By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 May 2013 at 12:00 am
ALBION – There is an election in Albion today, although many people likely don’t realize it because it’s such a low-key campaign.
The community will pick a new member for the board of trustees for the Swan Library Association.
There are actually four seats open, but only one candidate, Terry Wilbert, agreed to be on the ballot. The other three openings will be left to the discretion of the 11-member board. The board could appoint members to fill the spots, or the positions could be left vacant until the next election in May 2014, said Kevin Doherty, board president.
Voting will be from noon to 7 p.m. today at Hoag Library, 134 South Main St. Voting is open to residents in the Albion school district. They will need proof of identity and residence.
The annual meeting, when the library reviews its proposed budget and circulation numbers, will begin at Hoag tonight at 7.
The board includes nine members who are elected by the public and two members who are appointed, one by the president of the Board of Education and one by the mayor of Albion. Doherty said the library board has talked about reducing the number of seats, which would require approval from library users in a public meeting.
Doherty and other board members believed all 11 members were needed when the community was working to not only run a public library, but to also build a new complex for the library. Now that the building project is complete, board members are open to reducing the size of the board.
“It’s been an item for conversation,” Doherty said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 May 2013 at 12:00 am
Couple presented with honorary Empire Degree during state convention in Albion
Photo by Tom Rivers – LaVerne and Beatrice Eick, front center, are surrounded by family members who either attained Empire Degrees or who are working towards attaining the highest honor for students at the state level. In back, from left: Abigail Maines, Alexis Maines, and Empire degree winners Todd, Bill, Ken and Adam Eick.
ALBION – While they were running a dairy farm in Shelby, LaVerne and Beatrice Eick also insisted their children be involved in the Medina FFA chapter, and push themselves to excel in the program.
Their sons, Bill and Ken, both earned Empire degrees, the highest honor an FFA student can attain in the state. Three of Ken’s children – Adam, Karen and Andy – went on to earn Empire Degrees while Bill’s son Todd also attained the honor.
Todd is now advisor of the Medina FFA, which will host the state convention next year. His daughters Abigail and Alexa Maines are active members of the Albion FFA.
“It’s in our roots,” said Adam Eick, a senior at Medina and the most recent family member to earn the degree. “We had it instilled in us with grandma and grandpa and it trickled down to their children and grandchildren.”
FFA today recognized LaVerne and Beatrice for fostering a commitment and love for FFA among their family members. The couple was awarded an honorary Empire Degree in front of more than 1,000 people in the middle school auditorium.
FFA gives honorary degrees to parents or grandparents with at least three children or grandchildren who earned Empires.
Adam said his grandparents have also shown a love for family, agriculture and community.
“I couldn’t have asked for better grandparents,” he said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 May 2013 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers – Amanda Rhodes, the state FFA president, is cheered by the state line officers after delivering a speech Saturday about the need for grace and forgiveness.
ALBION – Grace, forgiveness, living with purpose. I would expect to hear that at church, not from teen-age girls who lead the state FFA.
The three-day state FFA convention in Albion wasn’t just a big “rah-rah” fest, although there was plenty of celebration, with more than 160 students earning Empire Degrees, the highest honor an FFA student attain in New York. Many other students excelled in 26 different competitions in public speaking and technical skills.
State officers in sessions spread over three days took turns addressing more than 1,000 students in the middle school auditorium. The FFA students were impressive in their poise and purpose.
The FFA state officers avoided sugary sound bites about daring to dream, working hard and being a leader. The theme for the 88th annual convention – “It’s all heart from here” – shifted the focus away from trophies, ribbons and rank.
I attended the opening session on Thursday night and the concluding program on Saturday afternoon. The state president, Amanda Rhodes, delivered a moving speech Saturday about the need for forgiveness and grace. Rhodes told the high-achieving students to not forget we are all humans who need to give and receive compassion.
Rhodes spoke of losing her best friend about a year ago in a tragic death. She shared of her own embarrassment and shame when a former boyfriend shared private pictures of her.
“Letting a mistake take hold of you can destroy you,” said Rhodes from the Belleville-Henderson FFA.
She needed to forgive herself, and accept grace from her teachers and family. After her speech, the other state officers ran onto the stage and hugged Rhodes, who wiped away tears.
Lindsey Anderson, vice president of the FFA National Western Region, address 1,100 FFA students Saturday in Albion.
Paige Levandowski of Albion served as vice president of the 4,000-member state FFA this year. She addressed the convention during the opening session on Thursday and told more than 1,000 people to not let distractions get in the way of being fully present in their lives.
