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.

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.”

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 202^nd 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.

Photos courtesy of Tim Archer

ALBION – Two new historic markers were installed this week, one honoring Revolutionary War soldiers at Tanner Cemetery on Route 31, across from Mount Albion Cemetery, and the other at Annis Cemetery on Riches Corners Road.

The markers were installed by Albion highway superintendent Mike Neidert and the highway department.

The funding for the markers was secured by Albion eighth-graders Luci Borello and Sutton Sanders through the Pomeroy Foundation. Two more markers will be unveiled on Saturday in Hulberton.

The Tanner Cemetery marker recognizes “Patriot Burials.” The marker notes the cemetery had burials as early as 1825, and Revolutionary War soldiers Jedidah Phelps and William Tanner are buried there. This marker includes a special insignia on them indicating partnership with the Sons of the American Revolution.

The marker for Annis Cemetery also notes there were burials there as early as 1825. The cemetery includes young children, war veterans and early immigrants from England.

There will be a 10:30 a.m. ceremony at Pierce-Smith Pioneer Cemetery, 3960 Hulberton Rd. for the Hulberton markers. The public is welcome to attend and bring a lawn chair.

The ceremony is student-organized and will be part of a celebration for the 250th anniversary of the United States. Both Revolutionary War and Civil War re-enactors will be present.

Photos by Tom Rivers: Bill Lattin, retired Orleans County historian, and Sue Starkweather Miller, Village of Albion historian, lead a tour of Mount Albion Cemetery on Aug. 3, 2025.

Press Release, Orleans County Historical Association

ALBION – The Orleans County Historical Association (OCHA) once again welcomes the community to their monthly history talks and August cemetery tours.

The history talks are held from May to October on the last Wednesday of the month at 7p.m. in the Gaines Basin Cobblestone Schoolhouse on 3286 Gaines Basin Rd. The talks are free and donations are gladly accepted.

Many of this year’s presentations will spotlight the Semiquincentennial (250th anniversary) of our country and state (NY 250).

The schedule includes:

• May 27 – “DAR Celebrates 250 years of Independence” with Patrice Birner, Orleans County DAR
• June 24 – “The Haudenosaunee Perspective of NY 250” with Terry Abrams, Niagara County Historical Society
• July 29 – “Soldiers Who Served in the Revolutionary War from Orleans County” with Tim Archer, retired Service-Learning Educator, Albion School District
• Aug. 26 – “Songs and Stories of the Erie Canal” with Don Dwyer, musician and storyteller
• Sept. 30 – “The Burned Over District Part Deux! The Fire Was Not Easily Extinguished” with Doug Miller, retired history teacher
• Oct. 28 – “Neat Stuff from the Hoag Library Special History Collections” with Dee Robinson, Hoag Local History Reference Librarian

The tour last summer at Mount Albion included a stop in front of the Civil War Memorial, a 68-foot-high tower in on honor of nearly 500 people from Orleans County who were killed in the Civil War.

The popular summer cemetery tours will once again take place this August. All tours begin at 6 p.m. at the cemetery main entrance. Rain or shine.

• Aug. 2 – Maple Ridge Cemetery at 12055 Maple Ridge Rd (Rt 31A) Shelby with Catherine Cooper, Orleans County Historian
• Aug. 9 – Boxwood Cemetery at 3735 N. Gravel Rd, Medina with Todd Bensley, Village of Medina Historian
• Aug. 16 – Beechwood Cemetery at 1523 W. Kendall Rd. at Woodchuck Alley, Kendall with Emily Richardson, Kendall Town Historian; Dave Gaudioso, Kendall town councilman; and Bill Lattin, retired Orleans County historian.
• Aug. 23 – Otter Creek Cemetery at 13252 Ridge Rd., Gaines with Adrienne Kirby, Town of Gaines Historian
• Aug. 30 – Mt. Albion Cemetery at Route 31, Albion with Bill Lattin and Sue Starkweather Miller, Village of Albion historian

Go to orleanshistory.org or email ochistoryassociation@gmail.com for more information.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – A group moves a transformer down Allen Road this morning in Albion. Personnel are escorting the vehicle, holding up wires.

The journey started at about 9 a.m. from near the railroad tracks in Albion and went south on Hamilton Street and then turned east onto Allen Road.

The transformer is headed to a solar project in Byron.

