By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 January 2021 at 12:54 pm
Provided photos
ALBION – The Tree House, which opened in March 2020 in downtown Albion, has relocated to the space for the former Rainbow Preschool at the Arnold Gregory Office Complex, 243 South Main St., and given the site a vastly new look.
Michelle Waters
The move more than doubles the space to 3,500 square feet for the Tree House, which offers child enrichment programs, parent-child classes and birthday parties.
“We are able to have different classes and offerings at the same time,” said Michelle Waters, Tree House owner. “We are so excited!”
The space for many years was used by the Rainbow Preschool, until it was closed in late August by the Arc of Genesee Orleans.
The announcement today that Rainbow Preschool is closing ends a program that is nearly 50 years old.
For nearly 50 years, the Arc ran Rainbow Preschool, serving children ages 2 ½ to 5 with developmental and intellectual disabilities. At its peak, the school served 300 children. The enrollment for 2020-21 was at 26 students.
Michelle Waters opened The Tree House on March 12 at 116 North Main Street, 2nd Floor. That was just before the state imposed restrictions to slow the spread of Covid-19. Waters was forced to temporarily close to in-person services.
Waters was able to pivot the business that specializes in preschool and toddler programs. She developed activity kits to help families who suddenly had children home – nearly all the time. She delivered them throughout Western New York. Those kits were fun and educational.
The Orleans County Chamber of Commerce in November recognized The Tree House as the “New Business of the Year.”
Waters said The Tree House provides in-person programs that meet social distancing and public health guidelines.
“The Tree House is the place for the kind of loud and messy fun that promotes learning,” Waters said. “From musical instruments to the ooey gooey there is something sure to inspire wonder in your child.”
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 7 January 2021 at 1:41 pm
‘Her heart was very much with the poor. She’d do anything for the poor.’
ALBION – The death of Sister Marian Adrian comes as a shock to those who knew her and a great loss to the community.
Sister Marian Adrian
The Orleans and Genesee County areas will remember Sister Marian as the advocate for migrant workers and a stout supporter of the Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern.
Sister Dolores Dowd of Albion, a fellow sister of the Grey Nuns, called Sister Marian “a good and loyal friend.”
“Her heart was very much with the poor,” Sister Dolores said. “She’d do anything for the poor.”
Sister Marian died Dec. 14 at her retirement home in Philadelphia, where she moved in 2015 to join her sister Grey Nuns in retirement.
“Sister Marian was a passionate advocate for migrant workers and rural poor living in Orleans and Genesee counties, and was instrumental in the growth the development of the Genesee Orleans Ministry of Concern from the 1970s on,” said Nyla Gaylord, the current director of GOMOC. “As a Grey Nun, she frequently had the opportunity to speak at Catholic churches in the Buffalo area. The passion with which she spoke made an enduring impression on those who heard her and many responded by becoming faithful donors.
Gaylord spoke to Sister Marian on the phone just two weeks before her death to tell her about a donation GOMOC had received because of a talk Sister Marian had done years ago.
Nyla Gaylord, executive director of the Genesee Orleans Ministry of Concern, visits Sister Marian Adrian at her apartment near Philadelphia in 2017.
“She was so effective as a fundraiser,” Gaylord said. “She kept in touch with her students and was a great correspondent. More than 30 years ago she spoke at a church in Clarence, and one of the congregation who heard her just sent us a generous donation.”
Gaylord also shared a story about another $1,000 check they received from a man whose wife had just died. In going through her checkbook, he found she had been supporting the Ministry of Concern, so he sent another check in his wife’s memory.
“Sister Marian was a perfect example of the Bible verse in John 4:37, which reads, ‘One sows and another reaps.’ We are reaping today the seeds she sowed, which is enabling Ministry of Concern to continue its work.”
A wise investor, Sister Marian’s legacy gifts to the Ministry of Concern have established a strong foundation of resources that will help ensure the long-term continuation of this organization, Gaylord said.
Sister Marian was born in 1930 in Buffalo, an only child. She graduated from Holy Angels Academy, where she taught from 1954 to 1969. She earned a bachelor of arts in mathematics from D’Youville College in 1951, a master’s degree in philosophy from Catholic University in Washington, D.D. in 1960 and received her Ed D in science from Buffalo State in 1977. She held New York permanent certification in general science and physics, as well as mathematics. She is credited with several publications on science and relationships.