Levandowski talked about Nick Kovaleski, a 15-year-old from Albion who died from leukemia two years ago. Nick was a star athlete, an altar server and a loving friend. Many community members continue to wear “Live with Purpose” T-shirts and bracelets in Nick’s honor. A “Live with Purpose” scholarship has been established in Nick’s honor.
“Nick had an ability to motivate others to use their gifts and ‘Live with Purpose,’” Levandowski told the FFA students across the state. “Be like Nick. Live lives with purpose.”
Other speakers talked about overcoming adversity. Lyndsey Anderson, the vice president of National FFA in the Western Region, lives in the central valley in California. She led workshops for students during the convention and delivered a keynote speech Saturday.
“Make your obstacles small and your opportunities big,” she told the group.
The FFA students did most of the talking during the convention, but a professional motivational speaker kicked off the convention’s opening session. Ben Glenn, a motivation speaker and chalk artist from Indianapolis, shared about moving past the “uglies,” the unexpected hardships in life.
Glenn created a beautiful landscape drawing for the crowd, and then drew dark lines across it, marring the painting. Some of the students gasped and yelled at Glenn for ruining the artwork.
He then made the dark lines blend into the picture, making it look even better than before.
“When bad things happen, we have to keep moving forward,” Glenn said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 May 2013 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers – About 150 motorcyclists gathered for a motorcycle safety rally this afternoon at the Orleans County Courthouse in Albion.
The group then went on a 50-mile ride throughout the county.
ALBION – With warm weather finally here, motorcyclists in Orleans County want to remind the public they’re back on the roadways.
About 150 bikers joined today for their annual “motorcycle safety and awareness rally” at the Orleans County Courthouse and then embarked on a 50-mile ride throughout the county.
The group has had an annual rally for at least 20 years, and the crowd seems to get bigger every year as the sport gains popularity, said Fran Abrams, public relations coordinator for the Orleans County chapter of American Bikers Aimed Toward Education.
Motorcyclists have a simple message for drivers who share the road.
“We’re back on the roads, look twice and save a life,” Abrams said.
County Legislator Lynne Johnson, R-Lyndonville, read a proclamation from the Legislature that declared May “Motorcyle Safety and Awareness Month” in Orleans County. She praised the ABATE chapter for promoting rider safety and working to dispel myths about bikers.
State Assemblyman Steve Hawley also addressed the group. He said he strongly supported a $150 million increase in the state budget for road and bridge improvements.
“That will make the roads safer,” Hawley said.
Jeremy Ingraham of Middleport gets ready for the 50-mile ride throughout Orleans County.
Some of the state officers for FFA are silhouettes while watching a fireworks show at the Albion varsity football field tonight as part of the kickoff celebration for the 88th annual convention.
Jack Hill of Medina tries on a new FFA jacket tonight during opening ceremonies for the state FFA convention in Albion. Ashley Willits, the District 6 president, handed Jack his FFA coat. The state officers awarded 15 jackets to new members who have exhibited outstanding leadership. “With this jacket comes great responsibility to carry on the traditions of this organization,” FFA members were told. In the past 80 years, 6 million FFA members have worn the blue corduroy jackets.
After a two-hour kick-off ceremony inside the middle school auditorium in Albion, 1,100 FFA students filled the bleachers at the varsity football field to watch fireworks. The convention continues until Saturday.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 May 2013 at 12:00 am
The 524-mile state canal system, which runs through Orleans County, officially opened today for its 189th season.
Canal village residents will soon be hearing the bells on the lift bridges, and tugboats, tenders and recreational boaters will be traveling along the iconic waterway.
Several official canal vessels, including the tender in the photo above, stay in Albion during the winter months. The tender is a working vessel on the canal.
The bell on the Main Street Lift Bridge in Albion is pictured in the photo below.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 May 2013 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Boy Scouts from troops in Albion and West Barre this morning set 720 flags on the graves of veterans in Mount Albion Cemetery. Scouts work with the American Legion every May to make sure the graves receive flags.
Eight-year-old Devin Marchu, above, places a flag on the grave of William S. Lattin, a World War II veteran, while Anthony Freeman, 10, places flags for veterans in the Civil War section of the historic cemetery on Route 31.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 May 2013 at 12:00 am
Albion, Lyndonville and Medina students all honored
Photo by Tom Rivers – Albion High School students earned an outstanding dance ensemble award from the Rochester Broadway Theatre League in Albion’s performance of Beauty and the Beast.