The load heads up Hamilton Street underneath utility wires.

The oversize load weighs 430,000 pounds and is shown on Allen Road. Motorists are expected to experience delays today and are urged to consider alternate routes.

Once on Route 98, the group with the oversize load will pass through Barre and part of Elba.

They will turn on Lockport Road in Elba and continue to North Byron Road, and then go on Searls Road to Tower Hill Road and then Byron Road in Byron. The entire trip is about 17 miles.

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.

Route 98 will be closed for an undisclosed amount of time to all traffic from Old Orchard Road to Lockport Road.

The load heads south on Route 98 after making the turn off of Allen Road.

Another oversize load is expected a week from today.

Photo by Tom Rivers: A 430,000-pound load is shown on May 6 in Albion. The journey was delayed by a week and is set for Wednesday, May 13.

ALBION – A big load will slowly move from Albion through Barre and Elba and then end in Byron on Wednesday.

The 430,000-pound load will begin around 7:30 a.m. in Albion. A transformer is currently next to the railroad tracks on Hamilton Street. The transformer will be moved by a truck and trailer.

The trip was planned for last Wednesday but was cancelled when National Grid wasn;t given enough notice.

The journey on Wednesday will start about 7:30 a.m. and end around 3:30 p.m., according to the Orleans County Emergency Management Office.

“Please give yourself a little extra time as cargo will be slow moving and delays are expected,” the EMO posted on Facebook. “National Grid customers along the transport route may experience brief outages.”

Motorists are expected to experience delays on Wednesday and are urged to consider alternate routes.

The width of this load will obstruct oncoming traffic, the State Police advised last week.

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.

Route 98 will be closed for an undisclosed amount of time to all traffic from Old Orchard Road to Lockport Rd.

The permitted route of travel will begin on Hamilton Street in the town of Albion and proceed east on Allen Road then south on Oak Orchard Road (Route 98). Then it goes east on Lockport Road in Elba and continues to North Byron Road, and then goes south on Searls Road to east on Tower Hill Road. The cargo then goes south on Byron Road in Byron.

Site along Erie Canal has options for small businesses on East Bank Street

Photos by Tom Rivers: Local officials joined the owner of the Mayfair Marien for a ribbon-cutting celebration on Friday in Albion. From left include Jami Allport, Albion village trustee; Lynne Johnson, County Legislature chairwoman; Andrew Dugan, district director for State Sen. Rob Ortt; County Legislator Skip Draper; Matt Holland, small business development director for the Orleans Economic Development Agency; Mayfair Marine owner John Fitzak, who is also a county legislator; Dawn Borchert, Orleans County tourism director; Assemblyman Steve Hawley, Kevin Sheehan, Albion village trustee; Jackie Tarricone, executive assistant for Assemblyman Steve Hawley; Michael Dobell, chief executive officer of the Orleans EDA; and Tim McMurray, Albion mayor.

ALBION – There is now a place along the Erie Canal for boaters to get fuel in Orleans County. John Fitzak has opened Mayfair Marine along East Bank Street.

Fitzak for 23 years ran a bottle redemption business at 255 East Bank St. He closed the Albion Redemption Center on March 1 to focus the site on the fuel sales and also as a small business incubator.

He expects to rent out space at the site to several small businesses, and is working with the village to see if people would be allowed to stay overnight in RVs and also in tents.

“I’m just trying to be a catalyst for the village,” Fitzak said on Friday, when he held a ribbon-cutting for the Mayfair.

Fitzak is an Orleans County legislator. He is retired as a state corrections officer. Fitzak worked at Orleans, Attica, Sing Sing, Groveland and Willard correctional facilities.

John Fitzak built five sections of docks totaling 80 feet along the Erie Canal in Albion. The Ingersoll Street lift bridge is behind him. He sees a lot of opportunity in the Erie Canal for the community.

He built the 80 feet of docks at the Mayfair. There are five 16-foot-sections at different heights to accommodate different size boats. The two new 1,000-gallon fuel tanks were certified last November. He will have 100-foot-long hoses from the gas pumps that extend to the boats at the docks.

This will be the only spot offering marine-grade fuel on the Erie Canal between Macedon and Amherst. Fitzak said about 400 to 500 boats pass by the location each canal season. He expects at least 10 percent will stop for fuel at the Mayfair.

