SHELBY – In this photo from around 1890, we see the railroad crossing at Salt Works Road in the Town of Shelby.
A horse headed south is about to cross the tracks. The board fence in the background encloses a race track. On the 1875 map this area adjacent to New York Central is denoted as: “Medina Driving Park.” It was a place where horse owners living in the village could take their horses for exercise.
The small building behind the fence appears to be a grandstand for people to watch races. Poles along the tracks support telegraph wires. Some of the men in the picture appear to be inspecting the tracks.
Photos by Sue Cook – The Bad Hands rocks the house as the sun sets.
By Sue Cook, staff reporter
ALBION – Nearly 200 people came out to the Rock the Park event put on in a collaboration between the Albion Lions Club and the Elks Lodge. The concert proceeds will be used to benefit rebuilding and renovating Bullard Park in Albion.
Several people dance to The Who Dats.
Albion Lions Club member and event organizer, Ron Albertson, said the club extends their gratitude to everyone that made the event possible. Volunteers worked the event and sold concessions and 50/50 raffle tickets. The Albion Elks Lodge donated proceeds from the beer stand. To further increase earnings, all of the bands for the evening played free of charge.
The nine bands that donated their time and talents included Whiskey Rebellion, Painted Silence, Route 98, Delano Steele, Rock of Love, The Who Dats, The Bad Hands, Terrible Ideas and Zero.
“It shows you what you can do when you get two civic-minded organizations together. You can really pull off something nice and this has gone off without a hitch,” said Albertson.
Jill Albertson added, “We’re hoping that this event spearheads more community involvement in trying to renovate the park through local businesses and individuals.”
The Who Dats are a popular local band that donated their talents with other musicians.
Terrible Ideas treats the crowd to “Use Somebody” by the Kings of Leon.
Jim Benedetti brought his band, The Bad Hands, back from New Jersey to help with the park-rebuilding fundraiser. Benedetti is a former Waterport resident and heard about the event through his friendship with Ron Albertson.
“I hit my first home run in Bullard Park. Probably my only one to be quite accurate,” he laughed. He wanted to come back and support the town and their attempts to improve the park.
The Bad Hands invited blues musician J.B. Lawson (left) from Georgia and former Albion resident Steven Collichio (far right) from Rockwall, Texas, to come play with them. Pictured between them, John Meola plays bass.
Terrible Ideas featuring lead singer Taylor Whittier played later in the evening. At the end of July, Whittier’s mother, Deborah, passed away due to pancreatic cancer. He also lost his father, Scott Whittier, two years ago when he fell from a roof and had complications during surgery. His entire family has offered extensive support, including his brother Shawn.
“It’s been overwhelming to me because my band mates are like brothers to me,” said Whittier. “They’re always there when I’m down to get me back to the place I need to be and moving forward. They always let me know she’s still around. A lot of people at Community Action have helped me out with getting housing sorted out and things like that. I’ve had a lot of support and it’s very meaningful to me.”
Whittier continued, “My mom was the whole reason that I started singing. She got me into chorus in second grade. I sang ever since. She’s definitely the reason I got into music and kept going all these years. My dad is another reason I got into music and stayed with it. I definitely appreciate both of my parents being there for me and supporting me through everything.”
Taylor Whittier (left) leans against Rodney Staats during an energetic AC/DC number.
The Lions Club estimated that they surpassed their goal of $1,500, though a final total has not been made yet.
Because of the successful turnout, they plan to hold the event again next year and are hoping even more people attend to bolster the proceeds and also to foster a closer community through a fun public event.
Photos by Sue Cook – Jeffrey Davignon (left) and Kevin Doherty
By Sue Cook, staff reporter
ALBION – The Hoag Library trustees recently chose their new library director. The library held a meet-and-greet event today to allow the public to welcome Jeffrey Davignon and ask questions before his official start next Saturday.
