By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 December 2014 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
EAST SHELBY – Bob Pask directs two Belgian mules on a wagon ride today at West Jackson Corners, the community that includes the East Shelby Community Bible Church. Beth Johnson-Walsh gets a front row seat on the ride.
The church welcomed the community for carriage rides, cookies, popcorn, caroling and other activities today.
Sue Keryk and her daughter Karen Cuddy made balloon art for children inside the church.
The sanctuary also provided a spot for people to sip hot cocoa and eat some baked goods.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 December 2014 at 12:00 am
27,000 pounds of food goes to several food pantries
Photos by Tom Rivers – Albion FFA delivers produce donated by local farmers to Community Action and other local food pantries on Saturday morning. Community Action was the drop-off point in Albion, with several food pantries coming from Albion, Holley, Lyndonville and Medina.
ALBION – When the Albion FFA first organized a food drive for Community Action during the holidays in 2010, the student organization was able to secure 3,000 pounds in donations. That jumped to 9,000 pounds in 2011, 17,000 the following year and 19,000 in December 2013.
This holiday season, the FFA and local farmers shattered the previous efforts with 27,000 pounds. That was too much for one tractor trailer.
The FFA and FFA alumni put the calls out to agriculture community, seeking food donations. This year, 22 farms and agriculture organizations shared from their harvest.
“It’s getting bigger and better every year,” said Anni Skowneski, case manager at Community Action of Orleans & Genesee.
There lots of boxes or bags of apples, cabbage, potatoes, squash, eggs and ham. Those are staples from past FFA food drives. This year there were new products for the pantries, including yogurt, bread, cheesecakes and beets.
Adam Krenning, the FFA advisor, said students work hard on the food drive for weeks. They spent most of the past week, collecting and arranging the food for Saturday’s delivery to Community Action. Students and FFA alumni go to about half of the farms to collect the food, while the other half is delivered at the FFA’s ag shop at the high school.
Students make many connections in the farm community as well as with local agencies with the annual food drive. They also see the giving nature among the farmers, Krenning said.
“The farmers in the area are incredibly generous,” Krenning said. “They know there is a need.”
The FFA serves as the middle man, connecting farmers with the agencies and food pantries.
Rachael Escobar works in the kitchen at the Eastern Orleans Community Center in Holley. She and other volunteers brought two pickup trucks and filled them with food for 160 food boxes that will go out just before Christmas.
FFA member Elizabeth Bentley hands a box of squash to volunteers on Saturday morning.
“This is absolutely wonderful,” Escobar said Saturday outside Community Action in Albion. “We’re going to be sure our families have fruits and vegetables for Christmas.”
Farmers and businesses that participated in this year’s food drive include Call Farms, Costanzo Bakery, Barry Flansburg, Kast Farms, Kirby Farms, Kludt Brothers, Kreher’s Egg Farm, L. Brooke Farms, Müller Yogurt, Nesbitt Fruit Farm, Orchard Dale Fruit Farm, Orleans County Farm Bureau, Panek Farms, Partyka Farms, Pawlak’s Save-A-Lot, Rich Products, Dale Root, Root Brothers, Starowitz Farms, Torrey Farms, Triple G Farms, and CY Farms.
“We donate to this project because we have been so blessed,” said Kerri Panek of Panek Farms in Albion. “It is our privilege to be able to give back to help others.”
Clayton Stanton, a member of the FFA, spent several hours Saturday morning lugging 50-pound boxes and bags. Stanton, a senior, said he and the FFA students look forward to the food drive each year.
“It helps people and it makes you feel good,” he said.
State Assemblyman Steve Hawley helps move some of the produce from a tractor trailer to vehicles for local food pantries.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 December 2014 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Santa Claus had breakfast in Albion on Saturday at the Masonic Lodge on Platt Street and then posed for photos at the Salih Studio on East Bank Street.
In this photo, Idris Salih, right, takes a picture of Marianne Aarons of Clarendon and her grandchildren from Albion. She is holding grandson Max Hoffman. His sisters, Camille and Celeste, are in the back row.
It was a whirlwind day for Santa, who also appeared at the Hoag Library and Pawlak’s Save-A-Lot as well as several other local spots.
