Event that honors memory of Nicholas Kovaleski has raised $25K for scholarships in 10 years

Photos by Tom Rivers: Dancers rehearse the opening number of the 10thannual Nicholas Kovaleski Hometown Christmas. Performers will be videotaped today with the show available to watch online beginning Dec. 4. A $10 purchase gives 24 hours of access of watching the show. There are also baskets up for raffle. Tickets can also be purchased online for the baskets or in person at Gotta Dance by Miss Amy.

ALBION – Covid won’t be stopping the 10^th annual Hometown Christmas show in Albion. While there won’t be an in-person audience the show will be available to watch online.

Nicholas Kovaleski

Amy Sidari, owner of Gotta Dance by Miss Amy, has directed the Nicholas Kovaleski Hometown Christmas shows the past decade. They honor the memory of one of her dancers.

Nicholas Kovaleski also excelled in football, swimming and tennis for Albion, and was a Boy Scout. He valiantly battled leukemia and passed away at age 15 on June 29, 2011.

The Hometown Christmas show includes some of Miss Amy’s dancers and other performers from the community, including singing by Gary Simboli, Marcy Downey and Riley Seielstad. Jim Babcock, a local contractor, will appear as Santa and two of his employees, Craig Lane and David Karcz, will be dressed in reindeer costumes.

Sidari also will give a message about love, community and unity during this difficult year.

“With love we can overcome the negativity, the restrictions and feelings of lost hope,” Sidari said. “With Covid, our whole community has gone through its own grief. We’re a group that wants to bring joy to people.”

Kelly Kovaleski will share with the audience about her late son, who was upbeat while pushing himself to excel. The Hometown Christmas shows have raised $25,000 in scholarships which are given to Albion seniors selected by Kelly and Jay Kovaleski who “Live with Purpose.”

Kelly Kovaleski and Amy Sidari have worked together on the Hometown Christmas shows in memory of Kovaleski’s son, who passed away from leukemia at age 15 on June 29, 2011. They are wearing facemasks with the “Live with Purpose” message that a guiding principle in Nicholas’s life.

That was the guiding principle for their son. Albion seniors submit applications for the scholarship, and the Kovaleskis want to honor students who step up for their families and friends.

The scholarships have ranged from $500 to $800. Last year the Kovaleskis were able to award three scholarships – Laiken Ricker, Masey Ferchen and Colby Ferchen were the winners.

The scholarships and fundraising are through the Jim and Diane Salmon Children’s Fund, which is a 501c3 organization, allowing tax exempt donations.

Salmon, a home repair radio host for WHAM in Rochester, had Nicholas as a guest on the show.

“He was sick, but he was wonderful,” Salmon said. “He did a great interview.”

Salmon said the Hometown Christmas continues to honor Nicholas’s memory, and this year provides an important outlet for the performers and the audience.

“This show is a testament of the tenacity of Miss Amy, and Jay and Kelly Kovaleski,” Salmon said. “They have found a way to do the show and do it within the rules.”

Michayla Kovaleski rehearses a dance on Sunday for this year’s Hometown Christmas show. She is Nicholas’s sister and works as a dance instructor at Miss Amy’s. She recently graduated from Nazareth College.

People can purchase an online ticket for $10 and then have 24 hours of access to watch the show, which will be about an hour. The show will be available on Dec. 4 and Dec. 5.

Sidari also will host watch parties at the studio for small groups to view the performance on the big screen. (Sidari’s Cabaret at Studio B has already done online shows with Gary Simboli.)

The event also includes the chance to win at least one of 40 baskets donated by the community. Tickets can be purchased and placed in-person at Miss Amy’s or purchased online with notes sent to Miss Amy on which baskets the tickets should go.

For more information on the Nicholas Kovaleski Hometown Christmas, click here.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Rose Allen sings, “Mary Did You Know,” during today’s noon show of the seventh annual Nicholas Kovaleski Hometown Christmas at the Holy Family Lyceum.

