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Hundreds of Santas expected to visit Albion and WNY in August 2027

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 April 2026 at 8:41 am

Photos by Tom Rivers: These Santas and some elves are shown in April 2015 in Albion as part of a group photo with about 200 Santas who were in town for a Santa convention. A group of Santas will be back in Albion in August 2027 celebrating the 90th anniversary of the Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School.

Group will be in town to celebrate 90th anniversary of Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School

The logo for the upcoming Santa gathering from Aug. 6-8 in Albion and Lockport. The event will be based in Lockport at the palace theater with the group visiting Albion, where Charles Howard ran a Santa School from 1937 to 1966.

ALBION – The Santas will be coming back to Albion in Auust 2027 for a 90th anniversary celebration of the Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School.

There were about 200 Santas in Albion for convention in 2015 and a smaller group in 2010.

The gathering next summer could have 400 Santas and other Christmas entertainers, said Phillip L. Wenz, a recently retired professional Santa who organized the 2010 and 2015 events in Albion. Wenz worked at Santa’s Village in east Dundee, Ill, near Chicago and serves as a Santa historian.

“We are planning upwards of 400 Christmas performers for all over North America,” Wenz stated. “We would like to have as many local people participate in the events as well.”

Charles Howard started the first school for Santas in Albion in 1937 and kept it going for nearly 30 years. He passed away on May 1, 1966. The school continues in his name, now run by Tom and Holly Valent in Midland, Mich.

The Santa School celebration will host activities in Albion and at the 1,100-seat Palace Theatre in Lockport.

Christopher Parada is executive director of The Palace Theatre. He also built a Christmas cottage in Lockport and he has portrayed Santa there since 2010, welcoming about 10,000 children every Christmas season. Parada, a Medina native, also owns the New York Santa Claus Suits & Equipment Co., replicating Howard’s style for suits.

Parada is pleased to be hosting the event next year that is expected to bring many Santas to the community. Lockport has the hotels and accommodations for the visitors, as well as the spacious theater to host presentations.

“Bringing this historic event to the Albion and Lockport, New York areas is a truly meaningful opportunity to celebrate and honor 90 years of the Santa Claus School and the enduring legacy of Charles W. Howard,” Parada said.

The Santas will see a bronze statue in honor of Charles Howard that was unveiled on June 10, 2023 during the Strawberry Festival and also a 24-foot-long mural depicting Santa flying in his sleigh over Courthouse Square and downtown Albion. That mural was created by Albion native Stacey Kirby Steward was unveiled in June 2018. The Albion Betterment Committee also is working to open a Santa School Museum on Main Street in Albion.

Many of principles taught by Howard continue to shape the look and actions of Santas. Howard remains a revered figure among the Santas, 60 years after his death.

“As the founder of the original Santa Claus School, Howard established a standard of authenticity, professionalism, and heartfelt spirit that continues to define the portrayal of Santa Claus today,” Parada said. “As a lifelong resident, I take great pride in seeing our local communities serve as the backdrop for such an important milestone—one that highlights both our regional heritage and a nationally recognized tradition rooted right here in Western New York.”

Parada has led the theater in Lockport through multi-million-dollar upgrades. That theater opened in 1925.

“The Historic Palace Theatre provides an ideal home base for this celebration, offering a unique and immersive setting for presentations, programming and shared experiences,” Parada said. “Its theatrical atmosphere will help foster a sense of community, connection, and camaraderie among attendees.”

The August 2027 event is still in the planning stages. Wenz said discussions have been made with the Howard family, friends and other special guests to take part in the programs and activities. As in the past events, there will be no event fees. For more information e-mail Wenz at santaclausproductions@msn.com.

Albion Fire Department hosting drive-through ham dinner on Saturday

Posted 24 April 2026 at 7:42 am

Press Release, Albion Fire Department

ALBION – The volunteer members of the Albion Fire Department will host a ham dinner on Saturday at their 108 N. Platt Street fire station.

The dinner will be a “drive through” only, with tickets available both presale for $12 each or at the door for $13 each. The drive through pickup will begin at 4 o’clock and run through 7 o’clock or until sold out that day.

The dinner includes sliced ham, scalloped potatoes, vegetable, dinner roll and dessert. Cash or checks made payable to the Albion Fire Department, Inc. are accepted for payment.

Tickets can be purchased by contacting any of the fire department volunteer members, or by calling 585-331-1410. The volunteer fire department members thank the community in advance for their support of this fundraiser.

Mustangs rally for diamond win over Wildcats

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 23 April 2026 at 9:32 pm

Medina rallied from an early 3-0 deficit to defeat host Depew 6-3 in a non league baseball game this evening.

Medina got on the scoreboard with a run in the fourth inning as Preston Woodworth doubled and came home on a single by Jimmy Dieter.