Sister Marian first came to Albion to visit and saw a child with no shoes walking in the snow. That touched her and set the path her life would follow. She became acquainted with the Rev. Tim Hoyt from Holley, who worked with migrant workers.
“She made a profound impact on people’s lives by sharing reality with them, particularly the young women at Holy Angels Academy,” Gaylord said.
Sister Marian started a summer mission program where the young ladies from Holy Angels would come to Albion to work with the migrants. This was before the War on Poverty and before any government funding for migrant workers. The young ladies who spent the summers here paid their own expenses.
Sister Marian was extraordinary for her time, Gaylord said. She taught math and science when women then didn’t go into those fields. She taught at Albion for 22 years and then became director of the GOMOC from 1991 to 2006. After stepping down as director, she supported the agency as director of development, director of communication and director of education, until retiring in 2006. She continued to volunteer for another year until her retirement.
As one of the founders of the Ministry of Concern, Sister Marian’s purpose was to give people “a hand-up rather than a hand-out.”
Gaylord called Sister Marian “an extraordinary woman who exemplified the mission of her order: “to be signs of God’s constant and unconditional love for every person.”
Sister Marian’s burial will be private due to restrictions caused by the pandemic. A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date. Arrangements were completed by the Beck-Givnish Funeral Homes in Philadelphia.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 January 2021 at 9:24 am
Assistant superintendent, Mary Leto, announces she will retire on June 30
ALBION — The Board of Education is suspending the 30-hour community service requirement for seniors who haven’t met the threshold.
Their graduation credits will be adjusted from 23.5 credits to 23. That is still more than the state graduation requirement of 22 credits.
During its monthly meeting on Monday, the board also voted to give seniors who were scheduled to have internships the opportunity to reschedule a different course or be released following the third block. Parent permission will be needed for early dismissals.
In other action at the Board of Education meeting:
• The board was notified that Mary Leto, the assistant superintendent for instruction, will retire, effective June 30, 2021.
Michelle Powley, the high school secretary, also notified the district she will retire on Jan. 31.
“We have some pretty significant retirements coming up which will leave a very big hole in the district,” said Board of Education President Kathy Harling.
Leto has been one of the district’s top administrators for several years. She was at Monday’s BOE meeting.
“It will be very difficult to imagine not having you here Mary because you’ve been such a huge part of the district for so long,” Harling said.
• The board accepted an anonymous $1,000 donation to be used to purchase a sewing machine in the 12:1:1 life skills program. The sewing machine will go to a graduating senior in the 12:1:1 program who shows an interest in sewing as an ongoing life skill. The award recipients will be chosen by the 12:1:1 high school teacher and the high school principal.
• The Board of Education approved the following extracurricular athletic appointments:
Caleb Orbaker, modified baseball coach
Keith Akers, modified softball coach
David Skrip, middle school weight room, intramurals
Patrick Uveino, middle school weight room, intramurals
Michael Fahy, high school weight room, intramurals
Ocie Bennett, high school weight room intramurals
• The Board of Education approved the following additional extracurricular appointments:
Shari Berg, high school musical and play assistant director
Kailey Winans, high school musical and play assistant director
Photo courtesy of Albion Central School: Bailey Nesbitt and Adonis Guzman Ramirez were recognized on Monday by the Albion Board of Education.
Press Release, Albion Central School
ALBION – Two students from Albion’s Charles D’Amico High School were honored as part of the Board of Education meeting on Monday.
The virtual meeting featured a pre-recorded video of High School Principal Jennifer Ashbery officially presenting seniors Adonis Guzman Ramirez and Bailey Nesbitt with the Board of Education Character and Leadership Awards for the month of January.
“Anyone who knows Adonis knows that when you pass him in the hallway, you will see a smile on his face,” Ashbery said, presenting him with the BOE Character Award.
“Adonis is always going above and beyond in the classroom to help the other students in the class,” Krenning said when nominating Guzman Ramirez. “He wants everyone in the class to be successful and consistently helps others before himself.”
