By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 April 2014 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers
GAINES – The state Department of Transportation about two weeks ago added new signs near the routes 98 and 104 intersection, highlighting the presence of the Cobblestone Society Museum.
The museum has eight historic buildings, including three with cobblestone masonry. The Cobblestone Church, pictured on Route 104, was built in 1834 and is the oldest cobblestone church in North America.
The museum, which is a National Historic Landmark, opens on Mother’s Day. For more on the museum, click here.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 April 2014 at 12:00 am
Historic waterway starts 190th season on May 1
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The Erie Canal is mostly empty now, but soon it will be filled and will be operational for its 190th season.
The State Canal Corp. is planning a May 1 opening for the canal (depending on the weather). The top photo was taken last evening in the bottom of the canal in Albion, east of the Main Street lift bridge looking towards a privately owned bridge. Gaines Basin Road is about another ½ mile to the east.
The gates on the canal along Albion-Eagle Harbor Road are reflected in the shallow canal in this photo taken from the privately owned bridge, which I have heard referred to as Bowman’s Bridge. The bridge leads to a couple houses and the former Albion water treatment plant.
Here is a picture of a puddle in a field by the towpath.
MEDINA – In this panoramic view from 1905, we see Oak Orchard Creek from the Erie Canal in Medina.
On the right is the Medina Waterfalls and next to it is Station No. 1 of the A.L. Swett Electric Light and Power Company.
This photo was taken before the present canal basin was enlarged as we know it. Oak Orchard Creek below the Falls is a reservoir for electric generation known as Glenwood Lake. In this picture we are looking at the southern end of Glenwood.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 April 2014 at 12:00 am
Courtesy of Genesee County EDC – A rendering shows a build-out of the 1,250-acre STAMP site in the town of Alabama.
ALBION – A mega-project 1 mile south of the Orleans County border could provide significant benefits to Orleans and the Western New York region, economic development officials said.
A contingent of officials will address the Orleans County Legislature at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, updating Orleans officials on WNY STAMP (Science and Technology Advanced Manufacturing Park).
That 1,250-acre site is in the town of Alabama. STAMP will accommodate nanotechnology companies including semiconductor 450mm chip fab, flat panel display, solar manufacturing, and advanced manufacturing.
Genesee County Economic Development Center officials have been working on the site for nine years. It received a huge boost in the new state budget with a $33 million commitment from the state. That has local officials thinking there must be companies interested and ready to build at the site.
Long term, the STAMP project would likely employ nearly 10,000 workers on site and the total regional employment, including supply chain and construction trades, would likely exceed 20,000 to 50,000 jobs, according to GCEDC.
Orleans County legislators are scheduled to hear from Raymond Cianfrini, Genesee County Legislative Chairman; Steve Hyde, president and CEO of the Genesee County EDC; Tom Kucharski, president and CEO of the Buffalo Niagara Enterprise; and Mark Peterson, president and CEO of the Greater Rochester Enterprise.
The meeting begins at 4 p.m. in the Legislative Chambers of the County Clerks Building and the public is welcome to attend.
“This will be a game-changer for the entire community,” Medina Mayor Andrew Meier said.
He sees the Medina community as being a primary beneficiary of the project. It is one of the closest population centers to the site. He expects many of the workers to live and shop in the Medina area.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 April 2014 at 12:00 am
Courtesy Albion Historic Preservation Commission – A Mexican restaurant called “El Gallo” will give a building that is currently painted all white a vastly different look. The site at 33 North Main St. also includes an awning. This design is by the LonoWood Art Company in Albion.
ALBION – A building that has sat mostly vacant for nearly two decades is expected to open next month as a Mexican restaurant.
Miguel Jimenez has been working almost every day since February to renovate 33 North Main St. He would like to open “ El Gallo” – Spanish for “The Rooster” – in time for Cinco de Mayo on May 5.
The building is currently painted white and is located next to a parking lot by the First Presbyterian Church.
Photo by Tom Rivers – Here is the building as it appeared at about 8:30 tonight. The site is prominent in the downtown historic district.
Jimenez received approval for the building’s paint, new sign and an awning during tonight’s Historic Preservation Commission meeting. Commission members praised him for turning a long-vacant structure into a productive use for the community.
“I’m delighted something will be done with the building,” Commission member told Jimenez during the meeting.
The downtown hasn’t had a new awning in many years.
“I love the idea of an awning,” said Commission member Ric Albright. “It will be great.”
The building will be painted in Roycroft Copper Red, Rookwood Amber and Rookwood Dark Green.
Village Code Enforcement Officer Ron Vendetti said he welcomed a new look in the downtown, which is named to the National Register of Historic Places.
“Different colors add character to the district,” Vendetti said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 April 2014 at 12:00 am
ALBION – A Holley man was sentenced to 1 1/3 to 4 years in state prison for taking valuable coins from a Kendall resident on Oct. 22.
