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Community concert this Sunday will shine light on season

Posted 3 December 2014 at 12:00 am

Provided photo – The Genesee Chorale, led by Ric Jones, rehearses on Monday for their concert this Sunday in Albion at the First Presbyterian Church.

Press Release
Eastman at Albion

ALBION – The darkest day of the year approaches, and also the brightest one: Winter solstice is Dec. 21, with Christmas following four short days later.

Observing this juxtaposition, the Eastman at Albion Courthouse Square Series will host its annual holiday concert, “Light of Christmas,” at 3 p.m. on Sunday at the First Presbyterian Church, 29 E. State St.

This year’s event features the Batavia-based Genesee Chorale, conducted by Medina musician Ric Jones. Select vocal and instrumental ensembles from Albion High School, led by Mike Thaine and Gary Simboli, also will perform.

Concert organizer and Genesee Chorale member Maarit Vaga explains: “The pieces on the program explore differing aspects of light: ‘Light in Darkness,’ ‘Light of Hope,’ ‘Light of Heaven,’ ‘Light of Christmas,’ and ‘Light of God.'”

Among the selections are “Let There Be Light,” by Craig Courtney, “Lux Aurumque” by Eric Whitacre, “True Light” by Keith Hampton, and “Sure on this Shining Night” by Morten Lauridsen. Traditional songs and carols will round out the afternoon, which has become a popular tradition in the Albion community.

Vaga noted that some songs will encourage audience members to reflect, others to rejoice, and some to sing along. One number will be offered in remembrance of loved ones no longer with us for the holidays.

Several hundred people attend each year, and the planning committee keeps the admission price family-friendly in the spirit of the season. The event is sponsored by Christopher Mitchell Funeral Homes. Proceeds benefit scholarships through the Albion High School Alumni Foundation.

Family Dollar proposed for Medina

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 December 2014 at 12:00 am

C.L. Helt, Architect, Inc. in Charlotte, NC – Here is a rendering for the proposed new Family Dollar in Medina.

MEDINA – The Village of Medina Planning Board accepted a site plan for a new Family Dollar store as complete, with the project to face scrutiny from the Orleans County Planning Board before getting a final vote by the village planners.

The Durban Group, which is based in North Carolina, met with the Village Planning Board on Tuesday for the new building.

The company wants the project at 11300 Maple Ridge Rd., almost across the street from Tim Hortons. That company originally wanted to build there but the state Department of Transportation said Tim Hortons needed to put a turning lane on the state road.

Tim Hortons opted instead to build on the north side of the road. The Family Dollar won’t need a turning lane because it has much less traffic volume without a drive-through.

Planning Board Chairman Chris Busch said the Family Dollar complies with the village design standards.

“It’s not your standard pole-barn dollar store,” he said.

The project will likely be on the County Planning Board agenda for 7 p.m. on Dec. 18.

Downtown Browsery marks 10 years in Albion

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 December 2014 at 12:00 am

Group has grown to 29 vendors and expanded to second site

Photos by Tom Rivers – Some of the long-time vendors at the Downtown Browsery include, from left: Karen Appleman, Lucy and Scott Sackett, Linda Hollenbeck and Kim Remley.

ALBION – Ten years ago a group of 13 vendors joined to open the Downtown Browsery at 14 East Bank St. The group wanted an outlet to sell antiques, collectibles and other merchandise, but none of the vendors wanted to go solo with their own shop.

The Browsery has proven a successful model, allowing vendors to share costs and time in running the store. They also believe a bigger number of vendors serves as a draw for customers.

“The primary impetus was to get downtown revitalized,” said Kim Remley, one of the original vendors. “We saw it as a start to get things rolling in the downtown.”

The Browsery has many holiday-themed items for sale.

The Browsery has grown to 29 vendors and two sites. A second location, The Uptown Browsery, opened last February.

“It’s fantastic,” Remley said. “We’re thrilled.”

The Downtown Browsery has also seen other antique and collectible shops open near Albion, including several on Ridge Road. With about a dozen shops fairly close by, Scott Sackett said the Albion area has become a destination for antique and collectible shoppers.

