Photos by Tom Rivers: A fair-goers enjoys a ride on the Flying Elephants on Tuesday at the Orleans County 4-H Fair. Main Event Amusements has 17 different rides at the fair.

Seniors can enjoy a free cup of coffee at the 4-H Senior Council Stand.

8 a.m. – 4-H English Dressage Horse Show at Carlos Marcello Arena

9 a.m. to 11 a.m. – 4-H Senior Council Stand Breakfast Hours at 4-H Senior Council Stand

9 a.m. – 4-H Poultry Showmanship and Knowledge Contest at Wachob Pavilion

10 a.m. – 4-H Beef Cattle Show at Livestock Show Arena

10 a.m. – 4-H Dog Show Obedience and Rally Classes at Knights Building

11 a.m. – Senior Council 4-H Food Booth Hamburgers, Hots, and Cold Drinks. Proceeds support teen award trips and programs. 4-H Senior Council Stand

11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Nutrifare Senior Luncheon with the sing-along music of Craig Wilkins (Food will be served at 12 p.m. with ticket) at Curtis Pavilion

12 p.m. – Paid public admission begins, Buildings open to the public at Taylor Hill Road Parking Lot

Madaline Bloom, 9, of Albion shows “Sunflower,” a Jersey, during Tuesday’s Dairy Show. Sunflower won first in this Jersey class. Madaline is making her debut showing animals at the fair as a novice.

12 p.m. – 4-H Poultry Breed Classes at Wachob Pavilion

1:30 to 3 p.m. – Bread & Butter Making Demo and Tasting at Trolley Building

2 p.m. – Fair Official Meeting at Fair Office

3 to 10 p.m. – Main Event Amusements $35 Unlimited Rides Wristband at Midway

4 p.m. – 4-H Leaders’ Homemade Pie Stand Opens at Pie Stand

4 p.m. – 4-H Poultry Participants Awards presentation at Wachob Pavilion

5 p.m. – Rubber Chicken Throwing at JCH of Buffalo Food Court

5 p.m. – Orleans Trail – Pioneer survival celebrating the county bicentennial at Orleans Hub Stage

5 p.m. – 4-H Meat and Pack Goat Show at Livestock Show Arena

Samuel Robinson of Albion sings “The Wonder of You” during karaoke on Tuesday. Robinson has been a mainstay at karaoke in recent years, often qualifying for the finals. The finals with $1,000 in prizes will be Thursday at 8 p.m. with another qualifying round today at 8 p.m.

5 to 10 p.m. – Agrigolf. Miniature Golf with an agriculture twist. Trolley Building Lawn

6 to 8 p.m. – Orleans County 4-H Fair Talent Show at Orleanshub.com Stage

6 p.m. – K9s In Flight: Free entertainment!  Knight’s Building Lawn

6 p.m. – Rooster Crowing Contest at Wachob Pavilion

6:30 p.m. – Free Entertainment: The Amazing Bubble Factory at Cattle Barn Lawn

6:30 p.m. – Small Fry Pedal Tractor Pull- Registration ends 15 minutes before event. JCH of Buffalo Tent

7 p.m. – Llama Meet and Greet (on conclusion of goat show) at Livestock Show Arena

8 p.m. – Feuding Farmers at JCH of Buffalo Food Court

Natalie Miller, 11, of Lyndonville competes in the pig showmanship competition on Monday.

8 p.m. – K9s In Flight: Free entertainment!  at Knight’s Building Lawn

8:30 p.m. – Free Entertainment: The Amazing Bubble Factory at Cattle Barn Lawn

8 to 10 p.m. – Orleans County 4-H Fair $1,000 Karaoke Challenge at Orleans Hub Stage

10 p.m. – Hay Bale Rolling Contest – Teams of 1-2 ages 16 and up. Register at the Fair Office by 9:50 p.m. at Hay Bale Rolling Course

10 p.m. – Buildings Close – Goodnight Fair

The midway is lighted up on Tuesday evening at the fair with the Giant Gondola Ferris Wheel and Fun Slide among the rides.

Press Release, State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt

ALBANY – Today, members of the Senate Republican Conference on the committee for State – Native American Relations sent a letter to International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry to support the Haudenosaunee Lacrosse team’s request for inclusion in the 2028 Olympic Games.

