By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 June 2026 at 4:20 pm
McQuaid Jesuit rowers passing through Orleans County today on day 1 of week-long trek
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The McQuaid Jesuit crew team was out this afternoon rowing along the Erie Canal. They are shown in a photo taken from the Presbyterian Road canal bridge.
The group left Buffalo in the morning and is headed to Brockport on day 1 of an eight-day “Row for Hope” to Albany. The team is raising money for Rochester’s House of Mercy that serves people experiencing homelessness.
The journey will cover 368 miles over the eight days. The group left Buffalo in the morning and stopped in Medina just after noon for lunch. They will stay overnight in Brockport tonight.
There are 11 boys on the team making the trek across the canal. They plan to put in about eight hours a day of rowing. The schedule also includes camping at Palmyra, Weedsport, Brewerton, Rome and Glenville.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 June 2026 at 1:12 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Neveya Barnes, an Albion High School senior, reacts after seeing her friend Nisi Beltran Roblero badly injured on a car. It was a scene from a drunk driving simulation this morning outside Albion High School. Albion police officer Chris Glogowski was among many first responders as part of the simulation.
The school district and local first responders wanted to send a message about being safe during prom and the upcoming graduation parties. Albion’s prom is this evening at the White Birch in Lyndonville.
Holley also had a DWI crash simulation this morning.
Aubrey Gannon is led by stretcher to a Mercy Flight EMS ambulance. Albion firefighters used the Jaws of Life to extricate her from the car. Another student, Kaitlynn Basinait, also was put on a stretcher and into an ambulance as part of the simulation.
Ashleigh Stornelli, an Orleans County sheriff’s deputy and the school resource officer at Albion, gave students a simple message: “Have fun and be safe.”
The young drivers were urged to be extra careful with opportunities for late nights and drinking.
The “100 Deadliest Days” is the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day when fatal teen crashes increase dramatically. AAA used that phrase after examining troubling data regarding fatal crashes among teen drivers.
Nationwide, 6,697 people died in teen driver-related summertime crashes over a ten-year period from 2013 to 2022. That is nearly half of the total number of those killed in teen-driver crashes for the entire rest of the year in that span.
The parents of Nisi Beltran Roblero, Eladio and Loyda, are shaken after being told their daughter has been pronounced dead by County Coroner Julie Woodworth. Even though it was role playing, Nisi’s parents said they were overwhelmed by the scene.
Bogan & Tuttle Funeral Home brought a hearse to take Nisi from the scene.
There was also a mock sentencing where Gideon Pask, the driver of the vehicle that caused the accident, was sentenced to state prison, a $5,000 fine, five years of probation, and a one-year revocation of his driver’s license. Once he starts driving again, he’ll have to use an interlock ignition device that tests his BAC.
Pask is led out of the LGI in the high school by Lt. Adam hazel of the Sheriff’s Department. He was sentenced by Albion Town Justice Gary Moore.
Orleans County District Attorney Susan Howard, left, prosecuted Pask for first-degree vehicular manslaughter, aggravated driving while intoxicated and reckless endangerment in the first degree.
She pushed away a call for leniency and probation only for the Pask’s lawyer.
“This is about Nisi and her family,” Howard said. “It’s not about revenge or retribution. It’s about justice.”
Diana Fulcomer, a senior prevention educator for UConnectCare, urged students to watch over each other, especially if they see others engaging in toxic drinking where their lives could be at risk from toxic alcohol poisoning.
She told them about the Red Watch challenge where they can wear a red band to remind them to watch out for one another.
Students were urged to call for help immediately if they see someone who is vomiting from alcohol, or if they don’t respond when shouted at, if they have very slow breathing, can’t stand up, have pale/bluish skin or an irregular/slow pulse.
“Be a band of students and watch over one another, and actually care,” she said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 June 2026 at 5:16 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The Albion Rotary Club today presented three scholarships. The recipients include, from left: Neveya Barnes, Kaitlin Bennett and Will Plummer. The Rotary Club meets at the Tavern on the Ridge.
