Provided photos – Mary Ann Tillman, right, accepts the Hospice of Orleans ‘Volunteer of the Year’ from Christine Fancher, Hospice Social Worker and Volunteer Coordinator.

Press Release, Hospice of Orleans
MEDINA – Hospice of Orleans recently held its annual meeting and volunteer appreciation luncheon at the United Methodist Church of Medina.

Referred to as “the backbone” of the organization by Hospice Social Worker and Volunteer Coordinator Chris Fancher, the volunteers were reported to have served over 5,500 volunteer hours.

Stories of the duties carried out by the special people that give their time to fulfill them were shared. These people include a volunteer that drives in from Rochester, retired nurses that help sanitize equipment and a gentleman that does the shopping for the Martin-Linsin residence twice a week.

Of all of the amazing volunteers that serve, Mary Ann Tillman was awarded Volunteer of the Year for her service in the residence with scheduling, for her participation in every Hospice fundraiser and event, and for her time spent with patients and keeping the gardens at Hospice.

She was described as a “kind and gentle person that unassumingly gets things done.” Hospice is so grateful for Mary Ann Tillman and each of the volunteers that have deemed it a worthy cause and choose to bring joy, comfort and compassion each time that they serve.

The organization also recognized the following:

Business/Civic Award: Presented to Matt Davis and Carol Murphy on behalf of the Don Davis dealership in Albion for being an integral part of Hospice’s Golf Tournament, which is celebrating its 20th year this summer.

Mary Lou Tuohey of Medina graciously accepted the Mary Janet Sahukar award for her contribution to and advocacy of Hospice services. The award is named for Hospice’s founding director.

George Cond

ALBION – In 2010 the International Santa Claus Hall of Fame was established in Santa Claus, Ind. The inaugural class included Charles W. Howard, the Albion resident who started a Santa Claus School in 1937. He ran that school until his death in 1966.

Each year, a new class of Santas are inducted into the Hall of Fame and the 2015 group includes another Santa from Albion: George Cond. He portrayed Santa at Christmas Park, which was developed by Howard on Phipps Road by the Santa Claus School.

Cond will be formally inducted into the Santa Claus Hall of Fame next month during a Santa Convention in Branson, Missouri. The convention was in Albion last year. The event will be in Branson from July 6-10 and about 1,000 Santas from around the world are expected. (Click here for more on the Santa conference in Branson.)

A committee reviews nominations for the Santa Hall of Fame and Cond was selected. He joins a Hall of Fame class that includes Ed Asner, who played Santa on the big screen. (Click here for more on the new Hall of Fame inductees.)

Ed Asner

Cond was born in 1925 and lived until 1996. He is best known as the man who portrayed Santa Claus at Charles W. Howard’s Christmas Park in Albion, according to Cond’s Hall of Fame announcement.

“A student of Howard’s Santa Claus School, Cond assumed the role of Santa at Christmas Park in late 1950s and continued until the close of the park in 1966,” according to the Hall of Fame. “With Howard busy as the Executive Director and away on business during the Christmas Season, Cond handled most of the day-to-day Santa appearances throughout the park. He appeared in and around the Western New York State region on behalf of Christmas Park.”

Phil Wenz is spokesman for the Hall of Fame. He also was in the inaugural Hall of Fame class and portrays Santa full-time throughout the year at Santa’s Village Theme Park in Dundee, Illinois. Wenz also coordinated the convention in Albion last year.

“George Cond probably played Santa in Albion more than Charlie Howard,” Wenz said in an interview. “George was the day-to-day operational Santa. Charlie was a national star and George was more local. But to be Charlie’s hand chosen Santa that had to be a great honor.”

Cond also modeled Santa Claus suits for the Santa Claus Suit and Equipment Company owner Elizabeth W. Babcock in the 1970s and 1980s. Cond continued to make special Santa appearances to local families and events through the 1990s.

(Editor’s note: If anyone has pictures of Cond as Santa, please send them to news@orleanshub.com.)

Photos by Tom Rivers – Chris Keller is presented the Educator of the Year award from Margy Brown, president of the Albion Board of Education. Keller was recognized on Monday during a staff recognition program.

ALBION – Before he was a teacher at Albion Middle School, Chris Keller was working in the private sector for Jamestown Container, as a shipping manager, quality manager and then in information systems for the company with sites in Medina, Lockport and Jamestown.

“I had a lucrative career in the business world, but now I have a fulfilling career,” Keller said on Monday after he was named Albion’s “Educator for the Year.”

Keller, after 6 years in the private sector, wanted a new direction. He returned to college for a master’s degree. In 1999, he did his student teaching at Holley, and was hired in 2000 to finish out half a year at Kendall as an English teacher in the middle and high school levels.

