By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 September 2013 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
Francis Minervino, 91, of Albion does the motions for the YMCA song today at the St. Rocco’s Italian Festival in Hulberton. Tom Mazerbo was the DJ for the event, which draws about 2,500 people to the hamlet along the Erie Canal.
Pasta fagioli, eggplant parmesan and other Italian foods were quick sell-outs during today’s festival.
HULBERTON – Peter Monacelli remembers spending his summers in the 1950s and ’60s with his grandparents in Hulberton.
The neighborhood, set along in the sandstone quarries along the Erie Canal, was full of passionate Italians.
“It was a wonderful place to be for a kid,” said Monacelli, 71, of Rochester. “For such a tiny place it was so full of life.”
Monacelli was back in Hulberton today for the annual St. Rocco’s Italian Festival, bringing his 91-year-old aunt Francis Minervino of Albion. Monacelli never misses the event, which is nearing its 40th year.
“I see all of these people that I see once a year,” he said. “It’s a blast.”
Elizabeth Jubenville of Kendall puts powdered sugar on waffles at the St. Rocco’s Italian Festival in Hulberton today. The event raises about $15,000 for the Catholic parish in Holley and Kendall.
Monacelli loves the Italian food, the bocce tournament, Italian music and gift baskets that are raffled off. The event raises about $15,000 of the Catholic parish in Holley and Kendall.
Eggplant parmesan was once again the top seller with about 800 slices quickly gobbled up. Pasta fagioli was another popular item, as well as the meatball sandwiches.
Joann Smith is chairwoman of the Italian food court. She and the church volunteers were swarmed by a big crowd on a hot, muggy day.
“It’s nice that they enjoy it,” Smith said about the food eaters. “It makes it more worthwhile to see everyone so happy.”
James Logsdon, 90, of Holley competes in today’s bocce tournament in Hulberton. Logsdon played on a team with his son Kevin and grandson Mike Logsdon. The grandfather hand-tapped the playing surface for the seven courts, getting them ready for today’s 24-team tournament that included $1,500 in prizes.
The bocce tournament attracted 24 teams, with competitors from Canada, Lockport, Rochester, Batavia and many teams from Orleans County. Randy Bower chairs the event. The teams may be expanded next year to 32 because there is so much interest.
Bower and many of the other players look forward to the tournament every year.
“It’s a Labor Day tradition,” he said. “We enjoy the camaraderie and everyone playing together.”
Bocce players get out the measuring tape to see who is closest.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 September 2013 at 12:00 am
23-year-old joins the family business in Albion, Holley
Photos by Tom Rivers – Josh Mitchell is a full-time funeral director. He joined Christopher Mitchell Funeral Home in December.
ALBION – Josh Mitchell has followed his father David and grandfather Rho as a funeral director at Christopher Mitchell Funeral Home in Albion and Holley.
Rho started the business in 1957. David joined him in 1984. In December, Josh became the third generation to join the business as a funeral director.
Josh, 23, grew up in Holley and graduated from the school in 2008. He played soccer and tennis at Holley. Like his father and grandfather, he graduated from the Simmons Institute of Funeral Service in Syracuse.
Josh spent 13 months with the Wright-Bread Funeral Home in Canton, completing his state-required residency. He then passed his state exam to become a licensed funeral director, one of four at Christopher Mitchell.
Mitchell also is a certified celebrant. He can officiate services for people who did not have an affiliation with a church.
“I can personalize it,” he said about those funeral services. “I tell their life story and share special memories. We can do it with music and videos. I try to create a special celebration of life.”
The following interview with Josh Mitchell was conducted Aug. 21 at Christopher Mitchell Funeral Home in Albion.
Question: People may wonder why you wanted to get into the funeral business?
Answer: It really intrigued me and from what my dad told me, helping somebody out really means a lot to them and hopefully you can do the best job that they expect of you.
Question: It seems like it takes special people to work in this business, helping people in their time of grief.
Answer: Some days are easier than others. Everybody grieves in their own way. Whether you knew them or not, whether they had 100 friends or no friends, they are still a person, somebody who had a life.
Question: Has this business changed much over the years?
Answer: More people are being cremated now because of ease and the cost is usually cheaper. And people live everywhere. The time frame for a traditional funeral isn’t always the best. That’s why a lot of people are choosing cremation.
Cremation didn’t come out until the ’60s, but the cremation rate has increased drastically over the last 20 years. It’s about 40 to 50 percent now in the United States.
Question: Do you do cremations here?
