More than 30 parade participants brave 20-degree weather

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Bloom’s Flower Shop took first place in the Charles W. Howard Hometown Parade on Saturday in Albion.

Bloom’s won the $600 first place prize with a float that featured Cousin Eddie from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.

Bloom’s passes down Main Street in front of the judge’s stand. There were about 30 floats and other parade entries in the fifth annual lighted parade in Albion.

Eye of Oden, a dog training site in Kent, won second place and $400 for its entry in the parade.

Eye of Oden had several dogs and their handlers in the parade.

The Albion FFA won third place and $200 for a float with a theme from the Toy Story. Toy Story has a message, “You got a friend in me.” The FFA shared its message: “You got a friend in the Albion FFA.”

Orly the Ox, the county’s bicentennial mascot, joined Santa and Mrs. Claus in a float. That float was a decorated boat to celebrate the Erie Canal, which also observed its 200^th anniversary in 2025.

Orly, Mrs. Claus and Santa greet people as they head north on Main Street. The parade started and ended at Dubby’s Tailgate.

Albion’s youth football was in the parade and celebrated its recent undefeated season and championship in the Niagara Orleans Football Association.

ARG Disposal & Transfer, a dumpster rental service in Albion, decorated float for the hometown parade.

Vendi Excavating & Septic of Rochester decorated some of their trucks in lights.

Hearth & Home Real Estate in Albion was the first float in the parade.

Painted Sky Ranch in Brockport brought several horses for the parade.

Luddy’s Equipment Rental of Albion decorated a float for the parade.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Pastor Al Wilson of the Royal Body Shop Ministries in Albion gets butter ready for 450 pounds of salt potatoes that will be served as part of 1,000 chicken dinners.

The Royal Body Shop will serve the meals beginning at noon from the Masonic Lodge on Platt Street.

The dinners are being offered as part of Albion’s Hometown Holiday which includes many events throughout the day including a parade with 35 floats beginning at 6 p.m.

Pastor Jose “Cas” Casanova of the Family of God Christian Center in Middleport is cooking green beans with smoked turkey. Vickie Elsenheimer, an active volunteer of the Royal Body Shop Ministries, also is helping with the meals.

The Family of God Christian Center is part of the Royal Body Shop Ministries which also includes a church in Buffalo, the Greater Royal Worship Center. The Rev. Dr. Ashley Casanova, Jose’s wife, leads the church in Middleport.

This is the fourth year the Royal Body Shop Outreach Ministries is serving at least 1,000 dinners for free to the community.

Hometown Holiday features many activities on Dec. 13

File photo by Tom Rivers: This float carrying Santa and Mrs. Claus passes down Platt Street during last year’s Charles W. Howard Hometown Parade on Dec. 14. The parade tomorrow on Dec. 13 will have Santa in a boat to celebrate the Erie Canal bicentennial.

ALBION – A parade will feature 35 lighted floats on Saturday in Albion for the fifth annual lighted parade in the village.

The Charles W. Howard Hometown Parade begins at 6 p.m. on Route 31 at Dubby’s parking lot and heads to Route 98, goes down Main Street to Bank Street and then goes to Platt Street and concludes at Dubby’s, where there will be a party after the parade.

The parade is named in honor of Charles Howard, who ran a Santa School in Albion from 1937 to 1966. He also operated Christmas Park beginning in the mid-1950s. That site attracted about 80,000 people a year.

The parade will culminate with a float carrying Santa. This year Santa will be a boat as a tribute to the Erie Canal’s 200^th anniversary in 2025.

There are prizes for the top floats: $600 for first $400 for second, and $200 for third.

Ron Albertson will serve as the parade announcer from a stand on Main Street across from the Post Office.

