By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 December 2019 at 1:52 pm
Provided photo: Gordmans will be converting Peebles stores to look like the store in this photo.
ALBION – The Peebles store at the Route 31 plaza in Albion will be changing over to a Gordmans, another retailer with designer name brand apparel, home decor, gifts, fragrances, clothing and other items.
The change will happen on Feb. 18, Gordmans said in a news release.
Gordmans and Peebles are both owned by Stage Stores. Stage bought Gordmans in April 2017.
Peebles uses 16,240 square feet of the Route 31 plaza, which also includes Save-A-Lot and the Dollar Tree. Peebles opened in the Albion plaza in 2007.
Gordmans is changing over 13 Peebles in upstate New York. The apparel and home décor retailer is hiring at the 13 stores.
All of the sites, including the Albion store, will host a job fair on Jan. 7 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Walk-in applicants are welcome. Candidates are encouraged to first apply online at gordmans.com/careers.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 December 2019 at 8:35 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers: Heather Drew is co-owner of The Snack Shack at 50 North Main St. in Albion. She and Donald Buchanan started The Snack Shack this past summer at Hamlin Beach State Park. They decided to keep the business going in Albion.
ALBION – This summer, Heather Drew and her boyfriend Donald Buchanan ran the restaurant at Hamlin Beach State Park. Their business, The Snack Shack, proved popular at the state park.
“We got the best feedback in the world,” Drew said today.
When the season ended, the Albion couple looked for a spot for The Snack Shack in their hometown, and found that 50 North Main St., the Hazy Jade Gift Shop’s location for several years, was available. Drew and Buchanan opened in October.
Donald Buchanan and Heather Drew have a food trailer behind the Main Street building where the food is cooked. They plan to take the food trailer to special events in 2020.
In November, they added a food trailer behind the Main Street building. That is where the food is cooked. They do a lot of the food prep at Brightly’s Farm Market in Hamlin, where ther eis a commercial kitchen. Drew’s mother, Elizabeth Brightly, runs the farm market in Hamlin.
The Snack Shack is open Wednesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and then from 5 to 8 p.m. Most of the orders are takeouts, but there is dining available. The Snack Shack offers free delivery within the Village of Albion.
Heather Drew peeks through the window of the food trailer. She has worked in the food business half of her life, beginning when she was 17.
Drew and Buchanan each have many years working in the food service business. Buchanan, 30, spent a decade at Uncle Sal’s in Albion. Drew, 33, started as a hostess at a restaurant when she was 17. She would later work as a bar manager at the former Crooked Door Tavern.
The couple was going at a brisk pace today with fish fry orders, and others from their menu. Some of their more popular dishes are crab rangoons, coconut shrimp, garbage plates and salads. They wanted to offer more than burgers and fries, but they have those as well.
They said 2019 was a great start for the business and they are looking forward to 2020. They want to take the food trailer to special events, including the concerts by the canal. They also will offer catering.
Drew and Buchanan both said they enjoy the fast-paced food service business.
“We want to offer something different,” Buchanan said. “We like satisfying everybody.”
They expect to be back at Hamlin Beach State Park this upcoming summer, but will be available for other events in Albion. During the park’s offseason, they plan to run The Snack Shack at the Main Street location.
For more information on The Snack Shack, click here.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 December 2019 at 6:00 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers: The Elks Lodge dedicated this memorial for Jason Johnston on Aug. 17. The Albion Elks Riders do an annual dice run and fundraiser for a memorial scholarship given each year for an Albion senior who is pursuing a helping profession.
ALBION – It was 10 years ago today when Jason Johnston of Albion was killed by a roadside bomb in Arghandab, Afghanistan.
Johnston, a specialist and paratrooper in the Army, was 24. He is the only soldier from Orleans County to be killed in combat during the Afghanistan War.
He was on his second tour in Afghanistan. He completed a 13-month-deployment in 2008 and left again for the war-torn country in October 2009.
I think about his family every year around Christmas. Today is the 10th anniversary of his death. I thank his parents, Brad and Jenny Johnston, for his sacrifice. And for his sisters – Carrie, Heather and Holly – and several nieces and nephews, too.
