Photos by Natalie Baron: From left include Pat Harrington, Owen Eichensehr, special guest Hayden Fogle and Paul L. Yates. Harrington expressed gratitude to the audience for their attendance during an evening with an air quality alert.

By Natalie Baron, correspondent

MEDINA – Blue Thursdays kicked off its first concert at State Street Park on Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. following three cancellations in the weeks before.

The Pat Harrington Trio, which plays around WNY, was joined by award-winning guitarist Hayden Fogle. Along with performing in The Pat Harrington Trio and the Pat & Own Duo, Harrington tours both nationally and internationally and is the lead guitarist for the award-winning band Victor Wainwright & The Train. Special guest Fogle is the grand prize victor in the 2018 Lee Ritenour/Yamaha Music International Guitar Contest for the Blues Category against contestants from 50 countries.

Hayden Fogle feels the groove. Paul L. Yates is all smiles.

The audience braved the hazy, campfire-like weather for an evening filled with music. This follows cancellations due to other unfortunate weather that would have featured the bands the Dave Viterna Group, the Growlers Blues Band, and Miller and the Other Sinners.

Blue Thursdays usually brings by 600-800 people per concert. The turnout was excellent considering the weather. This is a testament to the joy these concerts bring the community.

Blue Thursdays run from 6 to 8 p.m. and are free of charge. As always, there were many food and beverage vendors at the concert, and there was even a vendor selling crocheted goods. The concerts are organized by The Print Shop and Orleans Renaissance Group, showing off blues talents from the Rochester and Buffalo regions. The sound that evening was done by Curly Pfalzer of Pro Sound and Lighting.

The music combined with the bounce house and the playground made this a great evening out for families.

Other performances from the Pat Harrington Trio, The Pat & Own Duo, or additional groups featuring Harrington include July 18 at Heron Hill Winery at 3 p.m., July 19 at 42 North Brewing Company at 4 p.m., and August 14 at Top of the Bay Tex Mex Bar and Bistro at 6 p.m.

Blue Thursdays will continue on July 23 with the Eric Weinholtz Band and wrap on August 6 with Grosh. There are no rain dates.

District makes $266,495 in cuts after budget was rejected twice

Photo by Tom Rivers: Dan Dragula, the Lyndonville school business administrator, goes over a contingency budget during Tuesday’s Lyndonville Board of Education meeting.

LYNDONVILLE – The Board of Education has approved $266,495 in cuts needed for the district to adopt a contingency budget.

Lyndonville adopted the $18,927,505 in a unanimous board vote on Tuesday. The district twice presented a $19,194,000 budget to the public. It was rejected on May 19 by a 172-129 vote, and then again on June 16 with a 327-292 vote.

The district worked to whittle down expenses that aren’t legally required or necessary to maintain the educational program, and not needed to protect the health and safety of students and staff. These contingency expenses could be equipment purchases, optional program enhancements, subsidized community use of school facilities and other discretionary expenditures.

The budget preserves all educational programs for students, and keeps all of the extracurricular programs and sports, including at the modified, junior varsity and varsity levels.

Lyndonville made the cuts from the following areas: $57,000 from administrative expenses; $52,000 from general instruction; $40,000 from operations; $21,118 from special education; $20,600 from library, media and technology; $20,000 from pupil services; $17,746 from Board of Education; $11,000 from Athletics; $8,200 from Central Administration; $7,331 from Instructional Administration/Staff Development; $7,000 from Finance; $3,500 from Community Services; and $1,000 from Transportation.

No new equipment purchases are allowed. Lyndonville zapped $108,600 in equipment purchases with $10,000 from elementary school, $20,000 from high school, $6,000 from music program, $40,000 from building maintenance and upkeep, $600 from library/AV equipment, $20,000 in computer equipment, $11,000 in athletics equipment, and $1,000 from garage equipment.

The board cut conferences and training programs, including for the Board of Education. The budget cuts $20,000 for part-time psychologist intern, and $27,000 in public information services. The Applegram newsletter may not be in print, and instead be online.

Lyndonville Board of Education members Patrick Whipple, left, and Vern Fonda are shown at the recent board meeting. Whipple said he was concerned about the budget cuts for curriculum development and teacher training.

“Not only does this hamper the coming year, but it reverberates from here on out,” Whipple said.

The main focus of the district is education and the contingency budget does weaken the district’s educational program due to the continuing education cuts for teachers.

“That compounds,” Whipple said. “It effects this year’s kids and next year’s. Teachers won’t be honing their craft.”

