Photo and information from Albion Central School: Albion High School Principal Jenn Ashbery, second from left, accepts $1,000 for the high school from representatives of Crosby’s in Albion.

ALBION – The high school today received a grant of $500 from the ExxonMobil Educational Alliance Program. Reid Petroleum and Crosby’s matched this with an additional $500 for a total of $1,000 to be used to support math and science education.

As noted on their website, “Exxon and Mobil are fueling young minds and helping create aha moments through the Educational Alliance. Since its inception, we’ve committed over $34 million to this national program, which funds math and science programs at schools in need. It’s part of our ongoing effort to support science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education within the communities we serve.”

The Albion funds will be put to use in support of STEM instruction at the high school.

“We are appreciative of the additional opportunities this presents for our students,” High School Principal Jennifer Ashbery said.

Last year, the funds were used to purchase MakerBots, which introduces students to the technology involved in 3D printing and helps encourage students to develop innovative solutions and designs.

In the coming weeks, Ashbery plans to meet with teachers in order to decide how these new funds will be used to support math, science and engineering for our students.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Volunteers, nearly all for the first time this morning, help distribute food in Albion from the parking lot at the Main Street Thrift Store.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture funds the USDA Farmers to Families Food Box Program nation-wide. It is expected to continue locally through February.

The schedule for the rets of January includes:

• January 22nd, Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension, 4-H Fairgrounds, 12690 NYS Route 31, Knowlesville, entrance is on Taylor Hill Road and not on Route 31. The line on Taylor Hill will need to go south away from Route 31.
• January 29th, Community Action Store, 113 South Main Street, Albion

John Kurtz of Albion, left, carries a box of food with produce, meat and dairy this morning. Jesse Underwood of Clarendon is at right. He volunteered as a member of ABATE, a local group of motorcyclists.

Cars started to line up around 6, about two hours before the event started.

Kurtz and Underwood were among a new group of volunteers at the event coordinated by the Orleans County Office for the Aging and Community Action of Orleans & Genesee.

“There are a lot more people in need right now,” Underwood said.

Leslie Spofford of Clarendon also volunteered for the first time this morning at a food distribution, which has been happening most weeks locally since April. Spofford had the day off from her job as Runnings in Brockport and wanted to help.

By 7:30 this morning the line of cars was down three streets in Albion. This shows vehicles on East Park Street. They were also waiting on McKinstry and Chamberlain streets.

About 300 boxes of food are given away at the events. The start times are approximately 8:30 a.m. (If the Foodlink truck is there and unloaded, the event may start sooner.) Organizers are ask people not to line up before 8 a.m. due to possible winter weather conditions.

Photos and information courtesy of Tim Archer, Albion Central School teacher

ALBION – Renzo Tomasi, a seventh grade Service Learning student in Albion, is shown with Melissa Ierlan, Clarendon town historian, today after a historical marker was reinstalled at Union Cemetery on Route 98. This sign is by the Watt Farms Country Market.

This was one of three historic markers that were reinstalled today, with assistance from Mark Radzinski, the Gaines town highway superintendent.

Ierlan worked with students to repaint the markers. She has given a facelift to many of the markers in Orleans County in recent years.

Service Learning teacher Tim Archer said the project has allowed the students to connect with the community during a school year when there hasn’t been any field trips.

“These are civic-minded projects that help students appreciate their community’s past history and to participate in maintaining our heritage,” Archer said. “The students enjoy the hands-on aspect of learning.”

The other two historical markers are on Ridge Road, including one for the First Academy.

The marker for the First Church also was reset after getting a fresh coat of paint.

Nick Prest works on repainting a cast iron road sign from Gillette Road in Barre. Isaiah Riley also is working to restore the sign with assistance from Mrs. Kami Feder’s eighth grade art class.

Here is how the road sign looked before students started working on it.

