Photos courtesy of Sue Starkweather Miller: Haden Button enters the assembly on Thursday to a cheering crowd.

Alanna Holman, left, and Lily Allison are buddies.

Press Release, Albion Central School

ALBION – The Albion Central School District’s annual Empire Games for the Physically Challenged Awards Ceremony took place on Thursday The middle school band played musical selections as student athletes entered the elementary school gym to a cheering audience of over 1,000 students, staff, and family members.

The elementary school chorus sang several musical selections.  Students watched to a video presentation of the athletes participating in the Games at SUNY Brockport. Principals distributed ribbons and medals to each student athlete. After the ceremony, the athletes and their families celebrated with cookies and milk.

The Empire Games for the Physically Challenged takes place in October at SUNY Brockport. School districts from all across the region participate in many events on the Brockport campus.

Albion student athletes participated in: long jump, club throw, precision throw, distance kick, 40 meter race, 60 meter race, 100 meter race, slalom and the soft discus. Each athlete had a high school “buddy” who attended the Games and assisted them through the day as they moved through events.

Student athletes included: Lily Allison, Asad Bacht, Morgan Brower, Hayden Button, Dejeanna Conner, Brook Drake, Ethan Ferchen, Analiah Figueroa-Fuentes, Kaitlynn Figueroa-Fuentes, Rebecca Fugate, Nick Garcia, Taneisha Jackson, Keira Lemcke, Tatiana Morales, Misty Dawn Mullins, Gabrielle Payne, Adriana Pellegrino, Emily Richardson, Shaekwon Robinson, Alannah Snitzel and Jacob Sunday

Adriana Pelligrino receives medals from Elementary School Principal Rachel Curtin.

Varsity cheerleaders and Eagle lead a cheer for the audience.

Nick Garcia receives his medals from High School Assistant Principal Katharine Waite.

The Middle School Band performs during the assembly.

Emily Richardson receives her medals from Middle School Principal Bradley Pritchard.

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Photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Wendy Jacobson (left), CEO of Orleans Community Health/Medina Memorial Hospital, accepts the “Friend of Education Award” on Monday from Margy Brown, president of the Albion Board of Education.

The healthcare organization was recognized for its participation the past three years in the district’s internship program. Albion High School students have been doing internships and observations with doctors, nurses, physician’s assistants and other staff at Medina Memorial Hospital and Orleans Community Health’s Albion healthcare site.

Those experiences convinced many students to pursue careers in healthcare, said Susan Starkweather Miller, the internship coordinator.

Jacobson has embraced the program, and given students access to professionals who work in surgeries, ultrasound, phlebotomy and other programs.

The staff finds the students invigorating, Jacobson said.

“It’s a way to pay back the educators who saw something in us all,” she said.

The district also presented monthly student recognition awards. In the elementary school, Joshua Zayac received the Leadership Award and Bryan Hillman was presented the Character Award.

Tyler Kast, a senior, was also presented with the Leadership Award at the high school. He was unable to attend last month’s board meeting and received the award last evening.

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Ballot includes 3 state-wide propositions, including Constitutional Convention

There are three state-wide propositions on the ballot today, and there is also one specific to the Town of Albion, which is asking voters if a local law should be enacted to allow games of chance.

Albion is seeking voters’ approval for games of chance so the American Legion can provide games of chance, including Bell Jar games, where people draw a card from a jar, vending machine or other suitable device or container. The winning Bell Jar ticket is turned in for a monetary prize. Bell Jars are typically sold for 25¢, 50¢, $1 and $2 and have prizes as high as $500.

The Legion used to be located in the village on Main Street and needed a permit for games of chance from the village. Now that the Legion moved outside the village to the former Pap Pap’s Par 3 golf course on Gaines Basin Road, it needs to get a local permit from the town.

The state-wide propositions include:

• Proposal 1: would call for a constitutional convention to explore proposals for changes to the state constitution.

• Proposal 2: would allow judges to reduce or revoke the state pension of a public officer convicted of a felony related to his or her duties.

• Proposal 3: would create a 250-acre land bank, which would allow local governments to request forest preserve land for projects in exchange for the state acquiring 250 acres for the forest preserves. The amendment would allow bicycle trails and certain public utility lines to be located within the width of specified highways that cross a forest preserve while minimizing removal of trees and vegetation.

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Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The Albion Rotary Club presented a check for $2,868 to PAWS Animal Shelter on Thursday. Morgan Tinkous, center, is director of the shelter on Gaines Basin Road.

