoming.)

Slipping off ladder, chipping tooth from candy cane among the potential pitfalls

Press Release, AAA Western and Central New York

The holidays may be the most wonderful time of the year, but many serious household accidents occur in December.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, on average, there are about 200 decorating-related injuries each day during the holiday season, with about half of the incidents involving falls. In the 2018 holiday season, about 17,500 people were treated in emergency rooms due to holiday decorating-related injuries.

“While the holidays are a time for cheer and goodwill, an accident can quickly spoil the spirit,” said Stacey McConnell, vice president of insurance at AAA Western and Central New York. “Being aware of your insurance coverage can offer peace of mind and a measure of reassurance at the holidays.”

Here are some of the typical – and not so typical – situations your AAA insurance policy might cover:

• Up on the rooftop: Traversing wet roofs and icy stepladders can be dangerous. Should a guest slip and fall while helping hang the holiday lights, your insurance policy may cover associated medical bills.
• Candy cane pain: Should a visitor chip a tooth on a candy cane or peanut brittle, dental repairs may be covered.
• Santa’s four-wheeled sleigh: While you’re battling it out inside the mall, your car is at the mercy of careless drivers, runaway shopping carts and the elements. Broken taillights, door dings and hail damage may be covered by your auto policy.
• Down through the chimney: The chimney may be famous for gift delivery, but unlocked doors and windows are often to blame for unwanted gift removal. While theft is a covered loss, it’s a good idea to maintain an up-to-date inventory of existing and new purchases to ensure all your possessions are safely documented.
• Ice follies: Winter wonderlands are great for songs, but terrible for sidewalks. If guests or other invitees slip and fall on your property, protection for medical payments and legal fees may be covered.
• Eat, drink and be responsibly merry: Most states have social host liability laws, which may hold you responsible for accidents or injuries caused by your inebriated guests. Be sure to monitor your guests’ alcohol intake and designate drivers.
• Runaway reindeer: Crowded roadways and inclement weather can make it difficult to see and avoid animals that dart across the road. Animal collisions can cause significant vehicle damage, but the associated repair costs are usually covered with comprehensive coverage.

Congressional leaders announced they have reached a $900 billion relief package that calls for $600 in direct payments to most Americans.

The rescue package would also bring financial aid to small businesses, unemployed Americans and health care workers.

Charles Schumer, the Senate minority leader, said the funding doesn’t address all of the needs, including money for local and state governments.

“But anyone who thinks this is enough does not know what’s going on in America and has not looked into the eyes of a small business owner, a restaurant owner losing their business,” Schumer said. “We must do more under President Biden.”

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said the agreement will provide needed resources to Americans who have suffered much of 2020 from the Covid-19 pandemic.

“As the American people continue battling the coronavirus this holiday season, they will not be on their own,” McConnell posted on Twitter. “Congress has just reached an agreement. We will pass another rescue package ASAP. More help is on the way.”

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) issued a joint statement and outlined highlights of the $900 billion agreement:

• Direct payment checks: A new round of direct payments worth up to $600 per adult and child, and also ensuring that mixed-status families receive payments.
• Strong support for small business: The agreement includes over $284 billion for first and second forgivable PPP loans, expanded PPP eligibility for nonprofits and local newspapers, TV and radio broadcasters, key modifications to PPP to serve the smallest businesses and struggling non-profits and better assist independent restaurants, and includes $15 billion in dedicated funding for live venues, independent movie theaters, and cultural institutions. The agreement also includes $20 billion for targeted EIDL Grants which are critical to many smaller businesses on Main Street.
• Community Development Financial Institutions and Minority Depository Institutions: The agreement includes dedicated PPP set-asides for very small businesses and lending through community-based lenders like Community Development Financial Institutions and Minority Depository Institutions.
• Rental assistance: $25 billion in critically needed rental assistance for families struggling to stay in their homes and an extension of the eviction moratorium.
• Enhanced Unemployment Insurance benefits: There won’t be a sudden expiration of Unemployment Insurance benefits for millions and Schumer and Pelosi said they secured an added a $300 per week UI enhancement for Americans out of work.
• Nutrition assistance for hungry families: Democrats secured $13 billion in increased SNAP and child nutrition benefits to help relieve the historic hunger crisis that has left up to 17 million children food insecure.
• Education and child care: The agreement provides $82 billion in funding for colleges and schools, including support for HVAC repair and replacement to mitigate virus transmission and reopen classrooms, and $10 billion for child care assistance to help get parents back to work and keep child care providers open.
• Broadband access: The agreement invests $7 billion to increase access to broadband, including a new Emergency Broadband Benefit to help millions of students, families and unemployed workers afford the broadband they need during the pandemic.