There are three shows today of Hometown Christmas, which features 19 acts, with singing, dancing and some comedy.

Hometown Christmas raises money for a memorial scholarship for Nicholas Kovaleski, who fought leukemia before passing away at age 15 on June 29, 2011. He was a popular student at Albion, excelling at football, swimming and tennis. He was also an active Boy Scout.

Jay and Kelly Kovaleski, parents of Nicholas, talk about the new workshops they have created called, Live With Purpose. (Mr. Kovaleski is holding a T-shirt with the program’s logo.)

The interactive workshop is geared towards helping teens and others find purpose and direction for their lives. The Kovaleskis will be run a free workshop on Jan. 13 from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Gotta Dance Studio at 28 West Bank St., Albion. Click here for more information.

Marcy Downey and Gary Simboli sing “Happy Days” during Hometown Christmas.

Rylie Lear, center, and other dancers perform a routine to “Frosty the Snowman.”

Angela Tarricone, an Albion High School senior, performs one of her two songs, including “Grownup Christmas List.”

Amy Sidari, Hometown Christmas coordinator, gives an inspirational welcoming message to start the show.

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Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Ava Jurs was a dancing Grinch in a float promoting The Parlour in Albion. It was one of many floats and enthusiastic parade participants on Saturday during “Santa’s Hometown Parade.”

Albion hosted a lighted parade for the third year on Saturday. This time the route was officially closed to non-parade traffic and there were judges, with a big after-party at Dubby’s Tailgate. There were many people along the route from East Avenue to Main Street, then on East Bank Street to Platt Street, ending at Dubby’s.

It was unseasonably warm for the parade with temperatures near 60 degrees.

Sheryl Watts (left), owner and artistic designer of Air Raising Events, created two gnomes out of balloons. She was joined in the parade by Roger Ragan.

Aubrey Gannon carries the American flag to lead off the parade. She was followed by Girl Scouts who created a Polar Express float.

Santa and Mrs. Claus wave to the crowd. They are in a boat on a trailer. It was a float by Susie’s Boat-tique.

Susie’s owner Susan Oschmann organized the parade.

“I loved the turnout,” she said today. “It more than doubled in size from last year in parade entries and onlookers.”

She said she is grateful for help from Michael Bonafede, Judith Koehler and others who helped make the event a success, including judges Matt Holland, Tim Archer and Susan Howard with Joe Martillotta the emcee. The event was part of a big day with many activities by the Albion Merchants Association.

The winning entries in the parade included Wild Flour Deli and Bakery in first place. This photo shows Wild Flour owner Beth Miller walking by the float that created a baking scene. There was a baking fight in front of the judges with some dough being tossed around.

This youngster works hard on a creation as part of the Wild Flour float.

Eye of Oden K9 Training was awarded second place for its “Blue Christmas” themed entry.

Bloom’s Flower Shop won third place. The businesses also announced it would be moving to East Bank Street.

This vendor sold lighted toys for the parade.

The 3D Trio from the Who Dats performed some Christmas classics. The group includes Lonnie Froman, John Borello and Todd Graham.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Air Raising Events owner Sheryl Watts created this snowman out of balloons. She is lined up Saturday evening for “Santa’s Hometown Parade” in Albion.

The participants in the parade gathered at the Arnold Gregory parking lot on South Main Street before heading downtown.

Kaitlyn Samsel, right, helps Cole Samsel with his lighted moose costume before the parade. Kaitlyn would put on a reindeer costume decorated with lights. The family car also was lighted up for the parade.

Natasha Wasuck and her husband John Hernandez take a selfie with their float featuring a bridal gown. They are the owners of The Lockstone, which hosts weddings and other special events.

Don Greenough and his wife Amanda hold their daughter Joy. They decorated their car for the parade. Greenough also has a big lighted display at his home on Platt Street.

“My wife calls me Clark Griswold because I’m over the top,” Greenough said.

He had a cutout of Griswold, the star of the National Lampoon Vacation movies, in the front seat.

