ROCHESTER, NY – The following local residents made the Dean’s List for fall 2014-2015 semester at Rochester Institute of Technology:
Michael Fischer of Albion, is a second-year student in the chemical engineering program in RIT’s Kate Gleason College of Engineering.
Alyssa Hering of Albion, is a second-year student in the diagnostic medical sonography program in RIT’s College of Health Sciences and Technology.
Rebecca Atwell of Albion, is a fourth-year student in the diagnostic medical sonography program in RIT’s College of Health Sciences and Technology.
James Cooper of Albion, is a third-year student in the mechanical engineering technology program in RIT’s College of Applied Science and Technology.
Kyle Appleman of Albion, is a third-year student in the mechanical engineering program in RIT’s Kate Gleason College of Engineering.
Roland Sanford of Albion, is a third-year student in the physics program in RIT’s College of Science.
Steven Dill of Holley, is a third-year student in the game design and development program in RIT’s B. Thomas Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences.
Michael Pernicano of Holley, is a third-year student in the international hospitality and service management program in RIT’s College of Applied Science and Technology.
Jessica Dill of Holley, is a fifth-year student in the mechanical engineering program in RIT’s Kate Gleason College of Engineering.
Raquel Roberts of Kent, is a fourth-year student in the biomedical sciences program in RIT’s College of Health Sciences and Technology.
Daniel Marek of Lyndonville, is a fourth-year student in the management information systems program in RIT’s Saunders College of Business.
William Barber of Medina, is a fourth-year student in the film and animation program in RIT’s College of Imaging Arts and Sciences.
Jonas Hartway of Medina, is a third-year student in the illustration program in RIT’s College of Imaging Arts and Sciences.
Erika Edwards of Waterport, is a second-year student in the interior design program in RIT’s College of Imaging Arts and Sciences.
Degree-seeking undergraduate students are eligible for Dean’s List if their term GPA is greater than or equal to 3.400; they do not have any grades of “Incomplete”, “D” or “F”; and they have registered for, and completed, at least 12 credit hours.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 February 2015 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers – The Orleans County Courthouse is a silhouette on Monday morning when the temperatures hovered around 0.
Orleans County and Western New York is getting a respite from dangerously cold temperatures today with a high forecast at 16 degrees.
But the harsh cold will be back on Wednesday and will continue through early Saturday. The National Weather Service in Buffalo is warning of hazardous weather conditions in the coming days with lake effect snow along the Lake Ontario shoreline from Wednesday night through Friday.
“Significant localized accumulations will be possible, especially across Orleans and Monroe counties,” the Weather Service said.
The deep freeze will be back on Wednesday when the low temperatures will fall to 1 degree, followed by a high of 2 on Thursday with a low of minus 7, according to the Weather Service. On Friday, the high will be 8 with a low of 2 degrees. The wind chill could be below 30 from Wednesday through Friday, the Weather Service said.
Saturday will provide some relief from the punishing cold. The high temperature is forecast to reach 25 degrees.
Some icicles hang on the roof of the Catholic Church’s lyceum on Main Street in Albion in this photo taken on Sunday morning, when many churches were closed due to dangerously cold temperatures.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 February 2015 at 7:58 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – A two-car accident resulted in minor injuries at about 6:45 p.m. on Route 31A, just east of Route 98.
Albion firefighters and Orleans County Sheriff’s deputies were on scene, along with Central Orleans Volunteer Ambulance. COVA personnel were examining a woman who complained of pain in her wrist and arm.
(Katelynne Klossner wrote on the Orleans Hub Facebook page that she was in the accident and suffered a broken arm. Her car was also totaled, she said.)
The accident is under investigation. The slippery roads were likely a factor. Orleans County dispatch said a few drivers slid off the roads today when temperatures were either below 0 or in the single digits. It was 2 degrees out when firefighters, COVA and law enforcement responded to this call.
Dan Morrow, a member of the Albion Fire Department, directs traffic at the routes 31A and 98 intersection.