“State and local governments will certainly need additional funding to prevent the senseless layoffs of heroic essential workers and critical service cuts,” Schumer and Pelosi said in a joint statement. “The agreement provides some important new targeted funds for state and local government functions that will help alleviate their overall budget burdens.”

Provided images

ALBION – The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office joined several local families at Walmart on Saturday for the second annual “Shop with a Cop” program. The Walmart Foundation awarded the Sheriff’s Office a $3,000 grant for the program.

Sheriff Chris Bourke said it was a “great day” for the children, their families and members of the Sheriff’s Office who were part of the program.

“A big thank you to Walmart for providing the very generous gift cards for the kids to shop with and Orleans County Child and Family Service for assisting with the organization of this event,” Bourke said. “Several kids along with a family member were able to go with our Sheriff’s Deputies, Correction Officers and Volunteer Clergy members to pick out gifts for their parents and siblings. The kids then picked out gifts for themselves. The kids picked out some toys and other items but some  bought food items so they would be able to have a nice dinner on Christmas Day.

“I would like to personally thank the Sheriff’s Office members who reached into their own pockets to pay the difference for the families that went over the card limit.”

This photo shows Charles W. Howard as Santa Claus in a color postcard. The message printed on the back says, “Santa’s bag and sleigh all packed with wonderful presents for good girls and boys as he starts out on his annual trip. Which package is which, only he knows, but try and guess which one is yours at Christmas Park.”

ALBION – Local officials will gather at 2 p.m. on Monday to dedicate a section of Route 31 in memory of Charles W. Howard, who operated a Santa School and Christmas Park in Albion.

Howard started the school in 1937 and ran it until his death in 1966. The school continues in his name in Midland, Mich.

State Assemblyman Steve Hawley will be at the dedication at the corner of Route 31 and Transit Road. Hawley and State Sen. Robert Ortt pushed the State Legislature and Gov. Andrew Cuomo to approve legislation naming the section of Route 31 in Albion for Howard.

The section from Transit Road to Wood Road near the 4-H Fairgrounds will be known as the “Charles W. Howard Memorial Highway.”

In addition to running the school and Christmas Park, Howard served as the Santa in the Macy’s Day Parade for 18 years.

The Albion Betterment Committee requested the section of Route 31 be named for Howard. The group has worked in recent years to have signage in place to celebrate Howard and his local legacy.

Howard also was a farmer and a toymaker with a flair for the dramatic. He was part of community efforts to build a model of Niagara Falls with 10,000 gallons of sweet cider in 1928. He also helped make a 12-foot-wide apple pie in 1929 and creating a 14-foot-high cake that weighed 3.5 tons.

He developed the Santa School after noticing many Santas didn’t have training, and didn’t always interact with children well or meet a standard for dress. He established decorum for Santas and his Santa Claus suits became popular.

By Doug Farley, Cobblestone Museum Director; and Bill Lattin, former Director

John Proctor

GAINES – The presence of water was an important consideration for pioneers to this region when they were looking to purchase property. Plentiful fresh water was important for livestock, crop irrigation and much more.