Krenning also noted that when Guzman Ramirez helped with the FFA Food Drive last month, he didn’t stop until it was finished – “He was the last student working, laughing and enjoying every minute.”
Elizabeth Henn, a foreign language teacher who has worked with Guzman Ramirez for the past four years said, “ I am so proud of Adonis. So many kids in our school look up to you, a true role model for our district and a true example of ‘Value Everyone, Everyday, Everywhere!’”
Nesbitt, also a senior, was been nominated for the Leadership Award by FFA Advisor Betsy Krenning.
“Nesbitt has led the Albion High School FFA, serving as the chapter’s president for the past four years,” Krenning said. “Each year she takes the lead in the Annual FFA Food Drive and this year’s food drive proved to be a monumental success.”
Despite the challenges of Covid-19, having only virtual meetings with the other officers, a new FFA advisor and starting the process three weeks later than previous years, they collected 53,000 pounds of food to donate to Community Action – surpassing their goal and collecting more produce than ever before.
“Bailey continues to model our district’s value of Learn Today, Lead Tomorrow,” Ashbery said. “I have no doubt that Bailey will take her Albion leadership skills out into the world and continue to make a positive impact on those around her.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 December 2020 at 7:34 pm
ALBION — The First Presbyterian Church of Albion will be shifting to online-only services for at least the next three weeks due to rising cases of Covid-19 and the flu in the community, said the Rev. Susan Thaine, the church’s pastor.
The services will be available online through First Presbyterian’s Facebook page. That is for the service on Sunday, Jan. 3 and Jan. 10.
“Your church Session will continue to be in prayerful conversation with the Department of Health and will re-evaluate this decision at our January Session meeting,” Thaine said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 December 2020 at 9:04 am
ALBION – The Albion Merchants Association on Christmas announced the winners of its first “Deck the Town” contest. The winners were determined by the number of “likes” they received on the AMA Facebook page.
The top photo is the first place winner. The property at 49 Meadowbrook Drive received 466 likes.
248 South Clinton Street was second with 430 likes.
106 West Park Street was in third place with 326 likes.
The first annual “Deck the Town” contest had a goal to spread joy and make the community shine bright, the group said.
The contest includes a $500 gift card from AMA businesses for first place, a $300 gift card for second and a $100 gift card for third.
“Thank you to all the participants and for helping get Albion in the holiday spirit!!!!” the Merchants posted on Facebook. “The town is gorgeous.”
Photos by Tom Rivers: State Assemblyman Steve Hawley, left, and State Sen. Rob Ortt this afternoon joined in a dedication event for the section of Route 31 in Albion. The state Department of Transportation installed the sign declaring the section of 31 as the “Charles W. Howard Memorial Highway.” Howard operated a Santa School and Christmas Park in Albion until his death in 1966.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 December 2020 at 8:22 pm
Courtesy of Jan Downey: Jan Downey of Albion shared this photo of herself and her brother, David Taylor, when they visited Howard as Santa at Christmas Park. Downey estimated the photo is from 1956 when she was 5. Many local residents still have strong memories of Howard and Christmas Park.
ALBION – A sign proclaiming Route 31 in Albion as the “Charles W. Howard Memorial Highway” was dedicated today by two state legislators and other community members.
Howard started the world’s first Santa School and ran it from 1937 until his death in 1966. He also was the Santa in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade for 18 years.
He remains a revered figure among people who portray Santa Claus. The school he started continues in his name in Midland, Mich. Howard, who is known in the Santa community as “The Dean of Santa Clauses,” in 2010 was a charter inductee in the International Santa Claus Hall of Fame. (Click here for more information on the Hall of Fame.
The State Department of Transportation erected the sign on Route 31 near the Transit Road intersection, which is the eastern end of the town. Another sign is expected to go up on the western end near Wood Road.
The Albion Betterment Committee worked about two years to secure the approval. They sent letters to local government leaders – The Village Board, the Town Board and Orleans County Legislature. They all endorsed naming the section in honor of Howard, who also was a farmer, toymaker, and operated Christmas Park on Route 31 near Phipps Road.