The Johnston family has stayed active in the community. Jennie and her daughter Heather are members of the Albion Fire Department and they proudly march with the Fire Department in parades, especially on Memorial Day.
Brad joins the Albion Elks Riders are their dice runs to help raise money for his son’s memorial scholarship. He led the explorers post in the Fire Department when he son was a teen-ager.
I remember when Jason was brought home on Jan. 3. Word got out in the community and many people stood for an hour in snowbanks along Route 31 to welcome his body home. It was 10 degrees outside and many of the people who lined the snow-filled sidewalks were elderly.
I’ve told people about that day many times since. It made me proud to live in Orleans County, to see a big homecoming in such frigid conditions.
The community would do it for Trevor Cook when he was brought home at 2 in the morning on July 15, 2011. Cook was 25 when he was killed in a helicopter crash during a training exercise on July 6, 2011. More than 1,000 people crowded into downtown Medina to 2 a.m. to show support for Cook’s family and respect for the young Marine.
Another large group of several hundred people was in Medina on June 9, 2014 and saluted as a motorcade passed by carrying the body of Sgt. Shaina Schmigel, 21. Schmigel, a Medina native, was killed May 30, 2014 during a night-time training drill. She was a paratrooper at Fort Bragg with the 82nd Airborne Division. She was in the Army for four years, and was promoted to sergeant that January.
File photo from Albion Central School: Albion students stood in the cold to show respect for Jason Johnston and his family during a motorcade processional on Jan. 5, 2010.
Two days after Johnston’s homecoming, it was his funeral at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. It was a full church with 450 mourners at his funeral.
Dan Allyn, a major general with the U.S. Army at Fort Bragg, was among the speakers at the funeral.
“He always fought to be out front on the mission,” Allyn said about Johnston. “He was an extra-courageous man.”
Johnston was an “elite soldier,” the top 1 percent of Americans, Allyn said at the funeral service for the first Albion soldier to die in combat in 42 years.
Johnston, 24, felt such a devotion to his fellow soldiers that he insisted on joining them for a second deployment to Afghanistan.
“He volunteered not just once, but twice to join his teammates in Afghanistan,” Allyn said at the funeral. “He was an extraordinary teammate and brother.”
After that funeral service, the motorcade then headed to Mount Albion Cemetery. About 2,400 Albion students were out in front of the school to show support for the Johnston family and pay their respects. The students held 1,000 American flags. That is a sight I won’t forget.
Later in June during high school graduation, Michael Bonafede, president of the Board of Education, presented a high school diploma for Johnston to both of his parents. Johnston earned a GED before joining the Army. Bonafede spoke with each parent at length, and the crowd in the gym gave a standing ovation.
The community has continued to remember Johnston, giving towards a $1,000 annual memorial scholarship that goes to a student pursuing a career in a helping profession, such as a nurse, doctor, firefighter, counselor or other social services.
“The recipient of the award should be of good character, show dedication, effort and potential while working to the best of their,” according to a description of the scholarship provided by the Elks.
“Specialist Johnston believed in the Golden Rule – ‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.’”
The Albion Elks Lodge in August unveiled a new memorial by the lodge on East State Street in Johnston’s honor.
The monument at the Elks Lodge states: “In honor of Spc. Jason M. Johnston, 82nd Airborne U.S. Army. Orleans County’s only soldier killed in action since Vietnam. May his spirit keep this country and county safe. A truly honored soldier. One man in one unselfish act to save us all.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 December 2019 at 10:10 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Some of the Christmas garlands and streamers are back in the downtown, including these decorations on the Pratt building on Main Street.
The Village Board declared some of the decorations as surplus and they were purchased by Liz Groat, president of the Downtown Browsery. Groat repaired many of the decorations and convinced some of the merchants to hang them on their buildings.
Krantz Furniture was the first to display the decorations. The village didn’t want to hang the garlands and streamers across the street because of concern the buildings didn’t have attachments to securely display the decorations across the street.
The decorations gradually fell into disrepair and were declared surplus. The village sold eight stream liners which include two 22-foot lighted garlands with a lighted wreath. Groat submitted the highest bid of $360. She spent more money and time repairing the decorations.