John Proctor would have pondered the same considerations when he acquired his land from the Holland Land Company in the early 1800s. The meandering brook that now bears his name probably played heavily in his decision to locate his prototype community of Fair Haven (now Childs) at the intersection of the Ridge Road and Oak Orchard Road.

When and how Proctor Brook got its name is not recorded, but most likely honors the community’s founding father.

Time marches on, and over time, little attention was paid to Proctor Brook, so little, that folks had pretty much forgotten its name. Town of Carlton Historian Lysbeth “Betsy” Hoffman recalls “re-discovering” the name in the 1980s when she was reviewing 1820s Town Board Minutes.

In those documents, she saw frequent references to the name Proctor Brook, which grabbed her attention and got her thinking about the probable location of this mystery waterway. Betsy contacted Mike Slack from the abstract office at the County Clerk’s Office, and he verified that Proctor Brook was indeed the historic name assigned to the little tributary that crosses the Ridge Road at Childs while winding through the towns of Gaines and Carlton.

In an effort to make sure the community didn’t forget the name of Proctor Brook again, and to commemorate John Proctor for posterity, a fitting sign was built by Cobblestone Museum volunteer George Callard and erected near the brook on the grounds of the Museum’s Route 98 campus.

Assisting in this effort was Town of Gaines Historian Dee Robinson, Town of Carlton Historian Betsy Hoffman, and Orleans County Historian Bill Lattin. A dedication ceremony for the sign took place on September 11, 1988.

Proctor Brook has its geographic beginning in a marshy area around the present day Sheret American Legion Post on Gaines Basin Road. From there it travels north and approaches the Erie Canal as shown above left.  Then it goes under the canal through a sleuth located west of the canal guard gate and exits on the north side of the canal bank as seen above right. It then meanders mainly northward, but sometimes east and west, too.

Proctor Brook enters the Hamlet of Childs alongside Route 98 near the Cobblestone Museum’s artisan buildings as seen here with the NYS DOT crew cleaning up the bank.  The brook then travels through the Museum campus and crosses Route 104 just west of the Village Inn.  From there it continues through the Town of Gaines until reaching Carlton where it joins forces with Marsh Creek and heads on to Lake Ontario.

At some point in the mid- 20th century, Proctor Brook received a boost with a new supply of water diverted through an Erie Canal syphon. As seen here, the syphon is located west of the canal guard gate.

Farmers can petition NYS to receive a permit to use that water supply for their crops or other needs. Excess water from the syphon drains into Proctor Brook. Jim Kirby utilized the syphon for his farming for many years. Former Orleans County Historian Bill Lattin recalls one year in the late 1900s when Kirby said the syphon stopped working. He investigated the situation and discovered a large turtle had been sucked into the vortex and got stuck, effectively closing off the water supply. Kirby said, “Getting that thing out of there was a nasty job.”

Proctor Brook has had some man-made adjustments made to its course, too. In 1921 the original Blacksmith Shop at the corner of Routes 104 and 98 caught fire and burned to the ground. Local farmers knew the absence of a local blacksmith shop would negatively impact their livelihood. Bill Lattin described their desperation, “The farmers, while the embers were still hot from the fire, pitched in to help blacksmith Joseph Vagg rebuild his shop.”

But, this time they decided to site the blacksmith shop a little further south to help protect Joe’s home from catching fire, too.  To do so, they needed to relocate Proctor Brook which would have gone right through the new shop.  So, the farmers and Vagg set about moving Proctor Brook about 20-25 feet south to make way for the new structure.  They did that by dropping boulders into the creek bed that effectively moved the brook, making a sharp turn to the west, and then follow its current course to the south of the shop.

Proctor Brook, usually a very gentle little stream, is known to have an annual freshet or spring flood, usually in May or June. Some have been pretty severe. Melva Vagg Warner, Joe Vagg’s daughter, recalled that during one particularly severe flood, she kept track of Proctor Brook’s high water point by placing a mark on the side of her barn that sits next to the brook.