Answer: No. In New York State funeral homes cannot have a retort (cremation chamber) unless they were grandfathered in prior to that law. There are few in the state that do that. We use one in Rochester.
Josh Mitchell said there aren’t too many multi-generation, family-owned funeral businesses these days.
Question: I remember Christopher Mitchell doing a big expansion here in Albion maybe 15 years ago. Is that because fewer people are using a chapel or church for funeral services?
Answer: There are a lot of people without a church affiliation. They like to use the funeral home as a neutral location.
Question: Based on your experience at Simmons, how many of your classmates were from families in the funeral business?
Answer: I’d say there were four out of 20. It’s a very small percentage. There aren’t as many family-owned funeral businesses as there used to be. A lot of corporate-owned conglomerates have come in and bought funeral homes. In the smaller towns people seem to like the family-owned business. They can put a face to it. They know my dad because he’s been here a long time.
Question: Did this business appeal to you while growing up and seeing your dad and grandfather doing this?
Answer: I originally wanted to be an engineer. My dad and grandfather didn’t push it on me growing up. I didn’t see my first deceased individual until I went to school at Simmons. That’s when I knew I could do it or not do it.
When I graduated from high school, I knew this was what I wanted to do.
Question: It seems like it might be an unpredictable schedule. You need to be there when people need you.
Answer: If somebody does pass away in the middle of the night, we have to go get them. It’s a job that requires you to act when you’re called upon. We try to get there as soon as possible to get somebody’s loved one and bring them back to the funeral home.
Josh Mitchell is pictured with his father David and grandfather Rho. This photo was taken about a year ago by Bruce Landis and hangs on the wall at Christopher Mitchell Funeral Home in Albion.
Question: What else does a funeral director do?
Answer: We do everything from picking a person up to contacting the family and setting up the arrangements. If they want the service at a church, we’ll contact the clergy. We’ll contact the cemetery. We’ll write an obituary and send it to the papers. Whether it’s dealing with a casket or an urn, we’ll take care of it, and we’ll set up the funeral home if it’s needed for calling hours or a service. If they have life insurance, we can help them get that going.
We see everything from beginning to end.
Question: Do you have any advice for people on how they could make this a little easier.
Answer: You can never really prepare for death, but some people set up pre-need (pre-arrangement) accounts and get their ideas on paper about what they really want. That makes it less of a burden on a family. That gets everyone on the same page and makes it easier on the family.
Question: Is this a difficult job?
Answer: The toughest for me is when someone dies my age or if they are an infant. When it’s somebody my age or somebody I know, it’s eye opening. This job has taught me you never really know when it’s your time. It’s taught me not to take things for granted.
Question: Anything else you want to say?
Answer: It’s good to be back home. I was out of the area for 2 ½ years. It’s nice to see the community supporting me being here. They know me. They can continue to put faith in our business.
David Mitchell says son is off to a good start
(Before I left the interview with Josh Mitchell, I stopped by his father’s office. David Mitchell said his son is doing a great job and has been accepted by the community.)
Question: What makes Josh good at this?
Answer: His heart and his mind are into this. If you get into this thinking you are going to make all kinds of money, you’re going to be out real quick. You have to feel a calling to it.
With Josh, I always asked him, “Are you sure you don’t want to do anything else?” He made the decision. It wasn’t made by me or his grandfather.
People like him. I was at a service here last week and Josh was off. People kept asking me, “Where’s Josh?” That was nice to hear.
Press release, Orleans County Soil and Water Conservation District
Volunteers are needed for a thankless job on Sept. 21, pulling garbage from several streams and bodies of water in Orleans County.
Each year the Orleans County Water Quality Coordinating Committee facilitates a shoreline cleanup event, which is sponsored by the American Littoral Society.
This event is open to all volunteers and provides an excellent opportunity for students, scouts, 4-H’ers and adults to fulfill community service requirements, interact with county agencies (Soil & Water Conservation District and Health Department), and make a significant contribution to our community and environment.
Volunteers will meet Sept. 21 at Bullard Park on East Avenue in Albion at 9 a.m. After a brief introduction, they will disperse to several predetermined locations throughout the county to begin the collection.
A team captain and at least one other responsible adult is required to supervise each cleanup crew. A friendly competition is held between crews to determine who can collect the greatest amount of trash, by weight. Upon completion, they will reconvene at Bullard Park for a lunch provided by the Orleans County Department of Public Health. Participants will also receive a certificate from the American Littoral Society in recognition of their service.
