By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 March 2015 at 12:00 am
Albion resident served in WWII, also long-time Scoutmaster
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Members of the Patriot Guard present a plaque to Frank Sidari, a World War II veteran, during a party for his 90th birthday today at St. Mary’s Athletic Club.
The Patriot Guard wrote on the plaque that Sidari is “a True American Hero.” He was an infantryman and rifleman, part of the last mounted calvary in World War II. He served from 1943 to 1946 in the 124th Calvary in the China-Burma-India Theater.
He was awarded the Bronze Star, Combat Infantry Badge, American Service Medal, WWII Victory Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Service Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal.
About 30 members of the Patriot Guard stood outside at attention and welcomed Sidari out of the car when he entered the St. Mary’s Club.
Sidari said it was an “overwhelming” feeling to see the Patriot Guard out with the American flags.
His wife Jane couldn’t believe the impact of the Patriot Guard, a group of motorcyclists. She praised them for standing out in the cold before moving inside to give her husband the plaque.
“It’s wonderful,” she said at the party for her husband of 67 years. “I get tears in my eyes. I can’t believe it.”
St. Mary’s was packed for the party in honor of Frank Sidari.
Sidari worked as a union carpenter after his service in the war. He also was an Albion code enforcement officer.
He was a Boy Scout as a kid and was an active Scoutmaster for more than 30 years. Members of Troop 164 also attended Sidari’s birthday party and thanked him for his service.
“He has truly lived the Scout Oath his entire life,” said Tom Madejski, the current Scoutmaster. “He has always been a friend to everyone. That is why so many people are here.”
Frank Sidari has his photo taken with Boy Scouts in Troop 164. He has been a long-time volunteer with the troop.
About 200 people attended the party for Sidari. His son, Mike, had hoped maybe 100 to 125 people would show up to see his father.
The Patriot Guard was a big surprise. Steve Coville, a member of the local VFW, invited the Patriot Guard to Albion for Sidari’s party.
The motorcyclists sang “Happy Birthday” to Sidari when he arrived at St. Mary’s.
Mike Sidari said his father is humble and doesn’t like to talk about his war experiences. He has joked about the mounted calvalry having to ride mules instead of horses.
“We just wanted to celebrate his life and all of his accomplishments in life,” Mike said.
Frank Sidari is pictured with his three sons. In back, from left: Bruce, Mike and Frank.
Sidari has been active with the VFW for many years, attending regular monthly meetings. He often advocated for vetetrans and local Boy SCouts. Sidari liked to tell the Post what Eagle Scout projects were in the works.
The local Strickland Post in Albion thanked Sidari for his many years of service to the country and community. “Your continuous cooperation and participation has always been a source of pride and inspiration to all of us,” according to a plaque from the VFW.
Matt Passarell, a past VFW commander in Albion, was among the many well-wishers who visited Sidari at his party this afternoon.
“I’m glad we could be here because he’s been a part of the community for a long time,” Passarell said. “It’s the least we could do.”
Sidari has also been an active member of the Holy Family Catholic Parish. He and his wife has three sons, eight grandchildren and nine great-chandchildren.
Frank Sidari blows out a candle on his 90th birthday cake.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 March 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Casey Costello, a tenor and recent graduate of Nazareth College in Rochester, sings “Danny Boy” during a Celtic celebration of music and dance today at First Baptist Church in Albion, part of the Eastman at Albion concert series.
Costello was given a standing ovation from the crowd after the song.
About 200 people attended today’s concert featuring the Striking Strings Hammered Dulcimer Ensemble, led by Mitzie Collins, and the Harmonious Harp Ensemble, directed by Roxanne Ziegler.
Three members from the Drumcliffe School of Irish Dance – Michael Dunning, Katie Jameson and Casey Stevens – perform during today’s concert.
The dancers have fast feet.
Casey Costello was the featured soloist for several of the traditional Irish melodies.
The Eastman at Albion series is now in its sixth year with the musicians performing in historic Albion churches. The Baptist Church hosted a concert for the second time since the series started.
Two members of the Harmonious Harps, Trevor Gauronski (left) and George Rogalskyj, are members of the group.