Whipple also said he was concerned by a reduction of $32,000 in the district line item for legal expenses from $72,000 to $40,000. He said “an increasingly litigious society” could warrant more legal costs for Lyndonville.

“We’re crossing our fingers we won’t need them as much,” Dragula said about the legal costs. If Lyndonville needs to spend more, Dragula said the district would need to find the money in another part of the budget.

Board member James Houseman said any outside groups using Lyndonville facilities should be responsible for any damaged equipment. The baseball and soccer leagues already do that, but the it should be spelled out for all outside groups, board members said.

The contingency budget continues all current community use programs except a $3,500 non-subsidized use of the fitness center. The other programs don’t have a line item cost to the district.

Houseman and board members said Lyndonville should consider fees for use of ball fields, the gym and other facilities. The Lyndonville Facility and Finance Committees will consider if there should be a charge in the future.

District Superintedent Dr. Heather Lyon goes over the district’s code of conduct. She addressed the contingency budget challenges. She said it will be “an ongoing conversation through the school year. She wants serving students and their needs to remain the focus.

“Our students didn’t get to vote but they are impacted by the vote,” she said.

Dr. Lyon has secured some assistance to help with student and teacher supplies in the coming year. The continency budget allows for some teacher supplies, but can’t cover students supplies, such as crayons, pencils, paper and erasers.

Hope Resales in Lyndonville has donated $500 to the district to help with needs due to the budget cutbacks. The ladies of Charity gave $1,600 for student supplies.

The Teachers’ Desk in Buffalo is welcoming Lyndonville teachers this school year to come to the site and pick up needed supplies for free.

Lyndonville was accepted after qualifying for assistance partly due to its high free and reduced lunch rate of 56 percent, Lyon said.

Isabella Brevet, the student representative on board, spoke during Tuesday’s meeting and urged the Board to keep as many programs and services for students as possible.

Provided photos: These inflatable bounce houses are away the items in the carnival zone on Saturday at Bullard Park.

ALBION – A fundraiser sponsored by Christina Nenni and Michelle Wiseman from Best of Tymes Party Rentals will take place from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday at Bullard Park for Hospice of Orleans.

The event also is in memory of Gertie Montulli, who passed away at age 61 on Nov. 9, 2025. She was Wiseman’s best friend and Gertie sold her flavored popcorn at many community events.

A $5 wrist band will admit entrants for the day to play in the carnival zone. More than 30 vendors will be there, along with a food truck and Best of Tymes Party Rentals, who will have all their new inflatable games set up with Rowdy Rentalz bounce houses for all ages.

Kz Characters will be there with Ninja Turtle for photos and meet and greet. Monster Energy Drinks team will also be there to hand out free monster drinks and swag. A petting zoo will have llamas and other animals. In addition, balloon artists will do air-raising events, and there will be face painting. The Kitchen will be there with soul food.

Other features will be free haircuts, tattoos and face painting.

“There will be something for everyone,” Nenni said.

For the older crowd, there will be a basket raffle and 50/50 drawing.

Key Bank is going to match what they raised up to $2,000.

“Hospice is such an amazing organization and is near and dear to my heart and Michelle’s,” Nenni said.

Nenni said her grandmother was served by Hospice in the residence on Route 31. The family is very grateful for the care of her grandmother by Hospice.

“I wouldn’t have survived without them,” Nenni said.

Wiseman said Hospice cared for her mother, with nurses coming to her home and providing exceptional care.

Kim Stawicki sent in this photo from this morning at Glenwood Lake in Medina.

An air quality alert has been issued for the third straight day for Orleans County due to the wildfire smoke.

Air quality levels in outdoor air are predicted to be greater than an Air Quality Index value of 150 for fine particulates.

The air quality alert is in effect until midnight and includes Western New York.

“When pollution levels are elevated, the New York State Department of Health recommends that individuals consider limiting strenuous outdoor physical activity to reduce the risk of adverse health effects,” the DOH said. “People who may be especially sensitive to the effects of elevated levels of pollutants include the very young and those with pre-existing respiratory problems such as asthma or heart disease.”

The high temperature today in Orleans County is forecast to be 83 with an overnight low of 68.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – These kids enjoy the Bubble Foam Pit on Wednesday during the Countywide Rec Day at Bullard Park in Albion. The Genesee Orleans Ministry of Concern brought the foam pit and made it available for free.

There were about 350 kids at the Rec day on Wednesday. The park program is closed today due the air quality alert.

Rosie Friedl, back right, operates the foam pit. This is the third event the Ministry of Concern has brought it to this year, making it available for free. Friedl is the youth coordinator for GOMOC.