KNOWLESVILLE – The Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension recently picked its officers for 2015.
The slate includes Ed Neal, President; Erin Anheier, Vice President; Laura Bentley, Secretary; and Mike Zelazny, Treasurer. Also serving on the board are Gary Blackburn, Gary Davy, Chris Flansburg, Vince Flow III, Kathy Harling, Tim Kirby, Don O’Keefe, Charlie Pettit, and Pete Toenniessen along with County Legislature representatives Don Allport and E. John DeFilipps. Peter Landre, Cornell Cooperative Extension State Extension Specialist, serves as a liaison between the board and Cornell University.
The CCE Board of Directors set its meeting schedule for 2015 to be at 7 p.m. on Jan. 15, March 19, May 21, Aug. 20 and Oct. 15 in the Education Center at the 4-H Fairgrounds at 12690 State Route 31, Albion.
Election of board members takes place each year at the annual meeting. The 2015 OCCCE Annual Meeting is scheduled for Dec. 1 in the Trolley Building at the Fairgrounds. All meetings are open to community members in adherence with the Open Meetings Law.
Please contact the OCCCE Program Director, Jennifer Wagester, at 585-798-4265 or orleans@cornell.edu if you have an item for consideration at an upcoming board meeting. Information about OCCCE, including board and committee minutes, newsletters, and educational opportunities, can be found online by clicking here.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 February 2015 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers – The front doors at Christ Episcopal Church in Albion were closed on Sunday when the church cancelled its service due to the extreme cold.
Today brings a record-breaking freeze. The minus 10 degrees overnight outside the Buffalo Niagara International Airport broke a record of minus 8 set in 1904, The Buffalo News reported.
In Orleans County, it was minus 5 in Albion at 7:30 a.m. The National Weather Service has issued a wind chill warning until 10 a.m. today. The wind chill could feel as harsh as minus 25 degrees.
The temperature should reach 7 today, before falling to minus 2 for the overnight low, the Weather Service said. Tuesday it should “warm up” to a high of 17.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 February 2015 at 12:00 am
File photo by Tom Rivers – Pack 62 in Holley gathered at the Fancher-Hulberton-Murray Firehall last March for the annual Pinewood Derby. Adults, girls and non-Scouts are welcome to participate in this year’s derby on March 7.
HULBERTON – Leaders of the Cub Scout program in Holley are opening up a beloved tradition, the Pinewood Derby, to non-Scouts, girls and adults.
The annual Pinewood Derby will be on Saturday, March 7, at the Fancher-Hulberton-Murray Firehall at 3353 Hulberton Rd. Registration begins at 10 a.m. and there is a $5 fee for non-Scouts.
The Scouting Pack opened the event to non-Scouts for the first time a year ago and had about 15 non-Scouts participate, who were mostly siblings of Scouts. Pack leaders are making a bigger effort to spread the word and invite the community to race in this year’s Pinewood Derby.
“It’s more fun for the boys to race if there are more cars in the race,” said Erika Thorn, committee chairwoman for Cub Scout Pack 62.
She hopes others in the community will see how enjoyable Scouting is, and how it is great bonding for families and friends.
“We want to show the fun part of Scouting,” Thorn said.
Adults are also welcome to build their own cars and compete in the event.
“Some of our Cub Scout dads really enjoy the competition,” Thorn said.
Scouts in Clarendon also will be participating in the Derby with the Holley Scouting program.
Pinewood Derby Car kits can be purchased at Iroquois Trail Council in Batavia and many hardware and home improvement stores. All cars must pass inspection to qualify for the race, and all cars need to follow the Derby rules (click here).
For more information, contact Thorn at (585) 406-0977 or by email at ekemp07@msn.com.
MEDINA – The Medina Winterguard competed for the first time this season on Saturday at Victor. Medina is in the Scholastic A class and they took second place with a score of 63.18 while Victor took first with a score of 70.81.
