Photos courtesy of Tim Archer, Albion Interact Club advisor

ROCHESTER – Albion students in the Interact Club spent part of Thursday volunteering at Foodlink in Rochester, sorting and packing 11,500 pounds of food, which will eventually serve over 9,500 needy families in the western New York region.

The students include Kinzie Healy, Annabella Dusharm, Allisyn McQuay, Sutton Sanders, Luci Borello, Izabella Kingdollar, William Fisher and Skye Austin.

Upon returning to Albion, they visited Faith Smith and the Orleans Koinonia Kitchen in Albion, which receives food items from Foodlink for the OK Kitchen’s weekly dinner for local families. The kitchen is located at Harvest Christian Fellowship at 560 East Ave.

The Orleans Koinonia Kitchen is one of hundreds of community partners Foodlink works alongside to address food insecurity.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – A boater enjoys the view on top of a boat on Sept. 28 in Albion near the guard gate just east of the Gaines Basin Road canal bridge.

The boating season came to an end on Wednesday on the 201^st anniversary on the canal’s opening in 1825. This was the 202^nd season the canal was open to boaters. The Canal Corp. anticipates the 203^rd season will open in May.

Albion physical education teacher Bridgette Varin led a group of students in using kayaks on the canal on Sept. 28. The students also took the kayaks to Lake Alice.

These Albion students go kayaking in the canal in Albion on Sept. 28. About a dozen students were able to go kayaking that day.

Photo by Tom Rivers: A field of pumpkins is shown on Thursday near the intersection of West Counythouse Road and Townline Road in Shelby.

The first freeze watch has been issued this season for Orleans County.

The National Weather Service in Buffalo said the freeze watch is in effect from late Saturday night through Sunday morning.

The watch includes Niagara, Orleans, Genesee, Monroe, Wayne, northern Cayuga and northern Erie counties.

The Weather Service said sub-freezing temperatures are possible, especially inland from the Great Lakes.

“Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing,” the Weather Service said.

Photos by Tom Rivers

LYNDONVILLE – The Yates Community Library on Thursday celebrated a new book house next to the library at 15 North Main St.

Tom Wenhold, president of the library’s board of trustees, cuts a ribbon made from pages of discarded books. The ribbon is held by Lynne Johnson, left, the chairwoman of the Orleans County Legislature and a Yates resident; and Heather Rutherford, the library’s director.

“This library is the rock of our community,” Johnson said. “It’s been for many years.”

The new building is 14 by 40 feet. It replaces one that was 12 by 18 feet.

Part of the building is used to sell used books while the back part will have outdoor supplies. Yates Community Library partnered with NYS Department of Environmental Conservation to provide free fishing rod loans through “I Fish NY” and backpacks with binoculars and birding reference materials through “I Bird NY” initiatives.

Wenhold, a physical therapist, said the fishing gear and binoculars should encourage children and adults to get outside and have more physical activity while exploring the natural world, which will be good for their mind and body.

Tom Wenhold holds a ceremonial check for $27,500 that went towards the new building. That grant was awarded from the WNY Rural Library Resources Council using money from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation.

The entire project for the building, electric and the supplies is about $50,000, said Heather Rutherford, the library director. She wrote the grant application for the $27,500.

Tammy Nunciato, grants and office support specialist with the WNY Rural Library Resources Council, said the Ralph C. Wilson Foundation wants to direct more funding to rural communities in WNY. In back from left include Yates library trustees Kateri Moskoluk, Ginny Hughes, Marlie Miller and Tom Wenhold. Other trustees include Jim Watson and Kathy Sillick.

Yates was approved for a grant with its application: “From Shore to Sky: Supplying Our Communities Outdoor Explorers.” The library is right next to Johnson Creek.

The library welcomes teachers, scout leaders, and other educators to check out sets of binoculars, fishing and birding resources, and other nature exploration kits that are geared to be used for larger groups.

Assemblyman Steve Hawley congratulated Yates library officials on the new building and outdoor gear for the community. Hawley presented a certificate of merit to the library.

A representative for State Sen. Rob Ortt presented a citation commending the library for the project, and County Legislature Chairwoman Lynne Johnson presented a certificate of achievement on behalf of the Legislature.

Frank Sykes, executive director of the Nioga Library System, praised the Yates Community Library for the new building and expanding services.

People tour the back section of the new building. Heather Rutherford, the library director, said the outdoor materials will help the community appreciate nature right in the library’s backyard.

