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Community gives Albion graduates a big send off

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 June 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Justice Nauden, a member of Albion’s Class of 2015, walks to the stage to receive her diploma during a commencement program attended by about 2,000 people this evening at the high school gymnasium.

The Class of 2015 graduated from Albion with a send off that showed pride in the students for what they’ve accomplished so far.

Board of Education President Margy Brown presents Isabella Cox with her diploma. Cox was the class treasurer.

Albion graduated 129 students, the smallest class in recent memory. Those students leave with accomplishment, said Michael Bonnewell, the superintendent of schools.

The students logged 7,200 hours of community service. They needed 30 to meet their graduation requirement, but many were well over that with 16 hitting 100 hours or more, five at 200-plus and one beyond 300 hours.

The 7,200 hours is equivalent to 180 work weeks at 40 hours a week, Bonnewell noted.

District Superintendent Michael Bonnewell addresses the Class of 2015.

He said he’s proud of the students and how community service has become engrained at the school.

Students also excelled in the classroom, in music, the arts, and on the sports field.

The Class of 2015 was part of 10 teams that won Niagara-Orleans League titles and six Sectional crowns. The athletes were scholars with 55 of the 68 teams with Class of 2015 members at 90 percent or higher with their grade point averages, Bonnewell said.

Class President Aaron Burnside, left, Class Salutatorian Jacob Squicciarini and Valedictorian Madyson Coville are all smiles as the commencement program gets started.

The class will have at least 80 percent of its members enroll in college. The students are already graduating with 819 college credits, the equivalent of about $250,000 in SUNY college tuition.

“Despite it’s small size, this class has achieved,” Bonnewell said.

They won 11 first place awards in marching band competitions, were recognized for musical performances by the Rochester Stars of Tomorrow, and helped the district continue its streak of national recognition as a Best Community for Music Education.

Kevin Rosario walks up to get his diploma. He was one of 129 graduates in the Class of 2015.

Bonnewell said the Albion community provides students with an opportunity for success in school. And many students have done their part with diligent work and effort.

“This is just the beginning,” Bonnewell told the graduates inside a packed high school gymnasium. “Know you have your Albion community behind you.”

Dyer Benjovsky and his twin sister Monica walk to the risers to join other members of Senior Chorus in singing the National Anthem and then “For Good.”

Members of the Senior Chorus, from left on bottom row, include Sara Maxon, David Stilwell, Aaron Chen, Ben Vanacore and Andrea Muoio.

Board of Education President Margy Brown addressed the graduates and told them the school has worked to help them build their confidence. That is different from arrogance, which is driven by selfish motives, she said.

“Embrace the confidence that Albion has instilled in you,” Brown said. “Go out in this world and make a difference.”

Salutatorian Jacob Squicciarini and Valedictorian Madyson Coville gave a combined speech. After thanking parents, teachers and community members, the two alternated reading “Oh, The Places You’ll Go!” by Dr. Seuss.

Many members of the Junior Class, led by Dylan Bader, served as escorts for the Class of 2015, leading the seniors into the gymnasium.

Emily Shabazz is excited as she goes to get her diploma.

Chase Vazquez heads to the stage for his degree.

Class President Aaron Burnside leads the class in the turning of the tassel to signify the last step in graduation.

One graduate had a nice present waiting outside the school.

Albion Rotary honors retired village clerk, outgoing club president

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 June 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The Albion Rotary Club honored Kathy Ludwick, retired Albion village clerk/treasurer, as a Paul Harris Fellow on Thursday. She is pictured with Rotarians Don Bishop, center, and Bill Diehl.

This is the highest honor given by a Rotary Club. The Albion club will donate $1,000 in Ludwick’s name to Rotary International to be used for humanitarian work.

Ludwick was praised for her 32 years as a village employee, including 25 years as clerk/treasurer. She has been a volunteer with the Albion Strawberry Festival for all 29 of the events. Even in her retirement, she continues to help with the festival, serving as treasurer of the two-day event, which costs more than $20,000 to put on. Ludwick for many years coordinated the craft vendors.

The Rotary Club now is the main sponsor for the festival. Ludwick thanked the club for stepping up and leading the event.

Bishop has volunteered with the festival for two decades and he said Ludwick has been instrumental in the effort.

“She has been my mentor and go-to person for over 20 years,” Bishop said.

Marlee Diehl puts a Paul Harris Fellow pin on Bill Diehl, her husband and the outgoing president of the Albion Rotary Club. This is Diehl’s third Paul Harris award.

Diehl is a retired teacher and financial advisor. His wife also is a member of the Rotary Club and will serve as district governor in 2017-18 for 70 clubs in Western New York and Southern Ontario.

Mr. Diehl said the club tackled several important community projects in the past year in addition to the Strawberry Festival. A golf tournament raised $5,000 for a van for the Joint Veterans Council to take veterans to medical appointments. The Saint Patrick’s Dinner in March raised $1,633 for Rotary Interact to give to a community in South Sudan that is building a school and safe drinking water system.

Diehl also said the club secured funding for literacy projects in the Philippines and also locally with Head Start families.

The Rotary Interact leaders at Albion High School attended the Rotary meeting on Thursday. The Interact club started in Albion in 2000. Tim Archer, left, is advisor for the club that includes these student officers for 2015-16, from left: Elizabeth Goff, president; Meredith Patterson, treasurer; Matilda Erakare, vice president; and Vivian Rivers, secretary.

