By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 November 2020 at 6:48 pm
Photos courtesy of Barbie Hapeman
ALBION – After practice today, the Albion varsity girls soccer team went by the new mural on the northside of the Lake Country Pennysaver building. The mural highlights Albion as home of the first Santa Claus School, which was led by the late Charles W. Howard from 1937 to 1966.
The team, which plays in the sectional finals on Saturday against undefeated East Aurora, wanted to capture some of the “Believe” magic.
The players are all wearing T-shirts that say, “Believe in yourself and you will be unstoppable.” There is a Santa hat on the “B” in Believe.
The group pictured includes, front row, from left: Maddy Snook, Kailey Merrill, Brittney Spies-Hunt (Captain), Lauren Wehling, Bonnie DiCureia and Claire Squicciarini (Captain).
Middle Row: Assistant Coach – Sara Kappenhaver, Olivia Bieber, Ryan Olles, Aurora Serafin, Nora Hapeman, Elisa Bropst, Head Coach – Maggie Orbaker.
Top row: Abby Scanlan, Charley London, Ally Knaak, Olivia Krenning, Sydney Mulka, Emily Harling, Assistant Coach – John King.
Missing from photo: Leah Pritchard, Grace Elscher and Nicolina Creasey.
After a 1-3 start, Albion has won eight in a row to advance to the sectional finals for the third time in the last four years. The team will be leaving Albion at 8:45 Saturday morning. The community is welcome to give them a sendoff along Route 31. A group is expected to gather at the CRFS parking lot to wish them good luck.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 November 2020 at 5:08 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Members of the Honor Guard were present today for a dedication service at 1 p.m. for a new veterans’ memorial at Courthouse Square.
The Knights of Columbus, Albion Council #1330, took the lead in the project.
The headstone for the monument includes the inscription: “Dedicated to our courageous brothers and sisters of this community who served our country in times of peace and war. We thank them for their service. And especially to those who gave their lives in that service. May God grant them eternal rest.”
The stone includes the insignias of the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Army National Guard and Merchant Marine.
Greg Dugan, the grand knight for the Knights of Columbus in Albion, speaks to a crowd of about 50 at the dedication ceremony.
The new flag pole includes a flag that recognizes the different branches of the military.
Dugan, a local barber since 1991, said many of his customers over the years have been veterans. He mentioned the late Albion Town Justice Bill Larimer, who was a POW in World War II. Dugan noted the late Rocco Sidari and Charles Shervin. Other current customers, including Ben Jones, currently serve in the military. Jones just returned from tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“I’ve had contact with so many veterans, young and old, since 1991,” Dugan said before today’s ceremony.
Once they are in the barber chair, Dugan said many veterans open up and share about their experiences, including in combat.
Dugan thanked Orleans County officials for supporting the project and allowing it to be in a prominent place in the community.
“It’s been a heart-warming and amazing experience,” he said.
This group salutes and stands at attention while Taps is played. Pictured from left include Assemblyman Steve Hawley, Vietnam War veteran Charlie Nesbitt, County Legislator Don Allport, Medina veteran Dave Kusmierczak, Orleans County Veterans Service Agency Director Nancy Traxler and Greg Dugan, grand knight of the K of C in Albion.
The memorial includes two granite benches. One bench has an inscription, “To Commemorate.” The other has the words, “To Heal.”
“Thank you for taking the time to remember our veterans,” Dugan told the crowd today. “They never gave up on us and we can’t give up on them.”
Rebecca (Hucknall) Platt of Medina was part of the Honor Guard today. She is nearing 20 years in the U.S. Air Force.
Charlie Nesbitt, a decorated helicopter pilot during the Vietnam War, addresses the crowd at the Courthouse Square. He urged the group to take in deep breaths of air and take in their surroundings, with several churches on the Square. In the U.S. people have freedom to attend whatever church they want and to enjoy their surroundings.
“Thank you to the Knights of Columbus for taking the initiative,” Nesbitt said about the new monument. “What a wonderful example to give honor to those who served.”
County Legislator Don Allport said the United States has had brave citizens step forward to defend the country for nearly 250 years.
“I thank God every day for you,” he said about veterans. “Memorials are a reminder of the sacrifices made by those standing in the line and from their families back home.”
Nancy Traxler, director of the Orleans County Veterans Service Agency, said Americans continue to serve the country all over the world.
