Photo and information courtesy of Albion Central School
ALBION – The elementary school band room today was filled with students, teachers and family members as they watched the top fourth grade spellers compete in the annual spelling bee.
The bee lasted for almost an hour as spellers went several rounds before whittling down to the final four.
The top spellers were, from left: Ava Woolston, Meadow Smith, Lily Brigham and Erika Hess (alternate).
They received a dictionary compliments of the Albion Elementary School PTA. The winners will move on to the Niagara Region PTA Spelling Bee. It will take place at 10 a.m. on May 18 at the Lyndonville Central School District. The community is invited to attend.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 April 2019 at 8:13 am
Hoag Library posted this copy of the letter written in May 1784 from George Washington to Jacob Morris, who delivered a package for the general to Marquis de Lafayette, a French military officer who fought with Washington in the American Revolutionary War.
ALBION – Hoag Library continues to sift through historical files, finding treasures. On Tuesday, local history librarian Dee Robinson found a letter from George Washington.
It was written in May 1784, about five years before he started serving as the first president of the United States. The letter from Washington was written to Jacob Morris, thanking him for taking care of a gift package sent to Marquis de Lafayette, a French aristocrat and military officer who fought in the American Revolutionary War. He led American troops in several battles, including Yorktown.
The letter acknowledges correspondence from Morris in regard to the package of Lafayette, and Washington offers to pay the cost of the delivery, and also extends his compliments to Mrs. Morris. Jacob Morris was the son of Lewis Morris, who signed the Declaration of Independence.
The Journal-Register in Medina on April 19, 1967 wrote about the letter from Washington, which was being put on display briefly at Swan Library. The Journal-Register reported then that a family in Westchester County owned the letter for about 90 years. Thomas Bell then owned it and presented it to Noah Davis, a justice for the State Supreme Court who was from Albion. (Davis was the judge in the trial that brought down New York City Tammany Hall ringmaster William M. “Boss” Tweed. Judge Davis presided over Tweed’s trials on charges of conspiracy, perjury and larceny.)
After his death, Davis’s wife sent the letter to Emma Swan, the founder of the library with her husband William. Mrs. Swan gave the letter to the library. According the JR article, the letter’s authenticity was established by the Historical Society of New York City and by the Astor Library.
The article from 1967 reports the Washington letter is ordinarily kept in bank vault and only seen by a few people.
Robinson last month was searching through library files and found a 1903 letter from Susan B. Anthony, written to the then Swan Library. (The new Hoag Library opened in July 2012.) Anthony, the women’s rights activist, was a pivotal leader for women’s suffrage. She wrote to the library to encourage Swan to buy four volumes of the History of Woman Suffrage and also two volumes about the Life and Work of Susan B. Anthony.
The library has been in the news recently for a public discussion about what to do with a Civil War flag for a Colored Troops regiment. That flag had largely been kept out of public view for a century. The flag is deteriorating. The library’s board voted on March 13 to have the flag sold through an auctioneer in Dallas, Texas. The flag hasn’t been sent away yet and will stay with the library through at least April. It has been brought out for Civil War programs this month.
Public domain: This painting from 1906 by John Ward Dunmore shows George Washington and Marquis de Lafayette during winter at Valley Forge.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 April 2019 at 5:12 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The Orleans Correctional Facility celebrated the third graduation today for a canine training program. Five dogs – Danielle, Jared, Champ, Conrad and Spot – completed the 12-week program. Nine inmates served as handlers for the dogs, which stayed in one of the dorms.
The top photo shows Conrad, one of the dogs, showing his skills. The dogs and inmates are all screened to participate in the program.
The animals are rescue dogs from a shelter in Tennessee, which then sends them to the Genesee County Animal Shelter in Batavia.
Tom Ryan, a dog trainer from Batavia, visited the Orleans prison once or twice a week to teach obedience classes. He praised the handlers for their commitment to the animals, teaching the dogs socialization and obedience.
R. Monroe (center), an inmate at the Orleans Correctional Facility, worked with Champ during the program. Champ is a friendly dog that greets the corrections officers and other staff. Three of the five dogs at today’s graduation have already been adopted by their “forever families.”
One of the dogs settles on an inmate’s lap during the graduation program this afternoon at the prison. R. Allen, left, spoke during the ceremony.
“We’ve put everything we have into it,” Allen told the crowd. “We’ve given it our all every day.”