“Over time, the library will continue to purchase more active lifestyle materials to investigate bugs, test stream water quality, or create nature journals,” she said. “All of these items promote the library’s mission to provide current materials for education, enjoyment, enrichment, and lifelong learning to local residents.”

The celebration included cookies with the library logo.

Press Release, Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council

BATAVIA – Live performers, musicians, artisans and an imaginative mix of Victorian-inspired curiosities and creations will take over the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds, 12690 Route 31 in Albion on Saturday, Oct. 17 for the Shakesbeer Steampunk Festival.

Presented by GO Art! (Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council), the free, one-day festival will run from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Reimagined for 2026 by GO Art!, the festival blends the theatrical flair of the Shakespearean era with the inventive, retro-futuristic world of steampunk. Visitors are invited to dress up, join in and experience a world where gears grind, tea steams and imagination rules. From tea dueling and trivia to a costume contest, live entertainment and nearly 20 regional artisans, the interactive festival offers plenty of ways for attendees to become part of the experience.

The event pays homage to the beloved steampunk festival originally hosted by Leonard Oakes Estate Winery from 2011 to 2019, while introducing a fresh creative twist inspired by classic literature, performance and fantasy.

“Shakesbeer Steampunk is meant to bring people together to celebrate the arts in a playful, imaginative way,” said Gregory Hallock, executive director of GO Art! “Come in costume, challenge someone to a tea duel or meet the artists behind the handmade creations. There are so many ways to join in, and we hope everyone finds something that sparks their curiosity.”

Festival Activities and Entertainment

Live music and performances will take place throughout the day, alongside an artisan market featuring handmade goods and steampunk-inspired creations. Other festival highlights include:

Interactive Challenges

• Tea Dueling: A beloved steampunk tradition that puts competitors’ biscuit-dunking skills to the test under the watchful eye of Queen Elizabeth I and her Ladies-in-Waiting.
• The Noon-Tide Contest of Cunning: A team trivia competition featuring history, literature, movies, curious facts and unexpected challenges. Free Registration
• Sword Combat and Jousting: Inflatable horse jousting and sword combat for festivalgoers ready for some friendly competition.

Costume Contest

Festival-goers are encouraged to arrive in their finest Shakespearean, steampunk or imaginative attire and enter the Shakesbeer Costume Contest. Free Registration will be open from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., followed by the costume presentation at 4 p.m. Contestants will compete for honors in three categories:

• Best Shakespeare & Steampunk Representation
• Most Creative & Unexpected
• Crowd Favorite

Entertainment

The sights and sounds of ShakesBeer Steampunk will fill the fairgrounds throughout the day with live music, theatrical performances, roaming characters, and immersive entertainment around every corner. Blending Shakespearean inspiration with steampunk imagination, the festival will feature a lively atmosphere where performers, musicians, and storytellers bring the world of ShakesBeer Steampunk to life.

Food and Craft Beverages

Food trucks and specialty beverages will be available throughout the festival, along with Shakespeare-inspired GO Art! craft beers sponsored by Eli Fish Brewing Co., including Get Thee to a Brewery, Much A-Brew About Nothing and As You Lite It.

Admission is free. For additional festival information, visit goart.org/programming/festivals. Must be 21-plus with a valid ID for craft beer tastings and purchases. No outside alcohol permitted on the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds.

Photo by Marsha Rivers: This photo of the Orleans County Courthouse and the First Presbyterian Church of Albion was taken at 5:55 p.m. on Thursday and shows what appears to be altocumulus clouds. Those clouds can signify changing weather is approaching.

A severe thunderstorm warning is in effect for southeastern Orleans County until 10 a.m. The storm could bring 60 mile-per-hour wind gusts that could damage roofs, siding and trees, said the National Weather Service in Buffalo.

The warning also includes eastern Genesee County, Monroe County, northeastern Livingston County and northwestern Ontario County.

Today is forecast for periods of rain in Orleans County, mainly before 5 p.m. The temperature will drop from about 70 this morning to 56 by 5 p.m., the Weather Service said. Tonight the low will fall to around 37 degrees.

The highs in the coming days include 47 on Saturday, 61 on Sunday, 65 on Monday, 64 on Tuesday and 63 on Wednesday.