Archer works with town officials to get approval and then has the highway superintendent take down the sign for restoration. Once completed, the sign will go back up on West Barre Road near the West Barre United Methodist Church.

“Periodically my 7th grade Service Learning classes restore local historic markers or historic road signs,” Archer said. “This is the second ‘West Barre’ area sign we’ve done.”

Archer asked Middle School Art Teacher Kamie Feder to include her eighth-grade art class, which includes Prest and Riley, to help with this second West Barre sign as part of an “interdisciplinary partnership.”

“Since it involved painting, and her room was more conducive to doing it, I asked Kamie if she would take some of her regular art class time to paint the sign,” Archer said. “She was kind enough to accept. Nick and Isaiah are in a small class with her and I had both Nick and Isaiah in class last year. This is an extension of the service-learning instruction that they were part of previously.”

Additionally, the three signs from the Town of Gaines that seventh-graders Brynn Dugan and Renzo Tomasi were working to restore this past September are finished and reinstalled roadside.

Since September, Town of Clarendon Historian Melissa Ierlan has been working on the fine lettering work on the signs.

As for the West Barre sign, it should be back up later this year.

Provided photos

ALBION – The Tree House, which opened in March 2020 in downtown Albion, has relocated to the space for the former Rainbow Preschool at the Arnold Gregory Office Complex, 243 South Main St., and given the site a vastly new look.

Michelle Waters

The move more than doubles the space to 3,500 square feet for the Tree House, which offers child enrichment programs, parent-child classes and birthday parties.

“We are able to have different classes and offerings at the same time,” said Michelle Waters, Tree House owner. “We are so excited!”

The space for many years was used by the Rainbow Preschool, until it was closed in late August by the Arc of Genesee Orleans.

The announcement today that Rainbow Preschool is closing ends a program that is nearly 50 years old.

For nearly 50 years, the Arc ran Rainbow Preschool, serving children ages 2 ½ to 5 with developmental and intellectual disabilities. At its peak, the school served 300 children. The enrollment for 2020-21 was at 26 students.

Michelle Waters opened The Tree House on March 12 at 116 North Main Street, 2nd Floor. That was just before the state imposed restrictions to slow the spread of Covid-19. Waters was forced to temporarily close to in-person services.

Waters was able to pivot the business that specializes in preschool and toddler programs. She developed activity kits to help families who suddenly had children home – nearly all the time. She delivered them throughout Western New York. Those kits were fun and educational.

The Orleans County Chamber of Commerce in November recognized The Tree House as the “New Business of the Year.”

Waters said The Tree House provides in-person programs that meet social distancing and public health guidelines.

“The Tree House is the place for the kind of loud and messy fun that promotes learning,” Waters said. “From musical instruments to the ooey gooey there is something sure to inspire wonder in your child.”

‘Her heart was very much with the poor. She’d do anything for the poor.’

ALBION – The death of Sister Marian Adrian comes as a shock to those who knew her and a great loss to the community.

Sister Marian Adrian

The Orleans and Genesee County areas will remember Sister Marian as the advocate for migrant workers and a stout supporter of the Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern.

Sister Dolores Dowd of Albion, a fellow sister of the Grey Nuns, called Sister Marian “a good and loyal friend.”

“Her heart was very much with the poor,” Sister Dolores said. “She’d do anything for the poor.”

Sister Marian died Dec. 14 at her retirement home in Philadelphia, where she moved in 2015 to join her sister Grey Nuns in retirement.

“Sister Marian was a passionate advocate for migrant workers and rural poor living in Orleans and Genesee counties, and was instrumental in the growth the development of the Genesee Orleans Ministry of Concern from the 1970s on,” said Nyla Gaylord, the current director of GOMOC. “As a Grey Nun, she frequently had the opportunity to speak at Catholic churches in the Buffalo area. The passion with which she spoke made an enduring impression on those who heard her and many responded by becoming faithful donors.