Allen said the program taught the inmates “humility.”
“It makes you feel great to give back,” he said. “Over the years I’ve just taken, taken and taken.”
He said the dogs filled a void in the dorm for the inmates.
“Waking up in the morning that dog is there for you,” he said.
R. Paro tries to get Danielle to sit and stay while demonstrating some of the skills the dog has learned.
The first canine class graduated on Oct. 10 with three dogs. The second class had six dogs and five completed the program today. A new group of dogs is expected in early May.
The Albion Correctional Facility, a women’s prison, also had a graduation today for two dogs that were the first to complete the program at that facility. The Albion Correctional Facility has a partnership with the Orleans County Animal Shelter for training dogs.
Karen Crowley, the OCF superintendent, pushed to have the program in the local men’s prison. She visited other prisons with similar programs and found the dogs improved the culture in a prison, with better-behaved inmates. The inmates also proved to be attentive and dedicated to helping train the dogs.
She praised the inmates for their dedication.
“You’ve all grown so much,” she said during the graduation program.
The dogs stay under control during today’s canine graduation program at the Orleans Correctional Facility.
Photo by Tom Rivers: Melissa Barnosky, a senior at Albion, made it to the state finals for the American Legion Oratorical Contest on three occasions, winning the title in 2018 and 2019. She competed at nationals twice.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 April 2019 at 10:30 am
ALBION – An Albion student has set a new standard among local participants in the annual American Legion Oratorical Contest.
Melissa Barnosky in 2018 was the first Albion student to win the state title in the contest, and she represented New York at the national competition in Indianapolis, which is the headquarters for the American Legion. Barnosky repeated that feat this year after again winning at the school, county, district and zone levels, before going to Albany and claiming the state title.
Barnosky acknowledged she might seem an unlikely winner in the oratorical contest. She is introverted and many consider her to be shy. She said she needs to overcome “terrible stage fright.”
But with the competitions, she is transformed and focused on delivering the speech. She has honed the skill to make the speech, which is full of dense material, to also be engaging. She uses facial expressions, gestures, “even the way I walk onto the stage,” she said.
She also has learned to project her voice, without yelling.
She needed to research, prepare and deliver an 8- to 10-minute speech about the Constitution and the role of citizens. She titled her prepared speech, “Civic knowledge, the key to our vigilance.”
She also needed to prepare four other speeches that were 3 to 5 minutes. The four other topics were assigned at random at the district, zone, state and national competitions.
Photo by Sue Starkweather Miller, Albion Central School: Melissa Barnosky is pictured on March 2 in Albany with Anthony Paternostro, chairman of the American Legion’s oratorical contest. Barnosky won the competition for the second straight year.
Twice in competitions this year she was asked to speak about the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery. At the state and national competitions, she was assigned the 4th Amendment, which protects Americans from unreasonable searches and seizures.
“It’s not for everyone,” Barnosky, 17, said about the competition. “It’s a lot of work. You have to write the speech, and practice over and over.”
She was in Indianapolis on April 6 at nationals, competing with 52 other state champs. In addition to the winners from all 50 states, there is a champion from Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the Department of France for American students from about a dozen countries in Europe.
Those 53 are separated into the quarterfinals with nine groups of five or six students. Barnosky came in second out of six in her group and didn’t advance to the finals. The Wisconsin state champ advanced out of her group. The 82nd annual competition was won by Patrick Junker of Iowa. His winning prepared oration was titled, “The Spread of Constitutional Apathy and how to Quarantine it.”
Barnosky ends the competition with $21,500 in scholarships, which she will use for her college expenses. She is heading to Brockport State College to major in political science.
She is thankful for the American Legion for sponsoring the contest at the local, regional, state and national levels.
“I feel like the American Legion hasn’t given up on the youth,” she said Monday during an interview at the school.
The competition has her more confident as a public speaker. She also has developed the ability to research a topic and present that information, which can feel complicated and arcane, in a way that people can more easily understand.
She also is more aware of the critical role of citizens, who need to know the Constitution and keep watch on their elected officials, to make sure their decisions aren’t unconstitutional.
She would like to help other students compete in the oratorical contest. Her first pupil will be her younger brother, William, who is an eighth-grader. He attended many of his sister’s competitions.
Barnosky urges more students to try the event, to prepare the speech and deliver it. They will be better citizens for the effort.
