Staff Reports Posted 10 September 2019 at 12:18 pm
Photos courtesy of Mindy Warne of MAWS Photography
WATERPORT – This weekend the Albion Class of 1969 celebrated 50 years since graduation. Friday was a great evening, courtesy of Joe & Debbie Martillotta, with music by Mike McCauley. On Saturday we had a tour of the school graciously led by Superintendent Michael Bonnewell, followed by an evening at the St. Mary’s Archer’s Club in Waterport.
Sitting from left: Ross Thompson, Rita (Long) Carlton, Bonnie (Hudson) Bowman, Davette (Pawlaczyk) Sanborn, Marcia (Piatek) Goff, Mark Chamberlain (teacher), Hugh Dudley (teacher), Dave Ragusa (teacher/coach), Patricia (Kirby) Macey, Darlene Benton, Sherry (Peters) Bernreuther, Neal Muscarella and Kim (Eddy) Remley.
Standing from left: Mona Fitzwater, Jeanette Riley, Karen (Furmanski) Lawrence, Larry Williams, Judy Ward, Linda (Williams) Kabelac, Sue (Davis) Arnesen, Terry Schmackpfeffer, Brenda (Brown) Mufford, Pam (Kast) Dovidio, Jim Theodorakos, Sharon (Chattin) Dent, John Leddon, Jeanne (Scharping) Nenni, Joanne Miceli, Jesse Babcock, Susan (Nenni) Ernst, William Wittman, Kevin Christy, Dianne (Stackwick) Eddy, Linda (Andrews) Christopher, Dana Gavenda, Debbie (Snowdon) Cook, Richard Cook, John Knight, Cynthia Roberts, Frank Sidari, Joe Martillotta, Mark Hudson, Connie (Quarantello) Ragusa, Jim Dragon, Suzanne (Swiercznski) Swindon, Sam Martillotta and Linda (Bailey) Chrzan.
This group played on the Albion varsity football team as seniors. They include, from left: Jim Theodorakos, Frank Sidari, John Leddon, Richard Cook, Coach Dave Ragusa, Joe Martillotta and Mark Hudson.
The reunion committee includes, from left: Linda (Bailey) Chrzan, Judy Ward, Joe Martillotta, Cindy Roberts, Jim Dragon, Kim (Eddy) Remley, Darlene Benton and Ross Thompson.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 September 2019 at 11:20 am
District will bring in technology specialist to consider some options
ALBION – The school district will bring in a technology specialist to help pinpoint projects that would be funded through the $2.2 million approved for Albion five years ago through the Smart Schools Bond Act, a $2 billion fund approved for school districts state-wide.
Other districts in Orleans County have used Smart Schools funding for laptops for students, server upgrades, high-definition security cameras, expanded wireless internet access and other improvements.
Albion already had an upgraded computer system, well beyond the expectations for a school district when the Smarts Schools funding was approved, said Michael Bonnewell, the district superintendent.
The district has expanded wireless access on campus, and in July purchased 540 new Chromebook laptops for students. The district spent $119,700 for the Chromebooks, which also includes 18 charging carts.
Instead of using the Smart Schools funding, Albion used its own district dollars.
Bonnewell said the Smarts Schools funds often comes with a year delay from when districts apply to draw down on their allocation. If a new version of technology comes out or a updated laptop, districts then have to modify their technology plan submitted to the state to access the funds.
The district in 2017 formed a technology committee with teachers and administrators to try to prioritize how to spend the Smart School money. That group hasn’t reached a conclusion because Albion already meets many state objectives with the funds.
Other criteria for the money aren’t applicable at Albion, such as replacing a temporary classroom with a permanent one. Albion replaced temporary classrooms in the elementary school with a capital project more than a decade ago.
The state also allows Smarts Schools funding to boost community connectivity, and some schools have done that to add high-speed internet at a local library. In Albion, Hoag Library already has high-speed internet.
The district has brought in Archi-Technology Services which works with many school districts at utilizing technology. Bonnewell said Archi-Technology will meet with school officials and technology committee to consider some options for the funding.
Linda Weller, a Board of Education member, urged the district to identify projects with the funds.
“This district is techno-phobic,” she said at Monday’s Board of Education meeting.
