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Medina library readies for extensive renovations

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 September 2013 at 12:00 am

MEDINA – In 1966, Medina opened a new public library on West Avenue, the Lee-Whedon Memorial Library.

The inside of the 11,000-square-foot building hasn’t changed much since then. But the place will be radically changed with a five-week construction project from Sept. 28 to Nov. 1.

Lee-Whedon is paying Sicoli Construction Services of Niagara Falls $272,000 for a number of improvements. The library will be closed for five weeks while it is remodeled and receives upgraded lighting and heating.

“We’ll have a rejuvenated facility,” said Catherine Cooper, library director. “It will bring us into the 21st Century.”

The following improvements are planned:

A complete makeover of the interior including ceiling tiles, paint and carpeting. New colors, fabrics and textures will provide a pleasant and welcoming environment. Lighting fixtures will also be upgraded.

The Children’s area will be reconfigured to provide improved space for group activities. A new Teen Center will include a study area and improved technology access.

Computer capable study areas are planned. High-speed Internet access points with upgraded computer technology will assure improved speed, ease of use, and security.

The shelves and display areas will be reconfigured for increased accessibility and efficiency. All public sections of the building will be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Act.

Several mechanical issues will be addressed including improved exterior lighting, electronic controls for the heating and ventilation systems and upgrades to the electrical services.

The library’s collection will be moved into storage pods in the parking lot during the construction project. Lee-Whedon users are urged to visit any of the NIOGA libraries during the five weeks, including libraries in Albion, Middleport, Lyndonville and Holley.

Lee-Whedon recently put on a new roof on the building, a $224,000 project. The state paid half of those costs. Cooper said Lee-Whedon is applying to the state’s library construction fund to cover half of the interior project.

Dunkin’ plan goes before County on Thursday

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 September 2013 at 12:00 am

Agenda includes helicopter landing pad in Medina and addition for RS Automation in Albion

ALBION – The Orleans County Planning Board will review the site plan for a new Dunkin’ Donuts on Thursday, one of the last hurdles for the company to knock down a warehouse and build a new site on Main Street in Albion.

If county planners approve the project, Dunkin’ still needs a final vote from the Village of Albion Planning Board. That vote is scheduled for 7 p.m. Oct. 2 at Village Hall on East Bank Street.

Dunkin’ wants to begin demolition in October and have the shell of the new building up soon after. The company is eyeing a January opening for the new store.

County planners will review the site plan at 7 p.m. in Conference Room C of the County Administration Building, 14016 Route 31 West, Albion.

Dunkin’ wants to remove a warehouse between Tim Hortons and the railroad tracks. The store would be 2,000 square feet with 46 parking spaces. There would be a drive-through and driveways on both Main and Platt streets.

The property is at 153 South Main St. in the General Commercial District.

The Orleans County Planning Board will consider two other projects at its Sept. 26 meeting, including site plan review for a helicopter land pad and access drive on Ohio Street in Medina. That will be near Medina Memorial Hospital in the Single-Family District and Medical Services Overlay District.

Planners will also weigh in on the site plan for a detached storage building in the town of Albion at 4015 Oak Orchard Rd. The building in the Light Industrial District will be next to RS Automation, which is owned by Rick Stacey.

Albion pastor explores longevity in Christian life in new book

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 September 2013 at 12:00 am

Pastor also is working on new ‘Jobs for Life’ ministry for Orleans County

Photo by Tom Rivers – Tim Lindsay has led Harvest Christian Fellowship in Albion since the church started in 1987, first meeting in the former Firemen’s Recreation Building on West State Street. In 1991, the church moved to 560 East Ave., where Lindsay is pictured.

ALBION – Tim Lindsay was turning 50 and celebrating 20 years as a pastor in Albion in the fall of 2007. As he reflected on his ministry, he did the math and realized he had preached about 1,000 sermons in Albion.

He thought about enduring principles he learned in those 20 years and preached about them in a sermon series he called “1,000 Sundays.” Members of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Albion gave Lindsay good feedback about the sermons.

Lindsay’s 20 years have now turned into nearly 26 years of commitment to the Albion community. He often preaches about the importance of “finishing the race,” of staying faithful to God.

Lindsay has had a few years to think about the “1,000 Sundays.” He was encouraged to expand on those principles and write about longevity in Christian life and ministry. He spent a year working on a manuscript.

The result is a 219-page book with 19 chapters. In “1,000 Sundays and Counting ” the pastor writes about his Albion church and some of the life principles he has learned. The book came out last month and is available locally at Bindings Bookstore in Albion.

“It’s not a how-to manual,” Lindsay said. “It’s a book about character.”