The Interact Club connects students to community service, including projects far from Albion. Besides the humanitarian work in the South Sudan, Interact has raised money to dig water wells in Peru, build a school for girls in Pakistan and help hurricane-ravaged Biloxi, Miss.

“We’ve done a lot with your help to touch our world,” Archer told the Rotary Club. “The world is full of places in need and we’re grateful to touch just a few of them.”

Karen Sawicz, owner and publisher of The Lake Country Pennysaver and Orleans Hub, was inducted as the new Rotary president for the next year.

Sawicz, left, is sworn in as new president by Carol Toomey, a newspaper publisher and a Sawicz friend from Concord, Mass. Toomey is a past district governor in Central Massachusetts.

Sawicz joined the Rotary Club in 1995 and served as president in 2002-03. Her father, the late Vincent St. John, also was a Rotarian.

This year’s theme for Rotary is “Be a Gift to the World.”

Ortt, Hawley say legislative session left many issues unresolved for upstate

Staff Reports Posted 26 June 2015 at 12:00 am

State Sen. Rob Ortt (R-North Tonawanda) and State Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R-Batavia) both issued statements after the conclusion of the legislative session in Albany.

Both have districts that include Orleans County.

Ortt says work needed to fight ‘destructive policies of downstate politicians and special interests’:

“I believe the 2015 legislative session, now officially concluded, was a mix both personally and for the Western New Yorkers that I represent,” Ortt said. “There have been significant victories for our region on tax relief, education, and job creation. Our unwavering commitment to protecting the property tax cap – and keeping state spending under a similar cap – will result in larger property tax relief checks and record funding for STAR and Enhanced STAR.

“We also secured a key victory for Western New York children, parents, and teachers through record investments in our schools as well as common sense policies to ensure transparency and fairness in student testing and teacher evaluations. We’ve also prioritized local job creation by taking important steps to strengthen agriculture, redevelop brownfields, reduce energy rates, fund infrastructure, and expand green technology.

“In other areas, we increased critical services to veterans returning from combat, children without adequate health care, women subjected to rape and domestic violence, victims of mental illness, and individuals and families affected by disabilities. Stricter measures against drug dealers and sex offenders will keep our families and communities safe.

“But I’m also extremely disappointed in the actions – or inaction – taken by the New York City-dominated Assembly and a downstate liberal Governor on key issues. The Governor and Assembly walked away from most of our common sense reforms to the unconstitutional SAFE Act.

“The Governor threatened to shut down government unless legislators accepted his divisive education proposals. He has also vowed to proceed unilaterally on controversial issues like mandating a minimum wage that’s unacceptable to our small businesses and non-profits and appointing a special prosecutor to investigate our police officers.

“Despite the progress, I’m not ready to declare victory because we still have a lot of work ahead of us to revitalize Western New York and fight back against the destructive policies of downstate politicians and special interests.”

Hawley says upstate ignored as ‘Corruption Session’ comes to a close

“This year’s session has been extremely dysfunctional and marred by gridlock and controversy,” Hawley said. “We saw the downfall of two of Albany ‘s most powerful elected officials, yet there has been little to no meaningful ethics reform passed despite consistent pressure from the Assembly Minority Conference. Gridlock epitomized the waning days of session and the divide between upstate and downstate became much more apparent.

“As upstate businesses continue to struggle and middle-class New York is eroding, legislative leaders selfishly negotiated rent control as their end-of-session priority, an issue virtually meaningless to upstate New York.

“The extended negotiations between the ‘three men in a room’ cost taxpayers almost $40,000 per day for the per diem and travel expenses for the 213 legislators that were required to remain in Albany. We have been in session for a total of 14 hours this week, so that amounts to an extra $160,000, or $11,429 per hour in session, paid for by taxpayers. These extended negotiations are an affront to hardworking citizens of our state. “

Union for jail employees, dispatchers endorses Randy Bower for sheriff

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 June 2015 at 12:00 am

Photo by Tom Rivers – Randy Bower, left front, has been endorsed for sheriff by a union representing jail corrections officers, dispatchers, three clerical staff for the Sheriff’s Department, and two kitchen employees at the jail. (Bower is pictured at the far left with Jim Lyman from Council 82, Local Union President Mike Christopher and Lt. Chris Bourke, who Bower said would serve as undersheriff if Bower is elected.)

(Editor’s Note: This article includes two corrections/ clarifications from an earlier version, which stated the union gave most of its support to Randy Bower, then Tom Drennan had second most votes and Donald Organisciak was third. The vote to endorse didn’t include the option to vote for Drennan or Organisciak. It asked union members if they wanted to endorse Bower, not endorse him or if they preferred not to vote. About 60 percent favored endorsing Bower, with about 30 percent saying they didn’t want to endorse him and about 10 percent saying they didn’t want to vote.

The earlier version also listed four job titles that are part of the union but the article may have implied each of the four groups voted for Bower. The vote was the collective total from the four job titles.)

Randy Bower, a dispatcher for nearly 30 years, is running for Orleans County sheriff. He has the Conservative Party endorsement and is working on forcing a Republican primary against Tom Drennan, the chief deputy for the Sheriff’s Department. Drennan was endorsed by the Orleans County Republican Committee last month.

The Democratic Party has endorsed retired Medina police investigator Donald Organisciak for sheriff.

