Albion man created Santa Claus School and Christmas Park

This photo shows Charles W. Howard with a Santa at Christmas Park in Albion. Howard operated the Park and a school for Santa Claus in Albion until his death on May 1, 1966.

ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature wants to dedicate Route 31 in the Town of Albion in memory of Charles W. Howard, an Albion native who ran a Santa School from 1937 until his death in 1966.

The Legislature on Wednesday passed a formal resolution in support of naming a section of the road in honor of Howard. The matter requires the support of the State Legislature and the signature of the governor.

“Mr. Howard brought national acclaim to himself and his home town by establishing the world’s first Santa Claus School,” according to the County Legislature’s resolution.

Howard also established Christmas Park in Albion on Phipps Road near Route 31. He portrayed Santa in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade in New York City for 18 years.

He developed the Santa School after noticing many Santas didn’t have training, and didn’t always interact with children well or meet a standard for dress. He established decorum for Santas and his Santa Claus suits became popular.

Howard remains a revered figure among the Santa portrayers world-wide. They have an annual conference, which twice in the past decade has been in Albion.

The Santa school is now in Midland, Mich., and it continues in Howard’s name.

The Legislature was going to vote on the resolution for Howard last month but tabled the vote until it had a response from Howard’s family, on whether they approved of honoring Howard with the signage and dedication.

Jane Holland, Charles Howard’s granddaughter, sent an email on July 31 to Joe Gehl, one of the directors of the Albion Betterment Committee. The Betterment Committee has stepped up efforts to recognize Howard’s role in the community. The Betterment Committee has put up a gateway sign on Route 98, declaring Albion as Howard’s hometown. The group also has “BELIEVE” signs in the community and is working on a memorial bronze statue of Howard in downtown Albion.

Holland said the family endorses having Route 31 be dedicated for Howard, who was a farmer and active in the community as a volunteer, in addition to running Christmas Park and training Santas at the school.

“Grampa was a humble man of little means but a big heart and a giving, caring soul,” she said in her email. “To see him honored on his beloved trail to and from the town – the family still today cherishes and welcomes its comfort when we visit – would be a great privilege.”

She thanked the Betterment Committee and other community for their interest in preserving Albion’s heritage.

Albion students in 2015 unveiled an interpretive panel about Charles Howard near his grave at Mount Albion Cemetery. The panel shares lots of information about Howard, who was also a farmer and a toymaker with a flair for the dramatic. He was part of community efforts to build a model of Niagara Falls with 10,000 gallons of sweet cider in 1928. He also helped make a 12-foot-wide apple pie in 1929 and a create a 14-foot-high cake that weighed 3.5 tons.

The full resolution from the Legislature states:

“SUPPORTING DEDICATION OF A PORTION OF NYS ROUTE 31 WHICH PASSES THROUGH THE TOWN OF ALBION IN MEMORY OF CHARLES W. HOWARD

WHEREAS, Mr. Charles W. Howard was a resident of the Town of Albion for his entire life; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Howard was proud of his home town, county and country; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Howard brought national acclaim to himself and his home town by establishing the world’s first Santa Claus School; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Howard portrayed Santa Claus in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade for 18 years;

WHEREAS, Mr. Howard passed away in 1966 without receiving from his local neighbors the proper recognition he deserved; and

WHEREAS, the Town of Albion and the Village of Albion have both adopted similar resolutions in support of this request; and

WHEREAS, Jane Holland (granddaughter of Charles W. Howard) on behalf of the Howard family, has sent an e-mail message approving of and thanking us for so honoring Mr. Howard in this fashion; and

WHEREAS, the ALBION BETTERMENT COMMITTEE (a not-for-profit charitable organization which was formed in 2003 with the intent to promote the area’s natural assets and to set the area apart from every other community in the country) is asking support to dedicate a portion of the NYS Route 31 in Memory of Charles W. Howard; now be it

RESOLVED, that the Orleans County Legislature supports the Albion Betterment Committee in their request to the State of New York to have a portion of State Route 31 – when entering the Town of Albion (Northwest corner of Transit Road from the east to Southeast corner of Wood Road from the west) to be dedicated in Charles W. Howard’s name, subject to permission from the Howard Family; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Legislature supports signage to be placed along that portion of Route 31 to read:

THIS SECTION OF NEW YORK STATE ROUTE 31 (PASSING THROUGH THE TOWN OF ALBION) IS DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF CHARLES W. HOWARD, A LOCAL FARMER WHO FOUNDED THE WORLD’S FIRST SANTA CLAUS SCHOOL.”