Members of the Striking Strings Hammered Dulcimer Ensemble of the Eastman Community Music School play next to the pipe organ at the Baptist Church.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 March 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
LYNDONVILLE – FFA students hold raffle items that were auctioned off to raise money for the Albion FFA program. The money will be used to send students for leadership training. Andrea Muoio is at left and Mackenzie Luft, third from left, wait to see which bidder won the items.
About 160 people attended the 17th annual Farmer to Neighbor Night at the White Birch Golf Course.
Abigail Maines, a junior at Medina, delivers a prepared speech that was nearly 10 minutes. Abigail recently finished in 4th place at the district competition for the speech.
Abigail advocates for the benefit of therapy animals. She and the Medina FFA would like to train llamas and alpacas as therapy animals that could visit elementary students, and residents at nursing homes and Hospice.
FFA advisor Todd Eick said the stduents plan to work with Pet Partners to train the animals.
Todd Eick, advisor of the Medina FFA, thanked the community and school districts for supporting the FFA and agriculture programs at Medina and Albion.
Both Albion and Medina have hosted the FFA State Convention (Medina in 2014 and Albion in 2013), a testament of the districts’ ag programs and the draw of the area around the state for students to see local progressive farms.
Adam Krenning, the Albion FFA advisor, is pictured with Medina and Albion FFA members. He praised the students for their hard work in FFA and their many community service projects. The Albion chapter coordinated a food drive last December that resulted in 27,000 pounds of food donated by farms to Community Action.
Sate Sen. Robert Ortt said agriculture is a big business in New York, a fact he said he will share with his colleagues in the State Legislature from New York City.
“We all know you can’t grow food on Wall Street,” Ortt said.
A recent report from Comptroller Tom DiNapoli counted agriuculture as a $40 billion business annually in the state.
Barry Flansburg, a member of the Albion FFA Alumni, served as emcee for the event. He is pictured behind Ortt.
State Assemblyman Steve Hawley is a past president of the Genesee County Farm Bureau. He also serves on the Assembly’s Agriculture Committee.
He praised the farmers and FFA for their work ethic and commitment to the community.
“This is the lifeblood of the community and our No. 1 industry,” Hawley said.
Hawley said he expects legislation for overtime for farmworkers and the right to collective bargaining to again be pushed in Albany. Hawley dubbed that legislation “The Farm Death Bill.” He said he and Ortt will work to prevent its passage.
Jayne Bannister is the Orleans-NIagara dairy princess. She also is a member of the Albion FFA and the district president. She touted the nutritional benefits of milk.
Albion FFA members Allyson Graham, left, and Alexis Bentley recite the creed.
Allyson Graham recites part of the creed, alternating with Alexis Bentley.
The FFA students are pictured with Rob Ortt and Steve Hawley.
The Albion FFA Alumni, Medina FFA, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Soil & Water Conservation District and Chamber of Commerce all work together planning and promoting the dinner.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 March 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Pamela Moore
SHELBY – Pamela Moore sent in these photos of a family of bald eagles at the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge.
Moore spotted a family of four bald eagles, including two babies, last year at the refuge. She has been traveling through the refuge this week and spotted three bald eagles on Wednesday. The group grew to five bald eagles by Friday.
“A total of 5 and I was just in Awe!!” Moore said in a Facebook message.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 March 2015 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers – Lydia Erakare, a member of the Albion FFA, sings the national anthem during the Farmer to Neighbor dinner on March 9.
LYNDONVILLE – They came to celebrate Orleans County’s top industry – the $100 million-plus generated annually by the local farm economy – and to be inspired by a new crop of future farmers.
About 200 people, including elected officials from throughout the county, attended the March 9 Farmer to Neighbor dinner at the White Birch Golf Course.
“Agriculture is very representative of Orleans County,” said David Callard, County Legislature chairman. “Agriculture represents a quality of life in Orleans County.”
FFA students from Albion and Medina shared the limelight at the event. The two chapters will take turns hosting the state FFA convention 1,200 students and 250 judges due in Albion from May 2-4 for the convention. Next year it will shift to Medina.
Each chapter convinced a panel from the state FFA that they had the right facilities, activities and farm community. The diversity of local agriculture – fruit, vegetables, dairy, maple and more – is one reason why the FFA chapters from around the state want to come to Orleans County, said Barry Flansburg, the Albion Alumni FFA president.
