By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 October 2019 at 2:37 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Where’s Waldo? Today he is on East State Street in Albion, between the Orleans County Courthouse and the Albion Free Methodist Church. He has already been in several spots in Albion the past week.
Waldo was created by Matt Hand, his wife Crystal and their daughters. The Hands each year have created a scarecrow for Albion’s scarecrow contest in the downtown. Last year they made a Pennywise scarecrow from the movie It. The first year for scarecrow in 2016, the Hands made a witch hanging sideways from the light pole on Main Street.
The family helped organize the scarecrow contest for the Albion Merchants Association about a week ago.
Last year, Pennywise was moved around town and Matt wanted a traveling scarecrow again this year.
Waldo isn’t just roaming a few blocks. He has been in the downtown, on Route 31 and near Walmart before his stop by the Courthouse today.
Matt said he wanted a friendlier scarecrow this year that schoolkids could look for on their bus rides.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 October 2019 at 9:25 am
East High students visit local dairy farm, Mount Albion
Provided photos
ALBION – These East High students from Rochester met some of the farm animals at Poverty Hill Farms in Albion on Wednesday. The Neal family gave students a tour of the dairy farm, which also has some pigs. The students were also offered ice cream.
The East High students visited Albion in a cultural exchange program that has been going on for the past decade through the Rotary Interact Club. A group of Albion students will spend a day later this school year at East High School.
The Rochester students also spent part of the day at Charles D’Amico High School in Albion and went to Mount Albion Cemetery, where they climbed the Civil War memorial tower.
Tim Archer, Interact Club advisor in Albion, said the cultural exchange days help the Rochester and Albion students learn from each other and get past stereotypes of life in rural and urban areas.
The East High and Albion students are pictured with some of the farm machinery at Poverty Hill Farms on West County House Road.
Jody Neal, one of the farm co-owners, leads the group through one of the barns for the cows.
Jody Neal gives the students a tour of the milking parlor.
An East High student befriends one of the calves at the dairy farm.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 October 2019 at 11:37 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Gary Rowley of the Barre Volunteer Fire Company helps Boyd, a kindergarten student, spray water at a target this morning outside the Ronald L. Sodoma Elementary School.
Barre, Albion and Carlton firefighters led students on several stations to learn about the different equipment, tools and apparatus firefighters used to respond to emergency calls.
The visit from the firefighters caps fire prevention week. Firefighters also have a contest to emphasis fire prevention. One student from each grade will be picked (from PreK through grade 5) to ride to school in a fire truck. One student will be selected from each grade who creates the best poster or display about fire prevention.
Students check out the rescue boat for the Carlton Volunteer Fire Company.
Carlton firefighters Ryan Woolston, center, and Ferdinando Papalia, left, talk about the rescue boat and also the rescue truck and some of the tools on each one. Woolston told the students the rescue truck is used to go in the woods for some calls, and also has extrication equipment to help people trapped in a car accident.
Barre firefighter Mark Farone assists Nova, a kindergartener, in spraying the water from a hose.
Fred Piano of the Albion Fire Department gives students a tour of the ladder truck. The students were able to climb inside the truck.
File photo by Tom Rivers: Make-A-Wish and Bears Playgrounds unveiled this new playground for the Webb family in Albion on Jan. 19, 2017. This group includes, from left: Bears Playgrounds supervising foreman James Macwhorter, Tyler Angarano from Bears, Jon Langfitt from Make-A-Wish, Beth Webb, Elaina Webb, Kyle Webb, Lori Lund from Make-A-Wish, and James Dersam from Bears.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 October 2019 at 10:18 pm
ALBION – An Albion family which received a new playground in their backyard in January 2017 has donated the setup to Bullard Park.
The Albion Village Board accepted the donation this evening. The playground will go at the Pee Wee Park section of Bullard, which is for smaller children.
Bears Playgrounds in Lima constructed the playground in January 2017. The company will relocate the playground to Bullard.