The Albion Betterment Committee has worked in recent years to raise Howard’s profile locally and to help celebrate his legacy. The ABC put a sign on Route 98, south of the village, declaring Albion as the hometown of the Santa School founder. The ABC also has “Believe” signs in the community and is raising funds for a statue of hometown in downtown Albion. They group has raised $60,000 so far for the statue and plans to seek proposals for the project soon, said Joe Gehl, one of the ABC’s directors. He expects the project will be near $100,000.
Other groups have joined the effort to celebrate Howard. The Albion Rotary Club organized an effort to have a mural in Waterman Park that shows Santa in a sleigh over Courthouse Square. A new mural about Albion as home to the Santa School was completed this fall on the northside of the Lake Country Pennysaver.
A group of students in Rich Gannon’s AP US History class also had an interpretive panel made in Mount Albion Cemetery near Howard’s grave that celebrates his life.
The Betterment Committee sees Howard as a local man who did a lot of good for the community, a selfless person focused on others. Howard was known for setting high standards for Santa in how to act with children and how to look. He also designed and sold Santa suits.
Howard’s granddaughter, Jane Holland, was unable to attend today’s dedication. She sent a letter of appreciation that was read by Gehl.
“Grandpa was a humble man of little means but a big heart and a giving, caring soul,” Holland wrote. “To see him honored on this trail to and from the town the family still today cherishes and welcomes its comfort when we visit is a great privilege.”
State Sen. Rob Ortt said Charles W. Howard was a farmer in Albion who made a local and national impact, serving as the Macy’s Day Thanksgiving Santa for 18 years and shaping the look and actions of Santas all over the country and even the world. Ortt and Hawley both thanked the DOT for getting the sign up on short notice before Christmas. The State Legislature and Gov. Cuomo both approved naming the section of the road in honor of Howard.
Joe Gehl, one of the directors of the Albion Betterment Committee, is interviewed by Ed Reilly of WGRZ (Channel 7 in Buffalo) in front of the sign, which was erected on 31 near Transit Road. That is the eastern end of the Town of Albion. Another sign is expected to be installed near Wood Road, on the western end of the town.
Photos courtesy of Albion Central School: The Grinch, Santa Claus and Cindy Lou Who visited students at the Ronald L. Sodoma Elementary School in Albion last week.
Press Release, Albion Central School
ALBION – Students in Albion’s Ronald L. Sodoma Elementary were in for a holiday surprise last week as Santa Claus, Cindy Lou Who and the Grinch all made an appearance.
Santa Claus paid a special visit to students in grades PreK through first, reading his favorite story, “‘Twas the Night before Christmas.” Spaced 6 feet apart and wearing masks, the students and Cindy Lou Who sat and listened to the story and answered questions about Santa’s reindeer.
Cindy Lou Who was a friendly greeter throughout the day at the school.
It turned into an action-packed event as students soon spotted the Grinch’s arrival and warned Santa as the Grinch stole a present from under the tree. Cindy Lou jumped to the rescue, quickly chasing down the Grinch. She soon returned, bringing the Grinch and present back to the students and Santa – saving the day.
After the reading, Santa asked every student what he or she wanted for Christmas this year, with answers ranging from Barbie Dream Houses to toy combines to Play Station Fives and Nintendo Switches.
While the older students weren’t visited by Santa, many of them met Cindy Lou and the Grinch in the hallway throughout the day, getting in on the holiday fun.
Santa chats with students and reads the story, “‘Twas the Night before Christmas.”
As for next week, students throughout the district will join in the festivities with holiday-themed crafts and activities in the days leading up to Winter Break.
We would like to thank the Albion Elementary Parent Teachers Association and the staff who helped to make these visits possible, bringing some holiday magic into the building in a fun and safe way.
Santa shows some nimbleness in greeting these kids at eye level.
Many of the students wore Santa hats in meeting the jolly old elf.
Photos courtesy of Sue Starkweather Miller: Riley Seielstad sings the uplifting tune “Underneath the Tree” during a Christmas concert that is available online.
Press Release, Albion Alumni Foundation
ALBION – Every year the Albion Alumni Foundation hosts an annual Christmas in the Neighborhood concert. Proceeds from the concert help to fund some of the Foundation’s more than $89,000 in Class Night scholarships for Albion High School seniors.