Photo by Tom Rivers – Alexis Maines, a seventh-grader from Albion, impressed 200 people when she recited the FFA creed during a dinner March 9 in Lyndonville.
He served as master of ceremonies during the March 9 event, but gladly shared the microphone with local FFA students. Alexis Maines, an Albion seventh-grader, recited the FFA creed in front of the crowd. Chantelle Kidney, a 15-year-old from Medina, delivered a speech about legislation that would ban youths under age 16 from using farm machinery.
Chantelle told the group the youths benefit from working with machinery, making a bigger impact on a farm. They use the tools with respect and care, she said.
Lydia Erakare of Albion sang the national anthem and other FFA students handed out items won in an auction.
Photo by Tom Rivers – Chantelle Kidney, a member of Medina FFA, delivered a speech advocating for youths under age 16 to be able to use farm machinery.
The students have been featured in the annual dinner since 2009, when Albion celebrated the 100th anniversary of its agriculture program. The response was so enthusiastic from the crowd, seeing the FFA students in their blue corduroy coats, that the students have been coming back. Attendance has nearly doubled since the FFA students were included in the annual celebration.
“It makes people see there is a future,” Flansburg said.
Photo by Tom Rivers – Barry Flansburg, president of the Albion Alumni FFA, leads an auction to benefit the FFA. Jenny McKenna of Albion holds one of the items up for bid.
During the dinner, the Orleans County Farm Bureau also honored long-time Daily News staff writer Ginny Kropf for her years of coverage of the farm community. Margo Bowerman, the 4-H team coordinator, also was recognized for her 13 years of service. She is taking a job with 4-H in Minnesota.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 March 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Brad Hudson, a member of The Arc’s mobile cleaning crew, sweeps in the former children’s library section of Swan Library on Friday afternoon. The site is nearly cleared out and should be turned over to its new owner, Chad Fabry, on a March 23 closing.
A dumpster is outside the former Swan Library site at the corner of Main and West State streets on Friday. Many of the items have been junked while other more valuable pieces have been put in storage, taken to the new Hoag Library or will be offered to local historical groups.
A piano remains in the main upstairs meeting room of the former library.
I had not been inside these rooms for nearly three years. It was an emotional feeling, seeing the library stripped of the tall shelves, the main desk, all of the books, videos and CDs.
This is the room on the second floor, behind the main desk. This spot used to have thousands of books.
This is the room that used to have many Civil War artifacts and also was used as work space for some employees.
Robert Greer, right, and Chris Hardie move some chairs in a spot that used to have a table with materials about events in the community and library. Hardie is standing near the elevator.
Heather Boyd created these paintings of churches and county buildings on the historic Courthouse Square. The paintings are in the stairwell leading from the second to third floors.
A door with a swan image is on the third floor.
The mobile cleaning crew – Brad Hudson at left, Bob Tower (supervisor), Robert Greer and Jonathan Doherty – head to the elevator to go downtstairs to work in the former children’s library.
I used to go to the Swan Library at least on a weekly basis for more than a decade, often with one of my kids who enjoyed riding the elevator most of all.
Good luck to Chad Fabry as he works to make the site available for offices. He’d also like to have a community meeting room in the building.
MEDINA – About 200 people attended the final installment of the 2015 “Finally Fridays!” concert series at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library on Friday and they were greeted with cookies and Library Director Catherine Cooper, whose face beamed with pride.
Cooper had reason to smile, not only was The Middleport Community Choir performing to a packed house, the series reached an important milestone, the 100th performance.
“It is a wonderful turnout,” Cooper noted, “and we are honoring the community with a community choir.”
Started in 2002, Cooper said the concerts, which run from January through March, were a sort of a “winter survival” during the cold months when there is not much else to do in the area. Cooper said she enjoys seeing patrons “dancing in the library and having fun.”
Before the Middleport Community Choir took the stage, patrons passed around a clipboard so that they could write personal notes of appreciation to Cooper for bringing the series to Medina, and the Library’s Board of Directors presented Cooper with a large bouquet of flowers.
Catherine Cooper
“On Friday nights this place turns magical,” Cooper told the crowd. “It is filled with the magic of music. I thank all of you for coming out on many of these cold nights and having to park far away.”
