Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Santa Claus (Phil McKenna) and Mrs. Claus (Valerie Rush) appeared in Strawberry Festival Parade on Saturday to help promote a memorial for Charles W. Howard, the founder of a Santa Claus School in Albion from 1937 to 1966.

Santa and Mrs. Claus are pictured at the parade’s staging area at the back of the elementary school parking lot. Dan Parker of Albion drove a 1936 Ford truck in the parade, carrying a banner that said, “Welcome Home, Santa! Albion’s Charles W. Howard”

The Albion Betterment Committee is working on the memorial for Charles Howard at the current Waterman Park next to Cropsey and Cropsey’s law office, about a half-block south of the Erie Canal.

The committee sent out appeal letters late last month and already has received close to $3,000, said Gary Kent, one of the directors for the Betterment Group.

Santa and Mrs. Claus head down Main Street in the parade with two youngsters, Maleah Knight, 11, and Lucy Rivers, 10, right.

The memorial for Howard, which would include a bronze statue and other improvements to the downtown park, could cost $80,000 to $100,000.

The Santa community, the people who portray Santa, are very interested in the project and are expected to help. Phil Wenz portrays Santa full-time throughout the year at Santa’s Village Theme Park in Dundee, Illinois. He also helps coordinate an annual Santa convention that was in Albion last year and will be next month in Branson, Missouri. Wenz said he will promote the Howard project with the Santas next month in Branson. Wenz said about 1,000 Santas will be at that convention.

Howard remains a revered figure among Santas. The Santa School continues in his name in Midland, Mich.

Gary Kent rode in the truck with Parker for most of the parade route. Kent said children were ecstatic to see Santa in the parade.

“To see the reaction of those kids was unforgettable,” Kent said. “They just lit up.”

The committee is also selling “Believe” T-shirts designed by Rush (Mrs. Claus).

Donations for the project can be sent to Albion Betterment Committee/Charles Howard Project, 14487 Baker Rd., Kent NY, 14477. That is the address for Joe Gehl, one of the directors of the Albion Betterment Committee.

Crash led to death of David Whittier

Photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The family of David Whittier is pictured with Orleans County Sheriff Randy Bower this afternoon when a roadside was unveiled to mark the spot on Gaines basin Road in Albion where Whittier was fatally injured in 1989. Bower is pictured with Whittier’s daughter Kellie Spychalski, Whittier’s wife Connie and son Thad Whittier, who all live in Holley.

The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office had a reception this afternoon to unveil the sign that will likely be installed on Tuesday on the west side of Gaines Basin Road, about 1/8 mile south of Route 104.

David Whittier worked 20 years at Kodak before following his dream of being a police officer. He was hired as a full-time deputy on June 22, 1987.

Whittier made many arrests for people driving while intoxicated. Ironically on Jan. 19, 1989, Whittier was on routine road patrol when he came upon an unoccupied pickup truck on Gaines Basin Road. The driver of that truck was out hunting.

David Whittier

While Whittier was inspecting the truck a young man who was driving drunk struck the parked pickup truck. Whittier had dove between the pickup and his patrol car. He was crushed between the two vehicles after the pickup was hit. He was then dragged about 100 feet and left for dead under the truck.

He survived the accident and remained in the hospital until April 1989. After being home for a few months, his condition did not improve. He had contracted cancer, which doctors said was trauma induced. Doctors said his immune system was too compromised due to injuries sustained from the accident. He and his family were advised that treatment was not an option and would only cause further pain and suffering.

Whittier was 41 when he died on Sept. 8, 1989. About 700 people, including police officers around the state, attended his funeral in Clarendon at the Disciples United Methodist Church.

“We are so pleased and humbled the sheriff would remember our family more than 27 years later,” said Spychalski, who was 21 and in college when her father was hit by the drunk driver. “We miss him and think about him every day.”

The sign was designed by Deputy James DeFilipps and made by the Genesee County Highway Department. Gaines Basin Road is a county-owned road. The sign will be installed by the Orleans County Highway Department.

Spychalski named her son, David, after her father. Her son is now nearly 25.

As her father’s condition worsened, Spychalski said her father wanted Mrs. Whittier to let the driver know he forgave him for the crime.

Whittier is the only deputy to die in the line of duty in Orleans County history.

He was a popular, well-liked man, his wife recalled. He was lead singer in the band, Defiance, and played in weddings for many of his police officer friends.

“He was a good guy,” she said. “Everybody loved David. He really, truly loved his job. He gave his life for it.”

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Miranda Gebo, 10, of Albion gives The Turtle a high five on Saturday during the The Amazing Turtle Race on the Erie Canal. Miranda’s brother, Nikolas Greean, wore the turtle costume during the Strawberry Festival.

There were about 750 tickets sold for the race, with proceeds used to help pay for the festival.

The Turtle is joined by other onlookers in watching the turtles race down the Erie Canal, heading east from the Main Street Lift Bridge.

Local Boy Scouts and Albion Rotarian Don Bishop are waiting in canoes for the fastest turtles.

The turtles are numbered from 1 to 1,000. Five Star Bank staff manage the event for the Strawberry Festival.

The winning turtles and prizes include: first ($500), Robert Tiberio of Albion; second ($300), Jim Summers of Kent; third ($100), Lori Sheffer of Albion, $100; fourth ($50), Brady Christiaansen of Medina; fifth ($50), Ellen Chandler.

There were 40 classic cars in the car show sponsored by the Don Davis dealership.

This 1964 Impala owned by Frank and Judy Mack won the favorite car award from spectators at the car show.

Danny Marek of Albion bought this 1952 Chevrolet truck last year and made it a winter project, refurbishing the interior, clear-coating the paint and using an old barn door as a new bed for the truck. Marek likes the rustic look with the truck. It was one of the most talked about vehicles in the car show.