Mrs. Claus visited Knight’s Pride on Main Street and welcomed children, including Maida Cruz-Kelley, 7, of Albion, to sign the magic scroll and also write letters to Santa. Children were told if they weren’t good their names might vanish from the scroll when she gives it to Santa.
Mrs. Claus also made ornaments with children and joined then for cookies.
“I’m worried about Santa,” she told some of the kids. “He has been very busy lately.”
There were many activities in the downtown and on Main Street for the third annual Hometown Holiday sponsored by the Albion Merchants Association. The band, The Fauxtones, also performed in the Pratt Performing Arts Center.
A goodwill offering was taken to benefit the Orleans County United Way. The group of Albionites includes, from left: Sebastian Erakare on lead vocals and guitar; Ben Schell on drums; and Jan-Mikael Erakare on vocals and bass.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 December 2014 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The fellowship hall at Holy Family Parish Lyceum was transformed into a stage and performance venue on Saturday for the 5th annual Nicholas Kovaleski Hometown Christmas.
About 50 performers were part of the cast for three shows. About 500 people attended the event, which is a fund-raiser for a memorial scholarship in honor of Nicholas Kovaleski. His sister Michayla (top photo) performs as the Sugar Plum in a dance from The Nutcracker.
Nicholas’s mother Kelly Kovaleski shared reflections about her son, who died from leukemia at age 15 on June 29, 2011. He was a popular student at Albion, excelling at football, swimming and tennis. He would have graduated last June. She said her son wanted to join the military.
She said her Nicholas “lived with purpose.” The scholarship in his memory honors graduating seniors who “Live with Purpose.”
Marcy Downey sings “More Than Wonderful.” She also sang a duet – “How Great Thou Art” – with Joise Waverly.
Several dancers, including Madeline Bilicki (center), perform “Waltz of the Flower.”
Rose Allen sings “A Baby Changes Everything.” Santa Claus is in the background.
These dancers, including Katie Rustay at right and Michayla Kovaleski at left perform “You Wouldn’t Cry.” There were 18 differents acts for the show.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 December 2014 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Santa Claus didn’t let some snow and bitter cold keep him from stopping at Albion’s Hometown Holiday event in Albion today. Santa posed for pictures from noon to 3 p.m. at the Salih Studio at 24 East Bank St.
In the top photo, Santa chats with sisters Liana, left, and Alayna Flugel.
Santa bears a striking resemblance to Steven Stauss, a senior at Albion High School and a star lineman on the football team.
In the bottom photo, Santa poses with Johnathan Eibl, 7, of Albion, while Idris Salih, the studio owner, takes the photo.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 December 2014 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – FFA students will deliver 27,000 pounds of food to Community Action this morning. That effort tops the previous record of 19,000 pounds from a year ago. The food will be shared with local food pantries.
In the top photo, Albion FFA member Andrea Muoio carries a sack of cabbage to a tractor trailer.
Barry Flansburg, left, grabs a box of apples to be handed off to FFA members in the ag shop this morning at Albion High School.
Jerico Chudy, right, is handed off a box of apples from Elizabeth Bentley.
FFA Advisor Adam Krenning works with students Jayne Bannister and Jacob Buzard to load the tractor trailer.
Kellie O’Hearn takes a 50-pound bag of potatoes from Logan London. The two are both seniors.
Press Release, Orleans County Undersheriff Steve Smith
CLARENDON – Two Brinks employees escaped serious injury this morning when their armored truck ran off the roadway and overturned in the Town of Clarendon.
The incident occurred at approximately 11 a.m. on Holley-Byron Road (Route 237) between Hinds Road and Church Street.
Gary E. Machlowski, 64, of Buffalo was operating the truck headed north on Rt. 237 when he failed to negotiate a curve near Hanson Stone Corporation. The truck ran off the west side of the roadway and overturned, coming to rest on its roof.
A passenger in the truck’s rear compartment is identified as James A. Reinertsen, 32, of Buffalo. Both Reinertsen and Machlowski were treated at the scene by Clarendon EMS and Monroe Ambulance personnel. Neither individual was transported to the hospital.
Supervisory personnel from Brinks responded to the scene as well as a second armored truck. That section of Rt. 237 remained closed to traffic until about 1:45 p.m.
The incident was investigated by Deputy M.C. Mele, assisted by Deputy T.N. Tooley.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 December 2014 at 12:00 am
ALBION – The victim in Friday’s fire at Nayman’s, a small engine repair shop at 205 North Main St., has been identified as the business’s owner, Francis Nayman, 76.