Members of the Middleport Community Choir, led by Ric Jones, were dressed for the occasion, and immediately had the crowd entranced with their beautifully layered harmonies.
Ric Jones
Even though the group gets its name from Medina’s neighbor to the west, Middleport, the ensemble has a strong Medina presence. The group’s director Ric Jones is a Medina resident and is very active in Medina’s cultural and arts community.
Medina residents likely will not miss the cold winter months, but many of them will eagerly await the “Finally Fridays!” series return in 2016.
Ric Jones and the choir perform at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library.
Nancy Huntington, left, and Jan Lajoie, both of Middleport, were among about 200 who attended the concert.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 March 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Kate Krieger plays the role of Kaa, a snake trying to prey on Mowgli (Sophia Zambito), during tonight’s opening performance of Disney “The Jungle Book.”
The Albion Middle School will also perform the show on noon and 7 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are available at the door.
Zachary Moore plays the part of Baloo, a bear, during the show and Hannah VanEpps is Shante at right.
Kaylyn Holman is Bagheera, a black panther who looks out for Mowgli. In back are two members of the Vulture Committee, Omar Peterson and Dalton Wilkins.
Sophia Zambito plays Mowgli, “The Man Child.” Mowgli prefers life in the jungle.
King Louie, the leader of The Barrel of Monkeys, is played by Katelyn Spierdowis.
Mallory Kozody, daughter of musical director Carrie Kozody, makes her Albion stage debut as Hathi Jr., a baby elephant. Annalise Steier plays the elephant in back.
Arella Ives stars in the role of Shere Khan, a Bengal tiger that tries to hunt down Mowgli.
File photo by Tom Rivers – Zach Shaffer, an Albion High School student, waits for his cue to enter the stage when he played a waiter in “Follies,” a musical performed last October by the Lake Plains Players. The community theater group will receive $2,800 in grants from GO Art! this year for two different productions.
BATAVIA – The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council will distribute grants for nearly 30 different cultural initiatives in the two counties during a celebration from 6 to 8 p.m. today in Batavia at Seymour Place, 201 E. Main St.
Several awards will be presented to arts efforts in Orleans County. The evening will kick off with a performance by the Genesee Chorale Children’s Chorus, a 2015 Reach Grant recipient.
Awards will be presented to all 29 grant recipients who have proposed artistic and cultural projects to occur within Genesee and Orleans counties throughout 2015.
Legislative representatives will be present from both counties to help present the awards. The evening will conclude with a musical performance by 2015 Ripple Grant recipient Bill McDonald and his wife Kay.
GO ART! approved $41,600 in state decentralization grants for 26 projects in the two counties. The agency also approved $5,000 in Ripple Grants to support local artists who wish to involve the community in their creative process.
GO ART! approved $2,500 in Ripple Grants to Alex Feig of Orleans Radio for a “Remembers Medina” music recording and video, and $2,500 to Bill McDonald of Batavia for the Travelling Towpath Troubadors, a concert series along the Erie Canal.
Albion native Stacey (Kirby) Steward was approved for a $2,000 Spark Grant for an arts project with Holley Central School students. Steward’s project is sponsored by the Orleans County Adult Learning Services.
“Seeing Like an Artist” will encourage students to see the world as an artist sees it – noticing details that many miss. Students will be introduced to observational drawing and encouraged to practice developing skills such as focus, patience and attention. Inspiration will be drawn from nature.
Third graders will have several sessions with Steward, including drawing sessions, scientific observations and sharing sessions. The project will culminate in a mural created by the students and Steward.
The decentralization grants for projects in Orleans County include:
Village of Albion, Concerts by the Canal, $2,530;
Lee-Whedon Memorial Library, Finally Fridays concert series, $2,300;
World Life Institute in Waterport, Voice from the Earth, $3,440;
Bill Lattin, sponsored by Pullman Memorial Universalist Church, for Halloween Pictures and Pranks Show, $1,515;
Lake Plains Players, $2,000 for fall production and $800 for spring production;
The Cobblestone Society Museum for “The Lost Generation,” an exhibit about World War I, $2,300;
Yates Community Library, “More Than Just Books,” $2,800;
Lyndonville Lions Club for Concert Fun for the Summer, $1,500.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 March 2015 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers
ALBION – A sign is up on Clarendon Street at the end of East Park Street, telling motorists that contractors will begin demolition of the Clarendon Street bridge on March 20.