That’s why he and his wife Lucy have been vendors with the Browsery for nearly a decade. The couple lives in Batavia and they saw more potential for their merchandise in Albion.

Scott Sackett made this birdfeeder resembling a cardinal.

“There is no antique market in Batavia,” he said. “This area has become an antique and collectibles destination.”

Sackett makes birdfeeders from scrap lumber and they have proven his top selling item, with about 400 sold in Albion over the decade. He and his wife are vendors at both the Downtown and Uptown sites.

Karen Appleman has been at the Downtown Browsery since the first day, selling vintage collectibles. Customers like to buy rotary phones, toys from generations ago and other nostalgic items, she said.

“People like to come in and reminisce,” she said. “They see a lot of things from their childhood and the prices are reasonable.”

A rotary phone, books and other items are for sale.

The group has a board of directors, which is currently led by Maureen Bennett. Appleman said the vendors all pitch in for rent and other expenses. She said Ron Vendetti, owner of the East Bank Street site, has kept the rent affordable, allowing the site to succeed for 10 years.

Linda Hollenbeck also has been a vendor for 10 years. She and many of the other vendors have full-time jobs. The Browsery has proven to be a way for them to be in business without the full-time burden of managing a storefront.

The site continues to find new customers, even long-time Albionites.

“We still get a lot of first-timers, even people from Albion,” Hollenbeck said. “They always have positive comments about the shop.”

For more information on the Downtown Browsery, click here.

Maureen Bennett is the current chairwoman of the Browsery’s board of directors.

County legislators finally get a raise

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 December 2014 at 12:00 am

ALBION – Orleans County legislators will finally get a raise in 2015, although the pay is still less than they were getting in 2008.

Legislators have been paid $10,948 annually from 2009 to 2014 with the chairman getting $16,424 a year.

The new budget approved on Monday provides 2 percent raises with $11,167 for legislators and $16,752 for the chairman. The budget for the first time gives the vice chairman additional pay for serving in that role. The vice chairman will be paid $12,667 in 2015, a $1,500 boost over regular legislator pay.

The Legislature voted to cut its pay during lean budget times after 2008, when the county was struggling with escalating Medicaid costs.

In 2008, the chairman was paid $16,932 with the six other legislators at $11,287 each.

The Legislature, in a special meeting on Monday following a budget hearing, also set the rates for garbage pickup at $190 per household with another $2 added on for an administrative fee.

The Legislature also named the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle as a legal newspaper for publishing notice of in rem foreclosure proceedings. The county will continue to use The Daily News of Batavia for legals. The Legislature voted to add the D & C after The Journal-Register in Medina went out of business in May.

Long-time Soil and Water member feted at final meeting

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 December 2014 at 12:00 am

Photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Michael Paduchak has been a steady and guiding presence for nearly three decades at the Orleans County Soil and Water Conservation District.

He is pictured around noon today with cupcakes and a candle for his 89th birthday. He is joined by Ed Morgan (left) the Soil and Water board chairman, and Dennis Kirby, manager of Soil and Water.

Paduchak is a former Kendall town supervisor and member of the former Orleans County Board of Supervisors. He has been well-connected in the county. He also was a fruit farmer until about a year ago.

He brought those farming and local government ties to Soil and Water, including a tenure as the board’s chairman. Today he attended his final meeting with the organization.

Paduchak turned 89 on Monday. He appreciated the opportunity to serve on the board, and attended many regional and state association meetings. He also supported the agency’s efforts in recent years to bring in grants for farmers to utilize environmentally friendly practices.

“We always valued his input,” said Ed Morgan, the board’s current chairman. “He’s an asset and he still contributes. I like and I respect him. He has a lot of wisdom.”

Paduchak said he is grateful for a full life after several narrow scrapes with death during World War II while fighting in France and Germany with the Army.

“I had a guardian angel along the way,” Paduchak said.

He said Soil and Water has benefitted from many dedicated staff members through the years.

“The personnel has been good to carry out our wishes,” he said.

Albion barber gives boy his first haircut

Posted 2 December 2014 at 12:00 am

By Bill Lattin, Orleans County Historian

ALBION – These two pictures show an unidentified boy getting his first haircut in June 1958.