ALBION – Sebastian Stritzinger, almost 2 of Albion, watches the parade from the shoulders of Ben Metcalf.

It was a long parade this morning and the participants avoided a storm despite ominous skies and a forecast for fierce winds, heavy rain and lightning.

Albion Marching Band members, Mykailah Roberts (front) and Taylor Walczak, lead the Color Guard down Main Street for the parade. The band was given a big reception from the crowd.

The Batavia High School Marching Band heads north on Main Street towards the canal after its performance.

It was sprinkling at about 9:45 a.m., and participants with the Hospice float took cover under umbrellas. The rain stopped in time for the parade at 10 a.m.

Albion FFA members head down Main Street on their float.

Today’s activities continue until about 9 p.m. Click here to see the schedule.

Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Joe Mahley of Lockport works on a portrait of Ben Franklin during today’s chalk art competition at the Albion Strawberry Festival. Mahley won the top prize, $150, for adults. He said chalk art is a “serious hobby.”

“Chalk the Walk” debuted at this year festival and organizers from the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council and the Albion Merchants Association want to bring it back next year.

Emma McQuillan, 10, of Albion won first place and $50 in the 12-and-under division for her art work of the Statue of Liberty and an American flag.

There were 14 participants in today’s event that drew many onlookers to the west side on Main Street between the canal and Bank Street.

Kyanara Canales, 15, of Albion works on her portrait of Mohandas Gandhi. She said he started the civil disobedience movement and stayed true to his beliefs despite being imprisoned. Kyanara won first place and $100 in the teen division.

Leo Gray, 8, of Batavia works on the dinosaur at left. His mother, Jennifer Gray, drew the dinosaur at right. She is the executive director of GO-Art!. The mother and son were exhibitors in today’s event, and weren’t official entries.

Gray said the debut chalk art competition had a good start. She said there will be some tweaks to make it better next year.

Valerie Carscallen of Albion works on her art work. Her granddaughters also competed in the event. Carscallen said it was a nice addition to the festival. While the artists worked, music from bands could be heard from venues at either Waterman Park or on Bank Street.

“I can’t think of a better way to spend the day than to listen to music while working with chalk,” she said. “It’s wonderful.”

Joe Mahley of Lockport  poses with the finished portrait of Ben Franklin. Mahley participates in many chalk art competitions.

ALBION – Cheyanna Eagle, an Albion High School senior, lies on the front of a damaged car this morning during a simulation to warn students about driving drunk, impaired or distracted.

Tonight is Albion’s prom, and it’s also soon to be the start of graduation parties. Albion High School leaders welcomed about 35 first responders for this morning’s simulation that included six students who wore makeup to appear bloodied from an accident.

Albion, Barre and Carlton firefighters work to tear off the top of this vehicle to rescue a trapped student. This was the first time in six years Albion staged the simulation.

“We want to show you what happens when people make bad choices, whether driving drunk or after using drugs or pills,” Albion Police Chief Roland Nenni told students watching the simulation.

Joe Madejski, an Albion junior, is put through drunk driving field sobriety tests.

Katie Mann waits in an ambulance. She was one of six students who wore makeup to help send a message about the seriousness of driving impaired or drunk.

“This is not a lecture,” Chief Nenni told the students. “We’re going to show you what happens when someone makes a bad choice.”

COVA medics Barb Morlino, Jason Spencer (back) and Bob Snekser work on student Evan Steier after he was pulled from the wreck.

Evan Steier is taken by stretcher to a Mercy Flight helicopter.

Mercy Flight arrives for a transport.

Firefighters and medics tend to student Emma Wadhams.

Allyson Irwin, an Albion senior, is also an Albion firefighter. She joined the other firefighters in today’s simulation.

The arm of Cheyanna Eagle hangs off the car while firefighters work to free another student.

Cheyanna Eagle is pronounced dead at the scene. Her mother, Renee Hungerford, sees her. Hungerford hugged her daughter and screamed in agony.

Even though it was a simulation, Hungerford said after that it was a shock to see her daughter on a stretcher, pretending to be dead.

“The emotions took over,” she said.

Hungerford was asked about two weeks ago to be part of today’s simulation. She said she reluctantly agreed to the exercise.

“I’ve had nightmares for two weeks,” she said. “But it’s an important message the kids need to know.”

Cheyanna has been an active member of the Albion drama program. She could hear some of her classmates crying while watching the simulation this morning.

“We wanted to send this message especially with prom tonight,” she said.

Matthew Peterson, the high school principal, talks to students after the simulation. He thanked the first responders for their work with the exercise.

“This was done because we care deeply about everyone of you and we want you to make the right decision,” Peterson told the students.

Peterson said after that he had never seen such a simulation. He said it was powerful to witness.

“It’s difficult to simulate emotions, but there were tears and shock,” he said. “I think it will leave a lasting impression.”

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Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Shelby Washburn of Lonsberry Concessions in Castile gets a booth ready to sell lemonade, nachos and soft pretzels at the food court on East Bank Street for the 30th annual Strawberry Festival. The two-day event starts today and runs until Saturday evening.

Debbie Yockel, an employee at Five Star bank in Albion, works on organizing the turtles for “The Amazing Turtle Race,” which is 2 p.m. Saturday between the lift bridges on the Erie Canal.

Five Star employees take the lead in running the event, which is a fund-raiser for the festival. Tickets to buy turtles for the race are $5 each or 5 for $20, which several checks given to the owners of the fastest turtles.

Lt. Tom O’Hearn patrols in the food court. Saturday will be his final day in uniform after a 20-year career with the Albion Police Department.

Click here to see a schedule for the festival.