Scott Hess, the incumbent, is retiring on Dec. 31 and isn’t seeking re-election.

Bower and many of his key supporters met Thursday at the Orleans County Veterans Club when Bower was presented a $1,000 campaign donation and endorsement from the Council 82. That union in Albany represents about 4,300 corrections officers and law enforcement officers.

Jim Lyman from Council 82 made the trip to Albion to meet Bower. Lyman said Council 82 takes direction from the local union for endorsements and donations.

Mike Christopher, a corrections officer in the jail for 23 years, is president of the local union. He said the union membership put the endorsement to a vote and Bower received the majority of the support.

Bower reached out to the union for an endorsement, and Christopher said the group welcomed being part of the election process.

Drennan didn’t seek an endorsement from the union and he said he doesn’t want to put employees in an awkward position at work, asking them to pick sides.

Bower also has the endorsement from the Deputy Sheriff’s Association.

With the latest endorsement of the union that represents dispatchers, corrections officers and some other Sheriff’s staff, Bower said he has a team that can work to improve services for residents.

“With the support from the two unions there will be no broken campaign promises,” Bower said. “We can get the job done.”

One of Bower’s plans is to reach out to the state for a more intensive drug and alcohol abuse program for inmates. Bower said many of the inmates are in jail due to their addictions.

Christopher, in his role as correction officer, said he sees the impact drug and alcohol addictions have in crimes that result in jail.

“Nine out of 10 inmates are in there directly or indirectly by drugs or alcohol,” Christopher said. He wants a stronger program to help inmates break the cycle of addiction.

Christopher said he has known Bower since they were kids growing up in Holley. Christopher was the ball boy in junior high when Bower played on the varsity basketball team.

Bower was injured in a car accident at 18, and paralyzed from the waist down. He has shown tremendous determination in living a full and active life since that accident more than three decades ago, Christopher said.

He has watched Bower ride snowmobiles, play golf and hunt since he has been paralyzed from the waist down.

“I’ve known Randy since we were kids and you can’t find a more likable guy,” Christopher said.

He knows Bower can inspire others, and raise the level of performance.

“It’s really a motivation thing,” he said about Bower. “He shows initiative and he has good ideas.”

Albion couple shooting another film locally

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 June 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – There was a lot of head turning on Main Street in Albion today when motorists passed near Beaver Alley. A film crew was getting footage of actresses who appeared as “working women.”

The scene will be part of a new film by Rhonda Parker, a film director and writer in Albion. Her latest film is called “Message in a Bottle.”

Her husband Mark Parker is the lead videographer and editor.

DaShaun Baldwin is one of the actresses in “Message in a Bottle.” She tries to entice “Timmy,” a teen-age boy played by Jack Champion.

According to a synopsis of the film: “A trio of young teens’ lives are changed forever when they go on a journey to rescue a kid sending eerie notes down stream in bottles.

“Johnny Tatro (Matthew Owen Kozak) is a passionate young teen that has been mislabeled due to skeletons in his family closet. His sarcastic, socially immature best friend, Timmy (Jack Champion) has been sheltered his entire life due to medical issues.

“Emily (Emma Morrison) is a young women trying to get out from under her sister’s shadow and find her own identity. Each set out on this Journey to an unknown destination for their own reasons and a shared bond of friendship. Can the optimism of youth survive the harsh light of day?”

The film crew is on location at Beaver Alley this afternoon.

Rhonda and Mark Parker have named their film production company, Beaver Alley Studios. They said they will be shooting the film over 12 days at many locations in Albion and Orleans County.

Mrs. Parker said she is aiming to have the new film released in spring 2016.

Parker released her first film last year. “Friends Don’t Let Friends – Date Friends” was named the “Best Western New York Student Film” by the 2014 Buffalo Dreams Fantastic Film Festival Dreamer Awards. That film racked up six award nominations, including Best Comedy Feature, Best WNY Feature, Best WNY Student Film, Best WNY Director (Feature) for Rhonda Parker, Best WNY Screenplay (Feature) for Rhonda Parker, and Best Performance by a WNY Actress for Amelia Favata.

Rhonda Parker, front left, and her husband Mark, kneeling with camera, work on a shot as part of their newest film.

For more on Beaver Alley Studios, visit beaveralleystudios.com.

Cuomo, Obama cheer Supreme Court decision on gay marriage

Staff Reports Posted 26 June 2015 at 12:00 am

The Supreme Court’s 5-4 ruling today that the Constitution guarantees a right to same-sex marriage is drawing praise from Gov. Andrew Cuomo and President Barack Obama.

Cuomo announced he directed that the lights on One World Trade Center’s 408-foot spire will be light up in a rainbow on Sunday night, June 28.

The governor issued this statement today:

“New York has been a leader in the fight for marriage equality, and today’s Supreme Court decision affirms what we have fought so hard for – that marriage is a fundamental right that should be afforded to everyone, regardless of whom they love. When we passed the Marriage Equality Act in 2011, New York sent a message to the nation that it was time to end one of society’s greatest inequities, and I am thrilled to see the Court join us on the right side of history. Dividing people into first and second-class citizens is not only wrong, it runs contrary to who we are as a nation. From Stonewall to Edie Windsor, New Yorkers have always been on the front lines of the fight to ensure equality and fairness for all. Today, we are proud New Yorkers and proud Americans. Today, progress marches on.”

