Albion

Pink balloons released at race honored memory of Baylee McClary

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 August 2017 at 11:37 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Saturday’s Metro 10 race at Albion included a Micro 10 race for kids in memory of Baylee McClary, a newborn baby who died shortly after birth on March 20.

Her father, Steven McClary of Waterport, handed out pink balloons in Baylee’s memory at the kids’ race.

Community members also created cards in honor of Baylee.

Baylee’s parents, Steven and Jessica McClary, would like to start a chldren’s memory garden at Bullard Park in honor of Baylee and other children in the community who have passed away.

The Village Board is open to the idea and wants to hear input from the Rebuild Bullard Committee, which is working on improvements for the park.

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Bikers raise funds for Jason Johnston memorial scholarship

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 August 2017 at 7:00 pm

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – More than 100 bikers were out today on a ride to raise money for a scholarship in memory of Jason Johnston. The top photo shows the front fender of a motorcycle parked at the Elks Club on West State Street, where 106 bikers gathered after the ride.

Each biker paid $20 to be in the event, with passengers paying $10. The proceeds go towards a scholarship in memory of Specialist Jason Johnston, who was 24 when he was killed in Afghanistan in the War on Terror on Dec. 26, 2009. 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. He was killed by a roadside bomb the day after Christmas.

The Elks Club is serving hamburgers and other food as part of the benefit that continues until 11 p.m. tonight with the Who Dats playing at the Elks. There is a $5 cover charge to get into the event.

Many items were available to bid on through a Chinese auction.

The Albion Elks Riders took the lead in organizing the benefit for the Johnston scholarship. Each rider received one of these koozies.

The $1,000 scholarship goes to a graduating senior who exemplifies the “Golden Rule,” of treating others as you want to be treated. Johnston’s family looks for a student who is pursuing a career in a service profession, such as nursing or law enforcement.

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Rochester wins its third straight Metro 10 cup versus Buffalo

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 August 2017 at 1:14 pm

ALBION – Rochester continued to dominant the Metro 10 running race today, taking the third straight title versus runners from Buffalo.

Vickey Beaver, the Rochester team captain, accepts the Metro 10 Cup from race volunteer JT Thomas at Bullard Park today. Marissa Pace, the Buffalo captain, is in blue.

There were 400 runners in the race, the cap for the event, which included 5- or 10-mile options. There were 201 runners for Rochester and 199 for Buffalo.

Members of the Rochester team each got a victory glass after Rochester won nine of the 10 categories to determine which metro was the winner.

Runners watch an awards celebration where the top 3 in age groups were recognized before the Metro 10 Cup was awarded to culminate the event, which has experienced steady growth, about 30 percent each year since 2015.

Each finisher received a medal.

Jim Salmon of WHAM 1180 in Rochester, left, joined race director Thom Jennings in announcing the award winners at the post-race party.

Preach Freedom provided the music during the party at Bullard Park.

Tracy Jennings, center, serves up tacos to the runners. She is married to Thom Jennings.

There was also a “Micro 10” race at Bullard for kids.

Orleans Hub will have more on the race later.

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Which metro has fastest runners? Rochester or Buffalo?

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 August 2017 at 9:04 pm

Third annual race starts 8 a.m. Saturday in Albion

The winning metro, either Rochester or Buffalo, gets bragging rights for the Metro 10 trophy. The trophy was created by welder and metal artist Matt Kistner of Albion. He made a cup that includes famous buildings in the skyline from each city.

ALBION – The running communities in Rochester and Buffalo will each be represented in Albion on Saturday morning during the third annual Metro 10 race.

The start time has been moved up to 8 a.m. and the course covers 5 and 10 miles. Visit metro10race.com/the-course/ to see a map of the course. (The 5-mile race starts at 8:19 a.m.)

Race organizer Thom Jennings urges the community to be out on the course cheering on the runners, including setting up sprinklers near the road, displaying lawn decorations, and giving hearty encouragement.