This is the 13th year Orleans County will be participating in this event. In 2012 more than 1,900 pounds of trash was collected from shorelines and beaches in the county. If you wish to join the Water Quality Committee for the Shoreline Cleanup or have any questions concerning the event, contact Dennis Kirby at Soil and Water at (585) 589-5959.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 31 August 2013 at 12:00 am
800 dogs compete next 2 days in AKC shows
Photos by Tom Rivers – There are about 800 dogs competing today and Sunday in dog shows at Bullard Park in Albion. The all-breed shows run from about 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. They feature purebred dogs and have attracted participants from many states and Canada.
Carl Liepmann, an American Kennel Club judge, checks Sedona, an English cocker spaniel owned by Mindy Bartholomew during today’s Tonawanda Valley Kennel Club show at Bullard Park.
Jesse James, a French bull dog owned by Penny Barber of Sanborn, is all smiles after winning his event at today’s Tonawanda Valley Kennel Club dog show at Bullard Park in Albion.
Melanie Whitehair and Libby, an English bull terrier, wait for their turn in the show ring at today’s dog show in Albion. Whitehair and her husband Ty are Kendall residents. They travel to 15 to 20 dog shows a year, including two in Europe.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 31 August 2013 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
Arlowe Price, a self-described fourth-generation “circus freak performer” from Buffalo, blows fire from a flame held by Riley Schilacci. Price also chewed broken glass, set a mouse trap on his ear and tongue, and performed other outrageous stunts during the Steampunk Festival tonight at Leonard Oakes Estate Winery on Route 104 in Medina.
Riley Schillaci of Rochester swallows a flame during the Steampunk Festival tonight.
Troupe Nisaa, a dance group based in Batavia, performs a dance that combines tribal and Egyptian styles as part of the Steampunk Festival.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 August 2013 at 12:00 am
Sid Beaty will work for free, teaming with merchants
Photo by Tom Rivers – Sid Beaty is working the next two months for free as a program coordinator for the village of Albion. The village may turn the position into a paid role in the future.
ALBION – Sid Beaty has talked with downtown business owners and village officials. She hears a lot of good ideas about historic walking trails, a concert series, a farmers’ market, and other events to promote the community.
The merchants have tried to plan some events, but the challenge of running their own enterprises has made it difficult to devote time to outside projects.
Beaty, 23, will work to turn some of those ideas into reality. She agreed to work the next two months for free as a program coordinator for the village. The position could turn into a paid role in the future.
“We’re excited to have someone who is a direct link to the village,” said Carolyn Ricker, owner of Bindings Bookstore and president of the Albion Merchants Association. “She will be helpful to get some of these things done.”
Ricker and the downtown merchants have spent months trying to put together a map of the downtown, highlighting different businesses and attractions. That project has lagged without someone being fully committed to it. Ricker was happy to hand that off to Beaty, who isn’t a stranger to the area.
Her parents, Anne and Bruce Beaty, have a cottage at Point Breeze. Beaty typically would spend three or four months a year in Orleans County. She is the granddaughter of the late Dick Eddy, a long-time community leader in Albion. Beaty is named for Dick’s father, Sid Eddy.
She earned a degree in city and regional planning from Cornell University in May 2012. She sees a lot of potential in Albion, especially Main Street and the downtown area, which is named to the National Register of Historic Places.
“Albion has beautiful buildings, it’s pedestrian friendly and there is mixed use,” she said. “There’s a lot of opportunities down here.”
During an internship about three years ago with the Albion Main Street Alliance, Beaty decided to switch her career plans, changing from a math/science major to planning.
Since graduation from Cornell, she has worked in Utica with an initiative that turns vacant city lots into green space and gardens. She also worked for an engineering firm in Ithaca, working on applications to attain energy efficiency standards for the company’s projects.
She was drawn to the chance to work for free in Albion because the job is more in line with her career goals, trying to draw commerce to a historic district.
“This is the kind of work that I love to do in a place that I love,” Beaty said this afternoon from the village office, where she will be based.
She finished up an application today for arts funding to help pay for entertainment for a downtown concert series next year. She also is helping to coordinate a Beggar’s Night event near Halloween.
She is talking with merchants about bringing in downtown speakers that would play music in the business district. The Village Board wants her to solicit feedback from the merchants.
Next month some of the businesses will start having extended hours on Thursdays, staying open until 7 p.m. Beaty will help them promote the later hours.
Some merchants would like to have a movie night in the downtown, perhaps using a building wall as the screen. Some community members have pitched the idea of a 5K race and other events.