Neveya Barnes was awarded the Dick Eddy “Service above Self” Scholarship. This $1,250 scholarship is awarded in memory of Eddy, a community leader, businessman, and Rotarian, who committed his life to the principle of Service above Self.
This scholarship is awarded to a senior who demonstrates a personal commitment to community service and leadership, and displays high potential for future accomplishment.
Barnes has proven that she embodies the principles of “Service Above Self,” said Bonnie Malakie, the Rotary scholarship chairperson. Barnes is graduating 4th in the 2026 class academically with 97.2 average and will be attending the University of Buffalo for Social Work.
“Neveya has proven her commitment to the community and desire to serve others by volunteering almost 600 hours since 9th grade, including volunteering as a Girl Scout Camp Counselor all four years and with the Special Olympics three years,” Malakie said.
Barnes also has been involved in bowling, dancing, instrumental music, musical theater, chorus, Girl Scouts, choir, bell-ringing and other activities. She is currently the class president and has served as a social work intern at the Elementary School.
“I truly believe that every person deserves to live peacefully and have chances to explore their aspirations,” she wrote in her essay. “I want to give back kindness to the world that has offered me so many opportunities.”
Kaitlin Bennett will receive the Edward B. Archbald Memorial Scholarship, a $ 1,250 scholarship in memory of Ed Archbald, who was a farmer, philanthropist, outdoorsman, and a 70-year member of Rotary.
This scholarship is presented to a graduating senior pursuing a college education who shares Archbald’s love for sports, recreational activities, community service, and work experience.
Bennett has proven that she has a vision very similar to that of Ed Archbald and has demonstrated this through her involvement in sports, recreational activities, agriculture, and community service, Malakie said.
Bennett is 5th in the class with a GPA of 97.15 and will be attending Monroe Community College, which recruited her to play softball. She will be majoring in business administration and accounting.
She plans to return to her family farm after MCC and be the fourth generation at the operation.
“My biggest goal is to continue keeping the farm alive and prospering,” she wrote in her essay. “I hope to someday be able to give my kids the same farm lifestyle that I am grateful to have had.”
Bennett has volunteered in many capacities for over 200 hours including the Barre Presbyterian Church, softball with younger students, Travel Softball and the FFA. She has been actively involved in softball, dance, FFA, and 4-H for all of her high school years, while also working at AL Bennett & Sons in many capacities, Dresser’s Dairy Farm and the Orleans County Elections Department.
William Plummer won the Rotary Career Advancement Prize, a $500 prize for a graduating senior entering a field that doesn’t require a traditional college education, such as a technical field, agriculture, law enforcement, or business.
Plummer is planning to join the US Air Force in August to further his education in engineering. Once he completes his service, he would like to continue his education at Alfred University, where he has been accepted, and to eventually return to the area to start a small business.
He has a GPA of 92.9 and is 13th in the class. He has volunteered regularly for FFA and other organizations, has played baseball and been in cross country for four years. He also has been actively involved in many other groups including FFA, the marching band, National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society, and Skills USA. He also has worked at Kirby’s Farm and The Village House. In the Air Force he wants to pursue mechanical technology and business management, and explore air traffic control person or an airframe maintenance inspector.
His goal is to run a small motor-vehicle workshop in Albion.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 June 2026 at 9:56 am
Photos by Tom Rivers: Jay Kovaleski, a high school physical education teacher, is congratulated by Albion Board of Education member Porsche Taylor on his impending retirement. Kovaleski also has been a long-time coach for swimming and tennis, helping Albion win several league titles during his tenure. He and other retirees were recognized by the school district during a reception Monday before the BOE meeting.
ALBION – The school district on Monday recognized retiring teachers for their long commitment to students and also honored other retiring staff who have been integral to the district operations. Altogether, the 13 retirees have worked 304 years at the district.
“The district is in a better place because you are in it,” Board of Education President Linda Weller said during a reception before the monthly BOE meeting.
District Superintendent Mickey Edwards first recognized three BOE members who are ending their tenures on the board.