Photo by Tom Rivers: Jack Burris, the Hands 4 Hope founder, is shown in November 2024 when winter clothing was made available outside the Holy Family Parish in Albion. There were tables with kid-size boots and other winter clothing. This photo was taken after about 100 people went through, picking out coats and other winter apparel. Burris founded Hands 4 Hope 11 years ago. He appreciates the community’s continued donations towards the ministry.

Press Release, Hands 4 Hope

The Hands 4 Hope street ministry is preparing for its fifth annual Red Jacket Rally, continuing a community tradition that has helped provide thousands of warm winter jackets and other cold-weather necessities to neighbors throughout Orleans County.

Since the Red Jacket Rally began five years ago, Hands 4 Hope has consistently distributed more than 600 winter jackets each year, putting the ministry’s total at well over 3,000 jackets given away to local individuals and families. Every jacket, hat, pair of gloves and other item is offered completely free of charge to those who need them.

This year’s Red Jacket Rallies will be held from 10 a.m. to noon on three Thursdays: October 22 at Hoag Library in Albion, November 5 at Evans Ace Hardware in Medina, and November 19 at Holley Square.

Community members are encouraged to donate new or gently used warm winter apparel, including jackets, hats, gloves and winter boots. Those in need are invited to come to the rallies and take what they need — freely given.

The Red Jacket Rally, however, represents only part of Hands 4 Hope’s year-round outreach. During the ministry’s regular Hands 4 Hope Shares, held on the first four Saturdays of each month, volunteers also distribute winter jackets and seasonal clothing, hats and other necessities whenever needed.

At the heart of the effort is a simple mission: neighbors helping neighbors while sharing the hope and love of Jesus Christ.

For additional information about the Red Jacket Rally, donating winter apparel, or Hands 4 Hope Street Ministry, contact Hands 4 Hope or follow the ministry’s community outreach announcements.

Photos by Tom Rivers

LYNDONVILLE – It’s the fall salmon and trout run and many fishermen are trying to catch a big fish in the Lake Ontario tributaries in Orleans County.

One popular spot is by the dam in Lyndonville. The fish swim up through Johnson Creek and run into a wall at the dam.

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – A crane from Trimble Services LLC in Fulton lifts a 33,000-pound steel bridge over the Oak Orchard Creek today at about 11:25 a.m.

The pedestrian bridge was manufactured by Bridge Brothers Inc. from Pickens, South Carolina.

The bridge is 100 feet long and 8 feet wide. It was delivered in Medina on a truck in two 50-foot sections.

Kevin Foster and his son Jack, owners of RJT Construction Services, are the first to walk across the bridge.

RJT is the general contractor on the project after submitting the low bid of $837,448. Barton & Loguidice also provided engineering services for $166,300.

The project also includes about 2,000 feet of sidewalks along Maple Ridge Road.

The bridge is on Maple Ridge Road over the creek awaiting to be lifted and set in place on its new concrete abutments.

The new bridge and sidewalks have been several years in the waiting. The village in 2021 was awarded a $1,094,196 grant to construct the bridge and sidewalks as part of a multi-use path for pedestrians and bicycles. The funding was awarded by the state through a federal Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant.

That is covering 80 percent of the project. The remaining 20 percent will be paid locally from the village ($55,000), Town of Shelby ($130,000) and Orleans County ($97,500) using their share of funds from a now closed revolving loan fund through the Orleans Economic Development Agency.

Workers put bolts in place where two 50-foot sections were put together.

The thick straps are put in place to hoist the bridge.

Kevin Foster, co-owner of RJT Construction Services in white hard hat, checks the work before the bridge was lifted.

Here are some more photos:

Photo and press release courtesy of Orleans/Niagara BOCES

MEDINA – Congratulations go to five graduates of the Orleans/Niagara BOCES’ GED class at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Medina.

Their Literacy Zone teachers, family and friends are so proud of their achievement. Well done, Alex Hain, Marty Spencer, Jade Trautman, Jennifer Nichols and Sherry Burgher!

To learn more about Literacy Zone program, click here.

Interact Club advisor leads students on many service projects in community

Photos by Tom Rivers

HOLLEY – Holley Mayor Mark Bower presents Samantha Heise Zelent with the Mayor Vaughn Appreciation Award for her efforts as a Holley school social worker and as advisor of the school’s Interact Club. The award was presented during Tuesday’s Village Board meeting at the American Legion. In back are village attorney John Sansone and village trustee Brenden Bedard.

Hundreds of students have tackled community service projects in recent years through the Interact Club.