“It’s not the powerful and sophisticated weapons that make us the greatest military in the world,” she said. “It’s your bravery and skill.”
Nick Fitzak of Medina, a Marine, joined other veterans in the Honor Guard for the ceremony.
State Assemblyman Steve Hawley said the freedoms of Americans have come at a great cost, borne by veterans since the Revolutionary War.
He urged people to honor veterans every day. That could be through volunteering at the VA and donating to causes that benefit veterans.
“Or you could look a veteran in the eye and say, ‘Thank you.’”
Students have also written nearly 200 letters to local veterans
Press Release from Albion Central School
ALBION – Despite the changes and challenges Covid-19 has brought this year, students across the Albion school district are celebrating veterans.
Throughout the elementary school, students have been learning about what it means to be a veteran and writing letters to our local heroes, thanking them for their service.
Adelaide, an elementary student, plays her clarinet.
Third grade teacher Danielle Cammarata is spearheading the letter-writing effort.
“Many of our students have family members in the Army, Navy, Marines and Air Force right now, so this project is extra meaningful to them,” Cammarata said. “The letters will warm many hearts.”
It’s not only the students who have family members serving but many of the faculty as well. Sixth grade teacher Cathy Schmitt has put together a slideshow to honor staff member who served in the military or who have family members who are veterans.
“We usually play it in classes so the students can make connections with their teachers,” Schmitt said. “It includes the family member’s name, their branch of service and some other information they sent to me.”
While traditionally the middle school has honored local veterans in an assembly, the presentation will be shared virtually this year with students and staff.
Cammarata says it is important to keep these traditions alive.
“It’s really important to give thanks for the time, energy and dedication veterans have given to our country,” Cammarata said. “I want the children to know and understand the sacrifices that they made to make it possible for all of us to live in this country and embrace the freedoms they fought for us.”
This year, they received 192 letters.
Normally, the letters are sent out around the holidays, this is the first year they’ll be sent out on Veterans Day.
“I think the performance and letters will let the community members know how much we appreciate and respect all that they have done for us,” Cammarata said. “It’s a small gesture, but hopefully it will bring a smile to those who have served.”
Students practice in smaller groups for the concert.
Elementary band teacher Lindsey Almeter agrees, saying that while this will be her students’ first Veterans Day performance, it is the perfect time to celebrate and connect with the school community.
“We were just looking for opportunities for students to still get to celebrate, perform on their instruments and connect with the community during a time where that connection is harder to make,” Almeter said. “[We] decided that Veterans Day would be a wonderful chance to encompass all of those goals and the students have been very excited about sharing the work they’ve been doing.”
The elementary school’s performance will be pre-recorded and played over the morning announcements.
According to high school band director Michael Thaine, the High School Music Department has held a concert in early November for over four decades.
“For several years in the ’90s and early 2000’s it was held on the evening of Election Day,” Thaine said. “In 2009, we moved the annual concert to the evening prior to Veterans Day, where it’s been ever since.”
The event is a celebration of our nation’s veterans through American music, by American composers.
“Music has played such an important role in this country’s history,” Thaine said. “ It only makes sense for us to honor our veterans through music.”
These cards will be displayed at some restaurants and stores in Albion.
While the pandemic has caused some limitations, including very limited rehearsal time, partial ensembles, and restrictions on public gatherings, the High School Music Department came up with an abbreviated virtual presentation. The program will still include some music, but also interviews with several veterans connected to our high school community.
“It’s become a loved community tradition over the years, and our veterans deserve to know that, despite the necessary focus on pandemic precautions and those logical complexities, their service and sacrifices are still appreciated and not overlooked,” Thaine said.
Make sure you look for the letters around Albion. They will be posted in Dunkin’, The Village House, Save-A-Lot and Tops.
The 2020 High School Virtual Veterans Day Program will be posted to the district’s YouTube channel (click here) on Nov. 10 at 7 p.m.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 November 2020 at 11:35 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – A new memorial for veterans at Courthouse Square will be dedicated at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, which is Veterans Day.
The Knights of Columbus, Albion Council #1330, led the project which included support from St. Mary’s Archery Club, St. Mary’s Athletic Club, Orleans Veterans Club, American Legion Sheret Post in Albion, and Veterans of Foreign Wars Strickland Post in Albion.