David Sidari has served in the volunteer role since 1999. He retired in 2024, but came back about six months later in January 2025 to fill a vacancy.
Kurt Schmitt has served six years on the board and been active with the Finance & Audit, Facility and Safety, and Code of Conduct committees. Trellis Pore is finishing a five-year term. He has been on the Code of Conduct Committee.
Laura Simboli, the Albion school district treasurer, is congratulated on her retirement by Rick Recckio II, Assistant Superintendent for Finance. The school district honored retirees before the Board of Education meeting on Monday.
The 13 retirees from the district include:
Laura Simboli is retiring after 11 years at the District Office. She started as a payroll clerk and has been the treasurer the past four years.
Rick Recckio II, assistant superintendent for finance, said Simboli exudes kindness and has expertise in projected fund balance, cash flow and grants.
“I truly cannot imagine this place without her,” he said. “She has been the heart of this office in so many ways.”
Greg Staines, a computer specialist for the past 16 years, shakes hands with Joe Navarra, the information technology director at the school district.
Navarra said Staines has a knack where he can fix anything, without ever being ruffled by a challenge.
“He is a kind person who makes the workday better by just being around him,” Navarra said. “He has been a great person and friend to all of us.”
Angela Conway, elementary school principal, congratulates Dana Martin for his career in the elementary school.
Martin has been a long-time fifth grade teacher at the school. He started with Albion in 1997 as a Japanese teacher and then was an AIS teacher. He has led the Japanese Club the past 29 years and organized many cultural events at the school.
“He has a calm demeanor and genuine care for the students,” Conway said. “He is a thoughtful listener.”
Among his colleagues, Martin is also known as the “science guru,” she said.
Phil Gardner worked 30 years for the Albion School District.
Phil Gardner started at Albion as a long-term sub in 1996 and then worked nearly 30 years in the classroom, with most of his career in second grade.
“He is patient, soft spoken and kind,” said Conway, the school principal. “He creates an environment where very child feels valued.”
Robert Epperson, a first grade teacher, is retiring after 27 years. He also taught fourth grade at Albion. He was praised for his compassion and commitment to his students.
Theresa McClellan, a speech teacher and language pathologist at Albion for 27 years, was praised “for helping students find their voice.”
Beth Dunn and Terri Monacelli, teacher aides in Prekindergarten, are both retiring. Dunn worked 25 years for the district and is well regarded for her compassion to students and “incredible sense of humor,” Conway said.
Monacelli worked 31 years for Albion, starting as an aide in the former Even Start program. She has worked in PreK for the past 27 years. She is very prepared and organized, “but what sets Terri apart is her heart,” Conway said.
Terri Monacelli is retiring after 31 years as an aide in the elementary school.
In the Middle School, there are two retirees. Greg Martillotta is retired after 31 years as a music teacher including running the middle school band program. He retired in September.
Lee Sheehan retired in December after 18 years with Albion. She started in the elementary school and taught sixth grade the past eight years.
Brad Pritchard, the middle school principal, said Sheehan was committed to student growth and often supported her students outside of the classroom, attending dance recitals, school musicals and other events.
Lee Sheehan is congratulated by Board of Education member Kelly Kirby.
From the High School, three teachers are retiring.
Ann Sentiff is retiring after 10 years as a high school science teacher. She joined the district after farming for about 20 years. She also was a substitute teacher for four years.
Shelly Daggs has taught math and statistics for 28 years. She was unable to attend the reception because she was helping local students get ready for a horse show. Daggs has helped lead a 4-H horse program for many years.
Jennifer Ashbery, the high school principal, said Daggs has been “an outstanding teacher, colleague and friend.”
Jay Kovaleski is retiring after 21 years with Albion. He started his career teaching six years in the Rochester City School District. He taught high school physical education and also was the girls volleyball coach as well as the long-time leader of the tennis and varsity swimming programs.
Ashbery praised him for helping to bring out the best in students with the motto: “Play with Purpose, Swim with Purpose and Live with Purpose.”
