MEDINA – Dave Kusmierczak, left, accepts a $2,400 check on behalf of the Orleans County Joint Veterans Council from Dave Berry, president of the VFW Auxiliary to Lincoln Post 1483.
The van service is utilized by the veterans who need rides to medical appointments. They are taken to appointments by volunteer drivers.
The VFW Auxiliary 1483 held a chicken barbecue in May to support some of the programs the veterans and service members use in the community. The VFW Auxiliary would like to thank the community for supporting their Chicken BBQ, making this donation possible.
Dave Berry, president of the VFW Auxiliary to Lincoln Post 1483, is shown with one of the vans used to take veterans to medical appointments.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 August 2025 at 3:48 pm
ALBION – The wet weather and threat of more rain has prompted the cancellation of this evening’s concert at Bullard Park.
Today was a rain date from Aug. 6. The Sky Cats were scheduled to perform. The band cannot do a make up next week, so the summer concert series has concluded, said John Grillo, Albion’s recreation director.
He already is working on the lineup for next year.
“We’re looking forward to the 2026 season,” he said.
Sarah Beckler competes in FrogTape Paintover Challenge
Photos courtesy of FrogTape Paintover Challenge: Sarah Beckler did this patio makeover with a Mediterranean flair. She painted a checkerboard floor and incorporated textured walls to create a Mediterranean-inspired oasis.
Press Release
Sarah Beckler of Holley is a popular DIY influencer with about 70,000 followers on Instagram.
HOLLEY – Sarah Beckler of Holley is among 10 finalists in a do-it-yourself makeover challenge.
The contest challenges participants to transform their spaces using just $1,000 and FrogTape painter’s tape for a chance to win a $5,000 cash prize and a donation to the charity of their choice. Beckler picked the ARC Glow as the recipient if she is the winner.
From now until September 3, the public can cast their vote for the People’s Choice Award for their chance to win a $1,000 sweepstakes. Additionally, the new GOAT Award – “Greatest of Advanced Tape,” will be given by the brand for the project that demonstrates top craftsmanship.
The contest started as a friendly challenge among DIY influencers and has become a decade-long celebration of colorful creativity. This year, the FrogTape Paintover Challenge is bigger, bolder and ready to crown its first-ever “GOAT.”
Now in its 10th year, the contest invites 10 popular DIY influencers to transform their spaces using just $1,000 and FrogTape painter’s tape for a chance to win up to $10,000 in prizes, aligning with the 10 year anniversary.
The winning influencer will take home a $5,000 cash prize and a $5,000 donation will be made to the charity of their choice.
“For 10 years, we’ve been inspired by the painting perfection from the top DIY influencers around the country,” said Patti LaPorte, Director of Marketing at Shurtape Technologies, LLC, which markets FrogTape brand products. “We’ve been wowed by wainscoting and stunned by stripes – year after year, the Paintover Challenge has proven that you don’t need a big budget or fancy tools for an impactful makeover – just paint, good painter’s tape and a great imagination.”
Participating DIYers shared a room makeover project they think best represents their work for a chance to win. And the submissions are as varied as the influencers and charities of choice. From linen closet glow-ups and textured stair takeovers to spare bedroom makeovers and even a patio floor flip, the influencers put their heart and soul into these projects.
“The inspiring designs and impeccable execution go beyond the paint projects,” LaPorte said. “The charitable component fuels the friendly competition as each influencer strives to donate to a non-profit organization that’s dear to them. Potential charity donations include everything from children’s mentoring programs and dog rescues to suicide prevention and cancer support groups. We’re thrilled that FrogTape can champion such inspiring projects – both in design and in truly impactful causes that make a difference.”
To see all of the 10 finalists and to vote, click here.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 August 2025 at 10:04 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The Orleans County legislature has recognized an Albion business for 50 years of working in the community. Saint-Gobain ADFORS was presented with a “Special Recognition Award” on Tuesday by the Orleans County Legislature. Fred Miller, a county legislator, read the citation and presented it to Saint-Gobain ADFORS employees.
The employees include, from left: Bonnie Johnson, production planner; Diane Varley, development coordinator; Joe Culbertson, logistics manager; Constance Wadsworth, human resources manager; and James Devault, knit operator.
Saint-Gobain Adfors will have a big celebration today at the manufacturing plant at 14770 East Ave.
The business started in Albion in 1975 as Bayex with 13 employees.
“It was built to manufacture technical textiles for the construction industry, manufacturing the consumer drywall tape product FibaTape, along with reinforcement materials sold to other manufacturing companies for the production of cement board, carpet backing, and road reinforcement,” The County legislature stated in its citation.