Gaylord spoke to Sister Marian on the phone just two weeks before her death to tell her about a donation GOMOC had received because of a talk Sister Marian had done years ago.

Nyla Gaylord, executive director of the Genesee Orleans Ministry of Concern, visits Sister Marian Adrian at her apartment near Philadelphia in 2017.

“She was so effective as a fundraiser,” Gaylord said. “She kept in touch with her students and was a great correspondent. More than 30 years ago she spoke at a church in Clarence, and one of the congregation who heard her just sent us a generous donation.”

Gaylord also shared a story about another $1,000 check they received from a man whose wife had just died. In going through her checkbook, he found she had been supporting the Ministry of Concern, so he sent another check in his wife’s memory.

“Sister Marian was a perfect example of the Bible verse in John 4:37, which reads, ‘One sows and another reaps.’ We are reaping today the seeds she sowed, which is enabling Ministry of Concern to continue its work.”

A wise investor, Sister Marian’s legacy gifts to the Ministry of Concern have established a strong foundation of resources that will help ensure the long-term continuation of this organization, Gaylord said.

Sister Marian was born in 1930 in Buffalo, an only child. She graduated from Holy Angels Academy, where she taught from 1954 to 1969. She earned a bachelor of arts in mathematics from D’Youville College in 1951, a master’s degree in philosophy from Catholic University in Washington, D.D. in 1960 and received her Ed D in science from Buffalo State in 1977. She held New York permanent certification in general science and physics, as well as mathematics. She is credited with several publications on science and relationships.

Sister Marian first came to Albion to visit and saw a child with no shoes walking in the snow. That touched her and set the path her life would follow. She became acquainted with the Rev. Tim Hoyt from Holley, who worked with migrant workers.

“She made a profound impact on people’s lives by sharing reality with them, particularly the young women at Holy Angels Academy,” Gaylord said.

Sister Marian started a summer mission program where the young ladies from Holy Angels would come to Albion to work with the migrants. This was before the War on Poverty and before any government funding for migrant workers. The young ladies who spent the summers here paid their own expenses.

Sister Marian was extraordinary for her time, Gaylord said. She taught math and science when women then didn’t go into those fields. She taught at Albion for 22 years and then became director of the GOMOC from 1991 to 2006. After stepping down as director, she supported the agency as director of development, director of communication and director of education, until retiring in 2006. She continued to volunteer for another year until her retirement.

As one of the founders of the Ministry of Concern, Sister Marian’s purpose was to give people “a hand-up rather than a hand-out.”

Gaylord called Sister Marian “an extraordinary woman who exemplified the mission of her order: “to be signs of God’s constant and unconditional love for every person.”

Sister Marian’s burial will be private due to restrictions caused by the pandemic. A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date. Arrangements were completed by the Beck-Givnish Funeral Homes in Philadelphia.

Assistant superintendent, Mary Leto, announces she will retire on June 30

ALBION — The Board of Education is suspending the 30-hour community service requirement for seniors who haven’t met the threshold.

Their graduation credits will be adjusted from 23.5 credits to 23. That is still more than the state graduation requirement of 22 credits.

During its monthly meeting on Monday, the board also voted to give seniors who were scheduled to have internships the opportunity to reschedule a different course or be released following the third block. Parent permission will be needed for early dismissals.

In other action at the Board of Education meeting:

• The board was notified that Mary Leto, the assistant superintendent for instruction, will retire, effective June 30, 2021.

Michelle Powley, the high school secretary, also notified the district she will retire on Jan. 31.

“We have some pretty significant retirements coming up which will leave a very big hole in the district,” said Board of Education President Kathy Harling.

Leto has been one of the district’s top administrators for several years. She was at Monday’s BOE meeting.

“It will be very difficult to imagine not having you here Mary because you’ve been such a huge part of the district for so long,” Harling said.

