KENDALL – Damian Morfin Howes was awarded his Eagle Scout rank during a celebration on Sunday.
Damian is from Troop 94.
For his Eagle project, he built four large flower boxes.
Two boxes were placed in the front of Kendall United Methodist Church. The second two were placed on the side of the church barn under the barn quilt.
The flower boxes allow the congregation of the church to plant flowers on both sides of the church’s front entrance, thus enhancing the front of the church.
The boxes on the side of the barn allow for the planting of flowers and easier upkeep for the church property.
This was Damian’s way to give back to the church community that has supported him.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 May 2016 at 12:00 am
File photo by Tom Rivers – Firefighters are pictured in this photo from April 13, 2015 at a fire on Eagle Harbor Road in Gaines.
ALBION – The Town of Gaines agrees it needs to pay more for fire protection, but town officials don’t believe it should be three times what town residents are currently paying the Village of Albion in a fire protection contract.
“We have acknowledged the rate is low,” said Andrew Meier, the town attorney.
The Village Board on April 13 voted to terminate the contract with Gaines, effective 11:59 p.m. on Aug. 31. Village officials said the town has rejected Albion’s offer for the fire contract.
Albion was seeking $100,000 from Gaines for fire protection. That is the same as the Town of Albion pays the village for fire protection outside the village.
That contract resulted in a fire protection tax rate of $1 per $1,000 of assessed property for the Town of Albion. In Gaines, where the town pays the village $33,860, the rate is 32 cents per $1,000 of assessed property, by far the lowest in the county. The Town of Yates is next lowest at 49 cents with Carlton at 75 cents. Every other town pays at least $1 for fire protection.
Meier and the Gaines Town Board have asked for the fire department’s budget, and then want to discuss how to fairly share those costs among the two towns and the village.
The village has wanted to share the costs with a formula based on assessed value. Gaines has suggested a hybrid approach that would include the call volume per municipality.
The gross assessed value for the Town of Albion (outside village) is $109.7 million, nearly the same as the gross assessed value in Gaines ($112.2 million.) The village’s gross assessed value is $189.6 million or about 46 percent of $411.5 million total.
The village in 2013 accounted for 66 percent or 193 of the 269 emergency calls, while the Town of Albion represented 52 calls or 17.9 percent with Gaines accounting for 46 calls or 15.8 percent.
In 2014, the village represented 167 of the 291 emergency calls for 67.1 percent, with the Town of Albion at 64 calls (23.8 percent) and Gaines at 38 calls or 14.1 percent, according to data provided by Meier.
Given the shares of gross assessed value and call volume, Meier said Gaines should pay a small percentage of the fire department budget. He agrees Gaines should pay more than the current rate, but he wants to dissect the fire department’s budget and determine a fair system for sharing the costs among the village and towns.
Meier said the village’s breakdown of fire department expenses show a total cost of $243,839 for June 1, 2016 to May 31, 2017. It wouldn’t be fair if Gaines and the Town of Albion each paid $100,000, with the village only paying $43,839, Meier said.
John Gavenda, the village’s attorney, said in correspondence to Meier that the budget is actually closer to $300,000 to $350,000. Meier has sought clarification on the total expenses.
The village’s $243,839 budget for the fire department breaks out the following expenses: $80,000 for approximate bond payment for new fire truck: $16,216 for approximate bond payment for AFD roof: $65,512 for budget; $1,500 for AFD building repairs; $7,043 for chief’s vehicle payment; $7,899 for AFD pickup; $6,512 for Engine 31 repairs; $6,367 for worker’s compensation; $20,458 for vehicle insurance; $4,063 for life insurance; $1,459 for fire accident coverage; $5,000 for electric; $1,500 for heat; $599 for Internet and $19,707 for insurance.
Gaines officials have contended that Gaines should simply pay the same contract as the Town of Albion, even if they have similar tax bases with both at about $110 million.
Meier, in a letter to Gavenda on Feb. 1, 2016, said Gaines is almost entirely residential, although it does have several businesses and a museum on Ridge Road, and two large agricultural processing/production facilities.
The Town of Albion in contrast has higher-risk businesses, offices and institutional properties, such as two correctional facilities, Wal-Mart, the nursing home, car dealerships and county offices.