Medina’s Winterguard season began in November with auditions and practices. The Varsity Guard consists of 30 students in grades 7 – 12. Their show this year is “From Cocoons to Wings” with music selections from Aaron Copeland’s “Appalachian Spring.”
Winterguard is part of the marching band program and under the direction of Jim Steele and Cheri Pritchard. The show was designed by Vincent Monacelli and Kristen Costa, choreographed by Kristen Costa and Matt Winans and instructed by Diana Baker. Winans and Baker are both Medina alums.
Medina’s performance schedule includes Feb. 28 at Marcus Whitman, March 7 at Lancaster, March 14 Medina’s Home Show and March 21 in Holley. The championships are on Sunday, April 12, at SUC Brockport.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 February 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
This photo was taken this morning of the Courthouse Square sign on the County Clerks Building in Albion. It was minus 4 out at about 9:30 a.m.
The cold isn’t over. After temperatures fell below 0 for most of today, Monday’s temperature is forecast to reach a high of 5 degrees, following overnight lows of minus 10.
The National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather outlook until 10 a.m. on Monday due to a wind chill that could fall to minus 30 degrees. That statement applies to Orleans and several other counties in western and central New York.
The Weather Service warns that “dangerous cold and potentially life-threatening wind chills through Monday morning could lead to frostbite and hypothermia if you are not dressed properly.”
This photo shows an American flag with the Orleans County Courthouse and County Clerks Building in the background. This photo was taken around 9:30 a.m. today from the steps at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 February 2015 at 12:00 am
Brian Bellan and wife Kim welcomed a large family
Photo by JC Photography (Jesse Colmenero) – The Bellan family is pictured last fall at Mount Albion Cemetery. The group includes, front row, from left: EmmaLee and Karina; Second row: MiKayla, Richie, Da’Ron, Austin and Elizabeth; Back row: Briana, Porter, William, Kyson, Bryce, Kim and Brian.
MEDINA – The community is mourning the death of Brian Bellan, a man who opened his heart and home to 12 children, including eight who were adopted.
Mr. Bellan was a civil engineer with state Department of Transportation. He and his wife Kim celebrated their 20th anniversary on Dec. 17.
He and his wife and nine of their children were having their final planning meeting on Monday for a mission trip to the Dominican Republican. Mr. and Mrs. Bellan were leading 21 people from Yates Baptist Church on the trip that was planned for most of this upcoming week.
Mr. Bellan felt sick during that meeting on Monday and was admitted early Tuesday morning at Medina Memorial Hospital. He was diagnosed with pancreatitis and seemed to be on the mend. But Mr. Bellan died on Wednesday morning from a massive heart attack, his wife said.
About 300 people attended his funeral on Saturday at Hartland Bible Church in Gasport, where the family attended before going to Yates Baptist about three years ago.
Several of Bellan’s children spoke at his funeral. The Bellan family is sharing those eulogies.
“My dad was the best. He loved and cared about everyone. Mainly he loved my mom. My dad loved us 12 kids. I was going to have a loving, caring dad who cared about me. My dad and I had a great father and daughter relationship.”- Daughter Karina, 15
Mr. Bellan, 51, moved around a lot as a kid. His father was in the Air Force. After graduating from high school in Ohio, Bellan went on to earn a civil engineering degree from Ohio State University. He was hired by the New York Department of Transportation in 1992, working out of Buffalo.
He didn’t know anyone locally at the time. He was attending a Wednesday night group for single young adults at The Chapel at Crosspoint in the Buffalo area. The group played volleyball and then had a Bible study.
Kim Brigham, a Medina native, attended the group. She was impressed by Bellan.
“The number one thing with him is he wasn’t just looking for a spouse like a lot of the other men there,” she said. “Brian was looking for friends. He gave Godly answers.”
Kim and Brian started dating and the first date lasted 12 hours. Bellan asked her a favorite childhood memory. She said flying kites on Salt Works Road, where she grew up. That first date the couple made a kite together and then flew it at Delaware Park in Buffalo.