Beth and Kyle Webb are giving the village the playground. It was built for their late daughter, Elaina Webb, who was 2 ½ when she passed away from cancer on Feb. 7, 2017, less than a month after the playground was constructed.
Make-A-Wish worked with Bears Playgrounds to build the playground made of northern cider white logs. It has four slides, two bridges, swings and other equipment.
Elaina Webb, 2 ½ in January 2017, is shown with her father Kyle Webb and older brother Colin after a new playground was in the family’s backyard on Herrick Street in Albion.
Elaina fought acute myeloid leukemia for about nine months. She received three rounds of chemo and a bone marrow transplant.
Beth Webb said the family appreciates the support of the local small town while they were caring for their daughter.
“We would like to donate it to Bullard so the community that took care of us can have something from her,” Beth Webb told the Village Board this evening.
She said Bears Playgrounds will continue to honor the warranty on the playground.
Mayor Eileen Banker thanked the Webb family for giving the village the playground. She said a plaque will note it was given in honor of Elaina Webb.
Photo by Tom Rivers: The Kentucky Fried Chicken is pictured today at 172 South Main St. The restaurant will be open for a final day on Thursday.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 October 2019 at 2:35 pm
ALBION – The Kentucky Fried Chicken in Albion will close after 11 p.m. on Thursday, its final day of business.
KFC opened on June 27, 2012. George Hsiao is owner of the plaza where KFC is located and is the franchisee through KFC. He is battling an illness and can’t continue in the role, prompting the KFC to close.
Sandra Chappius is a managing partner of the restaurant with Hsiao. She also runs Chap’s Elba Diner and a catering business. She doesn’t want to become the franchisee for the KFC in Albion, which would require a bigger time and financial commitment.
“It’s not a failure and it’s not going bankrupt,” Chappius said today. “We have very good customers and I love the people who work there. They are a wonderful, wonderful crew.”
The KFC has 11 employees. Chappius said they are hard workers.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 October 2019 at 12:01 pm
ALBION – The school district has shortage of substitute teachers and substitute teachers’ aides, an issue that is prevalent throughout the region, said Michael Bonnewell, the district superintendent.
The Board of Education wants to see the extent of the problem of Albion, and asked Bonnewell to put together a report for how often substitutes are unavailable as teachers and aides.
Bonnewell said a tight labor market with a low unemployment has made it challenging for districts to have enough substitutes.
“The reality is there are not enough people signing up to be substitutes,” Bonnewell said at Monday’s Board of Education meeting. “People are employed so they’re not waiting for their phone to ring for a job.”
The issue was raised at Monday’s board meeting when the board followed the Albion Teachers Association in agreeing to modify the ATA contract with the district. The change will allow teachers to put off contractual prep time during the school day to fill in where a substitute teacher or aide is needed. The teachers will be paid $25 per hour when they give up the prep time during the school day.
Albion has boosted the sub pay in recent years. The district has raised the hourly pay for teacher aides from $10.40 an hour in 2017-18, to $11.10 an hour last school year to $11.80 in 2019-20, partly to reflect rising minimum wage rates.
Certified substitutes are paid $100 a day this year, the same as in 2018-19. The year before that, certified subs were paid $95. Noncertified substitutes are paid $5 less per day.
Kathy Harling, the Board of Education president, said the district should consider adding more teachers’ aides.
Bonnewell said a full-time aide cost about $50,000 with benefits, salary and retirement, and that would only fill one aide. He said there are usually three or four substitute teacher aides needed each school day.
In addition to the report about percentage of unfilled classes that need substitutes, the board wants to see the attendance overall rates for teachers and teachers’ aides. Higher attendance from staff would also reduce the need for substitutes, board members said.
Photo by Tom Rivers: The Albion football field and track facility is pictured at sunset on Monday evening.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 October 2019 at 9:21 am
ALBION – The school district has reversed a trend this year with enrollment. After steadily declining the past 20 years, the enrollment is up in 2019-2020 – by two students.
