ALBION – In this post card from the late 1920s, we see a view of the Lone Star Inn. It was originally a farm house for the Thurston family located on Gaines Basin Road across from it now the Orleans Correctional Facility.
In the early ’20s, Lewis Sands transformed this into a very fine restaurant where the elite dined. It was destroyed by fire in November 1930.
New York State then purchased the property and moved houses and barns onto the land, then using it as a state farm for the Albion State Training School.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 September 2014 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
WATERPORT – Alima, 10, is from Ingushetia, a Russian Republic. She is one of five war orphans spending the summer in Waterport through the Project Life program run by the World Life Institute. She is pictured with Grace Denniston from the Carlton United Methodist Church.
For several years the church has bought double-sided blankets for the children in Project Life. The church has also donated money and bikes to the program, and offered hay rides to the children.
“We’re very mission minded,” Denniston said. “We care about people.”
Mohammed, 12, from Afghanistan ties together a double-layered blanket on Wednesday with Penny Wilcox from the Carlton United Church Methodist. Several church members brought the blankets and helped students in Project Life tie the blankets together. The children will take the blankets home with them to Afghanistan or Ingushetia.
Mohammed has a rare blood disorder where his body doesn’t produce enough red blood cells. He needs transfusions every two weeks.
Liuba, a university student with a linguistics major in Russia, is volunteering for two months with Project Life. She is pictured with another university student Khava, left, and Dorothy Follman of the Carlton United Methodist Church.
Khava’s cousin was in the program in 2010. She volunteered this summer to give back to the program. Khava, 17, is an economics and finance major in Russia.
Liuba, 20, was in the crowd when representatives from Project Life visited her university, talking about the program about two years ago on its 15th anniversary.
“They showed pictures of the kids and it was really touching,” Liuba said.
She and Khava have helped Project Life volunteers by attending art and English classes, going on field trips together (including Washington, D.C. and Baltimore), and providing social support.
Liuba said the program gives the children an advantage when they return home by knowing English and seeing the world.
Liuba said the experience has opened her eyes about Americans.
“I had a stereotype that American people can be rude but I haven’t experienced that,” she said. Liuba also spent two days in New York City, “which was a dream of mine.”
Nasratullah, 12, of Afghanistan works on his blanket. He was in the program in 2013 and is the first returning child since it started in 1997. He came back mainly for ongoing eye treatments. He has retained much of his English and seems more confident this year, said Linda Redfield, Project Life coordinator.
Roza, 9, of Ingushetia works on a blanket with Jackie Fleckenstein. Roza and the other children in the program have all lost parents due to wars and conflicts in their countries.
Project Life students are pictured with their blankets after working on them with volunteers from the Carlton United Methodist Church.
Other churches and community groups also contribute to the Project Life program, which is designed to give the war orphans respite and peace in the countryside.
About two weeks ago Project Life children spent the day with the TGIF youth group at the First Presbyterian Church in Albion. The children tried on costumes, went canoeing and kayaking, and enjoyed a picnic along the Oak Orchard River.
“This is relationship building and nurturing care,” said Redfield, the program coordinator. “The children are exposed to many people coming to them with kindness and that’s never forgotten.”
ALBION – State Assemblyman Steve Hawley released this statement following reports that Albion Gun Shop owner Joe Palumbo was told by the State Police to turn over records of customers who purchased AR-15 guns.
“Any bill that is rushed through the Legislature in the middle of the night without enough time to be read or debated is going to have serious problems, and that’s what we are seeing now with the SAFE Act. The SAFE Act is so poorly written that nobody knows exactly what constitutes a so-called ‘assault weapon’ under the law.
“The Albion Gun Shop is the latest victim of this unconstitutional infringement on law-abiding citizens. This particular case is absurd because the shop’s owner was previously told his weapons were in compliance with the SAFE Act and now is being told the opposite. Now, he could face serious legal consequences.
“I voted against the SAFE Act because of situations exactly like this – the Albion Gun Shop did everything they could to be in compliance with the law, but still unintentionally went against it with serious consequences to their business. I stand with the Albion Gun Shop and will continue to push for the SAFE Act to be repealed.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 September 2014 at 12:00 am
Orleans County’s dirt roads
Photos by Tom Rivers
CARLTON – The trucks rumble down Fuller Road, carrying farm products as they wind through the countryside.
Fuller Road is a dirt route between Stillwater and Kendrick roads. It’s located in the heart of the fruit belt in Orleans County.
There are several houses along this road and a mosque, the World Sufi Foundation.