That marking came in handy in 1977 when the Cobblestone Museum was relocating its Print Shop to the grounds on the banks of Proctor Brook, and pondered how high to elevate the shop to avoid potential flooding. Bill Lattin said that Town of Gaines Highway Superintendent Cliff Kelley used a transit and Melva Warner’s water mark to determine a presumably safe position.

That theory was tested in the 1980s when the spring thaw resulted in flooding that came to within one inch from overflowing the floor of the Print Shop.

At that point, the water rose to over 1 foot above Route 98. It was during that flood that the Cobblestone Museum’s historic wooden cattle trough, usually located in front of Farmers Hall, floated downstream and ended up at the cobblestone house on Route 104.

The high water mark for that flood is still visible inside the Eastlake outhouse located next to the Print Shop. The water line is just above the row of seats.

Harvest Christian Fellowship moves into new space with room for 250

ALBION – A church that started in Albion 33 years ago has completed construction of a new sanctuary where church members did nearly all of the work.

Harvest Christian Fellowship this morning held its first service in the new sanctuary. The church worked 3 ½ years to build the 5,000-square-foot space. They did it without incurring debt.

“We’re just looking forward to it, to finally be in it and be able to worship,” said the Rev. Tim Lindsay, the church’s pastor since Harvest started 33 years ago.

Church volunteers did nearly all of the work themselves on the 5,000-square-foot addition. The church is located on Route 31, across from Bullard Park.

The church is located at 560 East Ave., across from Bullard Park. The new sanctuary has space for about 250 people. The previous sanctuary had a capacity for about 140 people. That space will become a fellowship hall and also will be used for youth programs and community life.

Harvest set a goal to have the new addition done by 2020. It met the goal, despite the challenges of pushing the project to completion during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“One of the biggest testimonies of this whole project is 90 percent of the work was done by volunteers in the church,” Lindsay said on Friday. “God provided people with skills, with willingness, the energy and money.”

The church volunteers brought a range of skill sets, from construction to cleaning, to get the project done.

“It has been really positive for the church,” Lindsay said. “It brought the church together whether physically, through donations or praying for the project.”

The project includes an indoor café and fellowship area. Before, people were crowded in the foyer after services. Now there is more room to congregate and fellowship, Lindsay.

Lindsay has been with Harvest Christian since day one. In the early days, the church used space at what is now the Elk’s Lodge building on West State Street. It was the recreation hall for the Albion Fire Department in 1987, when Harvest started.

The Fire Department used to have Bingo on Saturday nights at the building. When that was over, Harvest Christian Fellowship would start setting up for the church the next morning.

After three years at the recreation hall on State Street, Harvest Christian purchased the former Kingdom Hall on East Avenue after the Jehovah’s Witnesses constructed a new building on Route 31, next to Mount Albion Cemetery.

The building on East Avenue was cramped for Harvest Christian with the sanctuary serving as multi-purpose space. The musical equipment, chairs, pulpit would have to be moved for other events and then reset again.

The sanctuary has room for 250 people. It has more space for social distancing.

The church during the Covid-19 pandemic has been doing two services to allow for more social distancing. With the new sanctuary, nearly doubling the space, Harvest will go back to a single service on Sundays at 10 a.m. The services are also streamed on Facebook.

Harvest will have a bigger celebration and grand opening sometime in 2021, Lindsay said. For now, the church is grateful to be in the space by Christmas.

Lindsay, 63, has been a part of the Albion community since he was 30, raising his family in the village.

“God put this on my heart from the earliest days,” he said about his ministry in Albion. “This is where God planted us.”

During the Christmas season, the church remains focused on discipling people in the community, and welcoming them to Harvest Christian Fellowship.

“This will be a special Christmas celebration for us,” Lindsay said. “My message will be there were so many people involved in the Christmas story. They all had an encounter with Jesus and they were never the same. This will be a place where people can encounter Jesus and never be the same. That is what we hope and pray.”