She is joined by Albion Rotarians Tammy Yaskulski, left, and Deb Boyer, who organized  the 2^nd Annual Albion Rotary Club Masquerade Ball on Oct. 14.

Tammy Yaskulski, second from right, announces some of the finalists for best costume and Deb Boyer. The Masquerade Ball had a Roaring ’20s theme. The Albion Rotary Club started in 1922 and is marking its 95^th anniversary this year.

The event was held at the White Birch Golf Course in Lyndonville.

Lori Laine won an award for her costume.

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Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The high school drama program at Albion will be performing “Getting to Know…Once Upon a Mattress” today at 7 p.m. and on Saturday at noon and 7 p.m. Shows are at the Middle School Auditorium. Tickets are available at the door.

Riley Seielstad, left, plays Princess Winnifred and Victor Benjovsky is Prince Dauntless in the show that touches on the story of “The Princess and the Pea.”

The show “is a great farce,” said Gary Simboli, the director. There is a cast of 30 students with many catchy songs and funny moments.

“Your sides will hurt from laughing,” Simboli said.

Enoch Martin plays Sir Harry and Kate Krieger is Lady Larken.

The set includes a bed with 20 mattresses. Queen Aggravain (Hannah Van Epps) puts a pea under a mattress and that pea keeps Princess Winnifred up all night.

Chase Froman is Sir Harold and Sophia Zambito is Lady Beatrice.

The show is set in a medieval kingdom ruled by the devious Queen Aggravain.

Zach Moore plays the mute King Sextimus the Silent. King Sextimus suffers from a curse that can only be reversed “when the mouse devours the hawk.” The King would later discover his voice. Emma Tower is the Jester, center, and Molly Wadhams is the Minstrel.

Kate Krieger is Lady Larken, right, and Riley Seielstad has fun as the zany Princess Winnifred.

Victor Benjovsky is Prince Dauntless who professes his love for “Fred” – Princess Winnifred.

Riley Seielstad is high energy as Princess Winnifred.

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ALBION – Many Albion residents reacted with shock on social media today as trees along the Erie Canal were cut down. The top photo shows a section of the canal by the Bowman’s bridge, west of Main Street, where trees were taken down.

The New York State Canal Corp. has hired Mohawk Valley Materials from Utica to remove vegetation on the Canal Corp. right of way.

The company started in Medina last month and is working its way east with a goal to make it to Fairport in December.

Flint Zigler and his daughter Scarlett are the two cyclists in the photo. They are from York, Pa. Mr. Zigler home schools his daughter. They have been studying the Erie Canal. They wanted to see it in person.

Flint and Scarlett Zigler ride their bikes past stacks of trees on the towpath in Albion.

They started riding their bikes from Lockport today and were disappointed to see so many big trees cut down along the towpath.

“It’s kind of sad,” Mr. Zigler said this afternoon. “These are massive trees they are taking out.”

The Canal Corp. discussed the tree-clearing plan on Sept. 25 during a meeting in Medina at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library. The Canal Corp. will be taking down trees on 140 acres between Medina and Fairport. The contractor hired for the job won’t be touching any trees on privately owned land.

The trees have roots that can burrow into the soil, going under the towpath and reaching the canal walls. That can make the canal vulnerable to leaks and weaken the walls, Canal Corp. officials said.

Orleans Hub has received two letters to the editor about the tree-clearing.

“Tearing down trees along the towpath of the Erie Canal is an absolute disgrace and should have been the last option, not the first option because it’s the cheapest!” Stephanie Thurston of Albion write today. “We live right on the canal and the beauty of the trees across from our house is now gone. Devastated!”

Elizabeth and Michael Leone sent in a letter on Oct. 25, after seeing numerous trees cut down in Medina.

“The Erie Canal towpath has always been a place of beauty and tranquility,” they wrote. “It is a place to escape, walk, ride bicycles and enjoy nature. We have lost something with the rapid execution of the tree line and foliage along the towpath, which gave home to wildlife, and a break from the harsh winds of fall and winter.”

The couple said they understood the rationale for removing the trees. However, “the ruthless nature that the Canal Corp. has used in clearing this scenic walkway is unforgivable. It has been particularly harsh for residents living on the north side of the canal, where all privacy is lost.”

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Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Caden Crosby, a senior at Albion High School, helps the Albion Betterment Committee plant a bur oak tree at the Rite Aid front lawn this afternoon.