The Pratt and Day buildings, owned by Michael Bonafede and Judith Koehler, give the decorations prominent display.
The Village of Albion DPW this year set up the Christmas tree in the downtown at Waterman Park by the mural showing Albion native Charles Howard as Santa, flying over the downtown and Courthouse Square.
The DPW also put up many wreaths and banners about the holiday season. This banner celebrates Charles Howard, who ran a Santa School in Albion from 1937 to 1966.
The Albion Merchants Association announced the winner of the Hometown Holiday Window Decorating contest. Frontier Heating & A/C Service Inc. won for this display at its storefront on East Bank Street.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 December 2019 at 10:16 am
Courtesy of Santa Claus Hall of Fame
The International Santa Claus Hall of Fame announced today that an Albion woman will be inducted with the Class of 2019.
Elizabeth Babcock made Santa Claus suits at Christmas Park, which was run by Charles Howard, the founder of a Santa Claus school. After Howard’s death in 1966, Babcock continued the Santa suit business.
Howard was inducted in the Santa Claus Hall of Fame in 2010 (Click here for more about Howard from the Hall of Fame). He was one of the charter members. The Hall of Fame is located at Santa’s Candy Castle in Santa Claus, Indiana.
Babcock’s Hall of Fame inscription reads:
“For over thirty years, Elizabeth Babcock made Santa Claus Suits that were worthy of the Howard name. Before she took over the suit business, Elizabeth worked at Christmas Park for many years in many roles. When the suit business became available, she was the perfect person to keep the tradition going. Elizabeth knew business, book-keeping, customer service, and most importantly, she could sew.
“She never strayed from the original concepts of the suit and was loyal to the Howard philosophy to the end of her life. She made the finest Santa Claus Suits in the world. She used the finest materials. She sewed them to specification to keep the high standard. But the component she added that was the most important to the suit was … Elizabeth Babcock’s Santa Claus Suits were made with love. Elizabeth Babcock passed away in 2006 at the age of 92. She left behind her own legacy of integrity and quality for the sake of keeping Santa looking like he should.”
Babcock is one of 13 inductees in the Class of 2019. Click here to see more on all the new members of the Hall of Fame.
Photo by Tom Rivers: This Santa suit made by Babcock is on display at the Christmas Cottage in Lockport.
Babcock is the third person connected to Christmas Park to go into the Santa Claus shrine. After Howard was inducted in 2010, George Cond went into the Hall in 2016.
Cond, a Holley resident, was trained as a Santa by Charles Howard. Cond was so good at portraying Santa that Charles Howard embraced Cond to be the Santa at Christmas Park in Albion, Howard’s entertainment venue at Route 31 on Phipps Road. (Click here to see the Hall of Fame’s write-up on Cond.)
The International Santa Claus Hall of Fame is an ongoing project that celebrates, studies and preserves the historical documentation of the many men and women who have greatly contributed to the Legend of Santa Claus, the organization states on its website.
A 15-member Hall of Fame committee reviews the candidates and considers their overall career, service to their community, range of appearances, contribution to the Santa world, length of service, uniqueness of career, originality, and charity.
Profiles are reviewed with a point value in each standard. The top 21-point value profiles are submitted for a 1 through 21 percentage vote. Those candidates who receive 75 percent are elected to the International Santa Claus Hall of Fame.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 December 2019 at 10:07 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Santa visited residents at the Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center on Saturday as part of an event organized by the Albion Betterment Committee and the nursing home staff. Santa is joined by “Elfredo” – Liam McKenna, 8, of Lyndonville.
Diana Dudley played songs on the piano. A choir from the Mennonite community also was there to sing several songs.
These sisters, Bailee (left) and Ericka Christ of Holley, were able to meet Santa and share a request for Christmas. The two sisters have a relative at the nursing home and they spent time with him.
Other children stopped by to see Santa and some of the residents. Some of those kids stayed to color and play games with the residents. The kids also received a stocking with holiday items.
Gary Kent, a director with the Albion Betterment Committee, greeted residents at the Villages of Orleans. He is a frequent visitor to the site and knows many of the residents.