Lindsay grew up in Hilton. He and his wife Laurie have five grown children and five grandchildren. They were attending Golden Heights Christian Center in Brockport when that church decided to plant a new church in Albion. Lindsay was asked to lead the effort.

The Christian Center Church of Orleans County held its first service on Oct. 25, 1987 at Albion Firemen’s Recreation Building. The church was there for four years before buying a building a 560 East Ave. The church later changed its name to Harvest Christian Fellowship.

It has been influential in establishing the Orleans County Christian School and the Care Net Center of Greater Orleans, which provides free pregnancy tests and ultra-sounds, as well as support in a crisis pregnancy.

Lindsay also serves as chaplain in the Orleans County Jail and has served as a missionary to Africa. He just returned from Ghana and Togo. He distributed 200 copies of his books to Christian leaders in the countries.

Some of the principles in the book include:

Let God use the difficult circumstances of your life to form the character of Christ in you.

Leave a godly legacy for future generations.

Keep your heart tender and sensitive to Jesus even in the midst of trials.

Live for something bigger than yourself.

Find and maintain healthy relationships in the body of Christ.

Fulfill God’s vision and purpose for your life.

Lindsay is working to launch another ministry in the community, “Hands for Hope.” That initiative will partner with local businesses to connect residents to jobs that match their skill levels. Hands for Hope will run “Jobs for Life,” an eight-week job training program.

Hands for Hope includes representatives from several local churches. They want to connect residents with mentors, “who can help people when there are bumps in the road.”

Hands for Hope is aimed at unemployed and underemployed residents. Lindsay said 400 sites in the country are running the Bible-based program right now.

The churches and mentors will stress soft job skills, such as showing up to work on time, keeping a good attitude and conflict resolution skills.

“It boils down to character,” said Lindsay, who will be site leader for the project.

He believes good jobs can help lift many people out of generational poverty.

“This can help them get out of that cycle,” Lindsay said.

He welcomes businesses, churches, mentors and other participants for the program, which is expected to launch in January.

Famous Albionites will be featured on Ghost Walk

Posted 19 September 2013 at 12:00 am

Sept. 28 event will include 80 students at Mount Albion

Courtesy of Albion Central School – Albion student Kendra Morrison recounts a story during last year’s Ghost Walk about Amos Clift and how he solved the issue of some hobos that kept stealing his farm fencing.

Press release
Albion Central School

ALBION – About 80 Albion High School students will portray notable residents of Mount Albion during a Ghost Walk on Sept. 28. The event runs from 5 to 9 p.m. with tours every 15 minutes. The cost is $5 with proceeds going to service-learning projects.

The tours will start near the chapel of the historic cemetery on Route 31, east of the village. The tour includes the older part of the cemetery.

Students will portray the following:

Albert Warner, who embezzled money from the Roswell Burrows estate and the First National Bank.

William Barlow, a famous architect who designed and built some of our most prominentbuildings, including the Orleans County Courthouse.

Jane Lavery, who was 16 yearsold when she died in the 1859 Main Street bridge collapse while watching an aerialist attempt to cross the Erie Canal.

Ben Field, who acquired the franchise rights to make sleeper cars for the railroad. He sold his part of the business to his partner, George Pullman, for $5,000. Pullman became a multi-millionaire.

Loren Stiles, who was influential in starting the first Free Congregational Methodist Church in the world. The Free Methodist denomination started in Albion.

Amanda Bedell, mother of Grace Bedell, who was 11 when she wrote a letter to Abe Lincoln encouraging him to grow whiskers. He took her advice and met Grace during a train stop in Westfield, NY.

Sanford Church, perhaps the most prominent citizen of Albion’s past. He was an attorney, state assemblyman, state comptroller, Lieutenant Governor of NY and served as chief justice to the NYS Court of Appeals.

Emma Swan, who along with her husband, William Gere Swan, turned the Burrows mansion into thefirst public library for the Albion community.

John Proctor, an early settler in Gaines, he was the Paul Revere of the Ridge during the War of 1812.He rode east to warn people the British were advancing to Lewiston.

John Hull White, who was the grand sire of theIndependent Order of the Oddfellows.

William Butts, a Revolutionary War soldier.

Roswell Burrows, a wealthy banker (reportedly the richest man in Albion). He established the First National Bank of Albion and unfortunately trusted Albert Warner, his assistant.

Lewis Tyrell, a Civil War soldier who fought at the Battle of Petersburg with General Grant.

Emma Root, who recounts a story of a certain gentleman named Pat Flynntrying to settle his bill with a clerk at the village store.

The tour includes choral and instrumental musical selections. To reserve a spot on the tour, call Sue Starkweather Miller at the school, 589-2087.

