Photo by Tom Rivers: Albion Police Chief David Mogle holds a torch on May 31, 2024 while the law enforcement officers gathered near the start line in the village’s municipal lot on Platt Street next to Dubby’s Tailgate. Turnout was about 40 for the torch run, more than double the debut in 2023.

ALBION – Local law enforcement will again be leading a torch run to benefit the Special Olympics.

The May 30 run over 2.7 miles in Albion will be the third time the Albion Police Department is organizing the run with the Special Olympics.

The run starts and ends at the Albion municipal parking lot on Platt Street. There is a 10:30 a.m. registration with the run starting at 11 a.m.

For more information contact Lt. Brandon Annable at (585) 589-5627 ext. 2929 or annable@albionpolice.com, or contact Erica Raepple at (716) 909-6444 or eraepple@nyso.org.

There were 40 participants in last year’s run, including several students in the life skills class at Albion. Those students ran the first half of the course.

Police Chief David Mogle said he would like to see an even bigger turnout from the community.

Law enforcement from the Albion Police Department, Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, State Police and DEC joined students last year on the run.

Photo by Tom Rivers: The Main Street lift bridge remains in the upright position to allow boating traffic to pass through today. Village officials hoped the bridge rehabilitation would be completed in time for the Albion Strawberry Festival next month, but now a completion is more likely in September.

ALBION – The Main Street lift bridge won’t be reopening anytime soon.

Village officials were expecting the bridge would be operational in time for the Albion Strawberry Festival on June 13-14, but the bridge may not be ready for four months.

A “catastrophic event” occurred on May 7 during start-up testing of the control system to operate the lift bridge, Paul Attoma, engineer-in-charge for Region 4 Construction, wrote in a letter today to Albion Village Trustee Joyce Riley.

A failure occurred within the main drive system cabinet located in the control tower. A vendor, with a specialization in control systems and experienced in movable bridge projects, was starting the motor function tests, Attoma said.

“When the system was energized, one of the electric drive controllers arced, producing a fire in the drive cabinet,” Attoma wrote in his letter. “The arcing drive assembly was severely damaged, and the heat from the fire damaged the second controller. Both drive controllers are beyond salvage and other components in the cabinet were damaged.”

Significant lead time is needed to procure and test replacement control drive units, he said,

“We anticipate the bridge opening will be delayed an additional 15 weeks,” Attoma wrote in the letter.

The cause of the failure is being investigated by the electrical contractor and control manufacturer, with the back panel of the cabinet with all the drivers and controls shipped to the manufacturer for forensic analysis and replacement.

Riley said the latest setback is “horrible” for the community.

“At this point nothing surprises me,” she said.

The bridge was initially closed on Nov. 14, 2022 for what was expected to be about 18 months for a major rehabilitation. That project stretched to more than two years when the bridge was reopened just after Christmas on Dec. 27, 2024.

But then the bridge was closed again to traffic on April 21 to finish up the extensive rehabilitation of the bridge that was originally installed in 1914.

With the failure in the control tower, the bridge completion may be closer to three years from the start of the project.

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Heidi and Andrew O’Hara pose on the porch of Trade 180’s Onesimus House at 574 East Ave. in Albion, which will open soon as a home to provide guidance and compassion and teach a trade to young men.

ALBION – A remodeled home in Albion is close to opening its doors as the Onesimus House, a ministry dedicated to helping underserved young men value themselves, their community and learn a trade.

Heidi O’Hara is executive director of Trade 180, a grassroots ministry developed out of a need in the rural communities of Orleans County and operating out of a donated building at 25 East Bank St. to help underserved young adults.

Since opening in 2021, they have made significant changes in the lives of 12 young people, including self-responsibility, work ethic, self-esteem, greater involvement in their community, building healthier relationships and baptism.

“Trade 180 refers to ‘trading your old life for a new life,’” Heidi said. “We have several retired tradesmen who are willing to work with us, including a carpenter, machinist, electrician and mason.”

At her side in development of the Onesimus House is her husband Anthony O’Hara, a nurse at BOCES.