Davignon was recently the director of the Walworth-Seely Public Library in Wayne County, and was also a former children’s library directory at the Seymour Library in Brockport. Davignon will now be the sixth director in 115 years in Albion.
Davignon said, “I’m really excited about this opportunity and there’s a lot to celebrate and a lot to look forward to. We had a reception the other night and it was overwhelmingly positive. I’m an optimistic person by nature, but it gave me more optimism about what we can do here.”
Kevin Doherty, President of the Board of Trustees, explained what the board was looking for.
“We have a beautiful facility that was supported by the community,” he said. “Now we want to fulfill its potential. I think we can go to the next level and touch parts of the population in our service area that we haven’t before.”
He believes that Davignon will expand the library’s user base by including Spanish language and different youth programming. Doherty said that especially among children they would like to see older elementary- and middle-school students implement the library more.
“I bring a lot of myself to this position,” said Davignon. “I think it’s important to listen, ask questions of the people we serve and then to deliver on promises. Our excellence in library services is defined locally and we really want to start a conversation about what this community wants and deserves.”
He continued, “A good library is plugged into the needs of the community and responds to those needs. Libraries are learning places and that means we need to be open to trying new things and we need to be open to growing our patron base. My goal has always been to create a warm and welcoming environment, a place where people want to come.”
Davignon was welcomed with a cake reading “Welcome to the Library’s Next Chapter.”
The trustees chose their final three options out of a pool of 20 applicants. After individually interviewing those three, who were all fully qualified, the decision among the board was unanimous in choosing Davignon.
Doherty explained, “I think it’s fair to say that he has energy and experience. He has focus on what he wants to accomplish in the future. There are the stock answers people give in interviews, but it wasn’t that way. He was genuine. It looked like he would be a great fit based on the staff we have and the community we have.”
As director, Davignon will be responsible for managing staff, carrying out strategic plans of the board and serving the community with patron-focused library services. He also would like to have the library work closer with merchants, the school district and elected officials to get the community more involved.
“I think the library can be a catalyst for good and positive change,” said Davignon. “We have an opportunity to change lives. If we do this correctly, the library will be an important component in the success of many people. I want to be sure that we organize our resources in such a way that we can show the people who fund us that we’re good stewards of public funds and can get the most value out of every dollar we’re given.”
Photos by Sue Cook – Jeff Liddell’s RC Edge 540T propeller plane performed all sorts of aerial acrobatics during the air show.
By Sue Cook, staff reporter
BARRE – Remote-controlled aircraft flew over the Pine Hill Airport on Saturday to impress the crowd. The jet rally featured many RC fliers including helicopters and planes, some of which were powered by jet turbines allowing them to reach speeds up to 250 miles per hour.
Mike Burg brought an unfinished plane made from fiberglass and balsa wood.
This is the second year in a row that the event, run by the Pine Hill Raiders R/C Flying Club, has taken over the airport for the weekend. The regular full-size planes are put in the hangar for the duration of the event and the miniature aircraft are given the runway.
The hangar is open to allow the public to view full-size aircraft. There are also ultralights and vintage aircraft on display.
Christopher Gitzelmann, club president of the Raiders and contest director, explained, “We really want to show the public what RC flying is really about. This is also a lot for the younger generation to get them into the sport. Most people think it’s more like toy planes.”
“Once you get into turbine jets, which are real jets, there’s a real turbine like you find on any jet liner, but it’s a small size,” Gitzelmann continued. “It uses jet fuel and it’s real fast, like 250 miles per hour. ”
Mike Burg is assisted by Gitzelmann during the start up of his jet turbine. The plane is capable of speeds over 200 miles per hour.
The club has 25 members who bring one or two aircraft each. Some members come from as far as White Plains, N.Y. for the jet rally. The airport is the club’s regular base of operation. They also share the building with the Vintage Aircraft Group that holds fly-in breakfasts. The clubs work together to promote each others events.
Liddell has his gas-powered plane float in the air held up by the propeller. The tricks that his plane performed seemed to defy physics. Many of the stunts can’t be performed in a real full-size plane because the G-forces would kill a live pilot.