“We extended requests to keep talking about this,” Meier said in an interview. “We haven’t agreed upon a methodology for a number. So far we’ve only been presented with a demand to triple our contribution.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 May 2016 at 12:00 am
File photo by Peggy Barringer – Peggy Barringer took this photo in January 2014 of a full moon over the Orleans County Courthouse and the County Clerks Building. County officials may shift some of the government offices from the Clerks Building to a possible addition to the County Administration Building on Route 31.
ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature was asked to not leave the current legislative chambers for a possible new site on Route 31.
The county is exploring putting an addition on to the County Administration Building. It might put the Board of Elections, Public Health Department, and Legislature staff and offices in the new addition.
The county voted last week to hire the Wendel firm in Williamsville to examine the feasibility of the project. Wendel will be paid up to $30,000 for the work.
Bruce Schmidt, a local attorney and the Gaines town justice, said the Legislature shouldn’t move from its current chambers, where the body has met since soon after its inception in 1980. The Legislature replaced the former Board of Supervisors, which met in the first floor of the county courthouse in space now used by Family Court.
The county judge used to have Family Court in the Clerks Building, which was known as the Surrogate’s Building. The building was built in 1888 in the Eastlake Style and is part of the Courthouse Square historic district, which is named to the National Register of Historic Places.
“This building is of a historic nature,” Schmidt told county legislators last week. “This body is of a historic nature.”
Schmidt said the Legislature should stay in the Courthouse Square and not leave for a site that is outside the village, the county seat.
“Creative thinking could keep us here,” Schmidt said.
Legislature Chairman David Callard responded to Schmidt that the historic building wouldn’t disappear if the Legislature left for the new space on the possible addition.
That site might also include conference and training rooms. Schmidt said the Legislature could use existing conference and training rooms at local schools or the library.
Callard said nothing has been determined with the Legislature’s future location. The study is just exploratory, he said.
“How we utilize the building hasn’t been determined,” he said.
The Legislature used to meet the second and fourth Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m. in the upper floor of the Clerks Building. However, last year the Legislature changed to having only one meeting a month on the fourth Wednesday.
The walls of the legislative chambers include many photos of the former Board of Supervisors and members of the County Legislature.
“It is significant to this building and for this Square for the Legislature to stay here,” Schmidt said.
File photo by Tom Rivers – The Civil War section at Mount Albion Cemetery is pictured last October when the leaves were changing color. A Heritage Festival planned for Sept. 9-11 will highlight some of the county’s historic assets, including cemeteries.
Press Release, GCC
ALBION – People who live in Orleans County know that it is a special place and they work hard to preserve their precious heritage. They enjoy a wealth of extraordinary assets from historic buildings with magnificent architecture to the Erie Canal that did so much to create the town and villages along its banks.
Even the stone in the ground – Medina sandstone, and the soil sustaining the farms – the muck lands, are appreciated. Beginning in September 2016, a county-wide festival will celebrate these many cherished treasures.
Organizers are proud to announce the first Orleans County Heritage Festival, Sept. 9-11: a weekend dedicated to spotlighting the many historic assets of Orleans County. For this year’s festival, four themes will be highlighted – Agriculture, Transportation, Historic Cemeteries and Historic Gems.
Now in development, a high quality brochure will highlight all the participating museums, places and organizations. A passport system will encourage participants to visit six historic sites over the course of the weekend and prizes will be awarded for those who complete the task.
In addition to the many historic sites in Orleans County, Genesee Community College will participate in the festival as headquarters for the passport system and with special events. The Medina Campus Center will host a timeline festival featuring re-enactors from various American wars – from the French and Indian War down to 20th century wars. Artisans demonstrating period crafts and special music will contribute to the sensation as visitors walk through time.
The Albion Campus Center will host a program on “Death Ways” through the years featuring talks on Victorian mourning art and the famous murders that occurred in Orleans County.
Many other exciting details of the 2016 Orleans County Heritage Festival will be shared in the coming weeks, but planners are asking everyone to mark their calendars now – September 9-11, 2016. Make plans to join the fun and explore the many historic assets Orleans County has to offer!
For more information or to be involved as a volunteer, please contact:
Derek Maxfield, associate professor of History at GCC ddmaxfield@genesee.edu, 585-343-0055 ext. 6288.
Jim Simon, associate dean at the Medina and Albion Campus Centers, jsimon@genesee.edu,call 585-589-4936.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 May 2016 at 12:00 am
ALBION – A mother and son admitted in Orleans County Court to attempting to bring painkillers into the Orleans Correctional Facility.