The Onesimus House will operate out of a home owned by Harvest Christian Fellowship next door, which has donated use of the home to the new ministry. Onesimus House is a core initiative within Trade 180, but needs to raise $80,000 to staff and stock the home.

Onesimus is named after a disciple in the Bible who stole and was redeemed and sent back in his community as an active productive member, Anthony explained.

Showing off the newly-remodeled interior of the Onesimus House are Heidi and Andrew O’Hara. A benefit featuring comedians Dan Kulp and Dan Viola on May 31 at Bent’s Opera House will support the new “Home of Hope.”

When the idea for the Onesimus House was first discussed, it was during the Covid pandemic. The home was unoccupied and there was talk of tearing it down, until the idea for Onesimus House emerged.

Funds were donated by local individuals, businesses and churches to buy materials. Ace Hardware in Medina provided tools and paint, Heidi said.

“We want these youth to thrive, not just survive,” Heidi said. “Things that affect the human soul matter. Such as ‘Who am I, why am I here and where am I going.’”

Onesimus House can accommodate four young men aged 18 to 25, with a house mother.

“Young men will become less dependent on us if we train them to get a job and their own apartment,” Anthony said.

Young men can stay at Onesimus House for six to 18 months. They set their goals where they want to be at three months and six months. Some want to get a license, or an apartment and a job, Anthony said.

“If they want to get certified in a profession, we will work with them step by step,” he said. “We will help them recognize who they are as a child of God.

Youth will not only learn a trade, but life skills, such as budgeting, shopping and cooking a meal.”

“We want to make sure they leave here well grounded,” Heidi said.

“Many young people never had a family,” Anthony said. “When they become part of Trade 180, they have a family.”

“It’s a beautiful thing when you are in a family,” Heidi said. “You feel loved, accepted and wanted – and saved.”

There is a void in the community for this type of ministry, Heidi said.

Anthony said donations have come from Buffalo to Rochester. Pastor Tim Lindsay at Harvest Christian Fellowship has also been very supportive, in addition to donating use of the home.

“He is always willing to share for the community,” Heidi said.

Heidi also acknowledged support from the Risen Café on East Bank Street and other area pastors.

Men who come to Onesimus House will be given a list of area churches and they must agree to attend one.

“We not only want them to get established in their community, we want them to have an obligation to be a good citizen,” Anthony said.

“Six or seven years ago, this was only a dream,” Heidi said.

“This house is an example of steadfastness and faith,” Anthony said.

Much work still needs to be done on the outside, such as siding and landscaping, he said.

All those involved in this mission are hoping the comedy night at Bent’s Opera House will be successful. The event was the idea of Ayesha Kreutz of Medina, who has seen the comedians and highly recommends them. She said they are hilarious.

Harvest Restaurant is offering 20% off a meal that evening, and one of the hotel rooms will be raffled off during the evening.

Doors will open at 4:30 p.m., with entertainment by jazz artist Doug Egling at 5 p.m. Comedians Dan Kulp and Dan Viola have both been seen on Dry Bar Comedy.

Tickets are $25 and are available at Della’s Chocolates, 512 Main St., Medina.

Albion students researched Daniel Walterhouse and secured headstone

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Matthew Passerall of the VFW in Albion places a GAR marker by the new headstone for Daniel Walterhouse, a Civil War veteran who lived at the Orleans County Alms House or Poor House for about 15 years until his death in 1910.

The new headstone was unveiled during a ceremony at the Alms “Poor” House Cemetery behind the Orleans County Emergency Management Agency on Countyhouse Road.

Civil War re-enactors mostly from the 140^th N.Y. Vol. Infantry attended the service and later did a military gun salute. From left in back include David George, Doug Mergler, Wes Miller, Michael Ryan, Nathanael George and Jude Melin.

The re-enactors also brought a 34-star flag from the Civil War which is set near the new headstone.

The headstone for Walterhouse was installed by the Orleans County Department of Public Works before Saturday’s ceremony.

Two Albion eight-graders secured the 230-pound Civil War era headstone from the Veterans Affairs office in Washington, DC.