The decision today follows decades of litigation and activism.

Obama spoke from the Rose Garden today.

“Our nation was founded on a bedrock principle that we are all created equal. The project of each generation is to bridge the meaning of those founding words with the realities of changing times – a never-ending quest to ensure those words ring true for every single American.

“Progress on this journey often comes in small increments, sometimes two steps forward, one step back, propelled by the persistent effort of dedicated citizens. And then sometimes, there are days like this when that slow, steady effort is rewarded with justice that arrives like a thunderbolt.

“This morning, the Supreme Court recognized that the Constitution guarantees marriage equality. In doing so, they’ve reaffirmed that all Americans are entitled to the equal protection of the law. That all people should be treated equally, regardless of who they are or who they love.

“This decision will end the patchwork system we currently have. It will end the uncertainty hundreds of thousands of same-sex couples face from not knowing whether their marriage, legitimate in the eyes of one state, will remain if they decide to move [to] or even visit another. This ruling will strengthen all of our communities by offering to all loving same-sex couples the dignity of marriage across this great land.”

In my second inaugural address, I said that if we are truly created equal, then surely the love we commit to one another must be equal as well. It is gratifying to see that principle enshrined into law by this decision.”

U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) made this statement on Facebook:

“So powerful to see The Supreme Court rule in favor of marriage equality today! Congratulations to all who fought to get us here. Today is a truly historic day, a day where we as a nation take a huge step toward LGBT equality. But even as we cheer this decision, we must remember that the fight for full equality continues, including passing an inclusive ENDA, ending adoption and foster discrimination, and combating the crisis of LGBT youth homelessness and suicide. So, as we celebrate this win, I hope you’ll join me, add your voice to urge Congress to continue the fight for full LGBT equality.”

Public invited to share ideas with NY on future of canal

Staff Reports Posted 25 June 2015 at 12:00 am

Photo by Tom Rivers – Two people walk along the Erie Canal in Medina in this photo from last July.

As the Erie Canal approaches its bicentennial, the New York State Canal Corporation is inviting New Yorkers to share their ideas for the future of the Canal system, by completing a survey (click here).

Public input will play a central role in updating the Canal Recreationway Plan, a long-term framework for development of recreational opportunities throughout the Canal system, said Brian U. Stratton, director of the New York State Canal Corporation.

The plan was developed for the Canal Recreationway Commission, an advisory body to the Canal Corporation. It was initially adopted in 1995 and will be updated for the first time this year.

The New York State Canal system includes the Erie, Champlain, Oswego and Cayuga-Seneca Canals as well as the adjacent Canalway Trail. Construction on the original Erie Canal began in 1817, and was completed in 1825.

“The original Canal Recreationway Plan was a landmark document that provided a blueprint for the revitalization of the Canal system,” Stratton said. “Now, 20 years later, ‘Canal 2025’ will chart the next chapter in the history of this iconic waterway.”

Canal 2025 will summarize the accomplishments made since the Canal Recreationway Plan was completed and recommend new projects and initiatives going forward through 2025, the bicentennial of the opening of the original Erie Canal. Individuals and groups wishing to submit comments should complete the survey.

Recent studies have determined that the Canal system helps support $6.2 billion in annual economic activity, as well as $380 million in tourism-based spending. Another study recently released by Parks & Trails NY established that the Erie Canalway Trail – which parallels the Erie Canal from the Hudson River to Lake Erie – has an economic impact of approximately $253 million annually and supports 3,440 jobs in the trail corridor.

Albion’s Jenny McKenna named National Guernsey Queen

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 June 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos courtesy of Jenny McKenna – Jenny McKenna is pictured with her parents, George and Iva McKenna, after Jenny was named National Guernsey Queen on June 20 at the American Guernsey Association’s 139th Annual Meeting in Walnut Creek, Ohio.

An Albion woman has been named National Guernsey Queen and will serve as an ambassador for the Guernsey dairy breed this year, attending major livestock shows and writing a monthly article for the Guernsey Breeders’ Journal, among her outreach efforts.

Jenny McKenna, 20, is currently a student at Cornell University, majoring in animal science with a concentration in dairy science. She is the fundraising officer for the Dairy Science Club.

McKenna served as dairy princess for Niagara-Orleans counties in 2013 and last year was the New York State Guernsey Princess.

She was crowned queen on June 20, vying with candidates from seven different states. McKenna was chosen the winner at the National Guernsey Convention and 139th Annual Meeting in Walnut Creek, Ohio.

“This has been a dream of mine since I was showing at the county fairs,” McKenna, 20, said today by phone from California. She is working this summer for a dairy farm and cheese processing plant in Modesto.

McKenna and her family have been Guernsey fans for many years. They show the red and white animals at local and national shows.

The breed produces milk with a rich flavor that is high in butterfat and protein. The animals can handle heat better than Holsteins, McKenna said. When it’s hot in the summer, the Guernseys see little drop off in milk production.

Their milk also is easier for people who are lactose intolerant, she said.

Jenny McKenna, far right, served as the NY Guernsey Princess last year and handed out ribbons at the State Fair.

McKenna is the youngest of four daughters of George and Iva McKenna. Jenny and her three sisters make all the decisions on their family’s Wee Kin Farm, a small hobby farm with a variety of species.