Here is the schedule for Saturday for Albion’s Hometown Christmas:

• Shopping with Misfit Toys from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at The Downtown Browsery
• Free Ice Cream & Hot Chocolate from 10 a.m. to noon at Tinsel
• Kids’ Crafts from 10 a.m. to noon at Town and Country Quilt Shop
• Donuts & Coffee with Cops, and Kids’ Crafts from 10 a.m. to noon at Village Hall (35 E. Bank)
• Ornament Kits from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Red Check
• Tea with Mrs. Claus from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Hoag Library
• Free Chicken Dinners (while supplies last) beginning at noon from Royal Body Shop Outreach Ministries at Masonic Lodge on Platt Street
• Fireside with Santa from 3 to 4 p.m. at Hearth & Home
• Christmas Traditions with crafts, cupcakes & free gifts from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at Albion Free Methodist Church
• Charles W. Howard Hometown Parade begins at 6 p.m. at Dubby’s Tailgate, goes down Main St. and ends back at Dubby’s. (After the parade at Dubby’s visit with Santa & Mrs. Claus)
• Movie Night with free pizza, cocoa & candy at 7 p.m. at Albion Free Methodist Church
• All Day at 39 Problems – drink specials & live music after the parade

Photos courtesy of Hoag Library: The Rochester Mandolin Orchestra will perform on Saturday at noon to cap this year’s series of concerts at the library in Albion. This will close out the third year of concerts at Hoag.

Press Release, Hoag Library

ALBION – Hoag Library is excited to announce that the Rochester Mandolin Orchestra will perform the final concert of the 2025 Hoag Library Music Series on Saturday at noon. This free community performance will take place at Hoag Library, bringing a dynamic year of live music to a memorable close.

Planning for the 2026 Music Series is already underway. Among the artists preparing to take the stage next year is the Medusa Quartet, a genre-bending chamber-folk ensemble known for reimagining the traditional string quartet. Additional performers will be announced as the new season approaches.

The Hoag Library Music Series, presented in partnership with GO Art!, showcases a diverse lineup of accomplished musicians throughout the year. This initiative is made possible with funding from the Statewide Community Regrant Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts, supported by the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, and administered by GO Art!

This winter, Adult Services Librarian Jim Doyle will also continue his hands-on music programming with Make a Mountain Dulcimer Classes and Learn a Dulcimer Song with Jim, offering patrons a unique opportunity to explore traditional folk music and instrument building.

For more information about upcoming concerts and music workshops, visit Hoag Library or follow us on social media.

Medusa Quartet will perform next year at Hoag Library.  The group is known for reimagining the traditional string quartet.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Joe and Diane Argento opened Argento’s Bakery & Deli today at 117 North Liberty St. in Albion.

The couple expected to have a soft opening and news spread once they put the open sign out at 10 a.m.

“Our goal was to get our feet wet before the big grand opening, but word has definitely gotten out,” they posted on the Argento’s Facebook page. “We are beyond thankful for all the love and support everyone has shown us.”

Mr. Argento ran the Argento’s Kitchen diner in Elba for three years in the late 1990s. He then worked 17 years at Batavia Downs as a bartender, then as customers relations manager, and the final two years as the Homestretch Grill at the Downs. He retired on Aug. 30.

His wife also worked at Homestretch. They live about a mile from their business, the former location of Pretty Sweet Bakery.

The Argentos both retired from Batavia Downs, but didn’t want to end their work lives.

“We’re too young to retire,” Mr. Argento said.

He enjoys chatting with the customers and working alongside his wife.

The new deli and bakery is located at 117 North Liberty St., behind Five Star Bank and across from Arnold’s Auto Parts.

Joe Argento prepares the sandwiches and deli items while Diane “Di” makes the baked goods.

The couple may experiment with the hours. Right now it’s 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday with Argento’s closed on Sunday and Monday.

The deli includes a soup of the day (today it was Italian wedding soup), a variety of subs, salads, and “sangweeches” which are large Italian style sandwiches.

The bakery includes cookies, pies, cheese cake, cupcakes, muffins, cannoli, cakesicles, cupcakes and rice pudding.

The Argentos said they are pleased to be in the historic downtown in a welcoming community.