Scott Briggs, 31, of Broome County is an inmate at the Orleans Correctional Facility serving a 6- to 7-year sentence for burglary and possession of stolen property. Lori Briggs, 54, of Endicott allegedly mailed her son a painkiller on three occasions and also had it during a prison visitation.
She admitted in Orleans County Court on Monday to mailing Suboxone to her son, who admitted that he requested his mother mail it to him.
Correctional Facility staff intercepted the Suboxone, District Attorney Joe Cardone said.
The mother and son pleaded guilty to attempted promoting of prison contraband in the first degree, a charge that normally carries a maximum of 2 to 4 years in state prison. As part of a plea deal, Mr. Briggs would face no more than 1 ½ to 3 years when he is sentenced July 11 as a second felony offender.
His mother has a past criminal history with misdemeanors, Cardone said. She will face a maximum sentence of 1 to 3 years in prison as part of a plea deal when she is sentenced on July 25.
In another case involving prison contraband, Judge Punch set July 27 for the start of a trial against Ashley J. Sizemore, 31, an inmate in the Albion Correctional Facility.
Sizemore has refused to leave the prison and attend her court appearances. Punch set June 29 at 2 p.m. for a mandatory conference with Sizemore to determine why she is refusing to go to court.
She has been charged with first degree promoting prison contraband which, as a second felony offender, carries a maximum of 3 ½ to 7 years in prison.
She was charged in August, along with Thomas Torpey, a Rochester man who was convicted of a mob-related murder in 1981.
Torpey, 68, was arrested on Aug. 23 by State Police. He is accused of bringing drugs to the prison for Sizemore, who is serving a 42-month sentence for an arson in February 2014 at the Spencerport residence of a former Irondequoit police officer.
The case against Torpey is pending in County Court.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 May 2016 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers – Residents in the Hoag Library service area on Monday elected Holly Canham and Kevin Doherty to four-year terms as library trustees.
ALBION – Residents elected Kevin Doherty, the Hoag Library president, to another four-year term on the library board of trustees on Monday.
Doherty has served on the board for seven years and has been president for six years, leading the library through a capital campaign and construction of a new facility that opened in 2012.
Voters also elected Holly Canham to a four-year term on the board. Canham is a frequent library user, utilizing the local history resources. She is founding president of the Orleans County Genealogical Society, and remains the group’s president after 16 years.
Canham is retired from working at Chase in Albion. She leads “Family Tree Fridays,” classes on genealogy on the first and third Fridays of the month at Hoag.
“I felt it was my turn to help out,” she said about running for the library board.
She wants to promote the local history resources and help people use those materials in researching their family histories.
Doherty has been an active community member for many years with the Strawberry Festival, 4-H Fair and Albion school district. He owns Doherty Communications.
The new library and a push for programs at Hoag that best serve the community are important as a quality of life issue for the Albion area, Doherty said.
A vibrant library with technology and other resources is part of making the community viable long-term for many young families and other residents when they consider moving or staying in the Albion area, Doherty said.
He is thankful the library has completed the new site, which opened in 2012. Now the focus is on providing the best services to the community, he said.
“The job isn’t done yet,” he said about why he sought another four years on the board.
The nine member board has three vacancies. Two will be filled by the board and Mayor Dean London also can appoint a representative.
Residents in the Albion school district will vote on May 17 whether the district can collect $687,211 for Hoag Library. That is up 1 percent from the $680,411 for 2015-16.
Voting for the library funds is part of the May 17 school vote from noon to 8 p.m. at elementary school.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 May 2016 at 12:00 am
ALBION – Four people were arraigned in Orleans County Court today, facing felony charges.
A Rochester man, Trevis Baker, was arraigned on five counts of third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance. Baker, 38, allegedly sold heroin and cocaine to an informant from Orleans County between March 15 to March 24.
District Attorney Joe Cardone said Baker has an extensive criminal history.
Judge James Punch set bail for Baker at $150,000.
Other arraignments include: David M. Mitchell, 27, was arraigned on first-degree promoting prison contraband. Mitchell, an inmate in the Orleans Correctional Facility in Albion, allegedly sharpened two instruments to use as weapons in the prison. Those weapons were confiscated on Feb. 22. He has prior felony convictions. Judge Punch set bail at $75,000.