“The district is not techno-phobic,” Bonnewell responded.
Elissa Nesbitt, another board member, wants to see Albion utilize the Smarts Schools funding.
“This is a really big opportunity,” she said. “We need to think big. This could be a systemic change.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 September 2019 at 9:41 am
ALBION – The Board of Education has mixed views on the school district having an official Facebook page to share news and information about the district.
Board members Elissa Nesbitt and Linda Weller said many other nearby school districts have Facebook pages that are popular in their communities.
“It’s the currency of today,” Nesbitt said at Monday’s Board of Education meeting. “A lot of parents are on Facebook.”
Weller said the district could post info on open houses, and other events.
“I’m all for it,” she said. “Let the community be more informed.”
Michael Bonnewell, the district superintendent, has reservations about Facebook, mainly due to the comments that can be posted. He worries teachers and students could be harshly criticized, and the post might stay up for a while before a district employee sees it. By then it could have been shared and seen many times on the district’s official Facebook page.
“Social media is a world of faceless and sometimes lawless individuals who are sometimes not intent on doing the right thing,” Bonnewell said.
Board member David Sidari said the district has a revamped website that is loaded with information and a calendar of events.
However, Nesbitt said she doesn’t think the website gets much traffic. She said Facebook would be more popular for sharing information.
“I think that’s how people communicate now,” she said. “We can use it to our advantage if we do it right.”
Many of the Albion school programs and sports programs already have their own Facebook pages. Bonnewell said that is different from an official Facebook page for the district. He said the board needs to consider who would be in charge of posting on the page, how frequently, and who would monitor the comments. If a comment is removed the district should have a policy in place for that.
Board member Margy Brown said she has checked other districts’ Facebook pages and they often aren’t updated frequently.
“Someone needs to keep it up to date or else it’s useless,” she said.
If Albion went that route the district should consider hiring a media specialist to run the page. Otherwise it will pull away from the work of current school employees, Brown said.
She said the district has stepped up its efforts to communicate with the public with the improved website and with text alerts.
The board formed a committee with Nesbitt, Weller and Brown to look at the district having an official social media presence. The committee will reach out to other districts to see their policies and how they handle posting, and comments.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 September 2019 at 5:45 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – This 1970 Plymouth Roadrunner Superbird is owned by George Rockman of Holley. It was one of 104 vehicles at a car show Saturday at Bullard Park to benefit Hospice of Orleans.
The turnout was the most since Becky Karls starting organizing the event in 2013. Christopher Mitchell Funeral Homes is the main sponsor for the car show.
Karls said she expected the event will net $3,500 for Hospice.
Ed Doran of Medina is pictured with a 1968 Chevy Pickup that he has painted and decorated as a tribute to the 343 firefighters who were killed during the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Doran used to be a firefighter for Medina, Shelby and East Shelby. Mark Weld, an Middleport artist, did the artwork on the truck.
Ed Doran holds a flag made of empty bullet shells. His truck won the award at the car show for “Best Looking Under the Hood.” There were 22 awards given out at the car show with the participants picking the winners.
The Masonic Lodge cooked hamburgers, hot dogs, sausage, French fries and sold beverages. The organization donated the proceeds, $757, to Hospice. This group includes, from left: Glen Busch of the Masons, Josh Mitchell of Christopher Mitchell, Mike Gillette of the Masons, Becky Karls, and Tim McGee of the Masons.
This 1934 hearse owned by Scott Schmidt won the award for best vehicle from the 1920s to 1940s.
Josh Mitchell announces the winners at the car show.
There were two new memorial awards at the car show. Sherri Carter, right, presented the Clayton Carter Memorial in honor of her father to John Magnum, owner of a 1923 Model T.
Louise Mana presented an award in memory of her husband, Mario Mana, to Sam Sanfilippo, owner of a 1931 Hudson Essex.
Photos by Tom Rivers: Ben DeGeorge of the DeGeorge Property Group sits on a couch in the front room of the Arnold Gregory Office Complex. In back is a snack shop that is run by the Arc of Genesee Orleans.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 September 2019 at 11:20 am
Site resembles a mall with professional offices, retail and non-profits
There many tenants in the Arnold Gregory Office Complex on South Main Street.