Photos by Tom Rivers: Nancy Zielonko, left, has been manager of the Cobblestone Country Federal Credit Union for 28 years. She is retiring on Dec. 31 and will be succeeded by Chris Ranallo, right, the current assistant manager.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 December 2019 at 3:26 pm
Nancy Zielonko led Cobblestone Country Federal Credit Union through expansion
ALBION – The manager of the Cobblestone Country Federal Credit Union is retiring on Dec. 31 after 28 years of the leading the credit union during a time of significant growth and upgrades.
Nancy Zielonko said she has enjoyed a career with a dedicated group of employees, who have helped many residents obtain loans and improve their credit scores.
The credit union has grown its assets and shares from $2 million in 1991, when Zielonko started, to $12 million now. The credit union was out of garage on Liberty Street when she started. It moved to a house next to COVA on South Main Street and about five years ago purchased its own building, a former medical office at the corner of Route 31 and Hamilton Street. That site has high visibility in the community, Zielonko said.
“It has really been my privilege to take something small and create a viable entity that will last in the community,” she said Monday at the credit union, 299 West Ave. “We have created a viable place that really helps people.”
The credit union started in 1965 as the Liptons Federal Credit Union. It then changed its name to the Central Orleans Credit Union. About 15 years ago it became the Cobblestone Country Federal Credit Union.
The not-for-profit organization at that time expanded its service area from the central Orleans County towns to all of Orleans – “anyone who lives, works or worships in Orleans County,” Zielonko said.
Nancy Zielonko said she has been blessed to work with a core group of dedicated employees. These four have all worked together for at least the past 20 years. From left include Nancy Zielonko, manager for 28 years; Chris Ranallo, current assistant manager who will become manager, employee since 1999; Audrey Christopher, head of customer service since 1993; and Teresa Radka, loan officer since 1995.
The financial institution is federally regulated and loans money, and has checking and savings accounts, and other banking services. Because it’s not-for-profit, it doesn’t charge its customers with higher fees, Zielonko said.
While banks have merged and consolidated, often closing offices in smaller towns, Zielonko said Cobblestone Country has grown and solidified its commitment to the county.
The credit union provides loans, from a few hundred dollars, up to a $100,000 home equity project. It doesn’t do mortgages as the originator, but can do other financing.
The local credit union also has its own checking accounts, live banking where deposits are immediately put into accounts, direct deposit and other services.
Chris Ranallo started as an accountant in 1999 at the credit union. She has been the assistant manager and will become the manager after Zielonko retires.
“She is very dedicated and loyal and gets excited about serving everyone and getting them help,” Zielonko said about the new manager.
Zielonko said Ranallo has been a big part of the team at the credit union. She is one of four employees at Cobblestone Country with at least 20 years of service. Audrey Christopher, head of customer service, has worked there 26 years and Teresa Radka has been a loan officer for 24 years.
Zielonko said the dedicated employees and a board of directors have all backed the efforts to add programs at the credit union.
“Here, you’re not just a number or a credit score or a risk score,” she said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 December 2019 at 2:53 pm
The Village of Albion has been awarded a nearly $2 million state grant today, according to announcement from Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
The state Environmental Facilities Corporation has awarded more than $416 million through the Water Infrastructure Improvement Act and the Intermunicipal Water Infrastructure Grant Program to municipalities for infrastructure projects that protect public health or improve water quality.
Albion will receive $1,949,400 or about 60 percent of $3,249,000 project that includes upgrades to the water treatment plant, a pump station and water transmission mains.
The nearby Village of Middleport in Niagara County also was approved for a $137,500 grant towards a $550,000 disinfection project at its sewer plant.
“By investing in improving our state’s water infrastructure, we are laying the foundation for regional growth and prosperity while also protecting our natural resources,” Governor Cuomo said. “These investments in our communities will help ensure residents in every corner of the state have access to safe, clean drinking water, helping to build a stronger New York for all.”