The popular holiday concert always attracts several hundred attendees and spotlights Albion Alumni and community members performing a selection of songs of the season.
After a difficult 2020 and concerns with in-person events, the concert was in jeopardy of being cancelled. The Foundation decided to move ahead with the concert by creating a virtual event called Christmas in the Neighborhood: Tidings of Comfort and Joy. It will be offered for two weeks of unlimited viewing with a one-time donation of $10.
What About Jane performs “Winter Wonderland”. Pictured (l-r): Jan-Mikael Erakare, Rhonda Smith, Tom Smith and Gary Smith.
Concert organizers Sue and Mike Thaine, Gary Simboli and Sue Starkweather Miller selected and scheduled performers and secured sponsors and advertisers. Simboli accompanied many of the performers on the piano.
Joram Bierdeman, a professional videographer and Albion Class of 2011 alumnus, agreed to videotape the concert performers in the historic First Presbyterian Church. Jan-Mikael Erakare provided technical assistance as the sound engineer.
Performers scheduled a specific time to perform so all involved could maintain a safe social distance. The entire concert was filmed in one evening.
Class of 1968 alumnus Alec Sherman is an annual performer at the Christmas concert. He also provided technical assistance with sound for all of the performances.
Concert tickets can be secured in one of two ways:
Go to www.albionalumni.org and click on the yellow “Tidings of Comfort and Joy Concert” button. You can pay by credit card or Paypal. Call 589-7220 to secure your virtual ticket.
Once your donation is made you will receive viewing information and instructions on how to access the concert link from the comfort of your own home. Access to the concert will be available until Dec. 31. You can view it as often as you wish for the two week time period.
The organizers would like to thank the following for sponsoring this virtual concert:
Silver Sponsors – Margy &Eric Brown; Steve & Rachel Hicks
Bronze Sponsors – Dr. Thomas & Sandra Madejski; Christopher-Williams Agency; Annette Mannella; Alec & Kathy Sherman; Brad Shelp; Doug & Sue (Starkweather) Miller; Mike & Sue Thaine; Gary & Laura Simboli; Pets in Peaceful Rest.
Advertisers – Bloom’s Flower Shop; D & K Auto; Cobblestone Museum; Albion Agencies Insurance; Light of Victory Church; Rush’s Vegetable Stand/Petals and Lace Florist; Orleans Agencies; Ernst’s Lake Breeze Marina; Brigden Memorials; Olde Dogge Inn; Scott M. Schmidt Coroner; Plaza Liquor Store.
Erin Moody sings “Christmas in Heaven” in memory of his son Brennan.
2020 performers include:
Gary Simboli singing several songs including “Oh Holy Night”
What About Jane (band members Tom Smith, Gary and Rhonda Smith and Jan-Mikael Erakare) perform “Winter Wonderland”
Community Christmas Brass Ensemble (Mike Thaine, Susan Boring, Joe Condoluci, Roger Bolton, Shannon Broda and Kyle Thaine) perform “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” and “Jesu Bambino”
Erin Moody sings “Christmas in Heaven”
Kailey Winans sings “Grown Up Christmas List”
Roy and Julie Smith perform on the trumpet and flute the song “Somewhere in My Memory”
Pastor’s Trio (Pastors Sue Boring, Aleka Schmidt and Sue Thaine) perform “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen”
Shannon Broda performs on the French horn “In the Bleak Midwinter”
Mike Thaine performs on the euphonium “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch”
Lindsay Almeter performs on the flute “Celebrate the Gift”
Shannon Vanderlaan plays piano and sings “Love is Christmas”
Alec Sherman sings “The Christmas Song”
Scott Schmidt performs on the First Presbyterian Church organ “Improvisations on Joy to the World”
Riley Seielstad sings “Underneath the Tree”
Sue Thaine sings “Auld Lang Syne”
The First Presbyterian Church was beautifully decorated for the concert. Pictured: Roy and Julie Smith perform “Somewhere in my Memory.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 December 2020 at 7:45 pm
This photo shows Charles W. Howard as Santa Claus in a color postcard. The message printed on the back says, “Santa’s bag and sleigh all packed with wonderful presents for good girls and boys as he starts out on his annual trip. Which package is which, only he knows, but try and guess which one is yours at Christmas Park.”