Provided photo: From left include  Lura Kenward (Crosby’s Team Leader), Michele Harris (District Leader), Susan McLaughlin, Jessica Monaco, Zach Amey (Territory Sales Advisor), Donna VanSlyke and Dr. Hank Stopinski.

Press Release, Roy-Hart Central School

The Royalton-Hartland Elementary School is getting closer to their goal of an outdoor classroom space at their site. Thanks to the generosity of Exxon Mobil’s Educational Alliance, they received a grant for $500. The Crosby-Reid Petroleum Company decided to match the grant and added an additional $500 for the school.

The Exxon Mobil Education Alliance is a national program that funds math and science programs at schools in need.  It is part of their ongoing effort to support science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education.

Their hope is that their partnership with Royalton-Hartland Central School District will give students the tools and technology they need to connect what they learn in the classroom with what they see in the real world and create “Aha” moments.

Jessica Monaco and Susan McLaughlin are the two teachers at the school who are spearheading the outdoor learning spaces. “We are trying to extend what we did at the playground,” explains Ms. Monaco.  “As educators we thought it would be nice to give students the opportunity to learn science by interacting with the natural world on campus.”

“We also wanted our campus to have a beautiful natural setting and more space for the community to enjoy things like a walking trail and stage,” adds Ms. McLaughlin.

Thanks from input from their fellow teachers, administration and the community there are several proposals for their vision of their outdoor space which is broken into nine quadrants. Area 1 would be a pollinator garden that will contain an insect hotel and a bluebird house. Area 2 will contain a sundial, an elevated sand table, talking tubes, solar shields and chalkboard flowers.

Sycamore and tulip trees will be planted in Area 3. A greenhouse and mini orchard containing apple, peach, pear and cherry trees will occupy the space of Area 4.

Area 5 will be the designated graduation garden and have a tree planted by the kindergarten class of that year and also contain willow domes. Raised beds, a shed, rain collection barrels and compost stations will populate Area 6.

A Trim Trail will take up Area 7, which is the old playground. Area 8 will give students a chance to tap into their creative side with an outdoor stage and moveable seating. The final area, number 9, will contain vertical gardens.

When the district was told that they were receiving monies from Exxon and Mobil and Crosby-Reid they were thrilled.  “I thought it was amazing,” says Ms. McLaughlin.  “This will help us fulfill so many plans.”

Ms. Monaco says, “It means a lot to everyone that we have the community’s support for this venture. We think this will be a great space for everyone to enjoy.”

Dr. Hank Stopinski, the District’s Superintendent, adds, “This is what Royalton-Hartland is all about – community.”

“This is very exciting,” says Principal Donna VanSlyke.  “It is very generous and to think we now have $1,000. We can do almost everything we were hoping to accomplish.  We are very thankful to Exxon Mobil and Crosby’s for this gift.”

Since mid March the Covid-19 Pandemic has certainly caused increasing frustration, uncertainty and confusion for high school athletes, coaches and athletic directors.

First the Pandemic wiped out the spring high school season. Then the fall slate was reduced as the so-called “High Risk” sports of football, volleyball and cheerleading were postponed until next spring.

And now the fate of the “High Risk” winter sports of basketball and wrestling are very much uncertain.

The confusion and uncertainty for athletes, coaches and athletic directors has been heightened by the differences in how neighboring sections are approaching the winter season.

Section V has already started the season for swimming, which is listed as a “low-moderate risk” sport. In fact, the neighboring Genesee Region League teams which have swim teams have already held regular swim meets, not “virtual meets”, but regular meets.

However,  the Executive Council of neighboring Section VI of which the Niagara-Orleans League schools are members, has voted to delay the start of practice for all winter sports until January 18. Earlier it had voted to delay it until January 4 but a vote last week backed it up two more weeks to January 18.

And unlike the G-R League the N-O League as of now is planning to hold “virtual” swim meets once the go ahead is given to begin practice which no doubt adds more confusion and frustration for athletes, coaches and athletic directors alike.