To assist with the cost of installing systems to address emerging contaminants, grants for these projects will no longer be capped at $3 million but will cover 60 percent of total capital project costs. Projects eligible for these grants include those which combat emerging contaminants, such as PFOA, PFOS and 1,4-dioxane, with system upgrades and innovative technologies, Cuomo said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 December 2019 at 4:54 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Albion FFA member Kyle Pappalardo is on a flatbed trailer and handing down a box of eggs to Adam Krenning, the former FFA advisor who helped load and then unload the trailer on Saturday morning during the FFA’s annual food drive.
Local farmers donated 40,000 pounds to the food drive. The food was packed by the FFA students and alumni and then delivered to Community Action of Orleans & Genesee on East State Street.
Michael Bonnewell, the Albion school district superintendent, helps unload the truck on a rainy Saturday.
The 40,000 pounds is a new record for the FFA food drive, up from the 35,000 pounds each of the past two years.
The farms that donated include: Triple G, Panek Farms, Root Brothers, Kludt Brothers, Orleans County Farm Bureau, Nesbitt Fruit Farms, Orchard Dale Fruit, Kreher’s, Martin Farms Inc., Kirby Farms, Call Farms, Partyka Farms, Costanzo’s Bakery, Starowitz, Torrey Farms, L Brooke Farms, Colby Farms, G. Mortellaro & Sons, My-T Acres, Lynn-ette & Sons Inc., and CY Farms.
Jenn Ashbery, the Albion High School principal, carries a box inside Community Action. She helped unload the items on Saturday.
Paige (Levandowski) Hungerford, the Albion FFA advisor, managed the food drive for the first time as the FFA advisor. She was a student in 2010 during the first drive, which yielded 3,000 pounds of produce and was delivered on two pickup trucks.
She said she is amazed how the food drive has grown since then. The goal was always to connect the local farming community to filling a need locally.
The donated food is shared by six local food pantries including the Lord’s House in Waterport, Calvary Tabernacle in Medina, Alabama Full Gospel in Shelby, Eastern Orleans Community Center in Holley, Community Action in Albion and Community Action in Batavia..
The food drive has grown from 3,000 pounds in 2010 to 9,000 pounds in 2011, 17,000 the following year and 19,000 in December 2013. The FFA reached 27,000 pounds in 2014 and reached 30,000 for the first time in 2015. It was at 33,000 pounds in 2016 and hit 35,000 pounds in both 2017 and 2018. This year was the first time it reached 40,000 pounds.
Micah Johnson of Rochester has a dolly cart to move crates of food going to the Lord’s House. The crate containers were donated by Navarra’s Greenhouses in Albion.
“This is a great boost especially this time of the year,” said Angela English of the Lord’s House. “This time of the year is a struggle for many families.”
The Lord’s House had a food pantry open on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and every other Saturday.
FFA member Charley London, center, was among 50 students who helped with the food drive. FFA alumnus Barry Flansburg was among several graduates who helped pack and deliver the food.
Natalie Bertsch, an FFA member, carries boxes of rolls from Costanzo’s Bakery.
Ed Fancher, executive director of Community Action, appreciates the donations from the farmers and the FFA’s efforts in organizing the food drive and delivering the produce.
“I just feel general amazement at the generosity of the farming community and the students who pack the truck,” Fancher said Saturday morning, watching the FFA students unload a flat-bed trailer and other vehicles. “On behalf of the families we serve, thank you.”
State Assemblyman Steve Hawley helps unload the truck.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 December 2019 at 9:32 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Members of Albion High School’s select choirs join with community members in singing Christmas carols during Sunday’s Christmas in the Neighborhood concert at the First Presbyterian Church of Albion.
Sue Thaine, the church’s pastor, directs the group in singing, “O Come All Ye Faithful,” “Deck The Halls,” and “Joy To The World.”
The church hosted the annual Christmas concert that is also a fundraiser for the church and the Albion Alumni Foundation.
A combined community choir sings Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus” to close out the concert on Sunday. The event was postponed two weeks due to bad weather on Dec. 1.
Alec Sherman sings “O Holy Night.” Scott Schmidt plays the organ.
Albion students sing, “Rise Up Shepherd and Follow.”
The Albion High School Percussion Ensemble performs, “We Three Kings Swing.”