Editor’s Note: Shelly Daggs, Ann Sentiff, Greg Martillotta, Robert Epperson, Theresa McClellan and Beth Dunn didn’t attend the reception on Monday.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 June 2026 at 8:21 am
Don Adams brings lots of optimism, joy in teaching kids to exercise and swim
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Don Adams, an Albion teacher since 1993, is congratulated by Mickey Edwards, the district superintendent, after Adams was honored as Albion’s Educator of the year on Monday evening. Board of Education President Linda Weller is at left and BOE member Porsche Taylor is at right.
Adams was praised for bringing so much joy and optimism in his job as a elementary physical education teacher. He also teaches swim lessons over the summer and has coached soccer, basketball, softball and track in his tenure, most often working with modified teams of seventh- and eighth-graders.
“He leads with kindness and integrity,” Edwards said in announcing Adams as the Educator of the Year.
Adams received several nominations for the award. He has been a dedicated coach and mentor to other teachers.
“Whether in the classroom, on the field, or throughout the community, Don is a constant positive presence who demonstrates respect, compassion, and genuine care for all students, faculty, staff, and community members,” Edwards said. “His character, leadership, and commitment have made a lasting impact on everyone fortunate enough to work and learn alongside him.”
Adams said he loves working with younger students and being a part of the Albion school district.
“The young kids love to jump, run and play,” he said. “I try to have a huge influence and impact on every kid.”
Over the years he has taught hundreds of children to learn how to swim. He helps them overcome their fear of the water, and gradually build their confidence in the pool.
“I want to thank all of the students,” he said. “That’s what this is all about.”
Don Adams said he is thankful to work at the Albion school district. He thanked his family, the teachers he had growing up, and all of the students he’s had over a 33-year career. Up front from left include Board of Education members Kurt Schmitt, Linda Weller and Porsche Taylor.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 31 May 2026 at 3:22 pm
Wood fired pizza mobile business will continue
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The Alexander family completed a busy day Saturday at Dubby’s Tailgate, the last one at 165 Platt St. for Dubby’s.
Brian and Rebecca Alexander opened the business about 5 ½ years ago. They said lease and building issues forced them to close Dubby’s Tailgate but they are hopeful Dubby’s Tailgate will be back at another location in the future.
“This is a bump in the road and not a dead end,” Brian said on Saturday night.
The top photo includes Brian and Rebecca and their five children as well as employee Madison Muckle at far right. Pictured from left include Brian, Maxine, Rebecca, Barrett, Abby, Michael, Lily Strickland and Madison Muckle. The Alexanders employed about 10 people at Dubby’s outside of their family over the years.
Dubby’s operated out of a 10,000-square-foot warehouse that proved a great venue for cornhole tournaments, parties, benefits, and other special events, including a wine-tasting after party with musicians for the Albion Merchants Association, Orleans County’s Family Game Night and the Home and garden Show for the Chamber of Commerce.
Rebecca Alexander cooked out of a wood-fired oven on Saturday. Her husband Brian and their daughter Abby also are shown in the busy kitchen. Abby said she racked up 18,000 steps by the end of evening.
Dubby’s will continue the wood-fired pizza mobile business that started about eight years ago. This Friday they will be at the Red Rocks Ponds RV Resort on Canal Road in Holley.
The Alexanders said they appreciated the strong community support for Dubby’s Tailgate, which featured the restaurant and many tailgate games, including cornhole, pool, “Fowling” a combination of football and bowling, Skeeball, darts and other activities.
The Alexanders said they are proud the concept as an “eater-tainment” business worked. They made many friends and were pleased to see the many benefits raise money for people in a health crisis.
Brian and Rebecca Alexander are shown by a Dubby’s Tailgate mural inside the warehouse that offered many games for people to have fun. Dubby’s hosted popular cornhole leagues and tournaments. Some of those tournaments had 100 teams, and brought in professional players.
Debbie Prest helped put on some of the benefits, and has been a loyal customer from day one at Dubby’s Tailgate. One of the benefits was in her honor after she was diagnosed with cancer.