Besides a monument, there is a flag pole (left) with a flag that recognizes the different branches of the military.
The service at 1 p.m. includes an invocation and blessing of the memorial by Father Bernard Nowak, a former Navy chaplain who now serves as the priest for Holy Trinity Parish in Medina and Middleport. Other local dignitaries will give remarks and there will be a presentation form the Honor Guard.
Attendees need to wear masks and observe social distancing.
There are two benches as part of the memorial. One bench has an inscription, “To Commemorate.”
The other bench has the words, “To Heal.”
The larger stone states the following:
“Dedicated to our courageous brothers and sisters of this community who served our country in times of peace and war. We thank them for their service. And especially to those who gave their lives in that service. May God grant them eternal rest.”
The stone includes the insignias of the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Army National Guard and Merchant Marine.
Provided photo: Cassie Brown won the Leadership Award in the Albion Middle School.
ALBION – Two students from Albion’s Carl I. Bergerson Middle School were presented with awards during the Board of Education meeting on Monday night.
While the meeting was held virtually, a pre-recorded video aired of Middle School Principal Brad Pritchard officially presenting eighth-graders Cassie Brown and Nick Prest with their awards.
“Cassie Brown was nominated for the Leadership Award because she is viewed in our building as someone who is conscientious, diligent and overall just a pleasant person who people love to be around,” Pritchard said.
The principal explained that Brown does the Middle School morning announcements because her “bubbly personality helps get everyone’s day off to a good start.”
“Cassie consistently demonstrates her leadership qualities by always being pleasant and respectful to everyone,” Pritchard said. “She is always smiling in her eyes (and under her mask.)”
Nick Prest won the character award in the Middle School.
Nick Prest, also in eighth grade, received the BOE Character Award.
“He is a voracious reader and very diligent with his schoolwork,” Pritchard said. “Nick has stood out to his teachers this year for the outstanding job he has done managing the remote learning model. He not only keeps up with the learning, he stays ahead.”
Prest has also taken it upon himself to create “How To” videos for his classmates in an effort to help them navigate programs frequently used in class.
“Nick assists his classmates when they struggle and genuinely wants to help all of his peers be successful,” Pritchard said.
Provided photos: Students in Kathy Winans’ class are shown with their special edition Halloween masks.
Press Release, Albion Central School
ALBION – In a year filled with unprecedented challenges, two classes are working to make their school and their community a better place.
Two 12:1:1 classes, one at Albion High School the other at the Middle School, have been working to create unique face masks for their classmates, peers teachers and members of the Albion community.
Shari Berg, a teacher at Albion Middle School, says the program is the brainchild of Albion High School teacher Kathy Winans. According to Berg, it all started with a mask-making party that took place over the summer.
“There was a group of teachers and we had a little bit too much fun and we probably bought too much fabric, too much everything, and we made masks,” Berg said. “Then, when we came to school and things had changed, Winans came up with this whole idea.”
A student in Mrs. Winans’ class sews a mask together.
Winans’ classes have traditionally done other work-study and sewing projects like helping create the costumes for the high school shows, an activity that has been suspended due to the coronavirus.
“With the changes from Covid we tried to come up with something that would fit a need, which is the mask, and something that was a skill we could continue to sew and learn along the way,” Winans explained.
The key was to make sure all the students were safe and the classes were following Covid-19 safety regulations.
“They each have an envelope that’s theirs: their scissors, their pins, so that it is safe, and they work in their spaces,” Winans said. “We’ve only set up two [sewing] machines so they’re six feet apart so we can maintain the social distance, but still meet what we thought was a fun need.
According to Winans, the students love making masks.
“They like the opportunity to cut to sew to do all those skills that they’ve learned,” Winans said. “We employed Mrs. Berg’s class too, so now we’re a big team.”
A student in Mrs. Berg’s class uses a pattern to cut out the masks.
The work is split between the two classes: Mrs. Berg’s class cuts the patterns and Mrs. Winan’s class assembles the masks.
However, Mrs. Berg found that her students were missing an integral piece.
“About two weeks ago, I realized my kids were cutting out patterns, but they did not understand how the patterns were turning into masks,” Berg said. “We are just taking these patterns and cutting them.”
Mrs. Winans’ class came up with a solution: “Teaching Time” where Winans’ students invite Berg’s students to a Google meet and demonstrate their skills, ending the session with a complete mask.