Mike Burg, a jet pilot, explained how advanced his RC controller for his jets are compared to an average controller for a basic RC car.
“This has telemetry, the voltage for the transmitter, the voltage of the receiver, the battery of the plane and I can add on controls for air speed, how much fuel I’ve got and altitude,” Burg said.
Burg added that in his 55 years piloting model planes and 50 years of RC flying “the stuff I see today wasn’t even in my wildest dreams as a kid.”
The Vintage Aircraft Group has some of planes on display in the hangar including this work-in-progress from World War II.
The RC jet rally continues on Sunday at the airport. The event is free to the public and runs from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m., weather permitting. The airport is located at 4906 Pine Hill Road in Albion.
ALBION – This morning, the Dunkin’ Donuts store in Albion opened its doors to customers for the first time. Once the cones on the ends of the driveways were removed, the first customer went through the drive-through as others lined up inside.
File photo by Tom Rivers – The building was purchased by the company in December 2013 and demolition of the old warehouse on the lot started in March this year.
The store is planning its official grand-opening celebration to take place in the next couple of days. Dunkin’ Donuts is located 153 South Main Street.
Photos by Sue Cook – Over 500 desks were sold during the auction. Some still bore permanent marks from the students who used them.
By Sue Cook, staff reporter
MEDINA – Auctioneer Lynn Hill led the sale of the contents of the Medina Towne Primary School today. Items included massive quantities of furniture, shop machinery and more.
Lynn Hill asks for bids during the auction.
Nearly 200 people, including families with children who had recently attended the school before its closure, came to the auction.
Marching band uniforms were also auctioned.
There were some oddities for sale, such as a record-playing juke box.
“It’s nice to see it go up for sale and help the school district,” said Justin Stilwell, who attended the school in his childhood. “There’s nothing in here I really miss, but it’s been a long time though so I hardly remember any of it. It’s nice to see everything going to help the school.”
Teacher’s desks were lined up on their sides in the hallways. The auction moved around the building taking place in the halls and classrooms.
Ronald Ettinger Jr. recalled that as kids they had painted handprints in the entrance of the school, but lamented that it has been covered over by another coat of paint. He said he remembers a lot of the old items up for sale.
“I really don’t know how I feel to tell you the truth,” he said.
Ettinger’s daughter, Emma, attended the school more recently. She was in 3rd grade during the school’s final year.
Some desks included names and dates. This one is marked on the underside with “Sleprock ’84” and “Zink ’86.”
Zach Shaffer was an Albion student, but his memories of the Medina Towne School are personal and strong.
“Even though I didn’t go here as a student, I spent so much time around kids from here and this place. I used to come here when I was a little kid. Whenever my dad had visitation on the weekends, he would always bring me down to this playground. I learned how to swing on a swing set here,” said Shaffer.
“It makes me sad that it has to go,” he continued. “It’s upsetting because there’s a lot of childhood memories here, especially considering we just sold the house I spent weekends with him in, too. My connection with this town is completely cut.”
Art easels of all shapes and sizes were available and some included former students’ names.
The proceeds of the sale will be used by the Medina school district and the vacant Towne School will remain under their ownership.
ALBION – In this picture from the mid-1930s, we see Coffey Brothers Garage and Gas Station on West Bank Street in Albion.
This business was operated by Francis and Edward Coffey for many years. Both appear in the photo, one behind the tank truck and the other behind the gas pumps in the shadows.
This building is currently used by Arnold’s Auto Parts.
Photos by Sue Cook – The dredging barge is near the breakwall at the end of the channel.
By Sue Cook, staff reporter
POINT BREEZE – The Army Corps of Engineers has begun the long-awaited dredging of the Oak Orchard Harbor. This will clear silt and sediment which has caused shallow areas in the channel.
The last time this dredging occurred was in 2004. The harbor should be cleared of buildup every three to five years.