There will be about 400 runners in the race, with Buffalo and Rochester each having about 200. Rochester has claimed the Metro 10 cup the first two years.

The race committee has simplified the scoring system for determining the fastest metro.

There are 10 possible points with the categories as follows:

• 10 Mile Male Winner

• 10 Mile Female Winner

• 5 Mile Male Winner

• 5 Mile Female Winner

• 10 Mile Male Average

• 10 Mile Female Average

• 5 Mile Male Average

• 5 Mile Female Average

• 5 Mile Walk Winner (Not Gender Specific)*

• 5 Mile Walk Average*

The tiebreakers are as follows:

Most course records broken
Total average of each team

The metro that wins 6 or more categories takes the overall title. Every runner and walker’s time counts towards determining the winner.

Jared Ziegler, Ron Ziegler and Ed Martin.

Rochester has claimed the Metro 10 Cup in 2015 and 2016. Many of the runners pose for photos with the trophy afterwards, including this group from Rochester in 2015, from left: Jared Ziegler, Ron Ziegler and Ed Martin.

The race concludes at Bullard Park. There will be a viewing standing at the finish for the public.

A post-race party also starts at 9 a.m. with music by Preach Freedom and Connect. The general public is welcome to come to the post-race party to listen to the band. Hot dogs and hamburgers will be for sale for the general public.

Course records:

Male 10 mile: Kenny Goodfellow, 56:44 (2016)

Male 5 mile: Kevin Laley, 39:29 (2016)

Female 10 mile: Amy Konopka, 1:10:38 (2016

Female 5 mile: Sherry Czechowski, 39:39 (2016)

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Albion welcomes new teachers

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 August 2017 at 4:08 pm

Photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Six new teachers are having their orientation this week. They stopped by the Albion Rotary Club for lunch at Tillman’s Village Inn today. The first day of school is Sept.7.

The group includes, from left, front: Jessica Rushlow, pre-kindergarten teacher; and Melody Vanacore, long-term sub as elementary school librarian.

Second and third row, from left: Sawyer Green, high school English; Dave Skrip (2008 Albion graduate), high school social studies; Josh Green, middle and high school social studies; and Matt Coniff, Latin.

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Albion approves school tax warrant with 9-cent tax rate increase

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 August 2017 at 10:18 am

ALBION – The Board of Education has approved a tax warrant that will raise the tax rate 9 cents, from $15.43 to $15.52 per $1,000 of assessed property.

That is 5 cents less than the school district was projecting in May when the community approved the school district’s $34,796,676 budget, with a 526 to 123 vote.

The district was then projecting a 14-cent increase in the tax rate.

The school budget includes a 1.4 percent increase in the tax levy, only the second time school taxes have gone up in last 11 years. The tax rate is up by 0.6 percent.

Albion’s $15.52 tax rate remains the lowest in the four-counties of Orleans, Genesee, Monroe and Niagara counties.

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Smoky second floor clears out Albion apartment house

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 August 2017 at 8:11 pm

Photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Albion firefighters were dispatched to a house fire at 309 West State St. at about 7:15 p.m. An Albion police officer was on patrol and noticed smoke coming from the roof of the multi-family house.

Firefighters put out the fire upstairs. Albion Code Enforcement Officer Ron Vendetti has been called to the scene to see if the tenants can stay in the house or if they will have to stay elsewhere.

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Albion will shift elementary school student drop off to Clarendon Road

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 August 2017 at 8:48 am

Parents also won’t be allowed to walk children to classrooms

Photo by Tom Rivers: Albion Central School honored Betty Christopher with a “Friend of Education” award for her 49 years of service as a cafeteria worker. Christopher is retiring from the job she started in 1968. She is pictured with Margy Brown, president of the Board of Education. Christopher was praised for making students feel welcome. “She has been integral in helping the cafeteria run like a well-oiled machine,” said Matt Peterson, the high school principal.

ALBION – The Ronald L. Sodoma Elementary School is making changes in how students are dropped off and picked up this school year.

Parents will be directed to two locations on Clarendon Road, one on the south side of the playground and the other on the north side.