“It’s a nice town,” Di Argento said. “Everybody is friendly.”

Customers can all ahead and order at 585-590-4924. Check the Argento’s Facebook page for more information.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – A figurine of Santa greets people at Snell Realtors on Main Street in Albion while the street lights are decorated with lights (looking like Candy Canes) by the Department of Public Works in Albion.

The Albion Merchants Association is planning its annual Hometown Holiday celebration on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with local businesses hosting activities including visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, cookie decorating and hot cocoa, holiday crafts for kids, carolers and live music.

There will be a lighted parade at 6 p.m. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be available after the parade at Dubby’s Tailgate.

The Village Hall at 35-37 East Bank St. has three Christmas trees decorated for holidays. Many other storefronts also have displays for the Christmas season.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The Albion Betterment Center gave people a chance to see the first floor of 128 North Main St., a site the ABC is working to make a Santa tourism center.

The ABC closed on buying the site last month from the Henri Pulley estate.

The Betterment Committee today from noon to 1 p.m. gave people a chance to buy bins of items, as well as old doors and furniture.

There are two big open areas in the building on the first floor. Stan Farone, a former village trustee, checked out the site today. The building has been largely vacant for more than 25 years. Farone remembers when the site was a furniture store.

“I’d like to see a year-round Christmas store,” Farone said. “We need something to draw people here day after day.”

The Environmental Construction Group in Albion sent five of its employees to help clear out stuff from the building (shown in back in the middle). Shawn Wright of the ECG is inside a dumpster from ARG Disposal in Albion. ARG donated two dumpsters to help clear out the building.

Other volunteers also helped move items to the dumpsters.

The Betterment Committee wants to turn the vacant two-story building on Main Street into a tourism center that celebrates Santa. The group wants to develop an interactive tourism center with displays about the Charles W. Howard Santa School and Christmas Park, which Howard ran for many years near his farmhouse on Phipps Road.

The Betterment Committee envisions the first floor as interactive exhibits and displays, as well as room for a bakery and food operator. The site could also offer services, including showers, for canal boaters, cyclists and other visitors.

The second floor is envisioned to offer space for artists – painters, potters, and others in need of studio space. The second floor has large windows that let in natural light that would be ideal for artists, said Natasha Wasuck, a member of the Betterment Committee.

The ABC is applying for grants to help with the project and welcomes donations from the community. The group is eyeing to have the site open by Christmas in 2026.

This photo shows the other side of the building at 128 North Main St.

Jerome Pawlak is a member of the ABC board of directors. He said Albion has made progress in celebrating its heritage with the Santa school, which opened in 1937 and had its last class in Albion in 1965, before moving to Michigan.

There are signs, murals and a bronze statue all celebrating Santa and Charles Howard. Route 31 in Albion also is dedicated as the Charles Howard Memorial Highway.

“There is interest in Santa,” Pawlak said today, looking over items at 128 North Main St. “We have a legacy with Charles Howard. We live in a historic community and this can be part of its revitalization.”

Valerie Rush also is on the ABC board and she has been portraying Mrs. Claus for about a decade. She looks forward to volunteering at the site, greeting people and highlighting Albion’s Santa story.

“I think it’s a great project,” she said. “It’s filling another building in the downtown. We have something very unique here and people are very excited about it.”

The group is a 501c3 organization that accepts tax deductible donations. Donations can be sent to Albion Betterment Committee, c/o Joe Gehl at 14487 Baker Rd. in Kent, NY 14477.

There is an online giving option. Click here for more information.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The Albion Rotary Club served more than 200 chicken dinners on Saturday, including delivering 27 meals.

Shown in the serving line at the First Presbyterian Church of Albion include from left: Taryn Moyle, Bill Lattin, Richard Remley and Becky Karls.

The dinner was a fundraiser for Rotary projects in the community.

This photo was at the beginning of the dinner. This was the second annual chicken biscuit dinner by Rotary.