“It gives the kids a chance to teach as well and share their skills and knowledge, which has been really cool,” Winans said.
This student in Mrs. Winans’ class irons in the interfacing.
Both teachers said that the design of the masks has been important, allowing the students to have some individuality, highlighting their personalities while staying safe.
“The whole purpose was that they’re two-sided, that’s the key because, when you wear it all day and the kids set them down, I wanted to make sure there was a side that they knew went against their face,” Winans said, explaining why the masks tend to feature two different fabrics.
Berg emphasized that it was also really important their students had their own, clean masks to wear.
“We made special, limited edition masks for our [Berg’s and Winans’] class[es] for Halloween so that we all match,” Berg said. “The students also got to pick out a purple mask they made to keep because our kids needed masks. Our kids physically were wearing the same masks daily and we just we didn’t want that.”
It wasn’t long before the classes began selling the masks to the community, presenting new options for customization and garnering an amazing response.
“The response has been overwhelming. People love them and are now donating fabric or donating the ear strings that are adjustable,” Winans said. “We’ve discovered different sizes now. We have a smaller size, we have sizes for children. It’s very funny how it suddenly has grown into something I never thought was going to happen.”
So far, the classes have sold over 600 masks.
“When we decided they cost $2 each, it was not about making a lot of money,” Winans said. “It was about filling a need that our school community had and the money that’s left over we will use for the club. Ideally, it’ll just be reinvested into the little business that we’ve started.”
Even if the need for masks begins to dwindle, Winans explained that the program will continue.
“I think we would hope to modify it as we need to and then maybe expand it,” Winans said. “Hopefully, if it’s not the masks, we’ll figure out something else fun to create.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 November 2020 at 8:43 am
School district looks to offer more in-person learning at lower grade levels if Covid numbers don’t spike
ALBION – The school district has seen an increase in students doing remote learning since the start of the school year because some families were concerned after nine students have tested positive for Covid-19.
Those cases included eight who were doing hybrid classes at the district, with two days in person and three days remotely. Another student taking remote classes also tested positive.
The students didn’t contract Covid at school, said Scott Bischoping, the district’s interim superintendent.
Paul Pettit, the public health director for Orleans and Genesee counties, said local school districts have done a great job minimizing the spread of Covid. Pettit said all cases of students getting Covid have happened outside of school, typically at a family gathering.
Bischoping, speaking at Monday’s Board of Education meeting, said the student cases prompted about 50-60 families to take their children out of the hybrid model to remote only. In the elementary and middle schools, 30 percent of the students are now taking classes fully remote, while 37 percent of high school students are remote only.
The first student case was announced on Sept. 22. The nine cases include 3 in the middle school, 2 in high school and 4 in elementary school. No teachers have tested positive for Covid at Albion.
The district also hears from parents they would like to have more days of in-person education. Ryan Woolston on Monday submitted a written request for the district to offer more in-person education.
He said the remote education doesn’t work for many students and their families, who need to find childcare and turn to tutors to help their kids.
Woolston said he worries about the emotional impact on students who are forced to learn from home.
Bischoping said the district is looking to add more in-person days in late November as long as the Covid-19 cases don’t spike in the community. The numbers have been trending up in recent weeks.
School administrators and teachers are working on a plan for bringing back more students for more days each week. Bischoping said the district’s first focus will be offering more in-person days at Prekindergarten, kindergarten and grades 1 and 2.
The district will be in contact with families in the lower grade levels if Albion can bring students back for more in-person days.
“We’ll work with teachers to determine how to do it safely,” Bischoping said at Monday’s Board of Education meeting. “We will develop plans later this month. If the positivity rate settles, we’ll try to offer and give parents the option for more days.”
District waiting for news from state about winter sports
The board and superintendent also discussed the winter sports schedule. The state has set Nov. 30 as the start of practice for winter sports, but Bischoping said the state hasn’t said what sports will be allowed for winter.
Bischoping said some regions have already had swimming this fall so he expects that will happen this winter for Albion athletes. There is a chance the meets could be held at multiple locations instead of one school. Each school would use their own pool and the times would be compared with officials at each pool while the meets are run concurrently, Bischoping said.
The state hasn’t released any guidelines on how basketball and wrestling will happen in a pandemic. Those are close-contact sports.