ROCHESTER – The Albion and Lyndonville drama departments took home many honors Thursday night for singing, dancing and acting in the annual “Stars of Tomorrow” program through the Rochester Broadway Theatre League.
Both school districts won numerous awards with Mary Martin of Albion picked of one four outstanding lead actress honors among Division B schools. Martin is a repeat winner in the category. She played Belle in Albion’s production of Beauty and the Beast.
She will now compete in RBTL’s scholarship competition May 23 that features 32 outstanding leads in a nine-county area.
Photo by Tom Rivers – Mary Martin, an Albion High School senior who played Belle in Beauty and the Beast, was named an outstanding female lead by the Rochester Broadway Theater League.
Albion also won an award for outstanding dance ensemble. Several students also won “Tip of the Hat” recognition from program judges. A trio of performers – Faith Bentley, Madelaine Fournier and Alyssa Lawrence – were recognized for their performance as “Silly Girls.”
Joyce LaLonde won a “Tip of the Hat” award for “Babette,” while Kendra Morrison was recognized for her efforts as “Madame De La Grande Bouche.” Another Albion student, Maria Ostafew, was honored for “The Rose.”
Lyndonville had a big night. The district also competes in the B Division and has included Medina students the past two years. They performed Anything Goes.
Courtesy of Lyndonville Central School – Tom Follman, who played Moonface Martin in Lyndonville’s production of Anything Goes, was awarded best supporting actor in the “Stars of Tomorrow” program.
Lyndonville’s Tom Follman was awarded best supporting actor for his role as Moonface Martin. Joy Follman, who portrayed Mrs. Wadsworth T. Harcourt, received special recognition and Tip of the Hat awards.
The production also received outstanding singing ensemble and outstanding pit orchestra awards.
Medina students Madison Holland, Joe Mangiola and Regan Stacey were recognized for their roles in Anything Goes. Stacey was named best supporting actress and received a Tip of the Hat award for her work as the production choreographer. Mangiola was given a Tip of the Hat award, and Holland was named a Rising Star after a nomination from musical director Jennifer Trupo.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 May 2013 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers – Mitchell Ling, a sixth grade junior FFA member from Pioneer, sits atop a 3020 John Deere form the mid-1960s. The Western New York 2-Cylinder Club brought nine John Deere tractors to the state convention.
FFA members are taking turns at a booth promoting agricultural education. The booth is among many displays promoting careers in agriculture in the middle school gym. This group of students is from the Cazenovia FFA. They include, from left: Easton Young, Paige Horan and Tim Hunt.
ALBION – It’s not all work and no play for the 1,100 FFA students in Albion for the state convention.
With temperatures near 80 degrees on a glorious sunny day, many of the students took to the outdoors to lounge on the grass, play on a swing set, and climb old tractors this afternoon.
It’s been a busy first two days of the convention with students competing in 26 events, picking new officers, and attending numerous leadership seminars and career fairs.
Students are looking forward to a concert in the high school gym tonight by country music singer JJ Lawhorn.
The convention wraps up tomorrow.
Kelsey Delles, left, and Brittany Allen – both members of the Indian River FFA near Watertown – relax on the high school front lawn this afternoon. The two competed in a foods competition, making frozen raspberry yogurt. They were waiting for the results from the competition. Twelve students from Indian River are attending the state FFA convention in Albion.
A.J. Fletcher, a ninth-grader from the Cobleskill FFA, swings on the middle school playground this afternoon. There are 19 Cobleskill students in Albion for the state FFA convention.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 May 2013 at 12:00 am
Volunteers are welcome to pitch in with two community cleanup projects on Saturday.
In Carlton, the Oak Orchard Neighborhood Association will meet at the Lighthouse Restaurant for tea or coffee at 8:30 a.m. The group will then shift to the Orleans County Marine Park to start a roadside garbage pickup at 9 a.m.
Volunteers will pick up trash on Route 98 between Lake Ontario and Narby’s Superette and Tackle near “The Bridges.” OONA has been doing the trash pickup for four or five years. Some volunteers bring weed wackers to help trim the grass along the roadside.
The organization urges helpers to bring their own gloves and buckets.
“The more people we have, the less time it will take,” said Ed Bellnier, OONA vice president.
In Medina, the Lions Club is having its annual spring environmental cleanup day from 9 a.m. to noon. Volunteers will meet at the Lions Park before heading to different parts of the village for cleanup projects.
So far, 15 club members, 40 Boy Scouts and 10 students from the Iroquois Job Corps have committed to helping. Lions will cook hot dogs for participants beginning at 11 a.m.