Performers at the concert includd Gary Simboli, Gwen Martillotta Ferchen, Mike Thaine, Kailey Winans, Travis Klossner, Eric Deiboldt, Janet Miller, Mike Grammatico, Kyle Thaine, Karen Kenney Conn, Shannon Broda, Alec Sherman, the Albion High School Percussion Ensemble (led by Mike Thaine), Albion High School Select Choirs (led by Gary Simboli), Community Brass Ensemble, Community Christmas Choir, What About Jane, and a trio that included Aleka Schmidt, Sue Boring and Sue Thaine.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 December 2019 at 10:20 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The Grinch was a greeter at 39 Problems on Saturday as part of Albion’s Hometown Holiday.
The Grinch is Chet Kwiatkowski. He is pictured with his granddaughter Myleigh Miller, grandson Garrett Miller, and daughter Erica Miller.
39 Problems would later host an ugly sweater contest.
The Albion Merchants Association had many activities in the downtown as part of the annual Hometown Holiday.
Paula Brooks, a vendor at the Downtown Browsery, dressed up as Sparkles the Elf. Many of the stores had opportunities to make Christmas cookies, write letters to Santa, make ornaments and sample holiday treats.
Nathaniel Staines, an Albion police officer, joined children and families in a coloring contest at the Albion Village Hall. Police officers were on hand to share coffee, doughnuts and pizza.
Saturday there was also a benefit by Red Check Rustic for Lisa Wilson and her family. Wilson recently suffered three strokes and is recovering at Unity Hospital in Rochester. The benefit included 105 baskets that were raffled from the second floor of the Pratt Building.
Debbie Prest, second from left, was one of the main organizers of the benefit. She is pictured from left with June Wilson (Lisa’s mother-in-law), Terri Drennan and Lynn Burgess. Lisa’s son Damian, a senior at Albion, is at far left. Lisa also has a son Drake with her husband Chad.
The two went to Albion school together and have stayed in Albion. Lisa works for ESL in Rochester after working about 20 years in Albion at the site that has been Dime Bank, Washington Mutual, Chase and CRFS.
Her husband thanked the community for its support, and the organizers of Saturday’s benefit.
Provided photo: Tinsel hosted a Christmas painting with Santa in the morning and later showed holiday movies and did cookie decorating.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 December 2019 at 9:37 am
Food will be delivered to Community Action this morning
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Albion FFA students load a flatbed trailer this morning with produce donated by local farmers. This is the FFA’s 10thannual food drive. Last year there was 35,000 pounds delivered to Community Action.
There isn’t a final tally available yet today, but FFA members said it looks like there is more food this year.
Paige Derisley, left, and Meganne Moore carry crates of carrots from the ag shop. Many of the FFA students arrived at 6:30 this morning for the big effort.
Paige (Levandowski) Hungerford, lower left, is the FFA advisor this year. She was a student in 2010 when the FFA organized the first food drive. They filled four pickup trucks with food the first year. Now the fill a long flatbed trailer and other vehicles.
Barry Flansburg, a member of the Albion FFA Alumni, helps with the food packing this morning. He is moving a bin of squash.
David Bertsch, right, and Patricia Levandowski (Paige Hungerford’s mother), help with the packing this morning.
The FFA students fill bags with squash and other produce which is headed to Community Kitchen and other local food pantries.
(Click here to see a video of the students loading up the flatbed trailer with produce.)
Provided photos: These dancers will be performing Saturday at Gotta Dance by Miss Amy on East Bank Street in Albion, where many performers from the community will be doing three shows for the ninth annual Nicholas Kovaleski Hometown Christmas. These dancers include, from left: Evee Heinsler, Sierra Kast, Gina Sidari and Miranda Gebo.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 December 2019 at 4:59 pm
ALBION – It will be a busy weekend in Albion with many events to celebrate Christmas and the holiday season.
After a taking a break last year, Gotta Dance by Miss Amy has put together the ninth show for Nicholas Kovaleski Hometown Christmas. It features many dancers, singers and some comedy in three shows – noon, 3 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. The later show is already sold out. (Click here for ticket ionfromation.)