Albion has 1,865 students in prekindergarten through grades 12 this school year, compared to 1,863 in 2018-19.
School districts do an enrollment count that is reported to the State Education Department the first Wednesday in October.
There are currently 544 students in the high school, 427 in the middle school, and 894 in the elementary school, Michael Bonnewell, district superintendent, reported to the Board of Education.
“It’s the first time we haven’t had it down in many years so that’s a positive,” Bonnewell said.
There are 122 other students in the district this school year, including 55 who are home schooled, 23 in private schools, 22 at schools for students with disabilities, 10 in BOCES placements, 8 children in foster care attending other schools, and 4 students attending other nearby local public schools.
The school enrollment is down about 1,000 students in the past 20 years. The district topped 2,800 students 20 years ago
In other action at Monday’s board meeting:
• Two high school students were recognized by principal Jennifer Ashbury. Kaitlyn Ramirez received a character award, while Yeshua Robles Nunez was presented with the leadership award.
• The district highlighted School Board Recognition Week on Oct. 21-25 and acknowledged the service of the nine volunteers on the Albion Board of Education.
David Sidari is beginning his 21st year on the board. Other board members and their length of service include: Margy Brown, 12th year; Chantelle Sacco, 5th year; Kathy Harling, third year; Wayne Wadhams, third year; Elissa Nesbitt, second year; Linda Weller, first year (served a previous five-year term); Gregg Boose, Sr., first year; and Joyce Riley, first year (served previously on the board).
• Approved the Lakeshore Property Maintenance in Waterport as the contractor for snow removal and ice control at a guaranteed minimum of $41,000, which is about $20,000 less than the district paid last year for a different contractor.
• Accepted donations from the Emma Reid Webster Foundation valued at $285 for the school nurses offices, including head lice kits/shampoo, boys and girls underwear, socks and jogging pants.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 October 2019 at 8:18 pm
Provided photos
ALBION – The homecoming court was announced Friday during a pep rally at the high school.
Pictured form left include freshmen Amari Jones (Lord) and Ryan Olles (Lady), sophomores Jeffrey Brown (Duke) and Charley London (Duchess), juniors Josh Depoty (Prince) and Bryne Dysard (Princess), and seniors Chase Froman (King) and Alaina Fleming (Queen).
The seniors won the spirit stick, with the juniors winning the hall decorating contest.
The class of 2020 kept up an annual tradition by forming the number of their class on the grass near the football, while most of the class members wore the school colors.
There are five sets of twins in this year’s senior class. They include, from left: Breanda Johnson, Briliance Johnson, Abbie Pappalardo, Kyle Pappalardo, Patrick Ricker, Laiken Ricker, Kendall Derisley, Paige Derisley, Colby Ferchen and Masey Ferchen.
Photo by Tom Rivers: The pep band added to the fun during Friday’s homecoming game, when the Purple Eagles won big over Olean. Many alumni returned to play in the band.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 October 2019 at 9:41 am
Provided photos
ALBION – The Class of 2019 unveiled a memorial bench on Saturday in honor of their classmate, Brennan Moody, who died in a car accident on June 18.
Class President Mckenna Boyer and Treasurer Kirk Ellison sit on the bench that is outside the high school between the band and chorus rooms. Brennan was very active in the school’s music programs and spent a lot of time in both the band and chorus rooms.
The bench includes lyrics from song, “No One Is Alone” from Into the Woods. Brennan played the role of the prince in that show o the Albion stage last spring.
“Brennan was a musician and a performer,” Boyer said at the bench’s unveiling. “But most of all he was a wonderful friend. He had a way of quietly – or not so quietly – reaching out when people needed him most. We wanted the bench to share his love of music but also to share a little bit about his character.”