Bower said he remembers when Zelent moved to Holley with she was a first grader. Her father, the late John Heise, was starting a job as Holley principal. John and his wife Sandy, and their children – Kevin and Samantha – settled into the Holley community.

John Heise was very involved in Rotary and served as the district governor. He pushed to start the Interact Club at the school. Interact is affiliated with Rotary.

Zelent has helped turn Interact into a powerhouse, connecting students to service projects throughout the school year.

Samantha Zelent addresses about 200 volunteers on May 17 for the annual “Day of Impact” as part of the Canal Clean Sweep.

The Day of Impact includes a huge group of students and community volunteers who pick up litter in the community, tend to landscaping by the tank at the VFW, clean blankets to be given to a homeless shelter and work on other service projects.

The Interact Club also cleans headstone at Hillside Cemetery, serves food at the Orleans Koinonia Kitchen in Albion, prepares meals for the Open Door Mission in Rochester, and helps in numerous other ways.

Mayor Bower said Zelent has given many years of dedicated service to students and the Holley community.

“She’s a force to be reckoned with,” Bower said. “She’s a get-it-done person.”

Samantha Zelent in March 2025 gives Holley students a pep talk before they served sloppy joes at the OK Kitchen in Albion. Clockwise from Zelent include MacKenzie Fiorito, Lily Moore, Brianna Pellegrino, Leon Wilcox, Charli Gearing, Madie Lowell, Kylie Dann, Joscelyn Underwood and the back of Erin Dibble.

The Holley community donated the food for a sloppy joe dinner, including 90 pounds of ground beef, 83 cans of Manwich, 83 jars of peas, 500 Little Debbie snacks and a $100 from Wegmans. The Holley school kitchen staff cooked the sloppy joes which were then reheated at the OK Kitchen and then served by the students.

Zelent said the Holley community eagerly steps up to serve others. She praised the Holley community “tribe” for their giving hearts.

“This tribe has come through every single time and it is so powerful,” Zelent said. “Be it donations, manpower or support, this community is always there. They are the reason all of this happens, including Interact.”

She praised her father for his example of service, and for pushing to start Interact in Holley. The students have embraced the Rotary mission of “Service Above Self.”

“It is for the 100s of kids who have come through Interact who inspire me and make me so incredibly proud,” Zelent said. “They make me know that the future is so bright and that the world is going to be left in pretty caring, determined, and hard working hands.”

Mayor Bower reactivated the Mayor Vaughn Appreciation Award in 2022. Since then the recipients have included: Charlene Sielaff in 2022, Sabir Khan in 2023, Sandy Shaw in 2024, Mark Scarborough in 2025 and Samantha Heise Zelent in 2026.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – There are 30 scarecrows lined up along the fence of the basketball courts at Bullard Park. The scarecrows were created during Albion’s Fall Fest on Oct. 3.

The Albion Merchants Association has a contest among the scarecrows and asked people to fill out a ballot with their name and then their choice for the spookiest scarecrow, the most humorous, the most traditional and best scarecrow name.

“The scarecrow’s name appears on the white tag that is pinned/stapled to the front of the scarecrow,” the Merchants Association stated. “Please write the scarecrow’s name. Only write a description of the scarecrow if there is no tag on site.”

Completed ballot should be turned in to the Albion Downtown Browsery or Rise & Grind by Friday, October 23. Questions should be directed to Kim Remley at 589-5053 (leave message).

The winners will be announced in the Oct. 31 Lake Country Pennysaver Entertainment Section.

Provided photo: The new Yates book house is shown in this photo. The garbage can is at a spot where the electric hook-up would later go.

Press Release, Yates Community Library

LYNDONVILLE – As part of a grant titled “From Shore to Sky: Supplying Our Communities Outdoor Explorers,” the Yates Community Library has increased its storage space allowing things like binoculars, fishing poles, and stream ecology kits to be added to the library collection.

A ribbon cutting at 4 p.m. on Thursday will officially open the new Book House to the public, a small space in the front of the building reserved to sell used books. Local residents are encouraged to attend the ribbon cutting and show their support for this much-needed expansion at 15 North Main St.

Tom Wenhold, president of the Yates Community Library Board of Trustees, will open the event supported by other library trustees. A check will be presented from The Rural Library Grant powered by the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation and coordinated by the Western New York Library Resources Council and Rochester Regional Library Council.