“I’m grateful to have earned money and made it to nationals,” she said. “I was honored to represent my state.”
Photos courtesy of Sue Starkweather Miller, Albion Central School: New inductees are pictured in the front row (l-r): Hailey Warren, Hady Beltran Roblero, Jacqueline Santiago Garcia, Julia Fuller, Lucy Rivers, S'koi Sanders-Smith, Gina Sidari, Jason Anstey and Jonah Karnyski. Back row: Finnegan McCue, Alison Gibson, Kelsey Froman, Dylan Narburgh, Maia Pate, Danielle Wyant, Kayla Burgio, Mia Olles, Ella Papponetti, Meganne Moore, Sarah Thom, Jett Conn and Abigail Mancuso.
Posted 14 April 2019 at 9:38 pm
ALBION – The National Junior Honor Society welcomed 22 seventh graders as new members on Wednesday and recognized current eighth grade students in the NHS.
Mrs. Castricone, the NJHS advisor, commended current members for their commitment to service. In total, NJHS members performed 470 hours of service in school and their community. They rang bells for Salvation Army, participated in Christmas caroling, tutored elementary school students and provided service in local churches.
Several current members were recognized with service pins. To receive a service pin a member must perform 25 or more hours of community service and turn in signed reports by their supervisor. These students are: Nicholas Andrews, Natalie Bertsch, Clara Bolton, Hailey Crawford, Dallas Ecker, Amari Jones, Javon Jones, Vincent Molisani, Audrey Pask, Corleone Plain and Andrew Uderitz.
Sixth grade English teacher, Mrs. Bonnie Baldwin, was the guest speaker. She congratulated the students on their hard work and dedication. She told them every person has a story to tell and the potential to make their mark on others.
New members S’koi Sanders-Smith and Jacqueline Santiago Garcia sign the registry book as current member Clara Bolton looks on.
Maia Pate is congratulated by Principal Brad Pritchard and Mrs. Baldwin.
New inductees stand and recite the NJHS pledge.
Current NJHS members are pictured in the front row (l-r): Christopher Sacco, Logan Graham, Caleb Fox, Nicholas Harling, Vincent Molisani, Dallas Ecker, Thomas Fox and Corleone Plain. Back row: Natalie Baron, Hailey Crawford, Lauren Brooks, Natalie Bertsch, Clara Bolton, Seth Janus, Audrey Pask, Maya Knaak, Ashleigh Mowatt, Austin Narburgh, Andrew Uderitz, Caroline DeLaura, Nicholas Andrews, Keyonna Hamilton and Jillian Ray.
ALBION – Last week 23 new members were inducted into the National Honor Society at Albion High School. These members met the criteria set forth by NHS of scholarship, service, leadership and character.
The new members include, sitting (l-r): Damian Wilson, Casey Starkweather, Avalina Hand, Angelica Genno, Angel Rosario Soto, Sierra Newton, Alexis Creasey, Ella Knaak and Lacey Standish. Standing: Bryce Pritchard, Daniel Grabowski, Thomas Furmanski, Chase Froman, Susan He, Ashlyn LeBaron, Laiken Ricker, Brooklynn Reed, Mariah Plain, Molly Wadhams, Abigail Tucker, Loren Beam, Katelyn Spierdowis and Jocelyn Bedard.
NHS member Trinity Allen is pictured with English teacher Kristin Roche.
NHS member Trinity Allen introduced English teacher Kristin Roche as the 2019 Excellence in Teaching Award winner. Mrs. Roche shared with the audience that she is a “story seeker” and believes there is power is sharing our stories. She sees student writing filled with triumph, perseverance and strength.
She acknowledged that students are not often given a platform to have their voices heard but she believes their voices are shaping the future. She encouraged NHS students to “step outside of your comfort zone and embrace your own journey, whatever and wherever it may lead,” and to share stories of hardship and triumph because it “just might be exactly what some other sweet soul needs to hear.”
Teaching award recipients (l-r): Elisha Hill, Roxanne Bieler, Tim Archer and Lee Sheehan.
The NHS members also took time to recognize staff members who exemplified the organization’s ideals of Scholarship, Service, Leadership and Character.
• Sixth grade English teacher Lee Sheehan received the Character Award from NHS member Kirsten Struble. Kirsten said, “Students gravitate towards Mrs. Sheehan because she is a very understanding and easy person to talk to. Mrs. Sheehan wants her students to be successful and life-long learners. Her favorite part of teaching is when she will see a student have that light bulb moment where maybe they had been struggling with reading and then suddenly start using strategies without being prompted.”