“I think nobody wants to deliver the bad news, that’s my sense anyway,” Bischoping said. “We are waiting somewhat impatiently, because the coaches want to know, the kids want to know and we want to know.”
Kathy Harling, the Board president, said she is impressed by the fall athletes, who have been wearing masks on the soccer field and even in long-distance cross country races.
“I’m incredibly proud of our students and especially our student athletes,” Harling said. “If you watch a game our athletes keep those masks on 90 percent of the time. They may be the only ones on the field with their masks on. They have been phenomenal about it. Even cross country, imagine running with a mask, but you see pictures of them wearing their masks but everybody around them may not be wearing them so I’m extremely proud of them.”
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Teri Lester organizes some of the stylist women’s tops at the Main Street Store. The store is a favorite shopping destination for many professional women in the area.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 2 November 2020 at 10:29 am
ALBION – The Main Street Store at 131 South Main St. in Albion is more than a thrift store.
It is a community building project of Community Action of Orleans and Genesee. It not only offers high quality and unique merchandise and apparel, but it provides on-the-job training in retail sales and business. Through their Dress for Success Program, those looking for a job not only learn how to dress for a professional setting, but can shop for their clothing at the store. The store will also supply clothes for a job interview.
In addition, Community Action runs a tutoring program with Albion Central School.
Community Action has had a thrift store for decades, said Annette Finch, director of emergency services. The store started downtown where it filled two store fronts at 45-49 Main St. As they grew and ran out of room and parking, they bought the former American Legion building and moved there in the fall of 2014.
Mary Yockel creates an eye-catching display at the Main Street Store by arranging mannequins at a table for sale.
Michelle George has been manager of the thrift store since it first opened. She still can’t believe the number of people who don’t know the Main Street Store is there.
Their location now allows them to display all kinds of merchandise in a tasteful manner. One room is devoted solely to Christmas decorations, and Finch said anyone needing stocking stuffers or Secret Santa gifts should look no further than the Main Street Store.
At the east end of the building, Community Action runs its offices for the CATS bus service.
Michelle George, left, manager of Community Action’s Main Street Store in Albion, and Annette Finch, director of emergency services, stand by a high-end living room suite which is for sale in the store. The store, which has been a mainstay on Main Street for decades, offers high quality merchandise for sale and provides on-the-job training in retail sales/business.
The store sells everything from household goods, furniture, antiques, linens, lighting, large and small appliances and electronics to jewelry, quality apparel for the whole family, shoes and bags, decorative items, health and fitness items, games and puzzles, crafts, exercise equipment, camping equipment and more.
“We’re like a mini department store,” Finch said. “Our only competition is Walmart.”
Store inventory changes daily, George said. There are daily BOGO sales, tag sales, weekly sales and ongoing overstock clearance sales.
Covid-19 health and safety policies are followed to ensure the store is safe for customers. Face masks are mandatory and hand sanitizer is stationed at the entry door for all customers to use before entering the building. Carts are sanitized after each use and social distancing is required.
Dan Nottingham, an employee of Community Action, provides behind-the-scenes support at the Main Street Store. He stands with a unique hutch filled with collectible Christmas decorations.
All merchandise is reasonably priced and is sanitized before being put up for sale. Apparel is washed and dried. Donations are held aside for several days prior to processing.
The store accepts large donations, such as stair chair lifts, appliances, indoor and outdoor furniture, windows, tools and exercise equipment.
Donations may be dropped off between 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Wednesday through Friday. For donations outside of those hours, the store requests donors call (585) 589-1430 and make an appointment. They ask that donations be clean, that clothing is placed in small kitchen-sized trash bags and items be in boxes weighing less than 20 pounds. Books should be boxed separately. The store cannot accept non-working electronics, broken or old technology or damaged items.
All proceeds from sales directly support employment training and other services offered through the store. These services are also supplemented by funding from United Way and the Genesee Valley Women’s Foundation.
Regularly, several staff members can be found completing retail sales/business “on-the-job” training, gaining experience and work history for future employment. Services are open to the public at no cost. The store also welcomes volunteers to provide valuable help on the retail sales floor.
The public is reminded to check out the store’s Facebook page for pictures, sales and notices.