Jenny also helps at her family’s animal hospital, Country Lane Veterinary Services in Barre.

In the future, McKenna hopes to own and operate an agricultural tourism farm to educate the public about agriculture and dairying. She plans on always owning Guernsey cattle and to continue to be a Guernsey advocate.

Her sister Betsey was the National Guernsey Princess.

Jenny said the Guernsey industry is a close-knit group.

“We are like a family,” she said. “We all work together and like to share ideas.”

Photo by Tom Rivers – Jenny McKenna of Barre is pictured during the Albion Strawberry Festival parade in June 2014 when she was the New York State Guernsey Princess. She was the Niagara-Orleans Dairy Princess in 2013.

Kendall recreation director to retire after 26 years

By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 25 June 2015 at 12:00 am

Barb Flow will join the Kendall Town Board in August

KENDALL – Kendall Recreation Director Barb Flow may be retiring at the end of July after 26 years in the position, but she will remain active in Kendall and will serve the community in a new role.

“I’ve always wanted to keep kids busy so they stay out of trouble and get good exercise away from the TV and video games,” Flow said about her career as recreation director. “I love to see all the playing fields with all the different uniform colors.”

Although she is retiring as recreation director, Flow said she will be available to assist her successor in any way she can.

Additionally, Flow will be taking a new roll in town government as a member of the Town Board.

“It will be fine,” she said of the upcoming changes.

Many residents have expressed some concerns about what will happen when she leaves the part-time post, but Flow explains the time is right for her to step aside.

“I have loved this job,” she said. “I love people. I love to work with people. I have very mixed emotions. I will act as a mentor to whomever comes in.”

She said that change will be good as a new person will bring in new ideas to the department.

For Flow, her retirement will open up more time to spend with her five grandchildren and to serve Kendall residents on the Town Board. Flow was recently appointed to fill a vacancy on the board, effective Aug. 1, after she wraps-up her duties as recreation director at the end of July.

When she began working as the recreation director in 1989, there was no office for her at the Town Hall as there is today. She worked out of her home.

“There’s been a lot of changes over the years,” she said.

Flow started many new rec. programs in Kendall including T-ball. She says more kids were enrolled in rec. programs back then – there were 10 minor league teams and three major league teams. Today there is one minor league team, one major league team, and two midget teams.

“The biggest challenge has been enrollment,” she explained. As numbers have declined, Flow has reached out to the neighboring towns of Hamlin and Sweden/Clarkson, helping all municipalities to increase their number of participants and continue to field teams.

“We want to keep up a rapport with surrounding towns to keep everything going,” she says. “I want to be around to help.”

In 2005-2006, Flow started co-ed soccer for ages 3-6. Other rec. programs over the years have included hunter and bow safety, basketball, indoor soccer and open gym.

The town also sponsors a swimming program on Saturdays at a pool at Brockport State College for 6-8 weeks each year.

Flow said she is grateful for all the help and support over the years from the community.

“I worked closely with the school,” Flow said. “They’ve been wonderful, and so has the Town of Kendall and the Kendall and Morton Fire Departments.”

Flow has a sports background. She graduated from Brockport State with a physical education degree and worked as an assistant with the Town of Greece recreation department before she and her husband, Vince, moved to Kendall to raise their three children.

“Kendall is a great place to raise kids,” she said. “I can’t say enough about Kendall, I love the town. My parents taught me to not just live in a community, but to make it your home and be a part of it. They taught me great values.”

She explained that farms and businesses located in the town have been very generous and willing over the years to act as sponsors for the Rec. Department, even if the owners did not have children or grandchildren on various teams.

“They have taken such an interest in the youth,” she said.

Town of Kendall Supervisor Tony Cammarata said Flow has done a great job for the town.

“She is a pillar of the community,” Cammarata said. “We look forward to her taking on different levels of responsibility,” -referencing her upcoming roll as a town board member.

Flow said she has many wonderful memories of her time as rec. director including the baseball parade which was held on the opening day of the season, and the end-of-year picnics for baseball and soccer.

She’s watched over the years as small children started out in sports in her programs, went on to be successful on high school teams, “… and then got college scholarships. Sports opened doors along the way for them,” she said.

Additionally, some of her earliest participants now have their own families and coach some of the Kendall Rec. teams. “It’s pretty awesome,” Flow said.

Flow has been responsible for adult programming as well as youth programming and said another favorite memory is of 4th graders from Kendall Elementary coming to perform the annual holiday concert for senior citizens.

“They sing Christmas carols and play band instruments,” she said.

She will continue her work as a member of the Orleans County Youth Board and was honored her for her work in 2001 with the Helen R. Brinsmaid Memorial Youth Worker Award.

After a new recreation director is selected, Flow said she will do all she can to help that person become acclimated to the duties which have become second-nature to her such as paperwork and vouchers. She will also personally take the new director to meet with her various contacts inside and outside the town to ensure that long-standing rec. programs continue.

Albion bus driver retires after 30-plus years

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 June 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – For more than 30 years Joe Riley has greeted Albion school children with a friendly face and kind words while bringing them to school and driving them home.

Riley drove the bus for the last time today, finishing a route around noon for elementary kids on a half-day of school. He is pictured wearing a shirt with a big “H” given to him by his co-workers. Riley drove bus “H” for Albion.

That letter will be retired from the bus fleet and the bus will become letter “L” next school year.