Officials of both Section VI and Section V along with area athletes and coaches are now anxiously awaiting a decision from Albany on when the “High Risk” sports of basketball land wrestling can begin.

It is a situation which has local athletic directors scratching their heads as to what direction the sports year is headed, a situation which certainly has been very fluid and changeable.

It will be interesting to see how long past the Christmas-New Years holiday break that such a decision is forthcoming as time to  get the winter sports season in before the so-called “Fall 2” season for football, volleyball and cheerleading is slated to begin on March 1 is getting short.

A Tangled Holiday Inspiration

The Ward Ball. It’s story is about a dash of holiday inspiration given to us by our old neighbor Chuck Ward, some of you may have known him. He gifted us this ball of lights during the holidays but the inspiration given to us by this gentle man started way before the Ball was given to us.

It started in 1993 when we purchased our home on West Park Street, across the road from his. I grew up on this street about 10 houses down the road and lived there for nearly 18 years before going to college.

So my adult self became the recipient of Mr. Ward’s inspiration when we became the owners of our Diamond in the Ruff. Truth be told I was not enthusiastic about purchasing a house on the same street I grew up on, especially a major fix-me-upper. But my husband’s heart was there the moment we looked at it, so I gave in.

We worked tirelessly remodeling and doing our best to make this old house, buried in the bushes and trees, a home. Many times Mr. Ward walked over, just for a moment so as not to interrupt, to say, “You guys are doing a nice job, it’s looking good.” High praise to us and it inspired us to forge on.

During planting season we ripped out bushes and did a major yard overhaul. Mr. Ward came over and offered up sections of flowering plants and bushes that he had in his yard. He was one heck of a gardener and we always admired his yard. So we were grateful for his generosity and gladly accepted. It inspired us to keep going.

He became great pals with my cat, which he gladly let into his home to visit once in a while. A good man to not only the two-legged but the four-legged as well. The holidays were especially fun to watch from across the street as he staked up trees to string lights on and hung lights on his home. It inspired us to make our home special for others as well.

Many a time Santa enlisted the help of my husband to put on the Santa Suit and venture across the street to Ho-Ho it up with Mr. Ward’s grandchildren. But we all knew it was truly Christmas Eve was when Mr. Ward carefully began to line the edge of his sidewalk with paper bags and light a candle in each one. They illuminated the way for his family to come together. It inspired us to do the same. His last Christmas he came to us with a tangled mess of Christmas lights. He thought we could use them. We took one look at that mess of lights and decided we were not up to the task of untangling them and just named it “The Ward Ball”.

Each Christmas we hang that Ball on our porch and it continues to inspire us and remind us of the Magic of the Holiday Season. Mr. Ward passed away many years ago but he taught us about generosity and the power of a kind word or gesture – the truest of holiday gifts and blessing. This holiday give the gift of inspiration and be someone’s Mr. Ward. It truly can make a difference is someone’s life.

To see our 2019 lighted walk visit my blog online (click here) and catch up on Weekly Photo Perks and past Sunday Posts. Like and share your comments. Merriest of Holidays!

Truly,
Debbie London

MEDINA – There was no mistaking Kathy Blackburn’s delight at the turnout in Boxwood Cemetery Saturday noon for the Wreaths Across America program.

Blackburn has been organizing the event each year since it was started in Medina with seven wreaths in 2013, and this year’s count was 261.

“I can’t tell you how pleased I am,” Blackburn said. “I’m amazed at the people who joined in and got their kids involved. I could cry now.”

Kathy Blackburn, who organized the Wreaths Across American program in Boxwood Cemetery, and Jim Freas stand in front of the seven volunteers who laid the first wreaths, paying tribute to a veteran from each branch of the military and MIAs and POWs.

Blackburn thanked the American Legion, VFW and volunteers who supported the effort, especially the many Scout troops which showed up to place the wreaths on graves.

Several local officials took part in the ceremony, including Medina Mayor Mike Sidari and Assemblyman Steve Hawley. Each of them placed one of the first seven wreaths, which were in honor of a veteran from each branch of the military and a grave representing a POW/MIA.