Boats are still able to enter and leave the harbor while the dredging barge is working near the breakwall.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 August 2014 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The Villages of Orleans, a county-owned nursing home on Route 31, hosted its first outdoor concert on Thursday for residents and their families. The band Sophisticats entertained.
In the top photo, Jessica Condes and Gary Deiboldt perform for the crowd.
Residents attended the concert in a garden and patio area by The Villages of Orleans.
Brittaney Anderson, an activities aide at the nursing home, fills a bag of popcorn, which was served for free. Residents were also treated to ice tea.
LOCKPORT – Gia Arnold has announced that she will resume her campaign for the state senate seat currently held by George D. Maziarz, R-Newfane. Maziarz issued a statement in July stating he would not seek re-election.
Earlier this month Arnold announced that she would suspend her campaign after she admitted to having an extramartial affair. At that point it was too late to remove her name from the ballot for the Sept. 9 Republican Primary.
The Buffalo News has reported that Arnold is reconsidering her withdrawl after many of her supporters reached out encouraging Arnold to stay in the race for the 62nd district seat. (Click here to see the Buffalo News article.)
“To say that I am overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and well wishes, would be an understatement.” Arnold said.
“When I made my announcement last week, I never fathomed the hundreds of texts, calls and emails that I received, almost all of which called for me to stay in this race and fight what truth, honesty and what is right for our senate district. For me, telling the truth and being honest with my supporters and the citizens is the most important aspect of running for and representing the people, even if it means losing some support and not helping myself,” she added.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 August 2014 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers
GAINES – An Orleans Hub reader asked me to take a picture of the “big green angel” on Route 98. The ivy-covered pole has turned a little brown in late summer. I’ve noticed this for more than a year and finally stopped to get a picture.
The “angel” is north of Watt Farms and south of Route 104.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 August 2014 at 12:00 am
‘Mural Mania’ leader wants murals in every canal town
Photo by Tom Rivers – Orleans County’s canal towns already have many murals, including eight in Holley on an octagonal building by the Canal Park and lift bridge. Artist Stacey Kirby created these murals called Treasures of Holley. They were unveiled in the spring 2010.
An international conference focusing on the power of murals to beautify and educate will be in the Rochester region in 2016, and the leader of the local effort wants to see more murals in canal communities.
Mark Decracker, founder of Mural Mania, has spearheaded many murals in the Wayne County area. He pushed to bring the Global Mural Conference to the Rochester area in 2016. U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand announced the international will be coming to highlight public art along the canal.
Decracker said there are now murals in every canal community for 75 miles heading east of Rochester from Macedon to Syracuse. He would like to see at least one mural in every canal community – all 363 miles of the canal – within two years.
“You can take an unsightly area and turn it around,” Decracker said. “People will come to see a corridor of art.”
Provided photo – Arthur Barnes is pictured next to a 10-foot-long mural he installed in January at the corner of Presbyterian and Knowlesville roads at a former fire station. The mural highlights the nearby Widewaters section of the canal.
Photo courtesy of Mural Mania – This mural highlights the Battle of Sodus. It is one of several historical-themed murals in Wayne County.
Decracker is working to create an inventory of all of the public art along the canal trail. He also wants to encourage communities to add more. The conference can provide a goal to get the projects done by 2016, but Decracker said the murals will be a benefit long after the conference.
“We should do anything we can to improve the space,” he said. “Murals have a proven track record. They promote our heritage. They are a place to learn. Tourists will also stay longer if they can learn about local history.”
Decracker pushed for his first mural in 2007 in the village of Lyons. The community continues to embrace the projects and more towns reach out to him for help with projects.
“It’s a new renaissance along the canal,” he said. “We are filling in the gaps pretty quick. We can really make this place (the Canal Corridor) pretty special.”
Gillibrand held a press conference with Decracker on Aug. 11, announcing her support for the region to host the murals conference. A week later, an official announcement was made that the conference would be coming to the Rochester area.