The Six Nations of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy encapsulates the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca and Tuscarora tribes whose traditional and current territory lies within the borders of New York State.

 It was on this land and in these tribes where the game of lacrosse was born and as the Olympics prepare to welcome back this historic game to the competition for the first time in over a century, it would be a historical disservice to exclude its founders.

“Despite having a significantly smaller population than other national teams, the Haudenosaunee produce extraordinarily talented players and have competed successfully on the global stage. We believe there would be great benefit to a worldwide audience from watching the Haudenosaunee lacrosse team compete at the Olympics,” the letter reads.

“The genesis of lacrosse can be traced back to Native American tribes of the 12th century, and to them lacrosse was more than just a game, it held significant cultural and spiritual importance. It’s only fitting Native American tribes are properly represented as an independent, sovereign nation as the sport returns to the Olympics for the first time in more than 100 years, and I fully support the Haudenosaunee Confederacy in representing Native American tribes on the world stage during the 2028 Olympic Games,” said Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt, ranking member of the Committee on State – Native American Relations.

“The game of lacrosse is one of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy’s greatest gifts to the world, and their exclusion from Olympic play would be both historically and morally wrong,” said Senator George Borrello, member of the Committee on State – Native American Relations. “Recognizing their sovereignty and honoring their deep connection to the origins of this sport is the right thing to do and long overdue.”

“We urge you to favorably consider allowing the Haudenosaunee nation to compete and be properly represented in the 2028 Olympic Games. Such inclusion would represent a historic and meaningful step forward in honoring Indigenous contributions to sport and culture on the world stage,” the letter concludes.

Provided photo and information from VFW Auxiliary to Lincoln Post 1483

MEDINA – The VFW Auxiliary to Lincoln Post 1483 in Medina is promoting Patriotism through Literacy, a National VFW Auxiliary Youth Activities Program, by donating a book titled “The 4th of July Story” by Alice Dalgleish to the Lee-Whedon Memorial Library in Medina.

With this donation, we hope to help teach our youth about important events in our history.  The donation is made in honor of Veterans, Service Members and Their Families.

Featured in the photo are David Berry, President of the VFW Auxiliary to Lincoln Post 1483, and Kristine Mostyn, Library Director for Lee-Whedon Memorial Library.

Photos by Tom Rivers

KNOWLESVILLE – Isabel Nesbitt, 12, of Lyndonville shows a pig during Monday’s swine show. Isabel won the novice division featuring first-time swine showman and then won the overall title against the top two showmen in the junior and senior divisions.

The swine showmen included 51 kids in 4-H. That is double the number in recent years. There will also be 25 pigs in the market auction at 7 p.m. on Saturday. That is about double the usual number of pigs in the auction.

“We’re growing,” said Julie Donofrio, the swine superintendent. “We’re like a big family.”

It was intense competition in the show ring, especially because many of the 4-H’ers were trying extra hard to beat their siblings and cousins.

This photo shows Everett Bruning of Barre, left, and Lane Miller of Lyndonville. Lane finished second in the novice division. There were 16 kids in the novice division.

Sylvia Bruning of Barre keeps a pig under control during the swine show. She competed in the novice division and came in fourth.

The swine showman competition stretched more than an hour. The final two included Isabel Nesbitt, 12, of Lyndonville and defending swine master showman Ruth Kuipers, 15, of Byron. They used swine sticks to help guide and control the animals.

Isabel won the showman title with the judge praising her for maintaining her intensity throughout the competition. Isabel kept a hunched over posture throughout it, while keeping her eyes focused on the judge. She received loud applause when she was declared the winner.

She qualifies for the grand master showman competition on Friday when the top showmen from nine species of livestock have to show all of the species.

David Schultheis, the swine judge, said he was duly impressed by the 4-Hers at the swine show.

“What outstanding showmanship and what a drive we had out here,” he said.

Melissa O’Connor, left, has written a novel, The One and Only Vivian Stone.

MEDINA – Melissa O’Connor of Buffalo has chosen Author’s Note in Medina for the initial book signing to launch her debut novel, The One and Only Vivian Stone, published by Simon and Schuster.