These kids enjoy the bounce houses at the park. Kids could play in the b9unce houses for free.

The Genesee Orleans County Ministry of Concern, Salvation Army, Knights of Columbus No.1330 and Village of Albion Recreation Department teamed up to put on the event, which also the Albion masonic Lodge serving more than 500 hot dogs for free as well as French fries.

These kids are in the spray park waiting for the big bucket to dump water on them.

The park offered many games and activities, including tug of war.

These children play Gaga Ball.

John Grillo, the Albion recreation director for over 50 years, was the main organizer of the the Rec Day which was open to kids throughout Orleans County and also the rec programs at Elba and Byron Bergen.

Some of the kids took a break from the fast-paced action and opted to paint rocks under the pavilion.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – LCM Contracting, owned by Lucas Silversmith in Medina, works on a new concessions stand at Bullard Park in Albion. These photos are from Wednesday, the second day LCM was on the job.

The new concessions stand will be 15 by 20 feet and 16 feet tall with a second floor press box. The building will have tan-colored walls and a brown roof.

The Albion Youth Sports Athletic Program has been doing fundraisers and collecting donations for the project, which will cost about $25,000 to $30,000.

The concessions stand will be available for other organizations, not just the youth football program, village officials said.

Photo by Tom Rivers: Roland J. Martin is recognized during Tuesday’s Shelby Town Board meeting for his upcoming 100th birthday on Aug. 9. His daughter Margaret is at right. 

SHELBY – The Shelby Town Board has issued a proclamation recognized Roland J. Martin for his 100th birthday on August. 9 and for his 50 years of service to his community.

Martin joined the U.S. Army in 1945 during his senior year in high school. At the end of World War II, he stayed in the Army as part of the Occupation of Japan, Shelby officials stated in a proclamation.

He married Alice Knights in 1956 and they moved to Martin Road, raising their children, William and Margaret.

“Roland has been a life-long resident of the Town of Shelby and is the fourth generation to farm his family’s land,” the proclamation states.

He served as a trustee on the session of the Medina First Presbyterian Church.

“He has lived his life as a man of integrity, kindness and continues to inspire his family and all who are lucky enough to know him,” Town Supervisor Jim Hemingway stated while reading the proclamation.

ALBION – The Albion summer recreation program is cancelled today due to the air quality alert.

The volleyball camp also will be cancelled for today.

The summer rec program is expected to be back on Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Bullard Park.

Robyn Ottaviano sent in this photo she took of people out enjoying Glenwood Lake in Medina on Wednesday despite the hazy sky. “Very eerie yellowish sky and it smells like smoke,” she said.

The State Department of Environmental Conservation has issued another Air Quality Health Advisory today due to fine particulates. The advisory include Orleans County and all of New York State. The advisory lasts until midnight and follows an air quality alert from Wednesday.

Air quality levels in outdoor air are predicted to be greater than an Air Quality Index value of 200 for fine particulates, the DEC said.

 When pollution levels are elevated, the NYS Department of Health recommends that individuals consider limiting strenuous outdoor physical activity to reduce the risk of adverse health effects.

“People who may be especially sensitive to the effects of elevated levels of pollutants include the very young and those with pre-existing respiratory problems such as asthma or heart disease,” the DEC said.

In Orleans County, today is forecast to be mostly sunny with a high of 82.

Robyn Ottaviano also took this sunrise photo on Wednesday morning. The wildfire smoke affected the sky in the morning.

Local runners, walkers welcome to join Brett Sobieraski at local high school tracks

Photos by Tom Rivers: Brett Sobieraski is shown this morning at the Albion High School track where he plans to run 55 miles or 220 laps on Saturday. He is joined by Renee Hungerford, left, and Jackie Dunham, two leaders of Community Action of Orleans & Genesee. Sobieraski will conclude an 8-day fundraiser the following Saturday with 15 more miles around the Albion track.

ALBION – Brett Sobieraski has swum across Lake Ontario, completed 50 marathons every day for 50 days, and run 175 miles along the Erie Canal.

The Carlton resident has a new endurance challenge: running 400 miles over eight days – 55 miles each of the first seven days with a final 15 miles on day 8.

That new challenge starts on Saturday morning at the Albion High School track. Sobieraski will be running at local high school tracks over the eight days. His goal is to raise $20,000 for Community Action of Orleans & Genesee, and to hopefully unite local residents during what he said is a time of divisiveness.

“I wanted to do an event to bring the community together,” Sobieraski said this morning at the Albion track. “Instead of condemnation, let’s celebrate.”