Police arrest fugitive wanted on weapons charge in Michigan

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 September 2013 at 12:00 am

Leonel Lopez-Alvarado

ALBION – A village resident, who is wanted for aggravated assault with a firearm in Michigan, was arrested today at his residence, 129 West Academy St., the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force reported.

Leonel Lopez-Alvarado, 30, is in the country illegally without proper documents, the Task Force reported today. He has twice been deported by U.S. Immigration and Customs, in 2009 and again in 2010.

Police searched Lopez-Alvarado’s residence and found a loaded 9mm semi-auto pistol, ammunition, fraudulent alien registration card and social security card.

Lopez-Alvarado was charged with two counts of criminal possession of a forged instrument in the second degree, one count of criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree, and one count of criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree (non U.S. citizen).

He was arraigned at the Town of Albion Justice Gary Moore and committed to the Orleans County Jail on $5,000 cash bail. Lopez-Alvarado is to return back to Albion court on Sept. 24 at 9 a.m.

Lopez-Alvarado also is being held on a detainer filed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and is facing numerous federal charges, including illegal re-entry into the United States. He also is facing extradition to the state of Michigan for aggravated assault with a firearm.

Police executed the search warrant in Albion after receiving information that Lopez-Alvarado was wanted for a shooting in another state. The Major Felony Crime Task Force worked the case with Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Office of Enforcement and Removal Operations, and the Albion Police Department.

Hard work, up high on Main Street

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 September 2013 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Young Enterprises employee Shane Swann is on top of the Pratt building at 118 North Main St., coating the roof this afternoon.

Several contractors are working on the building, which is owned by Michael Bonafede and Judith Koehler. They want to have the top floor, a former opera house, reopened as a performance venue.

Andy Young, owner of Young Enterprises in Albion, was up on the roof this afternoon. He is pictured in the photo below.

State approves $54K grant for Pine Hill Airport

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 September 2013 at 12:00 am

Governor announces $48M for projects state-wide

Photo by Tom Rivers – An airplane comes in for a landing at Pine Hill Airport on Sept. 8, when the airport in Barre hosted a fly-in breakfast.

ALBANY – Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo today announced $48 million in grants for transportation improvements across the state, including $54,000 for Pine Hill Airport, the only airport with a hard-surface runway in Orleans County.

The money for Pine Hill will help construct a new apron and taxiway connector for the west ramp.

Cuomo said the $48 million in state funds will leverage an additional $80 million in federal, state and local funding. The governor said the money will boost transportation infrastructure and support economic development.

“We are making targeted investments that will improve transportation systems across the state, provide the foundation for future economic development, and create jobs,” the governor said. “This funding will modernize aviation facilities, improve the speed of freight and passenger transit, and build cleaner and safer networks of transportation.”

The state approved $7 million for 21 airport infrastructure projects in state, $21 million in transit capital grants, and $20 million for 14 rail projects.

Twigs complete $170K pledge to Medina Memorial

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 September 2013 at 12:00 am

Provided photo – The Medina Memorial Association of Twigs presents a $20,000 check to the hospital, the Twigs final payment on a $170,000 pledge for hospital lobby and ER renovations. Pictured, from left, include: Donna Poore, past president; Acting Interim Hospital CEO Dolores Horvath; and Carolyn Wisniewski, Twigs president.

MEDINA – The Medina Memorial Association of Twigs made its final $20,000 payment towards a $170,000 pledge to help the hospital remodel its lobby and emergency room.

The Twigs made a $50,000 initial payment and then followed with $20,000 checks annually over six years.

Twigs President Carolyn Wisniewski presented the final check on Sept. 9 to Acting Interim CEO Dolores Horvath, fulfilling the group’s pledge.

Most of the money was raised through the Twig Gift Shop located across from the switchboard at the hospital. The remaining funds were raised by the different Twig groups over the years.

The lobby received new carpeting and chairs in 2011. More work to the lobby as well as upgrades to the ER are expected to start at the end of 2013 or early 2014.

The Twigs have assisted with several projects at the hospital through the years.

“We are proud of our hospital and look forward to doing more projects with them in the future,” said Twigs President Carolyn Wisniewski.

Chamber’s New Business of the Year: Ho-Jacks Bar and Grill

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 September 2013 at 12:00 am

Photo by Tom Rivers – The Conrad family opened Ho-Jack’s Bar and Grill last Nov. 1 at 1750 Oak Orchard Rd., Carlton. Pictured, from left: Francesca Papalia, Tony Conrad, Danielle Conrad, Jo Jo Allport (age 4), Matthew Lilly and Dan Conrad.

CARLTON – Three years ago, Dan Conrad was downsized after 26 years of work at Kodak. After being laid off, Conrad earned a degree in business and looked for an opportunity that would involve his family while also keeping him in Orleans County. Conrad saw potential for a restaurant that had an unstable history. The former Carlton Grill had been opened several times, only to shut down not long after.