The Mustangs then rallied into the lead for good over the Wildcats at 5-3 by scoring 4 times in the fifth frame on a two-run single by Aidan Papaj and RBI doubles by Woodworth and Cam Fike. An error and a double by Vinny Gray ignited the rally.

Papaj pitched the first five innings allowing only 1 hit and striking out 11. Woodworth came on to hurl the final 2 frames giving up no hits and fanning 4.

Medina, which is now 5-1, will next host City Honors in another non league contest at 7 p.m. Saturday at Vets Park.

Medina lacrosse team downs Newfane

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 23 April 2026 at 9:23 pm

Medina snapped a three game losing streak by downing host Newfane 13-7 in a D Division lacrosse game this evening.

Gavin Dahlhaus and Joni Wheeler each scored 3 goals, Landon Costich and Brennan Allen 2 and Sawyer Lilleby, Timmy Vasquez and Teagan Meland 1 each for the Mustangs. Lilleby also had 3 assists.

Lady Hawks top W-C for first softball win

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 23 April 2026 at 9:22 pm

Snapping a season opening four game losing streak, Holley defeated Wheatland-Chili 21-8 in a Genesee Region League softball game this afternoon.

Desiree McCormick hit a home run to highlight the Holley offense which also included 3 hits each by Alexis VanAmeron, Zoey Warner and Lexi Lujan. Warner drove in 3 runs.

The Lady Hawks also stole a whopping 26 bases.

In the circle for the Lady Hawks Madison Bonacci had 5 strikeouts.

Green is 1 over at Chevron Championship

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 23 April 2026 at 9:06 pm

Medina’s Melanie Green shot a one over par 73 on today’s opening round of the LPGA Tour’s first major tournament of the season -The Chevron Championship being played at Houston.

Green had a double bogey on 7, two bogeys on 4 and 14 and three birdies on 3, 6 and 8 on the day.

She is scheduled to tee off at 10 a.m. Friday our time for the second round.

The field will be cut after Friday’s round. The projected cutline is now one over par.

Green qualified to compete in the major by finishing in the top 10 at last week’s LA Championship Tournament.

Kendall tennis team improves to 4-0

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 23 April 2026 at 8:02 pm

Kendall edged visiting Attica 3-2 this afternoon to improve to 4-0 in Genesee Region League tennis competition.

Match Summary
1st singles – Jonny Esposito (K) def Jace Antineri (A): 6-1, 6-2
2nd singles – Joe Fagan (K) def Miguel Sebrian (A): 6-4, 6-4
3rd singles – Colton Spink (A) def Mitch Buzard (K): 6-3, 6-3

1st Doubles- Aidan Kwiatkowski/Lucas Barrett (K) def Sam Dunlap/Rocco Soccio (A): 6-1, 6-3
2nd Doubles- Ava Fary/Noah Sabatino (A) def Anthony Seymour/Devin Derosia (K) : 6-3, 4-6, 6-4

N-O Tennis
In Niagara-Orleans League tennis matches Wilson blanked Medina 5-0 and Newfane edged Albion 3-2.

Landon Graybill and Jillian LeBaron scored singles wins for Albion.

Albion sweeps Barker in N-O track

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 23 April 2026 at 7:51 pm

Photos by Tom Rivers: Mia Standish anchors Albion’s 4-by-400 relay team in the final event in today’s track meet versus Barker. Standish was able to come from behind in the race and hold off Barker’s Xyon Weese.

Albion scored a sweep over host Barker in a Niagara-Orleans League track meet this afternoon.

The Purple Eagles won the boys’ meet 80-51 and the girls’ competition 73-64.

A win in the 1600 relay by the foursome of Hannah Olles, Brianna Lewis, Mia Standish and Aubrey Bruning locked up the win for the Albion girls squad which is now 2-1.

Standish was also an individual event double winner in the 100 Hurdles and 400 Hurdles.

Hunter Huscher was a double winner in the 100 and 200 for the defending champion Albion boys team which improves to 3-0.

Roy-Hart, Wilson split
Roy-Hart won the girls’ meet 74-62 and Wilson took the boys’ competition 79-56.

Julie Rohde was a triple winner for the Roy-Hart girls in the 800, 1500 and 3000 as Addison Carr doubled in the 100 and 400 and Kylie McOmber in the 100 Hurdles and Triple Jump.

Bella Thrush doubled for Wilson in the 200 and Long Jump.

In the boys’ meet, Wilson’s Ryan Hough was a quadruple winner in the 100, 200, Long Jump and 110 Hurdles and Brock Lepsch a triple winner in the Shotput, Discus and High Jump.

Newfane Akron split
Newfane won the boys meet 92-48 and Akron the girls’ competition 108-33. 92-48

Treagan MacEvoy was a triple winner for the Newfane boys in the 800, 1500 and 3000.