“He will be missed so much around here,” said Lea Olles, bus supervisor. She has worked with Riley for the past 20 years.

For more than 30 years Riley has driven a school bus, typically arriving at work at 6 a.m. and sometimes not getting home til late at night if he was driving for an athletic event.

“He has been a great employee,” Olles said. “He’s just a great person. There’s not one person he doesn’t get along with.”

The elementary school announced over the public address system that Riley was retiring today. He received numerous hand shakes and hugs, including from parents of the current students. Riley has watched generations of Albionites grow up.

“I’ve been fortunate to have good kids on the bus,” Riley said today. “A lot of the kids know me.”

He gets a lot of greetings when he goes to the grocery store or is out in the community.

Riley, 75, didn’t intend to work so long driving a school bus. He worked at Liptons in Albion until that plant closed in 1979. Then he worked at General Electric in Brockport until that site shut down in the mid-1980s.

Riley originally was a part-time school bus driver for a few years until he became full-time in 1986.

He considered moving out of Albion for other jobs, but he decided to stay put where there was a job close to home working with children and families he’s know for years.

“He’s one of a kind,” said Pete Toenniessen, a bus driver since 1998. “He’s old school. He’s here because he enjoys the kids.”

Dawn Pulcino has worked as a bus driver for five years. She said Riley gave the bus garage a boost with his positive energy.

“He’s always been very happy-go-lucky at work,” she said. “I’ve never seen him grumpy.”

Albion Alumni Foundation gives out $40K in scholarships, including four new awards

Staff Reports Posted 25 June 2015 at 12:00 am

ALBION – Albion High School Alumni Foundation takes great pride in making a difference for a lifetime for the Albion Central School District community – alumni, students, teachers and friends.

Its claim to fame, so to speak, is the scholarship program. Each year at the Class Night celebration, the Foundation presents scholarships to graduating seniors who meet the criteria of each specific scholarship. This year, the Foundation awarded 20 scholarships to 28 students totaling: $39,650.

These awards provide financial assistance so that Albion’s bright young scholars may continue their educational goals and be successful in their future endeavors.

The funding for the scholarships are made possible through memberships and gifts from AHS Alumni, as well as individuals or organizations that contact the Foundation to establish a scholarship. The Foundation manages the funds and awards the scholarships annually during the Class Night event, along with other scholarships that are awarded that evening.

Four new scholarships were added in 2015: The Rex & Marilyn Horton Scholarship, The Wayne A. Burlison Memorial Scholarship, The Glassner Family Scholarship and The John Panek Memorial Scholarship.

The Foundation is already working on at least three more for the 2016 awards: the Ronald Sodoma Scholarship, the Masons Scholarship, and the Archibald Scholarship.

Here are the results of the 2015 scholarships managed and awarded by the Albion HS Alumni Foundation.

Albion High School Alumni Foundation Scholarships ($1,500): This year’s recipients are Dominic DiCureia, Brittany Francis, Kellie O’Hearn, Morgan Seielstad.

Paul R. Haines Memorial Scholarship ($1,500): This year’s recipient is Morgan Ferris.

Smith Foundation Challenge ($1,000): These scholarships are awarded annually by the Foundation to students entering the second year of college. This year’s recipients are Kali Benjovsky and Lydia Erakare.

Saint-Gobain Technical Fabrics Scholarship ($1,000): This year’s recipient is Madyson Coville.

Elizabeth Balcom Smith Scholarship ($500): This year’s recipient is Gabriell Struble.

Golden Performance Award ($500): This year’s recipient is Elijah Martin.

Jim and Susie Fraser Health Careers Scholarship ($500): This year’s recipient is Olivia Neidert.

Dr. Lee Minier Science Scholarship ($500): This year’s recipient is Jacob Squicciarini.

Albion Alumni Foundation Performing Arts Scholarship ($1,000): This year’s recipient is Charlyne Olick.

Coach Richard Diminuco Scholarship for Athletic Excellence ($1,500): This year’s recipient is Clayton Stanton.

Harry W. Salchak Science Scholarship ($2,500): This year’s recipient is Jacob Squicciarini.

A.B. “Dick” Eddy “Service Above Self” Scholarship ($1,250): This year’s recipient is Adryan Cheeseboro.

The Nancy Elaine LaGamba Scholarship ($1,000): This year’s recipient is Savannah Allen.

The Dr. Paul Mahany Family Scholarships ($1,250): This year’s recipients are Nita Bela, Mallory Broda, Amanda Covis, Jordan Deskins, and Sara Maxon.

Panek Family Farm Acriculture Scholarship ($1,000): This year’s recipient is Riley Kelly.

Hoag Scholarship ($10,000): This year’s recipient is Kyler McQuillan.

Panek Family Farm Agriculture Scholarship ($1,000): This year’s recipient is Jayne Bannister.

The Rex & Marilyn Horton Scholarship ($500): This year’s recipient is Jayne Bannister.

The Wayne A. Burlison Memorial Scholarship ($500): This year’s recipient is Nicholas Ettinger.

The Glassner Family Scholarship ($1400): This year’s recipient is Drake Arnold.

The John Panek Memorial Scholarship ($1,000): This year’s recipient is Sara Millspaugh.

For more information on the Alumni Foundation, click here.