This float was ready to carry Santa into the downtown.

Jami Allport helps get the float ready for AYSAP, the youth football and cheerleading program.

COVA and Mercy Flight EMS decorated two ambulances in lights for the parade.

PAWS put lights and a white nose on this vehicle for the parade.

The Oak Orchard Yacht Club created a float to resemble a sailboat.

The Orleans County Sheriff’s Department’s Marine Patrol Unit decorated a boat for Christmas.

This display sent a message to choose kindness over being a Grinch.

After the parade, there were music and activities in the the downtown. Michael Bonafede on drums joined the Westside Drive band in front of the Pratt and Day buildings, historic buildings owned by Bonafede and his wife Judith Koehler.

Melissa Stornelli of Last Call Cocktails served alcoholic beverages in a closed off part of Main Street between Beaver Alley and Bank Street.

Rebecca Alexander and Debbie Prest greet Santa, who took some time out for photos.

Photo by Tom Rivers: Santa is shown riding in a pickup truck last Dec. 19 down Chamberlain Street in Albion. He will be back this Saturday riding through neighborhoods and delivering presents.

ALBION — The Albion Merchants Association is planning its annual Hometown Holiday event on Saturday, Dec. 11, with activities throughout the day.

There will be a petting zoo from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on at the Main Street municipal parking lot, a chance to decorate the new “Fat Albert” Christmas tree on the Courthouse Square beginning at 11 a.m. and a chance to see Santa driving through Albion neighborhoods beginning at 4 p.m.

Many of the businesses will be hosting activities including face painting, ornament kits, Christmas crafts, letters to Santa, a scavenger hunt, making reindeer dust, Coffee with Cops, free ice cream and a movie and stories with Santa.

The Hometown Holiday will be capped with the Fête de Nöel, a French-inspired gala at Maison Albion from 6 to 10 p.m.

The route for Santa will be starting on East Bank Street, then go to North Main, to Linwood Avenue then Brown Street, Lydun Drive, back to Brown then Caroline and Ingersoll streets, then East Bank, East State, Platt and East Park, then to McKinistry, Chamberlain, Main and West Bank, then King Street, Washington Street, Clinton, West Park, West Academy, West State and end on Main Street. Anyone who wants to donate presents to be given away by Santa can drop off the new toys at Toyz n Kandy, Studio 11 or the Coffee Joint.

Some Albion community members are also planning a “Santa’s Coming Home” parade of cars and trucks on Dec. 17. The public is welcome to decorate a vehicle and join in ride around the community.

Participants should meet at the Arnold Gregory Office Complex at 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 17 with the procession of vehicles heading out at 6 p.m. This won’t be a parade with floats, but with decorated cars and trucks.

File photo by Tom Rivers: This photo from December 2013 shows an artificial Christmas tree on the lawn of the Courthouse Square. The Albion Merchants Association is raising money for a large live Christmas tree.

ALBION – The Albion Merchants Association is seeking donations to have a Christmas tree planted in the Courthouse Square.

The group has an $800 fundraising goal for a “Fat Albert Colorado Blue Spruce” tree. It is trying to hit the fundraising goal soon so the tree could be planted this spring by Preston’s Lawncare.

Artifical trees have been set up at the Courthouse Square in the past by the Village of Albion DPW. More recently, the DPW has set up that tree at the Waterman Park, where there is a large Santa mural. The Albion Betterment Committee is working to have a bronze Santa statue in that park, about a half block south of the Erie Canal.

The Albion Merchants Association said the live tree planted at the Square would be used for events, including tree-lighting, Christmas caroling, family photo opportunities and the annual Hometown Holiday celebration in December. It would also add to Albion’s ambiance as a “Santa village,” said Natasha Wasuck, who is spearheading the project for the AMA.

To see the GoFundMe for the tree, click here.

Photo by Elliott Neidert: This drone photo from February 2017 was taken by Elliott Neidert. It shows the Courthouse Square with a light coating of snow.