He welcomes people to join him on the track, even if it’s one lap – walking or jogging.

Sobieraski expects he will be running 220 laps for about 12 hours each of the first seven days, while the final day of 15 miles should be about 3 hours of running.

Each day he will start at 7 a.m., except the final day on July 25 that begins at 8 a.m.

The schedule includes:

• Saturday, July 18 – Albion High School for 55 miles
• Sunday, July 19 – Lyndonville HS for 55 miles
• Monday, July 20 – Batavia HS for 55 miles (7 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
• Tuesday, July 21 – East Rochester HS for 55 miles (Special Remembrance Day for Fallen Officers)
• Wednesday, July 22 – Kendall HS for 55 miles
• Thursday, July 23 – Medina HS for 55 miles
• Friday, July 24 – Holley HS for 55 miles
• Saturday, July 25 – Albion HS (8 a.m. to 11 a.m.) for the grand finale of 15 miles

Community Action representatives will be there each day to share about the agency’s mission, and also to collect donations. Sobieraski has raised $3,366 online so far from 51 donors. Click here for more on donating online, or to register to join on the track. People don’t need to register to walk or run with him at the track. They can simply show up.

Renee Hungerford, the Community Action chief executive officer, said she appreciates Sobieraski willingness to highlight the work of the agency, and to raise money at a time when Community Action faces funding cuts.

“Our agency has helped individuals and families build stronger futures,” Hungerford said. “Every day, our dedicated team provides services that touch lives across our region – from Head Start and early childhood education programs to food assistance, transportation services, weatherization and energy programs, housing support, workforce development, youth services, and much more.”

Brett Sobieraski has been training for months for the 400-mile run over eight days from July 18 to July 25.

Sobieraski said Community Action offers a “hand up” and not a handout in assisting people in overcoming some barriers and hardships.

“They stand out for all the great things they do,” he said about the agency.

Jackie Dunham, the director of operations for Community Action, has helped coordinate the Community Action 400 event with Sobieraski. The two have been friends for several years.

The agency will have copies of the two books by Sobieraski for sale, and well as T-shirts about the Community Action 400. There also will be items up for raffle, including a cleat from new Buffalo Bills linebacker Bradley Chubb.

Sobrieski, a retired Rochester Police sergeant, currently works as an investigator for the Orleans County Major Felony Crimes Task Force. He also is a member of this year’s Leadership Orleans class.

He has completed endurance challenges before. In 2015, he swam 32 miles across Lake Ontario for a charity that helps support the surviving spouses and children of fallen soldiers. In 2018, he ran over 175 miles for 50 hours nonstop to raise money and awareness for Special Olympics.

In 2023, Sobieraski announced he would be running a marathon every day for 48 days, traveling on foot from Florida and Rochester, going 26.2 miles a day. He would run the marathons to honor the memory of Rochester police officer Anthony “Maz” Mazurkiewicz who was killed in the line of duty on July 21, 2022. Sobieraski also sought to raise $100,000 for Mazurkiewicz’s family.

That goal was expanded to 50 marathons in 50 days, and Sobieraski would raise $110,000 for the family. In the last 5K of the final marathon, 850 people joined him in Rochester.

Sobieraski turned 60 yesterday. He said the distance will take a toll on his body. If people join him on the track, it will help him to keep moving.

“Having anyone, even strangers, come out will be a giant pick-me-up,” he said.

Town Board seeks to make the positions be appointed

Photo by Tom Rivers: Dale Root, the Shelby highway superintendent, speaks during Tuesday’s Town Board meeting, going over a monthly report for the Highway Department.

SHELBY – The Town Board will give voters the chance to decide whether the town keeps the town clerk and highway superintendent as elected positions or instead changes to having those officials be appointed by the Town Board.

The issue will be on the ballot during the Nov. 3 election, with each position its own referendum. In Orleans County, all 10 towns currently have the town clerk and highway superintendent as elected positions. In the four villages, the clerk and DPW superintendent are appointed.

During a June 30 public hearing, many of the speakers opposed the change proposed by Shelby, saying it would take away residents’ voting rights to pick the officials in those two jobs.

But Town Board members say residents will still have in a say in how those jobs are filled by who they elect to be on the Town Board.

Town Supervisor Jim Heminway said the appointment process would better ensure highly qualified people would serve as town clerk and highway superintendent.

Some of the speakers during the June 30 public hearings said the local Republican Committees in Orleans County are ultimately the ones that decide who serves in the key town positions.

Republicans have a 2-to-1 enrollment advantage over Democrats, making it difficult for a Democrat to get elected. It is also very challenging to run as an upstart Republican candidate without the committee’s backing, some of the speakers said.