O’Connor heard about Author’s Note at 519 Main St. from her husband’s parents, who live near Oakfield. She will discuss and sign copies of her novel at 7 p.m. July 28.

O’Conner has a literary background, having been editor of a higher education publishing firm until deciding to stay home with her children, now ages 10 and 13.

“I have wanted to write since I was 9 years old, and wrote a short story at Thanksgiving from the viewpoint of a turkey,” O’Connor said. “When I graduated from college, I tried to write several times, but it was bad and I was turned down. I kept trying and stopping. I don’t know what clicked in my early 30s, but one time my husband was on an overnight trip for work and I pulled out my computer, and the words just kept flowing.”

Although The One and Only Vivian Stone is her first published novel, she has written four overall.

This book was inspired by “I Love Lucy,” O’Connor said. “I was obsessed with her show. I had gone to the Lucy and Desi Museum when I found out they had gotten a divorce. I had loved how they were a couple on and off the screen and didn’t understand how this couple who appeared to have it all, didn’t. They had this successful show, and I thought, ‘What do you do when your co-star is your estranged husband.’ Do you stay with the show and make America happy, or do you make yourself happy.”

O’Connor said it took her six weeks to write the book and four months to edit it. She got an agent’s offer, unbelievably, within a week.

“It was a case of having the right story at the right time going across the right desk,” she said.

In her book, O’Conner weaves a dual narrative from the novel The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and the television show “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” in which estranged lovers reconnect over mysterious tapes found in an attic and the old Hollywood secret hidden within them.

New York Times bestselling author Abby Jimenez calls the book “intriguing, sparkling with wit and suspenseful in all the right places,” and Booklist called it “a captivating blend of romance and mystery that will keep readers eagerly turning pages.”

O’Connor became obsessed with stories involving family secrets, betrayal and forbidden love after being given a box of used V.C. Andrews books at the age of 10.

When not writing now, O’Connor can usually be found cheering on her kids’ hockey teams and sneaking words on the page between games.

O’Connor shared she is working on a new novel about the music industry, inspired by Carly Simon’s You’re so Vain.

During her visit to Author’s Note on July 28, she will not only sign copies and read from her book, but will answer questions from the audience.

Her book signing will immediately follow Author’s Note Fiction Book Club, which will take place at 6 p.m. instead of its usual start time of 6:30. The One and Only Vivian Stone will be the book club’s August selection for discussion at the bookstore on Aug. 25 at the regular time of 6:30 p.m.

Book clubs and Author’s Note events are open to the public, according to owner and New York Times’ best-selling author Julie Berry.

Copies of the One and Only Vivian Stone are available at Author’s Note or online at www.authorsnote/com/events. Those unable to attend may order signed copies of the book to be picked up at the store or shipped free by logging on to the above website or calling (585) 798-3642.

BATAVIA – Genesee Community College has announced the students from Orleans County on the Dean’s List for the spring semester. There are 198 students from GCC in total named to Dean’s List.

Students honored on the Dean’s List have maintained full or part-time enrollment and earned a quality point index of 3.50 to 3.74.

The honored students from Orleans County include:

• Haley Shaffer of Lyndonville
• Marah Ritzenthaler of Medina
• Amber Stawicki of Medina
• Casey Conrad of Albion
• Rebecca Smith of Albion
• Mckenzie Olmstead of Albion
• Lauren Rissew of Albion
• Micah Martin of Albion
• Rebekah MacNeill of Kendall
• Clancy Frearson of Kendall
• Abigael Delobbe-Scott of Lyndonville
• Catherine Wolck of Albion
• Alivia Fidanza of Albion
• Leeyah Rechtsiegel of Holley
• Jacqueline O’Grady of Holley
• Crystopher Labonoski of Kendall
• Travis Baldwin of Kent
• Tyrell Wright of Knowlesville

Photos by Tom Rivers

KNOWLESVILLE – The Orleans County 4-H Fair is always game for new contests to test the prowess of the public. On Monday, the fair held its first ever corn of the cob eating contest.

In the top photo, Luke Gregoire (left), and Vinnie Snell chomp on corn on the cob that was provided by Rush’s in Waterport.