Eden Hillman was a quadruple winner for the Newfane girls in the 1500, 3000, 400 Hurdles and Pole Vault.

Akron’s Madigan Regan was a triple winner in the 100, 200 and 400 as Kylie Karmazyn doubled in the 100 Hurdles and High Jump.

Blake Carnes of Barker took first place in the 400 meter hurdles today, edging Jaxon Lynch of Albion who was second.

Logan Wagner of Barker finished just ahead of Tristian Tilbe of Albion for first place in the 800 meter race today in Barker.

Barker tops Alexander in non league softball

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 23 April 2026 at 7:29 pm

Improving to 6-2, Barker defeated Alexander 8-2 in a non league softball game this afternoon.

Madyson Flint and Peyton Bradley combined to hurl a 3 hitter with 10 strikeouts.

Bradley, Flint, Elise Monaco and Aine Davis each had a pair of hits for the Lady Bulldogs.

Barker took the lead for good with 4 runs in the third inning capped off by RBI doubles by Flint and Bradley. The uprising also included singles by Monaco, Davis and Naomi Bish.

Byron-Bergen 14, Albion 5
Byron-Bergen downed host Albion 14-5 in a non league softball game this afternoon.

McKinley Knight had a two-run double and Leah Pawlak a triple for Albion which also got hits from Aaliyah Jones, Melia Prince and Aubrielle Barry.

Kendall rolls past Byron-Bergen to go to 10-0

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 23 April 2026 at 7:16 pm

A huge 9 run second inning ignited undefeated (10-0) Kendall to a 19-0 romp over Byron-Bergen in a Genesee Region League baseball game this afteroon.

A three-run homer by Jacob Abrams capped off the decisive inning which also included singles by Jonny Conte, Sammy Conte and Abrams.

Jonny Conte finished with 4 hits for the Eagles as Sammy Conte and Vinnie D’Agostino both had 3 and Abrams and CJ D’Agostino 2 each.. Vinnie D’Agostino had a pair of home runs and CJ D’Agostino 1.

Abrams, Vinnie D’Agostino and CJ D’Agostino each had 4 RBIs on the day.

Vinnie D’Agostino went the distance on the mound allowing only 2 hits and striking out 12.

Fast start sparks Roy-Hart past Albion

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 23 April 2026 at 7:07 pm

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Roy-Hart’s Sean Mettler dives into second base avoid the tag by Albion’s Elliott Trapiss in a run down as Viktor Snyder backs up the play.

Moving on top to stay with three quick runs in the first inning, front-running Roy-Hart went on to down Albion 5-1 in a Niagara-Orleans League baseball game this afternoon at Albion.

A two-run double by John Brigham keyed the decisive opening inning up rising for Roy-Hart which improves to 5-0 in N-O action.

Evan Poeller also had a double and Sean Mettler a triple for the Rams.

Jared Hy went the distance on the mound for Roy-Hart scattering 3 hits and striking out 8.

Drew Pritchard and Kaiden Froman combined to hurl a 4 hitter with 8 strikeouts for Albion which slips to 1-3 in N-O action.

Albion next hosts Barker and Roy-Hart visits Newfane at 4:45 p.m. Friday.

N-O Standings: Roy-Hart 5-0, Medina 3-0, Barker 2-3, Akron 1-2, Newfane 1-2, Albion 1-3, Wilson 1-4

CSAT 19, Lyndonville 13
A big 7 run first inning ignited CSAT to a 19-19 non league win at Lyndonville this afternoon.

Devon Babcock had 4 hits for Lyndonville as Shawn Robertson and Atticus Mank both had 2. Mank and Colton Smith had doubles.

Albion second baseman Viktor Snyder tries for a double play as he gets Roy-Hart’s Jared Hy out at second.

Lyndonville joins Albion, Medina on national list of ‘Best Communities for Music Education’

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 April 2026 at 3:40 pm

Photos by Tom Rivers: The Lyndonville Central School marching band plays in Lyndonville’s Fourth of July Parade last summer. The school district for the first time has been named to the list of “Best Communities for Music Education” by NAMM Foundation.

The list of school districts named to a national list for “Best Communities for Music Education” includes three school districts in Orleans County with Lyndonville earning the distinction for the first time.

Albion has now made the list 19 years and Medina has been recognized the past three years by the NAMM Foundation.

Lyndonville is the smallest school district in Orleans County. It puts on some of the best musicals. The district in 2025 performed, Newsies, and it was named “Production of the Year” for small schools in the Rochester region by the Stars of Tomorrow program which sends trained evaluators to the school musicals.

Last month Lyndonville put on Peter Pan. The district was commended for its commitment to the overall music program.

The Medina Marching Band, including Raelynn Baker in the Color Guard, performed on Sept. 21 at Vets Park during the Fall Festival of Bands. Despite being of the smaller schools that competes in the field band competition, Medina has won the New York State Field Band Conference Championship several times.