• The board accepted an anonymous $1,000 donation to be used to purchase a sewing machine in the 12:1:1 life skills program. The sewing machine will go to a graduating senior in the 12:1:1 program who shows an interest in sewing as an ongoing life skill. The award recipients will be chosen by the 12:1:1 high school teacher and the high school principal.

• The Board of Education approved the following extracurricular athletic appointments:

• Caleb Orbaker, modified baseball coach
• Keith Akers, modified softball coach
• David Skrip, middle school weight room, intramurals
• Patrick Uveino, middle school weight room, intramurals
• Michael Fahy, high school weight room, intramurals
• Ocie Bennett, high school weight room intramurals

• The Board of Education approved the following additional extracurricular appointments:

• Shari Berg, high school musical and play assistant director
• Kailey Winans, high school musical and play assistant director

Photo courtesy of Albion Central School: Bailey Nesbitt and Adonis Guzman Ramirez were recognized on Monday by the Albion Board of Education.

Press Release, Albion Central School

ALBION – Two students from Albion’s Charles D’Amico High School were honored as part of the Board of Education meeting on Monday.

The virtual meeting featured a pre-recorded video of High School Principal Jennifer Ashbery officially presenting seniors Adonis Guzman Ramirez and Bailey Nesbitt with the Board of Education Character and Leadership Awards for the month of January.

“Anyone who knows Adonis knows that when you pass him in the hallway, you will see a smile on his face,” Ashbery said, presenting him with the BOE Character Award.

“Adonis is always going above and beyond in the classroom to help the other students in the class,” Krenning said when nominating Guzman Ramirez. “He wants everyone in the class to be successful and consistently helps others before himself.”

Krenning also noted that when Guzman Ramirez helped with the FFA Food Drive last month, he didn’t stop until it was finished – “He was the last student working, laughing and enjoying every minute.”

Elizabeth Henn, a foreign language teacher who has worked with Guzman Ramirez for the past four years said, “ I am so proud of Adonis. So many kids in our school look up to you, a true role model for our district and a true example of ‘Value Everyone, Everyday, Everywhere!’”

Nesbitt, also a senior, was been nominated for the Leadership Award by FFA Advisor Betsy Krenning.

“Nesbitt has led the Albion High School FFA, serving as the chapter’s president for the past four years,” Krenning said. “Each year she takes the lead in the Annual FFA Food Drive and this year’s food drive proved to be a monumental success.”

Despite the challenges of Covid-19, having only virtual meetings with the other officers, a new FFA advisor and starting the process three weeks later than previous years, they collected 53,000 pounds of food to donate to Community Action – surpassing their goal and collecting more produce than ever before.

“Bailey continues to model our district’s value of Learn Today, Lead Tomorrow,” Ashbery said. “I have no doubt that Bailey will take her Albion leadership skills out into the world and continue to make a positive impact on those around her.”

ALBION — The First Presbyterian Church of Albion will be shifting to online-only services for at least the next three weeks due to rising cases of Covid-19 and the flu in the community, said the Rev. Susan Thaine, the church’s pastor.

The services will be available online through First Presbyterian’s Facebook page. That is for the service on Sunday, Jan. 3 and Jan. 10.

“Your church Session will continue to be in prayerful conversation with the Department of Health and will re-evaluate this decision at our January Session meeting,” Thaine said.

ALBION – The Albion Merchants Association on Christmas announced the winners of its first “Deck the Town” contest. The winners were determined by the number of “likes” they received on the AMA Facebook page.

The top photo is the first place winner. The property at 49 Meadowbrook Drive received 466 likes.

248 South Clinton Street was second with 430 likes.

106 West Park Street was in third place with 326 likes.

The first annual “Deck the Town” contest had a goal to spread joy and make the community shine bright, the group said.

The contest includes a $500 gift card from AMA businesses for first place, a $300 gift card for second and a $100 gift card for third.

“Thank you to all the participants and for helping get Albion in the holiday spirit!!!!” the Merchants posted on Facebook. “The town is gorgeous.”