ALBION – Local officials will gather at 2 p.m. on Monday to dedicate a section of Route 31 in memory of Charles W. Howard, who operated a Santa School and Christmas Park in Albion.
Howard started the school in 1937 and ran it until his death in 1966. The school continues in his name in Midland, Mich.
State Assemblyman Steve Hawley will be at the dedication at the corner of Route 31 and Transit Road. Hawley and State Sen. Robert Ortt pushed the State Legislature and Gov. Andrew Cuomo to approve legislation naming the section of Route 31 in Albion for Howard.
The section from Transit Road to Wood Road near the 4-H Fairgrounds will be known as the “Charles W. Howard Memorial Highway.”
In addition to running the school and Christmas Park, Howard served as the Santa in the Macy’s Day Parade for 18 years.
The Albion Betterment Committee requested the section of Route 31 be named for Howard. The group has worked in recent years to have signage in place to celebrate Howard and his local legacy.
Howard also was a farmer and a toymaker with a flair for the dramatic. He was part of community efforts to build a model of Niagara Falls with 10,000 gallons of sweet cider in 1928. He also helped make a 12-foot-wide apple pie in 1929 and creating a 14-foot-high cake that weighed 3.5 tons.
He developed the Santa School after noticing many Santas didn’t have training, and didn’t always interact with children well or meet a standard for dress. He established decorum for Santas and his Santa Claus suits became popular.
Photos by Tom Rivers: The Rev. Tim Lindsay, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Albion the past 33 years, stands in the church’s new sanctuary, which was used for the first worship service this morning.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 December 2020 at 11:38 am
Harvest Christian Fellowship moves into new space with room for 250
ALBION – A church that started in Albion 33 years ago has completed construction of a new sanctuary where church members did nearly all of the work.
Harvest Christian Fellowship this morning held its first service in the new sanctuary. The church worked 3 ½ years to build the 5,000-square-foot space. They did it without incurring debt.
“We’re just looking forward to it, to finally be in it and be able to worship,” said the Rev. Tim Lindsay, the church’s pastor since Harvest started 33 years ago.
Church volunteers did nearly all of the work themselves on the 5,000-square-foot addition. The church is located on Route 31, across from Bullard Park.
The church is located at 560 East Ave., across from Bullard Park. The new sanctuary has space for about 250 people. The previous sanctuary had a capacity for about 140 people. That space will become a fellowship hall and also will be used for youth programs and community life.
Harvest set a goal to have the new addition done by 2020. It met the goal, despite the challenges of pushing the project to completion during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“One of the biggest testimonies of this whole project is 90 percent of the work was done by volunteers in the church,” Lindsay said on Friday. “God provided people with skills, with willingness, the energy and money.”
The church volunteers brought a range of skill sets, from construction to cleaning, to get the project done.
“It has been really positive for the church,” Lindsay said. “It brought the church together whether physically, through donations or praying for the project.”
The project includes an indoor café and fellowship area. Before, people were crowded in the foyer after services. Now there is more room to congregate and fellowship, Lindsay.
Lindsay has been with Harvest Christian since day one. In the early days, the church used space at what is now the Elk’s Lodge building on West State Street. It was the recreation hall for the Albion Fire Department in 1987, when Harvest started.
The Fire Department used to have Bingo on Saturday nights at the building. When that was over, Harvest Christian Fellowship would start setting up for the church the next morning.
After three years at the recreation hall on State Street, Harvest Christian purchased the former Kingdom Hall on East Avenue after the Jehovah’s Witnesses constructed a new building on Route 31, next to Mount Albion Cemetery.
The building on East Avenue was cramped for Harvest Christian with the sanctuary serving as multi-purpose space. The musical equipment, chairs, pulpit would have to be moved for other events and then reset again.
The sanctuary has room for 250 people. It has more space for social distancing.
The church during the Covid-19 pandemic has been doing two services to allow for more social distancing. With the new sanctuary, nearly doubling the space, Harvest will go back to a single service on Sundays at 10 a.m. The services are also streamed on Facebook.