Anton Schwarzmueller, vice chairman of Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War for New York State, attended the ceremony and presented letters of appreciation from the organization to Kendall Peruzzini, center, and Mary McCormick.

The students started researching Walterhouse last summer. They initially were helped by Civil War researcher George Wilkinson of Michigan. They set out to dig into local record books for primary source evidence

McCormick and Peruzzini visited Albion Town Clerk Sarah Basinait to look over handwritten death records. They saw that Daniel Waterhouse died on Aug. 20, 1910 and was buried in the “County Farm” Cemetery.

Then they visited Catherine Cooper, county historian, to look over Alms House ledgers from the late 1890s to early 1900s. The Alms House operated on Courthouse Road from 1833 to about 1960. It was a site for poor residents, and others with no other place to go.

Walterhouse was listed annually in the registers for approximately 15 years until his death in 1910. The “Record of Inmates” registry notes he was admitted twice, once in 1893 and again in 1895.

Peruzzini and McCormick also looked over the National Archives records on Walterhouse that verified his Civil War service and eventual residence over his final years at the Alms House.

“This was the conclusive evidence we needed to link our Civil War soldier to the one buried here,” Peruzzini said.

Since the cemetery is county property, the two attended a County Legislature meeting to get its permission to seek a headstone and have it placed at the cemetery. The Legislature approved the request.

There were then able to apply to the Veterans Affairs office in Washington, DC for a Civil War era headstone. The request was approved “with great promptness” and the 230-pound headstone arrived six weeks later.

“All this research culminates today in Mr. Walterhouse’s long overdue recognition, and the formal unveiling of his headstone,” Peruzzini said. “Along with Mr. Walterhouse, this recognition in some way also honors the many forgotten, soldier or not, who lived and died here at the Orleans County Alms House.”

The re-enactors fire their guns in a salute for Daniel Walterhouse, who was born in 1823 in Western New York.

During the outbreak of the Civil War, Walterhouse was accepted into state service in Washtenaw County, Mich. on May 16, 1861, and later mustered in at Lenawee County on June 20, 1861, with over 1,000 other men, joining Company K of the 4th Michigan Infantry, McCormick told more than 50 people at the ceremony on Saturday.

In his two years of service his company would fight in northern Virginia and Maryland regions in places like Bull Run,  Malvern Hill and Antietam.

On July 1, 1862, he fought with Gen. George McClellan against Robert E. Lee and the Confederates at Malvern.

The day would end with over a thousand men dead and 6,000 wounded, McCormick shared. Walterhouse was taken prison, and would later during an escape attempt be stabbed in the leg below the left knee. A few months later at Antietam he would smash his right ankle falling off a wagon during battle.

“These two major injuries put him in hospitals in both Washington and Philadelphia,” McCormick said. “This ultimately ended his ability to serve after two years of faithful service. These injuries would significantly hamper him through his future life as a farmer.”

Through his pension records, McCormick and Peruzzini learned Walterhouse moved to Niagara County at some point after the war and was living in the Niagara County Alms House in the late 1880s. He was a widower with no one to care for him because immediate family all stayed in Michigan.

In the late 1890s he moved to the Orleans County Alms House and would live there for 15 years until his death in 1910.

“One of the last to be buried in this cemetery, today we honor Daniel L. Walterhouse with this long overdue headstone for his service and dedication to our country,” McCormick said.

Scouts and their leaders from Troop 64 in Albion raise the American flag near the start of the service on Saturday.

Albion students played a big part in clearing overgrown brush from the cemetery in 2010-11 in a service learning project led by their teacher, Tim Archer. Students and the county reset stones, and also had an interpretive made listing many of the residents buried in the cemetery. About 200 residents are buried there.

Retired Orleans County Historian Bill Lattin speaks during Saturday’s ceremony. Lattin visited Archer’s class in 2010 and Lattin’s comments to the class back then started an effort to reclaim the overgrown potter’s field as a more suitable cemetery for the residents buried there.