County asked to help fund historical markers

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 June 2015 at 12:00 am

File photo by Tom Rivers – The Orleans County Historical Association wants to preserve this one-room schoolhouse on Gaines Basin Road in Gaines, just north of the Erie Canal. The building (pictured in March) was built in 1832 and is one of the oldest cobblestone structures in the county. The Historical Association would like to have a historical marker noting the building’s history as a schoolhouse.

ALBION – Orleans County’s pride in its history is obvious from the many markers that celebrate prominent former residents, architectural marvels and other important sites in the county, County Historian Matt Ballard said.

For many years, the county set aside funds in the historian’s budget to help pay for the blue and gold markers that are sprinkled around the county, Ballard told county legislators on Wednesday.

Ballard wants to have those funds reinstated some more markers can go up in a partnership with the Orleans County Historical Association.

That group wants a marker on Gaines Basin Road for a former one-room cobblestone schoolhouse that was built in 1832. That site “is likely the oldest cobblestone building we have in Orleans County,” said Al Capurso, who is leading the effort to preserve the former schoolhouse, which has largely been abandoned since 1944.

The Historical Association is in process of acquiring the former school house from Jim Panek, who is donating the building, Capurso said. Volunteers have been cleaning out the school house and planning for its future.

The marker would note the Gaines Basin Schoolhouse was built from field cobblestones in 1832, replacing a log cabin where Caroline Phipps taught. She would later start a seminary for women in Albion at a site where the County Clerks’ Building now stands.

Here is a rendering on how the historical marker could look.

The historical marker would cost $1,289. Capurso and Ballard asked legislators to set aside $500 in county funds for the marker. The Historical Association would pay the remaining $789.

Legislature Chairman David Callard said the county wants to first see a public campaign to cover the $500. If the funds can’t be raised, Callard said the Legislature would consider the request.

Callard also said he would like to see the group work on refurbishing some of the existing signs that have flaking paint and are difficult to read.

Capurso said the effort to preserve the schoolhouse has enjoyed support in the community, from Jim Panek, the volunteers on the cleaning crew, and the Town of Gaines, which said it would have highway workers set the marker in concrete.

Capurso said the marker and effort to save the site will honor the cobblestone masons from nearly two centuries ago, and the many students and teachers who worked out of the building.

Putting up the marker and safeguarding the building are small tasks compared to efforts of the early settlers, teachers and students.

“Our efforts pale in contrast to what they’ve done,” Capurso said.

He also praised the contributions of the late Emilio Dilodovico, a farmer who kept the schoolhouse from collapse.

“He kept it going,” Capurso said. “It’s still structurally sound.”

For more information on the project, call Capurso at 590-0763.

Bruce Schmidt, a Gaines town justice and member of the Historical Association, also encouraged the county to develop heritage tourism trails. He cited a smiliar effort in Niagara County. The trails could have locations about the Underground Railroad, Civil War and other historical sites, Schmidt said.

Unpaved road leads to blocked bridge in Murray

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 June 2015 at 12:00 am

An occasional series off the beaten path

Photos by Tom Rivers

MURRAY – Orleans Hub has highlighted some of the dirt roads in Orleans County and we found another one recently. A section of Hindsburg Road south of Route 104 lacks pavement.

This photo shows the spot on Hindsburg Road where the pavement ends. It’s a section of the road between East Transit Church Road and West Brockville Road. This photo was taken looking south.

There aren’t very wide shoulders on this road. Wildflowers are close by, however.

The canal bridge over Hindsburg Road was built in 1911 but has been closed in recent years. I was surprised to see how much vegetation has spread and encroached on the bridge.

New York State doesn’t want anyone exploring by the old bridge.

Clay Crushers are on target at state meet

Posted 24 June 2015 at 12:00 am

Provided photo – The Orleans County Clay Crushers are pictured after members won many medals in last Sunday’s State Trap and Skeet Championships.

Press Release, Orleans County Clay Crushers

Thirty-six members of the Orleans County Clay Crushers youth shooting team participated in the State Trap and Skeet Championships held at the DeWitt Fish and Game Club in Jamesville on Sunday. The event is part of the New York State Scholastic Clay Target Program.

In the Trap shooting competition:

In the Intermediate Entry Division the OCCC squad of Alex Rustay (Albion), Ryan Krenning (Albion), Austin Aman (Albion), Jacob Long (Elba) and Tyler Goslau (Albion) earned first place honors.

The OCCC squad of Shane Hastings (Albion), Max Hapeman (Albion) Cole London (Albion) and Madison Bale (Medina) shot their way to a third place finish. Individually, Jacob Long broke 92 out of 100 targets to place first in the division. Alex Rustay broke 74 out of 100 targets to take third.

In the Intermediate Advanced Division, the squad of Patrick Brien (Albion), Mitchell Knaak (Albion), James Hapeman (Albion), Jacob Delamarter (Albion) and Andrea Muoio (Albion) came in first place.

The OCCC squad of Victor Benjosky (Albion), Bryan Bale (Medina), Zachary Monagan (Albion), Ryan Mileham (Wyoming, NY) and Jacob Kuhmann (Medina) placed second.

Individually, Patrick Brien broke 88 out of 100 targets to earn first place, Ryan Mileham broke 83 out of 100 for second place and Andrea Muoio also broke 83 out of 100 targets and earned a third place finish.