Boyer said school officials helped to find the “perfect bench.” She thanked Michael Bonnewell, the district superintendent; Gary Simboli, high school vocal teacher and musical director; and Diane Stirk, the deputy tax collector for their help with the bench.
“We hope this bench will be enjoyed by students and the community for years to come,” Boyer said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 October 2019 at 11:38 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Angie Wolfe makes a scarecrow with her son Caleb, and friend Brynn Dugan during the Albion Fall Festival on Saturday.
The Albion Merchants Association organized the event, which included many craft and food venders, and family activities.
Community members made 34 scarecrows that will be displayed in the downtown, with possibly more in the works.
This scarecrow of a cowgirl will be up this month. This is the fourth annual scarecrow contest. People can vote for their favorite scarecrows. Ballots are at Krantz Furniture and the Downtown Browsery. Votes will be accepted until Oct. 18. The winning scarecrows will be announced during Beggars’ Night on Oct. 25, when candy will be given out in the downtown.
Laura Lechner, left, and her son, Gavin O’Brocta, of Albion make a scarecrow with help from Kim Remley, who helped to organize the scarecrow station.
April Henchen of Albion made this scarecrow of “Mr. Bones.”
Jason Jones of Albion works hard at making the scarecrow, “Anna Crew.”
More scarecrows are welcome for the downtown display. Contact Village Trustee Stan Farone if you have a scarecrow to enter in the contest. His number is (585) 590-1021.
Kendall and Medina also had scarecrow festivals on Saturday.
A balloon artist was busy during the Fall Festival.
Liz Groat, president of the Downtown Browsery, peers through the cutout of a pumpkin outside the Browsery, which had wine-tasting for adults and games available for children.
Photos courtesy of Tim Archer: Charles D. Harris received a new headstone in the summer at Mount Albion Cemetery that notes he is a Medal of Honor recipient.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 October 2019 at 11:58 am
The original gravestone for Harris did not include a notation that he was a Medal of Honor recipient.
ALBION – Albion students are organizing a ceremony at 10:30 a.m. on Oct. 29 to recognize a Medal of Honor winner from 1869.
Charles D. Harris received a new headstone in the summer at Mount Albion Cemetery, following the efforts of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society and the Medal of Honor Historical Society.
The ceremony to recognize Harris and the new marker will be the west side of the cemetery on Route 31.
Harris, who fought in the Civil War, was awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroism in the Apache Wars in 1869. Orleans County Historian Matthew Ballard wrote about Harris on June 22 for the weekly “Overlooked Orleans” column. Click here to read the article.
On September 23, 1869, Harris was present at Red Creek, Arizona, with Company D of the 8th U.S. Cavalry, Ballard wrote. On that date, the 8th Cavalry engaged a group of Apache Indians during the Apache Wars, which resulted in three men receiving the Medal of Honor.
John Walker, George Ferrari, and Harris all received the medal for “Gallantry in Action,” but Ballard said the specifics of the engagement and the actions that warranted the awarding of the medal remain shrouded in mystery. After the war, Harris returned to Albion and lived a quiet life until his passing on September 6, 1895.
Harris had a military gravestone at Mount Albion, but it didn’t note that he was a Medal of Honor winner. The new flat stone includes an inscription that calls attention to the award. The stone was set in place by employees at Mount Albion Cemetery.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 October 2019 at 8:22 am
ALBION – The Village Board voted Friday to pursue funding from the state’s “Charge Ready NY” program to add four charging ports for electric vehicles in the downtown.
The village is seeking state funding for one charging station with two ports at the Main Street parking lot, just north of the Presbyterian Church, and another charging station with two ports across from the Village Hall in the parking lot on East Bank Street.
The state is offering incentives up to $4,000 per port or $8,000 for a dual station. Albion will be seeking $16,000 from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. NYSERDA set aside $5 million to encourage electric charging stations across the state. There is currently $1.5 million remaining in that fund. (Click here for more information.)