James Calus, 42, of Perry Street pleaded guilty to attempted burglary in the third degree. He has a prior record, but his attorney Shirley Gorman said the previous crimes were more than 20 years ago.
Calus took the coins to help pay for college tuition for his girlfriend’s son, and to help with family bills, Gorman told County Court Judge James Punch.
“It wasn’t for drugs or gambling,” she said.
Calus took the coins not knowing how valuable they were, Gorman said. The victim in the crime asked Punch to sentence Calus to weekends in jail so he could work and pay towards restitution.
But Punch said the seriousness of crime warranted state prison.
“Just because you need money doesn’t give you the right to wander into someone else’s property and take their hard-earned property,” the judge said during sentencing on Monday.
In other cases in county court:
A Medina man was sentenced to 1 to 3 years in state prison for felony aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and driving while intoxicated.
Milton Hinkley III, 41, of Glenwood Avenue was charged with DWI and AUO after he was stopped on May 18, 2013 on Glenwood Avenue.
He had been on Probation three times and “apparently it’s had no effect,” Punch said. Hinkley has a prior DWI in 1999.
An inmate at Orleans Correctional Facility was sentenced to another year in prison for promoting prison contraband.
Jason Seifert, 28, has been at the prison in Albion since April 23, 2010. He pleaded guilty to promoting prison contraband when he received a controlled substance, the drug buprenorphine, in the mail from his mother.
His mother, Tracey Stratton, 51, of Vermont last week was sentenced to a year in county jail for criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree.
A Kent man was sent to jail on $15,000 bail. Daniel Flanagan, 28, of Bills Road appeared in court after a bench warrant was issued for his arrest for missing a previous scheduled appearance.
He faces charges of DWI and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle after being stopped Dec. 7 on East State Street in Albion.
An Albion man was arraigned for violation of probation and jailed on $20,000 bail. Dennis Calkins, 34, faces more serious charges but they are yet to be brought before the grand jury.
Calkins on Feb. 13 allegedly jumped from a moving vehicle and fled police on foot. He was wanted on a parole warrant. Albion police and Orleans County Sheriff’s deputies found a backpack full of ingredients for making methamphetamine in the back seat of the car he was driving.
Calkins was charged with felony unlawful manufacturing or possession of meth or meth lab materials, punishable by up to seven years in prison, and misdemeanor counts of obstruction of governmental administration and possession of a hypodermic instrument.
Police also charged him with use of a car without an Interlock device, reckless driving, aggravated unlicensed operation, unlawful fleeing from a police officer and resisting arrest.
ALBION – This snapshot was taken in the late 1920s in front of the Rialto Theater on Main Street in Albion.
The bus signage indicates: “Ride The Blue Bus – Rochester Batavia Buffalo.” The word “Special” is also displayed. This may have been a special excursion for Odd Fellows or Rebeccas as the 100F Temple was located next to the theater.
A storefront at the time in the Odd Fellows building has “Billiards” painted on a window.
Note a man placing luggage on top of the bus. Hope it didn’t rain!
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 April 2014 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers – The Albion Lions Club, Village of Albion and community members are trying to raise $50,000 to update playground equipment and make other improvements at Bullard Park.
ALBION – Some of the equipment may go back 50 years, and some of the playground apparatus have been removed or modified due to safety concerns.
Bullard Park is in need of an update, said Dale Brooks, superintendent for the Department of Public Works.
The village sought state funding in 2012 and 2013, but both grant applications were denied. Brooks and the village want to forge ahead with improvements.
The “Rebuild Bullard” Committee met Tuesday and set a $50,000 fund-raising goal. That should be enough to put in new playground for bigger kids and make other improvements.
However, the committee hasn’t established a priority for the first project at Bullard. Recreation Director John Grillo believes a spray park would be a major draw to the park, bringing people from throughout the county.
Some of the equipment at the park goes back generations.
However, the village needs to run water and sewer lines to a central location for the spray park, and Brooks would like to see bathrooms and a changing area built for a spray park. He will seek construction estimates for the infrastructure, spray park and bathroom. That should be well in excess of $50,000.
Brooks would prefer to first address safety issues with the playground. The village has updated equipment at Pee Wee Park, a section of Bullard for toddlers and younger children. The spot with playground equipment for older children hasn’t been updated in many years.
“My concern is the safety part,” Brooks said at a meeting at Hoag Library.
Brooks is also a member of the Albion Lions Club, and the club is helping to raise funds for the project. Lions Cub President Bill Robinson said the fund-raising and improvements will likely take years. But he wants to get started “so the children’s playground is a safe place to play and the park is a credit to the community.”
The committee brainstormed several fund-raisers including a Battle of Bands, car wash, bowling tournament, dunk tank at the Strawberry Festival and donations that would go into a village account designated for the park.
Brooks and Grillo also would like to see neighboring towns provide some funding for the park because it is used by children and families outside the village.
The improvements will depend on the money coming to fruition. However, Brooks said some safety improvements may be required by the village’s insurance provider.