The fire and death have been ruled accidental with no foul play suspected, Albion Police Chief Roland Nenni said.
“This determination is based upon the evaluation of the scene combined with an autopsy performed by the Monroe County Medical Examiner’s Office,” Nenni said.
Police and fire investigators believe the fire was caused when Nayman came into close proximity of a portable propane heater. That caused Nayman’s clothing or the wheelchair he was sitting in to ignite, Nenni said.
Nayman is a long-time owner of the business. He suffered a stroke several years ago and was limited to the wheelchair. He inspired many in the community with his work ethic. He also was active in the local Democratic Party for decades.
Albion Police and the Albion Fire Department were dispatched to Nayman’s at 3:51 p.m. on Friday for a possible structure fire. Firefighters entered the building with smoke and a fire on the floor in the center of the mechanics area of the business.
The fire was quickly extinguished and the smoke was ventilated. Nayman’s badly burned body was found on the floor by a wheelchair that was also heavily damaged, Nenni said.
The incident was initially ruled suspicious due to limited physical evidence initially observed and the circumstances surrounding where the body was located, the police chief said.
The official case ruling will be made when lab results are returned following additional forensic tests to be performed, Nenni said.
The incident was investigated by the Albion Police Department, Orleans County Fire Investigation Unit, New York State Police ID Unit, New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control, Orleans County Coroner’s Office and the Monroe County Medical Examiner’s Office.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 December 2014 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers – Shelcy Plueckhahn, right, opened Capable Hearts today at 12 East Bank St., Albion. She is pictured with her sister Jewel Shingleton.
ALBION – A new gift store with Christian books and inspirational messages opened today at 12 East Bank St.
Capable Hearts is more than a business, said owner Shelcy Plueckhahn. She sees the store as a ministry for the community. She wants the site to be used for Bible studies, youth groups and as a support for people enduring grief.
Plueckhahn knows about suffering a devastating loss. Her son Demitrios Alexandris was 14 when he died in October 2009. Demitrios had several disabilities and was well-loved by his Albion classmates.
He was expressive in sharing his Christian faith. He drew a heart for his mother and that drawing hangs inside Capable Hearts. It also is the store’s logo.
“Losing Demitrios was the hardest part of my life,” Plueckhahn said. “This store is like having my son here. This is him continuing with his messages. He started it and we’re going to continue it.”
Plueckhahn and her family created this display which she calls “the ladder of hope.” It includes resources to help people with their grief.
Plueckhahn works full-time as a family advocate at Head Start. She is running the new business with her family and friends. She is selling books, archangel figurines and other gifts to cover the costs of the storefront and programs.
“Our mission is reaching out to people,” she said.
She knows not everyone is comfortable in a church setting. She hopes the store will provide a place for people to connect with God and others in the community.
For more information on Capable Hearts, visit capablehearts.com.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 December 2014 at 10:22 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers – A section of Main Street in Albion has been blocked off for about six hours today while police and fire investigators were on scene at Nayman’s, a small engine repair garage at 205 North Main St. The street was expected to be reopened after 10 p.m.
ALBION – A fatal fire remains under investigation and the person who died in the fire is not being identified because police are not 100 percent sure who it is, Albion Police Chief Roland Nenni said tonight.
There will be an autopsy Saturday morning by the Monroe County Medical Examiner’s Office. The autopsy as well as the fire scene investigation should provide more answers about the cause of the fire and death, as well as the deceased’s identity, Nenni said.
Albion firefighters were quickly on the scene after the dispatch call went out at 3:51 p.m. when there were reports of smoke coming from Nayman’s, Nenni said. Firefighters were already out for another call in the community.
They quickly put out the fire at Nayman’s and discovered a burned body inside. Police and fire investigators originally ruled the fire and death suspicious, and that hasn’t been ruled out, Nenni said.
“We’re still deeming it suspicious,” he said at about 10 p.m. today. “Right now it’s an unknown.”
Albion police officers and firefighters were joined in the investigation by Orleans County fire investigators, New York State Police crime and identification technicians, and investigators from the state Office of Fire Prevention and Control.
“We will know more tomorrow,” Nenni said. “We’re still deeming it a suspicious incident.”