The One I Called Dad
The one brought me from disaster to a safe place.
The one who called me his.
The one who truly I will dearly miss.
The one who taught me about God’s merciful grace,
To never stray, but to live your life for God each day.
The one who saw me through
My dad left a true hero, left a legacy behind Son William, 16
Kim and Brian married and had their first child, Briana, 17 years ago. Twin sons, Kyson and Porter, were born 14 years ago and another daughter, EmmaLee followed 12 years ago.
Kim always wanted a big family. But she had high-risk pregnancies, which included a miscarriage, Briana’s twin sister.
At a Bible camp with her children, Kim met a 16-year-old who was a youth counselor for the children. The counselor had recently been adopted as a teen and was very thankful to finally be welcomed into a home.
Kim was thinking about adoption, but was geared towards adopting younger children, not teens. She prayed about it, and felt drawn to older kids in the foster care system.
She talked to her husband. He was worried about providing for a bigger family. But he, too, prayed about it. They both arrived at a peace, feeling drawn to reaching out to older children in foster care with a goal of adopting.
Kim and Brian Bellan are pictured in the fall 2013.
They reflected on the Bible verse from James 1:27: “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”
The Bellans saw that verse as a commandment, not a request, to look after children without a permanent home.
Mr. Bellan believed the family’s needs would be taken care of, through God’s providence and some thriftiness on behalf of the family, his wife said.
Mr. Bellan was an expert handyman. He turned a garage at their home into a living room. He fixed many of their old vehicles, getting 200,000 miles or more out of them.
He repurposed furniture and seemed to find uses for all kids of things. He shared those talents with others in the community, helping single moms with home repair projects, his wife said.
He didn’t watch football or cable television. He wore the soles out of his shoes, and he always came home from work with lots of energy for his children.
“He did without everything that most earthly men would want so that I could be a stay-at-home mom,” his wife said. “He selflessly gave to others.”
Silent Strong Dad
He never looks for praises
He’s never one to boast
He just goes on quietly working
For those he loves the most
His dreams are seldom spoken
His wants are very few
And most of the time his worries will go unspoken too
He’s there a firm foundation
Through all of our storms of life
A sturdy hand to hold to
In times of stress and strife
A true friend we can turn to
When times are good or bad
One of our greatest blessings,
The man we call DAD! Son Porter, 14
The Bellans have adopted children who came from abusive homes. They adopted three brothers so they could stay together and not be split up.
Mr. Bellan was a calm and steadying force as the children were welcomed into their new family.
“Brian was so laid back,” his wife said. “He could handle it. I told him with every kid we added he became a better daddy.”
The couple not only welcomed children into their home, they were youth leaders at Yates Baptist. They took children and adults on mission trips to Romania and the Dominican Republic. Mr. Bellan led a construction project at an orphanage in Romania and the family was part of bringing food and a Vacation Bible School-type program to poor children in the Dominican.
The Bellans wanted to become full-time missionaries to the Dominican in about five years.
The couple was popular as leaders for the youth at Yates Baptist, said the church pastor, Lyle Drake.
“He certainly was a good role model and example as a family man and youth worker,” Drake said. “The kids here all looked up to him.”
Mr. Bellan won over the teens with sincerity, Drake said.
“The sense of gentleness and humbleness went a long way,” Drake said. “He had a heart for people.”
“Something that wasn’t in my father’s obituary that I want you to take away from today is my father’s heart for God and for his family, and that he was a kind, loving man with a huge heart – so full of love that it burst.” Daughter Briana, 17
Drake said Bellan was respected by the church and looked up to as an example as a father and husband.
“He showed that a man can have a really big heart, and that loving leaders have a sense of firmness and gentleness,” Drake said. “Brian possessed a firm trust in God. He not only walked the walk, but talked the talk.”
Mrs. Bellan has been flooded with testimonials about her husband’s goodness, including from his co-workers at the DOT.
“He loved numbers,” she said. “I can’t do math homework. That was his specialty.”