The company has completed numerous acquisitions and building expansions, now operating out of 181,000 square feet in Albion with 222 employees.
“The investment you have made into Orleans County will forever be widespread, long lasting and extremely appreciated,” legislators said.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 20 August 2025 at 8:47 am
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Phyllis Schrader, center, chair of the Orleans County Veterans’ Van Service, accepts a check from Albion Elks Lodge for $1,000. From left are Mike Jenks, Elks’ Exalted Ruler; Joan and Marv Christ and April Flesch, members of the Elks’ Grant Committee; Schrader; Veterans’ Service Agency president David Kusmierczak; and Jack Miles, Ron Boyd and Brad Rouse, Veterans’ Service Agency members.
ALBION – The Albion Elks Club on Monday morning presented a check for $1,000 to the Orleans County Veterans’ Van Service, in what has become an annual tradition.
Albion Elks Exalted Ruler Mike Jenks and Grant Committee members Marv and Joan Christ and April Flesch presented the check to Phyllis Schrader, who heads the Veterans’ Van Service.
The presentation took place outside the Village House, where they were all treated to breakfast afterwards.
Flesch said the Elks has a national foundation which provides Freedom Grants specifically for the benefit of veterans, and this is the third year they have supported Orleans County’s Veterans’ Van Service.
They are currently working to secure a $3,000 grant for the VA Medical Center in Batavia, Flesch said.
One of the ways the Albion Elks raise money to support their community is through chicken barbecues, which this year will also offer hair cuts during the event in September at Carlton Recreation Hall, Flesch said.
Members of Albion Elks Lodge and Orleans County Veterans’ Service Agency posed with the newest van in service after the Elks presented a check for $1,000 on Monday morning to Phyllis Schrader, chair of the Veterans’ Van Service. At left are Elks Exalted Ruler Mike Jenks and Grant Committee members Joan and Marv Christ and April Flesch. At right, with Schrader, are Veterans Service Agency president Dave Kusmierczak and members Jack Miles, Ron Boyd and Brad Rouse.
The Veterans’ Van Service was started in December 1996 by Jim Andre of Kendall, who saw a need, said Phyllis Schrader, head the Veterans’ Van Service. They initially started with one van, and now maintain five in service to transport veterans to medical appointments. Last year, a van was donated by Cooper Funeral Home in Medina, Schrader said.
During July, volunteers made 46 trips to Batavia, 26 to Buffalo and 10 to other locations, logging 2,841 miles total. That brings the total year-to-date to 15,423 miles, Schrader said.
Volunteer drivers and office staff totaled 31, accumulating 2,286 volunteer hours, she said.
Vans are purchased through fundraisers and donations, however, the Buffalo VA pays for repairs and fuel.
Volunteers are always needed in the office and to drive the vans. Anyone interested can call the office at 589-2856.
During the monthly meeting, Veterans’ Service Agency president Dave Kusmierczak reminded members of Assemblyman Steve Hawley’s Patriot Trip for veterans to Washington in September. Donations have been received to help veterans with the cost of the trip.
BATAVIA – “One big family, driven by hope” is the theme for this year’s International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) campaign – the annual observance that includes a local event from 4 to 7 p.m. August 26th at St. Anthony’s in Batavia, hosted by the Genesee-Orleans-Wyoming CARES Alliance.
The world’s largest annual movement to end overdose, IOAD is dedicated to remembering without stigma those who have died and acknowledging the grief of family and friends left behind.
More than 200 community events have been scheduled across the United States and around the world during the month of August to raise awareness of one of society’s worst public health crises.
Initiated in 2001 by Sally J. Finn at The Salvation Army in St. Kilda, Melbourne, Australia, IOAD spreads the message about the tragedy of drug overdose death and that drug overdose is preventable.
Goals of the campaign include:
Providing an opportunity for people to publicly mourn loved ones in a safe environment, some for the first time without feeling guilt or shame.
Providing information about the issue of fatal and non-fatal overdose.
Sending a strong message to current and former people who use drugs that they are valued.
The GOW CARES Alliance ceremony will feature several speakers including Lynda Battaglia, director of Genesee County Mental Health & Community Services; Paul Pettit, public health director for Genesee & Orleans Health Departments; Erin Martin, Pastor at City Church; and Chris Budzinack, Supportive Living counselor at UConnectCare.