Albion High School students are shown during last month’s performance of Annie. Neveya Barnes, front center, played the lead role. Albion performs two full-length musicals during the school year by both the middle school and the high school.

The North American Music Merchants has presented the annual list for 27 years honoring school districts with strong music programs. Last year there were 935 districts total around the country as “Best Communities for Music Education.” This year, the list topped 1,000 for the first time.

“Music education plays a vital role in cultivating vibrant, connected communities,” said John Mlynczak, NAMM President and CEO. “The 2026 Best Communities for Music Education recipients exemplify how meaningful access to music fosters creativity, collaboration and lifelong learning. We are proud to recognize their leadership and unwavering dedication to ensuring every student has the opportunity to engage in music.”

“Access to music education is a true catalyst for belonging, expression, and shared purpose,” said Julia Rubio, NAMM Foundation Executive Director. “When communities invest in music, they invest in the potential of every student.”

OC Bicentennial Committee adds trees to Fairgrounds

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 April 2026 at 2:32 pm

Photos by Tom Rivers

KNOWLESVILLE – Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds has 10 new trees on its campus, including eight along Route 31 near the Buzz Hill Education Center and two across the creek.

The Orleans County Bicentennial Committee funded the new trees, wanting to celebrate the county’s 200thanniversary with a gift that will last for years to come.

The top photo shows Bicentennial Committee member Ken DeRoller, left, and County Legislator Fred Miller, with Holley Mayor Mark Bower in back. Bower also is a Bicentennial Committee member.

The Cornell Cooperative Extension picked out the varieties and determined the locations for the new trees, which include four sugar maple, two willows, two white oak, and two bur oak.

Bicentennial Committee members plant one of the sugar maples. From left includes Isabella Zasa, a tourism assistant and digital content creator for the County Tourism Department; County Historian Catherine Cooper; and Ken DeRoller, a former county legislator.

“For centuries, this area was undisturbed and deep woods developed,” Cooper said. “The people who settled this area 200 hundred years ago chopped down the trees to clear the land and make a living.”

The Bicentennial Committee worked on events and projects to celebrate the county’s milestone anniversary in 2025. The group wanted until this spring to team with the Cooperative Extension to plant the trees.

“Today, we have come full circle,” Cooper said on Wednesday. “We are planting trees to help restore the environment and enhance living.”

Hinspergers long-time general manager retiring from Medina manufacturing plant

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 23 April 2026 at 12:35 pm

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Hinspergers at 430 West Oak Orchard St. in Medina has expanded several times since coming to Medina 25 years ago. The company was named the “Business of the Year” for 2015 by the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce.

MEDINA – Hinspergers Poly Industries will continue its successful operation in Medina under new management, with the announcement of the retirement of general manager Greg Budd.

Budd is succeeded by Medina native Andrew Szatkowski, who came on board Nov. 1, 2025.

Greg Budd, general manager of Hinspergers since it opened in Medina in December 2001, has announced he will retire as of May 29. His replacement, Andrew Szatkowski, is already on the job.

Hinspergers is owned by Peter Hinspergers of Mississauga in Ontario, Canada. He also has a plant there and in Nova Scotia.

“He always wanted to have a presence in the United States,” Budd said. “He looked as far as the Carolinas and the Northeast to the Midwest, before settling on Medina.”

Budd and his wife made Medina their home, and said it has been an interesting 24 years.

“It has been a great experience,” Budd said. “I’ve made many friends and became a member of Shelridge Country Club. I’ve promised to come back and play golf.”

There were several reasons for choosing Medina, Budd said. One was the fact the company made swimming pool covers, and because it is so cold and snowy in the northeast, every pool owner would be interested in having a pool cover.

Another reason is that Medina is only a two-hour drive away when there are company meetings. And, the 25,000-square-foot building on Oak Orchard Street was attractive and they were able to purchase enough additional land to expand.

Hinspergers in Medina opened its doors Dec. 17, 2001 with 17 employees at the former Jamestown Container site. The building was wide enough for production rooms to produce custom-made pool covers that can spread out beyond 40 feet.

Soon after, in 2003, another 25,000 square feet was added, followed by a 33,000-square-foot addition in 2005. Sales quadrupled and employment had reached 65 when Covid hit. They currently employ about 45 and are hiring.

Since Covid, Budd said it has been a challenge to get and retain good help. The key people, however, have been there many years. He said Hinspergers is clean, light manufacturing and a great place to work.

Retirement will find him and his wife living in Waterloo for six months in the summer, and wintering in Florida for the winters. The couple has two children and three grandchildren.

Budd is confident he is leaving Hinspergers in good hands and said Szatkowski is doing a great job. Szatkowski’s background has been with several local companies, including Takeform and Bernz-o-Matic.