The Albion Betterment Committee has encouraged the village to add the charging stations. The ABC believes the stations will be a draw for the downtown for people with electric vehicles. The ABC expects to see the electric vehicles become more popular in the coming years.
The $16,000 allowed for the four ports is expected to cover the costs of the charging stations, wiring, meters, and charging units. The village will need to bid the project out.
There is an additional annual cost of $250 for each of the four ports for software costs or $1,000 annually.
The village needs to commit to keeping the charging stations for at least five years as part of the application, said Gary Katsanis, the deputy mayor.
Albion may also partner with National Grid in hosting events promoting charging stations. That could include “Ride and Drive” events where electric car manufacturers bring in vehicles for people to do test drives.
“It seems like a good project to bring attention to the downtown,” Katsanis said about the charging stations.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 September 2019 at 5:32 pm
Either swans, eagles or hawks will be painted flying over canal
Courtesy of Hoag Library: This design by artist Stacey Kirby Steward shows swans flying over the Erie Canal.
This design features a hawk over the local landscape.
ALBION – Hoag Library wants to hear from the public on the best avian creature to feature in a mural in the main meeting room.
An anonymous donor is covering the cost to have artist Stacey Kirby Steward paint the mural. It will feature either swans, hawks or eagles flying over the Erie Canal.
Hoag Library welcomes the public to vote for a design. Voting must be done in person at the library until Monday, Oct. 7.
The mural will be above the kitchenette in the Curtis Meeting Room. This is the second art project at the library by Kirby Steward, an Albion native who lives in Spencerport. She designed the stained-glass window with swans.
Last year, she finished a 24-foot-long mural of Santa Claus in a sleigh over downtown Albion. She also painted murals inside the lyceum for the Catholic Church in Albion.
She has done several large-scale public art projects between Middleport and Greece, often with themes about the Erie Canal.
Once the voting results are tallied, the library’s board of trustees will consider the next steps in the process.
Kirby Steward also proposed a design with eagles up high over the local canal.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 September 2019 at 10:57 am
Meeting on Oct. 17 about project that will close bridge in 2022-2023 for major repairs
Photo by Tom Rivers: Cyclists are pictured on July 8 by the Main Street lift bridge as part of the annual Cycle the Erie Canal trip.
ALBION – The Main Street lift bridge in Albion is slated for $15 million in repairs and construction work beginning in 2022, with the project keeping the bridge closed for 18 months until 2023.
The state Department of Transportation will discuss the project during a public information meeting on Oct. 17 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Hoag Library, 134 South Main St.
The bridge was originally built in 1914. It typically closes a few days each year for short-term repairs. It is one of 16 lift bridges on the Erie Canal, and one of seven in Orleans County.
The DOT said the work includes installing high-strength galvanized steel to replace the steel floor system and select truss members.
Updates will also be made to the mechanical and electrical components of the lifting mechanisms. The lift tower will also be rehabilitated.
In addition, the bridge railing and guide rail on the bridge approaches will be improved and bridge will be repainted.
The DOT will have the project done the same time contractors work on the lift bridge on Route 19 in Brockport.
“Due to the unique work required, there are cost savings associated with combining lift bridge rehabilitations,” the DOT said in an advisory.
The DOT anticipates the design for the Albion bridge will be completed in June 2021, with construction expected in 2022 and 2023.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 September 2019 at 9:04 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Olivia Miller, an Albion High School student, portrays the wife of C. Royce Sawyer, a 30-year member of the Dye Hose Company (Albion Fire Department).
As fire chief, he worked to have the entire company motorized. Albion was the 2nd department in the state to become motorized, after New York City. He was also the county treasurer and was commissioned during World War I, and served as the finance officer of Camp Sheridan in Alabama.
Albion High School students portrayed 16 people at the cemetery in 11th annual Ghost Walk. After heavy rain in late afternoon, the downpour stopped just in time for the Ghost Walk. There were 56 students involved in the event, with others serving as guides, in the tech crew, and with singing along the route.