The event will feature live music by Groove and a Kid’s Zone. The Kid’s Zone will offer sensory bins to search for prizes, DIY canvas bags, crafts, chalk art, temporary tattoos, and games. They will have snacks, drinks, and ice pops available. The Kid’s Zone will also include a Back to School Bash, providing school supplies for kids in all grades – items like water bottles, book bags, scientific calculators, and other basic school supplies. Funding for school supplies is from Mother Cabrini Health Foundation and JM McDonald Foundation.
Representatives of over 30 nonprofit agencies have been invited to set up booths at the park.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 19 August 2025 at 4:06 pm
MEDINA – The Canal Village Farmers’ Market will have a special feature on Saturday, as they celebrate the family farms who have supported them.
Earlier this month, market manager Gail Miller was trying to figure out how to celebrate National Farmers’ Market Week.
“I wanted to make our market celebration a celebration of the farmers that make up the farmers’ market,” Miller said. “I thought of my own farm history. It was such hard work every day, but my siblings and I remember the fun we had picking cherries with classmates, while WKBW played on the radio, and the long walks in the orchards. I remembered going to the large Buffalo market at 2 a.m. with my father. My family often talks about growing up on the farm, and I thought it would be nice to find out about the history of the market’s farmers.”
Miller knew several of the farms, but wanted to share the history of all the farmers at the market.
“Many friends fondly recall their experiences on family farms, and I hope this will bring back memories for them, as well as allow people who are unfamiliar with farms a chance to get a glimpse of farm life,” Miller said. “It is important to celebrate the farms and farmers who grow our food.”
At the market this Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., there will be a few antique farming implements on display from the Medina Historical Society, Miller’s family farm and another vendor’s father who collects farming equipment. There will also be old pictures and books on display, with a short summary of each farmer’s history on their tables.
There will also be picture opportunities and a chance to speak with the farmers, who will include Baker Farm, Human Farms and Greenhouse, Bower Family Farm and Greenhouse and Rosario Farm, a first-generation farm. History will also be available on Miller’s family farm, the Herbst Farm, and the Larry Jantzi family farm.
“It is my hope that people coming to the market will see that many farms and farmers have been working their farms for a few generations,” Miller said. “Also, that they will note that all of the farms are very local in Orleans and Niagara counties. Hopefully, market visitors will find the displays interesting and educational – showing how labor intensive farming was and continues to be. There is such a rich history of farming in our two counties.”
There will also be a game on Saturday for kids to identify some historical items found at the market.
The Canal Village Farmers’ Market is located at the corner of West Center Street and West Avenue.
HOLLEY – Holley Central School District is hosting homecoming weekend on Sept. 26-27. There are two alumni games scheduled for that weekend and registration is open now for for graduates from the district before 2022.
The Alumni Soccer Game will take place on Friday, Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. at the Sander Soccer Field at The Woodlands. To register to play in the game, complete the registration form (click here).
The Alumni Flag Football Game will take place on Saturday, Sept. 27 at 4:30 p.m. at Hawk Stadium. To register to play in the game, complete the registration form (click here).
Alumni cheerleaders are also welcome to participate in both alumni games. Please contact Heather Kelley for details.
The alumni games are fundraisers for the district, benefitting Interact Club, the Eighth Grade Washington, D.C. Trip Scholarship Fund and Holley Sports Boosters. A voluntary $3 donation will be collected at the entrance from spectators. Concessions will be available. Cash only.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 August 2025 at 11:48 am
Volunteer finds buried memorial brick for Florida woman, one of 400 around the country
Photos by Tom Rivers
POINT BREEZE – This brick is one of about 400 that are placed at lighthouses around the country in honor of Emelee Arbuckle of Melbourne Beach, Fla., who died at age 23 on Dec. 29, 2013 from complications following a motorcycle accident.
Arbuckle was the top coxswain on her high school rowing team. She was also an artist who wanted to teach art to disabled children.
Arbuckle’s family placed the bricks at lighthouses, putting them near iconic buildings that stand close to the water. They are inscribed with her name and nickname, “Bean.”
At the Oak Orchard Lighthouse, the brick was buried near the southwest corner of the 32-foot structure, where the light is shown in this photo.
On Aug. 7, a group of volunteers were digging four holes in rock hard dirt at the lighthouse. Drought conditions made for difficult digging.
The volunteers dumped some water on the dirt, to try to ease the shoveling. They needed to dig the holes for four cannisters that would be part of a new light show display at the museum.
Cheryl Giacherio was digging at the southwest corner when she found the brick with Arbuckle’s name. Museum volunteer Kim Charron cleaned the stone and did some research online about Arbuckle. One article said about four or five of the bricks have been discovered at lighthouses, including one in the water at New Bedford, Mass.