“This is great news for the Finger Lakes Region and for everyone along the Erie Canal Corridor,” Gillibrand said in a statement. “This convention will bring welcome attention to the wealth of murals along the Erie Canal, as well as highlight everything that the region has to offer. It will bring together international, national, and local artists and give greater visibility to the talented artists in the area. The conference will encourage community discussion about how the arts can help to narrate the story of the Erie Canal and showcase our history in unique ways.”
Photo by Tom Rivers – Suzanne Wells, a retired Albion art teacher, created this Erie Canal-themed bench for downtown Albion. It is one of 10 benches painted as murals in Albion.
Decracker would like to work with schools to create individual art pieces that could be included in a larger mosaic. He would like that collective piece to then be showcased along the canal in a traveling boat.
Gordon Prestoungrange, president of the Global Mural Conference, said Decracker and Mural Mania put on a compelling presentation, convincing the conference leaders to come to the canal communities.
“This location was chosen because we wanted to learn about all that this region has to offer, and we are excited to aid in the revitalization of the canal corridor,” he said. “The Global Mural Conference will bring enthusiasm about the arts to Western New York and inspire even greater creativity in the area in the future.”
For more information, click here to see the web site for Mural Mania.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 August 2014 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers – This death mask, believed to be one of three cast of Dr. Roswell Park of Buffalo, is on display at the Cobblestone Museum until Oct. 13.
GAINES – The Cobblestone Museum has added two new pieces to an ongoing exhibit about medicine in Orleans County and Western New York.
The museum just acquired a wooden wheelchair that is likely at least a century old. It was donated by Francis London of Waterport, who bought it at a garage sale.
The other new addition is on loan until the end of the museum’s season on Oct. 13. The “death mask” of Dr. Roswell Park shows the likeness of the doctor best known for starting a cancer research laboratory in Buffalo, now known as Roswell Park Cancer Institute. Park was a well-respected doctor who cared for President William McKinley after he was shot in Buffalo.
Park was born on May 4, 1852, and lived until 1914. The death mask is on loan from a private collection. The local owner acquired it from an antique dealer, said Matt Ballard, co-director of the museum. UB’s School of Medicine and Buffalo’s History Museum each have a death mask of Park.
Death masks were created of deceased family members. It is a practice that goes back to Ancient Egypt, Ballard said. At the time of Dr. Park’s death, the practice was becoming uncommon with the rise of photography.
This wooden wheelchair was recently donated to the Cobblestone Museum by Francis London of Waterport.
The wheelchair looks like a regular wooden chair with large wooden wheels attached. It was made by the J.S. Ford, Johnson & Company from Chicago.
The company was started in 1867 John Sherlock Ford and Henry W. Johnson in 1867, according to Ballard’s research. The two men operated a chair manufacturing company out of Columbus, Ohio. They relocated the business to Chicago in 1872. It became well respected for manufacturing high quality Mission Style furniture. They were best known for their chairs and settees, Ballard said.
The exact date of the chair’s manufacturer is not known. The back label reads, “J.S. Ford, Johnson & Co. – Manufacturers – Chicago.”
“So we know the piece is dated after 1872 when the company moved to Chicago,” Ballard said.
The exhibit is located in the Danolds Room at the Cobblestone Universalist Church on Route 104, just east of Route 98.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 August 2014 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
HOLLEY – A resident is out with his dog for a walk on Thursday at the Holley’s Canal Park.
The village created the park in the late 1990s with some funds from the U.S. Housing and Urban Development’s Canal Corridor Initiative. Gov. Andrew Cuomo was HUD secretary at the time and Holley decided to name the canalway trail in his honor in 2000.
Today’s weather is forecast for a high of 78 degrees with a slight chance of showers. On Saturday, it will reach 75 with a slight chance of a thunderstorm. It will be mostly sunny on Sunday with a high of 78, according to the National Weather Service in Buffalo.