Sales floor manager Teri Lester, left, and Mary Yockel arrange merchandise in the holiday room, where every shelf is filled with Christmas decorations.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 October 2020 at 11:07 am
ALBION – Hoag Library will be closed to library patrons on Tuesday, Nov. 3, when the building is used as a polling site for the Town of Albion from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The library wants to reduce large-scale social contact at the site so it is making library services unavailable. (Patrons can still return items to the outdoor book drop and WiFi is always accessible 24-7 from the parking lot.)
Hoag Library leaders said closing the building for library services is being done to help protect the health of patrons, library staff and election workers.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 October 2020 at 3:35 pm
ALBION – The school district announced this afternoon that five of our Albion students received positive test results for Covid-19 over the weekend.
All five are hybrid learners – two at the high school, one at the middle school and two at the elementary school. Hybrid learners attend in-person two days a week.
Four of the students had not been in school for the week prior to testing positive, the district said in a notice to the community.
“The Health Department determined there is no need to do further contact tracing in the school for those students,” the district said.
Contact tracing regarding the fifth student has been completed. Staff members and parents of any students who were identified as being close contacts have been notified by the Health Department.
“We continue to remind our staff and students the importance of proper handwashing, wearing face masks covering the nose and mouth, physical distancing and limiting group activities, especially where social/physical distancing is difficult,” the district stated in its message to the community. “Please stay home if you are experiencing any symptoms of Covid-19 or the flu.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 October 2020 at 3:20 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Workers from Christa Construction of Victor are making progress on a 40-unit apartment project in Albion.
Construction of project for DePaul Properties of Rochester started in spring after three houses were removed last year on Liberty Street to make room for the new building. The complex is located between the railroad tracks and Beaver Street.
That block will be home to the DePaul Boxcar Apartments, which will have 36 one-bedroom units and four two-bedroom units. The one bedroom units can have up to two people and the two-bedroom apartments have room for up to four people.
DePaul is aiming for a November 2021 move-in date for tenants. DePaul is designing the project to support people with disabilities, including senior citizens and veterans. The organization will do extensive background checks for credit, criminal and sex offender history and evictions.
The site will be enhanced with safety features that allow ageing in place, with details that address mobility issues, lighted ADA bathrooms and appliances, DePaul officials have said. Twenty of the apartments will offer on-site supported housing supports for persons that are frail-elderly or those with in recovery for mental health. All units are one-year leases with an on-site property manager, full-time maintenance person and security on nights and weekends.
Provided photos: Claire Squicciarini takes the National Honor Society pledge.
Press Release, Albion Central School
ALBION – Albion High School inducted 27 students into the National Honor Society last week. The event looked a little different this year, due to COVID-19 safety restrictions, and was held as a drive-thru ceremony.
Inductees signed up for time slots and arrived in approximately 5-minute intervals, walking with their family to the front entrance of the high school for the outdoor ceremony.
Sierra Kast is joined by her mother Cheryl Kast and other family members for the ceremony outside the school.
After saying the NHS pledge and signing the membership book, the students received their NHS membership pin and certificate.
The new members were welcomed into NHS by National Honor Society Advisor Suzanne Newton and Albion High School Principal Jennifer Ashbery.
The 2020 inductees include Ashley Ames, Jylees Bermudez, Sarah Brace, Aubrey Boyer, Aisha Drisdom, Logan Dumrese, Bryne Dysard, Gina Fox, Alexa Grandy, Alanna Holman, Sierra Kast, Skylar Lonnen, Nolberto Martinez Mayo, Quinn McCue, Emily Mergler, Olivia Morrison, Melissa Robinson, Christopher Shabazz, Madalynn Snook, Colburn Spierdowis, Brittany Spies-Hunt, Claire Squicciarini, Annalise Steier, Chelsea Tucker, Saleya Williams, Samuel Williams and Faith Woody.
Nolberto Martinez Maya signs the membership book.
Despite the changes to the ceremony, Newton says she was really happy with it went.
“Although I would have loved to have our traditional ceremony with all of us together, this was the next best thing,” Newton said. “These students have worked so hard through their high school careers and I was happy that we could recognize them along with their family members who joined them to celebrate their accomplishments.”
Originally, there were 30 inductees who were to be welcomed into NHS this past April.
However, due to the pandemic, three of the recipients were inducted early as they were seniors and were welcomed into the NHS before they graduated in June. Those students were Cody Wilson, Jack Finley and David Baldassarre.