Amy Sidari is the organizer of the event at her dance studio and cabaret at 28 West Bank St. The Nicholas Kovaleski Hometown Christmas is a showcase of community talent, and also has raised about $20,000 for a scholarship in memory of Nicholas Kovaleski. The scholarships are given annually to graduating high school seniors who “Live with Purpose.”
Nicholas inspired the Albion community with his valiant fight against leukemia. He passed away at age 15 on June 29, 2011. He was a popular student at Albion, excelling at football, swimming and tennis.
These children, ages 5 to 16, practice the opening number for the Nicholas Kovaleski Hometown Christmas. Amy Sidari, owner of Gotta Dance by Miss Amy, said the opening number begins the show with “unbeatable energy and joy.”
The Albion Merchants Association also has many activities planned in the downtown on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. with a coloring contest, bake sale, brunch with the Grinch, caroling, donuts and pizza with the Police Department, letters to Santa, Christmas movies, cookie decorating, watercolor painting and an ugly sweater party.
Click here to see the full schedule from the Merchants Association.
Sunday the First Presbyterian Church is hosting the annual Home for the Holidays Christmas concert at 3 p.m. The concert is organized by the Albion Alumni Association and includes Albion students and adults from the community, including an 80-person community choir.
Tickets are $5 with the proceeds going towards scholarships for Albion High School seniors.
Performers at the concert include Gary Simboli, Gwen Martillotta Ferchen, Mike Thaine, Kailey Winans, Travis Klossner, Eric Deiboldt, Janet Miller, Mike Grammatico, Kyle Thaine, Karen Kenney Conn, Shannon Broda, Alec Sherman, the Albion High School Percussion Ensemble (led by Mike Thaine), Albion High School Select Choirs (led by Gary Simboli), Community Brass Ensemble, Community Christmas Choir and a trio that includes Aleka Schmidt, Sue Boring and Sue Thaine.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 December 2019 at 5:56 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The Village of Albion has a new vacuum truck from the Vactor that will be used when there are waterline breaks, plugged sewers and other work on the water and sewer lines.
Jay Pahura, Albion’s superintendent of the Department of Public Works, shows the new truck to Mayor Eileen Banker, State Sen. Robert Ortt and one of Ortt’s staff members.
Ortt and his office helped secure $300,000 in state funding for the $380,000 vacuum truck. It replaces a Vactor from 2003 that has been declared surplus and will be sold.
Albion will use the vacuum truck to assist other nearby municipalities if they have waterline breaks or clogged sewers. Medina and Carlton also have vacuum trucks in the county.
Mayor Eileen Banker, DPW Superintendent Jay Pahura and State Sen. Robert Ortt are pictured today with a new Vactor in the Albion DPW garage on Washington Street. Ortt is giving Pahura the keys to the vehicle.
Albion applied for the funding through the State and Municipal Facilities Capital Funding Program or SAM. Once the money was approved by Ortt and the State Legislature, the village needed to work with the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York.
State Sen. Ortt said the vacuum truck would have been costly for village taxpayers to pay for on their own. He said it is an ideal project for the SAM grants, especially because Albion will use the Vactor to assist other municipalities.
Ortt praised the DPW and highway workers would are often out in extreme cold or heat to fix waterline breaks or clogged sewers and culverts.
“They’re out there doing the work when it is 20 degrees and the water is flying,” Ortt said.
Ortt, who is no longer in the majority conference in the State Senate, said he has less funding than he did when Republicans were in control. He still urged local municipalities to seek SAM funding by identifying needed projects or capital expenses.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 December 2019 at 12:25 pm
ALBION – The Town Board on Monday gave final approval to set a 15-ton weight limit on Gaines Basin Road. The weight limit includes the section of Gaines Basin from the south entrance of Walmart, going south to the Barre townline, which is between West County House Road and Route 31A (West Lee Road).
Town Highway Superintendent Michael Neidert pushed for the weight limit because he said many big trucks and tractor trailers were using Gaines Basin to bypass going through the village.
Neidert said routes 98 and 31 are better suited for the heavy truck traffic.
The town had a public hearing on the weight limit in November. Albion previously didn’t have a weight limit for the road. Neidert said keeping the heavy trucks off Gaines Basin Road will help the road to last longer without needing major maintenance.
