By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 July 2026 at 8:30 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – There were 16 firefighters at the Orleans County Fire Training Tower on Saturday, practicing rope rescue operations. Firefighters rappelled about 50 feet down from the top of the training tower.
Firefighters need to deploy rope rescues when people are stuck down ravines and embankments.
Bob Freida, the Clarendon fire chief, descends down the training tower. Freida is part of a rope rescue team that includes Clarendon and Murray firefighters.
A new county-wide technical rescue team is being created from multiple departments to train and work together and share equipment.
Not all departments with rescue equipment have the same gear. The team will train on each department’s equipment to be familiar with the ropes, harnesses and other tools. Some departments also have grain rescue equipment which includes steel plates and an augur. The team members will also have wet suits for going into the water.
Dale Niehaus of the Carlton Volunteer Fire Department makes his way down the tower. He is entering into a window on the side of the tower.
Saturday was the first day of a 32-hour course that includes today and next weekend.
Participants will develop skills in rappelling and high-angle rescue systems. Topics include safety orientation, risk assessment, equipment, basic rappelling and ascending, anchoring, belaying, mechanical advantage, patient packaging, incident management, skills evaluation, and testing.
John Hightower from the Rochester Fire Department rappels down the training tower. There are three firefighters from Rochester in the class, which is mostly firefighters from Orleans County.
Karl Biedlingmaier of the Clarendon Volunteer Fire Company works his way down the tower at 14064 West County House Rd.
File photo by Tom Rivers: Ray Keffer is on shore while three firefighters head out into the icy water of a quarry by the Erie Canal in Murray to go after a dog on Jan. 4, 2020. Firefighters were able to safely bring the dog to the shore. They also assisted the owner of the dog in getting up the embankment.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 July 2026 at 2:49 pm
Brett Sobieraski and team of runners complete 1,600 laps at local tracks in past 8 days, raising $25,000 for Community Action
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Brett Sobieraski holds the American flag high while leading a pack of runners around the Albion High School track this morning in the final lap of an 8-day, 400-mile benefit for Community Action of Orleans & Genesee.
Renee Hungerford, the Community Action chief executive officer, is next to Sobieraski for the final lap. She sang the national anthem right before the final, celebratory 400 meters.
Sobieraski is a retired Rochester police sergeant. He lives in Carlton. He has done endurance challenges before to raise money for fallen police officers and the Special Olympics. This time he wanted to help Community Action, an agency he said serves local residents in many different ways, He set a $20,000 fundraising goal. By the end of the run at 11 a.m., the fundraising was at $25,000.
Sobieraski, 60, has been mostly sidelined the past three days due to severe blisters and an infection in his feet. He thanked other runners for stepping up and wearing his watch that records the laps and distance. He completed more than 275 miles of challenge himself.
Hungerford said that similar to what happens at Community Action, with the agency assisting people through challenges. Community Action is facing a $900,000 cut to the Head Start program, but Hungerford said the agency will persevere.
Jaxon Francis is ahead of Tanner Beecher and other members of the Albion youth football team which came out to do a few laps around the track today.
Jeff Atwell (left), manager of weatherization for Community Action, walks around the track with Jim Babcock, who recently had back surgery. Babcock completed more than a mile both Friday in Holley and today in Albion.
Brett Sobieraski hugs Todd Arnold after he ran for about an hour and half this morning.
Orleans County District Attorney Susan Howard walks with Sobieraski around the track this morning. Sobieraski works as an investigator with the Orleans County major Felony Crimes Task Force, which Howard oversees.
Sobieraski during comments after the final lap praised Community Action for doing “God’s work” in Orleans and Genesee counties.
Some of the programs offered by Community Action include:
transportation for the elderly and disabled
food and clothing
home cooling and weatherization projects
thrift store services
work place job training and counseling
prom dresses along with credit counseling for high school students
Head Start programs to assist with learning, child care and family services
Through their Project Salus, help adolescents with the support from education to financial
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 July 2026 at 7:30 am
Photo by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Brett Sobieraski, far right, is shown running with two police officers and Roger Bolton of Albion during a massive downpour in Albion a week ago. That rain would lead to extensive blisters that became infected Sobieraski’s feet, forcing him to back off his goal of completing 400 miles for Community Action of Orleans & Genesee.