The elementary school doesn’t want people to use the main driveway by the tennis courts. Using Clarendon Road will ease congestion for both the elementary and high schools, and keep more traffic and children away from school buses that park in front of the elementary school in the morning and afternoon.

“It will be better traffic flow and stronger security,” Principal Rachel Curtin said at Monday’s Board of Education meeting.

The district will have signs and banners out directing people to the two droff-off spots on Clarendon Road.

The elementary school also isn’t going to allow parents to enter the school in the morning to walk their child to their classroom. Parents instead can walk a student to the lobby at the east gym by the Clarendon Road drop-offs. That change will start on Sept. 11, the start of the second week of school this year.

Students who are picked up in the afternoon also will meet their parents at the east gym lobby, instead of their classrooms.

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It may look like ‘war zone,’ but Albion schools will be ready for students next month

Photo by Tom Rivers: The front entrance of the Ronald L. Sodoma Elementary School is off limits on Monday after new concrete sidewalks were poured. The sidewalks have a heating system that will melt ice during the winter.

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 August 2017 at 7:47 am

ALBION – The first day of school is less than a month away and the campus will be ready for students, the Board of Education was told on Monday.

The campus has been under construction this summer, with contractors working on about $10 million worth of projects.

“I know it’s disturbing in the beginning of August when everything looks like a war zone,” said Kirk Narburgh, managing partner and CEO of King + King Architects in Syracuse.

The contractors will be “substantially complete” in time for opening day of school on Sept. 7, Narburgh said.

The projects touch all three school buildings, the bus garage and athletic facilities.

Narburgh said one big piece of the project will have to wait until likely next summer and that includes replacing many windows. There has been a long waiting list for new windows nationwide, he said.

Contractors will have new windows done for the middle school auditorium. Those windows are being assembled on site.

An asbestos abatement contractor is finishing up its work, which will allow other contractors to pick up the pace in getting the campus ready for the first day of school, Narburgh said.

The football field is getting new drainage and sod and should be ready for play this season. Narburgh said Albion had the work scheduled before many other districts pursued similar projects.

“We’re lucky we didn’t do more because others are backed up,” he said about the field work.

The baseball field will get new fencing this week, with sod to follow.

The Board of Education approved the $10 million in construction bids in February.

The work includes:

• District-wide: fire alarm updates and exterior door exit lighting with a generator.

• Elementary School: (1956 section) new branch piping with heat, (1956 section) asbestos removal in the crawl space, (1956 section) asbestos removal in ceilings, (1956 section) teaching walls update, relocation of flag pole, main entrance surfacing and radiant heat, pencil post covers, solar shading system on the new wing (south), and additional site lighting (north).

• Middle School: upper loading zone sidewalk, site lighting, new windows with the addition done in 2000, chimney work, and HVAC replacement for the pool.

• High School: Library renovation and central boiler replacement.

• Bus Garage: site lighting, oil separator replacement and floor drains wash bay.

• Grounds: football drainage, track surfacing, baseball drainage, dugout foundations, stadium lighting refresh, stadium emergency lights, and underground storage tank removal.

The projects are part of a $14,370,548 capital project that is 91 percent covered by state funds. District residents approved the capital project on May 19, 2015 by a vote of 313-55.

Contractors last summer worked on roofs that were part of the first phase of the capital project. This year the majority of the overall project will take place.

The district still has about $1 million remaining in the capital project for milling and paving. That is planned for 2018. The district didn’t want to do that while heavy equipment from construction companies was on campus this year.

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Bands rocked Bullard Park in fourth music festival

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 August 2017 at 8:27 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Mister Revelator, a funk band from New Jersey, caps the seven-hour Rock the Park music festival on Saturday at Bullard Park.

The bands played from 4 to 11 p.m. in a fundraiser that organizers hope will go towards building a new amphitheater in the park.

About 350 people attended the event, with the bands playing under a big tent at the park. The Lions Club and 39 Problems were both vendors and sold out.