Marlene Seielstad led the effort in preparing the meal. She is shown at left getting the biscuits ready. In back are Taryn Moyle and Mike Bonnewell, working on deboning the chicken.

Group selling items inside 128 North Main Street in effort to clear out site

Photo from Albion Betterment Committee: These bins of items are available for $10 each today from noon to 1 p.m.

ALBION – The Albion Betterment Committee, which recently purchased 128 North Main St., is offering a glimpse of the site today for the public, and also a chance to help clear out the site by purchasing plastic bins of items.

Those bins are $10 each. There are also old doors and some furniture that will be for sale. The Betterment Committee will be at the site today from noon to 1 p.m.

People won’t be able to look through the bins to see what is inside before buying a bin.

“We have no idea what are in some of these bins but you might find some gems!” the Betterment Committee posted on Facebook. “All the money we raise will go back into the building!”

The Betterment Committee purchased the building last month from the estate of Henri Pulley. The site is 6,600 square feet.

The Betterment Committee wants to turn the vacant two-story building on Main Street into a tourism center that celebrates Santa. The group wants to develop an interactive tourism center with displays about the Charles W. Howard Santa School and Christmas Park, which Howard ran for many years near his farmhouse on Phipps Road.

Howard ran a Santa School from 1937 until his death in 1966. It was the world’s first school for Santas. He was a well-known portrayer of Santa, appearing in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade from 1948 to 1965.

The Betterment Committee envisions the first floor as interactive exhibits and displays, as well as room for a bakery and food operator. The site could also offer services, including showers, for canal boaters, cyclists and other visitors.

The second floor is envisioned to offer space for artists – painters, potters, and others in need of studio space. The second floor has large windows that let in natural light that would be ideal for artists, said Natasha Wasuck, a member of the Betterment Committee.

The group is seeking grants to help with building upgrades. The Betterment Committee welcomes donations.

The group is a 501c3 organization that accepts tax deductible donations. Donations can be sent to Albion Betterment Committee, c/o Joe Gehl at 14487 Baker Rd. in Kent, NY 14477.

There is an online giving option. Click here for more information.

Photos courtesy of Albion Central School: Albion students meet Brooklyn, a therapy dog at the school district.

Press Release, Albion Central School

ALBION – If you have visited Albion’s District Office recently, you may have had the pleasure of meeting its newest team member, Brooklyn.

Her four tiny legs and soft fur certainly sets her apart, but her curious eyes and gentle demeanor make her especially hard to forget.

Brooklyn is Albion school district’s new resident therapy dog. She is a 2-year-old, hypoallergenic mini Goldendoodle. As part of the district’s first Therapy Dog Program, Brooklyn began serving students in November following approval from the Albion Board of Education.

Her owner and handler at all times is Brad Lehman, Albion’s director of student services. They are both trained and certified through the RocDog organization. Brooklyn accompanies Mr. Lehman to campus 1-2 days per week and is available to help provide emotional support for classrooms or students in need throughout the school day.

“Brooklyn has had the opportunity to visit many classrooms thus far and has been given a very warm welcome,” Lehman said. “The smiles I see from students are infectious, regardless if they are in UPK or at the high school. It reminds me how important this program is.”

Brad Lehman, Albion’s director of student services, is Brooklyn’s handler and owner. He will bring the dog to school one or two times each week.

Many surrounding schools have introduced therapy dogs in their buildings in different capacities. The use of therapy dogs in schools can have many benefits that allow for personal growth and an overall improved learning experience.

They can be utilized as a proactive measure or to help support a student in specific need. Their presence provides comfort and companionship to those who may be feeling isolated, they can help foster social interactions, regulate emotions, reduce anxiety, alleviate stress, decrease feelings of depression, and improve overall well-being.

Albion school district is excited for students and staff to interact with Brooklyn and experience first-hand how beneficial her presence can be. If a student is uncomfortable for any reason, or if a parent/guardian does not want their child interacting with the therapy dog throughout the school year, they can opt-out of the program at any time by contacting their child’s main office.