Conrad was warned by friends that the site didn’t have a good track record. But he thought he could assemble a team to make it work.

Last Nov. 1 the Conrad family opened Ho-Jack’s Bar and Grill at 1750 Oak Orchard Rd. The venture has gone so well that Ho-Jack’s is expanding its parking lot.

Conrad’s son Tony is the head chef. He is looking to add sub sandwiches and bakery to the location, perhaps by next year.

“It’s been a lot of hard work, but it’s rewarding,” Dan Conrad said. “People walk out and say the food is great.” The Chamber of Commerce named Ho-Jack’s the 2013 “Business of the Year.” The Conrads have 15 employees. The business has brought stability to the site, and created a destination on Route 98 between Point Breeze and Albion. Conrad, a Rochester native, enjoys local history. He wanted the restaurant to play up the community’s railroad heritage. The interior has several railroad images, as well as photos of cobblestone structures, fishermen and other local scenes. Ho-Jack’s buys many of its ingredients – fruits and vegetables – from local farms. Tony, 25, graduated from the Niagara Falls Culinary Institute and worked at several local restaurants. He and the kitchen staff prepare mainstays, such as seafood, barbecue, hamburgers and fresh cut French fries. Tony favors his pork delmonico – pork smothered with bourbon glazed peaches. He adds other touches, “hamburgers with a gourmet spin,” his father said.

Dan’s wife Brenda works at Ho-Jack’s, making the desserts. Their daughter Danielle is a bartender. Tony’s wife Crystal is the assistant manager. Other family members also work at the site.

“It’s been a total team effort,” Conrad said. “We have a lot of good help here.”

Land lab provides outdoor classroom for Albion ag students

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 September 2013 at 12:00 am

‘This is a lot better than looking at a book.’

Photos by Tom Rivers – These Albion High School students – Aaron Burnside, Gary Moore and Dillon Black – were out in a corn field with other members of Adam Krenning’s agricultural science class on Tuesday.

ALBION – Adam Krenning used to show YouTube videos of corn planters spreading seeds in a field and combines coming through in the fall and harvesting the crop.

Krenning’s agricultural science students could read about the biology of plants from a textbook, learning about how photosynthesis from plant leaves helps grow corn and other crops.

This year, his students aren’t confined to an indoor classroom. The district last spring opened a 5-acre “Land Lab” near Clarendon Road.

A local farmer Adam Kirby planted the crop last May. Albion ag students filled the planter with seeds. One of the students, Aaron Burnside, sat in the planter with Kirby.

Four months later the plants are about 10 feet tall. Students have been out in the field, measuring the plants’ heighth, the distance between rows (29 inches) and distance between plants in each row (6 inches).

“This is a lot better than looking at a book,” said Dillon Black, a senior.

Gary Moore, an Albion 11th grader, holds an ear of corn in the school district’s 5-acre land lab, which is producing its first crop this year for the school’s agriculture program.

Students were surprised by how big and strong the corn plants grew in four months, and all that to produce one ear of corn, although different varieties could have two or three ears.

When they studied the corn plants on Tuesday, Krenning sent them about 25 plants deep into the corn field. Krenning said the edge of a corn field can give a false indication about a field’s health. The edge often has small or stilted plants because animals can feed on them or the soil is splashed with road salt.

Aaron Burnside, a junior, was impressed with the plants. He said it’s been a good growing season with lots of rain and sunshine.

“This is the first time the classes can get hands-on with the plants,” he said.

The ag sciences classes and FFA chapter have developed a corn maze that will be open to Albion elementary school students. They will each paint a pumpkin on Oct. 16-17 as part of a fall outdoor event with apple cider and donuts. Each elementary classroom is making a scare crow for that event.

The district opened the 5-acre Land Lab last year. Local farmer Adam Kirby in May brought a planter to the site to plant corn.

Later this fall students will be able to watch the corn be harvested. They also will likely be able to see it at the ethanol plant in Medina, where the corn is ground up and turned into fuel.

The district’s agricultural program also is working with Panek Farms in Albion. The farm planted corn on 63 acres of land owned by Albion Central School. Panek is tracking the farm’s expenses for the crop. It will share that data plus the revenue numbers for the crop later with students. The net profits from the crop will be donated back to the district for the ag program.

Krenning said those funds plus the knowledge shared by Panek Farms will make for a program full of enrichment for students.

Recent rainy days kept his class inside, instead of out in the corn field. He could sense their enthusiasm on Tuesday, when they went into the cornfield, inspecting and measuring the plants.

“You can explain all you want on the board or with YouTube videos, but this is where the educational aspect really happens,” Krenning said.