He named the business in honor of the Mayfair Restaurant, which was operated by his mother’s father in Rochester in the 1950s and ’60s. That restaurant was at the corner of Lexington and Mount Read Boulevard.

The new canal season opens on May 15. Fitzak is working with small businesses to open soon after the start of the canal season.

He said Big Dog BBQ from Kendall will be selling hot dogs and food from the site. Fitzak also will have vending machines with items at room temperature, in a cooler and a freezer.

Another business with offer marine services. There will be an ATM, a vendor selling Albion merchandise, and other possible merchants.

Several local officials toured the site on Friday. John Fitzak said there is plenty of room to offer other services, including RV parking.

Fitzak said he has reviewed a comprehensive plan for the canal, with leaders from the canal Corp. stating they would like to see fuel sales offered every 20 to 40 miles along the waterway. Fitzak said Mayfair Marine fills a big void for fuel.

He suspects many boaters haven’t ventured to Albion out of fear they could run out of gas. The Mayfair could result in more boaters making the trip to Albion and Orleans County.

He is hopeful they will tie up at his docks and check out the Albion community. He is short walk from the Albion downtown.

“this is another opportunity to see what Albion has to offer,” Fitzak said.

Dawn Borchert, the Orleans County tourism director, praised Fitzak for seeing a need and meeting it along the canal with the fuel sales.

The Mayfair owner has about 600 feet of frontage for the business. He would like to allow RV parking, and a boat launch for kayaks and canoes. He is working with the village officials to determine if those uses are allowed for the property, which is zoned general commercial and is currently mostly undeveloped.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The Albion Betterment Committee dedicated a new plaque on May 2 at Waterman Park in honor of the late Charles E. Bergeman. He was the grandson of Charles Howard, the famed founder of the first Santa School.

Bergeman passed away from cancer at age 64 on Oct. 31, 2023. He had recently moved to Lewiston and wanted to help promote his grandfather’s legacy.

When sculptor Brian Porter created a bronze statue of Charlie Howard as Santa Claus, Bergeman’s cheeks and face gave Porter a reference.

The plaque is near the statue that was dedicated during the Strawberry Festival on June 10, 2023.

A sleigh was donated to the Albion Betterment Committee. It was refurbished by Jim Babcock, a local contractor who is on the ABC’s board of directors. That sleigh has been dedicated in loving memory of Charles E. Bergeman.

The plaque states: “Grandson and namesake of Charles W. Howard. Like Santa, he spread joy to all he knew with his generosity and kindness. His warmth and selflessness touched everyone around him. Charles was dedicated to preserving his grandfather’s legacy, ensuring its magic would live on for generations to come.”

Bergeman’s wife Carol Bergeman and Howard’s granddaughter Jane Holland were in Albion on May 2 for the plaque dedication.

Three of Charles Howard’s grandchildren are pictured on June 10, 2023 with the three Albion Betterment Committee directors who have worked on the statue project over eight years. From left include Charles Howard’s grandchildren Susan Howard Brown, Charles Bergeman and Jane Holland and ABC directors Gary Derwick, Joe Gehl and Gary Kent.

Provided photos

ALBION – A group of church leaders and Christians in Orleans County gathered at noon outside the Orleans County Courthouse on Thursday for the National Day of Prayer.

There were about 35 people at the gathering. Orleans and all 62 counties in the state were part of the observances.

“This was the 75th annual National Day of Prayer and it coincides with America 250, so there was some additional effort to have prayer gatherings throughout the country on that day,” said the Rev. Tim Lindsay, the founding pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship.

Jovannie Canales, lead pastor at Harvest Christian Fellowship, leads the group in a time of worship.

There were about 35 in attendance, including some of the students from the Orleans County Christian School.

Gov. Kathy Hochul issuing a proclamation declaring May 7 as the “Day of Prayer.”

“New York honors and acknowledges that collective reflection strengthens social fabric; praying for friends, family, neighbors, and newcomers is an act of love and respect, not done in the interest of self, but in service to others,” the proclamation states.

“New York State welcomes and values the autonomy of those seeking peace and belonging by way of deep reflection when in need of divine support.”

The first call to prayer was in 1775, when the Continental Congress sought wisdom for a new nation,” the proclamation states.