Albion student Rigo Baltazar leads the group in the pledge of allegiance. Tim Archer is at right. He has helped guide many of the service learning projects with students at Albion Central School. The 34-star flag from the Civil War is in back.

Jax Gotte, an Albion Boy Scout, places an American flag by Walterhouse’s headstone.

Mike Donahue served as the bugler in the playing of Taps near the end of the ceremony.

These participants in Saturday’s ceremony gather for a group photo.

League has been part of Albion community since 1956

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The Albion Midget League celebrated the opening of another season on Saturday. Scott DeSmit, the league commissioner, served as emcee and passed the microphone to the players to introduce themselves in front of the crowd at the Midget League Field behind the Town Hall on Clarendon Road.

These teams include Elks Rotary at left and some of the Vets at right.

These teams include Carlton at left and Elks Rotary at right.

The Midget League has been an annual tradition in Albion since 1956. The league has expanded with teams from Elba, Hamlin, Holley and Brockport, as well as central Orleans teams with Barre, Sandstone, Carlton, Elks Rotary and the Vets.

There are 11 teams in total and each will play a 15-game regular season schedule which is slated to conclude on June 30. The playoffs are scheduled for July 7 and 9 with the championship game to be played on July 12.

DeSmit and the league were able to give out 28 prizes worth about $1,700 that were donated by the community.

Photo by Isabella Zasa: Orly the Bicentennial Ox threw out the ceremonial first pitch and then greeted many of the players with high fives. Orly is the county’s mascot for the 200^th anniversary of Orleans County.

Photos courtesy of American Legion Sheret Post in Albion: (Left) Legion Commander Brad Rouse, left, congratulates Phil Warne for  50 years of service to the Legion. Warne is a Navy veteran who served during the Vietnam War era. (Right) Rouse thanks Ralph McMurray for his service to the Legion. McMurray is a United States Marine Corps veteran who served during the Vietnam War era.

ALBION – The American Legion Sheret Post 35 celebrated 50-plus years of service for members followed by a complementary Steak Dinner for them and their guests.

The following were recognized: Phil Warne, 50 years of service; Dr. John Fernandez with 50 years of service, Gus Revelas with 53 years of service, Ralph McMurray with 58 years of service, Ted Swiercznski with 62 years of service, Lester Marble with 60 years of service, and Bob McGaffick with 71 years of service.

(Left) Brad Rouse commends Lester Marble, a United States Marine Corps veteran who served in combat in the Korean War. (Right) Ted Swiercznski accepts a certificate from Rouse and Legion. Swiercznski is an Air Force veteran who served during the Korean War Conflict.

Bob McGaffick, who served in the Army during the Korean War Conflict, was proudly represented by his great-grandson during the celebration for long-time Legion members.

Immediately following the steak dinner, a fundraiser was held to raise money for flags and grave markers for veterans’ grave sites.

Monetary donations were also accepted from Don Jones at $100, Gary Dieboldt at $50, and Tim DeRuyscher at $50.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Kairo Bennett holds up a sign trying to get people to buy a burger, hot dog or other food today. The Masonic Lodge was serving up the grilled and fried goodies in the parking lot at Save-A-Lot as a fundraiser towards a new concession stand at Bullard Park.

The Albion Youth Sports Athletic Program (AYSAP) is pushing the project and wants a two-story building with concessions and storage in the first floor and a second-floor for a press box.

Geno Allport, AYSAP president, said the building is likely $20,000 to $30,000. The concessions stand would be available to be used by other organizations doing events at Bullard, he said.

“We want everyone to enjoy it – not just football,” Allport said.

The building would be positioned close to the 50-yard line of the football field.

The Masonic Lodge served up food from the grill. From left include Ed Wolfe, John Hollenbeck and Jeff Holler in back.

The next fundraiser for the concessions stand will be a beef on weck dinner on Saturday, May 31, from 2 to 8 p.m. at Albion Elks Lodge. There are 300 ticket available at $15 each. There will also be a basket raffle and 50/50 drawings.

Many businesses and service organizations are donating and assisting with the event.