There were nine competitors in the corn on the cob eating contest. They are introduced by Kayla Dengler, right, the emcee of the event. From right to left going down the table include sisters Madison and Reagan Flor, Michael Decker, Katie Oakes, John and Vinnie Snell, Luke Gregoire, and Michael and Jason Clark.

Michael Clark, 21, of Kendall won the event, gobbling 4 ½ ears of corn in only 3 minutes. Michael said the corn was hot but he didn’t let that slow him down.

“I ignored the heat and pain and just kept munching,” he said.

His father sat next to him and came in second with 4 ears of corn consumed.

John Snell of Albion came in third with 3 ½ ears of corn eaten. He is next to his son, Vinnie.

Madison Flor, 25, of Albion was able to eat 3 ears of corn in 3 minutes. “It sounded like fun and it was fun,” she said.

She is next to her sister, Reagan, while Kayla Dengler announced the action.

There are some other unusual contests at the fair including a rubber chicken throwing contest at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, a rooster crowing competition at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, a Mom Calling Contest at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, and some others. Click here to see the full fair schedule.

Photos by Tom Rivers

KNOWLESVILLE – Nick Fitzak raising the American flag while other veterans join at opening ceremonies of the Orleans County 4-H Fair on Monday evening.

Veterans for many years have led a flag-raising ceremony for the start of the fair.

Next to Fitzak are Dave Kuzmierszak, at left, and Tom Snyder.

State Assemblyman Steve Hawley said fairs help celebrate agriculture’s critical importance to the local and state-wide economy.

The 2022 Ag Census put the farm revenue in Orleans County at $233.6 million, the 15th most of 62 counties in the state. Cayuga is the top-ranked county at $461.9 million.

State-wide, the ag revenues totaled $8.04 billion in 2022.

Hawley also invited veterans to consider going on the next Patriot Trip to Washington, DC from Sept. 19-22.

These veterans provided a dignified presence at opening ceremonies for the fair.

JW Cook, the Finger Lakes region representative for Gov. Kathy Hochul, touted NY’s investments in rural New York, including $11 million to broadband Internet expansion in Orleans County.

Caton Conde, president of the board for the Cornell Cooperative Extension, praised a team of staff and volunteers that have worked on the fair all year. Conde was an active 4-H member when she was a kid. She said the fair is a showcase for 4-Hers and their projects.

Fair manager Marty Zwifka said the fairgrounds have new bathrooms/showers, and a full slate of entertainment.

This week’s fair also changes the admission, from per car to a $10 admission fee per person that is good all week. The parking lot off Wood Road also is being used for vendors with the public lot shifted to the side by Taylor Hill Road, the second entrance off Route 31.

Lynne Johnson, Orleans County Legislature chairwoman, said the fair is a chance for local youth to make memories that will last a lifetime.

A parade through the grounds included Orly the Ox in the Gator, 4-H members and their dogs, and a Ridgeway fire truck.

Photos by Tom Rivers: Maevyn Ham, 6, of Holley is delighted by all the bubbles from the Amazing Bubble Factory. She is shown just before the 8:30 p.m. show on Monday.

8 a.m. – 4-H English Horse Show at Carlos Marcello Arena

9 a.m. to 11 a.m. – 4-H Senior Council Stand Breakfast Hours at 4-H Senior Council Stand

10 a.m. – 4-H Dairy Goat Show at Livestock Show Arena

10 a.m. – Horticulture I.D. Contest at Center Stage

11 a.m. – Senior Council 4-H Food Booth Hamburgers, Hots, and Cold Drinks. Proceeds support teen award trips and programs. 4-H Senior Council Stand

11 a.m. to 3 p.m. – 4-H Rabbit and Cavy Showmanship at Wachob Pavilion

Elizabeth Dresser competes in the swine showmanship competition on Monday, which featured 51 4-Hers with pigs, about double the participants from recent years.