The Oak Orchard Lighthouse Museum intends to keep the brick on display inside the museum where there are brochures and merchandise available about the Oak Orchard Lighthouse.
The lighthouse now has a nightly 30-minute light show that starts a half hour at sunset. In addition to the four cannisters on the ground at the corners, the top of the lighthouse has 192 lights for the show.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 August 2025 at 9:30 am
Photos by Tom Rivers: The Village of Medina has been offered a vacant lot at 115 Pearl St. The site is next to the Hometown Wellness Center.
MEDINA – The village has been offered a 100-by-132 foot vacant lot at 115 Pearl St.
The village can have it for free. It is being offered by 415 West Avenue LLC, which is owned by Dr. Syed Shah, a cardiologist.
Dr. Shah initially offered the land for the Medina Fire Department but that lot isn’t a good fit for the fire department, Mayor Marguerite Sherman said. The village instead could use it as a municipal lot.
The site used to have a structure on it, but that building was taken down several years ago.
The lot is between the Hometown Wellness Center at 119 Pearl St. and MDS Consultants at 105 Pearl St.
The village is doing a deed and title search on the property at 115 Pearl Street to ensure there isn’t a lien on it. That should cost less than $1,000.
The land about a decade ago was owned by Vincent Cardone and the Cardone Family Trust. The lot is currently assessed at $10,200.
The Village Board agreed to not have any citations go to the owner for tall weeds and grass while the property is in the process of being acquired.
The village is doing a title search to make sure there are no liens on the property.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 19 August 2025 at 7:59 am
Ahmed has put on weight, made progress in past year
Provided photos: (Left) Ahmed Cherif, left, and his friend Basheer, son of World Life Institute volunteer Noori Bibi, spend time in a local park. (Right) Ahmed Cherif, a 10-year-old boy from Tunisia, is shown at a benefit for him last year at the Orleans County YMCA. A second “fun”raiser is scheduled there on Sept. 13, organized by the World Life Institute’s Project Life.
MEDINA – World Life Institute’s Project Life has planned a second “Fun”raiser in support of a young boy from Tunisia who is being treated in Western New York for a multitude of health problems.
The Family “Fun”raiser in continued support of 10-year-old Ahmed Cherif is scheduled Sept. 13 at the Orleans County YMCA, 306 Pearl St.
The event, from 1 to 5 p.m., will feature face painting, sit and paint, a bake sale, henna art, international food, a bargain boutique and more, according to Linda Redfield Shakoor, deputy director of Project Life.
Ahmed was born with a club foot and left facial paralysis. He is non-verbal and developmentally delayed. He suffers from allergies and digestive ailments. Growth delays mean he is shorter and weighs much less than typical children his age.
Ahmed Cherif sits on a seat of a Christmas display at Bent’s Opera House during last year’s holiday season.
He and his mother came to the United States in early 2023, seeking medical care that was unavailable in his home country of Tunisia. Since arriving here, Project Life has been supporting them.
“Our ongoing fundraising efforts are focused on raising the funds that are needed to improve all aspects of Ahmed’s quality of life,” Shakoor said.
Since arriving in Western New York, Ahmed has been assessed by many medical specialists and has undergone an array of tests and treatments. It has been determined his difficulties cannot be defined as a single condition or even one isolated syndrome.
In the 12-month period from August 2024 to July 2025 he has seen 25 doctors representing 15 different specialties. His mother has learned his short stature and low weight are caused by rumination syndrome, a digestive condition that makes it very difficult to retain food, leading to malnourishment. Since medications and dietary changes have been implemented, Ahmed has gained 20 pounds and has grown 4 1/2 inches.
In 2024, he went to the dentist for the first time in his life. He had to have his teeth repaired and, in some cases, extracted due to his partial facial paralysis. He is being treated for his allergies and asthma that often prevent him from getting a good night’s sleep.
Overall, Ahmed is much better, said Shakoor. He no longer wears leg braces, and he has grown taller and gained weight. His comprehension in English is better, according to Aspire school in Buffalo. He still does not sleep through the night and cannot speak. He remains under the care of Golisano Children’s Hospital at Strong and receives medical care from numerous doctors.
He clearly has made progress, Shakoor said. Ahmed and his mom will be at the fundraiser, and although his mother’s English is improving, she will be accompanied by a French translator, Marie Delobbe Scott.
The community is encouraged to come and meet Ahmed and his mother and support World Life Institute’s efforts in restoring the little boy to better health and a normal life.