It’s a striking stretch of the rural landscape, with tree branches hanging over the road as it gets close to Kendrick. I’ll try to get back in the fall for some shots of the foliage.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 September 2014 at 12:00 am
Kay Van Nostrand named to SUNY Brockport’s ‘Hall of Heritage’
Photo by Tom Rivers – Kay Van Nostrand, right, visits with Adelia Hellert last week in Shelby. Van Nostrand volunteers with several community groups, including Hospice of Orleans as a direct care volunteer.
MEDINA – She is a committed volunteer for many local causes and Kay Van Nostrand’s efforts haven’t gone unnoticed by her alma mater.
Van Nostrand, a retired Medina teacher, is active with Habitat for Humanity, Hospice of Orleans, the Lyndonville Presbyterian Church as well as the Presbytery of the Genesee Valley.
In recognition of her humanitarian efforts, Brockport State College has named Van Nostrand to its “Hall of Heritage” – a Hall of Fame for alumni. Van Nostrand graduated from the college in 1964 and then worked as an elementary school physical education teacher, retiring in 1997.
Van Nostrand said she enjoys giving back to the community. She has been involved with Habitat since soon after the organization started in 1992. It has worked with residents to build 12 new houses and do two extensive rehabs in Orleans County. She is currently the group’s president.
She is a long-time member of the Lyndonville Presbyterian Church, serving as an elder and clerk of the Session. She has served as moderator of the Presbytery and on numerous committees for Presbytery.
For the past 11 years Van Nostrand has volunteered with Hospice of Orleans as a direct care volunteer. She visits people for about two hours once a week. She was named the agency’s Volunteer of the Year in 2009.
Van Nostrand has been visiting Adelia Hellert weekly, and those visits are important for Hellert and her family.
“We sit and talk,” Mrs. Hellert said. “We’re so much alike.”
Hellert was suffering serious health problems. She has rebounded and is in Hospice’s transitions program for people who are home-bound but not facing a terminal illness.
Van Nostrand brings a listening ear and also likes to share news from around town, Hellert’s daughter Marcia Cook said.
She is grateful for Van Nostrand. When she comes over, Cook uses the time to go shopping and run errands.
“It lets me take care of me, too,” she said.
Van Nostrand said the volunteer roles have all enriched her life, helping her make new friends and improve the quality of life in her community.
File photos by Tom Rivers – The Buffalo Touch, a polka band, performs last October during the Accordion Fest. The band played under a tent next to the Medina Senior Center. Sunday’s concert will be inside the Medina Theatre.
MEDINA – The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council 6th annual Accordion Fest on Sunday is moving to a new location, the historic Medina Theatre at 603 Main St.
The program runs from 1 to 5 p.m. and features several bands playing accordions and concertinas from diverse musical traditions. A donation of $5 is requested, with guests 18 and under admitted free, plus the opportunity to win prizes from Roxy’s Music.
The festival last year was outside under a tent in the parking lot next to the Medina Senior Center. Previously, the festival was at Hickory Ridge Golf Course in Holley. It will play for the first time in the Medina Theatre, which opened last year after extensive renovations.
“The theater is such a cool venue,” said Karen Canning, the GLOW traditions program director and coordinator of Sunday’s event. “By moving it inside we also don’t have to worry about the weather.
The Accordion Fest is presented by GO ART! and Roxy’s Music Store with support from Medina Sandstone Trust, the Orleans County Legislature, and the New York State Council on the Arts.
Accordions ‘Round The World will start off the festival at 1 p.m. This will be a presentation of diverse music from Irish, Eastern European, Polish, German and Italian traditions.
SUNY Geneseo Professor of Music Jim Kimball will lead this session, which features musicians Ted McGraw and John Ryan (Irish), Alex Alexandrov (Eastern European), Ken Machelski and Casey Kliszak (Polish), and Pat Gambacurta and Frank Reino (Italian), each performing on their own finely crafted and often unique instruments. The performers collectively illustrate the extensive travels of the accordion through many cultures of our world, especially in folk music.
They’ll be followed by a Roland digital accordion demo at 2:30 p.m.
A debut performance of Roxy’s Accordion Band comes next at 2:45 p.m., followed by additional soloists, duets, trios, and open mike. Over the past year or so, accordion players have been gathering at Roxy’s event center in Batavia once a month to share tunes, conversation and sometimes a workshop on particular techniques of the instrument. The gathering attracts a range from beginners to seasoned players to professional musicians, all enjoying the common interest in accordions and concertinas.
An informal band, led by Deanne Hardy, has recently formed from the group, which offers all ability levels to play together in an all-accordion ensemble. Any player is welcome to attend and offer a tune for the open mike segment, as well.