The Betterment Committee supplied two bur oaks and had them planted by Rite Aid. ABC Director Gary Kent, in back, has been nurturing the trees the past few years at his home.

Provided photo: The Betterment Committee also hired Greg Rosato and his son Brett last month to trim the beech tree on Main Street by the former Bank of America. Brett Rosato is shown high in the tree. He cut the dead section and some of the decayed limbs out of the tree. The Betterment Committee said the trimming improves the looks of the tree and should extend its life.

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Elementary students with winning fire safety displays get to ride in fire trucks

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – A Barre fire truck dropped off a student at the Ronald L. Sodoma Elementary School this morning.

Melodee Sager, a third-grader in Mrs. Sheryl LeBaron’s class, was able to ride in the fire truck with her teacher. When they arrived at school, Melodee’s classmates came out to greet her.

Elementary students were all encouraged to create fire safety and fire prevention posters or displays. One students from each grade was selected to ride in a fire truck to school.

Melodee Sager had fun riding in the fire truck with her teacher, Sheryl LeBaron. Ben Flansburg drove the truck for the Barre Volunteer Fire Company.

Melodee leaves the truck and Mrs. LeBaron is greeted with a hug by one of her students. Throughout the week, students with winning fire safety displays will be dropped off at school in a fire truck.

Keira Sidari, a student in Mrs. Werner’s second grade class, created this poster, which was picked the best in the second grade.

Myalee Moyer, a fourth-grader in Mrs. Sheehan’s class, had the winning display for the fourth grade.

Ryan Gardner’s poster was picked the winner of the Pre-K.

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Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – This scarecrow – The Grinch – was made by Albion Agencies and won first place in the “Cutest” competition in the second annual Scarecrow Contest in downtown Albion.

The event was organized by Energize Albion and the Albion Merchants Association.

These scarecrows of Wizard of Oz characters were created by the Downtown and Uptown Browseries and were tied for second in the “Cutest” with the Sally Princess/Minnie Mouse scarecrow made by the Crawford family.

Other winning scarecrows include:

Scariest: First place – Jack Skeleton/Jack the Pumpkin King/The Nightmare Before Christmas by United Structural LLC. Second place – Peter Pan by Jackson.

The Queen of Hearts and Her Royal Cards came in second in the “Funniest” category.

Funniest: First place – Charlie Brown by the Pollock family. Second place – Queen of Hearts & Her Royal Cards by the Barry family.

The Mummy won first place in “Most Traditional.”

Most Traditional: First place – Mummy by the Albion PTA. Second place – Tom Selleck by the Baldwin family.

Energize Albion and the Albion Merchants Association also had a Downtown Storefront Decoration Contest and Spotlight Dance Studio won first place, with the Albion Village Hall in second.

In addition, there was a Halloween House Yard Decoration Contest and the Pate family on West Academy Street won first place, followed by the Francis family on Platt Street in second, and the Starkweather-Miller family on South Main Street as an honorable mention.

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Provided photos by Tim Archer, Albion service learning teacher

ALBION – Three historical markers about the Erie Canal were recently repainted with help from Albion seventh-grade students.

The student pictured include, from left: Mercy Sugar, Yoselin Lauro and Lisa Beam.

They repainted markers include one about the bridge collapse where 15 people died on Sept. 28, 1859 in Albion. Another marker is near Gaines Basin Road and notes a spot that is the northernmost point on the canal. Another sign by the canal in Albion talks about the Erie Canal’s impact on the area after the waterway opened in 1825.

Melissa Ierlan of Clarendon worked with students on the project. Ierlan has repainted many markers in Orleans County in recent years.

The repainted marker is back in place by the Main Street lift bridge.

The students are working on canal-related projects as part of the bicentennial celebration of the canal. Construction started in 1817 and was completed in 1825.

Students also plan to touch up the Erie Canal mural image on the back of fire hall, and hope to paint “Welcome to Albion” above it.

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Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Albion held a “Blue Mass” for law enforcement, firefighters, paramedics, coroners and other first responders this morning.

This is the second straight year the parish and the Knights of Columbus has held the Mass. Some local firefighters and law enforcement officers gather outside the church just before the Mass at 10:30 this morning.

Local first responders gather before the Mass. The Knights of Columbus, led by Grand Knight Greg Dugan, organized the Mass. Dugan, owner Greg’s Barbershop, was critically injured in a motorcycle accident on Aug. 6, 2012.

“The first responders saved my life,” Dugan said today.