Keeler Construction of Barre submitted the low bid at $442,639 to tear out the bridge over the railroad tracks.
Besides removing the 50-year-old bridge, the highway embankments will be lowered and the street will be blocked off at a 90-degree angle at Crimson Drive. On the north side, it will also be blocked off with a turnaround spot near Childs Street.
The Village Board may pursue an at-grade crossing for the site in the future.
A bus carrying preschoolers drives up the bridge and heads to the elementary school earlier today.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 March 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – This photo shows a farm this afternoon along the Erie Canal just east of the Butts Road canal bridge in the Town of Albion.
The National Weather Service in Buffalo has issued a flood watch for Orleans County and Western New York through Sunday morning.
With temperatures well above freezing, the snowmelt plus additional rainfall this weekend will increase stream and river flows, which will increase the potential for ice jams.
Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop, the Weather Service advised.
This photo shows a muddy and slushy towpath along the canal looking east from the Butts Road bridge.
State Police will be out in greater numbers today through Monday as part of special law enforcement effort over St. Patrick’s Day weekend, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced.
Police will be working to keep drunk drivers off the roadways and alcohol out of the hands of minors. Last year’s effort resulted in 184 arrests for driving while intoxicated and more than 11,000 tickets issued for traffic and other violations.
“State Police will be out in force to ensure a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend for all New Yorkers,” Cuomo said. “Our message is clear: Be safe, act responsibly and there will zero tolerance for behavior that puts public safety at risk.”
Drivers can expect increased road patrols and sobriety checkpoints along roadways throughout the state, as well as a stepped-up effort to ticket distracted drivers using handheld electronic devices.
Troopers will be using both marked State Police vehicles and Concealed Identity Traffic Enforcement (CITE) vehicles as part of the operation in order to more easily identify motorists who are not following traffic laws. CITE vehicles allow the Trooper to better observe driving violations by blending in with traffic, but are unmistakable as emergency vehicles once the emergency lighting is activated.
The State Police will also engage in operations to identify underage drinking and sales to minors during the campaign. During the 2014 enforcement period, State Police issued 34 tickets on charges ranging from unlawful possession of an alcoholic beverage to sale to a person under 21.
“The New York State Police would like everyone to have fun this St. Patrick’s Day weekend, but urge people to do it safely,” said State Police Superintendent Joseph D’Amico. “If you plan on drinking please designate a sober driver. Impaired drivers can cause needless deaths and injuries. Together, we can keep New York State’s roads among the safest in the nation.”
For too many Americans, St. Patrick’s Day has ended in tragedy as a result of drunk drivers getting behind the wheel. Over St. Patrick’s Day weekend from 2009 to 2013, there were a total of 276 lives lost in drunk driving crashes according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Every 45 minutes, a person was killed in a drunk-driving crash in the United States in 2012, and most of the drunk drivers involved had blood alcohol concentrations nearly double the legal limit of .08.
Those who choose to drink and drive can face jail time, the loss of license, a higher insurance rate, and dozens of unanticipated expenses. An impaired driving charge carries a maximum fine of $10,000.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 March 2015 at 12:00 am
ALBION – The Village Board agreed to have village employees run Elba’s water and sewer plants, a move that will help the small village in Genesee County and generate about $24,000 in net revenue for Albion.
Albion will have personnel at the Elba facilities for about 2 hours each day. Rick Albright, the sewer plant chief operator, will handle the sewer oversight in Elba while Bill Logan, a DPW worker with a water license, will work at Elba’s water plant.
Albright urged the Village Board to move on the agreement with Elba, and the board on Wednesday gave it’s blessing to the municipal contract. Mayor Dean London said the village will have to finalize the contract with Elba.
Albion also has been managing the Holley sewer plant for the past year.
Albright said the village has dedicated and talented group of employees who could help nearby municipalities and also bring in needed revenue for the village.
Albright estimated the village’s costs would be for the weekend overtime, which he said would total about $8,000 over the year for the two workers.