“They have definitely contributed to the community and to everybody,” Prest said on Saturday at a counter inside Dubby’s.
She praised the Alexanders for not charging a rental fee to host the benefits, and they welcomed outside groups to cook chicken barbecues on site as additional fundraisers for the beneficiaries of the benefits even though Dubby’s didn’t get any direct revenue from the chicken barbecues.
Dubby’s also had plenty of space to put baskets up for raffle. Some of the benefits had well over 100 baskets and other larger items.
Prest said she admires how the family with five children works well together.
There were more than 150 baskets up for raffle on July 20, 2025 during a benefit at Dubby’s for Debbie Prest. Dubby’s hosted many benefits and community events in the past five years.
Tina and Jeremy Neal often would dine out at Dubby’s, meeting there for dinner after her Friday shift at Ace Hardware. Their late son Byron loved the cheese pizza at Dubby’s. His parents would often order that pizza in his honor.
“We adore these people,” Tina said about the Alexanders. “They are lovely people.”
On Saturday, Tina ordered pizza logs while Jeremy had an Uncle Tony pizza with meatballs and creamy garlic drizzle.
Mike Beach has been the cornhole league coordinator the past five years. Dubby’s proved a great venue for the league and tournaments. Albion is located between Rochester and Buffalo and the tournaments drew players from both metro areas.
Dubby’s also had space for 14 boards to be played at once. Most other tournament sites have space for 5 to 8 boards. Dubby’s also has the restaurant and bar on site, where many locations might just offer pizza slices and hot dogs.
“People love it here,” Beach said on Saturday after a final cornhole tournament. “It had the best of everything.”
He was happy to coordinate the league and tournaments, pleased to see people socializing in Albion.
“Here you had a place to hang out,” he said. “There was nothing like it. We’ve met so many people and had so much fun here the past five years.”
Brian and Rebecca said they want to recreate Dubby’s Tailgate at another location. They learned some lessons with the Platt Street location, and they know the business model works.
“We’re not going out because we weren’t unsuccessful,” Rebecca said. “We were just hitting our groove.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 May 2026 at 6:43 pm
Logan Kast led the project for Eagle Scout rank
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Logan Kast, a Boy Scout in Troop 164 in Albion, led scouts today in putting a garden in behind UConnectCare’s residence for 25 women on Butts Road.
Logan, a junior in high school, has been in scouts since first grade. He worked to put in the garden for his Eagle Scout project.
He said he hopes the garden is therapeutic for the residents.
He has completed all of his merit badges and the project will fulfill the requirements to earn scouting’s highest honor.
Logan will follow his brother Tyler and father John as Eagle Scouts.
Jax Gotte works on the garden with other scouts. Other scouts who helped today, besides Logan Kast and Jax Gotte, include Stryker Braley, Leo Gotte, Jack Breuilly, Peter Stritzinger, Sebastian Stritzinger and Colton Durow, as well as scout leaders Jeff Braley and Ben Metcalf.
Logan Kast works on the garden with the other scouts. Logan appreciated local donations to the project, including brown mulch and gravel from Art Hill Construction, pavers from Kast Farms, flowers from Roberts Farm Markets and Kirby’s Farm Market, and a bench from Kathy Kast.
Logan said he plans to attend Texas A&M after he graduates from Albion to pursue range land management and wildlife biology. His brother Tyler and sister Sierra graduated from Texas A&M.
Logan said he is grateful through the opportunities through Boy Scouts.
“I love helping my community, being outdoors and being around nature,” he said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 May 2026 at 2:53 pm
Dawn Hollenbeck has started chemo for lymphoma
Provided photos
ALBION – Members of the Albion senior class had their “prank” on Thursday, but didn’t get into any mischief. Instead seniors stopped teachers and other visitors and asked for donations to park in the school lots.
The top photo shows one of their signs, and seniors Gideon Pask and Neveya Barnes.
The fundraiser took in $1,125.80 for the family of Dawn Hollenbeck, a mother of 14 who has been diagnosed with large B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma, stage 3. One of her children is Victoria Hollenbeck, an Albion senior. Mrs. Hollenbeck also has 11 grandchildren.