Presentations will be made by Assemblyman Steve Hawley of the 139th District and Lynne Johnson, chairman of the Orleans County Legislature. Frank Sykes, executive director, and Gretchen Schweigart, member libraries consultant, will be in attendance to represent the Nioga Library System.

All those in attendance will be allowed to tour both sections of the new building, enjoy snacks, and enter a drawing for prizes.

With Johnson Creek only a few feet away, Yates Community Library is also proud to partner with NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to provide free fishing rod loans through “I Fish NY” and backpacks with binoculars and birding reference materials through “I Bird NY” initiatives.

Funds from the WNY Rural Library Grant will allow teachers, scout leaders, and other educators to check out sets of binoculars, fishing and birding resources, and other nature exploration kits that are geared to be used for larger groups.

As a birder herself, Library Director Heather Rutherford, is excited to start taking patrons on bird walks with the new supplies.

“The WNY Rural Library Grant has allowed us the space to purchase resources and materials that will allow us to provide programs for our patrons to learn, experience, and appreciate the nature that is right here in our backyard,” Rutherford said. “Over time, the library will continue to purchase more active lifestyle materials to investigate bugs, test stream water quality, or create nature journals. All of these items promote the library’s mission to provide current materials for education, enjoyment, enrichment, and lifelong learning to local residents.”

The book house will be open when the library is open: Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The library is closed Wednesday and Sunday.

Donations of gently used books will again be accepted after the official opening.

Antonio Mclemoore

MEDINA – A Bronx man has been charged in the armed robbery on Tuesday morning at the Family Dollar in Medina at 11322 Maple Ridge Rd.

Antonio Mclemoore, 58, of Bronx has been charged with two counts of attempted robbery in the first-degree, Class C felonies; one count of menacing in the second-degree, Class A misdemeanor; and one count of assault in third-degree class A misdemeanor.

Medina Police Chief Corey Black said Mclemoore entered the Family Dollar and asked the female clerk about purchasing a lighter. The clerk selected a lighter from behind the counter and when the clerk turned back around the suspect displayed a handgun and demanded property.

Mclemoore then came behind the counter pressing the gun to the clerk’s back and then ultimately the back of her head in an attempt to further the robbery attempt.

“Despite struggling with the suspect, the clerk was able to activate the store’s silent holdup alarm before being violently thrown to the floor by the suspect,” Black said. “The suspect then fled empty-handed.”

At 8:33 a.m. on Tuesday, the Orleans County Dispatch received a silent holdup alarm activation from the Family Dollar. As Medina police officers were responding, Orleans County dispatch advised that a 911 call came in reporting the store had been robbed at gunpoint and gave a suspect description and suspect vehicle description and direction of travel, said Corey Black, Medina police chief.

Medina officers arrived on scene and were able to obtain additional information to include a partial license plate and clothing description. Within approximately 30 minutes of the initial call, an investigator with the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department was able to locate the suspect vehicle by use of a Flock camera in Orleans County. It showed the vehicle traveling south on Route 63 toward Genesee County, Black stated in a press release.

Additionally, the investigator was also able to verify a complete license plate number which returned to a Bronx NY address. This information was relayed to Genesee County dispatch and within a short period of time, officers at Family Dollar were advised that the suspect vehicle had been observed in the City of Batavia on both Flock cameras and City of Batavia cameras, Black said.

“As a result of that information City of Batavia Police Officers patrolling the area of the suspect’s last known whereabouts were able to locate the suspect vehicle,” Black said. “As Batavia Police were preparing to attempt a traffic stop the suspect fled and a short pursuit ensued with the suspect ultimately failing to obey a traffic control device and striking a vehicle in an intersection.”

Mclemoore initially refused commands to exit the vehicle. City of Batavia officers were ultimately able to get the suspect to exit his vehicle, and the suspect was taken into custody and transported via ambulance to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester.

Mclemoore has since been transported to the Orleans County Jail to await arraignment on the above charges in Orleans County CAP Court.

“This investigation came to a successful conclusion as a direct result of multiple law enforcement agencies working together seamlessly utilizing current technology to include Flock cameras,” Black said. “Less than two hours after an armed robbery attempt in the Village of Medina the suspect with an address in Bronx NY was apprehended in an adjoining county.”

 The Medina Police Department would like to thank the following agencies for their assistance in this case: Orleans County Sheriff’s Department to include Dispatch, New York State Police, Orleans County District Attorney’s Office and Major Felony Crime Task Force, Albion Police Department, Genesee County Sheriff’s Department and City of Batavia Police Department.