Several town highway superintendents and town clerks also spoke at the hearing, saying it is better for the community to have elected people in those jobs, who ultimately answer to residents and not the Town Board.

The referendums will ask voters whether they support abolishing the highway superintendent and town clerk as elected positions and then create a hired  office of town clerk and hired office of highway superintendent.

Town Councilman John Pratt said the voters will decide if the positions remain elected or not.

“It’s not taking your vote away,” Pratt said during Tuesday’s Town Board meeting. “You have a choice when you cast your ballot in November. The board believes you will get the most for your tax dollars by voting for this change. If you’re happy with the current system as it is, then vote against it (the change).”

Photo by Tom Rivers: Aaron D’Angelo walks out of the courtroom in the Orleans County Courthouse this morning after being arraigned before Judge Sanford Church. D’Angelo is being held without bail in the Orleans County Jail.

ALBION – The man who allegedly stabbed two brothers in February, killing one and seriously wounding the other, was arraigned in Orleans County Court today.

Aaron D’Angelo, 36, of Medina was charged with murder and attempted murder after two brothers were stabbed on Feb. 7 in Shelby.

D’Angelo allegedly caused the death of Dale R. Lang, 65, who was pronounced deceased at the scene, 4643 South Gravel Road (Route 63).

His brother John Lang, 67, also suffered multiple stab wounds and was transported to Medina Memorial Hospital and then Erie County Medical Center. John Lang has recovered after being stabbed about 20 times.

D’Angelo was arraigned in county court this morning for second-degree murder, attempted murder in the second degree, first-degree assault, menacing a police officer and criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree.

He also was arraigned on a separate indictment from November for second-degree strangulation, and two counts of criminal contempt in the first degree, for allegedly choking his mother and violating orders of protection she had against him.

County Court Judge Sanford Church continued to have D’Angelo be held in the county jail without bail for the murder and attempted murder charges. For the charges against his mother, D’Angelo is being held on $50,000 cash bail, $100,000 bond and $200,000 partially secured bond.

Public Defender Joanne Best is representing D’Angelo. She asked for “reasonable bail,” saying he has always shown up for his court appearances.

D’Angelo has been in the county jail since his arrest. There was a 730 exam to determine his mental capacity and he was found to be competent, District Attorney Susan Howard said.

D’Angelo is next scheduled to appear in county court on July 29 for a conference.

Photo by Tom Rivers: Connor Jurs, 13, of Kent holds one of the fish he caught last year during the Danny Spierdowis Memorial Kids’ Fishing Derby. There were 67 participants last year. Prizes go to kids who catch the most fish by cumulative weight and also for the longest fish. There are different age divisions.

Press Release, Albion Sportsmen’s Association

ALBION – Free fishing. Free food and drinks. Lots of prizes.

What better way to spend a Saturday.

The 30th Annual Danny Spierdowis Memorial Kids’ Fishing Derby will be from 9 a.m. to noon Aug. 1 at Albion Sportsmen’s Association on Keitel Road. Pre-registration begins at 8:30.

The derby is open to Orleans County residents only, ages 16 and under, with prizes given to all entrants and special prizes awarded to the winners in all age groups and categories. Last year, 18 children won fishing poles and all entrants received gift bags of tackle and candy.

The not-for-profit club provides drinks and lunch to all the children and parents.

The derby is named in honor of Danny Spierdowis, who died at age 19 in a car crash Jan. 20, 1990.

Anyone wishing to participate in the derby must register by July 28 by calling or texting Scott DeSmit at 585-815-5150. You can also email him at desmitmail@yahoo.com. Please provide the names and ages of the children and the number of adults attending.

An air quality alert has been issued beginning midnight tonight through midnight Wednesday night for Orleans County due to wildfire smoke from northern Minnesota and Canada.

The air quality alert much of Western New York, Central New York and eastern Lake Ontario region.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation issued the advisory due to an Air Quality Index value of 135 for fine particulates in the outdoor air. The higher the AQI value, the greater the health concern, the DEC said.

When pollution levels are elevated, the State Department of Health recommends that individuals consider limiting strenuous outdoor physical activity to reduce the risk of adverse health effects.

“People who may be especially sensitive to the effects of elevated levels of pollutants include the very young and those with pre-existing respiratory problems such as asthma or heart disease,” the DOH said. “Those with symptoms should consider consulting their personal physician.”

The highs the next few days include 89 on Wednesday, 86 on Thursday, 83 on Friday and 85 on Saturday.