Dave Kusmierczak read an opening prayer. He said the freedoms we enjoy today did not come without a price.

“The men and women here died so we could enjoy our freedoms,” he said.

Blackburn followed with words of thanks and patriotism.

“We are here today to say ‘thank you,’” she said. “When you see a veteran or member of the Armed Forces, say thank you.”

After the Honor Guard issued a three-gun salute and playing of Taps, volunteers began placing the remaining wreaths on graves throughout the cemetery.

The first of seven wreaths is placed on the grave of a veteran at the beginning of the Wreaths Across America program Saturday in Boxwood Cemetery.

Assemblyman Steve Hawley places a wreath on a veteran’s grave, something he volunteers for every year.

Dave Kusmierczak stands at left waiting to give an opening prayer at the Wreaths Across America program in Boxwood Cemetery. The firing squad stands ready as Kathy Blackburn gives a patriotic reading.

Volunteers, which included many Scout troops, take wreaths out of the boxes to place on graves. Donations cover the cost of the wreaths at $15 each.

Three members of the Honor Guard who participated in the Wreaths Across American program Saturday in Boxwood Cemetery are, from left, Norm Slayer, Greg Stanton and Randolph Wells. The other members are Vic Vicknair, Steve Johnson, David Higgins, Larry Szatkowski, Glenn Whitmore, Eric Delano, John Pera and Dan Anderson.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Santa Claus takes a ride around the Village of Albion this afternoon in a pickup truck driven by Ron Albertson of the Albion Lions Club. Santa went on a one-hour trip around the village and handed out toys and goody bags to kids.

Santa is joined by Party Tyme Bear (Christina Nenni) and Jolly Jingles (Michelle Wiseman). They are traveling down Chamberlain Street, part of the tour around the village.

Before the ride around the village, Santa met with children in the parking lot at Hoag Library. The Albion Lions Club organized the event, which included 150 donated toys and 50 goody bags. A dedicated volunteer wrapped all of the gifts.

This Santa is wearing an authentic Charles W. Howard Santa suit, which was donated to the Albion Lions Club. Howard founded a Santa School in Albion in 1937 and ran it until his death in 1966. He was a member of the Albion Lions Club.

Dona Scharping and her sister Mitzy Peglow, right, brought a breeding stock paint horse named Gooby to a holiday event outside in the parking lot at Hoag Library. Scharping dressed the horse in red and green with antlers.

Cameron Froman, 18 months of Albion, had fun meeting Izzy, a donkey from Scharping’s farm, Serenity Acres. Scharping also brought along her dog, a Corgi named Jodi who was very popular with the kids. About 200 people stopped by during the event from 1 to 2:30 p.m.

Nickie Girardo, owner of Last Call Cocktails, served up free cups of hot chocolate.

Christina Nenni dressed as Best Tyme Bear and welcomed children and families. She owns Best of Tymes Party Rentals in Medina, and brings costumed characters and games to children’s parties and other occasion. She also served popcorn and cotton candy today.

Michelle Wiseman is an elf named “Jolly Jingles.” She is the sales manager for Best of Tymes Party Rentals.

Santa poses for a photo with Aria Santiago, left, and Winston Lockhart and.

Photos by Tom Rivers

LYNDONVILLE – Earl Schmidt carries a wreath to place on the grave of a veteran in Lynhaven Cemetery in Lyndonville this morning.

Schmidt was among a group of eight volunteers who placed wreaths on 420 graves of veterans at cemeteries in the community. He also retrieved flags from the graves that had been out since near Memorial Day.

This is the second year Lyndonville has participated in Wreaths Across America.

Of the 420 graves, 402 were at Lynhaven Cemetery. There were also 13 at Yates Center Cemetery, 2 at the Robin Hill Estate, and 1 each at the Greenman Road Cemetery, Lott Cemetery on Angling Road and a cemetery on Marshall Road.