“There are a lot of good ideas out there,” she said. “I’m going to help provide the follow-up.”
ALBION – The Albion Police Department is investigating several burglaries that have occurred over the past two weeks. These burglaries have occurred at occupied dwellings in the late evening to early morning hours.
Entry is being made into the residences via opened or unlocked first floor windows. Screens have been cut to gain access to the windows. Force has not been used to entry locked residences.
Residents are asked to lock all first floor windows and to secure all window air conditioners. Valuables should be kept out of sight and in a location not easily accessible from windows.
Anyone who has information regarding these burglaries is asked to call the Albion Police Department. Anyone who sees suspicious activity, including suspicious persons or vehicles is asked to call 911 immediately.
KNOWLESVILLE – This photo from around 1900 is thought to be of a church group from Knowlesville on a picnic at Elm Park, located at the east side of Oak Orchard Creek north of Medina. It was a popular spot at the time.
To the left is a picnic gazebo with a table and benches. Behind this is a swing set with chairs which must turn around the pole from which they are suspended.
A three-story treehouse appears in the tree along the shoreline. To the right a fountain sprays into a pool.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 August 2013 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
WATERPORT – Nicole Washington of Albion leads a group in singing “Let It Rise” during the first open mic at The Lord’s House on Route 279 in Waterport tonight. Washington’s 16-year-old daughter, Olivia, plays the keyboards in back.
Several singers took turns performing Christian-themed songs in the church, which opened in October last year in a former United Methodist building.
Washington and her husband David are co-owners of Godpazz. They would like to do more Christian-based open mic events at other venues in the area.
“People think church is just ‘Amazing Grace,’ but there is a lot more,” said Mr. Washington, a record producer. “We’re trying to unify the neighborhood.”
At the open mic events, he welcomes contemporary gospel, jazz, hip hop and country, which can all be done while spreading a Christian message.
Darneisha Thomas, 17, of Batavia brought many at the church to tears with her performance of “You Care For Me.”
Washington’s brother-in-law Eddie English is pastor of The Lord’s House. English and his congregation have continued to work on the building, which had been left vacant for many years. The sanctuary has been repainted, there are new chairs, lights, a chandelier, a ramp leading to the church and other improvements.
The congregation has doubled in size from about 25 when it was meeting in Albion a year ago to about 50 for Sunday services now.
The church wants to do more open mic events in the future, said Rose English, who works alongside her husband in the ministry.
She praised the singers who participated in the debut event tonight. One of the singers, Aretha Jackson of Batavia, sang a moving rendition of “Jesus Loves Me.” Jackson is blind and received a standing ovation.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 August 2013 at 12:00 am
ALBION – Police are investigating a string of burglaries the past two weeks in the village of Albion. Police Chief Roland Nenni advises residents to keep their doors and first-floor windows locked.
Residents are also urged to call 911 if they see suspicious activity.
“It’s very important to call while it’s going on,” Nenni said this morning. “People have observed suspicious activity and not called until the following day.”
The burglaries are taking place late at night and in the early morning hours. Burglars have cut out screens from windows to gain entry. In one instance, burglars removed an air-conditioning unit that wasn’t secure.
Village police have stepped up surveillance in recent days.
Nenni said burglars may strike outside the village as well.
“I have no doubt the suspects will go outside the village if they see an opportunity,” Nenni said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 August 2013 at 12:00 am
ALBION – The Orleans County Chamber of Commerce has named Baxter Healthcare Corp., a company that bought that former Sigma in Medina, as “Business of the Year.”
Baxter became the owner of Sigma last year and has remained committed to the community and the employees who work out of the old “Pickle Factory” on Park Avenue in Medina.
Baxter develops and manufactures smart infusion pump technology, including the Spectrum large volume pump that provides advanced safety and clinician-friendly features.
Other winners announced today by the Chamber include:
New Business of the Year – Hojack’s Bar & Grille in Carlton
Entrepreneurial Excellence – OrleansHub.com
Phoenix Award – Roger Andrews of Evans Ace Hardware, for remodeling the former Medina Jubilee
Community Service – The GLOW YMCA in Medina
Community Service – Genesee-Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse
Lifetime Achievement – Jodi Gaines, CEO of Claims Recovery Financial Services, a growing company with sites in Albion and Medina.
Lifetime Achievement – the late Judy Christopher of Albion, who was active in many community groups and also was co-owner of the Four C’s Marina and the founding owner of Phoenix Fitness.
Agricultural Business of the Year – Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension.