An Albion man was arraigned for fourth-degree grand larceny after he allegedly stole six chainsaws from a Waterport fruit farm, his employer at the time. Dustin Herzog, 27, was on probation when he allegedly stole the chain saws. Punch set bail for Herzog at $2,500.
Brandie Sumeriski, 21, of Albion was arraigned for violating her probation for second-degree criminal trespassing, a misdemeanor. She has been charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in January and again in April. In March she was charged with third-degree assault and unlawful imprisonment. She faces other violations of her probation. The judge released her on her own recognizance today.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 May 2016 at 12:00 am
MEDINA – The school district’s budget for 2016-17 reduces taxes for the fourth straight year.
The Board of Education approved a $35,825,184 budget that goes before district voters on May 17. The budget is up about $1 million from the $34,802,870 in 2015-16.
The state has boosted aid by nearly $900,000 and Medina is tapping some of its reserve funds to lower taxes in 2016-17, Mark Kruzynski, the district’s business administrator, said.
“We’re in a great spot with our reserves and we’re going to use some,” he said this morning.
The new state budget boosts aid to Medina from $23,769,997 to $24,860,152. That increase is a big factor in Medina’s ability to cut taxes by 1.3 percent, from $8,774,760 to $8,660,915.
The budget keeps all existing programs and also boosts the gifted and talented offerings.
Voting will be from noon to 8 p.m. on May 17 at the District Office.
The vote includes the Board of Education election. There are six people running for three three-year terms, including incumbents Lori Draper and Wendi Pencille.
Retired Medina school administrator Alberta Suozzi also is running for the board along with Timothy Dunham, Virginia Nicholson and Brenda Lindsay. (Draper and Pencille are seeking re-election and John McCarthy opted against seeking another term.)
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 May 2016 at 12:00 am
ALBION – Motorcyclists held a rally on Sunday in front of the Orleans County Courthouse to remind the public to be careful and look out for motorcycles. Chuck Persons, president of the Orleans County chapter of ABATE, addresses the group that gathered in the rain in front of the courthouse.
There are about 100 members of American Bikers Aimed Toward Education in Orleans County. The group promotes driver safety among its members, and tries to educate other motorists to be extra vigilant in sharing the road with motorcyclists.
State Sen. Robert Ortt thanked motorcyclists for many of the causes they support, including the Patriot Guard, where they provide an escort and presence for a member of the military killed in the line of duty. Motorcyclists also raise funds for many important causes, including Camp Rainbow in Orleans County.
“I want to thank all of you who are big supporters of our veterans,” Ortt said. “That’s what separates many of you from the general public.”
Ed Morgan, right, represents State Assemblyman Steve Hawley at the rally. Morgan and Ortt both said the new state budget includes a big state investment in roads and bridges that should improve safety of motorcyclists and other drivers.
After the rally outside the courthouse, motorcycle riders took off on a ride to the Vets Club in Medina. The awareness ride is usually 50 miles throughout the county, but was shortened to 10 miles on Sunday due to the rain.
By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 2 May 2016 at 12:00 am
Photos by Kristina Gabalski – Those attending the Raise a Glass for Reading fundraiser Friday evening at the Community Free Library in Holley enjoyed sampling local wines and sweet and savory finger foods.
Adam and Aimee Mesiti of Five Sons Winery and RG Brewery in Brockport attended the Raise a Glass event for the first time.
Rows of wine glasses await attendees at the Raise a Glass for Reading fundraising event at the Community Free Library in Holley.
HOLLEY – The Community Free Library in Holley was a popular destination Friday evening as the fifth annual “Raise a Glass for Reading” was held from 7-9 p.m.
The event raises funds to support the library’s Summer Reading Program and features wine and beer tastings from local wineries and breweries, a farmer’s market and products from local entrepreneurs.
“Some people were here ten minutes early,” Library Director Sandra Shaw said. “All are happy.” She said the event gets people together, and for some groups of friends, the annual event has become a “ladies night out.”
The theme for the upcoming Summer Reading Program is, “On your mark, get set….read,” and focuses on the Summer Olympics, fitness and nutrition.
Shaw said the Raise a Glass event has raised $1,500 a year for the program. “That’s great for a small community,” she said.
Wineries, farms and businesses featured change a bit from year to year, she explained, so that a larger number of vendors can take part.
“Orleans County has got wonderful farms,” she observed.