 In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln called for a day of “humiliation, fasting and prayer,” and in 1952, President Harry S. Truman signed a joint resolution establishing a National Day of Prayer. In 1988, President Ronald Reagan officially designated it as an annual tradition on the first Thursday in May.

Photos courtesy of Albion Central School

ALBION – Ashleigh Stornelli, Orleans County Sheriff’s deputy and Albion School Resource Officer, holds the torch with Dejeanna Conner, an Albion senior, during today’s Law Enforcement Torch Run.

This is the 40^th anniversary of the Torch Run and the fourth time law enforcement agencies in Orleans County have been part of the effort, which raises funds and awareness for Special Olympics NY.

Law enforcement officers and Albion students in Shari Berg’s middle school life skills class and Kathy Winan’s high school life skills class join for a photo before they headed from Dubby’s Tailgate down East Avenue to the school.

The law enforcement officers went on a longer route – 2.7 miles.

Law enforcement from the following agencies were part of the Torch Run: Village of Albion Police Department , Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, NYS  Department of Environmental Conservation, New York State Police, Orleans County District Attorney’s Office and Orleans County Probation.

Photos courtesy of Albion Central School: The Albion school district on Wednesday held its 17th Annual Honors Convocation dinner and ceremony and recognized the following: Jenna Barnard, Neveya Barnes, Nisi Beltran Roblero, Kaitlin Bennett, Elliot Beyrle, Julia Button, Dejeanna Conner, Lindsay Crawford, Kaiden Froman, Aubrey Gannon, Xzavier Gerow, Justin Kania, Hanna Kumalac, Nathaniel Miesner, Madison Muckle, Gideon Pask, Bradley Pierce, William Plummer, Alondra Santana Gonzalez and Joshua Zayac.

Press Release, Albion Central School

Thomas Kovaleski, a 2012 Albion graduate, spoke at the event. He is an 11-year United States Army veteran.

ALBION – Twenty members of Albion’s Class of 2026 were recognized for their academic achievements on May 6 during the 17th Annual Honors Convocation dinner and ceremony.

Thomas Kovaleski, ‘12, was the guest speaker for the evening. Kovaleski is an 11-year United States Army veteran. He previously served as a combat engineer, and now as a local recruiter and station commander.

He shared about his journey following graduation and how he resonated with the feeling of uncertainty, but reassured students that with perseverance, they will find their place.

“Excellence isn’t a moment you reach; it’s a habit you build,” said Kovaleski. “Keep showing up, keep challenging yourself, and let your success be the starting line, not the finish.”

The honorees were called to the stage individually to receive their certificates. They were adorned with their honors cords from their parents/guardians.

The 2026 academic honors students include: Jenna Barnard, Neveya Barnes, Nisi Beltran Roblero, Kaitlin Bennett, Elliot Beyrle, Julia Button, Dejeanna Conner, Lindsay Crawford, Kaiden Froman, Aubrey Gannon, Xzavier Gerow, Justin Kania, Hanna Kumalac, Nathaniel Miesner, Madison Muckle, Gideon Pask, Bradley Pierce, William Plummer, Alondra Santana Gonzalez and Joshua Zayac.

Albion’s Class of 2026 is set to graduate on Friday, June 26.

Tiffany and Steven Crawford congratulate their daughter Lindsay for being one of the honor grads.

Photo by Tom Rivers: Albion students in Sheri Berg’s life skills class carried the torch and were part of a law enforcement torch run on May 31, 2024 in a benefit for the Special Olympics. Here they head up the main driveway leading the high school after being on East Avenue. The fourth annual torch run will be Friday.

ALBION – Local law enforcement officers will have their fourth annual torch run on Friday in a benefit for the Special Olympics.

Law enforcement officers will cover about 2.7 miles while some students will go from Dubby’s Tailgate down East Avenue to the school.

The event starts at 11 a.m. Law enforcement will leave Dubby’s and go north on S. Platt, then West on Chamberlain, then south on Main Street, and then east on East Ave. The officers will cover distance on the school campus before coming back to East Avenue, heading south on McKinstry Street, then west on Chamberlain Street, then south on Platt to Dubby’s.

In the past, law enforcement from the Albion Police Department, Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, State Police and DEC joined students on the run.

Jeff Wilson, a retired Border Patrol officer, carries the torch on May 31, 2024. Wilson has served as the Western New York director of the law enforcement torch run.