ALBION – The former Arnold Gregory hospital in Albion continues its transformation as an office building. The site has added new tenants recently who say the building now functions as a mini-mall with professional offices, retail and space for non-profit organizations.
Ben DeGeorge and the DeGeorge Property Group bought the building five years ago from Lissow Development. They also bought Lissow apartments – the former Waterport Elementary School, Canal Towns Commons and an apartment building in Holley.
DeGeorge praises Ray Lissow for turning the former hospital into offices and an asset for the community. DeGeorge has picked up where Lissow left off, adding a business incubator with shared space for small businesses, and trying to accommodate other needs for tenants.
“It’s a community that wants to work with each other,” said DeGeorge, who is based in Monroe County. “The tenants, the local businesses and the local officials, everyone is so easy to work with.”
Arnold Gregory now has nearly 30 tenants, from medical services, a dog groomer, coffee shop and many others. DeGeorge has three maintenance workers devoted to Arnold Gregory and the three apartment buildings.
Theresa Pawlak is the office manager, in a suite with several small businesses sharing space in a business incubator. That shared space helps keep their costs down for rent, and still gives them a professional office.
Pawlak was born at Arnold Gregory. She then worked in the building as a prekindergarten teacher’s aide for a decade at the Rainbow Preschool.
“It’s nice to have someone outside the community invest here, someone who is young,” Pawlak said.
Theresa Pawlak works as the office manager at the former hospital, now owned by the DeGeorge Property Group.
DeGeorge, 32, said the Arnold Gregory Office Complex is a source of personal pride.
“Walking through this building is always exciting,” he said. “It’s such a neat place. This building is doing something. It’s such an important part of the community.”
DeGeorge said he is willing to work with startup companies and new organizations.
Beth Schorer, owner of Beth’s Sewing Box, does tailoring and other projects at her business, which also is a dry-cleaning stop. Robin Lewis is in back working on a quilting project.
Beth Schorer, owner of Beth’s Sewing Box, started in a small space down the hall in the first floor about 1 ½ years ago. It was an affordable entry to having an office. Her tailoring and alterations business grew, and she moved to a bigger space in the building.
“He gave me a chance,” Schorer said. “There is so much in here that people don’t see. It’s not a hospital anymore. It’s like a mall.”
Schorer moved into the bigger space in March. It gives her a dressing room and about double the area for her sewing equipment and to display dresses.
“She is one of our success stories,” DeGeorge said.
The building has about 50 original works of art on the walls, painted on canvases by former employee Rebekah Lee. DeGeorge worked with the Arc of Genesee Orleans to open a coffee and snack shop in the main lobby about three years ago. DeGeorge also added a conference room and a gym for the tenants.
He estimates about 100 people work in the building, and many clients and customers pass through the doors each day.
Cindy Eibl, owner of the Corner Gift Boutique, stands by the business at the Arnold Gregory Office Complex on South Main Street. Eibl said the building is business with tenants and their clients.
Cindy Eibl and Tina Page noticed the building is a busy place. Last holiday season near Christmas they intended to run the Corner Gift Boutique in the building from Oct. 1 to Dec. 31. They are a retail business, selling new and vintage gift items, and hand-crafted merchandise. They have stayed in the building this year because of the foot traffic inside.
Tina Page, co-owner of the Corner Gift Boutique, sells many gift items at the store.
“It was supposed to be seasonal,” Eibl said. “We were just looking to have a holiday shop.”
Many of the customers are other workers in the building, or their clients.
“There are a lot of people in here,” Eibl said. “I call it Albion’s little mini-mall.”
Orleans Recovery Hope moved into the building in December. The organization started in 2017. It is a peer organization that works with recovering addicts and their families. The office allows Orleans Recovery Hope to have a drop-in center and offer trainings. It also runs a grief group.
Wayne Litchfield is a volunteer, peer recovery advocate and a board member for the organization.
“It’s centrally located,” he said about Arnold Gregory. “It’s accessible to people. The nice part is the community is finding out about us.”
Wayne Litchfield said the Arnold Gregory location has been a good fit for Orleans Recovery Hope, where he is an active volunteer.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 September 2019 at 3:08 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The Albion Rotary Club today named Becky Karls, center, as a Paul Harris Fellow, the highest honor given by a Rotary Club.