Library Board President Barb Kerns said vendors appreciate taking part as much as patrons enjoy the tasting. “We got notes from the Niagara Wine Trail thanking us for featuring them,” she said of last year’s tasting.
Even New York State has also expressed its gratitude after the library submits its paperwork for holding the farmer’s market. Kerns says they appreciate that the library provides an opportunity to showcase local agricultural products.
This year’s wine vendors included A Gust of Sun Winery and Vineyard in Spencerport and Five Sons Winery and RG Brewery in Brockport, with returning favorites Leonard Oakes Estate Winery in Medina and Schulze Vineyard and Winery in Burt. The Farmers’ Market featured maple products from Nice Family Farms in Albion and jellies, jams, annual bedding plants and vegetable plants, and crafts from Brightly’s Farm Market in Hamlin.
Jenn Fraiser of Brightly’s said the business opened last August. “We’re glad to be here,” she said of the Raise a Glass event.
Also featured Friday evening were entrepreneurs, Mrs. C’s Apothecary with lotions and herbal products, and Sue Johnson’s Susi’s Hot Sauce.
Live music – jazz, classical and Broadway – was provided by Sean and Wendy Williams of Sound Foundations.
A festive banner welcoming attendees to the 5th Annual Raise a Glass event at the Community Free Library in Holley.
By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 2 May 2016 at 12:00 am
Photo by Kristina Gabalski – Holley Technology teacher Tim Rogers was presented with the Soaring to New Heights Award during last week’s Board of Education meeting. He is pictured with Susan Cory, principal of the Middle School/High School.
HOLLEY – Geometry and construction, a course that will be offered at Holley High School in the 2016-2017 school year, could provide some exciting challenges for students as they learn geometry through hands on projects.
Holley Middle School/High School Principal Susan Cory reported to Board of Education members during last week’s meeting that 15 students have registered for the class so far.
She showed a video about Second Wind Cottages, which constructs housing for the homeless in Ithaca, and announced that work is underway to see if students in the class can construct one of the cottages. The cottages help homeless men regain their health, create stability in their lives, and build relationships, the video explained.
“It’s an exciting prospect,” Cory told school board members. She noted the class will be instructional (students will take the Geometry Regents at the end of the year) and also provide an opportunity for community service by “doing something for someone else.”
Some supplies could be donated by Home Depot, Cory explained, but the cottages cost about $12,000 to construct and she is not yet sure what part of the expense Second Wind would cover.
Holley Technology teacher Tim Rogers will be one of the instructors for the class. He was presented with the Soaring to New Heights Award during Tuesday evening’s meeting. Rogers was recognized, in particular, for his work with the Holley Tech Wars team which competed recently at GCC. Rogers said the annual event is “great fun.”
School Board President Brenda Swanger said Rogers is an asset to the district. “The parents are so proud of their children, thank you,” she said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 May 2016 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Orleans County Legislator Ken DeRoller, left, reads a “Special Recognition” Award that was presented last week to members of the Oak Orchard Neighborhood Association, which donated $3,249 for a swing set at the County Marine Park.
The donation is part of an effort to relocate and upgrade the playground at the park. OONA members also put on a summer concert series at the park, and lead other efforts to promote the Point Breeze community.
The new playground equipment should be installed soon. “We’re waiting for the ground to firm up,” said Jim Bensley, the county’s director of planning and development. He also oversees the Marine Park on Route 98.
Orleans County Legislature Chairman David Callard, left, and Legislator John DeFilipps congratulate Melissa Ierlan of Clarendon for receiving a “Special Recognition” Award for repainting 15 historical markers in the county. Ierlan started by redoing all four in Clarendon, and now has given a facelift to many others in Orleans County, including one outside Orleans in Elba.
County legislators also issued a proclamation declaring May 1-7 as “Western New York Armed Forces Week.” Pictured, from left: Former Legislator Frank Berger who is active in veterans’ causes, Legislator Bill Eick, Legislator Fred Miller, and Earl Schmitt, director of the Orleans County Veterans Service Agency.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 May 2016 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers – Charles Howard, founder of Santa Claus School in Albion, died 50 years ago today. This image shows Charles W. Howard on the cover on a report from January 1961 about the previous season at Christmas Park.
ALBION – Today is the 50th anniversary of the death of Charles Howard, one of Albion’s most prominent residents. Howard was a farmer and toymaker who started a Santa Claus School in 1937 on Phipps Road in Albion.