This group of seniors includes, from left: Victoria Hollenbeck, Abby Kincaid, Julia Button and Aubrey Gannon.
Dawn Hollenbeck started chemotherapy treatments last week. She and her husband Brian are long-time Albion residents.
Dawn worked for many years at Burger King and most recently at Taco Bell.
Her husband is disabled. He previously owned a pest extermination business.
The students were praised for rallying around the mother of a classmate.
There is a GoFundMe set up for the Hollenbeck family and additional fundraisers are being planned.
Hanna Kumalac, left, and Nisi Beltran Roblero helped with the fundraiser on Thursday.
ALBION – On Saturday, May 30, the volunteer members of the Albion Fire Department will hold their annual memorial service at the firemen’s monument. It is located on the west side of Mount Albion Cemetery, right by the koi fish pond.
Beginning at 9:45 a.m., the fire trucks will depart from the Albion Joint Fire District headquarters and will proceed in procession to the Mount Albion Cemetery. Once there, members and guests will gather for a formal memorial service to honor those who have served and those we have lost.
We welcome and encourage the entire community, families, friends and supporters to join us as we pay tribute to our fallen members. Thank you in advance for your participation in this annual event.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 May 2026 at 3:52 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Casimer Pruski, a member of the Knights of Columbus, marches in today’s Memorial Day parade in Albion. Behind him Joe Pawlak holds a sign, “FREEDOM IS NOT FREE.”
Veterans march down Main Street in Albion on their way to East Avenue and the front of the middle school where there was a Memorial Day service.
Phil Warne of the American Legion carries the American flag in the parade.
Boy Scouts marched in the flag with Stryker Braley carrying the American flag and Graham Firby holding the flag for Troop 164.
Rob Conner drives an Albion fire truck in the parade.
The Albion marching band performed in the parade.
The drum majors for the band this year include Gideon Pask and Hanna Kumalac.
The marching band heads down South Main Street past Hoag Library.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 May 2026 at 7:55 am
ALBION – The Albion Betterment Committee, which has planted numerous dogwood trees in Albion, wants to see more trees planted in the village.
The ABC will be selling trees today at cost from 4 to 6 p.m. at Bullard Park. There will be 10 white oaks at $4.90 each and 10 white dogwoods for $7.50 each. The white oaks are about 4 to 5 feet high while the dogwoods are 3 feet high.
Gary Kent, an ABC board member, said the white oaks are good wildlife trees. They are slow growing and very hard. The dogwoods are flowering trees in the spring.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 May 2026 at 9:24 am
Alexander family will continue food truck business
Photos by Tom Rivers: Rebecca and Brian Alexander are shown with one of their games – “soccer pool” – offered at Dubby’s Tailgate at 165 Platt St. in Albion. Dubby’s featured many backyard or tailgate games at a 10,000 square-foot warehouse, and hosted many cornhole tournaments.
ALBION – Dubby’s Tailgate, which has hosted many cornhole tournaments and community fundraisers the past five years, will be closing on May 30 “due to circumstances beyond our control,” the Alexander family posted on Facebook.
Rebecca and Brian Alexander opened Dubby’s in 2021, and turned a 10,000-square-foot warehouse into an “eater-tainment” business. They served up food cooked in a wood-fired oven while offering many backyard and tailgate games in the warehouse.
They opened Dubby’s after running a food truck for three years. Dubby’s Wood Fired Pizza will continue as a mobile business, the family said.
“We are incredibly grateful for every single person who supported us, shared a meal with us, and became a part of the Dubby’s family,” the Alexander family stated. “We’ve made memories that will last a lifetime.”
They will be offering some closing specials in the coming days.
“From the bottom of our hearts, thank you from the entire Dubby’s family,” the Alexanders said. “We don’t see this as a goodbye, but rather a ‘see you later’ on the road!”