Albion hired him that fall and Keller has proven popular among students and staff. He led an enrichment program in the middle school for about five years. He is currently an English teacher for the eighth grade. He enjoys having students ask questions, searching for new ways to solve problems.

Chris Keller was praised on Monday by Albion school leaders for broadening students’ views of the world.

“English and books are a real passion of mine,” Keller said. “I enjoy when you can get the lights to turn on for a kid. Education unlocks doors.”

Keller has led the Middle School student council as advisor, and also directed the Chess Club. He also has chaired the English Department, and is currently president of the Albion Teachers Association.

He also serves on the Medina Board of Education, and was that group’s president.

Keller, a Lockport native, served four years in the Army. He praised his hard-working colleagues at Albion, including his wife Julie, who is a pre-kindergarten teacher.

“Education is a wonderful way to spend a career,” he said. “Education is life-transforming. It has transformed mine.”

The district and Board of Education also recognized retiring teachers and staff on Monday, including from left: Paul Mann, computer specialist; David Draper, cleaner; Alan Van Camp, academic intervention services teacher; Julie McGrath, first grade teacher; Annette Pearl, special education teacher; Barbara Reiss, elementary school media specialist; and Gloria Short, cleaner.

Other retiring staff not pictured include Sharon LaDue, payroll clerk; Paul Drought, custodian; Randall Kelley, custodian; and Darlene Wilting, cleaner.

Albion also recognized Brenda McQuillan for her five years as a volunteer on the Board of Education. McQuillan chose not to seek another five-year term.

Margy Brown presents Paul Mann with a book during a staff recognition program on Monday. Mann has retired after 19 years with the district. He was the lead computer specialist in district network upgrades. He was called a hard-working, problem solver for the district.

Rachel Curtin (right), elementary school principal, congratulates Julie McGrath on a successful 29-year career as a first grade teacher. Curtin said McGrath taught more than 600 first graders in her career, and was influnetial in teaching many to read and succeed in school.

Tim Mercer (right), director of facilities for Albion Central School, praises David Draper for his 31 years as a cleaner, including many years as the night leader at the elementary school. Mercer said the district has dedicated staff on buildings and grounds.

The district also awarded tenure to the following teachers and administrators: Rachel Curtin, elementary school principal; Jennifer Ashbery, elementary school assistant principal; Jennifer Lamont, elementary special education teacher; Samantha Seaman, elementary teacher; and Barbara Wesolowski, middle school teacher.

Provided photo – GCASA awarded scholarships this week to three students, from left: Caitlin Malanowski of Albion, Jessica Bukowski of Notre Dame High School in Batavia, and Madeline Gibbs of Albion.

Press Release, GCASA

Each year, GCASA Foundation awards two $1,000 scholarships: one to a Genesee County student and one to an Orleans County student. GCASA Foundation Scholarship was established to support the work of GCASA. The foundation board is committed to the scholarship program, created to help students who will study human services, counseling, or health services.

This year, the selection committee, comprised of two board members, Kathleen Maerten and James Morey, and one past board member, Jason Smith, decided to add an additional Director’s Choice scholarship award in the amount of $250 due to the exceptional applications received.

The committee selected Jessica Bukowski, a senior at Notre Dame High School as the award recipient for a Genesee County student. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Student Senate, and Mock Trial Team. She also is a competitive gymnast and member of the Varsity swim, diving, softball, and cross country teams. Jessica works as a gymnastics coach and is expected to graduate second in a class of 39 students. In Jessica’s essay, she wrote, “I will study and perform the best I can in my education and then take what I learn to help make at least one person’s life better.” Jessica plans to pursue a degree in Psychology at Canisius College.

Caitlin Malanowski is an Albion Central School senior and the recipient of the award for an Orleans County student. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Albion Marching Band, Women’s Select Choir, and Drama Club. She participates in track and cross country. She also volunteers as a tutor at the Albion Elementary School, helping younger students with reading, writing, math, and science. Caitlin is expected to graduate third in her class of 131 students. Scott Green, High School Counselor, commented in his recommendation letter that Caitlin is someone who leads by example. He said, “I don’t think I can truly express how deserving I believe Caitlin is of this scholarship.” She plans to study Nursing at Elmira College.

The Director’s Choice scholarship was awarded to Albion Central School senior Madeline Gibbs. She has been involved with cheerleading and track throughout high school. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Rotary Interact Club, and Yearbook Club. Madeline volunteers as a tutor in the Elementary School and as a religious education teacher for pre-K and kindergarten children at her church. She also volunteers for Vacation Bible School and Cheerleading Camp. She is expected to graduate 16th out of 131 students. Madeline plans to study Nutrition and Exercise Science at Ohio State University.