“It’s been positive,” said Ron Albertson, one of the organizers of the event. “All of the bands were exceptionally great. We’re going to keep doing it.”

The band lineup included Koko and the Moon Crickets, Justin Crossett Band, Rock Creek Mansion, Zero and Mister Revelator.

Mister Revelator plays old school funk, prog rock and indie rock.

Joe Benedetti plays lead guitar for the band. His father, Jim, is an Albion native whose band played in the first Rock the Park in 2014.

Chris Kelly is lead singer for the Mister Revelator which performed for two hours to close out Rock the Park on Saturday.

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Rock the Park returns on Saturday

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 31 July 2017 at 8:40 am

File photo by Tom Rivers: The band Zero performs at the Rock the Park music festival at Bullard Park on July 25, 2015. Zack Burgess, center, is the lead singer and Dylan DeSmit, left, is on lead guitar and vocals, and Brad Maxon on bass. Dan Ryan plays the drums. The band will perform from 7:45 to 8:45 p.m. on Saturday.

ALBION – The Rock the Park music festival returns for the fourth time this Saturday at Bullard Park. Five bands will perform from 4 to 11 p.m.

The concerts are benefit to help pay towards the local share for a new amphitheater for the park.

Albion last December was awarded a $499,605 state grant for Bullard improvements with the village providing $166,370 with in kind-services or funding.

The overall $665,975 project includes a spray park, amphitheater/performance stage, a walking/hiking trail with signage, infrastructure (water and sewer) for the spray park, a utility building, and parking lot and lighting improvements.

The village and contractors expected to start construction on the improvements next year.

Rock the Park started in 2014 to raise funds to upgrade playground equipment at the park. It was a project spearheaded by the Albion Lions Club.

Rock the Park met its initial goal of helping with the playground improvements. Ron Albertson, a Lions Club member and Rock the Park organizer, is pleased to see the bigger park upgrades in the near future.

He sees the amphitheater as a key for drawing more people to Albion for concerts and events.

“We could turn Albion into a Lewiston,” Albertson said. “We could draw bigger acts at Bullard Park. We’re going to have a beautiful amphitheater in a beautiful park in a beautiful town.”

The fourth Rock the Park has a $5 suggested donation for the concerts. There will also be beer, non-alcoholic drinks and food available. The classic car show that meets by the canal on Saturdays also will head to Bullard around 6 p.m. this Saturday.

The band lineup includes Koko and the Moon Crickets from 4 to 5 p.m.;  Justin Crossett Band  from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m.; Rock Creek Mansion  from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.; Zero  from 7:45 to 8:45 p.m.; and Mister Revelator from 9 to 11 p.m.

Mister Revelator is a “rocking blues band” from New Jersey and includes Joe Benedetti. His father, Jim Benedetti, played in the first Rock the Park in 2014.

Albertson said he is encouraged by all of the recent entertainment options in Albion.

“The Strawberry Festival was the best ever,” he said. “Now we have the new car shows and the concerts by the canal. Instead of saying there is nothing to do around here, some of us are making something to do.”

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Swiss man returns to Albion 45 years after being exchange student

Photo by Tom Rivers: Millie Gavenda was happy to welcome Philippe Nell, a former exchange student to Albion in 1972-73, back to her home on East Park Street last week.

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 July 2017 at 8:36 pm

Philippe Nell, now high-ranking Swiss government official, says Albion was generous to him as a high school senior

ALBION – Philippe Nell was used to a strict atmosphere at an all-boys school in Switzerland.

Then he came to Albion in 1972-73 for his senior year of high school.

He flourished that year playing the trumpet in the marching band and in the distance events in track. He had celebrity status as an exchange student.

He loved the local traditions in Albion with the prom and cheerleaders at sporting events.

Nell keeps the newspaper clippings showing him winning races in track.

He treasures the friendships from his classmates, and remains close to his host family. Last week he visited Millie Gavenda, who welcomed him into her home 45 years ago.