The Fest will conclude with a mini concert (and dancing) at 4:00 p.m. by Special Delivery, a versatile band from the Buffalo area that advertises “everything from ethnic to alternative.” Longtime polka musicians Mark Kohan, Dave Miesowicz, Ted Szymanski, Jay Skiba, and Tom Goldyn offer their considerable talent not only with Polish favorites and polkas, but also with a variety of danceable music including swing, oldies, Latin and blues.
The accordion is a reed instrument developed in Germany in the 1820s. After traveling around Europe, it became popular in New York by the 1840s. As it moved through Europe, its form and sound changed in response to different musical cultures.
Accordions utilize a “free reed” system to produce their sound, similar in concept to the metal reeds in a harmonica, where the player blows air across the reed to produce musical notes. The accordion was the technical marvel of its day, and its portability enabled many an immigrant to carry his music along with him to New York, Louisiana, Argentina, Mexico, Asia and the Middle East – virtually everywhere.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 September 2014 at 12:00 am
Second Amendment groups will rally after gun shop’s records demanded by police
Photos by Tom Rivers – Joe Palumbo, owner of the Albion Gun Shop, had some of his records seized by state police on Thursday, igniting a firestorm among Second Amendment rights groups.
ALBION – Gun rights’ activists are planning a rally Monday outside the Albion Gun Shop after state police told shop owner Joe Palumbo to turn over a list of customers who purchased an AR-15 with a bullet button.
Palumbo reluctantly complied with the request, turning over 164 names of people who bought the gun since the SAFE Act passed in January 2013.
Palumbo believed the guns, which require a tool to release a detachable magazine, were legal under the SAFE Act. But the State Police told him on Thursday those guns were illegal.
“We were told they were legal and then it changed,” Palumbo said. “I don’t want to go to jail and I don’t want my customers to go to jail. Hopefully we can stay in business for 50 years.”
The situation has infuriated many pro-gun groups and drawn media attention from outside the area. Several groups, including SCOPE and New York Revolution, are planning a rally outside the gun shop at 6 p.m. on Monday.
Palumbo said the AR-15’s are the most popular gun he sells. People use them for hunting, shooting targets and vermin that plague their homes and farms.
Palumbo opened the Albion Gun Shop two years ago on Hamilton Street at a former shoe store and equipment rental business.
He and his attorney are hoping to negotiate an amicable conclusion with the State Police, and Palumbo said the state needs to specify what is and isn’t legal.
“Right now there is a gray area that is 2 miles long,” he said. “New York State doesn’t define what a detachable magazine is.”
Palumbo, 29, grew up in Brockport and opened the Albion Gun Shop two years ago. He said Albion and Orleans County have been an ideal location for the gun shop with local officials and most law enforcement in support of the right to bear arms.
“This is about as pro-gun of a county as you can get,” he said.
Every village and town elected board, as well as the County Legislature, last year passed formal resolutions stating their opposition to the SAFE Act and calling for its repeal.
Palumbo said his phone has been ringing near constantly since the State Police visited his store on Thursday, giving him 24 hours to turn over the records. He said many of his customers and other gun rights’ supporters worry that the police are violating the privacy of gun owners.
“It’s been a tough few days,” Palumbo said. “I can’t sleep or eat. I don’t know what will happen with the store.”
Photo by Tom Rivers – An Albion school bus heads down East Park Street this morning after picking up students.
Press release
Orleans County Sheriff Scott Hess
ALBION – Orleans County Sheriff Scott Hess wants to remind everyone that all area schools are back in session this week following the summer recess.
School buses are back on our roadways, and students will be walking along streets and highways and/or waiting for their buses.
“This is the time of year when we ask motorists to be especially watchful in residential areas, along school bus routes, and in school zones,” Hess said. “Children and traffic are often a deadly combination because kids often make impulsive decisions that can result in grave consequences. Drivers must never assume that children walking to or from school will make responsible, mature decisions.”
The NYS Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee recommends the following:
Please watch carefully for children near school buildings, in areas where school buses are traveling, or where there are signs for school zones or bus stops.
Motorists please remember that if you are approaching a school bus from either direction, and its yellow lights are flashing, the bus is preparing to stop.
If the red lights are flashing on the school bus YOU MUST STOP! It’s the law and the penalty for violating it is severe.
The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office wishes everyone a safe return to school and continued safety throughout the school year!
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 September 2014 at 12:00 am
YATES – A fire destroyed a home on Goodwin Road in the town of Yates on Tuesday afternoon and also resulted in the deaths of five dogs inside the house, Walter Batt, Orleans County fire investigator, said this morning.
The cause of the fire is undetermined while fire officials await testing results, Batt said.