He played Santa in the Macy’s televised parades for about 20 years. He established standards for how Santas should look and act with children, principles that are still taught today to Santas around the world.
Howard expanded his school into Christmas Park, a destination for the community that remains a cherished memory for many local residents. After Howard’s death in 1966, the school was moved to Michigan. Today it is in Midland, Mich., and still bears Howard’s name.
Waterman Park has room for a statue of Charles Howard and other displays about the founder of a Santa Claus School.
A committee in Albion has been working for more than a year on a memorial for Howard. The Village Board last week agreed to make Waterman Park, a half block south of the Erie Canal, available for a bronze statue of Howard as Santa Claus. The park will likely include interpretative panels, murals and other displays about Howard and Santa Claus.
The committee will now work on designs of the statue and park, hoping to have them ready for the community at the Strawberry Festival in June.
“I’m excited about it,” Mayor Dean London said on Wednesday when the board voted to back the effort.
The Albion Betterment Committee is taking the lead in a fund-raising campaign that could be about $100,000.
Photo by Tom Rivers – Howard made Santa Claus suits and other Christmas items from Christmas Park in Albion. This picture shows the tag inside a Santa suit.
The group was determined to have a site for Howard on Main Street, seeing a statue as a boost for other downtown businesses.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 May 2016 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers – A new headstone was unveiled on Saturday for John Frost, a principal musician (chief bugler) for the 33rd New York Infantry and also the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division of 6th Corps. Frost was buried in St. Joseph’s Cemetery on Brown Road in 1915.
ALBION – A Civil War veteran who raised five children in Orleans County and sold coal for a living was buried in the older St. Joseph’s Cemetery on Brown Road in 1915, more than a century ago.
Last year, the Holy Family Parish was going through records at the cemetery and realized that John Frost never had a headstone. County Historian Matt Ballard, a member of the parish and also the Knights of Columbus, shared the story with Tim Archer, a service learning teacher at Albion Central School. Archer looks for community projects where 140 seventh graders can learn local history and also address a need.
The students wanted Frost to have a headstone. They worked with the Veterans Service Agency in Orleans and Niagara counties to secure a headstone for Frost. The marble stone was unveiled on Saturday during a service at the cemetery.
Archer said the government officials in the Washington, D.C. Monuments Office moved quickly to process and approve the request before the school year ended. He thanked Tony Navarra from the Holy Family Parish for setting the stone in the historic cemetery.
Seventh-grader Leeanna Montanarella shares John Frost’s biography. Frost was born in England on June 22, 1836. At age 13 he left for the United States with his father John and brother Edward on the Northumberland. They arrived in New York City on April 18, 1850 and moved to South Barre. In 1860, Frost was working as a farmer. He enlisted in the Union Army in his mid-20s and served three years.
Frost had the rank of musician, which was just below corporal and just above private. In the Civil War, musicians were relied upon to entertain troops, position troops in battle and stir them on to victory.
Frost, according to the 1880 Census, was married to Margaret Cusack and had five children, ages 14, 11, 9, 6 and 4.
Bryne Dysard, an Albion seventh grader, reads Abraham Lincoln’s second inaugural address – “With malice towards none, with charity for all” – from March 4, 1865.
Students Kyle Lonnen and Noah Rowlett unveil the headstone while teacher Tim Archer watches at St. Joseph’s Cemetery.
Knights of Columbus members Bob Ballard, left, and Casimer Pruski, both past grand knights, present a grave marker, noting that Frost served in the Civil War for the Union, at his grave during Saturday’s ceremony.
This grave marker was given by the K of C to recognize Frost’s service for the Union.
Matt Ballard, a member of the Knights of Columbus and the county historian, thanked Albion students for working to recognize John Frost. “It is a great honor and privilege to congratulate Mr. Archer and his students on a job well done, their noble task is appreciated by all who cherish the liberties provided by the sacrifices of those who passed before us.”
Ballard said Frost had “quietly passed into the annals of history, forgotten for decades” until Albion students pushed to have him recognized.
“The commitment of our youth to the cause of historic preservation fuels the fire and the desire to share that history with the greater community,” Ballard said.
Three seventh graders play Taps, including, from left: Kailey Merrill, Lauren Wehling and Ashley Ames.
Tim Archer and the seventh graders are pictured with the new headstone for John Frost.