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Photos  by Tom Rivers

ALBION – A group of volunteers spent a few hours this morning at Bullard Park, working on the field that has been off limits for home games so far this season for the youth football teams.

Mark and Tom Keeler of Barre Stone Products donated about 20 tons of topsoil had it delivered it for free to the park. Today, a group of coaches and parents of the players put the dirt on some of the uneven spots on the field and also filled in ruts.

The Albion Youth Sports Athletic Program had to move its home games about two weeks ago, but should be able to play the rest of their home games this season at Bullard, starting on Saturday versus Holley.

The group of volunteers raked the dirt in low spots on the field. Jeff Gifaldi came later and used a roller to smooth it out and compact the soil.

The volunteers were at the field starting at 8 a.m. and worked until about noon.

Some of the volunteers include Tim Monaghan, Eric Jones, Joe Fuller, Rocky Sidari, Geno Allport, Tim McMurray, Bryden McMurray, Ron Croft, John Livingston, Scott Snook, Brian Schomske and Matthew Schomske. Ralph Messura and Lewis Turner also brought over equipment to move the dirt from a pile on the side of the field. Otherwise, it would have been many wheelbarrow loads and might have taken all day.

Lewis Turner uses a Kubota to haul the dirt. Tim McMurray, right center, was among the group of volunteers helping to get the field ready for the youth football teams.

The AYSAP program includes about 100 kids, ages 6 to 14, in four teams of football and cheerleading.

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Photos by Tom Rivers

HOLLEY – The Albion Lions Club celebrated its 95^th anniversary with a dinner on Saturday evening at Hickory Ridge Golf Resort.

Ron Albertson, a past president of the club and current vice president, is shown speaking during the dinner.

Other people at the head table include, from left: Lloyd Wright, club treasurer; Kevin Howard, the club’s tail twister; Howard’s wife, Vicki; Dee Robinson; Bill Robinson, club president and Dee’s husband; District Governor Rick Whitney; Whitney’s wife, Lois; Ron Albertson; and Ron’s wife, Jill.

Albertson said the Lions Club has many long-term dedicated members and also recently has welcomed several new ones.

District Governor Rick Whitney, right, congratulates Bill Robinson, Albion Lions Club president, on the club’s 95^th anniversary.

The club currently has 22 members. They are active in the annual Rock the Park music fest, which raises funds for Bullard Park. The Albion Lions also gives out scholarships to graduating seniors, sponsors a youth baseball team and works on other community projects, raising money with a sausage booth at the Strawberry Festival, and by selling roses on Mother’s Day and geraniums during Memorial Day.

Rick Whitney, the district governor, is also the Allegany County sheriff. He has been a Lions Club member for 36 years. He urged people to volunteer in some way through community service.

“There are so many people out there who need our help,” he said. “It doesn’t have to be the Lions Club. It can be any community service.”

The club in Albion is the second oldest in the region between Niagara Falls and Rochester. Only the Lions Club in Rochester predates the club in Albion.

The Lions organization started in 1917 and has grown to 1.4 million members in 48,000 clubs in more than 200 countries.

Sarah Gardner, a member of the Hickory Ridge staff, cuts the celebratory cake for the Lions Club. Jill Albertson is at left.

What About Jane provided the musical entertainment during the celebration. The band includes, from left: Tom Smith, Ronda Smith, Jan Erakare and Gary Smith. Tom and Gary are brothers and Ronda is married to Gary Smith.

The Rev. Wilfred Moss, a past president of the Lions Club and a member since 1997, leads the group in a closing prayer during the Club’s 95th anniversary celebration.

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Event raises $1K for Warrior House in Shelby

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The Albion Canalside Super Cruise drew a crowd to downtown Albion on Saturday. A section of the street was blocked off to traffic for a car show that included about 75 vehicles.

The event was also a fundraiser for the Warrior House and raised $1,000 for the organization that provides a hunting retreat in Shelby to veterans and their families.

Three members of a Pin Ups for a Cause attended the event and sold 50/50 raffle tickets and met members of the public. Kimmy-Sue (Kim Cich) of Cowlesville in Wyoming County, right, is the national founder of Pin Ups for a Cause. She is pictured with Baloo, the group’s popular bulldog mascot. Catherine Fox of Albion, center, and Jessica Carlson of Arcade also are members of the group which has about 50 members in Western New York. They attend about 200 events a year to help raise money for veterans’ causes.

Anthony Disanferdinando, left, and Thomas Harrington perform with the band, Veterans of Bad Presidents.

A 1951 Mercury Convertible owned by Lorrie and Kevin Hafner was among the cars on display in the Super Cruise.