John Follman, an Air Force veteran for 27 years, helps to hand out the wreaths at Lynhaven.

“This is another way to honor our veterans,” he said. “You can’t do enough.”

Yates Town Clerk Shelly Harling carries wreaths to the veterans’ graves. She helped to research the gravesites for all of the veterans in the town of Yates. Initially that was a project spearheaded by the American Legion to identify all the sites for Memorial Day, so the Legion could place American flags on the gravesites.

Steve Goodrich, the Wreaths Across America location coordinator for Lyndonville, didn’t want a big group of volunteers today due to concerns about spreading Covid-19. Last year about 50 people help to set the wreaths.

He also decided against a ceremony because he doesn’t want to put people in added danger of Covid-19.

He praised Anna Stelianou, who is funding the effort. Last year was the first time Lyndonville was part of Wreaths Across America. Stelianou has provided the funding to the Lyndonville Area Foundation with an endowment to pay for the cost of the wreaths every year long into the future. The wreaths are $15 each with the current cost for all the wreaths about $6,000.

Stelianou is doing it in appreciation for the community’s kindness to her parents, Ary and Konstantina. They emigrated to Lyndonville from Greece after WWI. Stelianou also donated the money for the program in honor of her five brothers who served in WWII and the Korean War.

Stelianou said the community looked after her parents and their children, especially during the lean years of the Great Depression. Farmers in particular made sure the family had enough food to eat.

The Stelianou couple ran a small store on Main Street serving lunches, candy and ice cream. Anna Stelianou said the Lyndonville community welcomed her parents and helped them achieve the American dream.

Jim Wells, a Marine veteran, has his arms full of wreaths.

Eric Harling, center, joined the effort, helping his wife, Shelly Harling, and the other volunteers.

About 2,100 communities, including Medina, are participating in Wreaths Across America this year.

Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced he has signed an Executive Order providing additional support for two of the groups hardest hit by the Covid-19 pandemic – vulnerable homeowners and the restaurant industry.

Under Executive Order 202.83, local governments can continue to provide property tax exemptions for low-income senior citizens and persons with disabilities who own property through 2021 by lifting an in-person renewal requirement which would put vulnerable New Yorkers at risk of infection from Covid.

Additionally, the sales tax deadline for restaurants in orange zones which have been required to suspend indoor dining will be extended until March.

“Covid has tested our collective strength and put a strain on finances for so many New Yorkers,” Governor Cuomo said. “We’re taking measures that will provide much needed tax relief for some of those hardest hit by this pandemic – New Yorkers over 65 and our restaurant industry. With the finish line in sight, we will continue to support New Yorkers wherever possible and fight to get the federal government to deliver real relief for those who are struggling.”

Thousands of low-income senior citizens and persons with disabilities rely on property tax exemptions annually to remain in their homes. To claim or renew benefits, eligible seniors and disabled New Yorkers typically line up at town halls across the state to file the required documentation. This raises obvious concerns amid the Covid-19 public health emergency as those eligible to receive these benefits are among those most susceptible to the virus. This modification will decrease density in assessor’s offices to limit the spread of Covid and ensure critical tax relief.

Under the Governor’s Executive Order, local governments can automatically renew 2021 benefits for all property owners who received the benefit in 2020 unless the locality has reason to believe an individual has changed their primary address, added another owner to the deed, transferred the property to a new owner, or passed away.

In addition to the flexibility provided for these benefits, the Governor’s Executive Order provides a three-month extension to the deadline for restaurants in orange zones, including New York City, to turn over sales taxes to the state. Restaurants in impacted areas were required to suspend indoor dining temporarily. Extending the sales tax deadline for payment of taxes due on December 21 to March 2021 will ease tax burdens for restaurants and bars in communities where Covid-19 metrics necessitated additional restrictions.

This action also provides a degree of temporary relief as New York continues to fight to ensure the federal government provides real fiscal relief for these small businesses. Affected restaurants should follow guidance from the Tax Department to request this relief.