In order to join, inductees needed to meet the criteria , set by NHS, for their scholarship, service, leadership and character.
Faith Woody and her family celebrate her induction into the NHS.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 October 2020 at 8:06 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Coleen Pahura and her daughter Hannah, 14, were among the participants in the Walk for Life at Mount Albion Cemetery on Saturday. The event was a fundraiser for the Care Net Center of Greater Orleans.
Care Net, like many other non-profit organizations, has been forced to cancel many of its fundraisers this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Care Net is located at 168 S. Main St., Suite 2 in Albion. The organization, which will be celebrating its 30thanniversary in 2021, provides free services that include pregnancy and STI testing, limited ultrasounds, classes in parenting, Bible study and life skills, and material aid.
Kyle Holz brought his LuGia’s On Wheels of Buffalo truck to the event and served up sundaes. This group in Buffalo Bills gear includes Paul and Sally Grout, their daughter Beth Etopio and grandson Vincent.
The walkers relax at the Ingersoll Fountain at Mount Albion after walking around the historic cemetery.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 October 2020 at 1:32 pm
The new historic marker will include this logo of the Lafayette Trail.
ALBION – The Albion Village Board approved a new historic marker to be placed by the Erie Canal by the gazebo on Platt Street.
The project is led by a middle school service learning class taught by Tim Archer.
The sign will commemorate Marquis de Lafayette, who as a young French aristocrat and military officer served with George Washington and was instrumental in the Continental Army securing American independence from the British monarchy.
In 1824 Marquis de Lafayette was invited to visit the United States for the first time in 41 years. As an American hero and one of the only surviving commanders from the Revolution, he was met with great enthusiasm in visits across 24 states.
Lafayette sailed on the Erie Canal on June 6-7, 1824, travelling between Lockport and Rochester during his farewell tour.
The sign is to be paid for from the Orleans County Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution and the William G. Pomeroy Foundation. It will note Lafayette’s journey on the Erie Canal during the farewell tour, and the sign will also include The Lafayette Trail logo.
The Village Board, in approving the new marker on Wednesday evening, agreed to install the sign and be responsible for its ongoing maintenance, which is expected to be minimal.
The Lafayette Trail Inc. notified the Albion officials that the organization is planning bicentennial celebrations of Lafayette’s farewell tour in 2024-2025.
Photos by Tom Rivers: David Snell, owner of Snell Realtors in downtown Albion, is shown with the Richardson Root Beer Barrel Dispenser that was at Fischer’s Newsstand for many years. Snell has acquired the former Fischer’s building. He has expanded his real estate business offices to Fischer’s. He plans to display the old root beer dispenser in the building, perhaps dispensing daily trivia.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 October 2020 at 11:44 am
ALBION – David Snell remembers standing in line at Fischer’s Newsstand, and paying 5 cents for a paper cup of root beer.
Lots of kids would gather at Fischer’s for a cup from the Richardson Root Beer Barrel Dispenser.
Snell, owner of Snell Realtors, for years ran his business next door. When Fischer’s closed in August 2015, Snell soon acquired the property and expanded his real estate offices next door.
He has wondered about the old root beer dispenser, thinking it would be a nice addition to the office as a display. Instead of dispensing root beer, Snell thought maybe it could dispense daily trivia for people walking by the front windows.
Snell’s father-in-law Darryl Preston is an antique dealer with a business in Allen, Mich., which he said is “The Antique Capital of Michigan.” Snell was talking to his father-in-law about the old root beer barrel, wishing he could get it back on site in Albion.
Turns out Preston, a former Albion resident, is the one who bought it. He said he acquired it about 25-30 years ago. He has had it on display at his antique business, and it hasn’t been for sale despite drawing a lot of interest.
When Snell realized his father-in-law had the barrel, he asked that it come “home” to the Fischer’s site. Preston agreed and drove it to Albion recently.
“I get questions about it all the time,” Snell said about the barrel, which has left a lasting impression on many Albionites. “I want to display it for the community.”
He is working on those details to best showcase the barrel. He said he is grateful his father-in-law was willing to part with it.
“Darryl was very generous to bring it back,” Snell said.
Snell, owner of Snell Realtors, for years ran his business next door. When Fischer’s closed in August 2015, Snell soon acquired the property and expanded his real estate offices next door.