What About Jane also performed from a trailer in front of the Main Street and State Street intersection. The band includes, from left: Tom Smith, Jan Erakare, Ronda Smith and Gary Smith.

The 1952 Chevrolet is owned by Eleni Dudley.

Pin Ups for a Cause members Catherine Fox, right, and Jessica Carlson said they like the vintage clothing styles from the 1940s and ’50s, and also are happy to volunteer with the organization that assists veterans.

Baloo, a rescue dog with a back leg amputated, was a friendly greeter at the Super Cruise. Baloo has his own Facebook page.

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Medina hosts ‘Super Cruise’ on Wednesday

File photo by Tom Rivers: There were many cars in downtown Albion for a car show on July 22, 2017.

ALBION – There will be big cars show today in Albion and Wednesday in Medina with Main Street block off for the events.

Albion will host its car show today from 4 to 8 p.m. with Main Street blocked off between State Street and Caroline Street, beginning at 3 p.m.

There is a $10 registration fee for cars, trucks, Jeeps and motorcycles to be in the show, with the proceeds from the event to be donated to the Warrior House, a retreat site for veterans in Shelby. The public is welcome to attend the car show for free.

There will be an opening ceremony with the Honor Guard from the American Legion at 4 p.m.

What About Jane will perform from 4 to 5 p.m., with Veterans of Bad Presidents, a blues band, playing from 5 to 7 p.m.

The group, Pin Ups for a Cause, also will be at the car show. They are dressed in 1940’s/1950’s outfits. They will bring their popular bulldog mascot, “Baloo.”

Medina will host its Super Cruise on Wednesday, when a section of Main Street is closed for the cars and there is lots of entertainment. Terry Buchwald, an Elvis Presley impersonator, will be back to perform on a stage in the downtown for that event.

The street will be blocked off beginning at 3 p.m. with the show going from 5:30 to 8 p.m.

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Photo by Tom Rivers: The Pillars on West Countyhouse Road in Albion is the focus of the Aug. 28 episode of the Ghost Hunters.

ALBION – The popular Ghost Hunters television series on Aug. 28 will feature The Pillars in Albion. Orleans Hub last week reported the season premiere of Ghost Hunters tonight would focus on The Pillars.

The episode tonight will highlight Pocatello High School in Idaho.

The paranormal detectors the following week will feature the estate on West Countyhouse Road in Albion, as they try to find evidence of “the lady in the window” who seems to appear in some photographs, looking out from the attic.

A crew of about 25 spent two weeks at The Pillars and in the Albion community in May.

Tony McMurtie, owner of The Pillars, said he had lots of questions for the Ghost Hunters. He was stunned by their discoveries, although he said he can’t discuss it publicly.

“When you see this episode it will blow your mind away,” he said.

The Ghost Hunters initially ran for 11 seasons on SyFy from 2004 to 2016. It is now on A&E.

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Photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Karol Hughes, president of the Albion Police Benevolent Association, on Monday evening presented a check for $500 to the Albion Youth Sports Athletic Program. Geno Allport, right, is commissioner of AYSAP, which includes about 100 kids, ages 6 to 14 in four teams of football and cheerleading. Johnathan Eibl, second from left, and Mason Lynch are both 8^th-graders on the varsity football team in AYSAP.

Hughes said the Albion PBA wanted to donate to a local organization that works with youth. The PBA has a dozen members in the Albion Police Department.

Allport said the donation would likely be used for equipment. He said new helmets are $150 each. AYSAP charges families $125 to be on a team. The program also is looking to refurbish the pads on the blocking sleds.

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Photo courtesy of Hoag Library

ALBION – Buffalo and Brandy performed on Thursday at Hoag Library to wrap up the summer reading program at the library, which had a theme, A Universe of Stories.

The total attendance for the summer reading programs was 1,868, including 84 at the wrap-up party on Thursday.

There were 266 participants in the summer reading program, from young children to adults, said Teresa Gaylard, Hoag’s children’s librarian.

The young children completed 503 literacy activities, while kids read for 1,499 hours and adults finished 276 books.

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Photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION – An inspector stands in a culvert and watches the Orleans County Highway Department and the Town of Albion Highway Department put in and compact fill material this morning.

The inspector is making sure the material is properly compacted and done at the same time on each side of the culvert on Clarendon Road.

A section of Clarendon Road was closed on July 8 and should reopen in late August in time for the new school year.

Andy Morrison of the Orleans County Highway Department operates a Vibratory Roller to compact a crusher run material for the new culvert on Clarendon Road.