However, other runners have stepped up and wore his watch that tracks the miles. The distance adds up to 388 miles with the final 12 this morning in Albion at the high school track beginning at 8 a.m.
Nearly 1,000 people have joined Sobieraski at the local high school tracks over the first seven days. Friday’s run was at Holley and more than 150 people joined him, including Holley teen Hayden Keiffer, who presented Sobieraski $100 that Hayden collected from neighbors and friends.
Sobieraski aimed to bring awareness of the many programs offered by Community Action. Friday’s run in Holley highlighted the Eastern Orleans Community Center.
He also wanted to raise $20,000 for the agency that serves people in Genesee and Orleans counties.
The run has raised $24,000 going into the final homestretch. Click here to make a donation online or show up in person this morning.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 July 2026 at 11:06 am
Images from Orleans County Tourism: The Orleans County Courthouse was built in 1857-1858 in the Greek Revival style and has been a focal point of the square for almost 170 years. The dome with a cupola is a landmark for miles around. The Orleans County Clerk’s Office was built in 1882-1883 in the Eastlake Style. It was designed by Isaac G. Perry, the same architect of the “Million Dollar Staircase” in the State Capital of Albany
ALBION – There is a new brochure from the Orleans County Tourism Department that highlights the Courthouse Square in Albion. This district has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1979.
Albion and the 1441 zip code has several nationally recognized historic districts with Courthouse Square, Mount Albion Cemetery, Downtown Albion, the Erie Canal, Cobblestone Museum and the Childs hamlet.
There are seven architecturally outstanding churches that surround the Courthouse Square: the Free Methodist Church (first one in the denomination), First Baptist Church, Canalside Community Church (formerly the Albion United Methodist Church), St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, First Presbyterian Church, Christ Episcopal Church and the Pullman Memorial Universalist Church.
The brochure also features notable residences in the Second Empire, Greek Revival, and Queen Anne styles.
The Orleans County Tourism posted this information about the new brochure:
Explore Albion’s Historic Courthouse Square
Orleans County Tourism has released an updated Albion Historic Courthouse Square Walking Tour brochure, providing visitors and residents with a refreshed guide to one of the county’s most significant historic landmarks.
Originally created by former Orleans County Historian Bill Lattin, the walking tour brochure has been redesigned in full color and features updated information. The self-guided tour highlights the history, architecture and significance of the buildings surrounding Albion’s Historic Courthouse Square, allowing visitors to explore the district at their own pace.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Albion’s Historic Courthouse District in Orleans County features one of the county’s most remarkable collections of 19th-century architecture and stands as a notable small-town public space, showcasing diverse architectural styles and a community’s ambition as it prospered from the Erie Canal. Centered around the iconic domed courthouse, the square features seven churches alongside stately residences representing a variety of architectural styles.
The updated brochure was created through a collaboration among former Orleans County Historian Bill Lattin, Village of Albion Historian Sue Starkweather Miller, current Orleans County Historian Catherine Cooper and Tom Rivers, editor of the Orleans Hub.
The cover photo is a drone shot at sunset of the Orleans County Courthouse taken by Elliott Neidert. It also features the stained glass window “Christ the Consoler” at the Pullman Universalist Church and showcases the historic 1877 Steer & Turner organ at Christ Episcopal Church.
Free copies are available at locations throughout Albion, including the Orleans County Tourism Office, Hoag Library, the Orleans County Clerk’s Office, Albion Village Hall, Assemblyman Stephen Hawley’s district office and the Downtown Browsery.
Those who live outside of Orleans County or are unable to visit one of these locations may request a copy to be mailed to them. Click here for more information.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 July 2026 at 11:18 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – A contractor is expected to start next week on replacing the slate roof at Mount Albion chapel.
The Environmental Construction Group in Albion has removed asbestos from the roof.
The new roof will be a comparable Vermont slate. The Albion Village Board last September accepted a bid for $83,985 to remove the existing roof and replace all the Vermont slate. The slate is currently over by the Mount Albion garage across from the cemetery on Route 31.
The chapel is getting about $225,000 in restoration work. The building was constructed in 1875 with local Medina Sandstone.