• High School English teacher Mrs. Roxanne Bieler received the Scholarship Award from NHS member Harrison Brown. Harrison said, “Mrs. Bieler has impacted the lives of many with her outstanding ability to teach. She goes above and beyond in making sure that her students know their material and truly understand the connections that they need to make. She is willing to go the extra mile to help any student that may be struggling.”
• Guidance office secretary Elisha Hill received the Leadership Award from NHS member Mathew Kovaleski. Matthew said, “As seniors we find ourselves visiting the guidance office quite often. We stop in to get assistance as we apply to our colleges, seek out scholarship opportunities and make sure we are on track with everything we need for graduation. Every time we open that door to the guidance office, Mrs. Hill is there greeting us with a smile and offering a helping hand with what we need as we prepare for this next journey of our lives. It is evident that Mrs. Hill takes pride in helping students progress and grow. ”
• Mr. Tim Archer received the Service Award from NHS member Tess Pettit. Mr. Archer leads sixth grade citizenship and seventh grade service-learning classes. He is also the high school Rotary Interact Advisor. Tess said, “Mr. Archer helps students seek out service opportunities and to value their role as citizens. He decided to become a teacher because he saw teaching as a great opportunity to influence our community for the better for the generations to come.”
Current NHS members include, sitting (l-r): Emma Mathes, Madison Narburgh, Tess Pettit, Trinity Allen, Kirsten Struble, Chantel VanDeGenachte, Brylie Hapeman, Natalie Lathrop and McKenna Boyer. Standing: Alexa Adams, Marie Reynolds, Hannah VanEpps, Malory Adams, Kaylyn Holman, Kirk Ellison, Evan Allen, Harrison Brown, Enoch Martin, Matthew Kovaleski, Jessy Cruz, Devin Olles, Jace Conn and Jacob Ettinger. Absent from photo: Jessica Schleede.
Newly inducted NHS member Loren Beam signs the registration book.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 April 2019 at 8:49 am
Provided photo
BARRE – The newly formed Albion High School Clay Target Club is set to compete in the 2019 New York State Clay Target League. The spring league will officially start April 14 and continue for five weeks. All of the Albion team members participate at the Barre Sportsmen’s Club.
Pictured from left include: Gina Fox, Chris Rice (coach), Cole London, Ryan Uderitz (coach), Zac Albright, Drew Caldwell, Mike Donahue (coach), Austin Aman, Shane Hastings, Jordan Boccacci-Phillips, Ryan Krenning (kneeling), Sawyer Brailey, Ben Hickman, Austin Furness, Patrick Brien, Alex Rustay, Jacob Fuller, Nick Sacco, Jeff Atwell (coach) Tim Brien (coach). Missing from photo: Jessica Fox, James Hapeman, Max Hapeman and Will Trembley.
The Albion team will compete against other schools that do their trap shooting on their home trap fields. They compare their scores online. Shooters try to hit 50 targets, which are sent out of a machine at 43 miles per hour.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 April 2019 at 12:19 pm
Press Release, NYS Department of Transportation
File photo by Tom Rivers: This photo from March 2015 shows the Densmore Road canal bridge in a photo taken from the Keitel Road bridge.
ALBION – The New York State Department of Transportation today announced that the bridge carrying Densmore Road over the Erie Canal in the town of Albion, Orleans County, is scheduled to close on Monday, April 15, for repairs that are expected to last up to six months.
There will be no detour posted during the closure, though motorists can access nearby canal bridges to the east and west.
This work was previously announced last fall, as part of an $11 million project to rehabilitate seven canal bridges across Orleans County. Densmore Road over the canal is the second in a series of seven bridges that will be repaired as part of this project. The bridge carrying Bennetts Corners Road over the Canal in Murray is currently closed and expected to re-open this summer.
Editor’s Note: The DOT said the work on the seven bridges will include installing high-strength galvanized steel to replace steel floor systems, low chords, gusset plates, and truss elements. Bridge railing and guide rail on the bridge approaches also will be improved and each bridge will be repainted. The alignments and profiles of the bridges will not change.
The seven single-lane truss bridges were constructed between 1909 and 1914.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 April 2019 at 9:54 am
Photos courtesy of Adam Johnson
ALBION – Ashley Casanova and her family celebrated the opening of Casanova’s FasTan and FiTness with a ribbon-cutting on Saturday afternoon at 114 North Main St.