LYNDONVILLE – The Lyndonville Central School District will be hosting two information meetings for parents and community members on Sept. 16, beginning at 6 p.m. in the Stroyan Auditorium.
Representatives from the Niagara Region PTA (Parent-Teacher Association) will present information at on the re-launching the local Lyndonville PTA.
“Not all decisions affecting a child’s school happen at the local level. It has been a mission of National PTA to address the needs of all children,” according to a statement from the Niagara Region PTA.
“PTA has been a driving force in establishing school lunch programs, after-school care, school bus safety, and TV rating standards before they became law. With several million members, its voice is heard. The PTA shares our commitment to strengthening the bridge between home and school.”
Following the PTA presentation, members of the district’s Strategic Planning Committee will present the 2013-2016 Strategic Plan. This plan is the culmination of efforts by many district stakeholdersincluding parents and community membersand provides direction and organization in ensuring that students are college and career ready.
“I hope many of our parents and community members will join us to learn more about the renewed direction of our district,” Lyndonville Superintendent Jason Smith said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 August 2013 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers
The Albion Rotary Club today presented $1,000 checks to both Hoag Library for a series of historical programs and to Community Action of Orleans and Genesee for the agency’s food pantry.
Kelly Kiebala, the club’s president in 2012-13, is pictured, center, with Bonnie Malakie, director of children and youth services for Community Action of Orleans & Genesee, at left.
Susan Rudnicky, right, is director of Hoag Library in Albion. The library will use the funding for programs about local history.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 August 2013 at 12:00 am
Photo courtesy of Eileen Banker
Photo by Tom Rivers – Allen Sanford is pictured with his friends and Scouts in this photo from June when they were working to build a mobile stage.
Mayor Dean Theodorakos congratulates Allen Sanford for making a mobile performing arts stage for his Eagle Scout project. Sanford gave the stage to the village, which will use it community concerts and community events. (Village Trustee Kevin Sheehan is pictured in back.)
Theodorakos presented Sanford with a certificate of appreciation during Wednesday’s Village Board meeting.
Sanford turned an old hay wagon into a stage with wheels. The stage is 28 feet long. Sanford, an engineering student at the Rochester Institute of Technology, used a CAD program to design the stage.
“It’s to advance music in the community,” Sanford said during a June interview.
He has played in local bands and often had to perform on lawns or pavement because there wasn’t a stage.
He worked with local Scouts and businesses to make the project a reality.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 August 2013 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers
U.S. Rep. Chris Collins addressed members of the Albion Rotary Club today, including Michael Bonnewell, superintendent of Albion Central School.
GAINES – The government could grind to a halt next month due to the “vast differences” between President Barack Obama and a Republican-led House of Representatives, U.S. Rep. Chris Collins told members of the Albion Rotary Club today.
House Republicans want the president and Congress to reduce the nation’s deficit and develop a plan for paying down the national debt, said Collins, R-Clarence.
“The country is on an unsustainable course,” Collins told the Albion Rotary Club today during its meeting at The Village Inn. “There will be a showdown.”
House Speaker John Boehner vowed “a whale of a fight” over extending the debt ceiling. Boehner told reporters in Boise on Tuesday that Obama needs to cut government spending for Republicans in Congress to support raising the debt ceiling.
If the debt ceiling isn’t extended, the government could default on paying its bills in October. Collins would support raising the debt limit, if Obama would agree to rewriting the tax code. Collins said a fairer, less burdensome tax policy would spur the economy, with increased business activity resulting in more tax revenues.
Collins also wants to see the controversial Keystone Pipeline approved. Republicans could insist on that as part of the negotiations with Obama and Democrats in Congress over the debt ceiling and deficit reduction plan, Collins said.
The congressman touched on other issues. He supports an immigration reform plan that would give legal status for many farmworkers, especially those at dairies, to be in the country and work in agriculture.
He doesn’t want the United States to intervene in the civil war in Syria. While the fighting in Syria is “deeply troubling,” Collins said the country’s disintegration doesn’t pose an “imminent threat” to the U.S.
“We don’t want to have a knee-jerk reaction and fire cruise missiles,” Collins said. “I’m hopeful the president will move cautiously.”
Collins this afternoon made at least his third stop in Orleans County since March. He was in Corfu earlier today and was in Batavia on Wednesday. He said he is frequently meeting with business and community leaders in the eight-county district.
When he was elected in November, Collins said many people assumed he would seldom reach out to the rural counties, and instead be devoted to Erie County, where he was the county executive.
“I’m trying to prove the naysayers wrong,” Collins said.