These kids were out drumming up support for today’s fundraiser. From left include Oliver Dillard, Zurie Dillard, Gavin Jackson, Gunner Jackson and Kairo Bennett.

For 17^th time in last 19 years, school budget holds the line on taxes

ALBION – The Albion school district budget holds the line on the tax levy, with no increase for the 17^th time in the past 19 years.

Albion district residents will  vote on the budget on Tuesday from noon to 8 p.m. at Hoag Library, 134 South Main St.

Overall spending in the proposed $44,750,485 budget is up 5.7 percent or by $2,429,819 – from $42,320,666 in 2024-25.

Most of that increase will be offset by a hike in state aid. Albion is budgeting for $1,942,442 more in state aid or an increase of 5.9 percent – from $32,774,455 to $34,716,897. State aid accounts for 77.6 percent of the Albion budget.

Property taxes or the tax levy remain at $8,449,039. Other increases in revenue include more appropriated fund balance – from $455,605 to $683,996 – and more earnings from interest, from $591,111 to $793,153.

“This budget is more than just numbers – it reflects our priorities and commitment to delivering a high-quality education for every student which includes but is not limited to: maintaining small class sizes, enhancing student support services, upgrading technology, and ensuring our facilities are safe and functional,” Wayne Wadhams, the Board of Education president, said in a budget message on the district website.

“Maintaining our precedent of conservative financial planning, we are once again proposing a tax levy with a zero percent increase. While we, like so many, continue to face challenges regarding rising operational costs and potential changes to federal funding, we continue to believe that the District can be fiscally responsible while remaining firmly committed to the future of our students and community.”

The vote on Tuesday also includes the following propositions:

• Authorization to spend $1 million for new buses

• Authorization to collect $657,560 for Hoag Library (down from $664,510)

• Establish a capital improvements reserve fund

• Establish a technology reserve fund not to exceed $3 million

• Approval of multi-year transportation contract with Student Transportation of America

There are also three candidates on the ballot for three positions on the Board of Education. Two incumbents are seeking re-election. Chris Kinter, the Albion code enforcement officer, is seeking another term along with John Kast, a farmer who is also on the board for Farm Bureau and the Orleans County Soil & Water Conservation District.

Lauren Stirk, a registered nurse, also is seeking a position on the board.

The top two vote-getters will get five-year terms with the third place candidate getting a two-year term.

Candidate statements in the school budget newsletter include:

Chris Kinter: “Over the last five years it has been a pleasure to serve our community and gain insight into how our school system operates. I’m dedicated to open communication and ensuring that parents feel heard and valued.

“I have made it a priority to be available addressing any concerns and working collaboratively to enhance our educational environment. Together we can build a strong foundation for our students and ensure their success.”

Lauren Stirk: “As a proud alumna, I now have children attending Albion schools. Professionally, I am a Registered Nurse, and I bring both personal and professional dedication to this role.

“I have a vested interest in the safety, quality of education, and opportunities available to our students. I am passionate about supporting the continued growth and excellence of our district, and I’m committed to ensuring that every student has access to a high-quality education and the support they need to succeed.”

John Kast: “It has been an honor to serve the ACS community over the past five years through the challenges of the COVID pandemic, working collaboratively to hire our new superintendent, and assisting the completion of a major capital project that improved our facilities for years to come.

“My experience serving on other community boards, such as Farm Bureau and Orleans County Soil and Water Conservation District, as well as being a farm owner has helped me on the School Board understand how to keep our school and community strong.”

Photo and article courtesy of Albion Central School

ALBION – Thirty-one members of Albion’s Class of 2025 were recognized for their academic honors on May 7 during the 16th Annual Honors Convocation dinner and ceremony.

Hosted in the newly renovated high school gym, graduating seniors with a cumulative weighted grade point average of 90% or higher were recognized for their achievement in front of their families, administrators and board of education members.