Ashley Casanova opened the business in Albion on March 1. Casanova’s FasTan and FiTness includes tanning and exercise equipment for a women-only gym.
Casanova, a Lyndonville resident, also owns the FasTan in Medina at 627 West Ave.
Albion Mayor Eileen Banker and Trustee Stan Farone attended the event and shared their congratulations on behalf of the village. Banker, chief of staff for Assemblyman Steve Hawley, also shared appreciation from Hawley for the new investment in downtown Albion.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 April 2019 at 8:48 am
Provided photo
ALBION – Dirk Climenhaga, left, and Michael Magnuson, both staff members at Hoag Library in Albion, have added some pizzazz to the library on Saturdays when the two work together. The two “library men” have been coordinating some interesting fashion selections.
On Saturday they both wore leisure suits. That followed a recent vintage bow tie effort.
Photo courtesy of Tim Archer, Albion Interact advisor
ROCHESTER – Members of the Albion High School Interact Club recently visited East High School in Rochester as part of a “cultural exchange.” Albion students spent the day shadowing East students, learning about their school, life in an urban area, and ways that they can “learn from each other as we push past stereotypes.”
Next fall East High students will visit Albion and experience life in a rural area. The AHS Interact Club initiated the program seven years ago.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 April 2019 at 3:16 pm
State grant covering the costs for Community Action
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Elmer W. Davis Inc. Roofing in Rochester works on putting a new roof on the Main Street Thrift Store in Albion this afternoon. The company started work on the project on Monday and is expected to be on site until mid-May.
The building for the Main Street Store is owned by Community Action of Orleans & Genesee. The agency purchased the building from the American Legion and moved the thrift store to the site in 2014 after 25 years in the downtown.
A state grant for $358,124 is covering 100 percent of the costs for a new roof, new HVAC units, front doors, upgraded plumbing and some interior renovations.
Testa Construction of Rochester is the general contractor for the project.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 April 2019 at 11:19 am
ALBION — Three trustee positions will be up for election on May 6 at Hoag Library. Voting is from noon to 7 p.m. with the library’s annual meeting to follow at 7 p.m.
There are two trustee positions with terms for four years, and one trustee with a three-year term.
Candidates for the trustee positions can pick up petitions at the library. Those petitions need to be signed by at least 25 people, ages 18 and older, in the library’s service area, which is the towns of Barre, Albion, Gaines and Carlton in the Albion school district.
Candidates need to turn in their petitions to run for the board by 5 p.m. on Monday. Those petitions are to be turned in at the library, 134 South Main St.
Photos courtesy of Sue Starkweather Miller: Olivia Peterson talks about her special qualities with her invited guest, Mrs. Klips.
Courtesy of Albion Central School
ALBION – The after school “Girls Group” participated in a tea party celebration last Thursday to learn social etiquette and build strong connections.
One of the goals of the group was to help the girls feel like they have a strong connection to someone in the school. To help form this connection, a tea party was organized. Each girl could invite a staff member who they admired. Each girl instantly knew who they wanted to invite. They made a special invitation and hand delivered it to their special person.
Carlyanne Dix and Mr. Plewinski share a cup of tea.
Another goal of the group was to learn social etiquette. During the tea each girl greeted the invited teacher, pulled the chair out for the teacher, and held a conversation with him and/or her. Prior to the tea, group leaders talked about appropriate responses. An example would be to not say the word “YEP!” and to answer in complete sentences. The group practiced making appropriate eye contact and how to initiate and keep a conversation going.
The girls made paper clouds with rainbows that served as placemats. The girl’s name was written on the cloud and each color of the rainbow was something she liked about herself. This proved to be a great conversation starter.
Madison Velky pours punch for her invited guest, Mrs. Reith.
The girls also made a favor for each teacher. It was a teapot with a teabag attached that said, “Thanks for making time for tea and me!”
Tea, iced tea, lemonade, water, and pink and white cupcakes were served at the party.
The tea party was a great success! The girls were excited and their faces lit up when they saw their teachers. The teachers were just as excited and honored to be invited by the students.
The Girls Group afterschool club is sponsored by the Title I Program. Advisors are Mrs. Keller and Mrs. Lang.
Each student gave their special guest a teabag favor.