Karls is joined by Rotarians Cindy Perry, left, and Don Bishop, right.
Bishop called Karls “the secret ingredient of the Albion Rotary Club.” She is instrumental each year in many of the club’s fundraisers, including the St. Patrick’s Ham Dinner, the Turtle Race at the Strawberry Festival, the golf tournament and the fishing derby.
Karls also is active with many other community efforts, including organizing a car show this Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. at Bullard Park in Albion. That car show is a fundraiser for Hospice of Orleans County.
The Rotary Club also recognized Fred Nesbitt, a retired fruit grower, for reaching the second level as a Paul Harris Fellow.
The Rotary Club today was visited by Anna Kangasluoma of Finland. She was a Rotary exchange student at Albion in the 2007-08 school year. She now works as a nurse. She is pictured with Bruce Landis, a member of the Albion Rotary Club.
ALBION – The Orleans County Health Department is seeking help in finding the owner of a dog that bit a pedestrian in the Village of Albion on Thursday, Aug. 29, at approximately 7:15 p.m.
A pedestrian was bitten by a small yellow/white dog with big ears being walked by four children. The dog was on a leash and is described as beagle/cocker spaniel size. The children and dog were walking eastbound along the Erie Canal just east of the Ingersoll Bridge when the dog bit the westbound pedestrian.
“The purpose in locating the owner of the dog is to make sure the dog is up-to-date in its anti-rabies vaccine,” said Sarah Balduf, Environmental Director of Genesee and Orleans Counties. “If the owner cannot be located, the individual will have to go through unnecessary treatment.”
Anyone with information on the dog and/or dog owner is asked to contact the Orleans County Health Department at 585-589-3278.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 August 2019 at 11:43 am
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.”
Photo courtesy of Dawn Allen: The Pillars on West Countyhouse Road is pictured during the holiday season in 2014.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 August 2019 at 11:17 am
ALBION – The popular Ghost Hunters television series tonight will feature The Pillars in Albion. The episode on the A & E network is called, “Lady in the Window.”
The paranormal detectors will focus on 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.
The Ghost Hunters initially ran for 11 seasons on SyFy from 2004 to 2016. It is now on A&E. Tonight’s show starts at 9 p.m.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 August 2019 at 8:49 pm
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.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 August 2019 at 4:41 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
HOLLEY – The Albion Lions Club celebrated its 95th 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 95th 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.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 August 2019 at 9:13 am
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.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 August 2019 at 6:58 am
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.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 August 2019 at 3:01 pm
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.
Photos courtesy of Jenny Johnston: Some of Jason Johnston’s family members are pictured Saturday morning when the Albion Elks Club unveiled a memorial for Johnson at the Elks on East State Street. Jason’s mother Jenny Johnston is in back with Jason’s sisters Carrie Riley and Heather Johnston. Jason’s niece and nephews include, from left: Skye Tranello, Kwame Riley, Raekwon Riley, Rilee Tranello and Chase Tranello (being held by Heather).
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 August 2019 at 11:57 am
Johnston is only soldier from Orleans County killed in Afghanistan
ALBION – The Elks Lodge in Albion on Saturday morning unveiled a memorial in honor of Jason Johnston of Albion, who was killed in Afghanistan on Dec. 26, 2009.
He is the only soldier from Orleans County who died in action in either Afghanistan or Iraq.
Johnston was 24 when he was killed by a roadside bomb the day after Christmas in Arghandab, Afghanistan.
Specialist Johnston was on his second deployment. He was also a paratrooper. He completed a 13-month-deployment in 2008 and left again for the war-torn country in October 2009.
The Elks do a motorcycle ride each year to raise funds for a memorial scholarship for Johnston. The Elks give a $1,000 scholarship to a graduating senior pursuing a helping profession.
Jenny Johnston, Jason’s mother, said she appreciates the memorial for the son.
“It is absolutely beautiful,” she said today. “It’s amazing that they would do that and keep his memory alive.”
The monument 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.”
ALBION – The Board of Education has mixed views on the school district having an official Facebook page to share news and information about the district.
He is the only soldier from Orleans County who died in action in either Afghanistan or Iraq.