The mascots from McDonald’s, Grimace and Hamburglar, greeted kids inside Dubby’s on Oct. 9, 2025 for Family Game Night. There were 472 people registered, and the total attendance was likely even closer to 500. That is the most in the 11 years of Family Game Night. Dubby’s hosted many community events in the past five years.
Provided photo: Dubby’s Tailgate owners Rebecca Alexander, left, and Brian Alexander, right, are joined by American Cornhole League champions Miranda Coy and Lori Dool during a tournament on March 22, 2025. Dubby’s brought 108 teams to the area for the tournament. The 216 total players made it the biggest tournament so far for Dubby’s.
Many of the players came from outside Orleans County, including some American Cornhole league pros and the two top-ranked female players. Dool is a graduate of Lockport High School who now resides in Delray Beach, FL. Many of her family members came to Dubby’s in Albion to see her play in person.
More than 1,000 people went through Dubby’s on Jan. 27, 2024 at a benefit for Saul Harrison. Harrison was fighting myeloma, a cancer of the plasma cells.
There was a big turnout for Harrison, who is still remembered as a powerful football player for Albion. But the 1992 graduate these days is known for his mild manner and gentleness as a youthcare worker for the county and a deacon at the Shiloh Church.
Dubby’s hosted many other benefits for the community.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 May 2026 at 3:50 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers: A transformer is moved on a large trailer last Wednesday. This photo was taken when the oversize load was on Allen Road before turning onto Route 98. The transformer was taken to Byron for a solar power project.
ALBION – Another oversize load will be moved from Albion to Byron on Wednesday, a week after State Police provided an escort for a transformer for a solar project.
The load will be moved from 9 a.m. to approximately 2 p.m., starting again by the railroad tracks on Hamilton Street in Albion. The load heads south to Allen Road, then east to Route 98.
It will then go south through Albion, Barre and to Lockport Road in Elba. It then goes east on North Byron Road to Searls Road to Tower Hill Road and then Byron Road in Byron.
“The width of this load will obstruct oncoming traffic,” State Police said in a media advisory. “The height of this load will necessitate the lifting of most overhead wires and traffic control devices. The load will move into oncoming traffic to avoid overhead obstructions.”
The weight of the load will keep speeds to around 5 to 10 miles per hour with many stoppages.
Route 98 will be closed for an undisclosed amount of time to all traffic from Old Orchard Road to Lockport Road, State Police said.
“It is recommended that if you encounter this load, move to the shoulder of the roadway, into a driveway or parking lot or seek an alternate route of travel to your destination,” State Police said. “Lower your window and follow directions from State Police or escort vehicles.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 May 2026 at 4:19 pm
Pierce-Smith Pioneer Cemetery on Hulberton Road includes burials of Revolutionary War soldier, Civil War vets and many early residents
Photos by Tom Rivers
MURRAY – About 75 people attended a program today at the Pierce-Smith Pioneer Cemetery at 3960 Hulberton Rd. in Murray. Two historical markers were unveiled at the cemetery.
The markers were part of an effort by Albion middle school students and their teacher Tim Archer, who researched Orleans County’s Revolutionary War soldiers.
The “Early Cemetery” marker recognizes the approximately 135 early citizens of the Pierce-Smith Pioneer Cemetery, with burials dating back to 1818.
Sutton Sanders, an eighth-grader who has been working on project since last summer with classmate Luci Borello, thanked local officials for their assistance researching and recognizing the Revolutionary War soldiers.
There are 65 proven burials, but Sanders said there are likely more, but cannot be proven. There are 30 cemeteries with a Revolutionary War veteran.
The Daughter of the American Revolution purchased 13 bronze Revolutionary War flag markers for those who had none, she said.
The students also secured a new headstone from the Veterans Administration in Washington, DC for Revolutionary War veteran Lott Smith at the East Barre Cemetery. It replaces a broken headstone. Another headstone for the Revolutionary War veteran will be replaced in Medina this fall.
Besides the two historical markers at the cemetery on Hulberton Road, the students secured markers that have been placed in Albion at Annis Cemetery on Riches Corners Road and Tanner Road on Route 31 across from Mount Albion.