12 p.m. – Paid public admission begins, Buildings open to the public. Taylor Hill Road Parking Lots

1 to 3 p.m. – 4-H Rabbit and Cavy Knowledge Contest at Wachob Pavilion

4 p.m. – Dog Grooming and Handling: Junior Judging

4 p.m. – 4-H Leaders’ Pie Stand Opens at Pie Stand

5 to 10 p.m. – Main Event Amusements $35 Unlimited Ride Wristbands during this session at Midway

5 to 6 p.m. – Basketball Free Throw Contest at JCH of Buffalo Food Court

5 to 10 p.m. – Agrigolf. Miniature Golf with an agriculture twist. Trolley Building Lawn

Orly the Ox leads a parade on Monday in a gator driven by Abby Smith of the Cornell Cooperative Extension. They are followed from a big group of 4-H’ers and their dogs.

6 p.m. – K9s In Flight: Free entertainment!  Knight’s Building Lawn

6 p.m. – 4-H Dairy Cattle Show at Livestock Show Arena

6 p.m. – 4-H Rabbit and Cavy Show Costume, Pet and Cloverbud Classes at Wachob Pavilion

6 p.m. – K9s In Flight: Free entertainment!  Knight’s Building Lawn

6:30 p.m. – Free Entertainment: The Amazing Bubble Factory at Cattle Barn Lawn

6:30 p.m. – Small Fry Pedal Tractor Pull- Registration ends 15 minutes before event. JCH of Buffalo Tent

7 p.m. – 4-H Rabbit and Cavy Show, Breed Classes at Wachob Pavilion

7 p.m. – Down Home Country Cloggers Dance Group at Orleans Hub Stage

8 to 10 p.m. – Orleans County 4-H Fair $1,000 Karaoke Challenge at Orleans Hub Stage

8:30 p.m. – Free Entertainment: The Amazing Bubble Factory at Cattle Barn Lawn

10 p.m. – Buildings Close – Goodnight Fair

Aim High Canines put on a show with dogs leaping to catch frisbees and do other acrobatic feats.

MEDINA – The Medina school district announced it will continue providing free breakfasts and lunches to all students this school year.

Medina has been offering free breakfast and lunch to all students the past seven years through the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) of the National School Breakfast/Lunch Program.

The CEP program provides the opportunity for schools in high poverty areas to provide two nutritious meals every school day, while eliminating the stigma for those students previously identified as “low income.”

The CEP began in 2011 with three states piloting the program and then became a nationwide program in 2014. To be eligible for CEP at least 40 percent of students must be identified as “directly certified” for free meals without a meal application through programs such as SNAP, TANF and Medicaid. Medina school district has met this eligibility guideline.

For additional information about the program, contact the following:

• Medina Jr/Sr High School – Michael Cavanagh, Principal at 585-798-2700 ext. 1
• Clifford Wise Intermediate School – Jennifer Stearns, Principal at 585-798-2700 ext. 2
• Oak Orchard Primary School – Julie Schiavone, Principal at 585-798-2700 ext. 3

MEDINA – Orleans Community Health continues to expand and add services with the announcement of the opening of a gastrointestinal clinic at Medina Memorial Hospital in August.

The clinic will be led by Dr. Saman Chubineh, a board-certified gastroenterologist with more than a decade of experience in diagnosing and treating a broad range of gastrointestinal conditions.

“We continue to grow and expand specialty services to better serve our rural community,” said Marc Shurtz, CEO of Orleans Community Health. “The addition of Dr. Chubineh and the Medina GI Clinic is another step toward making high-quality, local care more accessible to the people who rely on us.”

Dr. Chubineh received his medical degree from SUNY Downstate College of Medicine after graduating magna cum laude with departmental honors from New York University. He is also board certified in internal medicine, having trained at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset.

After a year directing the hospitalist program at Eastern Niagara University, he completed his fellowship in gastroenterology at the University of Connecticut and has been practicing as a board-certified gastroenterologist since 2013. His work has been published in several peer-reviewed journals, and he is dedicated to providing thorough, evidence-based care, according to a news released from Orleans Community Health.

Patients visiting the Medina GI Clinic will see Dr. Chubineh personally for both office visits and procedures, ensuring continuity and a high level of personalized care, said Scott Robinson, director of Marketing, Communication and Outreach.

The clinic will initially operate on the first Thursday of each month, with plans to expand as needed.

“Patients deserve access to high-quality specialty care without having to travel far, and we’re proud to offer that here in Medina,” Dr. Chubineh said.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (716) 240-2296.