The event is coordinated by Susan Starkweather Miller, and teacher Gary Simboli and Mike Thaine. Many of the attendees have attended all of the Ghost Walks at the cemetery.
Ashleigh Mowatt portrays Mary Signor, wife of Isaac Signor, who served as district attorney and judge in Orleans County. He also wrote the book, Landmarks of Orleans County, which remains an importance resource for historians. He helped establish the Swan Library and taught immigrant quarry workers to read and write. Albion Central School continues to give out an annual Signor Prize to recognize students for their rhetorical work.
Jeffrey Brown is David Jones of Kendall, who developed the very popular “Delusion” mouse trap, which topped 2 million sales in 1878. Jeffrey is holding a Delusion mouse trap on loan by retired County Historian Bill Lattin.
Zoe Cusson is the wife of Sidney Eddy who was in the ambulance corps during World War I. He was stationed in France and was an ambulance driver, putting himself and his Model T in danger as he transported the wounded from the front lines to hospital.
Emily Mergler portrays Anna Dann Mason who was Susan B. Anthony’s housekeeper and personal secretary. Mergler is wearing the sash, “Votes for Women,” that was popular with suffragettes.
Mason was married in Anthony’s parlor and the famous women’s rights leader was her maid of honor. Mason’s husband, Gilbert Mason, lived in Albion. Mason was a new person to be featured on the Ghost Walk.
Other new characters included George Bullard (played by Ryan Krenning), a former NYS Assemblyman who donated 24 acres of land to the Village of Albion it what is known as Bullard Park; and Hank Porter (portrayed by McKenzie Olmstead), an Albion graduate, worked for Walt Disney and created illustrations for the full length film “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.”
Porter also updated the image of Donald Duck, was responsible for the “Disney” design, and sketched numerous emblems and insignias for all military branches to be used on war planes, tanks, and ships. It built comradery and identity with the troops.
Molly Wadhams portrays Emma Hunt who was working as a housekeeper when she was murdered in 1894 by William Lake, a farmhand who confessed to the crime. He was the seventh person to executed by the electric chair at Auburn State Prison. Zachary Kilner portrayed Sheriff John Rice, who put together a posse to apprehend Lake, who was on the lam.
Olivia Morrison plays Sarah Harling, who took in Robert Capstick, a down and out Civil War soldier. He gave her his prized possession, a George Washington button, for taking him in and nursing him back to health when he was so destitute. Harling holds the actual button, which was on loan from Bill Lattin, the retired county historian.
Emma Tower is Alice Wilson who was killed by her husband in 1887, who was having an affair with a much younger woman. George Wilson was the only man executed in Orleans County. He was hanged outside the courthouse in 1888.
Chase Froman portrays Charles Howard, who opened a Santa Claus School in 1937 and ran it until his death in 1966. Howard also opened Christmas Park which included many attractions and a toy shop. He was the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Santa and a consultant on the movie, Miracle on 34th Street.
Gina Fox plays the mother of Charles Nelson Brown, a professional baseball player who suffered from severe depression. Fox, in her role as Brown’s mother, regrets her son took his own life in 1910.
Myleigh Miller portrayed Virginia Sheret, and told the story of brothers James, Andrew and Eugene Sheret as their Company F broke through the Hindenberg Line. Two of her brothers paid the ultimate price for their efforts. The Legion Post in Albion is named for them.
Sophia Zambito highlighted the Barnum brothers – Eugene and William – and their service in WWII. She portrayed their gold star mother, Florence.
Casey Starkweather portrayed Emma Ingersoll who donated the water fountain and bench to Mount Albion Cemetery.
Class President Mckenna Boyer and Treasurer Kirk Ellison sit on the bench that is outside the high school between the band and chorus rooms. Brennan was very active in the school’s music programs and spent a lot of time in both the band and chorus rooms.