2025 academic honors students include Zachary Abel, Mallory Ashbery, Zackary Baron, Nicholas Baxter, Oliver Beach, Leo Bolton, Sawyer Brigham, Olivia Brooks, Cassandra Brown, Dillion DiGiulio, Kelli Dingle, Samantha Dobo, Nolan Franzese, Nathan Garrett, Tracy Garrett, Alexis Hand, Rori Higgins, Matthew Kania, Mallory Kozody, Seth Krenning, Madison LeBaron, Kenadie Patten, Emily Richardson, David Rosario-Soto, MacKenzie Snook, Natalie Soule, Roselan Steffen, Tye Talbot, Ella Trupo, Zachary Yankevich and Keira Zambito.

The honorees were called to the stage individually to receive their certificate and then were adorned with their honors cords from their parents/guardians.

Mr. Kyle Thaine, ’16, was the guest speaker for the evening. Thaine currently teaches Global History II, US History and is the Senior Class Advisor in the Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk Central School District. Thaine’s words of wisdom to the Albion Class of 2025: “Read something every day. It can be a book, an article from the news, or a writeup on last night’s game. Anything. Just find time every day to read something that someone else has written.”

The Class of 2025 is set to graduate on Friday, June 27.

Press Release, Albion Central School

Provided photo: Albion eighth-graders Mary McCormick (left) and Kendall Peruzzini (right) are shown in November with Craig Lane, superintendent of the Orleans County Department of Public Works, after a headstone was delivered for a Civil War soldier buried in an unmarked grave at the Alms House Cemetery on West Countyhouse Road. The public is invited to a dedication ceremony at 10:30 a.m. this Saturday at the cemetery.

ALBION – The hard work and research of two Albion Middle School students on a forgotten Civil War veteran buried at the Orleans County Alms “Poor”House Cemetery will culminate with a special “headstone unveiling” this Satursday at 10:30 a.m.

All are invited, rain or shine.

Last fall eighth graders Mary McCormick and Kendall Peruzzini discovered that a former Civil War soldier, Daniel L. Walterhouse, was buried at the cemetery in an unmarked grave.

After verifying the soldier’s lengthy stay at the Alms House and his significant military history, they applied for, and received, a Civil War era headstone from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Local dignitaries, historians, veterans, teachers, students, and interested parties will be in attendance. The program will conclude with a special military salute.

The project has garnered national media attention with coverage from the Washington Post, Fox News, the New York Post, and, most recently, the current edition of Reader’s Digest.

The cemetery is located a quarter mile behind the Emergency Management buildings at 14064 W. County House Rd., Albion.

Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs for seating and umbrellas if there is rain.

Photos courtesy of Tim Archer

ALBION – Some Albion eighth-graders teamed with Clarendon Town Historian Melissa Ierlan to give two historic markers a facelift with fresh coats of paint.

The top photo shows Emmaline Gailie, Nicole Loney and Tatiana Morales with Ierlan and the marker for the First Academy between the Niagara and Genesee.

The marker is in Gaines on Ridge Road, one mile west of Route 279.

The students also teamed with Ierlan to give this marker for the Brick Pond fresh paint.  This marker is on Route 98, south of Route 104. Ierlan has removed old, flaking paint from about 30 markers in Orleans County and given them new paint.

J.A. Lafler opened a brickyard here in the 1850s, producing drainage tile and bricks for local buildings. He patented a brick machine in 1863.

Lux Froman paints the pole black on the marker for the Brick Pond.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Mount Albion Cemetery is in its budding and blossoming glory right now, with many colors on display in the historic cemetery along Route 31.

Mount Albion in 2022 became accredited as an arboretum through ArbNet and The Morton Arboretum. The cemetery covers about 100 acres and is home to more than 1,100 trees and an array of flowers and bushes.

There are 65 varieties of trees, ranging from alder to beech, butternut  to basswood, oak to spruce, hemlock to dogwood, pine to cedar and chestnut, according to the listing by ArbNet and The Morton Arboretum.

“But what dominates the landscape is New York State’s official tree – the Sugar Maple,” the group stated. “It’s brilliant fall colors dance across the landscape like a kaleidoscope of calm.”

Many people enjoy walking and visiting the cemetery, especially in the fall. But right now might be the best time of the year to visit the cemetery.