The fire broke out at about 4 p.m. at 1877 Goodwin Rd. The house is owned by Diana and Antonio Lopez. No one was home when the fire started.
The house was a total loss and was torn down last night, Batt said.
ALBION – This was the residence of Ezra T. Coann, which was located on South Main Street in Albion.
It was built during the mid-1870s in the Second Empire style. Coann was very prominent in business affairs and a leading banker.
In 1912, Arnold Gregory purchased this house. It was turned into the first Arnold Gregory Memorial Hospital, opening in 1916.
In 1952, after the new hospital building opened, the old hospital and former Coann house was demolished. The space that once occupied Coann is now a parking lot in front of COVA (Central Orleans Volunteer Ambulance).
BARRE – An Albion man is hospitalized following a 2-vehicle crash this morning in the Town of Barre.
The incident occurred at about 5:20 a.m. at the intersection of West Lee Road (State Route 31A) and Eagle Harbor Road.
Albert T. Witt, 69, was operating a 2000 Dodge Caravan, travelling south on Eagle Harbor Road when he attempted to cross Route 31A. Witt’s vehicle entered the intersection without yielding right-of-way and crossed into the path of a westbound tractor-trailer car-carrier and a collision subsequently occurred.
Witt, the sole occupant, was trapped in the wreckage for about 30 minutes before being extricated by Barre firefighters. He was flown to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester by Mercy Flight helicopter.
The truck/trailer is owned by Ladue Auto Transport located in Hamlin. It was operated by Robert S. Jiacobbe, 30, of Hilton. Jiacobbe was the sole occupant of the truck and was not injured. At the time of the incident, the truck was transporting seven vehicles on the carrier. None of those vehicles were damaged as a result of the collision.
The incident was investigated by Deputy K.J. Colonna, assisted by Deputy J.A. DeFilipps and Trooper G.W. Radford of the Albion barracks. Albion firefighters and personnel from Central Orleans Volunteer Ambulance also assisted at the scene.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 September 2014 at 12:00 am
Curvin’s News has been presence for nearly a century
Photo by Tom Rivers – John Grimes is selling Curvin’s News for $50,000 “or reasonable offer,” according to a paper posted on the window of the building at 540 Main St.
MEDINA – A business that has been part of the Medina community for nearly a century is expected to close later this week.
John Grimes has owned and operated Curvin’s News since 1995 at 540 Main St. After it closes this week, Grimes and his two employees will shut down a next-door video store next week, said Elizabeth Boryszewski, Curvin’s manager.
Grimes is currently hospitalized. He nearly shut down the business two years ago after a former employee stole about $65,000 worth of lottery tickets.
Grimes also suffered the loss of his wife. Barb Grimes died on Feb. 12, 2012 at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo.
Grimes, a former village trustee, has found ways to keep the businesses going despite the challenges in recent years. However, Boryszewski said the store owner feels it’s the right time to close the business.
Boryszewski said Curvin’s is a popular gathering place for residents. They have expressed their sadness with the store’s imminent closing.
“It’s heartbreaking,” she said. “It’s just home here. Everybody is so friendly.”
A note taped to the front window seeks $50,000 “or reasonable offer” for the business.
Grimes, in the posted note, welcomed a buyer for Curvin’s. The business is for sale “To anyone with the Talent and Experience to save the store,” according to the window display.
HOLLEY – Village police say a Holley woman, Lynnette Schumacher, has been missing since last Tuesday when she was last seen at the Holley Hotel on Thomas Street.
Schumacher suffers from mental disorders and may not have her medication, investigators told WHEC in Rochester. She was last seen wearing a gray hoodie and gray sweatpants. Schumacher is also heavily tattooed.
Anyone with information is asked to call 911.
Schumacher was subject of a missing person alert in March from the village of Albion. She allegedly took an acquaintance’s car and was located in the city of Rochester.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 September 2014 at 3:14 am
Photo by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – The marquee at Medina Theatre says, “Farewell Vince,” in honor of the prominent local attorney and entrepreneur Vince Cardone. He bought the theater in 1975. The site reopened last year following renovations and continues to operated by his family as a bar, restaurant and entertainment venue.
Mr. Cardone died on Aug. 23 at age 93. He was a life-long Medina resident and World War II veteran. He worked five decades as a lawyer and owned many local properties.
He and his wife, Rose, raised six children, including Joe Cardone, the Orleans County district attorney; the Honorable Kathleen Cardone, a U.S. district judge in El Paso; and Rosalind Lind, Renee Cardone, Dominic Cardone and Michael Cardone.
A mass in celebration of Vince Cardone’s life was held on Friday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.