Luci Borello shared about the historical marker for Robinson Smith, who died on Aug. 27, 1828 at the age of 66.
Smith is buried at the cemetery with his wife Mariam. He enlisted as a private in August 1782 in New Hampshire and served several months in General Washington’s Commander-in-Chief’s Life Guard.
Known to many as Elder Robinson Smith, he was one of a group forming the “Christian Society,” which started in Murray in 1815. Smith had seven children and at least 16 grandchildren.
The other namesake of the cemetery originates with Aretas Pierce. Upon his arrival to the natural wilderness of Western New York, the family lived in a log schoolhouse where they would later construct a simple log cabin.
Aretas was their school teacher. Nine Pierce family members are buried at the cemetery. Prior to their arrival to New York from Vermont, Aretas served as a captain in the Vermont state militia.
Another Pierce family member, Darwin, was a Civil War solider in a New York cavalry. He died at the Andersonville Prison in George on Oct. 30, 1864. Andersonville was a notorious Confederate prison at Camp Sumter where over 45,000 Union soldiers were held captive, and 13,000 died from disease, malnutrition and exposure. The cemetery on Hulberton Road includes headstones for four Civil War soldiers.
Tim Archer welcomes the group. He worked with students on the project. It is among many service-learning projects he has been a part of in the past two decades, connecting students with community services efforts. In the back are regiment flags from the Revolutionary War. They were brought by the Rochester chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution.
Caleb Wolfe, standing next to Tim Archer, provided some details about the two new historical markers. He read a letter from the Pomeroy Foundation, which paid for the markers. The two markers represent over two centuries of history in Albion and Murray, and memorialize Revolutionary War and Civil War veterans and also early residents who are interred at the cemetery.
The foundation praised the Albion School District and the students for worked with teacher Tim Archer on the project. The foundation congratulated them for identifying one of General George Washington’s special unit “Life Guards” who protected the Commander-in-Chief during battle.
Sutton Sanders, left, and Luci Borello, right, presented folders of their research to Elizabeth Haibach, assistant director at Hoag Library; Catherine Cooper, Orleans County historian; Patrice Birner of the Orleans County chapter of the DAR; and Sue Starkweather Miller, Village of Albion historian.
The folders include information about the 65 Revolutionary War soldiers in the county. The document lists the soldiers by town and cemetery. There’s a master list with the service record of each of the soldiers, when they served, where they served, wife’s name, birth and death date. The folder includes some of the records that were used to prove they were Revolutionary War soldiers – enlistment papers, pension records that showed their wives were trying to get a pension after their husband’s death, and census records. The students collected the data since last summer.
Albion student Lucas Palone read an excerpt from the Declaration of Independence.
Civil War re-enactors, including retired Albion teacher Doug Mergler, do a military volley during today’s program.
These Sons of the American Revolution members from Rochester and Buffalo were part of the service. They said they have a busy schedule this year as part of the country’s 250th anniversary. They plan to attend other marker unveilings, parades and special events throughout the year.
Ron Boyd of Holley is a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, Rochester chapter.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 May 2026 at 1:28 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers: Canal Corp. employees raise the flags on Thursday at the Ingersoll Street lift bridge in Albion. The flags include the American flag, New York State flag and the Canal Corp. flag.
The Erie Canal officially opened today for its 202nd consecutive navigational season.
The canal is coming off the bicentennial celebration for when the historic waterway was completed in 1825, linking Buffalo on Lake Erie to Albany on the Hudson River.
This season the canal will be open to boaters from May 15 to Oct. 14. There will again be no tolls or fees for recreational use of the canal system.
The standard operating hours will be 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
There are extended hours until 9 p.m. from May 16 through September 10 at select locks and lift bridges, including the lift bridges in Spencerport, Adams Basin, Brockport, Holley, Hulberton, Albion, Eagle Harbor, Knowlesville, Medina, Middleport, Gasport and Lockport.
Here is the scene last week looking east from the Main Street lift bridge towards the Ingersoll Street lift bridge.