The cemetery hosts tours in the summer. A spring-time tour highlighting the different types of trees would be much appreciated by the public as well.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Peter Stritzinger, 13, places flags on veterans’ graves this morning at Mount Albion Cemetery.

Stritzinger and other Scouts in Troop 164 and Pack 164 set flags on more than 1,300 flags at Mount Albion and St. Joseph’s Cemetery.

The Scouts for decades have teamed with the American Legion and VFW to have the flags at veterans’ graves before Memorial Day.

Leo Gotte, 12, of Troop 164 and his mother, Megan Gotte, place flags where veterans are buried at Mount Albion.

Jack Breuilly, 13, (left) and Colson Braley, 14, carry flags while looking for veterans’ graves at Mount Albion.

Jay Baron, 5, teams with his father Jeff Baron to put flags at veterans’ markers. Jeff is the dean leader for Pack 164 which allows Scouts as young as 5. Jeff remembers putting flags at the cemetery before Memorial Day when he was a kid and a Boy Scout.

Colton Durow, 14, finds a veteran’s grave to place a flag. Mount Albion has many varieties of trees in bloom right now.

This year the Memorial Day parade begins on May 26 at 10 a.m. at the corner of Park Street and South Main Street and proceeds to the Middle School where there will be a service at 11 a.m. in front of the school.

People and organizations interested in being the parade should contact Phil Warne of the Legion at (585) 589-5701. He is co-chairman of the parade with Matt Passarell from the VFW.

150 dresses and counting have been given out last 3 years

Photos by Ginny Kropf: (Left) Ayesha Way, a senior at Albion High School, checks out a dress which caught her eye at the Main Street store on Wednesday evening. (Right) Melody Snook from Holley High School models the gown she chose for her prom.

ALBION – Dozens of seniors in area schools will attend their proms this spring, decked out with beautiful gowns, stunning accessories and flattering makeup, thanks to Community Action’s Main Street Thrifts, Gifts and More store.

This is the third year store manager Cassie Healy has promoted a prom giveaway, in which donated prom dresses, accessories, makeup and hair products are given free to high school seniors in Orleans County and Batavia.

Kristalyn Taylor, a 16-year-old senior at Albion High School, picks out hair accessories and makeup for her prom.

Healy and her volunteers have already taken dresses to Niagara-Orleans BOCES, the New York State School for the Blind in Batavia, Lyndonville High School and Holley High School. Upcoming events are scheduled Friday in Albion High School and Tuesday at Medina High School.

Last year Healy said they provided free prom attire for 52 girls. This year they have already given out 68 gowns, and that doesn’t count the number of gowns chosen Wednesday evening at the Main Street store or the giveaways scheduled  Friday at Albion High School and Tuesday at Medina High Schools.

Healy said the community has been very generous with their donations, and prom dresses are being donated all year. A section at the back of the store has been curtained off with tables full of makeup, jewelry and accessories, a backdrop for taking pictures and a changing room.

Also on site Wednesday night was Valerie Webb of Le Roy, a teacher at Holley, who volunteered to do on-the-spot alterations when needed.

Senior Ayesha Way from Albion High School was delighted with the opportunity to get a prom dress.

“Some prom dresses go for $400 or more, and not everybody can afford that,” she said.

Melody Snook, 16, a senior at Holley, shopped with her mom, who approved the dress she chose.

“I thought this was a wonderful opportunity for the girls,” said her mother Colleen Wiest. “I’ve seen nothing but happy faces coming and going. We had been shopping in the stores for a dress but couldn’t find her size.”

Healy said the dresses on her racks ranged from size 0 to 24, in all colors and styles.

Many of the girls also found shoes in their size to match their dress.

Store associate Anna Geldard helped girls to choose makeup, fake eyelashes and jewelry to complement their gowns.

“We have a very wide array of things to choose from, and girls are obviously very appreciative,” Geldard said. “I still have the pictures from my prom five or six years ago and I remember what a special day it was. Being able to be part of helping someone else get ready for their prom is very special.”