Harvest will have a bigger celebration and grand opening sometime in 2021, Lindsay said. For now, the church is grateful to be in the space by Christmas.
Lindsay, 63, has been a part of the Albion community since he was 30, raising his family in the village.
“God put this on my heart from the earliest days,” he said about his ministry in Albion. “This is where God planted us.”
During the Christmas season, the church remains focused on discipling people in the community, and welcoming them to Harvest Christian Fellowship.
“This will be a special Christmas celebration for us,” Lindsay said. “My message will be there were so many people involved in the Christmas story. They all had an encounter with Jesus and they were never the same. This will be a place where people can encounter Jesus and never be the same. That is what we hope and pray.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 December 2020 at 9:13 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Santa Claus takes a ride around the Village of Albion this afternoon in a pickup truck driven by Ron Albertson of the Albion Lions Club. Santa went on a one-hour trip around the village and handed out toys and goody bags to kids.
Santa is joined by Party Tyme Bear (Christina Nenni) and Jolly Jingles (Michelle Wiseman). They are traveling down Chamberlain Street, part of the tour around the village.
Before the ride around the village, Santa met with children in the parking lot at Hoag Library. The Albion Lions Club organized the event, which included 150 donated toys and 50 goody bags. A dedicated volunteer wrapped all of the gifts.
This Santa is wearing an authentic Charles W. Howard Santa suit, which was donated to the Albion Lions Club. Howard founded a Santa School in Albion in 1937 and ran it until his death in 1966. He was a member of the Albion Lions Club.
Dona Scharping and her sister Mitzy Peglow, right, brought a breeding stock paint horse named Gooby to a holiday event outside in the parking lot at Hoag Library. Scharping dressed the horse in red and green with antlers.
Cameron Froman, 18 months of Albion, had fun meeting Izzy, a donkey from Scharping’s farm, Serenity Acres. Scharping also brought along her dog, a Corgi named Jodi who was very popular with the kids. About 200 people stopped by during the event from 1 to 2:30 p.m.
Nickie Girardo, owner of Last Call Cocktails, served up free cups of hot chocolate.
Christina Nenni dressed as Best Tyme Bear and welcomed children and families. She owns Best of Tymes Party Rentals in Medina, and brings costumed characters and games to children’s parties and other occasion. She also served popcorn and cotton candy today.
Michelle Wiseman is an elf named “Jolly Jingles.” She is the sales manager for Best of Tymes Party Rentals.
Santa poses for a photo with Aria Santiago, left, and Winston Lockhart and.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 December 2020 at 10:54 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: Jonesie and the Cruisers is one of the musical groups performing this Sunday in a benefit concert. Lead singer Gary Jones, left, and Gary Withey, who plays the keyboards and sings, are shown during a concert by the canal in Albion in June 2018.
ALBION – There will be an online concert this Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. to raise money for three families that lost their homes in a Dec. 5 fire in Albion.
The Masonic Lodge and Lions Club in Albion are working together on the concert with John Wragg, owner of Torquil Studios in Middleport. Torquil will broadcast the concert live on its Facebook page.
The musicians are all donating their time for the concert. The Lions Club will be accepting donations for the families. Those donations can be sent by PayPal to albionlionsclub@yahoo.com.
The schedule of performers for the benefit concert includes:
Bob Beccue, 1 to 1:30 p.m.
Linda Logan, 1:30 to 2 p.m.
The Who Dats, 2 to 2:45 p.m.
Mike Hartman, 3 to 3:30 p.m.
Highway 31 Unplugged, 3:30 to 4 p.m.
The Legendary Jonesie & the Cruisers with guest Susan Kay, 4 to 5 p.m.
MC Rick Walters from 97 Rock will also make an appearance
The Masonic Lodge also having a ham dinner with proceeds to assist the three families. That dinner will be Jan. 17 from noon to 4 p.m. at the 4-H Fairgrounds with tickets $8 presale or $10 at the door.
Photos by Tom Rivers: Jim Nowaczewski sits on the couch at HeBrews 5:9, a coffee shop he opened at 59 North Main St.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 December 2020 at 10:13 am
HeBrews 5:9 serves more than coffee – prayers and praises embraced
The coffee shop displays prayer requests and praises.