The building is a focal point of the historic cemetery for people who enter through the main arch off Route 31.
Local mason Neal Muscarella last year completed some repointing of mortar on the building.
A drop ceiling was removed that revealed a vaulted ceiling had been covered up.
There will be other substantial work to follow including interior replaster of the north wall; electrical upgrades (wiring, outlets, internal and external lighting); heating unit for seasonal use; repair of plaster and vaulted ceiling; removal of old floor, repair subfloor and put in a new floor; and refurbish exterior doors and window trim.
A committee led by Village Historian Sue Starkweather Miller raised $225,000 for the chapel restoration.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 20 July 2026 at 5:59 pm
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Members of the Albion Elks Club presented a check to the Orleans County Veterans’ Van Service this morning. From left are Scott Galliford, commander of Holley’s Jewell Buckman American Legion Post; April Flesch, chair of the Elks Grants Committee; Mike Donahue, commander of the Albion VFW Post No. 635; Marvin and Joan Christ, members of the Grants Committee; David Kusmierczak, chairman of the Orleans County Joint Veterans Council; Jack Miles, volunteer driver; Sharon Pollock, member of Albion Elks Club; and Rick Ebbs, commander of the American Legion Sheret Post in Albion.
ALBION – The July meeting of the Orleans County Joint Veterans’ Council this morning was preceded by a donation from Albion Elks Club to the Orleans County Veterans’ Van Service.
The check for $1,000 was presented by Elks Grants Committee chair April Flesch to David Kusmierczak, chairman of the Orleans County Joint Veterans’ Council. Attending the presentation were Scott Galliford, commander of Holley’s Jewell Buckman American Legion Post; Mike Donahue, commander of the Albion VFW Post 635; Grants committee members Marvin and Joan Christ; Jack Miles, a volunteer driver for the van service; Sharon Pollock, member of Albion Elks Club; Rick Ebbs, commander of the American Legion Sheret Post in Albion; Phyllis Schrader, who oversees the Veterans’ Van Service; and Jackie Lonnen, treasurer of the Orleans County Joint Veterans’ Council.
The presentation took place at the American Legion Sheret Post on Gaines Basin Road, where the Joint Veterans’ Council held its July meeting.
Schrader was very grateful for the donation, saying one of the van service’s five vans is currently out of service, having been involved in a minor fender-bender. It is currently in Buffalo for repairs.
Schrader reported 384 veterans were transported to medical appointments in June; 68 trips were made; 3,098 miles were traveled; and 417 hours were worked by 29 volunteer drivers.
Kusmierczak announced tickets were being sold to benefit the Veteran’s Christmas Drive, which Al Kepner of Medina chairs. Tickets are 2 for $5 or five for $10. Prizes, in addition to $400, $100 and $50 with frame, include gift cards, a 250 USA anniversary quilt, dog and cat basket, a Coleman rod trip grill, and assorted baskets.
The drawing will be Sept. 5.
It was also announced that WNY Heroes Inc. will provide free breakfast to veterans at Cuppa Joe’s, 114 East Center St., Medina, on the third Friday of every month. Veterans must sign up by e-mailing events@wnyheroes.org or calling (716) 630-5020, ext. 209.
Veterans are also reminded the American Legion Patriot Trip XVIII to Washington, D.C., hosted by Assemblyman Steve Hawley, is scheduled Sept. 17-20. Anyone wishing to join the trip should call (585) 5780 or e-mail tarriej@nyassembly.gov as soon as possible.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 July 2026 at 9:36 pm
Carlton resident has 7 more days and 345 more miles to go in benefit for Community Action
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Brett Sobieraski carries the American flag for the last two laps around the Albion High School track today. He completed 220 laps and 55 miles in a benefit for Community Action of Orleans & Genesee.
He shown just after 6 p.m., following 11 hours on the track, including in four downpours.
Sobieraski, a Carlton resident and retired Rochester Police Department sergeant, will be attempting to run 55 miles for seven straight days at local high school tracks, before doing a final 15-mile run next Saturday at Albion.
He will be in Lyndonville on Sunday beginning at 7 a.m. He welcomes the public to join him on the track, even if it’s just for a lap. People can come out anytime time during the run.