The barber is Michael Christopher in his shop, which was located on East Bank Street in Albion. Along with the date on one photo is the statement “Getting Clipped.”

If anyone knows the boy’s name, please send an email to news@orleanshub.com.

Lockport woman jailed after drug arrest in Albion

Staff Reports Posted 2 December 2014 at 12:00 am

Katrina Drake

ALBION – A Lockport woman has been arrested and jailed following a two-month investigation into the sale and distribution of prescription narcotics in the Village of Albion, the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task reported.

Katrina L. Drake, 24, of 80 Genesee St., Apt. 3, was arrested on Monday in the parking lot at 301 West Ave. The Task Force and the Albion Police Department seized a quantity of prescription Oxycodone pills, cash and a small quantity of marijuana.

Drake was charged with two counts each of criminal sale and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree and one count of unlawful possession of marijuana.

She was arraigned by Albion Town Justice Kevin Howard and remanded to the Orleans County Jail on $20,000 bail. She is due to appear in court on Wednesday at 9 a.m.

Holley opens new school fitness room

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 December 2014 at 12:00 am

District wants healthier kids and families

Photos by Tom Rivers

HOLLEY – Brenda Swanger, president of the Holley Board of Education, joins Holley children in trying the new iDANCE fitness game during a grand-opening celebration on Monday for the school’s new fitness center.

The center is in a spot where the library used to be located in the elementary school.
Holley received a federal grant for nearly $800,000 over three years for fitness programs for the community. That grant paid for the equipment, and also will fund a nutritionist to work with the cafeteria staff and health classes.

The grant also is paying to train Holley staff on the equipment and be available from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays when the center will be open for family fitness nights beginning today.

The center will be open to students after school from 3:30 to 5 p.m.

Robert D’Angelo, the district superintendent, watches children try new exercise equipment in the fitness center, which includes four large flat screen televisions. D’Angelo said the televisions will appeal to some of the room’s users.

“By itself some of the equipment would be too boring,” D’Angelo said. “People want the TVs.”

The fitness center includes many exercise bikes with video screens. The screens resemble scenes and terrain, making it appear the users are riding the bikes down a street or a course.

Some of the equipment also has video games, but those games will only work if the exercise equipment is being used. It’s part of a push towards “exergaming.”

“The difference is the technology,” said Lisa Campbell, a Holley physical education teacher. “We’re hoping to win over the kids.”

Campbell helped the district secure the grant. She and other school officials were concerned about student’s obesity rates and body mass indexes.

The district used that data to help secure the grant from the federal government. Campbell said students need to be taught proper nutrition and be encouraged to exercise while young. If they are overweight as children, they are very likely to be that way as adults, she said.

School officials were joined by dignitaries for a ribbon cutting, including from left: Clarendon Town Supervisor Richard Moy, Murray Town Supervisor John Morriss, Murray Highway Superintendent Ed Morgan, State Senator-elect Rob Ortt, Eileen Banker (chief of staff for Assemblyman Steve Hawley), BOE President Brenda Swanger, BOE member Robin Silvis, teacher Lisa Campbell and BOE member Sal DeLuca.

Lyndonville Foundation presents scholarships to 2 Marines

Staff Reports Posted 2 December 2014 at 12:00 am

Provided photo

LYNDONVILLE – The Lyndonville Area Foundation presented two scholarship checks of $2,000 apiece to the recipients of the Trevor Cook Memorial Scholarship recently.

Justin Edwards and Alex Murphy, both Lyndonville graduates, recently completed basic training at USMC Parris Island. They were home on leave to accept their checks.

Pictured from left to right, Dave Cook, LAF board member and father of Sgt. Trevor Cook; Lyndonville natives and US Marines Justin Edwards and Alex Murphy; LAF Treasurer Doug Hedges; and President Darren Wilson.

The Lyndonville Area Foundation gives $29,000 in scholarships annually.

Sgt. Trevor Cook was a 25-year-old newlywed when he died in a July 6, 2011 training accident when a helicopter crashed at Camp Pendleton in California.