“I had such a good year when I was here,” Nell, 62, said at Gavenda’s kitchen table. “It was a very bright year for me.”

Nell is now an influential diplomat for the Switzerland government, working on trade with the United States and Latin America.

He promotes Switzerland’s successful apprenticeship program, where two-thirds of high schoolers receive vocational training which allows them to enter the workforce right out of high school. He thinks vocational training and entrepreneurship are the keys to building strong communities, including in small towns like Albion.

“Businesses need good qualified workers,” he said.

Many of those workers often start their own businesses, hiring their own employees.

After Albion, Nell would go on to earn a doctorate in international studies from Denver University. He now teaches trade policy and economic integration at a university.

He credits the year in Albion for building his confidence and for improving his English skills that have proven important in his career.

Community members took him to Buffalo Sabres games and numerous other attractions and sites. Nell said he appreciated so many people welcoming him into their homes for meals and conversation.

“I did receive a lot from this community,” Nell said. “Albion played an important role in sharing American culture, in sharing American friendship and American generosity.”

He stays in touch with Gavenda, and she has been to see him and his family in Switzerland. Then talk often by phone. Nell set her up so they can start talking by Skype.

Gavenda, 90, said she considers Nell as another son.

“It’s been a very personal relationship,” she said. “We’re really a close family.”

Nell was part of the American Field Service program. When he was at Albion 45 years ago, Gavenda was married to Harmon Ries. Nell became close to their son Jim Reis, who excelled at wrestling.

Nell fund success in track and cross country, and wanted to give wrestling a try. He eventually did win a match learning some moves taught to him by Reis, who now lives in Washington D.C.

Nell first returned to Albion in 2004 with his two oldest sons. Ries by then had endured the loss of her husband, and remarried only to become a widow again. She has visited Nell’s family in Switzerland, spending three months in the country. Nell has lost both of his parents, and treasures Gavenda even more these days.

Gavenda said Nell was open to the opportunities in the community, unlike many teen-agers – then and now.

“He showed an interest in everything,” Gavenda said.

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Car show draws a crowd to blocked off Main Street in Albion

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 July 2017 at 9:07 pm

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – One of the car owners, with the license plate “MARKSTOY,” heads up Main Street after spending a couple hours in today’s Super Cruise in Albion.

The village had a section of Main Street, as well as Bank Street, blocked off for the big car show.

The rain kept some of the expected participants away, but more than a 100 cars were lined up on Main and Bank streets.

Organizers were pleased to see many people walking in downtown, checking out the vehicles.

“This is awesome seeing all the families out walking about,” said Adam Johnson, one of the organizers of the event.

The car show brought a lot of people downtown, who enjoyed looking at the cars and chatting with friends.

Cars are lined up on Main Street.

Joe Coyle looks at a 1931 Ford with his sons Collin (gray shirt) and Liam (green shirt). “It’s really exciting to see the turnout,” Coyle said.

Dale Strong owns the 1931 Ford. His father bought it in 1958. The car had been in storage for about a half century until Strong revived it last year to take his daughter to her wedding.

This 1972 Chevy van from Rochester was popular at the car show.

The Albion Canalside Cruise Nights started on June 17. The cruise nights continue on Saturdays until the finale on Aug. 26 featuring convertibles.

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Orleans seeks study on county-wide water district

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 July 2017 at 3:18 pm

File photo by Tom Rivers – The 1-million-gallon water tank on Route 98 is pictured through a metal fence at the site north of the village in the Town of Gaines. A firm about two years advised the village to spend nearly $1 million to bolster the tank with a series of improvements.

ALBION – Orleans County will seek state funding to study a county-wide water district, which could be created to maintain and operate some of the water infrastructure in Orleans.

The study has the support of the Albion Village Board and several of the town boards.

Albion’s Department of Public Works handles the maintenance and operation of the village system. The village sells water to the towns of Carlton, Gaines, Albion and Barre.

Holley and Lyndonville also have water systems, the Niagara County Water District serves Medina, and the Monroe County Water Authority is a supplier for Kendall, Murray and Clarendon.