In the Junior Varsity Division, the OCCC squad of Anthony Tomasetti (Holley), Bryce Wickham (Medina), Brett Nichols (Wyoming, NY), MacKenzie Donahue (Albion) and Jacob Bensley (Medina) shot their way to first place. Individually, Anthony Tomasetti broke 90 out of 100 targets to capture first place. Bryce Wickham broke 85 out of 100 targets to earn a third place finish.

In the Varsity Division, the OCCC squad of Brandon Baker (Brockport), Zach Brazzell (Medina), Jared Atwell (Albion), Jenna Coyne (Pittsford) and Jack Burgoon (Albion) shot their way to a first place finish.

The OCCC squad of Josh Hylkema (Batavia), Dyer Benjovsky(Albion), Hayden London (Albion), Logan London (Albion) and Kerry Rice (Albion) placed third. Individually, Jared Atwell broke 95 out of 100 targets and earned second place.

In the Skeet competition:

In the Intermediate Entry Division, the OCCC squad of Madison Bale (Medina) and Alex Rustay (Albion) earned second place honors. Individually, Madison Bale broke 52 out of 100 targets and placed second.

In the Intermediate Advanced Division, the OCCC squad of Patrick Brien (Albion), Mitchell Knaak (Albion) and Jacob Delamarter (Albion) came in second place. Individually, Patrick Brien broke 88 out of 100 targets to earn first place honors.

In the Junior Varsity Division, the OCCC squad of Jacob Bensley (Medina), Anthony Tomasetti (Holley) and Bryan Bale (Medina) shot their way to first place.

The OCCC squad of Zach Monagan (Albion) and MacKenzie Donahue (Albion) came in second. Individually, Jacob Bensley broke 78 out of 100 targets to earn first place while Bryan Bale broke 72 out of 100 targets for second.

In the Varsity Division, the OCCC squad of Jared Atwell (Albion), Zach Brazzell (Medina) and Brandon Baker (Brockport) earned first place honors.

Individually, Jared Atwell broke 94 out of 100 targets for first place, Zach Brazzell broke 85 out of 100 targets for second place and Brandon Baker broke 83 out of 100 targets for third place.

The Orleans County Clay Crushers, Inc. is an all-volunteer 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to teaching youth safe and responsible firearms handling in a safe, fun and competitive manner. For more information, contact Chris Rice at 585-589-5025.

GCC honors 22 outstanding high school students in ACE program

Posted 24 June 2015 at 12:00 am

Photo courtesy of GCC – Genesee Community College honored the following high school students in GCC’s Advanced Studies program: First row, from left: Emma Snyder, Emily Radford, Taylor DeSimone, Erin Tiede, Abigail Bleier and Megan Saile. Second row: Theodore Benjovsky, Daniel Kocher, Tania Arellano, Trevor Noon and Dylan Servos. Third row: Victoria Giglia and Megan Bullard.

Press Release, GCC

BATAVIA – Genesee Community College honored 22 high students from across Western New York as finalists for Outstanding Scholar Awards in GCC’s Advanced Studies program.

The awardees were honored at a ceremony and reception in the Stuart Steiner Theatre at Genesee’s Batavia campus.

Advanced Studies is part of the College’s ACE program, or Accelerated College Enrollment, and allows high school students the opportunity to earn college credit from Genesee while attending class within their high school.

High school teachers approved as Genesee adjunct faculty teach all Advanced Studies courses. Some of the most enterprising young students earn enough transferable Advanced Studies credit to enter their first year of college as sophomores.

This year’s Outstanding Scholars Award program featured a keynote address by Tim Tomczak, GCC’s professor of psychology and the director of the GCC’s Social Sciences department. He is a two-time SUNY Chancellor’s Award winner.

In his address to the ACE scholars, Professor Tomczak discussed his experiences and struggles in finding a path in life. Despite a discouraging start to his education as a young boy, he found his niche through the help of a concerned guidance counselor who found him an opportunity to take some college courses while in high school.

“I was one of the original ‘ACE’ students,” he said. “I liked college so much that I wanted to find a job that would let me stay there for the rest of my career.”

His address encouraged students to “keep being scholars – individuals who are passionate about learning new things and taking their thinking to higher levels.”

The 22 finalists were selected from more than 165 nominations in the five subject areas of mathematics, science, social science, foreign language and English. As in years past, a committee of academic professionals from GCC selected the following award winners, listed by school within their subject areas:

ENGLISH
Abigail Bleier, Notre Dame; Emma Snyder, Keshequa; Gabriella Giunta, Gates-Chili; Emily Radford, Holley; and Madhuri Vihani, Attica.

FOREIGN LANGUAGE
Austin Morgan, Pioneer; Hannah Smart, Pavilion; Tania Arellano, Kendall; and Alexandria Barber, Letchworth.

MATHEMATICS
Daniel Kocher, Alden; Olivia Marchese, Notre Dame; Jack Mann, Keshequa; Theodore Benjovsky, Albion; and Michael Safford, Perry.

SCIENCE
Dylan Servos, Alden; Abigail Bleier, Notre Dame; Megan Bullard, Caledonia-Mumford; Taylor DeSimone, Holley; and Erin Tiede, Warsaw.

SOCIAL SCIENCE
Victoria Giglia, Alden; Megan Saile, Batavia; Megan Bullard, Caledonia-Mumford; Trevor Noon, Newfane; Taylor DeSimone, Holley; and Sierra Greene, Letchworth.