ALBION – Jim Nowaczewski moved to Albion two years ago drawn initially by the low-priced real estate.
He liked the small town feel, and the diversity of the community, and he said he has been blessed with friendly neighbors.
Nowaczewski, who grew up near Buffalo, was working for a safety company about a year ago, a job promotion that took him to southern California. He worked out there until May, when the Covid-19 pandemic prompted him to live more simply. Southern California “was insane” with the traffic and the fast pace.
Nowaczewski, 37, thought one day he would run a coffee shop. He was thinking that would be years in the future.
But Nowaczewski said he felt a calling and passion to open the shop now – in the midst of a pandemic in downtown Albion.
He opened the doors of HeBrews 5:9 on Nov. 28 during the “shop small” celebration of small businesses in Albion and across the U.S. The coffee shop soon picked up positive reviews from community members on social media.
“It has exceeded my expectations so far,” Nowaczewski said. “I didn’t grow up here but I’m already feeling the support of the community.”
He isn’t running the normal coffee shop. HeBrews has a Christian flavor, with a bulletin board to display prayer requests and praises. Even the name is a book of the Bible, and Hebrews 5:9 is a Bible verse that states: “and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.”
The name “HeBrews” for the Albion coffee shop also sends a message that men are encouraged to stop by. Nowaczewski said many coffee shops seem to cater to women. He wants everyone to feel welcome at HeBrews. The 5:9 in the name comes from the business’s address at 59 North Main St.
Nowaczewski said he became a Christian five years ago and wants HeBrews to be a ministry for the community. He wants the location to be edifying, but he doesn’t want people to feel like religion is being pushed “down their throats.”
The prayer and praise board already is filled with notes from customers, with most of the messages left anonymously.
“I believe prayer does something,” Nowaczewski said. “It brings the community together to bear one another’s burdens. And the praises show a grateful attitude.”
Jim Nowaczewski serves up coffee at the HeBrews 5:9. He offers a monthly subscription for coffee and curbside service.
He sees a downtown coffee shop as an important metric in the quality of life for a town. He wants college students and teens to feel welcome to stop in for conversation, to plug in their devices and use the internet.
“It can be a change of scenery from their room,” he said about the increasing number of students who are doing remote learning at home.
Other professionals or people needing a charge – caffeine or WiFi – are welcome to stop by.
“Coffee shops are a litmus of the vibrancy of a community,” he said.
He also has offered the space inside to book groups and others looking for a group discussion.
Nowaczewski senses that people are increasingly polarized and stressed. He wants HeBrews to offer a safe place to relax and have candid, but non-threatening conversations.
“This is just a place where we can be people again,” he said.
Nowaczewski is experimenting with the hours and the menu. Right now he is open 6:30 to noon, and then 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. from Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday.
He has a monthly subscription for coffee where those customers can text their order and Nowaczewski will bring their coffee out for curbside service. He also makes tea and hot chocolate.
He sells baked goods from Pretty Sweet Bakery in Albion and soon will be offering homemade bagels from Papa Thom’s Rockin’ Bagels.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 December 2020 at 11:41 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Metro Environmental in Niagara Falls uses an excavator to knock down a house a 221 West State St. in Albion today.
The house is one of three that were badly damaged in a fire on Dec. 5. This house suffered the most damage and village officials wanted it taken down because it posed a threat to the neighborhood, said Kevin Sheehan, the village’s code enforcement officer.
“This house is a danger,” Sheehan said. “It’s a hazard. They are knocking it down and taking it away.”
The neighboring houses on each side also may be removed. Insurance adjusters are reviewing those structures. Sheehan said they don’t pose an imminent threat to the neighborhood, like the one at the corner. The village closed off a section of the East Academy Street in front of the house, out of concern the structure might topple.
Before Metro Environmental started knocking down the house, the village was able to assure the company the site was cleared of explosives after the FBI and ATF checked the scene.
The fire started when a resident, Gary Tarr, was testing fireworks he made in the garage at 221 West State St. Tarr mixed compounds with fireworks in the garage and lighted a small portion of one to test it, Albion police said. That set off a series of explosions, destroying the garage with the fire spreading to the three houses. Tarr faces felony charges of reckless endangerment and arson.