The highway superintendents for the towns also function in a part-time role as water superintendents, and highway employees also work on the water systems.

Several highway superintendents are expected to retire soon, and the water plants, storage tanks, water towers and other infrastructure are all getting older.

Some local municipal leaders think a county-wide water district could be the best answer for qualified personnel overseeing the water systems, and could also draw more grants and resources for costly capital projects.

“It’s definitely worth looking in to,” said Dean London, mayor of Albion.

The village is a primary water supplier in the county. But the MCWA has been pushing westward from Monroe, locking Kendall, for example, into a 40-year agreement.

A countywide water district could help the Village of Albion keep the local towns as customers. The district could also have an overseeing board of directors with representatives from the village, towns and county.

“The water plant is a resource we have,” London said. “If we had county-wide participation, it could set ourselves in a good direction.”

London said the plant at Wilson Road in Carlton is under capacity and could produce more water, serving more water districts and serving as an economic development tool in the county.

“Monroe County (Water Authority) is trying to make inroads from the east,” London said. “We need to protect what we have.”

Orleans County is taking the lead on the application to the state for the study. The county has received letters of support from the municipal boards from the villages of Albion, Holley and Lyndonville, as well as the Town Boards from Barre, Clarendon, Gaines and Ridgeway.

If the project moves forward, the municipalities are expected to continue to keep their own infrastructure, with the county-wide water district perhaps having its own superintendent, staff and possibly billing clerks.

The study would flesh out details and different scenarios.

The study and the formation of the countywide water district could drive investment to the Albion water plant, boosting its capacity and increasing its efficiency, said Chuck Nesbitt, the county chief administrative officer.

Nesbitt said the timing for the study is ideal with the imminent retirement of some of the local highway superintendents. The state also has boosted resources for water infrastructure, and the study and a possible county-wide district could increase the chances for securing some of those funds locally, he said.

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Albion will close off Main Street for big car show on Saturday

Photo by Tom Rivers: The car show during the Strawberry Festival in June proved to be a crowd magnet. This photo shows a blocked section of East State Street.

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 July 2017 at 8:33 am

This map shows the layout for Saturday’s Super Cruise, which will include music and food vendors.

ALBION – Main Street in downtown Albion will be closed off Saturday from 4 to 9 p.m. for a big car show.

The “Super Cruise” is expected to draw 300 to 500 vehicles, including classic cars, motorcycles, Jeeps, trucks, street cars and modern vehicles.

This is the first time in several years the street will be blocked off for a car show.

Bank Street, from Liberty to Platt streets, will also be closed off to traffic.

“If we get the turnout we’re expecting, it will be something to see,” said Mayor Dean London.

There will also be a food court at the village parking lot north of the Presbyterian Church on Main Street, live music and an open mic at Shay’s. Many of the downtown businesses will also be staying open later to be part of the event, including U-Need-O Burrito and 39 Problems, two eating establishments on main Street.

The car show runs from 5:30 to 8 p.m., but the streets will be shut down at 4 to allow the cars and vendors to get set up. The streets will reopen at 9 p.m. after cleanup from the Super Cruise.

“We’re hoping to make a spectacle of it,” said Adam Johnson, a coordinator of the Albion Canalside Cruise Nights, which started on June 17.

The Cruise Nights have been on Saturdays by the canal. This Saturday will be the biggest cruise of the year.

Johnson and organizers have received a good response from car clubs in Rochester and Buffalo.

“There has been a real strong buzz in Rochester and Buffalo,” Johnson said. “Our cruise is a little bit unique because it’s not just classic and old cars. We’ve opened it up to the Honda Club, tuners, Jeeps and motorcycles.”

Johnson, owner of 39 Problems, hopes the event will be showcase for the downtown business district.

“This is a chance to take a leisurely stroll down Main Street and the downtown and see our historic buildings and architecture,” Johnson said.

The Albion Canalside Cruise Nights continue on Saturdays until the finale on Aug. 26 featuring convertibles.

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