The committee will meet next at 7 p.m. on May 20 at Hoag Library.
ALBION – The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office will once again participate in the National Prescription Drug Take-Back Initiative on April 26.
Residents can drop off unused prescriptions from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the following collection points:
Orleans County Public Safety Building, 13925 State Route 31, Albion
Holley Fire Department, 7 Thomas St., Holley
Medina Fire Department, 600 Main St., Medina
This is a collaborative effort with the U.S. Department of Justice – Drug Enforcement Administration, the Orleans County Health Department, and the Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism & Substance Abuse (GCASA).
This is a great opportunity for the public to surrender unwanted and/or expired medications for safe & proper disposal. During this cycle we have added one-hour “early-bird” drop off on Saturday, April 19, with times and locations as follows:
Lyndonville Fire Department and Shelby Fire Dire Recreation Hall from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Carlton FD Recreation Hall and Barre Fire Department from 11 a.m. to noon
Kendall Fire Department and Clarendon Fire Department from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Special thanks to all fire departments for assisting us with this event.
Photos by Sue Cook – Frost, a Hog Island sheep raised by William Trembley, will be going to Washington, D.C. on Friday.
By Sue Cook, staff reporter
BARRE – Heritage breeds are a look back at the yesteryear of the way farm animals used to exist for our forefathers. One farm in Barre has taken on the responsibility on raising some of these animals that may otherwise go extinct.
Nine-year-old William Trembley is the registered farmer for a flock of Hog Island sheep. The breed originated from their namesake island in Virginia. They have been rated as critical by The Livestock Conservancy. This means that there are fewer than 200 annual registrations of the breed in the United States and they are estimated to have a global population of less than 2,000. The Hog Island sheep that William has are one of only two flocks in New York state.
“These are a breed from 1600,” said Julie Trembley, William’s mother. “You can make socks like the colonists had. You can make blankets like them, too.”
She has found that many people are interested in the wool from heritage sheep that allows people to create period pieces of clothing and goods that existed long ago.
This Friday, two of the sheep will be taking a trip to their new home in Washington, D.C. There, the Accokeek Foundation will take them in as permanent residents of their Colonial farm to become a part of their flock of Hog Island sheep from around the country.
The family originally connected with the foundation when Julie called for assistance to ensure they were taking care of the breed correctly. They spoke with Polly Festa, the livestock manager. She asked if they would be willing to donate couple lambs to the foundation for the sake of furthering the breed. William agreed that it would be a great idea and the family will begin the transport of the sheep before dawn on Friday.
William is holding one of the black variations of the Hog Island sheep. There is color variation in the breed, but it is not a breed standard for them to be mostly black or white. He is pictured with his mother Julie.
The two sheep that will be going will be a female named Frost who was born on a bitterly cold day to Martha, named after Martha Washington. The male lamb they are sending is Supersheep, who got his name from his black mask like a superhero’s. He was born to Betsy, named for Betsy Ross. The family picked the historic names in honor of the fact that they are a heritage breed. William was given the privilege of naming the sheep and his parents loved what he chose.
Julie saw an advertisement that simply read “Six sheep, need a home.” The owners, who could no longer keep them due to the need to relocate, discovered through questioning Julie that the older Trembley boys each had half of the family’s flock of American Tunis, which is another heritage breed of sheep with red coloration that date back to when Thomas Jefferson kept them. Tunis sheep are classified as rare, which is a better standing than critical. The owners felt comfortable giving the sheep to a family that already understood a heritage breed.
This year around the first week of March, during the bitter cold, little lambs were born. Eight of the nine were abandoned by the mother. The family thinks it was due to the bitter cold, but also because the flock is feral and behaves somewhat different from modern domesticated breeds, though they do remain an overall close-knit group.
“They’re like a synchronized swimming team. They don’t look left or right without being in sync with each other,” said Julie.
When the lambs were born, they needed to be fed frequently. Through diluted bottles, they are now being weaned off of milk.
The lambs’ care needs were extensive at birth. They were already freezing, and some had begun to suffer from frostbite. On top of that, they also needed to be fed every three hours and kept very warm. Julie said it was not only hard, but nearly impossible. Todd Eick, Medina’s agriculture teacher, recognized the breed when he first saw them and immediately wanted to help.
After transporting them to the school, the ag students assisted in the care of the sheep as part of their class studies. Julie said that the family made the decision that three of the sheep will be given as scholarships to Medina students that participated in their care. The family will be at the 4-H Fair in July with some of their remaining Hog Island breed, where they will show the sheep in an attempt to win ribbons.
Julie is deeply grateful for the help that the Medina students provided and that Mr. Eick was willing to reach out. Taking care of the lambs was so difficult that many helping hands made all the difference in the world.
“I really want to thank Mr. Eick, and the Medina Ag classes because they helped us bottle feed when we had eight bottle babies,” Julie said. “They’re the reason these babies survived and thrived and can go to D.C. I want to thank them for their help. We were exhausted!”