The town was awarded a $174,000 Bridge NY grant to cover 100 percent of the project’s costs. However, the construction bids for the project were way over that cost, with the low bid $130,000 over budget.

The town was looking to replace the culvert with a 3-sided precast concrete culvert. The County Highway Department, now led by John Papponetti, re-evaluated the project to see if the costs could be lowered. Papponetti is an engineer.

Papponetti and the Labella Associates engineering firm determined an arch pipe would work for the culvert. That was significantly less money.

The town and county highway employees do the labor-intensive work of compacting the fill material. It needs to be compacting at the same rate at each side of the culvert. If not, there is a chance the arch pipe could be distorted.

The town was awarded the Bridge NY grant back in January 2017. Mike Neidert, the town highway superintendent, said he appreciates the assistance from the county in getting the project done under budget.

“The county highway has been great,” Neidert.

The state grant will pay the county’s personnel and equipment costs, and also for the town’s material costs. The county has had three people assigned to the project, with the compaction today requiring a bigger crew from the county as well as three town highway workers. All of the labor costs for the town and county will be reimbursed through the Bridge NY grant.

The arch pipe is 128 inches wide at its peak and 83 inches high at the peak. It moves water from the west branch of Sandy Creek.

“There are times when you get a lot of flow through there,” Neidert said.

The section of Clarendon Road will be reopened in time for school in early September.

This is the second big culvert project the County Highway Department has completed. Last year, the Highway Department put in a new concrete culvert on Culvert Road in Ridgeway. Click here for more information on that project.

Papponetti said the county would like to work with local municipalities to put in one of two culverts each year. That way the infrastructure work continues to go forward, especially when it can be difficult to secure state and federal funding for projects.

A successful Albion project, getting done on time and under budget, should help the local communities stand out in applying for bridge and culvert grants, Papponetti said.

“These projects are graded on your ability to deliver them on budget, and on schedule,” he said.

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Photo by Tom Rivers: A sign says the Peebles in Albion is closing but the store is actually changing over to a Gordmans, which is expected in early 2020.

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.

Gordmans and Peebles are both owned by Stage Stores. Stage bought Gordmans in April 2017.

The Albion store has a big banner announcing the store is closing. It is actually going to switch over to a Gordmans, which might not happen until January or February, employees said.

Peebles uses 16,240 square feet of the Route 31 plaza, which also includes Save-A-Lot and the Dollar Tree.

Peebles has been a mainstay in the Albion plaza since 2007.

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ALBION – Charging stations for electric cars in the downtown business district could draw visitors to Albion, project an image of a progressive community, and also would be good for the environment, the Albion Village Board was told on Wednesday.

Representatives from the Albion Betterment Community said they want to put a dual-port charging station at the village-owned parking lot just north of the Presbyterian Church on Main Street.

The station would be mounted on a pedestal and could charge two vehicles at a time.

The state is offering incentives up to $4,000 per port or $8,000 for a dual station. That should be enough for the full cost of acquiring the station, Betterment Committee co-directors Joe Gehl and Gary Derwick told the Village Board.

The Albion Betterment is willing to front the money and wait for the reimbursement through the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.

Gehl and Derwick asked the Village Board for assistance in installing the station, with the DPW putting in a concrete pad for the station and the village then assuming the ongoing electric bills.

The ABC met with Brockport village officials recently, where there are four charging stations that result in a $140 monthly bill, Gehl said.

The stations help local merchants because electric car owners will visit businesses and local sites while their cars are being charged.

“Business owners are looking for help on bringing people in,” Derwick told the board. “While they are getting their cars charged, they are looking for things to do.”

The Betterment Committee also urged the Albion Village Board to pursue a second charging station through the NYSERDA program. That would result in four stations total in the downtown, with two ports on each site.

That village station could be near the canal or another location to be determined.

The state has $5 million in incentives through NYSERDA for the stations and about half the money remains available, Gehl said.

Mayor Eileen Banker said she wanted to check with Brockport officials first about the ongoing cost of the electric stations and if they have been an asset to the business district.

Banker and other village trustees were open to the electric stations. Banker said it might be better to do one first at the village-owned lot by the church and then pursue a second dual-port station.

Trustee Stan Farone said it might be better to pursue two locations while the state is offering the incentives. He said electric cars are an emerging technology that isn’t going away.

Banker said she would check with the village’s grant writer, Jean O’Connell and Associates, about preparing an application.

“If the money is available through NYSERDA, why not go for it?” she said.

Two village trustees, Stan Farone and Gary Katsanis, will work with the Betterment Committee to work on the issue.

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