The Bellans have been active members of the Medina school community. Many of the their children are in the marching band, drama program, and compete on the swimming, soccer, track and cross country teams.
The Bellan family is pictured on Jan. 17, 2010.
The Bellans were preparing to go for the second time to the Dominican Republic. The flight on Saturday was cancelled because of the weather. Mrs. Bellan and nine of her children will go on the trip, leaving on Tuesday for almost a week of ministry.
When her husband was sick in the hospital, he told his wife not to cancel the trip for the family and other church members.
“That was his heart’s desire,” Mrs. Bellan said, “to be in the mission field. Our mission field is here in our home.”
Mrs. Bellan said it will be difficult raising the children without her husband. She said his love and guidance gave their children, especially the adopted kids, a new direction in life.
“He wanted to break that cycle of dysfunction,” she said.
Her husband didn’t have any regrets about welcoming so many children into the family, his wife said.
“This has been our life’s dream,” she said. “These kids all got a daddy. He rescued them with the love of a heavenly father.”
“I know my dad was a man of great integrity. I believe that he finished the race strong no matter the obstacles that had come his way. So since he lived for Christ, his death was a gain. So don’t be sad that he is gone, rather rejoice because he is in a far off better place.” Son Bryce, 17
A Go Fund Me fund-raising account has been established to assist the Bellan family. Click here for more information.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 February 2015 at 12:00 am
With no travel advisory, some dedicated faithful attend Mass, church services
Photos by Tom Rivers
This couple walks along the sidewalk on West Park Street after attending Mass at Holy Family Parish in Albion this morning.
St. Joseph’s Catholic Church is one of seven historic churches at the Courthouse Square in Albion. Only two of the churches, St. Joseph’s and Pullman Memorial Universalist Church, are open today.
The front steps at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church were shoveled this morning for Mass.
The Catholic church normally has about 120 people attend Sunday morning Mass. There were 48 people in the pews this morning for the 8 a.m. service.
“Forty-eight people came out,” said Father Richard Csizmar, pastor of the parish. “That really is something.”
There were another 105 people who attended Mass on Saturday evening.
Csizmar said there is typically one Sunday a winter where the weather is so treacherous that few people make it to church. Today was unusual because Bishop Richard J. Malone told Catholics in Western New York they were excused from their church obligation due to the brutal cold.
The doors at the First Baptist Church in Albion have been bombarded with snow.
Csizmar was impressed with the turnout this morning, but he didn’t want parishioners to put themselves in danger by coming.
“You hope people will use good judgment,” he said.
Csizmar lives next door to the church. He said priests in other parishes have to drive many miles, sometimes leading Mass at two or more churches.
Helen and Ed Wilkins were among the 48 at Mass this morning. It was minus 4 degrees when they drove into Albion just before 8.
“We just like being here on Sundays,” Mrs. Wilkins said. “It was sparse but we did our duty. You need your faith.”
Pullman Memorial Universalist Church resembles an igloo this morning with all the snow and ice.
Pullman Memorial leaders watched the news to see if there was a travel advisory in Orleans County. There wasn’t, so Pastor Lee Richards and Board President Gaye Smith decided church would go on at 11 a.m.
Richards drove to Albion from Rochester and Smith travelled from Kendall. They said the roads weren’t too bad, but the temperature is very cold.
Smith was determined to get to Albion for a church board meeting that started at 9. There was a quorum of board members as the church plans a wine-tasting on March 21, mulls a roof repair project, reviews grants and works on other church business.
“We have a lot going on,” Smith said.
Richards said he would be reluctant to ever cancel a church service. If there was a travel advisory, the church may have closed for today.
“Church is important,” he said. “There’s no two ways about it. People need an opportunity to connect.”
Today is forecast for a high of minus 2 degrees. The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning until 6 p.m. for Orleans and several other WNY counties. Wind chills could fall to minus 30 today.
A motorist drives south on Main Street in Albion this morning. Traffic is very light with the area gripped in a deep freeze.