He is trying to raise $20,00 for Community Action, which is facing budget cuts. Click here for more information on making an online donation for the 400-mile run for Community Action of Orleans and Genesee.
Brett Sobieraski takes a breather after finishing today’s run. His girlfriend Laura Rinaldi corrals the flag.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 July 2026 at 12:21 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – A major drenching didn’t derail runners around 11:30 a.m. today on the Albion High School track.
Brett Sobieraski, second from right, was joined by three friends on the track. Sobieraski plans to run 220 laps around the track or 55 miles. He will attempt to do that seven straight days at different high school tracks for 385 miles, and then will run a final 15 miles next Saturday back at Albion. When this photo was taken, Sobieraski had run 25 miles so far for the day.
Brenda Myrthil of Rochester has fun on the run, despite the rain.
After a light rain to start today’s run at 7 a.m., the sun came out before a severe thunderstorm hit.
Sobieraski welcomes people to join him on the track for even a lap.
For more information on the 400-mile run for Community Action of Orleans and Genesee, click here.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 July 2026 at 9:25 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Brett Sobieraski is shown on the Albion High School track this morning, the beginning of an 8-day fundraiser for Community Action of Orleans & Genesee.
Sobieraski is planning to run 400 miles over the eight days with a goal of raising $20,000 for Community Action.
He is planning to run 220 laps at tracks the first seven days for 55 miles each day, then a final 60 laps for 15 miles next Saturday.
Sobieraski gets a high five from Jackie Dunham, the director of operations for Community Action.
As of 9 a.m. today, $4,866 has been raised online from 72 donors. Click here for more information about donating online.
Sobieraski rounds the far end of the track by the Albion scoreboard while running next to his girlfriend, Laura Rinaldi.
He welcomes people to join him on the track, even if it’s just for a lap.
He expects to be out at each track for 10 to 12 hours.
The schedule includes:
Today, 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
Brett Sobieraski runs on the track at about a 10-minute mile pace this morning. Brenda Myrthil of Rochester is behind him.
Myrthil wanted to be part of the experience on the track with Sobieraski, who has completed many endurance challenges to benefit charities and fallen police officers. Sobieraski is a retired sergeant from the Rochester Police Department. He currently works as an investigator with the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force.
“He is such an inspiration,” Myrthil said. “He does these crazy things to draw attention to others.”
She likes running on the track with other people, which she said makes it more of a community event.
Jeff Atwell (left), manager of weatherization for Community Action, and Ernie Gursslin, the facilities technician for the agency, secure a Community Action banner along the track fence. There will also banners for sponsors of the 400-mile run.
There is merchandise available, including commemorative T-shirts.
Brett Sobieraski poses for a photo with two colleagues at the Orleans County District Attorney’s Office before the start of the run this morning at 7. Connor Smith is an intern at the DA’s office and Susan Howard is the district attorney.
“Our whole office supports him,” Howard said. “What he is doing is ridiculously amazing.”
There was a gentle rain at the start of the run at 7 a.m.
Sobieraski said the rain to start the run today felt like a friendly jab from “Maz,” who is the late Anthony Mazurkiewicz. That Rochester police officer was killed in the line of duty on July 21, 2022.
In 2023, Sobieraski ran a marathon every day for 50 straight days, traveling on foot from Florida and Rochester, going 26.2 miles a day. Sobieraski would raise $110,000 for the Mazurkiewicz family. In the last 5K of the final marathon, 850 people joined Sobieraski in Rochester.
He is hoping for a big turnout on the track for Community Action, especially the finale next Saturday in Albion.
Sobieraski wants the run to bring people together during a time of divisiveness, and also raise money for Community Action which provides many services in Orleans and Genesee counties.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 17 July 2026 at 8:57 am
Provided photos: These inflatable bounce houses are away the items in the carnival zone on Saturday at Bullard Park.
UPDATE at 6:35 a.m. on July 18: This event will be rescheduled due to the severe weather in the forecast for July 18.
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.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 July 2026 at 2:19 pm
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.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 July 2026 at 11:55 am
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.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 July 2026 at 9:26 pm
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.
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.
Orleans County Tourism has released an updated Albion Historic Courthouse Square Walking Tour brochure, providing visitors and residents with a refreshed guide to one of the county’s most significant historic landmarks.