He was seriously injured in the accident, breaking both knees, both wrists, separating his pelvis, fracturing his left hip, and lacerating his left leg.

Dugan said the Mass today was a chance for the church to pray for the first responders, including those unable to attend the Mass this morning.

Father Richard Csizmar greets firefighters, including Harry Papponetti at right and Dale Banker, smiling.

“We hear of the courageous fire personnel who put their lives in jeopardy when approaching a blazing inferno. They are concerned about the lives that may be inside the house,” Csizmar said in a homily during the service. “They go about trying to protect the safety of those whose homes are next door. They run to accident scenes, to join others ministering to accident victims. They do so because of the generosity within their hearts. They do not look for glory and recognition—they see the value of the life of another human being, even if unknown.”

Law enforcement officers head into the church for the Mass.

Csizmar said this about police and deputies:

“We admire those who work nights, driving through the village, waiting for that next call. It may be an accident, a shooting, a fight, a person wanting to jump from a bridge. They arrive and are the first to deal with the bleeding. They talk to the person so distraught at the scene. They clean up the mess. They do not seek any reward.”

A blue wreath brought to the service by Merrill-Grinnell Funeral Home symbolized first responders killed in the line of duty, including Bruce Baldwin, Albion Fire Department; Richard Buongiorne, Kendall Fire Department; Lewis Grimes, Albion Fire Department; Matthew Phillips, Albion Fire Department; and David Whittier, the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department. Csizmar also acknowledged the loss in the past week of Buffalo police officer Craig Lehner.

The Gates Keystone Club (Police Pipes and Drums) played at the Masseur the second year. The band formed in 1998 to “for the purpose of honoring our fallen brothers and sisters and to participate at official ceremonial events.”

Knights of Columbus members Casimer Pruski, left, and Bob Ballard, right, both past grand knights, get ready for the Mass.

“We ask God to bless all who wear the uniform in service to our community and country,” The Knights said in a message in the church program. “We also pray for a special blessing upon your families, your spouses, children and parents who pray for your safety daily.”

Firefighters from Albion and Barre stand during the Mass this morning.

Stephen Winner, drum major for the Gates Keystone Club, leads the band through the center aisle in a processional at the end of the Mass.

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‘Parents, it’s OK to push our children’

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Dr. Adolph Brown III and his team of motivational speakers visited Albion on Tuesday to meet with students, teachers and community members. Brown gave high-energy speeches throughout the day. He is pictured on Tuesday night in the middle school auditorium.

Brown is speaking at schools across the country, with a message about “character, choices and consequences.”

Brown grew up without a father. He praised the nurturing influence of his grandparents in setting high expectations for him. Brown had the Albion crowd give a round of applause for all the grandparents.

Brown spoke about the “Three B’s” – Breathe, Believe in Yourself, and Bounce Back.

He urged people to take a breath when they are being challenged or in a struggle. He urged the group to being generous in praising others, to help people to believe in themselves.

Brown said resilience, the ability to bounce back, is a critical in overcoming challenges. He urges school districts and families to adopt a “growth mindset” and not a fixed mindset. A growth mindset focuses on hard work, discipline and overcoming challenges.

“Parents, it’s OK to push our children,” Brown said.

Brown’s team on Tuesday included three other motivational speakers, including Jahzeel Mumford, a Top 10 pop star and an actor on Tyler Perry shows. One of the photos on the screen shows him singing with Mariah Carey, and also break dancing.

Mumford emphasized hard work, even as a young kid, is critical to success. He played the cello as a young boy, a time when he said it was far from cool. But that helped him develop his skills as a musician.

“Winners say ‘try me’ and not ‘Why me?'” he said.

Meghan Shanley, an international Soul/R&B music recording artist and former Miss Virginia, urged the group to keep trying after an initial setback. It took her three tries to win the Miss Virginia pageant. That title paid for her college loans.

She lived in Nashville for 12 years as a musician before recently moving to Atlanta. She urged students and their parents to be open to new challenges and to not just do what’s comfortable.

Javier Trejo is an educator, mentor, youth advocate and tech guru. He shared his story of coming to the United States as a boy from Mexico. He wanted to play basketball and worked hard at his skills, practicing with a hoop and backboard he paid for himself in his backyard. Trejo graduated and now is a big advocate for education.

He stressed putting in the hard work. Many people with lots of talent and resources don’t have the dedication to hone their skills, he said.

“Every dream has a challenge,” Trejo said. “You have to learn to walk before you can fly.”

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